After listening to Mu Dalang's words, Taihao couldn't help laughing, he felt that Mu Dalang's statement was really ridiculous. So, he responded in a dignified but firm tone, "Mu Dalang, I understand why the previous city lords of Jiutu City connived at you. But please be clear that in our Eastern Empire, theft is considered a serious crime and will not be tolerated. It is an unchangeable fact that all your family's income is based on illegal theft. The reason why I didn't arrest you immediately was because I wanted to give you a chance to change your ways. Otherwise, once the court is held accountable, there will be nothing the officials can do, and you will face even more severe punishment. ”

Tai Hao's eyes became sharp, and he said solemnly: "I advise you to stop as soon as possible and seek a righteous path for the family." Don't think that stealing can make you rich, such thoughts will only lead you to destruction. Remember, justice and morality are long-lasting treasures. ”

Mu Dalang was shocked by Taihao's words, he was stunned, and he was speechless for a while. He realizes that Taihao is not joking, but sincerely hopes that he will find his way back. Mu Dalang lowered his head and pondered, and an inexplicable fear began to surge in his heart. He didn't know how to choose, but Taihao's words were deeply imprinted in his heart.

Mu Dalang took a deep breath and said stubbornly: "When I came to visit the mansion today, I just want to discuss this matter with the city lord. My brother Mu Erlang and I have already discussed it, and the Mu family has decided to donate all their assets to the government, but I hope that the city lord will agree to our two conditions. ”

Taihao raised his head, looked directly into Mu Dalang's eyes, and asked lightly, "Do you still want to talk to this official about the conditions?" ”

Mu Dalang suddenly felt a little nervous, and he hurriedly explained: "The grass people don't dare, they just hope to find a way to live for the family. ”

Tai Hao frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice: "What conditions do you want?" ”

Mu Dalang took a deep breath, plucked up his courage and said: "The first condition is that the green building opened by the Yang family should be operated by the grass people. Lord of the city, please rest assured, our Mu family will not lose a penny of the taxes that should be paid to the government every year, and all operations will be carried out under the condition of legal compliance. The second condition is to ask the lord of the city to forgive my family's crimes and remove the surveillance of my Mu Mansion. ”

Tai Hao thought for a while, and then slowly spoke: "Regarding your first condition, this official can agree to you, but you must ensure that you operate legally and compliantly. As for the second condition......" he paused slightly, then continued, "As for your family's crimes, everything must be decided according to the laws of the Eastern Empire. As for whether or not it can be forgiven, it is not up to the words of the official alone to decide. The official asks you again, what is the real cause of Yangshun's death? ”

Mu Dalang seemed to be a little flustered, and stammered and replied, "Yangshun? He...... Did he freeze to death? ”

Tai Hao looked at Mu Dalang with sharp eyes, and said, "Mu Dalang, since you want to negotiate conditions with this official, then don't hide anything." Whatever the officer asks you, you must answer truthfully! ”

Mu Dalang's heart trembled, and he hurriedly said: "Yes, Lord City, the grass people must answer truthfully." ”

Tai Hao took a deep breath and asked again, "How did Yangshun die?" ”

Mu Dalang hesitated for a moment, and then said slowly: "At that time, Yangshun revealed too many secrets to you, and the grass people felt that they should inform the Yuhong City Lord. I wanted to let the Yuhong City Lord teach him a lesson, but he didn't expect the Yuhong City Lord to hang him on the city gate, causing him to freeze to death. ”

Tai Hao's tone became serious, he stared at Mu Dalang, and asked, "Yangshun is your subordinate, and you actually pushed the responsibility cleanly." Is the serial murder of scholars in Jiutu City related to you? ”

Mu Dalang hurriedly shook his head and denied it, and said: "The grass people really don't know about this matter, the grass people only dare to do some petty theft on weekdays, and they will never dare to commit murders." The grass people will never steal again, and will donate all their previous belongings to the government. ”

Tai Hao asked closely: "Then do you know who killed those scholars?" ”

Mu Dalang hesitated for a moment and said, "The grass people don't dare to say it. ”

Tai Hao asked, "Do you dare not say it, or do you not want to say it?" His eyes pierced Mu Dalang's heart like a sharp blade.

"Yes...... It was done by the Sun family. Mu Dalang's voice trembled slightly, obviously very frightened in his heart.

Taihao frowned and said, "The Sun family? His words were full of confusion and incomprehension.

Mu Dalang took a deep breath and continued: "Yes, Sun Fa, the head of the Sun family, invited them to hold a banquet in the mansion after learning that those scholars had signed up for the 'city examination'. He took the opportunity to poison the food and drinks, and poisoned them. ”

Tai Hao's face was gloomy and he said, "Why did the Sun family treat those scholars so cruelly? ”

Mu Dalang was silent for a moment, and then said slowly: "Maybe he thinks that his two grandsons will be on the list in this year's imperial examination, and in order to ensure the honor and status of the family, he chose to use this way to eliminate potential competitors. ”

Tai Hao couldn't help but sigh: "This Sun Fa is really vicious. ”

Mu Dalang hurriedly said: "City Lord, please don't tell the Sun family about this matter, otherwise the grass people and the family may not be able to survive." ”

Tai Hao said in a deep voice: "This official will not reveal your secrets. ”

Mu Dalang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That grass people informed the city lord of this matter, is it considered a meritorious service?" ”

Tai Hao said: "You are considered meritorious, but the sins you committed before must not be completely forgiven." Otherwise, the whole city will see it. Did you really decide to donate all your possessions to the government? ”

Mu Dalang said firmly: "Of course, as long as the family can be safe, whatever the government asks me to do, the grass people will do." ”

Tai Hao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, tomorrow I will take stock of all the property in your family, send it to the yamen, and hand it over to Sicang to join the army and put it in the warehouse." ”

Mu Dalang replied respectfully: "The grass people have already counted their belongings in the family, and the Mu family has a total of 1,000 taels of gold. There are also two boxes of gold and silver jewelry, and 100 acres of fertile land. ”

A hint of surprise flashed in Taihao's eyes, and he said, "A thousand taels of gold? Your Mu family is really rich. ”

Mu Dalang said humbly: "Most of them are the inheritance left by the ancestors. ”

Taihao smiled and nodded, "Very good, it seems that you really want to change your ways." ”

Mu Dalang said sincerely: "As a citizen of Jiutu City, it is appropriate to donate money and property to the government. ”

The reason why Mu Dalang is so generous is because he was deeply touched after learning about the death of Yang Wei, the head of the Yang family. The family has so much money, but because he offended the government, he died with a whimper. Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang both believe that their family must not follow the old path of the sheep family. They would rather give all their money to the government in exchange for a peaceful life than spend the rest of their lives in fear.

When Mu Dalang was about to leave the City Lord's Mansion, Taihao said to him: "Early tomorrow morning, after sending the property you want to donate to the yamen, you and your younger brother Mu Erlang will come to the lobby to find the official. The Judge will be waiting for you there. ”

Mu Dalang replied respectfully: "Yes, the grass people obey the order!" He bowed deeply, and then slowly withdrew from the City Lord's Mansion.

Early the next morning, Mu Dalang personally led several carriages full of family belongings to the Yamen. These belongings included 1,000 taels of gold, two boxes of gold and silver jewelry, and the title deeds of 100 acres of fertile land, all of which were the wealth that their Mu family had accumulated over the years.

Si Cang joined the army to carefully count every piece of property, carefully register it, and then properly store it in the treasury and tax warehouse. This series of actions was completed in front of everyone, ensuring the openness and transparency of the whole process.

According to Taihao's instructions, Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang went to the lobby together. When they reached the lobby, they saw that Taihao was already waiting for them.

Mu Dalang stepped forward and said with a smile: "City Lord, the grass people have obeyed the order to send their belongings to the warehouse, and checked with Si Cang's army. ”

Taihao nodded and said with satisfaction: "Very good." Then, he slapped the shocked wood, and ordered the officials on the left and right in a majestic voice: "Mu Dalang, Mu Erlang, you have been stealing in Jiutu City for many years, disrupting the normal life of the people, and violating the laws of the Eastern Empire. Although you have donated your belongings to the government, the government will continue to conduct a thorough investigation of the theft cases over the years. Cases related to your Mu family, this official will investigate them one by one and order his subordinates to return the lost property. As for the two of you, the death penalty is forgiven, but the living sin is not escaped. Drag me down, fifty boards each! ”

After listening to Taihao's words, Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang turned pale with fright, and begged for mercy again and again: "Lord City Lord, spare your life!" Lord Castle Lord's life! ”

But begging for mercy was useless, and they were still dragged down by the servants to carry out their punishments. The punishment of the fifty boards was a severe punishment for them, but it also reminded others who wanted to break the law that the majesty of the law could not be challenged.

After the beating of the fifty boards, Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang were brought to Taihao again by the officials. They were pale and in pain, but they straightened their backs and did not give in.

Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang knelt in the lobby and begged for mercy: "The grass people are guilty, please spare your life!" Their voices were filled with sincerity and remorse.

Tai Hao looked at them, although he was a little unbearable in his heart, he still maintained his majesty, and said: "This official sees that you have an attitude of reform, and the Qinglou of the Yang family is temporarily operated by you." But I hope you can truly respect the law, operate in accordance with the law, and no longer cause trouble to the people! ”

Mu Dalang and Mu Erlang responded in unison: "Grass people keep it in mind!" They kowtowed deeply to show gratitude and determination.

Taihao looked at their departing backs and sighed secretly in his heart. These two former bullies now have a chance to mend their ways. He hoped that they would cherish this opportunity, truly walk on the right path, and make some contributions to the people of Jiutu City.

In the following days, Tai Hao, together with other officials in the yamen, devoted all his efforts to the cases over the years. They spent the night looking through the files, carefully going through each case, just looking for the theft cases related to the Mu family.

When they found out about the case related to the Mu family, Tai Hao immediately ordered the officials to return the property to the owner one by one. The excitement of these lost owners when they received their lost and recovered belongings is indescribable. They flocked to the yamen, excitedly praising Tai Hao's abilities and thanking him for his impartiality.

This scene is a good story in Jiutu City. The people praised Taihao's wise decision and impartiality, and they were also pleased with the Mu family's attitude of reforming themselves. The whole city has become more and more harmonious and beautiful because of this incident.

After successfully rectifying the affairs of the Mu family in Nancheng, Taihao sat with Kui Xuan and discussed the next plan of action. They knew that rectifying the Sun family in the "Four Great Families" was their next important task.

Tai Hao said in a deep voice: "The Sun family is involved in a murder case, which we must not spare lightly." Kui Xuan nodded in agreement, the two had the same heart, and their determination to rectify the Sun family was extremely firm.