Taihao's eyes flashed with admiration, and he sighed: "The senior's move is admirable. If the Sun family rejoins the medicinal herb business, they will definitely be able to create more brilliance, which is undoubtedly a great blessing for Jiutu City. ”

Sun Shou nodded lightly, smiled, and then turned to Sun Da beside him and said, "Da'er, go and ask Ah Weng to come over." ”

Sun Da showed hesitation on his face: "Ancestor, this ......"

Sun Liang hurriedly interjected: "Great ancestor, you can't hand over my grandfather to the government." ”

The rest of the Sun family's children also echoed: "Yes, great-grandfather, can't you hand over Grandpa." ”

Sun Shou's eyes were firm, and his voice was calm: "Needless to say, our Sun family should act openly and honestly, and be worthy of our hearts." Today, the old man announced that the head of the Sun family is no longer Sun Fa, and the old man is personally responsible. ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was silent. Sun Da had no choice but to invite Sun Fa as ordered. As the eldest grandson of Sun Fa, Sun Da has a pivotal position in the family. At this moment, he became the only person who could hand over Sun Fa to the government.

A short time later, Sun Fa stepped into the front hall. His face was expressionless and his gaze was cold. Sun Shou looked at him and said in a resolute tone: "Sun Fa, you can go with the Taihao City Lord." From now on, you don't need to worry about the affairs of the Sun family. ”

Tai Hao nodded, and the four servants immediately entered the front hall and took Sun Fa away. Before leaving, Tai Hao promised Sun Shou: "Senior, I will retry the case of Sun Dian and Sun Lian." Rest assured. ”

Sun Shou gratefully bowed his hand: "The old man is here to thank the Taihao City Lord." ”

Taihao and the four officials were about to leave with Sun Fa, but they found that the people who had just received the silver in front of the palace gate were still gathered outside the gate. At this moment, a family member shouted loudly: "The government is going to arrest the head of the Sun family!" ”

This news seemed to stir up a thousand waves, and the people outside the door had just received silver taels from the Sun family, and in a blink of an eye, they heard that the government was going to arrest the head of the Sun family, and they rushed forward one after another, surrounding the gate to the ground. A family member took the lead in shouting: "Let Sun Fa take charge!" ”

More and more people are joining in. Seeing this, Kui Xuan hurriedly commanded the soldiers to step forward and pull the noisy people.

Seeing that the situation was a little out of control, Sun Da hurriedly walked out of the gate and shouted: "You all disperse, it is Sun Fa who the ancestor asked the Taihao City Lord to take away, don't make trouble." ”

Under Sun Da's persuasion, the people and their families reluctantly got out of the way, and Taihao and the officials were able to leave smoothly with Sun Fa.

Inside the yamen, the interrogation officially began. Sun Fa faced Taihao's questioning and calmly admitted his crime of killing those scholars. It turned out that when he learned that the scholars had gone to Taihao to sign up, Sun Fa conspired with the other three principals to take countermeasures. After deliberation, they decided to set up a banquet to lure the scholars to come and poison the food and drink. In this way, the innocent scholars were poisoned and died in Sun Fa's mansion. In order to cover up the crime, Sun Fa ordered his subordinates to abandon the corpse outside the city, taking advantage of the cold conditions to disguise it as if they were freezing to death. Moreover, they deliberately threw the corpses in different places to further confuse the people.

Sun Fa continued to explain about the plan to assassinate Taihao. A trace of fierceness flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Only by getting rid of Taihao can the Sun family restore its former peace." Sun Fa sighed with a little remorse: "I never thought that the Taihao City Lord would have such a profound martial art. I knew this was the case, even if I had ten guts, I wouldn't dare to take the initiative against Taihao City. ”

Sun Fa's crime was so serious, if he was not beheaded, it would be difficult to calm the anger of the people of Jiutu City. After careful consideration, Taihao and Kui Xuan decided to behead Sun Fa outside the city ten days later.

Subsequently, Taihao retried the case of Sun Dian and Sun Lian. In the case of Lu Yan being beaten to death, it was found that the four thugs had a personal vendetta with Lu Yan and deliberately acted ruthlessly, resulting in Lu Yan's death. As a result, the four thugs were sentenced to fifty pounds and imprisoned in a dungeon for five years. On the issue of Lu Yan's death, Sun Dian's participation was less, mainly acting under Sun Lian's instructions. At the same time, Lu Yan set fire to the Sun family's treasury out of anger, which was also one of the reasons for the incident. Taking into account all factors, Sun Dian's was sentenced to compensate Lu Yan's father with 100 taels of silver and released him on the spot. Sun Lian, on the other hand, was sentenced to five years in a dungeon.

This verdict was warmly recognized by the people present, who all lamented the fairness and selflessness of the Taihao City Lord and applauded his wise decision. Sun Shou learned that the fate of the two great-grandsons had changed, and his heart was naturally overjoyed. Originally, he only hoped that one great-grandson would survive, but he didn't expect that both great-great-grandsons would escape.

In Sun Fa's confession, he did not mention collusion with the Locke family. Perhaps, he knew that joining forces with the Locke family was only futile, and it was difficult to reverse the overall situation. After rectifying the Sun family, Taihao naturally turned the spearhead to the Luo family. The so-called "four families" in Jiutu City, only the Luo family is still standing. However, Taihao did not rush to take action against the Locke family and decided to wait ten days.

Ten days later, Sun Fa was beheaded for public display. On the execution ground, Tai Hao faced the onlookers and said impassionedly: "Jiutu City has been the poorest place in the country for the past few years, but does our city really have no wealth? We have, the wealth is in the hands of those local tyrants and inferior gentry! The official will rectify these local tyrants and shoddy gentry one by one, and let them return their illegal gains to the people. From now on, the people of Jiutu City will no longer suffer from poverty! ”

Taihao's words aroused the resonance of the people, and they chanted "Taihao City Lord is wise", and the scene was warm and extraordinary.

Luo Gu, the head of the Luo family, listened to Taihao's words, and his heart was panicked. He understood that these words were directed at him, and he was worried that Taihao would punish him. A few days ago, Luo Gu sent Tang Ming to the capital to complain to the imperial court and expose Taihao's corruption and bribery. However, before Tang Ming returned to Jiutu City, Luo Gu couldn't wait to announce to the public that he would no longer serve as the head of the Luo family, but hand over the position of head to his son-in-law Tang Ming.

Such a move could not cover up Luo Gu's crime, and Taihao found Ah Chou and encouraged him to report the case to the government, revealing the fact that Luo Gu instructed his subordinates to cut out his tongue. So, Taihao used this as an excuse and ordered Luo Gu to be arrested.

Before arresting Luo Gu, Tai Hao had already ordered Kui Xuan to lead his troops to surround Luo Futuan, which could be described as a strict battle. Therefore, even if Luo Gu has great courage, it is difficult to escape. After being taken to the yamen, Luo Gu faced the interrogation, but never said a word and was silent. He was lucky, convinced that his son-in-law Tang Ming would bring news favorable to him from the imperial court.

However, Taihao did not condone his silence and evasion of responsibility. Tai Hao Zhengse said: "Luo Gu is in charge, the Mu family, the Yang family, and the Sun family have already confessed their crimes and paid the price for the mistakes they made. Does your avoidance of your crimes mean that you are responsible for everything? ”

After Luo Gu heard this, he was shocked, but he still did not speak. Seeing this, Tai Hao continued to threaten: "If you confess your crimes, there may be a glimmer of life." If you insist on concealing it, you will be punished more severely. ”

Luo Gu was under the majesty of Taihao, and his heart began to waver. He replied lightly: "I am no longer the head of the Luo family, and I don't know anything about what the Taihao City Lord asked. ”

Tai Hao admonished him in a firm tone: "This official has already found out the facts of your case, and now it is wise to confess." Don't leave it to chance. ”

Luo Gu tried to change the topic: "The head of the Luo family is now my son-in-law Tang Ming, and he is not in the city for the time being, so when he comes back, you can ask him." ”

Tai Hao sneered: "Tang Ming has been imprisoned in the prison of Thousand Winds City. Yesterday, the official received a letter from the capital, and Tang Ming was arrested on the spot for trespassing into the royal forbidden land. He slandered his official without any evidence, and the court naturally would not be gullible. So, you don't have to wait any longer for him. In addition, the official will also tell you that the gift you gave to the official has already been handed over. ”

It turned out that just yesterday, Taihao received an urgent letter of 800 miles from Lord Yuzhen. The letter recorded in detail that Tang Ming went to the capital to file a complaint. Since Lord Yuzhen had just left Jiutu City, the court officials had learned that Taihao had been unjustly imprisoned, so they did not believe Tang Ming's words. Lord Yuzhen immediately ordered Tang Ming to be imprisoned.

When Luo Gu heard the news, his face changed suddenly, and his heart was shocked. He realizes that his plan to avoid sin has failed, and that the road ahead is full of unpredictable dangers. At this moment, he had to face the reality and knew that he could no longer escape the crimes he had committed.

Tai Hao's sharp eyes stared at Luo Gu, and asked in a deep voice, "Why did you order to cut off Ah Ugly's tongue?" ”

A trace of panic flashed in Luo Gu's eyes, and he defended: "I just asked my subordinates to keep the matter of the substitute exam secret, but I didn't expect them to be so ruthless." I didn't directly order the tongue to be cut, it was an accident. ”

Tai Hao chased after him: "So, why did the maid in the deputy general's mansion die mysteriously in prison?" ”

Luo Gu frowned: "As far as I know, except for Ling Cui, the deaths of the other three maids were all committed by the former Yuhong City Lord. I have nothing to do with it, and I am really wronged. ”

Tai Hao asked sharply: "What you said is really true?" ”

Luo Gu took a deep breath and said firmly: "I am old, I have been frank all my life, and everything I say is true, and there is absolutely no falsehood. ”

Taihao pondered in his heart that the Locke family did not seem to be directly involved in the murder, but there was a common crime of the "four major families" that was the crime of bribery. If Luo Gu is taken into custody for bribery, the other three cases will need to be retried. The other three families have donated most of their property to the government, so the crime of bribery will naturally not be pursued. Since their crime of offering bribes is no longer investigated, it is difficult for Luo Gu to pursue the crime of bribery.

Under the laws of the Eastern Empire, it was a legal business to open a casino, as long as it was authorized by the government. Therefore, the casino run by the Locke family has become the only industry in Jiutu City that cannot be described as "hurting nature and harming reason" by the "four families".

Luo Gu was well aware of his advantage in this point, so he tried to change the topic and pleaded with Tai Hao: "Tai Hao City Lord, my son-in-law Tang Ming is now imprisoned in the capital, I don't know when I will be able to return to Jiutu City?" ”

Tai Hao replied expressionlessly: "This official can't predict the imperial court's punishment of Tang Ming. At least three or five years, at most more than ten years, he may be able to return to Jiutu City. ”

When Luo Gu heard this, he was very anxious, and hurriedly kowtowed and pleaded: "Please also ask the Taihao City Lord to help save my son-in-law Tang Ming's life." ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly and said, "This official is only the Lord of Nine Earth City, and his power is limited, how can he be rescued from the capital?" ”

Luo Gu said eagerly: "Taihao City Lord, you are an official of the imperial court, and you must have a lot of connections in the capital. I, Luo Gu, have no children in my life, only one daughter, and although the Luo family is small in Jiutu City, it also has some industry. Now the family's business is managed by his son-in-law Tang Ming. If he is trapped in the capital for a long time, the Locke family will surely decline. I beg you, save my son-in-law! ”

Taihao's heart moved, although Luo Gu's words had the meaning of pleading, they were true. He pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is not trivial, let me think of a way." ”

When Luo Gu heard this, his heart was a little relieved. He knew that Taihao was an upright person, and if he could be persuaded to help, Tang Ming might still have a chance of life. So he continued to plead: "Taihao City Lord, if you can rescue my son-in-law, in the future, my Luo family will pay three times more taxes to the government every year. ”

Tai Hao's expression was solemn and said, "In our Eastern Empire, although it is not explicitly stipulated as a crime to open a casino, it will indeed bring serious harm to the people. So ......"

Luo Gu heard the meaning of Taihao's words, and immediately said: "If my son-in-law Tang Ming can be rescued, the Luo family is willing to close all casinos, move to farming outside the city, and keep to themselves." In addition, the Locke family is willing to donate half of the family's existing property to the government for the education and well-being of the people. ”

A trace of doubt flashed in Taihao's eyes, and he said, "You are no longer the head of the Luo family now, do you still count your words?" ”

Luo Gu looked at Tai Hao firmly and said, "I, Luo Gu, have kept my promise all my life, and I have never said half a word. ”