Pang Xiao had a complicated expression on his face. "I don't think they'll cause any trouble. According to the news that my men have gathered in the city, the people seem to be thinking about how to get me into the city to recuperate. "
As they spoke, they returned to the tent. Qin Yining sat down on the cross-legged table and looked up at Pang Xiao. "It must be because of what Magistrate Cheng said."
"Yes." Speaking of Magistrate Cheng, Pang Xiao couldn't help but sigh. "Magistrate Cheng should be in prison by now, waiting to be executed after autumn. I wonder how he feels when he finds out that Your Majesty didn't stop the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum. Does he feel that everything is in vain? "
Qin Yining shook his head. "Actually, Magistrate Cheng might not want to stop the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum immediately. That day, Philanthropist Wang told me that they wanted to slow down Your Majesty's construction of the Imperial Mausoleum. They originally thought that if they took you down, Your Majesty would send someone else. However, no one expected that Your Majesty would choose Lu Boye to take over this position. "
"Lu Heng definitely won't give up on the treasure. I'm afraid that Magistrate Cheng's plan will fail. "
"That's something that can't be helped."
Pang Xiao sent people to pay close attention to the movements in Huichuan County. He purposely avoided it to give Lu Heng time and space to operate freely. He wanted to see what he was planning so that they could come up with a countermeasure. Therefore, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining quickly found out that Lu Heng had submitted a memorial to the Emperor again.
Just as Pang Xiao, Qin Yining, Xie Yue, and Xu Weizhi gathered together to guess what Lu Heng was planning to do, Tang Xiu brought back the information that she had gathered.
"Wang Ye, Zhong Yibo reported that the previous supervisor of the Imperial Mausoleum had committed dereliction of duty and embezzlement. After careful investigation, he has confirmed that a portion of the granite used to build the Imperial Mausoleum is defective. In addition, there are many problems with the wood used for the foundation. If the construction continues like this, the Imperial Mausoleum will not be sturdy enough and will not last long."
Pang Xiao smiled. "So? What did Your Majesty say? "
"Your Majesty has approved Zhong Yibo's request to purchase stone again, and has sent people to withdraw money from the state treasury. As for the original unqualified Granite and aides, they were all handed over to Lu Boye. Your Majesty also ordered the arrest of the former supervisor's wife and son, who have fled to the countryside. As for how they will be dealt with, although it was not explicitly stated, it will not be good. "
Everyone fell silent.
Qin Yining originally thought that Magistrate Cheng had sacrificed himself to see if Li Qitian would fall into his trap. It was only a matter of time before things developed according to Magistrate Cheng's plan.
However, Your Majesty's decree was truly beyond his expectations. It was as if he no longer cared about his own reputation.
Now, he has no intention of stopping the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum. He even allowed the unqualified stones and wood to be disposed of and replaced.
Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Even if he was born with a humble background, he has already tasted the taste of glory, splendor, and wealth. He feels that everything in the world should belong to him. He has long forgotten why he started the rebellion. For the sake of the Imperial Mausoleum, he once again used the state treasury. This was completely different from what Magistrate Cheng had originally envisioned.
When Qin Yining thought of Magistrate Cheng, his heart softened and he sighed. He muttered, "This reality is truly unbearable."
When Pang Xiao and Xie Yue heard this, they all sighed together.
%
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun had already scattered into the horizon. The last trace of red shyly hid behind the mountains. On the pitch black walls of the Ministry of Justice's prison, the afterglow of the setting sun had also gradually faded away. All that was left in the prison was pitch black silence. The air was filled with a heavy aura of death.
All of the prisoners here were waiting to be executed after autumn.
Magistrate Cheng was in a prison uniform. His hair was disheveled, and he was locked in a single cell. Like the other prisoners, he was listening to the squeaking of rats.
Suddenly, the sound of rattling iron chains came from the end of the pitch-black corridor. Then, there was the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. As the light faded, two figures on the pitch-black mottled wall came closer and closer.
The candlelight flickered. The jailer inserted a white lantern into the window and said in a deep voice, "Magistrate Cheng, there is a visitor."
Magistrate Cheng lifted his eyelids and looked outside the prison. He saw a familiar person stuffing a piece of silver covered in frost into the jailer's hand.
The jailer shook the silver and said, "Hurry up." Then he turned and left.
"Haolin, you're here."
The visitor was Magistrate Cheng's trusted advisor, Liu Haolin.
Liu Haolin walked to the door of the prison and gripped the wooden bars with both hands. He looked at the person in the prison with tears in his eyes. "Magistrate!"
"Shh. How can I be called a magistrate now? "Magistrate Cheng smiled and slowly walked to the door.
Liu Haolin looked ashamed. "Magistrate, I'm ashamed that I didn't accompany you to the end that day."
"Don't mention this. It's normal for you to go that day. Is it right for you to accompany me in death? "Magistrate Cheng's smile was bitter." What's the situation outside? My family members … "
Liu Haolin wiped away his tears and shook his head while choking with sobs.
County Magistrate Cheng understood everything.
Your Majesty had decreed that the Cheng family wouldn't have a good ending. When the nest is overturned, no egg can remain intact. Even if he had made the most comprehensive preparations in advance, he was afraid that his family would be wiped out in the end.
Magistrate Cheng closed his eyes and raised his head. The corners of his lips curled up as he said in a deep voice, "Good. Good. I have a clear conscience. I did all this for the sake of Da Zhou's stability. My family members will naturally be on my side. When we meet the King of Hell in the future, I will have something to say. As long as the Imperial Mausoleum is closed and the money is saved, we will be able to support ourselves when the time comes. With this, Da Zhou will definitely be stable. My Cheng family will die a worthy death! "
When Liu Haolin heard this, he didn't know what to say. After a long time, he lowered his head hesitantly.
Since he was going to die soon, it was better not to let him know about some things. This way, Magistrate Cheng could confidently wait for the execution after autumn.
At least he would feel that everything was worth it.
However, although Liu Haolin didn't say anything, Magistrate Cheng could clearly see his expression under the dim light of the lantern.
After following him for so many years, how could Magistrate Cheng not be able to discern the expression of a capable subordinate?
"Haolin!" Magistrate Cheng's expression was stiff. The smile on his lips was somewhat ugly. He reached out his right hand and grabbed Liu Haolin's shoulder. "What happened outside?"
Liu Haolin forced a smile. "What happened? You …"
"Don't try to deceive me. You and I have been friends for so many years. Do you think I can't tell whether you are telling the truth or not? "
When Liu Haolin heard this, he froze.
Seeing Liu Haolin's reaction, Magistrate Cheng's relaxed smile disappeared. He couldn't help but tighten his grip. "Tell me, what happened?"
Looking at Magistrate Cheng, Liu Haolin choked with sobs. "Sir, your plan … your plan has failed! Your Majesty has ordered Zhong Yibo to be the supervisor of the Imperial Mausoleum. He has also allowed the state treasury to use funds to purchase high-quality granite and wood. Your Majesty's Imperial Mausoleum still needs to be repaired! "
When Magistrate Cheng heard this, he closed his eyes and slapped his forehead. He raised his head and sighed.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Sir, I wouldn't lie about something like this. I know I was wrong. I should have advised you properly, but you … "
When had he not advised him? It was just that Magistrate Cheng was stubborn and refused to listen to his advice. Now, all his plans had failed. Magistrate Cheng had not only sacrificed himself, but also his entire family. In exchange for nothing, the Emperor still did not hesitate to repair the Imperial Mausoleum.
As a subordinate, he also felt sorry for him!
Magistrate Cheng put down his hand and stared blankly at the lantern dragon opposite him. His expression was blank, as if his soul had left his body.
Seeing his blank expression, Liu Haolin's heart skipped a beat. He quickly shouted, "Sir, what's wrong?
Please wake up … "
"The fatuous Emperor has ruined the Da Zhou dynasty …" Magistrate Cheng suddenly muttered these words. Liu Haolin was so scared that he wanted to rush into the prison and cover Magistrate Cheng's mouth.
Magistrate Cheng's muscles were stiff. He kept muttering, "The fatuous Emperor has ruined the Da Zhou dynasty." Suddenly, he raised his eyes and glared fiercely at the stone wall. Suddenly, he used all his strength to slam into the wall.
"Sir! Sir! " Liu Haolin clutched the wooden fence with both hands and sobbed silently. He watched helplessly as Magistrate Cheng's head hit the ground with a red and white substance. Magistrate Cheng's body fell limply onto the moldy straw, scaring the rats away.
%
When the news of Magistrate Cheng's death reached Pang Xiao's ears, he and Qin Yining had already been respectfully welcomed into the city by the people of Danfu County.
The heads of the three families had specially prepared a large two-sectioned mansion for Pang Xiao to recuperate from his injuries.
Obviously, the people of Danfu County had completely changed their impression of Pang Xiao. Pang Xiao's magnanimity and loyalty had long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
"Magistrate Cheng committed suicide in the prison …"
"Yes. Your Majesty was furious when he found out. He thought that Magistrate Cheng was dissatisfied with Your Majesty and hung him outside the city gates as a warning to the public. "
Pang Xiao closed his eyes and finally sighed. He pursed his lips and did not say anything.
When Qin Yining found out, he was also very anxious.
Although Magistrate Cheng had used a scheme, he had gone a little overboard. But in the end, his intentions were still good. In the end, this was the result. It made people sigh endlessly and feel sympathy for the death of a rabbit.
Pang Xiao comforted Qin Yining by taking his hand and shaking it.
The two of them looked at each other. Their eyes met and they both sighed.
To prevent Qin Yining from feeling sad, Pang Xiao took the initiative to change the topic. "Your Majesty has kindly allowed me to recuperate here. Also, because of the incident where I was stabbed, I asked Your Majesty to allow me to increase the number of guards in the Prince's Mansion. My people in the court also pressured you. Your Majesty is focused on the matter of the Imperial Mausoleum. He probably expected that I would not have any reaction, so he has already allowed me to increase the number of guards in the Prince's Mansion. "
"Your Majesty has already disregarded his dignity for the sake of the Imperial Mausoleum. He has to be more lenient when it comes to your matter, so as to avoid being criticized everywhere." Qin Yining rubbed the space between his eyebrows. "Do you have someone in mind to increase the number of guards in the Prince's Mansion?"
"I have already made arrangements. Now is the perfect opportunity for me to expand. Once something happens, there will be no shortage of manpower. "
Qin Yining nodded. For them, this could be considered a blessing in disguise.
After living in Danfu County, Pang Xiao's "injury" was also slowly recovering.
Because the people of Danfu County were grateful to Pang Xiao, everyone in the Prince's Mansion, including the workers who swept the courtyard, went out with more dignity than the workers of ordinary families. Although there were three big families in Danfu County, the people were simple and honest when it did not affect their interests. Qin Yining and Pang Xiao's lives were exceptionally peaceful. It almost gave people the illusion that life was peaceful.
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