In the middle of the night, someone banged on the gate of the Yun'an County government office. When the guard on duty opened the door, he saw several tall and strong men outside, each with a sword at his waist, looking very imposing. The guard was startled and, upon hearing that they wanted to see the magistrate, turned around and ran to the back office.

Magistrate Li was sound asleep when he was woken up. He was initially reluctant, but after hearing the bailiff's description, he felt uneasy and headed to the county office.

The messenger was a guard from the capital, one of whom was transferred from the Imperial Guard. This guard was also of rank, and upon seeing Magistrate Li, he first handed over his waist token.

Although the guard's rank was not very high, the waist tag he gave to Magistrate Li was a waist tag proving his identity as a member of the Imperial Guard. Most importantly, the Imperial Guard was the Emperor's personal guard. When Magistrate Li saw the contents engraved on the waist tag, he was so frightened that he immediately came to his senses.

Magistrate Li handed the waist token back to the guard with both hands and respectfully asked, "Sir, what brings you here so late at night?"

The guard put away his waist token and said solemnly, "An epidemic has broken out in Zhoujia Village. I wonder if Lord Li is aware of this?"

Magistrate Li nodded and said, "I understand. Moreover, I have already submitted a memorial to His Majesty today, explaining the situation in Zhoujia Village. I heard that a doctor has come from Miaozhou and is treating patients in the village. Please wait a moment, sir, and I will send someone over to find out the details."

The guard raised his right hand and said indifferently, "No need! We came from Zhoujia Village. At midnight today, a group of bandits appeared near Zhoujia Village, committing all kinds of atrocities, including burning, killing, and looting. I would like to ask Lord Li, why is this happening in Yun'an County?"

As Lord Li listened, beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. He hurriedly wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and said, "I, this official, have been busy writing memorials today and really don't know anything about the Zhoujia Village matter."

The guard said, "All the bandits have been captured. However, according to them, they were also instructed to burn everyone in Zhoujia Village to death. Lord Li, this matter is of great importance. We have already sent a letter to the capital. The truth of the matter must be decided by His Majesty. However, there are many complicated matters in Zhoujia Village at the moment. We would like to ask Lord Li to go there and provide some guidance."

Lord Li wiped the sweat from his brow, nodded, and said, "Please allow me to return to the back office to change my clothes. Once I'm back, I'll accompany you gentlemen to Zhoujia Village."

When Lord Li returned to his office, he quickly sent someone to invite his advisor over. The advisor was sleeping soundly with his newly acquired concubine when he was woken up and came to Lord Li's study.