It's time to talk about 'national law'.
Xiao Che's casual words struck like a thunderbolt from the heavens, hitting Young Master Gao and the newly arrived Prefect Wang hard in the heart!
Young Master Gao's face turned deathly pale in an instant! Looking at the composed and seemingly in complete control "Master Xiao" before him, he felt an indescribable fear surge in his heart for the first time!
Who... is this person?! He can't possibly be just an ordinary wealthy businessman from the capital!
Meanwhile, Prefect Wang, standing to the side, was so terrified by the words "national law" that his liver and gallbladder were about to burst, and his legs were trembling uncontrollably!
He had arrived just in time, thinking that once the Gao family had drowned the man and the deed was done, he could come out and clean up the mess, smooth things over, and that would be the end of it.
But he never dreamed that such a formidable opponent would appear out of nowhere! Not only did he expose the truth in public and catch the real culprit, but now he actually wants to talk to him about... about "national law"?!
Oh no! Barbie Q is gone!
The waters are completely muddied! There's no way he can stay out of it now!
However, the instinct for survival led Prefect Wang to make a final stand. He knew that if a public trial were to take place, under the watchful eyes of so many people, the Gao family would certainly be finished, and he, as the prefect, would absolutely be implicated!
drag!
We must use delaying tactics! As long as we put the person back in jail and lock them up, whether they live or die, right or wrong, there's still room for maneuver!
Thinking this, a resolute glint flashed in Prefect Wang's eyes. He suddenly thrust out his enormous belly, forcing himself to adopt an air of "imposing official authority," and sternly rebuked the still-stunned constables around him:
"What are you all standing there for?! Didn't you hear my order?!"
"Immediately imprison the murderer Gao Changsheng, place him under strict guard, and await interrogation!"
"And another thing!" He abruptly changed the subject, impatiently waving his hand at the agitated crowd around him. "All irrelevant people, disperse immediately! Disperse immediately! Don't stand here and obstruct the government's investigation!"
Young Master Gao, who was standing to the side, immediately understood and gave his servants a look, then whispered, "Fall back! Return to the manor!"
The two worked together seamlessly, attempting to clear the area and arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible, bringing this thoroughly exposed scandal back to the "under-the-table" operation track!
Just as the constables were about to take Gao Changsheng away, the Gao family's servants also prepared to escort the young master Gao away!
Just then—
"Wait!"
A sharp shout rang out again!
Xiao Che moved with lightning speed, like a ghost, and stood perfectly in front of everyone!
He stood there quietly, like an insurmountable mountain, completely blocking the dirty schemes of the Gao family and the government!
Prefect Wang's heart skipped a beat! He stared at the persistent ghost before him, both shocked and furious: "You... what else do you want?! Do you intend to openly defy the government?!"
"Defy the government? I wouldn't dare." A cold smile curled at the corner of Xiao Che's lips. "This humble subject has a question I'd like to ask the Prefect."
"Spit it out!"
"Hehe." Xiao Che laughed, and that laughter made the fat on Prefect Wang's body tremble.
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing, his voice booming like a bell, and that loud voice instantly spread throughout the entire riverbank!
"May I ask, Your Excellency, what is your name?"
"In this case, the witnesses and the physical evidence are all there!"
"Under the clear blue sky, under the bright sun! And with hundreds and thousands of elders from Jiangnan witnessing it firsthand!"
"Such an irrefutable case, why doesn't Your Honor conduct a trial in court, deliver a just verdict, and restore justice to the deceased and dignity to the law?"
"Instead, why rush to 'throw the criminal into jail'?"
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, his questioning tone like a heavy hammer, slamming into Prefect Wang's already weakened nerves!
"Could it be... that Your Excellency intends to give the culprit... the opportunity to collude and destroy evidence?!"
Boom!!!
This statement is absolutely scathing!
It not only completely tore off the hypocritical mask of "handling cases impartially" from Prefect Wang, but also directly nailed him to the pillar of shame for "bending the law for personal gain" and "collusion between officials and businessmen"!
"Yes! Why isn't the trial being held in court?"
"Exactly! With witnesses and physical evidence, what's the point of a trial? Just convict them directly!"
"I think this prefect is in cahoots with the Gao family! He wants to take people back to prison; who knows what his intentions are!"
"Who knows, once he's in jail, he might 'commit suicide out of guilt' tomorrow!"
After Xiao Che's prompting, the people present immediately realized what was going on!
Public opinion has been reignited!
This time, it's not just simple anger, but a deep questioning and distrust of the corrupt government!
"Trial in court! Trial in court!"
"We want to see the murderer brought to justice with our own eyes!"
"We cannot allow them to protect each other among officials!"
A deafening roar, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down on Prefect Wang from all directions!
Overwhelmed by this overwhelming public opinion, Prefect Wang was dizzy and pale, his legs trembling so badly he could barely stand!
Looking at the "Master Xiao" who had driven him into a corner with just a few words, he was filled with regret!
What kind of nemesis did he offend?!
He's finished!
He knew that if he couldn't give these thoroughly enraged people an explanation today, he would not only lose his official position, but he might even lose his life!
Just as he was caught in a dilemma, sweating profusely, that devilish voice once again echoed in his ears.
Xiao Che slowly walked up to him, a gentle and understanding smile on his face.
He politely gestured "please" to Prefect Wang.
The movements were so elegant and composed, as if they were not confronting each other outside the courtroom, but rather inviting friends to have tea in a teahouse.
However, his words plunged Prefect Wang into an icy abyss!
"Your Excellency, Prefect."
"Let's begin the court proceedings."
"The people of Jiangnan Prefecture... are all watching you."
Prefect Wang's body trembled violently!
He looked up and met Xiao Che's smiling eyes.
There was no anger, no murderous intent in those eyes, only a bottomless calm.
But it was precisely this calm that made him feel an unprecedented, terrifying pressure that was enough to completely crush him!
He knew he had no way out.
He looked at Xiao Che, his lips trembling for a long time, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Lin Wanwan stood aside, watching her husband's domineering manner, as if he had taken the initiative and manipulated the official at will. She felt both amused and admiring.
She quietly raised her head and looked at the top of Xiao Che's head.
Sure enough, there, a pixelated emperor figure wearing sunglasses and with his legs crossed was slowly drifting by with an arrogant expression.
The constantly flashing small text below revealed his current mood without reservation:
[Today's lesson is a must; you'll be promoted whether you like it or not! .gif]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com