"Sir Zhu, you can't hit him, you absolutely can't hit him. Eunuch Qian is really the emperor's messenger who is purchasing pearls, and he is also the godson of Eunuch Chen, who is in charge of the Imperial Stables." County Magistrate Zhang, Chief Secretary Yao and others stepped forward in a hurry to dissuade him, as if Zhu Ping'an was not going to hit Eunuch Qian, but their own father.
How can I not be nervous?!
They invited Eunuch Qian here. If he got hurt after being beaten, even though Zhu Ping'an was the culprit, they couldn't run away. They invited Eunuch Qian here, and they instigated him to sell the pearls... ... To be precise, if it weren't for them, how could Eunuch Qian end up like this? Not only was he slapped in the face by Zhu Ping'an, but he was also beaten with a stick... ...
Who knows, Eunuch Qian might vent his anger on them at that time. He originally wanted to find a helper, but in the end they would become enemies.
They could hardly bear the pressure with just Zhu Ping'an. If there was another Eunuch Qian, just think about Eunuch Chen behind him... County Magistrate Zhang and the others couldn't help but shudder, feeling terrified.
Therefore, they hurried forward to dissuade him, hoping to persuade Zhu Ping'an to stay. At the very least, they wanted Eunuch Qian to see their efforts, their stance, and that they were standing with him. They must not let Eunuch Qian offend them.
"Oh?! If that's the case..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ping'an was slightly stunned, as if he was touched by their words, and murmured softly.
When Eunuch Qian saw this, his eyes lit up immediately. His first reaction was that things had taken a turn for the better and he didn't have to beat him with a stick. His second reaction was, "Okay, Zhu Ping'an, you little thief, now you know who I am. It felt so good to slap me in the face just now. Now wait and see how I'm going to deal with you! If I can't deal with you to death, I'm not Qian."
Seeing this, County Magistrate Zhang and the others were overjoyed. Their eyes, mouths, and every cell in their bodies were filled with smiles. We actually convinced Zhu Pingan?! Zhu Pingan was actually persuaded by us.
In this way, Eunuch Qian will not only not be offended by us, but will also be grateful to us.
County Magistrate Zhang and the others were very excited. "Ahem, Lord Zhu has pulled back from the brink and made the right decision. We will definitely..."
Just when County Magistrate Zhang and the others were getting excited, Zhu Pingan interrupted them, pulled the corners of his mouth, revealed a meaningful arc, and continued what he had just said, "Oh?! In that case... it seems that these villains have deceived you seriously. To deceive an official appointed by the court, the consequences are even more serious. Well, then add ten more strokes of the cane, drag him down, and give him seventy strokes of the cane."
What?!
Add ten more boards, seventy boards? !
Eunuch Qian was struck by lightning, his pale face instantly turned to dust. He looked up in disbelief, glanced at Zhu Ping'an with resentment, then turned his gaze to County Magistrate Zhang and the others with an unfriendly look.
Qian... ... Eunuch Qian... ... Why are you looking at us like that? We were speaking for you, but who knew that Zhu Ping'an would want to give him ten more strokes of the cane? ! County Magistrate Zhang and the others were in tears.
Liu Dadao and others could no longer hold back, so they used two killing sticks to cross-fix Eunuch Qian and others, and began to beat them with the sticks.
"Ah... it hurts so much..."
After one blow of the stick, Eunuch Qian howled in pain like a pig being slaughtered, and his vision was instantly blurred by snot and tears.
"Master Zhu, my Master Zhu, didn't you say that you can't hit someone? Why did you really hit him? Eunuch Qian really is the emperor's envoy, and Eunuch Qian's godfather really is Eunuch Chen Hong, the seal holder of the Imperial Stables. You hit Eunuch Chen's godson, I wonder how you will withstand Eunuch Chen's wrath then!" County Magistrate Zhang and others pointed at Zhu Ping'an, shaking with anger.
"What imperial envoys, what Eunuch Chen's godsons, they are nothing but a group of swindlers. After the execution is completed, I will write a letter and escort these villains who lied about being Eunuch Chen's godsons and ruined Eunuch Chen's reputation and the reputation of His Majesty to Eunuch Chen for severe punishment. Eunuch Chen is so grateful to me that he doesn't even have time to express his gratitude, so how could he be furious?" Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly, not caring at all.
Bah! You beat up Eunuch Chen's godson, and Eunuch Chen is grateful to you?!
You have a nice thought!
By then, you won’t even know how you died! Zhang Xiancheng and others complained about Zhu Pingan crazily, thinking bitterly.
"Oh, by the way, if you didn't speak, I would have almost forgotten about you." Zhu Ping'an looked at County Magistrate Zhang and the others with a smile.
"What are you doing?! We are officials appointed by the imperial court!"
County Magistrate Zhang and the others got goosebumps when they saw Zhu Ping'an's smile, and spoke vigilantly.
"The handwriting of this contract is very familiar. Haha, it was written by Yao Zhubu, right? Oh, I see, at the end of this contract it says 'Written by Yao Wenyuan'. Hey, there are also 'Witnesses Zhang Changru and Li Da'. County Magistrate Zhang and Dianshi Li are both witnesses. Haha, it seems that you are accomplices in the case of stealing the ancestral pearl of old man Liu."
Zhu Ping'an unfolded the pearl purchase and sale contract again, looked at County Magistrate Zhang and the others with a smile, and spoke softly.
"You, don't slander me..." County Magistrate Zhang and others were very nervous.
"Brother-in-law, why are you being polite to him? Just take him down. We will have the final say on what to do next."
The Dianshi Li Da shook his neck, making two noises, and sneered fiercely, saying that he had been impatient for a long time.
You are a muscular, simple-minded fool, what do you understand... ... Oh, there seems to be some truth in this.
Just as County Magistrate Zhang was about to say something rude, he stopped himself, thinking that what his stupid brother-in-law said seemed to have some substance.
Seeing that his brother-in-law didn't scold him, Dianshi Li Da understood that his brother-in-law had acquiesced, so he smiled, pointed at Zhu Ping'an, Liu Dadao and others, and shouted orders to the yamen runners in the post house, "Listen to me, you bastards! Release Eunuch Qian, and arrest Zhu Ping'an and his accomplices who offended Eunuch Qian!"
Li Da was a Dianshi, who had been in charge of the county yamen runners for many years. He had been bullying the runners and had never failed. In his opinion, Zhu Ping'an had only been here for a month, and his prestige among the runners could not be compared with his. With one order from him, these runners would have to obey and turn against him to take down Zhu Ping'an.
However, he was disappointed.
At his command, no bailiff moved, and they even looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Hello! Are you all deaf?! Didn't you hear my order? Do you want to stay in the county government?!"
The Dianshi Li Dajue felt so ashamed that he cursed angrily.
His words were like farts. Apart from himself who was roaring with his face red and neck thick, none of the servants in the post house moved.
"Don't let me say it for the third time! Capture Zhu Ping'an and his accomplices. Do you hear me?"
Li Da was helpless and furious.
"Come here, capture County Magistrate Zhang, Chief Clerk Yao, and Dianshi Li!" Zhu Ping'an was too lazy to talk nonsense with them and gave the order directly.
The yamen runners, who had not moved despite Li Da's shouting, moved instantly after Zhu Ping'an gave the order and carried out Zhu Ping'an's order. After experiencing a series of anti-Japanese wars, reforming the county government, and cashing in rewards, Zhu Ping'an's prestige had long been deeply rooted in their minds.
"Zhu Ping'an! We are officials appointed by the imperial court. Only the Ministry of Personnel has the right to detain us. How dare you detain us?! You are openly trampling on the laws of the imperial court!" Yao Zhubu and others shouted after being controlled.
"No, how can I detain you? I just ask you to explain clearly at the designated time and place why you left your post without permission, deserted the battlefield, and colluded with Qianxu to rob Liu Laohan's pearls."
Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly and said with a simple and honest look.
puff!
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang and others spat out a mouthful of blood.