Chapter 23: A Simple and Brutal Rescue Strategy
That night, Qi Chengming slept in a simple mud house in the village.
He slept soundly and wasn't bothered by the bed at all.
Xiao Dezi was still grumbling to himself with satisfaction in the morning, while Qi Chengming was washing his face and thinking to himself:
Since transmigrating, he has been constantly moving around, never truly settling down. What's the point of being particular about beds? There isn't a single bed in this world that truly belongs to him.
"How's the situation in Yiyang County going?" Qi Chengming asked aloud.
"Yiyang County is surrounded by mountains, and downstream flows the Yi River, which merges with Luhun Lake. The water is sweet, and many locals make a living by brewing wine," said Steward Song calmly. He had already gathered most of the information that morning.
“The mountains here are continuous and the terrain is very complex, so small groups of bandits always rob the main roads... This has been going on for seven or eight years. Whenever someone from above comes to suppress the bandits, they disappear into the mountains and can't be found.”
Chief Steward Song paused subtly at this point: "...However, under the administration of the prefect and magistrate who took office in the past two years, the situation of bandits attacking passersby has improved. Only a few casualties and financial losses are unavoidable."
"That advisor, Qin Liusong, only took office this year. But as soon as he finds out something, he sends his servants to secretly spread the word. The villagers are very worried about him. Several young men who work in the city always go with him, both to help spread the word and to protect their safety."
"This time, besides giving a reminder, the man Qin sent also said he was going to deliver a letter to a friend, and then there was no news. Those young men secretly inquired in the city and found out that Qin hadn't appeared at the county office for the past few days. Instead, the centurion who was on good terms with the prefect was leading his men... searching outside like madmen."
Qi Chengming nodded with a stern face.
Something's fishy going on.
Is this a search for bandits outside, or a search for Master Qin's missing servant?
"—My subordinates had the bandits interrogated separately, and they did manage to get some information out of them."
Commander Mao stood at the door, his eyes slightly dark, but he reported with great spirit, "The leader died last night. The second-in-command said that the centurion was actually his elder brother, and the garrison commander and the captain above him were all their men."
As for the bandits revealing these things half-begging and half-threateningly, in an attempt to drag them into collusion, Chairman Mao doesn't need to explain.
"Are they really that stupid?" Xiao Dezi, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but whisper among himself, his suspicions running high. "...Why are they so quick to reveal all their backers? Aren't some of them innocent people being implicated?"
“If it’s true, the evidence can always be found.” Qi Chengming tapped the table, making a crisp sound. “—Actually, this is the clever thing to do for people from small places.”
So many people know about the collusion between officials and bandits in Yiyang County, how could they have managed to keep it a secret until today?
It's because the bandits' backers are all stationed up there, so no one can stand up for the villagers.
Even if someone really wanted to do something, like this Master Qin—he would have to find a way to bring everyone down in one fell swoop. Otherwise, even if some discerning people were unwilling to go along with it, they would remain silent, wary of such a powerful force.
"Now that I'm here, I can't just leave them here." Qi Chengming had already figured things out by now, and he gave the order, "Take the bandits with you and set off for Yiyang immediately!"
The current emperor's son, Prince Rui. Is there anyone with a more prestigious status or a stronger backer than Qi Chengming?
Now that he's here, with so many soldiers—even if he doesn't have the authority to interfere in local affairs, let him be impeached afterward. At least in this small county, Qi Chengming can bully others and act crazy as he pleases if he wants.
Time waits for no one.
He needed to rescue Master Qin first.
As for evidence, we'll find it slowly... there's always a breakthrough.
The convoy was poised to depart, and the atmosphere became unusually tense. In less than half an hour, they were ready to leave. The village chief stood reluctantly at the door, watching them go, hoping they would bring back good news.
Just then.
Xiao Chengzi reported with some surprise, "Your Highness, Mr. Huang requests an audience."
"Is something wrong with him?" Qi Chengming looked up suddenly, realizing what was going on.
Yiyang County is also Master Huang's hometown. He was silent last night, silent this morning, and only just now, as he was preparing to leave, did he arrive. Could it be...?
really.
Master Huang's face was ashen, and he looked like he had made up his mind. He clenched his teeth tightly.
He opened his mouth with a shocking statement:
"I've heard about Master Qin's affair. Evidence of that group's collusion... Actually, I have it."
Everyone present was taken aback.
Qi Chengming recalled Master Huang's complex and seemingly hateful expression, and how he took so long to decide to return to his hometown. Surprisingly, he wasn't entirely surprised.
Instead, it felt like a huge rock had fallen.
...So, Master Huang has been engrossed in architecture abroad and has not returned to his hometown. At this age, he has no wife, children, or elderly parents. Is it really related to the affairs in his hometown?
Just as Qi Chengming had just thought, there are bound to be discerning people in a region. But they often have no choice but to remain silent and evade persecution.
Master Huang might be this person.
“Having evidence would be even better.” Qi Chengming considered for a moment and made a decision. “Commander Mao, send a portion of your men out and do this…”
He summoned the other party and whispered something in the tall man's ear. Commander Mao understood and hurriedly left.
Not long after.
The secluded Yiyang County was in an uproar. A grand convoy poured onto the official road, one vehicle after another passing by, with crowds of people secretly watching the spectacle huddled around the windows.
People whispered among themselves, admiring the eunuch's fair, beardless face, and murmured about the palace maids' elegance and beauty. But no one dared to speculate about the most magnificent dragon-patterned carriage in the center.
Those left on the street dared not even breathe, at a loss for what to do, and could only kneel down by the roadside.
Unfortunately, there were hardly any people maintaining order on the chaotic streets.
Qi Chengming, behind the drawn carriage curtain, smiled enigmatically: "Hmph... all the men have been sent out by the centurion. That makes things easier for me."
He directed the convoy straight to the county government office with a clear objective.
They didn't even go to an inn, but paraded through the streets, making a huge commotion.
The message was received quickly on the other side.
"My lord... my lord! Something terrible has happened! A distinguished guest is coming this way, with a large number of soldiers!"
The county magistrate's surname was Tang. Ever since the incident involving Master Qin came to light, he had been living in constant anxiety. Now, he finally felt relieved.
He was a low-ranking official, and no one above him was as flustered as he was. "What important person? Tell me in detail, be clear!" Magistrate Tang gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, trying to appear calm as he asked.
"Yes... they're from the capital. It's said to be a prince going to his fiefdom. Those elite soldiers are the imperial guards from the palace!" the guard reported boldly.
Magistrate Tang's vision blurred, he trembled violently, and his face turned pale. He mentally encouraged himself:
Stay calm.
Such a distinguished guest might just be passing through; we'll treat this important person well and see them off.
Would His Highness the Prince even care about such trivial matters? Even if it were exposed, it's not certain that the matter would actually reach His Highness...
He kept telling himself this, and when Qi Chengming arrived, Magistrate Tang was already able to greet him with a warm smile: "This humble official greets Your Highness, I am honored to welcome you with open arms..."
Before he could exchange a few pleasantries, Qi Chengming impatiently waved his hand.
Chief Steward Song, with his sharp eyes and the air of a high-ranking eunuch, stood with his hands clasped behind his back and bluntly ordered, "Search our house!"
Two columns of imperial guards, fierce as wolves and tigers, charged forward.
"Oh, Your Highness?!" Magistrate Tang's smile was awkward; he wanted to dissuade him but couldn't stop him. "What has happened? This humble official must..."
Qi Chengming completely ignored him, sitting calmly with an expression that was neither happy nor angry.
He has the ability to do so.
Not only the county government office, but also the magistrate's private residence were searched by young men from the village, with imperial guards leading the way. The sounds of kicking doors and screams rang out one after another; at that moment, Qi Chengming felt he was the one who sounded like a robber.
Soon, Xiao Chengzi and another Imperial Guard helped a scholarly-looking young man over.
"Are you alright?" Qi Chengming asked the courageous and kind-hearted Master Qin in a gentle voice.
"..."
The rescued Master Qin appeared to have escaped abuse and was in good spirits, but his expression when he saw Qi Chengming was very complicated.
There was an inexplicable hint of frustration in that expression?
Qi Chengming: "...?"
A note from the author:
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Master Qin (extremely terrified): Heaven knows, I haven't even finished building up my achievements yet, and such a great prince has fallen right in front of me!
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