My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 53 Capture
The sky was already darkening, but the main hall was brightly lit.

After drinking some wine, Li Yuan started boasting again.

After a long while, sounds finally came from outside again.

Then Wang Zanwu strode into the hall, turned around and looked behind him, and shouted, "Bring him in!!"

The gang leader and his deputy, who had just been separated from the Li family's boys earlier that day, were brought in disheveled, their clothes torn and bearing obvious injuries. It was clear that Wang Zanwu had treated them warmly after finding them.

The two men were pinned to the ground, both terrified and pale.

Wang Zanwu bowed to Li Yuan, "Duke, these are the two men who attacked the young master today!"

Upon hearing this, the leader looked up at Li Yuan, his eyes filled with terror.

Wasn't it said that the Duke of Tang wasn't in the city?

He hurriedly began to beg for mercy: "Duke! Spare me! I really didn't know those were the local militia led by the young master. I thought they were just thieves in disguise!"

"Impersonating? What kind of thieves could produce so many knights? Didn't they reveal their identities?"

"Duke! We truly had no idea. Besides, it wasn't us who attacked them; it was your son who led the charge against us, injuring many of my men. How could we dare provoke your son?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to ask."

Li Yuan slowly stood up, walked a few steps to the leader of the group, and slowly lowered his head.

Li Yuan was already tall, and now that his hand was on the hilt of his sword, he looked even more terrifying.

"I ask you, how dare you, a mere temporary leader, attack my son? Who ordered you to do this?"

“Tell me the truth, and you will live.”

The leader's expression changed drastically. He pursed his lips. "Duke, I really don't..."

"Puch~~"

He didn't even see when Li Yuan drew his sword. He only saw a flash of light and a sharp pain in his neck. He tried to grab it, but his hands were resisted, and all his strength vanished instantly. He went limp and fell to the ground.

Li Yuan slit his throat.

Blood was flowing freely, but Li Yuan didn't care at all. He simply wiped his sword and looked at Wang Zanwu beside him. "This man was a traitor. I have dealt with him. Take the body away and send people to ransack his house."

"Yes!"

Wang Zanwu waved his hand, and a knight dragged the corpse away.

At this moment, the regimental commander beside him was terrified, trembling all over and unable to speak. Li Yuan's sword was pointed directly at him. "If he doesn't want to talk, then you talk. If you don't want to talk, someone will talk sooner or later."

"I'll talk!! I'll talk!!"

The regimental commander cried out, "It was the Zheng family who made us do it! It was Zheng Dazhi from the Zheng family who made us do it!"

"Lord, spare my life! Spare my life!"

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face, and he returned to his seat in a few steps.

At this moment, Zhao Yuanshu noticed that his expression had become somewhat strange.

This person usually seems very gentle and always has a smile on his face, so how could he be so ruthless? He slit his own throat without even realizing that he had slightly increased the distance between them.

Zhang Xutuo was unfazed; he was used to seeing people kill.

Li Yuan sat down and said with a sneer, "Well? I told you, this must be the work of the Zheng family!"

"All that talk about passing down scriptures and being a morally upright person is utter bullshit!"

"Someone is coming!"

He shouted, and the knights quickly stood up.

"Go and bring that son of a bitch from the Zheng family here!!"

Just as the knights were about to go out, a voice came from outside again, "No need! I'm already here! Make way!!"

Everyone peeked out and saw Zheng Jibo standing in the distance, surrounded by many people. He was pushing and shoving the knights in front of him, trying to get into the mansion. Li Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "Let that bastard in!"

The knights made way, and Zheng Jibo quickly reached Li Yuan.

He looked helpless. "It's all between kids, why are you making such a fuss?"

"shut up!"

"Shameless scoundrel!"

Li Yuan was furious. He stood up and pointed at Zhao Yuanshu, "This Lady Zhao is the one the Emperor sent to oversee agriculture! If I can't deal with you, surely he can? You claim it's some child's business, so why did you arrest my son? Why did you instigate the local militia to attack him?" "Lady Zhao, have you seen the true nature of the Zheng family? I will definitely impeach this Zheng family this time. If you can testify on my behalf before the Emperor after you return, I will reward you handsomely!"

Zhao Yuanshu looked embarrassed. He stood up and met with Zheng Jibo.

Zheng Jibo's mind went blank for a moment, and he instantly understood something.

His expression suddenly changed. He pointed at Li Yuan and angrily cursed, "Don't you dare to bully others with your power! The Emperor appointed you to govern Xingyang, not to persecute the people here! Since your arrival, you have been arresting my clansmen and demanding money from me. Now you say I am disrespectful to you? You want to impeach me? Do you think I dare not impeach you?"

These two important figures actually started hurling insults at each other, showing no manners or cultivation befitting their positions.

Li Yuan was furious and immediately prepared to draw his sword, but Zhang Xutuo stood firmly in front of him, trying to persuade him in various ways.

"If it weren't for our distinguished guest here today, I would have killed you, you old bastard!"

"Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"

While Zhang Xutuo was blocking Li Yuan, Zhao Yuanshu went to persuade Zheng Jibo, who left angrily.

Once outside and inside the carriage, the anger on Zheng Jibo's face vanished instantly, replaced by a calm demeanor, though a hint of worry lingered in his eyes.

The driver hurried him home.

The household servants rode alongside on horseback on both sides.

Zheng Jibo gently stroked his beard. He understood what Li Yuan had said earlier.

Was he sent by a sage to oversee agriculture?
Ah, if a sage truly cared about agriculture, would he issue corvée labor during the spring planting season?
Besides, he didn't even bring the Emperor's token; he just came empty-handed. What a load of crap! It seems the Zheng and Li families have been getting too close lately, which has upset the Emperor. But which bastard said these things to the Emperor?

Zheng Jibo thought for a moment and realized there were quite a few candidates. He and Li Yuan had many enemies, and there were also many people eyeing their positions.

It seems the marriage alliance can only be postponed for a few years, until the emperor's temper has subsided, before discussing it again.

The important thing now is how to deal with Zhao Yuanshu, this spy. No, I have to hide those things as soon as possible.

Zheng Jibo thought about this all the way back to his residence. He entered the house and had just sat down to write something when a servant announced that Zheng Dazhi was requesting an audience.

Zheng Jibo slowly raised his head. "Yes, let him in."

Zheng Dazhi walked into the house with a smile, quickly bowed, and then said with a joyful expression, "Brother! I have taken care of everything!"

"Oh? How did you manage to resolve it?"

"Didn't you want to find something to use against Li Yuan? I've found a big one! Hahaha, Li Yuan's son attacked the local militia! That's a crime of rebellion! I have witnesses and physical evidence here!"

"Let's see how Li Yuan handles this when he returns!"

Looking at Zheng Dazhi's beaming face, Zheng Jibo nodded, "Yes, I've already heard about this."

"what?"

When did you hear about it?

"Come here and I'll tell you."

Zheng Dazhi walked forward curiously, "Slap!"

It was a heavy slap. Zheng Jibo struck Zheng Dazhi across the face. At that moment, Zheng Dazhi saw stars and was completely stunned.

Before he could react, Zheng Jibo gave him another one.

Zheng Dazhi's cheeks were slapped red, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He looked at Zheng Jibo in disbelief.

"You hit me?"

"I'm going to beat you up, you beast!"

"Who gave you permission to incite the local militia to attack the Li family?"

"Do you know Li Yuan is back? He almost stabbed me with a knife just now?!"

"I'll send someone to Li Yuan's residence right now. Go and tell him the evidence you have against him!"

Upon hearing this, the anger in Zheng Dazhi's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by intense fear.

He suddenly collapsed to the ground, shouting, "I'm not going!"

"I'm not going!!"

"Brother!! I know I was wrong! Brother!!!"

"Useless piece of trash, take this bastard out of here! Forty strokes of the cane! If you dare show any mercy, I will not forgive you!!"

(End of this chapter)