Chapter 180 Ji Zhongqin
"Who?"
"Sima Guo, it's me."
The door opened and Sima Guo's old face appeared in front of General Qiu.
Military Officer Qiu smiled and bowed, "Sir Guo."
Sima Guo also smiled. "General Qiu, do you want to talk about the current chaos in Guangyi County?"
"nature."
Deng Wenyan had no idea what the two men were plotting in the room.
Deng Wenyan is also making intensive preparations.
…
That night, time seemed to pass very slowly, yet also very quickly.
When the first ray of light came in, the noise outside rushed in as well.
Qin Fangci sounded the drum to appeal for justice.
The sound of the drum attracted the people nearby, and soon a lot of people gathered in front of the yamen.
Everyone was talking about it, Guangyi County these days was really terrifying.
Someone recognized Qin Fangci and shouted immediately.
"It's the black-hearted Li family!"
No one threw rotten vegetable leaves or rotten eggs at the door of the court.
But those murderous gazes were like sharp knives stabbing Qin Fangci.
Qin Fangci closed her eyes and decided to clear her name today.
Three groups of yamen runners, holding water and fire sticks, stood on both sides of the court, shouting: "Mighty - powerful -"
The solemn atmosphere made people quiet down.
Sima Guo, Canjun Qiu, and Deng Wenyan walked out of the back hall of the county government office in official uniforms.
Military Officer Qiu smiled and made a gesture of invitation to Sima Guo, indicating that Sima Guo should sit in the main seat and let him try the case, completely ignoring Deng Wenyan behind them.
Sima Guo was about to move forward.
Someone stepped out from the crowd and said, "Wait a minute."
Sima Guo scolded, "Who are you in the court? Do you know what the crime of disturbing the court is?"
Ji Zhongqin took out his token from his bosom and said, "I am the envoy appointed by Your Majesty personally. I will not change my name or surname. I am Ji Zhongqin."
"Ji Zhongqin!" Sima Guo and Canjun Qiu couldn't help but take a step forward and stare at Ji Zhongqin. "Are you Ji Zhongqin, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple?"
"Exactly. I heard a major injustice had occurred in Guangyi County, and I, under the command of the Emperor, have come to investigate."
Sima Guo and General Qiu glanced at each other secretly, both of them looking at each other with the discomfort of the situation being out of control.
Deng Wenyan silently curled the corners of his lips.
Since there are external forces involved in this case, why not just muddy the waters even further?
Ji Zhongqin is known for being fair and difficult.
The most important thing is that he has a strong background and dares to investigate and examine anything.
The Empress Dowager's nephew and the Emperor's younger cousin.
Sima Guo looked very unhappy, and General Qiu also looked unhappy, but there was also a hint of panic in this unhappy look.
"Sir Deng, this case will be handed over to me for trial. I believe you have no objection, Sir Deng?" Ji Zhongqin asked politely.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Ji. Such a major case happened when I arrived in Guangyi. It is my dereliction of duty. I only hope to clear up this case, bring the wicked to justice, restore justice to the innocent, and restore peace to Guangyi County." Deng Wenyan bowed deeply with sincerity.
"Good!" A hint of admiration for Deng Wenyan appeared in Ji Zhongqin's eyes.
There was no hesitation, and it didn't seem like he was trying to play a trick on him.
Ji Zhongqin quickly changed into his official uniform and sat down under the plaque that read "A Bright Mirror Hanging High."
"Bang!" The gavel banged.
Ji Zhongqin's young face is full of momentum.
"Bring the prisoner."
The yamen runners came in with Qin Fangci, Li Baisong, Li Lao Da, Li Lao Er and Li Lao San.
The four of them knelt in front of the hall.
"Who is kneeling? Tell me your name."
Another gavel rang out.
Qin Fangci and the others all trembled in fear.
Qin Fangci quickly steadied herself and knocked her head to the ground.
"Your Excellency, I am Li Qinshi from Liantang Village, and these are my four sons."
Boss Li followed tremblingly as he gave his name, followed by Second Boss Li who grimaced. His main problem was the pain from his injury, and the kneeling position was very uncomfortable and made the pain even worse.
Then there is Li Laosan.
Li Baisong kowtowed, gave his name clearly and logically, and then began to tell his grievances.
"Sir, I've been selling dried meat for over two months now. Initially, we didn't sell it in Guangyi County. If anything were to go wrong with my dried meat, Liantang Village would be the first to be affected. The Ma brothers saved my life... From the very beginning, I've often sent dried meat to them..."
Li Baisong described it in great detail, even mentioning Mr. Liao from Hedong Town, who had sent him dried meat.
If it was really a problem with the dried meat, why did the problem only occur in Guangyi County?
"Your Excellency, please be aware that we have always had business dealings with teahouses and brothels..." Li Baisong continued.
Ji Zhongqin didn't seem to be in a hurry. He listened carefully to Li Baisong's words, nodded from time to time, and seemed very interested.
Sima Guo was nitpicking, "Your business was fine before, but that was in the past. Who knows if you'll feel comfortable enjoying the shade now that you have a big tree to lean on?"
Sima Guo bowed, "Master Ji, you may not know this. I just heard that this Li Baisong is a disciple of Mr. Pan He, and is a fellow disciple of Master Deng. In a small place like this, having a fellow county magistrate would make even an ant as bold as a leopard. What would they not dare to do?"
Li Baisong defended himself without Deng Wenyan even needing to speak. "Sir, in court, everything requires evidence, not just empty words. Everything I said is true, and you can check it out."
"I do have to pay my respects to Mr. Pan, but my relationship with you and my senior brother is clean and honest. I have never used my senior brother's and master's reputation to bully others. I have built our family business bit by bit, with my family working hard from morning till night... You are so powerful, I cannot afford to offend you. If I have offended you, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."
"You!" Sima Guo flicked his sleeves and sat back down.
He is an adult, and it is indeed inappropriate for him to argue with a commoner in court.
"Then please investigate clearly, Master Ji."
Ji Zhongqin smiled playfully and looked at Li Baisong again.
"Don't we have witnesses? Then bring the people from the brothel here for trial."
Ji Zhongqin waved his hand, and Qin Fangci and others were taken away.
Back in the classroom, Li Laoer couldn't help but cry out in pain, "Hiss, it hurts so much, Mom, my chest hurts so much."
"Brother, let me help you lean against the wall and rest for a while. We should be able to go back soon."
In this cannibalistic era, everyone is trying hard to climb up.
If he had been a juren, no such dirty water would have been thrown on him.
Only when you are in it can you know how difficult it is.
"Really?" Li Laoer held Li Baisong's hand tightly in surprise.
A nest of gold or silver is not as good as your own pigpen. Li Laoer's eyes were red.
When his wife saw this, she felt so sorry for him!
Yuan: "..." As long as she is alive and not a widow, I don't feel too sad. As long as my mother is okay, it's fine.
Qin Fangci walked over to Li Baisong and gently patted his son's shoulder with her old hand. "Don't worry, everything has its destiny. Let's take it one step at a time, down to earth and slowly. There will always be a day when we can get out of this situation."
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