After breakfast, the atmosphere in the inn room became solemn.
Nangong Yan's face was cold, and he was the first to break the silence: "Although we gave those two some punishments last night, if we want to thoroughly discipline them, we still need to make long-term plans."
The emperor nodded slightly, a sharp gleam in his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "The account book is the key. Dig deeper and find out who is behind it."
At this time, Wang Meng walked in quickly, looking solemn, and reported to Bai Linglong: "Madam, it has been found that Boss Zhang and the county magistrate are secretly colluding.
There was a secret base in the county town where they often plotted to suppress dissidents and enrich themselves. ”
Bai Linglong raised her eyebrows, a cold light flashed in her eyes: "Very good, let's start from this secret base."
After some discussion, Nangong Yan decided to send An Yi to the state capital first to quietly contact the county magistrate's superior, Zhou Zhengtang, to use him to punish corrupt officials, while they would continue to stay in Taoyuan Town to collect evidence to avoid exposing their identities.
That afternoon, the market in Taoyuan Town was very lively.
Bai Linglong took the children and strolled in the market. She seemed leisurely, but in fact she was paying attention to the discussions of the people around her.
"Did you hear that?
The Zhang Mansion and the County Magistrate's Mansion were looted overnight, and nothing was left! ”
An uncle selling vegetables was sorting the vegetables on the stall while talking to the person next to him.
"That must be the old man, look at him!
The county magistrate bullies us on a daily basis, and Boss Zhang is nothing good either. He relies on his wealth to bully people everywhere! ”
The tofu-selling lady next to them pouted and had crumbs all over her face.
Nan Jinxuan came over curiously and asked, "Auntie, how did the county magistrate bully me?"
When the old lady saw the cute child, her tone softened: "Child, you know, this county magistrate, who took money from Boss Zhang, did all kinds of bad things.
There are small business owners in our town, but if you give him gifts, all your business will go away.
A while ago, Boss Zhang took a fancy to Old Man Li's daughter and refused to accept her request, so he instructed the county magistrate to put Old Man Li in jail. There has been no news since then! ”
Bai Linglong was furious, but she remained calm as she pulled Nan Jinxuan and the other children forward.
Not long after I walked away, I heard two young men talking again.
"This time the Zhang Mansion and the County Magistrate's Mansion suffered a disaster. There must be someone who has seen enough of their evil deeds and punished them.
It's a pity. I'm afraid that they have someone backing them up, and they will get away with it after a while. ”
A young man looked worried.
"Ah, what can we ordinary people do? We can only hope that there will be a young master to serve us."
Another young man sighed helplessly.
At the same time, Nangong Yan brought several guards, disguised as ordinary people, and secretly observed near the secret base.
The area around the stronghold seems peaceful, but in fact it is full of mysteries, with people with suspicious looks coming in and out from time to time.
An Yi rushed to the provincial capital at full speed, and after many twists and turns, he finally met Zhou Zhengtang.
An Yi presented the various evil deeds of the county magistrate and Boss Zhang, as well as the account books as evidence, to Zhou Zhengtang one by one.
After reading it, Zhou Zhengtang's face turned pale and he slammed the table angrily: "How could this happen!
Such corrupt officials are really corrupting the morale of the court, and I will punish them severely! ”
A few days later, Zhou Zhengtang brought a group of people to Taoyuan Town.
He first sent people to surround the secret stronghold and captured everyone inside. Then he ordered the closure of Zhang's mansion and the county magistrate's mansion and carried out property searches.
As the news spread, the people of Taoyuan Town poured into the streets and gathered outside Zhang's mansion and the county magistrate's mansion to watch.
When Zhou Zhengtang walked into Zhang's house, he was stunned by the scene in front of him. The courtyard was in a mess and empty.
He couldn't help but whisper to himself: "What happened?
Not even a piece of glazed tile or a flower is left. Who on earth could have done this? ”
The accompanying master was also surprised and whispered, "Sir, it seems that someone severely punished them before we came."
The people outside were talking about it.
"The county magistrate's mansion in Zhangfu has been emptied. The old man must have sent gods to deal with them!"
A young man shouted at the top of his voice.
"Look, there must be a chivalrous hero who has been eyeing them for a long time!"
An old man said, twirling his beard.
Although no valuables were seized, the evidence was irrefutable, so Zhou Zhengtang still ordered the county magistrate, Boss Zhang, to be escorted out of the mansion.
The two were covered in dirt, their former arrogance gone.
"My Lord, please spare my life!
The villain knows his mistake! ”
The county magistrate collapsed to the ground in fear, begging for mercy non-stop.
"Humph, you're scared now? Too late!"
Zhou Zhengtang had a serious face and showed no mercy.
Boss Zhang was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he muttered, "I will never dare to do that again. Please let me go, sir."
When the people saw this, they came forward and criticized you one by one.
"You bully, you still want a daughter!"
A white-haired old man rushed forward with tears streaming down his face, wanting to hit Boss Zhang, but was stopped by the yamen runners.
"Fellow villagers, I will definitely give you justice!"
Zhou Zhengtang said loudly.
Afterwards, the county magistrate, Boss Zhang, was taken to prison.
The people followed behind, cheering all the way.
"Our Taoyuan Town is finally peaceful now!"
"Thanks to Lord Zhou and those who helped secretly!"
Bai Linglong, Nangong Yan and others were standing in the crowd, watching this scene, and they felt relieved.
They returned to the inn, and as soon as they sat down, the emperor suddenly slammed the cup on the table, the tea splashed out, and said angrily: "I am busy with all kinds of affairs in the imperial city.
Who knew that such a daring and corrupt official was hiding in this remote town!
Such outrageous behavior is simply disregarding my laws as nothing and treating the people like fish! ”
The emperor's chest heaved violently, his face full of anger.
The Queen Mother sat aside, frowning and shaking her head gently: "This world should be fair and just, but officials act so recklessly. It's really chilling."
Nangong Yan quickly stood up, cupped his hands and advised: "Father, please calm down first.
Is this trip incognito intended to understand the sufferings of the people and rectify the administration of officials?
If a problem has been discovered, it is an opportunity to solve it.
Along the way, we will have the opportunity to encounter more peaceful things and punish those evildoers who endanger the people one by one. ”
The emperor was still furious, pacing back and forth: "I gave them official positions and power, so that they could benefit the people and abuse their power!
This county magistrate and Boss Zhang have colluded with each other to bully the people in the countryside. I don't know how many innocent people they have harmed. I will never let them off easily! ”
Bai Linglong also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down.
If Zhou Zhengtang has already arrested them, they will be tried according to law later.
We can also pay close attention to this matter to ensure that it is handled fairly and to give an explanation to the people of Taoyuan Town. ”
The emperor stopped and sighed: "If I had come to Taoyuan Town by chance this time, I don't know how many people would have to suffer this kind of hardship.
As the ruler of a country, I let the people suffer under their own rule. I really let down the people. ”
Nan Jinxuan pulled the emperor's clothes and said in a baby voice: "Grandpa Emperor, don't be angry. When you grow up, you must help those who are bullied like daddy and mommy did."
The emperor looked at his real grandson, his expression eased a little, and he touched his head and said, "Okay, when you grow up, you must be a person who cares about the people.
But corrupt officials like these forget their own duties. ”
Nangong Yi also said: "Grandpa Emperor, if we catch the bad guys this time, the people of Taoyuan Town don't have to be afraid anymore.
If we go out more often in the future, we will definitely help more people. ”
The emperor nodded slightly, with a hint of determination in his eyes: "Yes, it is right to come out this time.
I only listen to the reports from the court, but also want to see the real situation among the people with my own eyes.
In the future, I will intensify the rectification of official administration, but I will never tolerate corrupt officials if I find them! ”
Nangong Yan continued, "I suggest that when we return to the imperial city, we can issue new decrees to strengthen the assessment and supervision of officials, so that those who have evil intentions will not dare to do evil easily."
The emperor thought for a moment and said, "This matter requires further consideration.
However, the incident in Taoyuan Town this time sounded a wake-up call for me.
I want all officials to know that I will never allow them to oppress the people, take bribes and pervert the law. ”
The Queen Mother then said: "Emperor, the people's will is the foundation of the country.
Only when the people live and work in peace and contentment can the country enjoy long-term stability.
These corrupt officials are truly parasites of the country and must be completely eliminated. ”
The emperor said respectfully: "I will remember your teachings in my heart.
This time, the county magistrate, Boss Zhang, will be severely punished to serve as a warning to others. ”
A few days later, Zhou Zhengtang came to the inn and asked to see the emperor and his entourage.
After he saluted respectfully, he said: "Your Majesty, this time we successfully captured the county magistrate, Boss Zhang, thanks to the help of Prince Ji.
If the evidence is conclusive, we will just have to wait for trial and conviction. ”
The emperor nodded slightly and said, "My dear Zhou, you did the wrong thing.
These two people have committed many evil things and must be severely punished according to the law without any favoritism. ”
Zhou Zhengtang quickly responded: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will conduct a fair trial and give justice to the people of Taoyuan Town.
However, the magistrate's mansion of Zhangfu was completely looted. This is quite strange, and I have not yet found out the truth. ”
Bai Linglong was standing aside, trying not to laugh, but quickly concealed it.
The emperor saw it all and understood a little, but he did not point it out. He just said, "No matter who did it, they are still doing good for the people.
As long as the people can live a stable life, it is enough. ”
After Zhou Zhengtang left, the emperor looked at Bai Linglong and said with a smile: "You girl, you really surprised and delighted me.
However, you still need to be more careful and not reveal your identity. ”
Bai Linglong stuck out her tongue mischievously: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will be more careful next time.
When I saw the bad guys' faces, I couldn't help but teach them a lesson. ”
During their stay in Taoyuan Town, the emperor and his entourage got to know the living conditions of the local people and discovered some other problems that needed to be solved urgently, such as dilapidated farmland water conservancy facilities and lack of educational resources.
They took note of everything and planned to discuss solutions after returning to the imperial city.
As time went by, the result of the trial of County Magistrate Zhang came out.
The two were sentenced to death, their property was confiscated (although there was little left), and their lackeys were also punished accordingly.
When the people of Taoyuan Town heard the news, they cheered and told each other.
"I have finally waited until this day!
These two bad guys finally got the punishment they deserved! ”
"Thanks to the emperor for sending Lord Zhou, and those nobles who helped secretly, we have hope for the future!"
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