In the middle of the 20th year since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the isolated and backward Xizhou has received a rare group of "tourists". These outsiders are also somewhat special.
There were not many people, five of them in total. They wore black round-neck clothes, embroidered with cow and horse patterns, tied with red ribbons around their waists, and wore gauze futou on their heads. This was the attire of a local official in the Han Dynasty.
The leader was a tall man with a beard, a strong temperament, sharp and firm eyes, and stories written on his weathered face. There is loneliness among the wilderness trails, and the surroundings are yellow. Apart from overlapping mountains and dense ravines, there are almost no other scenery. This is obviously an inaccessible place.
These officials looked very embarrassed, their faces were tired and their bodies were covered with dust. They were state police officers from Xiangzhou. They set out from Anyang and traveled more than 800 miles just to hunt down two fugitives.
Handling cases across Daozhou is always troublesome, and this kind of pursuit for thousands of miles is even more difficult. They have suffered a lot along the way, especially after entering the Shanxi Plateau, every step has become more dangerous. , there were a total of eight people when we set out, but now three people have been lost. In addition to two people who were injured and left to recuperate, one person was attacked by a wild beast and lost his life.
The Xia Yang released its light wantonly, shrouding the mountains in western Shanxi. Fortunately, it was in the shade of the mountains, so it was less hot. However, looking around, the barren mountains, cliffs and ravines are a bit depressing.
"Rest, eat, and replenish water!" Seeing that his subordinates were really exhausted, the leading trapper stopped and ordered.
When he opened his mouth, the remaining four people breathed a sigh of relief. They didn't say anything. They leaned or stood among the rocks, took out dry food and water bags, and rested on the spot.
"Open your head, want to have a bite?" A young government officer saw that the head catcher was still there observing the terrain and studying the traces left on the mountain roads. He couldn't help but stepped forward and handed over a water bag.
"Thank you!" the catcher responded coldly, but as soon as he took it, his nose twitched slightly and his brows furrowed: "Is this wine? Where did you get it?"
The young policeman laughed along with him: "When I passed by Linfen, I bought some and kept it ready. The store where I bought the wine said it was authentic Fenjiu. I don't know if it was true, but this is Hedong, so I guess it can't be fake. . Zhang Tou is an expert in wine tasting. Please give me a taste..."
Zhang Captou smiled and scolded: "You are so clever, kid."
After saying that, he took it and tasted it, breathed a sigh of relief, looked at several other subordinates, patted their shoulders, and ordered: "If there are good things, don't hide them, give them to the brothers to try too!" It’s very rare to have a sip of wine in these barren mountains and wild mountains!”
"yes!"
The arrester Zhang's name is Zhang Yuan, and he is now the arrester of Xiangzhou City. Although he has a low-level position, he is still a figure in the local law enforcement system of Anyang.
Judging from his style, it is obvious that he has a military background. He once served in Yulin Road and served as a low-level officer in the scout camp. He was also retired during the nationwide reduction of troops. When he returned to his hometown, he joined the government and served as a catcher. .
Because of his keen sense of smell and ability in doing things, he was valued by the governor of the state. In just two years, he became one of the chief arrests in the state city. This time, he was led by his own family, tracking thousands of miles and handling cases across multiple channels. The cases involved were naturally extraordinary.
The fugitive being hunted was Li Jiqian, a son of the Li family in Anyang and the former Yinzhou defense envoy Li Guangyan. There is no doubt that this Anyang Li family is Dangxiang Tuoba Li family. After the Dingnan Army was disintegrated, in order to further reduce the influence of the Li family and shake the foundation of the Dingnan Army, the imperial court moved all the Li family members eastward and established In Anyang, Xiangzhou, it has been almost twenty years now.
After so many years, the Li family has been relatively content in the hinterland of the Han Dynasty. Now the Li family's patriarch, Li Jipeng, has also inherited the title of Marquis of Yongping, and the Li family has become a major clan in Anyang.
Li Jiqian, who is under twenty years old, is a promising young man in the Li family and has become somewhat famous in the local area. The reason why he became a fugitive and was arrested by the Xiangzhou government was because he committed a felony of murder.
In fact, with Li's local influence in Anyang, even if he kills someone, there is still a way to calm him down. What's more, the people who were killed had no background and were just common people as humble as a piece of grass. However, Li Jiqian made a big fuss and wiped out seven members of his family.
It is difficult to conceal such a serious and major case, not to mention that they are party members. These foreign minority people will never go around lightly when they commit crimes in the Han Dynasty.
As a result, Li Jiqian fled decisively, and Zhang Yuan was ordered by the state government to lead people to hunt him down. The pursuit along the way is through thousands of mountains and rivers, leading people across Taihang, and now they are almost crossing the east of the river.
After resting for a while, the young detective walked up to Zhang Yuan, straightened his legs and sat down. He couldn't help complaining: "Zhang Tou, we are going further and further away. That thief Li Jiqian is too cunning to lead us here." In the ravine, there are mountains and plains with few people, how can we pursue him? If Zhang Tou hadn't been good at tracking, we would have lost him long ago!"
"What, can't stand it anymore?" After hearing what he said, Zhang Yuan glanced at him.
The policeman said: "It's not that my subordinates are complaining, but if we continue to chase like this, I don't know how many of us brothers will be killed, but Ma Tao will even lose his life!"
Hearing what he said, Zhang Yuan's expression was serious and he said: "The order of the state government was personally given by the magistrate. You want to see the person alive and the corpse when you die. If there is no result and I return it empty-handed, how do you want me to explain it to the state government? If the errand goes wrong, we won’t be able to get any benefits!”
The policeman was stunned for a moment. Obviously, the most important thing was that he had a hard time explaining the situation. However, it was difficult to say this bluntly, and the police officer said: "What I am angry about is the Hedong government along the way. There are many checkpoints on this way westward, how could Li Jiqian be allowed to pass easily? Didn't the state government issue a document to assist the arrest? Hedong This side is not trying its best at all!”
Mentioning this, Zhang Yuan was silent for a moment, with a little helplessness on his face: "After all, this is Hedong, not Hebei, let alone Xiangzhou. Xiangzhou's arrest warrant is not that easy to use in Hedong. Besides, what else can you expect? Did Hedong seal off the passes for Li Jiqian?
Along the way, the governments from various places have been relatively cooperative and have not caused any obstacles for us, which is very rare. Not to mention they have also provided a lot of help. Furthermore, as you said, Li Jiqian is cunning and it is really not easy to catch him. "
"I just think about it and I'm depressed. We were led by the nose by that Li Jiqian, led around the mountains and fields like dogs..." The policeman cursed: "This Li Jiqian, when we catch him, I'm going to Kill him with your own hands!"
Seeing how forcefully he spoke, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but laugh: "You kid, have you ever killed anyone?"
Somewhat embarrassed, the policeman said: "When I find the thief, I will see blood..."
"Have a good rest, regain your strength, and recuperate your spirit. I don't know how long this pursuit will last!" Zhang Yuan sighed: "I know that the brothers have worked hard. When I finish my errands and return to Anyang, I will ask the brothers to give me some pain. Have a drink!”
"Then thank you in advance Zhang Tou!"
There was another moment of silence. Seeing Zhang Yuan studying a map of Hedong with unclear markings, the policeman couldn't help but said: "Zhang Tou, this map is all about big roads and post roads. This place is in a remote place." In the mountains and wilderness, there is no village in front and no shop behind, what can you tell?"
After hearing what he said, Zhang Yuan thought seriously for a moment, took out a charcoal pen from his pocket and marked it on the map, and said, "At least it can help us determine the general direction of where we are, so we won't get lost!"
He pointed forward: "Did you hear that? In front of you should be Pushui, to the north is Xinshui, to the west is the Yellow River, to the north is Daning County..."
"Then what should we do next? Should we go north or west?" The policeman became more energetic and asked, "Should we look for another village and inquire about it?"
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Yuan frowned and thought, then made up his mind and said, "Let's not pursue him like this!"
The policeman was slightly happy: "Go back to Anyang?"
Zhang Yuan immediately scolded: "You kid, you just want to hide!"
After pondering for a while, Zhang Yuan said firmly: "Let's go to Yulin, first cross the river to Yanzhou, and then go to Yinzhou!"
The catcher's eyes widened immediately, with surprise written all over his face: "Zhang Tou, I'm afraid we have to walk hundreds of miles to Yinzhou. How can Li Jiqian run so far?"
"Don't you want to be led around so aimlessly? Then I will find a target for you!" Zhang Yuan said seriously: "Don't forget, this Li Jiqian is from Dangxiang, and his father is the former Yinzhou Defense Envoy, that is his hometown. Seeing him fleeing all the way to the west, I guess his destination is Yinxia. You can take a gamble! To be honest, let alone you, I am tired of this kind of pursuit!"
After listening to his analysis, the detective felt more relaxed. Compared with the physical fatigue, the mental pressure was obviously more severe, just because he was aimless and exhausted.
"But what if Li Jiqian doesn't go to Yinzhou?"
"Then we have tried our best. If there is still no result, then we can go back to Anyang to apologize..."
