At this moment, Shen Cong suddenly glanced at Zhu Mo, the smile on his lips deepened, and he cursed inwardly—
Heh, Zhu Mo, Zhu Mo, don't blame me for being ruthless... Who told you to offend the Yan family? Don't you know that the Yan family rules this world? You are obstinate and refuse to see reason. Not to mention you, even if it were Prince Yu present today, the Yan family wouldn't fear him...
You want to mediate?
I scoff.
Do these disaster victims believe you?
They all see you as a villain coming to buy fertile land cheaply!
You have grievances you can't speak of!
When I apprehend Hai Rui later, I will tell the disaster victims that you brought government soldiers to forcibly purchase fertile land... By then, you won't be able to clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River... It would be heavens' justice if those disaster victims ate your flesh and trampled on your bones.
He decisively moved, giving Zhu Mo no more time to mediate or explain. He took out the imperial envoy's royal order token from his怀, slowly raised it, waved it a few times in all directions, and shouted sternly: kuAiδugg
"Jiangnan soldiers, listen! Chun'an has investigated and found an official embezzling disaster relief grain! I am a third-rank Censor appointed by the court. According to the Great Ming Law, I can apprehend the guilty official on the spot! After repeated interrogation by myself, the guilty official Hai Rui has admitted his guilt... Guards! Quickly tie up Hai Rui!"
Tie him up!
Tie him up...
Tie him up...
The sharp voices echoed in the air, sounding like the death knell of a ghost to the ears of the common people.
Whoosh!
The common people were instantly pale with fright. Many cried out in alarm, while more disaster victims felt their legs turn to jelly, almost falling to the ground...
And at this very moment, a trembling old man, who had appeared from the crowd at some unknown time, shouted at Shen Cong:
"Sir! Sir! This old man has something to say! I have something to say..."
...
Zhu Mo looked closely and saw that it was the same old man he had spoken to earlier!
Before Shen Cong could speak, the old man continued:
"Sir! You don't know! We willingly ate plain congee, and it has nothing to do with Magistrate Hai! Fellow villagers, we did it willingly, right...?"
The disaster victims, having slightly recovered,
Suddenly cried out—
"Sir, we did it willingly! It has nothing to do with Magistrate Hai! We beg you not to punish Master Hai!"
Beg the sir not to tie up Master Hai...
Beg the sir not to tie up Master Hai...
Beg the sir not to tie up Master Hai...
The voices grew louder, gradually coalescing from the frail old man's mouth into a surging tide! Carrying a tragic sentiment, everyone present was deeply moved!
As for Shen Cong, he was terrified—
What?
How did such a formidable opponent appear?
He was a seasoned old fox and knew that such framing and false accusations required swift action to be established immediately. Otherwise, complications would make it difficult to proceed!
He immediately shouted sternly, "Who is it? Daring to interfere with this Censor's case! Guards! Seize this old man!"
Clang!
Stomp, stomp, stomp.
The soldiers quickly ran over, but hesitated as they were about to act—
They were originally soldiers from the Provincial Governor's yamen, under the command of the Commander. However, the Provincial Governor had ordered them to escort silver, so they should be under Jin Timing's command. But the person speaking now was an even higher-ranking third-rank Censor. Who should they obey?
The leading soldier couldn't help but look at Jin Timing. Jin Timing was already extremely excited— this Master Shen Cong was an old acquaintance of his uncle Zheng Bichang, and he was surprisingly capable? Now that he represented the Yan family in Chun'an, he had quickly subdued Hai Rui and Zhu Mo. If he didn't cooperate now, wouldn't he be foolish? Was this not the great opportunity his uncle often spoke of to bring down Zhu Mo?
He immediately ordered, "All soldiers, heed my command! By order of Provincial Governor Zheng, you should obey the Imperial Censor of Investigation, Master Shen! Quickly! Seize Hai Rui!"
"Understood!"
The soldiers no longer hesitated. The leader exchanged a look, and four soldiers rushed towards Hai Rui, two in front and two behind, seizing him. The leading soldier took out ropes and was about to tie Hai Rui's hands.
And just then,
Zhu Mo also signaled to two Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Because the time for a counter-kill had arrived!
He wasn't standing by idly; it was because Shen Cong was too cunning. As the system said, "no prosecutable offense in law." If he had acted earlier, he could only obstruct, not apprehend Shen Cong for his current crime. Only now, when Shen Cong had committed the crime of framing an upright official, could he be apprehended on the spot and punished according to the Great Ming Law!
...
The two Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately stepped forward, simultaneously taking out a token from their chests and raising it high!
At the same time, they shouted:
"Stop!"
"Everything is as Master Zhu commands!"
Whoosh!
The scene changed again. The disaster victims, whose eyes had been filled with despair, now looked somewhat dazed at the tokens held high by the two men...
That, wasn't that the legendary—
Northern Bureau of Prisons?
Most people had only heard of it; they had never had the chance to see the Embroidered Uniform Guard, let alone the token of the Northern Bureau of Prisons, which supposedly represented the Emperor and the founding Emperor himself.
At this moment,
In the eyes of the disaster victims, this token, entirely black with blood-red characters, was like a divine object from heaven, exuding an indescribable authority.
Not only the common people, but the soldiers were also witnessing this scene for the first time. In the eyes of the soldiers, the authority of this token was hundreds of times greater than any royal order token!
The royal order token was merely for administrative use by officials. In essence, it was a symbol of the Emperor granting broad executive power to the Grand Secretariat. After use, it would typically require the Grand Secretariat to request an imperial decree, and the Emperor would make the final decision. Whether it was appropriate or not would be debated. However, the token of the Northern Bureau of Prisons directly represented the Emperor himself.
Moreover,
These soldiers were also of common farmer origin. Having served in Jiangnan for half a year, they had long heard of the reputation of Master Hai Rui. Seeing the people treat him like a parent today, did they have any doubts? Wasn't this Hai Rui the upright official of legend? To force them to arrest him was beyond their control due to the royal order token, but in their hearts, they had long been unwilling!
Now that the token of the Northern Bureau of Prisons had appeared, why would they hesitate?
The soldiers immediately knelt down with thuds.
The common people erupted in cheers—
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Wuwuwu..."
Having just cried out, they were then overcome with joy and tears.
...
As for Shen Cong,
Despite being a third-rank Censor, he was powerless against this thing.
"What? What... two esteemed superiors? This...?"
He still held the royal order token, but stammered, not understanding why the two Embroidered Uniform Guards had suddenly changed their attitude. After all, the two of them had disguised themselves in every way along the way, proclaiming their support for the Grand Secretariat's thorough investigation, and had been very wary of the Yan family.
However, the reality was right before him: the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not fear the Yan family!
He was an official of many years and was naturally very clear about the court's regulations—
On the lands of the Great Ming, when the Embroidered Uniform Guard held their token and spoke, their words carried the same weight as an imperial edict. Anyone who dared to openly disobey was equivalent to defying an imperial decree!
Alas...
Shen Cong could only sigh, looking at the royal order token in his hand with a wry smile, suddenly feeling that its previous majesty had been completely lost, and it now looked like a piece of scrap metal.
With a thud,
Shen Cong also knelt down helplessly, saying feebly,
"Please instruct us, esteemed superiors. This official will listen on bended knee..."
The two Embroidered Uniform Guards said sternly:
"The relief efforts here are quite suspicious. Everything is to be decided by Master Zhu! Once the truth is ascertained, further action will be taken. No one is to interfere. Those who disobey will be treated as rebels! Have you all heard clearly?"