"Nonsense," Zhou Shixiong scolded, "If you need labor, I'll go and recruit more. As long as you guard this rear area well, I will definitely give you a thousand acres of fertile land in the spring."

Gu Wenheng knew that Zhou Shixiong was really angry this time, "I won't do that next time."

I guess those bandits wouldn't be so stupid as to rush into the muzzle of a gun every time.

"I'll send two more people to protect you when we get back," Zhou Shixiong glared at him, "Don't refuse."

Gu Wenheng, "The Seventh and Eighth that the Queen gave to us before were already very good, but we dare not accept any more people from Brother Zhou.

Besides, you're out and about all day, you need it more than I do."

Finally, Gu Wenheng was surrounded by two more guards. As long as he stayed in Lucheng, these two would never leave his side.

&

When his capable subordinate never returned, Shan Lao Da immediately felt something was wrong.

Tian Er has followed him for so many years. He has all the means and ruthlessness. Even if he is in a desperate situation, he can escape successfully.

He didn't know that it was because of these successful escape experiences that Tian Er became so arrogant and put himself in trouble.

“Ling San, take some people to investigate and find out what’s going on with them?

Don't act rashly when you encounter something, we'll discuss it when you come back."

Ling San, "Master Shan, could it be that they lost their way in the snow?"

Shan Lao Da, “No, he followed me here in previous years, and he was able to find the camp even in the heaviest snow. I suspect something has happened to him.

If those people before were lost, it would be understandable, but it is impossible for Tian Er.

The main purpose of your trip this time is to gather information, so make sure you don't reveal your whereabouts."

"yes."

&

Gu Wenheng never believed that there were really tough guys. This time Tian Er came to him on his own initiative, so he had every reason to interrogate them.

"Murdering an official appointed by the imperial court, do you know what crime it is?" This time, Gu Wenheng did not directly interrogate the leader Tian Er. He grabbed a small minion and beat him with twenty boards first, and then he came out.

If they didn't answer one punishment, another punishment would follow. Even the toughest ones couldn't stand it and reported the number of people in their trip and the purpose of their trip.

Gu Wenheng naturally did not believe his one-sided words. He interrogated several people one after another and soon figured out their real purpose.

Tian Er came to the torture room, still very arrogant, "Hurry up and forget about me, we are Prince Zuo's followers, this time we are just here for fun, you detained us privately, do you want to provoke a war between the two countries?"

Gu Wenheng sneered, "How dare a mere island call itself a country? Mice have bodies, but humans are rude. If humans are rude, why don't they die quickly?"

Seeing the other party kneeling there in a daze, Gu Wenheng said sarcastically, "You are indeed an uneducated person who can't even understand what I say, yet you still dare to dream of claiming the throne of a country."

Tian Er had been active in this border town for many years and thought he was well versed in Rong Dynasty culture, but he did not expect that he could not understand it.

Judging from the other party's attitude and the word "rat", he knew there was nothing good in it, but he couldn't even come up with any words to refute.

Gu Wenheng asked the clerk beside him to copy the confession letter that he had sorted out and signed, and gave it to Tian Er, "You should sign it as well."

Tian Er is not stupid. If he signs, even if Prince Zuo comes, he won’t be able to save him.

"It's easy to accuse someone of something." Tian Er didn't forget to show off his Central Plains culture at this moment, "Where is the evidence of the imperial court order we killed? Where is the witness? Where is the physical evidence? Who has seen it?

You have been tortured into confessing. When our envoys arrive, your official position will be in jeopardy."

Gu Wenheng, "Really? Since you have already made a conclusion for me here, I would be sorry if I don't let you experience the ten major criminal laws here.

Take the man away, and may his bones be as strong as his mouth."

If those little guys knew how to draw a route to their base camp, Gu Wenheng would not have been willing to waste time here.

He looks ruthless and talkative, but when interrogated, he confesses things even faster than the little Luo Luo mentioned above.

After getting the confession and route, Gu Wenheng did not delay at all and asked Ah Qi beside him to immediately hand the confession to Zhou Shixiong.

Zhou Shixiong led his men out overnight, and after four days, they added a group of strong laborers to the wasteland designated by Gu Wenheng.

This time the action was a bit big, and Gu Wenheng didn't want to hide it because Lucheng needed stability at this time.

The people of Lucheng were happy. Although they were not asked to pay with their lives, the person was in their hands now and there would be plenty of time to deal with it in the future.

Zhou Shixiong was also happy. This meant that they could rest and recuperate throughout the winter without having to worry all day long.

But some people jumped out. Gu Wenheng looked at Cai Hua who had been speaking for most of the day. He never knew that Cai Tongpan had such a good eloquence.

He cited ancient and modern stories, and talked about his bookish ideas for a long time, but all came down to one purpose: to treat prisoners well.

Gu Wenheng waited until he said he was tired, then he stared at the scar on his face and said, "It looks like the scar on Cai Tongpan's face will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I just don’t know what Cai Tongpan was thinking when his face was injured?

Let me guess, are you feeling grateful? Because the other person has given you another mark in addition to the appearance your parents gave you.

Shouldn't Judge Cai be grateful for their kindness in giving him a new life?"

Cai Hua's face immediately turned red, "...These are two completely different things."

Gu Wenheng, "Are they two different things? Then Judge Cai really has a clear distinction between gratitude and resentment.

I just don’t know how high you, as a civil official, can rise with this scar?”

After saying this, he shook his head regretfully, "How about I tell General Zhou to let you give up your civil career and join the military. After all, military officers don't care about these things, and they even think it's an honor.

By this calculation, you have indeed turned a disaster into a blessing. I can understand why you speak up for these people. After all, it is gratitude."

Cai Hua, "..." This Prefect Gu is really sharp-tongued. He is doing this for Lord Gu's own good, why can't you understand?

"I am also worried that Lord Gu will be punished for this matter. You see, in the past, even if General Zhou captured prisoners, he would only detain them for a period of time and then release them."

Gu Wenheng, "I thank Magistrate Cai for his kindness. I have indeed followed the old practice, but I have only changed the place of detention.

If Judge Cai has time, he should finish his work. If he finds it too much, he can hand it over to Lord Wu."

Cai Hua understood the implication, this was a warning to him.

He even wondered if he had made the wrong choice. He had wanted to sell himself well, but he had offended someone.

Gu Wenheng didn't want to pay attention to his little tricks. If he hadn't been working hard during this period, he wouldn't want to listen to him chattering here today.