Chapter 46 On pins and needles
Boom~~
Dong Dong~~~
“Who’s beating the drum outside?
Come, go and have a look! "

In the back hall of the county government office, the county magistrate Wu Longyuan, who was being affectionate with his beautiful concubine at the dining table, heard the drumbeats coming from outside the county government office. He let go of the beauty in his arms, put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands, and shouted to the outside.

Although Wu Longyuan is lustful and greedy, he can be considered a good and capable official in this world.

He is lustful but never robs women, he is lustful but never touches other people’s wives.

In addition, you should be moderate in your money intake.

He also has his own way of handling official business.

This made Wu Longyuan have a good reputation in Xuzhou City.

This is also the reason why Zhu Chengwu could always tolerate Wu Longyuan and get along well with the Xuzhou County Government.

"Yes! Your lord!"

There came a servant's answer from outside the door.

In the Ming Dynasty, in order to prevent officials from becoming too deeply involved with the local wealthy families they came from, there was a rule that officials could serve in other places.

This resulted in the situation that almost all local officials at the rank of county magistrate and above were temporary officials.

In order to solve the accommodation problem of officials and also for the convenience of office work.

In ancient times, local officials, especially local chief officials, usually lived in the inner courtyard of the yamen.

Integration of work and life.

But this also led to a special phenomenon: that is, when one person is an official, the whole family eats the emperor's food.

Officials live in the inner courtyard of the yamen, so what about their families and servants?
where do you live?

Of course it’s the government office!
Since they all live in the yamen, their life and work are integrated.

Then it wouldn't be too much to give the servant a position as a clerk or a minor official!
It's normal to make the servants who serve your family the status of yamen runners and support them with imperial food!

In a popular TV series in Zhu Chengwu's previous life, a teacher who was a provincial official once scolded his student who was a department director: "You arranged a farmer who can't read a single word to be an auxiliary police officer! Do you want to arrange all the stray dogs in your village to be police dogs so that they can also eat a share of the emperor's food..."

But it is normal for domestic dogs to eat royal food in this martial arts world, and it is natural...

Even if Zhu Chengwu didn't like it, he couldn't do anything about it.

This is the social ecology!
What to do?

Xuzhou County Magistrate Wu Longyuan was no exception.

The servants in Wu Longyuan's family were also the yamen runners in the county government.

The servant quickly left the county government hall as Wu Longyuan requested.

Pass through the gate of the county government office and look outside the gate at the place where the drum is being raised.

The servant, who was just thinking about whether he should show off his authority in order to get some tribute or some small advantage, was immediately frightened and broke out in a cold sweat.

people!
Too much!
There was a huge crowd of people around the Dengwen Drum.

Moreover, the man who was beating the drum for reporting was muscular and strong. More importantly, he was wearing the standard half-body armor of the guards of the Marquis of Fu'an's mansion.

The servant looked more closely and saw that around the man beating the drum there were many members of the Fu'an Marquis's guard team wearing the same uniforms.

As for the old man who was leading the group, although the servant didn't know him, he could tell from his demeanor that he was an extraordinary person.

As a servant in the yamen.

Although this servant rose to his position by relying on the "connections" of the county magistrate Wu Longyuan, he was experienced in welcoming and seeing off guests and had some basic discernment.

This…

The servant had no time to take a closer look, let alone think about it.

He ran to the backyard of the county government office in a hurry.

"Oh no, oh no! Sir, it's the people from the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion who are beating the drum outside to report the incident."

Hearing the servant's impatient report, Wu Longyuan's face changed immediately.

When Marquis Fu'an was assassinated, the county government sent out all the people who could be sent out after receiving the news.

It can be considered as following orders!

What does it mean that the guards of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion are coming to the county government office to beat the drum to report news?
You know, the military force of Fu'an Hou Mansion is stronger than that of the government office, let alone the county office.

What the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion couldn't solve, the county government couldn't solve either.

In terms of background and backing, Marquis Fu'an has direct access to the royal palace.

In this regard, there is no need for the government offices in Xuzhou city.

The same is true!

In the past few years, Fu'an Houfu had never come to the county government to beat the drum to report his crimes.

Whenever there was something, they would send someone directly to deliver the message, and the county government would cooperate fully.

This time, how...

Wu Longyuan couldn't figure out what Fu'an Houfu was going to do this time...

"Are you sure it's someone from the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion beating the drum?"

Wu Longyuan confirmed it again to the servant.

"That's right, sir!

Although I am sometimes confused, I can still recognize the uniforms of the Fu'an Marquis's guards!"

The servant confirmed.

"Come on, call the master, and follow me to meet the people from the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion.

See what they want to do?"

After thinking for a few moments, Wu Longyuan decided that since he couldn't figure it out, he might as well go and meet him.

Once they meet, we will naturally know what the purpose of Fu'an Houfu is.

Moreover, the county government has been getting along well with the Fu'an Marquis Mansion in recent years!
Wu Longyuan felt that the Fu'an Marquis Mansion was not here to cause trouble this time.

Unfortunately, Wu Longyuan guessed wrong in one aspect!

The person who made the decision this time was not someone from Marquis Fu'an's mansion, but Zhao Yuguang.

Given Zhao Yuguang's status, he certainly wouldn't deliberately cause trouble for a county magistrate he didn't even know.

But sometimes, it is just the innocent innocent who are plotting the disasters planned by the superiors, and the inferiors cannot afford it!

With Wu Longyuan's command, Zhao Yuguang, Zhao Xingye and a group of people were quickly brought into the yamen.

As soon as he arrived at the main hall, Wu Longyuan discovered Zhao Yuguang, who had an extraordinary temperament.

Especially when he discovered that Zhao Xingye, the commander-in-chief of the Fu'an Marquis's guard team, seemed to respect the old man in front of him very much, observing the old man's facial expressions everywhere and treating the old man as respectful in everything, Wu Longyuan understood even more that the old man in front of him was extraordinary.

The old man, Wu Longyuan didn’t know him.

But, how could Wu Longyuan not know Zhao Xingye, the commander-in-chief of the Fu'an Marquis's guard?

After all, the official rank of Zhao Xingye's general flag was the eighth grade, which was much lower than that of Wu Longyuan, the county magistrate.

Moreover, Zhao Xingye has the support of the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Normally, the two of them have a lot of contact.

As he turned his eyes, Wu Longyuan also discovered that there were many familiar figures among the onlookers outside the hall.

There are well-known warriors in the city, middle and high-level people from powerful forces, as well as the head of the Li family and the old housekeeper of the prefectural governor Fu Daren’s house...

This scene is so huge!
"Trouble!

I just don’t know what happened…”

Wu Longyuan pondered in his heart.

At this moment, Wu Longyuan suddenly regretted his previous decision not to build up his power and deliberately keep a distance from the major forces in the city in order to maintain the reputation of being a clean stream.

Otherwise, Wu Longyuan would not be blind and deaf now, with no information at all and no idea of ​​the situation.

However, although he knew that the leading old man was extraordinary and that things were not easy today, Wu Longyuan still had to go through the necessary procedures.

If you follow the process strictly, you won’t make any big mistakes!
This is what Wu Longyuan thought in his mind.

"Who is making noise in front of the hall?

Why? "

Wulong Yuan slammed the gavel in the hall.

"Zhao Yugang, an elderly man in his seventies, sued Huang Jun, the commander of the Xuzhou City Guard, for following the instigation of a villain and assassinating his grandson.

I beg the county lord to look into this matter clearly! "

Zhao Yuguang waved his sleeves lightly, bowed slightly, and said.

At the same time, he signaled Zhao Xingye to push Huang Jun to the hall.

As Zhao Xingye forced Huang Jun to kneel in the hall and pulled aside his hair, Wu Longyuan discovered that the sturdy man with disheveled hair who had been detained by the guards of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion was actually Huang Jun, a fifth-rank official of Xuzhou Prefecture and the commander of the garrison.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, the highest civil official in a prefecture was the prefect, and under him were the tongpan and tongzhi who were in charge of specific affairs.

Depending on local conditions, there can be one or more Tongpan or Tongzhi.

Military officer: depending on the situation, the highest commander of the garrison may be at the same level as the prefect, or may be half a level lower than the prefect.

Specifically speaking of the situation in Xuzhou Prefecture, in addition to the title of Marquis Fu'an.

The highest rank in the court was the prefect, which was the fifth rank.

Below him is the Tongzhi who is also the chief constable of the Patrol Police Department, who is of the fifth rank. Because this world is a martial arts world, the Patrol Police Department, which controls the force, has a very high status.

There is also the Tongpan who is in charge of grain transportation, farmland, water conservancy, litigation, etc., who is also from the fifth rank.

As for military officers, the commander of the garrison guard is also of the fifth rank.

In other words, Guard Commander Huang Jun was second only to the last person in the Xuzhou officialdom, and was one and a half ranks higher than Wu Longyuan, the seventh-rank county magistrate.

Moreover, because the civil and martial systems are different, and this world is a martial arts world.

Huang Jun, the commander of the garrison guard, was so arrogant that he even ignored the prefect's respect in the Xuzhou government!

How could someone of such status be so desperate as to assassinate Zhu Chengwu?
Wu Longyuan couldn't figure it out!
"Commander Huang...?
Huang Jun, assassinating your grandson?

I wonder who your grandson is?

"Father, who are you?"

As Zhao Yuguang spoke, Wu Longyuan glanced at the guards of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion around him and asked carefully.

At this time, if Wu Longyuan still can't guess who the old man in front of him is?

Who is the grandson he is talking about?

Wu Longyuan was unworthy of being a talented scholar who passed the imperial examination.

There were many scholars in the Ming Dynasty.

Anyone who can pass the scientific examination is a genius whose IQ far exceeds that of ordinary people!
They may not be as knowledgeable as some of Zhu Chengwu's people in his previous life, but their wisdom is by no means inferior.

Now in Xuzhou city, it is no secret that Fu'an Marquis Zhu Chengwu was assassinated by a first-class archer!
There are only a few first-rate archers in Xuzhou Prefecture.

Huang Jun, commander of the garrison, was one of them.

Moreover, the grandfather of Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, the old Marquis Zhao, showed up...

But Wu Longyuan also doubted whether the great master, general, Marquis of Zhenyuan, and old patriarch of the Zhao family - Lord Zhao Yuguang would really come to his small county government office and have someone ring the drum to report his mistakes.
"My name is Zhao Yugang, and my name is Zhu Chengwu, my grandson."

as predicted!

Nothing went beyond Wu Longyuan's expectations.

But it was this unexpectedness that made Wu Longyuan feel uneasy.

Commander Wei assassinated Marquis Fu'an!
Is this the kind of thing that a small county magistrate like him should be involved in?

Even a small county magistrate like him has to investigate clearly!
How can a small county magistrate like him see things so clearly?

Doesn't this cost his life?

"Old...Old Marquis!
It turned out to be the old marquis in person!

Please forgive me for not recognizing the great man!
"Old Marquis, please take a seat!"

When Wu Longyuan heard Zhao Yuguang's self-introduction, he jumped up from his chair as if his butt was on fire.

He bowed his body, came in front of Zhao Yuguang and spoke humbly.

"County Magistrate Wu!

There is no marquis or general here today, only an old man whose grandson was assassinated by a villain! "

Zhao Yuguang ignored Wu Longyuan's humility and cautiousness and waved his hand.

Today, Zhao Yuguang is going to sue Huang Jun as an ordinary citizen.

"My Lord, you..."

Wu Longyuan looked at Zhao Yuguang with embarrassment.

"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, everything that happens in a territory is under the jurisdiction of the local officials.

Magistrate Wu, the place where Huang Jun assassinated my grandson is right here in Xuzhou City!

The place where I captured Huang Jun was also this Xuzhou City!

Therefore, it is reasonable, legal and compliant for you to judge!"

Zhao Yuguang looked at Wu Longyuan and said so.

Legal is legal!
But Wu Longyuan was just a small county magistrate. How could he handle the matter of the commander of the guards assassinating the current marquis?

Who knows how many people are involved here?

Who is behind Huang Jun?
When two huge forces collide, even a tiny ripple is enough to destroy Wulong Yuan.

Wu Longyuan didn't need to think too much to know that the reason behind Huang Jun's assassination of Zhu Chengwu was extremely complicated...

But when Zhao Yuguang sent people to knock on the drum outside the county government office, Wu Longyuan had no room or opportunity to hide.

Wu Longyuan quickly figured this out!
Then, at Zhao Yuguang's signal, Wu Longyuan sat back on the bench on the hall with a bitter face, unwillingly and helplessly.

"My Lord, I am overstepping my authority!

Do you have any evidence to sue Commander Huang?"

Forced into a corner, Wu Longyuan looked at the master beside him and began the strict interrogation process.

The tone can be a little softer, but the process must be strict and standardized.

Only in this way, Wu Longyuan felt that he could save himself from this whirlpool.

"evidence?
My 'Thousand Mile Soul Locking' is the evidence!
Of course, if this isn’t enough, I still have confessions and witnesses!
Just now at the gate of Xuzhou City, Huang Jun personally admitted that it was he who assassinated Wu Ge'er!

The guards at the Marquis’ Mansion and the onlookers who were at the scene are all witnesses.”

Zhao Yugang presented his evidence.

"Yes! We all heard it!"

Led by Zhao Xingye, many guards of the Marquis' Mansion spoke one after another.

"Yes! We all heard it!"

"Yes! We all heard it!"

In addition to the guards of the Marquis's Mansion, sporadic voices were also heard from the common people and the audience outside the hall.

These people are all close to the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Or someone who doesn't think deeply.

Although they didn’t understand Fu’an Houfu’s actions, they just supported it as long as there was something fun to watch!
As for most people, they remained silent.

These people are all people with deep thoughts.

They are not stakeholders and don’t want to be dragged into the vortex!

So I chose silence.

But just the people who have just spoken are enough to form a sufficient chain of evidence.

"Okay, since Commander Huang...Huang Jun has admitted it himself!

Then sign it!

Waiting for this official to report..."

Wu Longyuan acted promptly and couldn't wait to end the court session.

"slow!"

Zhao Yugang interrupted Wu Longyuan with just one word, and also ruined Wu Longyuan's plan to end it quickly.

"My Lord, what else do you have..."

"County Magistrate Wu, how could Huang Jun, a mere guard commander, have the guts to assassinate the king's legitimate son!

There must be another mastermind behind this!"

Zhao Yuguang repeated what he had said at the city gate.

Moreover, Zhao Yugang no longer said that Zhu Chengwu was his grandson, but pointed out Zhu Chengwu's other identity - the legitimate son of the current Ming King.

"So, sir, what do you mean?"

Wu Longyuan frowned and asked cautiously.

"In this world, there are not many people who dare to assassinate the king's legitimate son or the duke of the imperial court!"

Zhao Yugang stared at Wu Longyuan.

Seeing Wu Longyuan remained silent, Zhao Yugang continued, "As long as we check one by one, we will always be able to find clues!"

"My Lord, I'm afraid these people... are not something I can..."

Wu Longyuan frowned even deeper.

“Of course, these people are all very famous!

Already successful!

There is no conflict of interest with Wu Ge'er, so why would he attack Wu Ge'er for no reason!
You know, it has been nearly ten years since Wu Ge'er arrived in Xuzhou City, and everything has been peaceful before!

But now he was suddenly assassinated..."

At this point, Zhao Yugang paused for a moment and continued, "But, I heard that more than three months ago, Wudang's top disciple Zhuo Yihang went to Xuzhou City to challenge Wu Ge'er, but was easily defeated by Wu Ge'er!
The name of Wudang's eldest disciple is so powerful that he was easily defeated by Wu Ge'er. It's hard to guarantee that he won't hold a grudge against him!"

"My Lord, what does this have to do with Commander Huang... No, Huang Jun?"

Wu Longyuan was increasingly confused about what Zhao Yuguang meant.

(End of this chapter)