Chapter 137 Returning to the Capital
Su Wen’s gaze swept past everyone from the Martial Inspectorate before finally landing on Xue Wanjun. He sat on his horse with a cold expression.
It was as if he was not the least bit curious about Lu Qingcai’s death. He was only interested in discussing the arrangements with the assistant.
The team entered Yong County. The next morning, they resumed their journey back to the capital.
Su Wen did not do anything during that night. There was nothing he could do.
He was just a Martial Inspectorate deacon.
Investigate Lu Qingcai’s death? Why? On what basis?
The journey to the outside of the Li Prefecturewas different from the journey in.
In the countryside, most of the corpses had already disappeared.
The rotten smell had also dissipated.
After the spring rain fell, all living things around emitting a strong aura of vitality.
It was as if everything had passed.
Not a trace was left behind.
They proceeded on the journey, eating and drinking. The local officials ensured that they were properly taken care of. The citizens of the city were filled with hope for the new year. When Su Wen left the Li Prefecture, he even had the illusion that this was not a county that had just experienced a rebellion and famine. Everyone was smiling happily. After reaching the capital, Su Wen missed his home even more.
After returning to the capital city, Su Wen and the others finished their report and he immediately headed to his residence.
Ning Shuang arranged for someone to prepare Su Wen’s favorite dishes. On this day, Su Wen drank a lot of wine and did his own version of “Journey to the West’ many times.
It was only around noon the next day that Su Wen finally extricated himself from the pile of soft and fragrant bodies.
He headed straight for the Prime Minister’s mansion.
“Father! Father!”
Su Wen shouted the moment he entered.
Su Changqing rubbed his glabella before walking out of the room. He looked at him and said angrily, “What are you shouting for?”
“I have something to ask you!”
Su Wen entered the room and the father and son sat down. Su Changqing casually asked, “What do you want to know?”
“Li Prefecture’s disaster! What exactly is going on?” Su Wen wore a serious expression. Su Changqing smiled and said, “The disaster in Li Prefecture? It’s already over. This morning, Governor Feng Yuanchun has already submitted a memorial. The disaster in Li Prefecture at that time was urgent, and there were signs of rebellion. Thus, the ministries could only give priority to the people in the cities to comfort them, so as to ensure the stability of the counties and counties.
Chen Bingzhong, who was responsible for the disaster relief, embezzled food for disaster relief and caused a riot among the refugees. Some martial sects led the way, and rebels appeared, plundering everywhere, and massacring the commoners. The county magistrate led their troops to resist, and only then prevented the disaster from worsening.
When Wu Kunhu arrived, his troops were invincible and swept the area. The rebels fled in panic, and there were countless deaths and injuries. After that, the rebel army dissolved into a chaotic mess, no longer a big deal.”
“The various counties are currently recalculating the losses of the population. In order to prevent the land from becoming barren, they’re organizing people to farm as soon as possible and strive to continue paying taxes on time this year.”
Su Wen looked at Su Changqing. Did his father really not know anything? Su Wen was a little excited. “But in my opinion, the unrest in Li Prefecture is clearly a conspiracy between the government and the aristocratic families. Together with those martial arts sects, it’s a big show! They wantonly took over the land and sold the young people, causing countless civilians to die tragically.
Then, through the rebellion, they used the loss of the population to push the blame to the rebel army and cover up the fact that the disaster relief was unfavorable to them. How is this a natural disaster? It’s clearly a man-made disaster!”
Su Changqing’s expression did not change at all.
He waited until Su Wen finished speaking before asking with a smile, “Then, where is your evidence? Do you have any witnesses?”
This sentence rendered Su Wen speechless. Su Changqing sighed and said, “This matter has been out of control since Chen Bingzhong’s death! They have already completed the plan. Even if what you said is the truth, do you have any of their weaknesses?”
“Those young men who were bought by aristocratic families!” Su Wen thought of another breakthrough point.
Su Changqing shook his head. “One is willing to buy while the other is willing to be sold. Can you prove that they are colluding with the government?”
“Find some victims! There are bound to be survivors of the disaster!”
Su Changqing shook his head and said, “What do the citizens know? They only know that the government did not give them food! But if you ask the citizens of the Li Prefecture, which one of them isn’t glad that their local officials sent disaster relief?
If you can find a hundred citizens to testify, there will be ten thousand citizens in the cities to testify for those officials. With so many citizens, who will His Majesty believe? Or rather, who can His Majesty believe?”
Su Wen tried his best to think of the loophole. “There are always clues in martial arts sects! And the cause of the death of the county magistrate of Yong County, Lu Qingcai, could also be a clue!”
“Clues? Most of the martial arts sects that participated in the rebellion in Li Prefecture have already been wiped out, but even if you find those still surviving, will they testify for you? Where are you going to find clues?
The Hong Sangian that you captured alive was not spared either. Among the officials, Lu Qingcai is already dead. Furthermore, just after you left, his son tried to steal the corpse and set it on fire. In the end, he was discovered and set himself on fire, burning both their bodies.”
Su Wen suddenly realized that his father seemed to know everything. Furthermore, he had already covered up all the clues in the Li Prefecture.
“But what I said is the truth!” Su Wen felt helpless.
Su Changqing indifferently said, “But what the Court needs is evidence!”
“This matter is already over.” Su Changqing’s words made Su Wen sink into deep disappointment.
“Hehe, this Great Zhou is really rotten!” Su Wen couldn’t help but say.
Su Changqing smiled and shook his head. “I’ve always thought that my son isn’t someone who cares about the world. Why would he be so compassionate after going out?”
Su Wen smiled bitterly. “I’m not being compassionate, I just can’t turn a blind eye to it.
Su Changqing sighed and patted him on the shoulder. He said, “If you can’t bear to watch, then let yourself become stronger. Otherwise, you can only forever remain a spectator.” “What about you? As the prime minister of Great Zhou, do you also have to watch?”
Su Changqing said in a deep voice, “That’s right. I can only spectate this matter. There’s no more evidence. There’s no evidence to speak of.”
As he spoke, he looked at Su Wen and asked, “Why do you think Wu Kunhu spared Hong Sanqian’s life?”
“Huh?” Su Wen frowned. He had never thought of this question before.
After giving it some thought, Su Wen shook his head.
“Because Wu Kunhu doesn’t know if the person behind Hong Sanqian wants to kill him or keep him alive. That tiger is very cunning. He won’t do anything that offends others. Therefore, he left Hong Sanqian’s life and brought Wu Lie away. This means that he doesn’t want to get involved in this matter.”
Su Wen gritted his teeth and said, “Wu Kunhu is the number one person in the Earth Rank! Even the Great General of the Royal Court is so apprehensive?”
Su Changqing shook his head slightly and sighed. “Pinnacle 9th Grade… no matter how strong he is, it’s only at the Earth Rank. Without reaching the Heaven Rank, one is nothing. Even Heaven Ranks are separated vastly by grades, let alone a mere 9th Grade Earth Rank?”
“Furthermore, it’s not that he has any misgivings. Rather, it has nothing to do with his interests, nor is it his responsibility. He will not cause trouble for himself.”
At this point, Su Changqing looked at Su Wen and smiled. “However, your performance this time is not bad. His Majesty should be very happy!”
