Daqian Night Emperor

Chapter 342 But Then Again

"General."

In the county magistrate's mansion, Zhao Guanxiang paid a visit to Ling Fang.

Ling Fang was talking to Wei Sanyin when he saw Zhao Guanxiang coming. He nodded and motioned Zhao Guanxiang to wait for a moment.

Zhao Guanxiang waited for a while until Ling Fang finished talking about business with Eunuch Wei.

"I ordered you to investigate those families that were colluding with the Salvation Church. Why didn't you take any action?"

After Eunuch Wei left, Ling Fang sat on the chair behind the desk and asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Guanxiang stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "I have been secretly investigating these noble families in recent days, and now I have some clues."

"What clue?"

"We found out that the salvation believers who died at the altar that day were all important people in these families. We also checked the lists of people who had been in contact with these families recently. The most important thing is that there is one very strange thing..."

Ling Fang remained calm and said, "Don't keep me in suspense."

Zhao Guanxiang replied awkwardly, "Yes, these families have a common problem recently. Many children have gone missing from their homes."

"Children?"

"Yes, most of them are children under ten years old. There are four or five children in these families, and as many as a dozen. But we haven't seen any reports to the police or any movement of people from the families to search for them. They just pretend they don't know about this. It's very strange."

Ling Fang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Anything else?"

Zhao Guanxiang said, "A few days ago, the bodies of the Salvationists that were originally stored in the charity cemetery disappeared, and I found out that after that, these families were holding funerals. I suspect that there are Salvationists lurking in Tianyuan County, helping them steal the bodies."

"Among the several aristocratic families, the Changxi Xie family is the most powerful and should be the leader. Tomorrow, I will go to the Xie family to find out the truth."

Ling Fang nodded and said, "I will ask the selected people to investigate the internal conspiracy. As for the others...just let them do it."

"Yes."

After a while, Ling Fang saw Zhao Guanxiang still standing by and asked, "Do you have anything else to do?"

Zhao Guanxiang scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "There is indeed one more thing, but I don't know how to tell the general."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Yes, General, do you know that two months ago, the family of one of my lieutenants was captured by bandits? I led my brothers in prison to the imperial manor, and with my wisdom, bravery, and unparalleled martial arts..."

Ling Fang watched as Zhao Guanxiang's words became more and more biased, almost to the point of bragging. He tapped the table with his fingers a few times, making a "knock knock" sound, and interrupted, "Speak to the point."

Zhao Guanxiang coughed a few times and said honestly, "The family of the deputy general under my command is named Jiang Liuer, the third daughter of Jiang Lin, the deputy commander of the Northern Frontier."

"Jiang Lin?"

When Ling Fang heard the name, he frowned: "The big bandit leader from Longmen County?"

Zhao Guanxiang nodded and said, "That's right. A few days ago, Jiang Liu'er's sister came to Beijing to visit her relatives. In order to thank me for saving her third sister, she came to Jingzhou in person. Now she is outside Tianyuan County and wants to do something for me as a reward..."

Ling Fang frowned immediately: "Nonsense, Jingzhou is in danger right now, how can a weak woman help?"

"General." Zhao Guanxiang reminded, "Jiang Ping'er is a third-grade supernatural power realm warrior."

Ling Fang: “…”

Zhao Guanxiang reminded him again, "She is not the only one coming. There are also six leaders from Huangfeng Village, all of whom are strong warriors who have reached the level of heavenly beings. In addition, there are a thousand good fighters, all of whom are good fighters of the first rank."

Ling Fang: "...But then again, Huangfeng Village has now pledged its allegiance to the imperial court and is willing to contribute to the affairs of Jingzhou. They are also righteous men who care about the country and the people. Their hearts are evident."

There was no embarrassment on his face, and he asked calmly, "Where are Jiang Ping'er and the people from Huangfeng Village now?"

Zhao Guanxiang replied: "Just outside the city."

Ling Fang asked again: "You said they came to help you?"

Zhao Guanxiang nodded and said, "That's right. Of course, if the general has an appointment, he can just order his subordinates directly. They will do their best to help. It's the same for everyone."

This answer made Ling Fang very satisfied.

He thought for a moment and said, "Since they are the rebels, let them enter the city. But you have to exercise some restraint in the future and not violate military discipline."

Zhao Guanxiang understood what he meant and replied, "Don't worry, General. I understand."

"Is there actually a village here? I didn't even know about it when I was patrolling before."

Outside Liuxi Village, a group of soldiers were marching towards the village.

Zhao Guanxiang was riding on a horse, walking at the front of the team. Hearing the deputy general Zhang Juzheng mumbling beside him, he lowered his voice and said, "I deliberately didn't lead anyone here during the routine inspection."

Zhang Juzheng immediately looked righteous, and was about to accuse him: "Cub Tiger, you are..."

Zhao Guanxiang immediately interrupted him and pointed to the village ahead: "The people stationed here are your aunt's people, you better think clearly before you speak."

Zhang Juzheng opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time. He looked as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

Zhao Guanxiang chuckled a few times.

He brought Zhang Juzheng with him today because he was going to meet Jiang Ping'er.

Although Gao He was no longer in serious condition, he had taken the Thunder Tribulation Pill after all. His stomach was still hurting and he couldn't get out of bed, so he didn't follow.

The team gradually approached the village, and Zhao Guanxiang, riding on his horse, saw the people guarding the village from afar.

He waved his hand from a distance and shouted, "Uncle Pig!"

But the team at the village entrance was in a panic for a while, and vaguely heard words like "run quickly" and "the dog officials from the court are coming".

Zhao Guanxiang quickly tightened the reins: "Wait..."

"drive!"

The warhorse under his crotch ran a few steps quickly and caught up with the pig that was running at the end.

Zhao Guanxiang jumped off his horse and pressed Haizhu's shoulder: "Uncle Zhu, why are you running? We are one!"

Haizhu turned around tremblingly, and when he saw Zhao Guanxiang's shining silver armor and the mark of the Xuntianjian on the armor, he felt his knees go weak and he almost knelt in front of Zhao Guanxiang: "Sir, please spare my life! Sir, please spare my life!"

Zhao Guanxiang: “…”

At this time, Zhang Juzheng rode over and saw this scene. He couldn't help but ask, "Chuhu, are you sure these people are colleagues in the government?"

"Is it, is it?"

Zhao Guanxiang looked at Haizhu who was knelt and begging for mercy, and he was unsure for a moment.

……

"Uncle Zhu, aren't you ashamed that the third uncle and the future eldest uncle scared you like this?"

In the village, Jiang Ping'er scolded Haizhu mercilessly.

Haizhu was full of sullenness: "This... Third Uncle and Mr. Zhao didn't wear official uniforms before."

"Future brother-in-law?"

There was something wrong with the look in Zhang Juzheng's eyes when he looked at Zhao Guanxiang. There was a mixture of regret and gloating, as if he was saying - in the end, you kid couldn't escape the clutches of the devil.

Zhao Guanxiang coughed lightly and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Miss Ping'er and I are innocent."

"Yes, the three betrothal gifts and six ceremonies are still necessary. Before this, she was absolutely innocent." Jiang Ping'er agreed with him.

Seeing Zhao Guanxiang's face darken, Zhang Juzheng said quickly, "Let's not talk about this for now. Auntie, the general has learned about the arrival of the Yellow Wind Volunteer Army and has agreed to let you enter the city and temporarily serve under the command of the young tiger."

"This is a temporary appointment. Please keep it and tell someone to pack it up. Then follow us into the city."

Just as Zhang Juzheng took out the appointment letter and prepared to hand over to Jiang Ping'er.

Zhao Guanxiang said at the side: "Jiang family elder sister, you follow Lieutenant General Zhang into the city first. I will leave this to Lieutenant General Zhang."

Jiang Ping'er watched Zhao Guanxiang turn over and get back on the horse, and asked in surprise, "What about you?"

"I have official business to attend to while I'm out of town. Sorry I won't be with you for long!"

Zhao Guanxiang bowed and clasped his hands, then led the team out of Liuxi Village.

(End of this chapter)