Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1728 If you are unkind, don't blame me for being unjust!

Lin'an Provincial Surveillance Office

Liu Yufeng, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan, who had just returned from the Governor's Office, had eyes filled with rage, and his whole body was trembling slightly with anger.

As early as when the Sun Wenheng incident first broke out, he realized that this matter would be difficult to resolve peacefully. After all, Sun Wenheng and his family had run away, and the one million taels of silver hole in Wanfu Bank's accounts was not so easy to fill.

As the provincial inspector, Liu Yufeng knew very well that he was inextricably linked to this matter and that he was the person primarily responsible for it. Therefore, even though Murong Yuliang scolded him for this, he had no complaints and continued to work hard to apprehend the criminals and recover the silver in an attempt to fill the hole.

Thanks to his relentless pursuit, he recovered the 500,000 taels of silver that Sun Wenheng hadn't had time to take with him. For this, Murong Yuliang praised him highly. At the time, sensing Murong Yuliang's attitude, Liu Yufeng naively thought that this matter could be resolved peacefully and that Murong Yuliang would help him get away smoothly.

To this end, Liu Yufeng actively made arrangements in Southeast Asia, attempting to apprehend Sun Wenheng and his family who had fled abroad. Under Murong Yuliang's persuasion, he reluctantly returned 70,000 taels of silver. Liu Yufeng clearly remembered that when he was asked to return the silver, Murong Yuliang practically patted his chest and assured him that as long as the silver was returned, raising a million taels to plug the hole in Wanfu Bank, everyone would be safe and sound, and life could continue as before…

At the time, Liu Yufeng also believed Murong Yuliang's nonsense. Therefore, he found Wei Gaojie, Tian Yu, Zhang Baoping and others to persuade them to return some of the money they had collected, as if everyone was spending money to buy peace.

Thanks to Liu Yufeng's efforts, the one million taels of silver were finally raised. Liu Yufeng thought the hole had been plugged and the impact of the matter would be less significant. He also assumed that the Emperor in Yijing City would be less angry, and that with Murong Yuliang and Consort Murong in the palace joining forces, the matter could be resolved without a trace.

However, what he didn't expect was that some clues in the past few days made him realize that things were developing in a very unfavorable direction for him. For this reason, Liu Yufeng just found Murong Yuliang!
When Liu Yufeng went to find Murong Yuliang, he realized that things might not be going as he expected. However, he did not expect that the instigator of all this would be Murong Yuliang. He thought that someone else was playing tricks, so he wanted to inform Murong Yuliang!
But judging from Murong Yuliang's performance just now, Liu Yufeng realized that he was wrong, and how wrong he was!
Although Murong Yuliang still tried to cover it up and use lies to deceive and evade the issue, Liu Yufeng, who had been in the gambling industry for so many years, was not so stupid as to be beyond redemption. He quickly realized that he had been tricked by Murong Yuliang!

Murong Yuliang's real intention was not to keep everyone safe as he claimed. His true thought was to push himself out as a scapegoat, to make himself and others take the blame so that he could be safe!
When Liu Yufeng realized the truth, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He never imagined that Murong Yuliang, whom he had always respected and been loyal to, would treat him this way...
Murong Yuliang said that the matter could no longer be kept secret and had reached Yi Jing, so he had no choice but to submit a memorial to Yi Jing.

This matter occurred in Jiangnan, and as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan, you, Liu Yufeng, have no choice but to bear the responsibility. Furthermore, your subordinates in Jiangnan have already been secretly investigating and have uncovered some evidence of your crimes, which is sufficient to prove that you, Liu Yufeng, are involved in the case of Sun Wenheng.

So even though Murong Yuliang tried his best to clear you of any involvement, it was all in vain. Therefore, for everyone's safety, he had no choice but to execute Ma Su with tears in his eyes and was forced to write in the memorial that you, Liu Yufeng, were involved in the case of Sun Wenheng.

However, the amount involved in this case was not one million taels of silver, but three hundred thousand taels of silver!

Murong Yuliang told Liu Yufeng that if the amount involved was only 300,000 taels, there was still a lot of room for maneuver in the case, and he was not necessarily going to die. So as long as Liu Yufeng went to Yijing and confessed his crimes, Murong Yuliang would plan things out for him behind the scenes, and in the end, he would most likely be demoted to a commoner. At that time, Liu Yufeng could still live a carefree life with the money he had collected over the years.

Although Murong Yuliang spoke eloquently, he sighed and lamented as if he had truly been forced into this situation and was compelled to give up...
He was promoted by Murong Yuliang, so after becoming the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan, he was extremely grateful to Murong Yuliang over the years. If Murong Yuliang told him to go east, he dared not go west. If Murong Yuliang told him to investigate someone, he would investigate that person. If Murong Yuliang told him to release someone, he would release that person.

Murong Yuliang's words were more important to him than the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty!

Liu Yufeng thought that Murong Yuliang would protect him if something happened, but in reality, he was cruelly abandoned by Murong Yuliang.

Liu Yufeng had been an official his whole life. He loved and enjoyed power. He couldn't imagine what would happen if he lost power. Moreover, if he really went to Yijing, his life and death would be out of his own hands!
So, in the prison cell of the governor's office, he pleaded with Murong Yuliang to help him, hoping that this mentor who had shown him kindness would not abandon him and make him a scapegoat, considering how loyal he had served him in the past.

However, Murong Yuliang's cold attitude completely shattered his illusions. Murong Yuliang told Liu Yufeng that if he did not take responsibility, the matter of the one million taels of silver would be exposed, and he, Liu Yufeng, would still be dead. Moreover, not only would he die, but his entire family would be sentenced to be executed.

So this is already a very good result, Liu Yufeng, don't be ungrateful!
Murong Yuliang used both soft and hard tactics. After threatening Liu Yufeng, he put on a gentle and affectionate mask again. He told Liu Yufeng that as long as he took responsibility, the Wanfu Piaohao account would only have a hole of 300,000 taels of salary. He would then do his best to help him, and the final result might be that he would be demoted to a commoner, but he could still live a wealthy life for the rest of his life!

He advised Liu Yufeng that since the deed was already done, he shouldn't complain anymore, but rather choose the lesser of two evils and carefully consider making the right choice for himself...
Under Murong Yuliang's words, Liu Yufeng was utterly disappointed in his former superior. However, he had no better choice but to agree to Murong Yuliang's request. Murong Yuliang repeatedly promised to plan activities for Liu Yufeng and do his best to ensure that Liu Yufeng would receive lenient treatment.

Although he accepted Murong Yuliang's suggestion, on the way back, Liu Yufeng felt increasingly angry as he thought about how he had served Murong Yuliang for so many years and ended up like this. Resentment and rage burned within him.

Despite receiving Murong Yuliang's promise, Liu Yufeng, who had completely lost faith in him, could no longer believe it!

Having finally seen through Murong Yuliang's true colors, he realized he could no longer act like a fool and let Murong Yuliang manipulate him!
Thinking of this, Liu Yufeng had a rough idea of ​​a plan. He immediately wanted to call his son Liu Hong to discuss it together. Just as he was about to do so, he suddenly realized that Murong Yuliang was always cunning and ruthless. He probably had spies in the Provincial Surveillance Commission. If he took action rashly, he might find out something.

Liu Yufeng took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then continued working as usual...

Two hours later, Liu Yufeng returned to his residence after finishing get off work at the yamen as usual. When he got home, he wanted to call his son Liu Hong, but was told that Liu Hong was out drinking and carousing. Liu Yufeng was furious when he heard this and instinctively wanted the steward to bring Liu Hong back immediately. However, realizing that this was a special moment, he patiently chose to wait.

Late at night, Liu Hong, reeking of alcohol, returned home from the pleasure boat. Staggering back to his room, he immediately asked the maids to light his kerosene lamp, as usual. However, no one responded. After repeating this several times, the lamp still wouldn't light, and his anger was rising. Finally, the lamp lit up, but before Liu Hong could say anything, two slaps landed hard on his face.

The two slaps were crisp and clear, instantly waking Liu Hong. Only then did Liu Hong realize that his father, the provincial inspector, had somehow appeared in his room. Touching his slightly swollen cheeks, Liu Hong said with a hint of grievance:
"Dad, why did you hit me?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yufeng became even more furious. He pointed at his own son and said:

"Look at yourself now! How could I have given birth to such a useless person!"

Faced with his father's accusations, Liu Hong felt even more aggrieved, wondering what had gotten into his father. But he could tell that something was wrong with his father, so he obediently lowered his head and didn't argue back.

Seeing this, Liu Yufeng cursed a few more times, then sat down in his chair with a long, dejected sigh...

Seeing his father, who used to be powerful, confident, and imposing, now sighing, Liu Hong realized that something must have happened to him and quickly said:
"Dad, is something wrong?"

"Yes, you talk to your son! He'll make sure you can take care of him!"

Looking at his son, who usually only knew how to spend money and was idle, now making such a solemn vow, he couldn't help but find it a little funny. But at this moment, he didn't have many people he could trust. The only one he could trust was his own son!
So after a moment's thought, Liu Yufeng spoke up:
"I'm doomed!"

These words struck Liu Hong like a thunderbolt, leaving the usually idle young master speechless with shock. He stood there for a few seconds before asking incredulously:

"Father, you're going to be in trouble. What does that mean?"

"The Wanfu Bank scandal has come to light, and I, as its father, cannot shirk my responsibility!"

Upon hearing that it concerned Wanfu Bank, Liu Hong quickly said:

"Father, didn't you get back the 500,000 taels of silver? You even returned 70,000 taels. Hasn't everything been settled?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yufeng sneered and then recounted the events of the day to his son. Hearing about Murong Yuliang's actions, Liu Hong was also furious and said:
"That old bastard Murong Yuliang actually betrayed us after we've served our purpose! Doesn't he fear divine retribution?! And you, Father, were so loyal to him! He treated you like this; he'll surely face retribution..."

Seeing that his son still pinned his hopes on retribution and divine lightning, Liu Yufeng's face grew even more bitter, but he patiently said:

"Murong Yuliang has already tricked me once. He is no longer trustworthy. Our fate can only be in our own hands!"

"Dad! What do you think we should do?"

Hearing his son's words, a cold glint flashed in Liu Yufeng's eyes, and he said coldly:

"Since Murong Yuliang is so ruthless, then don't blame me for being unjust!"

Hearing this, Liu Hong said with some excitement:
"Father, you've been the provincial inspector for so long, do you also have dirt on Murong Yuliang?"

Feeling the expectant look in his son's eyes, Liu Yufeng sighed. Murong Yuliang was always cunning and shrewd, and he did things very cleanly, making it difficult to find any dirt on him. Moreover, before today, he had always been grateful to Murong Yuliang for his promotion and had not realized that one day he would be betrayed by Murong Yuliang. Therefore, he had not collected any dirt on Murong Yuliang.

This made him very regretful at this moment. He couldn't help but think that when he was working for Murong Yuliang, if he had been more careful and kept some evidence, the situation would not be as passive as it is now!

Although Liu Yufeng did not expect the current situation back then and did not make preparations in advance, it does not mean that Liu Yufeng had no way to deal with Murong Yuliang!

Thinking of this, Liu Yufeng asked his son:
"Are you still in contact with Chen Mengmeng?"

Upon hearing his father mention Chen Mengmeng, Liu Hong's eyes flickered before he spoke:
"Yes, you told me to cut off all contact with her back then, and we haven't seen each other since!"

Seeing his son's timid and hesitant appearance, Liu Yufeng couldn't help but scold him:
"You little rascal, you can't change your ways. Tell me the truth, are you two still in contact? This concerns our entire family's livelihood, you better tell me honestly..."