Just as the governor was hearing the case, Xichun found Taozi. Taozi and the others were also waiting for Xichun to return because they had made a new discovery.
"Sister Xichun, you're back! Where's my brother? Oh, by the way, we've found where those guys are hiding," Taozi asked hurriedly upon seeing Xichun.
"He took Young Master Fu to the county government office. Did you find those people? Are they still living in the county town? Have they spotted you?"
"No, it was Zhuwa who discovered it. We don't dare to go and check around there. But Zhuwa and the others can see if anyone comes out of that alley every day while they're in the shop. Anyway, they've been staying in the courtyard these past few days, and only Chen Lizhong brings them food from time to time."
"Alright, keep watching. Don't make any rash moves. Those people all have knives, and you're no match for them. Even if they run away, don't chase after them." Xi Chun was worried about their safety and emphasized this again before running to the county government office.
At this moment, the constables were being questioned, asked what time it was that day, how they arrived at the scene of the crime, and whether anyone had tipped them off beforehand.
Xi Chun found the governor's personal bodyguard, explained the situation to him, and then led his men to arrest the person.
Taozi and the others were still secretly watching the alley where those people were. When they saw Xichun bringing people over, they quickly pointed out the direction.
"You stay here. They should all have knives. Don't run over there." The guard looked around the alley, then dispersed his men to both sides and led them to knock on the doors.
Before long, Xichun and Taozi saw several burly men being arrested. They were bleeding, presumably from being slashed after resisting. Fortunately, the county government was holding a trial today, so everyone in the neighborhood went to see what was happening, and no innocent people were harmed.
Upon arriving at the county government office, they found several unfamiliar women kneeling below the hall. They said that someone had instructed them to open the door that day, and that if they did not comply, the murder case would be pinned on them. Only then did the madam send a girl to shout that someone had committed murder.
"Xichun, you've arrived! The Prefect just summoned me and is now going to find people from my mother's village. This is the first time in my life I've spoken to an official who's higher up than the County Magistrate. But wait, I've never spoken to the County Magistrate before either," Aunt Zhang said excitedly.
"That's great! Young Master Fu is saved!" Xi Chun said happily. Now she was relieved. These people had been arrested and brought to justice. Whether the Guanyin statue could be recovered was no longer important.
However, Grandpa Hu was very quick. In just a few days, he actually found the Guanyin statue and sent someone to explain the whole story of the investigation.
"I have investigated this case thoroughly and found that it was all an evil deed committed by the county magistrate in collusion with the Luo family. The Fu family and the other families did not oppress the people. It was all fabricated out of thin air. I hereby declare Fu Changjin innocent and released. The others will not be held accountable. In the future, you must restrain yourselves and your families."
"Now, bring those thieves and corrupt officials up here." The governor's eyes shifted, staring directly at Magistrate Yuan, whose official robes had been removed.
"Now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, including the evidence of the theft by thieves and the testimony of the clerk, Magistrate Yuan, what else do you have to say?"
"My lord, I do not know these people, I have no knowledge of their affairs, please investigate thoroughly!" Magistrate Yuan cried out.
"Bring up the rest of the witnesses." The family that came up was none other than Chen Lizhong. They had tried to flee after learning of the magistrate's downfall, but were stopped. Now, Chen Lizhong had heard that the people he had been entertaining with fine wine and food, as instructed by the magistrate, were actually robbers. Fearing that he would be implicated, he confessed everything as soon as he arrived at the courtroom.
"My lord, Magistrate Yuan made me do all this. I didn't know anything about it. As for those tenant farmers, it was his advisor who gave me the idea. He said that if I did it well, I could go with him to take up my post and he would arrange a minor official position for me."
I didn't dare to go at first, but he threatened me that if I didn't do it, my whole family would never be able to turn my life around. Oh, and those bullying and monopolistic jobs were also made to me by him. At least half of the money I got was given to him.
"Your Honor, I'm innocent!" Chen Lizhong's tearful performance failed to win everyone's sympathy. The oppressed merchants below rushed out and revealed all the things Chen Lizhong had done, including how his family, relying on the county magistrate's backing, had demanded money and engaged in forced buying and selling.
"Hmph, what else do you have to say? The witnesses, testimonies, and evidence are all here. As the local official, you do not care about the people. You actually let villains wantonly harm the people for money. For your own official position, you are willing to frame others to get money. I think you should be punished even more severely. Lock this bastard in jail. No one can release him without my order."
Furthermore, these thieves harmed the people and caused deaths; they will be beheaded in the autumn. The Luo family aided and abetted the evildoers; all their property will be confiscated, and they will be exiled a thousand miles away. The Chen family, though unaware of the crimes, harmed many families in their village; they will be exiled a thousand miles away, and their descendants for three generations will be barred from taking the imperial examinations. The position of magistrate of Weinan County will be temporarily held by the county clerk until the official reports to the court, at which point a new magistrate will be appointed.
"Your Excellency is wise! Your Excellency is discerning!" Fu Changfeng took the lead in kneeling down, and all the people followed suit.
This is the true will of the people! After dealing with the magistrate of Weinan County, the next step is Guangming Prefecture, which will be a tough battle. The governor thought to himself, but he did not show it. Only after he left did everyone express their joy.
"Our restaurant is offering a complimentary dish today to celebrate the arrest of this corrupt official and his lackeys."
"We'll also give away a dish for free." Several of the restaurants that had been most bullied stood up and shouted, and the crowd burst into laughter.
The governor ostensibly returned with his men, but secretly changed into civilian clothes and visited the Hu residence that evening.
"Old Hu, I didn't expect you to help. Is that young man from the Fu family someone you've taken a liking to?" The governor greeted Grandpa Hu, whom Xi Chun had seen with familiarity.
“I’m not helping that Fu family kid. I’ve met all sorts of geniuses, so what is he? I’m really helping that girl. I heard she used three points in the prefectural city to make you decide to come to Weinan County. It seems you old man have the same taste as me, haha.”
“I’m telling you, that girl is really something. A village girl like her is not afraid in front of so many officials and can even persuade me. She’s really something. It’s a pity that she was born into a farming family. She won’t go far. At most, she can become a rich merchant.”
"That's not necessarily true. As far as I know, she and the Fu family boy are in love. Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths to help?"
"I see. Your judgment is never wrong."
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