Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 361 - 344: The Original Host’s Grievance

Chapter 361: Chapter 344: The Original Host’s Grievance

"Zhang San, are you the witness?"

The moment Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture Shen Erxian saw Zhang San, his mind essentially pieced the whole situation together.

He had previously spoken to the young man about buying a house, intending to offer him a property from the Shen Family that, although not particularly large, was still quite decent and not too far from the Shen Family’s residence.

Once Zhang San found out that the prices in the Capital were too high and wanted to buy a house, the Shen Family could take the opportunity to sell him a good one at the right moment.

Moreover, counting on Shen Bao’s intelligence, which was not at all promising, was less reliable than hoping that Shen Bao could make a good friend like Zhang San and then arrange a marriage for Shen Bao early so he could have more children.

Hoping that some of these children, recognizing Zhang San as their godfather, would turn out to be successful.

But he had never imagined that Zhang San would set his sights on the pile of old cases left by Shen Wen.

"I can’t really be considered a witness, after all, when Jin Xiang bribed Shen Wen and murdered the entire Feng Family, I had not yet arrived in the Capital. How could I be a witness?"

Hearing this, Jin Xiang, who was kneeling on the ground, let out a sigh of relief.

If Zhang San was not a witness, then he had much less to worry about.

But just as Jin Xiang was getting up, he heard Zhang San say, "However, I have brought the plaintiff here, that is, members of the Feng Family. I hope the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture will allow them to come forward."

The moment Jin Xiang heard this, he fell to his knees again with a thump.

Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture Shen Erxian nodded.

Then, Zhang San performed the Ghost Summoning Method, and soon, a cold wind blew into the hall.

Next, several eerie ghostly figures walked in from outside the shrouded government office of the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, and following behind the several evil ghosts were more than forty members of the Feng Family.

Upon seeing Shen Erxian, the over forty revenants of the Feng Family immediately knelt down.

The moment Shen Erxian saw these ghosts, although he hadn’t asked anything, he had already cleared up everything in his mind.

"If any of you have any grievances, please feel free to speak out," he said.

At this time, outside the entrance of the government office of the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, many people were also watching the excitement.

They had heard someone was filing a complaint and initially didn’t pay much attention, but when they learned it involved the Feng Family, many remembered how Old Master Feng from the Feng Family restaurant was kind to people and distributed porridge to the poor during holidays. Numerous people rushed over.

Now, seeing the over forty spirits of the Feng Family, they were even more horrified.

In the Capital, who had ever seen ghosts and monsters!

Old Master Feng recounted the whole affair from the beginning to Shen Erxian.

Meanwhile, Jin Xiang, who stood by, was trembling all over with fear.

In this world, many people aren’t afraid of dead people.

But not being afraid of the dead and not being afraid of ghosts are two completely different concepts.

After listening to the Feng Family, Shen Erxian turned his head and glanced at Jin Xiang, who was kneeling on the side.

Although it was apparent from one glance that all these deeds had been done by Jin Xiang, procedures still had to be followed.

"Jin Xiang, do you admit to the accusations made by Old Master Feng?"

Jin Xiang knew that the previous Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture who had taken his money had been removed, and this current Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture was the father of the person who was accusing him!

What was there left to play!

But Jin Xiang, after all, was a bandit who had roamed for many years; despite being terrified by the encounter with the ghosts, he still retained a measure of courage.

"Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture, an investigation must have testimony from people and material evidence. These are all spirits, not real people, so they can’t possibly be considered as witnesses, right? And what about the physical evidence? If you say I murdered someone, you need to have evidence, don’t you?"

Just then, someone suddenly shouted from outside the main hall, "I have testimony here."

No sooner had the voice faded than Shang Bufa, accompanied by some members of the Shang family, arrived, followed by quite a few people bound and brought into the main hall.

"Greetings, Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture. Today, while dining at the Jin Family Tavern, I encountered several individuals who looked suspiciously like bandits previously wanted by the Ministry of Punishment. I captured them all and upon interrogation, it indeed turned out that some of them were bandits, and they even confessed that their leader was Jin Xiang, the current proprietor of the Jin Family. These men can prove that it was they who killed the members of the Feng Family. This is human testimony!"

Jin Xiang turned and glared fiercely at the several subordinates who had been captured, angrily saying, "Disloyal dogs! You bunch of..."

He had barely uttered half of his sentence when Jin Xiang suddenly thought of something and hastily changed his tune, "Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture, I’m not very familiar with these people, I merely hired them as workers, but I had no knowledge of their previous banditry! It’s probably someone coveting my family’s property and deliberately framing me!"

At this moment, Jin Xiang’s mind was racing. He knew that the son of the Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture, the plump and distasteful figure beside him, had wanted to buy his family’s mansion.

All he needed to do was to steadfastly deny any accusations. Should the case become a major issue, he would just claim that it was the Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture’s son who was defaming him.

Ha-ha-ha... Perfect!

But just then, another voice came from outside.

"I have physical evidence!"

This time it was Shen Zhongdian who arrived, leading some individuals from the Shen Family, barging directly into the mansion. Using Observation Skill, they had found the corpses of the Feng Family people.

"Here lie the bodies of the Feng Family members. Coroners can inspect them and ascertain the cause of death. Many of the stab wounds are likely left by Jin Xiang, which can be compared with the blades found in Jin Xiang’s possession."

"I... I... You... You’re framing me! I didn’t kill anyone! I’m innocent! I..."

Shen Erxian looked at Jin Xiang. With both the testimonies and the evidence present, whether Jin Xiang admitted it or not, the outcome would be the same.

Shen Erxian waved his hand, signaling for Jin Xiang to be taken away, and then glanced at the numerous revenants of the Feng Family.

"Gentlemen, when you suffered your tragic deaths, I was not yet the Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture. However, this incident is a consequence of my predecessor’s actions, and in a way, it’s our negligence. Whatever compensation you desire, please speak freely."

Old Master Feng smiled and shook his head, "My entire family is gone; what more could I wish for? It’s only thanks to Benefactor Zhang that my Feng Family can see the light of day again and have our vengeance fulfilled. I would like to gift the mansion and tavern that originally belonged to my Feng family to Zhang San, as a way of showing my family’s gratitude."

Shen Erxian snorted inwardly, thinking: I knew it.

However, at this moment, Zhang San stood up and said with a smile, "I refuse."

Shen Erxian was stunned, thinking what is this supposed to mean, are you expecting to be asked three times?

Zhang San said, "The Feng Family’s mansion belongs to the Feng Family and should rightfully return to its original owner. Indeed, I have my eyes on it, but I am not like that thief, I will buy it with money. Whatever the normal price, I will pay it, including the Feng Family’s tavern. Old Master Feng, please name your price."

Old Master Feng gave a wry smile, "But my whole family is dead; what use do I have for the money?"

"I have had it investigated, and your Feng family has a niece who was married off to the north. She is considered to be married out, but she remains the last bloodline of your Feng Family in this world. If Old Master Feng agrees, I would ask the offices of the Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture to send government officers to deliver the money to the north. I trust her husband’s family would not dare to embezzle funds delivered by government officers."

"Then, my deepest thanks to Benefactor Zhang!"

At that moment, Shen Erxian glanced at the property of the Feng Family, "Zhang San ah, the Feng family’s mansion is located in Jin City Fang, and although not every inch of land there is worth its weight in gold, it is still one of the largest mansions in the area. Coupled with the original tavern of the Feng Family, which is also the best tavern in Jin City Fang. Do you have enough money?"

Zhang San gave a respectful bow to Shen Erxian, smiling, "When Zhang San buys a house, the Han Family will pay! Magistrate of the Metropolitan prefecture, you just need to prepare the paperwork, then send someone to the Han Family for the money. Also, please pass along a message that I want all the furniture replaced with better ones; I disdain the previous occupant’s touch. The tavern also needs to be renovated. Thank you."

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[Note 93] Source citation

The plot event involving the purchase of the house is adapted from a short story in the "Luanyang Summer Annals" from the "Record of the Weewee Thatched Cottage," where a family surnamed Ma had haunted occurrences for over a year, forcing them to sell the property cheaply to a respected elderly scholar. Later, when the scholar had disputes with villains, it came to light that the scholar had his eyes on the property and had subtly arranged for the nefarious activities to happen.