Lin Wan'er's mouth dropped open: "You, you're being unreasonable! If ordinary people aren't allowed to carry swords, then why are your people equipped with weapons?"

Tang Huan crossed her arms: "Because they are mercenaries. You don't know how to write the word 'soldier' ​​and what it means, do you?"

"Li Da Kui, teach her."

Li Da Kui suddenly stretched out his foot towards Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er was startled and quickly took a step back.

But then Li Da Kui put down his toes and slowly wrote the character "兵" (soldier) on the ground.

Lin Wan'er's face turned green: "I can write it, and you wrote it wrong."

Wu Lanxi rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

If this continues, it might get dark soon.

However, the swords of the Imperial Guards must not be left lying around outside, especially Xiao Yuanshan's sword, which is an heirloom of the Xiao family.

She could only say with a headache, "Enough, Tang Huan, just give me a number, however much silver you want."

Tang Huan laughed: "I like dealing with smart people. One price, one thousand taels."

What!

absurd!

Xiao Yuanshan and Zhao Kai both thought it was a misunderstanding, and that they could leave once the misunderstanding was cleared up.

We'll deal with this unreasonable little magistrate later.

To everyone's surprise, Tang Huan, knowing full well it was a misunderstanding, still demanded a thousand taels of silver.

How is this any different from extortion?

These corrupt officials are so good that killing them wouldn't hurt!

Xiao Yuanshan immediately stepped forward: "Miss..."

Knowing what he was about to say or do, Wu Lanxi immediately raised her hand to stop him.

Tang Huan cannot be killed yet.

However, she had spent all her money on sugar, so she could only whisper to Xiao Yuanshan, "You can pay for this thousand taels of silver for me first, and I will pay you back when we return to the palace."

Xiao Yuanshan was astonished to find that His Majesty was actually going to give him money.

The emperor of a nation, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was completely outmaneuvered by a mere county magistrate.

Is there no justice left?

Is there no law left?

But faced with Wu Lanxi's demand, he could only reach into his pocket and say, "I only have two hundred taels on me."

"What about the others? Those who brought silver, please contribute."

So, the commander of the Imperial Guards, along with his deputy and a group of subordinates, had no choice but to take out their own money in front of Tang Huan, eventually pulling out all the private savings they had hidden in their shoes, and finally managed to scrape together a thousand taels of silver.

After Li Da Kui counted them, he finally waved his hand, signaling the mercenaries to step back a safe distance.

Tang Huan smiled broadly, his hard work these past few days had paid off, he had earned quite a bit: "Ladies, please take care, and welcome to visit Qihuai County again."

Wu Lanxi gave Tang Huan a deep look, thinking, "Wait until we return to the capital, and I'll see how I deal with you."

"Walk!"

On the way back, Xiao Yuanshan couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, that county magistrate brazenly extorted money and even used a despicable and shameless weapon to ambush Zhao Kai. He must be severely punished!"

In all his years as commander of the Imperial Guard, he had never felt so frustrated.

Not to mention Zhao Kai.

Hearing Xiao Yuanshan's words, tears welled up in her eyes.

His hair ornament was smashed and his hair was burned. His current hairstyle is no different from a chicken coop. In order to cover up his ugliness, he can only wear an official hat.

But the bluish-black residue from the gunpowder on his forehead was impossible to wipe off no matter how hard he tried.

Now he looks like a clown with unkempt makeup...

That despicable magistrate, he must pay the price for all of this!

Sitting in the carriage, Wu Lanxi played with the fake jade jar. Hearing Xiao Yuanshan's accusations, she said nonchalantly, "I know what I'm doing."

Lin Wan'er, standing beside her, sized up the Empress and could tell at a glance that she had no intention of punishing Tang Huan; on the contrary, she would give him an important position in the future.

There's nothing we can do; Tang Huan is just that capable.

If the entire Daqing Dynasty could be as bustling and prosperous as Qihuai County, what would it matter if there were a few more corrupt officials?

At this moment, Wu Lanxi suddenly lifted the curtain and asked Xiao Yuanshan, "Have you found any trace of the assassin I asked you to investigate?"

Xiao Yuanshan immediately replied, "Yes, it has been found out. The assassins this time were all members of the White Lotus Sect."

It's the White Lotus Sect again!

During the reign of the late emperor, the White Lotus sect was rampant.

After the late emperor passed away, wars broke out frequently, and various places were in chaos, which allowed the White Lotus Sect to grow even stronger.

In the past two years, they have frequently caused trouble, and even murdered three government officials.

Moreover, after killing the three high-ranking officials, they announced their crimes to the world, which won the support of the general public.

But how could the common people know?

Water that is too clear has no fish!

No official in the current dynasty is immune to corruption.

Even if those White Lotus sect members who were known for their violence were appointed as officials, they would still be corrupt.

The question is, can one do a good job while being greedy?

The truth is that those three officials were pillars of the court, capable and concerned for the people, yet they died unjustly at the hands of the White Lotus Sect.

The imperial court originally intended to take this opportunity to suppress the White Lotus Sect, but who knew that just after the order to arrest the wanted criminals was issued, people in three places rose up in rebellion and smashed government offices.

In order to appease the people, this matter had to be dropped!

Thinking of this, Wu Lanxi sighed deeply.

The White Lotus Sect has always been a malignant tumor and must be eradicated as soon as possible!

In particular, during this incognito visit, even the ministers in the palace did not know where she went, but instead she was targeted by the White Lotus Sect.

This is enough to show that the White Lotus Sect's henchmen have already infiltrated Wu Lanxi's circle.

But she couldn't say anything, nor could she investigate thoroughly, otherwise it would surely cause widespread panic and embolden the White Lotus Sect.

This matter requires careful consideration.

The Qianqing Palace.

The five-member cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Choi In-seok, was reviewing memorials when Choi In-seok's attendant, Jo Quan, rushed in.

"My lord, something has happened to the young master."

Upon hearing this, Cui Renshi shuddered and quickly led Zhao Quan outside.

"What trouble has that bastard gotten into this time!"

Zhao Quan whispered, "The young master lost everything at the gambling den last night. He got drunk and caused trouble at a brothel. He was thrown into the woodshed and locked up all night. This morning, the steward redeemed him. This afternoon, after recovering, the young master led a group of people to smash up the brothel and injured five people. One of them was seriously injured and fainted, and hasn't woken up yet."

"What a wretched child!"

Cui Renshi was so angry that he trembled all over.

He only had one son, born to his legal wife, so naturally he spoiled him rotten.

In the past, it was one thing for him to steal chickens and dogs and bully the maids in the mansion, but as he got older, the things he did became more and more outrageous.

One day they're harassing a rich young lady, the next they're causing a death.

Between the ages of fifteen and seventeen, he caused more trouble than Cui Renshi had ever seen in his entire life.

This time they even smashed up the brothel and injured so many people.

Cui Renshi felt a splitting headache and was about to go inside to ask his colleagues for leave so he could go home and resolve the matter when a little eunuch suddenly rushed over.

"Prime Minister Cui, His Majesty has returned to the palace! He is currently in the Imperial Study, waiting for Prime Minister Cui and several other officials to pay their respects!"