Can't a girl be a traitor like Cao Cao?

Inside the room, Jiang Qianju was playing Go with Yang Yurou, seemingly bored, while Yu Xiao sat watching from the side.

Upon seeing someone enter, a gasp immediately erupted from inside the room.

Then Chi Junlin felt a fragrant breeze on her face, and Yu Xiao happily jumped into her arms.

Chi Junlin spent a long time being very affectionate with her, then turned his head to look at Yang Yurou, who also had a gentle and graceful face, and couldn't help but show a happy expression.

Although Jiang Qianju didn't move, the joy in her eyes was undeniable.

She snorted coldly, looked at Beidou who had followed Chi Junlin in, and said in a soft, nasal voice, "Why did you bring back a little one after going out?"

"Was it your child with Sect Leader Tong?"

Chi Junlin stepped forward, pinched Jiang Qianju's cheek, and laughed, "I can have children, so I'll fill your belly first."

Then he picked up the tea in front of Yang Yuru and drank it all in one go.

Then he began to recount his experiences at the imperial tomb to the three women before him.

These three all grew up in the inner palace and were not sensitive to details related to martial arts and internal energy.

However, upon hearing about Beidou's experiences, even a child like her couldn't help but show a look of sympathy for her.

This was the first time Beidou had seen so many people in one place, and he couldn't help but look around as soon as he started climbing the mountain.

It seems that everything is new and exciting to her.

But she was always very well-behaved, obediently following behind Chi Junlin, neither making a fuss nor causing any trouble, so quiet that it was heartbreaking.

Yang Yuru couldn't help but step forward and gently hug her, saying, "You've really suffered."

Even the jealous Jiang Qianju looked at Beidou with less hostility.

Beidou's expression was somewhat strange, looking at Yang Yuru with a puzzled expression.

She didn't know exactly what was wrong with her.

Finding a home is clearly the best thing that has ever happened to Mingming.

Chi Junlin looked at Beidou with a slightly softened expression.

However, he quickly asked the women, "I just saw some constables come up the mountain. What are they here for?"

"Oh, that."

Jiang Qianju then put on an indifferent expression and said, "I've had someone inquire, and they're here to investigate a case."

"What case?"

"Ding Xia's case, it's a major treason case. Wasn't it you who ordered the Dali Temple to issue the arrest warrant?"

Jiang Qianju looked at Chi Junlin with a completely bewildered expression.

Chi Junlin gave an awkward smile and said, "So it was me who gave the order? Haha..."

Chapter 82: What level are you? Blocking my way?

After laughing, Chi Junlin couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

However, she quickly realized that something was still not right.

He then said, “If you’re investigating a case, then investigate a case. Why are there so many constables? Even if Ding Xia was involved in the treason case, he’s only an accomplice, and his family and friends won’t be implicated. Do we need so many constables? It looks like the local government is using its power to intimidate people.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuru immediately explained, "I heard from the female disciples in the sect that the local prefect actually coveted Sect Leader Tong's beauty and wanted to force her to marry him as a concubine."

Previously, they had tried to coerce him with government orders, but Master Tong had always refused to comply.

This time, they happened to find a weakness, which is why someone came to their door to interrogate them.

Upon hearing this, Chi Junlin revealed a knowing expression.

That's right, this is exactly the kind of thing that corrupt local officials who disregard human life would do.

Jiang Qianju then revealed a mocking expression, saying to Chi Junlin, "Someone actually dares to covet the General's woman, they must be tired of living. Now, won't the General unleash a bloodbath and cause rivers of blood to flow?"

Chi Junlin coughed and said to Jiang Qianju in a serious tone, "I'm also a reasonable person, okay? Even if you kill someone, you have to do it in a legitimate way."

Then he casually remarked, "The local government is so rude. I'll go see what's going on."

Then he turned and walked towards the reception tea room.

Beidou followed behind Chi Junlin, and originally wanted to go over as well.

Chi Junlin, however, told her to go with Yang Yurou to take a bath first and change out of those unlucky clothes.

She had kept quiet about it all along, but the way Beidou wore those mourning clothes looked awkward. It felt like she was attending someone's funeral.

Now that you have the chance, you should quickly change into proper clothes.

Then, surrounded by two guards, Chi Junlin walked towards the tea room.

-

At this moment, in the tea room.

Surrounded by numerous disciples within the sect, Tong Yan respectfully offered tea to the person seated at the head of the table.

Seated in the main seat was a middle-aged man with an arrogant demeanor, dressed in official robes, and sporting a mustache.

It was none other than the local official that Chi Junlin had encountered on the mountain path when he led Jiang Qianju and the others up the mountain that day.

His identity was that of a county constable at the foot of the mountain in the prefecture to which Mount Jiuyi belongs.

The county magistrate's surname was Gou, and his rank was ninth grade.

The lowest rank in the major administrative control system.

Even if it's a ninth-rank official, it's still an official, no matter how low. It's still better than being a lowly clerk.

According to the system of the Great Zheng Dynasty, local areas were under the jurisdiction of the emperor. Apart from the imperial city, the local areas were divided into three levels: prefectures and counties.

It refers to the three categories of prefecture, county, and county.

The vast land is divided into nine provinces, and the chief administrative officer of each province is the governor, a third-rank official. He has the authority to write memorials to the emperor.

The state was further divided into prefectures, and the highest official in each prefecture was the prefect, a rank of fourth or fifth grade. They were under the jurisdiction of the state governor's office.

The territory of the next prefecture was further divided into counties, which varied in size. The highest official in charge was the county magistrate, who could be ranked from the sixth to the eighth grade. They were essentially local emperors in their own right.

As for the position of County Commandant, it was below that of County Magistrate, and was in charge of specific administrative affairs such as maintaining public order, apprehending thieves, and collecting taxes in the county government.

Although the official rank was low, the place was remote, far from the emperor's reach.

With real power and a group of corrupt officials under his command, he could run rampant in the county, oppressing the local people and extorting money from the wealthy without any problem.

Compared to the imperial city, where you could hit a high-ranking official with a brick thrown on the street, this lowly county magistrate was living a very comfortable life.

More importantly, he had recently made connections with his superior, the prefect.

Knowing that the Prefect was concerned about the celestial-looking sect leader of the Sword Harmony Sect on Mount Jiuyi, County Magistrate Gou would make his way up the mountain every few days.

In order to force Master Tong to agree to marry the prefect as a concubine.

If this matter can be accomplished, then County Magistrate Gou will have a secure position for life.

Even if one cannot be promoted to county magistrate, being transferred to a prefecture and becoming a confidant of the prefect is still a good thing.

Although he knew that the leader of the Sword Harmony Sect was renowned and highly skilled in martial arts, County Magistrate Gou was not afraid at all.

Because what he held in his hands was a public instrument of the imperial court.

He was certain that no matter how rude he was, Sect Leader Tong would not dare to lay a hand on him.

To lay a hand on him would be to murder a high-ranking official of the imperial court, which would be tantamount to rebellion.

If things escalate and a large army attacks, the Sword Harmony Sect will be truly finished.

Seeing that Tong Yan had finally appeared, County Magistrate Gou, holding his teacup, glanced at Tong Yan's beautiful face with a slightly greedy look.

But he knew all too well that such a beauty was not someone he was worthy of touching.

So he simply coughed lightly, and said with an air of official authority, "Sect Leader Tong has kept me waiting for quite some time. Is it only now that you've finally decided to show yourself?"

Although Tong Yan was dissatisfied with the other party's attitude, she still replied with a slightly respectful tone, "Lord Gou is very busy, I apologize for taking up your time. But I have to accompany a distinguished guest on an outing, and I really have something to attend to. So I can't spare the time, and I hope you will understand."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Gou looked displeased and slammed his teacup onto the table.

"A distinguished person? Which distinguished person? Is there someone here more distinguished than me? Tell him to come out and let me see him!"

Tong Yan frowned, feeling a slight disdain for the county magistrate in front of her, but she did not show it.

It wasn't that Tong Yan didn't know how to use her power to intimidate others; she also knew that as long as she displayed the imposing presence of the Crimson Emperor, this corrupt official would either be terrified or crawl back with his tail between his legs.

However, Chi Junlin had given instructions from the moment he arrived on the mountain that he was to accompany the Princess on an outing to relax and not to disturb any local officials.

Otherwise, if the supreme general Chi Junlin, who is the most honored person in the world, were to visit Mount Jiuyi, local officials from within a hundred miles would swarm around him like flies.

Therefore, Chi Junlin had no intention of revealing his identity.

Tong Yan truly took Chi Junlin's words to heart, and now she was even less willing to trouble her.

He then decided to try to solve the problem himself.

Although Tong Yan was displeased, she patiently said to County Magistrate Gou, "Please, sir, do not force me. As I have already said, as the head of the sect in this area, I am already a person outside the secular world."

Under no circumstances could she marry another man, let alone become a concubine.

"Be bold!"

County Magistrate Gou slammed his hand on the table and immediately became arrogant, saying, "I think you're going to refuse a toast only to suffer a penalty!"

Do you know what Ding Xia from your group did wrong? It was a case of treason!

"If you anger me, I could arrest you all, behead the men, and send the women to the brothel. Let's see what you do then!"

Upon hearing County Magistrate Gou's words, Tong Yan laughed in anger.

If it had been before, when County Magistrate Gou had said this to her, Tong Yan might have been a little worried.

But what is the situation now?

Chi Junlin has already said he'll only arrest the ringleaders, and the others are innocent. How dare he threaten me with something like this?

It would be strange if she were afraid.

Just as Tong Yan glared angrily at County Magistrate Gou, about to retort,

Suddenly, a shout came from outside the door.

"who?"

"No trespassing!"

However, before he could finish speaking, a series of clanging and banging sounds were heard.

The Red Emperor's voice arrived before his arrival.

"What kind of class are you? Blocking my way?"

Chapter 83 This humble general greets the Commander-in-Chief!

Hearing the sound coming from outside the door, County Commandant Gou, who was sitting in the main seat, was stunned.

Then he suddenly revealed an expression of rage.

Because he saw that two plain-clad guards had already beaten down all the constables standing outside the door.

A wail came from outside the door.

Meanwhile, Chi Junlin had already stepped into the tea room.

Upon seeing Chi Junlin appear, all the female disciples in the tea room showed joy.

Tong Yan felt relieved at this moment.

It seems that Chi Junlin's arrival immediately gave the entire sect a pillar of support.

However, at this moment, County Commandant Gou was furious, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Damn you unruly people! You want to rebel!"

Pointing at Chi Junlin, he said to Tong Yan, "This is your distinguished guest from the mountain? How dare you beat up a constable! You have some nerve!"

Chi Junlin didn't even glance at the county magistrate, but simply strode towards the main seat in the tea room.

When County Magistrate Gou saw that he was being ignored, he was so angry that his nose almost twisted out of shape.

He raised his hand and pointed at Chi Junlin. He was about to speak.

A flash of light appeared before their eyes.