Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1206: Still Trying to Run?

County Magistrate Fang found himself somewhat speechless. Comrade Jiang, this is the government office, could you please speak more civilly? You're not some mountain bandit, so why address people as 'old man'?

Jiang Qi looked towards County Magistrate Zheng. "Sir, let's proceed as San Lang suggested. This really seems like a good plan, much better than using funds from the government coffers and risking punishment from the Emperor later."

Even with your backing from the Zheng Family and Old Master Zheng's support, you cannot be this willful.

"Alright, let's do as San Lang proposed!" County Magistrate Zheng, shaking off the exhaustion from a sleepless night, declared cheerfully. "San Lang, present all the evidence you've gathered. Squad Leader Jiang, immediately bring Elder Shi, Bai Changfu, and those captured from Bai Village to the court. I need to conduct a hearing and convict them."

After conviction, we can confiscate the Gao family's Silver.

"Understood."

"As you command."

Qin San Lang and Squad Leader Jiang responded in unison, and the two immediately set into motion.

Before long, with everything prepared, County Magistrate Zheng, revitalized, took the evidence submitted by Qin San Lang and ascended the court.

County Magistrate Zheng wasted no time; instead of dealing with Elder Shi, Bai Changfu, and the others, he immediately ordered the confiscation of the Gao family’s property. He then subjected the captured individuals to severe torture within the prison, which quickly led to Elder Shi and the others confessing everything.

"Sir, it was all Gao Sanxiong pressuring me; I was coerced... *cough cough.* Gao Sanxiong said if I didn't obey his orders, he would incite the villagers to smash the government office and stir up more trouble regarding the taxes. He threatened to ruin my business!" Elder Shi wailed tearfully.

However, County Magistrate Zheng was too preoccupied to listen. He slammed the gavel down. "Silence! The evidence is irrefutable. Sign the confession immediately!"

He then signaled the clerk who was recording the testimonies, and the clerk brought the confession to Elder Shi for his signature.

With a resounding thud, a large handprint was stamped onto the confession, signifying Elder Shi's admission of guilt.

Bai Changfu and the individuals from Bai Village also subsequently signed confessions of guilt.

County Magistrate Zheng declared, "Company Commander Qin, Squad Leader Jiang, Steward Zheng, you have your orders. Gao Sanxiong from Xianggui Town incited Bai Changfu and others to vandalize the government office. The evidence is undeniable, and this crime is equivalent to conspiracy. Proceed immediately to Xianggui Town and apprehend Gao Sanxiong!"

Following County Magistrate Zheng’s command, Qin San Lang, Squad Leader Jiang, and Steward Zheng swiftly moved into action.

Qin San Lang selected two Section Leader soldiers and, accompanied by You Ping and others, along with Squad Leader Jiang and a contingent of Government Officials, set off towards Xianggui Town.

However, Qin San Lang remained uneasy about Luo Wu's well-being, so he quietly left Sanping behind. He instructed Sanping, "Ensure Brother Luo Wu doesn't do anything regrettable. If there's any danger, guarantee his safety."

This is my brother-in-law; he cannot get into trouble.

"Understood." After receiving the orders, Sanping concealed himself nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Luo Wu.

Meanwhile, the villagers kneeling at the government gates, along with the assembled crowd gathered for news, were all struck with fear by the unfolding scene.

"Is Company Commander Qin going to apprehend Old Master Gao?"

"Oh heavens, we had best remain honest; otherwise, we'll also be apprehended by Company Commander Qin."

The villagers were terrified. Those with malicious intentions, seeking to exploit the farmers' misfortunes, were even more fearful. They cursed Qin San Lang: "Damned King Qin! Earning only that meager salary monthly, why are you so dedicated? Why not side with us? By cooperating with us, you'd acquire Silver far exceeding the government's offerings."

In truth, these individuals had considered bribing Qin San Lang to overlook certain matters. However, upon learning that Qin San Lang was one of the owners of Gu's Workshop, receiving substantial dividends monthly, they realized he was not at all short of money and had to abandon their plans.

As for hiring someone to assassinate or maim Qin San Lang, haha, that was sheer foolishness; they would only end up getting themselves killed!

...

In Xianggui Town, Gao Sanxiong slammed the table in anger after hearing the report from his housekeeper. "Useless! You can't even handle such a minor issue."

Li Kuihu responded, "Calm yourself, Third Master. Actually, there's no need for such anxiety. Those mud-legged peasants are all paupers; they have no Silver to pay taxes. By the final deadline, they will still have to sell their assets cheaply to us to survive."

Indeed, Li Kuihu had previously been under Gao Sanxiong's command. However, after County Magistrate Zou was arrested, Li Kuihu grew timid. Gao Sanxiong, looking down on him, had given him no work in recent years.

However, this time, Gao Sanxiong had set his sights on the farms in Niugou Town. Thus, he summoned Li Kuihu to sow discord, intending to lure the farmers of Niugou Town into taking out high-interest loans from his gambling house. His ultimate goal was to seize their properties at rock-bottom prices.

Zhou Laoer also accompanied them. Since Zhou Laoer claimed familiarity with the Gu family, Gao Sanxiong harbored intentions of forging a connection and thus treated him with courtesy.

Upon hearing Li Kuihu's report, Gao Sanxiong let out a cold snort. "Humph, do you think I am eager to rush things? It's because of that new bank causing trouble. Once the Ouyang family's bank is operational, those bumpkins will have a place to get loans. They won't be so willing to part with their properties for cheap, and then what profit will I make?"

Gao Sanxiong's original plan was not one of haste; he was content to wait for farmers to either sell their land cheaply or fall into his trap by borrowing high-interest loans from his establishment. However, an unexpected turn of events saw a new bank emerge, offering loans at low interest rates. This bank was under the purview of the Ouyang family, a prestigious and powerful lineage that he wouldn't dare trifle with.

Therefore, he resolved to frame those peasants before the bank's opening, thereby disrupting their plans and compelling them to sell their land at a pittance.

Li Kuihu, upon hearing this, dared not utter a word. He knew better than to provoke Gao Sanxiong.

"Father, terrible news! A contingent of soldiers has surrounded our residence, and they claim to have orders to arrest you!" Boss Gao burst into the yard, his face ashen, shouting at Gao Sanxiong before even reaching him.

Gao Sanxiong was taken aback, hastily inquiring, "What did you say? Soldiers have surrounded our mansion? How many are there?"

Mansion? Engaging in illicit activities hardly qualified one for calling their residence a mansion, especially when one wasn't an official.

Boss Gao replied, "There are about twenty soldiers and thirty government officials. They've blockaded both our front and back entrances, preventing anyone from leaving."

He added deliberately, "The one leading them is Qin San Lang from the Military Office!"

"King Qin!" Gao Sanxiong had initially dismissed the twenty soldiers as insignificant. However, upon learning it was Qin San Lang, renowned for his decisive actions in storming the Water Bandit Village and eradicating the bandits, he recognized that this was no ordinary adversary.

"Old man, you take some men and hold off that Qin fellow. I will escape through the secret passage to the gambling house and head to Hushan Prefecture to seek out your Uncle Liu. With his protection, our family will surely be safe!" Gao Sanxiong and Chief Commander Liu, stationed in Hushan Prefecture, were close confidants. As long as Liu intervened, his safety would be assured.

"Father!" Boss Gao anxiously clutched Gao Sanxiong's arm. "I'll go with you."

"Go where? You, as the eldest son of the Gao family, must remain here to oversee our substantial assets. Rest assured, Father will return to rescue you all." Gao Sanxiong shook off Boss Gao's hand and swiftly moved towards his room.

The hidden entrance to the secret passage was located within his bedroom.

Unfortunately, mere moments after he set off, a whistling sound sliced through the air from behind him.

Whoosh!

An arrow, swift as lightning, pierced through Gao Sanxiong's knee hollow in an instant.

"Ah!" Gao Sanxiong shrieked in agony as the arrow shattered his kneecap. Unable to support himself, he collapsed to his knees.

Qin San Lang, perched on his horse and holding his bow, fixed a sharp gaze upon Gao Sanxiong. "Still attempting to flee?"