Chapter 355 Speed is of the essence in war
Suzhou City has been bustling with activity these past few days. The first thing everyone says when they meet is, "Hey, have you heard?"
I've heard about it! Oh dear, I know more than you do!
Let's go find a place to talk!
The Chunbuwan Teahouse is always packed, with the tea servers constantly busy preparing tea.
The private rooms upstairs were empty; almost everyone was gathered in the lobby on the first floor.
Listening to firsthand information from others.
"By 5 PM last night, the Imperial Envoy had received as many as 130 petitions concerning the Wang family."
From seizing farmland to abducting women, the Wang family committed every crime under the laws of Dayu except for rebellion and treason.
I heard that the imperial envoy, who had already fainted, was forcibly revived by anger!
"It's not just ordinary people who are filing complaints; I've heard that some nobles and wealthy gentry have also gone to file complaints!"
It describes how the Wang family coerced and lured them into conspiring to seize farmland.
And how did they manage to force them to pay less tax?
"Oh dear, isn't the Wang family just falling apart and everyone kicking them while they're down?"
"No, it shouldn't be called that good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished. It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't come yet."
"Well, they've run into the imperial envoy this time!"
"Hey! How's the Imperial Envoy's injury? Is it serious?"
"The injury must be quite serious."
I heard from the people in the yamen that the imperial envoy has been busy with official duties these past two days despite his injury!
Their faces were deathly pale; it was clear they had lost a lot of blood.
"Oh dear, the Imperial Envoy must not be harmed! He has rid our Suzhou of a great scourge; he is a good man!"
"Yes! The Imperial Envoy cannot be allowed to be harmed!"
Ultimately, it was the Wang family that deserved to die; how dare they bestow gifts upon the imperial envoy in the street!
"That's right, the damned Wang family!"
......
Shen Qingjun looked through all the legal documents in his hand, his brows furrowing.
There were 135 lawsuits, all suing the Wang family.
From major cases like murder to cover up wrongdoing, to minor cases like the Wang family's butler taking things from someone's stall without paying, all the cases are related to the Wang family.
At this point, Shen Qingjun began to admire the Wang family.
In a place like Suzhou, the Wang family has committed so many crimes and still managed to live a carefree life for so many years. They are truly the first in the world!
"That princess should have arrived in the capital by now!" Shen Qingjun suddenly asked.
"Judging by the days, we should be heading to the capital tomorrow."
"The information I gathered is that the delay was due to difficult travel conditions, which caused a two-day delay," said the guard beside him.
Shen Qingjun was delighted; it seemed even the heavens were on his side!
"Spread the word that all cases involving the Wang family will be publicly tried tomorrow."
"Before His Majesty meets with that princess, let's finish hearing all the cases," Shen Qingjun said.
Those around him immediately understood what he meant.
Speed is of the essence in military affairs; the sooner the trial is completed, the less pressure there will be in the capital...
"Yes! I'll arrange it right away."
Fortunately, all members of the Wang family were in custody; none of them escaped.
"So, the trial will be held tomorrow at the prefectural governor's office in Suzhou?"
"Yes, the trial will be held tomorrow. I will be an observer. The prefect of Suzhou will preside over the trial."
Remember, make sure the news gets out so the people can hear how the trial is being conducted.
......
The next morning, the entrance to the prefectural government office was packed with people.
Last night's news was that the Wang family's case would go to trial today.
It's not the case of the Wang family assassinating the imperial envoy, but rather the cases that everyone complained about a few days ago.
"I heard it was the imperial envoy's idea, saying that the imperial family would take care of his assassination attempt."
Since he is an imperial envoy, he is here to uphold justice for the people of Suzhou.
That's why the Wang family's case is being tried publicly.
"Ah! The Imperial Envoy is truly wise!"
"Yes...look, isn't that the Imperial Envoy? Why is his arm still not healed!"
Your complexion still doesn't look good...
"Stop talking, it's about to start. I heard the trial will last three days..."
......
"Bring in the prisoner, Wang Yousheng." With a slam of the gavel by the prefect, everyone fell silent.
The prefect also realized the situation; the powerful Wang family of Suzhou was now definitely going to be eradicated.
All he had to do was cooperate fully with the imperial envoy and make the Wang family's case airtight.
Perhaps I can get promoted next year during the official performance review...
As Butler Wang was brought in, the plaintiff also knelt down.
"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, the Prefect, you must do justice for this humble subject!"
I originally owned about ten acres of small fields outside the city, as well as a winery.
Just because the Wang family took a fancy to our family's brewery, they forced us to sell it for ten taels of silver!
That's not all. This steward, Wang, took a fancy to my daughter and forcibly took her away.
In less than half a month, my daughter was tortured to death and left in a mass grave...
The prefect glanced at Shen Qingjun and saw that his brows were furrowed, so he knew that the imperial envoy was angry.
"Wang Yousheng, do you know your crime?" the prefect asked angrily.
Butler Wang was trembling like a leaf.
"I... confess!"
The people were still waiting for Steward Wang to speak up and refute them...
So you just admit it? Aren't you going to say anything in response?
The prefect was also taken aback. He admitted it so quickly. Didn't that show no brilliance of his own?
"Press your fingerprints and sign, next!" Shen Qingjun said calmly.
Prefect...
Soon, the first plaintiff was taken away, and Butler Wang pressed his fingerprint on the document.
Then, Steward Wang remained kneeling in the courtroom, but the plaintiff was someone else.
"My name is Li Ergou. I live in Sanjia Lane in the south of the city and have three mu of land outside the city."
Three years ago, a month before the autumn harvest, Steward Wang led a group of people to race horses outside the city, trampling all the wheat in Xiaojia's field.
The younger father stepped forward to argue, but was whipped by Steward Wang.
The mother tried to stop them, but they tied her up with ropes and dragged her behind the horse until she died.
Afterwards, Steward Wang sent someone to the young man's house and left ten taels of silver.
They said it was money for the coffin.
The young man had nowhere to turn for help; whenever he approached the vicinity of the government office, he would be beaten by the Wang family.
"Your Excellency, I beg you to do me justice!"
The prefect looked rather displeased; it seemed he... genuinely didn't know anything about this.
"Wang Yousheng, do you know your crime?" the prefect asked, forcing himself to speak.
"I... confess!" Butler Wang still didn't dare to raise his head.
The people in the audience immediately started discussing it.
This... trampled their crops and even dragged their horse to its death...
The Wang family truly wields absolute power...
“Next!” Shen Qingjun said calmly.
Soon, the next plaintiff was brought in...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
