The operation lasted all night, and apart from a few powerful families with good reputations, all the other powerful families in Heyang were purged.

Li Ru and the county magistrate also didn't sleep all night, busy dispatching manpower and taking inventory of the confiscated property.

"Magistrate, these powerful families are nothing but parasites! The confiscated property is more than the entire tax revenue of Heyang County for three years!"

Holding the account books he had compiled, the county magistrate said angrily, "These powerful and wealthy people oppress the people, maliciously seize land, and have caused countless families to be destroyed and people to die."

Li Ru sneered, "Ha~ These are just small fry! Some people are far more hateful than them!"

Li Ru got up and went outside the yamen. He looked into the distance in the early morning sunlight, exuding a cold and gloomy aura.

Li Ru did not request secrecy regarding last night's operation. By noon, news of the destruction of the powerful clans in Heyang had reached the ears of the people in the city, and all those who had suffered greatly at the hands of these powerful clans embraced each other and wept.

When the soldiers of the Imperial Guard heard about this, they were shocked by Li Ru's ruthlessness but also admired him, so they did not interfere with Li Ru's actions.

Two days had passed, and under Li Ru's arrangement, all the refugees had been settled. After handing over the county affairs to the county magistrate, Li Ru followed several soldiers of the Imperial Guard to Luoyang.

Outside the county government office, countless people who had heard the news gathered to see Li Ru off.

Just then, a man from the direction of Gaoling secretly entered the treasury of Heyang. The official in charge of the treasury let him in directly, took a secret letter from the man's hand, and headed towards the former residence of Li Ru, the county magistrate.

As Li Ru followed the Imperial Guards out of the yamen, he was overwhelmed with emotion as he looked at the reluctance and affection in the eyes of the simple and honest people before him.

"Magistrate Li!"

Li Ru's appearance caused a stir among the people, and everyone rushed forward. Several Imperial Guards quickly took up their stances and blocked Li Ru's way.

Li Ru looked at the Imperial Guard officer and asked, "Sir, may I speak a few words with the people?"

"good!"

Having received permission, Li Ru gave the Imperial Guard officer a grateful look before stepping forward to the group.

Li Ru looked at the crowd and said loudly, "Everyone, please don't panic, listen to what I have to say!"

Upon hearing Li Ru's words, everyone fell silent and stared at him quietly.

"Ru, I have a clear conscience about what I have done. I have only been framed by villains and am temporarily under investigation. I believe His Majesty will be able to clear my name, and I will definitely return to my hometown to bring happiness to the people there!"

The Imperial Guard officer also spoke up, saying, "Magistrate Li is right. The Emperor is wise and will certainly not let him be wronged. Please make way so that we can escort Magistrate Li back to Luoyang!"

Upon hearing Li Ru and the Imperial Guard officer's words, the people parted to make way for Li Ru as he passed by.

"Magistrate Li, please take care! You must come back! The people of Heyang are waiting for you!"

As Li Ru walked out of the crowd, an old man said in a tearful voice, and the other people echoed him, their words filled with reluctance and anticipation.

"Don't worry! I will definitely come back!"