CHAPTER 726: CHAPTER 707 THE SECRET OF JIANNAN STATE

Before removing Guo Huaimu’s official hat, Lin Yi must ensure the safety of Sun Pingkai.

Sun Pingkai, curious about the upright Lin Yi before him, climbed onto Lin Yi’s motorcycle without much hesitation.

"County Magistrate Sun, hold onto the side frame, I’m about to take off!"

Having said that, Lin Yi immediately started the motorcycle.

As the officers were about to catch up, a thunderous roar erupted, and the motorcycle sped past them like a hurricane.

Seated at the back, Sun Pingkai had never experienced such speed before. He was so frightened that he tensed up, hardly daring to breathe loudly.

Fearful that he might accidentally be thrown off.

Thus, Lin Yi took Sun Pingkai on a three-kilometer mountain road and stopped in front of a small inn.

At this point, Sun Pingkai was already pale with fright. Even after getting off the motorcycle, he was still in a daze.

Lin Yi also didn’t expect that his first motorcycle ride would scare County Magistrate Sun so badly.

[Ding ding ding, the host has successfully purchased 2 bottles of water and paid 100 Heavenly Bead Coins.]

Lin Yi opened the water bottles and handed one to Sun Pingkai.

"County Magistrate Sun, have some water to calm down."

While speaking, Lin Yi also took big gulps.

Sun Pingkai initially hesitated, but seeing Lin Yi drinking, he also started to drink.

After Sun Pingkai regained his composure, Lin Yi explained.

"This motorcycle we just rode. I went to see the Inspector because there’s important business to discuss, but I didn’t expect the most influential person in Jiannan State to harbor treasonous intentions."

Hearing this, Sun Pingkai’s expression suddenly darkened, and he sighed.

"Alas, people say ’the mountains are high and the Emperor is far away’, and it couldn’t be more true for our Jiannan State."

"You don’t know, our Jiannan State is remote, and the court hasn’t sent anyone to inspect it for over a decade."

"To say that Inspector Guo is the Emperor of Jiannan State is not an exaggeration at all."

"What you saw today is just the tip of the iceberg."

Lin Yi never expected that the You Country court hadn’t inspected Jiannan State for a decade, starting from the late Emperor.

"May I ask, County Magistrate Sun, whose power does Guo Huaimu rely on in the court? Is it the Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, or the Eighth Prince?"

In Lin Yi’s view, only with one of these Princes as his patron could a local official dare to be so arrogant.

Sun Pingkai did not immediately answer Lin Yi’s question but looked at him seriously and suddenly asked.

"Brave sir, may I ask who you are, why you are interested in this matter, or have I guessed right, and you are an Inspector sent by the court?"

To be truthful, since Sun Pingkai took office as the County Magistrate, he has always hoped that the court would send someone to see the hardships of the people and the audacity of the corrupt officials.

Lin Yi hesitated for a moment, then took out the Token given by the little Emperor and said.

"Since it has come to this, and we are within the territory of our Great You Country, I shall not withhold the truth."

"I am Lin Yi."

Upon hearing Lin Yi’s name, Sun Pingkai’s eyes widened, and then seeing the Imperial Award gold medal in Lin Yi’s hand, he instantly understood that this man was the Great General of You Country.

Sun Pingkai suddenly knelt down before Lin Yi, excitedly saying,

"Your subordinate pays respects to Great General Lin Yi!"

"Your subordinate has always dreamt that the court would send an Inspector to our Jiannan State, but I never imagined that they would send you, Great General."

Lin Yi quickly helped Sun Pingkai up; he indeed wasn’t sent by the court, but he couldn’t tell Sun Pingkai that he was merely passing by.

"It’s not appropriate to speak here, let’s talk inside the inn."

Thus, Lin Yi and Sun Pingkai went into the small inn and talked throughout the night.

Lin Yi also learned that Guo Huaimu’s patron was the Eighth Prince, and Guo Huaimu took advantage of the court’s tax demands to concoct reasons annually for the locals to pay more.

And Jiannan State reported countless natural disasters like earthquakes each year, always pleading poverty before the court for funding.

This is the classic case of taking money from both sides.

The court demands a tribute of ten thousand taels of silver annually, yet Guo Huaimu uses various excuses to squeeze out twenty-four thousand taels of silver from the locality.

The excess part goes directly to the Eighth Prince at the border.

Even more infuriating is that after the court orders the selection of strong men for military service, they should be sent to Yumen Pass only after the court has unified management.

Yet, Jiannan State, in collusion with Lingnan State, directly sent eight thousand strong men to Yumen Pass.

Lin Yi could hardly believe that Jiannan State and Lingnan State, located in remote areas of You Country, were so bold as to openly conspire with the Eighth Prince to rebel.

Originally, Lin Yi thought about sorting out the Eighth Prince this time he returned, which would bring peace to the world and allow the young Emperor’s wife to give birth in peace.

Unexpectedly, as he passed through Jiannan State, he discovered so many problems.

"County Magistrate Sun, how quickly can the eight-hundred li expedited dispatch from Jiannan State reach the Imperial City?"

Lin Yi needs the young Emperor to immediately strip Guo Huaimu and the Inspector of Lingnan State of their official caps, a complete overhaul, eradicating all the Eighth Prince’s power in the localities.

This matter cannot be delayed; he must report immediately and have the young Emperor send capable people over.

From what Sun Pingkai vealed, the Eighth Prince has been diligently training troops in the past two months, with You Country internally harmonious.

However, this is often the terrifying calm before the storm is about to arrive.

When discussing the eight-hundred li expedited dispatch, Sun Pingkai’s expression grew darker.

"If the eight-hundred li expedited dispatch were useful, we local officials wouldn’t be waiting for over a decade without a single Inspector being sent by the court."

"All the eight-hundred li urgent messages to be sent to the court from Jiannan State and Lingnan State must be reviewed by Guo Huaimu before they can be dispatched."

"Whoever speaks out of turn risks not just losing their official cap, but losing their head."

"Outrageous!" Lin Yi slammed the table, furious that Guo Huaimu, this tyrant, kept everything under wraps, not letting any news out.

But there are no walls in this world that do not leak air.

Lin Yi took out the map of You Country, with Yu State being nearest to Jiannan State.

"County Magistrate Sun, fetch me some ink and paper; I need to write to the Emperor."

Subsequently, Lin Yi documented how the two Inspectors of Jiannan State and Lingnan State deceived their superiors and subordinates, secretly aiding the Eighth Prince in plotting a rebellion.

Of course, he also reported the promotion for Sun Pingkai.

"County Magistrate Sun, I am not very familiar with the mountain roads around here; could you lead the way to the nearest Yu State and have Yu State send the eight-hundred li urgent message for me?"

Sun Pingkai was thrilled, finally, someone dared to do what he did not dare to.

"Alright, I’ll take you there now."

Lin Yi rode a motorcycle, and along with Sun Pinglai, they arrived at the boundary of Yu State in Jiannan State by nightfall.

It was the fourth watch, and when the courier saw Lin Yi with the Imperial Award gold medal, he took the letter and set off immediately.

Lin Yi’s private plane was still parked next to Donglai Guesthouse, so he could only ride the motorcycle back.

On the way back, from what Sun Pingkai mentioned, Gan County was very prevalent in sericulture, producing a lot of Shu brocade.

Therefore, Sun Pingkai was able to contribute nearly one-third of the tribute silver for Jiannan State each year.

Several times, Guo Huaimu wanted to replace someone else as County Magistrate of Gan County, but every change, the silk production drastically decreased.

Compelled, Guo Huaimu could only let Sun Pingkai continue acting as County Magistrate of Gan County.

"County Magistrate Sun, I am staying at Donglai Guesthouse these days; if there is anything, just come up to see me."

Lin Yi parked the motorcycle in front of the Donglai Guesthouse, leaving Sun Pingkai astonished.

"Great General Lin, this guesthouse is owned by a cousin of Guo Huaimu; can you really sleep soundly here?"

"Perhaps we should go to that smaller, quieter guesthouse instead."

Sun Pingkai sincerely advised, naturally not wanting Lin Yi to run into trouble, since they need Lin Yi to deal with Guo Huaimu.

Lin Yi, however, smiled and said, "Don’t worry, as the Great General, I’m not one to rest on empty fame. My identity is still a secret, let’s wait until I’ve stripped Guo Huaimu of his official cap."

"Also, when daylight breaks, help me send a set of Attendant Student clothes over here, in light blue."

...End of this Chapter...