Chapter 435

What makes the Jingzhao Prefecture different from local offices is that this administrative organ is not constrained by step-by-step appeals; criminals in cases where evidence has been verified as conclusive can be sentenced to death on the spot.

The criminals referred to here.

Are at most people without rank or title.

For someone with official status like this.

He could at most investigate the situation.

Then report it to the imperial court and let the court handle it.

Without permission from above.

He couldn't even beat him.

This was much stronger than the likes of Du Changfeng.

If there were matters to be handled, they would be tried by the Ministry of Justice or similar departments.

However, Xun Bai Shui would do what needed to be done.

It wasn't to curry favor or out of fear of offending Gu Yankai, the Earl of Zhongqin, and the others.

He was a man with a heart full of patriotism.

He could distinguish right from wrong when it came to major issues.

Therefore.

What needed to be done had to be done.

"Cheng Yu, the Marquis of Ningyuan and the Earl of Zhongqin are accusing your newspaper of fabricating stories."

"Do you have any defense?"

Cheng Yu, who was questioned, still appeared unhurried, calm, and composed.

Ignoring the murderous glares of Gu Yankai and the others.

Cheng Yu said: "Magistrate Xun, our newspaper never fabricates stories."

"Scoundrel!"

"You are spouting nonsense; our Gu family is a loyal and virtuous family, how could there be the dirty things you speak of!"

Gu Yankai said angrily.

He had to defend his family's reputation with all his might.

Otherwise, his whole family, including his own official career, would be in trouble.

Not only would they become a laughingstock, but they would also be ostracized.

I fear even the Emperor and the Retired Emperor would be disgusted.

Under such circumstances.

How could he accept it!

Therefore, regarding the actions of Man Niang and the others.

He firmly refused to admit it.

Cheng Yu, who was tall and even larger than the old general Gu Yankai, was stunned: "Marquis of Ningyuan, how is this to be understood? When has our newspaper ever mentioned your Gu family?"

"You!"

Gu Yankai was stunned.

"Reporting to the Magistrate, I fear this Marquis of Ningyuan has misunderstood."

"From beginning to end, we never said anything about the Gu family or the Yuan family."

"As for these 'Yuan' families and the like, we never explicitly stated who they were from start to finish."

Ignoring Gu Yankai, Cheng Yu would not be intimidated by the other party.

He was saying this for Xun Bai Shui to hear.

Ignoring the furious Gu Yankai and the others, Xun Bai Shui pondered after hearing this.

He lowered his head to look at the newspaper spread out on the official desk!

There was indeed not a single word in the newspaper saying it was the Gu family or the Yuan family.

They all used aliases.

Such as "a certain Gu family," "the second young master of the Gu family," "a concubine," and so on.

In short, they didn't touch the original names at all.

So Cheng Yu's defense was reasonable and well-founded.

Although they were insinuating, those who understood, understood.

Everyone could distinguish who was who.

But in any case, it was all speculation.

There was no proof or evidence.

If it were commoners, it would be easy to handle; they would be willing to confess, or one could forcibly declare them guilty.

But this Cheng Yu was an official of the Ministry of War, and his own status was not low.

If things were blown up, the imperial court would know.

He might even have a background or backing.

If you dared to frame him or use force.

Xun Bai Shui was certain his political career would end immediately.

Naturally, he would not be so stupid.

Therefore.

Xun Bai Shui looked toward Gu Yankai, the Earl of Zhongqin, and the others: "Marquis of Ningyuan, Earl of Zhongqin, do you have any other proof to confirm that their newspaper is fabricating stories about you? I want irrefutable evidence."

·· 0 Begging for flowers 0 ·········

Gu Yankai, the Earl of Zhongqin, and the others immediately turned pale.

The Earl of Zhongqin thought for a moment.

Where would he have any?

The Earl of Zhongqin said with a livid face: "Magistrate Xun, it is very obvious here that it refers to our Gu and Yuan families; even if they didn't name names, they should be judged guilty. As for this Official Cheng, I'll assume he is unaware, but you must smash this newspaper office and close it down; you must stop the slander against our two families."

"That's right, it must be closed!"

Gu Yankai said.

The two of them also saw it.

Without ironclad evidence, it was difficult to get a hold on this Cheng Yu.

Therefore, they could only settle for the next best thing.

Close this newspaper office permanently.

That would also vent some of their anger.

And most importantly, prevent the further spread of this matter!

Xun Bai Shui looked at Cheng Yu again.

He was thinking in his heart about how Cheng Yu would respond.

If Cheng Yu couldn't hold out and was afraid and wanted to close it.

Then naturally, everyone would be happy.

If not... then they would discuss it further!

"Magistrate Xun."

"Everything must be based on truth and evidence; you cannot frame us without proof."

"Do you think the office is run by you, or do you think this official is easy to bully?"

"Hmph, you want to close our newspaper office with just a word; are you thinking you can also become Emperor with just a word? What do you take His Majesty and the others for?"

"......"

Facing the crowd of powerful figures.

Cheng Yu appeared extremely arrogant, and he snorted coldly without ever bowing his head.