Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Tutor Jiang acted decisively and immediately called all the accompanying officers and soldiers after he finished speaking.

Han Zheng also arranged for the guards to follow Lu Xuan.

In order not to alert the enemy, their attitudes and expressions were the same as in the previous days, except that they were accompanied by more officers and soldiers.

The bailiff who was in charge of monitoring them felt that something was wrong, but when he saw Han Zheng talking to the people with a smile, he suppressed his doubts.

In this way, the group walked smoothly to the outside of the county government office.

There was someone guarding the gate of the county government office. When he saw Master Jiang and Han Zheng, he trotted forward to greet them.

Han Zheng glanced at the gate of the county government office and asked, "Is Magistrate Wei here?"

"The county magistrate is here," the bailiff said attentively, "in the backyard."

Han Zheng hummed calmly, "This official and Lord Jiang have something to ask him, you take us in."

It was a rare opportunity to lead two officials from the capital, so the bailiff immediately extended his hand as a gesture of invitation.

On the way, Han Zheng casually said, "Is Master Li also in the county government? I have known about him since I came to Jiangfu County. It is said that he is quite talented. I like to make friends with talented people the most. Unfortunately, I was busy in the past few days and was unable to talk to him more."

As far as he knew, the fact that Magistrate Jiangfu could live safely until today was largely due to the contribution of Master Li.

The bailiff listened and thought to himself that Master Li was indeed very capable and had easily won the favor of Lord Han.

Intent on currying favor with Master Li, the yamen runner said, "Master Li is also in the backyard. Lord Han can go there and talk to him. Speaking of which, Master Li admires Lord Han very much. After the essay you wrote during the palace examination was circulated, Master Li read it many times and could almost recite it word for word."

Han Zheng didn't expect this to happen and was surprised.

*

In the backyard, Magistrate Jiangfu was discussing the sale of grain with Master Li.

They originally intended to sell the grain they stored to merchants heading north, but the flood came before they could sell it.

They didn't feel any regret, after all, they could earn more money by selling to the victims.

The two men were looking at the account book. There was a wooden box on the table in front of them. In the box was nothing but white silver.

"The court said it was disaster relief, but they didn't bring much food. The people will eventually have to buy food." The magistrate of Jiangfu County was very proud: "This time we will definitely make tens of thousands of taels."

By then, if he sends part of the money to the capital to make arrangements, he will be able to move up a level.

Just as he was thinking about what to do next, he heard footsteps outside. County Magistrate Jiang Fu's face changed and he put away the silver and account books without saying a word.

Master Li walked to the door, looked out through the crack, and saw Han Zheng and Master Jiang, and immediately shook his clothes.

But the next moment, he stopped shaking his clothes.

He sensed something was wrong because there were too many soldiers following Han Zheng and Master Jiang.

In an instant, several bad thoughts flashed through Master Li's mind.

Magistrate Jiangfu put his things down and came over. Seeing that Master Li was motionless, he asked, "Master, what happened?"

Master Li turned around and looked at other places in the house: "Sir, is there any other exit from this house?"

Magistrate Jiangfu shook his head: "No, why are you asking this?"

Master Li wanted to say that something was wrong, but outside, Han Zheng and Master Jiang had already walked to the door of the study.

*

Han Zheng looked at Master Li and Magistrate Jiangfu calmly.

The Magistrate of Jiangfu County had not yet noticed anything was wrong and took the initiative to salute: "Master Jiang, Master Han."

Master Jiang did not raise his hand to let him stand up, but instead leaned sideways.

The officers and soldiers standing beside him received instructions and took two steps forward to capture Jiangfu County Magistrate before he realized something was wrong.

At the same time, Han Zheng turned sideways, and Lu Xuan stepped forward to grab Master Li.

Because he wanted to catch the man in the shortest possible time, and drawing the sword would take time and easily attract attention, Lu Xuan did not draw the sword. Unexpectedly, Master Li had made preparations in advance and suddenly pulled out a short knife from his sleeve.

The blade was sharp and pointed directly at Master Jiang.

Lu Xuan was surprised and jumped up to kick the knife away. However, Master Jiang was too close to Master Li, and when he raised his foot, the tip of the knife was almost in front of Master Jiang's nose.

Just as time was running out, someone bumped into Lu Xuan. Then, a flash of a knife appeared, and blood splattered everywhere. At the same time, the dagger fell to the ground and was kicked to where the soldiers were.

Lu Xuan: “…”

Han Zheng put away the knife and looked at the bloodstains on it.

This was the dagger Mr. Su gave him last year. He had been carrying it with him during this trip. Normally, he would put a scabbard on it. But today, because he was going to arrest someone, he removed the scabbard before coming and held the handle in his hand.

Just now, at the critical moment, he used it for the first time.

I still remember that when Mr. Su gave him the knife last year, he said that this knife could cut iron like mud. Now it seems to be true. He just swung it once, and Master Li's hand was cut open with a big wound, the wound was so deep that the bone was visible.

*

Master Li hadn't felt such pain for many years. As the blood dripped, he felt dizzy and his vision went dark. He couldn't walk at all. He wanted to run, but someone held him down from behind, and then tied him up.

Looking at the Jiangfu County Magistrate next to him, he was terrified and frightened.

Unexpectedly, even though he was so careful, something still happened. Master Li couldn't help but regret that he had underestimated Han Zheng and Master Jiang.

But he is not someone who will die so easily.

Since he dared to follow Magistrate Jiangfu, he must have other ways.

After thinking about his next move, Master Li raised his eyes, looked at Han Zheng and the others and asked, "My Lords, may I ask what crime the magistrate and I have committed?"

When the magistrate of Jiangfu heard this, he also asked: "My lords, since I became the magistrate of Jiangfu, I have been thinking about the people wholeheartedly. What do you two mean by this?"

They are still playing dumb, do they really think what they did is perfect?

Master Jiang sneered and said, "Don't you know what you have done? You are so brave to steal government grain and sell it privately."

Jiangfu County Magistrate: “…”

Master Li: “…”

"Bring them to the yard and keep them under strict watch," Master Jiang ordered.

Immediately, several officers and soldiers came forward and tied the two men more tightly.

The bailiff who brought Han Zheng and Master Jiang here was frightened by what had happened and stood in the corner motionless. Han Zheng glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and he was so frightened that he knelt down quickly.

Han Zheng looked at him for a while and walked forward.

He stopped three steps in front of the yamen runner and asked, "Where are the others from your county yamen?"

"They are...all patrolling outside." The bailiff replied tremblingly.

Han Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Go out now and find them all." The Jiangfu County government office is a mud pit. From the county magistrate to the bailiffs, no one is clean and they all deserve to be punished.

The bailiff was a little surprised.

Han Zheng didn't intend to say more to him, and said directly: "When you meet them, just say that the county magistrate is looking for them and ask them to come back. Don't say anything else. As long as you do this well, you will suffer less in the future."

The yamen runner's legs were shaking with fear, but the benefit of suffering less forced him to agree to Han Zheng: "I understand, don't worry, sir."