Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 150

Chapter 150 Tough to the End (2)
Seeing that Lu Zhen suddenly fell silent, Ying Ding and the others who had just been captured shouted loudly, “Sir, not only did County Magistrate Lu casually reform us, he even allowed his subordinates to attack and injure us in public. I hope that you can make the decision for us!”

“Since this official has seen it, I will make the decision for you.” Zhang Cheng glanced at them and then stared at Lu Zhen, “County Magistrate Lu, since I have seen this matter, I will naturally uphold justice for others! If you cannot give me a reasonable explanation today, this official will definitely impeach you.”

The expressions of the servants, including Lin Lie, unconsciously changed. Although they weren’t officials, they knew how powerful Yan Guan was. If a county magistrate Lu Zhen was impeached by him, it would definitely have a great impact on his future. Moreover, according to Yan Guan’s habit of attacking in groups, Lu Zhen would be impeached by many people this time.

At the moment when everyone was somewhat anxious but helpless, Lu Zhen, who was silent, said, “Lord Zhang is indeed unselfish. I really admire him. However, there is one thing that Xiaoguan does not know. I hope you can solve this problem.”

Seeing that his attitude was quite sincere, Zhang Cheng decided that his deterrence had worked. “Tell me, this official will not hide anything from you.”

“May I ask where Lord Zhang lives?”

“What does this have to do with this matter?” Zhang Cheng frowned, but he still casually replied, “This official is currently living in Rabbit Hutong in the south of the city. Why do you want to talk to county magistrate Lu?”

“I don’t dare. Then let me ask again, Sir Zhang, are you coming to the Daxing County Government for business today, or do you want to go to the Shuntian Prefecture?” Lu Zhen continued to ask with a smile.

“Neither.” Zhang Cheng immediately shook his head and said impatiently, “County magistrate Lu, don’t talk about him anymore. It’s better to explain the matter in front of you clearly first!”

Lu Zhen chuckled, but his eyes were cold, his waist raised, and his voice grew louder. “This official is a little puzzled. You live in the south of the city, and the Imperial Academy’s yamen is not in this area. It’s not like you came to Daxing County or Shuntian Prefecture on business. Why did you suddenly appear here and happened to see this scene?”

“What do you mean?” Zhang Cheng shouted, but a trace of unease flashed through his eyes.

Lu Zhen stared at him without any hesitation, “I mean, Zhang Cheng, how many benefits did you receive from Lu Tu, how dare you protect him like this?”

“You’re spouting blood. When have I ever received the benefits of county magistrate Lu? I didn’t even know that there was such a person in the county government!” Zhang Cheng immediately denied loudly, but his words carried a guilty conscience.

But Lu Zhen laughed again, his face full of teasing, “Zhang Cheng, you’re not confessing. I just said Lu Tu, but you said that he’s a county magistrate, yet you still dare to say that you don’t recognize him?”

Zhang Cheng’s expression instantly changed to that of a pig’s liver. He knew that he was careless, but he was actually tricked by Lu Zhen. But now, in front of so many people, he didn’t even have the chance to deny it. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

At this moment, Lu Zhen took another step forward and said, “Now, Lord Zhang, you can go back and join hands with everyone to impeach me.” But I, Lu Zhen, am not someone who can be wronged at will. At that time, I will naturally report everything that happened today. Justice is in the hearts of the people. I want to see who will be more trustworthy in the end! Even if a county magistrate of mine is impeached once, he will at most be fined some salary, but what about you, Zhang Yushi? What will happen to you if you are found guilty of accepting bribes and impeaching me with open eyes? ”

Zhang Cheng’s face quickly turned from red to green, and finally turned pale. He knew that the other party was holding onto something against him.

Yan Guan had always been an invincible existence in the court. Only they could impeach people, but very few of them could threaten them. But they weren’t completely without weaknesses, at least their own names were the most important. If an official was pointed out to be unscrupulous and suspected of accepting bribes, then the other colleagues would not hesitate to attack him. Because everyone relied on their reputation to establish themselves in the court, they definitely couldn’t let a single rat poop spoil the entire pot of porridge!

After a change in expression, Zhang Cheng finally retreated with resentment. He didn’t dare to entangle himself any further, because he could see determination in Lu Zhen’s eyes. He knew that the young county magistrate would definitely not give way, and at that time, he didn’t want to know what would happen to him.

After forcing Zhang Cheng back with a few words, Lu Zhen spat out a mouthful of turbid air and glanced at Ying Ding and the others. He waved his hand and said, “Bring them in and question them carefully!”

“Yes!” These words finally made the stunned servants regain their senses. At this time, their gazes at Lu Zhen had changed from respect to reverence. It turned out that his lord was actually so tough and capable of arguing, and he was actually able to directly squeeze away the most difficult Yan Guan with words.

As for Ying Ding and the others, they looked like defeated roosters and didn’t dare to resist at all. They were directly escorted into the county government by several servants just like that.

This scene happened to fall into the eyes of Zeng Guang and Yue Liqiu, who had hurriedly returned. The two of them couldn’t help but glance at each other. They saw a trace of surprise in each other’s eyes, but they were more happy. This time, the two of them stood in the right position and did not follow Lu Tu’s path until it was dark. With Lu Zhen’s tough attitude, Lu Tu probably wouldn’t be able to regain the initiative.

@ @ @ @

“What did you say? Just one person defeated Ying Ding and the others?” After receiving the affirmative reply from his subordinates, Lu Tu couldn’t help but curse, “Trash, they’re all trash! They can’t even deal with such a cripple, what’s the use of them! Oh right, where’s Zhang Cheng? Did he go?”

The subordinate hesitated for a moment before telling the truth about what he had seen. He was ordered by Lu Tu to go to the county government to keep an eye on him, so he couldn’t be too abrupt amongst the ordinary people. It was precisely because he had personally witnessed what had happened that he felt a lingering fear that his master’s persistence would bring about a bad outcome.

However, he was only a servant in the end, so he didn’t dare to say anything else. He could only tell Lu Tu everything he saw in detail, hoping that Lu Tu could retreat despite the difficulties.

Lu Tu was indeed shocked when he heard this. This Lu Zhen was really not a fuel-efficient lamp. Even the Yan Guan that he thought was enough to control him was sent away by him in a few words. Wasn’t it really impossible for him to retaliate?

Immediately after, his heart sank again. Perhaps things would not be that simple. He had already fallen into the hands of the other party. If Lu Zhen were to use them to write some articles, his situation would be rather bad. The more he thought about it, the more he felt weak in his heart. This caused a layer of cold sweat to appear on his back.

We can’t just sit there and wait for death, we have to do something! That’s right, we must first fish them into our own hands. We must not let Lu Zhen pry open their mouths! Thinking of this, Lu Tu immediately stood up from his chair, but the subordinate in front of him jumped in fright, “Master, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to the county government!” With a cold face, Lu Tu took a few steps and walked out. His footsteps were extremely fast. He really rarely acted in such a hurry as now.

Seeing this, the servant wanted to say something, but in the end, he shut his mouth. He did not dare to touch his master’s bad luck at this time.

@ @ @ @

Lu Zhen had barely taken him down for an hour when Lu Tu hurried over. When he stepped into the gate of the county government, he could clearly feel the difference in the atmosphere. Although they were still those people, the gazes everyone looked at him were ice-cold, as if they were looking at an unfamiliar person with no emotions to speak of.

Those flattering smiles had now turned into estrangement, and none of them had even come to greet him, Lu Xiancheng. Under everyone’s cold gaze, Lu Tu’s aura weakened again, and his pace slowed down. He knew that his situation was already very bad this time.

Following the familiar path, he quickly entered the Second Hall County Magistrate’s public house. Looking at the two empty doors, he didn’t even dare to push the door open.

At this time, Zeng Guang, who was on the other side, came out of his room with a document. Seeing Lu Tu standing there with a hesitant expression, he couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment. Then he asked dryly, “Aren’t you sick and recuperating at home? Why are you here again?”

“… I heard that something happened at the county government. Naturally, I have no choice but to come here with an illness.” Only then did Lu Tu recall what he had done before. His face became embarrassed and he quickly found an excuse that was not an excuse.

“What? Do you want to see the county magistrate?” Zeng Guang glanced at him and without waiting for an answer, walked to Lu Zhen’s door and lightly knocked on it a few times.

Immediately after, Lu Zhen’s voice came from inside, “Come in and talk.”

Zeng Guang answered and entered. Lu Tu, who was standing outside the door, hesitated for a moment before following behind.

Lu Zhen sat behind the table and didn’t even look at Lu Tu who came in afterwards. He only asked Zeng Guang, “Is this the expenses of the porridge shed today?”

“Exactly. The three porridge shed used a total of 272 jin of rice and medicinal ingredients today …” Zeng Guang reported in a low voice, ignoring Lu Tu behind him as if he had made him transparent.

Lu Tu was so ignored by the two of them that he was extremely angry in his heart. However, he did not dare to really lose face in such a situation. He could only wait by the side with a dark face. To be honest, he had never eaten such a shriveled food in all these years.

Zeng Guang didn’t leave until the two of them had discussed for a long time and settled everything for tomorrow. In the meantime, this county government master who had once obeyed Lu Tu didn’t even look at him.

Only after Zeng Guang left did Lu Zhen raise his eyes to look at Lu Tu. He was as shocked as if he had just seen an extra person in front of him and said, “Hey, Lu Xiancheng, why are you here? Aren’t you sick and recuperating at home? Could it be that Ying Ding and the others still have curative effects after making such a fuss in front of the county government?” At the end of his sentence, his tone carried a deep mocking intent.