Chapter 21: Turning Against Each Other

  Now Chen Chu was even more furious, a county's finances only left himself with so little, and yet he still called himself content!

  Chen Chu is not an unreasonable person, thinking back to when he was in sales, he always adhered to a principle, that is, everyone makes money together. This Qin County Magistrate had been an official in Leiping County for decades and took some things with him when he left, Chen Chu could understand that. But today he went too far, almost emptying the entire county treasury! How can I carry on my work like this?!

  "Magistrate Qin, do you take me for a child?! Although Leiping County is located in a remote area, it is the central hub of trade between the north and south, with annual commercial taxes exceeding 1,000 taels of gold! As for grain, although there have been many disasters in recent years, they have not affected Pingzhou, yet the county warehouse only has 5,000 pecks of grain! Magistrate Qin, one cannot be too greedy!"

  Magistrate Qin's face changed, and he said in a threatening tone: "Director Chen, I'm telling you that the county treasury only has this much money! I advise you not to pursue this matter further, otherwise, you might encounter something unpleasant!"

  Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao, who was standing behind Chen Chu, glared with both eyes and took a step forward as if to take action. Just then, Chen Chu suddenly stretched out his hand to stop him.

  Chen Chu looked at Qin County Magistrate with a cold and stern expression. "Qin County Magistrate, are you threatening me?"

  Magistrate Qin sneered, "If you say so, then consider it a threat from me!"

  "Magistrate Qin, if I must persist in this matter?"

  "Hmph, I was afraid you didn't have the ability!" As he spoke, County Magistrate Qin quickly clapped his hands a few times. Immediately, the rear curtain opened and more than ten knife-wielding bailiffs rushed in, separating Chen Chu from County Magistrate Qin.

  Chen Chudong was taken aback, he didn't expect the other party to be so well-prepared, nor did he expect them to resort to such tactics.

  Just as the yamen runners lifted the curtain and rushed out, Zhang Liao had already reacted. He immediately stood in front of Chen Chu and protected him behind his back, staring straight at Qin County Magistrate not far away.

  "Magistrate Qin, what do you mean by this?" Chen Chu asked, sizing up the obviously ill-intentioned bailiffs. These bailiffs were burly, with ferocious faces and beady eyes, clearly not good people.

  "Hmph, Magistrate Chen, since you insist on rushing into the Ghost Gate Pass, I'll fulfill your wish!" County Magistrate Qin sneered.

  "Magistrate Qin, you openly killed an official, aren't you afraid that the imperial court will charge you with treason?!"

  Magistrate Qin hastily put on a fearful expression and said, "Afraid? Of course I'm afraid! That's why I'll shift the blame to Hu Xiaozhai dozens of miles away!" (Hu Xiaozhai was a bandit lair twenty miles northeast of Le Ping County)

  Chen Chu was shocked. He did not expect that the old man with the surname Qin would dare to go all out like this. Seeing the opponent's somewhat crazy expression, Chen Chu didn't think he was joking.

  Seeing Chen Chu's hesitant and reserved expression, Qin County immediately said in a gentle tone: "Qin Mou doesn't want to make things irretrievable either. As long as Master Chen stops pursuing this matter, Qin Mou won't make things difficult for Master Chen."

  Chen Chu couldn't help but curse in her heart: This bastard spoke as if I had forced him.

  Chen Chufei quickly turned the idea in his mind: If I compromise today, then I won't have to mix in this era anymore! But if I don't compromise, can I get through today? Zhang Liao is a legendary general, but is he really as invincible as those later TV shows portray him to be? Damn it! Let's bet on it! As the saying goes - only those who dare to fight will win!

  "Listen up, Qin! I'm giving you two options: either hand over the county's treasury money and grain you've embezzled quietly, or meet a bloody end right here on the spot! You choose!"

  Magistrate Qin was instantly infuriated, unable to believe that the two people who were already in his grasp would still dare to play tricks on him.

  "Alright! In that case, it's no wonder Qin was like that! Take him away!", County Magistrate Qin didn't waste any more words and immediately ordered the dozen or so bailiffs to take action.

  Seeing a dozen or so constables rushing over with sharp blades in hand, Chen Chu, who was experiencing this kind of scene for the first time, couldn't help but tense up and lift his heart to his throat.

  Zhang Liao, Zhang Liao, you must hold on! My life is entirely in your hands now! Chen Chu prayed silently.

  Zhang Liao's face showed excitement, and he shouted loudly as he rushed forward.

  In Chen Chu's view, after a flurry of dizzying punches and kicks, accompanied by a series of miserable cries, the fight was over in just a few breaths. Only Zhang Liao was standing on the scene, while more than a dozen bailiffs were all knocked to the ground, groaning in pain.

  Chen Chu was stunned and his eyes widened in amazement. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration: Indeed, Zhang Liao is truly formidable! His martial arts skills are incredibly powerful!

  "Big brother, how should we deal with this corrupt official?", just as Chen Chu was stunned, Zhang Liao brought the Qin County Magistrate to Chen Chu's side, holding him like a small chicken. At this time, the Qin County Magistrate, who had been arrogant and domineering earlier, was now trembling all over, his fat body shaking like a leaf.

  "Magistrate Chen, spare my life! I'm willing to hand over the embezzled money and grain!", County Magistrate Qin begged with a nose full of snot and tears.

  Chen Chu glanced at Qin County Magistrate, who was begging bitterly, and thought to himself: This Qin County Magistrate has a deep foundation in Leiping County. If he is released, there may be endless troubles later on. In that case, there's only one thing to do...

  "Where did you transport all the money and grain from the county warehouse?" Chen Chu asked.

  "In the warehouse within my own house, I am willing to take you there to retrieve it." Qin County Magistrate hastily replied.

  Chen Chu nodded and said: "I also want to spare your life, but unfortunately your crimes are too serious, and not killing you is not enough to calm the people's anger!"

  The county magistrate of Qin was greatly shocked and immediately begged for mercy, crying out to the heavens. Chen Chu did not pay attention to him, but instead gave an order to Zhang Liao: "Take him away and behead him!"

  Warm reminder:

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