"Your humble servant He Liren greets the Commander!"
Hou Shijie, his face icy, took out a portrait: "Do you recognize these two people?"
Upon seeing this, He Liren recognized the two men who had been hacked to death on the street that morning. His heart sank, but he did not show it. Instead, he said, "The man's name is Gu Shun and the woman's name is Zheng Erniang. They are well-known figures in the underworld. I heard that they borrowed money and did not repay it, so they were hacked to death by the underworld. I have already ordered men to arrest the murderers."
Hou Shijie said coldly, "Why is it that the information I have found indicates that these two are tenant farmers of the Xu family?"
He Liren's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "I have already investigated and found that these two people were indeed retaliated against for gambling debts. The murderer, Hu San, is in prison."
"Take me to the prison."
"Yes... Commander, please follow me."
He Liren then led the Imperial Guards toward the prison of the government office. When Hou Shijie arrived at the prison, he found that Hu San had already committed suicide by poisoning himself in the prison. There were also blood-written words on the wall, repenting for his evil deeds.
He Liren feigned surprise: "Guards! Guards!"
Immediately, prison guards came to inspect.
"Shangguan, this man has committed suicide."
He Liren looked astonished, while Hou Shijie frowned and asked, "Where are those dozen or so attackers from this morning?"
"Commander Shangguan, those dozen or so people have all escaped and are still being pursued."
Hou Shijie looked at He Liren and revealed a sinister smile: "Prefect He, you must understand that we serve the Emperor, and to deceive us is to deceive the Emperor!"
"I dare not deceive my superior."
"Very well, then I'll trouble Prefect He to accompany me on a walk and see who dares to disregard the laws of the court, privately collect corvée labor, and even commit murder in the street in this land under the emperor's sun and moon!"
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