12dz Chapter 383 Complaining incessantly
Chapter 383 Complaining incessantly
But Chen Er let them go so easily. Zhao Tianming would never be happy about that, especially with Ma Dazhi and the others. Chen Er was inwardly groaning, wishing he could slap Zhao Tianming across the face for daring to make things so difficult for him.
However, now that things have already happened, Chen Er knows he absolutely cannot act rashly.
"Sir, could you please show some consideration for me? I failed to properly educate Ma Dazhi. I'll give him a good beating right now, and we'll pretend this never happened. Of course, I'll give you all my next month's income. What do you think?" Chen Er said, pretending to be indifferent, but Zhao Tianming was still not satisfied.
Zhao Tianming sneered inwardly. Good heavens, Chen Er sent people to steal his things, and then just pretended to beat them up before releasing Ma Dazhi. But Zhao Tianming wasn't stupid. Of course, he was unwilling to accept this. Moreover, Zhao Tianming really wanted to know what Ma Dazhi and his gang were trying to steal.
"Chen Er, stop talking. Although Ma Dazhi is your man, he was caught red-handed stealing from my place today. I'm going to detain him for a few days. Men, arrest Ma Dazhi!" At Zhao Tianming's command, dozens of armed guards swarmed forward.
Chen Er narrowed his eyes to slits and immediately shouted, "All of you, get your hands on my men! I'd like to see who dares to touch my men. You're all asking for trouble. Believe me, I'll kill you right here and now." Chen Er stopped pretending.
Actually, Chen Er felt very frustrated continuing to act like this. He originally came to deal with Zhao Tianming, but now that they had already torn off the mask, Chen Er had no reason to continue pretending.
Chen Er roared, immediately stopping the guards with their swords in their tracks. They knew that although Chen Er was only a first-rank official at the moment.
But life is too long, and who knows if Chen Er will rise to prominence in the future? If Chen Er does become successful, then offending him today will only result in endless revenge from Chen Er.
These guards with swords were all seasoned veterans, so they had no choice but to stand still and obey Zhao Tianming's next order.
At this moment, Zhao Tianming had a sinister smile on his lips. He looked at Chen Er and then roared angrily.
"Chen Er, are you now admitting that you deliberately sent these people? I have no idea what you're up to. What do you have in me that you're eyeing? I'd rather die knowing the truth."
Zhao Tianming spoke indifferently, and the expression on his face began to twitch.
Chen Er knew that he was now under someone else's roof and had no choice but to bow his head. He had been caught red-handed, and now he had no choice but to admit it.
However, Chen Er was also thinking about it. He knew that he had already helped Ma Dazhi get away with it, so there was no point in continuing the performance now.
"Lord Zhao Tianming, I actually learned from others that you have a slush fund. Was it because a certain region suffered a flood last year, and the Emperor allocated you a lot of money to help the common people?"
"But according to the case files we got back from the investigation, more than half of the money that reached the people has been cut off. What's going on? Can you explain this to me?" Chen Er was the first to challenge them.
Chen Er didn't give Zhao Tianming a chance to catch his breath. When Zhao Tianming heard Chen Er's question, his body trembled several times. Zhao Tianming didn't expect that Chen Er had found out through some channel that his family had a secret stash of money. Of course, the exact location of the secret stash of money was not easy to find.
Therefore, Zhao Tianming would not admit it: "Lord Chen Er, I don't know what you mean. I don't understand at all. Besides, I have been honest and upright for decades. Anyone who knows me knows how I am as an official. How could you say such a thing? It hurts my heart."
Zhao Tianming looked at Chen Er with a wronged expression, which almost made Chen Er feel nauseous. He didn't expect Zhao Tianming to be a better actor than him. However, Chen Er didn't intend to make Zhao Tianming admit it after saying these words. Zhao Tianming was just being stubborn, unless Chen Er found the secret stash right now.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for Chen Er to convict Zhao Tianming. Left with no other choice, Chen Er had to speak up again.
"True gold fears no fire. Since you are so confident, sir, please let us in and search the place. If I really don't find the treasury, then I will be happy to apologize to you." Chen Er said sincerely.
Chen Er's words elicited an angry laugh from Zhao Tianming: "Chen Er, who do you think you are? You need to be clear about your identity and attitude. You are just a low-ranking official like me. You have no right to search my residence. Take your people and leave now, or you will definitely regret it."
"Lord Zhao Tianming, you are my elder, and I am only speaking to you calmly today because of Lord Zhao Beixing. If you do not cooperate with me, then don't blame me for turning my back on you."
Chen Er's words were very gentle, but Zhao Tianming clearly heard a threat in them.
Chen Er actually threatened him, a weak first-rank official. This was a reality that Zhao Tianming could not accept no matter what.
"Chen Er, you are really arrogant and conceited, do you know that? I don't want to argue with you because of your youth. But if you continue to be so stubborn, you will definitely regret it. I'm going to skin you alive."
Zhao Tianming shouted these words with all his might.
It was obvious that Zhao Tianming was on the verge of anger, but Chen Er still had no intention of giving up. He had finally brought so many people today, and if he returned empty-handed, not only would his men lose confidence, but Chen Er would also alert the enemy.
Therefore, Chen Er knew that if he didn't search this time, Zhao Tianming would not only move his family's treasury away after he returned, but he might also complain to the emperor. At that time, it would be a huge misunderstanding for Chen Er, a first-rank official, to search Zhao Tianming's residence.
Chen Er's eyes turned red, and he bit his lip and said fiercely, "Zhao Tianming, you forced me to do this. I tried to persuade you with kind words, but you wouldn't listen. So don't blame me for being impolite to you."