The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 336

Not only were there bandits blocking the way, but there were also some uncivilized and barbaric tribes that would rob silver along the way.

These people live in hardship; the county has little grain and few soldiers—truly, even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice.

Moreover, Qin Xian had already tied up Liang Shiye, who immediately stared wide-eyed at Qin Xian.

"Please spare my life, brave sir. I will tell you everything I know."

He then went directly back to the county government office and handed over all the account books he had kept for Magistrate Chen's embezzlement over the years to Qin Xian.

Moreover, the ledger was in Xu Tian's hands, so Xu Tian threw it down from the second floor.

The magistrate's expression immediately changed; his previous loyalty and patriotism vanished, replaced by hatred.

"This treacherous servant dares to betray me."

The next morning, everyone appeared at the county government office, except this time Magistrate Chen knelt at the lower end.

Xu Tian cut to the chase: "You've embezzled a total of 350,000 taels of silver during your years in office. Didn't you say this place was extremely poor? You've only been in office for two years, and you've already embezzled so much money?"

“Back in the Sui Dynasty, I was a wealthy family with some clan property, owning countless cattle and sheep. But later, all of this was taken over by the local magistrate.”

I had no choice but to take the imperial examination, hoping to secure a place for myself in the future. But to my dismay, I failed!

"And it was at this moment that I encountered the current Minister of Rites." Jin Yang raised his eyes and said casually, "Are you talking about Xu Shuda, or Tang Jian, who was already beheaded?"

Magistrate Chen said from the side, "Naturally it was Lord Tang. Lord Tang saw that I had failed the imperial examinations for a long time, so he advised me to return to my hometown and live a peaceful life. When I returned to my hometown, I found a box of gold bars left in my rented house, so I took the opportunity to buy this magistrate position."

Xu Tian said from the side, "But you have long forgotten why you took the imperial examination back then, and after taking office, you colluded with Tang Jian to commit embezzlement and bribery."

"The money comes so fast that some people can't earn this much money in several lifetimes."

Magistrate Chen spoke through tears, then knelt down and accepted the punishment.

"This humble official will submit to your authority, sir."

Upon hearing this, Xu Tian cursed inwardly. He was becoming more and more familiar with Princess Jinyang, and he also deeply hated his own personality.

Xu Tian saw Magistrate Chen below and sneered.

"I will not let you have your way. The affairs of the county are complicated now. If you do not continue, and other officials are transferred here, it will probably be next spring."

During this period, I will be staying here to open a chain of academies, so I'm afraid I won't have time to manage the internal affairs of Chen County. However, with me here, you can forget about continuing to embezzle and break the law.

"If you redeem yourself this year through meritorious service, I will certainly report this to the Emperor when I return to the court."

Magistrate Chen immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"I will definitely repent and reform myself, and strive to become a new person."

He then kowtowed repeatedly and was helped down by Master Liang.

Xu Tian returned to the back residence of the county government office and lived there comfortably.

He also ordered all the silver that Magistrate Chen had embezzled to be taken to the government treasury.