"Lord Chen, as you can see, something has happened in Fuping County. I don't know who is the one who teaches the new county magistrate. He dares to assault people as he pleases." Magistrate Liao pretended to sigh as he talked about this. "We have no other choice as well, that's why we want to ask him to let go of the power in his hands."
"Nonsense!" Chen Liang jumped out without second thoughts since his own father was here. "All of you have been framing the boss from the beginning to the end!"
Young Master Liao was so surprised that his face turned pale when he saw that Chen Liang was here as well. He reached out his hand, trying to tug Magistrate Liao's sleeves.
Unfortunately, Magistrate Liao did not notice what his son was trying to do. He sneered and said, "Young man, don't simply make irresponsible statements."
They only wished they could tell Magistrate Liao to shut up when they were listening to what he had to say!
Governor Chen looked at him, and opened his mouth slowly, "Lord Liao, the young man that you are speaking of is my son. I can't guarantee you anything, but this child rarely makes irresponsible statements. Your accusation might be a little too heavy."
Magistrate Liao stiffened at his words, he never expected that this guard, who had been following behind Helian Wei Wei, was actually the son of the Chen family.
The look on his face was amusing.
"Oh, so… so this is Young Master Chen," Magistrate Liao stuttered. The smile on the corner of his mouth looked even uglier than his cry. "It's my fault, I'm too clumsy at speech!"
Chen Liang snorted and said, "Your mouth isn't clumsy at all. How many good deeds have my boss done ever since he came to Fuping County? When Fuping was facing drought, he exhausted all means available to overcome the interference from all the corrupt officials and installed pipes to draw water so that the folks have food to eat. Not only did you spread rumors about her, but also incited commoners to criticize her. If it wasn't because of the boss, would all of you have scolded a sc.u.m like Yan Dazhao and brought Miss Liu and the others to justice? You only care about money, you will help whoever pays you more!"
"Young, Young Master Chen, you can't simply say that. You don't understand the situation, so you might not know…" The rest of the imperial officials from provincial capital stood up as well, wanting to clear their own names.
Chen Liang looked coldly at them and interrupted, "How would I not know about anything? I've arrived at Fuping County one day ago, I'm the one who met up with the boss at the provincial capital. I've seen with my own eyes everything that happened in Fuping County in just a day. If it wasn't because of boss forbidding me to come outside, I would have beaten all of you up, you bunch of corrupt officials!"
One day ago?!
Isn't that earlier than the time when they arrived at Fuping?
The bodies of the imperial officials from the provincial capital stiffened.
Then, they slowly turned and looked toward the direction of Helian Wei Wei.
If he already has the support from the son of the governor long ago, why didn't he ask Young Master Chen to come out sooner?
If he did so earlier, they would not have made such a mistake at this point in time.
Wait for a second!
This person with the surname of Wei seemed to have done it on purpose!
All of a sudden, the imperial officials vaguely realized that they might have fallen into a trap, a well-planned trap that was set up since the beginning.
The other party was waiting for this moment to arrive, the moment when all of them had deeply interfered in the matter so that he could finish all of them at once!
The imperial officials felt a sudden chill running down their spines resulted from the fear in their hearts.
Thinking back carefully, they had been acting passively in every step that they had taken ever since they came to Fuping County. Everything they did and every word they spoke, were just another step forward in the opponent's plan.
They felt extremely regretful for listening to Magistrate Liao and agreed to come to Fuping County out of greed.
They regretted more for going against Wei.
But they had never heard of such a person in the court, his way of dealing with matters was so meticulous that anyone who went against him would have died!
If such a person had appeared before, he would surely be drawn over to one side.
But they were sure that this Wei was a new face on the court.
It was because of this reason that had caused them to let their guard down and fell deeper into his trap…
Helian Wei Wei rubbed her nose. She knew what the imperial officials were thinking just by looking at their expressions. They must have thought of her as a dreadful monster.
Little did they know that these political issues were not her doing.
She had always been an expert in using her soldiers efficiently and accustomed to attack people directly.
However, the Third Prince was different for he was cunning.
When Helian Wei Wei was pondering over this, she sneaked a glance at her private advisor.
Baili Jia Jue naturally noticed her gaze. When nobody else was paying attention to them, he slightly moved his long sleeve and grabbed her hand that was hanging by her side. He said with an evil smile, "What's wrong? Does my Lord have any instructions for me?"
"Nothing." Helian Wei Wei quickly threw his hand away from her, thinking in her mind that they would surely be treated as a gay couple if anyone else were to witness the scene!
Baili Jia Jue did not mind her insecurity this time. On the contrary, he thought that her slightly bloated cheeks looked exactly like a squirrel asking for food. He toned down his voice and said, "Just hold on for a little more, I'll give you something to eat after I kill all these people."
Helian Wei Wei was speechless.
When did I even ask for food? Although she was really feeling a bit hungry, wasn't the prince being too casual when he mentioned about killing…
Magistrate Liao did not know that there was more to come, he hurriedly explained to Chen Liang, "Young Master Chen, this is a misunderstanding, it's just a misunderstanding. Regarding the matter of Lord Wei installing the pipes and drawing water, we really didn't know that the water can go higher and thought Lord Wei was just imagining things. We have straightened out the matter after that. Young Master Chen, please don't simply accuse us as corrupted officials. I really can't bear the consequences, I can't!"
Fortunately, Governor Chen was there to hold him back, he knew his son would not be able to outspeak the old cunning fox, Liao.
After all, this issue was complicated enough, to begin with. If anything went wrong, this Liao would try to make their mistakes sound less serious…
Just as Governor Chen was weighing the way of dealing in his mind, a charismatic voice with a sense of superiority could be heard from behind. It was a simple and faint tone, yet it gave out an innate feeling of superiority…
Chapter 497 - Wanted To Teach Wei Wei A Lesson!
"Every year, the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs of the imperial court has expressly stipulated in writing that the salaries of officials are determined according to their positions," Baili Jia Jue said in a calm tone with the corner of his mouth slightly raised, yet no warmth could be felt. "Lord Liao, you are just a little magistrate, how did you manage to let your son wear brocade garment worth more than 100 silver per piece?"
Magistrate Liao's finger was shaking slightly. He tried to intimidate him with his official position and said, "Private Advisor Long, I'm talking to Young Master Chen, not you, where do you think you..."
"Answer my question!" Baili Jia Jue interrupted him with his cold voice. His eyes sent chills down Magistrate Liao's spine; it was so cold that it could almost freeze his skin.
At that instant, Magistrate Liao could actually sense the fear that he had never felt before…
Governor Chen observed Baili Jia Jue's expression and finally affirmed the assumption
he had in his mind. The prince does not want to expose his identity yet, so I need to control my emotions too.
It was very important to predict what the person of higher rank was thinking about. Governor Chen was trying his best to act naturally in front of Baili Jia Jue, at least he should not expose anything…
"Liao, do you know who you're talking…" On the other hand, Chen Liang could not take it anymore, he wanted to reach out and lift Magistrate Liao off the ground.
Governor Chen quickly pulled him back and spoke calmly, "Lord Liao, you better answer everything and omit no detail when you are asked any questions by the private advisor in the imperial court."
Since the governor of three provinces had spoken personally, Magistrate Liao definitely had to give an answer. He did his best to put up a smile on his face as he said, "Lord Chen, you should know as well, I'm not a capable man. Normally, I like to do business to maintain the livelihood of my family. Besides, my son's uncle has always spoiled him, he would give present to this kid whenever he has something good."
He cleared up all doubts about himself with the simple word 'present'.
Baili Jia Jue raised the corner of his thin lips. "Magistrate Liao said it's a present, but from what I've investigated, Magistrate Liao sent in the emergency funds for Fuping County into your personal bank on the first day you received the funds. What Young Master Liao is wearing right now is bought with those silvers, how can that be considered as a gift?"
"What emergency funds? I have no idea what you're talking about!" Magistrate Liao was obviously afraid of being found out as he uttered that. He kept rolling his eyes from left to right, his heart filled with surprise. He thought he had done it in complete secrecy, how did he even find out about this then?
Baili Jia Jue laughed and said, "You don't know? Perhaps Magistrate Liao would like me to help you recollect your memory?"
Despite the hint of a smile around the corner of his mouth, his expression was so cold that Magistrate Liao could feel a terrible restlessness swept over him.
Governor Chen turned around to glare at him, his eyes were filled with fury. "The emergency funds? You meddled with the emergency funds!?"
Governor Chen only thought that Magistrate Liao was at most acting recklessly and blindly just now, but now he was of the opinion that this man absolutely deserved to die!
"Does law even exist in your eyes!" Governor Chen used to be a general, he was normally good at controlling his temper so that he would not cause any trouble to the Retired Emperor. However, he flew into a rage as soon as he heard that Magistrate Liao had misused the emergency funds. He lifted his leg and kicked Magistrate Liao directly!
Magistrate Liao was defenseless, he felt pain in his left leg as he knelt on the ground!
Young Master Liao opened up his arms to defend in front of Magistrate Liao as he said to Governor Chen, "Lord Chen, we can talk about this, we can talk about this!"
"Talk about what!" Chen Liang interrupted. "It was you who ran into my boss in the provincial capital, you even apologized to my boss on the spot. But now that we are in Fuping County, you actually dare to make false counter-charge against boss! People from the Liao family are the same, both shameful and disgusting! You're like bed bugs that will jeopardize the people! You are full of lies and have a false benevolence, it's considered merciful if you only get a beat up!"
The crowd went enraged as well upon hearing that.
"Asking for compensation after running into someone? It's the first time I've seen someone being so shameless!"
"It's simply because Lord Wei seems to be a poor man with no background, they think they could easily bully him! Look at those imperial officials from the provincial capital, they are so well in shielding the Liao guy. They are totally planning to gang up and frame Lord Wei so that they can put Lord Wei in jail!"
"Is the God blind? How did these people even become the local magistrates? All the good people almost die in their hands! They owe Lord Wei an explanation on this issue!"
"That's right! You must give Lord Wei an explanation!"
"Governor!" Liu Yin who was standing in the crowd opened her mouth, "I heard that you specialize in speaking up against injustice and serving justice to common people in the name of the Retired Emperor. Right now, there are people who not only ignore the laws and are corrupted but also tried to murder an official. Will you handle this matter now that there are so many of them? Will you give us, commoners an answer?"
As her words settled in, not only did the face of the father and son from the Liao family turn pale, but even the faces of the four imperial officials from the provincial capital lost colors. Each of them was fl.u.s.tered and tried to explain themselves, "Lord Chen…"
What they were thinking in their mind was that, even if Lord Chen is the governor of three provinces, he can't punish all of them at the same time. He has to balance this out from the perspective of the officials in the court from all aspects as those of higher ranks will definitely be dissatisfied if he overdoes it.
However, what they never expected was that he would actually give an order to arrest all of them!
"Governor Chen, are you not afraid that you will offend someone by doing so?" One of the imperial officials growled, "You have no scruples about arresting us? The elders wouldn't agree with this."
Out of their expectations, Governor Chen did not even care about the elders this time. He uttered three plain words, "Take them away."
All the imperial officials were more or less dazzled at this moment.
It doesn't work even if they bring out the elders?
Who actually gives such big power to Governor Chen?
The imperial officials could not think of an answer.
Young Master Liao straight away turned hostile. "Chen, I was just speaking humbly and under my breath to flatter you, so that you can save your reputation, how daring of you to lock me up! Just you wait!"
Almost everyone had heard Young Master Liao's threatening last words.
Magistrate Liao was the steadiest and calmest among all of them, he still had a plan in his mind at the moment when his hands were cuffed up.
As long as they do not commit any murders, the people of higher rank will not just stand by and watch him die like this.
It makes no difference even if the other party is the governor of three provinces.
However powerful the governor of three provinces is, can he be more powerful than the four elders in the Capital?
Wei is simply relying on the support of Chen, there is still a chance to turn over the case when they are sent to the Capital…
He shall see who will be the true winner when the time comes!
The other four imperial officials were thinking about the same thing too. Hence, the moment they were locked in the cells, they started sending commands remotely to their men to set up all kinds of activity, asking them to deliver money to the right place. It was for the sole purpose of teaching Helian Wei Wei and the others a lesson when they made it back to the Capital!
Chapter 498 - Exposure Of Identity?
At this moment, the news about Helian Wei Wei cutting off the evildoers and conferring benefits on the society of Fuping had spread out among the folks.
Everyone was in immense satisfaction. They put up banners in the field, hanging them one by one. All of them were manifesting their gratitude to Helian Wei Wei.
When Governor Chen saw the water pump that was installed at the riverside, he felt a rare excitement and accidentally called Helian Wei Wei by her actual title, "Princess Consort! The Retired Emperor will surely thank you on behalf of all the people in the War Dragon Empire if he sees this. There are many mountain areas that cannot withstand the drought as it is very difficult for them to get water. During this time of the year, there will be many people lining up at the warehouse to get food from the provincial capital! Now that they have this creation from Princess Consort, the people won't have to worry about their food and water anymore…"
Thud!
Liu Yin dropped the watermelon she held in her arms; it fell hard on the ground, shattering into five or six pieces. It had also interrupted the conversation between Governor Chen and Helian Wei Wei.
Helian Wei Wei who was still in her plain white robe turned around to look at her, lifting the corner of her eyes a little. "What's wrong?"
"Lord, Lord Chen, just now, did he address you the Princess Consort?!" Liu Yin started to suspect that her ears were malfunctioning.
Unexpectedly, Helian Wei Wei blinked mischievously and admitted generously, "I forgot to tell you that I'm actually a girl."
No, it's not about the gender!
But… Prin, Princess Consort!?
Liu Yin was so shocked that she immediately knelt down. "I didn't know that Princess Consort has come…"
"Shhh!" Helian Wei Wei placed her finger on her lips and pulled her up from the ground. "I purposely disguised myself before coming here so that people can't find out."
Liu Yin was still a bit baffled, but she was clever enough to remain silent at this moment.
No wonder, no wonder Governor Chen is not as dignified when he is facing Lord Wei. On the contrary, he is unreasonably polite. It turns out that it is because Lord Wei has a strong background.
As predicted along the line, then wouldn't Private Advisor Long have a stronger background since Governor Chen has been following behind Private Advisor Long willingly?
Someone who is even more powerful than the current princess consort, isn't that…
On the other side, Baili Jia Jue reached out his hand to save the carrier pigeon from the little one. His gaze gradually turned cold as he read the slip of paper that he had removed from the pigeon.
"What's wrong?" Helian Wei Wei naturally noticed his mood swings.
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