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Chapter 1628: The Calm Master Qian
🕑 Added 2023-09-05 01:48:29 +0000 UTCChapter 1628: The Calm Master Qian
As Shu Yu said, it was too late at the county yamen to proceed with the trial, but the suspects still had a place to be detained. Zhang Qing was taken into custody by the official, and Shu Yu returned home directly.
The next day, as expected, Magistrate Xie was the first to question the theft case involving Zhang Qing. Shu Yu got up early, dressed neatly, and had the Liang couple prepared and accompanied by the officials to the county yamen.
This was the second time Shu Yu had participated in a case, so she was already familiar with the process.
Magistrate Xie quickly understood the cause and process of the case. In fact, it wasn't a significant matter, just an ordinary theft case. If it were in the past, it would have been easily resolved by having Zhang Qing compensate the Liang couple for their losses.
Otherwise, involving the wealthy and influential Master Qian, even if he faced some punishment, it would be merely a drizzle for him. Afterward, he could seek revenge, and it would be the ordinary farmers, the Liang couple, who would suffer.
Although Magistrate Xie adhered to the doctrine of the mean, he wasn't evil-hearted. He believed in getting to the bottom of the case to serve justice to the people. However, if pursuing justice brought more trouble to the victims, he would advise them to stop. That had always been his way of handling things.
But this time was different; Shu Yu was watching, and she clearly intended to confront Master Qian. Magistrate Xie would undoubtedly stand on her side.
As a result, he sent Zhang Qing back into custody and decided to reschedule the case. He promptly wrote a document and sent it to Donggu County yamen, summoning Master Qian.
It seemed a bit grandiose, but Magistrate Xie felt that Lady Lu seemed excited.
Meanwhile, Donggu County was not peaceful. Master Qian had indeed bribed Zhang Qing to steal the sunflower seeds, but this time he was more impatient.
The last time, Zhang Qing had delivered the seeds within a day, but this time, it had been two or three days, and he was nowhere to be seen. Master Qian sent someone to Jiangyuan County to investigate, but instead, the person brought back news of Zhang Qing's arrest, leaving him shocked and almost spitting out water.
It was said that Lady Lu had personally reported the matter to the authorities. Master Qian's mind was in a mess as he paced around the room, unable to calm down. However, his subordinates quickly calmed him down.
"Master, there's no need to worry. So what if Lady Lu reported it? Can her influence extend to Donggu County? This is not a major case. You can just send some good tea to the magistrate of Donggu County; you have a good relationship with him. He will surely help you intervene. If worst comes to worst, we can go to Zhang's family and offer them some money, and Zhang Qing will admit to all the crimes. It's just a theft case; money can easily solve it."
Master Qian agreed. He was just frightening himself; what kind of person was Lady Lu anyway?
He heard that she had a good relationship with County Magistrate Xiang from Jiangyuan County before, but now that Magistrate Xiang had left, she was just a simple peasant girl. Could everyone be so willing to support her?
Moreover, Zhang Qing had stolen someone else's sunflower field, not hers.
Feeling relieved, Master Qian had his servants prepare the best tea and directly went to the county yamen.
When he came out, his face showed no signs of worry.
Not far away, Dazhuang and Ying Dong exchanged glances. "It seems Master's guess was correct."
They had arrived the day before and not only found Master Qian's workshop but also sneaked in to see the installation of the oil-pressing tools.
Thus, they spread the rumor that Master Qian was planning to produce sunflower oil.
