Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Chapter 48 Zhou Zhiwei

Lin Xiaofeng nodded slightly, and his words showed resolute strength: "Okay, let them all come to see me. I would like to see who is behind this group of people."

At this time, Wang Yingchao cautiously added: "Sir, there is another thing. Zhou Zhiwei, the inspector of Duantian Mansion, has also moved to this county."

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, he blew out a breath of cold air from his nostrils, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Huh, let's keep that villain alive for the time being. I will deal with him personally at the county government later." As he said that, he His eyes became darker and darker, as if foreshadowing an upcoming storm.

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In the depths of the deep and ancient county government office, Lin Xiaofeng once again stepped into the space that filled him with mixed feelings, and sat down again on the chair that was engraved with traces of time.

This chair was the place where he once struggled with official duties and inner conflicting emotions. Although he had a deep rejection of the complicated official duties here in the past, the long-lost contact was like a warm and complicated ripple, quietly It swayed deep in his heart, awakening an elusive kindness and familiarity.

His eyes slowly passed down the hall, where stood a row of figures as straight as sculptures, a total of eleven people.

Their figures are like sharp swords that have been tempered for thousands of times, and every line reveals strict discipline and tenacity.

Lin Xiaofeng's eyes flashed with a hint of subtle teasing, and he was silently mocking in his heart. Such a scene made people want to laugh, but they had to respect this solemn and serious atmosphere.

In the soil of Yangqu County, there has never been a shortage of ambitious outsiders trying to sneak in and dig out its secrets.

However, the people here live in peace and prosperity, and their words and actions exude honesty, simplicity, intelligence and wisdom, and they can easily assimilate those outsiders without a trace.

Coupled with various moral educations that are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, such as bowls of heart-warming chicken soup for the soul, or team-building development training, and even baptismal ceremonies that cleanse the soul, these outsiders seem to be trapped even if they want to leave. Some kind of force binds me tightly.

Today, a trick of fate has befallen two families, and the spies dispatched encountered his return at exactly this moment.

After everyone lined up in an orderly manner, Wang Yingchao broke the brief silence with a deafening shout: "Stand still! Master Lin, who you have been waiting for day and night, is here!"

At this moment, as if driven by an invisible force, the eleven people's bodies immediately stood upright like pine trees, and the loud greetings rolled like thunder: "Hello, sir!"

Wang Yingchao raised her face with a proud look on her face. She quickly moved her eyes away from Lin Xiaofeng, turned to her subordinates, and shouted loudly: "What is the goal we are pursuing?"

The eleven people responded in unison, with a sonorous and powerful voice, just like one person: "Our goal is to make Yangqu County the leading wealthy, civilized, and harmonious county in Jingjiang. We will fight for this for our entire lives!"

As soon as they finished speaking, six of them even added an emotional declaration: "We are willing to devote our sincere and hot hearts to Yangqu County!"

At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng's face suddenly turned gloomy. He turned to look at Wang Yingchao, with a hint of reproach in his words: "What's going on? I've only been away for a short time, and you've already tampered with the teaching materials without permission?"

When Wang Yingchao heard this, fine cold sweat suddenly broke out on his forehead. He whispered in a panic: "Your Excellency, you are aware of everything. We have not tampered with any teaching materials and still use the second edition teaching content. These six new faces· ······They are heretical believers who have recently joined. For unknown reasons, they always show excessive fanaticism in their words and deeds. Indeed, their humble position has never taught them such speech."

Lin Xiaofeng gently stroked the short mustache on his chin and stared intently at the six enthusiastic believers. A helpless sigh surged in his heart: This is probably the common problem among low-level cultists - they are so full of energy that they are almost crazy, and Reason seems so scarce and cannot match it.

Lin Xiaofeng's eyes were like burning torches, sharply passing over the six people in front of him. His fingertips were light but firm in mid-air. Every word was like the impact of gold and stone, deafening: "Who are you from? Where did they come from, who was they sent by, which sect they belong to, and what are their respective names?"

The burly man took a step forward without hesitation, his steps were steady and powerful, as if he was carrying the weight of a mountain, and responded: "Tell me, sir, we are disciples of the God of Disaster Sect, and we came to Yangqu County following the orders of our superiors. Investigate the situation. However, we are not stationed here permanently, but are replaced in rotation, so the specific dispatcher is indeed unknown. All we know is to stick here, wait for orders and respond to the mission."

"Disaster God Cult?" After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng raised his eyebrows slightly. This name was like a ripple on a distant lake. Although it quietly appeared in the depths of his memory, it did not arouse too much attention. He just regarded it as a possibility. A small heretical force that strayed into Yangqu.

He nodded slightly, revealing tolerance and decisiveness in his words: "Since we have come here, we are all citizens of Yangqu, and I will no longer pursue the past. If you really like this place, live here with peace of mind and work hard to get rich."

"If other Calamity God believers come to contact you, you must report it immediately, is that clear?" Lin Xiaofeng's words were mixed with dignity and concern.

When the six cultists heard this, their eyes instantly ignited with fanatical flames, just like believers facing the leader, shouting in unison: "Thank you for your grace, we will understand!" The voice was so exciting that it soared into the sky.

Lin Xiaofeng then said, with a hint of playfulness in his tone: "Okay! Very good! As long as you work down-to-earth and actively pay taxes, maybe I will grant you the honorary title of 'Tax Model' in the future!"

At this moment, Wang Yingchao quietly approached and reported in a low voice: "Sir, except for basic living expenses, all the money of these people has been used to pay rent and taxes."

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, his expression suddenly changed and he became furious: "This is unreasonable! It's simply ridiculous!"

He pointed at the six people angrily: "Six of you, stop all work immediately and receive education and reform again. Only when you learn to be a normal person are you allowed to participate in labor! Otherwise, isn't this going to lead the people of Yangqu astray? "

A smile appeared on the corner of Wang Yingchao's mouth, trying his best to suppress the smile in his heart, and responded respectfully: "Yes, sir."

Lin Xiaofeng announced in a loud voice: "You six, go back now. You don't need to work for the time being. I feel sorry for you and will give you a vacation to rest and adjust. Suitable arrangements will be made in two days. We will notify you then."

Upon hearing the order, the six people immediately straightened their bodies like tight bowstrings, lined up neatly, performed a standard military salute, and then walked out of the door in an orderly manner.

Lin Xiaofeng secretly calculated in his heart: "These six people must be guided and educated. If the Disaster God Sect makes trouble again in the future, they can become important pawns in the internal war."

Wang Yingchao confirmed again with firm eyes: "I understand, sir!"

Under the dappled sunlight, Lin Xiaofeng half-squinted his eyes and drooped his eyelids like an old cat who was aware of the vicissitudes of the world, as if he could see through everything in the world.

His gaze slowly passed over the only five people left in front of him, like a sharp blade cutting the air, with a calm and playful questioning tone: "Everyone, you might as well open the skylight and tell the truth, from which corner did you emerge?" Where are you coming from?"

These five people were obviously more respectful and respectful than usual. The leader, a man, held his chest and head high, with a sense of arrogance and tenacity unique to Kyoto flowing between his brows. His voice was full of firmness and determination: "Report to your lord, we will wait for you." It turns out that there is a group of six people, all from the capital. They were specially sent by Mr. Li Qiuyan, the Minister of Household Affairs, to conduct a detailed investigation on you. The purpose is to find something that can restrain you. It is just because Mr. Li has punished Mr. Li's family. My young master, Mr. Li is famous for his narrow-mindedness, and he will retaliate for his anger."

After hearing this, a cold light flashed across Lin Xiaofeng's eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved into an unfathomable smile: "Oh, there were originally six people in total, why are there only five left now? Is there something special about it?" "

The leader's face suddenly turned red, and he bowed his head respectfully and responded: "Replying to your lord, it is true that there are six people traveling together, but one of them has returned to the capital in advance, saying that he is preparing to pick up his old mother to live with him."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded gently and cast his long-distance gaze towards the prosperous and quiet Yangqu County in the distance. His heart couldn't help but ripples: The life in Yangqu County is indeed leisurely and peaceful. I am afraid that anyone will become attached to this place and not want to leave. go.

He looked sideways at them, his words mixed with joking and concern: "Since you all care about your mother at home, why don't you return home immediately to fulfill your filial piety?"

Several people looked at each other, and one of the men murmured and explained: "Sir, we have written a letter to inform our family of the details, but the mother of the colleague who went back first is old and too weak to bear the pain of the long journey, so he I am determined to pick up my mother here in person."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of suppressed sobs suddenly sounded in the team. When everyone looked, they saw one of them with a sad face, and tears dripping hotly into the dust, like broken pearls: "Sir, I have no mother..." ·····Woo woo woo········”

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, a trace of astonishment flashed across his face, and then he sighed deeply, his words full of understanding and sympathy for the other party's experience: "Well, birth, old age, illness and death are normal in life, so there is no need to be too sad. In this way, You guys also have the idea of ​​settling down in Yangqu County?"

At the head of that team stood a leader who had gone through many trials and tribulations. His face was like a hard stone carved by time, filled with the ravines of life. His eyes were like two polished obsidian stones, shining with an unusual brilliance at the moment, as if they had accumulated the bitterness and tenacity of countless days and nights.

He announced in a low and affectionate voice: "Only when we entered Yangqu County did we truly feel the weight of survival under our feet. That is the deepest meaning of life. In this place, we are looking for At the long-lost joy, we are no longer souls wandering like duckweeds in the world, but the identity of Mr. Li Qiuyan's servants. Once we leave this land, I am afraid we will never be able to find the peace and comfort we have now. For this reason, We vow to stay rooted here and never leave this land throughout our lives!”

Lin Xiaofeng was listening to the side, his eyes flashed instantly, as if he had captured some profound resonance, he clapped his hands and laughed heartily, and the laughter rolled through the silent air like thunder: "Wonderful! The truth of life There is nothing more than this. Being able to clearly understand the past mistakes and correct them resolutely is the pinnacle of life. If any of you who follow Li Qiuyan have seen even a glimmer of a flaw in this gentleman, you might as well tell them directly. , I’m here to listen.”

As soon as Lin Xiaofeng finished speaking, there was a man in the crowd who was trembling slightly and looking hesitant. He pursed his lips and said in a voice as thin as a gnat: "Sir, we actually know nothing about Mr. Li Qiuyan's situation and have not noticed anything unusual. ········”

After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng didn't show the slightest hint of disappointment on his face, as if this was just a routine inquiry and everything was as expected. He waved his arms gently and said in a calm but firm tone: "No problem, in that case, you can step back for the time being, go back to your respective positions, and continue to perform your respective responsibilities."

Upon hearing the order, the five people bowed deeply and uniformly, full of gratitude, and then turned around one after another. Although their steps were heavy, they revealed relief and determination, and gradually disappeared from Lin Xiaofeng's sight.

After they completely disappeared, the expression on Lin Xiaofeng's face quietly returned to its usual indifference. His bottomless eyes looked around, as if he wanted to penetrate the secrets of every inch of the land. He murmured in a low voice: "Closely monitor their movements. The two-year inspection period has not yet ended. We must not relax at any time."

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Under the critical approval of Emperor Jingjiang, Zhou Zhiwei fell from the sky into secular fireworks in an instant. His glory faded and his status was reduced to a commoner.

He did not hesitate at all because of this sudden change. He stood tall and walked straight towards the Duantian Mansion that once held his glory and loneliness.

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Zhou Zhiwei did not eagerly embark on the road to Duantian Mansion. Instead, he chose to quietly hibernate in this familiar but slightly unfamiliar Yangqu County mansion, like a cheetah ready to go. Hiding in a dark corner, a pair of sharp eyes stared closely at every piece of news from the court regarding Lin Xiaofeng's fate.

Several days and nights alternated, and Zhou Zhiwei felt as if he was in the center of a silent hurricane, with the magnificent waves in his heart taking turns hitting the defense line of the spiritual world like a tidal wave.

The name Lin Xiaofeng was like a curse that could not be dispelled, deeply engraved in his heart. Until that day, the news spread that Lin Xiaofeng was about to enter the capital.

After hearing the news, Zhou Zhiwei felt as if a thousand pounds of weight had been lifted off his face. A long-lost smile finally broke out on his tense face, and relief and determination shone in his deep eyes.

He quickly gathered his family members, and the team rushed to Yangqu County. The government officials there still had fresh memories of this powerful figure in the past. When they saw Zhou Zhiwei's arrival, they were neither overly enthusiastic nor deliberately making things difficult. They just followed the rules and performed the due etiquette expressionlessly.

As soon as he entered the territory of Yangqu County, Zhou Zhiwei settled in the house that Lin Xiaofeng had given him in the past.

Although this mansion is not as splendid as Duantian Mansion, it has a unique peaceful and tranquil charm, like a light-ink landscape painting, which makes people feel peaceful.

In his new life in Yangqu County, he lived a leisurely life. In addition to sipping a few glasses of fine wine and enjoying several classic operas every day, he would also hang out at the fireworks in the streets and alleys, although the song and dance performances there were relatively limited. Tianfu was indeed a little inferior, but it attracted him with its variety of entertainment projects, and the dazzling array of scenes was dizzying.

Recently, Zhou Zhiwei has developed a keen interest in stage dramas, a new form of artistic expression that has emerged in the local area. He keeps watching dramas every day and is obsessed with them. Even at dawn the next day, he is still intoxicated by the twists and turns of yesterday's dramas. Aftertaste and ponder.

One day, a sudden inspiration came to Zhou Zhiwei: Since he has always prided himself on his profound literary accomplishment, why not try to write a script himself and invite a few actors to perform it, so that he can earn some money from it. Isn’t it a good strategy to kill two birds with one stone while saving money on living expenses and showing off one’s talents?

Just do it, Zhou Zhiwei clenched the wolf hair in his hand, soaked it in thick ink, poured all his talents on the paper, and carefully wrote an elegant storybook.

However, when he presented this painstaking work to the world with full expectations, what he received was a cold rejection. The reason was simple and direct: the story was bland and lacked a gripping plot. Someone joked in private: "If you don't even dare to write about the trivial things in the world that are enough to touch people's hearts, and you still want to make the audience addicted to it, I'm afraid it's too fanciful!"

However, Zhou Zhiwei was not a little discouraged by the outside world. He resolutely devoted himself to the land of fireworks day and night, not for pleasure, but for secretly studying those sultry storybooks, trying to explore the depth of worldly human feelings. texture.

Whenever night falls and the lanterns first come on, he quietly returns home. At that time, the house is full of grandchildren playing around their knees. Even his son's academic progress seems to him to be extraordinarily detached, just like the child's clenched brush and open book. In this complicated world, for the time being, it is not as fascinating as a piece of paper with various aspects of the world.

In Yangqu County, as long as you have solid knowledge and are willing to work hard on the ground, the way to make a living will be like a winding stream. Although it is winding, it will eventually have a source of running water, and the stability of life will be as solid and reliable as a mountain rock. Facing the suffocating shady officialdom, he secretly sighed: "Son, if you can avoid this dirty yamen career, avoid it. What's the harm if you don't go to school!" His words contained deep helplessness and frustration. desolate.

I usually walk in the streets and alleys, and the most frequent topic of gossip floating in my ears is that the elusive county magistrate is coming back again. Although such rumors have failed several times, each time it is like a drama that no one applauds. Excerpts from the opera only leave people's longing-looking backs swaying in the wind.

At the break of dawn today, Zhou Zhiwei slowly stood up from the bed. A thick book firmly held under his arm was as heavy as a piece of iron stone. With his steps, it seemed to carry an unfinished story.

He walked leisurely, shuttling between the bustling streets, letting the smell of human fireworks infect his sleeves. He had breakfast at a breakfast stall with smoke floating around, and then continued to wander around the streets carelessly until the familiar Zuiyue Tower quietly jumped into view.

He stepped into Zuiyue Tower and picked two beautiful women with familiarity. Without going into details, he led them directly to the quiet elegant room on the second floor.

As soon as he pushed the door open and walked in, the booklet in Zhou Zhiwei's hand hit the table like a bolt of lightning, making a muffled sound. His eyes were burning with hot anticipation, and he loudly announced: "Get ready quickly. According to the plot interrupted yesterday, Let’s continue to stage this drama of life!”

The two women looked embarrassed, glanced at each other, and said coquettishly: "Mr. Zhou, I'm afraid you have forgotten. We were not the ones who accompanied you last night. Chunhua and Qiuyue went to rest today."

The two geishas did not show the slightest surprise at Zhou Zhiwei's behavior. After all, they were already familiar with the reputation of this old man who was obsessed with the art of opera. Everyone in Zuiyue Tower knew it.

After Zhou Zhiwei heard this, his knitted brows instantly relaxed, as if everything was expected.

He casually opened the book on the table, flipped to the middle section, and browsed it carefully. A smile of understanding appeared on the corner of his mouth, as if he had solved a complicated puzzle. Then, he said with great interest: "It's just right, let's change to a brand new script. Also, don't call me Sir from now on, call me Sir Zhou!"

"Yes~, Mr. Zhou." The two singing girls responded in unison, with awe and curiosity wrapped in their words.

Zhou Zhiwei nodded with satisfaction, lowered his gaze, staring at the dense handwriting on the album page, and his finger fell on one of the women at random: "You are going to play the role of a wealthy lady from a powerful family; Play the role of a simple and kind-hearted village woman who lives in seclusion in the mountains."

"As for me, I want to transform into a talented scholar who is expected to win the imperial examination crown. I am on my way north to the capital to participate in the scientific examination. However, fate has played a trick on me. I am terminally ill and was killed by a speeding car on the way. I was knocked down by a carriage and fell unconscious. Fortunately, the village woman came to my rescue. After the two of them spent an unforgettable time together, I once again stepped into the bustling city and was passionately pursued by the wealthy daughter."

"From then on, the two of you began an emotional tug-of-war surrounding me. At the climax, in order to find the rare herb that could cure my stubborn illness, the village woman resolutely climbed the steep cliff, but accidentally lost her footing and fell. And. That life-saving fairy grass was accidentally picked up by the wealthy lady. After I took it, my heart was filled with ups and downs, and I fell into the emotional whirlpool with her. However, deep down in my heart, I felt for that villager. The woman can never let go, so she is stuck in the quagmire of pain.”

"Until one day, I was shocked to discover my true identity - it turned out that I was a young man from a noble family who was living among the people, and that rich lady was actually my long-lost biological sister. Facing such a cruel reality, I was extremely ashamed. , then he pulled out the sword from his waist and decided to die to apologize."

"In the ending of the story, I reunited with the village woman in the underworld, and the two of them renewed their relationship. As for the deeper follow-up development, we will leave it to be revealed in the future. Do you all understand this story with ups and downs?"

After listening to the twists and turns of the bizarre plot, the two women had a look of confusion on their faces. They exchanged puzzled looks and almost responded in unison: "Little women are stupid and can't fully understand the meaning of this." mysterious·······"

Zhou Zhiwei's face was complicated, like a stone tablet that had been eroded by wind and rain for a long time. Deep entanglement and helplessness were engraved between his eyebrows. His eyes were like hot molten iron in a furnace, boiling with regret and indignation for stupidity. He slapped his forehead hard and uttered through gritted teeth: "Oh! It's really rotten wood that cannot be carved! How can you not understand such a simple truth? Forget it, let's put everything aside, let's go step by step, layer by layer. Layer, analyze the opening drama clearly!"

"The key to this scene is that this gentleman suffered a sudden collision with a carriage and was unconscious. He was rescued by a country woman back to her dilapidated home. This woman had dirty thoughts in her mind. While I was in a coma, I intended to do such unethical things."

He pointed at the actress playing the village woman, with unquestionable majesty in his voice: "You, go downstairs immediately and find a set of servant's clothes to change into, without delaying for a moment!"

"Next, when you two enter the house, I will pretend to be knocked unconscious on the ground, and then the two of you will work together to lift me onto the bed. The daughter of a wealthy family will stay outside the door for the time being. , you can only enter after I call her in person."

"As for after getting on the bed... well, let's put this matter aside for the time being. You can exit first and wait for me to think about it carefully!" Before Zhou Zhiwei finished speaking, two sharp eyes were already like The arrows shot towards his weathered face, and the corners of the two women's eyes twitched a few times, as if they were silently questioning his absurd instructions.

Deep down in their hearts, they laughed secretly and sneered: "This old guy still feels good about himself. Who would have any plans for this face covered with ravines of time? His skin is as shameful as the city wall! If it were our wise county magistrate, Maybe there is something convincing about it." Although they were complaining, their faces still maintained a look of indifference and gloom.

In today's world, why is it so difficult to make a living?

Afterwards, the two women left the room with heavy steps and heavy steps, leaving behind a long silhouette.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhiwei threw himself to the ground without hesitation, his facial muscles twisted together painfully, his eyes closed tightly, like a trapped animal struggling to its death.

However, as time passed by, Zhou Zhiwei was lying on the cold ground, looking forward to the progress of the plot, but could not wait for the sound of anyone's footsteps. This waiting made him feel uncontrollably anxious.

As expected, this brothel girl's acting skills are not very good, and she loses her temper at critical moments. It seems that she needs to find someone with a professional background to be competent.

Suppressing his inner anxiety, Zhou Zhiwei persisted for a while, and finally noticed something was wrong. He suddenly jumped up from the floor and rushed out of the room.

As soon as I stepped out of the door, I saw that the originally bustling Zuiyue Tower was as quiet as an ancient house that had been abandoned for a long time. Not even a single figure could be caught, and a strange silence filled the air.

Zhou Zhiwei immediately panicked, hurriedly put away the script, and hurried to the street. But the street in front of him was also eerily empty. Except for a few fallen leaves that occasionally drifted by, there was not a single person in sight.

This abnormal phenomenon made Zhou Zhiwei's heart suddenly tighten, as if an invisible hand was strangling his throat tightly. He ran wildly in the streets, searching everywhere, trying to uncover the truth behind this strange phenomenon.

After a lot of twists and turns, he finally caught a passerby. After asking eagerly, he found out that all of this was caused by the return of Lin Xiaofeng. The appearance of this legendary figure was like a magician waving a magic wand. In an instant, the entire bustling city seemed to be pulled out of the world and became deserted!

Zhou Zhiwei suddenly received the news, and at that moment he felt like a thunderbolt from the clear sky directly tearing apart his peaceful mind, and his trembling soul instantly fell into an abyss of panic and chaos.

He was so hurried that he was almost at a loss. His steps were chaotic like fallen leaves in the strong wind, and he was galloping on the way home.

In the extreme panic, one shoe quietly left his foot and was left alone in the dust of the long road. This frozen scene is just like the embarrassment and suffering in his inner world at this moment, which is more vivid than any description in words. And desolate.

When he rushed to the door of his house out of breath, the Zhou Mansion in front of him seemed extremely empty. Apparently, the old, young, women and children at home were all attracted by the commotion in the neighborhood, and they rushed to the lively place to find out what was going on.

Zhou Zhiwei raised his eyes and looked around. The originally lively and noisy main room now had only echoes wandering in the empty space, accompanied by endless silence, highlighting an unprecedented loneliness and helplessness.

Standing in the center of the hall, the anger in Zhou Zhiwei's heart was like the repression before a volcano erupted. It instantly turned into a series of curses like a storm. The sharp words like a knife were directed at the people who made him trapped in the mud one by one. Each sentence was like It is a dart thrown at the enemy, hitting the vital point.

After his anger was released, he returned to the study with heavy steps. The door panel closed with a dull "bang", and then the sound of the lock tongue was heard. He closed himself in this narrow and depressing world, as if Self-imprisonment.

Cold sweat slid down his forehead, every drop was like an alarm bell knocking on his heart, reminding him of his inner anxiety and the urgency of time.

He was like a trapped animal, pacing back and forth in the small room, every step he took seemed to be stepping on thin ice, and he might collapse at any time. In his mind, he rehearsed over and over again how to face that person named Lin Xiaofeng and how to deal with this unexpected crisis storm.

"It is simply a crime that cannot be punished!" Zhou Zhiwei roared in his heart, feeling extremely regretful and helpless that the emperor failed to bring Lin Xiaofeng to justice. The anger was like boiling lava underground, constantly rolling at the bottom of the lake in his heart, "If it weren't for Lin Xiaofeng, how could I end up in such a difficult situation now!"

At this moment, Zhou Zhiwei deeply realized that there seemed to be no other choice but to return Lin Xiaofeng's original heavy bribe that was enough to crush people's hearts.

But he knew in his heart that Lin Xiaofeng was by no means an easy person to deal with, and this debt could not be written off casually.

The torrent of thoughts left traces on Zhou Zhiwei's face. His face gradually became distorted, and his eyes flashed with a decisive and firm light. He secretly swore: "My fate, Zhou Zhiwei, has been manipulated by this person once, how can I allow myself to fall into the same tragic situation again!"

Gritting his teeth, Zhou Zhiwei gathered all his strength and took a few steps to the scroll hanging on the wall of the study.

He suddenly pulled off the layer of painting that concealed the secret. Where his fingertips touched, the wall trembled slightly. It turned out that there was a piece of loose masonry hidden behind the painting.

He pried open the bricks hard, and a secret hidden compartment was revealed.

Zhou Zhiwei's eyes were fixed on the neatly stacked banknotes deep in the secret compartment. These cold papers seemed like the hot blood flowing from his heart, and each one was a mark of his humiliating experience.

Even though his heart was bleeding, he still reached out his hands resolutely and held them tightly in his palms, ready to face the coming storm. Even if he spent everything, he would still defend his remaining dignity and peace of life, and would not allow it. Anyone trampled again.

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Time passed quietly as if it were a world away. Zhou Zhiwei was alone in a dimly lit house, and the surroundings were so silent that only his own breathing could be heard.

Suddenly, a rapid and anxious call penetrated the silence in the room, as if a sharp blade cut through the membrane of time, "Is Zhou Zhiwei here?! Is Zhou Zhiwei there?!" This voice sounded in the empty room. Echoes, with a tension and urgency that cannot be ignored.

At this time, Zhou Zhiwei was holding a stack of heavy banknotes tightly in his hands. The weight almost bent his fingers, as if each banknote carried his heavy fate.

He heard the yamen servant rushing over, repeating Master Lin's order: "Master Lin has an order, and you must arrive at the county government office within half an hour!" Zhou Zhiwei's heartbeat was as fast as a drum, and every step he took, It was like stepping on the tip of a knife with cold light, and every step was startling.

He followed the footsteps of the yamen servants and walked into the solemn Yangqu County yamen with trepidation. On both sides of the lobby, rows of government officials stood like stone sculptures, silent, their eyes were cold and majestic. Such a scene made Zhou Zhiwei's heart tighten, fear and doubt intertwined, and he asked himself: "Is this an interrogation?" Me? Why so much fanfare?"

At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng was sitting behind the public case, his eyes fell on Zhou Zhiwei's frightened look, and he couldn't help but raise a playful smile. He knew that everything in front of him was because Emperor Jingjiang came to visit him personally, which made Zhou Zhiwei, the former Enemies stumbled upon this disaster at just the right time.

However, in the face of such a huge change, Zhou Zhiwei still had the courage to move to Yangqu County. This ability also showed his unusual side.

At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng suddenly slapped the gavel with force, and the shocking loud noise echoed in the lobby. Then he laughed loudly: "Oh, Mr. Zhou, we haven't seen each other for a long time. When I see you, I The officer is really overjoyed!"

Zhou Zhiwei raised his eyes and looked at Lin Xiaofeng's smile. The smile instantly turned into ice-cold frost in his eyes, stinging his heart and sending a convulsion all over his body. It was this smiling face that once made him struggle helplessly in front of the gramophone, ruthlessly forcing him to say words that made him ashamed.

Zhou Zhiwei did not respond to Lin Xiaofeng's teasing, but just allowed those old memories to surge in his heart. Under the mixture of shame and anger, his legs weakened and he knelt down in the middle of the lobby with a bang. His high-pitched voice echoed throughout the county government office. : "Common man Zhou Zhiwei, please see Mr. Lin!"

Lin Xiaofeng was slightly startled by Zhou Zhiwei's move: "Grass people? You, Zhou Zhiwei, were my boss before, why do you call yourself a grass citizen today?"

Zhou Zhiwei lowered his head and said nothing, his voice as low as autumn water flowing over the wasteland: "Your Majesty has demoted the common people to common people, and now they are in a humble status. The glory and suffering in the past are all like a passing cloud. Zhou Zhiwei has already ignored them."

Zhou Zhiwei's humility and low-keyness surprised Lin Xiaofeng. He originally thought that Zhou Zhiwei would argue hard and even want to take this opportunity to suppress the opponent. Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiwei would show weakness in such a manner, which caught Lin Xiaofeng off guard for a moment.

"Hey, this guy has become so smooth!" Lin Xiaofeng muttered to himself. He was surprised and a little helpless at Zhou Zhiwei's transformation. This subtle psychological change is like a stone being dropped on a calm lake, creating ripples, and adding some unpredictable twists and suspense to the following story.

In front of Zhou Zhiwei, Lin Xiaofeng's face was like a bronze monument that had been eroded by wind and rain, deeply engraved with the weight and profundity of history. Although his voice was calm, it was mixed with helplessness and majesty that could not be concealed, just like the long lingering sound of an ancient bell: "I have repeatedly stated that matters in Yangqu County must be kept tight. However, since our emperor is aware of everything and any cover-up is as weak as tissue paper, I will not be too harsh on this. I just want to ask you today, when you face How did you explain this matter in front of the Holy Father?"

After hearing this, Zhou Zhiwei's expression instantly became like a piece of jade that has experienced vicissitudes of life. He was frank and respectful. He did not dare to dodge in the slightest. Every word and sentence came out truthfully, as if he was afraid of missing any tiny detail.

(End of this chapter)