Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1799: Chapter 1799: Will Break Bones

The examination hall was again silent. Prefect Shih furrowed his eyebrows, trying to remain calm as he carefully recalled everything he had done, “Sir, I await your evidence.”

It didn’t take long for Ding Jue to return, and this time he brought two people, a man and a woman. The man was dressed in ragged clothes like a beggar, while the woman was the owner of a tavern in the city.

Prefect Shih’s pupils contracted upon seeing them.

Chang Zhi asked, “You are very cautious. I was troubled and even suspected I had miscalculated. Still, traces remain. No matter how careful you are, some traces cannot be erased. For example, you only drink the beverages from this tavern. And this beggar is interesting; every time you buy drinks from this tavern, this beggar appears in front of the tavern to beg.”

Prefect Shih tried to calm himself, “These two people are trying to incriminate me. I don’t know them.”

Chang Zhi took the ledger from Ding Jue’s hand, “Oh, what a pity they explained everything. This is the ledger they handed over, showing me quite a spectacle.”

The acts he committed are numerous, accepting bribes to change case results, the Qiu Wei, among others. Each one is a crime too severe to be described.

Prefect Shih’s mind buzzed. Even with his caution, Minister Zhou still discovered a pattern. His eyes stared at the ledger and then at the two people kneeling with their heads to the ground. Blood rushed to his throat, and his face turned pale. He leaned backward and collapsed.

Chang Zhi signaled the guard to pull him back; he still needed to adjudicate the case. Prefect Shih couldn’t leave like this—it would be too lenient for him to simply die.

A while later, the soldiers controlling the city reported successively. Chang Zhi confirmed that Chuanzhou City was under control, then stood up and addressed the examinees: “The Qiu Wei continues. This year’s Qiu Wei exam questions were set solely by myself.”

The implication was that the exam questions have changed. Even if people were lucky not to be caught buying the exam questions, it wouldn’t matter anymore.

The deputy examiner widened his eyes, unaware of when Zhou Changzhi had set the questions!

Chang Zhi didn’t explain. How could he say that he had already set half of the questions before he revealed his identity? Later, he occasionally orally dictated a question, which Ding Jue would record.

The examinees in the hall, once Minister Zhou and his party left, couldn’t help but gossip with their neighbors despite fearing the guards. Today was too shocking for them; it seemed the entire Chuanzhou officialdom was doomed!

Chang Zhi left the examination hall and took a carriage to the Government Office. He said to Deputy General Guan: “Since the city is controlled, we can start the family raids.”

Deputy General Guan, “Start the family raids now?”

“Yes, I need the account books they have hidden.”

Deputy General Guan obeyed, “Understood.”

Chang Zhi and his party returned to the Magistrate’s Office, once leisurely, now as busy as a hive, wishing he could split himself into two.

Prefect Shih lived in the residence behind the Government Office, where his female relatives were already under control. Chang Zhi didn’t visit them. Instead, he signaled Ding Jue to bring people to uncover murder case files, each one cross-referencing with the silver coin transactions found in the ledgers—these were Prefect Shih’s crimes.

Initially, Chang Zhi didn’t expect such a large operation, but as evidence was sent to him one by one, he felt a chill on his back. Doing it alone was unthinkable. The network of officials protecting each other was a perfect web. It was easier to break a hole than to catch everything in one net.

Finally, he mustered his courage. With irrefutable evidence, he needed quick and precise control of the city. Even if some escaped, they would be small fish. Reflecting once more, Chang Zhi’s brow relaxed.

Ding Jue quickly returned, “Sir, please take a rest.”

Chang Zhi waved his hand, “There’s much waiting for me. I must organize everything within the first three days.”

Ding Jue watched the soldiers handling boxes, mentally exhausted.

Chang Zhi stood up and patted Ding Jue’s shoulder, “Go meet Qianjiang. He’s here to help.”

Chang Zhi distrusted the officials of Chuanzhou, finding the soldiers trustworthy, but literate ones were few, so he reached out to the Qian family.

Qianjiang was already waiting outside, and Father Qian had also come. The father and son both looked pale. They knew Minister Zhou would take action, but never expected such a grand scale. Now the streets were empty, and a gust of wind sent shivers down their spines.

The first session of the Qiu Wei ended, and the examinees were still excited—not because the questions were easy but because they wanted to know the aftermath of Minister Zhou’s control of the city.

Chang Zhi watched as the examinees gradually departed, silent. He had initially wanted to devise some unconventional questions when leaving the capital, but with so many investigations, he truly had no energy to stir up trouble with the exam questions, only making them more difficult.

Ding Jue noticed the minister’s emotions, “Sir.”

Chang Zhi replied softly, “I am not satisfied.”

Ding Jue, “Hm?”

“I actually lack the energy. I wanted to make good questions.”

Ding Jue thought it a strange matter and comforted, “Sir, you can set the questions again when you are the chief examiner in the future.”

Chang Zhi, “You don’t understand.”

This time returning to the capital, he wouldn’t have the chance to come out again. The Emperor wouldn’t let him, and his father would restrain him. This incident was too significant, and he indeed needed to isolate himself and lay low.

Chang Zhi boarded the carriage, “Let’s return to the Government Office.”

Currently, even the prisons weren’t enough for holding people. The previous prisoners were moved to different locations, and the residence behind the Government Office was also crammed with boxes. There were a total of five boxes full of ledgers and tickets, enough to rattle anyone’s nerves.

Ding Jue said, “Sir, the An family secretly lent money with high interest. There are tickets yet to be found.”

Chang Zhi knew Ding Jue hated this. Ding Jue now knew he had become a Graduate, feeling wistful. Seeing the complete list, Ding Jue spat blood from anger, startling Chang Zhi. Someone guarded him unexpectedly; Ding Jue fainted for an entire night before rising the next day to continue working. Hatred sustained him.

“A cunning rabbit has three burrows. I’ve already sent an urgent letter back to the capital. By now, Mr. An of the Ministry of Works should be detained.”

Ding Jue said, “You mean the eldest son of An family took away some tickets?”

“Yes.”

Indeed, as Chang Zhi guessed, the first session of the Qiu Wei ended, and Mr. An of the Ministry of Works was arrested. All the men of the family were imprisoned, with soldiers guarding the An family estate.

In the Palace, Zhou Shuren held the Zhezi sent by his son, his heart pounding, “He’s, he’s bold enough.”

“Indeed, sufficiently bold.”

The Emperor was pleased. Seeing Zhou Shuren, the old fox, also unsettled was delightful. Tsk tsk, the boldest of the Zhou family must be Zhou Changzhi.

Zhou Shuren thought of disciplining Chang Zhi with family rules upon his return. Controlling a city seemed simple, but improper handling could lead to chaos. “I have failed in teaching my son.”

The Emperor waved, “All your children are well-educated.”

It’s just that Zhou Changzhi is overly rigid, enough to fracture bones with any club he wields.

Zhou Shuren felt a brief pride, saying, “My fourth son is better suited to studying and cultivating wisdom.”

The Emperor pondered for a moment, “Yes, upon his return, have him focus on studying.”

Such soldiers are better restrained!

Thus, the ruler and minister agreed on having Chang Zhi return to study.

Zhou Shuren left the Palace, feeling somewhat troubled. By now, those with swift news might know of the Chuanzhou situation. Those displeased with him would surely stir trouble.

Mr. An’s imprisonment was quickly spread; the charges were clear. Even Mr. An of the capital was imprisoned—what more for his family in Chuanzhou.

The next morning, at court, Zhou Shuren felt the gazes upon him as he disembarked from the carriage, unsure whether to take the next step!