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

At this moment, Chen Wendong was almost scared out of his wits.

Although he was just a minor county magistrate and had never personally entered the Zhou family, this was under the emperor's nose, and no one dared to slight the Zhou family.

Therefore, he had long ago memorized all information related to the Zhou family, in order to prevent himself from being unaware of anything related to the Zhou family one day and ultimately suffering the consequences.

Fortunately, these preparations were not wasted.

After saying those words, Chen Wendong raised the token with both hands and bowed his head before Lu Xiao:

"My lord, I only accepted five hundred taels of silver from that scoundrel Zhao Qiang, which is why I came here specifically to support him. Moreover, I have never intended to take Madam Wang to the yamen for trial."

"Please be magnanimous, sir, and do not hold this against me."

"Apart from those five hundred taels, I'm willing to spend my entire fortune to buy your mercy, sir!"

He spoke these words trembling, and the fear in his heart was not feigned.

Almost everyone in the Great Zhou Dynasty knows that the Prime Minister is not to be trifled with. He is still under the Prime Minister's nose. He would only go against the Prime Minister if he thought he was too old to live.

Thinking of the terrifying consequences, Chen Wendong wished he could kill Zhao Qiang with his own hands.

Why would someone want to go against someone who has the Prime Minister backing them up?

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao's lips curled into a slight smile as he looked at the other person and said:

"So, you mean the magistrate no longer has the evidence I mentioned earlier?"

"Lord Chen, you dared to conclude that the people had committed illegal and disorderly acts based on just a few words. You truly are a good official!"

At this moment, he was not only furious at the despicable behavior of Zhao Qiang and other members of the Zhao family, but also disappointed with the current officialdom of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If even officials under the emperor's nose dare to openly accept bribes and help others oppress the good, wouldn't it be even darker and more hopeless in places far from the emperor's reach?

Fortunately, he wasn't in the civil service system.

Chen Wendong was terrified and, feeling the other person's gaze, said with a bitter face:

"Your Excellency, I truly have no such evidence..."

"You know very well what to do next."

After saying this, Lu Xiao turned around and invited Wang Qingqing and Liu Xianya to get into the carriage, telling them to prepare to leave. He then stepped back to the side of the carriage and watched leisurely.

Not far away, Chen Wendong's eyes flickered uncertainly. Finally, he summoned two constables who brought Zhao Qiang to him.

He lowered his voice and warned:

"You almost got me and my entire family executed this time, but let's put that aside for now. If you want to live, do as I say from now on!"

"Did you hear me clearly?"

Zhao Qiang was stunned for a moment, then looked up and saw the other person's unquestionable expression, and finally nodded:

"I understand!"

Chen Wendong leaned closer and whispered in his ear:

"That'll be it in a bit..."

Pfft!

A moment later, Zhao Qiang, his face deathly pale, knelt before Lu Xiao and the other two, kowtowing and crying out loudly:

"My lord, I was blinded by greed and deliberately hired some thugs to cause trouble at Madam Wang's shop!"

"Please rest assured, sir, after today, I, Zhao Qiang... no, the entire Zhao family swear that we will not do anything to disrupt Madam Wang's business, and we acknowledge the legitimacy of her inheritance of the Zhao family's patriarchal legacy!"

"In addition, the Zhao family is willing to pay one thousand taels in compensation to slightly make up for Madam Wang's losses!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingqing's eyes widened, and realizing something was amiss, she quickly raised her sleeve to cover herself.

She asked incredulously:

"Xianya, just who is your husband?"

"he?"

Liu Xianya was taken aback. Seeing her friend's sincere expression, she replied, puzzled:

"Just a centurion at the White Wolf outpost."

"Just a centurion?"

Chen Wendong, who was apologizing to Zhao Qiang, was stunned when he heard her words.

But then he thought about it again and realized it made sense.

The Prime Minister's actions are never so easily understood by outsiders.

Moreover, that token was more real than real gold, and no one in the capital would dare to use a fake token to swindle and cheat people.

This made him realize that although the young man in front of him was only a centurion, he was bound to have a bright future!

Chen Wendong secretly rejoiced that he had spotted the danger earlier, which prevented the situation from becoming more serious.

"One thousand taels is too little."

Upon hearing Zhao Qiang's statement, Lu Xiao hesitated for a moment before refusing:

"If Madam Wang hadn't truly denied those actions, and if Magistrate Chen hadn't upheld the law impartially, she would likely be suffering an injustice today, perhaps even facing imprisonment!"

"Alright then, the Zhao family will compensate Madam Wang with two thousand taels of silver and guarantee that they will not make things difficult for her in the future. Let's consider today's matter over."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind inviting the Prime Minister to visit your Zhao family!"

"Yes, I understand..."

Zhao Qiang broke out in a cold sweat instantly and agreed to the request without hesitation.

Seeing that Lu Xiao had no further instructions, he quickly ordered his attendants to go home and fetch two thousand taels of silver, and at the same time told his clansmen about the matter.

About fifteen minutes later, Zhao Qiang handed two thousand taels to Wang Qingqing and apologized in person before cautiously asking:

"Does the master have any other instructions?"

"If not, I'll take my leave now..."

"Get out!"

At the command, Zhao Qiang scrambled away.

Chen Wendong bowed deeply in gratitude and said he would send the money over shortly.

But Lu Xiao rejected her.

After the surroundings returned to quiet, the three of them returned to the Liu family home together.

Just as Liu Wubing was about to instruct the servants to prepare dinner immediately, Wang Qingqing stopped him and then said to everyone:

"On my way back, I had someone book a table outside, and it should be delivered soon."

"Lord Lu, I am deeply grateful for your help in the market earlier. I am extremely grateful."

"If you don't mind, my lord, I would like to host a welcome feast for you!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao smiled and waved his hand:

"Since you are Xianya's friend, you are also my friend, Lu Xiao. There's no need to be so polite. Just call me by my name."

"In fact, since Madam Wang saw that the Zhao family intended to oppose us, she should have made preparations earlier. Otherwise, if it weren't for the Prime Minister's token, neither of us would have been able to escape today."

"We should be more careful in the future."

Wang Qingqing nodded quickly, indicating that she had remembered this lesson.

After chatting for a while, sure enough, a servant from the Liu family brought over the banquet she had ordered and set it on the table.

Taking this opportunity, Liu Wubing learned what had happened during this time and couldn't help but feel indignant:

"The Zhao family has always had a bad reputation in the capital, but because they have connections in the court, many people can only endure it."

"Madam Wang, if you encounter such a situation again in the future, you can go directly to the blacksmith shop in the West Ward for help. I have an old friend there who will definitely lend a hand."

Wang Qingqing was moved to tears and raised her glass to toast everyone:

"Thank you all so much, I am deeply grateful!"