Chapter 325

The crowd surged, sweat pouring like rain.

Liu Zheng's combination of kindness and authority instantly subdued the entire gathering.

The reasoning is indeed sound.

Every time you people are dissatisfied, you gather at the Liangzhou Prefecture gate to cause trouble—where is the dignity of Liangzhou Prefecture? This flaw cannot be indulged!

"Bring Ying Rong!"

Soon, Ying Rong was brought forward by Jiang Xuan and a few others.

People pointed and whispered—some cursing, some supporting, some resentful, some regretful, some wailing… Someone wondered aloud: such criminals should not be subject to universal punishment—why such a stark difference in public sentiment? The reason is simple: Ying Rong has stood firm in Liangzhou for so many years, surely sustaining many loyal to himself.

Most of these people are Liangzhou's middle class.

Their lives are certainly far better than ordinary commoners'. One could say they and Ying Rong share honor and disgrace together. If Ying Rong falls, they will lose their former glory and status, possibly even face collateral damage. Thus, they are the most zealous in this matter.

They hope to use the Zheng family affair to secure Ying Rong's release.

"Kneel!"

Jiang Xuan shouted angrily.

Though Ying Rong felt unwilling in his heart, he could only kneel on the ground.

This again provoked many of Ying Rong's supporters into righteous indignation, shouting curses: Minister Ying, these years you've served Liangzhou—though lacking merit, you've borne hardship—how has it come to this?

Liu Zheng, however, ignored the others, coldly staring at Ying Rong and asked: "Prisoner Ying Rong, you have publicly accused Zheng Guangming of embezzlement—do you have evidence?"

Ying Rong lifted his head and coldly retorted: "Human evidence, documentary evidence, physical evidence—all are present!"

Soon, someone retrieved these pieces of evidence from the Ying residence.

"Governor Liu, this…"

As expected.

Ying Rong had prepared thoroughly. Zheng Guangming, in fact, is the only member of the Zheng clan of this generation serving in Liangzhou Prefecture—of course, aside from the already deceased Zheng Yuxing.

However, Zheng Guangming's position is not high.

He is merely a centurion in the Liangzhou Army's logistics.

This hardly befits the Zheng family's status as imperial relatives. Thus, Liu Zheng had not previously given it much thought.

"Summon Zheng Guangming!"

Zheng Guangming was soon summoned.

As expected.

Zheng Guangming appeared utterly cowardly, yet upon seeing Ying Rong, his face twisted with ferocity as he roared: "Ying Rong, you dog thief—you've harmed me deeply, you've harmed my Zheng family deeply!"

Ying Rong let out a cold laugh: "If you do not restrain yourself, embezzling military supplies—what does that have to do with me?"

Zheng Guangming's curses were heart-rending; everyone could see he had been dragged into this by Ying Rong. But even so, what could be done?

Embezzlement is already an established fact, the evidence conclusive.

Liu Zheng flipped through the evidence: Zheng Guangming embezzled seven hundred taels, spent it on pleasure quarters—there is not only embezzlement evidence, but also testimony from brothel madams and pimps. Several soldiers in the army can also confirm this, even how the supplies were smuggled out of the city, sold at a discount to whom…

This is genuine, with physical evidence, documentary evidence, and written evidence all present.

At the scene.

It erupted instantly.

Seven hundred taels!

According to Liu Zheng's promulgated Anti-Corruption Law, embezzlement of five hundred taels or more warrants execution of the entire clan! Execution of the entire clan! Zheng Guangming, however, is a direct descendant of the Zheng family! Thus, the entire Zheng clan in Liangzhou will suffer! Of course, clan execution does not yet count as punishment extending to nine kin.

If punishment were extended to nine kin, then Zheng Yueru, currently far away in Yinzhou, would also be implicated.

Nevertheless, clan execution!

This also involves all relatives of Empress Zheng Fu! Direct kin, basically all direct kin!

What is to be done?

Everyone stared at Governor Liu.

Liu Zheng nodded slightly, expressionless: "This case, Liangzhou Prefecture is already aware; the Supervisory Commission will soon initiate investigation and render judgment at a set date."

This also falls within the proper procedure, which everyone understands.

But since someone has come forward with a real-name accusation, Liangzhou Prefecture, following established procedure, will still place the Zheng family under control, and Zheng Guangming will be temporarily detained in prison.

Once this came out, the world erupted in uproar.

Not only Liangzhou.

Even Jinghua was stirred.

Empress Zheng Fu rose, her face ashen: "What are you saying—arrest the entire Zheng clan?"

The messenger broke out in cold sweat.

"Governor Liu, Governor Liu, this Governor Liu…"

Zheng Fu, jumping with rage, clenched her fists tightly, her chest heaving, a fierce killing intent flashing in her eyes.

Arrest the entire maternal clan of the Empress!

This is outright slapping herself in the face!

Not only is she slapping the face of this Mother of the Nation, Empress, but also slapping the face of the imperial household! Has this Governor Liu gone too far?

"Empress, this matter—this matter should be reported to the Emperor at once!"

Zheng Fu gave him a cold stare: "Report to the Emperor? You think the Emperor's secret guards are just eating dry rations? Since the Emperor hasn't summoned me, you plan to ignore this matter—he has already been addled by this Governor Liu!"

"Then what is to be done?"

The messenger urged anxiously.

Zheng Fu drew a deep breath: "Immediately, immediately send word to the Prince of Lu, and together with Ling'er, go to Liangzhou to apply pressure!"

"Yes!"

After the messenger left, Zheng Fu sat down in a panic, trembling with rage.

Governor Liu!

This Governor Liu!

If you dare to lay a hand on my Zheng family, this palace will make you regret it!

……

At this moment, the entire Longyan Dynasty began to watch the spectacle again.

It seems that as long as this Governor Liu is around, the Longyan Dynasty never lacks excitement.

This scoundrel actually arrested all five hundred direct relatives of the Empress's natal family. This has never happened before in the Longyan Dynasty… In history, aside from these imperial relatives committing treason, who would dare to move against them? Wherever they go, aren't they the local earthly emperors?

If the Zheng family were elsewhere, they would certainly be a dominant power in their region.

But in Liangzhou, because the previous Inspector Chen Ping was a man of the Crown Prince, they deliberately suppressed the Zheng family. Such a great Zheng family now has only Zheng Guangming as a Centurion. Of course, mainly because Zheng Yuxing of the Zheng family was previously too dazzling, he occupied much of the Zheng family's fortune.

So.

Now it's getting interesting.

Will Governor Liu's Anti-Corruption Law truly exterminate the Zheng family? If he really does this, could the Emperor still tolerate it? The Empress's face would surely collapse!

Arrogant!

Majestic!

Liu Zheng's move is still admired by many.

Liangzhou is about to stage another good show.

Three consecutive days.

The Supervision Bureau has been investigating this matter.

As expected.

Three days later, the Prince of Lu and the Third Prince Xie Ling, closest to Liangzhou, brought their retinue and troops, rushing nonstop. Without doubt, these two came to speak with Governor Liu and to pressure him.

Especially the Third Prince Xie Ling, who has held a grudge against Governor Liu since Zheng Yuxing's death and the crushing defeat of his private army.

Upon entering Liangzhou, he flew into a rage, pointed his sword at the Liangzhou Prefecture, and shouted from his war horse: "Governor Liu, get out here!"

"Liu Zheng, what virtue and ability do you have to dare move against my Zheng family?"

"Is this to establish yourself as king, blatantly disregarding the imperial majesty?"

Each word struck like a pearl, and the entire city erupted in an uproar.

The Prince of Lu beside him also swallowed hard, his throat tight.