They all want to change my future.

Chapter 66 Variables

The next day, Li Zhi went out as usual and strolled to the Jingzhao Prefecture.

He had just turned the corner and was still some distance from the government office gate when he sensed something was wrong.

The usually solemn and dignified government office was now surrounded by a large crowd, whispering among themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing at the tightly closed vermilion gate, or scanning the way they came, as if waiting to see some excitement.

Li Zhi spotted Xie Shiyi in the crowd at a glance.

This fellow was also craning his neck to look around, and his eyes met Li Zhi's.

Xie Shiyi's eyes lit up, and he pushed through the crowd and walked over quickly.

"Brother Li!" Xie Shiyi lowered his voice, his face showing surprise and a desire for confirmation. "Yesterday... it really was Lu Yuan who invited you to his residence, and then wanted to... that?"

He made a throat-slitting gesture, "Kill me to silence me?"

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows slightly.

The news spread so fast? And this version is a bit outrageous.

He nodded, his tone flat: "More or less, but where did you hear this news from?"

"Hey, it's not just me!"

Xie Shiyi waved his hand, "Last night there were rumors in the capital that the Lu family was dishonest. They said that inviting people to their mansion to discuss martial arts was a pretense, but their real intention was to ambush and beat them up and forcibly seize their property!"

This morning, the rumors spread like wildfire, saying that Brother Li single-handedly broke through the encirclement and then promptly appealed to the authorities! Now many people are waiting to see how the Prefectural Government will solve this strange case!

Li Zhi said "Oh," and understood.

It seems Qu Hongxiao was quite busy last night; she's quick to create public opinion.

He was initially worried because he didn't see Qu Hongxiao when he went out, and his bet with Ji Baizhi was about to end before it even started.

However, Qu Hongxiao hasn't appeared yet, nor has she informed me. Could it be that she really thinks the same way Ji Baizhi does, and has truly given up on me?

What kind of situation we'll face today is really... getting more and more interesting to look forward to.

Li Zhi patted Xie Shiyi on the shoulder: "Okay, I understand. I'll go over there now."

"Brother Li, rest assured!" Xie Shiyi puffed out his chest, his tone sincere. "Putting everything else aside, today, I, Xie Shiyi, am on your side!"

Thanks.

Li Zhi smiled, said no more, parted the crowd, and walked straight toward the gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

The atmosphere inside the government office was different from yesterday.

Wei Yu sat high in the hall, his official robes neat, but his expression was much more somber than yesterday. The frustration and hesitation that Li Zhi had choked him up yesterday had completely vanished.

Last night at the deer park, in the midst of our lively conversation and drinks, some tacit understandings were reached, and some rewards were quietly accepted.

Now that we've already reported it and received the deposit, there's no turning back now; we have no choice but to stick to the plan and see things through to the end.

Anyway, someone will take the blame if something goes wrong.

He looked at Li Zhi, who was walking steadily into the courtroom, his gaze devoid of any warmth, only filled with the coldness of official business and a hint of barely perceptible annoyance.

It's truly baffling. A disciple of a sect, with any grievances, why doesn't he seek redress from his own master, but instead comes to my capital city to file a complaint, stirring up trouble and courting his own death.

"Snapped!"

The gavel slammed down, its sound echoing through the silent courtroom.

"Li Zhi, do you know your crime!"

Wei Yu's voice was loud and clear, leaving no room for doubt.

Li Zhi paused, blinking.

What does it mean to know one's guilt?

Am I now the defendant?

Yesterday I was the aggrieved plaintiff, and after one night's sleep, I've become the defendant?

There really have been changes.

He glanced at Wei Yu, who was expressionless in the hall, and then at the bailiffs on both sides, who were holding fire and water sticks and looking menacing. The bailiffs' eyes were fierce, as if they were just waiting for him to make the slightest move so they could pounce on him and pin him down.

Li Zhi didn't speak, nor did he show any panic. He just stood there quietly, waiting for what was to come.

This seemingly all-powerful demeanor, when seen by Wei Yu, made him feel a slight chill, further confirming that this young man must have powerful backing, and strengthening his resolve to act decisively and swiftly.

"Bring the plaintiff, Lu Qi, and his servants to court!" Wei Yu continued to shout.

Soon, Lu Qi, supported by a servant, walked up unsteadily.

Unlike his excitement at the restaurant yesterday, Lu Qi appeared aged and indignant today, with reddened eyes. As soon as he entered the hall, he bowed to Wei Yu, trembling before he even spoke.

Then he began to recount the injustice he had suffered.

The content was similar to what was said at the restaurant last night, but with more details and a more sorrowful tone, portraying Li Zhi as a madman who relied on his sect status to act arrogantly, provoke others, and inflict serious injuries.

When he got emotional, tears streamed down his face, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Li Zhi listened to this completely distorted accusation and simply shook his head slightly.

They've already pieced together their story so quickly, and even rehearsed their emotions? That's quite efficient.

However, what exactly did Qu Hongxiao investigate last night?

Why is there no sound at all?

How should I act in this play today?

So I've really been abandoned?

Oh no, it looks like I'm really going to jail.

Li Zhi was actually somewhat looking forward to what the prison cell would look like.

After Lu Qi finished her tearful plea, Wei Yu turned to Li Zhi and said in a deep voice, "Li Zhi, did you hear what Lu Qi just said? What do you have to say?"

Li Zhi raised his eyes, his tone calm: "He says I came to their door and beat them without cause, but does he have any evidence? Why would I beat them? What would I gain from them?"

Lu Qi seemed to be enraged at this moment, and before Wei Yu could react, he pointed at Li Zhi and shouted:

"Why? Naturally, it's to plunder my Deer Park's property! Yesterday, you broke into my Deer Park, not only injuring my grandson and many servants, but also taking advantage of the chaos to steal the silver from my Deer Park's treasury, as well as the deer blood wine that was intended as tribute to the royal family! This is blatant plundering of royal tribute, a crime deserving double punishment!"

Upon hearing this, not only did Li Zhi raise an eyebrow, but even Wei Yu in the hall twitched almost imperceptibly at the corner of his eye.

Robbery? And they even stole royal tribute?

Wei Yu looked at Lu Qi with a hint of shock and anger.

That old bastard! Last night they clearly discussed trespassing, causing death, and sentencing him to a year in prison to curb his arrogance.

How come when it came to the court, he himself escalated the situation, turning it into a robbery and the looting of tribute?

That's a serious crime; it could really cost you your head!

Is this an attempt to use someone else to do the dirty work, to destroy Li Zhi completely?

Or was he trying to take the opportunity to pin the deficit in his own warehouse on Li Zhi and line his own pocket?

Wei Yu cursed inwardly:

That old bastard is trying to drag me down with him and tie me to the Lu family's boat!

But things have come to this point, and everyone is watching. Lu Qi has already spoken. If I were to refute him on the spot, wouldn't that cause internal strife?

How can this case continue to be tried?

The arrow is on the bowstring and must be released; it seems that today, we are truly going to be used as a pawn by this old man.

As Lu Qi spoke, someone actually brought out an account book, claiming it contained a list of the stolen valuables.

Looting the royal gardens and plundering tributes is tantamount to openly opposing the royal family and rebelling.

Once this big label is put on you, the weight of the matter changes completely.

Li Zhi looked at the account book, then at Lu Qi, who was filled with grief and indignation, and Wei Yu, whose eyes held a complex expression but who was now in a difficult situation. Suddenly, he smiled.

Instead of immediately denying that he had taken anything, he asked very seriously:

"Where's the evidence? You said I stole so much stuff, silver coins, wine jars, that should fill at least a whole cart."

"How did I take it? When I came back yesterday, I was alone, empty-handed, and many people saw that."