Firefly Journey

Chapter 261 Thunderous Sound from an Earthenware Pot (8)

Sheets of yellow paper were stacked in layers in the air above the yamen hall; any glance revealed a record of income and expenditure.

These data were not only clear to Lin Yuanran and Duan Feibai, but also to Lu Xianju, as well as to the heads of aristocratic families such as Wu and Zhu.

The records above are very clear, detailing the origin and reason for every penny spent by the Lu family.

The income and expenses listed above, even just looking at the first page, are shocking. The income on this tiny sheet of paper is comparable to the annual income of an entire county in the State of Chu.

Even the heads of powerful families like Wu and Zhu, who were on par with the Lu family, were secretly sighing inwardly.

Well done, Lu Xianju! On the surface, you remained calm and said we should all make money together, but in reality, you did one thing and the majority of the money ended up in the Lu family's pockets.

Lu Xianju's expression was quite interesting. These accounts were indeed real, but he couldn't show that they were.

"Minister Lu, is there anything you need to explain?" Duan Feibai said. "If not, then I will have to act according to the law."

Lu Xianju would naturally not admit it. Once he did, it would define the nature of the matter, leaving the Lu family with no room for maneuver.

“Your Excellency, this troublemaker’s nonsense cannot be taken as evidence.” Lu Xianju first denied Hu Jun’s claims again, and then attacked the accounts in the room, focusing on his unreasonable arguments.

"Sir, you say this is evidence. I would like to ask, where did this evidence come from? Regardless of whether these accounts are true or false, you have never told us that you would need to access the Lu family's account books."

Regardless, Lu Xianju needs to stir up trouble first, get through today, and then unite with the powerful families of Yunzhou to overcome this calamity together.

There are various transactions and dealings among the powerful families in Yunzhou. If the Lu family is investigated, the other families will also be implicated. The families of Yunzhou rise and fall together, and Wu Hao, Zhu Jinyun, and others have also stepped forward to question the situation.

Duan Feibai remained calm and said indifferently, "You Lu family members know the truth about these accounts. Now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, what else is there to say?"

You, Lu Xianju, a retired official, do not think of serving the people, but instead oppress them and plunder their wealth for your own use. You truly have no shame whatsoever!

Duan Feibai's final, incisive words infuriated Lu Xianju, but he dared not openly defy him. To oppose the imperial envoy was tantamount to opposing the emperor, and to oppose the State of Chu was a matter he did not yet have the courage to do so.

Lu Xianju can only rely on evidence to make his point.

He said, "Your Excellency the Governor keeps saying that these scraps of paper are the accounts of my Lu family. I would like to ask, where did these accounts come from?"

“Of course, someone will provide it.”

"Someone provided it, but who is it?" Lu Xianju knew very well that the account books in his family that were truly involved in embezzlement and bribery were hidden in an extremely secret place, and could not be seen by anyone other than the direct descendants of the Lu family.

Duan Feibai doesn't know anyone from the Lu family, so there's no question of bribery. These accounts are probably not forged, but rather a deliberate attempt to entrap the Lu family and test their reaction.

"Naturally, they are informants for the imperial court."

"An informant?" Lu Xianju sneered. He had guessed right. "I knew it. How could the Lu family's account books be leaked? It turns out they were just testing us."

"Lord Duan, who is that person?"

Duan Feibai smiled mysteriously: "It's better for Minister Lu not to know. I'm afraid his heart won't be able to take it if you find out."

Upon hearing Duan Feibai's words, Lu Xianju became even more convinced that Duan was bluffing. His goal was to quickly convict and destroy the Lu family.

The reason is quite simple: Duan Feibai comes from Yunzhou and belongs to the lower class. He has a fundamental conflict with the Lu family. Now that he has risen to prominence, it is perfectly reasonable for him to want to bring down the Lu family.

Lu Xianju said, "Your Excellency is joking. I want to see where these accounts came from."

Seeing that Old Master Lu was confident and had a firm attitude, the other heads of prominent families also took the opportunity to chime in.

"Yes! Your Excellency, please disclose the source of the evidence so that we can be convinced!"

"I am truly curious, Your Excellency the Governor, please enlighten me!"

Lin Yuanran observed the faces of these family heads and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. So, you're so fearless because you plan to rely on your numbers and your deep-rooted power in Yunzhou to force a coup?

Unfortunately, Duan Feibai is a kind-hearted man. He didn't make it public to save face for you bunch of parasites and scoundrels.

I didn't expect you to be so eager to expose yourselves. You're being shameless, so there's nothing I can do about it.

Duan Feibai smiled and said, "Since everyone is so eager to know, it wouldn't be appropriate for me not to say anything. Alright then, I'll announce it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xianju instinctively felt something was amiss, but by then, there was no turning back.

If you insist on making the request, and then go back on your word, with so many people in the courtroom, how can you save face by going back on your word?

Duan Feibai said calmly, "That person's surname is Lu, and he is a member of the Lu family."

land?

Lu Xianju and his son suddenly felt heavy-hearted.

The Lu family is a large family, but there are only so many direct descendants, and only a handful of people have access to the real accounts.

Even Lu Huai, the most favored among them, was not qualified. His family knew he was a spoiled and unreliable playboy, so they didn't let him take over the family affairs for the time being, since his elder brother was there to take over.

Eldest brother...

Upon realizing this, the Lu father and son were stunned as if struck by lightning.

Such detailed and accurate accounts are something that ordinary members of the Lu family wouldn't have access to. If it were him...

The two dared not think about it anymore.

However, Duan Feibai's next words dragged them into an icy abyss.

"The person who provided the evidence was none other than Lu Yong, the current Vice Minister of War."

A bolt from the blue struck the courtroom immediately.

Lu Yong, what a familiar name.

Compared to the ignorant and incompetent Lu Huai, Lu Yong was definitely a typical scion of a prominent family. He was intelligent, studious, knowledgeable, and reasonable. With the help of his family, he rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming the second-in-command of the Ministry of War at a young age, with unlimited potential.

He was supposed to be the protector of the powerful families in Yunzhou, so how could he... betray Yunzhou?

Everyone found it unbelievable, including Duan Feibai. When he received the order, he was stunned to hear that Lu Yong was going to produce evidence to report his family.

Of everyone present, only Lin Yuanran remained unsurprised.

As a guest from another world, he viewed the matter from an outsider's perspective, which was very clear to him.

Having received a high-standard education since childhood, Lu Yong believed in his heart that he was a pure person and was unwilling to associate with his family.

Furthermore, given that the Ministry of War, where he served, was the most authoritative and disciplined unit in the State of Chu, it was not impossible for him to put righteousness before family.

It is not the fault of a virtuous person to be born in a small country.

It's only a matter of time before the Lu family's tyrannical ways become undetectable, and when that day comes, it probably won't end well.

Lu Yong's voluntary report allowed him to remain uninvolved, making him appear innocent and meritorious. In other words, even if the Lu family were to be destroyed, Lu Yong would not only be safe but would also be highly valued by the imperial court.

An honest and upright Lu family, a Lu family that serves the country, is what the emperor is happy to see, and it is also what Lu Yong wants to see.

Because of the courtesan case, the Lu family's demise has come sooner. This is for the best; purging the internal forces sooner will allow them to better face external enemies in the future.

Three years ago, the State of Chu sent a signal to the entire continent by demanding the return of its crown prince.

The former superpower on the continent is gradually returning to its former position, and some newly emerging hegemonic powers will certainly not sit idly by.

Before a fierce clash between nations, internal threats must be eliminated as soon as possible, which is why Emperor Zhuang sent two people.

The courtesan case was merely a prelude.