Chapter 401 - 238: Applying Pressure

Chapter 401: Chapter 238: Applying Pressure

Almost every person of note in Xiangzhou had come knocking.

Their attitudes weren’t exactly forceful. They just said their juniors had been foolish and asked the Taiping Bureau to be magnanimous and spare them.

Fu Qingzhu handled them with his masterful Tai Chi skills, agreeing to everything but doing nothing.

Even so, as more and more people came to plead their case, he was gradually starting to feel the pressure.

The officials who came forward held increasingly higher ranks. Even a retired Chief Minister sent someone to intercede.

Moreover, seeing they were getting nowhere with the Xiangzhou Taiping Bureau, these people started heading to Songjiang Prefecture.

"Gather the brothers who are at home."

Fu Qingzhu steeled himself and said in a low voice, "We’re going to Songjiang Prefecture!

No matter what, we absolutely cannot let chaos erupt in Songjiang Prefecture. At a time like this, we need to support Su Mu unconditionally!"

"Yes, sir!"

the Taiping Captains replied excitedly.

......

"Master, the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, Li Dangsen, is here again."

Shi Ziran came before Su Mu and said, "This time, he says that if he doesn’t see you, my lord, he’ll just stand at the gate and not leave.

He also said that if you don’t release those scholars, he’d rather be put in a pillory and publicly shamed along with them."

Only a day had passed, and it wasn’t just the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture. Officials of all ranks from Songjiang Prefecture, as well as renowned elders, had all run to the Taiping Government Office to apply pressure.

Before, when Su Mu was targeting the various families, these people had merely been spectators.

Even when those scholars came forward to storm the Taiping Bureau, they had only watched to see how things would develop.

But now, they had all begun to pressure the Taiping Bureau.

With several hundred scholars involved, almost every family of any repute in Songjiang Prefecture was implicated.

"If he wants to stand, then let him stand."

Su Mu said lightly.

"Master, I’ve investigated. These people were indeed incited by someone. However, my investigation only led me to a young beggar. The person behind this is very shrewd."

Shi Ziran said, "I still suspect the Pure Land Sect.

But these students probably don’t know the truth. They’re just being foolish."

"So you’re saying there are still many Pure Land Sect followers lying low in Songjiang Prefecture?"

Su Mu mused.

"That should be the case."

Shi Ziran nodded. "These people love places like Songjiang Prefecture the most.

The people here are prosperous and lack vigilance against demons and devils. They’re the easiest to bewitch."

"What about the families that the Wenren Family roped in?"

Su Mu asked.

"None of them are clean, but at worst it’s just collusion between officials and merchants, and hoarding goods to drive up prices."

Shi Ziran said, "From what we can see, they have no connection to the Pure Land Sect."

Although the Pure Land Sect is a Demon Sect, not every member cultivates demonic techniques. A large portion of them cultivate normal Martial Arts Techniques, making them no different from ordinary Martial Artists.

Only a very small number use Demonic Qi to cultivate demonic techniques, and they are the easiest for the Taiping Bureau to detect.

As for the others, as long as they hide themselves well enough, they are very difficult to find.

"Among these few hundred scholars, there must be members of the Pure Land Sect."

Su Mu mused, "An ordinary scholar might not be able to physically endure a single day of being pilloried.

Uncle Shi, you keep an eye on them. Anyone who can’t take it and faints, have them taken down first. But those who can last for three days must have a foundation in the Martial Dao. Investigate the origins of their Martial Arts."

"Master, you are brilliant!"

Shi Ziran froze for a moment before he realized that Su Mu’s decision to pillory the scholars wasn’t an impulsive act.

He wanted to use this method to identify those among the scholars who had cultivated the Martial Dao.

Following this lead, he might just be able to uncover the Pure Land Sect disciples hidden in the crowd!

"I will keep a close watch on them. If there are any Pure Land Sect disciples among them, they definitely won’t escape my notice!"

Shi Ziran said with a serious expression.

He hurried away, running right into Luo Anning, who was coming in from outside.

"My husb— Master Su."

Luo Anning said. When on duty, she still preferred to use the common form of address within the Taiping Bureau.

"A lot of people have arrived outside the city. They’ve all rushed here from various parts of Xiangzhou. They’re all retired officials."

Luo Anning said with a grim expression, "They’re all standing outside the city now, demanding that the Taiping Bureau release the prisoners."

Things were starting to get out of control.

At least, they seemed out of control to Luo Anning.

These were not ordinary people. For them to gather like this was definitely not a small matter.

Forget the Songjiang Prefecture’s Taiping Bureau; for so many officials to assemble like this could be considered an attempt to force the Emperor’s hand, even for the Da Xuan Court.

Even the Emperor of Da Xuan would have a headache dealing with this situation.

Those people were not ordinary scholars. The powers behind them were extraordinary.

Most importantly, these people had all brought powerful guards with them. If things got heated, the Taiping Bureau in Songjiang Prefecture might not be able to stop them.

"Shouldn’t we go and make it clear to them that it was these scholars who were in the wrong first?"

Luo Anning hesitated for a moment, then asked.

"It’s not important."

Su Mu shook his head. "However, since they want to see me, I’ll go and meet them."

"Alright, I’ll call our brothers from the Songjiang Prefecture Taiping Bureau to come with us."

Luo Anning said.

......

Wu Yiqi arrived in Songjiang Prefecture with the artisans of the Wu Family.

Before he had even entered the city, he saw the rows of people standing at the city gate, put in pillories for public shaming.

Most of those people were dressed in green robes, but what caught his attention most were those dressed in Brocade and Ink Shirts.

Judging from their attire, there were Taiping Captains, and also Taiping Capital Captains.

Wu Yiqi rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.

’Taiping Captains and Taiping Capital Captains are being pilloried for public display?’

’Is Songjiang Prefecture that bold?’

’Even the Inspection Bureau couldn’t have pulled this off back in its heyday.’

’Didn’t Su Mu arrive in Songjiang Prefecture ages ago?’

’Could it be that even he can’t win against Songjiang Prefecture?’

’And what’s the deal with all those other people?’

’Hundreds of people pilloried... Did a rebellion break out in Songjiang Prefecture?’

Wu Yiqi’s mind was filled with questions. But in the next moment, he saw a man in the official robes of a Prefect, his face streaked with tears, shouting, "I am incompetent! I cannot save you!

I couldn’t persuade Governor Su, so all I can do is be publicly shamed alongside you!"

Wu Yiqi blinked. ’So this wasn’t Songjiang Prefecture’s doing? It was Su Mu?’

’Oh my god, Su Mu’s only been here for a few days, and he’s already stirred up such a huge mess?’

Wu Yiqi’s gaze swept over the scene. Besides the people being pilloried, dozens of carriages were gathered outside the city gates.

The people getting out of the carriages were all either rich or noble. Wu Yiqi even recognized several of them as personages he would have to greet with the utmost respect.

Just as Wu Yiqi shrank back, preparing to retreat...

Suddenly, someone shouted, "The Inspector! It’s the Inspector!"

Li Dangsen turned and saw Wu Yiqi, overjoyed. "You must be the new Fourth-Grade Inspection Envoy from the Songjiang Prefecture Inspection Bureau, Brother Wu?

It’s wonderful that you’re here!"

He bounded over to Wu Yiqi in a few quick steps, his agility completely belying his portly frame.

"Lord Wu, Su Mu, the Governor of the Songjiang Prefecture Taiping Bureau, has pilloried so many scholars without cause! With this kind of tyrannical behavior, will your Inspection Bureau intervene or not?"

Li Dangsen said excitedly, grabbing Wu Yiqi’s hand.

"Intervene... or not?"

Wu Yiqi said hesitantly.

"The Inspection Bureau oversees all officials! A Governor is also an official and should be subject to your supervision!"

Li Dangsen shouted, "Faced with such actions, will you, Inspector Wu, just let him act so wantonly?"

"Inspector Wu, if you do not intervene, I will certainly report you to the throne!"

said a white-haired old man next to him, his aura imposing.

Wu Yiqi: ...

’What the hell does this have to do with me? I just got here. I don’t even know what’s going on, okay?’

’Besides, why the hell would I side with you people?’

’If I’m taking a side, it’s obviously going to be Su Mu’s.’

"My lords, Su Mu is here! Let’s go! Make him release them!"

Just then, someone suddenly shouted.

A group of people emerged from the Songjiang Prefecture city gate, and at their very front was none other than Su Mu.

The retired old men immediately abandoned Wu Yiqi and swarmed toward Su Mu.

Only Li Dangsen, the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, didn’t let go of Wu Yiqi’s hand as he rushed forward, dragging Wu Yiqi along with him.