Knife splashing

Chapter 235 Stirring up the storm
Hearing Li Yan's sarcasm, the scholars were all very angry.

They have always been the ones who teamed up to curse others so hard that they dared not say a word. They didn't expect that a gangster would dare to be rude to them.

After all, in the eyes of the people, they are superior.

Officials should pay attention to their reputation in the officialdom and do not want to offend others.

It was bad luck to meet someone like Li Yan, who didn't take them, the scholars, seriously at all.

Song Shanzhang was very calm at this time. He turned his head and glanced at everyone, suppressing their anger. Then he said calmly: "We are angry for a reason. Now, tell me, what do you want to know?"

This old man must be extraordinary to be able to become the head of a mountain.

He could use some tough talk to deal with Magistrate Wu, but arguing with a warrior like Li Yan would only bring humiliation upon himself.

Li Yan nodded slightly and asked, "How did you know about the incident at Erbei Bay?"

Song Shanchang snorted, "How could you not know about the news that's spreading all over the city?"

Li Yan didn't care and continued to ask: "So what do you think, is this caused by a demon or a manifestation of Doctor Sanlu?"

As soon as these words were spoken, both Principal Song and Magistrate Wu's faces changed instantly.

There is no way to answer this question.

If it was a demon who was causing trouble, and the academy followed suit, wouldn't that be purely out of bad intentions? Especially at this critical moment.

If it is said that the Sanlu Doctor appeared, it means that the court and local officials have lost their morals and brought disaster upon themselves.

The people can talk about it, but they can never mention it.

Principal Song pondered for a moment and said, "That's a good question. I'm also very curious, but the right and wrong of this matter will be judged by the public and the truth will come out."

"Also, are you investigating this case just based on random guesses?"

"Of course not just guessing."

Li Yan glanced coldly and said, "Everyone, take a look for yourselves. Is there anything strange about where you are standing?"

Everyone in the academy looked at each other, and no one noticed anything.

Magistrate Wu in the hall was sharp-eyed. He looked upward, stroked his beard and smiled, "Shanzhang Song, don't blame Li Shaoxia for saying that you are guilty. Look, why are you avoiding this plaque of 'A Clear Mirror Hanging High'?"

After he said that, everyone in the academy realized that they had originally entered the government hall together, but unconsciously avoided the center and retreated to the sides.

"Please don't rush to refute."

Seeing what Shanzhang Song was about to say, Li Yan interrupted him and said calmly, "Just stare at the plaque with the inscription 'A Bright Mirror Hanging High' and see how long you can hold on."

When everyone heard this, they no longer cared to be angry and looked up.

At this point, many people found something strange.

When they entered the lobby of the county government office before, they felt disgusted and annoyed, thinking that someone disliked Wu Defa.

However, when I looked at the plaque, I knew the source of this feeling.

Some people just took a look and felt disgusted and uncomfortable.

Some people were unwilling to accept the result and kept staring at it, but soon they felt a sense of discomfort and nausea in their chests and couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of sour and smelly food.

"Tsk, tsk."

Sharifei also disliked this group of people and couldn't help but say something strange, "No wonder there is such a thing as sour and stinky Confucian scholars."

Song Shanzhang suppressed his nausea and ignored Sha Lifei's ridicule. He said in a deep voice, "Mr. Li, have we been bewitched by some evil spell?"

"No."

Li Yan said calmly: "It is infected with evil spirit!"

In fact, as soon as this group of people came in, he found something wrong. He secretly practiced the Yang Jue and immediately detected a faint evil aura.

This smell has a fishy smell.

As soon as Li Yan smelled it, he knew it came from some kind of monster.

He originally wanted to ask them directly, but these people started making a lot of noise as soon as they arrived, which was very annoying, so he deliberately taught them a lesson.

"vomit!"

At this time, people in the hall were vomiting from time to time.

Although it was a sour smell, Magistrate Wu felt relieved when he saw the embarrassed appearance of these scholars. He said calmly, "Come here, clean up the filth in the hall."

The wording is double entendre and obviously sarcastic.

The old man, Song Shanzhang, didn't care to respond at this time. He looked at Li Yan, bowed slightly and said, "This Mr. Li is indeed extraordinary. I was rude just now. What happened to us?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Didn't I tell you that if you are infected with evil spirits, you won't lose your life for now, but that may not be the case in the long run."

"Don't mention this first. I have something else to ask."

"Mr. Li, please speak." Principal Song was obviously much more honest.

Li Yan looked at everyone and said in a deep voice: "The incident in Erbei Bay is likely related to the chaos in the southwest. Someone took advantage of the opportunity to stir up public resentment and prepare for war."

"With your wisdom, can't you see it?"

Shanzhang Song was silent for a moment, "To be honest, I also have some doubts."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "If you know, why are you still joining in the fun? Are you being instigated by someone?"

Snapped!
Before he finished speaking, Magistrate Wu in the hall slammed the gavel hard, his expression completely lost its previous kindness, and he said in a cold voice: "Song Mingshu, you are the head of the academy, but you dare to collude with bandits, are you planning to rebel?"

There was a hint of anger in Principal Song's eyes.

But just as he was about to speak, Li Yan glanced at the hall and said impatiently: "Master Wu, why are you so anxious?!"

"There is no time limit for intrigue..."

"I!"

County Magistrate Wu Dehai was choked and speechless, feeling angry.

When he saw Li Yan arguing with everyone in the academy, he was originally somewhat happy, thinking that this person was venting his anger for him. However, he did not expect that both sides would not give him a good face.

He is indeed a gangster, totally unscrupulous!
"Humph!"

Song Shanchang glanced at him coldly and said in a deep voice: "To be honest, I suspect that this matter is related to those chieftains, and the root of the problem lies with our County Magistrate Wu!"

"That's nonsense!"

County Magistrate Wu could no longer hold back and said gloomily, "Song Mingshu, don't think that I won't arrest you just because you have someone to protect you."

"You are not worthy of any of the charges of framing court officials and colluding with rebels!"

At this point, the two sides have completely broken off relations.

Song Shanzhang was not polite at this time, and said in a cold voice: "You know what good things you have done since you came to Zigui County!"

"You set up the Chaoshan Association, which not only used salt permits to sell salt and arbitrarily raised the price, making it difficult for the people to get salt, but also secretly sold salt to those chieftains, and had close relations with them..."

"The Chaoshan Society lent money everywhere, and nine out of ten returned, forcing many people to lose their homes and sell their land and daughters to pay off the debts. Some people went to Yunyang Prefecture to file a complaint, but were robbed and killed by you on the way..."

"Shut up!"

Magistrate Wu was furious, his face flushed red, and he shouted, "Come here, arrest these thieves!"

"Yes!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, a group of yamen runners outside the lobby were already prepared. Upon hearing the words, they immediately rushed in with water and fire sticks and ropes.

Just then, roars were heard outside.

"Official Wu will not die a good death!"

"Catch him, skin him and light a lamp!"

"I can't live this life!"

However, this incident attracted a lot of people to watch. Although they were blocked outside the door, they could hear the quarrel in the hall.

Thinking of the oppression he had suffered over the years, he was immediately furious when even the principal of Danyang Academy was about to be taken down.

"It's a rebellion, it's a rebellion..."

Seeing the people's resentment and riots, the county magistrate Wu Dehai was also a little frightened, his face turned pale and he didn't know what to do.

He didn't expect that this group of peasants would actually dare to attack the county government office.

"Don't move, are you guys going to rebel?"

Just then, a loud shout was heard from a distance.

It was an official in a green robe riding a horse, and around him were a dozen fierce knights, all wearing armor, holding iron spears, and all of them were murderous. At first glance, they were veterans who had fought many battles and killed without blinking an eye.

Although there were only a dozen of them, the rumbling of the war horses shook the entire street, as if thousands of troops were rushing towards them.

The people were only angry for a moment, but were frightened by the momentum of the soldiers. They retreated in fear and dared not say another word.

The red-robed official wore a black gauze cap and a round-necked green robe with a egret pattern embroidered on the chest. His face was slightly dark, and three long strands of beard fluttered in the wind. He stood on his horse, looking quite imposing.

He glanced at it and said solemnly, "I am Zhou Kai, the Tongpan of Yunyang Prefecture. I am here on the orders of the governor to handle the cases in Zigui County."

"The court has its own laws. If you have any grievances, I will take care of them for you. But if you attack the county government, it will be tantamount to treason and you will be killed without mercy!"

"Please, sir, make the decision for us common people!"

"Please make the decision, sir!"

Many people knelt down.

"Don't worry, everyone."

Judge Zhou Kai nodded slightly, then gave a wink after getting off his horse.

Several of his soldiers immediately blocked the entrance of the county government office with guns, while the rest followed him and strode into the lobby of the county government office.

Naturally, this commotion could not be hidden from everyone in the hall.

County Magistrate Wu Dehai also hurried down the hall and bowed respectfully to the visitor, saying, "Greetings, Mr. Zhou."

The status of Tongpan was slightly lower than that of Zhizhou, but he had the responsibility of supervising the Zhizhou and could report directly to the emperor.

As a county magistrate, he is naturally far inferior to him.

"Meet Mr. Zhou."

Many students in the hall and the headmaster Song Mingshu also bowed.

"Humph!"

The judge Zhou Kai was also very angry.

He came to Zigui secretly, originally to appease those chieftains who were waiting and watching, so as to avoid chaos here before the Jingchu mountain area was pacified.

I didn't expect that before I could even finish my work, there was already chaos here.

He snorted coldly, shook his sleeves and sat in the hall, and ordered in a deep voice: "Come here, close the door!"

With a loud bang, the gate of the county government office was suddenly closed.

Many people are just joining in the fun and are temporarily angry, they will never really rebel.

Seeing the gate of the yamen closed, those who had nothing to watch left first. The rest were frightened by the sight of those ferocious soldiers and dispersed one after another.

In the county hall, Judge Zhou Kai glanced coldly at County Magistrate Wu Dehai, obviously extremely disappointed with him, and then said in a deep voice:
"Tell me one by one, what's going on!"

Shanzhang Song Mingshu naturally knew how to seize the initiative, so he immediately clasped his fists and told the whole story. In short, he attributed the current chaos in Zigui to Wu Dehai...

Wu Dehai also became anxious, saying that the people in the academy ignored the overall situation, intended to stir up civil unrest, and colluded with evildoers to cause trouble...

Both sides were throwing dirty water at each other and were about to fight.

"Shut up, everyone!"

Judge Zhou Kai was so angry that his eyelids were trembling. Then he looked at Li Yan coldly and said in a deep voice: "Since you have accepted the mission of the City God Temple, you should investigate the case and exorcise the evil spirits. Why do you want to fan the flames and stir up chaos!"

He was an old fox and immediately realized what Li Yan had done.

"My lord is joking."

Li Yan said calmly, "Zigui County is shrouded in mystery right now, and the clues have been deliberately covered up. I just wanted to clarify the situation, so how could I be considered fanning the flames?"

Judge Zhou Kai snorted, "You are so sharp-tongued!"

How could he not know the situation in Zigui County, but some things are just like that and cannot be made too clear.

If he were an ordinary official, he would have arrested him directly, but Wu Dehai was related to the Ezhou Chamber of Commerce, and was also linked to those chieftains because of selling illegal salt.

The imperial court's armies from various states are gathering, and the Ezhou Chamber of Commerce is responsible for raising supplies, as well as many other matters such as transporting food and fodder.

This time, appeasing the chieftain was also inseparable from Wu Dehai's matchmaking. In order to consider the overall situation, he turned a blind eye to some things.

But Li Yan just lifted the veil.

But how can such a thing be said openly?

Thinking of this, the judge Zhou Kai changed the subject directly, narrowed his eyes and said: "The academy is a place to read the books of sages, cultivate the will of gentlemen, and cultivate the spirit of righteousness. How did you become infected with evil spirits?"

Song Shanzhang's heart trembled, and he clasped his hands and said in a low voice: "We are pleading for the people, most likely we have offended someone and were harmed by witchcraft."

"Don't spit blood on me!"

County Magistrate Wu Dehai suddenly broke out in sweat.

"Shut up, everyone!"

Judge Zhou Kai looked at the two groups of people and felt the veins on his forehead throbbing. He then looked at Li Yan and asked, "Since you have discovered this, do you know the reason?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice: "I need to ask more."

Then he turned his head and looked at everyone in the academy, "Has anything strange happened in the academy recently?"

Principal Song said in a deep voice: "The academy is a place of saints and sages, and there is a priest in charge. Students study hard day and night, so it's not strange."

Daxuan Academy and Confucian temples in various places also have sacrificial ceremonies.

The main objects of worship are the Great Sage Teacher and his four companions: Yan Zi, the Restoration Sage, Zeng Zi, the Ancestor Sage, Zi Si Zi, and Mencius. In addition, all the disciples below the Ten Sages are called the Sages.

The sacrificial rituals vary greatly depending on the circumstances, and are generally divided into incense ceremony, offering of vegetables, and offering of sacrifices.

The so-called "head of sacrifice" is the person who is in charge of these rituals and sacrifices in the academy, most of whom are people from Confucianism.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "Why didn't the head priest come?"

Song Shanchang replied, "Master Liu, the head of the temple, is old and has lived in a hut on a nearby mountain all year round. He was not aware of this incident."

Li Yan nodded, pinched the Yang Jue and smelled it, frowned, looked at the filthy thing that a scholar had just vomited, and said coldly: "What unclean things have you eaten recently?"

Principal Song was stunned, with a hint of unnaturalness in his eyes.

Before he could say anything, one of the scholars looked around and asked in a trembling voice, "Could it be that red pill?"

"Everyone, have you eaten too?"

"You ate this too?"

"Why haven't I heard you say that..."

Everyone looked at each other and asked questions.

Zhou Kai, the judge in the court, immediately noticed something was wrong and said in a cold voice: "Tell me the truth about what the red pill is!"

Song Shanzhang looked unhappy, sighed, and said, "My Lord, the red pill is a secret medicine. After taking it, you will be more energetic and have an amazing memory."

"I am old, and I often lose focus when reading these years. I also forget things easily. After taking the 'red pill', I feel much better."

Several scholars were embarrassed and said:

"We are preparing for the provincial examination, so we used this."

Some scholars were filled with anger and directly grabbed one of the lecturers, "Master Lu, didn't you say that this thing was the lingering charm of ancient Chu? How come it is tainted with evil spirits?"

Principal Song also turned his head and looked over.

The lecturer was grabbed and his face turned pale.

Song Shanchang said coldly: "Yuan Feng, when you gave me this thing, you also praised it so highly, how come it turned into a demon pill in the blink of an eye?"

"This... me."

The lecturer looked panic-stricken and at a loss.

"Hahaha…"

Wu Dehai had just been feeling aggrieved, but now he had an excuse. He sneered and mocked, "You all look so righteous, but you didn't expect that the academy has become a place where filth and dirt are hidden."

Song Shanzhang seemed to have aged a lot. He sighed and said, "Yuan Feng, although you are obsessed with this, you don't have the ability to make elixirs. Tell me, where did you get it from?"

The lecturer's face flushed red, he gritted his teeth and looked at Wu Dehai, "Mr. Wu, it turns out you are the one behind this."

"This 'Red Pill' is also related to your son!"

(End of this chapter)