The county office is not brightly lit, but there are a few extra lanterns hanging, which makes it look a little warm.
Lu Linghao was very considerate. When he learned that Xue Bai was going to bring farmers to discuss farm issues, he ordered his servants to cook mutton soup noodles overnight and set them up at the street entrance outside the county office.
A row of five large pottery cauldrons was placed, with blazing flames below, becoming the most conspicuous presence in the night. Smoke rose from the mouth of the cauldron, spreading the aroma of mutton soup and attracting people's scum.
At the steps of the gate of the county office, an official shouted: "You are all common people in the county. The county magistrate knows that you are frightened, so each of you will get a bowl of mutton noodle soup to fill your stomach, and wait for the county magistrate and the county lieutenant to take care of your fields."
Let’s talk things through.”
The farmers looked at Xue Bai one after another, their stomachs growling. They were both greedy and had to wait for the county captain's arrangement.
Xue Bai knew that it was impossible for Lu Linghao to poison, and he did not have the amount of poison that could kill more than a hundred big men, so he said: "Take it."
Someone put their hoe aside and went to get a bowl of noodle soup. Lao Liang was furious, stepped forward and kicked him, and cursed: "The guy who was eating was thrown away first, and he deserves to be starved to death."
Little things like this have to be learned through experience and cannot be learned overnight.
The farmers in the front were holding hoes in one hand and bowls in the other. They were not afraid of burning them and squatted on the street to suck them.
Lu Linghao came out at this time, followed by several armored guards, and said loudly: "Tonight, the villagers grabbed the land. This county has made you feel wronged, and there is no place for you to sit, but your fields, I
Lieutenant Xue Xian will definitely protect it for you."
Everyone's reaction was sparse, and in short, they were acting like this. Seeing that the farmers' grievances had subsided, Lu Linghao realized that it was a trick and invited Xue Bai back to the office to discuss in detail...
"Xue Lang was ill for a few days, and something like this happened in the county. Fortunately, Xue Lang recovered and dealt with it in time."
"Maybe because I am a sick cat, someone in the county wants to occupy the newly cultivated fields."
"No, how can there be so many conspiracies? This county guarantees you that the fields belong to them. How good is that?"
"That's good."
"Now that the matter is settled, let these farmers go back with enough food and everything will be fine." Lu Linghao laughed heartily and yawned, "You are old, so go back to sleep and sit back and relax."
Xue Bai had no intention of disbanding the office and asked: "The county magistrate will not hold me accountable for killing Guo Sanwulang?"
"What?" Lu Linghao pretended to be surprised, "Guo Sanwulang is dead?"
Of course he wanted to pursue the case, but he planned to wait for two days, send all those farmers back, buy and divide them into a group, and wait for the high-ranking Luoyang officials to return. Then he would definitely be endlessly pursuing Xue Bai for committing suicide without permission.
Guo Sanwulang was a provincial tribute son, and Lu Linghao ordered it himself three years ago.
"I killed him." Xue Bai said, "Don't you want to find out the matter tonight?"
"Oh, you really... missed it?" Lu Linghao stood up, rubbed his hands, and showed great concern for Xue Bai, "To resolve this matter, I have to comfort Taigong Guo for you, and I have to stop anyone who knows about it from talking...
…”
He muttered something in his mouth, and finally said: "Don't worry, I will solve it for you. Go back and have a good sleep."
Xue Bai said: "No investigation?"
"Just wait and see. As long as I'm here, I can suppress this matter."
"Okay, the county magistrate won't hold me accountable, but I have a few things to ask the county magistrate." Xue Bai didn't bother to see Lu Linghao pretending, and asked first: "Tonight, what should we do with Buqu, the farmer who was beaten to death?"
"Yes? No? They are all villagers. How can you kill them?"
"My men killed three Bubu."
"This matter will be reported to the master..."
"How should we deal with the situation when families occupy acres of land and hide slave households?"
"How can this happen..."
"You officials and gentry collude, hide land and evade taxes, forge records, levy exorbitant taxes, misappropriate public funds, steal charity treasury, bully men and women, force good people into slavery, and so on, how to deal with it?!"
Lu Linghao was stunned for a while, and then turned to look outside the county office. He almost thought that Xue Bai had invited the saint from Chang'an... Otherwise, what's the point of saying that there are none?
"Xue Lang, I'm afraid you haven't recovered yet and are talking nonsense. You'd better go back and recuperate."
"If I have to say I'm sick, it's Magistrate Lu who treats me. Or should I say that Datang is sick?"
"You rule?" Lu Linghao thought Xue Bai was too ridiculous, "No matter how great the Tang Dynasty was, it was not the turn of small officials like us to take charge."
"It doesn't matter if you are a minor official, but if Magistrate Lu becomes a high official, will you care?"
"You're really sick."
Lu Linghao glanced outside the door again, but didn't see Xue Bai's men rushing in. He thought that as long as he didn't take action, it would be easy.
Of course, he is not afraid of taking action. Most of Xue Bai's capable men have been sent to Luoyang, and the rest are guarding the weaving workshop with Xue Xin.
At this time, he didn't want to say any more. Seeing that Xue Bai and the two fierce guards around him still refused to move, he asked, "What do you want, Xue Lang?"
"Simple." Xue Bai said: "Clear the land and household registration, and ask each family to hand over their hidden fields and households. That's all."
In fact, he could not do this and get promoted safely through qualifications, but decentralization is really a rare opportunity to accumulate strength, and to quickly accumulate strength, he cannot avoid the fields and the population, and the fields and the population represent
that power.
To cultivate confidants, accumulate food, train troops, make utensils, and open banks... Xue Bai also needed a large number of land people, as well as power.
Of course, smart people can make the stall bigger and share it with the local families, but a county is so big, and Xue Bai's ambition is too big, and it is really impossible to share it with these narrow and greedy vested interests.
Collusion of interests does not involve the root cause of the bad governance of the Tang Dynasty, so what is the meaning of ambition?
To put it more simply, for such a major matter as conspiracy, the foundation of strength must be in your own hands. You cannot wait until you are about to win the title before asking Song Mian to borrow some money and food.
The word "Qingzhang" sounds easy to say, but in fact, it appoints officials to control the land, population, and taxation of a county. If Xue Baizhen succeeds, he will have complete control of Yanshi County. By then, Lu Linghao will be equivalent to a puppet.
After handing over all the interests and power, Lu Linghao would certainly not agree to make concessions... It should be said that he would never agree in his heart, but on his face he hesitated, stroking his beard and sighing.
"Why don't I want to reduce the burden on the people? To be honest, when I took office, I was as enthusiastic as you, but this matter is difficult! You go back first, and we will discuss it in the long run..."
Xue Bai said: "How about we open a meeting to solve this problem at dawn?"
Lu Linghao narrowed his eyes, trying to hold back his anger.
Xue Bai didn't wait for his answer and shouted directly: "Get ready to open the meeting!"
Lao Liang immediately stepped forward and said: "Please ask the county magistrate to open a meeting!"
"Too presumptuous!"
The clay figurine was also very angry. After Lu Linghao tried to persuade him all night long, he finally lost his temper. He took a few steps back and hid in the protection of the guards. He shouted angrily: "If you continue to be aggressive, this county will punish you!"
What answered him was the sound of drawing a sword, and Lao Liang shouted loudly: "Please invite the county magistrate to sit in the court!"
"You! This is the county office..."
Suddenly there was a sharp whistle. Lao Liang formed a ring with his two fingers, put it in his mouth and blew a long whistle. The outside of the county office suddenly seemed to be boiling. The farmers had already eaten the mutton soup noodles and raised their hands one after another.
Hoes poured in.
"Please ask the county magistrate to ascend the court!"
"Shengtang!"
Zhao Yuliang was not sleepy at all at this time. After finishing the two bowls of noodle soup, all the previous nervousness and fear disappeared, and he only felt excited.
Although they were all entering the county office for the first time, they from the Jimin Society were very orderly, because they were often led in formations and stabbed throughout the winter. They had no experience when they were first raided, but now they reacted and finally had the training skills.
appearance.
Although Lao Liang had never been a general, he could easily direct this small scene and arranged for them to guard the front and back gates of the county office and surround Lu Linghao's people.
"First team to the nave!"
Zhao Yuliang was the leader of the team. He rushed into the courtyard of the central hall and felt that he had entered a new world. He was inexplicably excited.
There were six guards stationed in front of the nave, wearing armor and holding long swords, waiting in full formation.
But you can see inside through the door. The county captain is sitting on the side, handsome and majestic, like a fairy figure; the county magistrate is huddled behind the four guards, looking a little sneaky, raising his finger and pointing on his face
Full of fear.
"You...are you going to rebel? Take them all down to me! Take them down!" Lu Linghao shouted.
There are ten armored guards here, and there are ten more outside. In addition, there are more than twenty people from the Lu family's tribe, and some of them are extraordinary knights. Although the number is not large, it is far from the ones under Xue Bai's men.
Mud Legs can compare.
Lu Linghao dared to ask Xue Bai to bring these mud-legged people because he knew that the guards would be scared to death if they drank them.
"Back off!" the guards shouted.
Zhao Yuliang was so frightened that he quickly raised his hoe at an angle, but unexpectedly felt that the guard opposite was also a little nervous.
"You haven't invited the county magistrate to ascend the court yet!" Lao Liang shouted.
Zhao Yuliang then took two steps forward, and all the hoes and shovels in the hands of dozens of farmers around him also swung forward.
As peace prevailed in the Tang Dynasty, land was equalized, and the military system was completely destroyed. The folk customs also changed. Hu people were used in border towns. Good families were ashamed to serve in the army. Those whose children became military officers were despised by their fathers and brothers. Most of the candidates were recruited.
Lai Han, who had never practiced martial arts. As for the guards like Lu Linghao, they all looked burly, but they were used to living a good life of big fish and meat, and they were used to bullying civilians. How often had they seen such battles?
"call--"
The sharp shovel was swung in front of the eyes, and the six guards retreated in succession, shouting in surprise.
"You should retreat! Retreat!"
Zhao Yuliang saw all their panic and couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was not inferior to others.
So he was so excited that he forgot to be afraid and waved the hoe more vigorously.
"Promote the hall! Promote the hall!"
If there was a fight, I really didn't know who would win and who would lose. The conflict was about to break out, but it didn't happen yet because the guards took a step back and waited for the county magistrate's orders.
Gao Chong would have already suffered heavy casualties with Xue Bai, while Lu Linghao was still thinking about it.
One of the guards retreated to the wall, raised his sword and roared: "If you don't retreat, I'll kill you!"
Cold sweat broke out on Lu Linghao's forehead, and he licked his dry lips... It was just a matter of going to court, so why should we fight with each other?
"Ascending to the Hall!"
He finally shouted out and stopped the guards from massacring the unarmed people.
"The reason why this county is promoted to court is..."
~~
If we talk about Gao Chong and Lu Linghao, respectively officials from Anlu Mountain and Tang Dynasty, their responses to troubles also have common characteristics of both parties. On the one hand, they dare to think and act unscrupulously; on the other hand, they are trapped in singing and dancing to achieve peace, for fear of a little change.
So stubborn and weak.
Therefore, Xue Bai was a little disappointed that there was no fight in the end, but not surprised.
"Prepare to go to court, seal the warehouse, and take out all the tax books when Mr. Yin arrives."
"Here."
"Call Xue Xin back and bring over those women who are called runaway slaves in the weaving workshop. The case will be examined together."
"Here."
"Weapons are all unloaded. There is no need for the county office to use knives or guns. Oh, just hold on to the farm tools. Farmers only have this little property, don't lose it."
"Here...you guys, why don't you put down the knife?!"
At this point, Lu Linghao's momentum had been exhausted, and it was impossible for him to start a real fight. He was just cooperating with Xue Bai, but he was safe and sound. In the future, he would rely on his connections in the palace to complain, so he waved his hand helplessly and asked people to put down their weapons.
.
As expected, Xue Bai became much kinder and said, "Can the county magistrate lend me your seal?"
Lu Linghao was in a dilemma, and his aide Yuan Yiheng rolled his eyes and made a decision within a moment.
"County magistrate, I'll go get the seal and give it to the county captain, okay?"
This small move by Yuan Yiheng not only sold Xue Bai well, but also eased Lu Linghao's embarrassment.
Lu Linghao didn't miss his feelings and sneered in reply, thinking that after this incident, it would be interesting to see if the court could tolerate the rebellion who dared to use force to seize the Shangguan seal. It should be noted that Gao Xianzhi had already committed a taboo just by leapfrogging his rank to repay his merits.
.
After a while, Yuan Yiheng held the seal with both hands and handed it to Xue Bai.
Everyone was preparing enthusiastically, and by dawn, Xue Bai had completely taken control of the county office.
"Invite everyone over, those who want to come come, those who don't want to come... there will be consequences at your own risk."
"Here."
"Beat the drums and gather the people together."
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
The sound of drums broke the early morning in the county town.
"Did the drum sound?"
"The drums are ringing, and the county magistrate summons everyone to the county office."
The news spread from ten to ten, and soon, many people were crowded on the street of the county office. Those crowded in the back could only listen to the people in front of them describing the situation in the courtroom.
In the court, Lu Linghao was sitting in the chief seat. His eyelids were so heavy that he would fall asleep from time to time and his head would fall down. The usually majestic county magistrate suddenly showed his age and lethargy due to a sleepless night.
On the contrary, Xue Bai rested peacefully for a while before the meeting started. At this time, he was sitting next to him. His body was upright, tall and majestic, making Lu Linghao look like an assistant officer.
The gavel tree was also held in Xue Bai's hand, and when the time came, there was a "snap" sound.
"Today, we are reviewing the case of concealing farmland registration and unfair taxation in Yanshi County. Anyone with grievances related to farmland and taxation can report it."
~~
Cui Zhai.
During the previous conflict between Xue Bai and Gao Chong, Cui Zhai had temporarily sheltered Xue Bai, but now the situation has changed, which is sad.
Zheng Bian was admitted to the hospital. Looking around, he saw servants from various large households crowding the yard.
In the hall, the hall was full of fine clothes, and all the princes gathered together.
"What's going on?"
"As soon as Xue Bai came back, Lu Linghao was frightened and had to measure the acres again."
"What do you rely on? Are you so arrogant?"
"Just get rid of it over and over again..."
"Gao Langjun is here!"
Everyone couldn't help but be confused and turned their heads to look.
I heard the horses neighing outside, and then Gao Shang, who was covered in dust, strode forward with Tian Qianzhen and Kang Bu. Just looking at the leisurely pace made people feel at ease.
"Why did Gao Langjun come back so soon?"
Gao Shang was not in a hurry to answer, but first let them talk about what happened in Yanshi County.
After he heard it, he thought about it carefully, with a little doubt in his eyes.
After looking around, he called Song Mian and asked: "Fan Lao said that Xue Bai was in his hands, so why did he come to the county office again?"
Song Mian said: "I don't know yet, either Fan Lao lied from the beginning, or Xue Bai escaped."
Gao Shang said: "It's a trick, but fortunately we didn't fall into the trap."
He stood up, raised his voice, and said, "Don't worry, gentlemen, I have already guessed Xue Bai's plan."
The major households discussed a few more words and gradually became quiet.
"He bribed farmers, trained them, and temporarily seized the power of the county office. Then, in the name of asking for help from the people, he extracted benefits from you by checking the household registration of the land. This is very clear. The key is... why does he have it?"
Cui Jun stroked his beard and sighed: "Yes, why should he?"
"When I got the news from Magistrate Lu, I was already on the way back to Yanshi from Luoyang. Because his back-up force was already on the Luo River at this time."
"What is it?"
"Don't worry, I'll tell you one by one."
Gao Shang smiled first and waved his hands gently to stabilize his morale before speaking.
"Xue Bai first went to Yancheng to recruit a group of smugglers. The smuggler was an old acquaintance of mine named Fan Lao. Of course, Fan Lao could not help him and did not have the ability, so he detained him instead."
Song Mian thought for a moment and understood, and said: "How dare the smugglers fight with the government? Fan Lao is just selling one of us, but in fact he doesn't dare to take Xue Bai seriously. At that time, he will just say that the person has run away, and then both sides will be able to do it."
Not guilty."
"This is Xue Bai's cleverness. Fan Lao was originally close to us, but Xue Bai went to win over him, so that he at least could not help each other, and even tended to him. At the same time, this was a cover-up to hide his real back-up plan.
…”
"Luoyang?"
"Yes." Gao Shang said: "Du Youlin's two daughters are the principals of Yang's firm in Henan Prefecture. They are very close to Xue Bai. They were also involved in the previous fake Zhang Sanniang case. Xue Bai's aides,
The thugs are all following the orders of the Du sisters. At this time, they have taken Du Youlin's official boat down the river, and by then there will be another canal worker who will follow Xue Bai to cause trouble."
"This is a repeat of the same old plan."
"Not only that, there is also a daughter of the prime minister's house on this official ship, and a team of Jinwu guards..."
Everyone was surprised and asked: "Is it true this time?"
Gao Shang smiled and replied: "It's absolutely true this time."
The weakness of the vested interests was once again reflected at this moment. Some people thought that in the worst case, they would let Xue Bai measure their own land and pay more taxes in the past few years, so as not to damage the foundation.
Xue Bai invited them to go to the county office to hold a court hearing. If they don't go, they will be responsible for the consequences. I don't know what the consequences will be.
The atmosphere became quiet. Gao Shang only felt it was funny and said calmly: "Fortunately, local affairs are not decided by the Prime Minister's daughter. Yang Canjun, who led the Jinwu Guards this time, has an extraordinary status and a cheerful person. Linghu Shaoyin
He took me to meet him and we had a very pleasant conversation."
"We had a great time chatting."
When these four words hit my ears, many people raised their eyebrows.
Gao Shang said this and did not force these wealthy gentry. Anyway, what Xue Bai wanted was their profit and it had nothing to do with him.
"The situation is like this. If anyone wants to go to the county office, I won't stop you. You can do whatever you want..."
At this time, Cui Jun got the news, waved to Gao Shang and whispered to Gao Shang: "Fan Lao is on the dock and wants to give Gao Langjun an explanation."
"You're really here? You're too honest."
Gao Shang seemed to find it funny, then he sighed slightly and went to see him in person. Cui Jun was worried about his safety and sent a team of servants to protect him.
…
At this time, many people in the city had gathered at the county office, and the streets and alleys were much deserted. Gao Shang walked all the way out of the city gate and saw the water workers gathering at the dock ahead. He stopped moving forward and asked Kang Bu to call Fan Lao over.
Fan Lao also brought four people, but the Diao brothers were not included, which made Gao Shang a little disappointed.
"Mr. Gao."
"I haven't seen you for a long time. You have gone through a lot of hardships." Gao Shang looked at Fan Lao's white hair on his temples and said, "Have you lived a poor life?"
"Without suffering, you will be very rich." Fan Lao said with a smile.
Gao Shang shook his head and said: "Those small pieces of money are not worthy of you... Let's get down to business. I have to avenge my sworn brother. Can you understand?"
"Gao Chong was not killed by my men."
"Who is that?"
"The man is already dead. If he dared to smuggle iron weapons, he should have thought of the consequences. If I die, I won't want my brothers to avenge me, because this is the fate of people like us..."
"You are still like this, too rigid, you know?" Gao Shang said: "If it wasn't the Diao brothers who killed him, it was Xue Bai who killed him. There are only two possibilities. You said that you would hand over Xue Bai to me."
"I did detain Xue Bai, but he was rescued."
Gao Shang obviously didn't believe it and asked: "Who rescued him?"
"Aunt Gongsun and her disciples."
"We have known each other for many years, and this is the explanation you gave me?"
Fan Lao looked bitter and said: "The Song family sent a steward to me. At that time, Xue Bai persuaded me to do things with him. Without saying a word, he had the Song family steward hacked to death. I took Xue Bai into custody because I wanted to repay you for what you had done for me.
The kindness of interceding. But that night, Aunt Gongsun came to the mountain and rescued Xue Bai... Do you believe it?"
Gao Shang asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"If I say that I tried my best, you can stop causing trouble to the Diao brothers, okay?"
"It's the Diao brothers again. When they resisted taxes and killed police officers, I asked you to kill them for meritorious service. Look at you now... A pariah like me is already an official of the court. What about you? A child from a poor family, you can't even register a household.
You are neither, hiding in the mountains like mice. If I listen to you again and let them go, what will you become in the future? A beggar? Do you know how miserable it is to be a beggar? I have been one, but you have not. If you talk too much, I will kill you.
They, I will guarantee your future."
"Why can't we let them go? They didn't kill Gao Chong."
"They took my sworn brother's head to receive the reward in public. This is my face."
"Those items are very important to the people in the mountains. We need so much fabric..."
Gao Shang said: "I thought you were a hero, and I interceded for you back then. Now you only care about the cloth? I am still busy, so I took the time to come here because you said you would give me Xue Bai's head."
Fan Lao still had a lot to say, his throat rolled, and he swallowed.
"Back then, I thought you were standing with us. But now it seems that I am not a hero, and you only care about yourself... I don't know how to make friends with people. If you want to level Erlang Mountain, just come."
Gao Shang looked at the back of this old acquaintance, feeling a little disappointed.
But he didn't look for long, and quickly looked away, because there were already ships coming from the upper reaches of the Luo River. They were Xue Bai's forces, and they had the momentum to take over Yanshi.
It's a pity that Yanshi still belongs to Henan Prefecture and is under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty...
~~
The big boat sailed down the Luoshui River.
On the deck, two young ladies were holding hands and looking in the direction of Yanshi Pier.
"Will he pick us up?"
"Definitely not."
Li Tengkong answered very firmly, but his voice was very low, and he even looked back, hoping that no one would hear him.
Where his eyes fell, Du Jin, who was wearing a robe and looking impressive, was walking over.
"Actually, we really shouldn't have come to Yanshi to make people think we were here to see him." Li Tengkong then said to Li Jilan, "It's my brother-in-law who wants to investigate Zhang Sanniang's case."
The brother-in-law she was talking about was Yang Qixuan, Li Shiniang's husband. The couple also came this time. Because too many things happened in Yanshi, Li Linfu also wanted to confirm the truth, so he asked them to come and take a look.
After completing this errand, Yang Qixuan will be promoted to the supervisory censor.
"I know it was your brother-in-law who asked you to come."
While talking, Du Jin came over and sighed slightly: "But Xue Bai really doesn't want you to come at this time."
She was telling the truth. In Xue Bai's plan, it was enough for Yang Qixuan to come, which would make Yanshi officials and gentry both fearful and underestimating the enemy. As for whether these two young ladies would come or not, it actually didn't matter.
Du Jin still expressed Xue Bai's concern for Li Tengkong and said softly: "He is afraid that you are in danger."
Li Tengkong couldn't bear such a tone. He turned his head slightly and said calmly: "Traveling around and meeting old friends, what's the danger?"
The big ship is going smoothly and is ready to dock.
They stopped talking and turned back to the cabin.
When the ship docked at the shore, Du Youlin, Yang Qixuan and other officials got off first, followed by their female relatives.
…
This situation was very similar to when Xue Bai was wooing the canal workers, so all the big families were extremely vigilant, and felt uneasy when they saw Du Youlin with Jinwu Guards behind him.
Until you reach the point of being noble, go forward calmly and calmly.
"Brother Yang."
"Brother Gao." Yang Qixuan hurriedly pulled Gao Shang over, turned around and said, "Does Mr. Du know Brother Gao? He is a great talent introduced to me by General Wu."
"I don't dare to be called a 'great talent'. I don't dare. Come, I will introduce Brother Yang to Yanshi County."
"Brother Yang," Song Mian said with a salute, "Brother Yang has come all the way, but the county magistrate came to greet him. It is really rude..."
"I didn't tell others, saint, that the Right Chancellor asked me to come on inspection. Naturally, it's not appropriate to make a big show of it. You must not match your official position."
Not being worthy of his official position naturally left Du Youlin in the cold.
This was the result of Du Youlin's rapprochement with Xue Bai last time and using the county's money to pay the canal workers, and he was despised by others.
Gao Shang, Yang Qixuanze had a lively conversation with the disciples of the gentry in Yanshi.
"By the way, is Linghu Shaoyin on board?"
"No." Yang Qi announced: "But Linghu Shaoyin is also here, on a boat behind. The county magistrate can't neglect it. There is still an hour to prepare to welcome him."
At this point in the situation, the superior official from Chang'an had already sided with the gentry, and the high-ranking official from Luoyang came soon after.
Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief and felt relieved.
"Send someone to ask for the county magistrate. Let the county captain come. What other cases are there to be tried?"
"That's right. What other cases are there for trial?"
~~
County Court.
"Of course my man refused to let go and was beaten to death..."
There was a woman crying in the hall, and the clerk was writing furiously, and there was a thick stack of papers on the case.
Xue Bai glanced at the court and found that none of the high-ranking people had come.
It was already past noon, and various arrangements outside the courtroom must have been underway.
Before one of the accusations was heard, a clerk hurried over, whispered in Xue Bai's ear, and said: "County Lieutenant, the ship has arrived..."
Xue Bai nodded. Although some personal matters were beyond his expectation, they did not affect his plan. They only distracted him for a moment, and then he began to give instructions.
"If you don't come, don't wait. Let's do it."
"Here."
The man retreated, left the county office, went to find Jiang Hai who was waiting near the city gate, and passed a few words to him.
After listening to the order, Jiang Hai got on his horse and followed the man straight out of the north of the city. He ran all the way to a farm at the foot of Shouyang Mountain and was greeted by Hu Laishui.
"Has the old man come down the mountain?"
"Of course not." Hu Laishui responded.
Jiang Hai said: "They probably think they won."
"Hey."
"Where's the stuff?"
"I moved in overnight, and the horse has had enough rest..."
Jiang Hai walked towards the farm while listening, and two more people came out. He couldn't help but grinned and said: "You two bitches, don't be soft when killing people."
Diao Bing and Diao Geng were very angry, but they were really afraid of ruthless people like Jiang Hai, so they only dared to say one or two words in reply.
"Hold your ugly face, let others recognize you, and harm your county captain."
"I remember the phrase 'your county captain'."
Jiang Hai spat and strode into the house. He saw a group of big men sleeping everywhere. There might be twenty or thirty people in one room.
Several large boxes were placed on the ground, containing weapons.
"Fuck your stupid ass! Where did this heavy old shield come from?"
"What was stolen from the iron mountain is not a shield; it is what was removed from the iron window."
"Damn, forget it, you are so stupid, carrying a shield is useless. A bunch of local dogs will have more trouble fighting than me."
Jiang Hai swallowed in anger, and the next moment he picked up a long-handled knife, his eyes lit up.
"Can you still build this? Ha..."
The afternoon sun shone obliquely, and the blade shone with a cold light, making it look very sharp. It illuminated Jiang Hai's scarred face, which was very frightening.
"Let's go up the mountain."
~~
The sun gradually sets in the western mountains.
On the banks of the Luoshui River, the gentry had gathered on the dock, waiting for the boat of Henan Shaoyin Linghu Tao.
The feast has been prepared, with delicious wine and delicious food, and beauties singing and dancing. The only drawback is that the two county magistrates are still reviewing the case at the county office.
Let them go. When Linghu Shaoyin arrives, they will bear the consequences themselves.
"Coming!"
Finally, the big ship slowly appeared on the Luo River, and everyone raised their eyes with awe.
~~
Diao Bing and Diao Geng finally climbed Shouyang Mountain.
They looked around in amazement.
"Eating dog intestines, this is much better than Erlang Mountain. This is how a place for gods lives, right?"
"Who?!"
Ahead is the valley entrance, and a servant is coming.
"Who are you? Do you have an invitation to come to Luhun Villa?"
"have!"
Diao Geng said loudly: "The head of your family invited me here. He said that if Xue Bai's head is handed over, Song Tiangui's matter will be forgotten. We let Xue Bai run away, but we brought the murderer!"
Diao Bingze said: "We transport red materials to the Song family all year round, and Song Tianshou also recognizes us!"
Someone among the servants said to his companion: "Go and ask Manager Song."
After a while, Song Tianshou really arrived.
"Manager Song!" Diao Bing shouted: "I didn't kill your brother, but someone under Xue Bai killed him. I brought him to you!"
"Silence." Song Tianshou said with a straight face: "Only two people are allowed to come in and escort them over."
"Okay."
Before sunset, the Diao brothers escorted Jiang Hai, head covered and tied up, into Luhun Villa...