Chapter 40: Dust Settles

  Impulsiveness is the devil. Chen Gui asked himself if his temperament had been tempered enough, but in the last moment, he still couldn't resist the impulse and openly threatened everyone in the yamen, which was like declaring war on the world and cutting off any possibility of reconciliation. Moreover, now that he's fallen into someone else's hands, Chen Gui is now filled with regret.

  In the past, those people in the government office who saw themselves as being respectfully and smilingly welcomed, now they are locked up in a big prison, it's like a tiger falling into a plain and being bullied by dogs. Even the small jailers dare to show off their faces, love to ignore or talk with their eyes above their heads, just after saying two harsh words, suddenly a toilet full of feces is brought in and placed in the cell, stinking so much that Chen Gui almost vomited out his bile. Later, he was forced to take off the jade pendant from his neck and hand it over, only then was the toilet taken away.

  As expected, it's hard to deal with a mischievous kid.

  Chen Gui was pacing back and forth in his cell, so anxious that he couldn't think about why Jiang You had suddenly changed his mind, nor did he have the ability to deal with that white-eyed wolf Cao Hu. What Chen Gui was thinking now was how to escape, his vast wealth, luxurious mansion, beautiful concubines, etc., were all waiting for him to enjoy. Living without money is a sad thing, but having money and no life is not sadness, it's suffering.

  "Come on, come on!" Chen Gui suddenly shouted loudly.

  A bailiff walked over with a displeased face and said impatiently: "What's all the wailing about, are you mourning? If you make another sound, I'll deal with you."

  If I, Chen, can get out of here alive, I won't let you off until you're left with nothing. I swear on my ancestors' graves! Chen Gui's anger was burning inside, but he restrained himself after the lesson earlier. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a gold leaf, handing it over while speaking in a flattering tone: "Would this esteemed sir be so kind as to report for me? Chen has an important matter to discuss with the county magistrate."

  Seeing the yellow gold leaf, the prison guard's eyes lit up and he immediately snatched the gold leaf and stuffed it into his pocket. The speed was like lightning. Having obtained the benefit, he slowly said: "Sorry, County Lord and Cao Captor have ordered that no one is allowed to see you, and also, your words are all considered nonsense."

  The prison guard finished speaking and left without even looking at Chen Gui, humming a tune as he went. He also got a gold leaf out of thin air, which was considered a small windfall.

  What? Are you kidding me?

  Chen Gui almost spat out the old blood, this Lu County Magistrate and Cao Hu, they did things too absolutely, what's wrong with this county government? In the past, although it was said that the yamen also collected some silver, extorted some gifts, but these people still had a bit of professional "morality", collecting money to do things, not like now, one by one taking advantage, once they've taken everything, they turn their backs and don't recognize you, Lu County Magistrate is like this, and these yamen are also like this.

  It's really "if the beam is not straight, the house will be crooked". Chen Gui finally understood why ordinary people don't hate those who take money to do things, but instead resent those who take money and still don't do things.

  Chen Gui looked at the thick and sturdy fence, then at the dry grass on the ground, and his face turned bitter. He thought about how he had started from a small bookstore and climbed to his current position, using countless tricks and efforts. He recalled how he had manipulated the entire county government and dominated Jiangyou with an iron fist. But unfortunately, he had encountered someone whose methods were more cunning, who pretended to be a pig eating a tiger but didn't play by the usual rules. As a result, Chen Gui was suddenly at a disadvantage and became a prisoner.

  It's all because of that damned Cao Hu, it's simply infuriating.

  As soon as he thought of Cao Hu, Chen Gui's heart skipped a beat, and a strange sense of panic rose up in his mind: apart from Cao Hu, those six house officials, tax supervisors, and postal clerks were all his own people, so why hadn't they taken action to rescue him yet? Could it be... that they had all been bought off by Lu Haishan and turned their guns on him like Cao Hu?

  Chen Guiyue felt more and more uneasy, the more he thought about it, the more restless he became, pacing back and forth in his cell with his hands behind his back, not to mention how anxious he was.

  The sky slowly darkened, and the prison lit up torches. At some point, an old jailer brought in a large food box, opened it quietly, and took out its contents, including pig ears, roasted chicken, fish, and several other exquisite small dishes. After arranging these, he also pulled out a jug of wine and a wine cup, filled it lightly, and then retreated silently.

  As soon as these things were laid out, the cell was filled with a strong smell of wine and meat, making people salivate at the smell. Chen Gui, who had been hungry for a day, saw it and his mouth began to water. Just as he was about to take action, he suddenly felt a jolt in his heart: his eyes widened, if someone was here, they would definitely see that there was a deep color of fear in his eyes.

  Is this a beheading meal?

  It is said that only those who are about to be executed can enjoy such treatment. Without spending a penny, he was served a sumptuous dinner, making it clear that he was meant to look good. In an instant, Chen Gui felt a chill run down his spine. Yesterday, he was still the majestic County Magistrate, with people fawning all over him, dressed in finery and dining on delicacies. But just one day later, it was as if the difference between heaven and hell had been revealed. This huge contrast left Chen Gui struggling to adapt, hoping that it was all just a dream.

  Unfortunately, this is not a dream. The musty smell in the prison was so pungent, the cold wind blowing from the skylight was so biting, and the mournful cries of the prisoners were so pathetic. All these clearly told Chen Gui that this was not a dream. The dignified eighth-rank county magistrate, Jiang You, who once covered the sky with one hand, had now become a prisoner under the stairs.

  Chen Gui gritted his teeth, suddenly picked up the roasted chicken and started devouring it desperately. Then he ate large chunks of meat and drank wine. Having been hungry for a whole day, his stomach had been growling loudly. If he really wanted to kill himself, there was no need to use poison - that would be the most unskilled trick. Besides, he couldn't escape this fate anyway. Dying from overeating was better than dying as a starving ghost.

  They really don't believe that they dare to openly kill themselves, and they are the eighth-grade county magistrate, even in the Ministry of Rites' register, there is their own name. If something really happens, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Ministry of Punishment are not vegetarian, even if they don't die, they will lose a layer of skin. As for public trial, Chen Gui is not afraid, after all, he knows enough secrets, when necessary, expose them, see who fears whom? Now they have fallen to this point, those with bare legs are not afraid of those wearing shoes.

  "Not bad, not bad, County Magistrate Chen's appetite is quite good. Indeed a man of character, Mount Tai could collapse before his eyes and he wouldn't change color. This kind of courage, Lu Xian (a certain Lu) admires." Just as Chen Gui had finished eating, a voice rose from afar, Chen Gui lifted his head to look, only to see County Magistrate Lu walking over with a stride."

  Adult

  "We pay our respects to County Magistrate Sir." The two jailers responsible for guarding the gate hastily bowed and greeted Lu Haoshan.

  Lu Haoshan waved his hand casually and said: "Alright, there's nothing for you here, all of you can withdraw."

  Two jailers responded with a respectful bow, then quietly retreated and helped the county magistrate close the door. At this time, coming to see the prisoner, it goes without saying that there must be something important to discuss.

  These two guys are quite clever and know how to behave themselves.

  "What? Chen Mou, this prisoner of the lower rank, is still a county lieutenant?" Chen Gui said with some sarcasm.

  "This depends on whether County Magistrate Chen is willing to cooperate or not." Lu Haoshan smiled calmly: "Of course, that's your freedom, we don't force you, a regular eighth-rank county magistrate is also considered a figure, but for everyone's benefit, it's best if you cooperate."

  Chen Gui glared at Lu Haoshan, gritting his teeth and saying: "Lu, what do you want to do?"

  "A county lieutenant of the eighth rank, if murdered, would indeed be a sensation. If he were to recklessly expose the inner workings of the officialdom in the public hall, I'm afraid it would affect unity and become the target of criticism from all sides. Lu has come precisely to resolve this issue." Lu Haoshan said calmly.

  "How do you want to solve it?"

  Lu Haoshan didn't say a word, pulled out a large stack of confessions from his pocket, and threw them into the cell. Then he dragged over a wooden stool and sat down outside the cell, staring at Chen Gui without saying a word.

  "What do you mean?" Chen Gui said gritting his teeth.

  "Magistrate Chen, why don't you take a look at what's written above first?"

  Chen Guilei was taken aback, and instead of speaking again, he picked up the papers to take a look. At first glance, his face turned pale. The documents recorded all his crimes, including the amount of money he had embezzled, evidence, and testimonies from his accomplices who had turned against him. What shocked Chen Guilei the most was that there was also an inventory of his family's assets, listing all their properties, shops, and houses in detail.

  It's stupid, everyone understands what happened. The new county magistrate quietly took action against himself during his own inspection tour of the countryside, leaving no room for reaction, and it was already a done deal. Seeing the extremely detailed information above, Chen Gui knew that not only had Cao Hu joined forces with County Magistrate Lu, but also many of his trusted subordinates had switched sides, and he didn't know what kind of benefits Lu had given them to turn around and sell him out completely.

  Good trick, originally thought it was a simpleton, didn't expect it to be a master of disguise, quietly and silently pulling his own people over, laughing at himself for thinking he was the "local emperor" of Jiangyou, covering the sky with one hand, never expecting to become a prisoner in an instant, Chen Gui's face turned white like a sheet of paper.

  "What do you want?" Chen Gui growled, gritting his teeth.

  The facade has been torn apart, there's no need to pretend anymore, Chen Gui has given up hope.

  "Magistrate Chen, I think you're quite clear about your situation now," Lu Haoshan said expressionlessly. "Let's not mention the amount of corruption being particularly huge, in these years, there have been over a dozen murder cases, according to the Great Ming Code, even if you had nine heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop off, once you lose power, the saliva of Jiangyou people can drown you, now it can be said that the evidence is overwhelming, the case is ironclad, how about it, do you still want to resist?"

  "That's right, Chen was defeated by you, Magistrate Lu. As long as you spare my life, I am willing to hand over all my property with both hands." Even ants try to survive, and Chen Gui is no exception. Now that he has lost power, the only way to save his life is to sacrifice his wealth.

  Lu Haoshan coldly said: "You are now a prisoner, everything you have is not your own. How can you use something that isn't yours to buy back your life? Is there such a cheap thing in the world?"

  What, the property under your own name, just because Lü's mouth is not yours? This statement is really vicious. Chen Gui said crazily: "Lü, you've also taken bribes before, if this gets out, your reputation will be ruined too. Aren't you afraid that when we have a public trial tomorrow, all of these will be exposed? By then, your official career will be over, let's see how you'll still get promoted!"

  "Thanks for the reminder, County Magistrate Chen. I've taken note of it. However, you won't have to wait until the trial at the public hall to find out," Lu Haoshan said with a sly smile at Chen Gui: "There will always be some unexpected events in this world, right?"

  "You, you, you want to kill me?" Chen Gui was finally convinced of his own thoughts, and he was so scared that he was trembling all over, his body shaking and almost unable to support himself.

  That meal just now was really a last supper.

  Lu Haoshan shook his head: "Perhaps Chen Xiancheng knew that his crimes were serious, and in shame, he took his own life to apologize to the world, it's not necessarily so."

  "What, you want me to commit suicide? Why should I listen?" Chen Gui sneered: "How come? Don't even want to deal with the aftermath?"

  "Firstly, you have no choice now that there is so much evidence and many witnesses. Even if you had nine lives, it wouldn't be enough to save you from death; Secondly, County Magistrate Chen must understand that sometimes death is not the most terrifying thing, what's more terrifying is implicating one's family members. I heard that County Magistrate Chen has an over 80-year-old elderly mother, several beautiful concubines, and four lovely children. If anything were to happen to them, I think it would be unbearable for County Magistrate Chen too. Oh, right, there are many violent citizens now, if they were to accidentally rush into your home, even the government troops might not be able to rescue you in time."

  Threats, these are **naked threats**, Chen Guiyi heard Lu Haoshan use his family to threaten himself, and said with a pale face: "County Lord, don't involve my family, you...you're too shameless?"

  "Haha, what a great 'calamity does not extend to the family'! Lu Haoshan pointed at Chen Gui's hand holding the indictment and said: "In Jiangyou, no matter who offends you, none of them have caused your family to be broken and destroyed. Why don't you say 'calamity does not extend to the family' now? Moreover, there aren't many good people in your household, each relying on you for support, acting tyrannically. As soon as you fall, even if I don't take action, do you think no one will avenge themselves? You must understand, this official is giving you an opportunity. Even if you don't kill yourself, before dawn breaks, there will be a fight in the prison. County Lieutenant, beware of those death row inmates, they can kill for just a bowl of rice."

  "You, what do you want me to do, tell me." Chen Gui finally understood Lu Haoshan's tactics and begged for mercy with a pale face.

  "It's simple, write a confession, take responsibility for past events alone, and then depart in peace."

  Chen Gui clenched his lips tightly, and they were bitten to the point of bleeding. He stared at Lu Haoshan and said word by word: "What benefits do I have?"

  "Of course there are benefits." Lu Haoshan snapped his fingers: "Your family can move to a distant place with 20% of their property and live there. With your family's assets, 20% is enough for their expenses, they won't starve."

  "What? Only 20%?" Chen Gui exclaimed in surprise.

  Lu Haoshan sneered and said: "I told them 50%, dare you believe it?"

  Chen Gui didn't say a word, indeed, with such a large family fortune, even 20% would be enough for them to live comfortably. If they were given more, he wouldn't dare believe it himself. Now the situation was very clear, his own death was certain, fortunately, he still had some little value to be used. Thinking of his elderly mother and his several children, especially his most beloved youngest son, Chen Gui couldn't speak for a moment.

  For the sake of family, I accept it.

  "County Magistrate, can you guarantee that if Chen does what you say, you will spare their lives?"

  Lu Haoshan raised his hand and said: "The heavens are above, what I, Lu Wenhua, say is true, if there is even half a sentence of falsehood, I will not die well."

  Anyway, it's in the name of that unlucky devil to swear an oath, even if something happens, it won't come back on his own head, this trick has been tried and tested by Lu Haoshan many times.

  Seeing Lu Haoshan make a poisonous oath, Chen Gui's heart relaxed, and he suddenly slumped to the ground, his eyes staring blankly, muttering: "I'll write, I'll write..."

  Without that mysterious outer garment, without the halo of the county magistrate, Chen Gui's spirit, energy and vitality had clearly declined by a large margin. Which was like the usual high and mighty, invincible County Magistrate, but it was clear that he was just an old man who had lost his confidence, under the firelight, Chen Gui's face was full of worry, as if he had suddenly aged more than ten years, without any of his former elegance.

  The dust has settled, and the largest and last "stumbling block" in Jiangyou County has been successfully handled. Not only that, but a large sum of benefits can also be obtained from it. With the support of this windfall, his own plan can take another big step forward. Lu Haoshan was very satisfied with this.

  "Wait, County Magistrate Chen, I want you to write another copy."

  "What to write?" Chen Gui now had no ability to resist at all, and Lu Haoshan could make him do whatever he wanted.

  Lu Haoshan smiled slightly and spat out two words: "Divorce papers."

  Been busy with driving school and handling new house stuff, crazy busy, sorry about that