Chapter 1794 Dan City Zheng Family
The Zheng Family Meeting Hall is located in the heart of this ancient mansion, with a spacious and solemn space.
Zheng Zhongyuan, the head of the family who has absolute say in the family, is sitting on the Grand Master's chair in the conference hall, tapping the armrest of the chair with his fingers.
His face was like a deep lake, without any ripples, but the cold aura in his eyes made the air in the hall seem to freeze.
Every stroke he made seemed to carry weight, making people's hearts beat involuntarily.
Right in front of him, there was a person kneeling, it was his brother-in-law Huang Silang.
Huang Silang's figure was trembling, tears streaming down his face, and he seemed to have been greatly wronged. His eyes were wandering, constantly weighing in his mind how to make his situation look more miserable in order to win the sympathy of his brother-in-law.
Huang Shumei, Zheng Zhongyuan’s wife, stood aside, her eyes full of worry. Her eyes wandered between Huang Silang and Zheng Zhongyuan, as if she was praying for something silently. Her emotions were complicated, including concern for her brother and a hint of helplessness.
"Tell me, what's going on?" Zheng Zhongyuan's voice was low and powerful, with a hint of imperceptible anger in his tone, which made the atmosphere in the entire meeting room even more tense.
Huang Silang hesitated for a moment, seeming to be struggling with how to start his narrative. But amidst Zheng Zhongyuan's impatient tapping, he finally began to tell his tragic experience with snot and tears mixed in the sentences.
Of course, this involves adding fuel to the fire and constantly distorting the facts. The general meaning is that he collects rent normally, then the farmers resist, and finally someone wants to show his strength in front of women, and then takes a stab at him, not only does his subordinates all He killed him and beat him up.
"You said you were going to collect taxes. Didn't the farmland tax be collected two months ago? What kind of tax did you go to collect?" Zheng Zhongyuan quickly caught him. Here comes the loophole in Huang Silang's words.
Because the large area around Taoyuan Village belongs to the Zheng family, all farmland taxes are handed over to the Zheng family.
The Zheng family had a unified date for tax collection, but now, that time has long passed. The key is that the Zheng family’s farmland tax is not high. Their main source of income is to provide Danzong with Medicinal materials, why would farmers rebel?
Huang Silang's movements suddenly stiffened, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. He looked at his sister Huang Shumei, hoping to get some tips or help from her.
However, Huang Shumei just shook her head helplessly. There was no need to find a reason for this matter. She knew her husband too well, and everything around her could not be hidden from her husband.
The reason why I bring it up here is just to find a reason to deal with her brother.
And this scene made the tense atmosphere in the conference hall even more intense. Huang Silang's silence was like a rolling boulder, making everyone's hearts pick up in their throats.
Huang Silang also knows very well that he must give an answer that satisfies his brother-in-law, otherwise, what awaits him may be a severe punishment.
After thinking for a while, Huang Silang gritted his teeth and decided to tell the truth. He also knew that it could not be hidden. If his brother-in-law wanted to investigate, no one could hide it.
"I added the tax." After Huang Silang said, he lowered his head, as if waiting for punishment.
With a loud "Bang!", Zheng Zhongyuan slapped the armrest of the Grand Master's chair hard, and his anger was instantly ignited.
As the head of a family, he has always adhered to strict family rules to maintain the order and interests of the family. Huang Silang's unauthorized tax increase caused civil rebellion, which undoubtedly violated family rules, and was one of the most serious ones. This made his anger completely unbearable.
"Do you know what the consequences were for the last clan member who violated family rules?" Zheng Zhongyuan suddenly stood up and stared at Huang Silang with sharp eyes, anger burning in his eyes.
Seeing the plight of her younger brother Huang Silang, Huang Shumei sighed and decided to stand up and take responsibility for her younger brother.
She took a deep breath, stepped out, and stood in front of Zheng Zhongyuan. She knew very well that if the head of the family punished Huang Silang with family laws, Huang Silang would probably be unable to withstand the service of family laws and die.
"Wait a minute, head of the family, it is my idea to raise taxes." Huang Shumei said firmly, "You stopped Shiro's pocket money a few years ago and let him do business on his own, but how did he do it? He lost all the money he bought in a few days, so the slave family decided to let him raise taxes a little and let him support himself. "She knew that only by standing up could she gain a chance for her brother.
Zheng Zhongyuan looked at Huang Shumei, with complex emotions flashing in his eyes. He knew that Huang Shumei had paid a lot for the Zheng family and was indispensable. For this reason, he did not marry anyone else just to make Huang Shumei feel comfortable.
However, family rules are family rules, and no one can violate them. Zheng Zhongyuan was silent for a moment, and his eyes gradually became firm.
"Master, consider that he is the only younger brother of the slave family, please give him a lighter sentence. The slave family is willing to accept the punishment on her behalf"
There was a hint of pleading in Huang Shumei's words. She knew that this matter was serious, but as a family member, she could not bear to see her brother being severely punished.
But she also knows Zheng Zhongyuan's upright character. Once something is decided, it is difficult for others to change it. In the family, Zheng Zhongyuan is not only her husband, but also the defender of family rules. His decisions often represent the will of the family.
Zheng Zhongyuan’s gaze was like a frozen lake, deep and unwavering. He looked at Huang Shumei, as if he was weighing the boundaries between reason and family rules. Years of spending time together gave them a deep understanding of each other's emotions and thoughts. He was also very aware of Huang Shumei's contribution to him and to the entire Zheng family.
Huang Shumei's request finally made Zheng Zhongyuan's anger subside. Although the family law is unshakable, it does not mean that he cannot be given a lighter sentence. "Family laws cannot be violated. Drag him out and beat him with thirty sticks. If he does it again, he will be killed." Zheng Zhongyuan's voice sounded again.
Huang Shumei knew that this was the biggest concession her husband had ever made. She didn't stop him anymore. Her silence was a sign of respect for her husband's decision.
Huang Silang also breathed a sigh of relief, almost thinking that his brother-in-law was going to kill him. Although the thirty sticks hurt, it was better than losing his life.
Two well-trained guards walked into the meeting hall, their steps were steady and there was no hesitation.
They are members of the Zheng Family Guards and are absolutely loyal to Zheng Zhongyuan. Their mission is to implement the family head's decision. As for the family head's wife, that is not within their scope of consideration.
When Huang Silang was taken away, his eyes were full of regret. If he had known that he would be aggrieved, he would have been aggrieved. He came to call for reinforcements. This time, it was good. There were no reinforcements. He still had to Get a beating.
After a while, the sounds outside gradually became clearer, and Huang Silang's screams made everyone in the conference hall feel uncomfortable.
Huang Shumei bit her lip tightly, her eyes flashing with distressed tears. However, she also understands that this is a necessary means to maintain the dignity and order of the family, and Zheng Zhongyuan has already made the greatest concession. If she is not satisfied yet, then she is going too far. Moreover, the ones who enforce the family law are the Zheng family guards. Soldier, she believed that Zheng Zhongyuan would show mercy.
After a while, the screams outside gradually disappeared, and Huang Silang was brought back to the meeting hall.
His figure looked particularly desolate. He no longer had the arrogance of bullying men and women, and no longer had the arrogance of having his nostrils pointed in the sky and no one looked down upon him. All that was left was the embarrassment and desolation all over his body.
Huang Silang was lying on his stomach on a solid wood bench, with blood stains on his buttocks, which was shocking.
The stick used by the Zheng family to enforce family law is extremely special. Every time the stick is struck, it can hit human flesh hard, even if it is protected by spiritual energy, it will not work. Therefore, Huang Silang was beaten to pieces by these thirty sticks. He was dying and had no strength to even moan.
"Silang, Shiro..." Seeing the miserable condition of her brother, Huang Shumei could no longer bear the grief in her heart. She quickly ran to Huang Silang and looked at him with concern. Her eyes were full of helplessness and pain. She wanted to help but didn't know how.
"Sister, I can't be beaten in vain, let my brother-in-law help me deal with that person." Huang Silang said feebly, his voice was low and hoarse, but there was a trace of determination in his eyes.
If it weren't for that person, why would he be beaten like this? Although he hated his brother-in-law for being selfless, he hated Liu Jun even more.
Looking at her younger brother, Huang Shumei felt mixed emotions in her heart. She knew that her brother's request was not excessive, but she also knew how difficult it was. Since it was their fault first, it would be difficult for Zheng Zhongyuan to support them.
"Sister, help me." Huang Silang stretched out his hand with difficulty and grabbed Huang Shumei's clothes.
Huang Shumei looked up at Zheng Zhongyuan, this familiar yet unfamiliar face.
Many years ago, Zheng Zhongyuan was still the leader of a little-known small family, but with her assistance, the family gradually grew and became powerful, until it became the behemoth it is now.
She did not expect that Zheng Zhongyuan would really disregard his feelings and impose heavy punishment on her biological brother, which made her feel cold.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt. I'll help you with this."
Huang Shumei touched her brother's face, her voice full of helplessness and determination.
Her eyes were firm, as if she had made some kind of determination. It was an unquestionable decision. She didn't plan to let Zheng Zhongyuan interfere with her brother's affairs anymore. She wanted to resolve this matter herself.
Over the years, she has been helping run the family and has accumulated a certain amount of power and influence. She believes that she can solve this matter without Zheng Zhongyuan's help.
"Master, the punishment has been served. Can I take Shiro down for treatment?" Huang Shumei stood up, her tone was calm but firm. She looked at Zheng Zhongyuan, and the determination in her eyes told him that she was determined to win this matter.
Zheng Zhongyuan remained silent. He was very clear about Huang Shumei's contribution to the Zheng family. He always felt that he owed Huang Shumei.
But he is also helpless. As the head of a family, especially the leader of a large family, he must consider the interests of the family. Many times, he cannot help himself.
Zheng Chongyuan sighed and said to Huang Shumei: "Go down and ask the great doctors of Danzong to treat you."
Huang Shumei did not say a word, nor did she ask anyone to help lift her brother. , but helped Huang Silang up and helped his brother out of the meeting hall.