Zhao Tianrong smiled awkwardly when he heard this and said: "My lord, you are joking. How could I know this thief? I have only heard of this person and never seen him. However, it is not easy to hear rumors about this person."
"Oh? Not simple? How can a bandit leader do something not simple?" Shao Xi asked curiously.
At this time, Liang Xian Cheng, who was sitting aside, took over and said, "I heard that this thief leader was a failed scholar before he went to the mountains and fell into the grass. He was resentful because he failed in the imperial examination for many years. It happened that in addition to being literate and conversant, this man had a lot of skills. He also practiced martial arts well since he was a child, so he went up the mountain to become a bandit out of anger."
"He is a man who is knowledgeable about etiquette and has good martial arts skills. Even if he cannot become an official, he can still accomplish something. It is really unbelievable that he would go up the mountain and become a bandit. I fought with him last night. With this person's Whether his martial arts skills include joining the army or walking as a dart, he can be said to be an outstanding talent."
Zhao Tianrong also became interested when he heard what Shao Xi said. He smiled and asked: "It's a great honor for this person to be praised by your Excellency. However, according to Your Majesty's wishes, I admire this person quite a lot. I wonder how good this person's martial arts is if he can fight with Your Excellency?"
"This man's martial arts has reached the peak of the fourth level of the 'Qi Control Realm', which is half a step higher than mine. If I hadn't used the secret technique last night, I might not have been his opponent, but it's a pity that I let him escape."
"Oh? The martial arts of the thief leader is half as good as yourselves? Sure enough, he has some skills. No wonder I haven't been able to catch him in the past six months." Wang Xianwei was surprised when he heard this.
"Alas! He has the ability to suffer hardships for the people and us petty officials. The property that has been robbed and stolen by thieves in this county in the past six months has actually exceeded the previous two years combined. It is really shocking!"
After Master Chen said this, he noticed that Zhao Tianrong's expression was wrong. He immediately realized that he had talked too much and hurriedly shut up and stopped talking.
Zhao Tianrong said with an embarrassed look: "Xiaguan has been working hard and having trouble sleeping and eating since he took office. However, his subordinates are really short of manpower. He has borrowed soldiers and horses from the county several times to encircle and suppress the bandits, but they have all returned without success. I am really ashamed. ah!"
Shao Xi put his thumb on his chin and looked at a few people and said: "I heard several times that the bandits disappeared as soon as the soldiers and horses from the county arrived, and as soon as the soldiers and horses withdrew, they came out again. Occasionally, maybe It’s a coincidence, but every time it happens, maybe there’s a mole in this government office, right?”
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the seat looked at me and I looked at you. Although they didn't say it clearly, they all looked suspicious, and it was obvious that they were suspicious of each other.
Zhao Tianrong said hurriedly: "Normally it won't happen. Every time I submit a letter to the county, a special person will deliver the letter, and I will not rely on others. I have checked the person who sent the letter, and there is nothing suspicious."
Old Wu, who had been sitting silently, interrupted at this time: "Do you all here know the habit of my 'Jingcheng Division' in investigating cases?"
Several people in the seats felt a little cramped in their calves when they heard the name "Jing Cheng Si". Except for the current Holy Emperor, they have the right to investigate anyone else with a title on their head, including the prince and prince. If we really wanted to investigate a few of them, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to dig up their ancestral graves. They really couldn't afford to offend them.
Zhao Tianrong raised his right hand, twisted his wrist, picked up the wine bottle and filled the glasses for Shao Xi and Lao Wu again. He said carefully: "Please also ask the 'Inspector Lieutenant' to give me some advice."
Old Wu looked up at Zhao Tianrong, and then at the others present. He said casually: "We are accustomed to starting from the person who everyone thinks is the least suspicious."
Lao Wu's words made the people present feel even more on pins and needles. Least suspicious? Aren't those just a few of them? Who would believe that court officials were thieves?
When Shao Xi saw this scene, he hurriedly smoothed things over and said: "This is just one of the ideas. Everyone must be investigated, but we still have to focus on those who have doubts about them. Check those who are not suspicious first, just to be first. Eliminate them, and then focus on those suspicious people.”
When a few people heard it, they realized that was the case. They all hurriedly nodded and praised the "Jingcheng Division" for their superb investigation methods, and they deserved to be trusted by the Holy Emperor.
If you hear this flattery too much, you'll get sick of it. After Shao Xi and the two officials were polite to each other, they began to talk about local customs, mountains and rivers. Seeing that the topic had become more relaxed, Zhao Tianrong and others lost their previous restraint. Everyone exchanged glasses, talked and laughed, and the atmosphere of the entire banquet became more relaxed.
Old Wu looked like he was having a great time at the banquet and chatting happily with everyone. He was already a little tipsy without realizing it. He put his arms around everyone present and looked very affectionate. In the end, he even pulled Zhao Tianrong. His arm insisted on asking him to tell interesting stories about his life before becoming an official. Mr. Zhao couldn't refuse, so he told Lao Wu how he studied hard in a cold window, and finally achieved fame and became a county magistrate when he reached middle age. Now his daughter is also married. Although he only has a son-in-law, he still has someone to rely on. He is just waiting to have a grandson and enjoy family happiness.
That Wang Duwei was also a martial arts practitioner. This time when he met Shao Xi, they finally had a common topic, so the two of them chatted happily.
Unknowingly, the banquet was past noon, and Shao Xi and the two stood up to leave after they were full. Old Wu really drank a lot, and he staggered as soon as he stood up. Fortunately, a maid named Pomegranate behind him stretched out her hand to support him. The old woman took advantage of the situation and hugged the maid into his arms. As he walked out the door, he whispered something into Shiliu's ear, making mean laughter from time to time. Pomegranate just lowered her head and remained silent, letting him tease her and helping him out of the door.
When they arrived outside the government office, several people were bowing to each other and saying goodbye, when they saw a man dressed as a young scholar coming over. He saluted Zhao Tianrong and the people present and said, "My son-in-law has met my father-in-law, and I am here to greet you all."
Zhao Tianrong quickly introduced to Shao Xi and the other two: "This is my son-in-law whom I mentioned to the two adults before. His name is Xu Jinhong."
After saying that, he turned to Xu Jinhong and said: "Jin Hong, please pay tribute to these two adults from the 'Jingcheng Division'. They fought against thieves last night, and they are all highly skilled in martial arts."
Xu Jinhong hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Shao Xi and the other two, and said, "Xu Jinhong, the little man, has met the two adults here, and I would like to pay tribute to the two adults."
Although he was talking, Shao Xi found that although this person had a handsome face, his eyes were wandering and his expression was artificial. He was definitely not a loyal person, but more like a person with evil intentions.
After Xu Jinhong greeted everyone present one by one, he turned around and entered the inner courtyard of the government office. His steps seemed a little hurried.
Zhao Tianrong said that he would personally take the two of them back to the inn, but Shao Xi declined politely, saying that it would be fine if Zhang Chong accompanied them back. Zhao Tianrong couldn't insist and asked Zhang Chong to take the responsibility of sending the two people back to the inn. Zhang Chong took the order and left with the two people.
Seeing the sedans of the two "adults" walking away, the smile on Zhao Tianrong's face gradually disappeared and replaced with a cold face. He turned around with a flick of his sleeves and entered the gate of the government office. The few people standing nearby looked at each other and just shook their heads. The county magistrate is smiling with you today, but he always feels uncomfortable being surrounded by this little old man who is from the sixth grade. Even though his official rank is half a level lower than others, he still feels uncomfortable. At this time, Master Chen was also very anxious. After all, he said the wrong thing at the banquet.
Back at the inn, Zhang Chong sent all the bearers back and helped Old Wu go upstairs to his room.
As soon as he entered the room, Old Wu raised his hand and shook off Zhang Chong's hand, sat down on the stool, picked up the teapot on the table, and drank from the spout. Shao Xi followed him into the room, turned around and closed the door.
Zhang Chong was a little confused when he saw this posture. These two "Jing Cheng Si" adults took me to the room and closed the door. Are they trying to interrogate me? At this moment, Zhang Chong was desperately trying to recall in his mind whether he had done anything immoral, so as not to explain it unclearly later.
"Brother Zhang, please sit down first. We have something to discuss with you." Shao Xi pulled a stool to Zhang Chong.
Zhang Chong almost thought that he had misheard because of his bad ears. What did the adult call him just now? Brother Zhang? Is this about being polite first and then fighting?
Caotong...
Zhang Chong immediately knelt on the ground, his face uglier than crying, "Two adults, I have been doing my duty all my life, and I really can't think of anything immoral that I have done. Even if I have made any mistakes, they may have been unintentional. However, I don’t even know about it. I ask you two adults to show your kindness and let me go."
When Shao Xi heard this, he was confused! I haven't said anything yet, but I'm afraid this guy is going to have to explain how he used to peel off walls and peek at women changing clothes when they were kids.
He pulled Zhang Chong up and pressed him on the stool. He said calmly: "Brother Zhang, are you from this county?"
Zhang Chong nodded and replied, "Yes! My ancestors all live in Wan County."
"Well, I want to ask you now. If someone harms the people of Wanxian County, causes chaos in Wanxian County, and makes the people here miserable, what will you do?"
Zhang Chong became excited when he heard this, "That's definitely not possible. My father told me before he was alive that our ancestors are all from Wanxian County. We must keep this place safe, otherwise I won't be a policeman."
"If this person is highly skilled in martial arts and has great power in his hands, would you dare to arrest him?"
"I don't care who he is! The people in Wanxian County are all related to each other. If he harms the people of Wanxian County, he will harm our relatives and friends. Of course I will not be polite if he comes to my land." Zhang Chong heard this. Slap the table.
"Well, let me ask you again, if this person is a court official, what should you do?"
"With you two adults sitting here, what kind of court official is a piece of cake? As long as you say something. I, Zhang Chong, will go through fire and water, even to the death, and I am willing to do my best for you."
Shao Xi was happy when he heard this and asked with a smile: "What if this person is your immediate boss?"
Zhang Chong was stunned for a moment, "Did Lieutenant Wang commit a crime? Are you planning to attack Lieutenant Wang?"
Old Wu spurted out a sip of tea next to him. His IQ was worrying!
