TGCFNM -Chapter 225 It Can Actually Be Done Like This

Chu Ling looked with satisfaction at the two pale faces below her. Then her expression hardened, and she shouted threateningly, “You actually colluded with a foreign state? That is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations!”

Qin Changfeng trembled like a leaf, turning in panic to look at Zhang Sanma.

But Zhang Sanma could barely take care of himself. Cold sweat poured from his forehead, and he was on the verge of losing his mind.

How had this matter become connected to Great Yuan? Was there even any evidence?

That’s right!

With a hoarse voice, Zhang Sanma shouted, “My lord, we only engaged in moneylending. We have never colluded with Great Yuan. What you’re saying has no evidence!”

“Did you mishear?” Chu Ling looked at him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I said that I have solid evidence to prove it.”

As she spoke, Chu Ling pulled out the page concerning Wantong Money House.

“The evidence in my possession shows that the former manager of Wantong Money House—your elder brother, Zhang Bihu—visited the border of Great Yuan in March and maintained close contact with a certain merchant from Great Yuan. At that time, the border situation was extremely tense, and secret military reports were sent to the capital several times.”

Holding the evidence in her hand, Chu Ling looked down at Zhang Sanma. “What else do you have to say?”

In disbelief, Zhang Sanma pointed at the paper and asked in a daze, “You… how would you know?”

“Yes, how would I know? And how would I know in such detail?” Chu Ling set the evidence down and tilted her head at him. “Since you’re so curious, I can tell you—someone delivered the evidence, and it is conclusive.”

As she spoke, she suddenly slammed the wooden block on the desk with a loud crack. “So, you thirteen moneylenders colluded with Great Yuan! Now that the evidence is conclusive, just wait for the extermination of your nine generations!”

“No!” Qin Changfeng suddenly shouted, terror written all over his face as he shuffled forward on his knees. “I didn’t lend money—I didn’t! It was the Xuanyuan family. I was just doing errands. It wasn’t me, not me!”

After shouting this, Qin Changfeng seemed to have all his strength drained from him. He collapsed to the floor, limp and dazed, as if he had lost his wits.

Zhang Sanma stared at Qin Changfeng, his face completely drained of blood.

Chu Ling let out a meaningful “Oh?” and looked at Zhang Sanma. “So, the power behind Wantong Money House is the Xuanyuan family?”

Zhang Sanma’s heart pounded like a drum, yet he could not utter a single word.

With a cold curl of her lips, Chu Ling said, “I have evidence here. So will you continue to deny it, or shall I have you tortured first and then confess?”

Zhang Sanma remained silent, staring blankly at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling narrowed her eyes. “Apply the torture!”

“Yes, my lord!”

The constables responded in unison. They hauled the boneless Zhang Sanma to his feet and dragged him outside. A long bench had already been set up. Two men holding boards stood there expressionless.

Suddenly, Zhang Sanma let out a shrill cry. “My lord! Spare me! Spare me!”

Chu Ling glanced at him disdainfully. “They haven’t even started yet. What are you asking to be spared for?”

As she spoke, Zhang Sanma was pressed down onto the bench. A loud smack rang out, and he screamed in agony.

Resting her chin on her hand, Chu Ling called out, “Keep beating him. Beat him until he’s willing to tell the truth!”

“Yes, my lord!” the constables answered in unison and continued striking him.

Chu Ling’s gaze shifted once more to Qin Changfeng.

Listening to the screams outside, Qin Changfeng’s shoulders shook uncontrollably, clearly terrified.

Chu Ling narrowed her eyes slightly, rose from behind the desk, and walked slowly to stand before him, looking down at him from above. “The one behind you is the Xuanyuan family, isn’t it?”

“Yes… yes, yes,” Qin Changfeng stammered in fear.

Chu Ling folded her arms and continued, “How exactly did you conduct your dealings? Speak honestly. Otherwise I’ll have you beaten first, and then your nine clans executed!”

Qin Changfeng burst into frightened tears. Stammering, he said, “M-My lord, w-we had a bit of spare money and deposited it at Wantong Money House. Later, one day, Zhang Sanma from the bank approached us. That’s when we learned that behind Zhang Sanma was—the Xuanyuan family.”

“The Xuanyuan family said they wanted to do business with us. They told us that as long as we were willing to shoulder a certain amount of risk, we could earn enormous profits. So… so we were tempted.”

Chu Ling gave a faint hum. “And?”

Qin Changfeng swallowed and continued, “The Xuanyuan family said if they did it themselves, the target would be too obvious. So… they found many people and dispersed their money among us. When the time came, they would stay hidden behind the scenes, and we… we would lend money and act as guarantors.”

Chu Ling looked at him. “So the so-called thirteen families are actually all connected to the Xuanyuan family?”

“Y-Yes. They’re all somewhat related. Otherwise… otherwise no one would feel secure,” Qin Changfeng replied, shivering.

Chu Ling bent slightly and stared at him coldly. “For example?”

“For example, the Lin family’s rice shop—th-the Xuanyuan family holds shares in it. Master Qi… Master Qi was the enlightenment teacher of a young master of the Xuanyuan family. And Young Master Qi partnered with the Xuanyuan family to purchase a great deal of fertile farmland,” Qin Changfeng said, trembling.

“Purchased farmland? Was it forced buying?” Chu Ling frowned.

“Y-Yes.”

Chu Ling slowly straightened her back. After giving Qin Changfeng a long look, she turned and returned to her seat.

At the side, Ghost Scholar said softly, “My lord, he appears frightened, but his answers are too smooth. It feels as though he’s been bought off—or perhaps he’s always been someone’s man.”

Chu Ling gave a low hum. “Most likely a planted spy, arranged early on within the Xuanyuan family. What a powerful chess piece.”

“The Four Great Clans have always suspected one another and planted spies—it’s nothing new. But this time, the Xuanyuan family’s opponent has dug them quite a deep pit,” Ghost Scholar said quietly.

Chu Ling curled her lips in a cold smile. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care whether I’m being used as a weapon. What I care about is whether this case can be effectively tried.”

“My lord!” a constable shouted from outside. “He’s willing to talk!”

“Bring him in!” Chu Ling ordered.

“Yes, my lord.”

The constables dragged Zhang Sanma back in and tossed him onto the floor.

Zhang Sanma struggled to lift his head and looked at Chu Ling. Trembling, he said, “M-My lord… I’ll speak. Wantong Money House… is indeed managed by the third branch of the Xuanyuan family.”

Chu Ling raised a brow. Are they pushing out a scapegoat?

“Qin Changfeng, is what he said true?” Chu Ling asked.

Qin Changfeng glanced at Zhang Sanma, then fearfully looked back at Chu Ling. “R-Replying to my lord, I… I don’t know which branch it was. We always met behind a screen.”

Chu Ling clicked her tongue softly. The Xuanyuan family is cautious indeed.

“Men, hear my order!” Chu Ling called loudly.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Go to the Xuanyuan family and bring—”

Before she could finish, a commotion erupted outside. A well-dressed, middle-aged man—his upper garments removed, bound with thorny brambles across his back—was escorted into the yamen.

“My lord, I have brought the unfilial descendant Xuanyuan He to plead guilty. The Xuanyuan family is at fault!” the man declared, then knelt stiffly without hesitation.

Chu Ling: “!”

It can actually be done like this?