Chapter 235: The Case Must Happen Now (Requesting Monthly Votes)

The strategy of the Shanhe Bureau's Southern Jiaozhi office is clear: the high-level struggle has just begun, but down here, make trouble first!

If the situation is unfavorable to us, then stir up the water first.

You Qi Society Bureau claim Fu Shuanghui schemed against your people?

I say it was your people who secretly murdered our Zhancheng Master of Discipline!

Your subordinates deeply revere the Master of Discipline, so their emotional outbursts and irrational actions are understandable, aren't they?

If the final investigation confirms it was indeed Fu Shuanghui's fault, then those causing disturbances—we Shanhe Bureau will certainly bring them back for "severe punishment."

He Youxing heard that Shanhe Bureau personnel had surrounded his office, and his heart and liver trembled together.

This matter has escalated!

"Come with me and see what's happening."

He Youxing had no choice but to harden his resolve and step out with his men to negotiate with Zheng Hong.

On the way past Xie Qingman's duty room, she stood behind the window, watching him with malicious glee.

He Youxing was about to call for her to come along, when Xie Qingman slammed the window shut with a clang.

Wan Yun was also inside the duty room; a shadow of unease spread rapidly through him.

……

Shi Bading sent someone to scale the wall and rush out to report to Master Xu.

When Xu Yuan heard, he found it unbelievable.

Not because Shanhe Bureau was bold and reckless, but because He Youxing was weak.

"The Master of Discipline stepped out to confront Zheng Hong, then Zheng Hong refused to withdraw, insisting the Master hand me over—so the Master retreated back into the office?"

We are the Three Yamen of Strange Affairs! How can you be so weak outwardly? What will your subordinates think?

Your rank is higher than Zheng Hong's.

The Qi Society Bureau's current strength in Zhancheng surpasses Shanhe's.

This matter, at its root, is Fu Shuanghui's fault.

Why are you so nervous?

Can it really be that whoever dies has the right, and whoever causes trouble has the right?

Xu Yuan silently shook his head: no matter the final outcome, He Youxing could no longer hold his post in the Zhancheng office.

His subordinates would never respect him.

Ma Tian Shou would likely also think this man lacks the capability to stand alone.

In fact, the last time He Youxing let Shanhe choose their own men, Xu Yuan already thought his decisiveness flawed.

Such a person is suited for a deputy role, not a chief.

He overthinks, hesitates, weighs every side—too much caution, too little courage.

Shi Bading's man urged: "Master Xu, our Inspector suggests you leave the city to avoid the storm?"

If Zheng Hong can't find you in the office, he'll likely come here soon."

"Heh." Xu Yuan laughed. "Return my thanks to Brother Shi."

Xu Yuan would never forget Shi Bading's favor.

"Xiao Ba, give this brother two taels of silver."

The man bowed in thanks, took the silver, and left.

Xu Yuan added: "Send two unfamiliar brothers to keep watch inside the office."

Yu Yunhang immediately arranged the men.

Xu Yuan waited in the Nancheng Patrol Duty Room, waiting until nearly noon, but Zheng Hong never came—his disappointment was sharp: "A coward with a loud voice!"

Zhang Laoya watched coldly. Lin Wanmo stepped out with her basket to buy vegetables, and as she passed his door, Zhang Laoya called out: "Aren't you worried? Your child's in trouble."

Lin Wanmo was utterly unconcerned: "It's no big deal. If needed, I'll quit the post and take him back to Shanhé County."

Zhang Laoya stroked his beard, then couldn't help laughing.

This family is interesting!

The men Yu Yunhang sent out were clever.

At noon, one returned to report to Master Xu: "It's all bluff. We watched closely—the noise is loud, but they only shout outside the office.

None carry swords; under their uniforms they wear soft armor—they want to cause trouble but fear death. I guarantee they won't dare come here."

Xu Yuan's mind shifted; he beckoned Di Youzhi. Di Youzhi slouched forward with groveling eagerness: "My lord."

"There should be a strange case reported from a village outside the city—coming to us now."

Di Youzhi instantly understood: "I'll go check if anyone's come to report."

Di Youzhi returned shortly, leading a man behind him, announcing loudly: "My lord: villagers from Mao Family Inn have come to report a strange case last night. No one died or was injured, but the case is extremely grave—if not handled promptly, serious deaths may occur tonight!"

Xu Yuan stood up: "Good. We Qi Society Bureau take this case. Gather all men—we return to the office to report the case to the Master of Discipline."

"Yes, my lord!"

In the Nancheng Patrol Duty Room, fifty or sixty men swiftly prepared.

Xu Yuan was no Zheng Hong—his men brought swords and firelocks fully armed.

Before leaving, Xu Yuan called Yu Yunhang: "Go to San Niang Hui…"

……

Half an hour later, the Nancheng Patrol Duty Room contingent stormed to the gates of Zhancheng Office.

In the open ground outside the gate, Shanhe Bureau had erected a funeral altar!

White banners fluttered all around, each bearing a massive character: "Injustice."

Fu Shuanghui's spirit tablet stood dead center on the altar, before it an incense burner, candles, and a firepot.

It was thick with smoke and fumes.

Zheng Hong divided his men into three groups, each about thirty strong, blocking the entrance to the Cleansing Office's Zhan City branch, shouting insults nonstop.

They would be replaced by another group after an hour.

As for Zheng Hong himself, after turning He Youxing away in the morning, he sat comfortably in the shade of the funeral hall.

His men had already prepared a folding chair for him.

There was even tea, fruits, and melons.

White cloth was draped all around, so the Cleansing Office could not see what was happening inside.

Zheng Hong now sat with one leg crossed over the other, swaying lazily.

The Shanhe Office had originally come expecting to be beaten senseless.

But they never expected He Youxing dared not lift a hand!

If the Cleansing Office moved, Zheng Hong would smash Fu Shuanghui's spirit tablet on the ground.

Even without reason, the Shanhe Office could still claim three points of advantage.

But now that Zheng Hong had seen through He Youxing's weakness, he grew even more brazen—blocking the Cleansing Office's very entrance with the funeral hall!

Everyone in Zhan City was watching!

This group of Shanhe Office captains, gathered around the funeral hall, were loudly berating the Cleansing Office's main gate:

"Xu Yuan consorted with evil spirits and killed our Chief of Discipline!"

"Our Chief of Discipline devoted himself entirely to public duty, sacrificed his life for the state, and his body was never recovered—what injustice!"

"Hand over Xu Yuan, that madman!"

"Make him kowtow three times before our Chief of Discipline's spirit tablet, then flay him alive!"

"Hand over Xu Yuan!"

The two vermilion gates of the Cleansing Office's Zhan City branch were tightly shut.

Two squads of captains guarded the door from within.

Four wooden pillars, as thick as sea bowls, propped the gates shut.

Everyone felt profound humiliation, but the Chief of Discipline had ordered: endure!

Do not provoke any incident.

There were five more squads inside the branch.

Aside from Wan Yun's squad, the other four were under Shi Bading and Sang Yizi.

Two squads guarded the main gate; the other two patrolled the compound nonstop.

To prevent Shanhe Office men from scaling walls and breaking in from elsewhere.

At this moment, He Youxing did not trust Wan Yun's squad—they were the only ones allowed to rest.

Shi Bading and Sang Yizi secretly advised the Chief of Discipline: Shanhe Office is bluffing—they dare not storm in.

They aren't even carrying weapons.

But He Youxing refused to believe them, saying, "Better safe than sorry," and insisted his men remain on strict guard.

Since morning, Shanhe Office's shouting had made the entire Cleansing Office feel as if they'd swallowed excrement.

As the shouting grew fiercer, the Nancheng patrol station stormed over with furious intent.

A Shanhe Office inspector stretched his neck, recognized Xu Yuan at the front of the group, and shouted: "The murderer has arrived!"

(End of Chapter)