By the time this man called Ah Wu hurried back to seek refuge at home, he saw a crowd dressed in olive-drab uniforms gathering at his family's front gate and then swiftly and orderly making their way inside.
In a panic, he hid to the side, his face ashen with not a hint of color, his arms wrapped around his shoulders as his body continuously quivered.
Murmurs of doubt and speculation reached his ears intermittently.
"I heard that Minister An has been reported for having a huge amount of wealth with no clear source."
"Really?" someone responded in surprise, "I've heard that Minister An is known for his incorruptibility. How could he be reported as a corrupt official?"
"Pah, that's just for show. I've heard that someone brought a large amount of cash in the middle of the night, carefully knocking on the door to get in. When they came out, they were empty-handed."
"Is that so?" another person continued curiously, "Does that mean he took it?" He was referring to Minister An.
