Chapter 23: The Ministry of Justice’s Apprehension of the Offenders

Xu Qi An had just stepped into the county office when he heard a voice with a sobbing tone, “Big brother ….”

It was Xu Ling Yue who wore a light blue robe and stood in a pavilion, her beautiful white face was left with tear stains, her eyes were red and swollen, just like a small flower that attracted people’s love.

Xu Lingyin was nowhere to be seen beside her, probably in the side hall without letting over.

Xu Qi’an nodded slightly, giving her a calming look.

The magistrate Zhu, who had already received the news, sat high in front of his desk, saw the magistrates escorting a group of people in, and saw the brocade-clothed gentleman with a face full of anger.

Old Zhu was startled and hurriedly got up to usher him in.

“Aigoo, if it isn’t Mr. Zhou, how is Squire Zhou?”

The brocade-clothed male waved his sleeve violently, forcing Magistrate Zhu away, pointing at Xu Qi’an and saying viciously, “This man committed murder in the street and tried to kill me, take him down quickly.”

“Words are heavy, words are heavy …..” Zhu magistrate accompanied a smile, turned his head, and with a face full of anger, he drank, “Quick Hands Xu Qi’an, don’t roll over yet.”

Xu Qi’an greeted him stiffly.

“Asshole, even the son of Lord Zhou, the Minister of the Household Department, dares to hit, how many brains do you have ah you.” County Magistrate Zhu flew up and kicked Xu Qi’an, and once he turned his head, he had another dog-licking smile on his face:

“Duke Zhou, this is a big flood that has hit the Dragon King Temple, we are all family members, you are a big man, don’t bother with him as a small person.”

Outside the crowd, Xu Lingyue looked at her cousin as she was being blamed for her, teardrops rolling down her face, her agar nose, which was more straight and delicate than an ordinary woman’s, turning red from crying.

The son of the Minister of the Household …. Xu Qi’an’s heart sank.

In the officialdom of the Dafeng Dynasty, how much energy an official has is not based on rank, but on background and power.

There were many first and second grade officials, but those who really stood at the pinnacle of power were actually a small group of people.

The ministers and ministers-in-chief of the six ministries are included in this list.

Beating up the son of the Minister of the Household is a big deal.

“Don’t give me this shit, you’re not going to arrest anyone are you, I’ll do it myself.” Duke Zhou waved his hand and ordered his escorts, “Arrest this kid for me.”

He didn’t believe that in the county office, this kid still dared to resist the murder.

County Magistrate Zhu droned, “Anyone who dares to commit violence in the county courthouse will be shot on sight.”

The third class of yamen rushed out, drew their plain swords, and put them on the necks of the squires who were just about to make a move.

The white servant, on the other hand, is on guard with a stick.

“Surnamed Zhu, how dare you touch my people?” Duke Zhou pointed at Magistrate Zhu’s nose and cursed.

“Don’t misunderstand Mr. Zhou, this official is a court official, just following the rules.” County Magistrate Zhu was still licking his dog’s smile and touched the spittle on his face:

“This official here has a lawsuit against you, Your Excellency, for committing murder on horseback and bullying a woman from a good family. The accuser is Xu Ling Yue.”

This is Zhu magistrate has long been prepared means, if the other party is just an ordinary magistrate, Zhu magistrate will find a way to make a big deal out of a small matter.

Just how could I not expect that the subject was the son of the Minister of the Household.

Mr. Zhou let out a “heh”, “Who did you hurt when you committed the murder on horseback? Bullying a woman from a good family, Mr. Zhu, go out on the street and ask me if I’ve touched a single finger of this woman?”

“Then perhaps this woman has recognized the wrong person.” County Magistrate Zhu smiled and took the lawsuit back into his sleeve.

Damn, Zhu magistrate can t handle it, I have to think of a way to save myself, if not, I will run away …. But it will definitely involve the second uncle’s family. Xu Qi An is a little anxious, in this era, only the second generation of the government can deal with the second generation of the government, his segment is too much different from others.

Not to mention him, even if it’s Second Uncle, a hundred of the Imperial Sword Guards, what is he in front of the Minister of the Household?

Nothing.

As for regrets, there are none. With a knife at your neck, are you just going to be slaughtered?

In the midst of his thoughts, he saw one of Duke Zhou’s escorts leave the county office, and Magistrate Zhu did not stop it.

Xu Qi’s heart cooled a few more points as he walked over to Sheriff Wang and said in a low voice, “Chief, brother, I’m in trouble today, and there’s something I’d like to ask you for.”

Sheriff Wang was silent for a moment and whispered, “Speak.”

Over the past month, his relationship with Xu Qi’an had skyrocketed, going to the hookah every day to play, drinking flowery wine together, and forging a deep friendship.

“You lend me a silver or two first.”

Sheriff Wang felt in his arms and fished out a handful of broken silver, less than one or two taels.

Xu Qi’an took the broken silver and put it in his pocket, then he said, “Chief you ride a horse and go to my house quickly, go to the cabinet by my bed and take a book, a blue book, remember not to take the wrong one.”

The diary is in light yellow wrappers.

“After you take the book, immediately go to the Si Tian Supervisor and look for a girl named Caiwei, and deliver a message for me: Xu Qi’an is in trouble, save him quickly.”

Si Tian Supervisor? Sheriff Wang had a hesitant look on his face, “Wouldn’t that place be where someone like me could go.”

Letting him into the Divine Constabulary was the equivalent of letting an ordinary person into the palace, not even having the guts to get close.

Xu Qi’an knew this was the case and whispered, “If something happens to me, there will be no one to pay you back for these silvers.”

Sheriff Wang’s eyes widened.

“Do this for me, and all of next month’s salary goes to you, chief.”

“Xu Qi’an your ass.” Sheriff Wang cursed and rushed out of the county office.

……

Xu Pingzhi received the notice, borrowed a horse from a fellow officer, and rushed to the Changle County Yamen as fast as he could.

Stepping into the threshold and entering the public hall, the first thing I saw was my daughter, who was crying and trembling constantly, followed by the yamen and retainers with their swords drawn.

Xu Pingzhi withdrew his gaze and came to his daughter, his face serious as he asked, “What’s going on?”

Xu Ling Yue was like seeing a savior, crying even harder and sobbing as she told her father what had happened.

When he heard Squire Zhou’s son raise his horse’s hooves to trample on the young girl, the corners of his eyes jumped and his face grew more and more somber.

“If it wasn’t for big brother, Suzaku would be gone, oooh…”

Ning Banquet …. Xu Pingzhi looked at his nephew’s figure, closed his calm for a few seconds, and said in a low voice, “You go to the side hall and keep an eye on Suzaku, don’t come out.”

Watching his daughter’s trotting back disappear, Xu Pingzhi stepped forward in silence and stared at the brocade-clothed gentleman: “Mr. Zhou, can this matter be resolved?”

The brocade-clothed male met his eyes as if he felt a killing intent that was like substance, remembering what Xu Qi’an had said on the street.

I can’t squeeze the rant out of my throat.

“Hundredth Household Xu is a great official, what, if my son doesn’t stop, do you still want to splatter your blood?”

An old man in a long blue coat with gold piping on the cuffs and collar and a jade pendant hanging from his waist came in through the gate of the county office.

His hair was more white than black, his face was thin, and his eyes were sharp as if they hid needles.

He was still at the door when he first spoke, and by the time he finished, he was already in the public hall.

“Uncle Chen.” The brocade-clothed male was overjoyed.

“How did young master get hurt like this, which damn animal did it. The old slave has watched the young master grow up, and that is the slightest injury that hurts his heart.”

The old man was heartbroken and angry at the sight of the brocade-clad male’s congealed and blood-scabbed earlobes.

“I’ve spoken to the master several times about pairing you with an expert of the Qi Practicing Realm, and he always refuses on the grounds that you like to cause trouble.”

“So what if you cause trouble? It’s better for others to suffer than for you, Young Master.”

Feeling that he was locked by an aura, Xu Pingzhi was like falling into an ice cellar, his spine felt like snakes were crawling across it, and he had the feeling of hovering on the edge of life and death.

Similar feelings, often experienced when fighting on the battlefield, kept him from moving a bit.

This old man was an expert of the God Refining Realm.

Zhu magistrate coughed, “You are ….”

“I don’t dare!” The old man interrupted in a nonchalant manner, “I’m just an old slave in the Zhou Mansion, I can’t afford to be called ‘you’ by Lord Zhu.”

“The old-timer is too polite to say this.” Seven ranks of officials in front of the prime minister’s door, this reasoning is most clear to the officialdom veterans, County Magistrate Zhu compensated with a smile:

“Look at this mess, it’s all a misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding. The Beijing inspection is imminent, so let’s make peace, old-timer, what do you think?”

The old man laughed coldly, “A few insignificant little people can’t affect your lordship’s Jingcha yet. The Zhou Mansion has always convinced people with virtue, and everything is done in accordance with the rules and regulations of the imperial court.”

The crowd didn’t understand his words at first, until a few moments later, the sound of cluttered and loud footsteps came from outside the courthouse.

Following this, a group of armored soldiers in solid armor poured in, led by an official in a green robe embroidered with white pheasants, who looked around and spoke aloud:

“The Ministry of Justice is looking for a criminal; idle people will retreat; if they interfere, they will be dealt with for the same offense.”

After a pause, this green-robed fifth-grade official squeezed out a smile towards Mr. Zhou: “This gentleman, this official is asking you where the culprits are.”

Duke Zhou pointed at Xu Qi’an with a halberd, “Lock this dog up for me.”

The green-robed fifth-grade official waved his hand, “Take it down.”

The armorers rushed up, took out their shackles, and locked Xu Qi’an in place.

“My lord, what offense did my nephew commit!” Xu Pingzhi was in a great hurry.

“Whether there is a crime or not, this official has his own decision.” The green-robed fifth-grade official said indifferently, “As a langzhong of the Ministry of Justice, this official wants to enforce the law impartially and meticulously.”

Xu Pingzhi still wanted to speak, but he was pulled back by the dead weight of County Magistrate Zhu.

“Take it away!”

PS: 2700 word count, feels too long, I’m always so conscientious that I write more than I need to review if I’m not careful.