Chapter 447

To avoid these troubles, Su Qiao felt it necessary to head to Quanzhou Prefecture as soon as possible to deal with the opium matter.

By the time Su Qiao finished handling the opium issue, Sun Chuanting would likely have resolved the matter of the neglected guard posts in the southeast.

At that time, he could return to the capital.

Therefore, he also needed to handle the matter of Liu Minghe as soon as possible.

"Yes! This subordinate will go and do it immediately!"

Ma Kui turned around to fetch the prisoner.

Su Qiao changed his clothes and went to the study to wait.

Not long after, a knock sounded on the door.

"Enter!"

With a creak, Ma Kui brought Liu Minghe into the room.

"Bring him a chair."

After Liu Minghe sat down, Su Qiao smiled and met his eyes. "How is My Lord Liu feeling now?"

"My Lord Su, this official is innocent! You cannot slander this subordinate at will. This subordinate did have some contact with Lu Hong and the others, but I was unaware of what they did behind my back..."

As soon as he sat down, Liu Minghe began to recount his "grievances".

Su Qiao listened with a smile, making no move to interrupt him.

Only after he finished speaking did Su Qiao set down his teacup. "Finished?"

"Finished..."

Liu Minghe sensed that Su Qiao's attitude was off, and his heart slowly sank.

"Very well, since you have finished speaking, let me speak. First, no matter how you plead your innocence now, it is useless. You should know that this official has the authority to act as he sees fit. Let alone arresting and interrogating you, even executing you would be no problem."

"You..."

Hearing Su Qiao's words, Liu Minghe immediately grew anxious.

He believed Su Qiao's words; precisely because he believed them, he felt even more panicked!

"I think you should abandon all illusions. Old Acquaintance, tell me about your status and position within the Bai Lianjiao."

301, Liu Minghe himself!

Liu Minghe glanced up at Su Qiao but said nothing.

By now, he had already begun to feel despondent and was ready to give up completely.

Yet, even if he spoke, it would be impossible.

As someone within the Bai Lianjiao, he naturally knew the punishment the sect meted out to traitors.

Moreover, the Bai Lianjiao hid very deeply; one never knew who might be one of their people.

Seeing that Liu Minghe remained silent, Su Qiao roughly understood his thoughts.

So he asked, "Are you worried about being retaliated against if you speak, or do you simply not want to say anything?"

Liu Minghe's eyes were complex, yet he still kept his mouth shut.

Su Qiao suddenly lost his patience; he had already made his plans to quickly finish dealing with the remnants of the Bai Lianjiao and then head to Quanzhou.

Now Liu Minghe was dawdling and had no intention of revealing the truth.

Su Qiao became very irritable!

"Drag him down. It seems My Lord Liu's mouth is still very tough. You accompany him and have a chat!"

When saying the last two words, Su Qiao deliberately emphasized his tone.

Ma Kui and the others immediately understood Su Qiao's 28 meaning.

They stepped forward, grabbed Liu Minghe's arm, and began to drag him outside.

Liu Minghe still wanted to act tough and negotiate terms with Su Qiao.

He never expected Su Qiao to ignore the usual protocols and directly order torture against him.

This was simply too unchivalrous!

At least, Liu Minghe felt somewhat broken down at that moment.

He was not someone with particularly strong willpower to begin with.

He had always been a career official, not one of those cannon fodder constantly brainwashed by the Bai Lianjiao's high command.

He possessed no thoughts of sacrificing his life for righteousness.

Now Su Qiao intended to torture him.

Especially by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; involuntarily, his mind conjured up the terrifying scenes within the Imperial Prison.

In an instant, he struggled and spoke out.

"Don't, don't! My Lord Su, this subordinate will speak! Whatever you wish to ask, this subordinate will say, absolutely without any concealment!"

However, at this moment, Su Qiao paid no attention to his pleas for mercy.

This fellow was a typical opportunist, extremely cunning; unless his bones were loosened, he would not honestly tell the truth.

So Su Qiao closed his eyes and completely ignored him.

Ma Kui glanced at Su Qiao, immediately understood what was happening, and dragged him straight out.

After two quarters of an hour passed.

Liu Minghe was dragged back by Ma Kui and the others.

He looked completely different from when he was dragged out; before, he had been relatively presentable, with a cunning glint occasionally flashing in his eyes.

But now!

Su Qiao saw no external wounds, and no sounds had been heard in the study just now.

Liu Minghe, however, was vastly different from before.

The cunning in his eyes was gone, replaced by deep fear.

Moreover, his body seemed paralyzed; he had been carried in entirely by Ma Kui and the others.

Thud!

Back in the study, Liu Minghe collapsed like a pool of watery mud, sitting on the floor and pleading, "My lord Su, ask whatever you wish; this humble official will say it all. Please, ask quickly..."

Seeing his eerie state, Su Qiao sighed in his heart.

Alas, poor child. I don't know what tortures the Embroidered Uniform Guard inflicted on you to cause such a change; truly, a cheap bone!

Why not have spoken sooner?

That would have saved us from having to lecture you.

"Now willing to speak?" Su Qiao asked with a mocking smile on his face.

Liu Minghe nodded like a pestle pounding garlic. "Willing, willing! This humble official is willing to speak!"

"Very well, then tell me what you know that this official does not. Do not hide any secrets; if this official finds out, you had better think clearly about the consequences!"

"This humble official understands!"

Hearing Su Qiao's words full of warning, Liu Minghe took a deep breath and nodded.

He knew he was completely finished!

He also understood Su Qiao's attitude.

It was absolutely fixed on him!

Whether he spoke or not, the outcome was destined; there was no way to turn the tables anymore.

It was just a matter of whether he had any value.

If he had value, he might die quickly; otherwise, he would face the Embroidered Uniform Guard's terrifying interrogation methods.

Having completely given up hope, Liu Minghe sat on the floor and slowly began to recount what he knew.

First was his entry into the Bai Lianjiao.

Originally, he was just a poor scholar with some talent, but the quota for each county was limited.

Moreover, he had no money and was envied by fellow students from local wealthy families.

He was suppressed!

He had already given up hope, but who knew that people from the Bai Lianjiao suddenly approached him, though they hid their identity at first.

The reason was simply that he was quite talented.

It was convenient for the Bai Lianjiao to insert people into the court.

One could only say it was an opportunity, an investment, so to speak.