The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 109 Endless Darkness

Xia Jinzhong's behavior just now has completely shocked everyone.

The old man quickly narrated what had happened.

The old man turned out to be a gold miner at the residence of Yue Shanlin, the prefect of Beicheng.

Gold miners are responsible for collecting and dumping excrement.

Because he accidentally spilled his excrement in the courtyard of the prefect's mansion, he was beaten and thrown into prison. It's been three months, and there's no word on when he'll be released.

Xia Jinzhong was speechless. He was sent to jail for such a small matter?

After listening, he glanced at his adoptive father.

Xia Bitu had no expression on his face!

Xia Jinzhong continued.

The prisoners told their stories one by one.

They are all miserable and have been wronged!

There was a scholar from another place who was just passing by Beicheng Mansion. Out of curiosity, he just took a look at the mansion gate and was beaten, his belongings were searched, and he was thrown into jail.

There was also a middle-aged man covered in bruises who was even worse off. He had just come in today.

Just because someone took a fancy to their street-facing shop and bribed the Beicheng Mansion, more than a dozen members of the family, men, women, young and old, were all killed. Not only did he lose the shop, but he also became the murderer.

The prisoners recounted their experiences one by one.

Each one is more miserable than the other, and each one is more wronged than the other.

Although those lying there still couldn't speak, some prisoners knew their situation.

These guys were from the same group, bricklayers. A while ago, while repairing the residence of Yue Shanlin, the prefect of Beicheng Prefecture, they accidentally broke a vase. Because they couldn't afford to pay for it, they were beaten up and thrown into jail.

At this moment, even Xia Bitu was moved.

It’s so lawless and dark!

Xia Bitu was very disappointed with Yue Shanlin, the prefect of Beicheng!

Bai San and the others woke up soon after, found a place to sit down obediently, and were as well-behaved as grandchildren.

Sure enough, when the light from the vent disappeared, several jailers came in with lanterns, picked up the lanterns on a bamboo pole, and hung them above the door of each cell.

Then, the jailer came in carrying baskets and wooden barrels.

The basket was filled with gray steamed buns.

There was a basket and a bucket of water at the door of each cell.

Afterwards, the jailer withdrew.

At this moment, the men on duty in other cells had already started distributing steamed buns.

In Qin Zheng's cell, no one dared to move, and everyone looked at Xia Jinzhong.

Xia Jinzhong was frightened by the look on his face.

Looking at Qin Zheng: "Let them eat?"

What he meant was, since they can eat dead bodies, should we not let them eat them?

Qin Zheng said calmly: "Uncle, you decide."

Xia Bitu's old face twitched, and he glared at Xia Jinzhong: "Fool, if they don't eat, they will starve to death. Let's talk about it after we get out. Let Bai San be in charge."

Xia Bitu's face flushed, and he quickly called out to Bai San: "You, be responsible for distributing it."

"Yes!" Bai San was very happy. It seemed that the new employee wanted to promote me to be the second-in-command!

There were plenty of incense ash buns, and each person was given two, so there were still a dozen or so left.

Bai San moved the basket to Xia Jinzhong's iron fence in a flattering manner: "Boss, you guys eat too!"

Xia Jinzhong frowned and thought, can I eat this thing?

At this moment, Qin Zheng reached out and grabbed a steamed bun from the basket outside the fence, saying, "If I don't try it, wouldn't it be a waste of my trip?"

Seeing this, Xia Jinzhong also took one.

Xia Bitu said, "Give me one!"

Xia Jinzhong hesitated for a moment and took one for his adoptive father.

Qin Zheng said to Bai San, "You guys can eat the rest."

"Boss, you are such good people!" Bai San actually smiled and looked very grateful.

Xia Jinzhong smelled it and found that it indeed had the scent of incense ash and felt very soft.

Qin Zheng said, "Eat it while it's hot, or it'll turn into stone if it's cold."

Xia Jinzhong took a bite.

puff!

I vomited it out immediately.

Is this edible?

It tastes bitter and makes your teeth ache, as if you are eating sand.

Xia Bitu actually started eating with big mouthfuls.

Xia Jinzhong was stunned. His adoptive father liked to eat incense ashes?

Qin Zheng looked at Xia Bitu, the old fox was really angry.

Seeing that his adoptive father had eaten it, Xia Jinzhong could only swallow it with difficulty.

Suddenly, I saw Qin Zheng put the incense ash steamed bun into his sleeve and wondered, "Why don't you eat it?"

Qin Zheng said as a matter of course: "I can't eat it!"

Xia Jinzhong: “…”

"Bai San, throw two more over." Qin Zheng suddenly called out to Bai San.

Bai San, who was eating voraciously, quickly threw two steamed buns over.

Qin Zheng handed it to Xia Bitu and Xia Jinzhong and said seriously, "Keep it as a souvenir. Whenever you want to do something bad, just look at this fragrant ash steamed bun!"

Xia Bitu and Xia Jinzhong: "..."

But they all took away the incense ash buns.

Qin Zheng walked to the iron railing, scooped a bucket of water and handed it to Xia Bitu: "The water here is delicious!"

Xia Bitu believed it and took a sip.

Swish, it spurted out.

This is so delicious!

Isn’t this just swill?

Xia Bitu glared at Qin Zheng, the bad guy.

Qin Zheng said calmly: "If they can drink, why can't you?"

In one sentence, Xia Bitu was speechless.

After Qin Zheng finished speaking, he gulped down a ladle of liquid.

Xia Jinzhong looked at Qin Zheng for a long time before saying, "I drink!"

Xia Bitu and Xia Jinzhong each drank half a bucket of water with difficulty, and immediately felt their stomachs bloating...

Qin Zheng scooped another bucket of water and fed it to the people lying down.

Xia Bitu hesitated for a moment, then stood up and went to check.

Even he could see that these people were not going to survive. Even if he saw a doctor now, it would be of no use.

Xia Bitu's expression was extremely ugly.

The palace!

Royal study room!

"What? Qin Zheng and the Prime Minister were both arrested and thrown into the Beicheng Prefecture Jail?" Xia Mochu was extremely shocked!

Xia Mo Ning quickly told her sister the whole story.

Xia Mochu was speechless: "Why is he doing this? Is it really necessary to put himself in danger?"

After thinking for a moment, Xia Mochu seemed to understand: "He wants Xia Bitu to personally take down the disciple he promoted. This way, it will save me a lot of trouble!"

Xia Mo Ning nodded: "Yes, sister, Qin Zheng must mean this!"

Xia Mochu grinded his little white teeth, feeling warm in his heart. This guy is so considerate!

Xia Mo Ning asked worriedly, "Sister, are we really going to wait until three quarters past noon tomorrow?"

Xia Mochu hesitated for a moment and said, "Notify Uncle Yuan to keep a close watch on the Beicheng Prefecture prison and act accordingly!"

"Yes!" Xia Mo Ning asked, "Then, the Imperial Sword?"

Xia Mochu said: "I will go there myself!"

Xia Mo Ning was delighted: "That's great! If my sister goes there in person, even Xia Bitu won't dare to act rashly!"

Xia Mochu suddenly shook his head: "I can't go!"

Xia Mo Ning was surprised: "Why?"

Xia Mochu looked at her sister and said quietly, "Qin Zheng asked you to handle such an important matter because he wanted to establish your authority, accumulate merit for you, and lay the foundation for your future as emperor!"

Xia Mo Ning stood there in a daze. So that's how it is?

Qin Zheng, you are so good to her!

……

Beicheng Prefecture Prison.

After the prisoners finished eating the incense ash steamed buns, they came over one by one to drink water under the organization of Bai San.

Looking at their anxious expressions, it seemed that this泔水 was a delicacy.

Soon, the jailer came in and took away the baskets and buckets.

A jailer opened the cell door and dragged in a smelly wooden object that was half a meter high and over a meter long. It was shaped like a lying tiger.

Xia Jinzhong covered his nose with his sleeve and asked, "What is this?"

Xia Bitu also covered his mouth and nose, he didn't recognize him either.