Chaos of Ming 1628

When Sun Qing asked about the shortage of silver, he naturally answered immediately.

Meng Zhaoxiang hurriedly flipped through the compiled list of people involved in the case and sighed softly:

"I have looked into it carefully. Over the years, the cases that were tried on a certain day of the week and were suppressed were all people from the eunuch faction, or people who curried favor with the eunuch faction."

"The case that was dealt with involved no fewer than a thousand people, all of whom were imprisoned for offending the eunuch faction. Among them were many merchants who were simply thrown into prison on fabricated charges because they didn't want to pay the imperial guards."

The phenomenon Meng Zhaoxiang described has become the norm in this era.

Sun Qing wasn't concerned: "How many cases are still unresolved?"

"There are a total of 56 wealthy individuals involved in the case."

"There are still 150 impoverished families who can't be squeezed out of anything."

Sun Qing's lips curled into a smile: "It's just over ten thousand taels of silver, how difficult could it be!"

"It's just bullying, anyone can do that."

The two looked at each other, wondering why Sun Qing was acting this way.

Sun Qing smiled and said, "Make preparations, post notices, and the court session will be held in three days."

"Review all the files on this table."

Seeing the two men's shocked expressions, Sun Qing emphasized, "Bring everyone in here, even if they're dead. I will still try to judge this case!"

The two were initially shocked, then nodded emphatically and shouted, "Yes!"

After explaining everything, Sun Qing returned to the house to rest.

Upon entering the backyard, they saw Shen Junru lying on a stone bench, still holding her sword in her arms, her eyes gazing at the starry sky.

Logically speaking, now that his identity has been exposed, Shen Junru shouldn't have stayed by his side.

"You... didn't leave?" Sun Qing asked with a slight hesitation.

Hearing the noise, Shen Junru sat up, a hint of confusion in her eyes: "What exactly are you doing staying in Jiahe County?"

"Of course, I will keep my word." Sun Qing said frankly, "When I was in Botou, I said that everyone should have enough to eat, and I will do it."

"The common people are a matter of concern for His Majesty," Shen Junru said, pausing between each word. "These matters should be resolved in the court."

"So, is it resolved?" Sun Qing countered, his tone sharpening. "Do you see any hope now?"

"How could you not know the Emperor's attitude?" Shen Junru said, somewhat agitated.

"I know," Sun Qing readily admitted, but with even greater concern: "I know even more clearly that the Emperor's actions are wrong!"

Seeing Shen Junru's conflicted face, Sun Qing said succinctly, "Human abilities are ultimately limited. I am not the emperor, I cannot save everyone in the world, so I will save the person in front of me."

"Saving one is one less."

Sun Qing's words came from the bottom of his heart. He originally only needed to study ancient literature, but since he was already here and had become involved in the cause and effect of Jiaohe County, he wanted to help them.

"Right now, I have only one goal: to make Jiahe County a good place where people can live and work in peace and contentment."

"I don't seek great wealth or status, I only wish to be able to cope with any unforeseen circumstances. Even if one day the country is destroyed and the land is ravaged, this place will still remain a pure land."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Shen Junru immediately interrupted him. "These are all taboos."

Sun Qing smiled innocently: "Since you dare to say that in front of Miss Shen, you must know that you won't tell anyone else."

The two looked into each other's eyes and saw a faint, flickering flame in each other's eyes.

But it was only for a moment before Shen Junru averted her gaze, turned her head and said, "Actually, it's useless for you to tell me these things."

"I'm here simply to tell you that the Sun family will not condone your impersonation."

"Speak," Shen Junru said, walking towards the door.

Sun Qing opened her mouth, already used to having another person in the room, and suddenly they left, which felt a little strange.

The next morning.

As soon as the first ray of sunlight pierced through the window, a commotion broke out outside.

Sun Quan has arrived.

He stood in the backyard, his face grim.

Everything was fine when they arrived, but after the news of yesterday's literary gathering spread, as soon as they entered the county government office, the bailiffs all knew that this was the acting magistrate's father, Master Sun.

They immediately and respectfully welcomed the person to the backyard.

As soon as Sun Qing opened her eyes, she saw that ashen face. Although he still maintained the demeanor of a noble family, he hadn't touched the tea in his hand.

This person's arrival must mean something, so Sun Qing dared not be careless and immediately dismissed his attendants. Seeing this, Sun Quan suppressed his anger and endured until everyone had left before speaking.

His tone left no room for negotiation: "I don't want to pursue this anymore. Is your name Zhang Qing, Li Qing, or Wang Qing?"

"No matter where you come from, immediately stop impersonating a member of my Gaoyang clan."

"And you must also promise that you will never again use my shop's premises for your own purposes." Sun Quan suppressed his anger, his teeth grinding together. "That's the bottom line."

Sun Qing stood there, his eyes fixed on Sun Quan, without the slightest fear.

That look made Sun Quan stomp his foot angrily: "In short, my Sun family can let bygones be bygones regarding what happened before. That's only because you've brought benefits to the people. We won't send you to the authorities or send any documents to investigate your background."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sun Qing burst into laughter.

He looked at the person before him without fear, his eyes showing no displeasure whatsoever. In fact, looking at Sun Qing, he even felt anger towards Sun Quan's actions.

When Sun Quan said these words, Sun Qing already knew what this man was really planning.

She felt that her identity as a member of the Sun family had been impersonated, which was a loss of face. She was also afraid that if she were truly a man of Emperor Chongzhen, she would offend the new emperor, so she could only do this.

Sun Qing simply laughed, which made Sun Quan uneasy. He couldn't help but shout angrily, "What's so funny?"

When the laughter subsided, Sun Qing's gaze towards him remained full of mockery.

I countered with a question: "Then why don't you do it?"

"What did you say?" Sun Quan could hardly believe his ears.

Sun Qing didn't want to repeat himself, much less leave Jiaohe. He had no official credentials and no status; he would face the same situation wherever he went.

Now that Madam Ke is dead, the eunuch faction has been watching him closely. Having shed Madam Sun's skin, there are no longer any checks and balances between them. He will either become a dog of the eunuch faction or be swept away by the tide of history.

The fall of the Ming Dynasty was inevitable.

"I say, since you harbor resentment, then expose me. You can just arrest me and question the officials." Sun Qing's tone was calm, showing no sign of fear.

As if in a dream, Sun Quanru roared in anger, "How dare you!"

"Yes, I'm bold, but you're still too timid." Sun Qing glanced at him, not giving him a chance to speak: "Why don't you expose me? Didn't you see it yourself? I'm doing what you want to do, but can't do?"

"You're just worried about the Sun family's reputation, and you want me to get out of Beizhili with just one sentence."

"Beizhili is the very foundation of the capital region, the heartland of the Ming Dynasty. I remain here on a crucial mission, and I will not retreat an inch until the mission is accomplished."

"Your business is to completely throw Jiahe County into chaos?" Sun Quan's anger subsided considerably. "What business?"

"Save the people!"

Sun Quan stood there, and suddenly stopped moving.

The words "save the people" and "save the Ming" are homophones, and no one knows which word Sun Quan actually heard at that moment.

While he was still in a daze, Sun Qing raised his voice and said, "You only know how to protect your family's safety and privacy, but you ignore the border troubles and the undercurrents in the court."

"The reason I chose the Sun family is because I know the entire Sun family is loyal and devoted to the Ming Dynasty. I used the name of the Sun family to turn the tide, yet you left home and arbitrarily expelled me based solely on your own clan. How narrow-minded you are!"

Sun Quan was speechless for a moment.

Even if it were someone from the current emperor's faction who recklessly misused the Sun family's name, that would be a matter for the underworld to handle.

He had come to confront them, but now he was filled with shame as he was being scolded, and he lowered his head.

"I...I am the eldest son of the Sun family. I did this only to preserve the bloodline of loyal martyrs!"

"Then shut up!" Sun Qing's aura suddenly intensified: "In the near future, I will become the pride of the Sun family."

"You, the eldest son, are timid and cowardly, and can only live a life of hiding in a small county government office."

"Let me stand up for you. Regardless of the past, from now on, the Sun family will be proud of me!"