Prime Minister

Chapter 132, Section 131: [Dragon and Snake]

"Xue Huai!"

Chen Lun's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth as he uttered two words.

He certainly knew Xue Huai's background and backing, but there's a saying that even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. The Yangzhou region was by no means dominated by the prefectural government alone; on the contrary, the Salt Transport Office and the Grand Canal Transport Office held a higher position.

Even if Xue Huai were to replace Tan Mingguang as the Prefect of Yangzhou, he would not have the right to ignore the Salt Commissioner's memorial.

However, Xue Huai dared to embarrass him in public. Chen Lun was arrogant and would not tolerate such humiliation.
Xue Huai stopped and turned to look coldly at Chen Lun, who still refused to dismount. His words were as sharp as knives: "Vice Envoy Chen, do you intend to confront me with swords and spears in public?"

Chen Lun certainly didn't have the guts to attack the Yangzhou Tongzhi in broad daylight; that would be no different from rebellion.

However, he absolutely could not go back in such a dejected manner. Firstly, he would not be able to answer to the Salt Commissioner; secondly, he would have failed Liu Fu's request; and thirdly, the Hu family had always been very respectful to him, and even if it was just for the sake of that much silver, he could not stand by and watch the Hu family be torn apart by Xue Huai.

"Prefect Xue, don't make baseless accusations. I made it very clear before that the Hu family father and son are suspected of being involved in a case of salt certificate theft and sale. I have been ordered by the Transport Commissioner to arrest them and bring them back to the Salt Transport Office for trial."

Chen Lun suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Commander Xue, do you intend to defy the Transport Commissioner's orders?"

Xue Huai skipped over the question and asked, "Did Vice Envoy Chen have any official documents for this trip?"

"Of course."

Chen Lun thought the other party's attitude had softened, so he had a minor official take out the arrest warrant and escort order issued by the Salt Transport Office and hand them to Jiang Sheng across from him. The latter then quickly passed them to Xue Huai.

There were no problems with the procedures of the Salt Transport Bureau, and Chen Lun was indeed qualified to take away the Hu family father and son. However, Xue Huai only glanced at them briefly before telling Jiang Sheng to return them, and said indifferently, "I understand."

Chen Lun was taken aback by his reaction, then frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

"It seems that Vice Envoy Chen is not very familiar with the official system of the court. Then let me explain it to you."

Xue Huai raised his voice to ensure that the surrounding officials and most of the common people could hear him clearly: "You say that the Yangzhou Prefectural Government has no jurisdiction over the Salt Transport Office, and I naturally admit that. But when has the Salt Transport Office ever been above the Yangzhou Prefectural Government? What regulation of the Ministry of Personnel has given you such a misconception? As for the case of the Hu family father and son, since the Salt Transport Office arrived a step late, they will have to wait until I and Magistrate Zhang have finished handling the case and the results are out before making a decision based on the circumstances."

The implication was that if Hu Qing and Hu Yong were still alive after this public trial, he wouldn't mind handing them over to the Salt Transport Bureau again.

Chen Lun's eyes grew increasingly sinister, and he said coldly, "Prefect Xue, do not think I am ignorant of the law. The Hu family father and son are students of the Imperial Academy; they can pay silver to atone for any crime except for a major one. Whether it is the case of Hu Qing's encroachment on the Wang family's eighty mu of paddy fields, or the case of Hu Yong instructing his servants to beat Wang Dayou, resulting in his accidental death, both can be redeemed by paying double the amount of silver according to the Great Yan Law. These two matters are not complicated; why is Prefect Xue making such excuses?"

He had no interest in going through the laws of the Great Yan Dynasty; it was an idea his advisors had given him after he received a personal letter from Liu Fu.

Xue Huai sneered, "I am truly surprised that Vice Envoy Chen is so concerned about what happened in Qingshan Town. However, your information is a bit outdated. The Hu family father and son have committed more than just these two illegal acts. Magistrate Zhang, please give Vice Envoy Chen a brief introduction to the case."

"Your Majesty, take your orders."

Zhang Shi bowed respectfully, then took a few steps toward Chen Lun and began a passionate and inspiring speech.

Chen Lun's face grew darker and darker as he listened. How could he have imagined that in just three days, Xue Huai would have uncovered so much evidence against the Hu family father and son, enough for Xue Huai to sentence them to death based solely on this evidence?

At this moment, he was caught in a dilemma. Xue Huai was clearly not going to back down, but he could not just stand by and watch the Hu family father and son be brought to justice.

He looked up at the high platform, where the Hu family father and son were staring at him expectantly. Hu Qing's almost desperate eyes revealed a hint of determination. If the Salt Transport Office could save him and his son this time, he was willing to give up most of his wealth.

Chen Lun's mind raced, and a ruthless look gradually appeared on his face. He turned to Xue Huai and said, "Prefect Xue, I understand your difficulties, but I also ask that you understand my own. Since the Hu family father and son are involved in so many cases, I am willing to make a concession. You can hand them over to me first. Once the salt permit case is investigated, I guarantee that these two will be returned unharmed. By then, you should have already clarified the details of all the cases, and then we can determine the sentence and punishment for the Hu family father and son. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Fearing that Xue Huai would be misled by Chen Lun's delaying tactics, Zhang Shi immediately said loudly, "Your Honor, I believe this case should be tried first, so as to give the people of Qingshan Town an explanation."

Xue Huai nodded slightly, indicating that he didn't need to worry. If he couldn't even see through Chen Lun's tricks, wouldn't he have lived two lives in vain?

Chen Lun is saying nice things now, but once he takes the Hu family father and son to the Salt Transport Office, it will be incredibly difficult for Xue Huai to get them back.

Chen Lun was furious at Zhang Shi's ungratefulness. Seeing that Xue Huai still wouldn't budge, he could only say fiercely, "Prefect Xue, I've said all I can. Since you still refuse to give in, don't blame me for not giving you any face."

These words immediately made the situation tense.

Chen Lun brought more than thirty riders with him, all of whom were salt soldiers from the Salt Transport Bureau who were responsible for patrolling and inspecting the smuggling of salt. These men were far superior to the corrupt and lazy soldiers in the local garrisons. Most of them had blood on their hands and were all fierce and did not take the group of yamen runners opposite them seriously at all.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Shi stepped forward and said sternly, "Vice Envoy Chen, what do you want to do?"

"doing what?"

Chen Lun took a deep breath and said, "I don't understand your nonsense. Since the Transport Commissioner has ordered me to bring the Hu family father and son back to the Salt Transport Office, no one can stop me until he changes his mind! Salt soldiers, listen up, prepare to arrest them!"

"Here!"

More than thirty riders roared in unison, their imposing presence causing the surrounding people to panic and retreat. Zhang Shi, however, remained fearless and solemnly declared, "How dare you! Though I am but a lowly official, if you act recklessly, I will certainly report this to the court and impeach the Salt Transport Bureau for its lawlessness!"

"Please."

Chen Lun knew he was in a bind, and now he was determined to take the Hu family father and son away, even if it offended the Yangzhou government. He could always have the transport commissioner argue with the civil officials afterward.

Zhang Shi was trembling with anger when a hand reached out and gently patted his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Xue Huai, who calmly said, "I'll handle it."

Seeing the young magistrate step forward, he followed without hesitation. After a brief hesitation, all the officials under Xue Huai also stood behind him.

Chen Lun narrowed his eyes slightly, dismounted decisively, and his salt soldiers followed closely behind.

Although the two sides had already broken off relations, he couldn't very well order the salt soldiers to ride their horses and trample the people on the other side. After all, even when turning against someone, there had to be a proper way and a certain degree of restraint.

He didn't believe those yamen runners would actually dare to stop his side's blades; scaring them away was enough.

However, Xue Huai appeared in front of the constables at this moment. He calmly looked at Chen Lun and said, "I have said before, you will not be able to take the Hu family father and son away today."

"is it?"

Chen Lun gave a cold laugh, then said in a deep voice, "Arrest them!"

"Here!"

More than thirty salt soldiers drew their swords and strode forward.

The constables couldn't help but swallow hard, gripping their waist knives nervously. They usually only apprehended thieves, and had never experienced such a scene as a standoff between two armies. Seeing the other side's menacing approach, some of them almost instinctively took a step back.

"Please ask them to step aside and be careful not to hurt those officials."

Chen Lun gave the order again, and the salt soldiers obeyed with a roar. Immediately, two of them, relying on their superior skills, charged at the yamen runners in front of them with an extremely tough attitude.

In the blink of an eye, after hearing Xue Huai's command to "make a move," Jiang Sheng stepped forward without hesitation to meet the two salt soldiers who were charging at the front.

Jiang Sheng had previously displayed his superb swordsmanship, and the two salt soldiers were both wary and resentful of him. They also knew that as long as they captured him, the yamen runners on the other side would be no match for him.

The two exchanged a glance and then attacked from both sides.

Jiang Sheng twisted his body and exerted his strength, slashing his sword to deflect the long sword of the salt soldier on the left. He then pressed forward and, with a roar, punched another salt soldier in the ribs.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. By the time Chen Lun looked up, his two most trusted subordinates had already lost their way. One was forced back several steps by Jiang Sheng's blade, while the other was already lying on the ground.

Jiang Sheng pointed his waist knife at the man's neck on the ground, glaring menacingly at the salt soldiers opposite him.

His superb martial arts skills instantly boosted the morale of his side, and the previously timid yamen runners finally dared to stand up straight.

The man on the ground was quite defiant, still arrogantly shouting, "If you've got the guts, kill me! Come on! Do it!"

The situation was on the verge of erupting, so Jiang Sheng certainly wouldn't kill him outright.

During the stalemate, Xue Huai came to Jiang Sheng's side, glanced at Chen Lun's gloomy face, and then continued forward.

Zhang Shi and the others were shocked, but dared not say anything to interfere.

Chen Lun was also surprised and uncertain, unable to guess Xue Huai's plan for a moment.

The menacing salt soldiers, upon seeing Xue Huai's handsome face and official robes, slowly lowered the long swords they had been holding high.

Xue Huai stopped in front of Chen Lun, stared into his eyes, and said seriously, "Vice Envoy Chen, are you sure you want to fight my subordinates here? If you really have such an idea, there's no need to go through all that trouble. Just give me a stab here first, and I guarantee no one will dare to stop you."

He raised his hand and pointed to his chest.

Chen Lun's breathing became increasingly rapid. He stared intently at Xue Huai's face, but found no trace of his bravado.

No matter how his expression changed, Xue Huai never backed down. He stood calmly in front of Chen Lun and the many salt soldiers, his figure not burly but as firm as a rock.

The people on the outskirts watched this scene, and their eyes gradually filled with emotion.

(End of this chapter)