Lu Yunqi, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, and Ye Xingli, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who seemed to be trying to uncover some earth-shattering secret from there, were both looking worried.
His expression was so solemn, as if he were carrying a heavy burden.
Their brows were furrowed together, like two locked mountain peaks.
His eyes revealed deep worry and anxiety; his usual composure and calmness had vanished without a trace.
The reason for this is that a series of distressing disappearances of people have occurred in Beijing recently.
In the past, such cases of people going missing were not uncommon; every year, some people would disappear for various reasons.
Perhaps they are tired of the hustle and bustle of the world, yearn for a peaceful secluded life in the mountains and forests, and long to find inner peace in the embrace of nature.
Or perhaps they heard that other counties and prefectures offered better development opportunities, and they harbored hopes and dreams for the future.
They resolutely chose to leave their hometown and embark on a journey to seek a living in other counties.
Later, as the imperial court vigorously promoted the household registration system, various regulations were gradually improved and implemented, as well as restrictions on travel permits.
Every citizen's identity information is recorded in detail, making population movement more standardized and orderly.
This measure is like adding a safety net to people's lives, greatly improving the situation of people disappearing at will.
When people migrate, they must follow strict procedures and complete the corresponding formalities, which greatly reduces the movement of people for unknown reasons.
Even so, similar disappearances still occur occasionally, like shadows lurking in the darkness.
Like a ghost, elusive and unpredictable, it casts a lingering shadow over Chengxiao's security.
Most of the missing persons were innocent children, like flowers blooming in the morning, full of vitality and life.
They should have been growing up happily under the care of their parents, laughing freely in the sunshine, but for some reason they suddenly disappeared without a trace.
There are also young women and men in the prime of their youth, filled with hopeful expectations for the future.
Just as she was preparing to make a name for herself on the stage of life, she mysteriously disappeared in the bustling capital city, as if she had vanished into thin air.
At first, Lu Yunqi didn't pay much attention to the sudden disappearance, thinking it was no different from the usual disappearances before.
After all, the people's living standards have improved significantly under the careful governance of the imperial court.
As life gradually became more prosperous, Chengxiao also presented a scene of prosperity and flourishing.
But there are always some unscrupulous and lawless people in the world who are blinded by greed and will do anything to satisfy their endless desire for money.
They risked everything to abduct children or deceive young women and men, selling them to others for huge profits.
These criminals, like wolves lurking in the darkness, are always watching innocent lives, waiting for the opportunity to extend their evil claws upon them.
Lu Yunqi rose to become the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. For many years, he has been dedicated to maintaining the security of the capital, like a loyal guardian, steadfastly guarding his post day and night.
He has personally arrested countless such illegal traders; each operation was fraught with danger and challenge.
Those who are abducted often suffer tragic fates, especially children who should be enjoying the joys of childhood in a warm family.
But they were ruthlessly deprived of their right to happiness and fell into the hands of the devil.
What awaits them is often endless pain and torment. Some are sold to remote areas to do heavy manual labor, suffering great trauma to both their bodies and minds.
Some were even cruelly harmed, their lives as fragile and fleeting as a candle flickering in the wind.
Young women and men also suffer misfortune in their prime, being trafficked or forced to do heavy manual labor, living a life of darkness and despair.
Or they fall into an even worse situation, losing their freedom and dignity, and many people don't even survive for long.
Their lives were cut short at a young age, bringing endless grief to their families.
Nowadays, the imperial court has strict laws and regulations, and has repeatedly issued orders to explicitly prohibit the private buying and selling of people.
Most servants came from criminals who broke the law and were demoted to slavery.
They received their due punishment for their mistakes, and in this way, they made some compensation to Chengxiao.
Either some people, forced by life's circumstances, voluntarily became slaves after weighing the pros and cons, and all of this was done through legitimate and legal means and strict procedures.
The imperial court established a special agency to review and manage the registration and transactions of servants, ensuring that every step was rigorous and in accordance with the law.
However, those heartless plunderers completely disregarded the majesty of the law and extended their evil hands mainly to defenseless children.
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