Chapter 65: The Ai Family's Concession and Retaliation

At the break of dawn, Ai Yingjia hurried to Mizhi County to admit his guilt.

He had heard that his own servants had attacked the county seat, an act bordering on treason, and was so terrified that cold sweat streamed down his back.

Hong Chengchou needed to gather provisions, and had repeatedly sent people to persuade the Ai family. Yet in such chaotic times, grain was the most precious thing in the world; the Ai family had planned to hoard it for profit, and had no intention of donating it to the authorities for suppressing bandits.

Relying on his connections with colleagues and fellow townsmen at court, Ai Yingjia had not feared Hong Chengchou. But if his family were to be charged with treason, it would mean utter ruin.

In a panic, Ai Yingjia boarded his carriage and rushed to Mizhi County. As soon as he entered the city gates, he saw Li Yi with a dozen archers, guarding the Ai family’s servants.

The servants had been stripped of their armor and weapons, their hands bound behind their backs with rope, squatting in a corner, shivering from the cold.

When they saw the Ai family carriage, they immediately cried out for help in agitation.

Ai Yingjia maintained a stern face and cleared his throat lightly. The carriage slowed to a halt. He did not get out, but lifted the curtain to look at Li Yi.

Li Yi, leaning on his tiger-tooth spear, stared back at him with equal coldness.

“Li Yi, don’t think you can become arrogant just because you have Hong Chengchou backing you,” Ai Yingjia sneered.

“My Ai family has been a great house for generations, built through painstaking effort. Not only do we have kin and fellow townsmen in high places, but our teachers and colleagues also hold important posts. No matter what schemes you devise, you will never bring down the Ai family.”

Li Yi replied with a frosty smile, “The Ai family’s fate means nothing to me. I only know that if anyone dares threaten me, I will make them pay dearly.”

Confronted with Li Yi’s steely gaze, a chill crept into Ai Yingjia’s heart. He had long known Li Yi would become the Ai family’s enemy, but had not expected so much trouble in just a month. If this young man were left unchecked, would he not upend the heavens?

Startled, Ai Yingjia began to harbor murderous thoughts toward Li Yi.

“I have said all I need to say. Li Yi, you would do well to consider your own conduct,” he said, ordering the carriage to move on.

When Ai Yingjia arrived at the temporary office of the Grain Commissioner, he met Hong Chengchou in the public hall.

Upon seeing Hong Chengchou, Ai Yingjia bowed deeply. “This old man, Ai Yingjia, greets Lord Hong. My servants’ pursuit of bandits disturbed your honor—my guilt is beyond redemption. I beg your pardon.”

“Pursuit of bandits? What bandits?” Hong Chengchou sat upright, his presence alone commanding respect.

Ai Yingjia smiled. “Why, Li Yi and his men, of course. Last night they killed the servants of my house and abducted my beloved son. I sent my men to apprehend them, which is what brought this matter before you.”

Hong Chengchou looked at Ai Yingjia’s serious face and silently cursed him as a wily old fox. But Li Yi had already reported the affair—Hong Chengchou would not let Ai Yingjia muddle through.

He laid a stack of depositions on the table, pointing to the topmost one. “You may wish to have a look, Elder Ai.”

Ai Yingjia’s expression shifted as he stepped forward and read it. His face darkened. The top document was Ai Wanhua’s own deposition, detailing his break-in, beating of villagers, and abuse of women.

Clutching the deposition, Ai Yingjia could not understand why his second son had been so foolish as to confess the truth.

Of course, Ai Wanhua was not truly that stupid. Normally, he would have kept silent, waiting for the Ai family to pull strings and rescue him. But after being thoroughly beaten by Li Yi, and terrified by the deaths of his own men, with Li Yi watching over him, he had not dared to hide anything.

Ai Yingjia tossed the statement aside and took a deep breath. “Lord Hong, whether this document is true or not remains to be proven. Perhaps it was extracted under duress, don’t you agree?”

Hong Chengchou’s face hardened, and he pointed at the deposition, saying sternly, “You once held office in the prefectural yamen. With such a confession, and the testimony of villagers and neighbors, do you still refuse to admit the truth? Your family’s servants wore armor and carried firearms, which is strictly forbidden by imperial decree. They even dared attack the inspectorate and burn down the office—are these not acts of treason?”

Treason meant extermination of the entire clan.

Ai Yingjia was shocked, yet still gritted his teeth. “Those in armor and with firearms were not my family’s servants, but soldiers from Shenmu Fort. My son is a captain there, and they were only recuperating at our house. Yesterday’s events were a matter of righteousness.”

“And what about pursuing the inspector in Sui Jin Town and burning down his office?”

Beads of sweat formed on Ai Yingjia’s brow as he stammered, “The servants did not know the truth at the time and mistook them for bandits. As for the fire, they only went to the office for help—it was an accident.”

“Some accident.”

Hong Chengchou’s official dignity was unyielding as he declared, “Before I came to Mizhi, I had heard of your second son’s tyranny and misdeeds. I did not expect that a family of scholars could so twist right and wrong. Since you refuse to see reason, I will submit all the case documents to the provincial governor and the Ministry of Justice for investigation. Let us see whether matters are as you say.”

This was a move to rally all the offices against the Ai family and seize the chance for merit.

Ai Yingjia knew well where right and wrong lay; panic seized him and he fell to his knees with a thud.

“Lord Hong, I have abused my seniority and slighted your honor. My guilt is beyond redemption.”

Hong Chengchou sat in silence.

Left with no alternative, Ai Yingjia conceded, “You are raising provisions for the campaign, and I am of little use. I am willing to donate thirty thousand bushels of grain to the Grain Commissioner’s office.”

Hong Chengchou remained unmoved.

Ai Yingjia lowered his head further. “I also have a set of imperial Ru ware porcelain, which I would like to present for your appreciation, and I will send ten thousand taels of silver to your family home.”

Only then did Hong Chengchou’s expression soften slightly. “Keep the porcelain. Provide fifty thousand bushels of grain.”

After a moment’s thought, Ai Yingjia nodded in agreement.

Hong Chengchou relaxed a little, walked to the table, and helped Ai Yingjia to his feet. “Bandits are everywhere and the situation is dire. I do not wish to see further turmoil. I trust you bear no resentment, Elder Ai?”

The Ai family had produced several generations of scholars, with a network of colleagues, kinsmen, and in-laws stretching throughout officialdom. Even Hong Chengchou dared not press him too hard.

Ai Yingjia stood slowly and shook his head. “One must accept defeat. The Ai family has lost this round—we have no resentment toward you.”

But then, his face twisted with hatred as he gritted out, “Only the inspector of Sui Jin Town, Li Yi, has repeatedly opposed the Ai family. I bear him a deep grudge.”

At these words, Hong Chengchou hesitated.

Ai Yingjia’s withered hand gripped Hong Chengchou’s arm as he fixed him with a fierce stare. “Though the Ai family is not what it once was, we still have some influence in northern Shaanxi. If you wish to gather the remaining three hundred thousand bushels of grain, you will need our help. As for this case, I bow to your authority—but as for Li Yi, a mere country boy, if the Ai family wants his life, surely you will not refuse?”

Ai Yingjia understood that Hong Chengchou needed to amass grain to earn merit and secure a promotion to provincial governor. He seized upon what Hong Chengchou valued most, forcing him to move against Li Yi.