The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 494

"You can speak now! However, I hope you can tell the truth, so that you can avoid a lot of physical pain."

Xu Tian sat opposite that person.

There was only a table between them.

The man feigned fear, but his eyes showed no sign of terror.

Xu Tian did not point it out.

The man said, “Sir, you are naturally unaware of the suffering of the people. Do you know how impoverished the common people are? They are so poor that they can’t even afford to eat. There are disasters in the south and the north. Even people in this city have been driven out, leaving many refugees.”

"How could you high and mighty people know? We can risk our lives for money, even for a single copper coin."

Xu Tian listened quietly, as if he had completely believed what the man said.

The man looked at him and said, "If we weren't short of money, why would we risk stealing from your mansion?"

His implication was that he stole things because he was short of money.

Xu Tian just found it funny.

"Is that so? So you stole from my mansion because you were short of money? Oh! That's really true. I don't understand the suffering of people."

He took a cup of tea from the guard beside him.

But looking into the man's eyes, she already felt a murderous intent.

The man couldn't help but swallow hard.

"I have been troubled by something these past few days. The disaster victims are living in dire straits. But in this city, everyone seems to be living in luxury and looking very prosperous."

As soon as he said that, the man understood what he meant.

He didn't believe them; he already knew who was behind it.

He was stunned for a moment.

But Xu Tian continued, "If you all confess and show leniency, I can let bygones be bygones and punish you lightly! Otherwise, you should know what the consequences will be."

They all served the general closely, so they naturally knew something about private punishments.

However, Xu Tian also knew that these people were not the same servant from before.

The servant boy before might have confessed out of fear of death, but these guys must be the General Zhenguo's confidants.

Otherwise, no matter how they tortured them, why wouldn't these people confess?

"Sir, I have an eighty-year-old mother to support and an infant in swaddling clothes. Tell me, if I don't steal, how will I feed them?"

The man continued to argue.

Xu Tian waved his hand, signaling the county magistrate to bring another man up.

However, half an hour later, this man's answer was exactly the same as the previous man's.

Xu Tian sneered inwardly.

"It seems they had conspired all along. No matter how I threatened or bribed them, they just wouldn't confess."

"How do you think this matter should be handled?"

Xu Tian looked directly at the county magistrate who was already sitting next to him.

The magistrate was stunned.

How could he possibly know how to handle this?

These were people he couldn't afford to offend, but who didn't know the lord before him? He was extremely favored by the emperor.

That general is even more unapproachable.

Just as he hesitated, Xu Tian said again, "It doesn't matter if they don't admit it. As long as we bring them to the General's Mansion, I won't believe that those servants don't recognize these people."

His words caused even the county magistrate to frown slightly.

"Is Your Excellency truly prepared to bring this person to the General's Mansion?"

Now that these people refuse to admit it, what reason do they have to bring someone into the general's uniform?

If that happens, then the general can accuse Sui An of a crime.

They'll be in deep trouble.

Xu Tian, ​​however, was not afraid at all. He said directly to the magistrate, "You don't need to worry about what might happen. I will take responsibility."

The county magistrate was of low rank and his words carried little weight, so naturally he dared not easily offend the general.

If they were to bring the person back with him, they would inevitably be facing the general head-on.

Hearing Xu Tian's words, the county magistrate finally agreed and led his men into the general's mansion for a face-to-face confrontation.

Xu Tian led the county magistrate and soldiers to the Zhenguo General's Mansion.