Chapter Eleven: I Request the Honorable Judge to Allow Me to Defend Myself

  There was a familiar greeting, Liu Xinyong just hummed in response. Hearing the commotion, Wang Tong looked up, and this time both sides engaged in an icy stare.

  Liu Xinyong looked at Wang Tong with a fearless gaze on horseback, sneering in his heart, wait till I get rid of you and let you see what kind of ruthless methods I have.

  As for Zhao Guocong who was following behind him, his eyes met Wang Tong's and he was so scared that he immediately lowered his head. This kid is really too ruthless, it's not good to be afraid of him!

  As soon as the door creaked, someone shouted loudly, and the whole room fell silent. Tian Ronghao, the hundred officials of the Brocade Guard, walked out from the door, and everyone bowed in unison to pay their respects.

  "See Lord Baihu, Lord Baihu is well."

  Tian Baiwu's gaze lingered on Wang Tong for a moment, then fell upon Zhao Guozhong, whose nose was blue and swollen, with gauze wrapped around his face. Tian couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in his heart, thinking that Wang Tong was too young and ignorant of the rules. Did he think that his hundred or so taels of gold would allow him to act recklessly? The favor of promoting him to the Imperial Guard had already been repaid, yet he still didn't know how to behave and was ruining the rules. If things went wrong, don't blame others for not showing him respect.

  Everyone looked up, and Tian Ronghao spoke coldly:

  "Yesterday, it's said that our hundred households performed a play on the south street side, and it's said that the singing was very wonderful, who knows what happened?"

  "Your Honor, yesterday Wang Tong publicly beat up Xiao Qi Zhao Guodong, causing him multiple injuries. Moreover, it happened in a bustling area with many passersby witnessing the scene. The news spread rapidly throughout the capital yesterday. Your Honor, Wang Tong's behavior is reckless and completely unprincipled. Such a troublemaker cannot be allowed to stay among us!"

  The one who picked up the conversation was none other than General Liu Xinyong, his words were filled with righteous indignation, but paired with his pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, the effect was greatly diminished.

  However, Tian Baifu's inquiry was just waiting for the general flag to respond. Tian Ronghao's face completely cooled down and he shouted angrily:

  "Wang Tong, considering your late father Wang Li's face, I managed to get you into the Imperial Guard. How could you, in less than two days, beat up your senior officer Xiang on the street? You're so reckless and arrogant, it's only a matter of time before you cause big trouble for our Imperial Guard. Wang Tong, is what Commander Liu just said true?"

  Tian Baohu's tone was severe, and Wang Tong understood clearly that this statement was equivalent to confessing his own guilt. What followed would be a mere formality, but when the situation reached a critical point, he had to make one last gamble and couldn't just give up like this.

  Wang Tong clasped his fists and bowed, saying in a loud voice:

  "Sir, there is another reason for this matter, may I defend myself?"

  Always onlookers in the play, some of them sneered, all saying that Wang Tong was indeed a child who didn't understand anything, a nailed-on-the-board matter, and yet he still dared to defend himself, what a joke!

  Tian Rong's anger grew, "Expelling you is already a light punishment, do you still want to explain? Even the Imperial Guards have rules for dealing with their own people. Do you, Wang Tong, still want to try your luck?"

  Xiao Xiao Li, who wants to hear your self-defense? Tian Baihu hadn't even opened his mouth when Liu Xinyong, the commander of the vanguard, had already shouted in anger:

  "You scoundrel! After doing such a thing, what's the point of defending yourself? Go to the Magistrate's office and get a good beating with a black club before you try to defend yourself!!"

  Inside the Imperial Guard, punishment was meted out with a large black-lacquered club. After a severe beating, it was not uncommon for people to be beaten to death or crippled, and this method of punishment was rarely used.

  Wang Tong let out a sigh, stood up straight, the situation had no room for reversal now. What he was thinking of was 'a gentleman takes revenge, ten years is not too late', we'll meet again someday.

  Tian Ronghao stood on the steps of his own courtyard, which was high and commanding, making it a good vantage point. When he came out, the big gate behind him was usually open. After Liu Xinyong finished scolding, he was about to say something to deal with the situation, but at this moment, a young servant ran out from the courtyard.

  This young man, only in his teens, stopped behind Tian Ronghao and said something, Tian Baihu was taken aback and turned around, also asking in a low voice. He then looked around the courtyard before turning back to face everyone. Just as Liu Xinyong was about to continue scolding, he heard Tian Baihu clear his throat and say loudly:

  "What's all the fuss about? There's no place for you to speak here, but since we've handled you like this, I'm sure you're not satisfied in your heart, so I'll give you this opportunity, tell me what's going on?"

  Tian Baiwu's words were full of anger, but after he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence. The crowd was shocked and wondered how this young man dared to defend himself.

  A loud "Dong" sound broke the awkwardness.

  But Zhao Guozhong saw the commander Liu Xinyong scolding, thinking that Wang Tong was a hot-tempered person, and if he retorted again, he would take action openly. He had already drawn out his embroidered spring knife, yesterday's debt to be repaid today.

  I didn't expect Lord Bai to say such a thing, and after reacting, the knife in his hand fell directly to the ground.

  Wang Tong was surprised and delighted in his heart, but the surprise was greater than the delight. This inexplicable turn of events really left people bewildered. Standing on this side, one could also see that there was something behind Tian Baihu's back, but over there, not a single person was to be seen.

  What a great opportunity to turn over, how could Wang Tong let it go. He immediately bowed his fist and bowed deeply, saying loudly:

  "Thank you, sir, for your kindness. I returned home yesterday at noon..."

  Few people in this era can match Wang Tong's ability to clearly articulate and vividly describe things. In modern times, the profession that Wang Tong is engaged in is most conducive to cultivating eloquence. Without a glib tongue and a pen, as well as systematic thinking, how can one face clients and face the market?

  Everyone present, except for the parties involved, probably didn't know any details. All they knew was that the newcomer Wang Tong had beaten Zhao Guotang in public. The new person had hit a colleague who was higher than him in rank, which was lawless and broke the rules, but nobody knew why he had resorted to violence.

  Wang Tong's vivid description added some key details, and when he got to the part where the thugs trampled the old woman's pancakes, some of the Jin Yiwei guards actually whispered words of approval as Wang Tong took action to punish them.

  Just as Zhao Guozhong was about to step down, a middle-aged man standing among the brocade-clad guards could no longer hold back his anger and pointed at Zhao Guozhong, cursing loudly:

  "You scoundrel, just like a pig or dog! You're in charge of South Street and every day you pocket so much money from the oil and water sales. And you, old lady selling pancakes, how dare you also take action!"

  Others, although not as explosive, looked at Zhao Guotang with eyes full of disdain and contempt. The Jin Yiwei may be powerful, but what's the point of showing off in front of an old man selling pancakes? It's purely despicable. If this gets out, how will our neighbors and colleagues look at us? They'll just laugh at us.

  Liu Xinyong's face turned very gloomy, but Zhao Guodong became a bit flustered. Suddenly, how did it become targeted at himself? Yesterday, he was just annoyed by the noise of the pancake seller in the teahouse and had his henchman drive him away. It was just an old woman like an ant, who would care? After being beaten up by Wang Tong, today's statement would lead to Officer Wang being dismissed, and then he would take over Wang's house with Liu Zongtang. This plan seemed flawless, but suddenly Magistrate Tian allowed this little brat to defend himself.

  After saying all this, the eyes of his colleagues were not right, and those who scolded him loudly couldn't afford to offend him. The only hope is to ask Tian Baihu to handle it.

  There is still one more in the afternoon, continue to collect recommendations