Chapter 90: Overstepping One's Authority

Upon hearing Fang Xu’s resolute words, Zhang He found himself momentarily at a loss for words. The villagers gathered around seemed to see right through him, causing Zhang He to grow uneasy.

“You! You’re slandering! Do you have any proof?!” Zhang He forced himself to remain calm, glaring disdainfully at Fang Xu.

“Oh? You want me to provide proof? Very well then! Old Wu, show Lord Zhang the truth!” Fang Xu commanded the elderly guard behind him.

“Understood! Lord Zhang, prepare to be enlightened!” Old Wu, a member of the imperial inner guard who answered only to Qin Suwen, had no patience for Zhang He.

As Old Wu opened the box that Lord Zhao had earlier handed him as a ‘token of goodwill,’ a dazzling golden light spilled forth. Lord Zhao himself appeared completely drained, his eyes vacant and lifeless as he stared at the stunned Lord Zhang, who was at a loss for words.

“Lord Zhang, are you satisfied now? If not, Lord Zhao still has nine more boxes for my young master!” Old Wu chuckled upon seeing Zhang He’s dazed expression.

“Nine more boxes? This… this…” Zhang He was speechless, though it was clear he was growing angry. From his perspective, Lord Zhao had only given him two boxes, yet now ten were given to Fang Xu? Was this not implying that Fang Xu was superior to him? Yet before Zhang He could fully express his anger, his mind raced with calculations.

He never expected Lord Zhao to be such an utterly unreliable ally. He had once regarded Zhao as his prized protégé, but now Zhao had caused him this tremendous trouble. And now Zhang He was expected to clean up the mess? If Zhao held no value to him, Zhang He might well have left him to his fate. More pressing, however, was the fear that Zhao might reveal some damaging information, which would only worsen Zhang He’s predicament.

“Lord Zhang, isn’t this evidence to your liking?” Fang Xu asked with a playful smirk. Zhang He snorted coldly.

“And how do you prove that Lord Zhao personally brought out this box? How do you know it’s not your fabrication to slander him?!” Zhang He retorted, clearly grasping at straws.

“Lord Zhang, don’t you find your argument laughable?” Fang Xu replied, genuinely surprised that the esteemed Governor of Danyang County would resort to such baseless claims. Old Wu, closing the box, also cast a displeased glance at Zhang He.

“Am I wrong? If no one can confirm that this box was personally produced by Lord Zhao, then you cannot accuse him of bribery!” Zhang He shamelessly argued. It was a desperate stance—if it were confirmed that Lord Zhao had produced such wealth disproportionate to his income, the scandal would explode. Zhang He knew Fang Xu was not one to let matters lie quietly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have earned the nickname “Living Devil.”

At this point, Zhang He could think of no better tactic than to stall for time. The young aide who had stood beside him quietly slipped away, having understood Zhang He’s silent command.

Zhang He planned to drag things out until the person he hoped for arrived—only then could Fang Xu be stopped. So regardless of the cost, Zhang He intended to continue his relentless obstruction.

“Oh? So if someone can confirm it, then Lord Zhang will have no objections?” Fang Xu smiled as he looked at Zhang He, who nodded in response.

Fang Xu then glanced at Old Wu, who nodded knowingly and stepped out. Among the villagers gathered, many had witnessed the events at the county office earlier. Old Wu hoped some would come forward to testify.

Unfortunately, although many villagers wished to see Lord Zhao fall, none dared to speak up. After all, it was dangerous to be the first to step forward and draw attention. Moreover, Lord Zhao’s patron, Governor Zhang He himself, was still present. Offending Zhang He meant certain death. That was why many villagers kept their heads bowed in silence—even Old Sun, who had been outspoken earlier, began to hesitate.

Old Sun understood well that if he spoke out, death was inevitable. But if he remained silent, could his conscience bear it? More importantly, Old Sun believed Fang Xu was different from the spoiled sons of nobility he had known before—he decided to take a gamble.

Ignoring the villagers pulling at his arm, Old Sun stepped forward. Old Wu had been watching him for some time, confident that even if no one else dared, Old Sun would stand tall. And indeed, Old Sun did not disappoint.

“My lord! I personally saw that it was indeed Lord Zhao who brought it out!” Old Sun declared. A faint smile appeared on both Old Wu and Fang Xu’s lips.

Zhang He fixed a sharp gaze on Old Sun, clearly surprised that someone actually dared to testify.

“Ahem! May I ask if you are a local?” Zhang He cleared his throat and questioned Old Sun.

“I humbly report, my ancestors hail from this land, and I have lived here for over thirty or forty years,” Old Sun replied earnestly, clasping his fists before Zhang He.

“Thirty or forty years, you say? Is there anyone who can verify your identity?” Zhang He smiled faintly. Hearing this, Fang Xu furrowed his brows. He knew exactly what Zhang He was scheming and found it increasingly intolerable.

“Lord Zhang, what do you mean by this?” Fang Xu demanded, displeased.

“Fang Xu! I care not who supports you or who your esteemed father is! Remember, this land falls under Danyang County’s jurisdiction, and I am the governor responsible. Do you think I need to report to you?” Zhang He replied with a refined yet scolding tone. Fang Xu was momentarily taken aback but soon realized Zhang He was correct—he had indeed overstepped his bounds.