Chapter 75

Xun stared at the box of valuables, dumbfounded. Silk, gold, and white jade—how much could this be worth? It must be worth tens of thousands of coins... I never thought these corrupt officials would be so generous. Hmm, they probably see my insistence on the Ning Ke case as a warning from the postal inspector. This is good, very good. This is much more profitable than the usual first method of inspecting the county—Cheng Li claims to be a capable official, but he can't come up with such a brilliant plan. It's still me... Do I have the natural talent of a corrupt official?

How should I use this wealth? To impeach the magistrate and prime minister of Chengyang? Then I would have to hand over the wealth, but it would be a bit of a waste. Although Cao Cao has given me an estate and land, no one ever complains about having too much money. Besides, I am different from others. I still have many things to do—improve papermaking, invent gunpowder, invent stir-frying... Without sufficient research funds, nothing can be accomplished. Should I just take it? Those corrupt officials will eventually receive their punishment. There's no need for me to remove their official hats. Besides, even if I impeach them, it won't bring Ning Ke back to life, will it?

Oh, wait, but if I do this, I will also become a corrupt official. Will I also suffer some kind of retribution? ...Ah, spit, I am an atheist, and atheists don't believe in retribution!

He couldn't help but wipe his saliva, turned to look at Lu Hong, and saw that the guy's face was as calm as water, his hands clasped, and he didn't know what he was thinking. Then he looked at Wu Zhi, and saw that the other's eyes were filled with anger and sorrow—anger, probably because the officials of Chengyang were so generous in their bribes, indicating that the amount of corruption was even greater; sorrow, probably because he couldn't save Ning Ke's life...

Lu Hong, in history, was unknown, but this time, his clear-headedness and shrewdness in dealing with matters were very commendable, much more reliable than Wu Zhi, who would later become a famous general but was still immature now. I have found a treasure, how can I get him to follow me for a long time? Should I first use wealth to win his heart? Hmm, there are tens of thousands of coins here, I'll give him three or four thousand...

Wu Zhi might not be easy to buy. He comes from a humble family and has managed to rise so high, not by corruption. Especially now, he is still young, full of unrealistic ideals, even writing a poem about the horrors of the chaotic era and the suffering of the people. Wealth probably won't move his heart. This... if the wealth is not distributed fairly, holding this money in my hands will be a bit like holding a hot potato...

Then he thought again, what is Wu Zhi's status now? Just a minor patrol officer. Even if I don't give him a single coin, would he dare to report me? He wouldn't dare even if he had ten thousand reasons. Besides, I have done favors for the Cao family, who in Yanzhou could bring me down?!

Thinking this way, I can take this money. Just as his greed was growing, his eyes involuntarily glanced at Guan Si, who was guarding the door—Damn, how could I forget this fiancée... no, concubine? These remnants of the Yellow Turbans probably hate corrupt officials the most. If I become a corrupt official, will she really take out a knife and cut off my arm... Not to mention Yang Guo, will I also end up like Yang Xiu, the "Condor Hero"?

Actually, the little girl is just verbally aggressive. I ultimately saved her and her father's lives, she wouldn't really hurt me... But if I do this, I'm afraid our relationship will be severed. Thinking of the day when this little girl might leave me with a look of disdain, Xun couldn't help but feel a twinge in his heart.

How did the great Duke Wei manage to be so corrupt and still be a loyal official to the Qing court, and have so many concubines who were all devoted to him? Duke Wei is truly a role model for us, a towering figure, and I can hardly match his talent...

Thinking this, Xun couldn't help but raise his hand and give himself a hard slap—Damn, wake up!

Lu Hong heard the sound, looked up, and smiled slightly: "Wealth moves the heart. But it seems that the officer has already made a decision and will not fall into the trap of those corrupt officials."

Xun took a deep breath and waved his hand: "Seal it up first. I will write to the governor and impeach these two corrupt officials." After thinking for a moment, he added: "No rush, the county captain's gift hasn't arrived yet."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone outside the door announced: "County Captain Huang Xuan requests to see the postal inspector."

The county captain, although a military official, was actually responsible for "capturing bandits" and not for fighting in battles. In the future, he would belong to the public security system, not the military system. Therefore, Huang Xuan wore a hat, a deep robe, and a long sword, and his appearance was more like that of a scholar than a military man.

After the formalities, they exchanged a few pleasantries, and Huang Xuan repeatedly apologized, saying that he had just returned from outside the city and had no idea that the postal inspector had come to inspect the county. He promised to send a "gift" the next morning. Then he looked around and asked: "I heard that the superior officer brought Ning Ke for questioning. Is the questioning finished? Since he has been sentenced to death, it would be better to return him to prison at night."

Xun couldn't help but snort: "This is not your concern." You are just the head of the public security and the militia, you don't handle trials or prisons. Why should you care whether Ning Ke is returned to prison? I didn't expect this guy to have a smart face but no sense of language, far inferior to County Magistrate Geng and County Prime Minister Tu. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but mock him: "I heard that Ning Ke is your brother-in-law?"

Huang Xuan looked embarrassed: "This... I originally thought..." He suddenly remembered something and quickly added: "Although my wife and Ning Ke are not blood-related, they were once siblings. Hearing that he committed a serious crime, she is very sad and wants to see him before his execution. I hope the officer will grant her this wish."

Xun thought, right, although this explanation is still full of holes, it is more artistic than the direct approach. Probably someone else taught you to say this? But who are you trying to fool? Ignoring the fact that you might have framed your brother-in-law to seize his property, Ning Ke has been in custody for a long time, and the execution would not happen until autumn. Your wife didn't want to see him earlier, but now that I have brought him over, she suddenly wants to see him. The reason is too weak.

But he didn't want to expose Huang Xuan, so he deliberately smiled and said: "It's late today, let's wait until tomorrow." As if to say: Send the gift first, then we'll talk.

Huang Xuan had no choice but to bow and leave. Xun sat at his desk, still thinking about how to write the impeachment letter against the three officials of Chengyang after receiving Huang Xuan's bribe the next day. Suddenly, Wu Zhi ran in and said that Ning Ke wanted to see the postal inspector and had something important to report.

Xun was resting in a side courtyard of the Chengyang county office, with three or four rooms. Ning Ke was detained in another room. After hearing Wu Zhi's report, Xun thought that during the questioning in the afternoon, Ning Ke had only cried and begged for his life, saying nothing useful. Why did he want to see me now? Did he finally remember where his contract might be hidden?

He quickly ordered Wu Zhi to bring Ning Ke over. As soon as Ning Ke saw him, he knelt down and cried, "Please save my life, I will offer all my wealth to the officer!"

Ah, Xun thought, this is good. As long as I save his life, his wealth will be mine! This is his voluntary offering, not my coercion, so it doesn't count as corruption... But there is one condition: I must overturn his case. Otherwise, it will all be in vain.

But how to overturn the case? Why not just forge a contract from the past? After all, the forgery by County Magistrate Geng wasn't very sophisticated. He turned to look at Lu Hong, who stroked his beard and remained silent. Then he looked at Wu Zhi, who was staring at him with a pleading look...

Damn, just looking at me with sincerity won't do! Give me a plan to overturn the case!

He patiently questioned Ning Ke again about the details of the case, especially his relationship with the neighbor, Old Wang. Unfortunately, he still couldn't find any key points to overturn the case. Damn, I should have studied the Han laws more thoroughly. These past few months, I've been reading historical books like the "Book of Han" and "Dongguan Hanji" and didn't think to study the laws. This is a big gap in my studies, and I need to make up for it when I return.

But it will be too late when I return. Although the death penalty is usually carried out in autumn, theoretically, Ning Ke still has half a year to overturn the case. However, I can't stay in Chengyang for half a year. As soon as he is returned to prison, Huang Xuan and the others will probably take action. Why else would Huang Xuan try to bring Ning Ke back or let outsiders contact him?

To keep Ning Ke alive, I must overturn the case quickly and release him. The Ning family is a powerful clan in the county with extensive property. Once he returns home, Huang Xuan won't dare to harm him—those guys would have already killed Ning Ke if they had the courage and ability, so they must be using this unexpected case to their advantage.

Thinking this, he looked at Lu Hong again, hoping that this experienced politician might have some knowledge of the law. To overturn Ning Ke's case, I am not capable enough, and Wu Zhi is too young to be relied on. It has to be you... If even you can't come up with a plan, we will have to say goodbye to Ning Ke and his wealth.

Lu Hong met Xun's gaze and understood what he was thinking. He stroked his beard and frowned, answering: "Actually, overturning the case is not difficult, but if it is done too forcefully and without reason, it may harm the officer's reputation and make Cao Ji Yin look down on the officer."

Xun pointed to his mouth: "Reason is not in the sky or in the heart, but in the mouth and tongue."

Lu Hong cl