Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 318 - 304: Raid the House and Annihilate the Clan First, Investigate the Rest Slowly!

Chapter 318: Chapter 304: Raid the House and Annihilate the Clan First, Investigate the Rest Slowly!

Shen Wen, upon hearing Zhang San’s words, couldn’t help but become furious.

"Bring him here, seize him! Do you really think that, in front of the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture’s Government Office, my orders would be ineffective?"

At this moment, two of the Shang family’s top experts, who were secretly protecting Zhang San, exchanged glances, hesitating whether to intervene and rescue him.

Just then, a shout came from a distance.

"Hold your hands!"

Shen Wen frowned and looked towards the direction of the voice, only to find that it was someone from the Shen Family.

Earlier, as Shen Wen had walked out from the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture’s Government Office, he had already seen what was written on the papers Zhang San had posted outside.

Unfortunately, at this moment, someone from the Legalism arrived, giving Shen Wen a rather ominous feeling.

"Shen Er, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

As Shen Erxian approached with people from the Shen Family, he spoke with a cold laugh, "Nothing much, just that I’ve recently received some reports about a few years ago when the Ba River was rerouted; someone reported inferior farmland as good farmland, but actually pocketed the good farmland for themselves."

"Moreover, there’s a case where a servant was crippled while working for his master, someone took money from a wealthy family, then slandered the wealthy family’s servant, claiming he was at fault and instead had to compensate the master."

"Also, well aware that a rich family caused the death of someone’s entire family, yet they sold the deceased family’s house cheaply to the rich household..."

Upon hearing Shen Erxian’s words, sweat broke out on Shen Wen’s forehead.

How did the Shen Family know!?

As Shen Wen was immensely shocked, Shen Erxian suddenly stopped talking and just looked at Shen Wen with a chuckle.

"Shen Er, what nonsensical things are you spouting? I advise you not to talk recklessly without evidence."

Seeing Shen Wen’s desperate expression, Shen Erxian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"The eyes of my Shen Family, what they want to see, are quite hard to hide from."

The Shen Family was renowned for its Observation Skill of Ninefold Scrutiny, and although people of the Shen Family now resided in Daxing City, many were unaware of the Shen Family’s unique capabilities.

But in Daxing City, people dared to offend the Han Family, dared to offend the Merchant Clan, and even dared to offend the Shen Family where Minister of Punishment Shen Wei was from.

Yet, the Shen Family remained the only one that no one dared to offend.

At this moment, Shen Wen’s mouth twitched, and he furiously said after holding back, "But you have no law enforcement authority, and as far as I know, you, Shen Er, currently have no official status!"

Suddenly, a voice came from the other side of the street.

"The Shen Family may lack an official status, but surely, I, as the Minister of Punishment, do have law enforcement authority, right?"

At this time, Minister Shen Wei of the Ministry of Punishment, along with Shang Bufa and several martial artists from the Ministry of Punishment, approached.

Seeing the Ministry of Punishment’s arrival, Shen Wen’s complexion changed instantly.

"Minister Shen, it must be someone framing me! Yes, it’s Zhang San! Bold Zhang San, won’t you quickly..."

Shen Wen’s words were only half-shouted when he noticed that Zhang San, who was previously surrounded, had vanished, leaving only a pile of dry grass scattered by the wind on the ground.

Zhang San, creating trouble at the entrance of the Metropolitan Prefecture’s Government Office, naturally would not come unprepared.

He had already hidden a straw man in a nearby wind-sheltered spot, always ready to escape using the "replacement" technique.

Subsequently, people from the Ministry of Personnel also arrived, requesting Shen Wen to undergo an investigation.

Shen Wen exclaimed in anger, "Framed, this must be a frame-up! It’s Zhang San who framed me!"

Shen Erxian sneered and said, "Whether it is a frame-up or not, I have already sent someone to verify the evidence according to the information I received; it won’t take long to uncover the truth."

That morning, every official in the Capital knew about the incident involving Shen Wen of the Metropolitan Prefecture; many charges had been submitted to both the Ministry of Punishment and Ministry of Personnel, particularly with evidence assisted by the Shen Family.

Inside the Imperial Palace, Emperor Kaihuang, looking at the documents submitted about Shen Wen’s offenses, bulged his eyes in anger and smashed his desk with a slap!

"Besides these, where are the other charges?"

Shen Erxian had already handed over the paper listing all the charges related to Shen Wen he had received to Emperor Kaihuang, who, despite his immense outrage, knew that the charges uncovered so far weren’t all of them.

Shen Erxian bowed and said, "The Shen Family is fully assisting the Ministry of Punishment and Ministry of Personnel in their investigations; all the cases mentioned in the memorials are true, and the evidence is irrefutable. About half of the cases are still under investigation."

Emperor Kaihuang waved his hand.

"First, seize and destroy his house; for the remaining half, continue the investigation slowly."

In that moment, several ministers inside the palace knew, Shen Wen had completely fallen. The case wasn’t yet fully investigated, but the decision to seize and destroy his house indicated that if everything was brought to light, it was unknown how many others would be implicated.

Of course, it’s also possible that Emperor Kaihuang himself knew of some cases that were difficult to investigate, which might involve many significant ministers in the court.

After all, Shen Wen was the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture, responsible for the Capital; how could he have had no dealings with other significant ministers?

After speaking, Emperor Kaihuang breathed out a long sigh, then looked at the few ministers in the great hall, finally resting his gaze on Shen Erxian.

"I remember that you are the second eldest of the Shen Family, right?"

"I am Shen Erxian."

Emperor Kaihuang could not help but laugh, "Originally, you were known as Immortal Shen, and when people said you compared yourself to a deity, you claimed you were twice as formidable as any deity, and thus changed your name to Shen Erxian. I never expected such a carefree person to be willing to get involved in court affairs."

Shen Erxian clasped his hands and smiled, "To alleviate the concerns of Emperor Kaihuang, how could I be unwilling?"

Emperor Kaihuang smiled lightly and nodded.

"The position of Magistrate of the Metropolitan Prefecture is quite crucial, it cannot remain vacant for long, you should assume office immediately. The official documents from the Ministry of Personnel will follow shortly."

"Many thanks to Emperor Kaihuang, Your Majesty is wise."

Shen Erxian knew that the Shen family would benefit from this wave, but he never expected to secure the position of Magistrate of the Metropolitan Prefecture.

This position is generally difficult for most people to handle well, as it entails numerous responsibilities and easily offends others.

Shen Wen, in order to perform well as Magistrate, had no choice but to ally with the Crown Prince, and that is how he managed it for these years, but now trouble has still arisen.

But the Shen Family is different, with the Ninefold Scrutiny Technique of the Shen Family, most people are reluctant to cause trouble for the Shen Family.

Just as Shen Erxian stepped outside the Imperial Palace, he saw his son waiting outside. He was about to praise the lad for his filial piety, when he suddenly noticed a carriage not far away.

Looking at the crest on the carriage, it must belong to the head of the Shang family.

Shen Erxian signaled his son with his eyes, and the two walked towards the carriage of the Shang family head.

"I am Shen Erxian, junior, and I greet the head of the Shang family."

The head of the Shang family lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside.

"Ah, it’s Erxian! I heard about your accomplishments this morning; they were quite impressive. Surely Emperor Kaihuang rewarded you handsomely?"

Shen Erxian smiled naively and clasped his hands, "It’s only because of my youthful mischief that my grandfather sent me to your mansion for guidance, which has led me to this day. Just now, Emperor Kaihuang has appointed me as Magistrate of the Metropolitan Prefecture, and I fear there will be much more I need to consult you about in the future."

The head of the Shang family nodded slightly, but his mind couldn’t help but flash back to Zhang San who visited his home last night.

"The position of Magistrate is good. Actually, it suits the Shen Family the best. It’s just that I’ve always hesitated to say this, as it felt like doing so would push your Shen Family out of the Ministry of Punishment. Now that you’ve taken the position, it’s very good, indeed excellent."

Having said that, the head of the Shang family lowered the carriage curtain, then thinking of something else, poked his head out again.

"Erxian, I hear that Shen Wen has a chef who is skilled at making ginseng soup. If this person becomes available, keep him for me – I shall pay whatever is required, without making it difficult for you."

"Yes."

After speaking about this matter, the head of the Shang family then directed the coachman to drive away.

Shen Erxian couldn’t help but be stunned.

It was certain that the head of the Shang family had come specifically to see him.

But to come all this way just for a chef?

At that moment, Shen Bao beside him grinned cheekily at his grandfather, and stretching out his hand, he thought for a moment and then stretched out both hands.

"Congratulations, Grandfather, my felicitations. You are now the Magistrate of the Metropolitan Prefecture!"

Seeing his worthless son reaching out for money, Shen Erxian kicked Shen Bao on his buttocks.

"Can’t you strive for your own money? Always asking your grandfather for money, do you think your grandfather has that much money?"

Shen Erxian glared, then asked, "Also, where did you get that piece of paper from? Today was an important day, so I forgot to ask you what it was all about."

Shen Bao grinned cheekily and said, "I, Shen Bao, am an upright person, and I naturally have some good friends. That item was a gift from a friend, saying it would bring our family prosperity."

Shen Erxian continued to glare.

But Shen Bao knew that his grandfather wasn’t truly angry and laughed, "Grandfather, since someone has even gotten you the position of Magistrate, I must at least treat them to some good food and drink, right?"

"Besides, now that I’m the hostage of the Magistrate, many people want to curry favor with me, others wish to bribe me to corrupt you. You need to give me money so that I’m not short of it, and then our family’s wealth can last!"

Shen Erxian was baffled, wondering how such a clever man as himself could have fathered such a foolish son who knew only how to spend money.

He took out a bag of gold from his Storage Ring and threw it to Shen Bao.

"Be frugal with it, understa..."

Before Shen Erxian could finish, he saw Shen Bao dancing with glee and running off with the money.

Alas—

Such worries!

But what troubled Shen Erxian even more was another matter: who exactly had given Shen Bao the intelligence that he had just delivered?

For someone to offer such a grand gift to the Shen family, what could their ultimate motive be?