Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 43

Chapter 43 A Stronger Opponent
Zheng Hai quickly cupped his hands and pleaded, “General, let alone in my small Guang Ling County, even in the entire Great Harmony, he is a great figure who can speak. How can such a small matter be difficult for you?”

Xiao Mo was greatly impressed by what he said. In fact, he knew that this was just a compliment. He was only a small general, and it was nothing to put him in the Great Harmony Army. However, he was still very satisfied with Zheng Hai’s flattery, and a smug smile appeared on his face. However, he waved his hand and said, “This matter is still difficult to handle.”

Zheng Hai naturally understood the intention of his refusal, so he quickly took out a few pieces of paper from his sleeve and pushed it over, “I hope that you can barely make it, General. As long as you can save my son, the Zheng family will definitely thank you very much.”

Xiao Mo’s gaze immediately fell on the papers. They weren’t silver notes. Although some people had already built banks, they were very small in scale. Naturally, places like Guang Ling couldn’t have them. These papers were deeds to houses and land, and they were also properties near Datong Prefecture City. Obviously, in order to save his son, Zheng Hai was bleeding profusely.

Seeing this, the smile on Xiao Mo’s face became even brighter, but he still didn’t let go, “Elder Zheng, what are you doing? With our friendship, as long as you can help me, I will definitely not hold back. Gifting is too extraordinary.” That was what he said, but this person’s hand had already pressed down on those pieces of paper impolitely, and with a single movement, it could be rolled into his sleeve.

Zheng Hai didn’t expect that he would still be unable to move the person in front of him even if he took out 30% of his wealth. He couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. This fellow’s appetite was too great, right?

The scholar who had been standing behind him narrowed his eyes and said softly, “Has the general ever heard of this saying? We have always had a close relationship with General Xiao, and even that business is done together. If you refuse to save him, I’m afraid the county government will find out something else.”

Hearing this, the smile on Xiao Mo’s face suddenly disappeared, “What, are you threatening me?” His gaze suddenly fell on the scholar’s face, causing him to subconsciously take a step back, “Little … Little … I don’t dare …”

“Elder Zheng, if it weren’t for the difficulty of our relationship, how could I refuse? What do you think?” Xiao Mo said indifferently, “So I hope you can understand my difficulties.”

“How about this” Seeing that he was not satisfied with the price he had paid, Zheng Hai gritted his teeth and said, “As long as General, you can save my son, I can give you another 10% of my Zheng Clan’s business in that area in the future.”

“20%!” Xiao Mo stretched out his two fingers and said when he saw that the other party had finally stepped forward.

‘”This …” The other party opened his mouth and bit a large chunk of his own meat. However, thinking about his son’s current situation and the greater trouble it might cause, Zheng Hai could only admit, “Alright, but I hope that the general can save him as soon as possible.”

“Don’t worry, I can bring you back tomorrow. Can a mere magistrate of Lu Zhen be my enemy?” Xiao Mo smiled lazily, appearing extremely confident.

After Zheng Hai and Xiao Mo left, they looked at the valuable property beside them and thought about the 20% profit they had obtained. Xiao Mo laughed proudly. As for the matter of saving people, he felt that it was simply a simple matter. If he sent someone to tell them, the county government would obediently obey!

@ @ @ @

Guangling County was a small city with a small population, but the speed at which the news spread was astonishing. By the next morning, County Magistrate Lu was presiding over the Wang Family case and had already spread the news that the defendants and Dian Shi Zheng Fu had been imprisoned. Even outside the city, many people already knew about it.

At the same time, County Magistrate Lu wanted to make the decision for the people and let the people report all kinds of evil deeds of the Zheng Clan to the yamen. This made many people feel refreshed.

If it weren’t for Zheng Fu being imprisoned, the commoners wouldn’t dare believe this. After all, the officials were protecting each other. But now, the situation was completely different. Many of the suffering masters who had been harmed by the Zheng Clan and even lost their families had already moved their hearts and planned to come and complain.

After a few hours, when the county government opened, there were people who dared to rush over to complain, and the county government did not disappoint people, and quickly welcomed them in for further questioning.

When the previous batch of people came out, many civilians went over to inquire about the news. After learning that the county government had indeed accepted their case, more bitter masters came to complain. In just half a day, no less than twenty or thirty people had gathered in front of the county government, causing everyone around to look sideways. There were even quite a few people who were still inquiring about the news, so it was lively.

The people in the county government were extremely busy today. After Lu Zhen suddenly threw Zheng Fu into prison yesterday, the clerks and servants below were already intimidated by his momentum. In addition, Hou Shen and the other two pushed him behind his back, and the inquiry against the Zheng family became smoother and smoother. In just half a day, seven or eight cases were investigated and reported to Lu Zhen.

Looking at the complaints on the desk, Lu Zhen’s face revealed a smile, “Isn’t he just a bully? As long as he seizes the flaw, wouldn’t he be able to capture it?” In the end, he was only a young man in his twenties, so he would naturally feel very proud of himself if he succeeded in accomplishing great things in one fell swoop.

At this moment, Lin Lie limped over with a new complaint. Now, this person’s reputation in the county government had also grown. Ordinary people also nodded and bowed when they saw him. Everyone knew that he was already the county magistrate’s trusted aide. As long as Lu Zhen stabilized the situation, this cripple Lin would become a real power figure in the yamen.

However, Lin Lie did not have Lu Zhen’s complacent smile on his face. Instead, his expression became very serious. When he entered the door and saw Lu Zhen’s smile, he felt even more peculiar. He opened his mouth, but he did not know what to say.

Although Lu Zhen was quite excited, he was still sober. After receiving the complaint, he noticed something strange. “Brother Lin, is there something difficult about you? I wonder if you can tell me about it and let me take a look.”

Since he had already asked, Lin Lie no longer held back. He immediately said seriously, “My lord, I don’t think it’s time to relax. On the contrary, the trouble we’re going to face is just the beginning.”

“What do you mean?” Lu Zhen’s smile abruptly subsided as he hurriedly asked.

“My lord, do you know how powerful the Zheng Clan is in the county?”

“I have heard of this. It is said that they have been rooted here for decades. There are many people in the yamen and among the people.”

“Then don’t you find it strange, my lord? Why is Zheng Fu being taken by you and the Zheng Clan not moving at all?” Lin Lie asked with a frown.

Lu Zhen was stunned again when he realized that he was really happy too early. Indeed, as usual, when Zheng Fu was taken away, there would always be people who came to plead for mercy or something. However, it had been half a day and night, yet no one had come to talk about it. This matter itself seemed a bit strange.

Lu Zhen wouldn’t be so arrogant as to think that his performance yesterday had suppressed the people in the county, and even the Zheng Clan wouldn’t dare to resist. Although he was using the power of the Imperial Court to convict Zheng Fu, the other party still had the strength to fight. Thinking of it this way, there was only one explanation for them not moving. The other party was accumulating strength, preparing to do something ruthless to themselves.

Seeing that Lu Zhen’s expression became serious, Lin Lie heaved a sigh of relief. He was really worried that the other party would not listen to his advice when he was overjoyed. “I don’t know what they’re up to, but I can guess the general situation,” he added.

“Tell me.” Lu Zhen hurriedly said.

“Firstly, Sir killed them off guard, so he couldn’t react for a while, but this was very small.” Lin Lie said softly, “Second, they are going to ask for help from the Datong Prefecture. After all, Sir, you said that this matter will be left to the Prefecture Government to make the final decision. Furthermore, they know that Sir, you are determined to be your enemy. Naturally, it is impossible for you to plead for mercy again.”

Lu Zhen nodded and agreed, “If this really happened to the Manor Government, things would be a bit troublesome. However, I have already grasped a lot of evidence. Even if the Manor Government wants to justify it, they have to consider it.” He also had this kind of concern long ago, so he would speak like that in public. Furthermore, he started accepting these complaints today in order to seize this great opportunity.

Lin Lie nodded his head in agreement, “Your Excellency is right, so the little one is most worried about the third possibility.”

“What is it?”

“Your Excellency, do you still remember the scalping of military rations?” After seeing the other party nod his head, Lin Lie continued, “Although there is no concrete evidence, the garrison in the city still needs the help of ordinary people to accomplish this. And in our Guangling County, who is more suitable than the Zheng family?”

Lu Zhen took a deep breath and said, “Are you saying that the Zheng family’s backing is the garrison in the north?”

“That’s right. So I’m worried that the Zheng Clan hasn’t made a move. I’ve already asked the army for help. I’m afraid that they will interfere in this matter. At that time, it will be difficult to deal with.”

Lu Zhen’s mind moved extremely quickly, and some of his previous doubts had been reasonably explained by these words. Why did County Magistrate Lu suffer because of this matter? Most likely, it was related to the mole in the county government. And this mole was most likely Zheng Fu or his subordinates.

This thought had poured cold water on Lu Zhen Ru’s head all his life, and the pride and joy he had felt just now instantly dissipated. Things had become even more troublesome. His opponent had suddenly become a garrison that was even more powerful and difficult to deal with.

At this moment, a servant with a strange expression rushed to the door. “Here is a letter, my lord.”

Lu Zhen ordered him to bring it in and unfold it. His expression became even more nervous. He raised his head and looked at Lin Lie, “Brother Lin, you’re right about all of this. General Xiao of the army actually wrote to me to let him go!” When he said the last few words, he gritted his teeth.