Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 57 Mandrill

The sound of horse hooves could be heard on the quiet street.

The people hid in their homes, trembling.

The tall official was riding an old horse with a cold and murderous look in his eyes. A bloody human head was hung on the waist of the horse under his crotch. The eyes were wide open, as if he died with his eyes open.

It seems terrifying, but not surprising.

Liu Taozi continued his inspection.

Yao Xiong hesitated to speak.

He really wanted to ask Brother Taozi why he chose to kill people directly and even resorted to framing others.

But thinking about it again, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong.

This has always been the case in the Great Qi State. Frame-ups, killing innocent people to claim credit, and patrolling with people's heads hanging are all normal things.

But why is it a little weird when Brother Taozi does the same thing?
The two men, one big and one small, trembled as they untied the dog leash. Their hands were shaking violently and it took them several attempts before they finally untied the rope.

Then they hurriedly fled from there.

They were moving very fast and didn't dare look back or rest.

He rushed all the way to his home, which was a village in the county. The door was open and it was quiet and empty.

The father and son rushed into their own yard, quickly closed the door, tied up the dog, hid in the house, and immediately collapsed on the ground, hugging each other and crying.

Both were terrified.

The father and son cried for a long time before they stopped.

"Today is really a lucky day. I can't go outside anymore."

"That man was killed in the street. Will his relatives and friends let it go?"

The elders had worried looks on their faces. How could poor people like them withstand the revenge from the rich?

"Grandpa, didn't that mandrill say that we could seek his protection?"

"Mr. Mandrill?"

The baby raised his head and said seriously, "Grandpa! Grandpa told me before he died that there is a monster called a mandrill. It is huge and powerful. It can tear tigers and leopards apart alive. It can disguise itself and eat people! I think the murderer is several heads taller than Grandpa. He must be a mandrill in disguise!"

The older man smiled wryly and rubbed his head.

What good is there about officials? I think it's just dog-eat-dog, they just can't stand each other.

He seemed to have made up his mind.

"Xiaoxing, do you miss your uncle?"

At night, Taozi and his group finally returned to the county government office.

When the soldier saw the head hanging on Liu Taozi's saddle, he was not surprised at all and let him go calmly.

Xu Li, the gatekeeper, looked at them with a smile and said, "Mr. Liu, let the cavalry officers lead the scattered officials or county soldiers to inspect the affairs inside and outside the city."

"How can a patrol officer go on a personal inspection? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

Taozi ignored him and threw the head to Tian Zili who was standing beside him. "Take it and tell the recorder."

Then he and others walked towards the North Courtyard.

Tian Zili took the head to meet the registrar.

Tu Nan looked at the head placed in front of him and looked at Tian Zili calmly.

"Kill the thief. You know the rules, right?"

Tian Zili smiled and stuffed something into his sleeve.

Tu Nan weighed the weight of the matter and nodded, "Since you have made a contribution by arresting the bandits, I will tell you the truth."

Tu Nan recorded You Jiao's contribution this time, asked Tian Zili to leave his head behind, and let him go.

After Tian Zili left, Tu Nan's face turned gloomy.

This position of Youjiao should have been his.

The three of them were sitting in the courtyard eating. Kou Liu said cautiously, "Brother, isn't it a bit inappropriate to just kill someone like this? What if people find out?"

Liu Taozi ate the meat and asked, "Now that you know what's going on?"

"No. Will I punish you?"

"There are many people in this county who want to replace my brother. When I first came here, that Tu Nan asked me to stare at everyone and told me to testify later."

"I don't think he has any good intentions."

Taozi said slowly: "Killing innocent people and claiming credit is not considered a crime here."

"That's true, but how can we be like them?"

“If they can do it, we can do it too.”

Kou Liu lowered his head in frustration and muttered, "Forget it, he's a bad guy anyway."

Yao Xiong swallowed the meat, raised his head and asked, "Brother, will we have to do this inspection every day from now on?"

"Unless someone comes to report to the police or there is something else, it is like this every day."

"Then when will someone report to the police? This kind of patrol is too much for me, not to mention the horses."

Tian Zili strode in from the door and just happened to hear Yao Xiong's words, "Report to the police? Why would anyone come to report to the police?"

He sat next to Yao Xiong and looked at Taozi, "Brother, I have already informed Tu Nan, and he has taken note of it." "Okay."

Yao Xiong hurriedly asked, "Why didn't anyone report it to the police?"

"If it were you, and something happened to you, would you dare to report to the county government?"

Yao Xiong hesitated for a moment and said, "I dare not!"

"That's the truth."

The cool breeze could not block the scorching sun, so the officials sat in the shade, eating and chatting.

The newly arrived officials were particularly satisfied with their current jobs.

"Before I came here, I had heard many rumors that I couldn't be an official."

"Now it seems that rumors are just rumors. Although it is a bit bitter, there is nothing bad about it."

The newcomer spoke with a smile, but the senior officials sitting next to him became a little unnatural. They wanted to say something, but in the end they just shook their heads.

The atmosphere in Sanliyuan is quite good. Everyone gets along well, cooperates with each other, and the old ones help the new ones.

Everyone here is so friendly.

At this moment, a group of people suddenly arrived here. Behind the leader were several officials and several soldiers. There were about eight or nine people in total, forming a mighty force.

All the officials hurriedly stood up and saluted.

Lu Qubing smiled and nodded at them, motioning them to sit down, but he walked straight to the innermost room.

Zhao Li hurriedly stood up and led the way for him.

When Lu Qubing walked into the room, Zhang Li was lying on the bed. At this moment, his condition was much better than before and he could already lift his head up.

Lu Qubing smiled and sat beside him, "Mr. Zhang, are you feeling better?"

During these days, Lu Qubing has come to visit twice.

This may also be the reason why the officials in the county government began to become friendly to the casual officials.

Zhang Li's face was full of emotion.

"Mr. Lu, what virtue and ability do I have?"

"Don't say that. I sent you some medicine. It was given by the Gao County Magistrate."

Zhang Li burst into tears.

"Father, please get better soon. The county government is still short of a clerk. When you get better, you will take the position."

"Old Man"

Zhang Li was speechless. Those who came in with Lu Qubing were also moved to tears. Even if they had no tears, they had to rub their eyes.

Zhang Li remembered something at this moment. He paused and said, "Mr. Lu, I have something to say to you alone."

Lu Qubing waved his hand and everyone left.

After everyone left, Zhang Li finally spoke up and said, "Mr. Lu, have you appointed all the officials in the county?"

"Yes, there is only one official, but that is for you."

"No, this is not right."

Lu Qubing was somewhat surprised. "Why is it inappropriate? There are serious vacancies in the county's official posts, and everything cannot be handled. If we don't appoint these people, how can we get things done?"

Zhang Li said, "Mr. Lu, I shouldn't have said these words, but you have been so kind to me that I dare not not say them."

"The positions of chancellor and lieutenant in the county have always been held by scholars and meritorious generals. Let me be frank, they have always been held by scholars and nobles."

"I have been in the county for many years, and I have never seen a chancellor and a lieutenant getting along well."

"The new captain hasn't arrived yet, but you have already arranged all the positions. No position is left. If you do this, the new captain will think you are trying to sideline him, and he will try to take back the power."

Lu Qubing frowned, "Since ancient times, the chancellor has been in charge of civil affairs, and the lieutenant has been in charge of military affairs. What is there for me to fight with him?"

"That's true, but no matter whether it's the chancellor or the lieutenant, they can interfere in the affairs of the county, and whoever the official belongs to will be in charge of the affairs in that area."

Lu Qubing sat next to Zhang Li, listening to these words, his expression changing constantly.

His brows were furrowed, then slowly relaxed.

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, old man."

"However, I have never thought of fighting for power and gain. All I have done is to fulfill my duties."

"Besides, with Lord Gao in charge of the city, even if you are a noble, you should be more restrained."

Zhang Li nodded, "I hope so."

"However, you still need to be more careful. Since they are the people you have arranged, you should let them act cautiously. Even if the task fails, they should not leave any evidence. Otherwise, they can be used against you."

Lu Qubing gave a few more instructions before leaving.

The clerk named Zhao sent him away and returned to Zhang, ready to feed him the medicine.

He couldn't help but say, "I often hear people talk about wise ministers in ancient times, but I have never seen one. Now that I have seen Lu Gong, I know what wise ministers in ancient times were like!"

"He is such a good person, but he is too kind and I am afraid he will be bullied by villains."

Zhang Li smiled and said, "Lu Gong is a gentleman, but the Mr. Liu behind him is not easy to talk to. Besides, there are people like us. If a villain makes things difficult for him, at worst we can exchange our lives for his. Our lives are worthless anyway."

The clerk who was feeding the medicine shuddered all over, then nodded, "Yes."

(End of this chapter)