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Jiang Shaohua was sitting at the top of the county government hall, looking coldly at Mr. Jiao who was shivering.

Chen Changshi and Magistrate Zou sat on the left and right below the princess. As for Song Yuan, he never sat down on such occasions. He stood beside the princess with high spirits, holding the handle of the knife tightly in his right hand.

The princess did not speak, and no one made a sound.

The atmosphere in the lobby was so heavy and solemn that it made people breathless.

Mr. Jiao, who was kneeling on the ground, felt his heart grow cold again and again in just a few moments, almost despairing.

A dignified princess, she only needs to send troops to kill the bandits, she only needs to open her mouth to remove her from the county magistrate's office, but she doesn't even have to move a finger to deal with a low-income merchant like him.

I just hate that he was obsessed with money and was bewitched by his old father-in-law, so he jumped into this pit of fire.

Master Jiao kept kowtowing desperately and begging for mercy. His forehead was red and swollen. The princess finally spoke calmly: "The imperial court has laws and regulations that grain prices are not allowed to fluctuate arbitrarily, and grain shops are not allowed to be settled in Jiqi. When my grandfather was still alive, he issued strict orders to all counties in Nanyang County. , all grain shops are prohibited from driving up grain prices. Violators will be severely punished without credit. I believe that you alone will not have the guts to do such a thing."

"If you want to find a way out, explain the reason clearly in front of this princess and Magistrate Chen Changshi and Zou County."

Mr. Jiao no longer needs to kowtow, but the cold sweat on his forehead continues unabated.

The princess's meaning is obvious. If he wants to escape guilt, he has to reveal the "mastermind"... In other words, he, the son-in-law, has to stab his father-in-law in the back in order to survive.

The princess will not stay in Xi'e forever. Once the princess leaves, it will still be the territory of the Tang family. He offended his father-in-law, how can he stand on his own in the future?

Jiang Shaohua suddenly sneered: "Are you thinking that this princess will leave in just a few days, and then Old Man Tang will still have the final say in Xi'e County?"

Mr. Jiao's tears flowed down along with his sweat, and he kowtowed vigorously: "The common people don't dare, Princess, please spare your life!"

"This princess will give you a cup of tea. If you can't say anything, then don't blame me for being rude."

As soon as the princess finished speaking, the guards in the court drew their long swords one after another, and the sound of clanging could be heard.

Mr. Jiao's whole body trembled, his face turned pale, and his lips trembled non-stop.

Facts have proved that when the knife is about to be placed on one's neck, no ethics or worries are worth mentioning. The most important thing is to get through the moment and save your own life.

"The grassroots said, the grassroots will answer now."

"Although Cao Min opened Jiao's Grain Store, he actually listened to the Tang family in everything. The idea of ​​hoarding grain and raising prices was the idea of ​​Cao Min's father-in-law. His father-in-law said that he would take advantage of this opportunity to take advantage of the county magistrate, and then punish him severely. Earn a handful of money. My father-in-law also said some words that were contemptuous and humiliating to the princess, and ordinary people did not dare to imitate him."

Mr. Jiao cried bitterly and kowtowed repeatedly: "Princess, please have mercy! Common people are at best accomplices, not the masterminds."

An angry look flashed in Chen Zhuo's eyes.

This Mrs. Tang used to be relatively low-key. He has been acting arrogantly and arrogantly this year, obviously not taking the princess seriously.

Magistrate Zou, who was opposite, had a look of shame on his face and stood up to accuse him: "I am incompetent. I failed to suppress Tang. I am really ashamed to bring this matter to the princess. Please punish me, princess!"

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Magistrate Zou and said unceremoniously: "A dignified seventh-grade court official, who has been a county magistrate in Xi'e for ten years, has not been able to suppress a Tang family. Even errands such as buying and storing grains have been done. This is a problem that needs to be resolved by the princess herself. She is indeed incompetent and useless!"

Magistrate Zou, who was in his fifties, was flushed. He couldn't stand anymore and knelt down, reaching for the black gauze hat on his head.

"Okay! I will not dismiss you from your official position." Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "Magistrate Cai of Li County was derelict in his duties, so I took off his official position. You did not make a big mistake, please stay in office for the time being. .”

"Next time, there is no need for the princess to come in person. You can put down your official seal and go back to your hometown."

Magistrate Zou blushed and responded submissively. His temperament is indeed too gentle. However, no one is perfect, and no one should be too picky and mean. Magistrate Zou is diligent in his duties and never bullies the people. His official reputation is actually very good.

Jiang Shaohua ordered Magistrate Zou to stand up and return to his seat, then turned to look at Chen Zhuo: "Chen Changshi, Jiao's Grain Store reported Tang's as the main conspirator. It's better to choose the right time than to catch the sun, so let's take advantage of today to try the case clearly!"

Chen Zhuo nodded and said, "Please give the princess an order to bring the head of the Tang family."

Magistrate Zou cleared his throat: "Most of the officers in the county government are named Tang. If we send them there, I'm afraid that the news will spread. I kindly ask the princess to send her personal guards!"

Jiang Shaohua glanced at the useless Magistrate Zou again.

Magistrate Zou once again looked ashamed and explained in a low voice: "I don't want to re-employ the Tang family. It's just that the Tang family has been entrenched here for hundreds of years and thrived. Half of the people in Xi'e County are surnamed Tang. The other half are not surnamed Tang. Most of them are in-laws of the Tang family. No matter whether I am employing people or doing things, there is no way around the Tang family."

This is indeed a problem.

Half of the people in the city have the surname Tang, how can they avoid it?

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and ordered Song Yuan to personally lead the troops to capture the people.

Song Yuan accepted the order, ordered a hundred personal guards, and ordered Meng Dashan to accompany him with two hundred elite soldiers, and went to Tang's house with murderous intent.

After waiting, Jiang Shaohua inquired about the specific situation of the Tang family.

This Magistrate Zou was very familiar with him, and he opened his mouth to speak one by one.

The Tang family has flourished for hundreds of years and has many branches. However, the head of the family has always been passed down through the lineage of the eldest son of the eldest son. Mrs. Tang became the head of the family at the age of forty. The next head of the family should be Mrs. Tang's eldest son, and the next one should be Tang Qi, the grandson of Tang's family.

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "Mr. Tang's moral character is not good. It's time for the head of the Tang family to be replaced."

Magistrate Zou was stunned.

Chen Changshi reacted quickly and immediately answered the question: "The princess wants to ask, who is qualified to succeed Mrs. Tang in the Tang family?"

Forget about Mrs. Tang’s eldest son and grandson. Find someone who is discerning and obedient.

Magistrate Zou finally came to his senses and suddenly became energetic: "Mr. Tang has a total of six brothers, two of whom are from the same mother. The third grandpa and the fifth grandpa Tang are both direct descendants of the eldest son, and are also qualified to be the head of the Tang family."

Jiang Shaohua hummed: "Come on, go to the Tang family and ask them to come to court."

……

Song Yuan led his troops to the Tang family's mansion, and the Tang family was in chaos.

The more than a hundred fierce servants of the Tang family rushed over to fight amidst the angry shouts of Mrs. Tang.

Song Yuan calmly knocked one of them unconscious with the back of his knife, and ordered in a deep voice: "Knock them all down, don't hurt anyone."

All the personal guards agreed and rushed forward one by one like wolves and tigers.

In less than half an hour, the Tang family mansion was filled with people.

Mr. Tang's hands and feet were tied up, and he was taken directly to the county government office and sent to the county government prison.

Mr. Tang San and Mr. Tang Wu were taken to court.