After daybreak, the citizens of Black Rabbit City walked out of their homes one after another. However, as soon as they walked onto the streets, they were stunned by the scene in front of them.
Countless soldiers were holding weapons in their hands, blocking all the roads, big and small. There were also commoners walking around, setting up roadblocks around the prefect's residence.
This scene of martial law frightened the people of Black Rabbit City. They quickly shut their mouths and obediently walked home. Then, they closed the door tightly. The situation outside was unknown, so it was better to squat at home.
However, hiding at home did not mean that he would be safe. After a while, knocking sounds could be heard from every corner of the city." Open the door, we are from the government."”
Almost every household had an adult man called out. They followed the soldiers who were fully armed and gathered at the intersections, not knowing what kind of fate awaited them.
"We are the subordinates of the new Xuantu prefect sent by the Imperial Court. The former prefect, Wang Dai, colluded with the powerful to prey on the people and was responsible for many murders.
Now that Wang Dai and his accomplices have been imprisoned, and the new prefect Liu is trying the case, I hope that if you have any grievances, you can go to the prefect's office to testify.”
Zhang Xiong shouted at hundreds of villagers with a wooden loudspeaker. This thing was also made by Liu Heng. It was made of wood and covered with cowhide. It could gather sound and make the crowd hear it more clearly.
The hundreds of commoners looked at each other. When Zhang Xiong shouted for the second time, some of them believed him. At that time, many people raised their right arms in response." Sir, I have a grievance to complain about."”
"Those who have grievances, step forward and go to the prefect's residence. There are officials there who can help you write a complaint.”
Zhang Xiong watched as these people squeezed out of the crowd and walked towards the center of the city. A smile appeared on his face.
Such a scene happened in many places at the same time. Liu Heng sent out all the people under his command who could speak clearly. The response was surprisingly good. Before noon, thousands of agitated people had gathered in front of the prefect's residence.
In stark contrast to the fiery atmosphere of the commoners, there was a mansion in the southwest corner of Black Rabbit City. As soon as the sky brightened, Gao Shun and Han Hao led more than a thousand soldiers to block off all the intersections here, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. Then, they knocked on every door and took the families of the despots out of their homes.
This was the residence of the Black Rabbit tyrants. They disdained being neighbors with commoners, but at the same time, they were afraid of the Goguryeons invading, so they didn't dare to live in a manor outside the city. Thus, through various means, they had occupied the highest point of land in the southwest of Black Rabbit City and built a vast manor, making it the exclusive territory of the wealthy.
At this time, the people of the noble families were also in a state of panic. Since yesterday afternoon, the heads of the various families had been called by the prefect Wang Dai to attend the banquet, and they had not returned yet. Although there were times when they would have fun all night, it was rare for them not to return home by dawn.
Because they could not relax, each family sent servants to the prefect's mansion to pick them up. However, as soon as they walked out of the courtyard, they found that the intersection was full of heavily armed soldiers eyeing them like tigers. This scared the families of the despots.
The prefect's manor was now bustling with voices. The angry commoners lined up to narrate the bad deeds of Wang Dai and his henchmen. The four soldiers who had been studying for a few days and were acting as lawyers were writing furiously. They were so tired that they were sweating.
Liu Heng sat at the side, occasionally reminding the agitated commoners.
"Fellow villager, don't curse here. Just tell us your grievances clearly. Who, when, where, and what did they do to your family, understand? I'm here to interrogate the case, not to listen to your scolding.”
Liu Heng looked up and saw that it was almost noon. He waved his hand and called a soldier over." You, go outside and find General Guan. Tell him that it's my order to move all the grain and firewood out of the prefect's manor. Cook porridge at every intersection and let the people get their porridge."”
Now that they were going to completely wipe out Wang Dai's gang, a temporary martial law was still necessary. However, the commoners had to eat to live, so Liu Heng could only send people to cook and fill their stomachs.
"The Imperial Court has been deceived by Wang Dai all these years. We thought that the people of the Black Rabbit Empire could live and work in peace and contentment. Who would have thought that after we came, we would see such a scene?”
"Liu Heng, you incited the mob and framed an official of the Imperial Court. This old man is going to Luoyang to sue you!”
Three days later, when Wang Dai was escorted to the prefect's manor for public trial, the former Xuantu prefect, who had been acting like a tyrant and almost a local emperor, finally had a mental breakdown when he saw the black crowd of onlookers. He did not care about his image and began to scold Liu Heng.
In order to let all the people who had come to watch see it clearly, Liu Heng had specially ordered people to build an earthen platform that was as tall as a person. Liu Heng and Ju Shou sat behind a table on the side of the platform. In front of them were rolls of bamboo slips that the people of Xuan Tu had sued Wang Dai.
Wang Dai was tied up and kneeling on one side of the stage. At this moment, he had long lost his scholarly aura. However, his down-and-out appearance made the people of the Black Rabbit feel relieved. When they heard Wang Dai say that he was a mob, countless curses immediately came from the crowd.
"Wang Dai, you didn't say that when you connived at the despots seizing our land.”
"My elder brother was beaten to death by the evil slaves of the Tian Shao family in order to protect the fertile land passed down from his ancestors. At that time, I came to the prefect's manor to complain, but you ordered people to fork me out and beat me half to death.”
Liu Heng stood up impatiently and stopped the crowd from shouting." Silence, don't mess with the rules. Whoever reads the complaint will come up and speak. The others are not allowed to interrupt."”
After saying that, Liu Heng turned around and waved his hand, ignoring Wang Dai's resentful gaze. Ju Shou opened the bamboo slips and began the public trial of Wang Dai.
At first, Wang Dai still had the strength to refute and confront the people on the stage. However, how could he withstand the continuous battle of dozens of people alone? Finally, when Ju Shou finished reading all the complaints on the bamboo slips, Wang Dai's mouth was dry and he could only breathe heavily.
"Wang Dai, there are many witnesses and material evidence in these cases. Do you plead guilty?”
Liu Heng asked Wang Dai with one hand supporting his chin. He was tired after listening for a long time.
"This old man is the prefect of a county. If you want to interrogate me, you have to go to Luoyang. I won't admit anything you say here.”Wang Dai spat fiercely.
Seeing that the people below were about to be filled with righteous indignation again, Liu Heng quickly reached out his hand and pressed down." Don't be noisy, don't be noisy. Whether he confesses or not doesn't mean that the government has determined whether he is guilty or not. Men, take Wang Dai back and change the defendant."”
The public trial lasted for three days. Wang Dai, Gongsun Zhao, and the forty-eight Black Rabbit powerhouses were all accused. They knelt on the earthen platform. Except for a few people who stubbornly refused to admit their crimes, the rest of them lowered their heads and admitted their crimes in front of conclusive witnesses and material evidence.
Gongsun Zhao's confession was the first breakthrough. Because of his accusation, the crimes of these despots bribing Wang Dai, colluding with the government, forging land deeds, and causing accidental murder were exposed in broad daylight.
Liu Heng had been listening to Chen Hu's story for the past few days. He had long heard Chen Hu talk about the darkness of Xuantu County, but he always thought that he was exaggerating. However, these almost blatant terrorist cases were made public, so he had no choice but to face these tyrants.
"It seems that a baptism of blood is really needed to make the sky of the Black Rabbit return to its original color.”
Liu Heng muttered to himself. Qushou raised his eyebrows, thinking about something.
Noticing Qiushou's abnormal behavior, Liu Heng frowned and asked,""But what did you think was wrong?”
"I'm thinking about how to deal with the families and servants of these despots," Ju Shou replied.”
"There's nothing to think about. Those who have committed the most heinous crimes will have their entire family executed, and those who have committed lesser crimes will have their property confiscated. All the males will be executed, and the females will be sent back to Luoyang to be handed over to the Department of Education.
Those servants who have done evil will also be executed. Those who have not done evil will return to their freedom. In the future, our Xuan Rabbit will no longer be called a servant.”Liu Heng said lightly.
Qiushou was silent for a long time before he reluctantly said,""Isn't it too much to implicate them?"
Liu Heng tilted his head and stared at Qushou." Are you serious? Those criminals killed their entire families to obtain property and land. Since their families enjoyed the benefits of their crimes, they should also bear the punishment after being judged for their crimes. This was the way of heaven.
Besides, we have killed people and still have to keep their descendants who bear grudges in their hearts. Aren't you afraid that these people will take a breather and counterattack one day?”
"But if we do that, we will leave a notoriety of brutality in the history books of future generations.”
Ju Shou was a scholar. He was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of not having a good reputation after death.
Liu Heng laughed and shook his head helplessly." Do you think I care about this?”
"My lord, I feel that your killing intent is too strong now. If this continues, I'm afraid you won't be able to control it.”Qiushou said seriously.
"Why are there so many uncontrollable things? Hurry up and get to work.”
“.………………”
"Liu Heng, you still don't dare to kill me.”
In the prison of Black Rabbit City, Wang Dai watched Liu Heng leisurely walk in from outside the prison door and couldn't help but chuckle. This kid was still an official of the Great Han Dynasty after all. He had to abide by the Great Han Dynasty's laws. Otherwise, he would have to bear the consequences of the imperial court.
"Are you scared out of your mind? If I didn't dare to kill you, why did I lock you up and eat white rice? You think you have too much food?”
Liu Heng was baffled by Wang Dai's words." I'm here to inform you that I'll publicly execute you tomorrow."”
This winter, blood was burning.
At first, the people of the Black Rabbit cheered loudly when they saw Wang Dai and Gongsun Zhao being beheaded. However, as the entire family of the powerful was executed one after another, these people, who had never seen so much blood since they were born, finally began to fear.
The next day, the sun was high in the sky, and the prefect's mansion was in the city of Xuantu. In the afternoon, everyone was summoned to the prefect's manor for the first meeting.
"Last night, I discussed with Duke Ju, Duke Xun, and Commandant Gao.
Ju Gong served as Xuantu Changshi, Xun Gong served as Xuantu County Cheng; Sun Hong was appointed Sima, and Mu Xin was appointed Tingchang.
Chen Hu Ren Liaoyang County Wei, under the jurisdiction of Liaoyang public security at the same time concurrently in charge of the county soldiers; Wei Hong will be transferred to Xuantu Lieutenant…"
After the appointment, everyone thanked him in unison.
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