Guo Binchang smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Zhang, it's not that I don't want to hear the case earlier. It's actually that the three shifts of yamen servants in the yamen are not interested in doing anything. Seeing that the New Year is approaching, it is better to wait until after the New Year. I will definitely go to court to hear the case. .”
"Master Guo," Zhang Wenhe said in a long voice, "I can wait, but the governor may not give you this time, Master Guo."
"This" Guo Binchang put his hand on the tureen with a sad look on his face.
Zhang Wenhe said: "Master Guo has refused to hear the case several times. Could it be that there is something ulterior between Mr. Guo and Liu Heng? If that is the case, I will go back to Datong and let the governor hear the case by someone else."
"Mr. Zhang misunderstood. There is absolutely nothing between me and Liu Heng." Guo Binchang denied repeatedly.
At this time, he didn't want to have anything to do with Tiger Flag.
Now the governor of Datong wants to take action against the tiger-character flag. The defeat of the tiger-character flag will be a matter of time. Liu Heng is just a white man, and the other is the governor, with a high position. From any aspect, the tiger-character flag has no chance of winning.
Zhang Wenhe said: "Since Mr. Guo said that he has no relationship with Liu Heng, it is better to try the case earlier to prove his innocence, so that I can return to Datong early to celebrate the New Year."
Both inside and outside the words were forcing Guo Binchang to hurry up and try Xu Youcai's case.
Guo Binchang knew that he could not escape, so he had no choice but to say: "Since Mr. Zhang is anxious to return to Datong for the New Year, I will retry the case after I read the files on Governor Liu's earlier interrogation of the case."
"No need to go to such trouble." Zhang Wenhe waved his hand.
Guo Binchang was puzzled.
Just listen to Zhang Wenhe continue to say: "Even if Mr. Guo goes to court, he only needs to summon Liu Heng to the Yamen. The rest will be done by me. I will have a way to get him to sign a bond for the crime."
"Fighting makes a move!" Guo Binchang blurted out.
Zhang Wenhe said with a smile: "If you draw a pledge, it is not a trick made by beating."
After hearing this, Guo Binchang knitted his brows together, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Mr. Zhang, have you ever known about the Tiger Flag?"
Zhang Wenhe stroked his beard and said with a smile, "The Tiger Flag controls all the iron yards in Dongshan. Iron goods are sold all over Beizhili and Henan and Shandong. Xujiazhuang, where businessmen from all over the world gather, is also the source of the Tiger Flag's wealth. In addition, In addition, there is also sorghum wine that is popular in the north, and I heard that it is also involved in the business of smuggling northern captives."
"What about the others?" Guo Binchang asked.
Zhang Wenhe was stunned for a moment and then said: "Apart from this, does Tiger Character Flag have other ways to make money?"
Guo Binchang understood in his heart.
Governor Xu Tong and the staff member Zhang in front of them only focused on Tiger Character Banner's way of making money, but they never thought that Tiger Character Banner raised soldiers and cavalry, and even made cannons and armor, as well as swords, fire and blunderbuss. .
Thinking of this, Guo Binchang shook his head slightly.
Zhang Wenhe thought that the other party shook his head in response to what he just said, so he said: "Master Guo, as the magistrate of Lingqiu County, must know more about the Tiger Character Flag. If you know what other ways of making money there are in the Tiger Character Flag, please let me know." , after Liu Heng is arrested, I will definitely speak kindly to Lord Guo in front of the Governor."
"I would like to thank Mr. Zhang here in advance." Guo Binchang bowed his hand towards Zhang Wenhe.
Zhang Wen twirled his beard with his hands and said with a smile: "As long as Mr. Guo serves the governor faithfully, the governor will naturally benefit from Mr. Guo."
"It is the duty of a lower official to serve the governor." Guo Binchang cupped his fists and cupped his hands to his side.
"Since Mr. Guo also understands this truth, it's time for the Xu family's case to be tried." Zhang Wenhe looked at Guo Binchang.
Guo Binchang knew he couldn't escape, so he had no choice but to say: "As soon as I put on my official uniform, I can start hearing the case immediately."
As he spoke, he turned to the servant on the side and said, "Go and call Master Liu, and tell him that I want to go to court to investigate the case."
The servant agreed and left the back office quickly.
Zhang Wenhe said with a smile: "Please Sir Guo, please prepare a cell for me. After Liu Heng is captured, please Mr. Guo and send him to the cell. I will leave the rest to you."
Guo Binchang nodded and said: "I will ask the execution room to prepare. Mr. Zhang can just go there directly."
"Then I won't disturb Lord Guo. I'm just waiting for the good news from Lord Guo." Zhang Wenhe stood up and left.
After Zhang Wenhe left, Guo Binchang frowned.
At this time, Master Jia came in from outside and said, "Sir, are you looking for a student?"
Guo Binchang looked at his master and said, "Mr. Zhang came to see me just now and talked about retrialing the Xu family case. I have already agreed."
"Sir, I can't agree!" Master Jia's expression suddenly changed.
Guo Binchang sighed: "I don't know, but Mr. Zhang is the governor's staff, and the governor is responsible for this case, so I can't do anything."
Master Jia thought for a while and said: "The New Year is approaching soon. Your Excellency, you can postpone the trial of this case until after the New Year. With such a period of buffering, Dongzhu Liu will definitely be grateful for your kindness."
"Why didn't I say anything?" Guo Binchang said with a bitter face, "But the governor must investigate the case clearly before the year. I really can't shirk it, so I can only agree."
"Master, I've brought you your official uniform."
Guo Binchang's long attendant walked in from outside, holding his official uniform, black gauze hat and jade belt in his hands.
When Master Jia saw these things, he hurriedly asked: "Sir, are you planning to try the case now?"
Guo Binchang nodded helplessly.
The chief attendant waited on Guo Binchang to put on his official uniform and black gauze hat.
With all the official uniforms and hats on, Guo Binchang said to his entourage: "Go to the torture room and ask the people in the torture room to arrange a separate cell in the prison. Wait for Mr. Zhang to pass and give it to Mr. Zhang."
Master Jia frowned and said, "Sir, what does Mr. Zhang want in the cell?"
"The governor wants to overturn the case again, so once Liu Heng comes to the county government office, he will naturally not be able to put it back." Guo Binchang picked up the bowl and took a sip.
Master Jia said: "The facts of the Xu family case are clear. Xu Youcai died in bed, Xu Shunqing was addicted to gambling and lost all his family wealth. There is no reason to arrest Liu Heng. Sir, you should know that Liu Heng is not an ordinary commoner. Human tigers, corpses would float out of the moat outside the city every now and then. Although no victim came forward to report the matter, everyone knew that many of the dead had had the idea of raising a tiger-character flag."
Guo Binchang trembled.
Master Jia advised: "Sir, this case must not be tried. If you offend the governor, you will lose your official position at the most. If you offend the Tiger Flag, you will lose your life."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Guo Binchang looked at Master Jia for help.
"My lord, you are sick."
"My officer," Guo Binchang paused and then said, "Are you talking about pretending to be sick?"
Master Jia nodded and said: "People who eat whole grains will always get sick. Even the governor can't force you to get sick to try the case. Besides, you are a serious Jinshi. Even if you lose your official position, as long as you have money, you may not be able to do it." There is no chance of recovery.”
"But it's money to recover." Guo Binchang looked struggling.
Master Jia saw that Guo Binchang was tempted, so he smiled and said: "My lord, you are doing this for Dongzhu Liu. With the kind of person Liu Dongzhu is, can I still lose you, my lord?"
Guo Binchang looked thoughtful.
