Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

Zhou Yuhao explained his plan to Zhang Xixi.

"So you're saying you'll stay inside to gather evidence, while we'll investigate what gifts those wealthy merchants gave to this magistrate, right?"

Zhou Yuhao nodded. "The current emperor detests corrupt officials the most and has formulated a series of laws to punish them. As long as we find evidence, this county magistrate will not be able to escape."

"Aren't you afraid he has connections in high places?!"

Zhou Yuhao laughed and said, "I have people above me too!"

Zhang Xixi asked in surprise, "Who? Is he a high-ranking official?"

"Actually, because of my outstanding military achievements in the Northwest, the Emperor bestowed upon me a nominal title, the fifth-rank Tiger Might General, so..."

After hearing Zhou Yuhao's explanation, Zhang Xixi felt that this man was really tight-lipped; he hadn't let a word about such a big thing.

"That's not right. A nominal position means no real power. Would the emperor even care about you?"

"The Emperor will definitely ignore me, but I can seek help from Duke Duanmu. I saved him in the Northwest, and he will help me."

After saying that, Zhou Yuhao handed Zhang Xixi a letter, "Go back to the teahouse and have Old Wu send this letter to the capital. Someone there will deliver it to the Duke's mansion."

"You still have secret contact points!"

Zhang Xixi took the letter and thought to herself, "Could this person still be in contact with the Duanmu family?"

He might have other unknown identities, such as a secret agent or something!

If that's the case, this person is hiding their true intentions far too well!

Seeing Zhang Xixi staring blankly, Zhou Yuhao quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

"nothing!"

Zhou Yuhao thought for a moment, "Aren't you overthinking it!"

"No, no!" Zhang Xixi quickly waved her hand, deciding it was best to pretend she didn't know.

After all, the more you know, the faster you die!

"Actually, I also..."

Zhang Xixi quickly interrupted Zhou Yuhao, "It's okay, you don't need to explain to me, and besides, now is not the right time to talk about this!"

"That's right," Zhou Yuhao said, glancing around again. "It's too dark! Let me take you home!"

"No need, no need, I'm brave enough to go back by myself!"

After saying that, Zhang Xixi ran away in a flash!

Zhou Yuhao glanced at Zhang Xixi's retreating figure and smiled.

My wife really doesn't want to be alone with me!

However, for her safety, Zhou Yuhao followed her until Zhang Xixi entered the teahouse before turning back to the county government office.

He needs to find evidence of embezzlement or something while everyone is asleep.

Zhang Xixi returned to the teahouse, where Old Wu was still waiting for her.

"Madam, how is she?!"

Zhang Xixi handed him the letter, saying, "Zhou Yuhao is fine. He asked you to deliver this letter to Kyoto."

"Yes, Madam, does the General have any other plans?"

Zhang Xixi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lao Wu, indicating that she was no longer going to hide it.

"Also, we need to find out what gifts the new magistrate forced those wealthy merchants to give when he arrived, and it would be best to find evidence that they were coerced."

“I’ll take care of this! I’ve heard that those wealthy merchants have a lot of grievances against this magistrate; they’re unwilling to accept that they’ve lost so much silver.”

"Okay, just tell me if there's anything you need me to do."

Zhang Xixi thought that she was not familiar with the situation here, so she decided to follow the arrangements.

"Yes, madam, I'll go take care of my business now!"

"Go!"

Zhang Xixi also went back to her room to rest.

When Zhang Xixi woke up the next morning and saw that Lao Wu didn't have any plans, she went out for a walk by herself.

She was thinking about buying a house in the county town, preferably one that was close to the academy.

Without hesitation, Zhang Xixi asked passersby for directions to the area where the academies were located and then went to look at houses.

After returning home at noon, I still had no plans, so I had no choice but to stay in the teahouse.

In the afternoon, however, I saw someone I knew.

"Prefect Sun, what brings you here?"

Zhang Xixi saw Sun Wenfang and quickly went to greet her.

"The Prefect sent me to handle Magistrate Xia's matter."

"How did you know about this?" Zhang Xixi asked, puzzled. The city was quite far away, how could the news have spread so quickly!

The people following behind quickly stepped forward and bowed to Zhang Xixi, "Greetings, Madam!"

Zhang Xixi looked at the two familiar faces, as if she had seen them somewhere before.

Seeing this, Old Wu quickly explained, "Madam, they used to be the general's subordinates as well."

Zhang Xixi nodded, indicating that she understood.

It turned out that Zhou Yuhao had sent someone to find help.

Zhang Xixi and the others welcomed Sun Wenfang inside, and Lao Wu also reported the information he had found out to them.

Do you have any evidence for what you're saying?

"Yes, we have evidence and witnesses," Old Wu replied quickly.

"Then let's rest for the night, meet up with General Zhou tonight to discuss it, and go to the county government office tomorrow morning."

"it is good!"

Zhang Xixi and the others invited Sun Wenfang to dinner.

Afterwards, A-Qiang and the others went to meet with Zhou Yuhao and explained the situation to him in detail.

Zhou Yuhao had used the night to gather most of the evidence of Magistrate Xia's embezzlement and to uncover the secret room.

Tomorrow, with a coordinated effort from within and without, they can bring this corrupt official down.

At the county government office, Magistrate Xia also received a message by carrier pigeon. Few people in the capital knew about Zhou Yuhao's identity.

His uncle couldn't find any information in a short time either.

So it's still uncertain whether there's any background to it.

He didn't panic when he heard the news. Anyway, he was at the county government office, so he would wait for definite news before making any decisions.

He's not in a hurry!

The next day was sunny and bright; it was a good day.

After having breakfast, Sun Wenfang and his group prepared all the necessary evidence and witnesses before heading to the county government office.

This time, it was those wealthy merchants who knocked on the drum at the door and handed over a petition. The defendant was none other than Xia, the newly appointed magistrate of Dafang County.

Upon seeing this petition, Magistrate Xia was furious!

"Bring those troublemakers in, and give each of them fifty lashes. They've really gone too far!"

The constables quickly brought Zhang Xixi and the others in as he instructed.

Sun Wenfang did not reveal her identity, but simply acted as a lawyer.

Seeing that the county magistrate was really outrageous, he revealed his identity and naturally handed the case over to him for trial.

With so many witnesses and the ledgers Zhou Yuhao found, there's no doubt he'll admit it.

Moreover, Sun Wenfang had brought several powerful yamen runners with her, and with Zhou Yuhao and his group, these people didn't dare to use force.

Finally, based on the evidence and testimonies found, the magistrate and his entire family were sentenced to exile in the Northwest.

Three generations of the family were forbidden from participating in the imperial examinations!

This effectively blocked the path for his descendants to become officials.

Zhang Xixi watched from the sidelines as Zhou Yuhao and Sun Wenfang worked together to quickly find the evidence and convicted Magistrate Xia on the spot.

In addition, his family members and the clerk were confined to the county government office until all the facts were investigated before deciding how to handle the situation.