Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

"Thank you for your trouble, Chief Constable Ye."

Lu Fengnian bowed and thanked him.

Ye Zhengtang shook his head. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just fulfilling a request I've made."

More importantly, it's a little early to thank you now. It's not too late to thank you after I've helped you sort this out.

"Let's get going without delay and get to Qinghe County as soon as possible, before Ma Hui has a chance."

......

The path was difficult for horses to traverse, so Lu Fengnian followed behind Ye Zhengtang, hurrying through the mountains and forests.

Neither of them spoke; only the rustling of footsteps and soft breathing could be heard.

After walking about three miles, Ye Zhengtang glanced at Lu Fengnian, then suddenly quickened his pace, walking swiftly along the mountain path.

Although Lu Fengnian had doubts, he quickened his pace and followed closely behind.

Ye Zhengtang's speed increased rapidly, almost matching that of a galloping wild horse.

Lu Fengnian followed closely behind, always keeping a distance of about three feet from him.

After running for more than ten miles, Ye Zhengtang stopped, slightly out of breath, and looked back at Lu Fengnian.

It can be seen that although Lu Fengnian was panting heavily, he did not fall behind.

Then, he looked surprised and said, "Not only are you skilled in archery, but you are also quite strong on your feet."

Based on this speed alone, he is probably no less than a martial artist of the first rank of the acquired realm.

Lu Fengnian, have you ever trained under a martial artist?

Lu Fengnian, having caught his breath, smiled slightly and said, "Chief Constable Ye has gone to so much trouble for me, so naturally I can no longer hide it from you."

You guessed right, someone did teach him for a while, but whether he was a martial artist, I don't know.

Ye Zhengtang's eyes lit up. "The person who taught you is in Mao'er Village? Who is he?"

Lu Fengnian shook his head. "I don't know his specific identity either. My encounter with him was just by chance."

He told me that I had extraordinary talent and was a good archery prospect, so he taught me a method of circulating qi and some archery techniques.

After that, I never saw him again.

Ye Zhengtang's eyes flickered, and he was about to ask more questions.

Lu Fengnian added, "The person who taught me archery and the art of breathing repeatedly warned me that I must not divulge anything about him."

I'm already making an exception by telling you this.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhengtang naturally didn't ask any more questions and whispered, "We'll be able to enter the county town in about thirty miles. Let's hurry on our way."

After saying that, he lifted his foot and continued walking through the mountains and forests.

However, the speed is significantly slower than before.

Lu Fengnian followed closely behind and asked in a deep voice, "Chief Constable Ye, your actions tonight are clearly a direct challenge to Ma Hui."

If it were merely because Manager Fang entrusted you with this task, surely you wouldn't have been asked to do so much?

Ye Zhengtang did not turn around, his steps continued, and after about six breaths, he replied in a low voice, "You are no ordinary person, and I will not hide it from you. Based solely on my relationship with Fang Tong, I would naturally not go to such lengths."

Lu Fengnian added, "What other reasons are there?"

Ye Zhengtang quickly said, "In our Great Qing Dynasty, the county is usually staffed with a county magistrate, a county assistant, and a registrar, each with their own duties."

However, due to its remote location and some historical reasons, Qinghe County has only ever had a county magistrate and a registrar.

The affairs that originally belonged to the county magistrate were all handed over to the chief clerk, which made our county chief clerk's power far exceed that of other counties.

Furthermore, Ma Hui's intense lust for power and immense ambition caused Magistrate Wu considerable trouble.

Lu Fengnian slightly raised his eyelids. "Are you Magistrate Wu's man?"

Ye Zhengtang stopped and turned around. "I am the chief constable of Qinghe County. It is my duty to protect the territory and its people."

Ma Hui abused his power, oppressed the local people, and his influence grew daily. If we don't bring him to justice as soon as possible, and he completely suppresses Magistrate Wu, our Qinghe County will never have peace.

Lu Fengnian looked at Ye Zhengtang quietly. "You're helping me because you want to use my case to bring down Ma Hui?"

Ye Zhengtang nodded. "That's right, this is a plan that Magistrate Wu and I came up with."

Lu Fengnian paused for a moment, then asked, "What do I need to do?"

Ye Zhengtang coughed lightly, "The bigger this matter gets, the better."

Lu Fengnian frowned. "If I, an ordinary citizen, get involved in your internal power struggles, I'll probably easily become cannon fodder."

Ye Zhengtang smiled slightly, "You can rest assured about that. As I said, I will let you join the army to atone for your crime."

At this point, he emphasized again, "It is to serve in the army to atone for one's crime, not to be exiled to the army to atone for one's crime."

This means you don't have to wait for the case to be concluded before you can leave for the military, and you won't be imprisoned for too long.

Lu Fengnian then asked, "How can you guarantee that?"

Ye Zhengtang raised his head slightly, "I won't hide it from you, I'm not absolutely certain about letting you join the army, so I won't make any definitive statements."

I can only guarantee that Magistrate Wu and I will do everything in our power to help you.

Lu Fengnian fell silent.

Ye Zhengtang added, "Lu Fengnian, given the current situation, this is your best option; there's no better path to take."

Lu Fengnian raised his head slightly, looked directly into Ye Zhengtang's eyes, and said in a low voice, "I put down my bow and arrow because I trust you."

I don't need your promise regarding whether I can join the army to atone for my crime.

However, if you cannot protect my mother and sister, I can lay down my bow and arrow, but I am confident I can pick it up again.

Although the voice was soft, it was firm and resounding.

Ye Zhengtang's eyes flickered, and finally he said in a deep voice, "I can assure you that if your mother and sister are in any danger, you can take my head anytime."

Lu Fengnian nodded and said nothing more.

Ye Zhengtang also turned around and strode towards Qinghe County.

…………

It was late at night, around 9 PM.

The eastern gate of Qinghe County was unusually left open.

Beneath the city gate, the soldiers guarding the city held torches, illuminating the gate opening brightly.

Lu Fengnian, dressed in a constable's uniform and wearing a bamboo hat, followed Ye Zhengtang and quickly walked towards the city gate.

The soldiers guarding the city gate tensed up as they saw two figures approaching rapidly, each gripping their weapons tightly.

At the same time, the sergeant leader squinted and demanded, "Who goes there?"

Ye Zhengtang quickened his pace and stopped about sixteen steps in front of the sergeant commander.

Upon seeing the constable uniforms worn by Ye Zhengtang and Lu Fengnian, the military leader's expression softened slightly, and he was about to ask a question.

Ye Zhengtang took a few more steps forward and removed the straw hat from his head.

"Chief Constable Ye!"

The military leader was clearly surprised and quickly stepped forward to clasp his hands in salute.

The constables belonged to the local administrative system of the county government, while the soldiers at the city gate belonged to the local garrison.

The two are not subordinate to each other, and their grades and systems are completely separate.

Ye Zhengtang naturally had no authority over the soldiers guarding the city, but he was the only acquired martial artist in Qinghe County, and his status was extraordinary.

The soldiers guarding the city treated him with courtesy and respect.