Bully 013

At this moment, only one person was most panicked, and that was Nian'an. Knowing that Fang Zhiyi seemed to have escaped disaster, he was frantic with fear, terrified of Fang Zhiyi's retaliation. He hurriedly shouted, "Your Honor! Why aren't you arresting this local tyrant? I testify! He is the bandit leader who led the men to steal the official grain! That day, he was there, and him, him, him!" He pointed out several people in a row.

The eyes of everyone present gathered on him.

This time, the looks were uniformly ones of disdain.

The prefect, who had just been all smiles towards Huang Weixing, frowned and asked County Magistrate Hu, "Who is this man?"

"Reporting, Your Honor, he is Fang Zhiyi's adopted son. It was he who said..." County Magistrate Hu's face was now swollen on one side. Seeing the threatening look in his superior's eyes, his intelligence temporarily returned along with the pain.

"This man committed murder in broad daylight. After his arrest, he claimed to be Fang Zhiyi's adopted son and said Fang Zhiyi led the theft of the official grain..."

The prefect glanced at Huang Weixing. "You believed the casual words of a violent criminal?"

County Magistrate Hu understood.

"Your Honor, every word I said is true! I can swear..." Nian'an's words were cut short as County Magistrate Hu strode over. The soldiers quickly made way for him. "...an oath..."

"Smack!" An identical slap landed on his face. Nian'an felt a ringing in his ears and saw stars.

"Arrest him! Take him back for a thorough! interrogation!" County Magistrate Hu shook his hand, finally venting some of his pent-up frustration.

The people of the western suburbs found the day very thrilling. The soldiers had come in a rush and left in a rush. That County Magistrate Hu had gotten a bloody nose today and even forced a smile to Huang Weixing as he left.

They were all completely baffled, unsure of what had actually happened.

Fang Zhiyi also forbade them from approaching the backyard. Liu Acai and Chen Huaimin stood guard at the entrance, one on each side. Liu Acai kept glancing at Chen Huaimin's broken leg, then at his own, his face full of melancholy. Chen Huaimin, however, was deep in thought, as if he had guessed something.

In the courtyard, Huang Weixing reported on the work of his journey, while Fang Zhiyi listened with closed eyes.

Following Fang Zhiyi's arrangements, he had traveled north, first using money to pave the way and befriend a spoiled young noble, then using the methods Fang Zhiyi taught him to get acquainted with some officials.

"Teacher, as you said, the imperial court is in chaos now, corrupt officials are everywhere. As long as the silver is sufficient, many things are easy to manage." Huang Weixing rubbed his hands. "It's just that a lot of silver was spent..." He seemed a bit embarrassed.

Fang Zhiyi waved his hand. "Silver unspent is no different from a stone."

Huang Weixing smiled. Without asking for favors, just aiming to make friends, back and forth, the money was just barely enough. He quickly gathered a group of corrupt officials.

Huang Weixing said seriously, "Teacher, upon receiving your letter, I immediately sought out a high-ranking official of the first rank through connections and discussed the lottery ticket business."

Fang Zhiyi nodded.

Upon learning about the lottery ticket business, that high-ranking official was extremely tempted. Huang Weixing, with his silver tongue, elaborated on Fang Zhiyi's advantages, anti-counterfeiting techniques, etc., and the official was quickly hooked.

It was just that Huang Weixing had to leave the very next day. The high official was puzzled—the negotiations were going well, why leave now? Upon learning that a petty county magistrate below was trying to cut off this lucrative path, he was immediately furious, leading to the scene today.

"Teacher, I'd like to ask for your guidance on what to do next," Huang Weixing inquired. "Also, I don't understand the 'why' behind it."

Fang Zhiyi sighed. "You don't need to ask why. Perhaps you'll understand in the future."

"Next, you'll have to work hard to spread the news to the other two high officials." Fang Zhiyi's fingers lightly tapped the table. "Only by involving more people can our position be secure."

Huang Weixing nodded.

"Then, you can suggest to them that they propose this lottery ticket business to the Emperor."

Huang Weixing's eyes widened. "That wouldn't do, would it? If the Emperor finds out, we..."

Fang Zhiyi knew what he meant. If the Emperor wanted this business, at most they would receive some reward, and afterwards the business would have nothing to do with them.

"You think those first-rank officials are fools?" Fang Zhiyi was amused, having been both an emperor and a corrupt official himself. "The reason I had you approach them first was to let them understand just how immense the profits are."

"To make it big, we must hoist a flag large enough. The imperial banner is quite good. As for how they present it to the Emperor, you don't need to worry. Those officials, they're cunning as foxes."

Huang Weixing pondered for a few seconds and nodded.

"Remember, to maintain the lottery ticket business, officials at all levels must be taken care of. Tell them the money will be centrally accounted for and distributed by us."

Huang Weixing hurriedly departed. Liu Acai, who had been standing guard for a long time, watched wistfully as he rode away on horseback. Turning to ask a question, he saw that Fang Zhiyi had also left.

Nian'an was beaten with the board in the court. Being the protagonist after all, he ended up mostly unharmed, but he was thrown back into the prison cell.

He had figured it out now. Corrupt officials! They must have taken bribes from that local tyrant Fang Zhiyi!

"He has money to bribe corrupt officials but wouldn't save me! A hypocrite and pretender of benevolence and righteousness!" Nian'an cursed angrily, but when the jailer shouted at him, he immediately obediently swallowed his words.

Lin Kunyuan, who had been waiting for good news, heard the report brought back by the servant who had gone with them and stared in disbelief, but soon his face was filled with greed.

"A mere western suburb can actually have connections with the prefect. It seems it really is profitable."

He held a lottery ticket in his hand. He had already had someone examine the anti-counterfeiting coating on it, but no one could figure out the formula. That local tyrant did have some tricks.

But now that he had the prefect backing him, it really wouldn't be easy to move against him... Unless...

Nian'an was dragged out of his cell again. He thought he was going to die, as the prisoner in the neighboring cell had said exactly that—after the beating, being taken out meant beheading.

Nian'an struggled incessantly, the fear of death enveloping him, snot and tears streaming down together.

"You can't just kill me like this! I'm innocent! I, I'll do anything!"

He froze, staring at the Lin father and daughter before him. The two men who had brought him out simply threw him there and quickly left.

"This kid actually pissed himself!"

"Dammit, I really want to beat him up."

"Hurry back and wash our hands."

Nian'an didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing Miss Lin's shocked and disdainful look, he felt as if a heavy hammer had struck his chest.

After finally getting cleaned up and changing into clean clothes, Lin Kunyuan sized him up. "So? Listen to me, and I guarantee you a life of wealth and honor for the rest of your days."

Nian'an glanced at Lin Yanqing not far away. "You want me to go back and beg for his forgiveness? He'll kill me."

Lin Kunyuan gave a sinister smile. "If you don't go back, I can end your life right now. You should know, you got out because I spent silver."