New and dark light years

Chapter 276 Having connections makes things easier
He Xinghao ordered the waiter to bring him wine and dishes, and was having a meal with two colleagues.

Yulin County is located in southern Xinjiang, which is very different from the Central Plains, so the three of them did not enjoy the meal very much.

In other words, there isn't much difference between the north and the south when it comes to alcohol.

The three of them were drinking and were already a little tipsy.

"It's unbearably hot in this southern region." He Xinghao tugged at his clothes; his body was damp.

The main problem is the high humidity in southern Xinjiang. It rains moderately or lightly almost every day, and when exposed to the sun, it feels like a steam oven.

Chang Feng, a colleague standing next to him, laughed and said, "It's better than freezing cold. Brother He, you don't know, last year I was sent to the north on a mission. It was so cold that I had seven or eight chilblains on my fingers and toes. They were itchy and painful, and it was so uncomfortable. Even after I returned to the Central Plains, the itching lasted for three months before it got better."

Another companion, Liang Decai, chimed in, "You guys are nothing compared to what happened in Shucheng. Most of the men there were homosexuals. I went there openly and honestly, and came out in a panic. Even being beheaded wasn't that scary."

The other two hissed upon hearing this, their expressions filled with fear.

At that moment, He Xinghao sensed something was wrong and instinctively gripped the pistol beside him: "Why is no one coming in?"

The two looked outside and found that there was no one on the street anymore.

Instead, quite a few customers were leaving.

"Let's go!" He Xinghao whispered.

All three were highly experienced observers, and they immediately stood up and walked outside.

I don't plan to pay the money.

But after walking only a few steps, all three of them stopped.

A troop of local militia, armed with swords, shields, and longbows, had arrived outside and blocked the entrance.

The three turned and ran into the restaurant, using their lightness skill to jump to the second floor, intending to use the high terrain to escape.

But as soon as they opened the second-floor window, they saw a group of archers standing on the roof, drawing their bows and aiming them at them.

"Damn it...was this really necessary?!"

He Xinghao threw down his pistol, covered his head, and squatted on the ground.

The other two also dropped their weapons and squatted down.

They knew they were doomed.

Rather than resisting, it's better to surrender directly; there might still be a glimmer of hope.

The three were led to the hall of the restaurant and made to kneel down.

No one mistreats them, but the more this is done, the more afraid they feel.

Because this is illogical.

When they capture prisoners, they always beat and abuse them for a while before getting down to business.

The three knelt for a long time, but no one came to 'interrogate' them.

A group of soldiers watched them from the side, each with a cold smile on their face.

The longer they waited, the more anxious they became.

After a while, the sound of someone coming down the stairs came from the restaurant.

A short while later, a young man came down.

Li Lin approached the three of them.

Su Bei immediately moved a chair and placed it behind Li Lin.

Li Lin sat down, then lifted the hem of his official robe and asked with a smile, "Where do you three friends come from?"

Looking at the smiling Li Lin, He Xinghao lowered his head and said, "From the capital."

He Xinghao had seen Li Lin's imposing manner in many high-ranking officials.

He knew he was really going to fail this time.

Li Lin then asked, "Among the three, are you the leader?"

"Yes!" He Xinghao answered softly.

"Who is the master behind you?"

He Xinghao hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth: "Purchased by the palace eunuchs of high rank, under the command of Eunuch Zhao."

Li Lin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are people from the palace here in our Southern Frontier?"

He Xinghao took a deep breath and said, "Supervisor Li, there's no need to test us anymore. Just ask whatever you want, and the three of us servants will answer without hesitation. We would never dare to hide anything."

Li Lin was somewhat surprised; this person was quite adept at assessing the situation. Li Lin didn't mince words, saying, "Since you're being so direct, I won't beat around the bush either. Are you perhaps sent by a concubine from the palace?"

"Yes, Consort Rong sent us."

"What is it?"

"Investigate the true cause of death of her former housekeeper Qin and his entire family."

Li Lin nodded.

On the surface, the entire Qin family in Rong County was infected with the epidemic, and none of them survived.

This is the official statement.

But for those who are interested, this argument is completely untenable.

The fact that Consort Yourong in the palace only sent someone now is already considered a very slow response.

"It's not appropriate for you to come to Yulin County and ask so many questions about things that concern Rong County."

He Xinghao's face was somewhat pale. After thinking for a while, he said, "Our investigation revealed that before the Qin family was destroyed, Li Dujian went to Yourong County and had grudges with the Qin family from two other forces."

Li Lin smiled and said, "I have no grudge against the Qin family. I investigated the Qin family because they were colluding with the Qin family of Yuecheng."

After these words were spoken, the three of them looked at each other.

They didn't really believe it.

After all, the Qin family is the most favored concubine in the palace, and also the most prominent family in the capital, the Yang family.

Would someone like that need to have an affair with the Qin family of Yuecheng?

It seems highly unlikely no matter how you look at it.

Li Lin smiled and said, "Take them into custody and keep them under temporary supervision. Do not neglect them."

Su Bei immediately ordered his men to take the three away.

Li Lin then returned to the county government office.

Jiang Jili found him and asked, "What are you doing making such a big fuss outside?"

"Some minor conflicts from the past need to be addressed."

Jiang Jili smiled and said, "Is it about the Qin family in Rong County?"

"you know too?"

“I’m not stupid. You’ve already been investigated by the Jiang family. It’s not surprising that Consort Rong sent someone over, but you don’t need to worry too much. There’s not much she can do in the palace. She has a big name, but she’s really just that.”

"Oh?" Li Lin asked curiously, "You have a way?"

"no!"

"You make it sound so easy," Li Lin said, giving him a helpless glare.

Jiang Jili continued, "Of course, my Jiang family would never offend the nobles in the palace for something as trivial as this. After all, my family's roots are still in the capital, but this is the southern border, Jin County, where the mountains are high and the land is far away. What are you afraid of?"

“It’s always troublesome for the other side to send people over; you can’t guard against thieves every day.”

Jiang Jili thought for a moment and said, "Actually, this is easy to handle. Just find something to make Consort Yourong forget about you."

"any solution?"

"Rejuvenating Pill."

Li Lin raised his eyebrows slightly: "I have no access to the palace."

“You can’t get in touch with them, but my Jiang family can.” Jiang Jili laughed. “We can help you escort those three back and then present the Youth Preservation Pill to the noble person in your name, but we also need some payment.”

What kind of compensation do you require?

Jiang Jili laughed and said, "You're offering half of the elixir to this noble person. If you give ten bottles, our Jiang family will have to take five."

Li Lin hissed, "So greedy."

"A higher price naturally has its advantages. Our Jiang family places great importance on reputation when doing business."

Li Lin pondered for a moment and asked, "How many bottles of the Youth-Preserving Pill do you think would be enough to make the nobleman forget the Qin family of Yourong County?"

"I think ten bottles would be enough."

Li Lin smiled and said, "Deal!"

(End of this chapter)