Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 236 Taking Office with Power
An Jing looked at the people gathered outside the provincial government office and said quietly, "In just half a day, so many people have come to appeal for justice. This is the case in Hongzhou City alone. What about the entire An State... If this continues, how can it not be destroyed?"

An Dingyuan, who was standing next to him, heard these words and his expression changed. He did not dare to respond.

An Jing continued, "Even the Censor couldn't stop him, so there's no need to watch the show. The Governor wouldn't dare to provoke these powerful families. You'll go to the Governor's Mansion later to take over and help handle the matter. Let the people of Hongzhou City have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and don't let the people of other countries laugh at you."

An Dingyuan straightened his back upon hearing this and nodded in response, "I'll be there right away... By the way, should I create some momentum for myself, let everyone know I'm here? To intimidate those scoundrels?"

An Jing said, "Dingyuan, you are older than me. Your father gave you this name because he wanted you to have a bright future. Don't ask me about everything."

An Dingyuan said with a smile on his face: "This is not in front of you, how dare I make my own decision? Don't worry, I promise to do it well!"

"Then should I go now?" An Dingyuan whispered again.

An Jing said, "Go ahead. The governor said Lu Zheng has a plan for governing the country. Go and get the complete plan."

"Okay!"

An Dingyuan quickly stood up and said goodbye, "Then I'm going!"

After saying that, An Dingyuan walked out of the room.

As soon as he left the room, An Dingyuan's whole temperament changed. He looked dignified and revealed the nobility of a superior.

He looked at a servant beside him and said calmly, "Bring a group of people with me, leave the city and start anew!"

……

When Lu Zheng saw the people queuing up to report to the police, he simply helped write the petition.

As for visiting other families, we can wait and see and give them more time to prepare.

Lu Zheng suddenly looked at Chen Liang next to him and asked, "By the way, Chen Baiwei, which families have been to the provincial government? Can you help me make a list? I'll go to those who haven't been there later."

Chen Liang smiled and said, "No problem! Wait a moment!"

Chen Liang excitedly went to sort out the list.

Some people saw Lu Zheng sitting outside the provincial government office, ready to write a petition for everyone, and they all came over to line up.

After a while, the line in front of Lu Zheng was longer than the lines in front of other officials.

Lu Zheng patiently wrote petitions for these people who were seeking justice.

After a while, there were only a few people left in the queue.

After finishing his work, Lu Zheng checked the information given by Chen Liang.

Some families were very aware of the current situation and realized the seriousness of the problem early on. They directly carried out internal cleanup and even planned to use family assets to offset some of the crimes.

Several families wanted to spend a large sum of money to bail out their family heads, but Su Ming did not agree.

Chen Liang lowered his voice and said, "After the commotion just now, those families who didn't come are probably getting impatient. Mr. Lu, there's no need to worry so much."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Those people are imprisoned, and yet someone was able to invite a Censor to intervene so quickly... I'm worried that the longer the night goes, the more trouble there will be! Who knows what kind of people those families will invite in to exonerate themselves? Will they use this opportunity to find ways to clear their names?"

Chen Liang couldn't help but say, "The governor is also worried about this. The most powerful families, in particular, will be very difficult to bring down even after what happened. At most, they'll just have to bleed. Those families who didn't come probably had the same idea, just wanting to pay some money to atone for their sins..."

Chen Liang paused, then continued, "I know you have a strong character, but some things are really hard to do... Apart from anything else, many officials in Hongzhou are their people. Of course, the officials currently working in the provincial government are your confidants."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "I know, but being able to make them bow their heads once is a good start, isn't it?"

Chen Liang glared and asked, "You still want to fight them?"

"Fight? I just want them to be good." Lu Zheng said calmly, "There are so many injustices in the world. Now that I have encountered them, it is difficult for me to ignore them."

Chen Liang was speechless for a moment.

A child came up to Lu Zheng, timidly threw a crumpled paper ball to him, and then ran away.

Lu Zheng picked up the paper ball and took a look. It was someone... a demon who wanted to meet him alone.

He could sense a hint of demonic energy on the paper.

Chen Liang, who was standing next to him, took a quick glance and also sensed the demonic aura.

Lu Zheng said, "Chen Baiwei, go ahead and do your work. I should also do my own thing."

"You better be careful. There is a monster hiding in this city, and I didn't even notice it." Chen Liang whispered.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Since he dared to reveal his identity, his attitude is at least much better than some people. He should be fine."

Lu Zheng held the paper ball and quickly left the government office.

……

An Dingyuan came out from the west gate, gathered a group of men, put on armor, and headed straight for the north gate.

The group of people were powerful and murderous.

At the north city gate, the guards saw the soldiers coming. Seeing that they were well-equipped and had unknown origins, they all became alert.

An Dingyuan rode a tall horse, his armor shining brightly and emitting a fierce murderous aura.

He reined in his horse and stopped at the city gate, holding a jade plaque in one hand, and said in a deep voice, "I am the newly appointed Governor of Hongzhou, An Dingyuan, son of Prince Kang! I heard that a family in Hongzhou is plotting rebellion. Is this true?"

The city guards were shocked. There was actually a new governor in Hongzhou, and he was a member of the royal family?

A captain of the guard stepped forward and said respectfully, "Sir, everything is fine in Hongzhou City, and no one is rebelling..."

"Is that so?" An Dingyuan's tone was icy. "I heard the news and came here without stopping. Someone killed the young talent of our An State who was blessed by the saint. Is there no such thing?"

"This……"

The guards' expressions changed, and they didn't know how to respond. An Dingyuan snorted coldly, "Follow me into the city and call the governor!"

An Dingyuan led a team of soldiers and horses and quickly entered the city. No one dared to check him. He paraded through the streets all the way to the governor's mansion.

It is estimated that it won’t be long before the news of his arrival spreads throughout Hongzhou City.

When the governor learned that the new governor had arrived and that he was a member of the royal family, he was shocked. He quickly tidied up his appearance and hurried out to greet him.

The two sides met on the wide street.

When the governor saw An Dingyuan wearing armor, he was frightened and didn't understand why he was dressed like that.

An Dingyuan's eyes were icy. "I heard someone in Hongzhou wanted to kill a pillar of our country, a scholar who had received divine grace. Is this true?"

The governor quickly said, "It is true..."

Before the governor could explain further, An Dingyuan interrupted him coldly, "Are you from Hongzhou planning a rebellion?"

The governor was startled and waved his hands, saying, "That's absolutely not the case! It must be spies from another country causing trouble..."

An Dingyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, "Spy? Whether he is or not, I will find out. Since I am here, you should move out of the Governor's Mansion!"

An Dingyuan paused, then said coldly, "I remember that the grand ceremony of your Hongzhou Confucian Temple was just held, right? Something like this happened so soon after. Are these officials in Hongzhou just here to eat and do nothing? After the handover, you should submit a letter of resignation and go home to enjoy your retirement!"

After saying that, An Dingyuan rode his horse and went straight around the governor and his entourage to the Hongzhou government office.

The governor stood there, his face pale.

He never expected that the new governor would be a member of the royal family and so powerful that he could end his official career with just a few words.

But think about it, Lu Zheng was surrounded and attacked just after receiving the divine gift, which was indeed a slap in the face of the Anguo royal family.

He was merely dismissed from his post, which seemed to be a lenient sentence.

The governor sighed inwardly and could only blame himself for his bad luck.

He couldn't afford to offend the censor who came before him, and he didn't dare to offend this one even more.

Because he did not take sides, he was the first to be stripped of his official position.

The governor said with a gloomy look, "Go back to the mansion, pack up, and make room for the new governor."

For some reason, the governor felt that the situation in Hongzhou was very complicated and he should leave first.

It would be nice to go home and retire so that I don’t have to worry so much. It would also be nice to be a rich man.

But then the governor thought about what happened in Hongzhou City. It seemed that being a rich man was also a bit dangerous...

I must control my family members when I go back, I can't... the governor thought silently.

An Dingyuan led his men through several streets and finally arrived outside the provincial government office.

He took a quick glance and found that Lu Zheng was gone.

Hey, where are the people? An Dingyuan was stunned for a moment.

Outside the provincial government office, Su Ming came out with a group of officials to greet them.

Su Ming's heart was in turmoil. The governor who was transferred here was actually a member of the royal family. It was hard for him not to think too much.

An Dingyuan accepted everyone's greeting with a stern face, then asked, "Where's Lu Zheng?"

Su Ming's mind was slightly moved, and he replied: "Lu Zheng is busy with his own affairs."

"Oh..." An Dingyuan said calmly, "I heard you're still hunting for some spies?"

"Yes……"

Su Ming briefly recounted what had happened recently.

An Dingyuan laughed coldly upon hearing this, "Spies? I think it's you Hongzhou families who are causing this chaos? You really have no respect for the law."

An Dingyuan turned his head to look behind him and ordered, "Go and cooperate with and supervise the state government in handling the case! All the major families will be thoroughly investigated, and I will also investigate you officials! You dare to kill someone who has been granted divine power? Where is the dignity of our royal family!"

All the soldiers agreed upon hearing this.

An Dingyuan dismounted and walked straight into the provincial government office.

Seeing this, Su Ming and others hurriedly followed behind.

An Dingyuan said calmly, "Why are you following me? Don't you have time? Sir Su, please stay for a moment!"

Su Ming waved his hand, and the other officials quickly retreated.

Su Ming stepped forward and whispered, "Governor An, what's the matter?"

An Dingyuan extended his hand and said, "I heard that Lu Zheng wrote a good policy for governing the country. Does Lord Su have a backup?"

Su Ming frowned slightly. It seemed that the higher-ups had been keeping an eye on Lu Zheng. It seemed that he had made the right bet.

Su Ming quickly took out a stack of books with a smile, "Please review them, Governor."

An Dingyuan put it away without even looking at it.

He then asked, "By the way, where did Lu Zheng go?"

"That... I don't know." Su Ming said, "Lu Zheng is not an official. It's not our place to interfere with what he wants to do."

(End of this chapter)