Chapter 29 Chapter 29 "What else could be the problem?"...

"What else could be the problem?" the magistrate said coldly.

"Although it's registered, the entire matter, whether it's the second son's motive for volunteering as a slave or the Huang family's style of conduct, is fraught with doubt." Jiang Wan cleared her throat and raised her head. "Sir, please take a look at the reactions of the people outside. I've long heard that you're a master at solving cases, and you're the pride of our small town. If this little thing were to tarnish your reputation, wouldn't that be more harm than good?"

Jiang Wan said this simply to give the county magistrate a way out by not exposing his falsification of records, and then hinted to County Magistrate Li that this case would affect his reputation.

Only by starting from the other party's perspective can one convince him. This is the experience Jiang Wan has gained from years of business experience.

The magistrate, upon hearing these words, glanced at the indignant crowd outside the yamen, and indeed, he wavered. He rolled his eyes and said tentatively, "Oh? But in my opinion, this case doesn't warrant further investigation. I don't think Huang Xingquan would force a sale. As for the public's comments, I've tried hundreds of cases over the years, and no matter how I decide, there are always those who are dissatisfied."

Translated, this sentence means: I have a deal with Huang Xingquan, and I will benefit from this verdict. What impact will the people's comments have on me?

It was okay. Although County Magistrate Li's words made people angry, at least he listened to her and began to try to communicate with her. Her first sentence stabilized the situation.

Jiang Wan took a deep breath and forced a professional smile. "Your Excellency, you may not know this. Huang Xingquan often raises rents and exploits the people. He often increases the agreed-upon price at the last minute, causing many complaints from the people. How can we trust such a dishonest person? In the past, if people were dissatisfied with your judgments, it was because they didn't get the results they wanted. This time, however, it's different. The people want the truth, not a result that will satisfy Huang Xingquan. Therefore, if your Excellency makes a ruling too quickly, it will probably cause public outrage."

Magistrate Li took a deep breath, a thoughtful expression on his face. Jiang Wan's implication was that Huang Xingquan was dishonest and it wasn't safe to do business with him. Furthermore, Huang Xingquan was disliked by the entire city, and the situation was clearly suspicious. If Jiang Wan showed partiality, it would damage the government's reputation.

Xiaofangpancheng was an impoverished county town, generating little tax revenue. The success of annual tax collection depended not only on the harvest but also on the reputation of the government. If the magistrate portrayed himself as a caring, compassionate individual, the people would be more willing to hand over grain to the government for distribution. However, if the perception of collusion between officials and businessmen was that they were enriching themselves, the people would delay the process, attempting to keep the grain for themselves.

That would only worsen the already limited granary. What would Magistrate Li have to show for his achievements, and what would he use to bribe his superiors? Without these, he might not even be able to keep his official position.

At this point, Magistrate Li had already put away his cold warning and asked seriously, "Then, in your opinion, what should I do?"

Hearing this, Jiang Wan knew her words had worked. She had originally assigned her craftsmen to publicize the matter as a precaution, not expecting it to be used. She hadn't expected it to actually be used in the end.

She gathered herself and said slowly, "Your Excellency, there's no rush to conclude this case today. It would be better to investigate slowly. Not only will we leave behind a good reputation for prudence and diligence, but we'll also have enough time to carefully consider it."

Her goal had been achieved; pressing too hard would likely backfire. Therefore, Jiang Wan simply said to investigate slowly, giving the magistrate ample time to consider. As long as he hesitated, Huang Xingquan wouldn't have the opportunity to communicate with him about the account book changes, and Wang Er could remain in the county office, saving his life.

Magistrate Li was very satisfied with Jiang Wan's answer. As the case dragged on, he had time to think carefully about how to address the public's grievances. If he could achieve both wealth and fame, that would be best; if not, then he would have to give up the deal and keep his official position first.

"That makes sense," Magistrate Li slammed the gavel, "This matter requires further investigation. Please withdraw first!"

"Hey, Lord Li..." Huang Xingquan was completely confused. How could County Magistrate Li, who had just been determined to protect him, change his attitude just because of a few words from Jiang Wan?

Magistrate Li glared at him with dissatisfaction and warned, "Huang Xingquan, remember, you are the defendant now! This is the court, you can't act recklessly!"

He looked at Huang Xingquan's confused eyes and cursed inwardly that this old man had lived in vain for so many years. He was not even as smart as a little girl and could not understand a few words. He really didn't understand how he made money.

Huang Xingquan, though uninformed, was a seasoned businessman, realizing now was not the time to question his position, and retreated in disgrace. The crowd of onlookers, still lingering, showered him with rotten vegetable leaves. Huang Xingquan had given away 30% of the annual profits for nothing, not only failing to secure a favorable verdict, but also being inexplicably scolded by the magistrate, leaving him unable to speak back.

His face turned black. He didn't dare to lash out at the people in court, so he could only slap the butler hard and curse, "You useless thing! You can't even get anything done! What use do I have for you!"

The housekeeper covered his swollen face and cried, "Master! I was so close to succeeding. I almost took that brat out of the city! Who knew that damn girl would chase me to the city gate!"

Huang Xingquan was furious, and although Jiang Wan had temporarily won back a point, she wasn't happy. She still had a long way to go to seek justice for her young apprentice.

Wang Er's wound had been treated, but he was still unconscious. Wang Da squatted beside his brother, refusing to leave. Jiang Wan paid the constables and asked them to take good care of him, then walked over and patted Wang Da on the shoulder.

Neither the master nor the disciple spoke, but they saw determination in each other's eyes. Now was not the time to relax or grieve. No matter how dangerous or difficult the road, they had to continue and seek justice for Wang Er.

After the court adjourned, the onlookers gradually dispersed. Behind the pillar on the right side of the government office stood a dark-skinned, burly man. He hadn't left yet, his eyes fixed on Jiang Wan's back. Jiang Wan seemed to notice and turned around, only to see a bustling crowd.

Jiang An saw his sister suddenly turn around and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Wan stared at the pillar for a while and shook his head: "It's okay, let's go."

The back of the pillar.

The sturdy man leaned against the pillar to hide his body, two beads of sweat on his head. While Jiang Wan was helping Wang Da up, he hurriedly slipped away with the crowd.

The long street was noisy, and he didn't notice that there was a young man in blue clothes hiding in the corner, and had been following him for half an hour.

Jiang Wan and Jiang An, brother and sister, sent Wang Da home, comforted him, and watched him return home before leaving with peace of mind. The family had run out of vegetables yesterday, so Jiang Wan had to go to the market to buy some. Jiang An usually had to work, but today he had taken a rare half-day off, so he decided to go to the market with his sister.

Who would have thought that I would meet annoying people even when buying vegetables?

"Zi Yan?" Jiang Wan asked in surprise, "Why are you here? Are your injuries healed?"

Zi Yan, wearing a blue gown and holding a basket, stood there and nodded: "Buying vegetables."

Jiang Wan pointed at his empty basket and asked, "You... buy groceries? Can you cook?"

He didn't say anything, but lowered his head and shook the basket. In Jiang Wan's eyes, this look seemed a little aggrieved.

"Pfft..." Jiang Wan couldn't help but laugh, "You came to see me, right? What's the matter?"

Zi Yan raised his head, his eyes clear and bright, reflecting the woman's graceful figure. Jiang An frowned, took a step forward to block his sister, and said impatiently: "If you have something to say, please say it quickly, we are in a hurry to go back."

Zi Yan glanced at Jiang An, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then uttered two words: "Three days."

Jiang Wan blinked, slowly put away his smiling expression, and his eyes became gloomy.

Three days, probably referring to the fact that Lord Shen would arrive in three days. This was much faster than she had imagined. It seemed she had to speed up her preparations.

Jiang Wan was lost in thought and didn't notice Zi Yan had left, nor did she notice that her brother was looking at her in confusion.

"Hey, little sister, little sister?" Jiang An waved his hand in front of his sister's eyes. "What do you mean three days?"

Jiang Wan came back to his senses and smiled absentmindedly: "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry about him."

The evening of the 18th day of the first lunar month.

After Jiang Wan finished delivering her last order, she sat in her room, sorting out her plans. Lord Shen's arrival had been early, leaving her with no time to review many details. However, this had one advantage: it gave the magistrate less time to consider matters, preventing further delays.

After several encounters, Jiang Wan had a rough idea of ​​Magistrate Li's personality: he was greedy for small profits and timid. Although according to information gathered yesterday and this morning, Magistrate Li had avoided Huang Xingquan's repeated visits, it was only a matter of time before Magistrate Li would side with Huang Xingquan if the Huang family offered him some extra money and a few kind words in private.

Jiang Wan wasn't sure how long her words yesterday would shock the magistrate, so to be fair, she hoped that Mr. Shen would hurry up.

"Miss Jiang, Miss Jiang!" Suddenly, an urgent cry came from outside the door, "It's not good!"

A middle-aged man who looked like a constable ran out of the courtyard panting and knocked on the door hard, making the newly replaced wooden door creak.

Jiang Wan was startled, recognizing the voice. Yesterday, she had bribed this constable with money, asking him to keep an eye on her apprentice. This man was so anxious, could something have happened?

Thinking of this, she immediately stood up, walked quickly to the yard and opened the door.

The constable was sweating profusely, his face flushed red, and he gasped for breath as he said, "Quick, Miss Jiang, I just heard Huang Xingquan discuss with our master. In exchange for a 50% annual profit, Master Li has agreed to take Wang Er away at night!"

"What!" Jiang Wan couldn't help but shout, and ran to the county government office with her skirt lifted up.