Jiangling Prefecture has the largest volume of goods transported along the Yangtze River, handling a huge amount of cargo every day. In recent years, the imperial court has been keen to develop Jiangling Prefecture into an important transportation hub connecting the east, west, north, and south.
Besides the transport office having its own large ferry crossing, there were also many small ferry crossings run by private businesses to alleviate the transportation burden on the government.
Wang Quan's ferry crossing is relatively large, and the Liguanfu ferry crossing is the closest.
Xiao Jiangwei led more than a hundred people to Wang Quan's ferry.
At this point, all the ships had stopped, and there was no one outside.
The ferrymen and Wang Quan's thugs were drinking and gambling.
The wooden gate was smashed open, and the sound of warhorses neighing came from outside.
Wang Quan led his men out, and soon at least five hundred people gathered around.
Xiao Jiangwei's voice sounded exceptionally calm, deep, and penetrating in the rain: "Who is Wang Quan?"
"That's me! Who are you?"
"I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial City Guard of Jiangling Prefecture. Someone has accused you of embezzling imperial grain and murdering people to cover it up. Therefore, please come with us!"
Upon hearing that the visitor was from the Imperial City Guard, Wang Quan immediately felt a sense of dread.
The Imperial City Guard is the most difficult organization to provoke, second only to the military.
Those who opposed the Imperial City Guard in the past are now meeting their maker.
"So it's Lord Xiao! This humble subject was blind and offended you. Please forgive me!"
Xiao Jiangwei didn't waste any more words with him: "Men, take Wang Quan away!"
"Wait!" Wang Quan shouted. "Sir, I am a law-abiding citizen. You are arresting me without any evidence. I will not accept this!"
Although he was dissatisfied, how could the Imperial City Guard refuse to act simply because he was dissatisfied?
A strong Imperial Guard dismounted and was about to tie up Wang Quan.
"Sir! This humble subject is not convinced!" Wang Quan suddenly roared, holding an axe in his hand. His ferocious face looked like a demon from hell in the flashlight.
The Imperial City Guard wants to arrest you, what does that have to do with you!
If you're not happy, go shout it out in jail!
The 130 Imperial City Guards were like cold iron men, each exuding a chilling killing intent.
Meanwhile, Wang Quan's group of over five hundred men each carried axes, iron bars, and machetes.
"Brothers! The authorities want to arrest me, I refuse!"
The people around shouted in unison, "We refuse to accept this! We refuse to accept this!"
The Imperial Guards were blocked by several people when they tried to take him away.
Everyone around fell silent, and the world became deathly still, with only the sound of rain and the occasional rumble of thunder.
"Wang Quan, you are going against the current emperor!"
These words were like a sharp sword, tearing through the rain curtain and making Wang Quan even more alarmed.
"Shangguan! Leave some room for maneuver, so that everyone can make a living. I have as much as you want. If you arrest me, you won't have a good time either."
Wang Quan's meaning was clear: he had someone powerful or influential above him.
"No one has ever dared to threaten the emperor's personal guards like this before; you are the first."
Wang Quan suddenly wiped the smile off his face and said coldly, "Shangguan, do you have family? Do your family members bleed? Will killing me stop them from bleeding?"
This is a blatant threat.
"You don't need to worry about that!" Xiao Jiangwei said coldly. "Do it!"
The moment the word "take action" left his mouth, the frozen atmosphere was instantly shattered by murderous intent.
Blood began to flow at the ferry crossing.
The government's ferry crossing was not far away, but it was larger in scale, and a group of local troops were stationed there year-round.
Liu Yuan, the commander of the Xiang Army, spent most of his time at the ferry crossing.
At this moment, Liu Yuan was drinking with his subordinates when a man in black rushed in: "General Liu, the Imperial City Guard has arrived at Wang Quan's ferry. They want you to take men there. Wang Quan cannot live."
A fierce glint appeared in Liu Yuan's eyes as he picked up his knife: "Brothers, come with me and let's meet the legendary Imperial Guards!"
Liu Yuan walked out of the house. Outside, the Xiang Army was urgently assembling, about eight thousand men, and followed Liu Yuan in a grand procession toward Wang Quan's ferry.
At this time, Luo Cong, the prefect of Jiangling Prefecture, was also awake. He and Yang Hongqing, the commander of the Imperial City Guard, braved the torrential rain to reach the Major General's Mansion, Yue Fei's residence.
Yue Fei was sleeping when he was awakened by a knock on the door.
He changed his clothes and went to the living room.
Zhao Yuanzhu also changed her clothes and came to the living room with Yue Fei.
"Prefect Luo, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Commander Yue, something terrible has happened. Commander Xiao went to the ferry to arrest Wang Quan. This matter involves the case of the annexation of imperial grain, and the other side has mobilized the local troops."
Upon hearing this, Yue Fei frowned: "The Imperial City Guard is the emperor's personal army. No matter how bold the enemy is, they wouldn't dare to do anything to the Imperial City Guard. If any bandits or civilians resist, they are no match for the Imperial City Guard."
"The worst thing is that Wang Quan is dead."
Luo Cong then recounted the ins and outs of the investigation to Yue Fei, who then realized that Wang Quan was the key to the entire case.
Since the drought began, 10,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain have vanished, creating a huge shortfall, and Wang Quan is directly responsible for this.
The Imperial City Guard has already taken action, intending to bring Wang Quan back overnight, but the news has been leaked.
Clearly, someone wanted to kill Wang Quan to silence him, and was willing to mobilize the local troops.
With Wang Quan dead, and some scapegoats found, the matter will soon be suppressed.
This matter is of great importance, and it has already reached the emperor's ears.
Furthermore, the grain embezzlement case involves not only a military commander, nor just the local power of Jiangling Prefecture, but has extended to the capital, implicated the imperial family, and may even involve important figures in the court.
Some people are eager to get out of trouble, so they naturally go crazy.
Zhao Yuanzhu said from the side, "My husband is a member of the Imperial Guard, and has no connection with the local area, nor does he have the authority to mobilize troops to interfere in local affairs. You should all go back!"
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