Ye Yun was the first to report: "The Marquis has been investigating those officials in the north these past few days, and most of the reports are true. The Marquis asked me to come and ask you how to deal with them. The Marquis said that if you don't have anything urgent to attend to, it would be best if you went back."
"Mm," Xuan Yuanzhan responded.
Everything here is proceeding smoothly, from digging the canal to providing food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, all arranged very well, so there's really no need for him to stay here and keep an eye on things.
Xuanyuan Zhan looked at Ye Feng: "How is the digging of the river channel over the Beiliang River going?"
He's been in Baichuan these past few days, so he really doesn't know what's going on in Beiliang River.
Ye Feng quickly bowed and said, "The soldiers and civilians are digging and they are working very hard. Before we came, we went to check and it seems that many civilians from other places have signed up to dig the river channel. The soldiers have recorded all of them and have agreed to let those who meet the requirements join."
Xuanyuan Zhan nodded silently. It seemed that the notice he had Fang Su post earlier had worked.
These people were willing to help dig the riverbed, whether for the two meals, the ten copper coins for wages, or to help themselves get rid of the drought as soon as possible.
Not only from the Beiliang River area, but also from the Baichuan River area, hundreds of people have come in the past few days to join the team digging the river channel.
The sooner the waterways between the north and south are dug, the sooner the people in the north can get rid of the drought. Naturally, the more people who join, the better.
Therefore, as long as the physical condition and age meet the requirements, Xuan Yuanzhan generally accepts all comers without hesitation.
Ye Yun thought of the bandits: "Your Highness, those bandits have been locked up for several days. Now that the Marquis has also been identified as the bandits who committed heinous crimes, shouldn't you go back and deal with them?"
Xuanyuan Zhan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.
Zhang Debiao and his men have been detained for several days; it's definitely time for them to go back.
“Then let’s go back.” Xuan Yuanzhan whistled and summoned his big black horse. He leaped onto the horse and looked back at Ye Yun, who was about to mount up and go back with him: “We can’t leave this place unattended. You stay here.”
As he spoke, Xuanyuan Zhan rode off at breakneck speed.
Ye Feng followed closely behind.
Ye Yun was left completely bewildered.
Well, the prince has called him back, but he's stayed behind...
Xuanyuan Zhan led Ye Feng on a frantic drive back to Bei'an.
When they arrived at the government office, Xuan Yuanzhan was pleasantly surprised to find that there were far fewer refugees queuing up there.
"Xuanyuan Zhan!" Mu Lingchen greeted Xuanyuan Zhan with great excitement upon seeing him return, saying, "You're finally back."
Xuanyuan Zhan dismounted and looked at the people waiting for porridge at the gate: "Why are there so few people? Did they all go to dig the riverbed?"
He should have gone to see the Beiliang River when he came back.
But now that I'm back, there will always be a chance to go see it.
Mu Lingchen laughed and said, "That's right. Those who are in slightly better health have all gone to dig river channels. The porridge cooked over there is thick, and they even give out two steamed buns. I heard that there's plenty to eat there, and they also get paid. As long as there are no major health problems, they've all gone to dig river channels."
Xuanyuan Zhan also smiled.
He hadn't expected that making the porridge a little thicker and adding an extra steamed bun would make the people so enthusiastic.
But this is also a good thing.
"I've finished investigating everything you asked me to investigate before."
The two entered the government office together, and Mu Lingchen handed over the entire case file from the previous investigation to Xuan Yuanzhan.
After reviewing the files, Xuan Yuanzhan said solemnly, "These people should be dealt with as appropriate. All officials involved in corruption in the North should be severely punished without any leniency!"
Mu Lingchen nodded: "Understood."
Xuan Yuanzhan narrowed his eyes: "And those bandits, all those involved in arson, murder, rape, and adultery, behead them all!"
"yes."
Mu Lingchen responded and immediately took the case files to investigate the officials and bandits.
Within a single day, all the officials who had committed offenses were arrested.
The public couldn't help but discuss the arrests and raids on many officials.
"What's going on? Why have they all been arrested?"
"Didn't the prince tell everyone to report it before? I guess they all found out, so they took action."
"Then these people deserve it. They must have done something bad to be arrested."
"Your Highness is truly decisive! You've investigated so quickly and even arrested all those officials!"
Not only these officials, but also the bandits involved in arson, murder, rape, and debauchery were all dragged out of prison by Mu Lingchen.
When these bandits were released from their cells, they knew they were doomed to die, and they all shouted and yelled.
"Boss, save me!"
"Master, please beg the Prince! I'll never dare to do it again! Please, please spare my life!"
"Boss, I was wrong! I apologize to those people!"
"I don't want to die, I really don't want to die, Boss, save me!"
When the bandits were taken away, the cell was quiet. No one dared to make a sound, fearing that they would be next.
How many bandits are truly clean?
Even if they didn't commit arson, murder, or rape, they still looted an unknown amount of property.
If the prince really wanted their lives, they would be powerless to refute him.
Soon, the bandits were taken away, and the prison returned to peace.
Zhang Debiao and the others were separated into different cells, but their cells were close together, either side by side or facing each other.
Qian Ergou was to Zhang Debiao's left. He patted the fence and called out to Zhang Debiao, "Big Brother Zhang..."
After shouting, Qian Ergou spat and muttered, "What kind of big boss are we? The whole village has been ransacked."
Qian Ergou looked at Zhang Debiao worriedly: "Zhang Debiao, how long does the prince plan to keep us locked up? He's not really going to behead us all, is he?"
Zhang Debiao faced Qian Ergou, leaning against the fence, too lazy to move: "How should I know?"
Zhang Debiao looked utterly hopeless, but Qian Ergou was terrified of death: "I just found out that those bandits who were dragged out were all going to be beheaded. Could it be that it's our turn soon?"
Zhang Debiao ignored Qian Ergou, but he was also very flustered inside.
After all, they had been in jail for several days. The past few days had been quite peaceful, but today there was such a big commotion. He was also afraid that it wouldn't be long before it was their turn.
Although the prince might not necessarily kill all the bandits, they were the leaders, so killing just a few as a warning to others wasn't out of the question.
Li Yuanbao was imprisoned opposite them. He leaned against the fence and said lazily, "Don't worry, didn't the prince say that as long as you don't commit heinous crimes like burning, killing, and raping, you shouldn't die? On the contrary, if you've done those things, you can't escape. Sooner or later, it'll be your turn!"
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