Quan Mingde locked himself in his study, thinking about what happened to Hongshou Hotel all day long, sometimes clasping his arms and trembling, sometimes his face red and his ears were red and angry. Although he was unwilling, he didn't dare to order revenge rashly, his hatred for Mu Chen was not enough for him to treat Qi Luna ruthlessly, thinking of this, he fell into a dilemma and was in pain.

Lao Chen not only has to face this sluggish young master, but also can't live up to the old city lord's entrustment, he can only try his best to inquire about what is happening outside, for Mu Chen's whereabouts and actions, he only wants to be aware of it at any time, he knows that his identity is not enough, he has no ability to participate in it, and there is no way to prevent any unfavorable situation from happening. But for Wei Gonglu, it's different, in Baoling Prefecture, the Wei family is the strongest opponent of his master's family, with both a royal background, a high official position, and an urgent desire for power, if you take advantage of the current chaotic situation to let it profit from it, then what you lose may not only be the support of the head of the pioneer and the love of the young city lord is so clear, the consequences are unbearable for the father and son, especially for the old city lord, he has worked hard for nearly thirty years, and once he is defeated here, there is no possibility of competing with the Wei family.

Lao Chen sent all the trustworthy attendants and guards in the mansion, and did not care about the spies arranged by Wei Rou around him, basically ordered them to find out the movements of Wei Gonglu and Mu Chen, and then asked people to go to Diyang to send a letter to the old city lord in front of the maids, asking the old city lord to come back and preside over the overall situation.

He did this to let Wei Gonglu clearly know that there was not much time left to do things behind his back, waiting for him to show his feet in the panic and provide the old city lord who was already on the road with one more usable card.

After Wei Rou got the news, he quickly informed his uncle Wei Gonglu that he had successfully instilled his ideas into the major nobles, even if the old city lord came now, he could deal with it calmly, and everything that happened after Mu Chen came back had nothing to do with him.

On Wei Gonglu's way back to his home, the spy sent to the slums to inquire about the news reported: "My lord, the penetrating wing used to defend against demonic beasts in Qiming Village was collected, and the Finance and Taxation Department did it, and the villain went to the Finance and Taxation Department, and I heard that this matter is related to the deputy director Han Keen, and the specific situation will take some time, my lord..."

"Are you sure that the matter in Qiming Village is related to the Finance and Taxation Department?"

"The villain is sure. ”

"Well, first arrest the director and deputy director of the Finance and Taxation Department for the crime of disregarding human life, and put them in the dungeon of the House of Representatives. Mu Chen, when are they coming back?"

"The villain was just about to report the matter, and after checking the situation in Qiming Village, they went to Ciguang Village, and had an argument with the village chief, and now the village tavern is closed, and there is no sign of returning. ”

"Argument with the village chief?

"As far as the villain knows, Zhao Hong, the head of Ciguang Village, is the brother-in-law of Han Keen, deputy director of the Finance and Taxation Department, and the villain guesses that Mu Chen has found out about it. ”

"Mu Chen's movements are reported from time to time, you hurry up and arrest people now, the old man will go back to the mansion and rush to the council immediately. ”

"Yes, sir. ”

Wei Gonglu immediately returned to the house, and when he entered the courtyard gate, he ordered someone to inform Mo Cheng and tell her to wait in the front hall. He entered the inner courtyard, changed into the red robe of the silver eagle, and prepared to take the dark orange to the council chamber together.

"Lord Imperial Eunuch, what did you call me?"

"The old man ordered someone to punish the hooligans of the association, and also found out that this matter is related to the Finance and Taxation Department, since you are entrusted by Mu Chen, why don't you go with the old man and go to the council to ask what happened. ”

"Okay, let's see what happens to those hooligans. ”

"Don't believe the old man, then you can check it out for yourself. After speaking, the two of them got into the same city car of the Imperial Inspector and went to the noble council.

Shi Hanlu, director of the Department of Finance and Taxation, was taking a nap at home, when suddenly a group of guards broke in, and the centurion who took the lead repeated over and over again: "Shi Hanlu, director of the Department of Finance and Taxation, is suspected of disregarding human life, and he will be taken into custody according to the order of the Baoling Prefecture Law and the Imperial Assistant, and those who resist will be executed immediately." ”

The attendant in the palace hurriedly ran to inform him that the old man had white hair on his temples, and the maid served him unhurriedly, putting on a purple official robe with a golden brocade chicken pattern, his face was not timid, his breathing was even, and he couldn't see a little panicked.

"Sir Elder, I now suspect that you have recklessly disregarded human life and have something to do with the case of the destruction of the entire village of Qiming Village, and I will arrest you to the Noble Council in accordance with the decree of the Imperial Assistant Supervisor and wait for arraignment. The centurion announced in a loud voice at the door, and did not break down.

"Alright, stop arguing, withdraw these guards. Don't be embarrassed by the servants of my house, the old man will go with you. Shi Hanlu pushed open the door and nodded at the attendants.

"Your Excellency, please. ”

Deputy Director Han Cohen's mansion was the opposite, and the attendants were disorganized and scattered and fled. Han Cohen hid under the bed and did not dare to show his face, and the guards dragged him into custody, handcuffed and shackled, comparable to ordinary prisoners, and completely lost the official color of the deputy director.

The two were caught in the council and locked up in the dungeon with the hooligans of the association, Lao Chen hurriedly dared to go when he heard the news, and after chatting with Shi Hanlu for a few words, he was taken away by the guards, and no one was allowed to contact him anymore.

He hurriedly reported to the young city lord again, and the young city lord curled up in the corner, his eyes were black, and he looked at him helplessly, without giving any response.

When Wei Gonglu arrived, he took Mocheng straight to the dungeon, he wanted her to see the fate of those hooligans with his own eyes, and at the same time, he also wanted her to be a witness to his handling of the case in Qiming Village, so as to curry favor with Mu Chen.

"How is it, Mo Cheng, the old man didn't lie, right?"

"I think it's okay, my hands and feet have been cut off, I guess I can't bully the weak anymore, and when the wounds heal, I will throw them back into the slums, where they can definitely feel what life is worse than death. ”

"Just do as you say. Wei Gonglu took Mo Cheng to the cell where the two directors were held.

"Master Shi is also locked up here, these soldiers don't know how to listen to the words, quickly, release them quickly. The dungeon guard stepped forward to open the door and greeted Shi Hanlu out.

"Lord Imperial Assistant, the subordinate officials have no way to manage the tragedy of Qiming Village, if you want to be responsible, you will have no complaints. Shi Hanlu left the prison door and saluted Wei Gonglu.

"This matter is indeed related to Han Keen, Lord Shi, you only need to cooperate with the trial, and the old man guarantees that there will be no crime of involvement. Shi Hanlu was the director of the Department of Finance and Taxation when he was in charge of the old city, and the Shi family was a famous family in Baoling Prefecture, the old man was kind and kind, and he was highly respected among the nobles, and often helped the people who suffered from disasters, and was deeply loved.

"The subordinate officials should tell the truth and never be biased. ”

"Escort Han Cohen to the Tribunal, and the old man will preside over the case today. Lord Shi, please, Mo Cheng, you go with you. ”

"I just like to watch the excitement, let's go, two adults. ”

Lao Chen saw that the young city lord had no intention of getting up, so he retreated. His subordinates reported to him about Wei Gonglu's movements, and he was not qualified to participate in the trial, so he sent people to continue to investigate, wanting to understand the truth and truth.

Wei Gonglu entered the inquisition hall and called someone to invite the young city lord, and after learning that he would not participate, he sat on the high platform of the presiding judge, arranged Shi Hanlu on the right hand side of the stage, and Mo Cheng on the left hand side.

"The old man recently learned that Qiming Village in the southwest of Jiayuan City was slaughtered by Warcraft, and it is found that this matter is related to your private confiscation of villagers Touyi, whether it is true. ”

"Lord Imperial Supervisor, the villain doesn't know about this, the Department of Finance and Taxation is only responsible for collecting taxes, and has never collected anyone's penetration. ”

"Lord Shi knows about this. ”

"The lower officials have heard about it, but they have not actually verified it. ”

"What did Lord Shi hear?"

"Xia Guan heard that someone bought a large number of Touyi in Baoling Prefecture, which caused its price to double, and it was rumored that the Beijin business group wanted to buy this thing, which caused this incident to happen. ”

"Did Lord Shi ever hear who was buying Touyi, and who released the news of the Beacon Merchant Group?"

"I heard that it was Lord Han, but because of his identity, the lower officials didn't believe it. As for who put the news, it is not clear to the lower officials. ”

"My lord, don't be deceived by the rumors in the market, as Lord Shi said, the villain is the deputy director of the Department of Finance and Taxation, how can he use his public position to harm the people?" Han Cohen was in his forties, obese, with a disheveled hair and disheveled clothes, kneeling on the ground.

"I want to know why Lord Shi doesn't believe the rumors, why do you believe Deputy Director Han?"

"Lord Imperial Assistant, although Lord Han is not a nobleman in this state, he is the same as you and me, assisting the city lord and serving the people together, plus he is related to Prince Li, Xia Guan believes that he will not bear the risk of losing his official position and losing his reputation for this petty profit. ”

"Master Shi has reminded me, Deputy Director Han is Prince Li's brother-in-law, if this matter is confirmed, the old man will see what kind of face you have to face your sister. ”

"Lord Imperial Assistant, this matter is really not the villain's doing, as you said, for the sake of His Royal Highness's face, the villain will not take risks, but you must not believe the rumors and wronged the villain. ”

"Wronged? You relied on the power of Prince Li to serve in the Department of Finance and Taxation, you should have been cautious and professional, abide by the rules, and do not disregard the recommendation of the prince, but you are idle all day long, without respect and humility, if it were not for the old city lord to explain again and again, the old man would have removed you from your position and returned you to Prince Li. ”

"My lord, what the villain wants to say is..."

"As an official, why do you keep using the title of the people, in your eyes, my deputy director of the Finance and Taxation Department of Baoling Prefecture is only worthy of being called a villain?"

"Adult, little... Xiaguan..."

"Shut up. Master Shi, is what the old man just said true?"

"Hmm... It's true, Lord Han is indeed derelict in his duties, and it is also the negligence of the subordinate officials, if your lordship..."

"Han Cohen, because you have neglected your duties and fulfilled your responsibilities, you are now removed from the post of deputy director of the Finance and Taxation Department, don't you love to call the villain, this time there is no need to change. ”

"Lord Imperial Supervisor, this case in Qiming Village has been tried for a long time and there has been no progress, he has always denied it, you don't have any substantive evidence, if you can't get a result, I'll go back, the Patriarch may have come back, I still have to..."

"Lord Yu, the villagers of Qiming Village brought it. The guards came in with a few villagers, just to interrupt Mo Cheng, and the evidence that Wei Gonglu had been waiting for appeared.