Chapter 367: What Do You Think I Want to Do?

Luo Hai looked down at him: “I am merely following orders. As for them…”

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice: “Steward, for the sake of your many years of service, I’ll give you a word of advice. Wei Dabao has committed a crime worthy of the extermination of nine generations. If you don’t want to be implicated, you’d better think of a solution soon.”

The steward trembled, a complex mix of despair and hope flashing in his eyes.

There was a commotion from the back courtyard; it turned out that a Protector tried to climb the wall to escape but was caught red-handed by the soldiers guarding outside.

Luo Hai snorted coldly: “Can’t see the situation clearly. Reckless fool! Take them all back to the county prison!”

At this moment, Zhao Zun and Han Lei had already roughly figured out the layout of the Wei residence.

Han Lei pretended to be searching and approached Luo Hai, whispering: “Sir, the east wing room is suspicious, but it’s inconvenient to investigate now.”

Luo Hai nodded slightly: “Understood. You all go back first, I’ll be there soon.”

After a full two hours, the Wei residence was completely emptied. Luo Hai ordered the seals to be affixed and loudly announced in public: “From this day forward, all properties of the Wei residence are confiscated by the government. No one is allowed to enter without permission, violators will be treated as accomplices!”

On the way back to the county office, Zhao Zun and Han Lei deliberately stayed at the back of the team.

Only after all the servants of the Wei residence were taken away by the government people did Zhao Zun and Han Lei return to seize that secret chamber.

The secret chamber was opened; it wasn’t large, just a few dozen square meters, but the moment the heavy wooden door was pushed open, the dazzling gold and silver gleams nearly blinded their eyes.

The torch in Zhao Zun’s hand illuminated the chamber brightly, revealing neatly stacked boxes of gold ingots, silver ingots piled like small mountains, and various jewelry and ornaments sparkling within the sandalwood boxes.

Jade bracelets and pearl necklaces spilled over from the boxes stacked up to the ceiling, casting dazzling halos under the torchlight.

Compared to the treasures just seized and taken out, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.

“My goodness! Is this a treasure?”

Han Lei unconsciously took a half-step forward, her shoe tip kicked a rolling gold ingot, and the clear sound echoed in the chamber.

She bent down to pick it up, the heavy feel causing her palm to drop, “Wei Dabao over the years must have scraped the welfare and wealth of half of Canzhou?”

Zhao Zun frowned and said: “The foundation of aristocratic families is not to be underestimated, Wei Dabao is only a branch of the Wei Family. It’s not an exaggeration to say the whole Wei Family is as wealthy as a nation.”

Han Lei giggled: “So what we’re doing now, does this count as robbing the rich?”

“Hmph! It’s a rare opportunity, of course, we have to take advantage of it!” Zhao Zun sneered, his dark-colored robe appearing even more menacing before the heap of gold and silver.

He picked up the walkie-talkie and began to call: “Zhengfei, bring a few more carts over to Wei Dabao’s house.” He paused then added, “Make sure they have sturdy platforms.”

Han Lei and Zhao Zun sat down in the secret chamber to rest while waiting. Soon, the sound of orderly footsteps was heard in the courtyard.

Xiao Zhengfei led twenty trusted aides jogging in, and when they saw the scene inside the chamber, they all gasped in shock.

A young aide had his mouth wide open, his torch “thwack” dropped on the ground, only after being glared at by Xiao Zhengfei did he hastily pick it up.

“What are you all doing standing there?” Zhao Zun tapped the lacquered box filled with jewelry with his finger, “Remember to use fragrant ash to prevent moisture when packing gold and silver, and to separate jewelry with velvet cloth when sending them back to the County Magistrate’s mansion.”

Only then did everyone come to their senses and start to transport items out in an orderly manner.

Han Lei noticed a slender aide trembling while moving a box of silver ingots and quickly went over to help support the box bottom: “Everyone be careful, these boxes probably weigh a hundred pounds.”

The aide’s face turned red, stammering: “Th-thank you, Princess Consort.”

When the last box of treasures was carried out of the chamber, moonlight had already slanted into the courtyard. Zhao Zun took the silk cloth handed over by Xiao Zhengfei to wipe his hands, suddenly hearing Han Lei utter a surprised breath.

She was standing in front of the west wing room, her fingertips caressing the carved window lattice: “Look at these rooms, the lighting is quite transparent, there are corridors both front and back…”

Zhao Zun walked over with large strides and asked with a smile: “Do you want this residence?”

“It’s not me who wants it.” Han Lei said pensively while touching her chin: “I just think such a good house is perfect for opening a large medical facility, with low fees. Encountering those poor families, it could even provide free treatment.”

Zhao Zun glanced around and nodded: “You’ve got a good idea. With this medical facility, the people of Canzhou won’t have issues with minor illnesses. Plus, owning Wei Dabao’s wealth is more than enough to run the facility.”

“It’s not just a medical facility.” Han Lei’s eyes sparkled, pushing open a mahogany door as moonlight poured into the room like a stream, “Look at this room, it’s perfect for a surgery theater. Over there are three connected rooms that can accommodate twenty nursing beds.”