Chapter 324: Second Public Trial

At this time.

The Liangzhou prison was already overcrowded.

"Wronged, sir, I am wronged!"

"You dog X Liu Zhizhou, you will face retribution!"

"Since ancient times, officials travel a thousand miles only for wealth; in this world, where is there an official who is not corrupt?"

"Could it be that your ghostly old father can withstand investigation?"

Originally designed to hold a thousand prisoners, the prison now forcibly held three thousand. The entire prison reeked of foul stench, filled with pleas, curses, insolent remarks, and mutual shoving and beating—everywhere one looked.

"Silence, all of you be silent, be silent!"

Jiang Xuan patrolled back and forth, leading a group of bailiffs, extinguishing fires everywhere.

In one cell, Ying Rong actually sat on a stool, his clothes and head meticulously neat, surrounded by a group of lackeys.

He coldly observed everything, snorting: "Three thousand officials—what a massive staffing gap this will be? Just see how Liu Zhizhou handles this this time!"

"Exactly!"

"Unless he wants Liangzhou to remain in chaos!"

"Hahaha, Minister Ying, it seems this time it's just thunder with little rain; in the end, he will surely come begging you!"

Who could have imagined.

This single pull was like pulling a radish and bringing up the mud—three thousand people!

One must know, the entire true core of Liangzhou, the Liangzhou Prefecture, from top to bottom, including gatekeepers and stable hands, numbered only five hundred. So where did these three thousand come from… easy to imagine, this already involved every aspect…

If it were just a few hundred, killing them would be killing them.

But this is three thousand!

Not only would it plunge Liangzhou's social order into chaos, but executing three thousand at once would erase Liu Zheng's reputation as a "Contemporary Sage."

Would he dare do such a thing?

"You, come out here!"

At this moment, Jiang Xuan walked over, coldly staring at Ying Rong, and shouted: "Was it you who reported Zheng Guangming for embezzling military supplies, or not?"

Ying Rong sneered: "The evidence is solid; can I not redeem my guilt through service?"

Jiang Xuan calmly said: "Then come with us for a trip!"

……

At the gate of Liangzhou Prefecture.

Another scene of overcrowding, many people cursing at the gate, Liangzhou Prefecture lacks fair, open, and just proceedings! The allegation that Zheng Guangming embezzled has already spread throughout Liangzhou. At this time, the effect of these powerful clans cultivating this land for nearly a thousand years has become evident—many vested interests, in a frenzy, have softened the ears of these masses.

Exactly so.

Why punish only the powerful clans and not the Zheng family?

Is it merely because the Zheng family is the Empress's natal family? Originally, this Liu Zhizhou is also a coward!

Liu Zheng was also both laughing and crying over this.

This is the reason why governing Liangzhou and Yinzhou is completely different. Why? Initially, Yinzhou was impoverished to such an extent, famous throughout the world. As long as you find ways to feed them, they will not oppose you and will support you. But Liangzhou is different, as the capital city of the Yongliang region, here people rarely face the problem of being full.

Therefore, using one phrase to describe it…… is that they have eaten too full.

Being full is no longer a problem, naturally they enjoy following trends and causing trouble. This has also formed a trend in Liangzhou. This is a major contradiction in social governance.

On one hand, Liu Zheng hopes the society under his governance is a civilized society, with civilization gradually developing and improving. But…… at this time, Mozi's theory again appears sharp. He says that a society with highly developed civilization is actually the most unstable society.

Liu Zheng temporarily does not consider deep structural and social forms.

At least for now……

These people who are full and stuffed are indeed giving him a headache.

"Liu Zhizhou, give us an explanation!"

"Why aren't the Zheng family people being arrested?"

"Zheng Guangming embezzled seven hundred taels, evidence is solid, are you Liangzhou Prefecture going to ignore it?"

Liu Zheng silently watched this crowd causing a disturbance.

Chief Eunuch Zhou wiped cold sweat beside him: "Liu Zhizhou, absolutely not! Another public trial? This this this, how will the Empress's side explain it?"

Liu Zheng gave a bitter laugh: "Chief Eunuch Zhou, first tell me, how should we explain the people's hearts at this time?"

"How should I, Liu Zheng, proceed? If I let the Zheng family go unpunished, then I cannot punish Ying Rong! If I cannot punish Ying Rong, then I cannot punish others!"

"Then wouldn't this Anti-Corruption Law become a joke?"

He coldly laughed: "My father and I can withstand any scrutiny!"

"Then why can't the Zheng family?"

He spoke with resounding force.

Chief Eunuch Zhou, however, was frightened into silence, everyone understands the reasoning, but…… what about the Empress? If we execute the Zheng family, how will the Emperor explain it?

The Empress represents the dignity of the imperial household!

"No need for more words, public trial!"

Liu Zheng waved his hand grandly.

Soon, several sets of tables were again set up at the gate of Liangzhou Prefecture. When Liu Zheng brought Shen Xing and his group out, in fact these civilians were somewhat guilty, obviously, at this moment, the noise had diminished considerably. After all, everyone understands in their hearts…… since Liu Dahao took office, this series of measures has been for the people's benefit.

Even if this time Liu Zhizhou truly dares not punish the Zheng family, he should still be commendable.

But people, just cannot withstand being stirred up.

Thus.

Soon, the atmosphere at the scene became noisy again, many people spoke insolently to Liu Zheng, brandishing claws and teeth.

"Be silent, be silent!"

Shen Xing let out an angry shout, and the scene quieted down considerably.

Liu Zheng then looked around: "Everyone, the judicial system should be a mature, rule-based system. What the judicial system must uphold is the order of the entire society, naturally including the order of our Liangzhou Prefecture! Do you all understand?"

Everyone's faces changed.

What does this mean?

Liu Zheng shouted angrily: "Wang Mang and the other three, instigating trouble, seriously violating the Liangzhou Public Security Management Regulations—arrest them, take them to prison!"

Soon, the three people who had been shouting the loudest in the crowd were firmly subdued by the constables and dragged away while struggling and cursing. Indeed, these people today were all misled by these three.

Seeing Liu Zheng suddenly become so forceful, many people on the scene swallowed hard.

Then Liu Zheng smiled gently: "However, considering this matter, regarding the independence of our Liangzhou judicial system, it carries a different significance. Therefore, today, Liangzhou Prefecture will make an exception for the last time, holding another public trial!"

"But..."

"Everyone should understand that now our Liangzhou judicial system, achieving regional independence, entering the proper course, is inevitable! Even if it is the Prefectural Governor, even if it is the Empress, even if it is anyone, they should not interfere with it!"

"Of course, this includes you too!"

"After today's incident is settled, if there are any more crowd troublemakers in the future, they will all be dealt with according to violations of the Public Security Management Regulations!"

As these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

Many people lowered their heads in shame.

Grand Eunuch Zhou, however, was so frightened he nearly fell to the ground.

Oh my goodness, even the Empress is of no use?

What should we do now!

We're doomed!

Something big is going to happen!

Liu Zheng and the others took their seats, then shouted loudly: "Bring the prisoner Ying Rong!"

"Bring the prisoner Ying Rong!"