Chapter Forty-Seven: The Reckoning
“Even if Changsun Chong is unruly, he’s still afraid of officials… Why not go to the county office and request a couple of constables? If he dares to cause trouble, just have him shackled and brought to the county for judgment!”
“Pfft!”
Cheng Chubi couldn’t help but laugh. “Master, are you joking? Changsun Chong afraid of the county officials? He’s not even afraid of the Ministry of Justice! Even the ministers of the Six Departments must treat him with respect and dare not offend him. I’m afraid… not only will no one dare to shackle him, but instead, everyone will try to curry favor with him. That would be a tremendous loss of face for me!”
“That won’t happen!” Li Zhi stated firmly.
“Why not? I don’t think those county constables have the guts to arrest Changsun Chong! They’re bound to flatter him!”
“Shall we make a bet?”
“What does Master want to bet?”
...
Li Zhi said, “Send someone to the county office now and call for two constables! And have all the guards from your Duke’s mansion leave. We’ll see for ourselves. As for the wager, we’ll settle that later.”
“Alright!” Cheng Chubi agreed immediately.
Sun Jiali, the magistrate of Chang’an County, learned that there was trouble at the First Restaurant and personally brought the constables to investigate. He had no idea that the troublemaker was Changsun Wuji’s son, Changsun Chong; otherwise, not even a thousand borrowed courage would have brought him here.
His eagerness was simply to curry favor with Cheng Yaojin, and to establish a connection with Cheng Chubi for future convenience at banquets and meals.
“Young Lord, your restaurant… No sign of trouble here?” Sun Jiali entered the main hall and looked around.
“Not yet, but there will be soon!”
“Oh? Could it be that you can predict the future, Young Lord?”
...
The rich aroma of dishes in the hall thoroughly captivated Sun Jiali.
He swallowed and asked, “Young Lord, what delicacies do you have today? I haven’t even had breakfast yet—could I, could I…?”
“Magistrate, you didn’t agree to come just for a bite, did you?”
“Ahem!” Sun Jiali replied awkwardly, “How could that be! Apprehending criminals is my duty—I wouldn’t come for mere food…”
“That’s good! Rest assured, Magistrate, I invited you for business, but you’ll certainly have food—and the highest standard from the First Restaurant!” Cheng Chubi led him to an elegant private room upstairs and instructed the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous lunch.
Meanwhile,
He returned to Li Zhi and dismissed the twenty guards from the Duke of Lu’s mansion.
“Your Highness, are you sure this is alright? What if Changsun Chong smashes up the restaurant…”
“If he really dares to smash it, all the better… I’ll make him pay until his family is ruined!” Li Zhi was hoping Changsun Chong would wreck the place.
That way, he could profit handsomely again.
With the mansion’s guards gone, activity stirred at the Tianyi Restaurant across the street.
Dozens of people assembled,
---
Gathered behind Changsun Chong.
“Young Master, are we really going to smash the restaurant? I saw Sun Jiali go in just now—aren’t you afraid…”
“A mere county magistrate, what’s there to fear? Hmph! If he angers me, I’ll beat him too!” Changsun Chong gritted his teeth.
As the son of Changsun Wuji and nephew to the current Empress, he had every reason for pride!
Officials and law enforcement at every level wouldn’t dare challenge him!
As long as no one died, nothing would happen!
No one would even intervene!
Sun Jiali, as the magistrate of Chang’an County, was directly under Changsun Wuji’s jurisdiction and naturally feared Changsun Chong!
But…
They all overlooked one person!
Li Zhi!
The most favored, yet lawless prince!
He dared to tear up imperial edicts—would he not deal with Changsun Chong?
...
A few minutes later,
Changsun Chong barged into the main hall of the First Restaurant with his men.
He was extremely arrogant, bellowing, “Smash this place up for me!”
“Bang! Bang! Bang…!”
His entourage raised their clubs and began to wreck everything indiscriminately.
Guests cried out, “Someone is smashing the restaurant!!”
“Looks like the Young Master from the Changsun family…”
“Changsun Young Master is smashing the place!”
“Ah… They’re hitting people!”
...
The hall was thrown into chaos. Everyone began to flee, causing a crush of bodies and food flying everywhere. Those sitting in corners weren’t spared, ending up splattered with grease.
Those who dined here were all of some status.
At the very least, they were wealthy!
By their temperament, they should have erupted long ago!
But upon seeing that the troublemaker was Changsun Chong, they all swallowed their tempers and hurried to escape.
“You blind fools, daring to come here and eat Cheng Chubi’s food! I personally preside over Tianyi Restaurant, and you don’t support us? You deserve a beating!” Changsun Chong grew angrier, ordering his men to hit anyone they saw.
“The show has begun…” Upstairs, Li Zhi laughed, “Chubi, you can go tell Sun Jiali to arrest Changsun Chong now!”
---
“Ah?”
“What are you waiting for—go now!” Li Zhi urged.
Cheng Chubi smiled wryly, “Master, you know how noble Changsun Chong is. Not even Sun Jiali—if the Ministry of Justice were here, he’d still smash things. Would Sun Jiali dare lay a hand on him?”
“Try and see!” Li Zhi was confident!
In terms of status, Sun Jiali was indeed low. But don’t forget, he’s the law enforcer. Any official in Chang’an, including Changsun Wuji, if they break the law, he can detain them!
He simply avoids offending others and has never actually detained anyone!
But today…
Li Zhi was determined to make him act seriously!
Cheng Chubi, half convinced and half skeptical, went to Sun Jiali’s room with an attitude of “let’s try.” He feigned panic and called, “Magistrate, something terrible has happened—someone is causing trouble in the restaurant!”
The food had just been served, and Sun Jiali hadn’t even begun to eat.
Hearing Cheng Chubi’s plea, he replied impatiently, “Who’s causing trouble? Ruining my mood!”
“Magistrate, why not check for yourself?”
“Fine, I’ll see who’s so bold!”
He angrily led two constables downstairs.
The next moment!
He froze at the foot of the stairs, unable to move!
What did he see?
Changsun Wuji’s son, Changsun Chong, smashing up the restaurant. As a mere county magistrate, lacking connections and backing, he’d much rather hide than risk his life confronting him!
If Changsun Chong beat him up, what then?
Even the Ministry of Justice wouldn’t dare provoke Changsun Chong—what good would he do?
“Magistrate, what are you standing there for? Go up and arrest him!” Cheng Chubi urged.
“Uh…”
Sun Jiali retreated awkwardly, “Young Lord, as you can see, the troublemaker is Changsun Chong! How could I dare arrest him?”
“Why not?” Li Zhi’s voice cut in,
He then appeared at the top of the stairs.
Sun Jiali was startled and hurriedly bowed, “This official greets His Highness the Prince of Jin!”
Li Zhi spoke sternly, “Sun Jiali, just days ago I spoke well of you to my father. I said Magistrate Sun was upright and decisive. Yet now… you fear the powerful and bend the law for their sake!”
“This official has not!”
“Still denying it? Changsun Chong invades the restaurant and injures people. According to imperial law, what is his crime? Shouldn’t you arrest him?” Li Zhi demanded.