Chapter 93

……

Wang Dingzhu said this.

He then presented all the evidence to the garrison commander Lei Yangqiu and said, "The witnesses have all been controlled by my subordinates. If you have any doubts, you can re-interrogate them." He then stood respectfully to one side.

Garrison Commander Lei Yangqiu comes from the direct lineage of the Tianren Lei family. He has shown outstanding performance since childhood and has been cultivated as an elite.

Since he advanced to the Lingtai realm, he has been stationed in Ping'an Town for over ten years, naturally seeing much and having abundant experience.

At this point, how could he not know that he had fallen into a trap?

Lei Yangqiu, as the garrison commander, reviewed the evidence and Wang Dingzhu's case statement. The evidence chain was complete, and the statement was clear and without any flaws, showing the "great effort" Wang Dingzhu had put into handling this case.

Lei Yangqiu put away the evidence and the statement, his eyes showing a hint of "kindness": "Brother Dingzhu, you are a talent, and your talent and ability are no less than that of this garrison commander."

Wang Dingzhu bowed: "Your Excellency flatters me, I am unworthy of such praise."

"Unfortunately, you come from a declining minor family, and the support you can get is indeed limited." Lei Yangqiu, with his hands behind his back, sighed, "At forty-five, you are at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement stage, which is truly a pity. If you were from my Lei family, you would certainly have been given key cultivation, and the path to the Lingtai realm would not be impossible."

Wang Dingzhu remained silent, his face expressionless and did not respond.

"Brother Dingzhu, are you really willing to oppose me for the sake of such a family?" Lei Yangqiu's gaze suddenly became stern, scrutinizing Wang Dingzhu, "Do you know the consequences?"

Faced with such pressure, Wang Dingzhu remained as steady as a mountain, bowing and speaking in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, I am the deputy garrison commander of Ping'an Town, and I have received the great favor of the Supreme Emperor of Daqian. I must fulfill my duty to maintain peace and order. The evidence in this case is clear. I request that you order the interrogation of the suspects and enforce the law on the spot to set an example."

"Good, good, good! Brother Dingzhu is indeed devoted to the country and is a model for all officials and warriors." Lei Yangqiu laughed in anger, "I will take this dossier. After returning to the garrison, I will interrogate the suspects soon."

With that, he prepared to leave.

"Your Excellency, please wait." Wang Shouzhe called out.

Lei Yangqiu stopped, his eyes glaring at Wang Shouzhe: "What more do you have to say, Clan Leader Wang?"

"I dare not presume to instruct." Wang Shouzhe bowed, "Although the Wang family of Ping'an is a minor family, we are still a registered Xuanwu family of Daqian."

"According to the laws of Daqian, Xuanwu families have the duty to protect the people and the responsibility and power to assist and supervise local government offices. This case involves the bloodlines of the Liu and Zhao families. Therefore, it would be more appropriate for you to conduct the trial publicly to avoid any rumors among the people of Ping'an Town that might tarnish your reputation."

"Public trial, public trial."

In the crowd, some people started to chant, "These mass murders involve the high-ranking Xuanwu families. Who can guarantee that the garrison commander will not act out of favoritism?"

"Yes, yes, the Liu and Zhao families have the power to cover up evidence and turn the tide if given time."

"If that happens, how will the innocent victims ever receive justice?"

"Ah, young man, you are still too young. You don't understand the dangers of this world and the treachery of human hearts. Has such a thing not happened before? Who has ever seen the Liu and Zhao families lose even a hair?"

The chants grew louder, and those who were stirring up the crowd were naturally people Wang Shouzhe had arranged.

Previously, the Liu and Zhao families had also arranged some people in the crowd, but when it came to using public opinion to stir up trouble, who could match Wang Shouzhe's "broad experience"?

In his previous life, he had seen countless similar tactics and techniques online. The methods used by the Liu and Zhao families to stir up trouble were mere child's play.

"Everyone, rest assured, the garrison commander will give us an answer."

"Everyone must trust the garrison commander, who is a noble from the Tianren family."

Public opinion was boiling!

Lei Yangqiu was already in a difficult position. He stared at Wang Shouzhe with a dark gaze and said in a low voice, "Clan Leader Wang, you are young, but you are truly skilled. Is such opposition really appropriate?"

"What are you talking about, Your Excellency?" Wang Shouzhe glanced at the Liu and Zhao families and then said solemnly, "As the clan leader of the Wang family, and since Ping'an is the place where our ancestors have guarded, it is my duty to investigate this case out of filial piety and loyalty. Of course, the final decision is up to you, Your Excellency. If you have any concerns, you can choose to handle it back at the garrison."

Concerns? Handle it back at the garrison?

Lei Yangqiu was already thinking of killing someone. The situation had been stirred up to this extent by you, Wang Shouzhe. If he insisted on handling it back at the garrison, Wang Shouzhe would likely use this to make a big issue out of it.

If the matter became a major scandal, his position as garrison commander would be at risk. His family would also blame him for not being able to handle a small garrison commander position, let alone being entrusted with important tasks.

Being from a Tianren family has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages. The disadvantage is the numerous competitors. The large Tianren family has no shortage of resources to cultivate Lingtai realm practitioners, nor a lack of talented individuals.

Thinking of this, Lei Yangqiu's face became solemn, and he criticized Wang Shouzhe with a righteous tone: "What are you saying, Clan Leader Wang? I, as the garrison commander, am entrusted by the emperor to maintain order. My salary and benefits come from the support of the people, and it is my duty to uphold justice for them."

Whether it is the Daqian Empire or the Xuanwu families, although they are high-ranking, they still place great importance on local order and stability. The commoners and tenant farmers, although low in status and like ants in their eyes, are the foundation of the Xuanwu families and the state.

Without the countless people, where would the Xuanwu families get their abundant resources?

If the people's grievances boil over and cannot be suppressed, neither the Xuanwu families nor the local garrison commanders will benefit.

"Dingzhu."

Lei Yangqiu, being a decisive person, immediately entered his role.

"I am here, Your Excellency." Wang Dingzhu bowed solemnly.

"Since this case involves Liu Shengze of the Liu family and Zhao Jinda of the Zhao family, according to the law, you do not have the authority to arrest and interrogate members of the direct lineage of a Xuanwu family." Lei Yangqiu said solemnly, "I hereby authorize you. Given the clear evidence, you are to immediately arrest and bring these two individuals to justice."

Many deputy garrison commanders are often members of local Xuanwu families.

To prevent Xuanwu families from using public power to interfere in internal family disputes, the Daqian Empire stipulates that only the garrison commander can order the arrest of Xuanwu family members if the evidence chain is complete.

"I will follow your orders, Your Excellency." Wang Dingzhu respectfully accepted the mission and immediately led a group of fierce soldiers to arrest Liu Shengze and Zhao Jinda from the Liu and Zhao families.

"Father." "Father!"

Liu Yongzhou and Zhao Dingtian, the young elites of the two families, rushed forward in great anxiety.

"Bold!" Wang Dingzhu's face turned cold, and he drew his sword with a "clang," "You dare to obstruct the garrison in enforcing the law of Daqian. If you do not retreat immediately, I will not hesitate to execute you."

Liu Shengye and Zhao Jinxian, the clan leaders, quickly intervened: "Yongzhou, Dingtian, retreat immediately."

Their faces were dark, and they hated Wang Shouzhe to the bone.

But now that Wang Dingzhu held the "imperial sword," who dared to obstruct him? Each person would face severe consequences.

Thus, the two clan leaders could only turn to their ancestors. At this moment, only the ancestors could speak up.

Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun, the ancestors of the Liu and Zhao families, exchanged glances, both feeling the difficulty of the situation.

Moreover, they now realized that they had been led by the nose by the Wang family, step by step, into a trap.

But if they did not save their important clan members, the family would surely lose its cohesion.

Liu Zhide, with no choice, stepped forward and bowed to Lei Yangqiu: "Brother Yangqiu, as everyone knows, the Wang family has a long-standing grudge against our Liu and Zhao families. The Wang family's revival of this case may be out of malice. Perhaps..."

"The evidence is clear, and there is no need for further review." Lei Yangqiu interrupted directly, "Ancestors Zhide and Bojun, although I have known you for many years, I will not act out of favoritism. I must advise you, as Xuanwu families, you should not neglect the education of your members."

On the surface, he said this, but in his heart, he was furious. How dare these two old men still ask him to act out of favoritism? The Wang family had already planned everything, and the evidence was flawless, leaving no room for escape.

Moreover, Lei Yangqiu was very clear that these people were indeed guilty, and there was no injustice.

Why was he being put on the spot today? Was it not because Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun were too incompetent?

They could not even handle a simple disturbance and were led by the nose, being humiliated repeatedly. Their prestige and dignity were completely lost.

In the end, they even dragged him, Lei Yangqiu, into the mess, and Wang Shouzhe caught him red-handed, refusing to let go. His heart was filled with resentment, but to whom could he vent it?

The two ancestors' pleas were in vain, and the clan members of the Liu and Zhao families were filled with anger and sorrow.

The two clan leaders immediately signaled their subordinates to control Zhao Dingtian and Liu Yongzhou to prevent them from acting rashly. Otherwise, if the Wang family caught them, the situation would become even more complicated.

Seeing the other side restraining themselves, Wang Dingzhu naturally had no reason to make a fuss. He enforced the law impartially and brought the two key clan members to Lei Yangqiu.

"Zhao Jinda, Liu Shengze, with such clear evidence, if you cannot overturn it, I suggest you save some face for your families."

Lei Yangqiu looked at them coldly, having already sentenced them to death in his heart.

At the same time, he was also angry. What a waste, they couldn't even be proper villains. What use were they?

On the contrary, the Wang family... that seemingly gentle and refined young man... in an instant, Lei Yangqiu felt a deep sense of fear and respect for Wang Shouzhe.

This young man is terrifying!

...