In front of the imposing black lacquered gates of the Shen family residence in Shangyang County, the congratulatory banners from the birthday celebration held just days before still hung, not yet removed.

That afternoon, a procession escorting a carriage entered the county town, inquiring about the location of the Shen family residence.

Passersby noticed dozens of men following the carriage, all dressed in short tunics with fierce, menacing expressions, looking as though they intended to cause trouble. Since the Shen family was generally unpopular locally, after giving directions, many followed along to watch the excitement unfold.

The group quickly located the Shen family’s front gate. A middle-aged woman who appeared to be their leader stepped down from the carriage. With a cold expression, she stood firmly and said nothing, merely pointing at the two large gates and uttering a single word: “Smash.” Immediately, several men armed with stone locks stepped forward and without another word began attacking the gates. The commotion alarmed the gatekeeper inside, who hurried to open the door. Seeing what was happening, he was shocked and tried to intervene, but how could he possibly stop them? Watching helplessly as the gates were about to be destroyed, he panicked, turned around, and ran inside like a streak of smoke to report the situation.

Although the three Shen brothers had divided their inheritance, they all still lived together in the large ancestral mansion.

Shen Da, Shen Er and their wives, along with Shen San and Liu Shi and his wife—the three families were currently in the accounting room tallying the expenses from their mother’s birthday celebration. Due to unequal cost sharing, the brothers looked displeased, and the sisters-in-law were complaining to each other, nearly breaking into an argument. Suddenly hearing that a group of strangers was actually attacking their front gate, they immediately dropped their account books, summoned over ten household servants, and rushed angrily to the entrance. They found their two front gates—freshly painted just days ago for the birthday celebration—now swaying precariously, with two large, gaping holes broken through the door panels.

In front of the gate, county residents who had heard the news and come to watch crowded around, pointing and gesturing at their home, all wearing expressions of gleeful schadenfreude.

The three Shen brothers were both shocked and furious. They immediately sent someone to report to the authorities while leading their servants forward to shout angrily and try to stop the attackers.

Now that the masters had been alarmed and emerged, they assumed the other party would at least pause their attack. Who could have known that these people, who had appeared from nowhere, completely disregarded proper conduct and seemed determined not to stop until the gates were completely destroyed? One group pushed and shoved trying to intervene, while others continued smashing the gates.

Amid the incessant banging and crashing sounds, and the excited cheering of the watching county residents, within a few strikes, both gates collapsed with a thunderous crash, wooden planks scattered across the ground.

“Let’s go!”

Seeing the gates demolished, the woman spoke these few words indifferently, then turned to board the carriage.

The entire group responded in unison and followed her.

Although the Shen family barely qualified as members of the local minor gentry, they were usually considered a respectable household when they went out. Just two days ago, they had hosted a grand birthday celebration for their elderly mother, with guests filling their gates—it had been quite a prestigious affair. They never expected to have their gates destroyed so inexplicably today. How could they simply let this go?

Shen San led the household servants, armed with clubs and staves, and charged forward to stop them.

Unexpectedly, this group had come well-prepared.

A steward-like figure shouted a command, and everyone rushed to the carriage, actually pulling out dozens of large sabers from inside and distributing them—one for each person.

The imperial court strictly prohibited civilians from privately storing weapons. Even the Shen family dared not openly carry sabers, keeping only a few hidden away.

Who would have thought that this gang who had come to their door to cause unreasonable destruction would dare to openly brandish sabers?

Seeing the flash of blade light under the sun and the fierce, menacing appearance of these people, Shen San momentarily lost his courage and dared not advance further. He could only stop and watch as the group swaggered away.

The brothers quickly conferred. Shen Da suppressed his rage and sent someone to the government office to press them, while ordering his two brothers to lead men to follow the group, ensuring they wouldn’t escape.

When the local county magistrate received word that a gang had openly brandished weapons and smashed the Shen family’s gates, since he had dealings with the Shen family and had just attended their birthday banquet two days prior, he immediately summoned the bailiffs and personally led men to make arrests. Racing urgently along the way, he finally intercepted the group on the road to Jingkou.

Seeing the county magistrate arrive, the Shen brothers’ courage greatly increased. Only then did they angrily step forward and recount the entire incident.

The county magistrate flew into a rage and ordered roadblocks set up. He himself stepped forward, pointing at the carriage and sternly shouting: “Who are you? Why don’t you come down and pay your respects? In broad daylight, you dare openly brandish weapons and commit violence, destroying someone’s gate without cause? You should know that even the crime of privately storing weapons alone would allow this official to throw you in prison and charge you with plotting rebellion!”

“Let him know who we are.”

The carriage door and windows didn’t move a fraction, only the woman’s voice could be heard from within.

The steward acknowledged, turned to approach the county magistrate, and whispered just a few words in his ear. The magistrate’s expression changed completely, and he froze in place. After hesitating for a moment, he immediately changed to a smiling demeanor, bowing and saying: “So that’s how it is! A misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! Since the Shen family first committed such acts, never mind destroying their gates—even tearing down their walls and houses would be perfectly justified! This humble official didn’t know the situation initially and was deceived. This official has other urgent matters at the yamen and must take leave first.”

After speaking, the county magistrate immediately ordered the roadblocks removed, took his bailiffs, turned around, and hurriedly departed.

Shen Er and Shen San watched as the county magistrate was first arrogant then servile—in the blink of an eye abandoning them to leave. They hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

The county magistrate coldly replied with a stern face: “Do you know who you’ve offended? These people came on orders from Lady Gao, the wife of Li Mu from Jingkou! You’re seeking your own death, which is one thing, but don’t drag this official down with you!” With that, he brushed past the two men and departed with a flick of his sleeves.

Shen Er still didn’t quite understand what was happening, but Shen San’s face had turned the color of pig liver.

Although it was deep autumn, sweat had broken out across his forehead.

Seeing his unusual reaction, Shen Er immediately pressed him for details. Only then did Shen San haltingly reveal the incident from several days ago when he had encountered Shen Shi and Lady Gao at the pawnshop in Jingkou.

Shen Er suddenly understood and stamped his foot forcefully, saying hatefully: “You fool! Since our sister has such a relationship with Lady Gao, and she had someone send clothes to mother, how could you act in such a manner?”

Shen San hung his head dejectedly without saying a word.

“You fool! Useless for accomplishing anything, but perfect for ruining everything!”

Not mentioning Shen Er scolding his brother and suppressing his inner turmoil to return to the Shen residence to discuss countermeasures with Shen Da, at this moment in Jingkou, A’Ju had already returned.

After the Jiang family had been disrupted in this manner, Shen Shi and her two children were now temporarily staying at the Li residence. Lu Shi and some neighborhood women who were usually on good terms were all in the room comforting Shen Shi. Some cursed the Shen brothers for their black hearts and lack of feeling, while others wiped away tears alongside Shen Shi.

Luoshen and A’Ting were playing with the two children.

A’Ju called Luoshen outside and quietly recounted how she had just led the estate workers to smash the Shen family’s gates. Finally, she sighed: “Poor couples suffer in all things—today I truly witnessed this truth. It’s also fortunate that Shen Shi has this connection with you, young lady, to receive such assistance.”

Luoshen pursed her lips: “Just wait and see—those shameless ones will still come here. When they arrive, that’s when we’ll show them what it truly means to abuse one’s power!”

…

Outside the Jiang residence, Jiang Tao had already heard the news and rushed back. Soon, Sun Fangzhi and others also hurried over. Seeing the situation, they were all furious.

With an angry shout, Sun Fangzhi turned and left.

From the shops and households around the City God Temple area—shopkeepers, clerks, fathers and sons, brothers—at one call, hundreds responded. Those who took clubs took clubs, those who grabbed cleavers grabbed cleavers. In the blink of an eye, several hundred people had gathered.

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation as they headed toward Shangyang County.

Jiang Tao hurriedly tried to stop them. However, with emotions running so high, how could he alone hold them back? Seeing the large crowd surging toward the town entrance and fearing the situation would become uncontrollable, he quickly sent someone to find Li Mu. Just as he was getting desperate, he suddenly saw someone riding toward them from the distance. In an instant, they reached the vicinity—it was Li Mu and Guo Zhan. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and hurried forward to quickly explain the situation.

Li Mu caught up and, together with Guo Zhan, blocked the town entrance and shouted. Seeing him arrive, the crowd finally stopped, and the clamoring gradually subsided.

Sun Fangzhi walked toward him while saying loudly: “Jingchen, you’ve come at just the right time! Brother Jiang Er has suffered such humiliation—this can be tolerated, but what cannot be? Let’s go over there right now and tear the Shen residence to pieces! Next time I see any of the Shen brothers set foot in Jingkou, I’ll definitely break both their legs!”

…

Li Mu had always known that the Shen brothers had been at odds with Jiang Tao and furthermore forbade Shen Shi from visiting her elderly mother.

However, since this involved family affairs, as an outsider, it wasn’t appropriate for him to interfere casually. Moreover, the Jiang Tao and Shen Shi couple had always been tolerant and unwilling to make a big fuss. Therefore, for these past few years, everyone had maintained an uneasy peace.

Today’s events had escalated to this point, which was somewhat beyond his expectations.

Li Mu looked toward Sun Fangzhi and the others, saying: “I’m grateful for everyone’s righteous intervention on behalf of justice. Li Mu first thanks you all on behalf of Brother Jiang Er. However, this matter is ultimately Brother Jiang Er’s family affair and shouldn’t involve mobilizing forces on such a scale. As the garrison commander, if you all trust me, leave this matter to me. I will definitely make those Shen brothers come to apologize personally and not damage Jingkou’s prestige! What do you all think?”

Jiang Tao also caught up.

“This humble Jiang, though lacking in talent, is deeply grateful for the assistance of all my neighbors and friends! I earnestly request that everyone heed Jingchen’s words, remain calm, and prevent this matter from causing further disturbances. Jiang would be eternally grateful!”

As he spoke, he repeatedly bowed deeply toward the crowd.

The reason everyone was so indignantly angry was not only due to sympathy for the Jiang Tao couple’s plight, but also because they felt the humiliation of having outsiders attack them directly. This had united them in common cause with such a resounding response.

Li Mu had always commanded respect in Jingkou. Nothing he set his mind to do had ever failed.

Since he had stepped forward to speak in this manner, naturally no one would oppose him. Therefore, they gradually put away their clubs and cleavers, some cursing, others discussing, and slowly dispersed.

Li Mu called over Jiang Tao, Guo Zhan, and the others, preparing to discuss how to handle the situation, when suddenly he heard a commotion behind him.

“Damn it! The Shen brothers really don’t know what’s good for them! They actually dare to come to Jingkou!”

Someone burst into curses. The crowd rushed back together again, and the clubs and cleavers that had just been put down were raised once more.

Li Mu turned his head and saw a group of people hurrying toward the town entrance. Leading them was none other than Shen Shi’s eldest brother, Shen Da.

Li Mu stood in the middle of the road, coldly watching as those people entered the town.

If the Shen family truly didn’t know their place and provoked his anger, in these chaotic times, eliminating a few households of such standing would be no different from crushing ants to him.

Shen Da wasn’t accustomed to riding horses normally, but at this moment, to make haste, he had mounted a horse and ridden until he was drenched in sweat. Finally reaching Jingkou town, he saw from afar a large crowd blocking the way ahead, all glaring at him angrily. Looking around, he spotted Li Mu surrounded by people in the middle of the road and breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly dismounted, brought his brothers forward, and without bothering to wipe away his sweat, bowed and said: “General Li, please accept this humble Shen’s bow! Dare I ask General Li, is your wife here? Could you perhaps lead this humble one to pay a visit?”

The Jingkou crowd had originally been ready for confrontation, but suddenly seeing the Shen brothers in such a respectful manner, they looked at each other in bewilderment, and the surroundings gradually quieted down.

A barely perceptible dark gleam flashed through Li Mu’s eyes.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, he said indifferently: “What business do you have with her?”