Chapter 30: The Sharpness of a Treasure Sword Comes from Whetstone (Part 2) Second Watch

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  Liu Kan, Ren Ao and Tang Li knelt quietly in the county government hall.

  Ren Yuang's face was dark with anger as he stared at the three people in front of him. On either side, Xiao He and Zhao Tuo stood with their hands clasped behind them, not saying a word.

  "Ah Jian, you have quite a nerve!"

  Ren You pointed at Liu Quan, angrily saying: "You actually ran to the prison and caused trouble. Don't you think that just because you have some military achievements, you can do as you please?"

  "I dare not!"

  "You still dare not?" Ren Zhuang suppressed his anger and said: "That Lv Ze evaded corvée, is a fact. According to the law, he should be sentenced to three years of border exile. You are quite good, looking at the great Qin's laws as if they were nothing, breaking Lv Ze's legs would have been enough, but instead you ran here to plead for him. Liu Jian, I tell you, your military achievements have not yet been reported, and just based on what you have done, being punished with extreme penalty is not excessive."

  Liu Jian fell silent for a moment, "The humble citizen is willing to accept punishment!"

  "Do you know what's wrong?"

  "The common people know what is wrong!"

  "Can regret?"

  Liu Jian clenched his teeth, remained silent for a moment, and shook his head gently: "I don't regret it. My mother taught me from childhood that one should have a grateful heart. A man of honor does things with purpose and principle, and when duty calls, he will not regret even if it means death. The Lu family once saved my family's life, and when I was seriously injured, they didn't abandon me by the roadside. I feel that this kindness, I must repay."

  When he said this, Liu Gong's heart was racing with fear.

  Doesn't he regret it? Not regretting is false... In fact, if it weren't for Mrs. Kan, he wouldn't have wanted to rescue Lü Ze at all.

  Now that things have been done, regret is useless. Liu Kan was in a precarious situation, and since Mrs. Kan had such an idea, what about Ren Yao? The law is nothing more than the two words "emotion" and "reason". Although he himself had violated the law, it's possible that Ren Yao would also show leniency because of this.

  Sneaking a glance, Ren Yao remained as calm as still water.

  But Liu Jian caught it keenly, and saw a hint of appreciation in Ren Xiao's eyes.

  Ren You said: "Liu Yan, you value loyalty and righteousness, but I'm afraid the other party doesn't appreciate it... Xiao Zhang Li, has Lü Ze been sent away yet?"

  Xiao He hastily replied: "He has already been sent back! According to your orders, the minor official cut his Achilles tendon. Even if he recovers from his injuries, for the rest of his life he will only be a cripple. However, Lü Ze seems ungrateful and all along the way he was cursing Liu Jian, saying that he had forgotten kindness and betrayed righteousness."

  Liu Bang raised his head and looked at Xiao He.

  Xiao He also happened to look over at him, with a faint smile, as if there was some deeper meaning.

  Ren You said: "In that case, it doesn't count as going against the law... Liu Jian, did you hear that? The Lü family seems ungrateful, are you regretting now?"

  Liu Jian said with a straight face: "I don't seek reward for my kindness! From the very beginning, I didn't expect him to be grateful to me. I just want to have a clear conscience and not regret it later. Your Honor, this matter was done by me alone and has nothing to do with Ren Ao and Tang Li. Please make a fair judgment."

  "This is my idea, how can I be unrelated?"

  Ren Ao also took a step forward on his knees, "Sir, I was ordered to guard the prison, but I couldn't keep the prisoner safe. If it wasn't for me letting him go, Ah Kan wouldn't have been able to enter the prison either. This is indeed my fault, if you want to punish me, I am willing to accept the law. Please forgive Ah Kan."

  If such a thing happens in the future, the people around will probably be so angry that they want to wash themselves clean.

  Liu Kuangwan did not expect that Tang Lie and Ao would still be willing to share their guilt with him, and he was deeply moved in his heart.

  Is this what the ancients meant by "righteousness above all"?

  Ren You fell silent, looking at the three people in the hall, and turned his head to ask: "Tuo, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

  Zhao Tuo smiled slightly, "Lv Ze's broken leg prevented him from answering the summons, it seems that was indeed the case. Ren Ao's failure to guard the prison is a dereliction of duty. Considering he was initially a minor official and didn't understand the rules, I suggest punishing him with a sui (fourth tone) penalty. What do you think of this verdict?"

  The so-called "tongue-lashing punishment" refers to a penalty of verbal reprimand or scolding.

  Must be held accountable in public and apologize publicly. This punishment is often aimed at officials, and it is also appropriate to use it on Ren Ao. Compared with other punishments, although the punishment of shame is said to be the lightest, it is a kind of spiritual destruction for the offender.

  However, if you have a clear conscience, then you won't mind.

  Ren You thought for a moment, "Very good! What about Tang Li? This man has a treacherous heart, inciting others to break the law. He should be punished with what kind of penalty?"

  "Tang Lie and Liu Kan were guilty of injuring someone, but considering they were secondary offenders, they should be imprisoned for six months. They will be forced to work every day, with no less than two hours of labor."

  What is meant by "city dawn" is to get up at the hour of the tiger and start building city walls, and to take care of one's own food and lodging. Compared with the punishment of hard labor for two or three years, this is already leniency. Ren Rong didn't look at Liu Jian, nodded in agreement and said: "Tang Li, I will sentence you to six months of hard labor, are you willing to obey the law?"

  "I am willing to submit to justice!"

  Liu Kan!

  "Did you know that trespassing in prison, injuring someone's body, according to Qin law, should be punished with three years of hard labor?"

  Liu Jian's spirit was startled, and a cold cicada fell to the ground, not daring to make a sound.

  A moment later, Ren Yao said: "However, the city wall of Pei County is in urgent need of repair... Alright, strip you of your title as a public official and exempt you from the suffering of forced labor. Original place punishment, for a period of two years. Within two years, no less than three hours a day, and must complete the repair of the east wall...

  "Liu Jian, will you be willing to accept punishment for your actions?"

  "Gong Shi", is the lowest rank among the twenty military merit titles of the Qin State. Even as the lowest rank, it is fundamentally different from commoners. Not only can they enjoy the state's annual salary of about 50 stones, but also acquire a good field, a house, and a servant. In general, as long as one holds any of the twenty ranks, even if it's just "Gong Shi", they can be called "Shi".

  Gentlemen, in this era, it is a symbol of status and position.

  Although Lv Weng is wealthy and noble, he is still a commoner after all, and does not deserve the title of "scholar".

  Liu Jian beheaded Wang Ling and had a military achievement that could be awarded a title, although it was not publicly announced, but it has been recognized. Unexpectedly, he suddenly became an ordinary citizen again.

  He couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart, however Liu Jian also knew that Ren Yao had already shown mercy.

  He had read the Qin Code and naturally knew that in the Qin law, there was a saying "credit is credit, fault is fault", and merits and demerits could not offset each other. Two years of hard labor was already leniency on his part. Otherwise, if he were to be sentenced to penal servitude, heaven knows whether he would still be alive after three years.

  What else can be said?

  Liu Kan knocked his head and said: "Your humble servant is willing to accept punishment!"

  "Get out...!" Ren Yao seemed extremely displeased, stood up and waved his hand, scolded a sentence before turning around and walking into the inner hall.

  Zhao Tuo walked over and patted Liu Kan's shoulder.

  "Good fellow!"

  He only said that one sentence and then hastily walked into the inner hall, not even caring about Liu Jian and others still in the hall, running to Ren Yao's side.

  "Brother Ren, isn't this a bit too much?"

  Ren You stopped in his tracks, shaking his head gently: "Young people, like to act on impulse, one disagreement and they draw their swords... Give him some tempering, to calm down his temperament. This matter I can still suppress, but if he does something outrageous again, I won't be able to hold it back. Give him a task to do, after two years, I will recommend him to Lord Meng, let him enter the Blue Field Great Camp."

  "He's a good kid, can't let him waste it because of some small matter... Ah, Lord Meng has entrusted you with something, have you done it?"

  Zhao Tuo smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Brother Ren. How could I forget the tasks entrusted to me by Lord Meng? Regarding the emergency rescue measures on the battlefield, I have already written them down in a document. In the next day or two, I will send someone to deliver it to Xianyang. If they are really useful, this kid's future prospects will be boundless."

  Ren You stood in the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky.

  "I have a feeling, this kid will still do something that will surprise us!"