The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

Chapter 874 A Flame Burns the House: The Demise of a Prodigal Son in Jiangzhou (5) Digging His Own G

Wang Qian knew that officials like Lin Ping valued their political achievements and reputation most. He decided to start from this point, creating trouble for Lin Ping and forcing her to release the person.

Taking advantage of his position in charge of criminal justice, he secretly instructed several trusted confidants to delay or overturn several cases that were originally based on solid evidence and were about to be decided, creating signs of wrongful convictions. At the same time, he also had some local thugs who had received favors from him spread rumors in the city, saying that Lin Ping was stubborn and self-willed, disregarded human life, and arbitrarily arrested people from the very beginning of his term, causing widespread panic.

His plan was to first create chaos, causing Lin Ping a great deal of trouble, and then, together with several officials dissatisfied with Lin Ping, impeach her for ineffective governance. At that point, Lin Ping, in order to quell the situation, might choose to let things slide and release Wang Hu.

However, Wang Qian underestimated Lin Ping.

Lin Ping quickly noticed the anomalies in the prison system and the rumors circulating in the city. Far from panicking, she astutely realized that Wang Qian was likely behind it all. This proved Wang Qian's guilty conscience and further convinced her that the Wang family father and son were definitely not clean.

On one hand, she remained outwardly calm and continued to have people collect evidence of Wang Hu's past misdeeds. On the other hand, she secretly reviewed all the case files handled by Wang Qian, especially those old cases and those that had been suppressed. At the same time, she employed several trusted confidants she had brought with her to secretly investigate the source of Wang Qian's wealth and his network of relationships.

Lin Ping's actions were covert and efficient. Wang Qian was still immersed in his plan, thinking he could soon force Lin Ping to submit, unaware that a trap had already been quietly set in his path.

Wang Hu, imprisoned in the governor's mansion's temporary detention center, felt each day drag on endlessly. He had never suffered such hardship; he couldn't eat or sleep properly, and he had to endure the cold stares of the guards. At first, he was arrogant and domineering, shouting that his father would definitely come to rescue him. But as the days passed and there was still no news from his father, he began to feel fear and despair.

He thought of the people he had bullied in the past, and of all the troubles his father had smoothed over for him. For the first time, he realized how foolish and lawless he had been. Without his father's protection, he was nothing.

Regret gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. But he still clung to a sliver of hope that his father would find a way.

On the fifth day of Wang Qian's "disruptive" plan, Lin Ping finally made her move.

Instead of directly addressing Wang Qian's underhanded tactics, she suddenly summoned the main officials of Jiangzhou Prefecture and publicly announced the results of several cases—the very cases that Wang Qian had secretly instructed to delay or overturn. Lin Ping not only presented conclusive evidence but also revealed traces of human intervention behind the cases, directly naming several specific investigators.

The officials whose names were mentioned were all Wang Qian's confidants. They had never seen anything like this before and panicked on the spot. Faced with Lin Ping's sharp questioning and irrefutable evidence, their psychological defenses quickly collapsed. They not only admitted their dereliction of duty but also "inadvertently" revealed Wang Qian, the mastermind behind it all.

Following this, Lin Ping's confidants brought back exciting news: they discovered that in addition to his official salary and legitimate farmland, Wang Qian owned numerous properties and lands of dubious origin, worth a considerable sum far exceeding his normal income. Furthermore, Wang Qian had close ties with several wealthy families in the city, and even some out-of-town businessmen, with unclear accounts, suspected of engaging in power-for-money transactions.

More importantly, they found several victims, including the son of the wealthy man surnamed Zhang who had been injured by Wang Hu years ago, and the old man whose leg had been broken. These people had dared not speak out for many years, but now, seeing Prefect Lin's impartiality, they finally mustered the courage to stand up and testify against Wang Hu, and provided information on some cases that Wang Qian had committed by abusing his power years ago.

Upon hearing the news brought back by her trusted confidant, Lin Ping's face, which had been tense for days, finally revealed a sharp edge. This evidence, like a meticulously honed blade, could finally pierce the malignant tumor that had entrenched itself in the prefecture for many years—the Wang father and son. She knew the time had come; it was time to close the net.

"Good!" Lin Ping slammed her hand on the table. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "Issue my order: arrest Wang Qian and his son Wang Hu immediately! Also, seal up all the accounts and contracts that have been seized, as well as the testimonies of the victims, and present them as evidence in court!"

"Yes, sir!" several capable henchmen responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with excitement and a sense of justice. They had long abhorred the evil deeds of the Wang father and son, but had dared not speak out due to their power. Now that Prefect Lin had taken the lead, they naturally had no choice but to follow.

The action was swift and decisive. Wang Qian was drinking and making merry with several "friends" in his residence, discussing how to further expand his "business empire," when suddenly the gates were smashed open, and a large number of soldiers rushed in, quickly taking control of the situation. Wang Qian was initially taken aback, then, feigning bravado, shouted, "Who are you? Do you know who I am? How dare you trespass on my royal residence!"

The head constable sneered and brandished Lin Ping's token: "Lord Wang, the governor has ordered that you are suspected of embezzlement, bribery, and harboring criminals. You are to come with us to the prefecture immediately for trial!"

Wang Qian's face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the ground. He knew that this time, he probably couldn't escape it. Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Hu, who was usually arrogant and domineering, was harassing a respectable woman in the street when he was caught red-handed by soldiers who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. At first, he tried to resist, cursing and swearing, but when the cold iron chains locked his wrists, his arrogant demeanor vanished instantly, leaving only fear and despair.

In the courtroom, Lin Ping sat solemnly in the main seat, her expression dignified. The bailiffs stood imposingly on either side, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

"Bring Wang Qian and Wang Hu!"

The Wang father and son were brought up, their former arrogance completely gone, leaving them only dejected.

Lin Ping first tried Wang Hu. She summoned Zhang Yuanwai's son. The boy from back then was now a young man. He looked at Wang Hu in the courtroom with eyes filled with deep-seated hatred, and his voice trembled with emotion: "Your Honor, it's him! He beat my father without cause back then, causing him to die from his injuries! We reported it to the authorities, but Wang Qian suppressed it and falsely accused my family of making false accusations! I beg Your Honor to do justice for the people!"

Then, the old man whose leg had been broken was helped into the courtroom. Tears streaming down his face, he pointed at Wang Hu and cried, "Your Honor, this villain broke my leg on horseback! Not only did he refuse to compensate me, but he also claimed I was blocking his way, dragged me to the side of the road, and drove off! I have nowhere to seek justice!"

Several other victims also stepped forward, listing Wang Hu's crimes: abducting women, seizing farmland, extortion... each and every one too numerous to mention. Wang Hu initially tried to deny his crimes, but faced with the indignant testimonies of the numerous victims and the presence of witnesses and physical evidence, his defenses proved weak and ineffective, and he ultimately had no choice but to confess.

After interrogating Wang Hu, the focus shifted to Wang Qian. Lin Ping presented the deeds to the seized properties and land, as well as the suspicious accounts of his dealings with wealthy households and merchants.

"Wang Qian, how do you explain these properties that far exceed your salary and land income? And what about these unclear transactions?" Lin Ping's voice was as firm and resolute as metal.

Wang Qian's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He tried to evade the issue by claiming it was a "gift from a friend" or "normal business dealings." But Lin Ping was already prepared. She summoned several businessmen who had close ties with Wang Qian. Faced with Lin Ping's authority and irrefutable evidence, these businessmen dared not conceal anything and confessed how they bribed Wang Qian to obtain illicit business benefits and official protection.

"Furthermore," Lin Ping said, her gaze sharp as she looked directly at Wang Qian, "your son Wang Hu has committed numerous crimes over the years. As his father and an official of the imperial court, you not only failed to discipline him but also used your power to cover up his crimes and disregard human life. What is your punishment?"

The testimonies of Zhang Yuanwai's son and the old man with the broken leg, among others, were once again presented to Wang Qian. The irrefutable evidence completely shattered Wang Qian's defenses. He collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, utterly powerless to refute.

In the end, based on the laws of the Great Song Dynasty and the numerous crimes committed by the Wang family, Lin Ping pronounced the following verdict in court: Wang Hu was guilty of heinous crimes and was sentenced to immediate execution; Wang Qian was guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and harboring and condoning others, and the evidence against him was conclusive. He was dismissed from his official post, all his property was confiscated, and he was exiled three thousand miles away, never to return to the capital!

The verdict was announced, and jubilation erupted both inside and outside the courtroom. The people spread the news, clapping and cheering with delight. They had finally waited for this day; the gloom that had weighed on their hearts for years had vanished.

Standing at the entrance of the government office, Lin Ping gazed at the jubilant crowds in the street, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew this was just the beginning; the road to cleansing the bureaucracy and pacifying the people was long. But she firmly believed that as long as she upheld justice and adhered to principles, she could surely restore order to this land and give the people a bright and clear world. Sunlight shone on her resolute face, illuminating the prefecture that had once been shrouded in gloom. The downfall of the Wang family was like a refreshing breeze, dispelling the accumulated corruption and bringing new hope.