The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

Now we have caught the criminal red-handed.

Smuggling salt is a capital crime, let alone such a huge amount. According to the confession of Master Yu's servants, the Yu family has smuggled more than one million kilograms of salt over the years, making them a top-notch salt smuggler!

It was even exported overseas, such as to Korea and other places.

In addition, this time Guo Jia bought salt in the name of a northern rebel. In addition to smuggling, he was also guilty of treason, and his entire clan would be executed.

When everyone returned to the county government office, Magistrate Lu, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant, and Mr. Mai from the Inspection Office were all there.

This was something Zhang Ping'an and County Magistrate Lu had agreed upon. They were going to hold the interrogation in court overnight, fearing that something might happen if they were too late. After all, the Yu family had been in business for many years, and the local tyrants should not be underestimated.

"Who are you here? What position do you hold? How did you get the illegal salt?" County Magistrate Lu slammed the gavel and asked loudly.

Only then did he finally gain some of the prestige of a county magistrate.

After being woken up by someone splashing him with cold water, Young Master Yu looked around and realized that the situation was not good.

Just keep your mouth shut like a saw-mouthed gourd.

County Magistrate Lu has not been working in vain these years. Not only has he spent a lot of effort to place his servants in the Yu family, he has also secretly instigated rebellion and won over his subordinates.

He has been keeping a low profile for so many years. Since he has not taken any action, if he does, he will definitely destroy the Yu family.

Seeing this, he was not panicked and sneered: "Haha, give me your stubborn attitude!"

After saying this, he ordered his attendants: "Punish me severely!"

This is torture.

Zhang Ping'an, Guo Jia, Green Bean Eyes, Hua Wanli and others were watching from the sidelines of the hall.

The official handover has not yet been completed, and the chief official is still County Magistrate Lu, so he cannot interfere in the affairs of the court.

The yamen runners in the hall were all confidants that County Magistrate Lu had cultivated over the years, and they immediately took action after hearing what he said.

First they used caning and tongs, then came the branding. The red-hot iron poked the person's flesh again and again until smoke came out. It was terrifying to watch.

Young Master Yu still had some backbone and endured it. He even wanted to bite his tongue to commit suicide, but was stopped by the yamen runners who were prepared.

Magistrate Lu had already finished half his cup of tea. Seeing this, he snorted, "He's a tough nut to crack! Give him some torture!"

That is, skinning alive.

This type of punishment not only physically abuses the prisoners, but also deters them psychologically.

Before an incense stick of time had passed, Young Master Yu said in a trembling voice, "I confess, I confess..."

"That's right. You can suffer less and get away with it." Magistrate Lu stroked his beard.

When the chief clerk took the written confession to be signed, Young Master Yu picked up the pen and suddenly stabbed it towards his throat.

Although the rescue was timely, a lot of blood was still lost.

Seeing that the man was half dead, County Magistrate Lu gave the chief clerk a look.

The chief clerk nodded, then put the pen in Master Yu's hand and signed on his behalf.

That counts as a confession!

Everyone had a nonchalant expression on their face.

After receiving the confession, County Magistrate Lu reviewed it and was very satisfied. He turned to the County Lieutenant and said, "County Lieutenant Zhu, the rest is up to you!"

Lieutenant Zhu stood up and bowed to Magistrate Lu and Zhang Ping'an, saying, "I'll go right away!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and led his men to the Yu family.

The people who followed him were also afraid that they were his confidants.

Zhang Ping'an whispered to Guo Jia.

Guo Jia stood up and went out with his men and County Lieutenant Zhu.

Seeing this, County Lieutenant Zhu looked at Guo Jia twice, but said nothing.

After a while, Magistrate Lu's legal advisor came in with a large stack of confessions.

He just went to the county jail.

Those minions who followed Master Yu were not qualified to be brought to court for interrogation. With so many people, if they were stubborn, it would take forever to interrogate them all until dawn.

As long as the confession is there and the procedures are complete, that's enough.

Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

Everyone drank cup after cup of strong tea until dawn.

County Lieutenant Zhu then returned with his men, and all members of the Yu family, including their relatives, were brought to justice.

A total of more than 600 people!

Confiscated property worth more than one million taels!

This amount of wealth would be impressive even in Lin'an!

Although County Magistrate Lu had some guesses and knew that the Yu family was a powerful family, he had no idea that such a small county like Ci could have made them so rich!

When I think about how I have been careful with my words and actions and how I have lived a frugal life over the past six years, I can't help but feel seriously unbalanced. Damn it, what the hell is going on?

Seeing the people below made me even more displeased.

County Magistrate Yu was pulled out of bed in the middle of the night. At first he was still shouting in anger, but when he saw so many people from his clan being arrested, including his son's miserable state, his heart sank, and he knew that this time they were serious!

However, he was not too panicked at this time. Even if County Magistrate Lu wanted to sentence him to death, it would have to go through the procedures of preliminary trial, reporting, review, decision-making, execution, etc., and it would only be implemented after going through layers of review.

Daxia has always implemented the principle of "cautious punishment" and executed people in the autumn.

It is still a long way from the autumn harvest, and there is still room for improvement!

There are so many people in the Yu family, it is impossible for a county magistrate to kill them all just by saying so. County Magistrate Lu is not qualified!

Moreover, he also has a backer!

I have invested real money in it for so many years, just waiting to use it to save my life.

Seeing that County Magistrate Yu's eyes were rolling around and he looked restless, County Magistrate Lu knew what he was thinking.

But this time he hit a wall, and the rest depends on Zhang Pingan.

County Magistrate Lu looked calm.

First, they tortured everyone one by one, until they were half dead, and then they ordered the bailiffs to throw them into prison. After a few days of eating stale rice and drinking rotten water, at least one-third of the people would not be able to bear it.

The Yu family has nothing to worry about!

After working all night, County Magistrate Lu was a little tired, but he was in a very good mood and returned to the back court humming a little tune.

He now has a plan for his retirement money, and the weather today is really nice!

Zhang Ping'an had already written the letter during the interrogation.

He handed it to Guo Jia and said, "Brother Guo, I have to trouble you again. You can ride a horse, so please rush this letter to my father-in-law in Lin'an!"

Guo Jia nodded, stood up without saying anything, and said, "Don't worry, I'll deliver it to you before dusk today!"

Zhang Ping'an bowed his hands, and everything was said without words!

After Guo Jia left, Zhang Ping'an was not idle either. He could not be idle today. He had to discuss a disposal plan with County Magistrate Lu for the confiscated silver.

It would be great if one third could be handed over to the court in the end!