"Gold, gold! The Gao family actually has gold, and it’s three whole jars!" County Magistrate Zheng stared at the three jars of gold in front of him, and all his fatigue disappeared.

However, there was a bit of bitterness in his heart. These shady dealings were richer than he was, which was simply outrageous.

Steward Zheng glanced at Lord County Magistrate’s saliva-dripping appearance, coughed softly, and reminded him: "Sir, these are the hard-earned money of the townsfolk, we should despise it when we see it."

Yes, that’s correct, this indeed is the townsfolk’s hard-earned money.

The townsfolk have shed so much blood, he as the County Magistrate should feel sadness.

"Steward, have you got the calculations?" County Magistrate Zheng put away his greedy appearance and asked the Financial Clerk.

The Financial Clerk replied: "Sir, it’s calculated. The three jars of gold total four thousand five hundred taels, converted to silver, it’s forty-five thousand taels. According to Great Chu Criminal Law, sixty percent of confiscated property has to be handed to the court, we can keep eighteen thousand taels, plus the Gao family’s mansion, land, and shops, we can utilize nineteen thousand three hundred taels."

County Magistrate Zheng let out a sigh of relief after hearing this, he said: "Nineteen thousand three hundred taels, although it’s still not enough, it can at least help the townsfolk somewhat."

He then looked at Qin San Lang and said: "And the Gao family’s case has intimidated those in the county who want to take advantage and seize farmer’s properties. San Lang, you’ve done well again this time."

Deterring those evildoers to prevent them from creating more chaos in Tianfu County was more important than nineteen thousand taels of silver.

With the Gao family’s matter resolved, the county has become much calmer, and even half of the townsfolk kneeling at the government gate have taken their coffins and left.

After hearing about half of the townsfolk leaving, County Magistrate Zheng understood everything; beyond the Gao family, someone else must have bribed the townsfolk, wanting them to cause trouble!

County Magistrate Zheng was furious, unable to imagine what would happen if the Gao family wasn’t confiscated, and several people even worse and tougher than the Gao family emerged.

And the matter of Liu Chief Commander, if it turns out he really has issues, that would be another great accomplishment.

"San Lang, Tianfu County might not be able to keep you for long." County Magistrate Zheng truly appreciated Qin San Lang; with him around, Tianfu County had been much more orderly, and various bandits, thieves, shady dealers, and bullies dared not act so wickedly.

If San Lang leaves, without someone capable to keep things in check in the Military Office, evildoers in the county and mountain bandits from other places might just come and act wickedly.

After all, Tianfu County is one of the richest in the vicinity, and those evildoers have long been eager to come for a robbery spree.

Thinking about these things, County Magistrate Zheng felt a headache.

Qin San Lang smiled and said: "Don’t worry, sir, before you leave office, I won’t head to the Prefecture garrison."

He planned for these years to marry Xiao Yu, train his men, and arrange affairs in Tianfu County, and only after everything was set would he stride forward.

After all, that stride he would take would concern the life and death of several families, so he must arrange everything perfectly, ensuring no mistakes.

County Magistrate Zheng was pleased to hear this and sympathized with General Guo and Vice General Lan: "General Guo and Vice General Lan have had their eyes on you for years, rejecting them this time again, Vice General Lan might be quite upset."

Qin San Lang laughed and said: "No, just recently, a talented individual named Zhong Yu joined the Prefecture garrison camp, he’s quite promising. Vice General Lan can train him, and he’ll be a good aide one day."

The Zhong family was wealthy, and with two sons and a beloved brother, given the emptied national treasury and halved salaries for the south troops, the camp greatly needed Zhong Yu.

With him, there would be money, and a direct line to communicate with the Capital, in times of crisis, aid requests could reach the heavens directly, a great benefit for He’an Prefecture.

If He’an Prefecture or Tianfu County truly encountered trouble, Zhong Yu would be their last hope.

County Magistrate Zheng was unaware that Zhong Yu was the little tyrant of the Zhong family; upon hearing, he only thought, oh, San Lang indeed is a generous young lad.

"Sir, Mrs. Gao Huang and the others have been brought back." Section Leader Jiang came in to report.

County Magistrate Zheng was overjoyed, he immediately said: "Hold court, sentence that demon woman’s crimes, let’s conclude this case."

Then he told the Financial Clerk: "Distribute the silver properly, see how much each household can get? Except for the wealthy who can afford taxes, just give them to those who are poor." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Yes." The Financial Clerk responded, and together with the clerks began doing the calculations.

County Magistrate Zheng, Qin San Lang, and County Captain Jiang went to the public courtroom in the front yard.

County Magistrate Zheng didn’t even want to waste words with Mrs. Gao Huang; after laying out the evidence, he sentenced her directly.

Mrs. Gao Huang sneered coldly: "So it was indeed the Hong family who sold me out. Ha, Mr. Hong, you think because the Gao family has fallen, and I’ve fallen, your daughter will escape misery? What a pity, I’ve left a big gift for you, once your daughter returns home, have a doctor check her pulse, and you’ll know what that gift is."

"You, what did you say? What have you done to my daughter?!" Uncle Hong was extremely anxious, questioning Mrs. Gao Huang.

Mrs. Gao Huang admired his pained expression for a moment and laughed: "Nothing much, just fed her some tiger and wolf medicine, so she won’t be able to bear children for the rest of her life. Therefore, if your daughter wants to remarry, live a peaceful life, that’s just a dream!"

That’s why Mrs. Gao Hong, after giving birth to a son seven years ago, never conceived again.

"You, you poisonous woman, what a sinister heart you have, why harm my daughter like this?!" Uncle Hong was beyond tears, he was still thinking of rescuing his daughter and marrying her to an honest man, didn’t expect she’s been harmed to infertility.

She’s already a second wife, if she can’t bear children, who would marry her?

"God, why are you so cruel, making my daughter’s fate so bitter?" Uncle Hong was beating his chest and stomping his feet, "If my Hong family did anything evil, let the retribution fall on me, why harm my daughter?!"

County Magistrate Zheng was also shocked at this, this Mrs. Gao Huang was indeed venomous, actually using such vile means to harm others: "Someone, take Mrs. Gao Huang to the Punishment Room for punishment!"

This poisonous woman must be disciplined indeed.

Mrs. Gao Huang was fearless, having entered the Gao family, deciding to help Gao Sanxiong, she did not think of a good end. However, she looked at Qin San Lang and said: "You’re clever, but your aura is menacing, and you’ve sinned too much, probably hard to end well!"

If it weren’t for him, the Gao family wouldn’t have fallen!

With a snap, County Magistrate Zheng was furious: "You old devout woman, still cursing others at this point, truly heartless. Someone, quickly escort her away."

Even a glance at County Magistrate Zheng was a turn-off.

"Yes." The Government Officials were also equally angered at Mrs. Gao Huang, they had never seen such a venomous old woman.

"Sir, sir, this civilian woman is innocent, all the evil deeds were forced upon her by Mrs. Gao Huang, that old devout woman." Chang Taohua, being shrewd, seeing Mrs. Gao Huang captured, immediately lied: "If this civilian woman didn’t help her with evil deeds, she would force infertility drugs upon me. It was fear of infertility that compelled me to do her bidding, my life is miserable!"

You claim misery, but among the four daughters-in-law of the Gao family, you’ve given birth to the most. Those infertility drugs, who are you trying to fool?