Song Yu's Gratitude

Just as Zhou Yu and the others were at a loss, a figure hurried into the County Office. Upon seeing him, Zhou Yu felt as if he had found a savior. He immediately ran forward, grabbed the man's arm, and said, "Father, save me!"

He knew the terror of the Beating. Ninety strokes would leave him half-dead, if not dead, on the spot.

The middle-aged man who had hurried into the County Office shot him a fierce glare but ignored him. He violently shook off his son's hand and walked up to Lieutenant Wang. With an apologetic expression, he said, "Lord Wang, I am truly sorry. Zhou Yu's upbringing is lacking, and I have caused you trouble. Lord Wang, please do not mind me. Judge them as you see fit. I will take them back later and punish them severely!"

Although the Director of the Department of Chariots held a rank of the fifth grade, equivalent to the Magistrate of Chang'an, he still acted very courteously towards the seventh-grade County lieutenant, Wang.

Any official in Chang'an with even the slightest channel for information knew that the Magistrate of Chang'an was a subordinate of the Minister of Justice, Li Xuanjing. The officials of the Chang'an County Office naturally saw their status rise accordingly, making them someone a Director of the Department of Chariots could not afford to offend.

In the past, facing a fifth-grade Director of the Department of Chariots, the County lieutenant would have certainly bowed and scraped, acting with utmost caution.

But now, behind him stood Lord Li. All his actions not only represented himself but also Lord Li. He could lose face in any way, but Lord Li's dignity could absolutely not be harmed.

He put on an air of authority, nodded at the Director of the Department of Chariots, and waved his hand, saying, "Proceed with the punishment."

The Young Master had specifically given instructions earlier. Therefore, as two constables approached with the rods, Lieutenant Wang cautioned them, "Mind the extent of it."

The Beating was a skillful job. Ninety strokes could either kill someone on the spot or allow the offender to walk away alive and well. Experienced constables could grasp this balance perfectly.

The Young Master's intention was to administer a minor punishment to these individuals. Lieutenant Wang naturally dared not act recklessly.

Not only did these people have influential backgrounds, but they were also students from the academy. If he were to beat them to death or cripple them, he would not be able to bear the responsibility.

Having served as an official for many years, the Director of the Department of Chariots naturally understood some unwritten rules. Upon hearing the words "Mind the extent of it," he knew it was not the worst possible outcome and finally felt relieved. He cupped his hands towards Lieutenant Wang and said, "Thank you, Lord Wang."

Lieutenant Wang also clasped his hands in return. "You are too kind. Come, someone, fetch a chair for Lord Zhou..."

The Director of the Department of Chariots smiled and said, "Thank you..."

Seeing that his father had already declared his stance, not only refusing to save him but also sitting there chatting and laughing with the Chang'an County lieutenant, Zhou Yu immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He dared not utter another sound and obediently lay down on a long bench.

Bang!

A stroke landed on his backside. Although Zhou Yu grimaced in pain, it was bearable.

Slap!

At the same time, a bamboo strip landed on Song Yu's backside.

Song Yu's expression was one of shock. This stroke felt like a mere tickle; it didn't hurt at all. Although Caning was lighter than Beating, this was far too light. Any lighter, and he wouldn't have felt it.

This was definitely not normal Caning.

Being as intelligent as he was, he quickly understood that this was special treatment from his brother-in-law. While touched, he also felt even more remorseful.

After recovering from his shock, he began to shout loudly.

"Ah!"

"It hurts so much!"

"Be gentler!"

Even though the bamboo strip didn't hurt his body, Song Yu still cried out miserably. He couldn't let others think his brother-in-law was showing favoritism.

His exaggerated acting made the two constables administering the punishment shake their heads. Over there, the one receiving the Beating remained silent, while here, the one receiving the "ticklish" Caning cried out as if being slaughtered. The constables truly wished they could strike him hard with their bamboo strips.

Of course, these were just thoughts; they didn't have the courage to act on them.

Lord Wang had said that this person was a relative of the Young Master. They couldn't be ignorant of such social niceties.

The punishments were administered simultaneously on both sides, and the process was swift. In just over fifteen minutes, all those involved in the brawl had been dealt with.

The punishment of these sons of officials was more symbolic than actual. Those who received Caning could still rub their sore bottoms while grimacing, and those who received Beating could still stand in the courtyard and howl, which was rarely seen in the past.

The Director of the Department of Chariots cupped his hands towards Lieutenant Wang, apologizing, "I have caused Lord Wang trouble..."

Lieutenant Wang replied courteously, "Lord Zhou is too kind."

"I will personally visit to express my gratitude another day."

"You are too kind..."

After a brief exchange, the Director of the Department of Chariots led his two sons away. The others also departed, groaning in pain.

This trip to the County Office taught them a lesson.

In the future, if they were to fight, they must keep the number of participants below three, and—never use weapons!

At this moment, their greatest hatred was not for themselves for not listening to their lessons properly back then.

What they hated the most was that guy who sold rolling pins!

Was that guy out of his mind? Did he know how to do business, selling rolling pins outside the academy?

At this moment, in the back hall of the County Office, Li Nuo, who had just picked up his teacup, paused.

On the Codex floating before his eyes, two lines of text clearly appeared.

"Name: Li Nuo. Lifespan: One hundred and nine days."

His lifespan had been ninety-four days just now. The punishments these twenty sons of officials received, even the lightest Caning and Beating, had added a full fifteen days to his lifespan.

He finally understood why the Legalists were so fond of clashing with officials and the powerful.

Punishing them was truly twice the result with half the effort. His lifespan increased, while for Legalist disciples who had already grasped the Power of Law, their cultivation increased.

Such great profits, who wouldn't be tempted?

It seems I'll have to pay more attention to these rich kids in the future...

Through this small test, he also gained a deeper understanding of the Codex.

Perhaps the Codex's lifespan boost would be reduced because he sold rolling pins, but it wouldn't affect the overall judgment.

Today's gains were significant. Li Nuo, feeling pleased, walked out of the back hall of the County Office. As soon as he reached the front yard, a figure jogged up to him.

It was Song Yu, with whom he'd had an unpleasant encounter.

Song Yu tightly grasped Li Nuo's hand and said apologetically, "Brother-in-law, thank you so much today. It was all my fault before, I said some truly excessive things to you. Please overlook my faults and forgive me..."

Li Nuo was slightly taken aback.

He had just sentenced him, and the man was thanking him instead?

Had this kid been dazed by the beating?

He glanced at Song Yu's backside, then at the constables who had administered the punishment. Realizing it was a matter of social etiquette, he waved his hand and said to Song Yu, "No need to thank me, I was just handling the case according to the law..."

Song Yu said with a sincere expression, "No, no, no! That guy surnamed Zhou was dishonorable, he actually brought a weapon. If you hadn't brought people to arrive in time, we would have suffered a great loss today... Brother-in-law, you knew we were going to fight here and were worried we'd get hurt, so you brought people to ambush them beforehand, right?"

"Uh, that..."

"I know! Brother-in-law even arranged for a Martial Arts Master to help me on the side. Otherwise, Zhou Yu's blow would have landed on my head!"

Song Yu looked at Li Nuo with eyes that seemed to see through everything. "Brother-in-law, you originally planned to just let it go if we didn't suffer any losses, didn't you..."

"..."

Li Nuo finally sighed softly, patted Song Yu's shoulder, and said, "I still can't hide anything from you. I originally didn't plan to intervene. Who knew that guy surnamed Zhou would be so dishonorable. By the way, you just received a caning, how are you feeling? I should have asked them to go easier..."

Song Yu waved his hand and said, "I still have to thank Brother-in-law for telling them to show mercy. They already went easy on me. The caning didn't feel like much, it's just that damn Zhou Yu, he hit so hard. A few blows on my back still hurt. And that damn rolling pin seller, don't let me see him next time. If I see him, I'll flip his stall..."

Li Nuo advised, "There's no need for that. He's running a small business, it's not easy for anyone."

Song Yu hesitated for a moment, then finally waved his hand magnanimously and said, "Since Brother-in-law says so, then let's let him off..."