The Hong Estate was sealed off, and the commotion it caused was naturally enormous.
The confiscation procession moved slowly forward. Bai Yan rode a tall horse at the very front, followed by more than a hundred Imperial Guards dressed in Flying Fish Robes.
Hong Shaobing's entire family was bound with ropes and paraded through the streets in the middle of the procession. Behind them came carriages loaded with gold, silver, and jewelry.
The commoners on both sides of the street watched the Imperial Guards swagger past and began whispering among themselves, pointing and gesturing.
"They actually found so much gold, silver, and jewelry! Hong Shaobing really is a huge corrupt official!"
"You couldn't tell at all. You really couldn't tell. Lord Hong was always kind to people, and during festivals, he even gave rice and grain to the neighbors. Who would have thought he was actually this kind of person?"
"He deserves to die! He truly deserves to die! These officials look bright and polished on the surface, but who knows how much of the people's hard-earned wealth they've devoured behind our backs? Every bit of it is soaked in our blood and sweat!"
"Speaking of which, the Imperial Guards have finally done something good this time."
"Hey, did you hear? Hong Shaobing wasn't the only official whose home the Imperial Guards searched today. Many other officials in Yongtang City had their homes confiscated too."
"I heard, I heard! Apparently even the Yongtang County Assistant's home was searched!"
"What happened at the Imperial Court? Why did they search so many officials' residences at once?"
"A major case. It must be an earth-shaking one, or they wouldn't have gone this far!"
"It feels like Yongtang City is about to undergo a great upheaval. I'm afraid blood will flow like a river."