Chapter 169: The Wang family is investigated, Wang Yulan weeps and kneels begging Lu Yuan for help

Now everyone in the courtyard has come out.

After all, so many Heaven-Upholding Guards that are hard to see normally are heading straight for the back courtyard.

Anyone would have seen it!

Even those who didn't see it were called out by the crowd to come and look.

Now everyone is rushing into the back courtyard.

Lu Yuan's family is also watching; after all, with such a big commotion, everyone would come out to take a glance.

Now Lu Yuan is puzzled that…

This bunch of Heaven-Upholding Guards…

How come I've never seen them before?

Lu Yuan is actually the instructor of the Heaven-Upholding Guards!

When Lu Yuan teaches, any Heaven-Upholding Guard not on duty is sure to come.

Of course, there are indeed many Heaven-Upholding Guards.

Even if Lu Yuan had a great memory, he couldn't possibly know everyone.

After all, Lu Yuan hasn't gone there many times.

But…

Lu Yuan knows the captain of each team in the Heaven-Upholding Guards.

This time the leader is someone Lu Yuan has definitely never seen before.

Not…

Where did these Heaven-Upholding Guards come from?

Saying they're impostors is not the case.

After all, who would dare impersonate the Heaven-Upholding Guards?

Besides, they came so openly; that's hardly just nonsense.

Who are these people?

When Lu Yuan looked astonished.

Pang Kaige and Wang Yulan naturally objected and tried to stop them from entering the house.

This Heaven-Upholding Guard coldly said why they came to search the house.

And after this Heaven-Upholding Guard finished speaking,

Everyone in the siheyuan understood.

Wang Yulan's father, Wang Nianjun, was investigated today.

No…

More accurately, Wang Nianjun's home has already been raided.

Not only Wang Nianjun, but also his eldest son, Wang Yulan's brother, were arrested as well.

The reason is that when Wang Yulan's brother married, he used illicit money.

Furthermore, Wang Nianjun took bribes, and Wang Yulan's brother also participated.

In any case, it's like pulling up a radish and bringing up the mud.

Anyone connected to Wang Nianjun's bribery cannot escape.

These Heaven-Upholding Guards came to Pang Kaige's house not for anything else, but to confiscate all items previously bought with illicit money.

For example, Pang Kaige's bicycle.

Even Pang Kaige's leather jacket.

And some of Wang Yulan's jewelry.

All of these need to be taken back for investigation.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Watching the Heaven-Upholding Guards go in and rummage, nobody dared to say anything.

These are genuine officials.

The three elders in this courtyard naturally dare not say a word, for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.

Soon, a Heaven-Upholding Guard came out holding a small box containing about two hundred dollars.

Upon seeing the about two hundred dollars, Pang Kaige became anxious and hurriedly said:

"That's money I saved up, it has nothing to do with the Wang family!!"

After Pang Kaige spoke, the captain of the Heaven-Upholding Guard glanced at him and then said lightly:

"If it's not illicit money, after the investigation clears it up we'll return it to you; for now don't argue, don't cause trouble, cooperate with our work!"

This person has a mighty presence, but Pang Kaige is still just a twenty-something newlywed who just moved out.

Looking at this person, he didn't dare to speak.

Soon, the Heaven-Upholding Guards went into Pang Kaige's house and brought out quite a few things.

As for this matter, Lu Yuan certainly wouldn't jump out and say anything.

To be honest, when Lu Yuan previously went to Wang Nianjun's house to install the kang heating ducts, he noticed.

The things in Wang Nianjun's house were really numerous.

Wang Nianjun and Lu Yuan naturally have no grudge.

Because of Director Xu's sake, he has always been courteous to Lu Yuan.

But… greed is greed.

Corruption is corruption.

Besides… what could Lu Yuan say if he stepped forward?

The evidence is solid; what else is there to say.

After the Heaven-Supporting Guard quickly finished inventorying the items, they were going to take Pang Kaige and Wang Yulan back.

After seeing this, Lu Yuan suddenly turned to his wife beside him and whispered:

"Wife, quickly go to the kitchen and get two steamed buns."

Pang Kaige and Wang Yulan are not criminals; besides, Wang Yulan actually doesn't get involved much in the Wang family's affairs.

From the fact that Wang Yulan can't do this or that, it's clear she was well protected in the Wang family before.

Besides, a girl would just use some family money to buy things.

As for that money, Wang Yulan herself doesn't know where it came from; this likely means they confiscated Wang Yulan's jewelry and whatever other items.

That night I went to the Heaven-Supporting Guard to ask a few questions, then came back.

However, Lu Yuan knows the Heaven-Supporting Guard's prison well—that's truly no place for a person to stay.

Moreover, that night I went and waited there, slipped two steamed buns to Wang Yulan, then went to pad a bit.

Su Liyan quickly nodded and turned to run toward the kitchen.

By the time Su Liyan came out holding the two steamed buns, Wang Yulan and Pang Kaige had already been taken out to the rear courtyard.

Lu Yuan glanced ahead, then immediately patted Kou Yang, who was standing in front, and said:

"Take this steamed bun and give it to Sister Yulan; they'll be interrogating her all night, so find a moment to let her eat something."

Kou Yang, that oaf, usually doesn't get along with Wang Yulan.

Just this afternoon, you were still arguing with Wang Yulan in the rear courtyard, weren't you?

However, the good thing about Kou Yang, that oaf, is that he doesn't sweat the small stuff when it comes to serious matters.

That's why Lu Yuan also didn't bother with Kou Yang.

At that moment, Kou Yang was startled, took the steamed bun, and rushed forward.

The Heaven-Supporting Guard watched Kou Yang rush in to deliver the steamed bun, but didn't say anything.

From the earlier information, it appears Wang Yulan and Pang Kaige are not criminals.

They were mainly there to assist the investigation.

So it was just left as is.

At this point, Wang Yulan was scared to tears, especially upon hearing that something had happened to her family; she kept wailing, not knowing anything.

Kou Yang simply stuffed the steamed bun directly into Wang Yulan's embrace.

After the Heaven-Supporting Guard had all left the compound.

The people in the compound looked at each other.

"Now the Wang Yulan family is really done… I heard that the higher-ups always impose heavy penalties for this sort of thing; they might even… lose their lives."

"This… this Yulan is really pitiful, look at how she was just crying."

"Yeah…"

At this moment, the people in the courtyard clicked their tongues repeatedly and shook their heads.

Lu Yuan stood at his own door, pondered for a moment, then didn't say much, instead turning and taking his wife home.

Corrupt officials deserve such strict punishment.

Every penny that corrupt officials extort is taken from the hands of the common people.

The better their lives are, the more the common people suffer.

We can't sympathize with Wang Nianjun just because we get along well with Wang Yulan.

No matter whether Wang Nianjun ends up beheaded or exiled.

That is all just deserts.

Of course, saying that, but after all, I have a decent relationship with Sister Yulan; seeing her just now wailing loudly, I still feel somewhat reluctant in my heart.

But being reluctant is all I can be.

What else can I do?

The good thing is, Wang Yulan should be fine in this matter; it's just that her days ahead will be harder.

And seeing the excitement fade, the people in the courtyard each went home.

After Lu Yuan's family closed the door, Su Liyan then embraced her husband and said with a worried face:

"Sister Yulan, she won't have any trouble, will she?"

In this courtyard, the women Su Liyan can talk to are Chen Taohua and Wang Yulan.

Since Wang Yulan has run into trouble, Su Liyan naturally is also a bit worried.

Lu Yuan, however, shook his head and said:

"Don't worry, it's fine; after all, she's just a daughter, the youngest in the family, and Wang Nianjun's corruption and lawbreaking— Sister Yulan wouldn't take part in that."

At most they'll just recover the stolen goods; I estimate they'll question her tonight and she'll be back tomorrow.

Hearing this, Su Liyan finally relaxed a bit and nodded; that's not too bad.

That night, Lu Yuan's family ate their meal as usual, happily.

Around eight-thirty, they finally finished eating.

They had originally been planning to keep eating, drinking, and playing.

However, Second Uncle and Changyu need to go back to prepare the night's restaurant, while Changliang and Third Uncle also need to go home to rest, so those two will have to work tomorrow.

At night, in the night, Lu Yuan lay in bed, embracing his wife, his hands kneading and rubbing, which made Su Liyan let out a soft whimper.

Lu Yuan, however, unconsciously, is now pondering.

Just who are those Heaven-Supporting Guards?

How come I don't know myself at all?

Tomorrow, go to the Qing Cang Guard and ask?

……

The next day, early morning.

Lu Yuan got up early and ate breakfast with his wife.

Pang Kaige and Wang Yulan didn't return all night.

The door stayed open, open all night.

However, there's no need to worry about thieves or anything.

After all, anything of value in that house had been moved away by the Qing Cang Guard.

After breakfast, Lu Yuan went out with his wife.

Lu Yuan went to the Agriculture Bureau, and his wife went to work.

After arriving, he first went to find his uncle, then directly took his uncle to the greenhouse.

He had his uncle follow him to learn how to record.

This is now especially simple—just write a few numbers.

Of course, there's also temperature and humidity, these few words.

Are these few words hard to learn?

His uncle isn't a pig—he memorized it on the spot.

After Lu Yuan taught for a while, his uncle knew the basic procedure; Lu Yuan gave his uncle a key to the greenhouse, then he left.

Not much has happened lately, and Lu Yuan really is a bit unaccustomed to it.

On the way back, Lu Yuan pondered...

Or...

Go to the Qing Cang Guard?

Check on Wang Yulan's situation?

Speaking of which... Wang Yulan was taken back to the Qing Cang Guard headquarters yesterday, right?

After pondering, Lu Yuan pulled the reins and went to the Qing Cang Guard.

Upon arriving at the Qing Cang Guard, everyone saw Lu Yuan and immediately greeted him, calling him Instructor.

Two captains mysteriously approached Lu Yuan and asked in a low voice:

"Instructor, you haven't been up to anything lately, have you?"

Huh?

What do you mean by that?

Lu Yuan gave the Qing Cang Guard captains a strange look and asked curiously:

"I'm fine, what's going on?"

Could it be that...

Could it be that after Wang Yulan was arrested last night, she confessed and implicated me?

But then again...

What could they say about me?

I haven't taken part in Wang Nianjun's corruption and malfeasance, so what would they accuse me of?

Hmm...

That's not right either...

If one really wanted to nitpick...

Wang Yulan took back some things from Wang Nianjun without any problem, and I ate them all.

Hmm... does that count??

Lu Yuan felt Wang Yulan wasn't that kind of person.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the several Qing Cang Guard captains quickly laughed and waved their hands, saying:

"No problem, no problem, Instructor—just as long as you're fine. Instructor, what brings you here today?"

The Qing Cang Guard captains weren't talking about Wang Yulan at all.

This isn't the same as when the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei came to investigate Lu Yuan last time, is it?

That investigation was very detailed.

Everyone still thought the Instructor had done something wrong and was being watched.

Even though everyone is in the Qing Cang Guard, it's not easy to say this to Lu Yuan.

And now, after so long, Lu Yuan has had no issues, and the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei hasn't come back.

Everyone therefore thinks the Instructor should be fine.

I guess it's because the Instructor is too capable, attracting higher-ups' attention, so they investigated.

Internal monitoring, normal procedure.

Not long ago, the Instructor came up with a mortar, and also achieved a yield of 2500 jin of potatoes per mu.

Someone that capable will definitely attract higher-ups' attention.

Coming to investigate is therefore normal.

And Lu Yuan blinked and said:

"You didn't send people last night to my siheyuan to take my neighbor away, did you? I came to ask how that went."

"How are you planning to handle it?"

And that squad of Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei from yesterday — who are they? I've never seen them before.

The two captains exchanged a glance, then understood what Lu Yuan was talking about, and immediately waved their hands, saying:

Hey, instructor, you're talking about Wang Nianjun's matter, right? That's not handled by our headquarters; it's the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei who took people to investigate.

Those Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei are all from the inner court, not our headquarters.

Huh?

There's also such a thing?

Lu Yuan really doesn't know, after all, he's hardly ever seen the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei; although it's an inner guard, he doesn't come to work.

He really doesn't know what the division is between the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei's headquarters and the inner court.

And then the two captains said:

We also know a bit about Wang Nianjun's matter; that guy really took a lot of bribes.

So far, what's been uncovered is nearly six thousand strings of cash; that basically means he's dead for sure.

Lu Yuan was a bit dazed; this... directly means he's dead for sure?

But that's how it is; the Great Zhou Dynasty really deals with corrupt officials to the death.

Wang Nianjun, Lu Yuan doesn't care, but he asked curiously:

What about his daughter, the little one, Wang Yulan — what happened to her after she was taken away last night?

This...

The two of them slightly shook their heads and said:

We don't really know about this, but this case isn't really related to Wang Nianjun's two daughters.

As for Wang Nianjun's bribery, those two daughters didn't participate; at most they just helped recover the stolen goods.

Then they'd be questioned a bit more, to see if they knew anything else.

Usually after questioning they'd be released.

This is about what Lu Yuan guessed; saying this, Lu Yuan again asked curiously:

What about Wang Nianjun's eldest son?

The two of them simply shrugged and said:

His eldest son participated quite a bit, but it's not enough for beheading; likely he'll be exiled to the frontier, and won't be back for twenty or thirty years.

Twenty years, thirty years?

Lu Yuan curled his lips; basically that means he won't return in a lifetime, no different from being dead.

He might not even make it on the way.

After asking, Lu Yuan then slightly nodded and said:

Alright, is my grandpa in the office?

The two of them directly shook their heads and said:

No, Director Liu went out; he'll only be back this afternoon.

Lu Yuan nodded, then smiled and said:

Okay, you guys stay busy; I'm heading back first.

The two captains blinked, then hurriedly said:

Huh? Instructor, you didn't come today to teach us, did you?

Lu Yuan, on horseback, laughed and said:

I just came today to ask about my neighbor's situation; I'll come back in a few days, I'm off.

Afterwards, Lu Yuan went home.

As long as Wang Yulan is fine, that's good.

As for others, it doesn't matter.

When Lu Yuan returned to the Siheyuan, the backyard was already full of people.

When Lu Yuan entered the backyard looking confused, someone immediately shouted:

Lu Yuan is back.

Huh?

Lu Yuan was a bit dazed.

Are they waiting for me??

While Lu Yuan looked strange, someone suddenly sprang from the crowd — it was Wang Yulan.

At that moment, Wang Yulan came before Lu Yuan, fell to her knees with a thud, and cried out:

Lu big brother, please help me!!

Thanks to elder brother Ren Mingcheng for the 10000 coin reward, thanks a lot~

Thanks to elder brother Kong Deng for the 5200 coin reward, thanks a lot~

Thanks to elder brother FeelingsWillFade for the 588 coin reward, thanks a lot~

Thanks to., Zihou's father, Coconut Milk Taro Paste Mangmang, and the three elder brothers for the 100 coin reward, thanks a lot~

……

After going out this morning and coming back, I slept until past nine at night... got up, wrote over two thousand words, got sleepy again, went back to sleep a while, and still feel sleepy now.

Hehehe... sorry about that.

(End of chapter)