"Husband!"
Seeing the situation, Hu Yufen hurriedly rushed forward, trying to hold onto Shen Yuan, but was blocked by two officials.
"We are under orders to arrest him. If you hinder us, don't blame us for being rude!"
The official gave Hu Yufen a fierce look.
Although Shen Yuan didn't understand why he was being arrested, he knew he couldn't act impulsively. He called to Hu Yufen, "Wife, don't act rashly, go find someone."
Uncle Ya hurried over, gestured for a while, and then quickly left the courtyard.
On the path at the village entrance, several officials were escorting Shen Yuan towards Yunshui Town.
Behind them, Uncle Ya was leading a donkey in a hurry, with Lu Zhiyuan sitting on the donkey's back.
"Please wait a moment."
Lu Zhiyuan's voice came, causing the officials to turn back with confusion.
"Old man, we are under orders to arrest someone, so don't bring trouble upon yourself."
They clearly didn't recognize Lu Zhiyuan's identity. Seeing him catch up on a donkey, they couldn't help but frown.
Lu Zhiyuan glanced at the group, dismounted, and said, "I am not here to obstruct your arrest. However, according to the laws of Great Yu, when arresting a person, you must state the charges."
"May I ask, what crime has Shen Yuan committed?"
Since Shen Wenyan joined his door a year ago, Lu Zhiyuan could discern that Shen Yuan was a diligent and hardworking person, unlikely to engage in criminal activity.
"Hmph!" The leading official snorted coldly when Lu Zhiyuan brought up the laws of Great Yu.
"Since you're asking, I'll tell you."
"According to the laws of Great Yu, it is a serious crime for common people to unlawfully destroy forests and excessively cut down trees."
Unlawfully destroy forests?
Shen Yuan frowned slightly; he really wasn't aware of this.
Moreover, the forest land was his family's. Was it really a crime to chop down trees on his property?
He looked to Lu Zhiyuan for help, but Lu Zhiyuan just frowned and said nothing, indicating that it was true.
"Old man, do you have any other questions?"
Seeing his silence, the official sneered and asked.
Lu Zhiyuan said nothing, only watched helplessly as they took Shen Yuan away.
"Ugh!"
Beside him, Uncle Ya gestured excitedly.
Lu Zhiyuan gently stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and said, "No need to rush, there's still room to maneuver in this matter."
"Let's go back first."
Meanwhile, Hu Yufen had already asked Wang Ying to help watch the children and had caught up to the village entrance.
She happened to meet Lu Zhiyuan and quickly went to him, "Master..."
Lu Zhiyuan sighed, "Younger Brother Shen violated the laws of Great Yu by cutting down the forest."
Hu Yufen's face turned pale upon hearing this.
"Then... Master, what can we do now?"
"Madam, don't worry. I'll write a letter when I return. There's still room to maneuver."
Hu Yufen nodded in agreement.
She knew very well that if Master Lu couldn't help, relying on her family's connections would be useless.
When she returned home in despair, Zhao Shuan was also in the courtyard.
"Sister-in-law, where is Ah Yuan?"
Hu Yufen shook her head slightly, then seemed to remember something, quickly turning to Zhao Shuan, "Brother Shuan, please go to the Martial Arts Hall in town and inform Master Huang that Ah Yuan has been arrested."
Earlier, she'd heard that Huang Qingzhou's elder brother, Huang Yunxiao, had been appointed the County Captain of Anyang County.
Now that Shen Yuan was taken away, even though Master Lu agreed to help find a solution, it would take time.
The jail of the County Magistrate's Office is a place that swallows people whole. If not handled properly, Shen Yuan would definitely suffer.
Although Shen Yuan always avoided owing too many favors, he couldn't afford to worry about that now.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuan dared not delay, and hurriedly ran out of the courtyard.
At the hour of Xu, he arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, panting.
Upon receiving the news, Huang Qingzhou, Huang Lingxiu, and Shen Wenxing came outside the Martial Arts Hall.
"Uncle, what happened to my father?"
Hearing that his father was taken by the officials, Shen Wenxing was very anxious.
"Shi Tou, don't worry. Listen to your uncle first," Huang Qingzhou comforted.
Zhao Shuan caught his breath and recounted the general course of events.
But as for why exactly Shen Yuan was arrested, he couldn't say for sure either.
After hearing this, Huang Qingzhou pondered for a moment, "I'll go to Anyang County to ask your Uncle Yunxiao."
"Shi Tou, you return to Jinliu Village with Zhao Shuan and take good care of your mother. Don't let her worry too much."
Shen Wenxing nodded and bowed to Huang Qingzhou, "Thank you, Uncle."
Sujia in Anyang County.
Su Jinghong looked at Su Jingshan and said, "Elder brother, the crime of illegal logging won't destroy that boy. Should we..."
Su Jingshan glanced at him, "You want me to coerce confessions and falsely accuse him?"
Su Jinghong nodded repeatedly.
"Stupid!"
"The Inspector from the Royal City Inspection Bureau is currently in Yunzhong County. Do you want to jeopardize my career over a commoner?"
Su Jinghong's expression stiffened, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.
He wished he could accuse Shen Yuan of a serious crime, best if the entire family was exiled.
"What punishment can be imposed for illegal logging?" Su Jinghong asked.
"A fine of a hundred taels of silver, imprisonment for two years at most," Su Jingshan said flatly.
"So light?"
Su Jinghong muttered under his breath.
"The punishment isn't important. I just want to show Shen Yuan an attitude."
"Besides, with Master Lu backing him, this matter will likely be resolved quietly."
Su Jinghong was puzzled, "Elder brother is strictly following the law; is there still room for maneuver?"
Shen Yuan is the Shen family's pillar. A fine of a hundred taels and two years in prison.
When the time comes, the family will have no income, forced to sell land and property, eventually becoming tenant farmers with no hope of recovery.
"Sigh!"
Looking at his brother, Su Jingshan sighed deeply, "I recently met Liang Kaigen from Liang's Pharmacy. The Liang family's youngest daughter is about the same age as Chang'Er. He hopes to connect; you should move back to the county and let Chang'Er interact more with the Liang family's daughter."
Hearing this, Su Jinghong was stunned.
"Liang family's youngest daughter?"
"How can a lowly merchant's daughter be worthy of... our... Chang'Er?"
He was met with Su Jingshan's stern gaze as soon as he finished speaking.
"As a father, you know Su Chang's nature best."
"This matter is settled. Don't cause me more trouble."
Su Jingshan said harshly and left the room, brushing his sleeve.
He realized that he couldn't count on this nephew for the family's development.
While the Liang family is of merchant status, with the rise of martial arts culture in Great Yu, their business thrives. Compromising, if they cannot become in-laws with the Huang family, allying with the Liang family is a good alternative.
The County Captain's Office in Anyang County.
When Huang Qingzhou arrived, it was already a quarter past Hai hour.
The brothers met, and after listening to his account, Huang Yunxiao frowned tightly.
"This must be the doing of that old dog Su Jingshan."
"With Master Lu in Jinliu Village, yet the officials could take Shen Yuan away, it seems he indeed has some evidence against him."
"Don't rush, stay at the government office. I'll investigate tomorrow."
Huang Qingzhou nodded, having no choice but to wait for the next day.