Chapter 94

......

Liu Shengze, Zhao Jinda.

They were both elites of their clans, with cultivation levels around the sixth or seventh layer of the Qi Refinement stage. However, they each managed a significant portion of the clan's business, performing their duties with great success.

They were the kind of people who, wherever they went, were treated with respect.

This time, they came to the Wang family to cause trouble and suppress Wang Longyan. Before they came, they were full of enthusiasm, imagining the benefits their clans would gain if they could once again suppress the Wang family.

However, they never expected that as soon as they arrived at the Wang family's gate, they would be met with one blow after another, and in the end, even the old patriarch was almost killed, barely surviving by begging for help in a wretched state.

Such a great humiliation was not even the end...

At this moment, Liu Shengze and Zhao Jinda were bound and looked utterly wretched, with no trace of their former nobility. Their eyes were filled with intense fear and despair.

They wanted to speak in their own defense, but they had no way to do so. The crimes listed against them were all real and could not be fabricated.

Perhaps the only way to defend themselves was to say that these actions were done for the clan, not out of personal desire. But doing so would undoubtedly drag the clan and their descendants into the mess.

They understood the meaning of the governor's words about leaving some face for the clan. They knew the relationship between their clans and Lei Yangqiu. Once they completely offended Lei Yangqiu, their clans would not have an easy time either.

After a fierce internal struggle, the two finally made up their minds.

"Clan Head!" Liu Shengze cried out pitifully, "Take care of Yongzhou. Wang Shouzhe, Wang Dingzu, may you die a thousand deaths."

With that, he gathered his mystic energy and shattered his heart, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he died.

Zhao Jinda also laughed pitifully, "The Wang family, you will not be arrogant until the end. My son, take care of your mother and your younger siblings."

With that, he committed suicide in the same manner as Liu Shengze, leaving some face for the clan.

Such "tragic sacrifices" left the clan members of the Liu and Zhao families in deep sorrow, many of them weeping. They developed a strong sense of hatred towards Wang Shouzhe, Wang Dingzu, and even the entire Wang family. "Wang Shouzhe, we will never let this go."

Especially Liu Yongzhou and Zhao Dingtian, the two sons, roared and wailed on the spot, and several clan guards and members had to forcibly remove them from the scene.

Zhao Bojun and Liu Zhide, the two old patriarchs, stared at Wang Shouzhe with hawk-like eyes. Their dignity was lost, and their descendants had died; how could they be content?

Even some of the women of the Wang family looked on with hidden sympathy, covering their children's eyes. However, the Wang family would not truly sympathize with their enemies; the actions of the Liu and Zhao families had long made them irreconcilable.

"Still, they can be considered two brave men." Lei Yangqiu was slightly moved and turned to Wang Shouzhe with a sarcastic tone, "Clan Head Wang, are you satisfied with this outcome?"

Of course, he was not happy. All of this was forced by Wang Shouzhe, who had compelled him to take action against the Liu and Zhao families.

As a result, the Liu and Zhao families, who had been obedient, might now develop an irreparable rift with his Lei family.

At the same time.

The onlookers all seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief, cheering for Lei Yangqiu.

Some praised him for upholding justice, never expecting that the governor would actually take action against the nobles of the Liu and Zhao families for the deaths of some commoners. "The Lei family is truly the Lei family."

These comments reached Lei Yangqiu's ears, somewhat restoring his dignity. Although the matter was humiliating, he had at least gained some popularity.

"I am not satisfied." Wang Shouzhe answered solemnly and loudly.

This response was completely unexpected by everyone. Even Mang Laozu and the onlookers, including the Liu siblings, felt a sudden unease, fearing that Wang Shouzhe might thoroughly anger Lei Yangqiu.

The onlookers' discussions also came to an abrupt halt, their faces filled with shock. The governor had done a good job, yet Clan Head Wang was still unsatisfied?

Some clan members of the Liu and Zhao families could not help but feel a surge of joy. "Wang Shouzhe, you are courting death. You are giving the governor, who is already humiliated, a chance to retaliate."

"What?" Lei Yangqiu's sense of satisfaction instantly froze, and his anger surged uncontrollably. He laughed in anger, "Very well, very well. Clan Head Wang, please specify your demands. I will ensure that you are satisfied today."

He had already planned to deal with Wang Shouzhe after this matter was over, finding a reason to torment the Wang family. Today, Wang Shouzhe had played him, and he would have to make up for it tenfold, a hundredfold.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe had handed him the opportunity. If he did not clarify the matter, Lei Yangqiu would find a reason to confront him on the spot.

"First, Governor, you called them 'two brave men,' showing a hint of respect." Wang Shouzhe said solemnly, "Although they have not been interrogated, the charges indicate that these two were the masterminds behind multiple massacres, with countless lives on their hands, committing heinous crimes. For you to express admiration for such brutal beasts clearly shows that you instinctively approve of their actions. This makes me worry whether your values and reputation are suitable for governing Ping'an Town."

"You..." Lei Yangqiu's face changed dramatically, and a surge of anger erupted from his chest, "Wang Shouzhe, you are recklessly accusing me."

"Accusing is not false, but whether it is reckless needs to be determined." Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "Secondly, it is not dissatisfaction, but a deep questioning of your conduct and professional standards as a governor. As you know, our noble families have the right to supervise the actions of the governor."

"As a governor, you should adhere to the laws of Daqian and handle cases impartially. Look at what you have done."

"You... Where have I not handled things impartially?" Lei Yangqiu, though furious, felt a vague sense of unease.

Wang Shouzhe spoke with righteous indignation, "The laws of Daqian have a clear procedure for handling cases. First, you used your authority to block the self-defense of two suspects who have not been interrogated and convicted."

"Second, you did not ask any questions, did not hear their confessions, did not investigate whether they had accomplices or masterminds, or whether there were any hidden circumstances or unresolved cases, and you hastily concluded that they were guilty. I want to see how you will write the case file. Such professional standards as a local official are unacceptable to me."

"Third, you hastily concluded the case without proper interrogation, which is already procedurally flawed. I did not expect that you would even hint and subtly threaten the suspects to commit suicide. There are only two explanations: one, you are afraid that the interrogation will implicate more people. Two, you are impatient and want to resolve the case quickly. Either way, I am deeply concerned."

"Today, you handled the bloodline members of the Liu and Zhao families so hastily. Tomorrow, you could arbitrarily accuse the members of the Wang family. I am truly afraid."

"You..." Lei Yangqiu's face turned red, and he took a few steps back, his eyes wide with anger, "Wang Shouzhe, you have a lot of nerve to slander me."

A massive aura of authority enveloped Wang Shouzhe.

"Governor, you certainly have a lot of authority." Wang Shouzhe, facing the aura, was not afraid. The aura of a Lingtai realm cultivator mostly comes from the psychological intimidation of being at the top of the food chain. The divine will contained within it could not be easily affected by Wang Shouzhe, who was at the seventh layer of the Qi Refinement stage.

Mang Laozu, seeing Lei Yangqiu use the Lingtai realm aura, originally wanted to step in to protect Wang Shouzhe, but he found that Wang Shouzhe was unaffected, and he felt a deep admiration for his great-grandson.

He had to admit that his great-grandson's words were very reasonable. Lei Yangqiu's actions clearly did not meet the standards of a Daqian governor.

He vaguely felt that with his great-grandson's methods, Lei Yangqiu was in trouble. His great-grandson would not just talk; he would act.

Even Mang Laozu felt a bit of sympathy for Lei Yangqiu. This young man, a Lingtai realm cultivator, was first forced by Shouzhe to take action against the Liu and Zhao families, using him as a tool.

After being used, Shouzhe immediately turned on him, like discarding a used piece of paper.

Not only Mang Laozu, but also the Wang family members and the Liu siblings felt that Wang Shouzhe's words were reasonable. Lei Yangqiu was either incompetent as a governor or had ulterior motives and deep ties with the Liu and Zhao families.

Either way, his role as the governor of Ping'an Town was a disaster.

The thousands of onlookers, who initially thought that the governor was handling things impartially and was a good governor, were now chilled to the bone after hearing Wang Shouzhe's analysis.

Indeed, is a governor who disregards the law, acts arbitrarily, and makes hasty judgments really a good one? Today, he can deal with the Liu and Zhao families; tomorrow, he can deal with the Wang family; the day after, he might start slaughtering the common people in the jurisdiction.

A governor should maintain peace and order.

Now, everyone is afraid. Who is not afraid of a lawless governor?

With the guidance of some people, the commoners' discussions grew louder and more intense, all feeling that the governor had serious problems.

The sound of the discussions reached Lei Yangqiu's ears, and his heart sank. The public opinion was boiling.

Even the clan members of the Liu and Zhao families, including Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun, were sneering, showing no sympathy for Lei Yangqiu's predicament, but rather a sense of schadenfreude.

"Lei Yangqiu, did you think of this moment when you dealt with us?"

Wang Shouzhe, seeing that the time was right, immediately bowed and said with a cold laugh, "I have experienced the authority of Governor Lei. But this Changning Garrison is not under the control of the Lei family alone."

"I will record all the details of this matter from beginning to end, make several copies, and send one to the city governor, one to the Zifu Academy, and one to the Longzuo County Prince. Let the higher-ups judge the right and wrong. I do not believe that in our great Daqian, there is no place to speak for the people. If necessary, I will go to the capital."

"Brother Shouzhe is right. I also feel that Governor Lei is not suitable for his position." Liu Ruolei stepped forward excitedly, "I will ask Xuanfu Laozu to deliver the copy to the academy."

"Thank you, Sister Ruolei, for your support." Wang Shouzhe bowed in gratitude, "But the Wang family also has some connections in the academy to handle this matter."

"Could it be... Bing?" Liu Ruolei was delighted, "Has she forgiven Great-Aunt?"

"Cannot say, cannot say." Wang Shouzhe hinted at the power of Binglan Shangren but did not dare to lie directly, for fear of getting into trouble if it reached her ears.

Leave some room for everyone to imagine.

Indeed, Liu Ruolei smiled, "Since Brother Shouzhe has a plan, I will not meddle. With that person, the academy will certainly respond."

Lei Yangqiu was truly stunned, feeling a chill in his heart.

With Wang Shouzhe's words, no one around him stood by him. If the city governor sent an inspector to investigate, no one would speak in his favor.

Moreover, some of Wang Shouzhe's words were not baseless. How could he withstand an investigation?

This Changning Garrison is not under the control of the Lei family alone. The family put him in this position with some effort. If the matter reached the family, he would be the first to suffer.

Wang Shouzhe, this young man, has a terrifying ability to turn the tide.

Immediately, he retracted his aura and bowed with a gentle smile, "Brother Wang, can we talk in private?"

Wang Shouzhe bowed in return and politely declined, "Governor, you are joking. We have no connection. If you have something to say, please speak openly."

Lei Yangqiu was furious, but with the current situation, his future was in the hands of the other party.

Immediately, he put aside his dignity and bowed with a humble smile, "Clan Head Wang, what do you think is the best course of action for me? I promise I will not make things difficult for your Wang family afterward."

"Governor, the Wang family stands tall and does not break the law. Why do you need to swear not to make things difficult for us? Given the situation, I can only give you one piece of advice." Wang Shouzhe bowed.

"What advice?" Lei Yangqiu's heart sank.

"Advise you to leave some face for your family." Wang Shouzhe said, and then turned and left.

What?

Isn't this the same advice he gave to Liu Shengze and Zhao Jinda?

"Wang Shouzhe, you..." Lei Yangqiu, overwhelmed with anger, spat out a mouthful of blood.

...