Everyone in the hall was unprepared. After all, everyone basically heard the submissive meaning in Mr. Han's words. After saying so much, he was just trying to find a way forward for himself.
But shopkeeper Liu's unexpected move shocked everyone.
Mr. Han was also frightened into a cold sweat. Although he was a bit stubborn, he was not a hard-hearted bad guy, but he never thought about forcing people to death!
Fortunately, a young government servant standing nearby reacted quickly, threw away the water and fire stick in his hand, and rushed over, blocking the whole person between shopkeeper Liu and the pillar.
Shopkeeper Liu bumped his head into the yamen servant's abdomen, barely causing him to vomit blood.
After passing this block, everyone else immediately surrounded him.
Shopkeeper Liu's impulsiveness and fierceness were 80% removed after this collision, and he didn't have the courage to do it again. He collapsed on the ground with a look of despair.
When Mr. Han saw that the person was fine, he recovered from the fright and said angrily: "You are such an unreasonable person, why are you looking for death and a living!"
"Are you okay?" Shopkeeper Liu slowly turned to look at him, his eyes particularly horrifying, "My family is almost being driven to death by you, and you still ask me why I am seeking death?"
"Who is going to force you to death!" Mr. Han was so angry that he almost stamped his feet, "I have already asked Shengtang to compensate you, what else do you want from me?"
He was really frightened by Shopkeeper Liu just now. This is the court of Wuchang Prefecture, and there are so many people watching the trial. If Shopkeeper Liu is really killed here today, the matter will definitely not be hidden.
Once this matter spreads, it is said that the father of Han Changran, a second-rank official, is forcing people to death in the government office. Not to mention him, even Han Changran himself will not be able to bear it.
Even if the emperor did not express his anger at Han Changran, his political opponents would never let it go.
So Mr. Han didn't care about putting on airs anymore and directly stated the purpose of his visit today.
Shopkeeper Liu was shocked when he heard this, and looked at Mr. Han blankly. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether this was true or his imagination.
After all, he couldn't eat or sleep these days, and he was already in a trance.
When Shen Zhonglei heard that Mr. Han had spoken to such an extent, it was already rare, and he couldn't really force the old man to lose any face, so he quickly said: "Shopkeeper Liu, you are so impulsive, Mr. Han."
As soon as he came, he told you that he didn't dirty your material on purpose, and that he was drooling too much just because he was ill.
"Now that Mr. Han's illness has been cured by Lady Tong, today I specifically asked for a retrial in court just to make this matter clear.
"As long as you stop spreading the news that Mr. Han soiled your fabric because he was jealous of your business, Mr. Han will be willing to compensate you for your losses."
Shen Zhonglei explained everything clearly in a few words.
Shopkeeper Liu finally realized that he had made a mistake and almost lost his life.
"I..." Shopkeeper Liu's face turned purple and he rubbed his hands for a while, not knowing what to say.
Shen Zhonglei's heart was completely shattered at this time. Mr. Han had already expressed his stance, and this case could basically be said to be settled.
Mr. Han is willing to pay, and shopkeeper Liu is safe and sound. This can be regarded as a victory in the first battle.
However, Shen Zhonglei was also afraid of long nights and many dreams, so he struck while the iron was hot and said to Shopkeeper Liu: "I have known Mrs. Tong that Mr. Han mentioned for a long time. When I was in Yongzhou Mansion, I saw Mrs. Tong treating illnesses and saving people.
“This Lady Tong is not only highly skilled in medicine, she is also a person with great love and outstanding medical skills.
“At the beginning, an epidemic was suspected to have spread in Chengnan District of Yongzhou Prefecture, and dozens of people were suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.
"Ms. Tong, despite the danger, stepped forward and took the initiative to enter the south of the city, which had been blocked by officers and soldiers, to comfort the people and treat the patients.
"Although it was finally found out that someone poisoned the food and harmed people, it was not an epidemic, but it also shows the character of Mrs. Tong.
"So Mr. Han said that he had excessive salivation before and was cured by Lady Tong. I still believe this.
"If Shopkeeper Liu has any doubts about this, I can also ask Mrs. Tong to come and testify in court to prove that Mr. Han soiled your valuable materials only because of illness and not intentionally. I don't know Shopkeeper Liu."
What do you think?"
Shen Zhonglei now fully understood the purpose of Mr. Han's request to open the court today.
He had decided to compensate Shopkeeper Liu for his losses, but he did not want his reputation to be damaged, so he had to blame the incident on his being ill-mannered and not on his bad character.
Naturally, Shen Zhonglei didn't want shopkeeper Liu to still hold on to this point. After all, it was not conducive to resolving conflicts.
Moreover, what Shopkeeper Liu wants most is compensation. As for whether Mr. Han's spitting was due to illness, intentionality, or both, what difference does it make to him?
Therefore, the meaning of Shen Zhonglei's words is very obvious. He praised Lady Tong in order to find a way forward for Mr. Han.
After all, there are so many people watching the excitement in the hall, and whatever is said in the hall will soon be spread throughout the streets and alleys of Wuchang Prefecture.
On the other hand, he was also hinting to Shopkeeper Liu to take a step back and stop worrying about trivial matters. It is more serious to get the compensation and pay off the usury as soon as possible.
Shopkeeper Liu broke into a cold sweat after the collision just now. Now his mind was much clearer and he naturally understood what Shen Zhonglei meant.
The reason why he initially accused Mr. Han of being jealous of his own business was just because he was angry for a moment, and he regretted it long ago.
At this time, Mr. Han had already surrendered in disguise and even promised to compensate for the losses. Shopkeeper Liu would not let go of his previous angry words.
"Mr. Han, my family has opened a silk and satin shop in Wuchang Prefecture for seven or eight years. Not only has the Han family's silk and satin shop never bullied the market, but the Han family's caravan often invites people like us who are small businesses to accompany us when they go out to purchase goods.
Convenient to travel.
"I was so angry that day that I said so many stupid things. In fact, I regretted it after I got back, but I just couldn't let go of this old face...
"Oh, I just heard you step down like this. It really made me feel ashamed. I'm here to apologize to you!"
Shopkeeper Liu is a businessman after all. After thinking about it, what he said was still very beautiful, and he even praised the Han family's business name.
"For the materials I soiled, you can make a list and send it to the Han family later, and I will compensate you in full." Mr. Han also felt a lot better after what he said, and said with a smile, "We can't get to know each other this time.
If anything happens in the future, you can move around more!"
The latter words were obviously just casual politeness. Shopkeeper Liu naturally wouldn't take them seriously, he just agreed with them with hums and hums.
Shen Zhonglei didn't care whether their words were true or false. He stood up and said happily: "This is the first case since I took office. It can't be better to have such a happy ending."
Mr. Han and Shopkeeper Liu then remembered that they were just paying attention to politeness and had left their parents behind, so they quickly turned around to express their gratitude to Shen Zhonglei.