Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 180

Chapter 180 Rain and Rain All Over the City
It wasn’t until nearly two o’clock that the temporary duel between the Son of Heaven and the important officials in the court ended. When they walked out of the palace gate that was exceptionally open, everyone’s expressions were exceptionally solemn. Their gazes at Lu Zhen were filled with complex meanings, but none of them spoke to him.

Only when everyone boarded the carriage and dispersed in front of the palace did Hu Zhen give Lu Zhen a look and bring him into his carriage.

The autumn night was as cold as water. Fortunately, the servants beside the carriage had already prepared soup and food, so the two of them felt a burst of warmth after entering the carriage. After handing Lu Zhen a cup of chicken soup that was simmering for a long time, Hu Ying drank the ginseng soup in his cup and smiled bitterly, “County magistrate Lu, I don’t know what to say about you. I actually thought of beating that smell drum and making things so uncontrollable. What is your purpose?”

Lu Zhen took a sip of the delicious chicken soup to warm his stomach, then looked at Hu, “Boss, are you feeling embarrassed because Xiaoguan exposed the case completely, or because I knocked on the sniff drum?” Without waiting for the other party to give him an answer, he continued, “Shouldn’t the truth of this case be revealed to the public to console the undead? Dengwen Gu was originally used to play the Son of Heaven. Since there are many restrictions in this case, there shouldn’t be any reason for Xiaoguan to do so, right?”

Hearing him speak so righteously, Hu Ying was absent-minded for a moment. His expression immediately became solemn. Thinking carefully, what he said made sense. If there was an injustice, the Imperial Court should naturally rehabilitate it. The matter of Deng Wengu was not wrong, but the fact that the Imperial Court had been trying its best to prevent anyone from approaching it for decades was the biggest problem!

Was it because he had been an official for so many years and had abandoned that little bit of his original conscience that he had such an obvious idea of reversing the black and white? Thinking of this, Hu Ying felt a burst of cold sweat run down his spine, and he felt a little ashamed. This made him only look at Lu Zhen, but he didn’t know what to say.

Lu Zhen had already drunk all the chicken soup in his hand during this period, and then he smiled again, “Actually, the boss understands Lu Zhen’s concern.” You all have your own concerns. Everything has to be based on the overall situation. Therefore, even if we do find out the inside story of this case, I’m afraid we’ll have to compromise secretly. This lowly official can also understand, because you have to plan for the stability of this court and the capital …

‘”However, Xiaguan is only a small Daxing County Magistrate. Things are not that complicated. Since someone has made a big mistake and the officials in the court have turned a blind eye to it, do you really want the dead to die in vain? Xiaguan has nothing else but a mouthful of hot blood. I can only fight for it. If Your Excellency feels that Xiaguan has done something wrong, Xiaguan dares not have any grievances!” After saying that, he raised his eyes to look at Hu Ying in front of him.

Hu Ying opened his mouth, but he still couldn’t say anything. After pondering for a while, he said, “It’s not wrong of you to do all this out of your own heart, but you’ve offended too many people. Even if they don’t dare to do anything to you this time because you’ve alarmed Emperor, it’s very bad for your future.” Officials, you always need someone to help you. Although I am willing to help you, I am too old to sit in this position for too long. ”

‘”Sir, I understand your difficulties. A gentleman does something and does not do anything. Since I have made this decision, I will face the consequences in the future calmly! But this time, those murderers of the common people must pay the price!” Lu Zhen said resolutely without the slightest bit of regret.

Hu Ying’s original worries gradually dissipated with Lu Zhen’s statement. After drinking all the ginseng soup in his hand, he nodded and said, “Although I have a lot of worries, there are some things I can help you with.” Don’t worry, this old man will also keep an eye on this case and will never let them do anything else! As for you, as long as this old man holds the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials, you will definitely be fine! “The heroic spirit of that year was completely ignited by the young man in front of him at this moment.

Lu Zhen immediately cupped his hands in salute, “Thank you, boss, for protecting me. I am very grateful.”

“You are able to stand up for those innocent dead, and you are not even afraid of offending the nobles in the dynasty. As an old official of several dynasties, can’t I even do this?”

Lu Zhen nodded gratefully. He knew very well that he could naturally risk his life by himself, but the old man in front of him had a great career and countless students and old officials. It was a hundred times harder for him to express such a stance. This was the backbone of the Great Ming Dynasty, and it was also the guarantee for the current Great Ming to be called a prosperous era.

When the carriage stopped in front of Daxing County Government and Lu Zhen got off the carriage, Hu Ying shouted again, “County Magistrate Lu, this old man is very gratified. This time, I did not misjudge you. You are indeed one of our generation!”

“Boss, you’re ridiculously praising me. Xiaguan is just a foolish young man who doesn’t know how serious he is.” Lu Zhen turned around and bowed again. Then, he looked at Hu Ying and shook his head with a bitter smile. He put down the curtain and followed the carriage slowly.

Straightening his waist, Lu Zhen’s gaze became sharp again. Since he had made up his mind to do all of this, there was nothing to regret. Just let go!

At this moment, the gate of the county government was suddenly opened, and a lazy and familiar voice sounded, “County Magistrate Lu, you really can cause trouble. Tell this young master to wait foolishly in Uncle Guang Ning’s mansion!”

Lu Zhen immediately turned around and saw Xu Chengzong standing in the door with a smile on his face, holding a cup of tea in his hand. This made him stunned for a moment before he asked in surprise, “Young Master Xu, why did you come to the county government?”

“What? You want to kick me away after using this Young Master?” Xu Chengzong snorted, “You’re really bold. This time, everyone in the capital knows that you’re a county magistrate of Daxing County. You actually went to play the Wenwen Drum. How dare you think of it!”

After Lu Zhen entered the door and accompanied the other party to the second hall to take a seat, he smiled bitterly and said, “Things are difficult. I only made this decision when I have no other choice.”

“Then what will happen to this case now? My people are still guarding Guang Ning Bo Manor. What is the Emperor’s attitude?” This question was clearly the reason why he had been waiting in the county government.

Lu Zhen did not conceal anything and told her about what had happened in the palace. After Xu Chengzong heard this, he chuckled at him again, “You are indeed a bold master. You dare to speak like this even in front of the Emperor. I like you more and more …”

When Lu Zhen heard what he said, his gaze seemed to have some other meaning. He immediately turned around uneasily and thought to himself, “I like women and I don’t like that tune.” Fortunately, Xu Chengzong continued, “My father always said that I would cause trouble. That’s because he has never seen you before. If he was here now, he would know that compared to you, the trouble I caused in Nanjing is nothing.”

“Eh” Seeing what he meant, Lu Zhen suddenly didn’t know how to return.

Xu Chengzong had no intention of staying here any longer. He stretched his body and said, “Since this matter can’t be concealed and the Imperial Court wants to investigate it closely, I will call them back tomorrow. It’s getting late. Goodbye. Oh right, you won’t lock me up because I broke the night ban, right?”

Lu Zhen smiled bitterly, “I don’t have the guts. Young Master Xu, please take your time.”

Xu Chengzong chuckled and left. After walking out of the county government, the smile on his face disappeared and he rubbed his chin and whispered, “This Lu Zhen is really a character. He actually managed to be so calm after such a big incident.” Either his courage is great, or Hu Ying will do his best to protect him. “No matter what, it’s not a bad thing to be able to form a good relationship with him … I’ve really come to the capital this time. I’ve actually witnessed so much liveliness!”

@ @ @ @

After a night of deliberation, this case immediately triggered a huge uproar in Beijing, causing a storm in the city.

Perhaps many people did not know what had happened yesterday and only heard the sound of the drums that had not been heard for decades. However, the next morning, the news was about to spread quickly. People finally knew that this was a big commotion caused by Daxing County Magistrate Lu Zhen reporting to Emperor after finding out that there were dozens of corpses in Guang Ning Bo Manor.

There were also rumors that this case would have been suppressed by some officials in the court, but it would not be settled in the end. However, County Magistrate Lu couldn’t bear to see these people die in vain. He had to capture the murderer to make amends. Only then did he withstand the pressure and go to the Count’s Mansion to search for evidence before he could ring the drum.

Originally, the people had always felt a great deal about the protection of officials, but now Lu Zhen’s actions had implemented this point even more. As a result, when Lu Zhen’s reputation was greatly boosted, and he was called the selfless and unyielding Grand Master Qing Tian, the various government offices-Shun Tian Manor, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple-standing opposite him immediately became absolute villains that were despised by all the people.

All of a sudden, public opinion inside and outside the capital was fierce, and all sorts of conspiracy theories and criticisms flew everywhere. The pressure that this brought to the officials of the yamen could naturally be imagined.

Although public opinion is often not taken seriously by officials nowadays, the situation is completely different when public opinion is gathered into a strong public opinion. As the saying goes, if a thousand people’s fingers are pointing at nothing, then everything will be ruined!

Facing such a disadvantageous situation, these yamens naturally made Lu Zhen’s teeth itch with hatred, but for a moment, they had no way to deal with him. So in the end, the only way to prove his innocence was to end the case impartially and give everyone an explanation.

Thus, on the third day after the incident, the Dali Temple and the Ducha Court of the Ministry of Justice began to try the case of Guang Ningbo killing innocent people, attracting countless people to gather outside the main gate of the Ministry of Justice, waiting for the news of the trial.

When Lu Zhen, as a witness, appeared outside the main gate of the Ministry of Justice, many people even cheered and sent him into the gate as if welcoming the heroes in their hearts. The officials were naturally filled with envy and hatred. They were extremely angry at this fellow who had provoked trouble and made them take the blame for it!