The entire yamen runners of Jiangnan Prefecture were mobilized to raid and seal up the Gao family's property!
This news was like a magnitude 12 earthquake, instantly igniting the entire city of Suzhou!
Countless people followed the search team, spreading the news and cheering with joy. The scene was even more lively than the New Year!
They watched as the Gao family mansion, which they usually lorded over and acted arrogantly, was sealed off with white tape!
They watched as the Salt Transport Bureau, which controlled the lives of countless people, was completely taken over by a group of ruthless yamen runners!
The weather in Jiangnan is really about to change!
However, when the constable, who still had a conscience, excitedly returned to report to Xiao Che with a thick stack of ledgers that had been seized, he discovered that things were not as simple as they had imagined.
“Lord Xiao…” the squad leader wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice hoarse, “The… the account books have all been seized, not a single one is missing! But… we knowledgeable brothers have all examined… these account books…”
"It's all fake, isn't it?" Xiao Che picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam on top, and spoke calmly, as if he had expected this outcome.
"Huh?!" The foreman was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily. "That's right! It's all fake accounts! It's done flawlessly! According to the accounts, the Gao family not only didn't embezzle a single penny, but they even had to put money into it themselves every year! It's simply... it's simply a living saint!"
He said this with gritted teeth in anger!
He knew they had been tricked!
The Gao family was well-prepared! The real ledgers have probably already been moved or burned!
"Hehe." Xiao Che laughed, his laughter filled with a cold, cat-and-mouse-like mockery. "It's alright, the ledger is fake, but the people... are real."
"You did a good job." He put down his teacup, looked at the frustrated foreman in front of him, and said with a hint of approval, "Go back and tell your men to guard the Gao family and the Salt Transport Office well, and not let anyone get close! After the Prefect recovers tomorrow, he will make a decision."
"Yes!" Although the squad leader was unwilling, he could only accept the order and leave.
That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few.
After a day of hustle and bustle, Suzhou gradually fell into slumber.
Yuelai Inn, Room No. 1 (Top Class).
The candlelight burned quietly, casting long shadows of Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan.
"Your Majesty, are you so sure that the Gao family will come to us on their own?" Lin Wanwan looked at her husband's calm and composed demeanor, as if he had everything under control, and her heart was filled with curiosity.
“Of course.” A meaningful smile appeared on Xiao Che’s lips. “A venomous snake driven to the brink of death will always try to bite one last time before it dies.”
He had barely finished speaking.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
A series of rhythmic, moderate knocks suddenly sounded from outside the door.
It's here!
Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan exchanged a glance, both seeing a knowing smile in each other's eyes.
Xiao Che straightened his robes, reverting to his "Master Xiao" demeanor, before slowly saying, "Come in."
The door was slowly pushed open.
An elderly man, dressed in a dark brocade robe, with gray hair, a gaunt face, and eyes as sharp as a hawk, slowly walked in, led by the innkeeper.
Although he was old, he stood up straight! The aura of authority he had cultivated from being in a high position for so long was many times stronger than that of his two good-for-nothing sons!
This man is at the center of this storm, the true helmsman of the Gao family, the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan—Gao Tai!
That is, Master Gao!
"Master Xiao, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."
As soon as Master Gao entered, he cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Che. His face carried a perfectly measured, humble smile, and his tone was as gentle as a spring breeze, as if he were not there to interrogate someone, but to visit an old friend he had not seen for a long time.
This acting is a hundred times better than that Fatty Wang's!
"You're too kind, Lord Gao." Xiao Che was also flattered and quickly stood up, cupping his hands in return. "May I ask what brings you here so late at night, Lord Gao?"
Mr. Gao smiled slightly, did not answer, but slowly walked to the center of the room.
He first glanced at the table that the shop had replaced with one made of significantly inferior material because of the collapse, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.
Then, he abruptly turned around and, facing the pale-faced, defeated young master behind him, shouted sharply:
"You wretched child! Get over here right now and kowtow to Master Xiao to apologize!"
Startled by his sudden shout, Young Master Gao was terrified! He dared not disobey in the slightest and quickly stepped forward, kneeling down in front of Xiao Che with a thud!
What a brilliant move to "seize the initiative"!
Lin Wanwan stood aside, watching Master Gao's smooth and skillful actions, and couldn't help but admire him in her heart.
An old fox, indeed an old fox!
By immediately lowering himself and publicly reprimanding his son, he instantly positioned himself from a "suspect's family member" to a morally superior figure who was "wise and cleansing up the family."
Sure enough, what Master Gao said next confirmed her guess.
He pointed at the kneeling young master Gao and Gao Changsheng, who had not yet been mentioned, and sighed deeply with a look of "heartache and indignation"!
"Alas! What a misfortune for our family! What a misfortune for our family!"
"It's all my fault. I've neglected to discipline them, and that's how I've raised these two... one as stupid as a pig, and the other an arrogant and domineering wretch!"
He first grieved and angrily berated his cousin Gao Changsheng, calling him a "beast worse than pigs and dogs" who deserved to die!
Then, pointing at his own son Gao Changgong kneeling on the ground, he criticized him with disappointment and anger, saying that he was "not strict in disciplining him and was bad at judging people", which almost caused a disaster!
His righteous and impartial demeanor was portrayed so vividly and movingly!
Anyone who didn't know better would really think he was an innocent old man heartbroken by his unfilial descendants!
Xiao Che listened quietly, his face always bearing a perfectly measured "sympathy" and "understanding," but in his heart, he was already sneering repeatedly.
play?
Keep acting!
I want to see what tricks you, you old fox, can pull!
Sure enough, after building up all the emotions, Master Gao finally revealed his true intentions!
He slowly pulled out a heavy, locked sandalwood box from behind him.
With a "clack," he placed the box on the table, and then took out a fine brass key from his pocket.
“Master Xiao,” a humble, even somewhat ingratiating smile reappeared on his face, “My son and nephew are foolish and ignorant, and have offended you. I hope you will… show leniency and forgive them.”
"In this box is a small fortune that my Gao family has accumulated over many years of business in Jiangnan. Inside, there are salt certificates for half of the salt wells in Jiangnan, and... 100,000 taels of silver notes."
"It's just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it."
As he spoke, he slowly pushed the brass key in front of Xiao Che.
100,000 taels of silver notes!
Half of the salt wells' salt permits!
This...this isn't just bribery! This is practically ceding territory and paying reparations!
Lin Wanwan looked at the heavy box and was also shocked!
That old fox, what a grand scheme!
He's using his immense wealth to buy the lives of his two sons, and to buy a way out for the Gao family!
Xiao Che looked at the gleaming golden key in front of him, but his face remained calm and composed.
He slowly reached out and, under the old fox's expectant gaze, picked up the key.
Then, he placed the key in his hand and gently tossed it.
"hehe."
He laughed, and that laugh made the old fox's heart sink!
Xiao Che slowly raised his head, looking at the old fox with his unfathomable eyes, and said calmly:
"Lord Gao, you're too kind."
"Since it's a misunderstanding, then tomorrow's public trial..."
Upon hearing the word "misunderstanding," the old fox's heart leaped into his throat! He knew the crucial moment had arrived!
"Public trial..." Xiao Che deliberately dragged out his words, and only after seeing the old fox's tense and almost suffocating expression did he slowly finish the sentence, "Of course, it will continue."
The old fox's expression changed instantly!
However, Xiao Che's next words instantly transported him from hell to heaven!
“However…” Xiao Che’s lips curled into a “meaningful” smile, “Since it is a ‘misunderstanding,’ how the case should be tried and how the person should be sentenced will be… another matter entirely.”
Upon hearing this, the old fox was overjoyed!
He understood!
The other party has agreed!
"It's all up to you, sir! It's all up to you, sir!" He was so excited that his old face turned red, and he thanked Xiao Che profusely!
"No problem, no problem." Xiao Che waved his hand, and then slowly put the box filled with immense wealth under his bed.
After seeing off the old fox who was so grateful and thankful, as if he had been given a second chance at life, Lin Wanwan finally couldn't help but speak up.
She stared in disbelief at the heavy box under the bed.
"Your Majesty, you...you really accepted it?"
Xiao Che slowly turned around, and the "kind" smile on his face had vanished without a trace! In its place was a cold, icy aura filled with endless mockery!
He sneered, and that laugh made the temperature in the entire room drop by more than ten degrees!
"receive!"
"Why won't you accept it?!"
"This box is filled with the hard-earned money of the people of my Great Liang!"
"I was merely acting on their behalf..."
"Let's just keep it for now!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com