Reincarnation in the Three Kingdoms Era with a System

The initially annoyed passersby agreed upon hearing there was wine.

They had assumed they were going to a small tavern, but instead found themselves at a tavern under the jurisdiction of the Jiaosifang district.

This tavern was open to ordinary people; there were no strict rules, as long as one followed them.

However, its operating hours and capacity were limited, more of a facade.

In reality, the tavern was a place for social interaction and networking. This tavern should ideally have been managed by the Imperial Guards, as people from all walks of life could gather a great deal of information there.

However, another tavern opened later, so this one didn't expand further.

To gather information from the common people, facilitating investigation and control of the area.

"Isn't this too expensive?"

A passerby asked.

"It's alright. I just happened to have a table booked for a banquet. I was originally going to discuss business with a merchant, but he's late, so I thought I'd have a drink with you, brother." Lu Ming smiled, poured the man a cup of wine, and then asked, "I'm new here. Other counties have government-run factories and agricultural settlements where people can work and earn grain or silver, making it easier for us merchants to do business. Why doesn't Jianye have any?"

The man, seemingly having not had a drink in a long time, immediately started chugging. "That's because the current magistrate is Sun Yi, the younger brother of the former Marquis of Wu. That guy has taken several concubines and, relying on his sister's status as a concubine, he acts recklessly. Forget about agricultural settlements, he's even sold off the government-owned ones without permission!"

This news was somewhat astonishing. Lu Ming raised an eyebrow and squeezed Diao Chan's hand.

Diao Chan, understanding, rose. "I'll go see what good food we have. You two chat, excuse me."

After leaving, Diao Chan instructed Lin Dong to dispatch the Imperial Guards to investigate. This was a major case!

Knowing full well what kind of person His Majesty was, yet still acting recklessly because of her status as a Consort.

That was practically courting death!

By transferring Sun Quan away from Jiangdong and sending him to the borderlands, while keeping Sun Yi behind, it could be considered not completely eliminating him.

After all, compared to his brother Sun Quan, Sun Yi wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes!

Lu Ming continued questioning, even jokingly asking if the woman was pretty.

He already harbored murderous intent.

Regardless of whether she was a concubine's family member, as a member of the imperial family's extended family, she should set an example, not act recklessly and tarnish the imperial family's reputation.

"It seems the emperor's reach is too far; officials can really do whatever they want.

Why hasn't anyone appealed?

I don't know about others, but Bao Zheng, the Minister of Justice, is a man who hates evil and is also a member of the cabinet, with the power to intervene in matters of state.

I once had the honor of meeting Lord Bao; he was truly a just and upright official!"

Lu Ming gave a thumbs up, having nothing but praise for Bao Zheng.

If Bao Zheng had discovered his sneaking out, he would definitely have impeached him.

How could he risk the emperor's life?

He was a very traditional minister, but upright and incorruptible; even before the emperor, right was right, and wrong was wrong.

The passerby scoffed, seemingly disagreeing. "Even Judge Bao has his share of gossipy relatives and poor relatives, right?"

"Sun Yi is particularly adept at handling things. Imperial envoys have come before, but nothing ever came of it."

"That man is incredibly cunning. He hasn't done anything outrageous on the surface, but those concubines only married him out of fear of him! Otherwise, he'd have his constables watching that family every day, fining them at best, and imprisoning them at worst!"

Lu Ming nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly, having understood enough, and prepared to leave.

At this moment, the passerby seized the opportunity and said, "I have an invitation from the magistrate. We're destined to meet; why don't we go together?"

"We've been drinking for so long; may I ask your name, sir?" "

"Lu Ming clasped his hands in greeting, sensing something interesting.

There might be a scheme involved, but who orchestrated it was anyone's guess.

"My name is Xu Sheng, courtesy name Wenxiang. I moved to Jianye from my hometown when I was young.

May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Xu Sheng also clasped his hands in greeting. He didn't know Lu Ming's name or anything about him, but he sensed an air of nobility about the man. Was he a member of the royal family? Or perhaps a descendant of a Marquis?

"My name is Zhao An."

Lu Ming chuckled, not using his real name.

Looking at Xu Sheng before him, wasn't this a general from Jiangdong?

The Three Kingdoms period was an era teeming with talent… yet many talents were buried, and many more remained undiscovered.

Xu Sheng was clearly one of them.

These talents weren't top-tier, nor first-rate, but rather second-rate. They might have a moment of brilliance, but it wouldn't be remembered. However, in reality, with proper training, any general could stand alone.

"Since you have an invitation, brother, let's go and see for ourselves, get to know this local official, so we can get things done."

Lu Ming chuckled, a forced smile, not directed at Xu Sheng, but at Sun Yi.

"What kind of local official is this? He's just a tyrant!"

Xu Sheng snorted, clearly unimpressed.

He thought Sun Yi was a disgusting fellow and wished him dead!

With the order issued, detailed intelligence was delivered to Lu Ming within a short hour.

Lu Ming excused himself, saying he needed to attend to some matters, and asked Xu Sheng to wait a moment.

Lu Ming went to his room to meet with the Imperial Guards, while Lin Dong and his men came to report in person.

Since becoming the magistrate of Jianye County, Sun Yi had been utterly immoral from the start.

After reporting to Yuncheng, meeting his mother and sister, and learning that they had both become imperial concubines and had given birth to princesses, he became arrogant upon his return.

He didn't dare to be too overtly arrogant, but he sold off the land reclamation land entrusted to the magistrate!

And that land was being cultivated by... It's private property!

Sun Yi dared to sell public farmland to merchants and even hunted for beautiful women in the surrounding area, using his power to coerce their families. For the government to target someone is incredibly easy.

If you're a businessman, as long as you cause him trouble every day, he won't have customers, and he'll have no business.

He uses all sorts of underhanded methods, arbitrarily arresting and imprisoning people, fabricating charges—he preys on the people, his crimes are unforgivable!

Looking at the petitions before him, some were from ordinary citizens who had come to file complaints, but were being detained and framed.

Lu Ming, watching Sun Yi's actions, felt a murderous glint in his eyes.

He truly hadn't expected that a trip out would lead him to encounter such a corrupt and lawless relative of the emperor, especially one who had even sold off public land!