There is no airtight wall in the world, and soon the news spread that Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun'an County, personally led the guards of the Governor's Palace to the Wen family to pick up people! As soon as the news came out, the people in the entire city of Hangzhou were happy and excited, while those officials who had received money from the Wen family were gloomy and uncertain.
In the private room of the most luxurious restaurant in Hangzhou, several officials were gathering together for a drink. The table was filled with a variety of exquisite dishes. After three rounds of wine and five tastes of food, everyone began to chat.
"Brothers, tell me, who is Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun'an County? Why is he so brave? How dare you go to the Wen family to take someone away!" An official put down his chopsticks and asked his colleagues beside him.
"Hmph, let me see, this Hai Rui is definitely not simple. He might be a student of a high-ranking official in the capital, and he came here to gain experience! Otherwise, how could we get the Chief Envoy to be so supportive? Do you think so?"
"Yes, I also find it strange. The chief envoy is a second-grade official, so there is no need to take such care of a small magistrate! Not only that, the guards of the Governor's Mansion are also handed over to this Hai Rui. .”
"You guys think, should we go to the pier to say goodbye, so that we can have someone to take care of us if something happens in the future?"
"Come on, how can someone like us look down on us with that background?"
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore, come on, drink and drink."
"Come on, cheers!"
…
On the other hand, since the news about Hai Rui spread, it has been a huge blow to the prestige that the Wen family has accumulated over the years.
In the past, those opponents who had always looked down upon me also gathered together and gossiped: "The Wen family is so powerful, why can't they even protect their own son? They even asked a small magistrate to come and take it away, hahaha!"
There were many other remarks similar to this. After the housekeeper reported them all to Wen Pingyi, Wen Pingyi became furious and threw his favorite vase.
"Master, what should we do next?" Seeing this, the butler on the side asked cautiously.
"Don't you have a brain? You have to ask me about everything? What do I, the Wen family, do for you? A bunch of rubbish! And those dog officials! When they usually get money, everyone is more active than the other, but when something happens, You can’t count on anyone!”
Perhaps the resentment in his heart had not been completely vented, and then Wen Pingyi pointed the finger at his wife. His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing was rapid, and he looked like a living beast.
"It's all because of you, who is so pampered to that bastard on weekdays, and that's why he became like this! He hangs out with those gangsters all day long, and you still cause me so much trouble."
"You!" Wen Pingyi's wife was angrily scolded, her eyes turned red immediately, and she returned to her room crying.
After scolding his wife severely, Wen Pingyi sat back on his chair feebly, looking dejected.
"Master, if we don't take action, the young master will be in trouble!" Seeing that Wen Pingyi had finished venting his anger, the housekeeper hurriedly stepped forward and asked about the next countermeasures.
"Go to the counter and pay 50,000 taels of silver and send it to the Chief Envoy! Also, give him a message. The Wen family is willing to give him an additional 20% share in the future."
"Yes, sir! I'll go right away."
After the butler finished speaking, he left quickly.
…
Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
"Master Zheng, why are you bothering? That Zhang Shou is obviously just a poor scholar who sells calligraphy and painting for a living. Why do you have to offend the Wen family for him? This is not like your style!"
"Yes, Mr. Zheng, why don't we let this matter go lightly? The benefits will be yours by then."
"Isn't it just that I beat a commoner to death? What's the big deal? Can't we just pay more money when the time comes? Mr. Zheng, don't be taken advantage of by these unscrupulous people!"
"Okay, you don't need to say any more. I have made up my mind and I must handle this case! My lords, please come back."
Zheng Michang sat at the top, picked up the tea cup and said coldly.
Seeing that Zheng Michang was so unscrupulous, those who had received money from the Wen family and came to act as lobbyists changed their faces.
Some of the grumpy ones even threatened: "Huh, Zheng, don't think we don't know what you are planning! Don't you just want to make some fuss about this matter so that you can get more profit from it?" Is it any good? Do you really think you are the master of Qingtian?"
After hearing this, Zheng Michang put down the teacup he was holding and responded: "Haha, have I ever said that I am the Great Master Qingtian?"
"There are some people who take other people's money to act as lobbyists. Not only do they fail to achieve their goals, but they also offend people! It's really... tsk tsk."
When Zheng Michang said this, he paused deliberately, with a look of ridicule on his face.
"Hmph, let's see!"
"I am busy with my affairs, so I won't see you off."
Zheng Michang then picked up the tea cup, took a sip and said calmly.
…
In the prison, since everything has been taken care of, the youngest son of the Wen family, Wen Rong, is living a comfortable life. He lives in a single cell and has three meals a day brought in from outside by a dedicated person. In addition to not being able to move around, he has nothing to do with the prison. It's no different outside.
"Hey, my Master Wen, what are you doing!"
Seeing Wen Rong moving his hand up and down the big lock hanging on the cell door, the jailer responsible for guarding him quickly stepped forward and stopped him.
"It's so boring here. I want to go out for a walk. What, do you have any opinions?"
Wen Rong was not put into prisoner's clothes. He was still wearing the same clothes as when he was first arrested, and he looked out of place in the entire prison.
When the jailer who was in charge of guarding him heard this, a hint of evil flashed in his eyes, but then he put on a smile and said flatteringly: "Wherever, Master Wen can leave whenever he wants! But I don't have the key at the moment. Do you need me to get it for you?"
"Of course, bring me the key. I will give you a big reward!" Wen Rong couldn't help but said excitedly after hearing what the jailer said.
"Master Wen, please wait a moment. I'll go get the key for Master Wen right now." After the jailer finished speaking, he turned and left.
"Okay, come back quickly! This young master is waiting for you." Wen Rong did not forget to tell him from behind.
Unexpectedly, the jailer disappeared for a long time after leaving the cell.
Wen Rong held out hope at first, thinking that the jailer had encountered something on the way and was delayed. However, he waited until dark and did not see the jailer.
Just hearing a 'squeak', there was a movement from outside the cell.
Hai Rui walked into the cell with his hands behind his back, followed by two jailers. One of them was the one who had promised Wen Rong to get him the key.
"Does this look like being in jail?" Upon seeing this, Hai Rui turned his gaze to the jailer aside and asked lightly.
"Sir, we have no choice but to do so. It's all orders from above..."
Sensing Hai Rui's slightly scrutinizing gaze, the two jailers next to him couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
Just kidding, this is a ruthless man who dares to take the guards of the Governor's Palace to the Wen family to arrest someone! Not only that, but he also killed a slave who was obstructing the investigation of the case at the gate of the Wen family, and now he has the support of the chief envoy.
Hai Rui ignored the jailer's excuse and just ordered: "Since he is in jail, he must look like he is in jail. Go and strip him of his clothes, and then put on prisoner's clothes!"
"Sir, this..." The two jailers looked hesitant when they saw this.
"What, do you want to disobey my order?" Hai Rui glanced at the two jailers and asked.
"Master Wen, I'm sorry!" After weighing the pros and cons, the two jailers gritted their teeth and approached Wen Rong step by step.
"What do you want to do? When this young master goes out, I will never let you go, ah!"
From inside the cell, gentle wails could be heard.
"Sir, you've changed your clothes!" After the two jailers took off Wen Rong's clothes and put on prison clothes, they came to Hai Rui and said respectfully.
"Well, you two have done a good job, now let me change the cells too!" Hai Rui nodded and continued.
"Sir, I don't dare..."
Seeing that Hai Rui's demands were becoming more and more exaggerated, the two jailers no longer dared to follow his orders.
"Humph, what are you afraid of? If something happens, I will take care of it for you! Do you think you didn't offend him before? I know this kind of pampered young master best. Since you have offended him, don't I want to get along well with you again.”
"Do you want to wait until he is released from prison to take revenge on you and your family?"
Hai Rui's voice was like a heavy hammer, shattering all the luck in the hearts of the two jailers.
"Sir, where should I change him?"
"Don't be too careful, just an ordinary cell will do."
"Yes, sir!"
After the two jailers made up their minds, they approached Wen Rong in the prison step by step.
"What are you doing? I don't want to go out, ah!"
(End of chapter)
