Chapter 58

The government office was brightly lit and noisy, which alarmed the people around, and they all ran outside the gate to watch the excitement.

Prefect Yin put on his official uniform and ran to the lobby in a panic. When he saw the wounded assassins lying on the ground, his legs were so frightened that his legs went limp. He pretended to be calm and looked at Yan Mingting who was standing in the hall: “General Yan, Who are these?”

“Prefect Yin, don’t pretend to be stupid at this time.” Yan Mingting said awe-inspiringly.

“The lower officials don’t understand what General Yan means.”

“Of course there is something you can understand. We’ll just wait here for the imperial envoy to handle the case.” Yan Mingting sat down on the chair next to him and stared at him intently, as if staring at a prey.

Prefect Yin was dripping with cold sweat, looked down at the assassin on the ground, still alive, moaning/groaning in pain, but he could not survive, he secretly thought that something was wrong, and his palms were sweating.

Mingming Yan Mingting and “Zhao Yelan” don’t have a good relationship, why did they rush to save people in time?

“Master Imperial Envoy, you…” Prefect Yin walked to the other side with heavy steps, looked at the silent Gao Tan, and pretended to be concerned, “Why are you covered in blood? Who did it? Is it this group of people? I’m putting them in jail right now!”

“Wait a minute.”

Suddenly there was a clear voice at the door, and Zhifu Yin looked over, and saw two young masters from the capital walking in with Yin Pinglu.

And Yan Mingting immediately got up to meet him, and started whispering with the leader.

Prefect Yin personally clenched his fists, and when the situation came to an end, he might as well use a deadly trap to distract the imperial envoy temporarily, he raised his voice and said, “Master Zhao, I want to expose General Yan’s adultery to you! ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent and looked at him together.

“Master Zhao, you don’t know something. During your absence in Huaizhou, General Yan and Mr. Fu flirted with each other secretly, and I have seen it with my own eyes! It is at this time, sir, that you were almost killed. However, the general’s primary concern is that young master! I really don’t deserve you for my lord!” Prefect Yin’s words were sincere and his voice was encouraging, as if he really felt sorry for Lord Zhao.

But after he finished speaking, the adults in front of him just looked at him indifferently, then moved one step to the side, and then another step…

Prefect Yin watched helplessly as he moved behind the young master step by step, and then handed over the token of the imperial envoy to him.

Yin Zhifu opened his eyes wide in bewilderment.

“Have you finished?” Zhao Yelan took the token, avoided the group of people lying on the ground, walked to the table in front of the lobby, and sat upright, “Can I honestly explain your crimes now?”

“You!” Prefect Yin realized belatedly, pointed at him with trembling fingers, his legs were weakening, “You are… you are Zhao Yelan?!”

Zhao Yelan gave him a cold look, and slapped the gavel: “Bring Kuang Sheng to the court.”

Kuang Sheng was escorted in by several soldiers. When he entered the lobby, he was a little surprised to see the person sitting in the main seat, but he calmed down soon. Ever since he found out that this group of people obeyed this person’s orders, he guessed that he was of a high status, but he didn’t expect that this was the real imperial envoy.

“Lord Zhao, I want to sue Wu Zhixian for robbing the women of the people, colluding with the peak, and repaying him!” Kuang Sheng said loudly, and Wu Zhixian was taken up by Yu Dali.

“My lord, this person sent people to Kuang Sheng’s house in a vain attempt to silence him, but we captured him alive. The murderers have all confessed.” Yu Dali said.

“If you get the stolen goods together, if you don’t want to be punished, the county magistrate can obediently charge you.” Zhao Yelan said.

Wu Zhixian’s hair was scattered and he was in a panic. He glanced at Yin Zhifu, and then drew a bet.

“Then, who is the person who sent people to murder the court officials?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“It’s me.” Wu Zhixian choked up.

“Prefect Yin is your father-in-law, and he has accepted a lot of bribes from you. Why do you still have to take the blame for him at this time? You know that this crime can ruin your family. He is worth your whole family’s life.” Go in? Even if you don’t think about your wife, are you willing to lose your child’s life and leave your Wu family without an offspring?” Zhao Yelan said.

These words really hit the pain point of Wuzhi County, and his biggest weakness was having no heir. The veins on his forehead twitched, and he turned to look at Zhifu Yin.

Zhifu Yin knew that the situation was over, his knees softened, and he knelt down on the ground: “My lord, please forgive me, I’m just being confused for a while!”

“You are confused. You are afraid that the imperial envoy will find out the evidence of collusion and bribery between you and the officials. You are afraid. You also think that Yan Mingting has a bad relationship with me, so you plan to murder me, and then Yan Ming Spread the news of court affairs, divert everyone’s attention, and get away with it.” Zhao Yelan said.

Prefect Yin knelt on the ground, his hands were still trembling.

“Write down all the officials you bribed in private now, and I can try to get you off lightly.” Zhao Yelan handed them pens and paper, and seeing that they were still refusing to move, he smiled slightly, “The group on the ground The assassin hasn’t died yet, it’s just that life is worse than death. Hurry up while you can write now, lest you will be punished later, which is uglier than them.”

The two looked back at the assassins whose hands and feet were still bleeding, couldn’t bear to look any further, turned around, and wrote quickly.

After more than half an hour, Zhao Yelan finally got the charge sheet, including the list of embezzlement: “Send these two people to Dali Temple immediately.”

“My lord, didn’t you say that you will be punished lightly!” Zhifu Yin looked at him in surprise.

“I’m taking it lightly, did I touch you?” Zhao Yelan said, “The investigation of the case is naturally left to the people from the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Dali Temple. If you want to intercede, go to them.”

Prefect Yin fell to the ground slumped and was lifted up. When he passed the door, he turned to look at Yin Pinglu.

“I will take good care of my younger siblings,” Yin Pinglu said.

“Bah!” Prefect Yin spat at her, “You bastard! Why did I give birth to a daughter like you!”

Yin Pinglu froze in place, looking at him in disbelief.

Yan Mingting was about to step forward, but Zhao Yelan took the first step and slapped him hard: “I don’t know the heights of the old thing, you have today, it is purely your own fault.”

“That’s right!” Li Yucheng had been upset with the old man for a long time, so he kicked him several times to vent his anger.

Xiao Gao also punched him a few times in troubled waters.

“Take it down.” Zhao Yelan waved his hand.

“Are you okay?” Yan Mingting looked at Yin Pinglu, Yin Pinglu shook his head, and quickly wiped his fingertips at the end of his eyes: “It’s okay, I don’t feel any guilt at all now. Just do what you want , Your Excellency and the general don’t need to take my face into consideration.”

The imperial envoy has the right to try the case locally, and it took so much trouble, probably so that she would not be implicated in it.

“Sending it to the capital for trial is not just for your face, but deliberately to make a big fanfare, to scare the chickens and monkeys, so that officials in other places can be more cautious.” Zhao Yelan said, “Besides, there are too many people involved here. The Ministry of Punishments and Dali Temple are the most suitable.” So as not to make the imperial court suspect him again.

On the second day, Zhao Yelan interrogated the prefect of Yin and the prefect of Wu county overnight, and the news about many related persons was spread throughout the streets and alleys, causing a sensation in the entire Jiangnan region.

Officials from several surrounding states were also involved, and everyone was in dire straits, lest they be thoroughly investigated.

The common people were all happy, discussing this important event after dinner and tea, some found it incredible, and some felt that death deserved more than guilt.

In addition, many people knew that the so-called “the most beautiful man in the capital” turned out to be Mr. Zhao, and while praising him for punishing corrupt officials, they also praised him for his good looks.

When Zhao Yelan went out to buy steamed stuffed buns in the morning, he was surrounded by people, some asked how the officials would deal with him, and some women boldly said that they wanted to marry him.

Yan Mingting started to get sour from a long distance away, pulled him out of the crowd, held his hand and said: “The affairs of the officials are handled by the imperial court, and a new magistrate will arrive soon, everyone What should I do, let alone miss my wife! We have become relatives, the kind of three matchmakers, six hires, and eight sedan chairs!”

Everyone was amused by him, and laughed and praised the general is also very handsome, the two really match each other!

“Girl, what did you just say?” Yan Mingting asked.

“I said General Yan and Master Zhao are really a good match!”

“I didn’t hear that.”

“General Yan and Master Zhao are both great heroes. General Yan helps us catch bandits, and Master Zhao catches corrupt officials for us. You are the perfect match!”

Yan Mingting and everyone else laughed together.

Zhao Yelan glanced helplessly at the proud Yan Mingting.

“Be careful to turn around and accuse the officials of inciting the crowd.” Back in the inn, Zhao Yelan put down the paper bag in his hand, which contained a few large steamed buns just out of the oven.

“Then I’ll give them a good beating. I don’t think about the people every day, and I hold on to the words and deeds of officials all day long. I’m really idle.” Yan Mingting sat down next to him loudly.

“Again, your vulgar language.” Zhao Yelan laughed.

Yan Mingting also laughed, and said with emotion: “I think, comparing Jiangnan and the capital, it’s like heaven and earth. The people here are really sensible.”

There are many officials in the capital, and there are many forces. The common people without judgment will follow others’ opinions when they hear the turmoil in the court.

Yan Mingting still remembers the time when he just returned to court, he heard gossip about Zhao Yelan outside all day, he didn’t care much at first, but after getting along with Zhao Yelan for a long time, he would inevitably get bored with these voices.

But in Jiangnan, these people’s first impression of Zhao Yelan was that they were cruel and merciless, and they were far away from each other, and they didn’t care how cruel and merciless Zhao Yelan was. Now in their hearts, it is Mr. Zhao who is vigorous and resolute. He has caught corrupt officials who are colluding with the people for their people, and he is a good official who does practical things for them!

Yan Mingting stood up suddenly, summoned a few people, and ordered: “You spread what the common people said today to the capital, and it’s best to spread it in other places as well.”

Zhao Yelan couldn’t laugh or cry: “Youyou’s mouth can’t be stopped, why should you care about other people’s opinions.”

“I care, I don’t want to hear others say bad things about you.” Yan Mingting sat back angrily.

Zhao Yelan looked sideways, with a slight smile on his brows and eyes, and slowly approached his cheeks, bit his earlobe lightly, and whispered: “Then will you listen to me?”

Yan Mingting had already froze completely when the other party posted it, and now his face was even redder, and he turned his head to the side, wanting to kiss his lips.

The other party stepped back lightly, and put his index finger against his lips.

“not right now.”

“Why?” Yan Mingting was stunned.

Because I just ate a steamed stuffed bun filled with chives, it tastes great.

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows, didn’t say the real reason, but said the business as usual: “I received an urgent letter from the court, the governor’s collusion with officials and bandits has been interrogated, and he is detained in prison, waiting to be dealt with, the new governor Coming soon.”

“En.” Yan Mingting listened seriously, but looked at him itchy, “What else?”

“In addition to Wuzhi County, there are several other important officials who are on the way to the capital, and the other sesame officials will stay in Jiangnan for review. You send people to guard the rest of the people on the list, wait The new governor has to deal with it one by one. If you just took office, you must urgently want to make some political achievements. This is a great opportunity. I will not participate. Once the person arrives, we can set off to return to Beijing.”

“Go back so soon? Don’t you want to play for a few more days?”

“The new governor will arrive in a few days, enough for us to have fun.”

“Alright.” Yan Mingting looked at him with burning eyes, “Is there anything else we can’t do?”

“Well, I haven’t bought Jiangnan silk yet.” Zhao Yelan took the purse and was about to go downstairs. “I heard that Jiangnan silk is rare in the world. I have time to take a look.”

Li Yucheng next door heard the movement, and ran out excitedly: “You want to see silk? I can accompany you there, I will take you to the best silk shop!”

“Let’s go.” Zhao Yelan readily agreed.

Yan Mingting looked at the brisk backs of the two and silently covered his face.

“General, what’s the matter with you?” Yin Pinglu came out, seeing his melancholy expression, and seeing two leaving figures downstairs, the voice of discussing clothes could be heard here, so he guessed what he was going to do up.

“You said… Is the clothes more important, or the man?” Yan Mingting asked.

“Well… if the general is jealous, he can follow.” Yin Pinglu smiled, “There is nothing more important than being happy, so why do you have to let the adults choose the same? How about making him happier?”

Yan Mingting thought for a while, and suddenly realized: “You are right. Let’s go, you go too.”

“What am I going to do?”

“Go and divert the attention of that brat Li Yucheng, and chat with him for a while so that he won’t have to follow Zhao Yelan all the time.”

Yin Pinglu smiled and followed.

A group of people came to a silk shop with a large storefront, and Li Yucheng shouted: “Shopkeeper, take out your best silk, our master has plenty of silver!”

Soon someone brought out several materials for them to choose from. Zhao Yelan touched the material, and it was as thin as a cicada’s wing, soft and comfortable. It was indeed a good material. As soon as he took out the purse, Yan Mingting pressed it back.

“I’ll pay the bill.” Yan Mingting was full of pride.

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows, picked out one of the beautiful brocade handkerchiefs, and looked at him with a half-smile: “I want this handkerchief too.”

“Fifty yuan!” Yan Mingting said.

“The clothes are nice.”

“purchase!”

“It’s a rare color.”

“Buy buy buy!”

The shopkeepers were all overjoyed, and hurried to prepare to pack and pack the goods.

“A total of one hundred and fifty-eight taels.”

Yan Mingting took out his purse and threw it to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper happily counted the silver, but said embarrassingly: “My lord, you… are not enough.”

The corner of Yan Mingting’s mouth twitched, and his voice immediately weakened: “How far is it?”

“Forty-three taels.”

Yan Mingting usually didn’t bring much money with him when he went out, and now he was really ashamed. He looked down at the accessories on his body, and when he touched the jade pendant on his waist, Zhao Yelan held it down.

“We won’t pay this money.” Zhao Yelan said.

“Isn’t that good?” Yan Mingting whispered to him, “My piece of jade is just an ornament, it’s not of much use, just give it to them.”

“You don’t need to give it.” Zhao Yelan shouted, “Li Yucheng, pay the bill.”

Yan Mingting immediately became unhappy: “Why let him come?”

“Because this is his uncle’s silk farm, and he still owes me more than nine thousand taels of gold. It’s not too much for him to pay, right?” Zhao Yelan turned to look at Li Yucheng, “What do you think?”

Li Yucheng grinned: “Sure enough, I still can’t hide it from you. Not only can you take all these things, but I will also give you a piece of clothing, as long as you promise me to wear it for a few days.”

“Only one?” Zhao Yelan asked him.

Li Yucheng came to his senses and said with a smile: “Yan Mingting and Miss Yin have both, both!”

In the end, the four of them changed into new clothes in the store, and almost everyone would turn their heads to look at them while walking on the road.

Zhao Yelan finally put on a new fan, and when someone asked them which company bought the clothes, Li Yucheng immediately replied, “Cheng’s silk shop!”

Within half a day, everything in Cheng’s silk shop was wiped out.

After dinner, Yan Mingting and Zhao Yelan went out for a stroll together, this time finally there were no other people waiting.

“There are masks over there.” Zhao Yelan thought it was new. The masks sold here were all in the shape of animals. He took a few glances, picked up the dog-head mask in front of him, and put it on Yan Mingting’s face.

“…” Yan Mingting put his hands on the mask, and was about to take it off, but suddenly saw Zhao Yelan laughing, as if he couldn’t stop, the louder he laughed, the eyes were bent into half moons, without any scruples, Laughter without worry, without concealment.

Yan Mingting was infected by his laughter, and laughed unconsciously: “Is it so funny?”

Zhao Yelan nodded with a smile, almost unable to stand upright, grabbed his arm for strength, and said, “Take the money.”

Yan Mingting gave twice as much, then picked up a cat face mask, quickly put it on his face, and laughed loudly: “It’s so beautiful.”

Zhao Yelan smiled and said, “What are you talking about?”

“Of course it’s you, and your cat face.” Yan Mingting ran away after finishing speaking.

“You are the good-looking!” Zhao Yelan subconsciously chased after him, “You and your dog head are the only good-looking!”

The street was bustling with lights, and many people saw two tall men wearing ridiculous masks chasing and fighting.

A child was standing on the side of the road licking candied haws. Seeing this, he said childishly, “Mom, I don’t play with these anymore. Why are those two still playing? They must be over fifty years old together. How good are they?” Childish.”

——————–

The author has something to say:

Yan Mingting (seriously): This is fun, you little kid doesn’t understand.

Zhao Yelan (seriously): Who said they are over half a hundred years old? You are old!