Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 962 - 937: Strange

County Magistrate Zhou knew his death was imminent; Xie Jue would not spare him. No matter how strong his connections were, they couldn’t compare to Prince Yan of Beining. He wanted to purge the officialdom of Pingnan County, and no one could stop him. Even the gentry who lived off County Magistrate Zhou dared not speak out, fearing Xie Jue’s knife would fall on their heads. After resting for a night, Fang Chuning was still asleep, but he was regaining consciousness and slowly recovering his health, so Xie Jue ignored him and went to handle the affairs of the Pingnan County Government.

County Magistrate Zhou confessed everything he had done, detailing how he preyed upon the people, including who covered for him, who shared the spoils with him, and so on.

Cui Lansong looked at the list of names County Magistrate Zhou confessed, and he was incredulous and speechless. It was too unbelievable; a mere county magistrate had embezzled more silver in a year than the total salary he could earn in a lifetime, with reckless indulgence and layers of protection. Were it not for Xie Jue being robbed in Pingnan County, people might not have known the inside story. Even officials from Yun City and Zhongzhou were involved. Since Xie Xun ascended the throne, he had been implementing new policies but had not yet rectified the officialdom, because the officials left by the Yuwen Dynasty were not entirely useless. Xie Xun hoped they could stabilize the situation. Looking at County Magistrate Zhou’s confession, Xie Jue wanted to reorganize the officialdom. Xie Xun and most of the cabinet members were in the Capital City, unaware of the situations in various state mansions. Once Fang Chuning recovered his memory, Xie Jue wanted to travel with him to see how the major towns in Beining were governed, to rectify the corruption in the officialdom, and to eliminate the Yuwen Dynasty’s officials who sheltered one another and harbored corruption unknown to outsiders.

Cui Lansong asked, "Prince, how should the County Magistrate of Pingnan County be dealt with?"

"Take him to the noon gate for execution. All officials with ranks in the government should be imprisoned, and new government officials will be selected. I will write a memo to the Capital City, and the court will send a new County Magistrate!" Xie Jue said solemnly. "Have someone post notices, and in three days, he will be executed. If the populace has grievances, they should come to the government to complain within three days, and the court will give them justice."

"Yes!" Cui Lansong went to handle it. The notice had just been posted, causing a huge uproar in Pingnan County. To the people, the County Magistrate of Pingnan County was a local tyrant, dictatorial and oppressive. The populace had long been filled with complaints but could not leave their hometowns and had to endure silently. Now that the tyrant was to be executed and exposed to the public, it was a great relief.

After the notice was posted, the number of people coming to the government to complain was countless. Xie Jue handed these matters over to Du Fang to handle, while he observed Du Fang’s capabilities. Pingnan County needed a magistrate, and Du Fang’s talents were enough for this role. For the sake of the Beiman people, he also needed a place in the government. However, since he was a Beiman, directly promoting him to County Magistrate would cause public discontent, and they would have to proceed step by step.

When Fang Chuning woke up, another day had passed, and he felt much better. The doctors prepared many medicines to nourish his body and replenish his energy and blood, and Fang Chuning accepted everything. If he didn’t take the medicine, Xie Jue wouldn’t let it go. Despite handling countless affairs, Prince Yan took time daily to oversee Fang Chuning taking his medicine.

Fang Chuning knew he was busy with Pingnan County affairs, so he didn’t disturb him and quietly recuperated. The doctors were very curious about his constitution and asked him how he detoxified himself.

Fang Chuning smiled and said, "Maybe it was truly fighting poison with poison, a blessing in disguise, wasn’t it?"

The doctors did not believe in such a thing as fighting poison with poison, something rarely seen in their years of practice, and it was bizarre and abnormal.

The doctor said, "Could the General’s constitution be...immune to all poisons?"

"Then you’re overestimating me."

Xie Jue was busy at the government, while Fang Chuning basked in the sun in the backyard, discussing with the doctors about not wanting to take the medicine. The doctor was interesting, insisting Fang Chuning had a toxin-immune constitution and wanted to experiment with his blood. Naturally, Fang Chuning refused. The doctor, having some temper, continued prescribing medicine. He knew Fang Chuning feared medicine, as he drank so much during his memory loss that he would vomit, and seeing medicine made him want to vomit again.

"General, if you don’t want to take medicine, go ask the Prince. He asked me to prepare a few prescriptions to clear the remaining toxins. Do you know their effects? Vomiting and diarrhea."

Fang Chuning, "Are you the doctor or is he? Do you listen to him on everything?"

"He is the Prince. The higher rank wins. Aren’t you obediently listening too?"

Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow, "I obey, not because he outranks me. Doctor, haven’t you heard the rumors about us?"

"What rumors?"

"Nothing!" Fang Chuning chuckled, unable to hold back a laugh, "Why don’t you go find out?"

The doctor, "..."

He thought maybe the General’s mind was poisoned, speaking oddly and looking strangely at the Prince all the time.

Must be brain damage!