Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 84 Concern for the Country and the People
In this matter, it's best to strike first.

Before things escalate, reporting it to a place like the Zhenfu Division now is a good opportunity to find out what kind of place it is.

Secondly, even if they can't find out anything, at least they can clear themselves of suspicion.

Commander Shen took the booklet that Chen Qing handed him and glanced through it.

Over the past few months, he had handled the Xia Ji in Yingtian and quickly realized that it was a sequel. When he reached the last page, the commander of the Yi Luan Division's expression changed slightly. After handing the booklet back to Chen Qing, he looked at Chen Qing.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, but if you want to report this kind of thing, it seems you should go to the Jingzhao Prefecture government office."

He looked at Chen Qing, paused, then coughed lightly and said, "Brother, you may not understand our Yiluan Division, let alone the Zhenfu Division. Whether it's the Yiluan Division or the Zhenfu Division, they... only handle imperial orders."

"Only handle imperial orders" means that they only handle matters assigned by the emperor and only investigate people or matters that the emperor allows them to investigate.

"Other things."

Commander Shen shook his head slightly: "These are all matters concerning the government offices."

Chen Qing looked at him and frowned, saying, "I've heard that the White Lotus Sect is rampant in Zhili, and can be seen everywhere among the people. Doesn't His Majesty want the Zhenfu Division to investigate such a matter?"

"Has His Majesty ordered the Garrison Command to investigate...?"

Shen Qianhu looked at Chen Qing and said with a wry smile, "Only His Majesty and the people of the Zhenfu Division know that. Of course, we outsiders don't know. I came back to the capital to see if I could pull some strings. Even if I can't stay in the capital in the future, I would be satisfied if I could get a step or two up in the ranks in Yingtian."

"so."

Commander Shen lowered his head and thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Qing and said, "Brother, I'll go with you to the Jingzhao Prefecture to report this matter. If the court investigates this matter in the future, I can testify for you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

Originally, he had hoped to take this opportunity to get in touch with the Zhenfu Division, but after hearing what Commander Shen said, he realized that he did indeed lack some understanding of the Zhenfu Division.

Originally, in his mind, the White Lotus Sect should have been one of the most important targets of the Zhenfu Division. With news of the White Lotus Sect, the Zhenfu Division would certainly not stand idly by.

But now it seems that whether or not this matter should be addressed is up to the Zhenfu Division itself. Chen Qing can't even get close to the Zhenfu Division, so naturally he has no way to file a complaint with them.

"Well."

Chen Qing didn't insist on going to the Zhenfu Division. He just looked at Commander Shen and said, "Alright, please accompany me to the Jingzhao Prefecture, brother, to report this official position first."

"it is good."

Having received many benefits from Chen Qing over the past few months, Commander Shen didn't say much. He stood up and said, "Let's not delay, let's set off now."

Together, the two quickly arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture in the capital. Normally, it would be difficult for someone of Chen Qing's status to report to the authorities, but fortunately, with Commander Shen accompanying him, the report went much more smoothly.

With Commander Shen accompanying them, the two were even invited into the Jingzhao Prefecture government office. After waiting for a while in a side room, a middle-aged man in his forties with slightly dark skin, with his hands behind his back and a satchel with paper and pen in his hand, came to the two.

The middle-aged man nodded to Commander Shen and forced a smile: "Commander Shen, I am Yang Fang, the Prefectural Magistrate of Jingzhao."

Commander Shen stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "So it is Commander Yang Li."

As a commander of the Imperial Guard, Commander Shen was a proper fifth-rank military officer, while as a judge of the Capital Prefecture, he was a sixth-rank civil official.

Despite being three ranks lower, in this era that valued civil officials over military ones, this magistrate surnamed Yang probably still didn't think much of a fifth-rank military officer.

If Shen Long hadn't come from the Yiluan Division and had a rather special status, he probably wouldn't have even given him that smile.

After exchanging a few polite words, Magistrate Yang took paper and pen, sat down in front of Chen Qing, looked at Chen Qing's face, and then said, "You are the author of that chivalrous tale?"

Chen Qing nodded: "You could say that."

Yang Fang nodded silently, then looked at Chen Qing and said slowly, "Young man, it's good to have some intelligence, but you should use your intelligence in the right way while you're young."

These words sounded like advice from an experienced person to a younger one, but in reality, he was saying that since Chen Qing was old enough to study, he should be taking the imperial examinations instead of wasting his energy on reading novels. Chen Qing understood the implication, frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure and didn't show it.

"The clerks below have already informed me of the general situation."

Yang Fang cleared his throat, looked at Chen Qing, and said, "Now, I have some questions to ask you. Answer truthfully, and I will have them recorded."

“In the future, when the Jingzhao Prefecture or other government offices investigate this case, these records of mine can serve as evidence.”

Chen Qing nodded and said okay.

Then, Magistrate Yang began to inquire about Chen Qing's relationship with the White Lotus Sect, as well as the publication date of the latest issue of the book.

The judge, who was in charge of criminal cases, was an old hand at interrogation. While asking questions, he also observed Chen Qing's expression and had the clerk behind him record everything.

Chen Qing had no connection with the White Lotus Sect to begin with, so he was perfectly justified in answering Yang Fang's questions, only omitting the matter of Mu Xianniang.

Soon, Magistrate Yang finished his questioning, stood up, and nodded slightly to Commander Shen, saying, "Commander Shen, the Jingzhao Prefecture will record this matter. There should be no further issues. You and this young man should go back and wait for news."

Commander Shen clasped his hands in thanks, then left the capital with Chen Qing.

After leaving the Jingzhao Prefecture, Commander Shen wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, Yang Sili's attitude was not bad. He should have recorded this for you, brother."

Chen Qing nodded, then looked at Commander Shen with some curiosity: "Brother Shen, your rank is far above his, so why are you the one who seems a little nervous?"

“Civil officials and military officials are different.”

Commander Shen shook his head and said, "Moreover, the difference in power between me, a commander in Yingtian, and the magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture is too great. The latter may be able to make a fortune in the capital, but someone like me can't even find a way to send money in the capital."

At this point, he forced a smile at Chen Qing: "Unless I join the Northern Garrison, none of these civil officials will think highly of me."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow but didn't say much. He simply turned to Commander Shen and said, "No matter what, Brother Shen has been a great help today. Come on, let me treat you to some wine!"

Without further ado, Commander Shen nodded with a smile and followed Chen Qing, quickly finding a restaurant by the roadside.

The two went up to a private room on the second floor. By the time all the dishes were served, it was already evening. Just as they were toasting each other, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

The Prince of Zhou, dressed in brocade robes, walked in directly. Looking at the two men reeking of alcohol, his gaze fell on Chen Qing.

The chubby boy walked up to Chen Qing and shook him: "Still drinking! Don't you know something's happened?!"

After saying that, he took out a booklet from his pocket and waved it in front of Chen Qing.

Chen Qing took the booklet and looked at it. Sure enough, it was a pirated copy of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" printed by the White Lotus Sect. He looked up at the chubby boy and said with a smile, "The young master's news is still a step behind. We have already reported the case to the Jingzhao Prefecture today."

"Even if the imperial court wants to investigate, they won't be able to trace it back to me."

"Jingzhao Prefecture..."

The chubby boy narrowed his eyes and snorted, "They might not be willing to do anything."

At this point, his gaze shifted, and he suddenly said, "Tomorrow, I will have an audience with His Majesty."

The chubby boy looked at Chen Qing and said slowly.

"Perhaps I can go and speak to His Majesty about this matter."

At this point, the chubby boy chuckled.

"So this can be considered my concern for the country and its people."

(End of this chapter)