Chapter 186: Why Isn’t This Trick Working Anymore?

Chapter 186: Why Isn't This Trick Working Anymore?

Meng Huaining's sudden action confused Lady Liu.

"Lady, I'm here to seek justice. Why are you treating me like this?"

Meng Huaining's face was cold as he sternly replied, "You audacious shrew, how dare you attempt to bribe an official in broad daylight? What crime do you deserve for such an act?"

Lady Liu was immediately dumbfounded.

In the past, when people sought favors from their Magistrate Cui, they always employed such tactics.

Moreover, with substantial gifts, nothing was impossible to accomplish.

So why had this approach suddenly failed with the new county magistrate?

Not only did it fail, but she was now accused of bribing him in public?

Their family's storehouse had already been emptied by thieves, and the jade bracelet she used for the gift was just taken off her own wrist.

This jade bracelet was something she had purchased at great expense many years ago. If not for the desire to leave a good impression on the county magistrate, she would truly have been reluctant to part with it.

Now, the bracelet was in someone else's hands, and she was to be convicted because of it.

Madame Liu felt a surge of injustice.

"Your Excellency, you can't treat me like this. I really am innocent!"

Upon hearing Madame Liu's plea, the bailiffs immediately softened their actions and turned to Meng Huaining, awaiting his instructions.

Meng Huaining didn't even spare Madame Liu a glance. He waved his hand towards the bailiffs.

"Take her in."

Although they had spent a longer time serving alongside Cui County Magistrate and had even done some shady dealings for him, the bailiffs could clearly see the current situation. The county magistrate was now the highest-ranking official in City Yun, and judging by the magistrate's intentions, Cui's dismissal was beyond doubt. They needed to align themselves with the new authority promptly.

As a result, at Meng Huaining's command, the bailiffs pushed Madame Liu into the county office.

Seeing the maidservants attempt to flee, the onlooking crowd promptly blocked their path.

Noticing that Meng Huaining was unaccompanied by any idle officials, He Zhiran took the initiative to seize the collars of the two maidservants and dragged them into the county office.

Meng Huaining, in the meantime, held up the jade bracelet that had just been thrust into his hand by the maid for all to see.

"Everyone, take a good look. This is the jade bracelet that Lady Liu instructed her servant to give me just now. It's evidence of her attempt to bribe an official."

This act was met with a round of enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

"Heaven has eyes! At last, City Yun has been blessed with a fair and just governor."

"Our citizens of City Yun will have brighter days ahead."

"From now on, when we have grievances, we'll seek justice from this fair-minded governor!"

"..."

Feeling a sense of joy, Meng Huaining appreciated the immediate endorsement he received from the people on his first day in office.

He waved at the crowd, and the officials followed suit, signaling that no one was to raise a commotion in front of the county office.

Meng Huaining glanced at the sky. The officers he had dispatched to 'invite' County Councillor Cui had been gone for almost two hours and had yet to return. Instead, his wife had come seeking justice.

This left Meng Huaining pondering if County Councillor Cui was planning some underhanded scheme against him.

Just as he was lost in thought, Cui County Councillor was carried by a few servants right up to the entrance of the county office.

At this moment, Cui County Councillor was still unaware of the situation.

Upon seeing Meng Huaining, he still managed to greet him with obsequiousness.

"Lord County Magistrate has just arrived in City Yun today. Unfortunately, I bear injuries and was unable to personally welcome you. Please forgive my offense."

Meng Huaining cast a disdainful glance at Cui County Councillor.

Cui was wrapped tightly in a brocade quilt, revealing only his head to speak. Although his tone was ingratiating, the fleeting disdain in his eyes did not escape Meng Huaining's notice.

Meng Huaining sneered inwardly. Even at the brink of death, they still dared to be so arrogant...

With a stern expression, he instructed the bailiffs, "Take them to the courtroom."

Seeing his efforts to ingratiate himself being met with cold indifference, Cui County Magistrate immediately sensed that something was amiss.

"Your Excellency, my uncle-in-law is the Governor of Province Qing," Cui now had no choice but to reveal his ace in the hole, hoping that Meng Huaining's attitude would shift upon hearing this.

Governor of Province Qing?

Meng Huaining was no stranger to these circumstances.

When he came to City Yun to assume his new position, he happened to pass through Province Qing, and the events that transpired then were etched in his memory.

Prefect Liu had offended someone, leading to the revelation of his corruption being reported to the capital. As a result, he had been stripped of his position.

From County Councillor Cui's demeanor, it seemed he was unaware of this development.

Moreover, in Meng Huaining's mind, regardless of whether Prefect Liu had been dismissed or not, if he encountered an official like County Councillor Cui, he would have dealt with him severely without hesitation.

As an official, if one cannot rid the land of injustice, they are unworthy to occupy this position.

At this moment, when Meng Huaining saw Cui Xiancheng, he felt as if he was looking at a clown jumping about.

Unable to contain himself, he stepped forward and spoke in a calm but assertive tone, "Today is my first day in office, and I have some good news for you."

Cui Xiancheng assumed that Meng Huaining was afraid after hearing him mention his uncle-in-law and was now attempting to appease him.

"Your Excellency, what good news? Please do share it with this humble officer."

Meng Huaining's expression suddenly changed. With a swift movement, he lifted his hand and overturned Cui Xiancheng's stretcher.

"How dare you, with such audacity! You don't even bow before me and yet you lie there so arrogantly. Do you believe that I won't punish you for your disrespect right now?"

Cui Xiancheng, still expecting to hear the good news, was unexpectedly thrown off the stretcher in the blink of an eye.

By sheer coincidence, he landed face down, causing his injured areas to make a painful contact with the ground.

The pain almost took Cui Xiancheng's breath away.

After a long while, he finally cried out in pain.

"Ahh... You nearly killed this official with your fall!"

Meng Huaining stormed forward and kicked him. "Who gave you the audacity to address yourself as 'this official' in front of this magistrate?"

As he spoke, he leaned closer and whispered to County Magistrate Cui, "The good news I have for you is that yesterday, while passing through Province Qing, I personally witnessed how Prefect Liu was dismissed by the imperial court for taking bribes."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Cui stood frozen, his attention shifting from his bodily pain to an increasingly horrified expression.

"You can't be serious. This is impossible. My uncle-by-marriage couldn't have been dismissed. You must be deceiving me."

Meng Huaining, with an air of indifference, didn't bother to explain himself. Instead, he strode into the yamen with his hands clasped behind his back.

"None of you are to assist him. He must crawl to the courtroom within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, or else, he shall face the rod."

The officials were all adept at reading the wind and trimming their sails. With the situation now crystal clear, who would still side with Cui County Magistrate?

Shortly after Meng Huaining's departure, several officers swaggered over to Magistrate Cui, urging him with an air of arrogance.

There were even threats that if he delayed, he would be met with rods and clubs.

This kind of scene was not unfamiliar to Cui County Magistrate. He knew he couldn't further provoke the county magistrate at this moment.

Suffering immense pain in his lower body, he had no choice but to crawl into the main hall.

Just as Cui County Magistrate crawled into the main hall and lifted his head, he saw Mo Jiuya and his wife seated on one side.