Chapter 107

Chapter 107: A Problem Even a Ton of Metal Can’t Solve

Wen looked at Ming and Pengda with an expression of sheer helplessness:

“Esteemed gentlemen, Baihe County is no ordinary place. While it’s true that three former Chancellors once served here, and even Elder Fang’s hometown was here—making Baihe County relatively clean in the past—it has changed dramatically.”

“In recent years, a few families from Baihe County have produced Immortal Practitioners. They cultivated within their sects, then returned, using their networks to form four powerful clans controlling most of Baihe County’s industries. These clans also maintain gangs who work for them. Moreover, being far from Wudu, this small county operates under the radar—who would notice?”

Pengda chuckled coldly, “Heh, so what? As an official of the court, are you afraid of some minor sects? Or has a major sect emerged near Baihe County, one even Wu Kingdom fears?”

“Lord Xu, your words wound me,” Wen sighed.

“This isn’t about fear or courage. If it were just about fighting, it’d be simpler. But I can’t get anything done here. Before me, many officials came to Baihe County. Though they were outsiders, their clerks were locals. We all wanted reform, but our orders couldn’t be enforced. The clerks drag their feet; what can you do? If you dismiss them, you still need local replacements. If you bring someone from afar, unfamiliar with local customs, who would recognize your authority? Plus, with gifts from the four powerful clans, almost every official ends up colluding with them. The entire Baihe County Government Office is utterly corrupt. Over time, these clans grew more audacious, splitting their ill-gotten gains with the county magistrate seventy-thirty.”

“Only seventy?” Pengda asked.

Wen smiled faintly, “Lord Xu, the seventy is theirs; we only get thirty.”

Pengda fell silent.

“It seems Lord Liang has accepted quite a few bribes himself,” Ming scoffed.

Wen didn’t get angry, merely shaking his head, “Whether you believe me or not, I’ve received nothing from the four clans. Regarding the cases in your hands, I’ve thought about handling them, but there’s no way to start. Take the incident where Sun Dequan’s daughter was publicly humiliated by a wealthy family, and her brother seeking justice was killed on the street. The perpetrators deny everything, witnesses claim they saw nothing—what am I supposed to do?”

Pengda was speechless.

“Lord Liang, are the case files still intact?” Pengda asked.

“They are,” Wen nodded, “Though those cases appear closed, I kept the files in my residence.”

“Could you please fetch them for us? Since I’m now the magistrate of Baihe County, I cannot stand idly by,” Pengda said earnestly.

Ming looked at Wen and smirked, “If we don’t overturn these cases, what would you do with those files?”

Wen smiled, “I’d take them to Qingyang Jun. One day, I will seek justice.”

Five days later, after fully transferring duties to Pengda, Wen handed over the seal and left Baihe County for the district.

In the following days, Ming watched as Pengda worked tirelessly, managing Baihe County’s affairs while personally investigating evidence to overturn the cases. However, things weren’t going smoothly for Pengda.

Everyone else in the county office knew what Pengda was trying to do. On the surface, they showed great respect, seemingly following his orders without question. In reality, they procrastinated endlessly, making excuses galore.

Pengda worked from dawn till dusk, yet progress was slow.

Naturally, Ming wouldn’t sit idly by. Originally planning to leave Baihe County soon for Qingyang Jun, seeing Pengda’s stressed state, Ming stayed to help, fearing Pengda might act impulsively.

Finally, on the seventh day, Pengda ran over happily holding documents, excitedly telling Ming, “Fifth Brother, I’ve found a breakthrough!”

“Oh? What breakthrough?” Ming asked.

“The Li Family! The ones who broke the scholar’s leg—his name is now Ping’an!” Pengda exclaimed.

“Ping’an?” Ming was surprised too.

If the emperor learned that the current Third Place Scholar had once been crippled, Baihe County’s powerful clans wouldn’t survive long.

Some matters, when hidden, weigh less than a feather. Others, when exposed, weigh more than a ton of metal.

“So, are you going to report this to the court?” Ming asked, “Something feels off about this.”

Pengda nodded, “I feel the same way. Normally, such a grievance should have been reported to His Majesty by Scholar Yu—not just being crippled, but having official status. Once His Majesty knows, the Li Family would be wiped out. Yet, His Majesty hasn’t reacted. Perhaps His Majesty is testing me, letting me resolve it. Or Scholar Yu didn’t say anything because it’s humiliating.”

“And what do you plan to do, Third Brother?” Ming asked.

Pengda thought for a moment, “I don’t know if the Li Family knows that the scholar they crippled is now the Third Place Scholar. If they don’t, I’ll tell them. To save their lives, they must help me drive the tiger to devour the wolf, then I’ll slaughter the tiger!”

Ming shook his head, “But Third Brother, have you considered if the Li Family already knew their victim was the current Third Place Scholar, why didn’t they flee?”

“Hmm?” Pengda looked at Ming, “Fourth Brother, what do you mean?”

“This Li Family might not be so simple,” Ming slowly said, “There could be someone behind them preventing their escape.”