Chapter 96: Back From The Dead, Prefect Zhao Completely Breaks Down, Spouts Madness And Vomits Blood In Public
In the study room, the air seemed to freeze, falling into a suffocating silence.
Master Ximen stood with his back to the three men, hands behind his back, his shoulders trembling slightly.
This was not fear, but an excited heart trembling uncontrollably.
After a long while.
He slowly turned around, his voice extremely low.
“You have such audacity to poison the Head of the Public Security Bureau. This is an Imperial Official, and moreover, a Head with the title of Loyal and Brave Colonel. Are you really not afraid of death?”
They told Master Ximen about this matter.
It was not that they were particularly afraid now, but as members of the Anzhou Chamber of Commerce, they had long been deeply tied to Master Ximen. They could tell him about the poisoning, but they could not tell Prefect Zhao or Commander Qin.
Because they were not on the same side.
“President, things have come to this point. We were forced into this with no other choice.” Master Hu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He naturally knew that doing such a thing, once discovered, would have unimaginable consequences.
But since it was already done.
What was there to regret.
Master Ximen did not respond immediately. He paced back and forth, then slowly said after a moment: “Do you know that the whole city is searching for the poisoner now? No matter where you hide him, it’s useless. As long as he is alive, he will definitely be found.”
Master Hu said: “President, rest assured, no one will find him.”
Master Ximen looked at them. “How? Did you silence him?”
“We definitely had to silence him. We know this is a capital offense. How could we let him live? When he poisoned and fled, and found us at the agreed location, we silenced him right then. The body won’t be found.” Master Hu guaranteed confidently.
Master Ximen snorted coldly from his nose. “Won’t be found? There is no wall that is impenetrable in this world.”
Master Hu said: “President, he really can’t be found. I… we three dismembered him and threw him into the dog kennel. He should have been eaten up by now.”
Hearing this, Master Ximen drew in a sharp breath.
He hadn’t expected that the three who followed him, who seemed so money-grubbing, could be so ruthless.
Master Ximen fell silent.
Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin were urging him to find the poisoner. Now, the masterminds behind the poisoning were members of his chamber of commerce, and deeply tied ones at that.
He naturally could not cut off his own left and right arms.
“This matter, all of you keep it rotten in your stomachs. Now the prefect and the commander want me to find the poisoner. You all pretend not to know, and get moving too. Whether we find him or not is another matter. Understand?” Master Ximen said seriously.
“Understood.”
The three nodded repeatedly, then asked: “President, when can our children be released?”
Master Ximen said: “Don’t rush. The more critical the moment, the more we must stay calm. All of you endure. Now the constables at the Public Security Bureau, especially Lin Fan’s confidants, are no different from mad dogs. At this time, they can do anything.”
“Yes, yes.” The three understood that it was very dangerous at this time.
If they showed even a slight flaw.
What awaited them would be an unimaginable disaster.
Master Ximen said: “All go back. Meet less at this time. Leave through the back door later.”
The three nodded, then left quietly under Master Ximen’s instructions.
Moments later.
“Hahaha…”
Master Ximen could no longer hold back his wild joy. “Lin Fan ah Lin Fan, fighting me? You can’t even fight my chamber of commerce’s subordinates. How can you fight me? Well dead.”
Thinking of the suffering he had endured recently.
Master Ximen felt that Lin Fan’s death truly let him vent his anger fiercely.
……
The next day, Public Security Bureau.
A depressing sorrow permeated the air.
The outside of the Public Security Bureau was filled with common people who came spontaneously. The crowd surged, yet there was little clamor, only low sobs and suppressed sighs rising and falling.
Many common people held incense, candles, and paper money, lighting them under the walls of the Public Security Bureau, with wisps of green smoke swirling upward.
Some common people knelt on the ground, letting out heart-wrenching wails.
“Chief Lin, how could you leave us like this? I haven’t properly thanked you yet.”
“You gave me back my justice, allowing me to return home with a clear name and serve at my old mother’s side. Which thousand-knife killer poisoned you…”
The surrounding common people listened to these cries, feeling the same way, wiping their tears one after another.
They had never met an official who cared about them so much.
They thought the future days would get better and better.
Who would have thought it would turn out like this.
A hot-tempered burly man, face red, neck stiff, roared: “It must be those dog officials who killed Chief Lin because he blocked their money paths. It must be.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Don’t talk nonsense, or you’ll be…”
“Be what? I dare say it and I’m not afraid of retaliation. Chief Lin wasn’t afraid of them, and neither am I.”
At this moment.
From not far on the street came dull, dense footsteps.
Prefect Zhao, Commander Qin, Master Ximen appeared.
Behind them was a group of soldiers, clearly afraid of coming alone and encountering danger.
The common people’s gazes all turned to them sharply, everyone’s eyes filled with fury. In their view, they must be the ones who harmed Master Lin.
“Dog officials, you killed Chief Lin. You’ll get your retribution.” The hot-tempered burly man from before roared.
“Bold rabble.” Prefect Zhao’s face darkened, habitually about to flare up.
Commander Qin beside him hurriedly pulled his sleeve and whispered: “Brother Zhao, calm down. Public resentment is at its peak now. Anything said is wrong. The prejudice is deep and hard to resolve. We are here to pay respects to Chief Lin today. Better no extra trouble. Don’t stir things up.”
Prefect Zhao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and nodded.
Under the gaze of countless murderous eyes, the three braced themselves and hurried into the Public Security Bureau gate.
The constables inside saw the three and were even more furious.
They glared coldly, eyes like knives, not hiding their inner hatred, staring deadly at Prefect Zhao and his group, as if ready to pounce and tear them apart at any moment.
“What are you here for?” Xu Ming showed no goodwill and questioned.
Prefect Zhao frowned slightly, forcing calm: “Squad Leader Xu, what attitude is this? Chief Lin was unfortunately harmed by villains. This official was his colleague. Today, I specially came with Commander Qin and Master Ximen to pay respects and express condolences. Isn’t that the most normal thing?”
Xu Ming clenched his fists, knuckles white. He stared deadly at Prefect Zhao, his gaze as if to devour him alive.
Fury surged in his heart, nearly breaking through reason.
He knew Brother Lin’s death was inseparable from these people before him.
He wanted to draw sword immediately and avenge Brother Lin.
But at this moment, he had to endure.
“Xu Ming, let them in.” Ning Yu’s voice came from the hall.
Xu Ming let out a heavy cold snort from his throat, stepped aside, but his gaze still stared deadly.
Prefect Zhao noted Xu Ming in his mind. Let you strut for a while. After this matter passes, he would use means to sweep the Public Security Bureau with thunderous force.
All must roll for this official.
Entering the hall.
The moment Prefect Zhao saw Ning Yu, his buttocks ached faintly. Yesterday’s events were vivid. He instinctively moved closer to Commander Qin.
He forced a pained expression, cupped hands to Ning Yu: “Miss Ning, please restrain your grief and accept the change. Chief Lin died young. This official is also heartbroken and full of regret.”
Ning Yu raised her eyelids, her gaze calmly terrifying, face expressionless, just faintly replying.
“Thank you, Prefect Zhao.”
Prefect Zhao looked at Commander Qin, as if asking what to do next.
Commander Qin did not respond to Prefect Zhao, but took incense from beside, walked to the coffin, bowed in tribute, then looked closely at Lin Fan lying inside.
Pale face, no blood color.
Crucially, at first glance, he was startled by Lin Fan’s glaring eyes.
This was dying with eyes wide open.
Dead all night, eyes still not closed.
“Chief Lin, so young with boundless prospects, how did you meet such a tragic end? Rest assured, this commander will definitely catch the one who poisoned you, dismember him, and make him pay with his life.”
Commander Qin managed his facial expression very well.
Even if his mood was sour, he couldn’t show a hint of joy.
At this time, Lin Fan lying inside took in Commander Qin’s expression. What a hypocrite. Clearly wanting to laugh, but holding it in uncomfortably?
As Commander Qin pretentiously wiped his eye corner, Prefect Zhao took his place, coming to the coffin, lowering his head to look at Lin Fan.
When he saw Lin Fan’s glaring eyes.
He was obviously startled.
But quickly held it back, as if overcome with emotion, very sadly lunging forward, hands tightly grasping the coffin edge, half-kneeling, opening his throat in a piercing wail like crying at a grave.
“Chief Lin, how could you just be gone like this? Open your eyes and see. Under your governance, Anzhou’s public security is so good.”
“The common people outside are all seeing you off.”
“Zhao though had some differing opinions with you before, occasional disputes, but that… that was for official business, differences in officialdom ideas only. In my heart, I respect you. Get up, get up, let’s debate clearly again.”
Prefect Zhao’s voice was shrill, emotions full. If outsiders were present, they might really think this was the grief of losing a close friend.
However, under the cover of this deafening wail, Prefect Zhao buried his head lower, muttering in a voice only Lin Fan could hear.
“Dog thing, dead now, huh? Made you mad, made you arrogant. Fighting me, you were courting death.”
“The one who poisoned you is truly a bodhisattva appearing.”
“Well dead! Wonderfully dead!”
Prefect Zhao voiced his inner joy.
No one could hear this voice, only Lin Fan lying there could.
For Lin Fan at this time, he hadn’t expected the poisoner really wasn’t Prefect Zhao. Then who could it be?
At this point, Prefect Zhao finished his fake wailing, tremblingly stood up, pretentiously wiping non-existent tears with his sleeve, sighing to the sky:
“Heaven is unfair!”
Finished, he looked at Master Ximen.
The meaning very clear.
What are you dawdling for?
It’s your turn to perform. Once truly buried, you can only chatter at his grave.
Reminded, Master Ximen took a deep breath, one step, two steps, heavy and slow pace, as if each step bore endless grief.
When he reached the coffin, seeing Lin Fan inside glaring with eyes wide open, long-brewed emotions instantly erupted to the peak.
“Chief Lin! Our common people’s Chief Lin!!! How could you just leave like this… With you gone, who can us Anzhou common people rely on in the future?”
He beat his chest, voice shrill and mournful, acting more exaggerated than the previous two. “You upright and incorruptible, clear and honest, are our common people’s true parental official!”
He suddenly raised his head, looking around, roaring angrily: “Which thousand-knife beast dared poison our Chief Lin? Rest assured, the Ximen Family is willing to offer a thousand taels of silver as reward to capture the true culprit. He must pay blood debt with blood, the heaviest price.”
One louder than the next, one more immersed in the act.
Ning Yu watched their performance.
If Master really died.
How could she tolerate these guys jumping around before her? Since they came, she would close the door and draw sword to chop.
After Master Ximen shouted, he smoothly raised his sleeve, pretending to cover his face and wipe tears. Using this action’s cover, he leaned close to the coffin, muttering in a faint voice only Lin Fan could hear, with some pride and mockery:
“Chief Lin, know what? The one who poisoned you really wasn’t us. It was the Li Hu Zhou three families. You arrested their sons, refused to release even in death, pushed them to desperation, huh? You must have thought till death it was us who poisoned you.”
“Wasn’t, really wasn’t. Well dead. And don’t think they can find the culprit for you. The culprit is long gone.”
“From now on, this Anzhou is still ours.”
“You left easily, but your followers are done for.”
He grew more gloating.
Under the sleeve cover, he grinned brilliantly at glaring-eyed Lin Fan, like a blooming chrysanthemum, even playfully sticking out his tongue.
Na na na…
Commander Qin said: “Master Ximen, don’t be sad. Let Chief Lin go in peace. We will surely inherit Chief Lin’s legacy, strike mercilessly at the city’s local ruffians and evil tyrants, create a clear and bright world for the common people!”
He saw Master Ximen lingering so long, really afraid Brother Ximen couldn’t hold back his joy and laugh. The performances were done.
At this time, Master Ximen reluctantly turned around, pretentiously wiping his eye corner forcefully again.
Commander Qin and Prefect Zhao exchanged a glance, both preparing to leave.
But just as they moved their feet, both pupils contracted sharply, like seeing a ghost, staring deadly at the coffin direction, bodies stiffly frozen in place, mouths slightly open, unable to make a sound.
The constables in the hall also widened eyes, stunned on the spot.
They saw Lin Fan stand up from the coffin, stretching lazily with ease, twisting his neck.
Master Ximen saw their faces, very puzzled. “What’s wrong with you?”
At this time, Commander Qin and Prefect Zhao’s breathing quickened, chests heaving violently like with blowers.
“Sir!!!”
A constable couldn’t hold back and spoke.
Master Ximen forcibly suppressed his joy, sadly: “Your sir is gone.”
“No, always here.”
Master Ximen hadn’t realized the voice came from behind, shaking his head: “The dead can’t revive. I understand your grief. When my old mother passed, I was like you.”
“Oh! Really?”
“Then… uh!!!” Master Ximen seemed to sense something wrong, eyes spinning wildly, stiffly turning his head, glancing sideways behind.
Just as Master Ximen fully turned his head.
Lin Fan leaped out from the coffin, landing steadily, arms spread, full of smiles, loudly: “Master Ximen! Surprised? Unexpected? This official—back from the dead!”
“Ah——!!! Ghost!!!”
Master Ximen screamed, falling to the ground, scrambling with hands and feet, face scared deathly pale, really like seeing a ghost.
Terrifying, really terrifying.
“Sir, you’re not dead?”
“Sir is alive!!!”
“Sir isn’t dead!!!”
The constables on site first extremely shocked, then erupted in earth-shaking cheers.
The originally low despairing mood was completely swept away by this sudden wild joy.
This life’s ups and downs were too stimulating. Those with weaker hearts might not withstand it.
Lin Fan smiled and nodded to them.
Outside, Xu Ming and others were low-spirited and sad. Hearing the hall’s voices, they rushed in immediately. Seeing that figure standing there.
They gaped, despair in their eyes gradually fading, replaced by joy and excitement.
“Sir!!!”
Xu Ming and others excitedly rushed forward, surrounding Lin Fan.
Lin Fan patted their shoulders. “Sorry to worry you. But no matter, how could your sir die so easily and unclearly?”
“You all now immediately arrest the Li Family, Hu Family, Zhou Family’s three masters for me. Damn it, daring to find someone to poison me, truly courting death.”
Receiving the order, Xu Ming and others suppressed their joy, leading men to arrest them.
Lin Fan looked at scared silly Master Ximen, smilingly walked to Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin, arms open, hugging the two, patting their backs.
“Aiya! Didn’t expect me Lin Fan faking death would trouble you two sirs to personally come pay respects. It really… moves me so much!” He turned tone, leaning to Prefect Zhao’s ear, lowering voice with playful smile: “Sir Zhao, I just seemed to hear someone say bodhisattva appeared? How, your face… itching again?”
“I… I.” Prefect Zhao scared speechless.
He hadn’t expected this dog to play this trick.
Commander Qin slightly calmer, trembling voice: “You… knew from the start who poisoned you?”
Lin Fan laughed: “Didn’t know. I always thought it was you all. But who thought, our Master Ximen just lay by me and voluntarily spilled it. Li Family, Hu Family, Zhou Family three masters poisoned, and Master Ximen knew who poisoned yet didn’t say. What crime do you think he committed?”
Commander Qin stared blankly at Master Ximen.
If eyes could kill.
Master Ximen would have died thousands of times over.
“I didn’t, I don’t know, I didn’t say.” Master Ximen completely panicked. How could he expect Lin Fan in the coffin wasn’t dead.
Lin Fan frowned, displeased: “Master Ximen, how can you be so muddled? Though I was poisoned and faked death, some things, you know them, no need to come before this official to mock this official. Don’t you know even if I really died, you could anger me back to life.”
“But no more of that. I just want to ask, surprised or not? Unexpected or not?”
He smiled very happily. Life must be so colorful.
Only then tasty.
Look at their three expressions, really refreshing.
At this time.
Prefect Zhao came to, pointing at Master Ximen: “You, you actually knew who poisoned, why not report to officials? Do you know how serious poisoning an Imperial Official is?”
“Not me, really not me who ordered it. I know nothing.” Master Ximen slumped on the ground.
Not long after.
The three family masters were brought in, now bruised and swollen faces, clearly resisted desperately during arrest, constables had no choice but to get rough.
When they entered the hall and saw Lin Fan standing there lively.
Each gaped, incredulously staring.
Lin Fan smiled: “Feel very surprised, huh? You poisoned to kill me, hearing I died, very happy? But sorry, this official not only didn’t die, but knows it was you who poisoned.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The three like bones drawn out, legs went soft, knelt uniformly, wailing loudly.
“Sir! Wronged! Even with a hundred dog guts, we wouldn’t dare poison you.”
At this moment, better die than admit.
Xu Ming long harbored a belly of fire, stepped up and kicked several times angrily. “Still fucking stubborn? Not beaten enough?”
“Hey, Xu Ming, how can you casually get rough?” Lin Fan stopped him, then: “Don’t pretend. Master Ximen already told this official. You three found someone to poison, even destroyed the corpse. This official just arrested your sons, refused release. Need to be so extreme?”
Hearing this.
The three looked stunned at Master Ximen.
No?
Are you brain sick? We told you, and you told Lin.
At this time, Master Ximen truly had nothing to say. How did he know Lin would play fake death? You guaranteed solemnly already poisoned dead.
How did I know he wasn’t dead.
Lin Fan said: “Truth is, this official really can’t figure it. You poison, fine, why tell Master Ximen? Didn’t you know he came to this official’s corpse, so smug, listing all you did. This official almost stood up on spot, covered his mouth, made him stop.”
“Simply pig teammate.”
“If you didn’t tell him, where would this official investigate to find it was you?”
Lin Fan’s words successfully shifted all hatred to Master Ximen.
Master Ximen looked at the three, mouth slightly open, seeming to anticipate what they would say, preemptively: “You three bastards, so bold, why poison Chief Lin? Are you all pig brains, not considering consequences?”
“Poison fine, why tell me? Keep it buried in your hearts fine.”
Master Ximen’s series of operations.
Completely ignited the three’s anger.
Instantly turned to hungry wolves, pouncing at Master Ximen.
“Ximen Cong, you complete idiot, fuck your mother.”
“I’ll beat you to death.”
“Beast, idiot!!!”
The three masters all over fifty, ages adding to 160-170, but combat power high, directly pinned Master Ximen and beat wildly.
They truly hadn’t expected the final failure due to Ximen Cong.
That in their hearts, supremely clever, deeply scheming, widely connected president.
Master Ximen wailed for help, but Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin didn’t move, just stared straight.
Prefect Zhao despaired utterly.
Commander Qin deeply felt Lin Fan’s terror. Really impossible to kill?
“Men, lock these three in prison. Interrogate them well later.” Lin Fan said.
“Yes.”
Xu Ming called constables to escort the three to prison.
As for Master Ximen, bruised and swollen, extremely wretched lying on ground, twitching, trembling, clearly that output already gravely injured him.
The taken three still shouting, cursing, madly outputting Master Ximen’s ancestors eighteen generations.
“Yang Ming, go outside and invite the common people in.” Lin Fan said.
“Yes, sir.”
Yang Ming body and mind pleased, felt waist not sore legs not aching, worked with wind under feet.
Commander Qin said: “Lord Lin, since you are safe and sound, truly fortunate. This commander is relieved. Next is your Public Security Bureau internal affair. We won’t disturb more, taking leave.”
“Don’t rush, wait.” Lin Fan blocked.
Commander Qin very panicked, really didn’t want to stay a moment longer.
Dangerous, too dangerous.
He never met such a dangerous guy in his life.
Completely not playing by rules.
Soon, the sad common people were brought in. Seeing Chief Lin still alive, all common people stunned, dazed in place, minds blank.
Lin Fan shouted: “Fellow villagers, this is a misunderstanding. This official is fine. This official faked death to lure out who wanted to harm me. Now, the masterminds have appeared. Sorry to worry fellow villagers.”
Words fell.
Brief moment later.
Common people’s cheers like waves, one after another, tearing the sky, reaching the Ninth Heaven.
Lin Fan raised hand, pressed down. Common people full of joy, yet ensured site’s quiet.
“What virtue I Lin Fan, making fellow villagers burn paper for me. Here I thank everyone.” Lin Fan cupped hands gratefully, then: “But since bought, can’t waste. Taking chance, this official thinks we should arrange for Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin too. After all, people die. Alive don’t know common people’s true evaluation, but dead surely hear.”
Finished.
He stepped up, dragged dazed Prefect Zhao, pulled him to coffin.
“Lord Lin, what are you doing?”
Prefect Zhao somewhat afraid.
Lin Fan smiling, hugged up Prefect Zhao, put him in coffin.
Prefect Zhao panicked, wanted to climb up, but saw Lin Fan serious face, pointing at him: “I say lie down, you lie down. Dare get up, don’t force me to slap you.”
Threat, blatant threat.
But Prefect Zhao ate Lin Fan’s this set.
If others said so, Prefect Zhao really wouldn’t believe, would resist absolutely. But facing Lin Fan, he truly didn’t dare at all.
Because opponent really dared slap him.
And the unrestrained kind.
Under Lin Fan’s cold gaze, Prefect Zhao’s stiff body slowly softened, finally resignedly slumped in coffin, face ashen.
He didn’t know what would happen next, but definitely not good.
Lin Fan nodded satisfied, to surrounding common people: “Fellow villagers, our Prefect Zhao died. Everyone come pay respects. Whatever heart words, say them, let him hear.”
Common people looked at each other, blinking eyes, all dumbfounded by Lord Lin’s bizarre operation.
Not just common people dumbfounded, even nearby Commander Qin scalp numbed watching.
Stop playing.
What you’re playing now is scary.
“Fellow villagers, since everyone shy, this official will demonstrate first.” Lin Fan smiled.
Then.
His face turned serious, slowly pacing around coffin, voice deliberately low, with pained tone.
“Prefect Zhao ah Prefect Zhao, colleagues for a time, how… how did you just die?”
Prefect Zhao: …?
For current Prefect Zhao, he didn’t dare move a bit.
Suddenly, Lin Fan raised voice: “Prefect Zhao, you corrupt by nature, evil-doing one side, common people hate you to bones. How dare you die? Truly not afraid common people dig your grave, throw your bones in latrine?”
Lying Prefect Zhao clenched fists, fury burning.
“Prefect Zhao, you embezzled so much silver, not spent till death. Man’s life’s greatest tragedy is dying without spending the money. Get up, quick stand, spend the silver then die… hahahaha!!!”
Lin Fan said laughing, laughed on spot, really couldn’t hold.
On-site constables also burst laughing.
First time seeing their sir so fun.
While coffin Prefect Zhao face iron green, all humiliations in life brought by Lin Fan.
Lin Fan laughed enough, waved to common people: “Fellow villagers, roughly like this. You all say too. No worry, relax. With this official backing you, no fear.”
On-site common people eyed each other.
All got it.
Soon, common people surrounded coffin.
Prefect Zhao opened eyes, seeing those unfamiliar yet fury-filled faces, directly closed eyes. He understood, today’s humiliation unavoidable.
“Dog official, pfft!!!”
“Twisting black and white, corruption and lawlessness, damn dog official!”
“Fortunately we have Master Lin such good official for us.”
Lying in coffin Prefect Zhao, facing common people’s wheel of greetings, furious near exploding on spot. But gradually, fury faded.
Replaced unexpectedly by shame and discomfort.
He never faced common people’s curses directly.
Back when young, also full of hot blood, wanting to serve Imperial Court, lead common people to good life.
But not sure when, seemed everything changed.
Suddenly, when a commoner cursed him childless forever as retribution, Prefect Zhao completely broke defense. He leaped up from coffin, eyes bloodshot, hoarse roar at crowd.
“Who wants no descendants? Who wants no offspring?”
“I studied bitterly by cold window for over a decade, crammed in leaky rundown shack, summer mosquito bites, winter freezing hands and feet ulcerated, daily hungry cold, desperately studied for official title. Not just for better days, bring glory to ancestors?”
“I was young too, had hot blood times. But is officialdom my own?”
“From top to bottom, how many not corrupt? You not, others how? Others can’t, then take you as knife. I’m prefect, no wrong. But this prefect counts as shit.”
“You think as Anzhou Prefect I can do as I please?”
“Ximen Family backs prince. I not handle matters well for him, prince one word, I doomed eternally. City big small merchants, how many not sent gifts to big officials? I mere sixth rank official, above heap of heavenly kings.”
“You say I’m dog official. Want to be this dog official?”
“If not, I’m dead dog.”
“You all… you…”
Pfft!
Prefect Zhao exasperated, spat mouthful blood.
Instantly, site quiet.
Common people blankly watched scene, obviously hadn’t expected this.
Lin Fan helplessly: “Fellow villagers, our Prefect Zhao broke defense from words. Of course, don’t pity him. Think of common people ruined homes destroyed, you won’t pity.”
Sure enough, when Lin Fan said this.
Common people minds recalled familiar people ruined homes, heaven not answer earth not respond situations, that fury burned again.
Rapists, released.
Killers, lightly sentenced.
Etc., all victims bottom common people without status.
When Lin Fan looked at Commander Qin, saw him hands feet icy cold, really scared by Lin Fan. Make him lie in coffin, definitely not.
Lin Fan said: “Sir Qin, why daze? Quick take our Sir Zhao back. Already admitted corrupt nature. This official thinks, we can joint memorial. I’m preparing to memorialize. Don’t lag, blame this official not tell you.”
Commander Qin forced calm, waved hand. Accompanying soldiers stepped up, carried fainted Prefect Zhao away. As for Master Ximen wanting rescue too.
But Lin Fan one glance, immediately constables took him down.
Lin Fan walked to him: “Master Ximen, don’t think leave. Knowing not reporting, sheltering is heavy crime.”
“Lord Lin spare life.”
Master Ximen begged, while casting pleading eyes at Commander Qin: “Sir Qin, save me…”
Current Commander Qin face grave, situation beyond imagination.
Matter getting complicated.
He truly hadn’t expected Ximen Cong knew poisoner, pretended not know, making them very passive. More key… stupidly boasted before Lin Fan who poisoned.
Damn, stupid like this, what can he do?
More unexpected, Prefect Zhao. Fine being humiliated, why show what?
Not only admit own corruption.
Even those treasonous words said.
Prince someone you casually mention?
He didn’t know how to handle this. Outside still rumors Ninth Prince sent confidant to Public Security Bureau demand people.
As for when news reaches Imperial Court, he didn’t know.
But he understood, it surely would.
“Lord Lin, taking leave.” Commander Qin cupped hands, turned and left without looking back.
After they left.
Lin Fan chatted briefly with common people, let them leave too. After all gone, he looked at surrounding constables, smiling asked.
“Stimulating, right.”
All constables looked at their sir, all nodding.
“Too stimulating.”
Now who dares say not stimulating?
Soon.
Anzhou boiled over.
Common people all knew Chief Lin poisoned dead news fake. This Lord Lin’s trap to lure masterminds. Now Li Family, Hu Family, Zhou Family, and Master Ximen all arrested by Public Security Bureau.
More important, Prefect Zhao broke defense and spat blood on site at Public Security Bureau news also spread wildly.
Common people felt today’s heart very stimulating.
Too many ups and downs.
Who most afraid now?
Naturally other merchants of Anzhou Chamber of Commerce. They hadn’t expected this one poisoning incident directly took down chamber’s main four.
Even Master Ximen not spared.
Of course, more afraid than chamber, naturally the gang members.
Now.
In shantytown, several local ruffians forcibly collecting protection fee. Due to Public Security Bureau Chief Lin’s overbearing dominance, that period gangs dared not move.
But with Chief Lin poisoned dead news spread.
Those gang subordinates long couldn’t hold back.
Started forcibly collecting.
Just now… the commoner just beaten by them curled body, bruised swollen, family woman took hard-saved copper coins handed to them.
Not far came common people’s cheers.
“Master Lin fine, Master Lin faked death. Masterminds Anzhou Chamber of Commerce people, now arrested.”
“Haha… Master Lin fine.”
At this time.
Local ruffians just got protection fee, looked down at dozens copper coins in hand, then at tearful begging woman, then at beaten bruised bloody-nosed man.
For a moment, minds blank.
A bewildered feeling surged.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Several local ruffians instantly knelt. “Sis! Bro! We wrong. Can you not report us to Public Security Bureau? Take all this money as our apology. Beg you, don’t go to Public Security Bureau. We really afraid.”
Vast Anzhou.
No local ruffian not afraid of Lin Fan.
That one really dared street chop kill them.
Those corpses piled on cart back then, still vivid till now.
