Her guards

Chapter 8 Wei Jiao's Case

"What are you afraid of?"

"Naturally, it's to prevent certain people from arbitrarily framing and falsely accusing others."

"Everyone knows in their heart who has done something wrong."

“Wei Jiao, don’t act recklessly just because you hold the imperial seal and tiger tally. I also hold the imperial seal and am not afraid of you embroidered-robed officials.”

Ji Ying shouted angrily, then turned and went into the tent.

The other officials, their faces pale, forced themselves to speak to the man on horseback, "Commander Wei, please come in and say what you have to say." "The Inspector of Ji has been working hard and worried for days without getting enough rest, so he's a bit irritable."

Compared to Ji Ying, Wei Jiao had a much better temper. Not only did he not get angry, but he was also smiling on his fair face.

“He says I’m tired and irritable from working hard all day. He just likes to scold me. He often scolds me in the capital too,” he said, raising his hand slightly.

The embroidered guard who had spoken earlier immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee, and Wei Jiao stepped on his back to dismount.

"As long as it doesn't interfere with my business, let him curse if he wants."

As he spoke, his sleeves fluttered, and he walked into the tent.

The officials looked at each other, not daring to follow. Soon, voices came from inside the tent. Although the inspector's voice could be heard as unhappy, there was no more arguing. After a moment, Ji Ying raised his voice and called out, "Someone come here."

An official rushed inside and quickly came out, saying to the women in embroidered robes, "Come with me to search White Horse Town."

The women in embroidered robes dismounted and marched in a dense crowd toward White Horse Town, leaving no stone unturned in searching for dilapidated houses and ruins, seemingly looking for someone or some trace.

Soon a group of embroidered-clothes men arrived at the men's quarters.

The servants were terrified and huddled together, some even bowing their heads in fear.

Mo Zheng wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, feeling the cold gazes of the women in embroidered robes sweep over her, and heard the official introducing them: "These are recruited laborers, all from the county town."

The next moment, the baskets and shovels beside them were moved by swords, and the servants were also scolded and had their blankets torn off, causing a commotion.

"They all use government-provided equipment..." an official explained from the side.

The women in embroidered robes ignored him, looked at everyone and everything, and then continued on their way.

Only then did the servants dare to whisper among themselves, "Who is this person?" "Even more powerful than the inspector." "What are they investigating?" "Are they still bandits?"

But soon the officials arrived and shouted, "Don't speak!" "Lie down!"

The servants quickly lay down, and after Mo Zheng lay down, she reached out and quietly pulled back the bamboo pole that had been mixed with the basket and shovel, and held it in front of her again.

The town of Baima was almost burned to ruins. The surviving people were resettled elsewhere. Apart from the soldiers and servants, there were only the dead. There was nothing to investigate. Soon, the embroidered women gathered back at the town entrance.

"Lord Ji, there's no need to see me off. I'm leaving now."

A cold voice came.

Mo Zheng lay on the ground and looked out from under the blanket, seeing Wei Jiao come out.

The inspector did not see him off, and Wei Jiao did not turn back. He stepped on the back of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, mounted his horse, and the black horse neighed and galloped away into the night. The Embroidered Uniform Guards followed in unison.

The intense flames and dark clouds dissipated, and the town entrance returned to quiet.

……

……

Inspector Ji Ying pressed his forehead against the table, seemingly trying to relieve his headache.

Two officials were accompanying him, and they looked somewhat nervous.

"Is the Embroidered Robe here to cause trouble?" an official asked in a low voice. "Has something been discovered about the executed bandits?"

Another official murmured, "This is Wei Jiao, the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He's so young, and seems quite approachable."

Ji Ying raised his head: "Easy to talk to? Don't be fooled by his appearance, this man is a madman." He paused here, pointed to his head, "The kind that really is insane."

Is he really insane? Is it true or false? Both officials are local county magistrates, so their access to information from the central government is somewhat delayed.

"Then how will His Majesty use him?" an official asked. Ji Ying scoffed, "Of course, it's because his father is Wei Cui."

The two officials exchanged a glance.

An official said, "So, General Wei Cui of Longxi is his son."

"His Majesty truly values ​​the Wei family; I've heard he's going to bestow the title of King upon Wei Cui," another official said.

Ji Ying seemed unwilling to discuss this, waving his hand to stop him: "Anyway, don't worry about it, he's not here to investigate this case." He then gave a mocking laugh, "He wouldn't even look at a case like this."

The officials breathed a sigh of relief. Considering the identity of the person involved in the case, the son of the General of Longxi didn't care, but they couldn't. After all, she was a young lady from a duke's family.

Their expressions were full of gratitude.

"Luckily, the adults were here, otherwise what would we have done?"

"Ding'an Gong is a close minister of the emperor. Who would have thought that his daughter would be here with us?"

"It's not just close ministers. After His Majesty ascended the throne, those who received titles either did so based on their military achievements or because their powerful families helped His Majesty stabilize the country. Yang Shixing has neither of these qualities, yet he has already been granted a title..."

"The Yang family is from a neighboring county to Your Majesty. They received much help when we were young, and Your Majesty's kindness in providing us with a meal will surely be repaid."

Seeing that the topic was getting trivial again, Ji Ying tapped the table.

The officials quieted down.

"The beheading of the bandits is to give the Duke of Ding'an an explanation and to appease the people so as to prevent panic and unrest," he said. "Once the Duke of Ding'an responds, whether the people are buried on the spot or taken to the capital, this matter will be considered closed. However, you must not slacken your efforts and continue to pursue and eliminate the bandits, remove hidden dangers, and ensure the safety of the region."

The two officials quickly stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, "Yes."

……

.......
Two officials came out, relaxed, and yawned.

"Let's get this over with quickly," an official said in a low voice. "We really can't hold on any longer."

Another official, still somewhat uneasy, said, "Isn't that Wei Jiao really investigating cases on our side? What if the inspector left and then came back?"

Then they'll be left with no one to turn to for help.

As they were talking, they noticed that the candles in the tent had gone out. The inspector's entourage came out and quickly pulled him back, asking him questions repeatedly.

The attendants were somewhat helpless as they were being pestered.

"Don't worry, gentlemen, it's really not a case here," the attendant said. "Wei Jiao told our superior that it's a case of rebellion and treason."

Rebellion and treason?
The two officials were startled: "Who has rebelled?"

“Jiang Wangchun of Zhao County was personally investigated by Wei Jiao, but before he arrived, the entire Jiang family was murdered. Now we can only pursue his accomplices,” the attendant whispered. “That’s why we’ve come here.”

So that's how it is. It has nothing to do with bandits. The two officials breathed a sigh of relief, but were immediately surprised: "Jiang Wangchun is a well-known schoolteacher in Zhao County. How could he be plotting a rebellion?"

The attendant was unaware: "We believe whatever Wei Jiao says, and we dare not inquire whether there is any evidence."

Since the matter involved treason, the two officials did not ask any further questions. They thanked their attendants and walked towards their tents where they were resting.

"If Jiang Wangchun was truly plotting rebellion, then who killed his entire family before the authorities could act?"

"Killed by his accomplices?"

"These rebels are really ruthless."

"Hope has already left our Lu County."

As they spoke, two officials entered the tent.

The night grew even darker and deeper.

In the darkness, shadowy figures swayed, leaping like cats into the piles of rubble.

Mo Zheng huddled under the rocks, wrapped the blanket tightly around herself, and closed her eyes.

(End of this chapter)