Probably not. Manager Zhong is just a businessman. He came to me just to help him get a household registration. There's nothing wrong with that. Why would the government arrest him for this?
Having acquaintances in the county government makes it easy to help someone get a household registration; as long as the paperwork is complete, it's not a big deal.
However, this time, I helped Manager Zhong with some business and received a lot of money from him. Since Manager Zhong couldn't provide the necessary documents, it would be difficult for me to settle down here.
Shopkeeper Zhong told him that he lived in a small county town in the Panzhou area. A year ago, the Jin army invaded and burned down the entire county town. All the household registration files were destroyed and could not be provided.
If you register your household locally, it's easier. As long as you can find a few locals to provide proof, you can register smoothly.
But his entire family was killed by the Jin soldiers, and his place of origin became a place of sorrow for him.
Shopkeeper Zhong wanted to leave that small county town and settle down elsewhere, but he couldn't register his household registration because he couldn't provide his original household registration information. It was through an introduction that he found Master Xiang.
Master Xiang didn't want to do this, but Manager Zhong was very generous and gave him a thousand taels of silver at once.
Such a large sum of money was enough to tempt Master Xiang, so he took on the job and quickly got it done by making some connections.
As agreed, Manager Zhong came to the Xiang residence today to pick up the household registration book. However, since Master Xiang was busy today, he asked Manager Zhong to wait inside.
After Manager Zhong entered the house, someone led him into the study to wait. Logically speaking, given how lively the Xiang residence was today, Manager Zhong should have stayed outside to enjoy the festivities.
But he didn't seem interested in the excitement; instead, he stayed in his study reading.
Overjoyed that his daughter's embroidered ball was caught by the young master Li from the capital, he forgot that Manager Zhong was still in the study.
Are the government officials here to arrest him? Probably not. He's just here to ask for my help in settling his household registration.
If any problems arise, they can only be his own fault. Thinking of this, Master Xiang broke out in a cold sweat.
It seems that my help in registering Zhong's household registration and bribing my friend at the county government has been discovered. I gave him a hundred taels of silver, which is only enough to send someone to jail.
Needless to say, the government officials came to arrest him, and this is a huge problem.
Seeing Xiang Yuanwai's expression, Li Xue was also puzzled. Xiang Yuanwai should not know Zhang Debang's true identity, so why was he so flustered?
In this situation, Master Xiang should have gone out to investigate and find out why the government had surrounded his residence, but at this point, Master Xiang was too frightened to move.
When Madam Xiang saw this, she was terrified. She didn't know what her family had done wrong. Just a moment ago, her house was bustling with activity, but now it was surrounded by government officials.
Seeing this, Li Xue said, "Master Xiang, don't be afraid. With me here, the government won't dare to do anything to you. I'll accompany you outside to take a look."
Li Xue's words reassured Master Xiang considerably. If he had gotten into trouble because of helping someone with their household registration, he could only hope that his new son-in-law could save him.
Master Xiang's mansion was very large. When the yamen runners first arrived, they inspected the mansion and found that it only had two main gates, one in the front and one in the back.
Soon both exits were blocked, and personnel were stationed around the perimeter walls to prevent anyone from escaping by climbing over them.
The onlookers hadn't left yet; none of them expected the government to suddenly surround the Xiang residence. What had happened here? Could it be related to the earlier incident of snatching the embroidered ball?
People were talking about it, standing at a distance watching, curious to know what was going on.
At the main gate of the Xiang residence, Zhao Xian introduced Li Guang to Magistrate Zhang. Magistrate Zhang was surprised to see Li Guang, who was the young prince of the current dynasty and the future emperor.
Magistrate Zhang dared not be negligent and hurriedly bowed to Li Guang.
"Greetings, General Li."
“Your Excellency, there’s no need for such formalities. We are just passing through your county and have caused you any disturbance. Please forgive us,” Li Guang said.
Just then, Li Xue accompanied Master Xiang out of the house. Upon seeing the scene in front of the door, Master Xiang became very nervous.
Everyone seemed relieved when they saw Li Xue come out of the Xiang residence. Li Guang walked over and was about to speak when Li Xue stopped him with a look in her eyes.
“Master Xiang, let me introduce you. This is General Li Guang, the God of War of our Great Northern Dynasty. This is Zhao Xian from Shuixian Village, who was recently granted the title of Marquis of Zhengyang by the Emperor.”
After Li Xue finished speaking, she looked at Magistrate Zhang. At this time, Magistrate Zhang did not know Li Xue's identity, so he quickly stepped forward and bowed to Li Xue.
"Greetings, Young Master Li. I am Zhang Yang, the magistrate of Mengdu County."
As soon as Magistrate Zhang finished speaking, Zhao Xian and Li Guang quickly stepped forward and bowed to Li Xue.
"Greetings, Young Master Li."
Seeing this, Li Xue was almost amused. They were putting on an act for Master Xiang, so she decided to play along.
Thinking of this, Li Xue said, "No need for formalities, please stand aside."
"Yes, Young Master Li." The two obediently took a step back and stood to the side.
When Master Xiang saw this scene, he was very surprised. One was a young prince, and the other was a marquis. They were both very respectful to him, their new son-in-law. So what was his status?
At this moment, Li Xue looked at Magistrate Zhang and said, "Why did you surround the Xiang residence, Magistrate? Who do you want to arrest? Tell me."
"Young Master Li, you may not know this, but the county government just received a report that Zhang Debang has entered the Xiang residence."
"Zhang Debang, is he that traitorous minister who opened the city gates and let the barbarian troops into the capital, forcing the emperor to go into exile?"
"Yes, it's that treacherous minister Zhang Debang."
"If that's the case, we absolutely cannot let him go; we must capture him."
After Li Xue finished speaking, she looked at Master Xiang and asked, "Master Xiang, the government says that Zhang Debang is hiding in the Xiang residence. Is that true?"
"No, of course I know that treacherous minister Zhang Debang. How could I let him hide in my mansion?"
“Master Xiang, Zhang Debang couldn’t possibly be Zhang Debang. He must have changed his name. Besides your family, are there any other people in the Xiang household?”
I've met Zhang Debang. He's over sixty years old and his build should be similar to Master Xiang's. Has anyone like him visited the Xiang residence recently?
Li Xue's words greatly surprised Master Xiang, who quickly asked, "Could it be Manager Zhong?"
"Who is Manager Zhong? Master Xiang, take us to see if he is Zhang Debang. We'll know at a glance. If we capture Zhang Debang, Master Xiang will have done a great service, and the government will reward him."
"Some time ago, through an introduction, a businessman surnamed Zhong came to my door asking me to do something. Since we are all business people, I did what he asked me to do out of courtesy."
We agreed that he would come today to pick up the things he had prepared. Because I've been busy, I haven't had time to see him yet. The servants arranged for him to wait for me in the study.
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