Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

As soon as they entered the private room, Huangfu Ling eagerly stepped forward to support Sun Yaolang and said, "Auntie Sun, why did you leave without even saying hello?"

Sun Yaolang smiled gently at Huangfu Ling, then looked at Zhang Jingwei coldly: "What happened in Gaoyang? As the Gaoyang County Magistrate, you don't know anything?"

Zhang Jingwei's expression froze as he said, "I'm new here too, and there are still some things I need to sort out."

Sun Yaolang's voice trembled, his eyes slightly red as he said, "Nearly two hundred people died in the areas of Yangshang, Chongzi Pass, Sangshui, and the two military camps in Yousuo!"

"Wha...what?" Zhang Jingwei stood up suddenly, his face suddenly changed, "How is this possible!"

Jiuer stepped forward, her expression solemn: "Don't disbelieve me, my mother has built a medicine house outside the city. You can come with us to see it. Many patients are coming here for treatment."

Huangfu Ling looked worried: "Is it a plague?"

Sun Yaolang shook his head and said in a low voice, "No, it's all internal organs damaged. There's no plague that severe in the world! Besides, it's not contagious, it's very scattered." She paused, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes, and continued, "Not only women, children, the elderly and the weak, but even the strongest soldiers..."

Zhang Jingwei immediately turned around and shouted, "Return to the county government office!" He then ordered Qian Ming, "Call all the yamen runners and clerks, including Xiao Kewei!"

"Yes!" Qian Ming responded with a fist salute, turned around and was about to run out.

Zhang Liu grabbed him and said, "Wait!" He turned to Zhang Jingwei and said, "Master, should we send someone to investigate first? What if..."

"No chance of an accident!" Zhang Jingwei interrupted him, a cold glint in his eyes. "Two hundred lives, how can we treat them lightly?" He turned to Sun Yaolang and bowed solemnly. "Sun Yaolang, could you please come back to the county government office with me and tell me the details?"

Sun Yaolang snorted coldly, "I came here for this very purpose. Jiuer, go get the medicine box."

Jiuer nodded in agreement. Just as she was about to turn around, Huangfu Ling grabbed her hand and said, "I'll go with you."

The private room was in chaos. Zhang Shiyi hurriedly packed his things, while Liang Dahai had already run downstairs to prepare the horses. The waiter stood at the door, bewildered, "Sir, this dish..."

Zhang Jingwei took out a silver ingot from his pocket and stuffed it into his pocket: "No need for change."

Everyone hurriedly left Yuehua Tower. The streets were still bustling, but no one knew a storm was about to sweep across Gaoyang. Zhang Jingwei mounted his horse, his face gloomy. Qian Ming followed closely behind, whispering, "Young Master, should we keep this news secret? If it gets out, I'm afraid the people will panic!"

"No need!" Zhang Jingwei said in a deep voice, "So many people have died, and the news hasn't even reached Yunzhou. That means someone has already done it for us."

The sound of horse hooves gradually faded away. Mu Tou looked at Zhang Jingwei's departing back and tightened his grip on the axe in his hand. "Jiu'er, let's get going quickly."

Jiuer nodded, her eyes full of worry: "I hope he can find out the truth..."

Sun Yaolang snorted coldly and said, "As the magistrate of Gaoyang County, I should give an explanation to these people who died unjustly!"

As the night deepens, the lights in Gaoyang City are still bright, but they cannot illuminate the shadows hidden beneath the prosperous appearance.

……

Inside the county hall, brightly lit, a group of officials in shiny black uniforms gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

A ferocious-looking constable tugged at his collar and said impatiently, "It's almost curfew, why did the county magistrate summon us in such a hurry?"

A clerk in a long black robe said sarcastically, "A new official has three things to do when he takes office. Think about whether you, Lao Zeng, have done anything wrong."

The captain surnamed Zeng snorted coldly and patted the sword at his waist: "After all, I have been a captain for so many years. What can a little brat like him do to me?"

The clerk smiled meaningfully: "Yes, that's right, Han Ye was a lieutenant for so many years."

Another clerk interrupted, "He's supposed to be a seventh-rank official, but he doesn't even have a counselor by his side to advise him. He acts recklessly, which is not the way to be an official."

Suddenly someone whispered, "Hush, the chief clerk is here."

Everyone immediately fell silent and saluted in unison: "Master Xiao!"

Xiao Kewei walked over slowly, smiling: "Everyone, please be patient. Master Zhang has just arrived and may have some questions for you. Please be patient and wait."

Inside the side hall of the government office, Zhang Jingwei watched the entire scene unfold through the crack in the door, his teeth itching with hatred. He had been waiting by the door for a long time, expecting Xiao Kewei to arrive, but he had never expected him to be so arrogant.

Qian Ming stood aside and whispered, "Master, do you want to go out now?"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Wait a little longer, I want to see what else they say."

Mu Tou clenched his fists and couldn't help but say, "These people are too unreasonable. Do you want me to go out and teach them a lesson?"

"No need." Zhang Jingwei sneered, "Let me see whether the Gaoyang County Government's surname is Zhang or Xiao!"

At this time, in the hall, the captain surnamed Zeng came up to Xiao Kewei and said flatteringly, "Master Zhubu, do you think this new county magistrate is too ignorant of the rules?"

Xiao Kewei smiled faintly: "Captain Zeng, please be careful with your words. After all, Lord Zhang is an official appointed by the imperial court."

Another clerk interrupted, "Master Zhubu has been acting as the county magistrate for the past six months and has managed Gaoyang in perfect order. What right does a newcomer like him have to interfere?"

Xiao Kewei waved his hand, pretending to be humble: "You are all too kind. I am just doing my duty."

The atmosphere in the county government hall was tense. A young official in green robes suddenly slammed the table and said with a sneer, "Master Xiao, you're being modest. Sir Zhang, a seventh-rank official, is being criticized like this by you. If he were in the capital, Sir Xiao would probably want to sit on the throne!"

Zhao Peixin's face changed drastically. He quickly grabbed his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Huang Liang!"

Captain Zeng flew into a rage and pointed at the green-robed official, shouting, "Huang Liang, how dare you, a lowly official from the Ninth Circuit, speak so loudly?"

Huang Liang sneered and straightened his clothes: "That's better than you lowly people."

Zhang Jingwei watched this clearly from the side hall, and was secretly surprised. This minor official named Huang Liang was the first to arrive. He had been drinking tea and reading, but he didn't expect him to dare to step forward now.

Seeing this, Xiao Kewei immediately stepped forward to mediate: "The county magistrate hasn't arrived yet, I'm just trying to appease my colleagues."

Huang Liang refused to give him any face and retorted sharply, "Yes, your lackeys are already barking before the Shangguan arrives."

"Who are you calling a dog?" Zeng Yong was furious and pushed away his colleague who was trying to stop him. "You dare say that again?"

Huang Liang showed no fear and looked directly at Zeng Yong: "Zeng Yong, don't blame me for not reminding you. It's ok for you to be arrogant and domineering at other times, but this is the county government office, and I am your superior."

"You little brat!" Zeng Yong shouted, rolling up his sleeves and ready to step forward. "Look at Grandpa's fist!"

At this critical moment, the side door of the county government creaked open. Zhang Jingwei walked out slowly, hands behind his back, speaking in a low, yet intimidating voice: "Buzz buzz buzz! The county officials are like a swarm of flies! What a disgrace!"

This rebuke was like a thunderclap, shattering the hall into a hushed silence. Zhang Jingwei, dressed in a blue official uniform, had a stern expression, and his gaze swept across the crowd like lightning. Zeng Yong, who had been so arrogant just moments before, suddenly wilted and retreated awkwardly to the side.

Xiao Kewei and Huang Liang hurried forward and saluted: "Your humble servants pay their respects to you, sir."

Zhang Jingwei snorted coldly and walked straight to the main seat and sat down. He took a special look at Huang Liang and saw that although this young official was of low rank, he stood straight and straight with no fear in his eyes.

"Everyone," Zhang Jingwei said slowly, his voice deep and powerful, "I have summoned you all this night because I have something to ask you."

In the hall, one could hear a pin drop, and everyone held their breath in concentration. Sweat broke out on Xiao Kewei's forehead, and Zeng Yong's legs felt weak. Only Huang Liang remained composed, his gaze calm as he looked at the young magistrate.