Zhang Laoliu knelt on the ground and cried. As he heard the voices around him becoming more and more frequent, he cried even harder.
Then he suddenly heard the cheers of the people and quickly looked up.
Seeing Fang Zhengyi sitting at the desk, Zhang Laoliu looked happy, then lowered his head and continued crying:
"Sir! I feel wronged! I will sue the county... the county government..."
Before he could finish his words, Fang Zheng's nose became crooked with anger.
Sue the county government? You are so powerful!
I haven't disciplined you bunch of troublemakers for a few days, and now you dare to ride on my neck and shit?
The gavel slammed violently: "Hey! Who in this hall is suing me?"
The onlookers burst into laughter.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The gavel hit the ground several times in succession.
"Silence! Silence! If anyone makes any more noise, I'll pull them in and give them ten beatings!"
The whole place was quiet, and some of the children watching had their mouths covered by their adults.
Emperor Jing frowned as he watched this ridiculous scene, his heart filled with disappointment.
Is this the Taoyuan County Magistrate? He looks like a corrupt official! He doesn't know how to stand or sit properly!
And he looked like he hadn't woken up yet. How could such a person have such high prestige!
Guo Tianyang leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, this man is simply rude and unreasonable."
"Shut up! Keep watching!"
Zhang Laoliu knelt on the spot and said in a low voice: "I am Zhang Laoliu, I am not suing you. I am suing the county constable Lu Fa!"
Fang Zheng's face turned red. "Alright, alright! Don't breathe so hard when you talk next time."
"Tell me! What do you want to sue this Rufa for?"
"Sir, I opened a restaurant in the north of the city. Lufa ate at my restaurant many times without paying, and even smashed two jars of my good wine. The mediator came to him several times but he still refused to pay me back!"
"I owe you seventeen ounces and two cents of silver in total! I haven't paid you back yet. I have no choice but to trouble you, Master."
Fang Zheng's expression relaxed. It was just a trivial matter, and it wouldn't be a big deal as long as no murder occurred.
The person standing next to Zhang Laoliu was Lu Fa, whom Fang Zhengyi of course knew.
So he said sternly: "Lufa! Do you owe me money?!"
Seeing Fang Zheng was furious, Lufa knew it was useless to hide it, so he fell to his knees and cried, "Master! I really have no money. I smashed Zhang Laoliu's wine because I drank too much that day and was in a bad mood."
"I'm not avoiding him on purpose. I still owe the gambling house ten taels of silver."
Fang Zheng was really angry when he heard this, and sneered, "Good Lu Fa, you should call it insulting the law! I have repeatedly told the government officials not to enter the gambling house and not to harass the people, but you didn't listen to a word I said."
"Someone, come! Give him twenty big sticks first!"
Without waiting for the officers on both sides to come forward, Lufa gritted his teeth, picked up his clothes and bit them in his mouth, then lay obediently on the ground.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!…”
After being beaten with the stick twenty times, Lufa's butt was already a bloody mess.
He said weakly, "Master, I know I was wrong."
Emperor Jing looked at this scene in surprise.
The prestige of this county magistrate was obviously extremely high! The defendant did not even have the slightest intention to resist.
Moreover, the law is strict. This is the first time I have seen a case judged like this!
Guo Tianyang was also puzzled. It was rare for his children and grandchildren to be so obedient. This county magistrate was really capable. He had to learn from him!
Seeing that the execution was over, Fang Zhengyi said calmly, "Since this is your first offense, your salary this month will be reduced by half. You have to volunteer to sweep the streets for three months before coming back!"
"If you do it again, you will be expelled from Taoyuan County!"
A smile appeared on Rufa's pale lips: "Thank you for your forgiveness, sir."
"Someone! Send him to the hospital!"
Zhang Laoliu felt a little scared when he saw his miserable state.
Even though they had fallen out, Taoyuan County was so small that they were still half-neighbors.
Not really! The key point is that I didn’t get my money back even though I was beaten so hard!
So he said hesitantly: "Master...my money..."
Fang Zheng spread his hands one by one, looking helpless: "You see, he has no money."
"Ah?" Zhang Laoliu was dumbfounded.
I have offended someone and I haven’t got my money back yet. This is a huge loss!
Zhang Laoliu was heartbroken and started to act as if his father had died.
Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes, sighed and said, "However, I cannot let a good person suffer."
"Well, what's the name of your restaurant? I'm going to drink three cups of wine in your restaurant tonight. That's it. I'm leaving!"
"Call it Lao Liu Restaurant!" Zhang Lao Liu was overjoyed and kowtowed three times: "Thank you very much, Master! Thank you very much, Master!"
After saying that, he ran out of the hall like the wind.
"Mighty and powerful"
Before leaving, he glanced at Emperor Jing and the other man outside the hall.
Although Taoyuan County has a large population, he has become a familiar face over the years.
Previous merchants have already established fixed channel personnel, and there are basically no strangers in Taoyuan County. These two people are undoubtedly new merchants from other places who have entered the city.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang stood there completely dumbfounded.
Is that the end? What's going on? I don't understand! There is no logic in the judgment of this case. The people in Taoyuan County are not normal!
Guo Tianyang pondered for a long time without any clue, and wondered: "Master, why do I feel that there is something weird in this place?"
"Why don't we be frank and ask the county magistrate directly?"
Emperor Jing lowered his head and thought: "No hurry, let's wait and see. Didn't he say he wanted to go to Lao Liu Restaurant to drink in the evening? Let's go too!"
.....
The two men left the yamen and wandered around the street for a while.
Seeing that there were so many things, Emperor Jing was afraid of missing something, so he ordered Guo Tianyang to take out paper and pen to write them down along the way.
Before I knew it, it was already the You hour.
The two of them happened to walk to the north of the city and began to inquire about Laoliu Restaurant.
With the help of passers-by, I found it without much effort.
Although there were no customers yet, there were already quite a few people at the door of Lao Liu Restaurant, and obviously more than other shops.
Emperor Jing looked up and was speechless.
A huge red banner was hung on the second floor of the restaurant.
【Welcome the county magistrate to our restaurant to taste our new dish: Chicken stewed with angelica! 】
"So that's how it is. The county magistrate is here to help Zhang Laoliu attract business."
As smart as Emperor Jing was, he reacted quickly.
However, Guo Tianyang began to whisper in his ear again: "Your Majesty, this person's behavior is outrageous. How can officials and businessmen be in collusion with each other?"
Emperor Jing also felt that something was wrong.
It is really inappropriate and against etiquette for government officials and private merchants to mix together.
"Let's go in and take a look first."
Fang Zhengyi had not arrived yet.
The two of them went directly to the second floor, found a seat near the stairs, ordered two dishes and drinks, and sat down quietly.
Soon, there was a noisy sound coming from downstairs.
Fang Zhengyi walked leisurely up to the second floor surrounded by Zhang Biao, Xiao Tao and others, and immediately caught a glimpse of Emperor Jing sitting at the stairs.
Then he walked past the two of them and sat at the table in the middle.
Zhang Laoliu said earnestly, "County Magistrate, the wine and food have been prepared for you a long time ago. Shall we serve them now?"
.......
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