one's door

Both Xiao Wangcheng and Yang Jie were transferred to Beijiang County a few years ago. They belonged to "outsiders", but they were also part of the same family.If Xiao Wangcheng is the head of Beijiang County, then Yang Jie is the hands.As for Youjun Lang Guan Wenxian, it is said that he has been really "idle" since last year, and has been completely dismissed.

"Your Majesty Yang, my subordinate Zhou Cang, please forgive me for not welcoming you from afar." Zhou Cang bowed his hands, which is regarded as polite, as is usually the case with military and local officials when they meet, keeping a distance from each other, even if the rank is high or low, he will not salute Goodbye.

"Your Majesty Zhou has worked hard. It really shouldn't be bothering you to wait all night for things that should be in place." Yang Jie smiled and bowed his hands in return.

"Hehe, in the emergency situation in Langyuan City, the subordinate officials also follow the rules, so why is it so hard? It's just a matter of duty. It's hard work for Mr. Yang to travel so hard. Sir, please!"

Neither of them continued the polite conversation.Together, they quickly entered the Wu Mansion.

It is not necessary for Zhou Cang to introduce the situation, and it is not appropriate for him to say more.Just sitting on the edge was enough for his purpose.He just wants these officials to know his existence, just don't carry private goods in his words.As for the others, he has reason to believe that with Zhang Yan's means, these government servants will come for almost anything.

But Zhou Cang still had a question in his mind that he didn't say.Is it that Yang Jie came too soon?According to the itinerary, it is impossible for Yang Jie to arrive at Langyuan City this early in the morning. At this moment, most of the fast horses who reported Wu Yuan's death are still on the way.The only explanation is that Yang Jie was already on the way before Wu Yuan's accident.The purpose of coming here is not because of Wu Yuan's death, but for another reason.Just in time.

Then what was Yang Jie's original purpose in coming to Langyuan City?Zhou Cang thought about it for a while, and stopped thinking about it when he didn't have a clue.After all, it had nothing to do with him anyway.

After listening to the explanation of the head arrester in charge of the case, Yang Jie was silent for a while, then turned to Zhou Cang who was sitting next to him and said, "Master Zhou, please forgive me, I want to chat with the people below alone." After speaking, he cupped his hands, Then he got up and let the head catcher lead him to the study room where the corpse was buried.Although the body had been carried to the side to prevent it from becoming stiff and difficult to clean up later, the scene of the crime remained exactly the same as last night.

Zhou Cang sat in the main room for almost a meal before he saw Yang Jie come back.

"Master Zhou, you should be very familiar with Zhang Yan mentioned in Wu Yuan's suicide note, right? Can you tell me about this person?" Yang Jie asked about Zhang Yan straight to the point.

Zhou Cang was naturally prepared.He smiled and said, "What does Lord Yang want to know? The next official will know everything."

Chapter 163 Conclusion

Yang Jie didn't plan to go around the corner, and said directly: "Master Zhou, let's briefly talk about the relationship with Zhang Yan, such as how to know each other, and how to get along with him. Hehe, Master Zhou, don't blame me for talking too much, the matter of the suicide note must be There must be an explanation. And as your lord, I am really curious about how your lord made friends with Zhang Yan."

"Your Majesty Yang will investigate the case impartially, and the officials should cooperate fully. Speaking of Zhang Yan, I actually only got to know him through a friend's introduction. Zhang Yan committed a murder in Langyuan City before, and he should have made a public announcement, but it just so happened He met the requirements of criminal soldiers, was spared his life, and was sent to the west of Chonglan County Yubeishan Fortress to serve as an army..."

There is nothing to hide about the previous relationship between Zhou Cang and Zhang Yan.Immediately, he briefly explained how he met Zhang Yan, why he kept taking care of Zhang's family, Zhang Yan's identity and their personal relationship.Including Zhang Yan's identity as a "miscellaneous study" is not shy, after all, these can be found from other places.

"Oh? Zhang Yan is the miscellaneous master who took out the Bagua array and Kongming lantern?"

"That's right. Why? You knew Zhang Yan's name before you saw Master Yang?"

"Hehe, no, I just know about the Eight Diagrams Formation and the Kongming Lantern. In this way, Zhang Yan has a good relationship with the army, and because of this, he became friends with Master Zhou?"

Zhou Cang nodded and said: "Yes. Although it was entrusted by others at the beginning, Zhang Yan found out that he was a very talented person after contacting the corridor source city. For friends."

"According to Mr. Zhou, Zhang Yan should have had no relationship with Wu Yuan. Why did Wu Yuan write his name in the suicide note? He also said that Zhang Yan first killed his only son Wu Qingling, and now he is going to kill him again. Really, he really died. Does Mr. Zhou think this is a coincidence?"

"Master Yang, although I have heard Zhang Yan say a little about some things, it is more of a guess. It can only be used as a reference for Master Yang. The specifics may have to be considered by Master Yang." After a pause, Zhou Cang saw Yang Jie nodded before continuing: "There shouldn't be any intersection between Zhang Yan and Wu Yuan. But after Zhang Yan was convicted of death, two high-end shops were confiscated as criminal property, and then the criminal property was sold. , was acquired by Wu Yuan's only son Wu Qingling."

Zhou Cang stopped at this point.It can be said to be "click to stop".It is not appropriate to go deep into Yang Jie's details about his identity, not to mention that it is all "speculation" without actual evidence, and Yang Jie has to distinguish the truth by himself.He just pointed out a direction for Yang Jie.

"Master Zhou only said half of what he said!"

"Hehe, please forgive me, Mr. Yang. There are some things that I don't want to say too much when I'm an official. I believe that Mr. Yang has his own judgment, and there is no need to talk too much about the following words."

Yang Jie nodded slightly again, and then stopped talking about Zhang Yan, but followed the normal rules, allowing Zhou Cang to open the city gate first.After all, except for Wu Yuan's suicide note, all the information in his hand now points to the death conclusion given by Wu Zuo, that is, Wu Yuan died of a sudden heart disease and hemorrhage, not homicide.In this way, closing the city gate is redundant and can be lifted immediately.

Zhou Cang stood up immediately after receiving Yang Jie's confirmation. He had waited in the Wu Mansion until now, besides helping Zhang Yan stand up, he also had to wait for the local government's conclusion.If the local yamen felt that the matter was still unclear, that Wu Yuan's death was a homicide and that the murderer was still in the city, they would not be able to open the city gate so quickly.Now that Yang Jie directly asks Zhou Cang to lift the blockade, that means Wu Yuan's death. From Yang Jie's point of view, there is a conclusion: he died of illness.

"Then please don't leave, sir. If Master Yang needs anything, please send someone over to give orders. I will leave!"

"Master Zhou is polite, let's go slowly."

The two bid farewell.Zhou Cang hurriedly went to camp to sit in town.And Yang Jie returned after sending him to the gate, the smiles on his face all subsided.

Back in the study of Wu Yuan's house, Yang Jie looked at the suicide note that was still on the table after being leveled, with cold eyes.

Wu Yuan's death was too unexpected for Yang Jie.Even disrupted all the plans when he came.

"My lord, the left and right officials of Langyuan City have been waiting outside the Wu Mansion for more than half an hour. Do you think you have seen them now?"

Yang Jie's personal entourage was also his adjutant, and he walked into the study at this time to bow and report.

"Hmph, I'm afraid it's not just the two of them?" Yang Jie looked away from the suicide note, looked at the adjutant standing in front of him, and taunted him.

"Yes, my lord. According to my subordinates, when I went out to greet them just now, I saw a group of officials and officials in Langyuan City who were also waiting in the distance. Almost all of them came, but because of their identity and the martial law of the garrison, they couldn't get close. It was very lively. .”

"Lively? Your habit of playing lip service has not changed. But with Wu Yuan's sudden death, Langyuan City will indeed become very lively." Yang Jie smiled and eased the tense emotions in his heart. After a moment of silence, he said: "You let them in. At the same time, let our people take my warrant to detour to the Langyuan City Yamen first, and let me seize the file library. Anyone who dares to stop him will be arrested directly."

"Yes, my lord!"

The adjutant led the order, and the sneer on his face was hidden after he walked out of the study.This time they came to Langyuan City with more than 13 people, [-] of them were experts in the guards of the county guard's mansion, it would be no surprise to take down Langyuan City's archives while others were not prepared.

The adjutant led the two back not long after they left.One tall and one short, they are the right and left officials of Langyuan City, and they belong to the second and third positions in the regular three-person chief executive establishment of the local yamen.In other words, after Wu Yuan's death at this time, among the people who are normally in charge of Langyuan City's affairs, these two are the most important officials.

After saying hello, Yang Jie didn't talk nonsense, and took out a copper bar from his arms and handed it to the other party, letting the other party unfold it.He said at the same time: "This is the decree written and signed by Mr. Xiao, the governor of the county. From now on, I will temporarily assume all the duties and powers related to the post of Langyuan city official. Let the two of you verify the authenticity of this copper bar. "

"What are you talking about, my lord? Can this thing be fake?" So to speak, the two seriously checked the content on the copper bar and the signature of the signature.In the end, he returned the copper bar to Yang Jie in a proper manner.

Yang Jie put away the copper bar and continued: "Since the two of you have checked, please choose one of you to stay and tell me about the recent situation of Langyuan City. Then send one person to notify all the officials in the yamen People, let's meet in the hall of the Wu Mansion after a stick of incense."

"My lord, why don't you go to the yamen? It doesn't seem suitable here."

"Nothing out of place. All the people I just mentioned must be present after the stick of incense. I hope you will move quickly."

Chapter 164

Zhang Yan sent Zhou Cang's adjutant Wang Bin to the gate, and bid farewell to him.

Wang Bin's coming here just now was of course assigned by Zhou Cang, to tell Zhang Yan about Wu Yuan's death last night, and the matter of Yang Jie, the Zuojun Lang official who just arrived in Langyuan City today.Although he didn't break the layer of window paper, this kind of favor Zhang Yan is a must.

Back in the house, Wang Lanping glanced at the second son and wanted to ask curiously, but she didn't ask in the end.

"Mother, don't worry. It's just a little thing. But now that there are more people in the family, can you cook by yourself? Do you want to ask someone to help?"

"What? Hire someone?! You have too much money, isn't it hot?"

"No, I'll just ask, and you just think I was talking nonsense just now." Zhang Yan helped Wang Lanping with a smile.It is not an easy job for a few people in the family to eat and drink a day.Zhang Yan would help if he could, otherwise Wang Lanping's body would not be able to bear the fatigue.It's a pity that if he wants to persuade Wang Lanping to hire a servant, he probably has to wait for Zhang Shun's business to blossom and bear fruit.Otherwise, Wang Lanping, who is diligent and thrifty, will definitely not agree.Even if Zhang Yan is the head of the family now, he still has to take care of his mother's insistence.

"Your eldest brother is married now, so my mother's worries have been put aside. Besides, your sister-in-law is definitely a fertile person, and the family will definitely be lively in the future. Hehe, mother is happy just thinking about it." Wang Lanping said happily. The wrinkles on his face seemed to have melted away.But as he talked, he smiled and said, "Yan'er, do you want your mother to help you with your affairs? Look at your elder brother, how well does your mother match him? It's not bad to come to you!"

Zhang Yan's hands trembled when he heard that.

"Mother, how old is the child? There is no rush, take your time."

"Huh? Not in a hurry? Why are you not in a hurry? In Zhuzui Alley, many people who are two years younger than you are running around all over the alley. Are you not in a hurry? Are you going to wait for your mother to die before you look for it?" You can make decisions about other things, but you have to listen to me in this matter! Mrs. Zhang, who helped your elder brother matchmaker before, is very well-connected. I will definitely help you find a good family!"

Zhang Yan was a little panicked.In Huangtianyu, parents have a great say in their children's marriage. If Wang Lanping is determined to help him find a wife, he really has no way to refuse.

Does Zhang Yan want a wife?Yes, but definitely not now.And he was also worried that Wang Lanping would find him a daughter-in-law who was bigger than his sister-in-law. Wouldn't it be a dilemma?

But Zhang Yan's mind was active, he knew very well what Wang Lanping was most proud of now, so he said with a smile: "Mother, you know the background of Mrs. Li Heli yesterday, right?"

"Well, I know! For such a big official, my mother was so frightened that I couldn't speak. What? Did that Master Li say anything?" Regardless of the adults, they all came here because of the face of their second son.However, Wang Lanping didn't know how much love was in it, and she didn't dare to ask more.At this time, Wang Lanping was also curious when the second son took the initiative to mention Mr. Li.

"Mother, that Mr. Li was sent here by Commander Shi of the Eastern Army. Firstly, he came to congratulate the eldest brother on his wedding, and secondly, he came to show me a way to come over."

"Access? What accompaniment?"

"Ask me if I would like to be a teacher in the Academy of Martial Arts, but it's not the usual kind of teaching that teaches martial arts and combat skills, but a guest teacher of miscellaneous studies. Do you think I will go or not?"

What Wang Lanping is most proud of now is that her son is getting more and more promising.As long as you give her the idea of ​​"don't rush to find a wife, or your son will lose money if he flees too fast. Find the best one slowly", then the matter of Zhang Yan's marriage can be slowed down.

Sure enough, just now Zhang Yan was so frightened by Wang Lanping that his hands trembled, but now Wang Lanping was so frightened by Zhang Yan's words that he knocked over the vegetable bowl in his hand.Turning around and looking at Zhang Yan indifferently, he asked anxiously, "Yan'er, don't lie to your mother!"

"Mom, why am I lying to you? Do you think I will go or not? If I go, the days will change in the future, and it will not be as stable as it is now. You have to take it easy when talking about the daughter-in-law. If you are in a hurry Say goodbye to me, or I'll go back to Shi Junshuai and say it's okay?"

"Bah! Go! If you don't go, mother will be mad at you!" Wang Lanping was quite excited.At this time, I don't want to think about Zhang Yan's marriage or not.This is a major event for entering an official career!How many generations does the Zhang family have?Which has entered the official career?That's an official!The great event of Guangzong Yaozu!How can you hinder your son's future? !

"Then the marriage is..."

"Hmph! I knew you were thinking about this!" Wang Lanping was angry and funny, slapped Zhang Yan on the back, and then said with a smile: "I'll listen to you first and I won't tell you about my daughter-in-law. But you You have to work hard! Don't waste such a rare opportunity.

Also, mother, no matter how much you are capable of, if you owe someone a favor, you must not forget it. Our Zhang family must know how to repay you, understand? "

Zhang Yan smiled and said yes.Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that I would not be urged to marry for the time being.Think about it when he was on earth in his last life, his master died early, he wandered around and was left alone, and he never enjoyed the treatment of urging marriage.This life has made him more knowledgeable.

When it came to the Academy of Martial Arts, Wang Lanping's words turned away.Curiously asked: "I heard that the martial arts academy is full of masters of martial arts. It is the school where masters of martial arts study. They also teach some boxing skills. Yan'er, what can you teach them when you go in?"

Zhang Yan helped to tidy up the dishes that Wang Lanping knocked over just now, and replied: "I am going to be a 'guest teacher', and the things I teach are not like warriors, so there is nothing I can't teach. I really need someone If I want to learn, I still have a lot of things in my hands. It’s no problem to deal with errands.”

Wang Lanping didn't understand if she talked too much, Zhang Yan just didn't want the other party to worry.After that, there was a conversation without a sentence.

In fact, what Zhang Yan said to Wang Lanping was not wrong at all, and even seemed modest.

What Zhang Yan pretended in his mind was the knowledge accumulated by dozens of generations in another world. Even though he didn't remember much, it was equally astonishing when he took it out.Otherwise, why would Luo Changshan, a master of miscellaneous knowledge, be taken aback for a while?

In addition to knowledge, Zhang Yan also has a school loaded with the most essence of various methods since the founding of the Longhu Mountain Sect.Although the most important of them are spells and divine methods, there are also other methods included. For example, the technique of disgusting victory that he used to kill the Wu family father and son is one of them.Another example is the physical cultivation doorway that he himself has no interest in entering for the time being.

Physical training is actually the same as the warriors in Huangtianyu, the major is the physical body, and the minor is qi.It's just that the body cultivators cultivate true qi and aura, while the warriors in the wild sky cultivate vitality.From Zhang Yan's understanding, the two actually have quite a lot in common.If Zhang Yan is willing, bringing out some superficial things for physical training can also make him flourish in the martial arts academy.

Chapter 165 Clouds

The gate of Langyuan City was reopened after noon, and the people who were blocked inside and outside the gate were greatly relieved. Fortunately, the secret passage was not closed for long.Otherwise, the butcher Chen’s newly killed pigs would have to fall into his own hands if they couldn’t get into the city, and he would cry to death; Old man Liu couldn’t get into the city and couldn’t get medicine, what would happen to the old woman’s illness...

Many people breathed a sigh of relief, and rushed into or out of the city to settle the matters in their hands.But at the center of the turmoil, the mansion of Wu Yuan, the once glorious city magistrate of Langyuan City, was full of dark clouds and low pressure, and the leaders and brains of Langyuan City gathered in the main room of the mansion were overwhelmed.

Before dawn, these people were awakened from their sleep by the bad news from the yamen. They anxiously waited until dawn to inquire about the situation, but were told that the city guard Zhou Cang had sealed off the adjacent blocks of the Wu Mansion, and now all entry and exit were strictly checked. .Only the headhunters and yamen servants of the investigation office can enter and leave.But one thing is certain, that is, Wu Yuan is indeed dead.

For a moment, these leaders in Langyuan City panicked.

Of course, it's not because Wu Yuan is such a good official, his death will make his subordinates feel sad, but it will affect the whole body.Things happened suddenly, once Wu Yuan died, wouldn't Langyuan City become a stuffy jar without a lid?How can the soup and water inside be cleaned up quickly?Otherwise, if it drags on and another person succeeds, one bad thing is a fire that can burn everyone to death.

What made these people even more anxious was Yang Jie's sudden arrival.

Same as Zhou Cang's judgment, anyone with a brain can guess that Yang Jie must have been going to Langyuan City before Wu Yuan's accident.It just happened to coincide with Wu Yuan's death.

But if this is the case, it is hard to say why Yang Jie came to Langyuan City.Even though there were rumors that when Wu Yuan asked for leave before, the prefect's mansion gave him a reply that it was mentioned that someone would be sent down to take his place temporarily so that he could recover from his illness with peace of mind.But this is not the normal process.According to the normal procedure, Wu Yuan complained of illness and left, and it should be the Langyuan City Official Zuo Lang who took his place temporarily.

What's more, what is Yang Jie's position?Does a mere city magistrate of Langyuan City need to make a trip himself to report his illness?Even if you have to send someone to temporarily take over the affairs for a period of time, it won't be such a big battle, right?

Although no one said the speculation in their hearts, everyone knew that Yang Jie must have come here in a bad way.It's just that when Wu Yuan died suddenly, I don't know how much things will change.

"Did you all hear clearly? If you have any questions, you can ask them now, and I will answer them for you. Once you leave here, after you go down, you must follow the errands I just said. Otherwise, you will Don't blame me, Mr. Yang, for not being sympathetic."

Sitting in the hall of the Wu Mansion, Yang Jie put down the teacup in his hand, and looked at the more than twenty officials with titles in Langyuan City who stood below and gave them tasks in a cold tone.He asked these people to write down and report all the illegal things they did during their performance in Langyuan City in detail.Write down even things you know about but are not involved in.

To put it bluntly, it is to let everyone put a hat on their own head.And by the way, give others a hat.Of course, you can also buckle randomly, or you can do it honestly, it depends on how you treat it.

What does it mean?

In the silent main room, even the sound of breathing felt harsh.Almost everyone's foreheads and vests were soaked with sweat.They had a premonition that Yang Jie's arrival was not kind, but they never expected to be so straightforward.

But the following Langyuan City officials who were sweating coldly didn't know that this was not Yang Jie's initial plan.At the beginning, Yang Jie planned to set up and control all of Wu Yuan's cronies, and then slowly sort out the contents revealed in the secret letters received by the Sheriff's Mansion over the years, and finally he directly threatened him.

But Wu Yuan's sudden death disrupted Yang Jie's rhythm.He had to make adjustments to his strategy.

Since the biggest trouble in Langyuan City died first, wouldn't the rest become "little troubles" in comparison?Since it is a small trouble, there is no need to hide it anymore. It seems more suitable for the current situation to cut the mess with a swift knife.

Of course, besides the dozen or so experts from the prefectural government that he brought along this time, Yang Jie's confidence in making such a choice is his trust in Zhou Cang, the city guard of Langyuan City.It is also an important reason why the city guard of Langyuan City was suddenly replaced by Zhou Cang three years ago.

Inside, there are reliable manpower brought by oneself.In addition, there is a reliable military force as a backing.Yang Jie didn't think he needed to worry about anything in Langyuan City.Naturally, the fastest and most direct method was chosen.

"My lord, I have a question from my subordinates."

"Say."

"What if there's nothing illegal or against the law? Do you still need to write?"

"Of course you need to write. You don't have any dirty things that you can write about other people that you have heard about. If you don't have any of these, then you can write your own words that are absolutely innocent and innocent, and I can get it in the future. Let’s compare it with some of the secret letters in my hand. This way, we won’t say nothing without proof, and we won’t wrong good people, right?”

Someone else said: "My lord's secret letter? Your lord must not believe those shameless slanders that are pretentious. You can't let the loyalty of Langyuan City be discouraged just because of Master Wu's accidental death!"

Some people took the lead, and the crowd followed. Almost everyone knelt down, wanting to use Langyuan City's government affairs, people's livelihood, and the voice of the officials as a threat to coerce Yang Jie to back down or delay time.Only three people stood at the back with hesitant faces and did not kneel down, but they looked very eye-catching.

"Well, you don't need to be like this. Those secret letters are not a day or two. They were received one after another when Mr. Xiao took office more than two years ago. And we also made some unannounced visits and investigations in advance. If you are really not sure It will not be placed in front of you.

Originally, this matter should be top-down.But now that Mr. Wu passed away unexpectedly, it can only be done in this way, which saves time and effort.

For the sake of my colleagues, I also warn you.What's the matter, frankly, there may be a leniency.If it is a stubborn resistance, or if you want to take actions such as death, then there is no need.We have a lot of secret letters in our hands.If you are dead, will others have such determination and courage?Don't end up being unable to protect anyone, it would be a loss if you die in vain.

What's more, in fact, this moment is the most appropriate time.Don't you think so?

Well, that's all for now, everyone go down and think carefully, tomorrow I hope I can see your sincerity. After finishing speaking, Yang Jie waved his hand, indicating that the people below can retreat. But he himself got up and left the main room without looking back, and returned to the study of the Wu Mansion again.

Chapter 166

Although Nanyuan Kingdom has always been relatively loose in the control of various localities, there is also a set of top-down evaluation rules, and there are special offices for unannounced visits and handling of officials. For example, the "Official Secretary" is the biggest Special yamen, what they do is to investigate cases related to officials from various places.

But just like worms grow in the woods no matter what, the corruption and perversion of the law at the lower levels have not been eliminated.Even torture such as skinning and stuffing grass can't achieve the fundamental effect.

Some innocuous people take advantage of the public, or those who pick and search for private benefits, or create some convenience for the family, these are actually nothing in Nanyuan Kingdom, even those who specialize in investigating and handling officials. Not too difficult.At most, it will write you down in the annual official evaluation. If you want to be promoted, it will affect you, but it will never be a crime.

But even with such lenient measures and the vigilance of torture, there are still many people secretly doing evil things like digging up walls.Not just "taking some", but using one's own rights as a sickle, trampling the law under one's feet, and wantonly harvesting the people under the rule.It is not uncommon to even form cliques for selfish purposes.And often this kind of big bug hides far deeper than those small bugs floating on the surface, and it is also more difficult to find.

Langyuan City is located in Beijiang County, so it is sensitive to all aspects because of Beijiang County's special geographical location.But Langyuan City has a very high official reputation every year, and it is thriving from top to bottom.But on the contrary, there are often some secret letters entering places such as the "Office of Justice" through various channels.