We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Even though Gong Qingwen was wearing official uniform, the people who surrounded him still cursed him harshly.

The people of Daqing still have some status.

There is no literary inquisition here. In addition, the country has only been established for more than 20 years, and the people have a high degree of recognition. Emperor Qing frequently suppresses the gentry, which indirectly improves the status of the people.

Not to mention such a heinous act as raping a woman in the street, even if the official did not do his job well, there would be many people cursing him in the street. No matter how high-ranking the official is, he must apologize honestly if he arouses public anger.

The folk customs in Daqing are somewhat similar to those in the Northern Song Dynasty. When Zhao Guangyi wanted to expand the imperial palace, he was scolded by the people living around the palace and could not start construction.

Of course, the premise is that there are many people around. If you curse the officials in private, it depends on how strong your luck is.

"In broad daylight...er, no, in the middle of the night, how dare you kidnap a woman in the street?"

"Look at that official's carriage. It belongs to Prince Fu's palace. Oh my god!"

"I know him, Gong Changshi from Prince Fu's Palace. Hiss...how could a palace Changshi do such a thing?"

"Tsk tsk, she even hits people. Look at that girl's face, it's swollen!"

"The world is going downhill. Even officials are like this!"

Listening to the angry discussions of the people around him, Gong Qingwen was completely stunned and stood there blankly.

He looked down at his right hand that had done the crime, then looked at the woman lying on the ground crying with her clothes in disarray, and a chill instantly ran up his spine.

I've fallen into a trap!

At this moment, a majestic voice sounded: "What's the noise ahead?"

The crowd automatically made way for them, and two young men of noble bearing came over, accompanied by the prefect Chen Wenrui and a group of government officials.

After Chen Wenrui saw the situation clearly, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth as if he had eaten Coptis chinensis.

He carefully accompanied the two evil spirits for the entire afternoon, fearing that he might accidentally cause trouble. When he was finally about to reach the restaurant, he encountered this incident.

Chen Wenrui was not a fool, so he naturally knew that Gong Qingwen was being plotted against, but what could he say?

The one who plotted against him was Prince Feng... In another seven or eight years, he might become the emperor!

Gong Qingwen, Gong Qingwen...Aren't you looking for death?

You are the dignified King Feng, and you slap me in the face just like that. If you don’t die, who will?

Li Che saw the scene on the field and his face was instantly filled with shock.

"Master Gong?!"

"You are so foolish! As an official appointed by the imperial court, the Chief Clerk of Prince Fu's Palace, you represent the dignity of the imperial court! How could you do such a vile thing as raping a woman and assaulting an innocent person in public?!"

"Where does this move place the laws of the court? Where does this move place your Majesty's reputation?!"

Gong Qingwen was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at the woman on the ground and then at Li Che, his lips trembling:

"You...you are slandering me! It was her! She framed me!"

Gong Qingwen looked up at Li Che, only to see that Li Che looked surprised, but a smile flashed in his eyes.

No matter how slow he was, he realized at this moment that the person who was plotting against him was the King Feng in front of him.

This crazy woman rushed out from nowhere, and Li Che "happened" to pass by with Chen Wenrui and a group of government officials. How could such a coincidence happen in the world?

Gong Qingwen's eyes were bloodshot and he was hysterical: "Trap! Li Che! It was you who set the trap!"

"How dare you!" Li Lin could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward, pointed at Gong Qingwen's nose, and shouted, "Gong Qingwen, you've been caught red-handed in public! You still dare to quibble and frame the King?!"

"Mr. Chen!" He suddenly turned to Chen Wenrui, who was already pale with fear, and his voice was like thunder:

"In broad daylight, in the city of Fuzhou, under your rule, a horrific act occurred: an imperial official forcibly abducted a woman in the street!"

"As the governor of Fuzhou, are you going to take care of it or not?!"

"If you abuse your power and pervert the law, and fail to severely punish this beast, I will write a memorial today and send it 800 miles to the capital, asking the Emperor and all the ministers to judge the situation and discuss how you, the governor of Fuzhou, are governing this place!"

Chen Wenrui was frightened to death by Li Lin's roar.

He looked at Gong Qingwen, whose face was flushed red because he was unable to defend himself, and a huge feeling of fear and frustration surged in his heart.

He also knew that this was a trap, but he knew even more that if he did not do as Li Che wanted, he would not be able to escape the crime of being a partisan, and the court would definitely send people to hold him accountable.

More importantly, Fuzhou can't withstand any scrutiny...

If that were the only issue, it would be easy to deal with.

But if the court finds out other things, that would be a real disaster!

As for Gong Qingwen? He was just a chief official in the palace, and he didn't know much about the inside story, so he was abandoned.

"Somebody come!"

Chen Wenrui gritted his teeth, forced an expression of righteous indignation on his face, and shouted loudly at the group of yamen runners.

"Capture... arrest this ruthless and corrupt official lunatic, Gong Qingwen!"

"Take her back to the government jail and keep her under strict guard. I will personally interrogate her and get to the bottom of this case. I will give this girl and the people of Fuzhou an explanation!"

"Chen Wenrui, how dare you! I am an official appointed by the court!" Gong Qingwen's eyes were bloodshot and he struggled and roared.

Seeing Chen Wenrui was unmoved, Gong Qingwen was even more shocked and said without hesitation:

"Chen Wenrui, you cheated me? Don't forget what you did..."

"Catch him!" Chen Wenrui interrupted harshly.

Several yamen runners looked at each other and immediately pounced on him like wolves and tigers, ignoring Gong Qingwen's struggles and cursing, and hit him with iron bars in their hands.

There was a muffled sound, and Gong Qingwen's mouth suddenly started bleeding.

The bailiff exerted force with his hand, and there was a "crack" sound, and his jaw was dislocated. He stammered and could not utter a word.

Several yamen runners tied him up roughly and dragged him towards the government office.

Li Che looked at Gong Qingwen's disheveled figure being dragged away, and winked at the tearful woman. The latter nodded knowingly, turned around and dived into the crowd, disappearing without a trace in a short while.

"Prefect Chen is indeed perceptive and decisive," Li Che said approvingly. "I believe the Prefect will enforce the law impartially and restore order to Fuzhou City."

Chen Wenrui shuddered, and quickly bowed, a smile uglier than crying plastered on his face:

"The banquet... the banquet is ready. It's in the private room of Wanghai Tower. Your Highness... would you like to see it?"

"Well," Li Che nodded slightly and took the lead. "Then I'll have to trouble the governor to lead the way. It just so happens that I also have some questions about the people's livelihood and public security in Fuzhou, and I would like to ask the governor for advice."

Chen Wenrui's heart trembled and his face became even more bitter.

Just as he was about to raise his leg to follow, a trusted yamen runner came up to him and whispered, "Sir, the woman is gone."

Chen Wenrui looked at the crowd around him and had already made up his mind.

"Don't meddle in other people's business. Just appease and disperse the people."