He had always been the quiet one, silent, but now he suddenly spoke up.

“Sir, I have something to say.”

Liu Chengfeng questioned, “What else do you have to say?”

Lu Yi adjusted his kneeling posture.

Being a clever man, he knew that if it was just the two of them, Liu Chengfeng would likely punish them severely. However, with the involvement of Liu Lin and potential interference from Madam Liu, the situation might be different, especially since Liu Lin was the mastermind behind the idea.

Therefore, he stated, “Li Han and I were just following orders from others, not the ones in charge.”

As he spoke, there was a stir among the crowd below.

Ordinary merchants couldn’t comprehend the intricacies involved. In their view, Li Han and Lu Yi were government officials. If they claimed not to be in charge, it suggested they were following Liu Chengfeng’s orders.

During Lu Dalang’s confrontation with them, he didn’t disclose information about Liu Lin, leading the merchants to look at him with anger.

A particularly irritable individual stood up, speaking with a harsh tone, “Sir, we’ve always regarded you as a fair leader. We paid our land tax on time this year. What’s going on with you?”

“That’s right, what’s happening?”

Two merchants murmured, “Back then, the prominent merchant in town wanted to offer gifts, but you refused to accept anything. We thought you were truly incorruptible. Is this who you really are?”

“Sigh! How many of these officials are clean? They reject openly. Who knows how much they take in private!”

The discussions grew louder, and those words pierced Liu Chengfeng like the wind, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Known for his cautious and honest reputation in the Xiqiang area, he could have been promoted to a better position. However, due to his incorruptible nature and lack of compatibility with others, he was assigned to this place. It seemed like a promotion, but in reality, it was just a different assignment.

Yet, he had never wavered in his principles and had never considered taking bribes, let alone soliciting money like this. Such officials were the ones he despised the most.

Since arriving at this place, he had taken his official duties seriously, never anticipating such a significant incident today.

Suppressing his anger, he demanded, “Quiet!”

The discussions in the hall gradually subsided, and everyone stared at him, expecting an explanation.

Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath, “Fellow citizens, don’t worry. I will provide a thorough explanation for this matter. I, Liu Chengfeng, swear on the black gauze hat on my head that I have never given orders for anyone to carry out these actions. I will investigate and severely punish whoever gave these instructions!”

He pointed at Lu Yi again, demanding, “Tell me, who is instigating you behind the scenes?”

“Sir, if I reveal this person and prove that I am not the instigator, can the punishment be reduced slightly?”

Liu Chengfeng replied, “Reduction and exemption as appropriate.”

Relieved, Lu Yi said, “Master, it was your brother-in-law, Liu Lin, who instructed us to cheat on taxes!”

Liu Chengfeng’s face instantly darkened.

Lu Dalang observed his expression, exchanged glances with Jiang Zhou outside, and then gestured, “Sir, this person is your closest relative; you can’t protect him!”

The crowd below echoed, “That’s right! Can’t cover up!”

“Can’t cover up!”

“Can’t cover up!”

Liu Chengfeng, feeling the pressure from the merchants, but also angered, called someone, “Bring Liu Lin.”

.

At that moment, Liu Lin was paying respects to Madam Liu. Benefiting significantly from Liu Chengfeng’s influence, he wholeheartedly flattered the two of them. Every morning, he visited Madam Liu, engaging in pleasant conversations to keep her content.

When the yamen servant came to inform him, he found it odd, asking, “Brother-in-law is looking for me? What’s the matter?”

The yamen servant listened silently and responded, “The master is looking for you.”

Liu Lin, annoyed, spoke to his sister, “Sister, I’ll go and be right back. You wait until I come back to comb your hair.”

As Liu Lin walked out, Madam Liu felt her heart racing, sensing an ominous feeling. With this premonition, she hastily put on her coat and had someone escort her to the lobby.

On the other side, when Liu Lin entered the court, he was taken aback by the crowd. After a quick glance, he couldn’t identify anyone, so he inquired, “Brother-in-law? What happened?”

Liu Chengfeng remained silent, fixing his gaze on Liu Lin, as if trying to read his expression.

Initially fearful, Liu Lin felt his heart tremble and his legs weaken under the silent stare. “Brother-in-law…? Is something wrong?” he stammered.

Liu Chengfeng pointed downward, saying, “Go and see if there’s anyone you know here.”

Hearing this, Liu Lin’s heart skipped a beat. He turned around and met the eyes of the limp Li Han on the ground.

Attempting to brush it off, he chuckled nervously, “Brother-in-law, why do you ask this?” Despite realizing the exposure of the matter, he attempted to feign innocence.

Liu Chengfeng slammed the wooden gavel forcefully, commanding, “Speak!”

Liu Lin’s legs and feet trembled, and he knelt down with a plop in fear.

“Brother… brother-in-law… I-”

Liu Chengfeng was angry, demanding, “Did you, do it?!”

While Liu Lin’s fearful expression already revealed the truth, Liu Chengfeng sought confirmation from him.

His brother-in-law had behaved impeccably in front of them. Even when in Xiqiang, he had the liberty to do as he pleased. Liu Chengfeng had supported him with part of his salary, whether he wanted to start a business or faced losses. He never expected Liu Lin to be so audacious.

That was tax evasion!

How dared he meddle in matters that were considered taboo even for dignitaries in the imperial city!

Angry and nearly fainting, Liu Chengfeng exclaimed, “Are you insane?!” Taking a breath, he continued, “How could you think of pretending to be a tax collector?! How heartless!”

Liu Lin struggled to offer explanations, “Brother-in-law, I… I was just momentarily troubled…”

“Troubled?!” Liu Chengfeng inhaled sharply, “You thought of impersonating a tax collector in that troubled state? How ruthless can you be!”

Liu Lin fell into speechlessness.

Although he appeared silent, his thoughts raced – the timing of this incident was too coincidental.

With numerous merchants gathered, someone must be orchestrating it.

He scanned the group, unable to recognize anyone. Perplexed, he looked away, but from the corner of his eye, he spotted someone standing outside – Jiang Zhou, who was observing.

Jiang Zhou even smiled at him.

His breath caught in his throat – if not for Jiang Zhou’s intervention, he wouldn’t face this kind of situation.

Jiang Zhou awaited with keen interest for Liu Chengfeng’s decision.

After all, Liu Chengfeng had declared severe punishment.

Clearly recalling his recent statement, Liu Chengfeng struggled for a resolution. After a long internal conflict, he declared with a deep voice, “First, detain… Liu Lin according… to the law…”

He took a deep breath, unable to articulate the words after “according to the law.”

Liu Lin stared at him, pleading, “Brother-in-law!”

Liu Chengfeng closed his eyes, stating, “Though he committed tax fraud, his crime does not warrant death. I will instruct the government officials to return the tax money you paid.”

Someone protested, “But severe punishment is not imposed, Sir, you said you will punish them severely!”

“That’s right! It’s agreed! The severe punishment must be done! How can you bend the law for personal gain?”

Liu Chengfeng glanced around. He had been an official for a long time and was quite powerful. This sharp look immediately made people silence: “He will not die for his crime!”

After a long while, he said, “Take him to prison, exile for three thousand miles, and then send him to the imperial city first.”

The merchants wanted to say more, but Lu Dalang and Jiang Zhou knew that this was the limit.

Jiang Zhou mingled in the crowd and shouted: “Your Excellency is wise!”

The people outside didn’t understand it, but they knew that he was “killing relatives for justice,” so they all shouted after him.

One sound drowned out another; Liu Chengfeng’s face turned red, and Liu Lin was trembling with anger. However, Liu Lin also thought that there might be a room for change.

Then he saw a piece of clothing exposed in the back hall, which was obviously his sister. He calmed down slightly and allowed the officials to take him down. At the same time, he remembered Jiang Zhou and wished he could eat his flesh and bones.

Once the case was over, the crowd dispersed.

.

Liu Chengfeng returned to the backyard with trembling hands and feet.

Madam Liu had already burst into tears. When she saw him coming back, she burst into tears: “Liu Chengfeng!! That’s my biological brother!!”

Didn’t Liu Chengfeng know that? But he felt bitter in his heart: “Madam, what he broke was the law! With so many people watching, I can’t bend the law for personal gain!”

Madam Liu did not speak but cried harder.

Liu Chengfeng sighed: “Madam, the tabooest thing for an official is to let others catch you. Whether you say I am selfish or stubborn, in front of so many people, if I am more soft-hearted, your husband’s black gauze hat will not be saved tomorrow, and what’s worse, the lives of our family will not be saved.”

Madam Liu gradually stopped crying.

“Furthermore, since he has been exiled for three thousand miles, we just need to prepare more money for him and let others take care of him on the way so that he won’t suffer too much.” He said everything sincerely, but he didn’t leave any room for a change.

Liu Changfeng had already said no. She couldn’t even cry anymore.

Liu Chengfeng said: “Madam, when you go to see him, don’t say anything. If he begs you to intercede, don’t listen. He can’t ask for this kind of pity!”

Madam Liu nodded with tears in her eyes, gritted her teeth, and said, “I won’t go see him.”

She married and followed her husband. Although she felt sorry for her brother, it was just a separation between the two places. If she begged for mercy, then their whole family would have to go to hell. She was not stupid, so naturally, she would not plead for her brother.

Since then, Liu Lin’s last escape route had been cut off.

.

The next day, Jiang Zhou received a deed from the Liu Mansion. It turned out that the clerk in the government office saw Liu Lin in prison and was frightened if Jiang Zhou suddenly turned over their old problem.

Jiang Zhou touched the deed, unfolded it and took a look. It read: A good shop in the east of the city.