HLnovel Chapter 371 All those who have a clear conscience, you are free!
Chapter 371 All those who have a clear conscience, you are free!
"You, who are you?"
At this point, Master Wei had lost his previous confidence. Before he finished speaking, his tone had already dropped. Of course, he recognized those armored soldiers; they were soldiers from the Jiangnan Prefecture military camp.
Without the order of the Governor-General of Jiangnan, it is impossible to mobilize them.
So, so…
Master Wei panicked.
Lu Yangyang stopped and waved the bundle in her hand: "Is this Third Master Wei? The salt mine abused the salt workers by using forced labor as a form of punishment, embezzled their labor wages, and is suspected of selling smuggled salt and killing innocent people. The evidence is conclusive. As the garrison commander, you have aided and abetted the evildoers. Your crimes are unforgivable. Now, by order of the Governor-General of Jiangnan, you are hereby arrested and brought to justice."
"You, what gives you the right? Who are you? Are you impersonating Governor Jiang's orders? You..." Master Wei shouted in panic.
But Lu Yangyang interrupted him before he could finish speaking: "Does it matter who I am? Once you're in the Jiangnan Prefecture prison, you'll be able to tell the difference between the real and the fake. Stop talking nonsense. Whether you confess properly or intend to defy to the end and die now, the choice is yours."
"You... are arrogant!" Third Master Wei glared at Lu Yangyang.
Lu Yangyang held up three fingers: "I don't have much patience. I'll count to three. You only have one chance to choose between death and surrender!"
Lu Yangyang's gaze swept over the soldiers who were following Master Wei: "You too, those who confess will be treated leniently, those who continue to aid and abet evil will be killed without mercy!"
"one!"
"two!"
After only two shouts, most of the garrison troops began to surrender.
The salt mine was garrisoned by three thousand soldiers, originally regular troops sent by the imperial court. However, over the years, most of them had been replaced by the Yang family. They were used to swaggering around and had no fighting ability at all. Now that they heard that the Governor-General of Jiangnan was going to personally investigate the salt mine, they immediately cowered.
Before Lu Yangyang could even finish counting, most of the men around Master Wei surrendered in a rush.
The remaining people were also undecided, eagerly waiting for Master Wei to make a decision.
Behind Lu Yangyang, there were many fire shadows, and from his perspective, he couldn't see how many people she had brought. Once a fight broke out, he had no chance of winning.
With his ship seized, he now has no way out.
Countless thoughts flashed through Wei Sanye's mind. He hadn't reached a dead end yet. Even if he really fell into the hands of the Governor-General of Jiangnan, there was still the Yang family. The Yang family couldn't possibly abandon them. Besides, he was in charge of the garrison troops and was only responsible for the safety of the salt mines. He hadn't been involved in the smuggling of salt. He still had a chance.
Lu Yangyang lowered her last finger.
Master Wei was covered in cold sweat.
"three!"
"I surrender!"
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously. In an instant, it was as if all the strength in Wei Sanye's body had been drained. He weakly threw the knife in his hand to the ground and raised his hand.
Lu Yangyang waved for someone to restrain Master Wei.
As the leader of the garrison, Wei Sanye surrendered, and his troops also threw down their weapons. A major battle that could have broken out at any moment was thus quietly averted.
After Master Wei surrendered, Lu Yangyang simply raised her hand and waved: "Take them all away!"
Although Master Wei was unwilling, he had no choice but to accept his fate and followed the armored soldiers.
After most of them had left and it was getting light, Jiang Xun finally arrived late and directed people to lead Master Wei and the others away from the salt mine. Only then did Master Wei realize that he had been tricked!
Lu Yangyang didn't bring many people with her at all; that last wave was just her bluff.
Unfortunately it's too late.
Now that Jiang Xun has arrived, he has no way to escape.
He gritted his teeth in hatred. If it weren't for those two people causing trouble tonight, things would never have turned out this way! They had been running the salt mine for many years and it was an impenetrable fortress, but tonight, it was all wiped out overnight!
Master Wei was so angry that he coughed up blood.
After arranging for everyone from the salt mine to be taken away, Jiang Xun came to Lu Yangyang's side, his expression bright and excited: "Miss Lu, well done!"
Lu Yangyang said, "Thanks to Zhiyi, otherwise I wouldn't have come up with such a bluffing idea to strike first!"
After obtaining the evidence, she headed straight for the salt mine. However, the salt mine was in chaos at that time, and having the evidence only made things more dangerous for her. If Master Wei were to become desperate and a fight broke out, they would be completely helpless!
Jiang Zhiyi suggested that since that was the case, they might as well scare them a little, which might have an unexpected effect! Only then did she realize that Chief Luo had not left, and that Sheng Junyi had directly chopped up Second Master Chen and pointed an arrow at Third Master Wei. Under the standoff between the two sides, Third Master Wei did not dare to move at all. Under such circumstances, Third Master Wei's psychological defenses were already on the verge of collapse. As long as she brought some people over to bluff, Third Master Wei would most likely fall for it.
Even if they don't fall for it, as long as they delay a little longer, Jiang Xun will arrive by dawn.
So she and Jiang Zhiyi split up. Jiang Zhiyi gave her the several hundred men he had gathered, while he led his men to Ning County to capture Magistrate Liang and Steward Yang. She led her men to the salt mine to deal with Master Wei.
Just as Jiang Zhiyi had said, Third Master Wei had no doubt about how many people she had brought. Once Third Master Wei surrendered, his morale plummeted. Even if Jiang Xun couldn't arrive in time, he wouldn't have the strength to fight back.
The crisis was resolved so easily.
Jiang Xun laughed heartily, "You're all very capable, but I'm late!"
Lu Yangyang turned to look at the ship: "It's not too late, there's still one thing that hasn't been resolved."
Lu Yangyang met Sheng Junyi's eyes, her doubts deepening. What exactly was Sheng Junyi trying to do? Why was he helping? What was his scheme regarding the salt mine?
Noticing Lu Yangyang's confusion, Sheng Junyi walked over.
Before he could speak, Lu Yangyang handed him the bundle she was carrying: "The ledgers of the salt mine's smuggled salt sales and the list of those who embezzled labor silver are all here."
Sheng Junyi did not take it, but looked at Jiang Xun: "Just give it to him. My task is only to hand over the salt mine matter to the Governor of Jiangnan. Other matters are none of my concern."
Lu Yangyang: "..."
Forget it, I don't want to talk to him.
Anyway, everyone has achieved their goal.
Lu Yangyang walked towards the ship and looked at Chief Luo and the salt workers who had been waiting for a long time: "Gentlemen, the Governor of Jiangnan will give all the salt workers present an explanation for the mistreatment of salt workers in the salt mines. As long as you cooperate with the investigation, all past grievances will be forgiven. All cases behind those who were forced into labor service will be retried and compensated according to the labor service system. All innocent people will be released! Those who are willing to accept this, disembark now."
"All those who have a clear conscience, you are free!"