Chapter 1064: Chapter 900: Performing the Duties of a Host?
"Didnât you hear Mr. Guâs instructions? Why arenât you stepping back? Lacking a bit of discernment."
Li Taixing pretended to reprimand a bit, then waved another maid over to serve.
Gu Chengyu waved his hand, indicating refusal.
"Mr. Li, these disaster victims have been outside the city for a day now. Do you have any ideas to bring forward for discussion? I sent my followers with letters and messages to your mansion, but you turned them away. Whatâs the meaning of this?"
Just now, he was all smiles, but now his face has darkened as Gu Chengyu questioned Li Taixing about the plight of the disaster victims.
"Oh? Mr. Gu sent a letter? Iâm not aware of that. Has it been delivered to my mansion? Iâm aware of the disaster victims outside Yingnan Prefecture. Arenât we currently discussing strategies?"
Li Taixing widened his eyes slightly, as if he was genuinely surprised by Gu Chengyuâs words.
Gu Chengyu sneered, discussing strategies, involving merchants in this matter? Since when could merchants participate in government discussions?
"Does Mr. Li have any good ideas for settling the disaster victims? They have nowhere to go; the outskirts of Hangtian City are already overcrowded. As the Magistrate of Yingnan Prefecture, Mr. Li cannot sit idly by!"
Li Taixing frowned, "Mr. Gu, you donât know! Our Yingnan Prefectureâs river embankment is also leaking, and itâs still raining. Our Yingnan Prefecture can hardly protect itself, how can we manage these disaster victims? Please forgive my inability!"
Gu Chengyu placed his hand on the handle of the Imperial Sword, his eyes fierce, "Oh? Then according to Mr. Li, you donât want to receive these disaster victims?"
Li Taixingâs breath caught upon seeing this. What does Gu Chengyu mean? Is he trying to threaten him?
But he wasnât easily scared; he had his troubles and could justify it anywhere.
Gu Chengyu had the authority to act first and report later, but he couldnât convict him. Even with the Imperial Sword, he couldnât act recklessly, right?
"Whatever Mr. Gu says, itâs useless. For the safety of the townsfolk and disaster victims, I absolutely cannot accommodate them."
Li Taixing spoke righteously, making everyone present nod silently.
Xia Clan Leader chimed in directly, "Mr. Gu, Mr. Li has truly done his best. Recently, he tirelessly led the townsfolk to reinforce the river embankment; everyone has seen this."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu sneered, then said, "Whether Yingnan Prefectureâs river embankment is leaking, Mr. Li surely knows in his heart. Donât think that being far from the Emperor means you can act as you please. What about the one hundred taels of gold, Mr. Li? Surely youâre aware? Min Feng is still imprisoned by me, awaiting the Emperorâs verdict. As the one who bribed, does Mr. Li think he can escape this?"
Li Taixing paled instantly upon hearing the mention of one hundred taels of gold.
What does Gu Chengyu mean? Did he already know about his dealings with Min Feng?
"What do you mean, Mr. Gu? Iâm upright and just; I canât let people slander me."
Li Taixing, in a panic, forcibly tried to argue.
Gu Chengyu shook his head, another one who doesnât shed tears until he sees the coffin.
Evidence? He didnât believe he couldnât find Li Taixingâs evidence by turning the mansion upside down.
"Come, detain Li Taixing first. After I report to the Emperor, decisions will be made."
As soon as Gu Chengyu finished speaking, numerous people rushed into the side hall, quickly surrounding Li Taixing.
This turn of events shocked everyone present; they didnât understand what had changed from being fine to action just now.
Li Taixing was even more incredulous, "Gu Chengyu, what are you doing? I am an official of the court, how can you arrest me just like that? Even if you are the Emperorâs appointed imperial envoy, you cannot act recklessly! What evidence do you have of my bribery? On what grounds are you imprisoning me?"
Li Taixing stood up in shock, glaring at Gu Chengyu with eyes full of venomous hatred.
Gu Chengyu was unfazed, "Evidence, once your mansion is searched, it will be laid out before you. Hurry and act."
He glanced at Ding Shiliu and the others, annoyed that they hadnât moved yet and let Li Taixing continue rambling in front of him.
Ding Shiliu saw the displeased look from his superior and trembled, immediately stepping forward to restrain him. Then he bound him tightly.
"Help! Someone is trying to kidnap me; quickly, arrest these culprits!"
Li Taixing yelled for a while, but only two servants rushed in from outside, making his heart sink.
"Go and call the government officials; donât you see Iâm being taken by crooks?"
Before Li Taixing could finish speaking, Gu Chengyu interrupted, "Mr. Li should save his energy. I am an imperial envoy appointed by the court; would they dare defy me, the court, and the Emperor?"
Gu Chengyu stood up, torn off the cloth wrapped around the sword hilt, and with a swish, the corner of the table broke off.
He stepped forward like an arrow and placed the sword on Li Taixingâs neck, almost making Li Taixing wet his pants.
The Imperial Sword cuts through iron like mud; simply resting on his neck, he already felt the chilling aura emanating from it.
Li Taixing swallowed hard, "Mr. Gu, donât be impulsive; we can talk things over. I sent Min Feng those one hundred taels of gold as a gesture of local hospitality, nothing else!"
"Mr. Gu, what are you doing? Did Mr. Li do anything improper?" Xia Clan Leader finally regained his senses; this was a real Evil God!
This person simply doesnât reason with you; he acts straight away, leaving you speechless.
Li Taixing is an official of the court, but Gu Chengyu arrested him; such audacity opened Xia Clan Leaderâs eyes.
Who knows how long this one will stay in Yingnan Prefecture? If he stays for a month, wonât Yingnan Prefecture be turned upside down?
The Prime Minister was right; this man not only has deep schemes but is also extremely ruthless.
Gu Chengyu laughed heartily, "Mr. Li is really generous. Simply for hospitality, one hundred taels of gold? Mr. Li really is wealthy! Iâm curious how much silver Mr. Liâs mansion has to withstand such extravagance. The courtâs National Treasury is empty, and Iâd like to make a contribution to the court."
Then he turned to Xia Clan Leader, "Xia Clan Leader, you may not know; Mr. Li exploits his office for personal gain and has embezzled quite a bit of silver. I am holding him, awaiting the Emperorâs decision. As for evidence, I wonât elaborate here; those evidences will surely be presented before the Imperial Desk."
At this point, Ding Shi led a government official forward. Upon seeing the detained Li Taixing, the officialâs legs trembled wildly.
"This is Lord Imperial Envoy; donât worry, the Lord is here in Jiangnan on court orders. You government officials better know your priorities. If you delay the Lordâs matters, I wonât be polite with you."
Ding Shi issued a warning, then asked the official to lead the way, planning to imprison Li Taixing first.