12dz Chapter 2137 Posting Notices
Chapter 2137 Posting Notices
Governor Ding swallowed hard, his eyes darting away, unable to meet Yan Ruyu's gaze.
He was silent for a moment, his shoulders slumped slightly, and his voice trembled with tears: "It was Wu Ping'an! He orchestrated everything!"
"Wu Ping'an?" Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She leaned forward slightly and pressed, "Are you sure it's Wu Ping'an?"
Governor Ding nodded hurriedly, as if grasping at a lifeline: "I'm sure! He always shows a plaque every time he comes; I've seen it several times!"
"What does the sign look like?" Yan Ruyu's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone becoming more serious.
Governor Ding closed his eyes, as if trying to recall, his brows furrowed: "It was black, made of some kind of hardwood, with strange patterns carved on it, not ordinary patterns, crooked and looking somewhat eerie."
In addition, two characters are engraved on the front – 'Peace' – in clerical script, deeply engraved, looking quite rough to the touch.
Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyu turned to look at Huo Changhe.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and a hint of seriousness flashed in Huo Changhe's eyes.
Neither of them immediately expressed their opinion. Yan Ruyu turned back to Governor Ding and said, "Continue."
Governor Ding paused for a moment, opened his mouth, and looked somewhat bewildered: "Say...say what? I've said everything."
He licked his chapped lips, his tone tinged with grievance, "Every time Wu Ping'an comes, he's wrapped up tightly and speaks in a low voice, so I can't see what he looks like at all."
He simply explained the task to me, instructing me to cooperate with the Liu family. After receiving the benefits, he left immediately, never lingering for a moment. I truly know nothing more about him.
"You make it sound so easy." Yan Ruyu's lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes suddenly turning icy. "You think you can just say you know nothing?"
The Liu family has committed numerous crimes in this city, forcibly seizing farmland and disregarding human life, all of which have been tolerated or even condoned by you.
As the governor of a city, you receive the emperor's salary, yet you collude with treacherous officials and exploit the people. Now, you think you can absolve yourself of all responsibility with a simple "I don't know"?
Governor Ding's face turned deathly pale, his head drooped even lower, and his voice trembled with tears: "I really don't know! I had no choice!"
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed: "The Liu family has a get-out-of-jail-free card! It was bestowed by the late emperor. They have always been domineering in this city, and no one dares to provoke them."
If I didn't do as they said, not only would I lose my position as governor, I might even lose my life! It's not my fault, it really isn't my fault!
"I can't blame you?" Huo Changhe's voice deepened, filled with barely suppressed anger. "As a local official, instead of serving the people, you aided and abetted the wicked, embezzled and perverted the law. Can a simple 'there's nothing I can do' erase the crimes you've committed?"
Governor Ding was rendered speechless by the scolding. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. He could only keep kowtowing, saying, "I was wrong... I know I was wrong... Spare me, spare me!"
Yan Ruyu looked at him with a hint of impatience in her eyes.
She got up and walked to Huo Changhe's side, gently tugged at his sleeve, and whispered, "There's no need to get angry with him. People like him will do anything to protect themselves, it's not worth getting angry."
Huo Changhe took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, his chest still rising and falling slightly.
He glanced at Prefect Ding, who was weeping on the ground, and sneered, "If it weren't for the fact that there's still more to be investigated, I would definitely not have spared him today."
Yan Ruyu nodded, then turned to Governor Ding and said, "You stay put, or I'll take your life right now!"
After saying that, he pulled Huo Changhe and turned to walk out of the courtyard.
As night deepened, the branches of the trees in the courtyard rustled in the wind, and moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
“Wu Ping’an’s origins are unknown, and his whereabouts are also unknown,” Huo Changhe said as he walked, his tone grave. “It seems to be more complicated than we imagined.”
Yan Ruyu nodded: "Indeed. However, things must be done step by step. Pulling out the radish will bring out the mud, and we won't be completely without clues. Right now, we need to settle the score with Governor Ding and give the people an explanation."
Huo Changhe stopped in his tracks, a resolute glint in his eyes: "I think I will post a notice tomorrow so that the people of the city can seek redress for their grievances."
"Prefect Ding has been in office for many years, and he must have done many things to oppress the people. We will gather all the evidence against him and send it to the Ministry of Justice in the capital, where he will surely receive what he deserves."
“That’s a good idea,” Yan Ruyu agreed. “The people have suffered for so long, they deserve a place to seek justice. Let’s go find Su Zhenhai now and ask him to help make arrangements.”
The two went to Su Zhenhai's study and explained their purpose.
Su Zhenhai immediately slammed his hand on the table and agreed: "Leave this matter to me!"
I'll give the order right away. Write the notices tonight, and post them throughout the city first thing tomorrow morning, making sure every citizen sees them!
Su Zhenhai was efficient; that very night, he had a notice drafted, stamped with the official seal of the city's garrison, and was ready to be issued at dawn.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the bulletin boards throughout the city were already crowded with people.
Several notices were written in cinnabar, with neat and powerful handwriting. They clearly stated that the people could appeal their grievances, and that the government would handle the matter impartially and give everyone justice. They also pointed out that Prefect Ding had been taken into custody and that his crimes would be investigated one by one.
"Really? Is the government really going to stand up for us?"
"That corrupt official, Prefect Ding, is finally going to fall! My family's land was forcibly seized by the Liu family. When I went to complain, I was beaten and thrown out. This time, I must get justice!"
"And me! My son was beaten to death by the Liu family, but Governor Ding claims it was an accident. I refuse to accept this!"
The people were abuzz with discussion and excitement. Some wept with joy, while others gritted their teeth in anger. The whole city was enveloped in an atmosphere of exhilaration and indignation.
After the notice was posted, the gates of the Su residence were almost worn down by people rushing around.
The people, carrying pre-written petitions or impromptu dictations, poured into the Su residence with their petitions written down by the Su family's staff.
The lawsuits piled up on the desk like snowflakes, each one filled with the blood, tears, and grievances of the people.
Huo Changhe sat in the hall of the Su residence, flipping through the complaint pages one by one, his face growing increasingly grim.
The crimes recorded above are appalling: seizing farmland, forcing women into prostitution, disregarding human life, embezzlement and bribery... each and every one of them is outrageous.
"This Prefect Ding is utterly depraved!" Huo Changhe slammed the complaint on the table, his voice filled with rage. "He has caused the people to lose their homes and lives, yet he still tries to justify himself, saying he had no choice! What use is there in keeping such a scoundrel around!"
Yan Ruyu stood aside, looking at the mountain of lawsuits, a hint of coldness appearing in her eyes.
She sighed softly: "Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish. His crimes are already laid bare, and he will certainly not escape the law."