The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 418

"Call him over," Xu Tian said to Qin Xian, then ordered the workers to be dismissed, and told those who needed to report him to come to him individually.

The official in charge of the Ministry of Works, who was assigned to Xu Tian's side, was terrified when he heard what the workers said and immediately sent someone to find the Minister of Works.

"Snapped!"

The Minister of Works, who was reviewing documents, was so angry upon hearing his servant's report that he slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"This Xu Tian is shameless. No wonder he asked me to arrange for someone to guard him. So that's what he was up to, waiting for me to set a trap!"

"My lord, please don't be angry. Let's go and take a look quickly," said the Minister of Works' man.

The Minister of Works dared not delay. After instructing his subordinates to tidy up the table, he went straight to the construction site.

Xu Tian had already gathered all those who wanted to report the Minister of Works together, and even had Qin Xian bring in tables and chairs to recount the Minister of Works' behavior in front of all the workers.

"Your Excellency, this is all a misunderstanding." Upon seeing this, the Minister of Works hurriedly stepped forward to explain, saying, "I am an honest and upright person, how could I do such a thing? Please don't pin such a serious crime as stealing timber on me."

"Your Excellency," Xu Tian called out coldly, distancing himself from the other party, then glanced at the people who had provided testimonies and said, "Why don't you ask them if they provided these testimonies?"

"Stealing timber is a serious crime, and building a school is an imperial order. I dare not delay." Xu Tian deliberately made a shrinking gesture, as if he was terrified.

“Sir, I don’t want to go to jail. The night before last, it was your men who sent my brothers and me to the construction site to steal timber, and they even gave us a large sum of money.” The first person to give his testimony stepped forward and recited the script that Qin had given them earlier.

"Yes, sir, we did exactly as you said. I have elderly parents and young children to support, I don't want to go to jail. Please, please plead for me. This really has nothing to do with us. We were just paid to do our job, we had no idea you were asking us to steal." Another worker was almost in tears.

The repeated accusations left the Minister of Works speechless. He had indeed ordered his servants to do the job, but he didn't know the whole process. Now that he was being accused, he had no idea how to refute it.

"Your Excellency, all the evidence points to you. Do you have anything else to say?" Xu Tian crossed his arms, looking like he was about to watch a good show.

This scene stung the Minister of Works' eyes, and he gritted his teeth, unsure how to refute it.

"Guards, seize the Minister of Works and escort him to the authorities on charges of theft."

At a command, the personnel who had been waiting nearby immediately stepped forward and restrained the Minister of Works.

"Xu Tian, ​​you framed me." The Minister of Works said with a dark face, having seen through Xu Tian's intentions.

"Your Excellency is joking. I don't have the guts. Look here are all the testimonies."

Xu Tian picked up the notes on the table and handed them to the Minister of Works with a smile.

The Minister of Works was taken away and imprisoned that same day.

"Sir, what should we do next? They are all workers. If we let the government or the county magistrate interrogate them, their testimonies won't match up." Qin Xian anxiously approached Xu Tian as soon as he returned to the construction site.

"Don't worry, I won't let that happen." Xu Tian squinted.