"I'm going to die anyway, so I might as well take this opportunity to escape! One day, all of you who have bullied me will kowtow and confess your sins!"
Butler Zhao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took out the one hundred taels of silver hidden in the sole of his shoe, rented a carriage and quickly returned to Nanzhou Prefecture.
Wang Buer, who was still in Qingshui County, never dreamed that there would be a fire in his backyard.
Yes, there was a real fire. Butler Zhao searched for a long time but couldn't find his indenture, but he did find some banknotes and jewelry.
In order to make it look like a thief, he set the house on fire. However, a strong wind blew that night and the fire grew bigger and bigger. The servants fled for their lives and no one tried to save Master Wang who was paralyzed in bed.
I thought of blending in with the refugees, pretending to be a refugee and being sent back home to go somewhere else.
"Goddess of Heaven... what a sin! Master Wang has been a benevolent and charitable person his entire life, yet he has ended up like this!"
"Tsk tsk... Good people don't live long, but bad people live for a thousand years!"
"Ah... isn't it? When he was carried out this morning, his hideous appearance scared me half to death!"
"Luckily, the Fan family next door was visiting relatives. Half of their house burned down. If they were at home, all those children would be in danger!"
"Huh? Why don't I see Wang Buer? Where's that scoundrel?"
"Tsk! Who knows? Two of her concubines died, and her daughter-in-law's hands were burned. Could she have been burned to death?"
"It would be better if they were burned to death. They howl all day and night, keeping the whole alley awake!"
"Speaking of which, the reason for this fire is quite strange. Do you think that God is displeased with him and is punishing him?"
"Ahem...don't talk nonsense! Words can cause trouble! The new prefect is sending people to investigate. I'm afraid a decision will be made soon."
The people were talking about it. Some felt sorry for Mr. Wang; some were gloating; some were cursing Wang Buer; and some were just watching the fun. Most of them were sighing!
The new Nanzhou governor, Tu, was overwhelmed. He had only been in office for a few days when such a big case occurred.
"First confirm the identities of all the deceased! Then check if any property is missing!"
"Do you think it's murder for money?"
Magistrate Tu shook his head and said, "First, check a few things! Also, bring over the people who guarded the city gates, the night watchmen, and the patrolmen last night. I want to personally investigate!"
The subordinate went down respectfully.
The newly appointed Yang Tongzhi stroked his beard and stepped forward, bowing: "Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!"
Tu Zhifu rubbed his brow, feeling a little irritated. "Councilor Yang, is he confused? Why would he be so happy when such a big case has happened?"
"Sir, they say a new official starts with three things. This is a great opportunity for you to establish your authority!"
"Oh? What do you think, Mr. Yang?"
The other party spoke slowly and calmly: "Sir, the victims have already settled down and can start farming in the spring of next year.
By then, there will be no need for the imperial court to provide aid! The refugees will gradually return to their hometowns after the spring! "
"Next year's achievements will depend on the disaster victims, and the county magistrates of various cities and counties are not sure about your temperament, so you can take this opportunity to use both kindness and power so that the county magistrates can concentrate on serving you!"
Magistrate Tu cursed inwardly, do I need you to teach me such a simple truth?
But he asked doubtfully, "I wonder how Brother Yang thinks this case should be handled?"
When Yang Tongzhi heard that he had changed his title, he laughed wildly in his heart: The prince also said that the prefect was not easy to fool and asked me to be careful in my work, but now it seems that he is just like that. I'm afraid he is just a fool at heart!
He bowed slightly, staring intently at the other man. "Sir, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The fire last night was so intense that I'm afraid the evidence has been destroyed! Besides, is the truth really that important?"
The other person's face was lost in thought, and he asked doubtfully: "What do you mean?"
"Sir, sometimes the truth isn't that important. What's important is how you use this incident to establish your authority! Isn't the outcome ultimately up to you?"
Magistrate Tu stroked his beard, smiled, and pointed at him, "You...you are too smart!"
Yang Tongzhi immediately lowered his head and flattered the emperor: "It is a great honor for me to receive your praise. I am willing to obey your orders without hesitation."
A flash of sarcasm flashed across Magistrate Tu's eyes, and he sneered inwardly: "You're showing your true colors so soon? You want to control me? Am I really that stupid, except for my silly appearance?"
But isn't this method of pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger easy to do?
He quickly stood up and gave him a light hand, "Brother Yang, look at what you said. We were both sent to rectify this Southern Province at the same time. I hope we can both be promoted in three years!"
"Thank you for your kind words, sir. I would like to take advantage of your kindness! I will serve you wholeheartedly and at your service without hesitation!"
The two of them exchanged high-sounding words with each other, which made the yamen runners outside sigh.
The yamen runners: Here come two more corrupt officials!
On the other side, Wang Buer had a small piece of paper stuck on his right eye and was yelling at the servants.
"Looking for... I just can't believe he could just disappear! Search Qingshui County for me!"
I cursed in my heart: How dare you deceive me? When I find you, I will skin you alive and tear out your tendons.
He pressed his eyelids and said, "Go find a doctor to check my right eyelid. Why does it keep twitching?"
Servant: If the left eye twitches, it means good fortune; if the right eye twitches, it means disaster. Is it necessary to look at this?
However, he still didn't dare to go against his wishes, and quickly hid away, fearing that he would be affected.
However, after searching for a long time, Butler Zhao was still not found.
The servant tried to persuade him: "Master, why don't we go back to Nanzhou? It's too cold here. Perhaps the housekeeper has already gone back?"
He had to go back quickly and take out his anger on the housekeeper, otherwise he and his group would be the ones in trouble.
"Heh... After we get back, if he's not here, we'll just report him to the government! How can we find something out about a fugitive servant?"
The servants observed two moments of silence for the housekeeper. Once this fugitive slave is reported to the authorities, he will be wanted and will be executed immediately if caught!
When Wang Buer and his group returned to the provincial capital, they clearly noticed that people were looking at them with strange eyes, and some were even pointing at the carriage.
Wang Buer didn't take it seriously, but when he got home, he was dumbfounded.
"Who the hell did this?"
The huge four-courtyard house is now only left with ruins and darkness everywhere. He staggered and almost fell.
The servant quickly supported him, but was slapped in the face.
"You...my right eye is twitching, why didn't you persuade me to come back earlier?"
The servant wanted to cry but had no tears, secretly cursing himself in his heart: "Fool, the evildoer fell to his death, why did you help him? It's a thankless task!"
Wang Buer couldn't believe what he saw. He rubbed his eyes and found that everything was real.
"Call the police...Call the police immediately!"
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