Chapter 46: Money or Your Life

"That's right, it's you we're arresting. You must be He Cunchang, the Iron Badge Constable of Changling County, right? Your crimes have been exposed, come with us!"

"Bullshit! I, He, walk straight and sit upright. Why are you arresting me? I'm going to the Chief Constable to report you all!"

"Enough, He Cunchang, are you not embarrassed enough yet?" The cold gazes of the two leading Iron Badge Constables swept over, seemingly devoid of any emotion, making He Cunchang's heart tremble.

"He Cunchang, you colluded with the Zhangnan Bandits to harm the innocent, and even provided them with intelligence multiple times in exchange for profit. You still have the nerve to say you walk straight! Do you know that the Zhangnan Bandits are plotting a rebellion? Given the connections between you, you absolutely cannot escape involvement!"

"What, re-, rebellion? It's over!" When the other party stated his relationship with the Zhangnan Bandits, He Cunchang knew his own little secrets had definitely been exposed. Especially after hearing that last word, rebellion, he almost pissed himself on the spot.

Aren't the Zhangnan Bandits just a group of thugs who rob houses and loot? How did they end up playing such a big game? It's killed me!

If it were any other charge, it would be fine; with his connections, he could pull some strings to at least lighten the sentence. But with this charge, who would dare plead for him? This time, he is definitely finished.

"Take him away! The Chief Constable said, he is to be dealt with by family law!!"

"What?" Dealt with by family law? That is even more ruthless and vicious than state law. Usually, no matter how tough someone is, they can't last a few rounds before crying for their parents. And with the methods of the Capture Gate, they guarantee he will enjoy it from start to finish without even dying.

I only took a bit of silver from the Zhangnan Bandits, it shouldn't be this serious!

"Wait a moment, this official has one more question to ask!" Blocking the team that was about to leave, strange light seemed to shoot from Shen Yu's eyes, making the already panicked He Cunchang feel dizzy, as if even his remaining consciousness was beginning to blur.

"This official wants to know, who exactly told you to deal with me?"

"It's Prefect Xu Mufeng!" Asked by Shen Yu, in his dazed state, He Cunchang blurted out what was in his heart.

"You killed his only son, how could Prefect Xu let it go? It just so happened that we recently captured a notorious bandit, so I made a deal with him to say that he had been colluding with you all along, and used this to take you down! Once you are taken down, the subsequent charges can be fabricated by us as we please."

"You bastard, you've disgraced the Capture Gate!" Hearing these words, one of the Iron Badge Constables nearby flew into a rage and kicked He Cunchang hard, sending him flying far away and jolting him awake from his trance.

The Zhangnan Bandits are thieves, and he is a dignified constable of the Capture Gate; to collude with them to harm people for a little bit of profit is already a capital offense.

Now it seems this bastard's guts are not just big; for the sake of a little money, he actually framed a court official. If this got out, where would the face of the Capture Gate be?

Thinking of this, the anger in this Iron Badge Constable's heart couldn't help but surge, and he rushed up to kick him several more times. If it weren't for the people beside him holding him back, he would have been ready to draw his blade. Damn it, these degenerates, utterly shameless!

"Magistrate Shen has good methods! Magistrate Shen, rest assured, our Capture Gate will definitely give you an explanation!" After venting his anger, this person returned to his previous calm demeanor and cupped his hands at Shen Yu. However, his eyes inevitably carried a hint of vigilance.

"Just a small trick, not worth mentioning. Since the two constables have come from afar, let this county magistrate play the host, how about it?"

"We brothers appreciate Magistrate Shen's kindness, but we have official business to attend to, so we won't stay long. Please forgive us, Magistrate Shen!" Eat? Eat my ass, aren't we embarrassed enough already!

"No matter, please go ahead!" Watching these people leave, and after they had gone far away, Shen Yu slowly turned around, the smile on his face also slowly fading, which made Sun Heling feel a wave of panic.

"Magistrate! This commoner was also forced into it, it was all their coercion. Just now, this commoner had no choice but to play along with them. When the time is ripe, this commoner will turn against them and clear your name, Magistrate!"

"Magistrate, this commoner has always been loyal to you, with a heart of sincerity, heaven is my witness!"

Once all the outsiders were gone, Sun Heling plopped down on his knees, tears streaming down his face. If one didn't know better, they would think he had suffered some great grievance.

This acting, true feelings revealed without any pretense, he is truly a wasted talent.

"Sincerity? You?" With a light snort, Shen Yu patted his shoulder, his killing intent undisguised, and then looked expressionlessly at Zhou Yuan beside him and shouted, "Zhou Yuan!"

"Magistrate! This subordinate is here!"

"Tell Master Sun again, what is the penalty for slandering a court official?"

"Yes, Magistrate!" After He Cunchang was taken away, Zhou Yuan immediately straightened his back, and even the pain from the boards he had just received didn't feel like anything anymore.

"According to the laws of this dynasty, a false accusation results in the same punishment, and slandering a court official adds a degree to the crime. Based on Master Sun's false accusation, it is still a death sentence! Moreover, last time Master Sun slandered the Magistrate, that was already a death sentence. And last time this subordinate already told him, to commit it again is to knowingly break the law!"

"Therefore, Master Sun is knowingly breaking the law and committing multiple crimes, and as for the charges...!" At this point, Zhou Yuan even glanced at him, his eyes filled with pity, "Master Sun is afraid he will have his whole family..."

"Ah?" Scared by this sentence to the point of almost sitting on the ground, Sun Heling gasped in shock; this damn thing is going to wipe out his whole family in one go.

This Constable Zhou usually looks kind and gentle, I didn't expect him to be such a ruthless and black-hearted person!

"Master Sun, you know the charges now. This official wants to help you, but state law is merciless! Tell me, what kind of death do you want? This official can still satisfy you with that!"

"This, this... Magistrate, spare my life, Magistrate!" Hurriedly crawling to Shen Yu's side, Sun Heling kowtowed in a panic, shouting loudly with a face full of terror, "Magistrate, this commoner knows he was wrong, this commoner really knows he was wrong!"

"As long as you are willing to show mercy, Magistrate, this commoner is willing to do anything!"

"Anything?" Waving his hand to stop Sun Heling's movements, Shen Yu smiled lightly and asked indifferently, "Master Sun, are you really willing to do anything?"

Trembling all over from being looked at by this malicious smile, Sun Heling gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, this commoner is willing to do anything!"

"Good, then this official will give you a chance to redeem yourself. Now that refugees are rising everywhere, a large number of refugees will soon flood into Baian County. I want you to exhaust your family fortune to purchase grain in preparation for emergencies."

"Remember, exhaust your family fortune!" As he spoke, Shen Yu's voice suddenly rose several degrees, "If this official finds out you dared to keep a single coin for yourself, I will take your life!"

"As for whether you want your money or your life, Master Sun, you choose for yourself!"