Chapter 661

That city gate official wasn't angry either, "……That makes sense. So you're not here for trade or silver, but for revenge? Someone paid you to bring the enemy's child to Youzhou?"

Da Wang couldn't very well complain about their thorough, imaginative questioning, he couldn't be bothered to haggle with these two, and flicked out a straight hook. "We're definitely not kidnappers, this is my younger brother. Though we're indeed not from Youzhou, we're from Chang'an. I suppose your office is much like Chang'an's Jing'an Si? This young master knows you rely on such things for income. Speak up—how much silver from my family will get us brothers released?"

"What Jing'an Si? Our City Garrison Office is nothing like them—we follow Beijiang law!"

Da Wang: "Oh~ then how much silver does your City Garrison Office's law demand?"

"Hey~ you little brat……"

Da Wang adopted the air of a seasoned old hand, "……How about we talk privately? Let's go inside?"

The two burly men exchanged a glance, hey, tough customer! "I see you won't shed tears until you see the coffin—take them in for a thorough interrogation! You think Beijiang law is child's play, but I hope you haven't broken any, otherwise even the aristocracy won't be of use."

Da Wang shook Lao Qi's claw, "You wouldn't torture a child for a confession, would you~"

Shi Shun gave a cold laugh to intimidate him, "He's small, but you're not."

Da Wang: ……

Da Wang didn't want to waste his fine holiday on a day trip to the City Garrison Office, he began thinking of who could ransom him. Ling Yin was just outside the door—having him come would be convenient, but revealing his Eagle Riders commander identity would expose his background.

No. Lao Si was still outside; today's matter absolutely must not leak out, he couldn't afford to lose face over that person.

Likewise, Wei Shen wouldn't do, nor would anyone in the palace……In that case, options were few, Liang Bin with his 'snatching people' experience stood out, and this guy had played with him before, so his reactions were quick.

Da Wang raised his hand to apply: "That one—I suddenly remembered how to prove it~ we brothers are relatives of the Dongdu Duke, why not have Liang Bin ransom us? It would also prove our identity."

Circumstances shifted, the city gate official quickly summoned the garrison commandant here, the local chief. This commandant had just rotated in from Shanggu Pass. He circled the 'criminal suspects' once, found no match with any branch of the Liang family, half-believing, half-doubting, he sent people to the Liang manor.

If taking New Year's leave with sealed brushes was Youzhou City's top pleasure, Da Wang would be first, Liang Bin second.

For those who loathe duty shifts yet dare not resign, legal holidays are truly wonderful. This guy cherishes his annual leave, lying limp at home enjoying his free time, when a servant came in to report that the City Garrison Office had sent people looking for him.

Liang Bin thought it was official business, so he went to the flower hall carrying a full belly of resentment and ten thousand unwillingness.

"What business could Youzhou Garrison possibly have involving our Honglu Pavilion? Another envoy delegation in trouble? This time—dead or alive?"

"……Sorry to disturb you, Second Young Master Liang, Commandant Yang sent his subordinate to ask: do you recognize a pair of brothers surnamed Huang? They were reported for child trafficking, taken back to the City Garrison Office, and the other party claims they are your relatives."

"Our family has no other relatives in Youzhou!" Liang Bin wanted to laugh—these days, pulling connections is this simple and brutal?

Shi Shun was embarrassed, "Think again—the elder is just over ten, the younger barely walks, they claim ancestral home in Chang'an."

Anyone from Youzhou Garrison who's been to Chang'an would know how sensitive Chang'an is right now about children just over ten.

Liang Bin himself hadn't been to Chang'an, he racked his brain—no Huang relatives in his family—but then a flash of inspiration: he recalled when he and Bai Li Heng went to Jing'an Si to ransom Da Wang, then thought of this surname, Huang…Imperial?

Oh mother!

He clutched his chest and collapsed into the chair—……that little one must be this time's returned Seventh Prince. "I remember now—our family does seem to have a Huang-surnamed cousin! Yes, exactly like that!"

How could the Emperor even think of him for such good fortune! Still, he loves a spectacle. This guy instantly sprang up, vigorous and lively, "So, how much silver do you City Garrison Office want? More and I'll have to go ask my grandmother for some……"

Shi Shun: ……

"We really are following the law, we don't take silver. If you can prove their identity, come with me now to identify them—Commandant Yang is waiting for you."

Liang Bin nodded, "I understand, my father is the Dongdu Duke, you'd be embarrassed to take silver. I hope you really don't take any." Otherwise, when Da Wang spills out his kung fu, we'll all die, we'll all die!

Shi Shun: ……

What's going on—one after another saying they take silver, could someone really be doing that?! Going back I'll have to mention it to the chief again.

Liang Bin threw on a cloak and followed Shi Shun out in a hurry, all the way thinking how nice it would be if he also had Xie Tu's skill—recording this big scene would be a pity otherwise.

Too bad he and Xie Tu's crowd never manage to get together, otherwise he'd just invite Xie Tu along.

Xie Gongzi, in Da Wang's presence, is an unlucky gunman; outside, he's in demand.

When they arrived at the City Garrison Office and he was brought inside, he caught sight of Da Wang's back at a glance and knew he'd guessed right. Who would have thought that when Da Wang heard the commotion and turned around, this guy got a fright.

He almost blurted out "Who are you?" but luckily his reflexes were quick—he saw those triangular eyes darting at him wildly.

Commandant Yang stood nearby, "Second Young Master Liang, are these Huang brothers really your relatives?"

Da Wang called out: "Cousin!"

Liang Bin instinctively flinched, "Ah……raised head! Yes, yes, they are my relatives."

Seeing Commandant Yang's suspicious look, Liang Bin raised his head and put on a spoiled rich boy act, "They are indeed relatives of our ducal manor—no mistake! They really are brothers. Well, this time it's your duty, so this young master won't quibble with you—hand over the people."

These two sentences made Da Wang look at Liang Bin anew—look~ working really trains a person!

Liang Bin signed his name on the closure document, Da Wang's brothers were freed. Da Wang wore an inscrutable expression, gripping Lao Qi's claw in silence, matching his unfriendly face, looking quite fierce, making Liang Bin dare not speak, nearly pressing himself against the carriage wall.

Just out the door, onto the carriage, turning the street corner, Ling Da Xia just sat on the carriage shaft. Liang Bin found this even more puzzling—he really couldn't hold back and broke the silence in the carriage.

"Your Majesty, this……Ling Commander isn't here, is he? Why are you still using him?"

Da Wang's stern face: "He used his Eagle Riders commander identity to fish me out, or is he resisting arrest, knocking all Youzhou Garrison flat? Youzhou Garrison loses face—then I, likewise, have no face!" This matter exposed, when Lao Si finds out later, he'll laugh for three years straight!

Liang Bin understood—this is about burying the matter for fear of losing face. He grasped it, raised his head and puffed his chest, just about to boast of this merit, when he heard Da Wang speak again.

"This time I'll record a merit for you. Rest assured, I cannot possibly slight you—lately I see you've made great progress, why not I promote you, appoint you as Grand Administrator? Grand Administrators can attend court~"

'Bang'—

Liang Bin slammed his head into the carriage wall, "You—this is repaying kindness with enmity!"