Chapter 126 See you in court
Zhao Tan saw deep mockery in Lin Xi's eyes. She was looking down on him and questioning herself.
However, she was just an exile, so what qualifications did she have to question him as the head of the village?
"Lin Xi, Lei Jin hasn't spoken yet. As the head of the village, I must act fairly." Zhao Tan said in a serious tone.
"Is that so?" Lin Xi looked at Lei Jin, "Lei Jin, tell me, have my husband and I ever wronged you?"
Lei Jin sensed a hint of victory from Zhao Tan's abnormal reaction and immediately changed his words, "Cui Hongyue said that I just wanted to work behind Boss Lin. What happened on the mountain was all due to Brother Xiao's misunderstanding. I was actually helping Boss Lin."
Lin Xi was almost laughing at Lei Jinqi. She had never seen anyone lie so blatantly.
"Lei Jin, how can you lie like that!" Cui Hongyue thought it was outrageous, "You just agreed to it, but now you're turning your back on me!"
While everyone was arguing, Lei Jin's wife Ma Lan came.
When Ma Lan saw her husband being surrounded by people, she asked, "Village head, what's going on?"
After hearing the general situation, Ma Lan immediately said categorically, "Impossible, head of the village, this must be a misunderstanding. Although Lei Jin said something exaggerated, he doesn't have the guts to do that."
Zhao Tan said calmly, "But Xiao Yongyan and Lin Xi insisted that it was Lei Jin who wanted to do something inappropriate to Lin Xi."
Ma Lan glanced at Lei Jin, "Really?"
Lei Jin shook his head like a rattle, "How is it possible? I would never do such a thing."
"Village head, has anyone told anyone?" Ma Lan said.
Lin Xi felt that the current situation was somewhat incomprehensible. How could someone be so shameless?
"You are teaming up to frame me. There were only Xiao Yongyan and Lin Xi at the scene. They are a family, so naturally what they say is what counts. It's useless for me to say anything." Lei Jin said, still feeling very aggrieved.
The development of the matter was unexpected. Ma Lan actually spoke up for her man. What kind of people are this family?
"Village head, if you are so unfair and side with Lei Jin, I have no choice but to hand this matter over to the county magistrate and let him handle it carefully." Lin Xi said.
Zhao Tan's expression remained unchanged. The new county magistrate didn't buy Lin Xi's account at all. What would happen even if she went?
"If you want to go, go ahead."
After saying that, Zhao Tan turned away.
Zhao Tan's attitude was beyond the expectations of everyone present. They always thought that the head of the village, who was gentle and kind, seemed like a different person.
Seeing that the villagers were still surrounding them, Ma Lan said unhappily, "What are you looking at? What's so good about it? Don't cook at home."
As he said that, he started to untie the rope for Lei Jin.
Xiao Yongyan jumped on the horse and carried Lin Xi up, "Don't worry, if there is no headman, we can ask the governor to seek justice."
Lin Xi hurriedly stopped him, "Although you know the governor, our identities are sensitive. Don't use this relationship lightly. I have other ways."
"What method?" Xiao Yongyan couldn't help but feel curious.
Lin Xi smiled mysteriously, "I'll tell you when we get back."
In fact, Lin Xi’s method is very simple, which is the so-called public relations and public opinion warfare, a common means of modern business warfare.
However, in ancient times when public information was not well developed, there were far fewer means of operation available.
…
The town has been very busy lately, with many people circulating an article crazily.
The content of the article is not complicated. It means that the head of a certain village is unfair in his handling of affairs. He turns a blind eye to various injustices in the village and allows village tyrants to bully decent women.
Although the customs of this dynasty are relatively open and men and women do not have to take responsibility just by looking at each other, the boundaries between men and women must still be maintained.
Although the article did not name the place, anyone with a little knowledge could see that it must be Taoli Village.
As for the head of Taoli Village, Zhao Tan, he soon became famous.
The news spread like wildfire in the town, and soon the article reached the county.
For a time, everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about this unjust headman.
It would be fine if they covered up other things, but they didn't even deal with such immoral things. Isn't this ruining the reputation of their own village? Which girl would dare to marry here in the future?
When the master reported this to Hang Qi, the first thing Hang Qi said was, "I'm afraid it wasn't Xiao Yongyan's doing."
As long as it was about Taoli Village, he would never believe that Xiao Yongyan had no hand in fanning the flames.
The master found it incredible, "He would do such a thing?"
"Of course he can't," Hang Qi said angrily, "There are only a few people in Taoli Village who can read. He also wants to write an article that is easy to understand and rhymes. If it's not Xiao Yongyan, there must be someone else who can do it!"
"In that case, the one being bullied inside is..." said the lawyer.
Hang Qi suddenly sat up. Yes, since Xiao Yongyan wrote this article, the person mentioned in it is most likely Lin Xi.
Is Xiao Yongyan angry because he was cuckolded?
Then he has to examine it carefully.
"Master, send someone to bring the client here. I want to handle this case carefully." Hang Qi said.
Taoli Village.
The villagers watched in astonishment as the officials walked into the village one after another. Some of the timid ones were almost scared out of their wits.
They are all good citizens. Except when they pay taxes every year, they have never seen so many officials.
The police took Zhao Tan, Lei Jin, Lin Xi and Xiao Yongyan away one after another.
The village was in an uproar. How did the county magistrate know about this?
Court.
Hang Qi sat in the court, smiling as he watched Xiao Yongyan kneel down to greet him. It was really amazing. He never expected that one day Xiao Yongyan would actually kneel down to him.
"Who is here? Please tell me your name." Hang Qi said.
Lin Xi looked at Hang Qi's arrogant look, and thinking of what Xiao Yongyan had said half-jokingly before, she felt that Hang Qi was not very smart.
However, there are also advantages to having a bad brain. Less than three days after the article was released, there was movement.
"I am Lin Xi, a commoner. Nice to meet you, sir." Lin Xi said respectfully.
The others also introduced themselves one by one.
"Recently, I read an article saying that the head of a certain place was unfair in handling matters and shielded and tolerated criminals. Headmaster Zhao, the more I read, the more I feel that this incident seemed to have happened in your Taoli Village. What do you think?" Hang Qi said.
Zhao Tan was terrified. "Sir, this incident did happen in Taoli Village, but I definitely did not protect anyone. It was only the Xiao family's one-sided story, so I can't deal with it casually."
"It sounds reasonable. Please tell me what happened that day." Hang Qi said.
Zhao Tan recounted everything that happened that day in detail. Hang Qi listened and thought, "Lin Xi, you said Lei Jin assaulted you. Do you have any evidence?"
Lin Xi remained calm and neither humble nor arrogant, "Sir, Lei Jin took advantage of the fact that no one was around and dragged me into the woods, intending to do something bad, but I resisted fiercely and he failed. Later, my husband came and stopped it from happening. Although there is no truth to this, it is true that Lei Jin wanted to humiliate me. Shouldn't he be severely punished?"
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