"My lord, there is a group of scholars gathered outside to make trouble, and they are shouting slogans!"

In the yamen of Hangzhou Mansion, Ma Ningyuan was working inside, and suddenly a soldier hurriedly came in to report.

"What are they shouting?" Ma Ningyuan's face remained unswerving, and he asked.

"They... They were shouting...... "The soldier hesitated, not daring to say any more."

"Say, what's the rub?"

"They are shouting outside, let you release Lu Dongxing from the Egret Academy!"

"It's really unreasonable, go out and tell them that Lu Dongxing is a suspect in instigating murder! Let them leave quickly, if they make noise outside the mansion again, don't blame the official for being polite. ”

"Yes." The soldier took the order, and then galloped out.

Disturbed by this news, Ma Ningyuan lost his interest in working, rubbed his temples, and looked tired.

"Everyone, let's leave quickly, the prefect said that Dean Lu Dongxing and Lu are implicated in an abetment murder case! When the government finds out the truth, they will let him go. ”

The soldier who was sent by Ma Ningyuan was full of embarrassment at the moment, on the one hand, the Hangzhou prefect's own top boss, and on the other hand, the young and vigorous scholar who had the right to speak, both of which were not easy to mess with, so he could only persuade softly.

"You fart, how can my teacher be this kind of person! It's clear that your government is deliberately finding fault. ”

As soon as the soldier's words fell, a short-tempered student opened his mouth to correct him.

"Hmph, I think it's because the teacher said a few bad things about changing rice to mulberry, and he was arrested and imprisoned by you.

"If the teacher doesn't come out today, we won't leave!"

"Yes, we're not leaving today!"

Seeing that the scholars were becoming more and more excited, the soldiers who had previously received the order did not dare to persuade them any further, for fear that they would be stimulated again and cause trouble at that time.

Just as he wanted to go back to report to Ma Ningyuan, he saw that Ma Ningyuan had appeared behind him at some point.

He hurriedly bowed and saluted: "Lord Prefect, the villain has been persuaded several times, but they just refuse to leave." ”

"It's okay, you go down, let the official tell them!" Ma Ningyuan waved his hand and motioned for the soldiers to go down.

"You are Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou? Did you order the teacher to be arrested? ”

Seeing Ma Ningyuan coming out of the mansion, the leader of the scholars stood up and asked.

"That's right, this official is Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, and your teacher was indeed arrested by my order."

"Why, how could the teacher, who has always been of noble character and jealous and hateful, be involved in the case of abetting murder?"

Ma Ningyuan did not answer these scholars' questions, but asked rhetorically: "Do you know a person named Zhang Daniu?" He is a student of your Egret Academy. ”

"Zhang Daniu?" Hearing this name, many scholars at the scene were confused.

"I have the impression that there seems to be such a person in the academy! With dark skin, wearing coarse linen clothes, a smell of earth on his body, and black mud in his nails that can never be washed, he has been listening to the academy, could it be that he has committed something? A scholar remembered it for a long time and finally found the name in his mind.

Ma Ningyuan nodded: "That's right, he led the villagers of Taoyuan Township to stop the imperial court from clearing the land and killing the court officials, just now, he has already confessed, and the confession is directed at your teacher." ”

"What about the confession? Can you show us? When the scholar at the head heard Ma Ningyuan's words, he didn't dare to make another attempt, and his tone softened a lot.

"The confession is in my office, but you don't deserve to see it, do you know why? I am the ruler, and you are the people! ”

"Aren't you afraid that I will join you as an official in the future?"

"In the future, let's talk about it later, now I am the prefect of Hangzhou, and what about you? It's just a useless poor sour scholar! ”

After hearing Ma Ningyuan's words, many scholars present all glared angrily, clenched their fists, and their eyes seemed to be about to erupt with fire.

The character of the scholar made them unable to bear such an insult, but because of the identity of the other party's Hangzhou prefect, no one dared to make any moves.

"I warn you, be honest with me during this time, don't cause any more trouble for me, as for your teacher, after the government finds out the truth, he will be let go."

"If you don't listen to the advice of the official, and continue to mess around in the government, the official doesn't mind getting you all in and locked up for a few days to taste the taste of prison."

Ma Ningyuan said, his eyes swept over the scholars present one by one.

Feeling the threat implied in Ma Ningyuan's words, although many scholars present were unwilling, they still did not dare to confront the Hangzhou prefect on the spot.

"Let's go, things need to be discussed in the long run!"

"yes, we're just making trouble for the teacher here."

"Let's go, go back and discuss countermeasures."

Soon, the scholars gathered in the government office gradually dispersed, and Ma Ning saw this, turned around and returned to the government office, and continued to handle official business.

……

In the prison of the government office, Lu Dongxing was held in solitary confinement in a cell.

This cell is different from the cell where the prisoners are usually held, there is fresh straw under the bed, and the bedding and other things on the bed are all fresh, and there is not a trace of musty. There is a table in the middle of the cell, on which a clean tea set is placed, and the warm sunlight shines through the window, making people feel warm.

Lu Dongxing sat quietly on the bed, his eyes closed, and he didn't say a word. He was not so much caught as invited, and the usually vicious jailers and cell bosses were quite attentive to him, almost to the point of responding to requests.

'Da Da Da! There was a sound of footsteps, and Ma Ningyuan, led by the jailer, entered Lu Dongxing's cell.

Ma Ningyuan had a warm smile on his face, and as soon as he entered the door, he asked earnestly: "I wonder if Old Lu is still used to living?" If there is any inadequacy in the prefect's hospitality, please bear with me. ”

Lu Dongxing, who had been closing his eyes tightly, opened his eyes and replied slowly: "Inviting a bad old man like me to the prison as a guest, this is the hospitality of your Hangzhou prefect?" ”

"Old Lu is serious, and this official also has a last resort!" Ma Ningyuan said, the expression on his face remained unchanged, and he still had the same warm smile as before.

"Oh, tell me, I'm curious what you're up to?" Lu Dongxing frowned and said sarcastically.

"I wonder if Lu Lao knows a person named Zhang Daniu?"

"Zhang Daniu? Who is it? Haven't heard of it. ”

Hearing this name, Lu Dongxing's head shook like a rattle.

"This official also knows that it is impossible for you, Elder Lu, to know such a vulgar person!"

Ma Ningyuan said, took out the tea set on the table, and poured a cup of tea for each of them.

"Let me tell you secretly, this Zhang Da Niu has made a big mistake!"

Ma Ningyuan poured tea and reminded in a low voice.

"Oh, what's the big deal?"

Lu Dongxing put on an interested look, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

"He prevented the imperial court from clearing the land, and led the villagers to kill the officials, do you think this crime is big enough?"

"This crime is really big, to the point of killing the head!"

Immediately afterwards, Ma Ningyuan picked up the teacup on the table and gestured to Lu Dongxing: "Please!" ”

After the two of them drank the tea in the cup, Ma Ningyuan continued to speak: "Unfortunately, this Zhang Daniu seems to have mentioned your name in his confession, do you want to see it?" ”

After Ma Ningyuan finished speaking, he made a gesture to take out his confession.

"No need, the old man has never known any Zhang Daniu! Your Excellency, please come back. ”

Immediately afterwards, Lu Dongxing issued an eviction order.

"It's bothering, if Elder Lu has any requests, just mention it to them, treat this place as his own home!"

Ma Ningyuan chuckled, and then walked out of the cell, leaving only Lu Dongxing, whose face was gloomy and uncertain.