The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

Captain Zhu looked at the so-called most wanted criminal and didn't know whether he looked like that originally or became like that after being locked up in jail. He was completely different from the burly man in the wanted poster.

The three wanted criminals, aside from their larger builds, weren't muscular at all. Their faces were ashen, and they looked as dejected as those about to die. It was unknown how they were able to kill so many people.

Captain Zhu thought that if he met the three criminals alone, he might be able to kill them.

After looking at the three wanted criminals, Sun Shan led Captain Zhu out of the prison to see the murder weapons and all the belongings of the three criminals.

Sun Shan pointed to two gleaming silver daggers and said, "These are the criminals' daggers. It's obvious they're not the kind of people they would possess. They must have been snatched from one of the victims' homes."

Captain Zhu carefully examined the two daggers and knew at a glance that they were a pair.

Look at the workmanship, the design, and the colored paper. The original owner must be either rich or noble.

Captain Zhu nodded and said, "These two daggers may be able to find clues and prove that the three thieves are the murderers of the family massacre."

Sun Shan pointed at the three machetes and said, "When our officers were about to interrogate us, three thieves suddenly started slashing at us, injuring one of them. They used these machetes."

He pointed at the machete and let Xiao Wuzi, who had been waiting at the gate for a long time, come in.

Xiao Wuzi, the only one injured by the gangster, immediately ran in and saluted Sun Shan and others.

Then he lifted his clothes to reveal the wound and said, "Sir, Captain Zhu, this is where the thief cut me with his machete."

Xiao Wuzi was also unlucky. He was the first to rush forward, the first to be chopped, and the first to receive compensation for work-related injuries.

He was still recuperating at home today, but when someone from above came, Xiao Wuzi immediately rushed outside the door and waited for orders.

Xiao Wuzi glanced at Sun Shan gratefully.

After being injured at work, you will not only see a doctor and have vacation time, but also receive compensation, and the vacation will be paid.

Emma, ​​where can I find such a good county magistrate?

Apart from the officials of Yuanlu County, I am afraid there is no other official who is so caring towards his subordinates.

Captain Zhu checked Xiao Wuzi's wound and saw a long wound that was red and swollen, indicating that it had not healed.

It must have been extremely painful when he was chopped down by the big knife.

This guy is lucky that he wasn't hit in any vital parts, otherwise there would be another victim.

Captain Zhu asked, "How is your injury recovering?"

Xiao Wuzi quickly said, "Captain Zhu, the doctor said he's slowly recovering. With time, aside from an extra scar, everything will be back to normal."

Xiao Wuzi's wound still hurts occasionally.

He originally wanted to come to work, but Lord Sun asked him to continue recuperating, and his job was temporarily replaced by the Sun family guards.

After Xiao Wuzi knew this situation, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If a local person replaced him, Xiao Wuzi would come to work despite the pain in his hands.

You know, if he takes over, he might just keep the position forever. There's no way Xiao Wuzi would let himself lose his job.

The Sun family guards were different. They were Lord Sun's guards, serving Lord Sun, and they certainly wouldn't occupy the position for a long time. Furthermore, the Sun family guards' homes were in Sunjia Village, so they wouldn't stay in Yuanlu County to take root.

So Xiao Wuzi rested peacefully at home, sleeping when he was full and eating when he woke up. He received his wages on time and lived a happy and carefree life.

Captain Zhu checked Xiao Wuzi's wound and thought of the fatal wound of the victim in the case.

After such a comparison, it has been confirmed that the three gangsters in the prison are the three wanted criminals who are on the run and committing crimes.

Sun Shan then led Captain Zhu to examine the three thieves' bags and said, "The five taels of silver were found when the thieves were searched, and these clothes also belonged to them."

Show them to Captain Zhu one by one.

As for the small wooden box that was dug out, only heaven, earth, and the officials of Yuanlu County know about it, so it cannot be known to outsiders.

Captain Zhu frowned and asked, "Three criminals killed and robbed a lot of property, how come this is all they have left?"

Sun Shan spread his hands and said, "The three thieves had nothing left on them when they arrived in Yuanlu. They were still living in a cave. They came into the city during the Lantern Festival to scout the area, intending to attack the wealthy residents. Fortunately, we caught them in time, and the wealthy residents were spared."

When County Magistrate Wang, who was standing next to him, thought of this, he became angry and broke the legs of the three thieves, but the anger in his heart had not yet completely dissipated.

He said to Captain Zhu, "Captain Zhu, three criminals deliberately took advantage of the crowds to sneak into the city to observe the situation in Yuanlu County. They planned to find work and secretly inquire about the situation in Yuanlu. Humph, the three criminals have already locked on their target and are ready to find an opportunity to commit crimes. Fortunately, our Lord Sun had foresight and arrested the criminals, so that the people of Yuanlu were not harmed."

County Magistrate Wang told Captain Zhu that the three gangsters' original target was the Wang family, but when they saw that someone from the Wang family was working in the government, they changed their target and targeted the wealthy Ma, Zhu, and Zeng families in the city.

County Magistrate Wang said, "These are all confessed by the criminals themselves. Humph, fortunately their plan failed."

Captain Zhu didn't believe that the three criminals only had a few taels of silver on them, and suspected that the valuables were intercepted by officials from Yuanlu County.

But these words are without any evidence and cannot be spoken without any justification.

It is not uncommon for Sun Shan to have taken the money. When the money is in the hands of the government, how can they not take advantage of it?

Even if Sun Shan was not greedy, he would still take it away if it was presented to the prefect.

Haha, if you are not greedy, would you give it to the national treasury or return it to the victims?

That's impossible. It's impossible as long as you're an official.

Captain Zhu understood these unspoken rules very well, so he stopped asking questions.

A group of people were busy for the whole morning. When it was time to eat, Sun Shan asked Captain Zhu to eat in the backyard of the yamen.

The head chef is still Aunt Wang.

County Magistrate Wang quietly pulled Sun Shan aside and asked with a frown, "Sir, why are we eating in the backyard? Why not go to a restaurant?"

Eating in the backyard is too shabby.

Captain Zhu came all the way here to escort the prisoner, and he only had to eat such a meal? He must have secretly scolded Sun Shan for his incompetence.

Sun Shan asked expressionlessly, "County Magistrate Wang, we can arrange for a restaurant. Just treat us."

County Magistrate Wang choked and then retorted, "Sir, on what basis should I ask for your permission?"

Who is the boss now? How can we let the second one treat?

Sun Shan spread his hands and said helplessly, "You know exactly how much is left in the government's treasury. Inviting Constable Zhu to a restaurant for dinner—haha, how much would that cost? It would be fine if it was just Constable Zhu, but this time there are ten officials, how much would that cost? County Magistrate Wang, do the math."

County Magistrate Wang: .....

Because Sun Shan built a guano workshop, repaired roads, etc., the government office was stretched to the limit and there was only a few scattered silver coins in the treasury.

Sun Shan added, "This time we're having dinner in the backyard, we're still using my own account. County Magistrate Wang, I'm paying for the meal myself. Well, you don't know how expensive food and fuel are until you manage the household. County Magistrate Wang, how about you sponsor me a little and give me a little extra money?"

When County Magistrate Wang heard the words "sponsorship" and "subsidy", he immediately pushed Sun Shan one meter away.

He shook his head and said, "My lord, Nanny Wang's cooking is also delicious, just like the chefs outside. The servants at home wish they could eat Nanny Wang's food every day. My lord, I am hungry and I have to go eat."

After saying that, he put some oil on his feet and ran away like a mouse.