Chapter 17: A Single Word to Drive Away the Tiger

At this moment, Meng Yuxi was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers from Su City, eager to witness the commotion. Many were scholars who had heard that the literary prodigy Meng Yuxi had been arrested and had come to see what was truly happening.

“Sir, you refuse to present any witnesses or evidence, yet you boldly seize me—that would be one thing. After all, accusations without proof are easy to fabricate. But there are a few words I must say clearly.”

Seeing the moment was ripe, Meng Yuxi suddenly shook his arms, instantly knocking aside the two soldiers restraining him. He then expanded his chest and straightened his back.

Wang Lingxin had long heard of Meng Yuxi’s innate divine strength and had been told by Li Zhao that Meng Yuxi could lift a bronze tripod with one hand at home—a tripod worth a fortune. This was why the entire county force had been mobilized to capture him.

Upon seeing Meng Yuxi’s sudden movement, Wang Lingxin grew apprehensive. If a fight broke out, it would be troublesome if Meng Yuxi targeted him alone. After all, the others were lurking in the shadows, while he stood exposed like a glaring target.

“M-Meng Yuxi, how dare you! What do you intend to do? Are you trying to escape?”

“Bah! Corrupt official!”

Meng Yuxi spat toward Wang Lingxin, who quickly dodged, nearly falling from his horse in embarrassment.

The surrounding soldiers drew their swords, aiming at Meng Yuxi. Yet Meng remained unmoved, as if a mountain were collapsing before him but he saw nothing. Instead, he turned to the gathered people of Su City, bowed deeply in a gesture of respect, and spoke loudly.

“When I have just begun to rise, such slander is cast upon me. Though my heart holds countless volumes of knowledge, petty men block my way, leaving me no chance to serve the great Da Li Kingdom.”

“Indeed, who could have foreseen in this life, with my heart in Tianshan but my body aging in Su City—such sorrow!”

Meng Yuxi recited this half-verse, and all the scholars nearby were shocked. This succinct poem perfectly captured the bitter frustration of talent unrecognized. The literati present were deeply moved. After all, who among scholars had never felt this way? Yet none could craft such an enduring verse. Meng Yuxi was their perfect voice, expressing their shared pain.

Moreover, he pointed to the root cause of this frustration: corrupt officials like Wang Lingxin who obstructed the talented.

These words greatly pleased the scholars of Su City. When they came to their senses, they found their idol trapped in dire straits, and the crowd outside the street corner erupted in anger. Many scholars began jostling the soldiers surrounding Meng Yuxi, shouting curses.

“Corrupt official! The Da Li Dynasty will surely fall by the hands of people like you!”

“Release Lord Meng!”

“With such talent, how could Lord Meng have committed the vile crime of murdering Qin Ming? It must be a slander!”

“The honor of all scholars cannot be trampled by corrupt officials.”

“Even if they slaughtered ten thousand chickens, it wouldn’t bring back Meng Yuxi!”

“Damn it, release him!”

The scene descended into chaos. Rotten vegetables, fruit, and rotten eggs flew, some hitting Wang Lingxin’s face.

Wang Lingxin was thrown into disarray, shouting orders to apprehend the rioting scholars, but there were too many. The turmoil grew harder to contain.

Behind him, the soldiers urged repeatedly, “Quickly take Meng Yuxi back to the county office. Don’t get tangled up. A riot would be a grave matter. Who will be held responsible if it escalates?”

Wang Lingxin thought this was wise, leaving two squads to block the crowd while hastily escorting Meng Yuxi to the county office.

“Everyone, calm down and protect yourselves. Meng Yuxi is innocent. Please, elders and townsfolk, come tomorrow to speak on his behalf.”

Meng Yuxi turned and shouted, thinking to himself that exploiting division to gather the majority and oppose the minority was a strategy handed down by the ancestors—and it must be used!

Wang Lingxin seethed in hatred, cursing himself. The ironclad evidence had been arranged last night; no matter how insignificant these pests were, even if the Heavenly King himself appeared, it would not matter!

In the Su City county office, Meng Yuxi was thrown into a cell. Wang Lingxin dismissed everyone except one soldier who had advised him, treating the man with great respect as if he were a guest of honor.

“Mr. Chang, I truly thank you for your counsel just now. The scholars of Su City are quite sour and smelly. It was my failure as an official, and I will rectify this properly in the future,” Wang Lingxin said respectfully.

“Oh, Lord Wang, you flatter me. I am but a common advisor in the Eighth Prince’s household with no official rank. No need for such courtesy,” Mr. Chang replied.

After a pause, he continued, “By chance, I heard a senior traveler was roaming about Su City. Hoping to make a good connection for our Eighth Prince, I came here, but in vain—I didn’t even catch a glimpse of this senior. Now I must return to the capital. Lord Wang, let us part here. Until we meet again.”

Mr. Chang stood and prepared to leave.

Though Chang Yushu held no official position, Zhang Dewang often spoke of his unparalleled insight and martial skill within the Eighth Prince’s household, and how highly the prince valued him. Wang Lingxin’s progress in court was based solely on bribery, lacking any real patron. To advance further, he needed a powerful ally. Hence, he was reluctant to lose this connection with Chang Yushu.

Quickly standing, wearing a broad smile, he blocked his way. “Mr. Chang, please don’t rush back to the capital. The matter of Zhang’s steward’s niece’s murder is serious. Such a vicious criminal must not be allowed to escape justice. There are still many matters here that require your guidance.”

Before Mr. Chang could speak, Wang Lingxin called, “Bring them in.”

Four beautiful maidservants entered, each clad in sheer silk, with flawless, radiant skin and stunning figures. Each carried a small box.

Wang Lingxin stepped forward, opening the boxes to reveal glittering piles of gold coins, their golden hue contrasting vividly with the maidens’ pale, full chests.

“Mr. Chang, today you have truly labored. I have prepared these eight small gifts as a token of thanks,” Wang Lingxin said. In his mind, he thought: Beautiful women and gold—what man could resist?

“This is unnecessary. It was all your and Meng’s careful work that cornered Meng Yuxi. I was merely mourning a colleague’s relative. Such things are the duty of comrades; I accept no reward for no merit!” Mr. Chang said, neatly distancing himself.

Inwardly, Chang thought, ‘Before the public trial, half the battle is already lost. Meng Yuxi’s talent is astonishing, and his methods sharp. Such a man is no ordinary fish in the pond—he surely has some divine protection. It’s not worth entangling myself over Zhang Dewang’s petty niece.’

‘This kind of talent should be introduced to the Eighth Prince and serve him; that is the wise course.’

After a brief pause, he added, “One last piece of advice, Lord Wang: The trial tomorrow must proceed as scheduled. Do not conduct private interrogations. Otherwise, it will provoke public resentment. That is all I have to say. After all, this is Zhang Dewang’s family matter and has nothing to do with me or the Eighth Prince’s household. If I interfere further, it would be presumptuous. Farewell.”

Without looking at the maidens or the gold, Chang Yushu turned and left.

“Mr. Chang... damn it, playing the saint! Why didn’t you show this face last night at the Fragrant Pavilion?” Wang Lingxin muttered.