Chapter 1100: First Volume, Chapter 1100: The Just Magistrate of Blue Heaven

First Volume, Chapter 1100: The Just Magistrate of Blue Heaven

Liu Yunchun, seated on the cart, heard these words and instinctively tried to climb down and kneel in salute.

Fortunately, Sun Yi acted swiftly and pinned her back onto the cart.

Sun Yi lowered his voice to a whisper beside Liu Yunchun: "Ancestor, please calm down. Whatever Marquis Qin asks you, just answer."

"The lives of every Yamen Runner in the County Yamen are in your hands."

Hearing this, Liu Yunchun's eyes flickered with confusion—she didn't understand how a common peasant like herself could wield such power.

Yet, sensing Qin Feng's gentle gaze, Liu Yunchun's courage gradually grew.

"Every word I've spoken is true. Everyone in Liu Family Village can testify."

"Moreover… when we were arrested and brought to the County Yamen, all the townspeople saw it."

With the evidence so clear, Qin Feng didn't even bother summoning witnesses.

He merely cast a glance at Ma Fangyuan, whose face was ashen.

"Now it's your turn, Ma county magistrate."

"With so many present, it's proven that you falsely accused Liu Yunxia of being a fugitive, and sought to charge the people of Liu Family Village with harboring criminals."

"Do you have any defense?"

Ma Fangyuan trembled violently—he had seen the Prefect effortlessly "disposed of" by Qin Feng.

What was he, a mere county magistrate, compared to Qin Feng? A flick of the finger could crush him.

Ma Fangyuan collapsed to the ground, wailing: "Your Excellency, I beg you to see clearly—I was forced into this!"

"The Wang Family is deeply entrenched in Ming County. Without their approval, this County Magistrate's position is worth less than nothing."

"To be blunt, I am merely a dog kept by the Wang Family."

"When the Wang Family is pleased, I get a sip of broth; when they're displeased, I won't even know how I died."

"Even the Prefect is a member of the Wang Family. What was I supposed to do?"

Seeing Ma Fangyuan kneel and beg, Liu Yunchun and Liu Yunqiu could hardly believe their eyes.

They thought they were dreaming, and without speaking, both pinched their own thighs.

Only when they felt the pain did they realize it was all real.

Oh my heavens…

Ma Fangyuan was the County Magistrate—yet before Marquis Qin, he could only whimper and beg. How exalted was Marquis Qin's status?

The sisters strained to imagine Qin Feng's power, but their imaginations were limited, and the more they thought, the more confused they became.

Qin Feng watched Ma Fangyuan with keen interest.

"I know you were powerless. Had you not been, do you think I'd listen to your whining? I'd have had you beheaded already."

"If you were merely coerced by the Wang Family into committing a few unavoidable wrongs, then you're still salvageable—I'll spare your life."

"But if you're nothing but the Wang Family's hound, doing every vile deed to please them, I'll never let you leave this DaTang alive."

Ma Fangyuan lay on the ground, sobbing: "Your Excellency, please investigate thoroughly—I've served in Ming County for ten years. In all that time, the County Yamen has been nothing but a facade."

"This DaTang is less than the Wang Family's private hall."

"Beyond official matters, every major and minor affair in Ming County is decided by the Wang Family."

"Even before I submit my Imperial report, I must first gain the Wang Family's approval."

To be a county magistrate at this level was truly pitiful and hateful.

But reality was cruel: all County Magistrates were transferred from elsewhere, to prevent collusion between local officials and clans.

Yet this led to outsiders arriving powerless, utterly unable to stand against the local Great Clan.

After all, a County Magistrate served only a few years before being reassigned.

But the Yamen Runners stayed in the region, and long ago, they had been bought by the Great Clan.

The moment a County Magistrate dared oppose the Great Clan, the Yamen Runners would rush to warn them.

Those County Magistrates who planned to "make a big difference" rarely lived to see dawn.

Those who died suddenly within a year or half-year of taking office were almost certainly eliminated by the local Great Clan.

And…

Qin Feng strongly suspected these County Magistrates never even lasted a year or half-year.

They likely died within days of arrival, while the Great Clan suppressed the news, then reported it later as an "accident" to deflect higher investigation.

Of course, even though Qin Feng understood the plight of low-ranking officials like Ma Fangyuan, he would never accept his word alone.

He immediately ordered the Yamen Runners to open the County Yamen's Door and let the gathered Common People enter to file grievances.

Knowing Qin Feng's power, the Common People entered without hesitation, one after another.

"Marquis Qin, I beg to file a complaint—six months ago, Wang Chi raped my daughter…"

"I also seek justice—because of land rent, the Wang Family allowed their Evil Servant to break my father's leg."

"The Wang Family is monstrous!"

"This year, my Comrade went hunting and caught a wild boar. The Wang Family's servant demanded it. My Comrade refused, fought back—and the servant was unharmed, while my Comrade was thrown into the Prison and has been locked up ever since."

"…"

Many Common People came to file grievances, but Qin Feng's Observation showed that nearly all complaints involved the Wang Family.

This largely confirmed Ma Fangyuan's words—he dared not resist the Wang Family's tyranny.

Qin Feng raised his hand, signaling the Common People to calm down.

"The Wang Family's crimes are settled. Li Zhizhou will investigate every case. All Common People oppressed by the Wang Family will have their grievances cleared."

Hearing this, the crowd erupted in frenzy.

They clenched their fists, gazing at Qin Feng with burning eyes.

"Heavenly Judge!"

"Lord Qin, you must visit Ming County often from now on—without you, our grievances would have remained unresolved for life."

"True enough—wherever Lord Qin goes, the clouds part and the bright moon appears."

Qin Feng smiled, made no reply, and simply pointed at Ma Fangyuan.

"How many vile deeds has Ma Fangyuan committed in Ming County?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, the townsfolk all turned to look at Ma Fangyuan; their eyes held disdain, but little hatred.

"Ma Fangyuan may be incompetent, but he rarely leaves the County Yamen…"

"This fellow may be a dog of the Wang Family, but he rarely bites."

"Besides… Ming County's rock tea is sold far and wide—Ma Fangyuan did lend a hand."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's eyes lit up—it meant he had to replace Ma Fangyuan: convenient, and he wouldn't wrong the innocent.

Still, for safety's sake, Qin Feng turned to the Liu Sisters.

"Has Ma Fangyuan ever abused you?!"