The Golden County Magistrate

"First, you are a river pirate and have injured countless people. You are guilty of a crime that cannot be forgiven."

"Second, you are suspected of colluding with the rebels, which is a serious crime that will punish all nine clans!"

"Therefore, let alone just some punishment, even if the cruelest thing is used on you, no one will pursue it."

"Now I just ask you a question, and I will allow you to exchange for a chance to live. It is a great mercy."

"I will only give you one chance. Answer or not, decide immediately."

"I will count to three, one..."

Chen Yan said slowly to the end, counting while picking up a steel needle and gently pressing it against her body.

The chill invaded her body, and Yang Ping'er finally collapsed completely, screaming: "I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything! Mr. Tan used to be... a staff member of the King of Yan, and he came to Jingjiang under the order of the King of Yan!"

Chen Yan's eyes lit up slightly, and then said: "What is his purpose in hiding his identity and controlling Jingjiang?"

Yang Ping'er cried: "Didn't you say that you would only... only ask one question?"

Chen Yan spread his hands: "This official has always been cheated, you don't accept it? Answer or not, decide for yourself!"

Yang Ping'er even said the most important thing, and helplessly, she could only continue to answer: "I was ordered by the King of Yan to control the canal transportation channel upstream of the capital."

Chen Yan didn't give her any chance to breathe, and asked: "Then why didn't he cut off the canal transportation after controlling Jingjiang?"

He could probably guess what Yang Ping'er answered, and now he just confirmed whether his guess was wrong through her mouth.

But this is very strange.

In recent years, Tang Yun has transported supplies, soldiers, etc. through Jingjiang.

But every time they came, Tan Chao disappeared and never interfered. He would continue his plundering activities after they left.

It was as if he had forgotten the order of King Yan.

Yang Ping'er was suddenly stunned, and even forgot to cry, but showed a panic.

"Don't answer? Okay, torture!" Chen Yan's face sank.

"No, no, no! It's not that I don't answer, it's that I don't know how to answer!" Yang Ping'er said in panic.

"If you know, you know, if you don't know, you don't know, what do you mean you don't know how to answer?" Chen Fang shouted.

"I really don't know!"

"When Mr. Tan took control of Jingjiang, he suddenly changed his mind and said he wanted to completely sever his relationship with the King of Yan."

"I once asked him why, and he said that the King of Yan would definitely lose, and helping the King of Yan would only lead to his own death."

"But why did he suddenly change his mind and even predict the King of Yan's defeat three years in advance? I really don't know!"

"Besides, I always feel that what he said is not complete, so I don't know how to answer your question..."

Yang Ping'er said hurriedly.

Chen Yan was slightly stunned.

This answer was beyond his expectation.

He had guessed many possibilities, but the other party could actually foresee the King of Yan's defeat in advance, which really exceeded his assessment of Tan Chao.

After thinking for a while, he changed the topic and asked, "Did he ever say whether he wanted to be a river pirate for the rest of his life?"

Yang Ping'er shook her head quickly: "No, he never said it once, but I can see that he is not willing to be a river pirate forever, but I don't know why, and he kept it a secret even from me."

When she said this, her eyes were a little confused, and it was obvious that she really didn't know the reason.

Chen Yan said thoughtfully: "Did he make any special preparations? For example, a large number of weapons and ships were stored, and personnel were recruited for training - I mean training in the way of regular troops."

Yang Ping'er shook her head: "I really didn't find these, you believe me!"

Chen Yan came back to his senses and said lightly: "You are too naive to lie in front of me."

Yang Ping'er's face changed drastically, and she opened her mouth to defend herself.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. I have already got the answers I want. For the rest, I will ask Tan Chao directly!"

Yang Ping'er was surprised and said, "You... want to find Master Tan? I can lead the way!"

Chen Yan smiled and said, "Do I need you to lead the way to find him? Isn't your water fort in the dock on the west side of Chengtang Lake? However, according to my estimation, you must have sent a message to him. At this moment, he should have brought a large group of people to wait in Chengtang Lake to rob this treasure of mine, right?"

Yang Ping'er was shocked and said, "You even..."

She stopped talking halfway. The other party could find out so much of her personal information, and even guessed that he had a relationship with King Yan. It was not difficult for him to find out the location of their water fort.

Chengtang Lake is a large lake. There are dozens of intersecting waterways around its west side, and the dense forest area and reeds form a natural hiding barrier.

Tan Chao placed the water fort inside one of the waterways, taking advantage of the location. Even if he was exposed, he would be able to move freely even if the soldiers wanted to encircle him.

In the original plan, the four boats that Yang Ping'er brought, after the target's boat enters Chengtang Lake, approach from behind and drive it to the west side of the lake. Taking advantage of the dense reed area there, Tan Chao will set up a trap to make it impossible for the target to escape.

But now she has been caught in advance. She originally thought that Chen Yan would go directly to the east side of the lake where ordinary boats often go, but she didn't expect that this guy would be so arrogant that he wanted to find Tan Chao!

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

If so, she would be saved!

But then, her expression became depressed.

She had already betrayed Tan Chao, and even if she was rescued, she would not be able to escape death.

Thinking of this, she immediately became anxious and shouted, "I have done everything you asked me to do. You promised to spare my life. Let me go!"

Chen Yan laughed and said, "Haha! I only said I would spare your life. When did I say I would let you go? What's more, you have just lied to me. You still want me to let you go? You are dreaming! Stay here and wait for me to catch Tan Chao and let him have a good reunion with you!"

Yang Ping'er was shocked and angry. She knew that he would definitely not let her go. She could only shout: "You can go find him! You will die there! He has nearly 2,000 men, more than ten large ships, and more than 200 small boats. Whether it is close combat or long-range attack, it is not something that your ship can resist! What's more, he has the advantage of terrain. You will only die if you go there to find him!"

Chen Yan was surprised: "You actually think so much about me?"

Yang Ping'er said angrily: "Who thinks about you! If you lose, I will..."

Chen Yan was originally teasing her, how could he not know her thoughts?

At this time, he had teased enough and interrupted her directly: "You made the same mistake again, that is, underestimating my ability. Well! I will let you see with your own eyes how vulnerable his so-called advantages are in front of me!"

Yang Ping'er saw that he didn't listen to her words at all, and her heart sank.

It's over, it's completely over!

I didn't expect that I would be buried with this arrogant dog official. It's really unfair!

Chen Yan ignored her and turned to Wei Chuan and said, "Tell the brothers to get ready and go to Chengtang Lake to stretch their muscles."

Wei Chuan immediately said, "Yes!"