Chapter 1263

The Wucheng Military Commission moved at the news; this was merit delivered to their doorstep, and they had to seize it. With the end of the year approaching, he didn't expect to be able to boost their performance record.

The patrolling Embroidered Uniform Guards were not idle either; they had horses and caught up with the two brawling factions earlier than the people from the Wucheng Military Commission.

Chen Guanlou sat in the restaurant eating and drinking, not concerned about the events outside.

It wasn't until the two government offices, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and the Military Commission, were escorting a group of madmen together and passed by the restaurant that he took a few extra looks.

Upon this look, he actually saw an acquaintance, Sister Chunxiang's eldest son, Dawang.

This kid worked as a helper at the county magistrate's office; how could he be involved in a brawl?

Chen Guanlou finished his meal, returned home, and told Sister Chunxiang about the situation he saw on the road.

Sister Chunxiang's face changed. "He was really caught by the Embroidered Uniform Guards? This, this, this..."

"The Wucheng Military Commission and the Embroidered Uniform Guards are handling the case jointly; the specific situation is currently chaotic, and it's not clear yet. Don't worry too much; I will go inquire, and I will tell you as soon as there is news. Your family should prepare silver in advance; when it's necessary to use silver to grease palms, I will tell you."

"Yes, yes, yes, must prepare silver. This plague-ridden kid, I told him to settle down, but he wouldn't listen to a word. Xiaolou, thank you; if it weren't for you, our whole family wouldn't know what to do."

"Sister-in-law, don't be formal with me. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor; I will keep Dawang's matter in mind."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Chen Guanlou rested at home, preparing to arrange for someone to inquire about the news early the next morning. However, next door at Sister Chunxiang's house, a commotion broke out; Dawang's wife was shouting about returning to her maiden home.

When Dawang was matchmaking, Sister Chunxiang thought that since her son was wandering around aimlessly all day and didn't care much about the family even after earning money, she wanted to find a fierce daughter-in-law to keep Dawang in check. The daughter-in-law was indeed very fierce and had a mind of her own. And so, as soon as Dawang got into trouble, before the cause was even clear, she was impatient to distance herself.

The family argued back and forth.

Chen Guanlou was too lazy to listen to their arguing and went straight to the Heavenly Prison to rest. It was more comfortable to sleep there than at home!

Early in the morning, he arranged for Lu Datou to inquire about the news.

The people caught last night were all detained at the Military Commission.

The matter was very simple: the reason the two factions fought was that Dawang and his group of helpers, relying on the power of the government office, had bullied small merchants and peddlers, extorting money from them. Of course, they dared to do this because they had someone backing them up. A large portion of the money they extorted was given to people inside the government office.

Yesterday, as usual, a group of them went out to collect security fees. Unexpectedly, this time they encountered a tough nut to crack, a first-rank martial artist who had just arrived. The two sides disagreed and started fighting; Niu Er picked up the weapon in his hand and slaughtered Dawang's group of helpers, killing two on the spot.

Dawang and the others were scared to death; how could they dare to show off their power? They had to flee for their lives. Thus, the rare scene of a group of people running in front and one person chasing and killing them from behind appeared.

At first glance, this case was easy to judge: Niu Er killed people, and he should pay with his life.

However, Dawang and the others, as helpers, had no government warrant and were collecting security fees in violation of regulations, which was another lawsuit.

Niu Er was not a nobody without backing; he also had people behind him. They brought up Dawang and the others' illegal operations, and it was said that they had already reported it to the Censorate.

It was clear: Niu Er could die, but Dawang and the others had to die too!

Either live together, or die together.

The other party was dead set on Dawang and the others bullying people, long-term oppression and extortion of small merchants, and ruining the reputation of the imperial court. If they really pursued it, the government officials behind Dawang would all be in deep trouble.

"When I went, the two factions were arguing fiercely inside the government office." Lu Datou was very excited, as if he had taken aphrodisiacs. He loved this kind of excitement the most!

Chen Guanlou was not interested in the excitement. "Who is the person behind Niu Er?"

"I heard it's an official from the Hanlin Academy who is very familiar with the Censorate. The two are fellow townsmen and are said to be neighbors. Anyway, the relationship is very close!"

"Has the Censorate intervened?"

"When I was leaving, I happened to run into a Censor from the Censorate."

"So fast!" Chen Guanlou smiled knowingly; it was the end of the year, and everyone was desperately trying to boost their performance records.

"Brother Chen, the Military Commission can't handle this case, right?"

"If it were just a murder case, the Military Commission could handle it. But now that it involves the county magistrate's office and the Censorate, the Military Commission can only hand the case over. The Embroidered Uniform Guards didn't intervene; they were the ones who caught the people together yesterday."

"I didn't see anyone from the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Maybe the Embroidered Uniform Guards went to handle a big case and didn't look down on this kind of small case." Lu Datou guessed casually, not expecting to have hit the truth.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards had been very busy lately, busy to the point of not having a moment to rest. They were secretly handling a major case, and so far, they hadn't alerted anyone.

Chen Guanlou had a bit of a headache.

Dawang, this kid, was indeed restless, actually daring to handle such things as the government office's gray income. Now that something had happened, if the other party bit down hard, Dawang and his group of helpers would likely become victims of a power struggle.

He didn't rush to act, preparing to wait and see, and think of a way after the situation became clear.

Taking time out, he found someone to help Ping Ping obtain her household registration documents and also established a female-headed household for her.

As soon as Ping Ping saw him, she wished she could burrow into his arms.

Chen Guanlou quickly stopped her. "Speak properly, don't move around."

"Brother Lou..."

So sickening!

Chen Guanlou shook off a layer of goosebumps. "Brother Lou, my house has already been purchased, and the shop has been found. Do you want to go take a look, just to help me show support?"

"No time! We'll go when I'm on leave."

"Then it's a deal!" Ping Ping gave him a look, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Chen Guanlou was actually quite impulsive for a moment; how about today... Thinking that he still had to help Sister Chunxiang get people out, he quickly stopped the thought.

"You settle down first, I'll go find you when I have time."

Ping Ping smiled brightly. The three words "I'll wait for you" were said lingeringly, and his brain had already automatically expanded it into a thousand-word content.

Chen Guanlou pinched Ping Ping's cheek; her pair of eyes were accustomed to hooking people.

In the end, he suppressed the impulse in his heart and pulled away to leave.

A powerful man must have powerful willpower! Never be led astray by beauty.

Dawang's case had indeed blown up.

During the morning court session, the Censorate went all out, fiercely criticizing the county magistrate's office below for acting recklessly, bullying good citizens, ruining the reputation of the imperial court, and illegally collecting security fees from merchants. A large amount of property had unknown sources, and there were serious corrupt behaviors. They hoped His Majesty would issue an edict to strictly investigate this matter.

Emperor Emperor Jian Shi had been busy with major events lately, but he couldn't find peace, with trouble bothering him every few days.

In his rage, he scolded: "Strictly investigate this case, and let the Ministry of Justice be responsible!"

In the end, the case fell into the hands of the Ministry of Justice.

Sun Daoning took this hot potato, and another wrinkle appeared on his forehead.

This case was more suitable for the Embroidered Uniform Guards to handle.

"Why didn't the Embroidered Uniform Guards take over this case?"

Sun Daoning looked irritable. "First go to the Military Commission to take over the prisoners, and escort them all to the Heavenly Prison. As for the officials large and small in the county magistrate's office, tell the Six Sects to be ready; in a while, follow this official to the county magistrate's office to handle the case!"