Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"Magistrate Chen, she is the outsider I mentioned, Wang Qingqing!"

When Zhao Qiang saw the newcomer, he pointed at the woman being protected behind Lu Xiao, his face beaming with a smug smile.

"I have just discovered that she instructed the shop's workers to sell moldy and spoiled grain, completely disregarding the consequences for ordinary people who buy these things!"

"Moreover, this woman forcibly seized the legacy left by the head of my Zhao family, incurring the wrath of the entire clan, yet she remains unrepentant."

"Please, Your Honor, do us justice and bring this woman to justice!"

After saying that, he bowed deeply, his face full of sincere pleading.

Chen Wendong sized up Wang Qingqing, noticing her striking appearance and captivating charm. A thought struck him, and he quickly frowned and questioned her:

"Madam Wang, is this true?"

"He's framing me!"

Wang Qingqing immediately responded loudly:

"While I do indeed possess the Zhao family's assets, those were entrusted to me by my late husband and in-laws before their deaths. They are legitimate and legally acquired, and since I took over them, there have never been any unexpected incidents!"

"Every day before each shop opens, I would have someone carefully check the goods in the shop, and any spoiled items would be disposed of immediately. I would also give instructions to the shopkeepers and employees several times."

"On the contrary, it was Zhao Qiang who, several times..."

"That's enough!"

Chen Wendong interrupted her before she could finish speaking:

"Today, I will only concern myself with matters concerning this grain shop; I will not discuss anything else."

"Madam Wang, I have received a report that you are condoning shopkeepers and their employees to sell inferior goods as superior ones, deliberately making exorbitant profits, and even attempting to sell grain that has been soaked by rain to the people of the capital!"

"After being warned, instead of repenting, you continued to win people's hearts while peddling related food products."

"This action has already violated the laws of our Great Zhou Dynasty!"

As he spoke, he ordered his attendants to step forward:

"Guards, seize this woman! I intend to deliver a verdict in court today!"

Hearing this, Wang Qingqing's face grew even uglier. Her gaze fell on Zhao Qiang, and she noticed that his smile was particularly unrestrained. She knew that this guy had bribed the county magistrate and was preparing to bring her down!

She was so angry that she got a headache.

Beside him, after blocking the approaching constables, Lu Xiao spoke in a low voice:

"It seems the Zhao family is eager to seize your assets. Do you have a plan?"

"If it were only the Zhao family causing trouble, I could still find a way to defend myself!"

Wang Qingqing nodded in response:

"In the Zhao family, my parents-in-law and husband have always been in charge. Once they leave, the rest of the Zhao family can't find a host to suck blood from, and they fall into chaos. They disregard the law and only want to seize those properties."

"Therefore, I have a way to deal with this, but this Magistrate Chen..."

Wang Qingqing fell silent halfway through her sentence.

The two sides were officials and commoners, with a huge gap in status. She was a merchant, and her status was inherently inferior. No matter how rich she was, she was at a disadvantage when facing these officials.

Once the other party is determined to make things difficult for her, she simply cannot resist!

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded, his gaze returning to Chen Wendong and Zhao Qiang, and said coldly:

"Since you say that Madam Wang has been using inferior goods to sell superior ones for a long time, and even ordered the shopkeeper and employees to do so, then there should be corresponding records. Otherwise, the accounts will simply not match up in the long run."

"Let me ask you, since you are all aware of the changes, is there any record of this happening through any of Madam Wang's properties? Is there any aggrieved party who dares to come forward and expose this?"

"Otherwise, it was merely an accident today, yet you're spouting nonsense; you're deliberately framing me!"

At first, Zhao Qiang was taken aback by these words, but after sensing the signal from Magistrate Chen's eyes, he immediately shouted:

"And where did you come from, you ignorant fool, daring to question our Magistrate Chen's handling of cases and law enforcement?"

"Young man, if Magistrate Chen says this grain shop is problematic, then it is problematic!"

"If you cooperate obediently, all will be well. But if you dare to resist, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

Although Chen Wendong was quite dissatisfied with his words, after looking at Lu Xiao and the others' clothes and realizing that they were not of noble birth, his worries vanished instantly.

He nodded and said loudly:

"Though I am a lowly official with little influence, I am here by His Majesty's decree to govern this land near the capital. Therefore, I have the duty to protect the people and prevent chaos!"

"Not to mention that Madam Wang deliberately sold inferior grain, the fact that the prices of various items in her shop were one coin higher than those in other shops is also under investigation."

"I will not tolerate such unscrupulous merchants acting with impunity!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Qingqing glared at her angrily.

Lu Xiao waved his hand, signaling her to calm down for the time being, his gaze still fixed on the two people in front of him:

"So, you two came here with such fanfare because you actually had no relevant evidence at all?"

"So what if I have it? So what if I don't?"

Zhao Qiang didn't notice the change in Chen Wendong's expression and retorted impatiently.

Chen Wendong, being able to hold an official position under the emperor's nose, naturally possessed the ability to read people's expressions and moods. The reason he dared to say that earlier was because he believed that Lu Xiao and the others' identities were not complicated.

But now, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

"I am here on the orders of His Majesty the Prime Minister to inspect the livelihoods of people throughout the capital!"

"You have neither evidence nor respect for the laws of the court, yet you dare to fabricate facts out of thin air and slander an honest businessman in the street. Where do you place the laws of the country?"

As he spoke, Lu Xiao took out a token from his waist. Although it only had the character "Zhou" on it, it represented something extraordinary.

This is a token belonging to Zhou Kang's family. Originally, it was only for the Zhou family, and seeing this token was like seeing the head of the family. However, given Zhou Kang's current power and status, it is the same for everyone in the Great Zhou as it is for the Zhou family!

As he left the Hall of State Affairs, Zhou Kang slipped the token into his hand.

"The Prime Minister has said that you treacherous and wicked people do no good work, but only know how to oppress the good and kind; you deserve to be executed!"

Lu Xiao felt no pressure whatsoever as he used someone else's name to make a big show of things.

Anyway, Zhou Kang's reputation has already spread widely outside, so one more person won't make a difference.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiang immediately sneered, stepped forward, snatched the token, and threw it to the ground.

"snort!"

"How ridiculous! When has the Prime Minister of my Great Zhou ever had the leisure to deal with such matters?"

"Young man, I see this is your first time visiting the capital of our Great Zhou Dynasty, isn't it?"

"Otherwise, you wouldn't be foolish enough to speak in your capacity as the Prime Minister..."

After saying that, he raised his foot, ready to stomp on the token a few times.

To his surprise, Chen Wendong shoved him aside, picked up the token amidst his astonished gaze, and carefully wiped it clean.

"I find you utterly foolish; you don't even recognize Prime Minister Zhou!"

"If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

Chen Wendong glared at him angrily, then ran directly to Lu Xiao, revealing a fawning smile on his face:

"I was unaware of Your Excellency's incognito arrival; I have failed to greet you properly."

"What happened just now..."