Not only Dongning officials but also Dongning people feel the same way.
Ever since Duke Qidong came to Dongning, he has been living the life a county king should have.
For a county prince, being well-dressed and well-fed and spending money like water are not shortcomings, but being diligent and studious and having outstanding virtues are.
He doesn't interfere in local affairs and has little dealings with officials. He just behaves extravagantly and acts domineeringly. This is really nothing.
Of course, there were a few cases of seizing fertile farmland and allowing slaves to commit crimes. But these were just a few cases, and they were not enough to arouse public indignation.
That is something the prince cannot afford to offend. Ordinary people have this understanding, and as long as it is not excessive, it is considered a rule.
Therefore, when those old cases were uncovered and the victims were brought before the censor, most people just watched the excitement.
Let's see if this Jiang Qingtian is really selfless, even the king of the county dares to criticize him.
As a result, the gossip in the streets finally turned not to how the Ming family was haunted, but to how Jiang Qingtian tried the case.
Compared to Prince Qidong, who was at the forefront of the storm, Magistrate Wu was extremely laid-back.
When Jiang Wenfeng came to Dongning, although he inspected various affairs according to his duties, he did not make things difficult for him.
Therefore, his life was not affected. He still worked every day and walked around the streets after leaving the office to see if there were any good products in various antique stone shops.
On this day, Magistrate Wu went to Linglong Pavilion as usual.
"The master of the palace is here!" The boss of Linglongxuan came forward with a smile, "It's a coincidence that you are here. We just arrived in the morning with a piece of high-quality Tianhuang stone. Can you please appreciate it?"
Magistrate Wu laughed: "That's a coincidence. Let's go and have a look."
The chief shopkeeper invited Magistrate Wu upstairs and into the collection room.
The four walls were covered with calligraphy and paintings, and the treasure shelves were full of treasures. The big shopkeeper didn't know what had been moved, and one of the walls slowly moved away, revealing a small room.
"Please come in." The big shopkeeper smiled.
Magistrate Wu nodded and entered the small room.
This small room is so small that it can only accommodate a table and a few chairs.
When Magistrate Wu entered, there were already people inside.
Two people, one standing and one sitting.
"Your Majesty." Magistrate Wu saluted respectfully, and then raised his hand to another person, "Mr. Wu."
There is only one person in Dongning who can be called a prince.
Prince Qidong smiled and pointed: "Sit down. Mr. Wu will also sit down. There are no outsiders here."
Magistrate Wu smiled and agreed: "Yes."
The scribe standing next to Prince Qidong also bowed and sat down with him.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Magistrate Wu sat down and his first sentence was, "Finally, those things have been brought out. It shows that they have run out of tricks."
Prince Qidong nodded: "Thank you for your hard work these days."
"It's not hard work, it's not hard work." Magistrate Wu waved his hand, "Your Majesty didn't do anything, so he's not afraid of them finding out. It's all Mr. Wu's credit, but a small provocation made him lose his temper."
But Mr. Wu smiled and shook his head: "No, it wasn't Xiao Ke's idea. I don't dare to take credit."
Magistrate Wu looked surprised: "It was not Mr. Wu's idea?" He handed over his hand again, "It turns out that the prince has an expert like Mr. Wu by his side. I am really gratified."
Prince Qidong nodded and smiled: "Young people are young people. I thought his appearance of caring about women was just an act, but now it seems that it is somewhat true."
Magistrate Wu said: "Beauties are rare. Miss Mingqi is so beautiful and so smart. How could he give it up? Who said that a beauty trick must be given to a beauty? It made him feel pity and get angry for this.
It’s very useful.”
The three of them looked at each other and laughed.
After holding it in all these days, I finally feel relaxed today.
They also thought that he, the Imperial City Secretary, had a strong head and six arms. No matter how dandy he looked, they did not dare to take him lightly. So he was so easy to deal with?
From beginning to end, they didn't put any effort into it. They just noticed that he was having a private meeting with a beautiful woman and asked the princess to take them to the restaurant.
Then came the good news.
Sue? Sue! Revealing these things shows that he can't find any other excuse.
What does it mean for a county prince to do something illegal? The so-called seizing fertile land is nothing more than buying it at a low price to build a garden. As for letting slaves commit crimes, which powerful family has never done it?
For a prince who is so close to the emperor by blood, it is not a sin to do these things, but it is a sin to do nothing.
"I'm afraid the prince will write a letter to plead guilty." Magistrate Wu said apologetically, "I'm afraid he will inevitably be reprimanded."
Prince Qidong waved his hand: "It's not a big deal, just be patient."
He lives his life with his tail between his legs. Isn't this how he has been living these years?
Magistrate Wu did not stay here for long, and left Linglong Pavilion half an hour later.
I wandered around the street for a while and went to several other gold and stone shops before heading back to the Yamen.
…
Mingwei didn't leave the house, but things outside were constantly reaching her ears.
"A moment of anger turns beauty into beauty!" She threw the small ball of paper into the Boshan stove and watched it turn into black ashes.
Ah Wanpi smiled but said: "As a beauty, what do you think?"
Mingwei thought about it seriously: "It's not bad. Having a subordinate like Mr. Yang, it's very satisfying for my vanity."
"snort!"
"Little girl, don't have such a bad temper." Mingwei said seriously, "You see you can't be angry with me, why bother making yourself angry all the time?"
Ah Wan said: "I am sixteen this year, how old are you?"
Ming smiled: "You only know that this body is fifteen years old, but do you know my real age? How could you know that I am not seventy or eighty years old? I am living a prosperous life."
Ah Wan looked at her suspiciously.
real?
The old god Mingwei was there, poured some water into the inkstone, rubbed it casually a few times, and picked up the pen to draw the talisman.
"These days, I have turned over Yu Fangyuan, but I can't find the lock." She said while drawing, "I suspect that this lock is outside."
Awan asked: "Then what should we do?"
"Leave the outside matters to them. Let's subdue Geng San first. Are you familiar with the formula?"
"I know it by heart."
"Very good." Mingwei handed the talisman he had just drawn into her hand, "Try to see if it can trigger it."
"Now that I know how to use talismans, can I conquer Geng San?"
Mingwei said: "Yes, so you have to be more serious!"
"Hmph, just wait!" Ah Wan held the talisman and went to the next door to try it.
Mingwei put down her pen, walked to the window, and looked at the willow trees in the darkness.
She had been playing the soul-saving music for several days, and it had almost worn away Gengsan's blood evil.
I will subdue him tomorrow and try to bring back his lost consciousness.
In ten years, I'm afraid he won't remember many things, so he has to hurry up.
As long as Geng San opens his mouth, he will know whether that terrible speculation is true or false.
"Mom." She lowered her head and looked at the golden hairpin in her hand, "Do you know what kind of man you love?"