As the mining team, accompanied by gongs and drums, drew closer, the previously sorrowful and angry people suddenly widened their eyes and cried out in surprise.
"Son? You—you're not dead?!"
"Wow—Dad—"
"Big brother—second brother—thank goodness! You're alive!"
"Look! My son! He's still alive!"
They spotted their loved ones, and their grief instantly turned to joy. Crying and shouting, they rushed towards the mining team without a second thought.
In an instant, the whole scene was in chaos, filled with cries and shouts.
The woman who had started the trouble stared blankly at the living man in the line for a long while before she came to her senses and screamed, "Ah—a ghost!"
Her scream silenced the previously noisy crowd.
Several villagers who had just found their relatives wept and angrily pointed at the woman, shouting accusations: "It's her! She came down from the mountain. She said you're all dead, killed by Marquis Fuyu!"
"And him—he said you were mining for the wealthy Marquis and were silenced!"
Someone stopped the sharp-nosed, monkey-faced creature that was trying to escape.
Someone in the group immediately recognized him and shouted, "He's Erlaizi from our village! He's always stealing chickens and dogs and doing nothing right. He dug in the mountain all day and then caused trouble, so he was driven down!"
"Pah—what nonsense! I finally got a decent meal after coming to the mine, and he wants to eat and drink his fill and get paid without working? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"
The man with the pointed snout and monkey-like cheeks blushed and jumped up, shouting back, "You're all idiots! You've been tricked! The imperial court has a fixed wage for recruiting workers, why should they pay you double!"
"You were mining illegally! You're lucky you didn't die this time! They'll kill you to cover it up sooner or later!"
With his pointed face and monkey-like features, he made a confident vow, which actually fooled quite a few people, who then showed their intention to leave the group.
But there were also dissenting voices, with some shouting, "Bullshit! If it weren't for the young masters, we would have been killed today!"
"You scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"If Marquis Fuyu had killed us to cover it up, would we still be alive today?"
"I think you're just jealous that we're well-fed, clothed, and earning money! You're trying to trick us into starving and freezing with you!"
The miners started shouting.
The chattering voices surrounded the sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced fellow, leaving him no room to maneuver.
Someone even "accidentally" stuck their foot out.
With his pointed snout and monkey-like face, he tripped and, by sheer coincidence, bumped into a man's large iron hammer. His teeth snapped shut, severing half of his tongue, leaving his mouth full of blood, and he could only gurgle incoherently, unable to speak.
At this moment—
Upon discovering the wealthy Marquis bound by ropes and in a disheveled state, the young masters of the Jin family instantly flew into a rage, their eyes turning bloodshot, and rushed forward like arrows released from a bow.
Young Master Jin grabbed the thick rope connecting the carriage and pulled it backward with all his might.
With a loud "boom," the entire massive carriage was abruptly overturned, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Father--"
Young Master Jin's shout brought the desperate Rich Marquis back to life. His lips trembled, and he tried to open his mouth, but could not utter a word. His gaze swept over their faces and then landed on the miners.
Alive... all are alive.
His last breath gave way, and he fainted, his eyes rolled back.
Young Master Jin quickly caught his father.
His eyes were fixed on the Prefect of Shu Commandery, his teeth clenched, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger and accusation, "Prefect, what are you doing!"
"When my father learned of the mine collapse, he went to the prefect's office for help. Not only did you not send troops to rescue him, but you also tied my father up! Are you... afraid that we will come out of the mine alive?!"
Silence reigned all around; no one dared to speak.
The governor of Shu Commandery sneered, completely unconcerned. "Heh... I only arrested him because I was afraid he would evade his punishment. I didn't injure him."
"What crime? Do you have any evidence?"
Young Master Jin clenched his fists, wishing he could rush up and avenge his father!
When asked directly in front of the entire street crowd, Magistrate Mei's eyes instantly darkened.
His gaze fell on the three thieves being held down by the miners, a sinister killing intent flashing in his eyes. These three had all failed, been captured, and still made it to the prefectural city alive!
The three thieves trembled and their legs went weak when Magistrate Mei glanced at them.
Prefect Mei has been entrenched in this Shu Commandery for many years, and is practically a local tyrant. His power of intimidation is so profound that it can even stop a child from crying.
Young Master Jin stared directly at Prefect Mei without flinching, “You have no evidence! I do!”
"These three men were carrying firecrackers and tinderboxes to start fires!"
The three thieves were brought out bound, and the people stared in disbelief.
So... so it really was a man-made disaster!
The three were pushed out. The skinny man knelt with his head down, uttering nothing, while the other two shouted that they were innocent.
"Your Honor, I've been wronged!"
"I didn't start the fire!"
Magistrate Mei's face turned ashen.
With a flick of his finger, guards immediately slipped into the crowd. The young masters of the Jin family, surrounded by the wealthy Marquis, were filled with anger and did not notice him for a moment.
Suddenly, three arrows shot out from the crowd, heading straight for the three thieves!
He actually killed someone in the street to silence them!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Three arrows in a row!
Dao Qing drew his longsword, leaped into the air, cleaved one arrow in two, and the other two arrows pierced the throats of the two men!
One arrow to the throat!
Jin San Shao moved with lightning speed, suddenly swinging forward to firmly protect the skinny man behind him.
The crowd fell into a deathly silence in an instant, followed by a burst of panicked screams and figures scattering in all directions, bumping into each other and falling to the ground in a chaotic scene.
Upon seeing this, the guards in the crowd turned and left.
Dao Qing flew off in pursuit.
Young Master Jin shouted, "Grab him! Kill him to silence him! He must be the one who destroyed the mine!"
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Prefect Mei.
If I'm not mistaken, that man was Prefect Mei's bodyguard. In full view of everyone, without even trying to cover up, he dared to shoot a witness in the street. This is not just outrageous, it's downright lawless!
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Qian's expression changed slightly. He gritted his teeth and ordered, "Seize him!"
Magistrate Mei's eyes were sinister as he looked at the Jin family and Magistrate Qian, especially Magistrate Qian, whom he knew had been trying to oppose him.
how?
Did they think that with the arrival of a wealthy nobleman, they would have a powerful backer?
Utterly ridiculous!
Just then—
In the distance came the sound of horses' hooves and the rushing sound of carriages.
Upon closer inspection, the robust figures of the three young masters of the Qian family came into view, and then a corpse crashed down in front of Magistrate Mei.
It was none other than the guard who had failed in his attempt to escape earlier.
"Hahaha—Dad! I brought him back for you! Aren't I awesome!"
"It's a pity he bit his tongue and committed suicide!"
"Oh—by the way, Prefect, your guard was injured while helping us capture this thief, and I brought him back to you as well!"
As he spoke.
Qian Sanshao pulled the rope in his hand and threw out the bodyguard Mei, who was missing an arm.
She pointed at Dao Qing, who was standing on the carriage with his sword, and said, "He cut off his arm. He's the princess's guard. He didn't recognize your guard and thought he was in cahoots with this villain. You can't blame him!"
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