Chapter 10 Public Opinion
"He's a top-notch expert! "
Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Yu smiled softly. When he had gained ten years of internal energy, he was already at the peak of a second-rate master. Now that he had five more years of internal energy in his body, he had become a first-rate master.
Bai'an County was not a big place to begin with, and in this small area, top-notch experts were already able to walk sideways. With such a level, at least one did not have to worry too much about personal safety.
Two days later, in the early morning, many people had already gathered outside the county government office. These people had heard that the county magistrate was going to publicly interrogate the county magistrate Cai Chong today, so they came to watch the fun.
All the people were not very familiar with Shen Yu, the new county magistrate. Some people didn't even know that Bai'an County had a new county magistrate. After all, Shen Yu had just arrived not long ago, and he might not even recognize all the people in the government office.
However, the news about the county government in the past two days has spread throughout Bai'an County, and it has become more and more exaggerated. In short, Shen Yu, the county magistrate, has become famous and known to everyone. He took down the county magistrate right after taking office, so it is hard for the people not to know him.
Besides, Cai Zhong has been the county magistrate for more than ten years, and the Cai family is deeply rooted. In Bai'an County, the Cai family is a towering tree. Moreover, the Cai family is used to bullying men and women, and there are many people who hate their family. But whether it is the Cai family or Cai Zhong, they have stood firm through all the ups and downs over the years.
Now, the new county magistrate had just taken office and he had taken down the county magistrate directly. Such a big event naturally attracted too many people's interest and made many people eager to make a move. Therefore, in the early morning, too many people crowded here to wait and see.
"Open the court!" Seeing that the situation was almost ready, Shen Yu slammed the gavel and shouted, "Bring the prisoner!"
Soon, two officers dragged Cai Zhong to the court. Cai Zhong was no longer as high-spirited as before, and was only depressed. One wrong move and the whole game was lost. Now he was probably waiting for a reckoning.
"Cai Zhong, do you admit your guilt?" Looking coldly at Cai Zhong who was standing below, Shen Yu slammed the gavel again and said loudly, "Cai Zhong, as a county magistrate, you broke the law knowingly and defiled your adopted daughter. This is simply a heinous crime!"
"Come here, give him 20 lashes as a warning to others!"
Cai Zhong didn't say anything, Shen Yu directly ordered him to be beaten with 20 sticks, which was for all the people to see, to let people know that he would not favor Cai Zhong, and to let people know what his current attitude was.
This beating is equivalent to giving reassurance to all those who want to sue Cai Zhong.
"Sir, Sir, I want to file a complaint!" Suddenly, someone among the people shouted loudly. Soon, a beggar-like man with disabled feet was brought up.
"Oh?" The corner of his mouth curled up slightly. Shen Yu knew very well that the knife that was inserted into Cai Zhong's chest was probably passed to him.
"Who is this person? Who are you going to sue?"
"Sir, I am Liang Liujin from Liangjia Village. I want to sue the Cai family!" As he spoke, Liang Liujin raised the petition in his hand and shouted in a choked voice, "Sir, I am innocent!"
"Two years ago, the Cai family's housekeeper took a fancy to my wife. He first framed me for theft and put me in jail. Then he lied to my wife and said he could help me clear the name on the charge. He tricked her into signing a contract and bought five acres of good farmland from me for three taels of silver!"
"Afterwards, the housekeeper of the Cai Mansion used coercion and bribery to take possession of my wife. She couldn't bear the humiliation and committed suicide by jumping into the river. My parents were so angry that they died. The Cai family even ordered someone to break my legs. Please, sir, help me!"
"Is there any evidence?"
"Sir, this is the sales contract at that time, and the neighbors at that time can all testify for me! I hope you can see clearly and give me justice!"
"Give it to me!" Shen Yu frowned slightly after taking the contract from the other party, and then slammed the table fiercely. "Five acres of top-quality farmland, but they only offered three taels. Aren't the Cai family afraid of being overfed?"
"Come on, bring all the people from the Cai family here!"
"Wait!" He raised his head coldly. After being beaten so many times, Cai Zhong did not scream. Compared with his useless nephew, Cai Zhong was much more powerful. However, at this time, when Shen Yu ordered to bring all the people of the Cai family, Cai Zhong finally couldn't hold it anymore and spoke.
"Shen Yu, Shen Hengzhi, are you going to uproot my Cai family?"
"It's not that I want to uproot the Cai family, but your Cai family has committed countless crimes over the years. If we don't get rid of them, we won't be able to appease the public anger, and we won't be able to uphold the law!"
"As the magistrate of Bai'an County, I shall stand up for the people and redress their grievances! From today on, I will never let anyone who oppresses the people go, no matter who they are or what their status is! Even if I have to take off my official uniform, I will definitely give the people an explanation!"
"well said!"
"You are truly the great Lord..."
For a moment, the people outside the court all cheered for Shen Yu. In fact, the people had no idea what kind of character Shen Yu was. But once these words were spoken today, his image was established.
After so many years, Bai'an County finally has a good official who serves the people. There is hope for the future!
Looking at the excited people, Shen Yu smiled slightly and secretly said that the people's hearts can be used. Moreover, at this time, it is difficult to help people in need, and there are many people who will add insult to injury.
"Sir, I have also been wronged. I want to sue the Cai family for framing my father and robbing my restaurant. The Cai family's son also kidnapped my little sister. My little sister's life or death is still unknown!"
"Sir, I also want to sue the Cai family..."
…
Soon, more and more people came with their complaints, all against the Cai family. After receiving these complaints, Shen Yu looked uglier and uglier. He really thought the Cai family was kind.
Since Cai Chong became the county magistrate, the Cai family has been bullying Bai'an County. If they were restrained before and didn't dare to do some things openly, but two years ago, they started to act without restraint, just like a local bully.
Two years ago, Shen Yu's predecessor was beheaded because of his failure to provide disaster relief and the treasury was emptied. Cai Zhong was probably responsible for this. Cai Zhong was so easily blamed for the move and made the county magistrate take the blame. I'm afraid Cai Zhong thought he could cover up everything in Bai'an County.
The Cai family is so arrogant! Not only do they bully men and women, but they also do everything they can to get whoever they like, even short of robbing them. Just like Cai He robbing women in the street before, that was child's play. You can imagine the style of the Cai family in the past two years.
"Bang!" Shen Yu slammed the gavel and looked at Cai Zhong with a slightly ugly expression. "Cai Zhong, as the county magistrate, you not only accepted bribes, but also used your position to seek personal gain. The Cai family also occupied the people's land and forcibly abducted women, causing the people to complain. This is an unforgivable crime!"
"I hereby declare that Cai Chong, as the county magistrate, is not only guilty of heinous crimes but also knowingly breaks the law. I hereby sentence you to be executed in the autumn. The entire Cai family's property will be confiscated, and the guilty will be punished according to the law. The direct descendants of the Cai family are all guilty of heinous crimes and will all be executed! Take them away!"
"Shen Hengzhi, you are so cruel!" The verdict made Cai Zhong feel cold from head to toe. This was to wipe out the entire Cai family. Young man, don't you know the principle of leaving a way out for others?
"Sir Cai, it's not me who is cruel, but your Cai family. Your Cai family has gone too far over the years. Look at all the people who have been harmed by your Cai family. This is the public opinion!"
Coming down from the top and approaching Cai Zhong, Shen Yu leaned down and whispered, "I want to know who else is involved in the treasury matter. As long as Lord Cai is willing to cooperate, I can consider making the Cai family more respectable!"
"Hehe, hahahaha, Mr. County Magistrate, don't you know that there are some things that cannot be investigated too deeply?"
Cai Zhong raised his head and looked at Shen Yu mockingly, then burst into laughter, "Shen Yu, you should never, ever set the treasury on fire first!"
"I am the one being interrogated today, so it will be your turn next ! County Magistrate, you are too young, take care of yourself!"
