Chapter 1268: Chapter 1270: Only Eyes Grow but Without Perception of Tones_1
"Lord Ye is being too serious," the official said as if he had just thought of why Ye Zi’an was in the government office. He hastily slapped his forehead and said, "Look at me, all muddled. Isn’t Lord Ye supposed to be in Mianyang County? How did you end up in our Fushui County? Could it be that Lord Ye has come to the wrong county office?"
"It’s good that Lord Peng has returned," Ye Zi’an said as he sat down again, appearing somewhat indifferent, "I am still young, unlike Lord Peng who is already middle-aged. I have a very good memory and would certainly not make the mistake of going to the wrong county office. I wonder if Lord Peng remembers the important matter he has yet to attend to?"
Lord Peng’s heart skipped a beat, knowing that they were getting down to serious business. What Ye Zi’an was here for, he was of course aware—the trouble that started in Fushan Village, situated within his jurisdiction; how could he possibly be unaware of it?
"Even if my memory were poor, I would know to first deal with what’s important. Whatever I haven’t done must surely be unimportant," Lord Peng retorted.
"Peng Lide!" Ye Zi’an, who had been speaking calmly, suddenly changed his tone, becoming cold and harsh, "When do you plan to distribute the land requisition compensation for Fushan Village? And when will you distribute it to the dozens of villages in the other three towns? If you are reluctant to part with the silver, very well, give me back the silver from Mianyang County, and I will personally distribute it to the villagers."
Peng Lide did not expect Ye Zi’an to speak so bluntly, but he was quick to respond, "Lord Ye, what do you mean by that? I don’t understand. What land requisition in Fushan Village? I’ve never requisitioned land from the villagers in Fushui County. Besides, if the Governmental Office of Fushui needs to requisition land, we naturally use our own Fushui County funds to compensate. What does it have to do with your Mianyang County?"
"And Lord Ye, one must not speak carelessly. When has our Governmental Office of Fushui ever taken silver from Mianyang?" This was said by the Principal Clerk of Fushui.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zi’an did not get angry.
He simply took the document Ye Wu handed to him.
"Peng Lide! Have the people in your county office open their eyes wide for me, don’t be a bunch of sightless eyes. The official seal of Governmental Office of Fushui, the official seal of Mianyang County Office, and the prefecture seal, not one is missing—Governmental Office of Fushui has received 33,500 taels of silver meant for land requisition compensation of Mianyang County. And now you’re telling me you haven’t received any silver?"
"Peng Lide, who gave you the audacity to embezzle the silver from Mianyang County?"
At this moment, Peng Lide’s eyes indeed widened, as did the eyes of the others from Governmental Office of Fushui.
Of course, they were widened in shock.
Because to their surprise, they saw the receipt in Ye Zi’an’s possession.
How could he have this receipt? That was the first reaction of the Principal Clerk of Fushui, who exchanged a glance with the steward, feeling a premonition of disaster.
Peng Lide had the same thought, wiping the sweat from his forehead, thinking it impossible—there couldn’t be a receipt.
After looking at him, Ye Zi’an said, "Do you think this receipt should have disappeared from my hands? That it should no longer be at the Prefect’s place either?"
Upon hearing this, Peng Lide subconsciously started to nod, but then stopped halfway.
Thus, his neck was left stiff.
"Peng Lide, what a masterful play by you and your people. Do you need me to explain why I have this receipt?"
Upon hearing this, Peng Lide, who had been looking down, spun his eyes before raising his head with a hollow laugh, "Lord Ye, forging documents is really shameful. Although Mianyang County may be poor, surely even in poverty one must have some dignity, right?"