Thief Emperor

Chapter 316 Life and Death
Hearing this voice, Xu Miaoju, who was pouring water for Li Yun, trembled unconsciously.

For Li Yun now, the local county magistrate is no longer of much importance. Even the county magistrate in the Jiangnan area can be easily stepped under Li Yun's feet.

But for people like Xu Miaoju, the county magistrate is the local god, and her father Xu Dian sued Liang Zheng, the magistrate of Yian County.

Not only did Magistrate Liang not fall, he was re-elected for another term in Yi'an. Naturally, he is still the county magistrate of Yi'an.

The sufferings of the Xu family during the past three years were closely related to this Lord Liang. Hearing the familiar voice outside, Xu Miaoju was so frightened that she was at a loss and almost dropped the coarse porcelain bowl in her hand to the ground.

Li Yun keenly noticed her condition. After reaching out to take the tea bowl, he turned around to look at Madam Xu, whose face was as pale as paper and whose hair had turned half white, lying on the sickbed, and sighed silently.

According to the information he had obtained, this Mrs. Xu was only in her thirties this year, but she looked no different from a woman in her fifties. She was even more haggard than Li Yun's mother-in-law.

"Mrs. Xu, Miss Xu."

Li Yun lowered his head and drank a mouthful of hot water from the big bowl, then looked at the two of them and said slowly: "The Xu family has been wronged for more than three years. Today, I am here and will definitely clear the Xu family's name."

Li Yun did not get the original copy of the memorial Xu Dian wrote to the court three years ago, but he saw a copy. The people mentioned in the memorial involved almost all aspects of the Tongguan Copper Mine, and the collusion between officials and businessmen was quite interesting.

Because of this, this became a good starting point for Li Yun to break the impasse in Yi'an County. As long as this matter was resolved, there would be no obstacles to the entire Yi'an Copper Mine.

However, utilitarianism is utilitarianism, and it does not prevent Li Yun from upholding justice.

In other words, the two are not in conflict.

Madam Xu was lying on the bed, her eyes full of worry. She also heard the three words "Envoy Li" said by County Magistrate Liang. After looking at Li Yun, she said, "Which state are you the governor of?"

"Wuzhou."

Mrs. Xu was silent for a while and sighed again.

Although Xuanzhou is adjacent to Jiangnan East Road, it administratively belongs to Jiangnan West Road and is not even under the same administrative system as Wuzhou.

She looked at her two children, suddenly bowed her head deeply, and said to Li Yun with tears in her eyes, "Envoy Li, the people behind the Yi'an County Copper Mine are deeply rooted. It is definitely not something that you can bring down alone. The Xu family is deeply grateful that you can come to Yi'an County."

"Our family...will not sue the case from three years ago."

She shed tears and said, "I only hope that Lord Li can take my two children away from Yi'an County and give them a livelihood... so that they can live on."

"I am satisfied."

Her words were full of despair, and even Li Yun couldn't help but fall into silence.

Li Yun knew in his heart that what Mrs. Xu said was the truth.

As the most famous copper mine in the entire Jiangnan region, this copper mine in Yi'an County is destined to be deeply involved in the interests behind it, otherwise it would not have been reported to the Council of State, and these local officials would not have been unscathed.

This shows that the people in these places only get a small share.

The big heads were taken away by the big shots.

If it were in the past, when the court's ruling foundation was still relatively stable, even if Li Yun became the governor of Wuzhou and the Jiangdong Recruiting Envoy, he would still have no way of getting involved in this matter. Once involved, his own future might even collapse.

But now...it's different!

A big shot in the court?
How many captain battalions does the big shot have?
Li Yun smiled and said softly, "Madam Xu, I dare to come here, so I have never been afraid of them. Madam Xu, you don't have to be afraid. The world is different now. It may not be that we are afraid of them."

"Maybe they should be afraid of me."

Li Yun paused and continued, "After this incident, I will properly arrange for the Xu family and give an explanation to the spirit of County Magistrate Xu in heaven. When the doctor arrives and examines the patient, Madam Xu only needs to rest and recuperate. Don't worry about anything else."

Li Yun was about to continue speaking when he heard the voice of County Magistrate Liang from outside the courtyard: "Lord Li, I have something important to report!"

Mr. Li frowned.

"It's really noisy."

He stood up, looked at the mother and her two children in the room, and said with a smile, "The doctor will be here soon, and the food will be here soon. Don't worry, I will take care of the rest."

After saying that, Li Yun put his hands behind his back, walked out of the dilapidated room and came to the yard.

At this time, County Magistrate Liang had somehow entered the courtyard. When he saw Li Yun coming towards him, he was stunned at first, then he reacted and hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Envoy Li."

Li Yun glanced at him and said calmly, "I was passing by Yi'an and came to visit an old friend. It seems that I didn't alarm your county government. County Master Liang is really sharp-eyed and came to find me immediately."

"Not only did he come to me, he also found out my background."

Upon hearing this, Liang Zheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at the dilapidated courtyard again. He felt extremely regretful.

How could he not have the heart to let these three, mother and her two children, survive to this day!
He had already looked at some of Li Yun's "resume". Li Yun began to gradually emerge in the spring and summer of the third year of Xian De, which was two and a half years ago.

As for the Xu family, something happened three years ago.

In other words, there is no way that this Governor Li could know Xu Dian.

So, after he arrived in Yian, he didn't go anywhere else and went straight to the Xu family. His intention was very obvious.

County Magistrate Liang bowed his head and said, "Your Excellency, this is not the place to talk. I have asked someone to prepare some wine and food. Please, Your Excellency."

He turned slightly sideways, looking very respectful.

Li Yun smiled and said, "If I don't go, I'm afraid I'll be poisoned to death by County Master Liang."

County Magistrate Liang looked embarrassed and whispered, "I am not quite sure why you are here, but since I have come to the Xu family, I have to talk about them. Xu Dian's case has long been an ironclad case, and the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple have all the files..."

"Besides, you are the governor of Wuzhou. Even if you want to investigate, I'm afraid you won't be able to investigate the case in Xuanzhou..."

"When did I say I wanted to overturn Xu Dian's case?"

Li Yun looked at him with a smile.

Liang Zheng lowered his head slightly, took a deep breath, and continued, "Your Excellency, I have also been to Qingyang and am familiar with County Master Xue. When Your Excellency got married half a year ago, I also gave him a gift."

"Oh?"

Li Yun was a little surprised and said, "Tsk!" "When I got married, County Magistrate Liang also gave me a gift money?"

"Yes, although it's not much, it's a small token of my respect." "How much?"

Li Yun asked.

County Magistrate Liang was stunned, somewhat at a loss: "Your Excellency said...how much?"

"I said, how much gift money did you give?"

Li Yun looked at him calmly: "I'll pay you double."

Magistrate Liang's face suddenly changed.

Because having said this, it means that both sides no longer have any room for maneuver.

The only way out is to fight to the death.

"Envoy Li, you..."

"Don't talk anymore."

Li Yun frowned and looked at Liang Zheng, he had completely lost his patience.

"When you speak, you exude the air of local bureaucratic corruption, which makes me feel uncomfortable."

"Today's matter is very simple. I will tell you the truth. I know about this matter and I will investigate it all the way to the end. I will investigate whoever is involved and hold them accountable for their crimes."

"County Magistrate Liang, go back and tie yourself up in the county jail."

Li Yun said calmly: "Perhaps the sin can be smaller."

The magistrate of Liang County took a deep breath and his expression changed: "Envoy Li, you have no right to come to Xuanzhou to interfere in Xuanzhou's affairs!"

“I am from Xuanzhou.”

Li Yun said calmly, "Can't I clean up Xuanzhou on behalf of the people of Xuanzhou?"

"Besides."

Li Yun turned around and glanced at Yang Xi who was guarding outside. Yang Xi immediately spread out the documents left by Wu Yuanyou before he left in front of Liang Zheng.

"Did you see it?"

Li Yun smiled and said, "The Imperial Envoy, the current Prince of Chu, was ordered to inspect Jiangnan. He left for an urgent matter and returned to the capital first. Before he left, he asked me to continue inspecting Jiangnan's political affairs."

"Xuanzhou is located in the western part of Jiangnan. Does it count as Jiangnan?"

Magistrate Liang opened his eyes wide and said nothing for a long time.

"I'm very busy and I don't want to bother with you."

"Yang Xi."

Li Yun shouted,
Yang Xi, who was wearing armor, immediately bowed his head and clasped his fists: "I am here!"

Li Yun looked back at him and asked, "Can you read?"

Yang Xi lowered his head quickly and said, "I know... I know a little."

"Well."

Li Yun handed him the petition that Xu Miaozhu had dictated, and then said calmly, "Go and arrest the people according to the list on this petition."

"Catch all those who should be arrested within two days. After two days, I will conduct a thorough trial of this major case in Ngee Ann."

Yang Xi took the petition and took a look. He saw that the person ranked first was none other than the county general in front of him!

He chuckled, and walked up to County Magistrate Liang with a few guards, and said calmly, "Master Liang, let's go."

Liang Zheng was quickly grabbed by two guards and dragged out. His face flushed red, and he lost his previous modesty. Instead, he cursed loudly, "Mr. Li, how dare you set up a private court!"

"You are so lawless!"

Li Yun smiled.

If it were a normal imperial court, just for the matter of the Yi'an County copper mine, Li Yun might have to fight with these local forces for months or even years, and then find loopholes in the rules and bring all these evil people to justice.

But now, Li Yun no longer needs to follow the rules of the court, and things become much easier.

He has soldiers in his hands and the righteousness of the court.

You can do whatever you want and do it however you want!
"Private courts are set up, and lawlessness reigns supreme."

Li Yun put his hands behind his back and walked in front of the detained Liang Zheng. After getting slightly closer, he smiled faintly and said, "Not a bad summary."

"But what can you do?"

Li Yun looked at him coldly: "Speaking of which, these eight words probably also apply to you, Liang County Master, but now your status has reversed and you have become the victim."

"Take it down."

Li Yun waved his hand, and Yang Xi and others immediately responded yes.

Li Yun looked at him and ordered, "Take him to the county jail and take over the county government office immediately. Anyone who plots against the law will be killed without mercy."

Yang Xi shouted excitedly, turned around and went to do his work.

Soon, everyone nearby left.

Li Yun stood there, suddenly looked down at his palms, and muttered to himself.

"This power of life and death..."

“It’s wonderful.”

(End of this chapter)