Mind reading, taking the rental house through the whole village crying

Chapter 603 Buying Life with Money

"It's over, it's really a plague. Zhili, you, what you said at the beginning was actually true. Why didn't I believe you? It's over now. When the plague comes, the death of a whole county is the least of it. My position as an official has come to an end. Why are you still......"

The prefect spoke as he walked towards Meng Zhili. After he finished speaking, he saw that the other county magistrates were also here.

"Greetings to the prefect—"

Several people saluted together.

"Alright, alright, my life is in danger, why bother to be polite? When the time comes, you, me, and him, no one can escape. See you in the underworld."

The prefect was furious when he saw that they showed no sign of urgency.

"Don't worry, sir. I just sent the letter to your house. Didn't you receive it?" Meng Zhili said, pursing his lips.

"Letters? What letters? I receive so many letters every day. I don't have time to read them one by one. If you have anything to say, say it in front of me now."

He sat in the main seat in a familiar manner.

The four county magistrates and one county magistrate were all standing in front of him.

As long as he didn't let them sit, they had to stand.

Perhaps he was anxious or angry, he never spoke and asked them to sit down.

"I have learned that there is a prescription that can cure the plague, and it has been tried. As for the prescription, I have already sent it to several adults, and also gave another copy to the prefect. Ruling Prefecture has become like this, I am afraid that Yingnan Prefecture will not be much better.

Please forgive me for being so nosy. You'd better write a letter to the prefect of Yingnan Prefecture as soon as possible, and don't forget to remind the governor. The sooner you do it, the more people you can save. If the higher-ups investigate, you can keep your official position, and maybe even get credit for your contribution."

You know, there were rumors before that the governor of Xishu Province was preparing to resign. If he resigned, who would take over?

Meng Zhili did not say it explicitly, but to be able to become a prefect, the latter was already a smart man, and he stood up happily.

"Zhi Li, are you serious?"

"What I said is true." Meng Zhili clasped his hands together and bent down.

"Okay, okay, if I escape this disaster, I will come to thank you in person. Don't worry, I won't take away your credit. You discovered the prescription, so the credit is naturally yours."

Meng Zhili did not interrupt when the prefect was speaking.

......

Before he learned that someone from the imperial city had investigated the matter, he absolutely could not bring his goddaughter to the world. Even the prefect, he did not trust him. If the news spread to Enxin Province and the governor sent assassins, he would be in danger, but his goddaughter must not be in danger.

Another five days passed.

Yaozhou County has almost become a deserted city.

The county town originally had only 30,000 people, but as the people were killed and burned, only a few thousand people were left.

Corpses or burnt bones could be seen everywhere in the city.

There is simply no way to start, it's terrifying to look at.

It's like purgatory on earth.

"What's going on? Is anyone else infected with the disease?" asked Magistrate Zhang, who was enjoying his beautiful concubine in the county government office, while burping.

"In reply to your Excellency, every household in the city was searched. Anyone with a cough or a red face, as well as useless old people, were dragged out and burned. I also took some gold and silver treasures.

The amount is so huge that these people can't even tell where they got it from. They must have stolen it. I have already punished them. As for the money, it will naturally be handed over to you, the adults, to deal with."

The one who responded was Magistrate Zhang's confidant.

He has always been domineering in the city.

He never paid for food and drink in restaurants. This time, under the pretext of searching for infected people, he pretended to drag everyone away at every restaurant, even if they were not infected. Unless they offered money to buy them away, fifty taels of silver for a life, or if they didn't have money, they could just give the house deeds and land deeds. If they didn't give? Then they would all be burned as if they were infected with the plague!

When you get to the merchant's house, the price will go up again, five hundred taels of silver for a life.

What's worse, he would not only burn the people but also take away all their money, including the land and houses.

The man kept half for himself and gave the other half to Magistrate Zhang.

Only half of it is more than the empty treasury.

"Oh, really? How much silver is it in total?" County Magistrate Zhang was not short of money at all. Since he became an official, he had extorted too much of the people's wealth. Even the taxes in Yaozhou County were much higher than those in other places.

"Six hundred thousand ounces of silver, fifty thousand ounces of gold, countless jewels, countless paintings and calligraphy, countless houses and fields..."

"Wow, that's quite a lot. Put it in my backyard. You did a good job. I'll reward you with five hundred taels. Go and take it yourself." County Magistrate Zhang gave him a rare look.

He seemed quite satisfied with his search.

"I dare not. Five hundred taels is too much. I only want five taels. I can do things for you, sir. Even if I don't get a penny, I am willing to serve you."

I have to say that he did a great job of coaxing County Magistrate Zhang.

So the reward was increased from five hundred taels of silver to one thousand taels.

Magistrate Zhang had no idea that the subordinate he was rewarding was as rich as he was.

"Okay, you can leave now. Don't bother me if there's nothing else to do. My beloved concubine, let's go to bed. Serve me well. You can choose any of the jewelry you want~"

Drive away the subordinates.

Magistrate Zhang put his arm around his concubine's slender waist and walked towards the bedroom.

"Master, what should Madam do? She will be angry if she sees me picking first."

The beautiful concubine acted coquettishly, and her voice was like that of a vixen, which attracted the heart of County Magistrate Zhang.

"Her? She's a yellow-faced woman. I won't give her the chance. You are the only one allowed to choose. Of course, you have to serve me first, the master. Do you understand?"

"Well, the master is the best to me——"

She lowered the curtain beside the bed, took out a medicine bottle from under the pillow, poured out two pills, and stuffed them into County Magistrate Zhang's mouth.

"Master, don't forget to take your medicine."

"Of course I have to eat it, otherwise how can I play with you, hahaha."

For three days and three nights, he did not leave the house, and had the maid bring him food and drink.

Until one night four days later.

Magistrate Zhang, who was half asleep, suddenly felt a chill on his neck. Thinking that the window was not closed, he cursed angrily.

"Xiao Cui, why don't you close the window? Believe it or not, I will kill you!"

After cursing, he turned over and slept facing inward.

However, as soon as he moved, he felt a sharp pain in his neck.

"Ouch--"

County Magistrate Zhang screamed and opened his eyes, only to see five men in black standing in front of him, staring at him.

And on his neck, there was a sword.

In the candlelit room, the sword seemed particularly sharp and reflected light. The light stung his eyes and brought two tears to his eyes.

"You, who are you?" County Magistrate Zhang began to tremble with fear.

The beautiful concubine beside him had been tied up and gagged, and was kneeling on the ground.

"He's the one who wants to kill you." The leading man's voice was as cold as ice and snow in winter, bitingly cold.

"I, I have money. I'll give you silver. No, no, no, I'll give you gold. Please spare me, my good man, please let me go."

County Magistrate Zhang was shaking more and more violently and even wet his pants.