The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 142 - 143: Lining One’s Own Pockets
The next morning, the Crown Prince’s carriage arrived in Fu’an County.
County Magistrate Luo Yun led a group of officials out of the city to welcome him. The scene was a grand affair.
The refugees who had originally gathered outside the city had been driven away by the soldiers and were now hiding far in the distance.
But a few fearless souls insisted on coming over to join the commotion.
When Li Cheng stepped out of his carriage, he noticed many refugees in the distance craning their necks to look in his direction. He frowned and asked,
"What’s the matter with those people?"
The officials of Fu’an County remained silent.
Finally, County Magistrate Luo Yun stepped forward to answer.
"Your Highness," he began, "those are the victims of the recent disaster. They have nowhere else to go, so they can only gather outside the city and wait for relief."
Li Cheng was inwardly disgusted by the filthy refugees, but he had to maintain the appearance of a benevolent ruler who loved his people.
"If they are disaster victims, they should be properly settled. How can you just leave them outside the city to fend for themselves? What kind of County Magistrate are you?"
Seeing the Crown Prince publicly reprimand Luo Yun, the local officials exchanged knowing smiles.
Luo Yun couldn’t explain his situation and could only bow his head and accept the blame.
Li Cheng sized up Luo Yun. He saw that the man’s official robes were washed so much they had faded, and the cuffs were even frayed. This displeased him even more.
’He knew he was coming to welcome the Crown Prince, yet he dares to dress so shabbily? Who is he trying to embarrass?’
’Even if he wants to put on an act of being uncorrupt, he should consider the occasion, shouldn’t he?’
’He clearly has no respect for me, the Crown Prince!’
Li Cheng grew even more dissatisfied and scolded him coldly.
"You receive a salary from the court, so you should share its burdens. Yet you can’t even handle a small matter like this.
If all court officials were as incompetent as you, what would become of the common people?
I have no idea how the Ministry of Personnel selected you. It’s a pity the people of this region must suffer under your leadership!"
These were very serious words.
Luo Yun’s face turned ashen, his expression one of extreme embarrassment.
But he could not argue, so he could only clasp his hands and say,
"The Crown Prince’s lesson is well-received."
Li Cheng flicked his sleeve, turned his back on him, and returned to the carriage.
The crowd escorted the Crown Prince’s carriage into the city.
Luo Yun, who should have been at the head of the local officials, was pushed to the side, becoming an insignificant and invisible figure.
Instead, it was County Magistrate Gao who stood at the very front of the line of local officials.
The people in the city had long been warned not to go out. The streets were spotless, without a single soul in sight.
When the Crown Prince entered the county government office, County Magistrate Gao immediately scurried over, diligently serving him tea and attending to his every need.
Li Cheng’s impression of County Magistrate Gao was quite good.
He liked this kind of perceptive and tactful subordinate.
Without him having to say much, County Magistrate Gao knew what he wanted and would find a way to get it for him.
That afternoon, the local officials held a welcome banquet for the Crown Prince at the county government office. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
The head chef was a renowned local cook, the food and wine were all delicacies sourced by County Magistrate Gao, and graceful Dancing Girls performed during the banquet.
Li Cheng enjoyed the meal immensely.
Luo Yun, however, kept his brow tightly furrowed. He looked at the fine food and wine before him, but had no appetite at all.
The people of Fu’an County couldn’t even afford a single full meal, yet here they were, feasting and making merry. ’While the rich let their meat and wine go to waste, the poor freeze to death on the streets.’ This was the very definition of it.
County Magistrate Gao deliberately asked in a loud voice,
"County Magistrate Luo, why aren’t you drinking? Could it be that the food and wine are not to your liking?"
Everyone present paused, their gazes turning in unison to Luo Yun. Even the Crown Prince, Li Cheng, looked over.
Luo Yun’s hands, resting on his knees, tightened and relaxed, then tightened again.
In the end, he could hold back no longer. He shot to his feet and said, word by word,
"The people of Fu’an County are still displaced and homeless.
I am filled with anxiety and truly cannot bring myself to eat this food and drink this wine.
I have heard that the Crown Prince has come south this time to provide disaster relief.
Please forgive my audacity, but I must ask the Crown Prince to distribute the grain to the people as soon as possible.
On behalf of the people of Fu’an County, I thank the Crown Prince for his immense grace!"
With that, he strode to the center of the room, lifted the hem of his robes, and knelt, kowtowing heavily.
After he kowtowed, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.
The Dancing Girls, who had been dancing gracefully, were scared stiff and retreated to the side. The singers and musicians also stopped, holding their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Luo Yun.
Luo Yun seemed oblivious to it all, remaining in his kneeling position.
Li Cheng’s expression had already darkened.
He slammed his wine cup back down on the low table and gave a cold smile.
"You deliberately chose this moment to step forward and lecture me. Are you trying to tell everyone that you are the only one here who serves the country and its people, while I and everyone else are just fools indulging in wine and women?
It seems I must take back what I said earlier. You’re not incompetent—you’re far too competent!
Of all the people in the entire court, you’re the most capable one of all!
Fine. Since you’ve brought up the disaster in Fu’an County, I happen to have a question for you.
The court allocates Silver Coins to Fu’an County every year to raise and reinforce the river embankments. Did you carry out the work?
If the embankments were truly raised and reinforced, why is the disaster in Fu’an County still so severe?"
Luo Yun planted his hands on the ground and slowly raised his upper body.
He answered truthfully, "The embankments in Fu’an County were not raised or reinforced."
Li Cheng sneered again.
"If the embankments weren’t raised or reinforced, then where did the money go? Don’t tell me it was embezzled by the likes of you?"
As soon as he said this, the expressions of the other officials in the room changed.
County Magistrate Gao was the first to rise. He strode forward, dropped to his knees with a THUD, and loudly defended himself.
"I beg the Crown Prince to see the truth! Since taking office, I have always been diligent in my duties, with my hands completely clean. I have never taken a single one of the court’s copper coins!"
The other officials also knelt one after another, proclaiming their innocence.
Among all the officials present, only Luo Yun remained upright.
Li Cheng’s gaze passed over the heads of the kneeling officials to fix coldly on Luo Yun. He pressed,
"County Magistrate Luo, why don’t you answer my question?
All that Silver couldn’t have just grown legs and run off, could it?
If you can’t give me a reasonable explanation for this, I will surely see you punished!"
Luo Yun knew perfectly well that the Silver had all gone into the pockets of County Magistrate Gao and his cronies, but he had no proof.
He could only remain silent.
Luo Yun didn’t speak, but County Magistrate Gao now had something to say.
He pointed at Luo Yun and said,
"The Silver meant for constructing the embankments all went into County Magistrate Luo’s pocket! He used his official position to embezzle the funds!"
Before Luo Yun could speak to defend himself, several officials immediately stepped forward to corroborate County Magistrate Gao’s words.
"That’s right! I can testify that what County Magistrate Gao says is true!"
"I can too!"
"And I!"
...
In an instant, Luo Yun became the target of all accusations.
Everyone was pointing their fingers at him.
Luo Yun opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself.
But before he could get a word out, the Crown Prince cut him off coldly.
"For so many people to accuse you, there must be some truth to it.
Men, remove Luo Yun’s black gauze cap and throw him in the dungeons!"
