Chapter 41: Capturing Zhang Changji
A centurion named Zhou Cang sat respectfully opposite and said:
"As per your instructions, I have checked and found that Zhang Changji has been on leave to recuperate and has rarely left the house."
Have you asked for leave?
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows. He knew the power of his punch that day.
Although Zhang Changji was knocked out with one blow, thanks to his martial arts foundation, apart from his palm needing to rest for a while, other problems are not serious.
Was he warned by his brother? Did he hide from the public? Not important.
"Is that so?" Zhao Duan thought thoughtfully.
Captain Zhou asked curiously:
"How do you plan to investigate, sir? This person is hiding at home, so it's hard to follow him secretly. Should we start with his network of connections? Or, perhaps, we can trace back to the people involved in the case who have been disconnected from the clues..."
He used the method of "questioning" to tactfully explain his ideas on handling the case.
Before setting off, Governor Ma Yan personally instructed that this time, they had to get the job done while also taking Zhao Duan's face into consideration.
Translated into plain language:
"That Zhao guy doesn't know how to investigate a case. He doesn't understand anything! He wants to be in charge just to get a name and take the credit."
Such operations are common in official circles.
The leader is in charge, but the ones who actually do the work are still the people below. It sounds unfair.
But on the other hand, if things go wrong, the leaders, not the soldiers, will bear the biggest blame.
Therefore, Ma Yan never relied on Zhao Duan to solve cases, but only regarded him as a mascot.
If things are done successfully, it's okay to give him the credit. If things go wrong, there's still someone to share the blame with.
The two of them ran towards their destination in both directions.
"Hmm?" Zhao Duan, who was well versed in this, glanced at Zhou Cang and did not follow his lead. Instead, he said:
"No need to go through so much trouble. I have simpler methods for handling cases."
Zhou Cang's heart skipped a beat, and he felt something was wrong.
"What does your Excellency mean?"
Zhao Duan smiled:
"Since the suspect is at home, wouldn't it be better to just go to his house, arrest him, and interrogate him in jail?"
…
…
Around noon, a group of men in brocade robes on horseback passed by on the main road in the west of the city.
Pedestrians on both sides of the street were terrified.
"Envoy, are you sure you want to do this? Will it alert the enemy?" Zhou Cang was a little panicked and tried to dissuade him.
Zhao Duan held the reins and said calmly:
"When the imperial court launched a high-profile investigation, they already alerted the enemy. Or do you think the saint will give you enough time? Wait until the storm has completely passed before the enemy reappears?"
Zhou Cang was speechless.
Zhao Duan said again:
"Besides, something like this happened right under our noses, yet the clues were completely cut off. Do you think the enemy doesn't have 'accomplices' in the court?
The longer we delay, the greater the risk of the news leaking out. To kill a snake, you must not only aim for its weakest point, but also be swift, accurate, and ruthless, so fast that the other party can't react."
Zhou Cang was stunned and seemed to be thinking about something.
At this moment, the look he gave Zhao Duan was different.
Even if I don't completely agree with this logic in my heart, but... is the person who can speak these words clearly and logically really the legendary pretty boy with a good appearance but nothing else?
"Don't talk nonsense. Now that we're here, follow my orders. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."
Zhao Duan threw down a sentence, squeezed his legs hard against the horse's belly, took the lead, and crashed into the mansion in front.
The Zhang brothers had already "separated", and Zhang Erlang's house had three courtyards and was located in a very good location.
Zhao Duan led a group of men in brocade clothes and headed straight for the gate.
The man is on horseback, holding the hilt of the sword with his right hand, and pulling it out with a "clang". The surging energy fills the blade, stimulating a sharp sword energy.
"Bang!"
With a loud bang, the tightly closed door was torn open in the middle.
Zhou Cang's eyelids twitched, thinking that the general was retaliating openly.
After all, a few days ago, Zhang Changji had trampled on the Zhao family, and this time, it was just a replica.
"Follow me!"
Zhou Cang wanted to show off. He smirked and jumped off his horse with a knife in hand. "Anyone who dares to resist will be severely beaten!"
“Here!”
Behind him, a group of living devils wearing flying fish costumes were like wolves and tigers. They crossed Zhao Duan and competed to be the pioneers.
"Ah, you are..."
"Someone come!"
"Go call the young master..."
When the evil slaves in the house heard the noise, they first rushed out with whistles, but they immediately became cowardly and gave themselves up.
Before he could drop his weapons and surrender, he was beaten up by Zhou Cang and his men.
There was a moment of crying and shouting, and there was chaos.
"But Captain Zhou? This is the residence of Captain Zhang of the Beijing Camp. I'm afraid you have found the wrong person?" The steward of the mansion rushed out and said in panic.
Zhou Cang's face was as gloomy as water, and he made a move to pull out his scabbard, frightening the steward so much that he fell to the ground.
"We're looking for Zhang Changji. Where is he?"
“Stop it!!”
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the direction of the inner house, and a figure rushed out. It was Zhang Changji, who was ordered to recuperate at home.
At this moment, he was only wearing a loose undershirt with his chest open, his hair untied, and cloth shoes. His cold face was full of anger.
It seemed like he was taking a nap and was awakened.
"Zhou Cang!?"
Zhang Changji's eyelids twitched and he recognized the person.
The officials of the imperial yamen also belong to the "forbidden army". Strictly speaking, they are "comrades" with the Beijing camp.
Although the two were not familiar with each other, they had met several times.
Zhang Changji was originally a violent person, but when he saw the Feiyu suit on the other party, he calmed down a bit and suppressed his anger. He said:
"Why are you breaking into my house?!"
Zhou Cang ignored him and waved his hand:
"Seal off the house and don't let anyone escape."
A large group of men responded and left, obviously quite familiar with this procedure.
Immediately, Zhou Cang turned around and smiled at the people behind him:
"Envoy, they've been captured."
"good."
Zhao Duan arrived late from the gate, strolling leisurely along the way. When he got closer, he nodded with satisfaction and said jokingly:
"Zhang Erlang, we meet again."
"Zhao Duan!"
Zhang Changji was startled, then furious, his blood boiling:
"You dare to come to my house and seek death?"
As he spoke, he took a step forward, his muscles bulging, and his left fist, which was not bound with gauze, made a crackling sound.
Zhou Cang's eyelids twitched wildly. He drew his sword and stood between the two men, shouting:
"Zhang Changji! Do you dare to resist the law?"
Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes, smiled, raised his hand and gently placed it on the back of the knife, pressing it down, and said softly:
"Brother Zhang's house was broken into and he's furious. That's understandable. Put down your knives. Don't make it seem like I'm bullying you."
After a pause, he pretended to look around and asked curiously:
"Hey, why aren't there any women from this family? I've heard that Zhang Erlang's mistress is quite pretty, and I'd like to see her too."
Zhou Cang said with a smile, "If the envoy wants to see him, I will go and get him right away."
Sing in unison.
Veins popped out on Zhang Changji's forehead, his joints crackled, and his energy surged, as if he was about to attack at the next moment.
Zhao Duan was deliberately trying to provoke him.
Unfortunately, Zhang Changji's expression changed several times. Thinking of his brother's admonitions and warnings, he finally endured it and said with gritted teeth:
"Zhao Duan, what exactly do you want to do?"
He looked at Zhou Cang again and said in a deep voice:
"Since when has the Imperial Court become a dog that acts as a scapegoat for others' revenge?"
He felt that it was obvious that Zhao Duan came here today to take revenge.
Zhao Duan was shocked when he heard this and said:
"What? You're actually accusing the current emperor of revenge? Zhang Changji, what are your intentions?"
Everyone knows that Zhao Ya is the empress's dog.
Zhang Changji originally wanted to satirize Zhou Cang, but he didn't expect Zhao Duan to distort his original intention.
I was so angry that I felt dizzy, knowing that I couldn't win the game with words:
"You know that's not what I meant!"
Zhao Duan restrained his exaggerated expression and was too lazy to tease him. He said calmly:
"I don't want to waste my time talking to you. I'm working on a case with my colleagues at the Imperial Court, and I'm here to find out more about the situation."
case?
Zhang Changji was stunned: "What case?"
Beside him, Zhou Cang said:
"We suspect you are involved with..."
Zhao Duan suddenly interrupted and said quietly:
"I suspect you're colluding with Zhuang Xiaocheng and are an insider in the rebel party. The last time he escaped, it was because of you who tipped him off!"
Zhou Cang: ???
No, this is different from what we agreed!
(End of this chapter)
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