Fox Road Travel Notes

Everyone changed their minds after hearing this.

Qi Yongkang glanced around and sneered in his heart.

He continued: "Last autumn, Ding Quan, a mountain man from Thanh Hoa County, had his hair braided thicker than the money hole because his hair was left slightly larger on the top of his head."

"The magistrate reported to the court that although he had no rebellious intentions and was not a traitor, he had violated Tongfeng's decree and could not be forgiven by the law."

"The emperor's pen and Zhubu said: 'Kill him right where he is!"

"The county magistrate has neglected his duty and will be dealt with seriously. If the magistrate is responsible, all the neighbors should be punished!'"

Qi Dalang straightened up and turned to look at Chen Zifu and the Xiuwu County citizens kneeling at the yamen gate.

He said sternly: "The above two cases clearly show the strictness of official law!"

"It's shocking that dozens of desperadoes in Xiuwu County had their braids cut off on the same day."

"You are obstructing the handling of the case, which is tantamount to rebellion. Are you disregarding your wealth and life?"

Thousands of people outside the door showed fear after hearing Qi Dalang's words, but still no one got up and left.

Qi Dalang's expression changed and he relaxed his posture.

"Folks, there is no evidence that Chen County Zun is involved in this case."

"But in such a big case, according to the imperial decree, a crime of oversight is probably unavoidable."

"Master Futai ordered him to hand over his official seal and let Yang Jiaoyu act as county administrator. This is justified and not inappropriate."

"Aren't you just pushing him into a pit of fire by gathering a crowd to make trouble like this?"

When the crowd outside heard this, they all looked at each other in shock.

The buzzing sound of discussion gradually grew louder.

Chen Zifu also knew that what Qi Dalang said was not unreasonable.

As an official, I am afraid that I have reached the end of my career.

It’s hard to predict good or bad luck, so why bother others!

He sighed, stood up, and shouted to the people at the yamen gate: "Fellow elders, please leave."

"The imperial court has its own laws. Chen is indeed responsible for this matter, and he should be held accountable for his crimes."

"Yang Jiaoyu, this official seal will be handed over to you today."

"The people in this area are all left to you..."

After saying that, he held the official seal and bowed to Yang Jiaoyu.

Yang Jiaoyu wanted to persuade him again, but Chen Zi obeyed: "I, Chen, and the people of Xiuwu County can trust Yang Jiaoyu's character and official character!"

Yang Jiaoyu immediately woke up.

This was telling him that if he did not accept the official seal, once Magistrate Ye appointed someone else, things would only get worse.

He thought for a while, shook his head helplessly, took the official seal, and bowed to Chen Zifu in return.

The people kneeling outside the yamen watched silently, some with tears streaming down their faces, others sobbing softly...

Magistrate Ye understands better than anyone else the principle of giving up when something is good.

It seems that everything that needs to be done has been completed. Although there are some twists and turns, it is still a great victory.

So he said to Chen Zifu: "When I return, I will immediately report the situation here to Master Futai, and we should respond within three days."

"During this period, you are not allowed to step outside the county government office!"

After saying that, he immediately ordered the government officials to set off and return to Huaiqing Mansion.

Chen Zifu felt unwilling to see Qi Dalang following Magistrate Ye.

Standing up to block his way, he said angrily: "Qi Yongkang, you are suspected of deceiving the emperor and instigating the students to defraud their fame. You are a felon in Xiuwu County. How can you leave the prison without permission?"

Qi Dalang sneered and said nothing.

Magistrate Ye raised the sedan curtain and scolded: "Qi Yongkang is an important witness in this counter-case."

"Since the case is now being handled by the government, why can't we take him away?"

"County Magistrate Chen, since you have handed over your name to await the crime, why is it your responsibility to ask about this matter?"

"Why don't you back away?"

Several government officials came forward and stood between Chen Zifu and Qi Dalang.

Qi Dalang laughed and followed Magistrate Ye's sedan chair away.

Chen Zifu stamped his feet, feeling extremely regretful.

He knows that it is easier to release a tiger than to catch it.

As Qi Dalang and Min Jingzong were intercepted by the government, all the previous hard work was in vain.

He sighed sadly and went back to the back house.

Seeing this, the crowd in front of the county government office sighed and dispersed in twos and threes.

Only Chen Zican, Gao Xinzhi, and a dozen county officials stood outside the door, looking at each other in silence.

Chen Zican saw Yang Jiaoyu standing alone in the hall, frowning.

He walked in and bowed: "Yang Jiaoyu, do you have any clue about the current matter?"

Yang Jiaoyu raised his head and saw him, frowned and shook his head, placing the official seal heavily on the public case.

"Zi Can, no matter how I look at it, this is a dead end!"

"Qi Dalang and Min Jingzong have been taken away by Ye Futai."

"The prisoners in the prison also had their braids cut off."

"This, this matter is so big, even if I want to do something, I have nowhere to start!"

"The prisoners in prison cut off their braids. This matter is definitely related to Qi Dalang. You will know as soon as you ask." Chen Zican said.

Yang Jiaoyu shook his head again: "Of course I know this."

"However, even if the truth is found out, each person insists on their own story and there is no evidence."

"The key is, Qi Dalang is not in our hands, we can't confront him, and we can't get his confession!"

"But the braid has actually been cut off!"

Chen Zican nodded: "What's more, after Magistrate Ye reported Ming Futai, the superiors took the lead. This lawsuit has a very low chance of winning!"

He sighed: "I also understand what you mean."

"Even if the prisoners all say in unison that Qi Dalang was the instigator, it will be in vain if we can't get Qi Dalang's confession."

"It seems that the crux of this case still lies with Qi Dalang!"

Yang Jiaoyu nodded lightly: "Exactly."

"Qi Dalang is now in the hands of Magistrate Ye."

"Xiuwu belongs to his county. If he doesn't give it, there's nothing we can do!"

Chen Zican took a few steps and said, "In other words, unless Magistrate Ye is no longer the Magistrate of Huaiqing Prefecture, otherwise, there will be no solution to this situation?"

Yang Jiaoyu was stunned and blurted out: "How is this possible!"

"Let's find another way!"

"Overthrow Magistrate Ye, capture Qi Dalang, and obtain his confession of instigating the haircut. This dead end will be solved."

"Well, it does seem a bit difficult..."

Chen Zican murmured to himself.

Yang Jiaoyu just thought he was talking nonsense.

He shook his head and said, "Zi Can, go back and see the county magistrate first and persuade him to be more liberal."

"I'll go to the prison to ask about the situation. In this matter, we can only do our best and obey fate!"

Chen Zican nodded and walked towards the inner house while thinking about things.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard the sound of broken porcelain coming from the main room.

Chen Zican stopped and shook his head.

The last time I walked here, I heard people breaking pots and bowls, and this time it was the same.

My sister-in-law is really not a fuel-efficient person.

Sure enough, Zheng's sharp voice came over: "It's okay, why do you have to provoke Qi Dalang?"

"You're so stupid, you're even stupider than your stupid brother."

"Why am I so unlucky to marry such a useless thing like you!"

"Now I have lost my official position. Maybe I will be exiled and imprisoned. Why is my life so miserable..."

"..."

"You also said that if your stupid brother hadn't offended Qi Dalang, how could our family have so much misfortune?"

"Even if you write to my seventh uncle now, it's too late."

"Tell me, what do you think we should do now?"

There was another crisp sound, and I didn't know what was broken.

Chen Zican was speechless, walked over, stretched out his hand and pushed open the door.

First, he lowered his head to avoid a pen holder being thrown towards him, then walked around two piles of broken porcelain pieces, and shouted at the two people who were having an intense quarrel and were totally forgetful of each other: "Stop the quarrel!"

Chen Zifu and Zheng were both stunned.

Turning around to see his younger brother, Chen Zifu looked embarrassed and lowered his head in silence.