Chapter 343: Full of Evil
The county magistrate sitting above was about forty years old. His cheeks were thin and sunken, which made his high cheekbones stand out. His eyes were sunken in his eye sockets. The gaze he gave Su Qianqian was as cold as a snake's tongue.
"Where did you come from? You have such courage and insight that I admire you. Come, put this young man on the list and pay double the tax."
County Magistrate Gu spoke slowly while holding the tea bowl.
"Name, where did you come from, and how many names are recorded?" The lawyer picked up the pen and raised his eyelids to ask Su Qianqian.
"Student Su Xiaoqian, among the rest, was ranked 110th. May I ask how much tax he has to pay?"
Su Qianqian didn't get angry. She answered calmly, asked another question, and took out her purse to pay.
"Just pay the money like that? We are all new candidates, and we are to serve as officials and protect the peace in the future. Why should we bow to such an injustice?"
The Confucian scholar whose head was hit spoke out in indignation.
"Yes, that person is a student from Pingyu. He looks very unfamiliar. How could he be so timid and cowardly? He really lost the integrity of a scholar!"
"How can we pay this money? Money is not important. What is important is right and wrong. In the future, will Da Qi allow such people to be the parents of the people?"
…
The Confucian scholars talked about Su Qianqian and showed disdain for her, and even distanced themselves from her. Only Qin Hanzhang and the other three were left there.
"Two hundred taels!" The lawyer stretched out two fingers, selectively ignoring what others said.
"Why, fellow students, you don't want me to pay you?"
Su Qianqian looked back at the candidates.
Everyone was discussing excitedly, but when they heard Su Qianqian's question, they all shut up and no one continued.
Anyone who says he is unwilling will be fighting against County Magistrate Gu on behalf of Su Qianqian. It's okay to despise Su Qianqian, but there's no need to stand up for others.
"Is there anyone who doesn't want to?" Su Qianqian asked again, looking at the candidates one by one.
"I, Zhang Wenxi, don't want to!" The middle-aged Confucian scholar with blood on his head gritted his teeth and walked out of the crowd, standing straight in a gray robe.
[Alas, after more than ten years of taking the exam, he finally passed. Now he can barely support his wife and children. Even if he is willing, he can't afford it. He might as well not give up and keep a good reputation!
However, it is admirable that he has such persistence. Before leaving home, he only took enough money for his journey, and left the rest to his wife, children and parents. He is considered a fair person. 】
The system ate Zhang Wenxi's melon, and Su Qianqian smiled and nodded: "Since this gentleman is unwilling, then I dare not disobey. Sir, I cannot pay the entrance tax."
County Magistrate Gu held the tea bowl in silence, lowered his head and took a sip, then looked up at Su Qianqian: "Young Master Su's parents gave you this name, perhaps it was a prophecy. It's a pity that you ruined your future for a few small coins."
She raised her chin, and several yamen runners rushed over to catch Su Qianqian, but Qin Hanzhang and Jiang Baipin casually moved two steps, just blocking everyone so that they couldn't even touch the corner of Su Qianqian's clothes.
"Master Gu, I am not a talented person who has passed the provincial examination. I cannot go to court, serve as an official, or pay taxes unless I am convicted of a crime. This is the law of the Great Qi Dynasty and the emperor's grace. Do you want to test the law yourself?"
Su Qianqian was still smiling, but there was a hint of coldness in her eyes.
[My dear, this Lord Gu acted intentionally under the instruction of someone else. His purpose was to impose heavy taxes and levies on the people so that they would be dissatisfied with the court, and to put the blame on the emperor for all his actions.
There will definitely be future court officials among these candidates, which is a hidden danger buried in advance. This amount of money is not worth mentioning. 】
The system promptly solved one of Su Qianqian’s doubts.
[But with such behavior, wouldn't these candidates feel resentment towards Magistrate Gu and take revenge when they gain power in the future? 】
Su Qianqian asked the second question.
[Then secretly appease and make friends with them, tell them your difficulties, use them if they can be used, and naturally get rid of them if they cannot. There is naturally a reason for recording the rankings and names. 】
The system further clarifies the confusion.
[He is afraid that he doesn’t have that chance anymore!] 】Su Qianqian said coldly in her heart.
"You are so young, but you are so arrogant. Every law is a gift from heaven. Your Majesty is known for his virtue and power. You govern the country with your authority. How can you, a child, make irresponsible comments? Come, take Su Xiaoqian to jail and punish him severely."
County Magistrate Gu waved his hand, and this time all the officials and runners came forward to subdue Su Qianqian.
Jiang Baipin turned around and raised his arms, but it seemed like he was doing nothing. Several yamen runners flew backwards and fell heavily to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
Although Qin Hanzhang was injured, he had no difficulty dealing with these people. He raised his hands and grabbed the arms of the two officers who stretched out their arms. With a shake, the two men screamed and their arms were torn off.
County Magistrate Gu's face changed at this time, knowing that these three people were not scholars. Even if they were military scholars, they might not have such skills.
"How dare these thieves impersonate candidates and offend the imperial officials. Catch them!"
County Magistrate Gu stood up hastily and turned to walk to the back hall while the chaos was going on. However, Su Qianqian took a step forward, pulled out the curved knife from her waist, and put it against County Magistrate Gu's neck:
"Don't move, Master Gu. You forged an official document to collect taxes privately and bluffed the emperor's will. Su Qian, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice, has been ordered to investigate the case. Master, you should be more sensible. I am not good at using a knife, so I don't know how to use it."
At this time, the yamen runners and officials did not dare to move. They did not know whether it was true or not, but the knife was on Magistrate Gu's neck, so they had to behave themselves even if it was fake.
"You are actually..." County Magistrate Gu's eyes were filled with cruelty, "I really underestimated you, but don't be too happy too soon. If someone dies because of you, your mission will be over."
County Magistrate Gu lowered his voice, then, ignoring the scimitar on his neck, he shouted, "Bring him in!"
Su Qianqian put the knife against Magistrate Gu's neck. She turned around and saw four yamen runners carrying two stretchers. The stretchers were covered with white cloth, and the bulges of the white cloth revealed human shapes.
[He actually killed...] Before the system could even finish its exclamation, the bailiff had already put down the stretcher and lifted the white cloth, revealing the purple faces of Ergou's parents.
"It doesn't matter if you are a member of the Ministry of Justice or Su Xiaoqian, you are guilty of poisoning civilians. Even if I die in the line of duty, I will report this to the court. Add to that the fact that you are a manslaughterer, and even the Marquis of Wuning cannot save you!"
As County Magistrate Gu said this, he actually used his neck to block Su Qianqian's knife. Su Qianqian pulled back and saw a triumphant grin in County Magistrate Gu's eyes. There was a dagger in his hand, and he stabbed towards Su Qianqian!
But his movements were frozen there, Su Qianqian secretly used a talisman to immobilize him, but openly hit him on the back of his neck with a scimitar, commonly known as acupuncture.
Su Qianqian looked at County Magistrate Gu's astonished eyes and wished she could stab him a few times. She didn't expect that she would bring fatal disaster to Ergou's parents just after meeting them last night. She underestimated County Magistrate Gu's eyes and ears.
"As a senior official of the people, you killed innocent people and framed them... No, you bought an official position, which is against the law, and you used your position to bully the people and kill innocent people. Gu Shengda, you are full of evil!"
Su Qianqian used the handle of the knife to hit the most painful spot under his armpit, causing Gu Shengda's originally sunken eyeballs to bulge out.
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