Chapter 228 A Scheme Within a Scheme
Zhang Min'en is now a completely different person from her previous cold and aloof self.
"Oh, isn't this the magistrate? What a coincidence, you're here too!"
Liu Daheng genuinely believed it was a coincidence; he wasn't afraid of these petty officials at all, and didn't even take them seriously.
The magistrate of Linshui County glared at him and angrily asked, "What were you planning to do just now?"
Liu Daheng, with an air of utter indifference, said, "I didn't plan to do anything. I just ran into a fellow restaurant owner, so I came over to say hello and exchange some tips on running a restaurant. What, would you be interested in hearing about it, Your Excellency?"
The magistrate of Linshui County snorted coldly. Zhao Decai walked over and, seeing that Jiang Mi was alright, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "But I clearly heard you trying to be violent towards this young lady. Luckily, we arrived in time, otherwise who knows what despicable things you might have done!"
Liu Daheng didn't take the magistrate of Linshui County seriously, so he certainly wouldn't look up to Zhao Decai.
"You're the magistrate of Shushan County, aren't you? You're certainly meddling in things here. This is Linshui County, not your Shushan County. It's none of your business to interfere. Do you think Linshui County has no one to rely on?"
This brute even knows how to sow discord, but the magistrate of Linshui County doesn't fall for it at all. He said to Liu Daheng, "Alright, you're lawless in broad daylight. Come with me."
Liu Daheng was stunned for a moment, then pointed at himself incredulously and asked, "Are you talking to me?"
The magistrate of Linshui County had long been fed up with Liu Daheng's attitude and said impatiently, "That's right, who else do you think there is? Hurry up, or I'll have my men take you back!"
Liu Daheng's chest heaved with anger as he gritted his teeth and said, "Magistrate, have you forgotten who I am? How dare you speak to me like that? Do you perhaps want to see my brother?"
The magistrate of Linshui County hesitated upon hearing Liu Zian's name, but then he suddenly remembered something and impatiently told his subordinates, "Take all these people back. Those who disobey will be flogged."
Liu Daheng's eyes widened. When those people came up to grab him, he still tried to struggle. The servants behind him advised, "Master, don't struggle. The second master will come to save us when he finds out. Don't forget what the second master said. No matter what, we can't go against the government."
Upon hearing this, Liu Daheng immediately deflated. Even though he was unwilling, he had to go back. Before leaving, he glared fiercely at Jiang Mi, his eyes seeming as if he wanted to tear her to pieces.
After taking the person away, Zhang Min'en came over and, seeing that Jiang Mi was alright, said with a smile, "Luckily I arrived in time."
Jiang Mi smiled and said, "Don't worry, even if you're late, he won't do anything to me. Don't you remember I'm skilled? I'm not afraid of people like that at all."
That's what they say, but Zhang Min'en also hopes to protect Jiang Mi with her own abilities. She doesn't know how Jiang Mi, such a small woman, could have such great abilities.
"I've pretty much found out their background. It turns out these two brothers aren't biological brothers, but cousins. Their family used to be in business, but they have a relative who's a high-ranking official, which is why they're so arrogant."
Jiang Mi suddenly realized: "No wonder I said these two people don't look alike at all, and their temperaments and personalities are also very different. Do you know who that high-ranking official is?"
Zhang Min'en shook her head in frustration: "We really haven't found out anything about this, but I will continue to investigate, don't worry."
Jiang Mi stopped him, saying, "No need. I've pretty much guessed it. The harder it is to find out, the higher the official rank must be. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to say it out loud. No wonder Liu Daheng isn't afraid of the county magistrate at all. Instead, he even showed disdain and contempt in his eyes."
At this point, Zhang Min'en was completely following Jiang Mi's lead.
"What should we do next?"
Jiang Mi snapped her fingers lightly: "Of course we should go to the county government to see that scoundrel Liu Daheng. We can't miss such a lively scene. Besides, I'm the victim, so I have to go to court."
Zhang Min'en looked at Jiang Mi and smiled happily. This woman is really interesting.
When they arrived at the county government office, Liu Daheng was already bound hand and foot and kneeling on the ground. It turned out that he disdained kneeling to these county magistrates. The county magistrate of Linshui had suffered so much humiliation for so many years, and naturally he was unwilling to continue to suffer. In a fit of anger, he ordered his men to bind Liu Daheng hand and foot and kneel down in the hall.
When Jiang Mi arrived, she obediently knelt down and pretended to be aggrieved.
Liu Daheng was furious: "You insidious woman, what are you pretending to be all wronged and weak for? You're clearly a shrew!"
Jiang Mi glared at him, then said to the magistrate of Linshui County with a wronged expression, "Your Honor, it's this man. Last time he came to our restaurant, he cursed at me and ruined my business. I had to treat the customers to a meal to gain their forgiveness. Today, this man ambushed me in a box and tried to beat me up. He's despicable! In broad daylight, under the clear sky, this man has absolutely no respect for the law!"
Liu Daheng retorted angrily, "Nonsense! I didn't lay a finger on you! You're spouting nonsense here. Does that alley only allow you to go, and no one else can? Besides, I went to your restaurant for a meal, and you refused me because I'm the head manager of Liuxiang Pavilion. I argued my case, what's wrong with that? Everyone can testify to that, right?"
Liu Daheng asked the onlookers, but no one paid him any attention. In fact, many of them felt relieved, their eyes filled with anger and schadenfreude.
"See? No one can testify for you. On the contrary, my account books from yesterday can prove that my profits yesterday were only so little, all thanks to you."
Liu Daheng naturally wouldn't admit it: "Who knows if you did it on purpose? Maybe you falsified the accounts? You're a truly insidious woman trying to frame me. Sir, you can't believe what she says. My second brother came yesterday too, why don't you call him over as well?"
Only when Liu Zi'an arrived could Liu Daheng truly relax.
"Don't worry, neither of you brothers will escape," the magistrate of Linshui County sneered. Just as he finished speaking, Liu Zian was brought in by the officials, but he wasn't brought in as a guard; he walked there on his own.
"Second brother, come and be my witness!" Liu Daheng shouted excitedly when he saw his younger brother.
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