He will not feel at ease until he has caught them all in one fell swoop. Only after he has married them will he stop thinking about their people.
Shen Xihe didn't know what Xiao Huayong had done in Kyoto. In Henan Prefecture, Governor Yu was apparently still making a last-ditch effort. The next morning, the yamen of the county governor's office was blocked by the people, and they all clamored for the real culprit to be severely punished.
"Tang County Magistrate, we all know that it was the King of the Northwest who sent people to rob our tombs and collect wealth in order to rebel!"
"Tang County Magistrate, you cannot protect such a bastard who brings disaster to the country and the people."
"Tang County Magistrate, this is my family's ancestral tomb. I don't know how I can face my ancestors. If you protect these bastards, I will hang myself in front of the government office with my entire family..."
When Shen Xihe arrived, he saw this scene and had no idea who spread the rumors.
"Where is the county lieutenant?" Shen Xihe asked.
"It is said that a merchant caravan was robbed this morning, and the county lieutenant has taken people to hunt down the culprit." Zhenzhu replied.
"What a coincidence." Shen Xihe laughed briefly with an ambiguous meaning.
"Princess, do we want to help?" Mo Yuan asked.
Shen Xihe looked up and saw that there were crowds of people in front of the government office, and more and more people were gathering. If these people rushed into the government office, they would be able to trample the officers into the mud.
"The Magistrate of Tang is not an incompetent person." Shen Xihe turned around and found a restaurant. He took Zhenzhu and others in and ordered some Henan delicacies.
Soon, a deafening gong sounded at the gate of the government office. It was the bookkeeper who was beating the gong. When the people were quiet, Tang Juan came out and said, "My fellow villagers, I was transferred here in the 13th year of Youning. I was trusted by the villagers as a county magistrate and was highly valued by the court. I was later promoted to county governor. How I have been as a person and an official in the past six years, you all have your own standards.
There have been many grave-digging incidents in the county. It is Tang's negligence that has caused the villagers to feel ashamed of their ancestors. Although no graves in Tang's family have been dug, I hate the people who have done such unscrupulous things. Please believe me, Tang, if I find the murderer, I will never tolerate it.
But we cannot be instigated to kill innocent people because of our grief and indignation. This matter involves the Prince of Southern Shu and our Yuzhou Governor. No matter who it is, it is not Tang's turn to make the decision. Tang has already reported it to Your Majesty, and a special envoy will come to handle it soon.
Tang guarantees that before His Majesty sends a special envoy, no matter who it is, anyone who is suspicious will not escape from the prison cell of the prefectural governor's mansion."
Tang Juan's words were sincere, and he must have a good reputation as an official, so the people were quickly convinced. Some people stood up and expressed their willingness to believe him, and left first. Some people hesitated for a moment and then left.
Those who were unwilling to accept this had no choice but to grit their teeth and leave.
"Mo Yuan, send someone to follow those two people." Shen Xihe winked, and after giving the order, she lowered her head to enjoy the food that was served.
After she had a full meal, the people Mo Yuan sent came back to report: "They have contacted the county lieutenant."
"No wonder Henan Prefecture is the most rampant. It turns out that there are people from top to bottom, from civil to military." Shen Xihe rinsed his mouth with tea, took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and ordered Mo Yuan, "Catch him."
She originally thought that the county lieutenant might have been thinking of colluding with Governor Yu just because he had received some benefits. Now it seems that it is not just a simple matter of him receiving some benefits. Otherwise, things would have come to this point, and he should have wisely chosen to protect himself.