"Come, change Master Wang's cell to a better one! He's an imperial official, after all. Look at this mess!"
Seeing the smile on Zhang Shaoyou's lips, Wang Xian slumped to the ground in despair.
He regretted his words the moment he spoke them, but the situation had spiraled beyond his control.
"Yes, sir!"
Though unsure of Zhang Shaoyou's intentions in showing concern for this Master Wang, as the de facto ruler of Kaifeng Prefecture, his words were the highest directive to the jailers.
"Sir!"
As soon as he emerged from the prison, Wang Tie Zhu rushed forward with his men.
Now a trusted confidant of Zhang Shaoyou, his status had risen considerably. Once a mere soldier, he was now a full-fledged inspector in Kaifeng Prefecture, commanding a hundred men.
"Immediately select some trusted men to guard this place. From this moment on, no one enters or leaves the prison without my personal authorization!"
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing Wang Tie Zhu comply, Zhang Shaoyou gave him another significant look and they quietly moved to a deserted corner.
"After you've handled things here, pick a few more confidants and seal off the prefecture yamen's gates. From now on, without my command, no one is allowed to leave, and not a single fly shall escape!"
"But sir, if we do this, it might cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. After all, if those officials have urgent duties..."
Even Wang Tie Zhu found this difficult to comprehend. The officials of Kaifeng Prefecture were in charge of the daily affairs of nearly a million soldiers and civilians in Bianliang City.
Confining them all within the yamen could lead to a major crisis!
"Don't ask so many irrelevant questions. I'm not discussing this with you; I'm informing you. Listen carefully: I am currently handling a major matter. If you handle this beautifully, when I advance in my career, you will undoubtedly benefit as well!"
If he hadn't known this man so well, Zhang Shaoyou would have kicked him.
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing that Zhang Shaoyou had a major task, Wang Tie Zhu shivered. He was already deeply tied to Zhang Shaoyou.
If Zhang Shaoyou fell into disgrace, it wouldn't be long before he followed suit.
After giving all the instructions, Zhang Shaoyou leisurely returned to his office. Everything he could do had been done. Whether this matter would succeed or fail, only heaven could decide.
Following Zhang Shaoyou's orders, Wang Tie Zhu quickly dispatched men to seal off the prison and the entire prefecture yamen.
None of the men serving in Kaifeng Prefecture were fools. Upon hearing that this was Zhang Shaoyou's command, many immediately sensed a conspiracy within.
Thanks to Zhang Shaoyou's decisive actions, though the events in Kaifeng Prefecture were strange, they did not spread outside.
"How is it?"
Just past noon, Zhang Shaoyou, accompanied by dozens of bailiffs, arrived at a quiet alley not far from the Cai residence.
To avoid attracting attention, they had taken a long detour, coming from Pingkang Ward.
"Although I couldn't see what was happening inside, from the alley entrance, dozens of people have been coming and going!"
Seeing Zhang Shaoyou's inquiry, a shifty-looking young bailiff whispered.
"Listen up, everyone. We don't care about the people outside. Not a single person in that courtyard is to be let go! Anyone who lets a scoundrel from that residence escape will have to answer for it at Prince Yue's mansion!"
"Yes, sir!"
At his words, the bailiffs behind him responded in unison.
"Move out!"
After surveying everyone, Zhang Shaoyou led them directly towards the small courtyard Wang Xian had indicated.
"Don't let a single villain escape! Charge!"
Looking at the long line in the alley, Zhang Shaoyou took a deep breath and roared.
At his command, the once orderly line descended into chaos.
Even though the people lining up here held positions of status, when faced with imperial officers, they dared not reveal their identities when engaging in bribery and corruption.
"We are all scholars! We are not villains!"
As the fierce bailiffs surged towards them, a middle-aged man in the crowd shouted.
"If you are scholars, what are you still doing here?"
Zhang Shaoyou was speechless at their foolishness. Hadn't he shouted in advance precisely to let these people escape?
All he needed was the fool inside the courtyard. As for the people at the entrance, they were imperial officials after all. And he already had enough evidence; there was no need to implicate these unfortunate souls further.
But he had never expected these individuals to be so foolish as to not even flee when trouble arose.
Upon hearing his words, the officials who finally came to their senses covered their faces with their sleeves and fled in all directions.
In an instant, dozens of officials vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! What kind of officers dare to ruin my good deed?"
Seeing the money he was about to receive fly away, Cai Yunzhuo rushed out of the courtyard in a rage.
"Seize this ungrateful dog!"
He was, after all, a junior official of Kaifeng Prefecture. In his tenure, this was the first time anyone had dared to insult Zhang Shaoyou to his face.
Seeing his face as dark as the bottom of a pot, the surrounding bailiffs did not hesitate to act.
"How dare you! I am the steward of Young Master Cai! Let's see who dares to touch me!"
Seeing that these officers were not backing down, Cai Yunzhuo could only invoke Cai Tao's name.
"Young Master Cai? I truly didn't expect that Cai Gongzi, who is now over 70 years old, would still be called 'Young Master Cai' by you! Guards, seize this rebellious wretch!"
With a cold laugh, Zhang Shaoyou waved his hand sharply. The bailiffs swarmed forward, pinning Cai Yunzhuo to the ground.
"Search! Do not miss a single corner!"