After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

After 23 days of traveling without stopping, Tang Jilian and his entourage finally arrived in Yangzhou. This time, Tang Jilian also brought his two half-brothers, Tang Jiren and Tang Jixin, to assist him.

They had originally served in the Tang Guogong Mansion, handling some obscure matters, but had never held a formal official position. When Tang Jilian was promoted to prefect of a prefecture, his father asked him to bring his two younger brothers with him to Yangzhou, hoping that they could help him manage the area and also give them a chance to show their talents. After all, they were already in their thirties, and it would be a pity to remain idle in the imperial city.

When they arrived at Yangzhou, they found the gates shut and the walls swarming with soldiers. Yangzhou was under a citywide lockdown, with no one allowed to leave. This sudden change left Tang Jilian feeling uneasy, wondering what had happened.

Seeing this, Tang Jiren offered to investigate first, to spare Tang Jilian the danger. However, Tang Jilian firmly objected, believing that as a prefect, he had a duty to protect the safety and well-being of the people. He could not sit idly by and watch. He had to personally enter the city to understand the situation and take appropriate measures to address this crisis. So, he decided to lead the others into Yangzhou.

As they approached the city gate, soldiers guarding the city blocked their way. Tang Jilian presented his official seal and identification and explained his purpose. After a careful inspection, the soldiers allowed them to enter the city.

After entering the city, Tang Jilian went to the government office first, only then did he understand why Yangzhou was so strictly prohibited. It turned out that Yangzhou was plagued by water pirates, who always plundered and quickly fled the scene. Yangzhou General Hu Jun led his troops to fight against them, but returned empty-handed countless times.

On the third day of the third lunar month, the Shangsi Festival, Yangzhou City held a grand event. Traditional rituals such as purification, waterside banquets, and wine-cups flowing through winding streams attracted numerous officials and children of prominent families, all eager to showcase their skills and compete with one another.

During this special festival, men and women can drink together at the same table, a highly anticipated event. When the wine jug floats down the stream to a certain person, that person is asked to drink a cup and then compose a poem. People also take willow branches, dip them in seawater, and gently sprinkle them on the woman they admire, hoping to wash away evil spirits and bring them good luck and prosperity.

The event was deliberately held at the seaside. Organizers cleared the area nearby, prohibiting ordinary people from spectating. Only a few guards were stationed outside. However, unexpectedly, a group of pirates suddenly attacked the area, looting all property and supplies, and taking the women present captive. Strong men were also captured, and young children were brutally murdered.

The scene immediately fell into chaos, with screams and cries echoing one after another. By the time the Yangzhou government learned the news and rushed to rescue, the pirates had already fled with the looted property and prisoners, disappearing without a trace.

Among the missing is Zhu Jiahui, a princess who had married into the Yangzhou prefect Wen Changsheng's eldest son, becoming the eldest daughter-in-law of the Wen family. Her status and position as a princess earned her the utmost respect, never allowing her to be slighted. However, now she has been robbed. Even if she is eventually rescued, can her reputation and integrity be preserved?

Furthermore, among the murdered children were the grandson of the Yangzhou Tongzhi, the youngest son of the Yangzhou prefect, and five other children of prominent families. This incident enraged the entire Yangzhou officialdom, and the prefect was distraught and worried. He immediately wrote a secret letter and rushed it to the imperial court, requesting support. Under extreme anxiety and pressure, the prefect suffered a stroke and became paralyzed.

At the same time, General Hu quickly mobilized a large number of troops and launched an all-out search operation, determined to find the abducted people.

Finally, guided by a spy's intelligence, the Yangzhou sailors successfully intercepted the pirates' second-in-command at a fortress, captured over 200 of them, and killed dozens. On the surface, this victory seemed quite impressive. However, in reality, the Yangzhou sailors suffered thousands of casualties, including over 500 fatalities. Although they ultimately won with a superior force, the price was heavy. Furthermore, they captured several important hostages.

Faced with this situation, the government quickly responded by issuing a notice requiring the leader of the pirates to stop plundering the people within three days. They also made it clear that if he could do this, they could exchange one of their pirates for the lives of the second-in-command and others who had been captured.

However, the pirates were not easily compromised. Upon learning of this, they were furious and decided to take action. That night, taking advantage of the darkness, the pirates quietly and silently infiltrated the dungeon of the general's residence, moving like ghosts, untouched by human presence. With swift action and tacit coordination, they successfully abducted the imprisoned Second In Command and his men.

At the time, the general was in a state of jubilation, having just captured the second-in-command of the pirates and their men. Overwhelmed with elation and triumph, he invited all the soldiers in his mansion to celebrate their victory, drinking profusely and refusing to leave until drunk. The general's mansion was engulfed in a festive and revelry, with only a few guards remaining. However, the general's mismanagement led to the guards being unable to resist the temptation of wine, becoming intoxicated and losing their vigilance. When the pirates attacked, few remained sober, and they were brutally murdered.

The next day, officials from the government office went to the general's residence to investigate the water bandits. They were shocked to find that the general's family had been brutally wiped out. The entire residence was a river of blood, a horrific sight. Although Yangzhou City immediately took measures to close down and search the city, the water bandits were not fools. They had anticipated this and fled the city in advance, disappearing without a trace.

When Tang Jilian and his group finally arrived in Yangzhou, the city had been under blockade for five days. Despite numerous yamen runners and soldiers searching everywhere, they could find no trace of the pirates. Tang Jilian was undoubtedly faced with a host of thorny issues within the Yangzhou government.

The Yangzhou prefect's deputy governor had already received a transfer order to Yizhou. He was now awaiting Tang Jilian's arrival to smoothly complete the handover process with the new governor. However, the previous governor remained paralyzed and unable to speak, and the case of the water pirates remained unresolved, leaving the deputy governor with no choice but to leave.

Before leaving, the Tongzhi earnestly pleaded with Tang Jilian to bring the pirates to justice and bring justice to his grandson. His family therefore stayed behind, awaiting their capture before departing. The Tongzhi explained that his wife, heartbroken at home, remains bedridden due to the tragic fate of her grandson. He couldn't help but shed a tear as he spoke.