Governor's Office.

Lin Zhongcheng is meeting with Lu Kuang, the head of the Changzhou Lu family.

Lu Kuang visited today at the invitation of Lin Run to thank him and the Gu family for their contribution in quelling the riots.

Of course, everyone knows that this is just a cover and the real thing to talk about is something else.

Therefore, Gu Dashou, the head of the Gu family, made an excuse of being unwell and did not attend the appointment.

If two people come together, what if they are forced to express their opinions on the spot? Wouldn't that be a disaster?

At least one of them has to not come, so that there is an excuse.

~~

In the flower hall, the two sides had a friendly and constructive conversation.

Lin Zhongcheng first expressed his deep apologies to Lu Yuanwai and all the people of Suzhou for the negative impact caused by the riot. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Lu Yuanwai and others for their understanding of justice and their efforts to help the government suppress the rebellion.

On behalf of the Suzhou gentry, Lu Yuanwai sincerely praised the governor for his timely suppression of the riot and proper handling of the situation, which quickly restored the production and life of the people to normal order. He also expressed that the Suzhou gentry were willing to always work with the government to contribute their own strength to maintaining the stability, unity and prosperity of Suzhou.

The two sides also exchanged sincere opinions and suggestions on topics of mutual concern.

Mr. Lu asked when the family of Mr. Lu, who had been detained by the government for more than a year, could be placed under house arrest as agreed?

Lin Zhongcheng said that the governor's office was trustworthy and responsible, and he had ordered Zhenjiang Prefecture to escort him to Suzhou, where the government or the Lu family could arrange a house for him to live in.

Mr. Lu once again expressed his sincere gratitude to the government and Lin Zhongcheng for their care.

Lin Zhongcheng kindly reminded Mr. Lu that if they wanted to be completely free of guilt, Lu Wei and Lu Yi, uncle and nephew, had to be pardoned first.

Lu Kuang was shocked when he heard this, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Is it really possible for their uncle and nephew to be pardoned?"

Lin Run smiled but said nothing.

But Lu Kuang understood everything.

When the officials investigated Lu Bing's crimes during his lifetime, it was certainly because Your Majesty had a grudge against him, but Emperor Longqing was kind-hearted and would not arrest Lu Bing's brothers, nephews, and jail his entire family, or confiscate his property and stolen goods just because of a dead person.

Lu Kuang had always suspected that there was something else behind this case. Lin Run's smile clearly confirmed his suspicion - there was someone else who wanted to clean up the Pinghu Lu family.

He is most likely the tall bearded man who can make the emperor willingly cover for him!

And Lin Run is the executor of Gao Gong’s will!

No wonder even though this was a Zhejiang case, the Lu family was transferred to Nanzhili for detention.

Thinking that Lin Run had taken the initiative to relax his guard over the Lu family, he was almost certain that the Pinghu Lu family had lost its value to Lin Run...

After a moment's silence, Lu Kuang asked in a low voice: "How can the court pardon them?"

"First, it depends on whether they are willing to explain the problem truthfully. Second, it depends on whether Mr. Lu is willing to support the court." Lin Run whispered the two conditions, then smiled at Lu Kuang with those eyes that could see through people's hearts.

Mr. Lu's heart was beating fast, and he said with some difficulty: "Of course there is no doubt about the first point, only those who confess can be treated leniently. But for the second point, I wonder in what way the Han family needs to cooperate with the Minister?"

"Of course..." Lin Run paused deliberately, almost suffocating Lu Kuang to death, and then smiled and said, "To survey the land."

"Oh..." Lu Kuang breathed a sigh of relief, took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat and said, "So it's to survey the land."

"What else do you think?" Lin Run smiled teasingly.

"I thought it was about solving the problem of silk sales." Lu Kuang said with a wry smile, "I could have thought of a solution before, but now there is really no way."

"Hahaha." Lin Zhongcheng laughed loudly and said, "Don't worry, this court won't force you. The matter of silk sales has nothing to do with Mr. Lu."

"Really?" Lu Kuang wanted to hear this.

"Of course, our hospital always keeps its word." Lin Run nodded.

"If I refuse Zhongcheng again, I will not be a good son." Mr. Lu made up his mind and said, "Zhongcheng, just focus on measuring the land, and my Lu family will cooperate."

"Please also tell Mr. Gu that our hospital also hopes to get his support." Before leaving, Lin Run smiled casually.

"Of course, of course." Mr. Lu nodded heavily and stood up to say goodbye.

"I'll see you off, sir." Lin Run also stood up and walked him to the door. He watched Lu Kuang's figure disappear into the moon gate before turning back with a smile.

~~

Today's conversation has completely achieved the expected effect.

However, if it were someone else, they would probably only understand the surface meaning, but would not know that the two people's true meaning is hidden in the next layer.

Just now, Lin Run asked the Lu family to help with "surveying the land", but Suzhou had already completed the survey of both government and private land under the leadership of Cai Guoxi. What else could the Lu family help with?

In fact, among the ten prefectures in Yingtian, only Songjiang had not yet been surveyed. So Lin Run actually used "survey the land" to refer to the Xu family. He also implied that he would only deal with the Xu family and not ask about other families.

But as the Lu family is one of the nine major families, Lu Kuang is of course worried that Lin Run will use the investigation of smuggling to deal with the Xu family. If that happens, the Xu family will inevitably involve them in the matter.

He deliberately said "I thought it was to solve the problem of silk sales", but in fact he was asking about Lin Run's attitude towards the smuggling case.

Lin Run made it very clear that he would only investigate the land and would not make a fuss about the smuggling case, which gave the Lu family peace of mind.

That was why Lu Kuang agreed to stand on the side of the government in the struggle between the government and the Xu family... Of course, it was just nice to say, but it was good enough to stay out of it.

However, Lin Run was already satisfied that he agreed so readily and helped persuade the Gu family to stay out of the matter. What else was there to force?

~~

Just after Lu Kuang was sent away, Cai Guoxi came to ask for a meeting.

Cai Guoxi came to report the results of the interrogation. He excitedly presented the case file and said excitedly: "Zhongcheng, Xu Xu confessed everything!"

"What did you confess?" Lin Run took the file calmly and flipped through it leisurely.

"He confessed that it was Xu Fan who instructed him to do it." Cai Guoxi replied.

"You used torture." Lin Run put down the file and looked at him with a smile.

"It's not like the Zhongcheng hasn't seen how arrogant the Xu family is." Cai Guoxi said awkwardly, "How can they tell the truth without torture?"

"If you torture him, it won't count." Lin Run sat back in his chair, closed his eyes and said, "Of course, even if you don't torture him, he will still change his confession when the Dali Temple reviews it."

Xu Fan, however, retained the official hat and belt of the third rank. The decision-making power in cases involving officials of this level was not in the hands of the governor, even if there was a royal decree and flag.

"Then it seems that my work has been in vain?" Cai Guoxi sighed depressedly.

"Didn't you beat him to death?" Lin Run laughed, "At least you got rid of your anger."

"It can only be said that it is half true. I still feel uneasy because I didn't get Xu Fan to jail." Cai Guoxi gritted his teeth and said.

"Don't worry, we will return to Songjiang tomorrow." Lin Run stood up and patted his shoulder, saying in a deep voice: "Take good care of our home. This time, I will not return until I have conquered Loulan!"

"Don't worry, Zhongcheng. If there's any trouble again, I'll bring my head to you!" Cai Guoxi nodded heavily and swore a solemn oath.

ps. This is the third update. I will write one more. Please give me your monthly votes!