The Prodigal Son

Yuanzhou, Linhai Commandery.

Linhai County, located in western Yuanzhou, lies between Raojin and Yijin.

Although Linhai County only has three counties and one city, it is the largest salt-producing area in Yuanzhou.

Shortly after breakfast, Wang Zhaojie, the prefect of Linhai, received a message from the prefectural troops.

"Qin Yu actually bypassed Ningzhou and Fangzhou and went straight to Linhai?"

Wang Zhaojie frowned, instantly sensing something unusual.

Could it be that Qin Yu has received some inside information?

Or did the Shi family have already been taken care of, and Qin Yu bypassed them altogether?

While pondering, Wang Zhaojie noticed that her son, Wang Yunchuan, looked panicked and his body was trembling.

"Why are you panicking?"

Wang Zhaojie glared at her son. "Remember, when you see Qin Yu, you can't panic at all! The rampant smuggling of salt in Linhai is due to the people's desperate need to make a living. We need to give an account to the court, but we also need to see the suffering of the people!"

Qin Yu's sudden arrival in Linhai caught him completely off guard.

However, when he received the news that the imperial court was going to rectify the salt administration, he had already ordered his son to personally lead people to destroy the Dongpu salt fields!

As long as Qin Yu can't find evidence that he illegally opened salt fields, that's fine!

As for the rampant illegal salt trade, he was not afraid at all!

The law does not punish the masses!

In the entire Linhai area, how many people dare to say they are not involved in smuggled salt?

"Father, I...I..."

Wang Yunchuan stammered, his face growing even more flustered.

Wang Zhaojie realized something was wrong, his face suddenly darkened, and he angrily demanded, "Haven't you destroyed the Dongpu Salt Fields yet?"

"I……"

Wang Yunchuan knelt down with a thud, his head buried in his hands. "The weather hasn't been good since the beginning of winter. With the new year just starting, and the Liao brothers needing a lot of goods, I thought they wouldn't be able to come to our area for at least another ten days or so, so I thought I'd collect a few more days before..."

Bang!

Before Wang Yunchuan could finish speaking, Wang Zhaojie suddenly kicked him.

Wang Yunchuan was also a martial artist, so this kick didn't hurt him much.

But he was genuinely panicked!

"You wicked creature! Do you want to kill us all?"

Wang Zhaojie roared with bloodshot eyes, wishing he could tear this wretched creature to pieces.

Despite all his calculations, he never expected that this wretched child would dare to disobey his orders and secretly collect salt!

"I didn't expect Qin Yu to arrive so quickly!"

Wang Yunchuan said in a trembling voice, "Father, you... hold off Qin Yu and the others for now. I... I'll rush to the Dongpu Salt Fields immediately and lead men to destroy them as quickly as possible..."

"It's too late to destroy the salt fields now!"

Wang Zhaojie was furious and roared murderously, "Quickly take men to the Dongpu Salt Fields and evacuate everyone around them. Find a place to hide!"

"well……"

Wang Yunchuan struggled to his feet and ran quickly outside.

"stop!"

Wang Zhaojie stopped his son, gritting his teeth and growling, "The Liao brothers cannot be allowed to live! Have your uncle bring his men and eliminate them!"

"good!"

Wang Yunchuan nodded emphatically and left quickly.

"Beast! This beast!"

Wang Zhaojie was so angry he almost vomited blood.

In his anger, he grabbed the teacup and smashed it on the ground.

After venting his anger, Wang Zhaojie forced himself to calm down.

Don't panic!

Especially at times like these, it's crucial not to panic!

The Dongpu Saltworks is very well hidden; only people on their line know of its existence. Qin Yu may not even know about the Dongpu Saltworks!

Even if he knew, it was because someone was secretly mining salt there, and he was simply negligent in his oversight.

We can just do a quick check later and pass the buck to the Liao brothers!

Once the Liao brothers are dead, there will be no way to prove anything!

Yes, that's it!

I've seen all sorts of storms, why would I be afraid of some greenhorn?

Driven to desperation, he ordered his men to destroy all the other major salt fields!

Then we'll see how he explains himself to the court!

After some mental preparation, Wang Zhaojie finally calmed down.

Afterwards, Wang Zhaojie tidied his appearance and ordered people to summon the main officials of Linhai County to accompany him to welcome the imperial envoy.

However, they had only been gone for less than a quarter of an hour when they encountered Qin Yu's group on the street.

Looking at the imposing golden-armored imperial guards surrounding Qin Yu, Wang Zhaojie and his entourage couldn't help but feel a chill.

Linhai County was a major salt-producing area, and its soldiers and salt workers totaled nearly four thousand people.

However, it's obvious to anyone that these four thousand men are no match for these few hundred golden-armored imperial guards!

After calming himself down, Wang Zhaojie quickly led his men to bow respectfully: "Your humble servant, Wang Zhaojie, Prefect of Linhai, along with all the officials of Linhai, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy! Please forgive us for not having been able to greet you from afar!"

Qin Yu glanced indifferently at the crowd, then waved to Di Rong, "Take them all!"

What?

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Wang Zhaojie and the others were immediately stunned.

Take them all?

Qin Yu didn't say a word, yet he's going to take them all down?

Di Rong was taken aback for a moment, but immediately carried out Qin Yu's orders faithfully.

With a wave of his hand, Di Rong sent several golden-armored imperial guards forward.

"Wait!"

Wang Zhaojie snapped out of her daze and, her face contorted with rage, questioned Qin Yu: "May I ask, Your Excellency, what crime have we committed?"

"I have received reports that you officials and merchants have colluded to illegally mine government salt and illegally open salt fields. Your crimes are unforgivable!"

Qin Yu made up a reason, raised the Emperor's Sword in his hand, and declared, "The Emperor's Sword is here! Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"

Upon seeing the Emperor's Sword in Qin Yu's hand, everyone panicked.

"My lord, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!"

"My lord, someone is definitely framing us! Please, sir, see the truth!"

"My lord, I know nothing about this..."

The crowd panicked and wailed incessantly.

"Whether it's a miscarriage of justice or not, I'll find out after I investigate!"

Qin Yu coldly surveyed the crowd, then suddenly roared, "Take them down!"

"yes!"

The imperial guards in golden armor loudly accepted the order and, ignoring the officials' explanations, arrested them all.

"Sir, you can't do this!"

"My lord, I am innocent..."

"My lord, you must not listen to slanderous words..."

No one dared to resist; they could only desperately cry out in protest.

Annoyed, Qin Yu immediately ordered, "Gag them! Take them all away!"

"yes!"

The Golden Armored Imperial Guards faithfully carried out Qin Yu's orders, quickly gagging these people.

Wang Zhaojie struggled desperately, but what he was met with were the fists of the Golden Armored Imperial Guards.

With one punch, Wang Zhaojie immediately became docile, making whimpering sounds, his face deathly pale.

He was already prepared to deal with Qin Yu.

But he never expected that Qin Yu would be so unreasonable and take them down so easily.

Now, if even one person on their line gets their mouth pried open, everyone else is doomed!

"Di Rong!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Immediately dispatch a team to surround the prefectural governor's residence and ensure that not a single person escapes!"

"yes!"

"Furthermore, you will wield the Emperor's sword and personally lead a hundred men to control the city's garrison! Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be killed!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

The officials of Linhai County were completely dumbfounded as they watched the Golden Armored Imperial Guards move into action.

They never expected Qin Yu to be so domineering and arrogant.

They captured them all at once and also took control of the county troops in the city.

What kind of imperial envoy is this?

That's just banditry!

Amidst the angry and resentful gazes of the crowd, Qin Yu directly ordered his men to escort them to the prefectural governor's residence.

"Dr. Qin, aren't you going a bit too far?"

Only then did Ruan Zhicai come to his senses and whispered a reminder: "You arrested an entire county official as soon as you arrived; this could cause trouble!"

A cold glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes. "Who dares to cause trouble?"

"There's definitely no trouble here, I mean the rest of the place!"

Ruan Zhi said in a low voice, "The court only wants to rectify the salt administration, not to kill all the officials! Once this gets out, those officials who have designs on the government will be in danger, and then I'm afraid..."

Ruan Zhi's voice grew softer and softer, and a look of worry crept onto her face.

Why has the imperial court been so slow to rectify the salt administration?

Isn't it just because they're worried about causing chaos?

Qin Yu has been so domineering and arrogant since his arrival. If those officials and salt merchants see no way out, they will inevitably take desperate measures!

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

Qin Yu gave Ruan Zhi a reassuring look, "The sky won't fall!"