The County Magistrate's Verdict!

Half an hour later, Lu Feng dragged Li An to the County Yamen.

This scene caused the many yamen runners and constables in the County Yamen to be slightly stunned.

When everyone clearly saw that the person in Lu Feng's hand was the Great Chieftain of the Caobang Gang, Li An, they were all shocked.

Thus, several yamen runners immediately reported the matter to the Three Captains.

Soon, the Three Captains arrived at the yamen hall. Lu Feng saw the three of them and directly threw Li An over, saying.

"Three Captains, the Great Chieftain of the Caobang Gang, Li An, openly attacked this constable with his subordinates on West Street today. I believe this person intends to rebel. I request that you inform the County Magistrate of this matter."

As soon as these words were spoken, the three of them were stunned. Captain Wang looked at Lu Feng with a hint of apprehension.

Li An was a well-known strongman in Qinglu County. He never expected to be beaten into such a state by Lu Feng.

Li An, who was lying on the ground, endured the severe pain and retorted after hearing Lu Feng's words, "Cough, cough, Three Captains, don't listen to Lu Feng's nonsense. Our Caobang Gang is a legitimate gang. How could we do something like rebelling!"

Lu Feng glanced at him and continued, "Oh?! Then what do you mean by bringing Caobang members to attack this constable in public? Are you not trying to rebel?"

"I..."

Lu Feng's words left Li An speechless. At this moment, Captain Wang, who was standing beside him, suddenly spoke.

"I think this matter requires further investigation. Moreover, the Caobang Gang managed by Li An is also a major taxpayer in our Qinglu County. They should not be doing anything rebellious."

Upon hearing Captain Wang say this, Li An immediately echoed as if he had grasped a life-saving straw, "Yes, yes, yes! Captain Wang's words are reasonable."

After he finished speaking, the other two captains saw that Captain Wang wanted to protect Li An, so they did not express their opinions.

Just as Lu Feng was about to say something else, a voice sounded from outside the hall.

"Li An, you are not managing the docks and river transport on West Street. What are you doing at the County Yamen?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Feng and the Three Captains all looked in the direction of the voice.

They saw four figures standing at the entrance of the hall. These four were the County Magistrate Wang Lichuan, the County Assistant Zhou Yongsi, the Chief Clerk Lu Yan, and the Strategist Wang Jun.

Upon seeing the arrivals, Lu Feng and the Three Captains cupped their fists and bowed.

Then, the four entered the hall and began to size up Li An, who was kneeling on the ground, and Lu Feng, who was standing to the side.

At this moment, County Magistrate Wang Lichuan sat in the main seat and spoke first, "What is going on? Who can explain this to me?"

Hearing this, Lu Feng cupped his fists again and then recounted what had happened that day.

Wang Lichuan's eyebrows twitched after listening. He then looked at Li An and asked, "Li An, Lu Feng has just stated what happened. Do you have anything to say?"

Although Li An was seriously injured, he was still a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, so he could still hold on. He retorted.

"County Magistrate, what Lu Feng said is untrue. I never thought of rebelling. Today on West Street, we only had some verbal conflict, and then Lu Feng suddenly attacked and severely injured me. All of this is Lu Feng framing me."

Li An's response made a murderous glint flash in Lu Feng's eyes. He regretted not killing the man on West Street if he knew he would bite back like this.

However, County Magistrate Wang Lichuan was not a fool. He said a few words to the strategist beside him, and the strategist quickly left the hall, heading somewhere unknown.

Then, Wang Lichuan looked at the two and slowly said, "Since you both have different accounts, I will send someone to investigate West Street first."

Upon hearing this, Li An secretly thought it was bad. The residual situation on West Street would reveal clues as soon as it was investigated.

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Seeing this, Li An immediately looked at County Assistant Zhou Yongsi beside him, showing a pleading expression.

Although Zhou Yongsi showed no reaction on his face, he walked to the County Magistrate and whispered a few words.

A moment later, Strategist Wang Jun returned to the hall and reported the situation on West Street to the County Magistrate in detail.

The County Magistrate nodded slightly after listening, then looked at Lu Feng and said, "Lu Feng, I understand what happened on West Street. How do you wish to handle this matter?"

Lu Feng was slightly stunned. The County Magistrate was asking him how to handle this matter? He was just a mere constable, how could he have the authority to deal with such a thing?

He had brought Li An back today to deter Captain Wang and deal with Li An at the same time.

Now that the County Magistrate was asking for his opinion, it was likely that he didn't want to push things too far.

Hearing this, Lu Feng cupped his hands and said, "County Magistrate, this matter is entirely up to your decision. Your subordinate dares not speak rashly."

His answer greatly satisfied the County Magistrate, who then looked at Li An and said, "Li An, for leading a mob to attack Lu Feng today, you knew Lu Feng was a constable of my county yamen and yet dared to be so bold. According to the Great Yan Law, you should be sentenced to execution in the autumn!"

Li An, kneeling below, was instantly terrified and at a loss.

Immediately, the County Magistrate continued, "However, considering you are a major taxpayer in this county and have solved the livelihood problems of thousands of people, I sentence you to three years in prison and order you to compensate Lu Feng one thousand taels of silver as spiritual compensation!"

After the sentencing, Li An suddenly felt like he had escaped death and immediately kowtowed, "Thank you, County Magistrate, for sparing my life!"

Then, the County Magistrate looked at Lu Feng again and asked, "Lu Feng, are you satisfied with my handling of this matter?"

Lu Feng pondered for a moment and replied, "Your subordinate is satisfied!"

"Heh heh, since you are satisfied, then let it be so."

With that, the County Magistrate took the strategist and left the hall. County Assistant Zhou Yongsi gave Lu Feng a cold glance before also leaving the hall.

At this moment, Chief Clerk Lu Yan, who had been silent all along, gave him a look, signaling him to follow.

Seeing this, Lu Feng also left the hall and went to the Chief Clerk's room.

As soon as he entered the room, he heard Lu Yan say, "Lu Feng, you've caused trouble."

Lu Feng frowned slightly, asking with a confused expression, "Lord Lu, are you referring to Li An's matter?"

"That's right!" Lu Yan sighed, "Alas, do you know who is behind the Caobang Gang?"

Lu Feng shook his head, "This subordinate does not know, please enlighten me, my lord."

"The person behind the Caobang Gang is precisely County Assistant Zhou Yongsi. You brought Li An's matter before the County Magistrate today, and the other party will naturally remember it. That's why I said you've caused trouble."

Lu Feng frowned. He had actually guessed that Li An was related to County Assistant Zhou Yongsi earlier, but he hadn't expected the big boss behind the Caobang Gang to be the County Assistant himself.

Seeing Lu Feng frowning and remaining silent, Lu Yan continued, "Although you have offended the County Assistant, as long as you can become the new Captain, the County Magistrate will pay attention to you, and you will have the power to protect yourself."

After hearing this, Lu Feng immediately understood the meaning behind his words and cupped his fists in salute, "This subordinate thanks Lord Lu for your protection. I will strive to become the new Captain."

As he spoke, Lu Yan shook his head, "You've misunderstood. I am not protecting you. You must rely on yourself to obtain it."

Lu Feng looked puzzled. Lu Yan had been helping him since he took leave last time, not to mention the subsequent registration and this current notification. Were these not considered helping him?

Seeing his expression, Lu Yan continued to explain, "I am merely following the rules. You can consider me a neutral party."

"A neutral party?! Does your lordship mean that the County Yamen is also divided into factions?"