Eternal Life: I Rely on Fortune Points for Improvement-Chapter 49: Court Announcement
Three consecutive days.
Jiang Feng and the others couldn’t leave Zhenbei Prison by even a step.
It’s not just the people on the third layer.
The people on the first and second layers were the same.
During these three days, everyone felt a weight on their heart, especially the brothers on the third layer. Every time someone was taken for interrogation, everyone would feel a jolt.
What problem was discovered during these three days of review, Jiang Feng had no way of knowing.
But once the three days were over, Han Dong announced that the order of Zhenbei Prison had returned to normal, and the official personnel could freely enter and exit, leading everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.
Many went home after their shift.
Jiang Feng did not go back.
Instead, he chose to stay a few more days at Zhenbei Prison.
These three days stirred up a lot of people.
Cao Zhen and Captain Liu were beaten half to death.
After severe interrogation, both were taken to Dali Temple for imprisonment.
Tie Rusheng was also taken away.
Zhenbei Prison seemed to have returned to calm. Han Dong ordered all the prison guards, whether Prison Chief or Captain, and even Supervisor, to copy the prohibition regulations of Zhenbei Prison ten times.
To be submitted to her after three days.
At this moment, Han Dong and the Prison Director were not at Zhenbei Prison; the issues of Cao Zhen and Captain Liu were only temporarily concluded at Zhenbei Prison. Han Dong, the Prison Director, and the Prison Army Commander went to Dali Temple every day, undergoing various investigations.
Seven more days passed like this.
Jiang Feng remained at Zhenbei Prison.
Tonight, Han Dong returned to Zhenbei Prison, looking exhausted. When she saw Jiang Feng, she nodded to him proactively.
The next day.
The Court issued a punishment announcement concerning the personnel related to Zhenbei Prison.
The Prison Director was docked three years’ salary.
Han Dong was docked two years’ salary.
Officer Zhao from the third layer was sentenced to fifty lashes, stripped of his official position and expelled from Zhenbei Prison, and barred from holding office for life.
Captain Li Minhe was stripped of his position, his cultivation abolished, reduced to a commoner, his property confiscated, his wives and concubines demoted to prostitutes, and driven out of Dragon Capital.
Cao Zhen was executed by waist chop, implicating Cao Zhengyang, which led to his demotion from Commander of the Divine Arrow Army to Supervisor. He was sentenced to one hundred lashes and docked three years’ salary.
Captain Liu of the Prison Army was boiled alive, implicating three generations of his family.
The Prison Army Commander Chu Tianhe was demoted to Supervisor, sentenced to one hundred and fifty lashes, and docked three years’ salary.
Additionally, Minister Liu of the Ministry of Industry was convicted of forming cliques for personal gain and colluding with Tie Rusheng and was executed and had his family property confiscated.
More than a dozen officials of varying ranks were implicated.
Having reviewed the punishment announcement for Zhenbei Prison, Jiang Feng’s heart remained restless for a long time. The incident implicated many, and he wondered where everyone’s blame would ultimately fall.
"Prison Chief Jiang, Commander Han is looking for you."
Chief Wang came over and said.
"Oh, alright."
Jiang Feng immediately went to Han Dong’s courtyard.
Han Dong had set up a table with dishes to accompany wine in the courtyard.
Seeing Jiang Feng arriving, she intended to salute him.
She immediately stopped him, saying, "No need for formality, today we will refer to each other as friends. I called you here to properly thank you."
"My lord, I..."
"Don’t be so formal, sit down and drink."
Han Dong couldn’t stand Jiang Feng’s hesitation and interrupted him, proactively pouring him a cup of wine.
Given the circumstances, Jiang Feng no longer refused and sat down with Han Dong.
"You’ve seen the Court’s punishment announcement, haven’t you?"
Han Dong said.
"Yes."
Jiang Feng nodded.
"You needn’t be nervous. Although in the incident, both the Prison Director and I were punished, compared to if the Dali Temple had found the problems, the punishment for me and the Prison Director Lord would not merely be docking salary."
"So, this cup of wine, I offer you on behalf of the Prison Director Lord."
Han Dong finished speaking and didn’t wait for Jiang Feng to lift his cup but directly drank it in one gulp.
"This cup is from me to you."
Han Dong immediately poured another cup and drank it in one gulp again.
"My lord."
Jiang Feng dared not neglect and quickly drank two cups as well.
"Today, besides thanking you, I mainly want to tell you about the issue you discovered with Cao Zhen and reported to me. I haven’t told anyone. But when Cao Zhen was interrogated, he questioned whether it was you who mentioned him to me about the issue, and Cao Zhengyang was also there. I covered for you, and now it’s uncertain what Cao Zhengyang will think."
"However, the problems with Minister Liu and Tie Rusheng have been under investigation at Dali Temple for some time, and they have found some evidence. If Dali Temple had discovered later that Cao Zhen had sent something to Tie Rusheng, Cao Zhengyang’s punishment today would certainly not have been just this."
"So, Cao Zhengyang should not trouble you."
"Regarding Minister Liu and Tie Rusheng’s faction, you needn’t worry either. They won’t know it was you."
Han Dong spoke continuously.
She was savvy and clever, realizing that Jiang Feng had been uneasy during this period, especially as he stayed in Zhenbei Prison and dared not go outside, so she took the initiative to clarify things, hoping Jiang Feng could feel at ease.
"Thank you, Commander Han."
Jiang Feng understood and stood up to offer Han Dong a toast.
Han Dong sat and accepted Jiang Feng’s toast.
"Actually, if the matter concerning Cao Zhen had surfaced later, and the Court found out, you would have been acknowledged for killing White Rat, spent a month recuperating at home before returning to Zhenbei Prison, you probably would not have been punished, at least not facing the fate of Li Minhe."
Han Dong continued.
"The Holy Emperor is wise, and with Commander Han’s care, I’ve been able to turn misfortune into fortune."
Jiang Feng dared not be complacent.
"Alright, let’s drink."
Han Dong could see that Jiang Feng was quite the smooth talker.
They drank for an hour.
Because of her merit in self-check and correction, Han Dong was only docked two years’ salary, and was in a good mood, discussing many matters with Jiang Feng.
When all the wine on the table was finished and Jiang Feng rose to bid farewell,
Han Dong said, "Go home with peace of mind, no one will trouble you."
"Yes, thank you, Commander Han."
Jiang Feng nodded.
Once he returned to his workspace, he dispelled the effects of the alcohol and sorted things briefly. He left Zhenbei Prison, greeted by the clear moonlight outside. Walking in Chaoyang Alley, Jiang Feng felt incredibly relieved.
Han Dong’s words had dispelled his doubts.
He didn’t even need to worry about Cao Zhengyang’s retaliation.
As Han Dong said, if he hadn’t discovered things in time, if the Dali Temple had found the truth on its own later, Cao Zhengyang’s punishment would have certainly been much more severe than it is now.
It must be known that the origin of the rebel faction’s chaos was the corruption and misconduct of the official personnel, which forced the people to rise in revolt. Hence, in recent years, the Court has been extremely harsh in punishing corrupt officials.
Every time one is discovered,
an in-depth investigation is conducted.
Otherwise, Tie Rusheng would not have been held in Zhenbei Prison for so long, undergoing various investigations. It’s likely Minister Liu also realized this point, so to escape, he tried to contact Tie Rusheng, using threats and bribes, hoping Tie Rusheng would take responsibility alone.
The result, unexpectedly, was exposed ahead of time by Jiang Feng.
Returning home, Jiang Feng checked the panel information.
