As the two were engaged in a hushed conversation, Zhang Shaoyou, who was preparing to preside over a case in Kaifeng Prefecture, suddenly received an uninvited guest.
"Who did you say?"
"It's that Young Master Cai from the Cai family. Not only did he come himself, but he also brought a large group of servants. It looks like they're here to cause trouble..."
Upon hearing Wang Tiezhun's words, Zhang Shaoyou's expression turned peculiar.
Was this truly Cai Jing's son?
This was Bianliang City, the capital of the Great Song Dynasty, right under the Emperor's nose. To openly bring people to Kaifeng Prefecture, did he not know that assaulting government offices was equivalent to treason?
"My lord, all our men are currently outside. Shall I go to the Patrol Command to borrow some men?"
Hearing the noisy commotion outside, Wang Tiezhun quickly asked in a low voice.
Although Kaifeng Prefecture was in charge of the entire Bianliang City, handling all criminal cases, lawsuits, and other illegal matters, in the final analysis, the officials and staff of Kaifeng Prefecture, big and small, numbered only a few hundred.
The military and civilian population under Kaifeng Prefecture's jurisdiction numbered nearly a million. Therefore, to maintain the peace of the entire capital, in addition to Kaifeng Prefecture, there was the Patrol Command under the Imperial Guard Command to assist them in law enforcement.
In simple terms, Kaifeng Prefecture's authority was more like a court and a municipal party committee in later generations, while the Patrol Command more often served as a role similar to police and firefighters.
The original Bianliang City was divided into a new city and an old city, separated by a city wall. The Patrol Command of the old city was managed by the Pengri Army and the Tianwu Army, while the new city was managed by the Shenwei Army and the Longwei Army.
In addition to maintaining daily order, they also had the responsibility to assist Kaifeng Prefecture if needed.
"No rush. If he had the guts, I'd truly respect him as a man. Send down my order: for a while, do not fight back or curse. If their people dare to make a move, the Cai family will be wiped out today!"
"Then, should we help them later?"
After hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Wang Tiezhun's eyes suddenly rolled.
"Handle this kind of matter as you see fit. Understand?"
Hearing him say this, Zhang Shaoyou's face revealed a smile. This kid was truly teachable; only he could come up with such a sneaky plan.
"Understood!"
Seeing the smile on Zhang Shaoyou's face, Wang Tiezhun immediately felt reassured. He cupped his hands towards Zhang Shaoyou and quickly retreated.
"Scholar Cai, what is this?"
After tidying his clothes, Zhang Shaoyou led a few subordinates and swaggered to the entrance of Kaifeng Prefecture, looking at Cai Tao with a puzzled expression.
"Official Zhang, you've finished questioning my Cai family's servants, haven't you? Now, shouldn't you return them to me? If I don't discipline such audacious servants properly, people will think my Cai family has a poor upbringing!"
Seeing Zhang Shaoyou feigning ignorance, Cai Tao sneered.
"Scholar, what are you saying? When did my Kaifeng Prefecture have any servants from the Scholar's family?"
As soon as Cai Tao finished speaking, Zhang Shaoyou immediately showed a confused expression.
"Official Zhang, you're being difficult to talk to. You personally led the men to arrest them, and now you're telling me you don't know about it?"
"I personally led the men to arrest them? Scholar Cai, what are you talking about? Oh, I remember now. Is the Scholar referring to that audacious scoundrel who dared to deceive an imperial official?"
"You!"
Knowing that this guy was making veiled accusations, Cai Tao was truly at a loss for words.
"I've questioned you, and I've asked you everything. Can I take the person away now? Official Zhang, this Bianliang City is not that large. Are you really going to be so ruthless!"
As Cai Tao spoke, a killing intent flashed in his eyes.
If it weren't for the suddenness of this incident, he would have already made a move on Zhang Shaoyou.
"Scholar, your words make no sense. Although he is your Cai family's servant, he has now broken the law. This matter requires further investigation. I'm afraid you cannot take him away today. As for your words about being ruthless, I don't understand them at all. If someone from your Cai family breaks the law, no one can even question them? Is this Cai Xiangguo's intention, or your own?"
At this point, both sides were on the verge of a confrontation. Zhang Shaoyou naturally didn't care about a spoiled brat like Cai Tao.
"Official Zhang, are you refusing to give me face by saying this?"
After listening to Zhang Shaoyou, Cai Tao's face turned pale and then red. He was on the verge of exploding.
However, the angrier he became, the happier Zhang Shaoyou felt. He was waiting for this fool to make a move. As long as he threw a punch and, along with the servants behind him, rushed into Kaifeng Prefecture, the nature of the matter would completely change!
If this guy impulsively rushed into the Kaifeng Prefecture prison and rescued the person, then even immortals couldn't save him!
"I can give you face, but I wonder, Scholar, what do you intend to do with the law of the land? You are also a member of a noble family. Don't you understand this basic principle? You brought people here today. What? Are you planning to storm Kaifeng Prefecture and break into prison? If you really have the guts, the gate is right there! If you don't have the guts, then please, take your people and go back where you came from!"
Facing his threat, Zhang Shaoyou sarcastically poured more fuel on the fire.
"Hahaha, well done, Zhang Shaoyou, well done, Deputy Prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture!"
Faced with this naked provocation, Cai Tao's fists clenched so tightly that they made cracking sounds. The servants behind him were also itching to fight, but Cai Tao himself ultimately did not dare to act directly.
Seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, Cai Tao's face quickly turned ashen.
"The gate is right there. If you don't have the guts to storm it, take your people and get out! This is Kaifeng Prefecture, not the backyard of your Cai family. For Cai Xiangguo's sake, I won't hold this matter against you today, but if there's a next time, don't blame me for being impolite to the Scholar!"
The two sides stood at a stalemate for nearly fifteen minutes. Seeing that Cai Tao still had no courage to take that step, Zhang Shaoyou dropped all pretense of politeness, uttered a parting remark, and swaggered towards the gate of Kaifeng Prefecture.
"Official Zhang, bravo!"