103: Chapter 103: Individual Questioning 103: Chapter 103: Individual Questioning The officials on the city wall who were cursing Lin Yi had all been struck dumb at this moment.
One by one, they stared at the fellow below whose hands were raised by the public announcement, and even from atop the wall, they could see the large gold ring sparkling radiantly in the sunlight!
At this point, everyone was unsettled.
They each stopped the stream of curses pouring from their mouths.
Among them, Fourth Prince was grinding his teeth in secret.
If possible, he fervently wished he could rush down and snap that bastard’s neck right now!
Despite all the calculations, he had never expected that the affair would be exposed because of this insignificant ring!
However, it was clear that the fat old man was no pushover.
In this critical moment, he hurriedly began to make excuses.
These excuses, as Lin Yi had guessed, were all the same.
Upon hearing this fellow outright claim he was a small landlord, and also had some travel expenses at home.
As for the ring, it was simply because he couldn’t take it off; if he could, he would’ve long exchanged it for food.
Sure enough, once these words came out, it seemed their credibility had increased significantly.
The officials on the city wall appeared to understand the situation.
They also began to verbally attack Lin Yi below once again.
Fourth Prince, who had been grinding his teeth, finally let out a long sigh of relief after seeing the situation below begin to reverse.
At the same time, his gaze towards the fat man softened somewhat.
Hmph, count yourself lucky, old man, for having such quick reactions and saving your own life!
Conversely, the little Emperor who had relaxed was once again anxious.
However, seeing Lin Yi’s calm and collected face, he was somewhat reassured.
Others might not understand him, but the little Emperor knew Lin Yi very well.
Every time this fellow wore the smile he had now, someone was about to suffer.
Observing the scene below, just after the fat man’s words finished, immediately someone came forward to remove the gold ring from the fat man’s hand.
However, no matter how hard they tried, even causing the fat man to sweat profusely in pain, they could not remove it.
With no other choice, they turned their gazes towards Lin Yi, shaking their heads in disappointment.
Seeing this, Lin Yi did not show any reaction, maintaining a poised expression throughout.
He slightly nodded then walked over to the man’s side, grabbing the other’s collar:
“Hehe, since you claim to be a disaster victim and a landlord, then who can testify for you?”
With those words, the fat man was already steadying his heart.
If nothing else was certain, this was the time to speak out.
After all, he had brought many people with him.
Any one of them could testify for him.
Thus, he pointed nonchalantly at the crowd around him:
“They can all testify for this commoner!”
Lin Yi’s gaze swept over the crowd, then he nodded in satisfaction:
“Very well, does this mean that you are all from the same place?”
The fat man suddenly got nervous upon hearing this, and then he seemed to understand Lin Yi’s intention.
If he admitted that these people were all from his place, what if some could not answer properly?
Therefore, he immediately hurriedly said out loud:
“Yes, we are all from Anqing County under the jurisdiction of Anqing Prefecture.”
To say the old rascal was clever was an understatement; by announcing his home first, his followers would know what to say next.
However, Lin Yi was only too clear about the man’s tricks.
Thus, he nodded and laughed.
As for the scene inside and outside at that moment, two completely different spectacles unfolded.
Firstly, the officials on the city wall, including the little Emperor, were all frowning and watching everything unfolding below.
Some even showed signs of nervousness.
Looking below, Lin Yi remained calm and composed, while the fat man and the bunch of apprehended folks showed faces filled with tension.
And then there were the black masses of disaster victims.
Although there was a noisy commotion here, most of them lay on the ground basking in the sun.
Only occasionally, when the noise here grew louder, would a few heads turn.
But after another glance, they continued to sunbathe and conserve energy.
“Someone, take all these people to the bottom of the city wall and cover their ears.”
Following Lin Yi’s order, soldiers immediately came forward and took the people away.
Soon, at a distance of several dozen steps from here under the city wall, a line of people was already arranged.
Not only that, but their ears were also firmly covered by the soldiers.
Seeing this, Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction, then his gaze shifted to the fat man:
“Hehe, since you deny it, then I will let you die knowing why!
I ask you, where is your courtyard in Anqing County, what village, what location?
Are there trees or landmarks in front of the gate?”
This one question caused the fat man to break out in cold sweat on his forehead.
They really hadn’t thought that far ahead, only planning on making a disturbance, but they had not considered this matter.
Thus, he was unsure of what to do for a moment.
But in the end, the man simply closed his eyes and snorted coldly:
“Hmph, since you don’t believe that I’m a disaster victim, what’s the use of me saying more?
You’re the officials, and we’re the commoners; when the officials order the commoners to die, what life can the commoners have?”
After saying this, he closed his mouth, assuming a resigned demeanor as if saying ‘do what you will with me’.
At this point, although the officials on the city wall all sensed something fishy, not a single one opened their mouths.
Fourth Prince secretly glanced towards Zhang Liang.
Seeing the other also had sweat on his forehead, he felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
At the same time, he cursed in his mind that this fool better not lead the investigation back to him.
Watching the continuous reversals, the little Emperor’s heart had risen and fallen several times.
Seeing Lin Yi gaining the upper hand once again, happiness surged within her.
“Stuff his mouth for this official and bring another person over!”
In an instant, someone stepped forward and gagged the fat man’s mouth, and then another person from under the city wall was fetched.
When he was brought over, the sight of the gagged fat old man caused his heart to skip a beat.
At the same time, the whole person began to tremble with nerves.
There was no helping it; when there were many people, it didn’t feel like much, but now, being called out alone, feeling nervous was inevitable.
Just as he was nervously unsure of what to do, Lin Yi’s voice rang in his ears:
“Answer my question, what is this old man’s name!”
… End of the chapter …