County Office Interrogation

When County Magistrate Song Zhiyi let out an angry roar, Lin Qingbai trembled all over.

Who was Song Zhiyi?

He was the County Governor of Qinghe Commandery, personally appointed by the Yu Dynasty Emperor to serve as the County Magistrate of Qingyang County.

He was also the father and mother official of Qingyang County.

All matters, big and small, in Qingyang County were intricately connected to this man.

Naturally, this included market order within the two market districts!

Song Zhiyi knew better than anyone whether Lin Qingbai had been selling inferior Spirit Beasts in the West Market.

He naturally understood the seriousness of the matter.

However, at this moment, Lin Qingbai had to hold firm and absolutely refuse to admit it!

Because, once he admitted to publicly selling inferior Spirit Beasts in the West Market, it would be one thing if County Magistrate Song Zhiyi punished him alone. But if the County Magistrate decided to investigate further and punish the Lin family of Xinghua Village, then Lin Qingbai would be unforgivable and unable to face the ancestors of the Lin family.

Lin Qingbai raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Replying to the County Magistrate, Lin Qingbai was selling Spirit Beasts normally in the West Market, and there was nothing unusual!"

"Is that so?"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi waved his hand and called out, "Master Hu!"

A man in black clothing with a goatee walked up to County Magistrate Song Zhiyi and whispered, "County Magistrate, I am here."

"Investigate for this official!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said sternly, "I want to see if the quality of the Spirit Beasts sold by the Lin family meets the standards within our dynasty's laws!"

Master Hu cupped his fists and replied, "Yes!"

With that, Master Hu turned and walked towards the Spirit Beast "Mysterious Earth Barbarian Bull" beside Zhang Mingyuan. He placed a hand on its back, and strands of heaven and earth spiritual energy surged out from his hand, enveloping the "Mysterious Earth Barbarian Bull."

After a short while, Master Hu withdrew the heaven and earth spiritual energy from his body and turned to look at County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, cupping his fists. "Replying to the County Magistrate, your subordinate has investigated and clarified the matter."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi turned to Lin Qingbai and asked, "Lin Qingbai, I can still give you a chance to confess and receive leniency. Are you willing to capture it?"

Lin Qingbai clenched his fists hidden in his sleeves, biting his lip tightly.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi chuckled and said, "Master Hu, please explain clearly!"

Master Hu coughed dryly and announced, "This Mysterious Earth Barbarian Bull, judging by its bone age, should be in its juvenile stage. Its physique is also in the juvenile stage. However, for some unknown reason, its bone structure is extremely loose and unstable, and its physique is extremely bloated. In my humble opinion, this Mysterious Earth Barbarian Bull must have ingested some kind of growth-promoting drug, which has led to its current condition!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingyuan angrily shouted, "Lin family! Give me back my eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

Lin Qingbai dared not admit Master Hu's words. He raised his head and retorted, "Magistrate Song, this is just Master Hu's opinion and naturally doesn't count. I think we should find a few more people to examine it together before making a conclusion..."

"Lin Qingbai!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said coldly, "You refuse to see the truth until it's staring you in the face!"

Just as Lin Qingbai was about to defend himself further, Chen Jinmeng, who had been silent behind him, stepped forward.

"Qingbai, stop talking!"

Chen Jinmeng's gaze passed over Lin Qingbai's shoulder to County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, and he said softly, "County Magistrate, these Spirit Beasts are indeed inferior Spirit Beasts. Both of us fed them Revitalization Powder."

Hearing Chen Jinmeng voluntarily confess their wrongdoing, Lin Qingbai's shoulders, which had been holding strong, suddenly slumped, and he drooped powerlessly before County Magistrate Song Zhiyi.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi coldly snorted, "Hmph! Chen Jinmeng! I didn't expect the Chen family to be involved in this matter!"

Chen Jinmeng shook his head repeatedly and replied, "County Magistrate, this matter was only between myself and Lin Qingbai. It has absolutely no relation to our respective families."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi flicked his sleeve and laughed, "Haha, whether it has anything to do with your respective families, we'll find out over a cup of tea at the County Office!"

After speaking, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi turned to the surrounding crowd and shouted, "Citizens, the East and West market districts are of utmost importance to our Qingyang County. I will absolutely not allow any actions that disrupt market rules. After I have thoroughly investigated this matter, I will give you all an explanation!"

As his voice fell, the crowd below immediately responded with cheers.

Amidst the cheers, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said to Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng, "You two will accompany me to the County Office first. We will discuss this further when your Patriarchs arrive at the County Office!"

With that, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi left the area, surrounded by the crowd.

Meng Haoran looked up at Meng Luohai and asked, "Clan Uncle Luohai, what should we do?"

Meng Luohai smiled and said, "Naturally, we'll follow. Lin Qingbai dared to openly pursue you; we must demand an explanation from the Lin family regarding this matter!"

At the main hall of the Qingyang County Office.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, dressed in his official robes, sat behind his desk, exuding an imposing aura.

Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng knelt in the middle of the hall with their heads bowed.

The Patriarchs of the Lin and Chen families, Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi, stood motionlessly with their eyes lowered.

Opposite them were Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi asked from above, "Lin Yuan Kui, Chen Le Zhi, do you two have any objections to the crimes committed by Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng in violation of Yu Dynasty law?"

Lin Yuan Kui cupped his fists and said, "Your humble subject has no objections. I request the County Magistrate to punish them according to Yu Dynasty law, as a warning to others!"

Chen Le Zhi replied, "Your humble subject also has no objections. The punishment for these two will be entirely up to the County Magistrate according to Yu Dynasty law. However, this matter was a private arrangement between these two individuals and has absolutely no connection to our Lin and Chen families. I implore the County Magistrate to see this clearly!"

"Chen Le Zhi, you are of a certain age. Have you lost your mind in your old age?"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said sternly, "They are both disciples of your Lin and Chen families. Now, in my jurisdiction, in the West Market, this incident has occurred, and yet you say it has nothing to do with your Lin and Chen families? Are you trying to evade the judgment of Yu Dynasty law!"

"Master Hu!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi tilted his head slightly and asked, "According to Yu Dynasty law, how should Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng be punished? And how should the Lin and Chen Families be punished?"

"According to Yu Dynasty law, Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng must first return all ill-gotten gains. Furthermore, they are forbidden from engaging in any commercial activities for the rest of their lives. If discovered, they will be exiled three thousand li to a forbidden region!"

Master Hu nodded and replied, "As for the punishment for the Lin and Chen Families, they will be fined three times the amount of the ill-gotten gains to pay on behalf of Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng. The payment must be made to the County Office treasury within three days. If there is any delay in payment, the fine will be doubled for the penalized individuals!"

After hearing this, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi raised his voice and asked the four people below the stage, "Everyone, have you all heard clearly?"

.:wap.

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