What Are Your Thoughts?

Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng knelt on the ground, silent.

The Patriarchs of the Lin and Chen Families, Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi, had no choice but to sadly accept.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, in accordance with Yu Dynasty law, imposed a minor punishment on Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng. As for the fines for the Lin and Chen Families, Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi could also accept them.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi asked, "Master Hu, have the improper gains between Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng been tallied? And how much fine should the Lin and Chen Families bear?"

Upon hearing this, Master Hu took out a piece of paper from his bosom and read, "Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng sold a total of forty-six inferior Spirit Beasts within two days. Their improper gains amounted to forty-six thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones. According to Yu Dynasty law, the Lin and Chen Families should bear a fine three times the improper gains, which is one hundred and forty thousand four hundred Spirit Stones."

As soon as they heard this, Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai, who had been standing nearby, exchanged a glance.

"A total of one hundred and forty thousand Spirit Stones!"

Meng Haoran exclaimed in his heart, "This amount of Spirit Stones is nearly a year's income for our Meng Family's spirit herb land! The Lin and Chen Families have really bled dry this time!"

Lin Yuan Kui said in a low voice, "County Magistrate Song, this fine is too harsh!"

Chen Le Zhi echoed, "Yes, County Magistrate Song, this fine is equivalent to a year's income from our two families' spirit herb lands!"

"Heh heh! You think it's too much now? When you were selling inferior Spirit Beasts, did you not think it was too much then?"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said loudly, "The fine is merely the minimum penalty for your two families. Now, I solemnly inform you that for the next year, your Lin and Chen Families are forbidden from engaging in any commercial activities related to selling Spirit Beasts within the territory of Qingyang County!"

This statement made Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai, uncle and nephew, overjoyed.

Previously, Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng sold Spirit Beasts for about eight hundred to one thousand Spirit Stones each. In just two days, they had earned over forty thousand Spirit Stones, which was much faster than cultivating and selling First-Tier Spirit Plants like Three-Pattern Wheat from the spirit herb land!

From this, one could see how severe the punishment imposed by County Magistrate Song Zhiyi on the Lin and Chen Families was!

Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi quickly stepped forward and knelt before County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, saying, "County Magistrate Song, we implore you to retract this order. The Lin and Chen Families find this punishment difficult to accept!"

The Lin Family had already withdrawn from Qingyang County's talisman market due to the matter of the Five Elements Defensive Talisman and the Spirit Taming Talisman. Now, if their Lin Family were to comply with County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's judgment and cease all commercial activities related to selling Spirit Beasts for the next year, it would be a fatal blow to their Lin Family!

Adding insult to injury!

Adding fuel to the fire!

The Lin Family was now facing such a predicament.

"How dare you! Is the County Office a place for the two of you to plead for mercy?"

Master Hu angrily said, "County Magistrate is handling this case impartially and punishing you according to Yu Dynasty law, which is already showing leniency beyond the law. If you continue to make unreasonable demands in the County Office, do not blame the County Magistrate for disregarding past favors!"

Upon hearing this angry shout, Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi lowered their heads and exchanged a glance.

At this moment, Master Hu quickly stepped forward and helped them up, saying, "Elder Lin, Elder Chen, County Magistrate Song is acting according to Yu Dynasty law. Please do not embarrass him, nor should you damage each other's harmony. As the saying goes, 'As long as the green hills last, there will be wood to burn.' A year will pass in the blink of an eye!"

Master Hu played both the good cop and the bad cop, and Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi could only go along with the flow.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi waved his hand and said, "Lin Yuan Kui, Chen Le Zhi, the two of you quickly take them home, discipline them properly, and then promptly submit the fines to the County Office treasury."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan Kui and Chen Le Zhi could only escort Lin Qingbai and Chen Jinmeng away from the County Office.

After the clansmen of the Lin and Chen Families left, only County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, Master Hu, Meng Luohai, and Meng Haoran remained in the hall.

"Brother Luohai, how should this young junior be addressed?" County Magistrate Song Zhiyi asked, looking down.

Meng Luohai cupped his fists and replied, "Meng Haoran, he is the foremost among the younger generation of my Meng Family!"

"Heh heh, foremost among the younger generation!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi chuckled, "This title is not insignificant!"

Meng Haoran cupped his fists and replied, "It is all thanks to the support of the elders in the family."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's smile faded, and he then asked, "Earlier, that scoundrel Lin Qingbai pursued and attacked you in the West Market in public. What were your thoughts?"

Meng Haoran replied, "Run! And then inform my family elders about the Lin Family's dealings."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi asked again, "What if you hadn't managed to escape?"

Meng Haoran said seriously, "That would be fine too! My Meng Family has another junior named Meng Xiaoran who knows about this matter."

"Hahaha! Good lad! You've actually kept a backup plan!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi laughed, "Brave and resourceful, truly worthy of being called the foremost among the younger generation of the Meng Family, as Brother Luohai described!"

Meng Haoran gave a dry laugh and did not reply.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi looked at Meng Haoran and asked, "Previously, I only pursued the matter of the Lin and Chen Families selling inferior Spirit Beasts and imposed a fine penalty on them, without pursuing Lin Qingbai's public act of murderous assault in the West Market. Do you blame me?"

Meng Haoran cupped his fists and replied, "This junior dares not. County Magistrate is the parent official of Qingyang County, and every word and deed is justifiable."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi chuckled, "Heh heh, you're wise beyond your years and know how to flatter!"

After speaking, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi looked at Meng Luohai and asked, "Brother Luohai, do you know how long I have served as the County Magistrate of Qingyang County?"

Meng Luohai replied, "If I recall correctly, it should be seven years."

"Time flies, it feels like just a blink of an eye, and seven years have passed."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said with some emotion, "In two more years, I will be transferred from Qingyang County and take up a post elsewhere."

Meng Luohai cupped his fists, "This humble subject congratulates County Magistrate Song in advance!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi shook his head, "After leaving Qingyang County, my future is still somewhat uncertain. Will it be a lateral transfer or a promotion?"

Hearing this, Meng Luohai knew that County Magistrate Song Zhiyi had something more to say.

Seeing Meng Luohai's silence, County Magistrate Song Zhiyi continued, "I have served as the parent official of Qingyang County for seven years. In these seven years, I have conscientiously served without any major faults or great merits. Therefore, if I wish to be promoted in two years, it would be a pipe dream. At best, I will be laterally transferred to another place and serve as County Magistrate for another nine years!"

Meng Luohai seemed to have a premonition and asked in a low voice, "Please clarify some matters, County Magistrate!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi said solemnly, "For the past seven years, the seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families in the county have been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant towards me. Therefore, I wish to add another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County. What are your thoughts on this?"