"Your Highness, this …" The expression of an official at the front of the crowd changed. He said, "It doesn't make sense for the government to pay for the losses caused by the bandits …"
County Magistrate Wei's words struck a chord in the hearts of the crowd.
Officials could not be bullied like this. How were they supposed to investigate if someone lied about the losses? Even if the commoners really suffered losses due to the bandits, they should not be the ones paying for it. They would not be able to afford it if this dragged on …
Most importantly, they could control the bandits they were supporting, but they could not control all the bandits!
Li Yi looked at the middle-aged official and asked, "You are …"
The official immediately said, "I am County Magistrate Wei Dapeng of Ji County."
"County Magistrate Wei, do you have a problem with I?"
"I wouldn't dare!" The County Magistrate of Ji County panicked. He immediately said, "I just feel that the bandits in Shu Province are very serious. Although the government is also responsible, there has never been a precedent of officials paying for the losses of the commoners. I'm afraid it's not appropriate. We should consider this matter at length …"
"What do you mean by at length?"
"I … I think …"
Li Yi suddenly asked, "Where is the County Magistrate of Ji County?"
The crowd fell silent for a moment. Then, someone immediately walked out from the crowd and said respectfully, "Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla, I am the County Magistrate of Ji County."
"From now on, you are the County Magistrate of Ji County."
Li Yi said to him. He pointed at the County Magistrate of Ji County and said, "Arrest Wei Dapeng. As a county magistrate, you have been passive in suppressing the bandits. I suspect that you are in cahoots with the bandits of Ji County. You will be dealt with after the investigation!"
Two armored guards immediately stepped forward and arrested the County Magistrate of Ji County.
The County Magistrate of Ji County was stunned. His expression changed drastically as he immediately said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, I have been wrongly accused …"
"Wrongly accused?" Li Yi looked at the newly promoted County Magistrate of Ji County and asked, "He says he has been wrongly accused. What do you think?"
"Your Highness, I don't …" The County Magistrate of Ji County thought for a moment and suddenly bowed. "Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla, I have a report. The former County Magistrate of Ji County, Wei Dapeng, colluded with the infamous bandit Liu Huzi of Ji County and allowed Liu Huzi and his men to commit crimes in Ji County. They harmed the people of Ji for profit for several years. I have evidence. Please, Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla!"
The Ji county magistrate's face paled. He pointed at Qin Ye and stammered, "Y-y-you're slandering me …"
His voice became softer and softer, and his face turned ashen. He did not expect King Jing to act so decisively and take him down at the slightest disagreement. He also did not expect that there would be a traitor by his side who would betray him at such a crucial moment …
The County Magistrate of Ji County was quickly taken away. From then on, the County Magistrate of Yong County was no longer as lonely in prison.
The County Magistrate of Ji County was quickly taken away. From then on, the County Magistrate of Yong County was no longer as lonely in prison.
Li Yi glanced at the crowd and asked, "Does anyone else think what I said was inappropriate?"
More than 20 officials looked around. After a moment, they bowed at the same time and said in unison, "Your Highness is wise!"
The County Magistrate of Ji County had only spoken the truth, but he had been stripped of his official hat and thrown into prison. Who would dare to say anything else? Who would dare to object?
Gyeong Of Silla was obviously not as kind as he looked. He had only been in Shuzhou for a few days, and two county magistrates had already been taken down. Who knew if they would be next?
Li Yi shook his head and said, "It's okay. If there are any problems, we can discuss them together. Only with discussion can we make progress. Speak freely. I won't blame you."
One of the officials thought for a moment and carefully stepped forward. He said, "Your Highness Gyeong Of Silla …"
"You are …"
"I …" The official subconsciously wanted to answer, but he seemed to have thought of something. His expression changed, and he suddenly clutched his stomach. He said, "I have an unbearable stomach ache. Can, can I go to the toilet first …"
"People have three urgent needs. Go." Li Yi waved his hand and said, "Does anyone else have any objections?"
The crowd was silent.
If it had not been for what had happened just now, they might have thought that His Highness Gyeong Of Silla was reasonable and open-minded. But now, they would not fall for such a clumsy trap unless there was something wrong with their brains.
One of the officials smiled and said, "Your Highness is wise. I admire you. I have no other objections!"
"Bootlicker, disgusting!" Behind him, a person looked at him with an extremely disdainful gaze. The person walked forward and bowed, "Your Highness's plan is flawless. This lowly official's admiration for Your Highness is like a surging river, unending …"
"I have no objections …"
"I have no objections either …"
…
"Since no one has any objections, then this matter is settled." Li Yi looked at them and said, "You go back to your districts immediately. I will inform you in two days as to how to suppress the bandits."
Seeing His Highness Gyeong Of Silla walking out of the county office, the crowd let out a long sigh of relief.
An official suddenly turned around and looked at another person with a bright smile on his face. He said, "Magistrate Zhang, we have been colleagues for so long and haven't had a good gathering. Why don't we go back together? I will hold a banquet at Spring Fragrance House tonight …"
"Magistrate Fang, we haven't had a drink together for a long time. Let's have a good drink today …"
"Lord Gou, it's my fault for offending you in the past. I will hold a banquet at home tomorrow. You must do me the honor …"
…
On the way back, Fang asked with a puzzled face, "Young master, there are not many good people among these officials. Why don't you kill them all? Why keep them alive?"
When Fang was smart, he was like a fox who could see through the world and experience the vicissitudes of life. When he was stupid, he was like a stupid fox …
When they first arrived in Shuzhou, the biggest problem they faced was that there was no one they could use.
To replace all the officials in Shuzhou was a simple matter for him. But after replacing them, would he let Fang be the county magistrate?
These people could pass through layers of selection in the imperial examination and sit in the position of county magistrate. Which one of them did not have some real ability? Moreover, they had been in Shuzhou for many years. No one knew everything about Shuzhou better than them, and no one was more suitable to sit in this position than them.
Of course, the premise was that they were obedient.
This time, the removal of the county magistrates of Yong County and Ji County should give them peace for a while. In the future, things could be done step by step. They could not be rushed.
He looked back at Fang and said, "Go get Wang Wei for me."
Not long after, a bald head appeared in front of Li Yi.
Wang Wei scratched his head and asked expectantly, "Your Highness, what can I do for you?"
"Don't you need people to repair roads and build houses …" Li Yi thought for a moment and said, "Put the matter of the Fringe aside for now. I will leave the bandits in Shuzhou to you this time."
Wang Wei was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in joy, "We can move out on a large scale?"
"Just pick a hundred brothers. I will ask the Liu League to help you. This time, none of the bandits in Shuzhou will be left alive!"
"Don't worry, Your Highness!" Wang Wei patted his chest, his eyes glowing. "How can we let these small fries mess around in our territory? This time, we will rob them along with their money. After feeding them for so long, it's time to pull in the net …"
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