Sunlight slanted down, and under the eaves, Zhan Feiyu's face was pale, but her words were like sharp knives, each one a death sentence.
"The defendant did not appear in court, and the county magistrate did not preside over the trial, yet the constables dared to arrest someone without authorization. Moreover, the卫所 (wei suo) has even been implicated. This is quite interesting. Since when can the Weizhou 卫所 replace the yamen in handling cases? I am young and my words are insignificant, perhaps the esteemed officials of the Censorate would be willing to submit a memorial."
"Stop spewing nonsense and confusing people!" Luo Butou shouted sternly. He truly feared that if Zhan Feiyu continued to chatter, not only he, but all the officials in Weizhou Prefecture would be impeached by the censors.
Censors were already prone to reporting hearsay, and what's more, Luo Butou had repeatedly stated his intention to search the house for stolen goods. However, upon closer examination, this was driven by his personal greed. Even the smallest matter, when presented in a censor's memorial, could be exaggerated into a grave crime of treason.
If He Sheng and He Nuan were not present, Luo Butou would have had the heart to kill Zhan Feiyu. As it was, he could only glare at her fiercely before turning to report to the Wubaihu outside the courtyard.
"My Lord Baihu, that girl is sharp-tongued. If this charge sticks, I will be unable to protect myself. The matter entrusted by the noble person is truly beyond my capabilities." Luo Butou spread his hands, tossing the problem to the Wubaihu.
Luo Butou had thought it was an easy task, a chance to skim some profit while searching. He never expected to be in such an awkward position, to be beaten and lose face.
Still seated on his horse, the Wubaihu cast a disgusted glance at the cunning Luo Butou. This matter had been entrusted by the Marquis's mansion. Regardless of whether Luo Butou shirked his responsibility, the Wubaihu certainly could not return empty-handed.
"Why are you arguing with a mere girl? Just apprehend them!" The Wubaihu was a rough man and could not play the games of scholars. As soon as the yamen's men made a move, if anyone in the courtyard dared to resist, he would have reason to arrest them.
Not a good person, and I have to be the vanguard! Luo Butou pressed his tongue against his teeth, finally conceding. At worst, he would be beaten again.
A moment later, seeing the constables lying in disarray and witnessing He Sheng's martial prowess, the Wubaihu's eyes changed to a fierce glare. He raised his right hand and said, "Release..."
Before the word "arrow" was fully uttered, everyone saw a figure flash in the sunlight. The Wubaihu had already been kicked off his horse by He Nuan.
Almost simultaneously, He Nuan twisted the Wubaihu's arm and pinned him face down on the ground.
Hoo! The surrounding villagers were stunned. Although He Nuan did not possess Zhan Feiyu's delicate and fair appearance, her demeanor was gentle, and her figure was as slender as that of a Jiangnan woman. Yet, the villagers had never imagined she could be more formidable than the women in their village.
Luo Butou, also kicked to the ground, glanced outside the courtyard. A flicker of disdain flashed in his eyes. These men from the 卫所, who usually acted so high and mighty, turned out to be mere showpieces, all flash and no substance!
"You dare to attack a court official! Are you rebelling?" His cheek scraped against the hard ground, drawing blood. The Wubaihu roared with a ferocious expression, his murderous gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu, who was walking towards him.
If he were not restrained, he would have likely ordered his men to shoot Zhan Feiyu into a hedgehog with arrows.
"Beating a hundred-household officer does not constitute rebellion, and you are not qualified to say so." Zhan Feiyu grinned and pulled out a porcelain bottle from her person. She shook it a couple of times and then poured out a pill about the size of a soybean.
The pill was entirely red, appearing somewhat gruesome at first glance.
The Wubaihu's face changed drastically, as if his throat had been grasped. He roared defiantly, "What are you doing?"
"Don't worry, no one will die." Zhan Feiyu squatted down, looking at the Wubaihu, who was being held by He Nuan. She brought her palm down on his throat, and as the Wubaihu cried out in pain and opened his mouth, the pill was tossed in. She then patted his chest.
With a gulp, an involuntary swallow was heard.
Zhan Feiyu retreated to the side, and He Nuan also moved to protect her.
Cough, cough... The Wubaihu knelt on the ground, clawing at his throat and coughing violently. Unfortunately, the pill had already been swallowed, and no amount of coughing could bring it back up.
Not only were the villagers of Shitou Village stunned, but the soldiers of the 卫所 were also dumbfounded. He Nuan had acted too quickly; they hadn't even had time to react before their Wubaihu was captured. They naturally dared not make any rash moves.
No one had expected Zhan Feiyu to carry poison and make the Wubaihu swallow it. The soldiers exchanged bewildered glances, and finally, they could only look at the disheveled Wubaihu kneeling on the ground.
"You?" The Wubaihu suddenly stood up, drawing his saber in a fit of rage. The sharp blade reflected the bright sunlight. Judging by his posture, he was determined to cut Zhan Feiyu down.
Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged. She reached into her sleeve again and pulled out a token, tossing it towards the Wubaihu.
If he hadn't been worried about being poisoned, the Wubaihu would have already attacked, regardless of any token!
But now, he could only suppress his overwhelming anger. He caught the token with his left hand and casually glanced at it. Instantly, he seemed struck by lightning and looked sharply at the token in his hand: Jinlongwei!
At this moment, the Wubaihu finally understood why Zhan Feiyu, such a young girl, was so arrogant and carried poison with her. This was the Jinlongwei, a force spoken of with fear, a force that sent people in upright and carried them out horizontally, making life worse than death!
"Your... I will immediately take my men and leave!" The Wubaihu almost blurted out "Your subordinate" in his haste, but remembering the secrecy of the Jinlongwei, he quickly changed his words.
"Wait a moment." Zhan Feiyu's voice was not loud, clear and with a hint of softness.
But the Wubaihu seemed to hear the death knell of Yama. His face turned pale, and he trembled, leaving the others, who were clueless, utterly bewildered.
Zhan Feiyu did not keep the Wubaihu waiting for long. She returned to the house for a moment and then came out with a folded piece of paper. "Please trouble you, Lord Baihu, to deliver this petition to the Magistrate of Xiangwu County."
"Yes." The Wubaihu dared not disobey. He respectfully extended his hands to receive it, then carefully tucked it into his embrace. When gods fight, mortals suffer. After meeting Magistrate Zhu, he would immediately return to the 卫所 and would never come out again, even if beaten to death.
The sound of horse hooves rang out again. Although they didn't know what token Zhan Feiyu had shown the Wubaihu, Luo Butou and the others sensed something unusual from the Wubaihu's respectful attitude. This young girl was definitely not the daughter of a merchant.
Standing at the courtyard entrance and looking at the stunned Luo Butou and the others, Zhan Feiyu smiled, "What? Gentlemen constables, do you still plan to stay for dinner?"
"We dare not!" Luo Butou quickly replied. With the Wubaihu leading his men away, should he stay to be beaten a third time?
After a long while, the courtyard finally became quiet. The villagers who had been watching from outside finally dared to approach, each looking at Zhan Feiyu with curiosity. To be able to scare away the constables from the 卫所 and the yamen, this young girl truly had an extraordinary background.
"Village Chief." Yang Shoucheng walked out. Although the villagers could not help much, the fact that the village chief and the villagers had not left today was something Yang Shoucheng remembered.
...
With the immediate issue temporarily resolved, Zhan Feiyu returned to her room to continue her studies, planning to write a letter to Scholar Gu during her break. He Sheng and He Nuan were also busy with their own tasks.
Old General Yang beckoned Qiu Zongxi into his room. Although it was just a pot of coarse tea, neither of them were particular about it.
"Is the imperial court planning to exonerate you?" Qiu Zongxi asked, setting down his cup. He pondered that for Scholar Gu to send his only young disciple on a long journey to Weizhou, his ambitions were not small.
Old General Yang did not reply. After a long silence, he slowly said, "The Emperor has never established an heir apparent."
They were both intelligent people. Once the conversation touched upon this topic, there was no need to say more; they both understood each other's unspoken intentions.
Qiu Zongxi was accustomed to a leisurely life, and the intricate political currents of the court had nothing to do with him. However, the Yang family was different. They had been falsely accused of colluding with the enemy and treason in the past. Although the Emperor had shown leniency and spared their lives,
the Yang family members in the military had all retired, and Old General Yang and Yang Shoucheng had been exiled. If Qiu Zongxi had not intervened, they might not have been able to settle peacefully in Shitou Village.
Stroking his teacup, Qiu Zongxi looked at the pensive Old General Yang. "What are your plans? Gu Qingzhou left the Gu family of Nanling many years ago and has not relied on the Gu family for support all these years. Yet, he holds a high official position, is a Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, and is the Emperor's most trusted minister. His thoughts are beyond the grasp of not only you and me, but even his colleagues in the court."
The Yang family had been wronged. If they could be exonerated, Old General Yang was advanced in years, but Yang Shoucheng was in his prime. Once he led troops, he could definitely subdue the seven northwestern guards in the shortest possible time, which was the value of the Yang family.
Once the Emperor established an heir apparent, it would be uncertain whether Scholar Gu could maintain his current status. It was normal for him to prepare for the future. Everyone yearned for the merit of assisting the emperor, but a slight misstep could cost them their lives and fortunes.
Old General Yang sighed, "As long as there is no heir apparent, the court will remain unstable. However, even though I am far away in Weizhou, I know that none of the adult princes in the palace are outstanding."
It was also possible that the Emperor was in good health and did not wish to establish an heir apparent, nor had he cultivated a crown prince, leading to the mediocrity of several princes. But the fact remained that little was known about the princes favored by the Emperor.
Therefore, court officials did not know which prince the Emperor favored. And if Scholar Gu were to court the Yang family, then which prince he intended to support was also unknown to Old General Yang.
In such a situation, it was impossible for the Yang family to pledge their allegiance rashly. Old General Yang would rather continue to lie low in Shitou Village, at least their grandfather and grandsons were safe, and the Yang family members in the countryside were also safe and sound.
"It is easier to conquer a country than to defend it. No matter which prince becomes the crown prince, if he does not have military power in hand, it is unknown whether he can ascend the throne smoothly." Qiu Zongxi picked up his teacup again and drank the slightly bitter tea in one gulp.
"Why must you get involved? When the Yang family suffered their misfortune, if the Emperor had intended to investigate, with the all-pervasive Jinlongwei, who could have framed your Yang family?"
From their ancestors, the Yang family had guarded the seven northwestern guards, their entire clan loyal and dying on the battlefield. But what was the final outcome? If the Emperor had been a little more ruthless, the wild grass on Old General Yang's grave would have been several feet high.
Now, the country was peaceful and prosperous, and the Emperor held all the military power of the Great Qing Dynasty in his hands. But in essence, wasn't it like a cunning rabbit being killed after the hounds were no longer needed; or a good bow being put away after the birds were gone?
Mentioning the past, Old General Yang smiled bitterly and waved his hand. "I was also deceived by treacherous people back then. The Emperor was merely going with the flow. Although the current generals of the seven northwestern guards are all trusted confidantes appointed by the Emperor, they are also men of both military and civil talent."
The Emperor had shown leniency out of past affection back then, and Old General Yang had taken the opportunity to retreat from the battlefield. If he had not handed over military power, the Yang family would have ultimately been unable to escape disaster, so it was better to comply with the Emperor's will.
The Yang family members had been dormant in the countryside for many years. Once an opportunity arose, they would be unstoppable and soar to great heights. Now, Old General Yang lacked only this opportunity.
But as Qiu Zongxi had said, the merit of assisting the emperor was not easily obtained. The lives and fortunes of hundreds of people in the Yang family rested on Old General Yang's decision. Scholar Gu had sent Zhan Feiyu, whether as a test or a gesture of goodwill, but with this much sincerity, Old General Yang could not pledge allegiance. He would rather continue to lie low.
"Forget it, there is no rush for this matter. Think about it more. If you can take this opportunity to be exonerated, do not miss it. Xu'er is growing older year by year." Qiu Zongxi could see Yang Xu practicing martial arts in the courtyard through the window. He looked like a proper young man, worthy of the Yang family name.
Completely unaware that Old General Yang and Qiu Zongxi had been discussing matters in the room for a long time, Zhan Feiyu sealed the letter she had written with wax and handed it to He Nuan. Someone would naturally deliver it to the capital at full speed.
However, Weizhou was far from the capital, and the weather was cold and freezing. It was estimated that it would take at least half a month to reach Scholar Gu.
...
Xiangwu County Yamen.
Magistrate Zhu had been in this dilapidated place for nearly ten years. He wished to transfer, but alas, unless the Weizhou Prefecture Yamen or the Ministry of Personnel intended to send the next fool here, Magistrate Zhu could only continue to stay in Xiangwu County.
"Your Excellency, this is an opportunity." His advisor He Xuezhi smiled fawningly, poured tea for Magistrate Zhu, and continued to stand by his side. "Although the area is strictly guarded by the troops led by Prince Yu, there have long been rumors in the court about salt tax reforms. The tighter Prince Yu guards it, the more it proves this news is true."
"I naturally know what you are saying, but the salt tax?" Magistrate Zhu snorted twice, showing no interest. He yawned and said, "The salt merchants have intricate connections with the imperial court. I heard that the families of several princes are involved. If I try to get involved, I won't even know how I died."
It was not that Magistrate Zhu was timid, but that the matter was of great importance. He, a minor official who had been in Xiangwu County for ten years, dared to get involved? Even with the courage of a bear's heart and a leopard's gall, he wouldn't dare. He thought he had lived long enough.
A trace of annoyance flashed in He Xuezhi's eyes. Magistrate Zhu was such a spineless and impoverished official, let alone him, his advisor. He couldn't even skim any oil.
The people of Weizhou were fierce, coupled with poverty. As long as the yamen officials dared to extort too much, it would lead to rebellion. Those rough men would truly dare to storm the county yamen with knives.
If this were in the prosperous Jiangnan, it would be like a "three-year clean county magistrate, one hundred thousand taels of silver." Even a small offering from those below would make everyone in the yamen rich.
"Your Excellency, the Wubaihu of the 卫所 requests an audience." Outside the room, a minor clerk reported in a low voice.
The 卫所? Magistrate Zhu was startled and suddenly sat up straight, eagerly saying, "Quickly let the Wubaihu in."
In other places, a mere hundred-household officer of the 卫所 would not be taken seriously by a county magistrate. However, Weizhou was different. The people were too fierce. Without the deterrence of the 卫所, relying solely on the constables of the prefecture yamen, the yamen's openly displayed plaque would likely be torn down by the rioters.