A piece of Japanese incense

I hid in the crowd and whispered, "Go to court! Go to court!"

The people in the team immediately started shouting together, raising the petitions in their hands and shouting slogans loudly, and the onlookers gradually joined in the shouting.

"How dare you! Keep quiet! Shut up!" Lord Xin shouted, "If you dare to make noise again, do you all want to go to jail?"

"Sir Xin, I am Li Qingru. A few days ago in the court, you sentenced the eldest son of the Bai family to fifty strokes of the cane and one year in prison for riding a horse in a busy city and injuring innocent people. May I ask if you have strictly enforced the law?" Behind him, the great philanthropist Li Qingru spoke calmly and unperturbed.

Lord Xin walked down the steps and slowly approached Mr. Li. He greeted him with a smile on his face: "Hey! Mr. Li, why are you here too? Someone, bring a chair to Mr. Li!"

Mr. Li looked solemn and gently pushed away Mr. Xin's hand: "I came here not for my own selfish interests, but for the countless refugees who were injured that day!"

"Mr. Li, I know very well that you have been wronged, and Mr. Bai has already been punished!" Lord Xin tried his best to defend himself.

"Master Xin! There is no need to hide. I have sworn that if I cannot get justice, all the shops of my Li family in the imperial city will be closed down!"

Lord Xin chuckled twice, "Mr. Li! I'm giving you some favors, but you should learn to take advantage of others! If your shop is not doing business, you will be the one who suffers in the end. How dare you threaten me! How ridiculous!"

"We in Zhou's Bakery buy flour from the Li's family all year round. The kind-hearted Mr. Li had his leg broken while trying to provide porridge to refugees. If the Li's family doesn't open, we won't be open either!" the waiter in the crowd shouted in agreement.

"My family makes preserved fruits, and we can't do without sugar. Then we won't do it either!" I saw Da Zhuang standing in the crowd and agreeing, nodding at him.

"Without Mr. Li, where would my tavern get its rice and noodles? We would just have to close it down!"

"Then we'll stop working too!"

"Yes! We all support Mr. Li! We will all quit!"

"Give the good man justice!"

Lord Xin was obviously unable to withstand it. He took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and wanted to surrender to Mr. Li.

"Hmph!" Mr. Li slammed his cane on the ground and turned around.

"Sir, it's getting late. Why not let everyone listen to the trial? It will also serve as a warning to the monkeys." I heard my cousin step forward and walk to Sir Xin's side, speaking calmly.

Lord Xin looked embarrassed and his face turned red. He opened his mouth and wanted to refute, then half-closed his eyes, flicked his sleeves, and walked into the yamen.

My cousin raised his head and gave a look, and then we were escorted into the court.

The first thing that caught my eye was the high-hanging plaque "A Clear Mirror Hanging High". The trial table below was made of fine mahogany, which looked particularly stable and heavy. On the table were placed the four treasures of the study and a beautifully carved gavel. On both sides stood yamen runners in official uniforms, holding water and fire sticks and looking serious.

The center of the court hall is paved with bluestone slabs, which have been worn smooth as a mirror after years of wear and tear. Portraits of celebrities from past dynasties and couplets warning future generations are hung on the walls. In the corners of the court hall, you can occasionally see a few carefully trimmed bonsai pots, adding a touch of vitality and elegance to this solemn occasion.

Many people gathered outside the court, waiting in the designated area, their eyes focused on the cousin sitting on the trial table. With the bang of the gavel, the whole court fell silent, all attention focused on the trial that was about to begin.