Chapter 578: Chapter 422: The Death of Old Deer

Zhou Residence.

The main gate was tightly closed, and the silence was profound.

A head popped out from the wall, but it quickly retreated at the sight of the Eastern Depot’s patrols outside, frightened.

Exclamations, cries, and harsh scolding emanated continuously from within the courtyard; the Zhou family members shouted for an audience with the emperor at the palace, while the servants eyed the family’s gold, silver, and antiques, sneaking a few items whenever possible.

At noon.

The sound of footsteps approached; dozens of black-clothed patrols arrived at the entrance of the Zhou Residence.

As the large sedan with a silver roof and carried by eight came to a stop, a junior officer, through the curtains, bowed and said, “Godfather, we have arrived at the Zhou Residence.”

Zhou Yi put down the history book in his hand, lifted the curtain, and took a look around.

“Is everything prepared?”

The junior officer replied, “Rest assured, Godfather, the dragon robe and Jade Seal, along with the weapons, have all been planted. Once dug up, they will be evidence of treason!”

“Foolish.”

Zhou Yi said, “His Majesty ordered us to investigate the selling of official positions. We must handle this properly and borrow two million taels of silver from Wantong Bank and the Rising Sun, to be placed in the rear residence of the Zhou family.”

Both banks were renowned in the Great Qing Dynasty; their silver notes were accepted everywhere, and their vaults contained plenty of ready silver.

Backed by substantial power, yet they paled before the Eastern Depot. When the supervisor asked to borrow money, they had to provide regardless of their ability.

The junior officer asked, “Do we need to return this silver?”

“Why should we return silver I borrowed with my own skills?”

Zhou Yi snorted coldly and ordered, “A few days ago, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua captured a spy from the north, with two letters found on him. Send them over when borrowing the money.”

“Paying a million taels for the lives of the Nine Clans, I truly am a great benefactor!”

“Godfather is wise.”

The junior officer flattered, took the letters, and went to borrow silver from the two banks.

After about an hour.

The junior officer returned to the entrance of the Zhou Residence, reporting, “Godfather, the silver has been delivered, three million taels of ready silver. The extra million is a token of appreciation from the two banks.”

The proprietors of Wantong Bank and the Rising Sun, after seeing the letters, collapsed to the ground in fear, not daring to refuse the loan.

They not only gave Zhou Yi the million taels, but also sent an additional twenty thousand taels to the junior officer, as long as he spoke favorably of them before the supervisor.

“They know their place.”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly, sparing the lives of the Nine Clans of the two banks.

Now, the King of the Northern Defense had become taboo in the Great Qing Dynasty court; the emperor and officials knew about him but chose not to mention him, acting as if the rivers were clear and the seas calm, and all was peaceful under heaven.

The letters from the captured spy would only result in harsh punishment for the two banks, while the King of the Northern Defense remained unscathed.

Since Zhou Yi couldn’t eliminate the King of the Northern Defense, he didn’t bother provoking him, taking several million taels of silver and letting him off easily.

“Set aside two hundred thousand taels as a reward for the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and tell him to manage affairs well. In the future, everyone from Mount Hua is welcome to serve in the Inspectorate.”

Zhou Yi stepped out of his official sedan, gesturing with his hand for his men to open the gate.

Those in the Zhou Residence who had been eavesdropping cowered and scattered in fright, shaking in the corners.

“Seize anyone who’s alive!”

At this command.

The Eastern Depot’s patrols stormed into the Zhou Residence, adeptly capturing people hiding in corners, bushes, under beds, latrines, and even in water vats; they even meticulously checked chimneys to prevent any from slipping through the net.

Experts in Mechanical Techniques and Earth Listening Techniques meticulously inspected every inch for hidden chambers and tunnels, inside the buildings and underground.

The Eastern Depot’s raid was performed to perfection.

When the supervisor said no living thing should remain, even the yolks of eggs had to be scattered!

The servants and family of the front residence had been captured cleanly, and the Eastern Depot’s men had surrounded the rear residence, holding the direct descendants and a multitude of the old, women, and children.

Zhou Yi walked in and saw Lin Zhengben leisurely sipping tea under a tree, completely unfazed by fear.

“Inspector Lin truly lives up to being a Heavenly Official, indulging in such refined pleasure even in the face of death. I shall send word to the King of Hell to treat you well upon your arrival, ensuring you can still enjoy tea every day!”

Lin Zhengben’s hair and beard were immaculate in their whiteness, groomed to perfection.

“The Eastern Depot exerts great authority. Do you also command the King of Hell?”

“As long as it exists, I can control it!”

Zhou Yi sat opposite Lin Zhengben, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and spat it out: “What kind of taste is this tea? Could it be fried peach leaves?”

Lin Zhengben retorted sarcastically, “Having grown accustomed to imperial tea, ordinary leaves naturally don’t suit the supervisor’s taste.”

“Inspector Lin’s words remain as unpleasant to the ear as ever.”

Zhou Yi said, “I know Inspector Lin isn’t afraid of death, so I have prepared the ill-gotten silver. History books will record that you amassed millions by selling official posts, branding you one of the most corrupt officials of the National Dynasty!”

Lin Zhengben’s face flushed with anger as he shouted, “I have lived a life of integrity, serving the country and the people. Who in the National Dynasty doesn’t know this? What right do you, a eunuch, have to pass judgment on me?”

“History is written by the victors!”

Zhou Yi spoke somberly, “Inspector Lin, my search has uncovered a million taels as ironclad evidence. The three departments will adjudicate the crime, the historians will record it on parchment, and future generations will only speak of you as a great corrupt official.”

Lin Zhengben was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply.

“If I am to die and my clan to be extinguished, what does my posthumous reputation matter? Whether they call me a corrupt official or an honest one, living with a clear conscience is all that matters!”

“A clear conscience…”

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Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, waved away those around him, and said in a low voice, “Inspector Lin might die cleanly, but what of your family? As long as you answer one question for me, I can ensure they are well looked after.”

“Nobody’s tending to the Bureau of Music; life there is worse than death!”

As he spoke, he pointed at the weeping and distraught female members of the Lin family, seeking death to escape their fate.

Lin Zhengben asked, “What does the supervisor wish to inquire?”

“Inspector Lin is known for his integrity and righteousness, so thorough that even the three departments found no evidence of wrongdoing; one might say you are a paragon of officials in the National Dynasty.”