Chapter 928: Championing the People
Long Yue smiled faintly, with A Mu around, she wasn’t afraid of any challenges, even a mountain of swords and a sea of flames. She stood up and walked forward, taking the man’s arm, which made Qi Jingyu quite envious.
"You two, always displaying your affection in front of me," Qi Jingyu shook his head helplessly, and was the first to follow the Government Official away.
Li Qingmu and Long Yue exchanged a glance and also followed with a smile.
Watching the three stroll so leisurely, Zhang Pengju was puzzled; if these people were Jianghu swindlers, they were incredibly daring, but if not, then he had a problem on his hands.
Relying solely on a gold token, it was impossible to ascertain their identity. He needed to confer with the Lord Governor for identification.
Of course, he must get hold of those three thousand taels of silver notes beforehand, or the duck in his mouth might just fly away.
At the county government entrance, the Injustice Bell was set up, and several Government Officials herded Qi Jingyu and the three others inside like driving ducks, then slammed shut the heavy doors.
Bystanders who passed by, curious about the bustle, started asking what had happened.
The county government doors seldom closed during the day; why were they shut so early when the sun was still high in the sky today?
"I bet it’s that County Magistrate Zhang once more extracting money with harsh penalties."
"No, that can’t be; those three don’t look like ordinary people in their dress."
"Who cares? Whether they’re officials or wealthy, they’re in cahoots. Let them fight among themselves like dogs."
Apathetic citizens murmured softly, resenting the wealthy yet fearing trouble. Soon they dispersed, each returning to their own matters.
Zhang Pengju swaggered onto the Taishi Chair, his nose in the air, and began the proceedings: "Who are these down below? State your names!"
"Qi Jinggu," Qi Jingyu continued to use his alias.
Li Qingmu was happy to join in the fun, grinning foolishly: "Li Qing, and my wife, Yue’er."
Zhang Pengju propped his legs on the table, not even glancing downwards, as he mentally reviewed these names — they didn’t seem to be notable figures — and his nervousness eased.
"Take these two men to the dungeon. We’ll discuss further once the origin of this gold token is clarified."
Li Qingmu’s eyes narrowed slightly, realizing County Magistrate Zhang’s sinister intent. His gaze flashing, he loudly objected: "County Magistrate, I said she is my wife, and we should be kept together."
"Impudent!" Zhang Pengju smashed the gavel, leaning forward to gaze below: "This is under my jurisdiction. Take them away!"
At this moment, Qi Jingyu leisurely watched the Imperial Uncle, thinking to himself if he’d still laze about this time.
Long Yue was Li Qingmu’s reverse scale, untouchable and deadly. Qi Jingyu was well-aware of this, and though he’d previously remained detached and threw everything on him. Now that his reverse scale had been provoked, surely he wouldn’t continue to watch from the sidelines?
To reform Dazhou’s officialdom, capable people in authority were necessary. The Imperial Uncle’s hold over Yulong Pavilion always made Qi Jingyu covetous; if the Imperial Uncle were involved in this land annexation case, would he still remain indifferent?
Li Qingmu’s expression quickly darkened, glaring at County Magistrate Zhang as he uttered coldly: "Whoever approaches within ten feet of me will die!"
County Magistrate Zhang hadn’t witnessed Li Qingmu’s moves before; when he arrived at Zhao Mansion, the household staff had already been beaten up. Seeing his arrogance, he slammed the gavel once more and ordered: "Such insolence! Seize them both!"
The young man next to him might offer some status due to the gold token, but the older one beside him didn’t concern him as much.
People without backgrounds or connections could be beaten without consequence!
The Government Officials, armed with clubs and Greatswords, charged forward. Li Qingmu’s entire being surged with Qi Element, instantly sending them flying with blood spewing and unable to rise again.
These minions, complicit in oppressing for long enough, needed to be shown who was in charge; a mere seventh-rank official couldn’t protect them.
The officials were downed in a flash; the remaining ones dared not advance, their eyes flitting between County Magistrate Zhang and Li Qingmu, seemingly asking what to do next.
Zhang Pengju hadn’t anticipated Li Qingmu’s extraordinary skills; caught off guard, his Government Officials were injured, leaving him speechless in shock.
But it was his territory; as they say, a strong dragon does not suppress a local snake. Frantically, he shouted: "Capture him, heavy rewards for those who do!"
Hearing rewards promised, the remaining officials prepared to act, but stepping within ten feet of Li Qingmu, they were immediately hurled away as before.
This time, Zhang Pengju was terrified, seeing the last two officials hesitant to advance, he yelled: "Quick, report to the Lord Governor and have him bring soldiers to subdue the rebel!"
Li Qingmu strode forward, startling Zhang Pengju into retreat, "You...you, stay back! Assaulting a court official is a severe crime. Aren’t you afraid of your whole family being executed?"
"Ha! Can you execute me?" Li Qingmu kicked over the table before Zhang Pengju, towering over him, making Zhang cower like a frightened quail, trembling.
Zhang Pengju didn’t dare respond, praying the Lord Governor would come to his rescue.
If it were merely dealing with him, Li Qingmu wouldn’t be bothered, but Zhang should never, ever have targeted Yue’er!
He squatted down, with a chilling gaze on County Magistrate Zhang, his voice as terrifying as the Reaper’s from Hell: "You corrupt official, paid by the court not to exploit the people’s wealth!
It’s scoundrels like you, colluding with local tyrants, who’ve left citizens in dire straits, with no means of seeking justice.
Do you think you deserve your official robes? Hmm?"
Zhang Pengju, already scared witless, complied by saying: "I don’t deserve it, don’t deserve it, please spare my life..."
"Spare you? Perhaps you should ask Bailu Village’s residents if they can spare you!"
Li Qingmu instructed the injured officials to fetch ropes, tying and dragging County Magistrate Zhang to Bailu Village’s entrance, having the villagers gather for a public trial with the sound of drums and gongs.
With the sounds ringing out, curious villagers came to see the spectacle, discovering County Magistrate Zhang tied up in the sun at the threshing ground, whispering among themselves about the situation.
They despised this official in league with Zhao Bapi, their parents’ officer.
If not for his harbouring Zhao Bapi, how would they have lost their lands, accumulating so much debt?
An elderly man in his seventies stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and then knelt, crying out: "O Lord, you must stand up for us. County Magistrate Zhang is a tyrant who oppresses us. He deserves death!"
Qi Jingyu glanced to see it was the old man scraping bark from earlier as they entered the village.
With a leader, others also mustered courage, kneeling to implore Li Qingmu and Qi Jingyu to uphold justice for them.
In their eyes, whoever dared tie up County Magistrate Zhang for public humiliation must hold even greater authority; how else would they dare such boldness?
Their hope had arrived!