As the two fierce-looking Imperial Guardsmen walked towards Li Ru, the crowd of onlookers outside the yamen erupted in uproar!

"Impossible! Magistrate Li would never collude with the Xiongnu!"

"It must be the Feng family! The Feng family framed us!"

"The imperial treasury was robbed only two days ago, and the Imperial Guards have already arrived? How could it be so fast?"

"My God... Is there any justice in this world?"

A chorus of doubt, anger, and despair rose and fell.

For these people, Li Ru was a good official they had been waiting for for many years, but now he was about to be arrested, which was really hard for them to accept.

Hearing the words of support from the people around him, Li Ru's heart trembled slightly.

Looking up at those simple, honest faces, I was immediately filled with an indescribable sense of emotion.

What a wonderful group of people!

If I just leave like this, won't they have to go back to those days of suffering?

Thinking of all this, Li Ru gave up the idea of ​​arguing and proving his innocence.

Although he understood that the emperor had sent the Imperial Guards to protect him, he could not simply abandon these people.

"Angel!"

Li Ru suddenly looked at the Imperial Guard officer: "Your subject Li Ru can accept the decree, however..."

After a pause, Li Ru said with a determined look in his eyes, "Your Majesty has bestowed upon me this seal of Heyang. Although my time here is short, I am aware of my responsibility to protect the land and ensure the safety of the people!"

Now that the treasury has been robbed and military funds have been lost, I, as the county magistrate, bear inescapable responsibility! Even if I were to die ten thousand times, I could not escape my blame!

"However, the tens of thousands of people in Heyang have just experienced turmoil, and their hearts are not yet at peace! I humbly request the Emperor to grant them two days' grace! Just two days!"

Li Ru's voice carried an almost tragic plea as he looked intently at the Imperial Guard generals:

"Please allow me to settle all the unfinished official business here! This will appease the people and prevent any further trouble that might disturb Your Majesty's ears! Two days from now, I will personally present the official seal and return to the capital with the imperial envoy to confess my crimes at the Court of Justice! There will be no doubt about it! If I break this promise, may I be punished by both Heaven and Man!"

The last eight words struck like a heavy hammer into everyone's heart! They were a solemn oath made with one's own life and reputation!

The county government office fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Li Ru and the Imperial Guard commander.

Wang Tong's smile froze, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, while the people clenched their fists, their eyes filled with hope.

The Imperial Guard officer raised an eyebrow and gave Li Ru a deep look.

As a member of the emperor's personal guard, he naturally understood the emperor's high regard for this young talent; otherwise, it would have been the people from the Court of Justice who came to arrest him.

"good."

The general's voice was devoid of any emotion: "Considering your sense of duty, I will grant you two days! Two days later, at three-quarters past dawn, I will personally collect the seal of office here. Do not delay..."

"Thank you, angel, for granting my wish!"

Li Ru bowed deeply again, letting out a long sigh of relief.

After standing up, Li Ru's gaze swept over Wang Tong and the others, whose expressions were constantly changing, and he said in a deep voice: "County Magistrate Wang, Registrar Zhao, and Clerk Zhou! Follow me into the back hall to immediately handle the handover of official business! The rest of you, each perform your duties, maintain order in the county government, and appease the people. There must be no mistakes!"

After saying that, he stopped looking at anyone, turned around, and strode towards the back hall.

That figure appeared exceptionally lonely, yet it resembled a soldier about to go to the battlefield, carrying a tragic and resolute air of never returning!

Two days!

Only two days!

The door to the back hall slammed shut behind Li Ru, shutting out all the outside gazes and noise.

Wang Tong, Zhao Qian, and Zhou Kui followed nervously in. Wang Tong forced an extremely awkward smile: "Your Excellency... where do we begin with this handover? This humble official..."

"No need."

Li Ru glanced at the group indifferently: "You may simply wait here. Without my permission, you are not to step out of this door. All official business is to be suspended."

"What?!" Wang Tong's expression changed drastically. "Master, you just said..."

"say what?"

Li Ru narrowed his eyes slightly: "I have official business to attend to, but I will not hand it over to you!"

Wang Tong frowned: "This... Venerable Master, you..."

Li Ru's face darkened, and his voice suddenly turned stern: "I have said, you will all wait here! Anyone who disobeys will be considered a traitor and will be executed without exception!"

The chilling killing intent in the voice made Wang Tong and Zhao Qian tremble with fear. They dared not utter another word and huddled in the corner chairs like quails.

Li Ru ignored them and quickly went to his desk, spread out a piece of plain silk, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote down short and clear instructions in a flurry of strokes.

"Someone come here!" Li Ru called out in a deep voice.

"Master!" A constable who had recently been promoted by Li Ru bowed and entered.

Li Ru handed him the first instruction he had written, his voice extremely low: "Go immediately to the Earth God Temple in the east of the city and personally deliver this order to the temple keeper, Old He! Tell him to act according to the plan without fail!"

He met this old man, Lao He, during his visits to the countryside. From their conversation, he learned that Lao He seemed to have an irreconcilable feud with the Feng family.

"Yes!" The bailiff took the silk scroll, turned around, and quickly left.

Immediately afterwards, Li Ru quickly wrote down the second and third instructions.

"Someone come here!" Li Ru shouted again towards the door.

A sharp-eyed young constable entered in response to the call; this man was none other than Liu Dazhu from before.

"Liu Dazhu!" Li Ru handed him the order. "Take this order and secretly summon the leaders of the militia in the south and north of the city. Have them assemble and await orders! Remember, be quick! Be secretive!"

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