Chapter 176: Guest Appearance in the Interrogation

In the next moment, a flash of cold light shot up, accompanied by a spray of blood.

Chen Xingyuan grabbed the falling head of Zhang Mingyuan with one hand, lifted it high, and shouted loudly, "The rebel chief has been executed; why don't you all surrender?"

Qin Zhanhong:!!

Chen Wuji:???

Everyone: ……

Everyone was dumbfounded.

This sudden scene came too abruptly.

It happened so suddenly that no one had time to react, not even Zhang Mingyuan's guards.

Chen Xingyuan was the one Zhang Mingyuan had personally summoned to speak with him; they thought he was someone important valued by their master, so as Zhang Mingyuan walked forward, they didn't stop Chen Xingyuan from following.

Qin Zhanhong quickly came to his senses, decisively shouting, "Zhang Mingyuan has rebelled and harbors treasonous intent; do you also want to die with him? Hurry, dismount and surrender."

The Zhang family's private troops, having lost their backbone, still hesitated, though their eyes showed a hint of panic.

Chen Xingyuan gave a cold snort: "Rebelling against the court, you should know the consequences! Now turning from darkness to light is still possible; think of your wives and children—don't throw away your lives over this foolish loyalty. Treason entails execution of the nine clans; even your ancestors' graves will be leveled."

Finally, someone dismounted.

After the first one, the Zhang family's private troops quickly fell to their knees like dominoes.

The Imperial City Department's personnel swiftly confiscated their weapons and drove them all together under guard.

They captured Zhang Mingyuan without bloodshed, unfortunately he was already dead.

Qin Zhanhong rubbed his temples with a headache, glanced sideways at Chen Wuji, and asked, "Are all members of your Chen family this reckless?"

"He's reckless, but I'm not!" Chen Wuji corrected, "This is just an isolated case."

Qin Zhanhong let out a light hum, "You're still not reckless? If it weren't for my pure-hearted nature, you'd have died eight hundred times by now—quickly think of a solution; how should we handle this now? My mind is in turmoil."

Chen Wuji: ……

Is he reckless?

Which of his actions isn't taken after careful planning?

Including when he was by the mountain pool—he just couldn't bring himself to strike at the end.

"What else can we do? Quickly surround the Zhang residence, seize key figures, launch a surprise interrogation, and obtain human and material evidence. Then truthfully report to the throne: Zhang Mingyuan led three hundred private troops, immediately opposed the Imperial City Department, intending to kill the emperor's envoy; you forced me to imply that the county magistrate's Chen chief, who understands righteousness, captured the rebel leader first." Chen Wuji said.

What else can be done about this?

Nothing left!

I never expected Chen Xingyuan to actually snag tonight's MVP.

He, the linker of all these events, actually became a full-fledged support.

Qin Zhanhong gave Chen Wuji a deep look, "My manpower is limited; I need you to temporarily act as an Imperial City Department investigator to help me, and I'll have Duan Yingxiong, that oaf, cooperate with you."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Any benefits?"

"After this is over, I can stay indoors for three days—will that do?" Qin Zhanhong leaned close to Chen Wuji's ear, gritting his teeth, "I saved your life without asking for anything, yet you dare to demand terms."

"Oh right, then I'll stay indoors for three days." Chen Wuji said, "The benefit you mention isn't a benefit—it's public revenge, you want to get rid of me. But this benefit of mine should count as a benefit."

"Don't slander me!" Qin Zhanhong let out a light hum, then abruptly changed tone, "Remember this: I decide the timing—you stay indoors for three days."

Chen Wuji: ……

You're really doing this?

It's over; might as well let them kill me.

A flicker of a smile crossed Qin Zhanhong's lips before he quickly returned to his cold, ruthless demeanor and began assigning personnel.

She assigned several investigators from the Imperial City Department and a dozen or so constables from the county office to control the Zhang family's private troops.

The remaining personnel swiftly changed direction and charged straight at the Zhang residence.

When Zhang Mingyuan went out, he took a large number of private troops with him; thanks to the absolute superiority in forces, controlling the Zhang residence turned out to be surprisingly easy.

The Zhang family, young and old, were dragged out of their beds and packed tightly into a courtyard.

Qin Zhanhong took charge of the key interrogations of the Zhang family's principal figures.

And this little sprite's task for Chen Wuji was to go through the remaining people, young and old, one by one, to learn exactly what they had done and what they knew.

"Alright, you two, get to work." Chen Wuji said to the two attendants on either side.

Chen Xingyuan and Duan Yingxiong were responsible for assisting Chen Wuji and coordinating.

Chen Wuji took his seat in the Chen family's main hall, placing a Great Horse Golden Blade, presenting a rather cold demeanor.

He also got to experience what it feels like to be an official today.

A gorgeous lady was brought in first.

"Time is pressing; we have no patience for pleasantries—I ask, you answer. If you don't tell the truth or conceal information, you won't get a chance to change your story; execution will be carried out on the spot." Chen Wuji said in a low voice.

The noble beauty on the hall trembled all over, repeatedly saying, "Sir, I'll speak, I'll speak!"

They had all just seen the head of their own master.

Even the officials appointed by the court had been cut down on the spot; the lady dared not gamble.

"Name." Chen Wuji formally began.

"Zhang Guanshi, the legitimate wife of Zhang Mingyuan, ancestral home in Hexi of the Guan clan."

Zhang Guanshi wanted to boost her confidence using her maiden name, but she didn't know that Chen Wuji had no idea where the Hexi Guan clan was located.

"How much do you know about Zhang Mingyuan's affairs?" Chen Wuji continued asking.

"The master usually doesn't discuss these matters with wives and concubines; family business is handled by the elders and such, I only manage household expenses, and occasionally I see other ladies and concubines, chatting about trivial things." Zhang Guanshi, fearing Chen Wuji wouldn't believe her, spoke in great detail.

"How much are the monthly expenses?"

"Five hundred taels each of gold and silver."

Chen Wuji was stunned by that number.

Really fucking overbearing.

He's worked himself to death for so long, yet he still hasn't managed to earn even one month's living expenses.

Really shameful for a time traveler!

"Where exactly is it to be used?" Chen Wuji asked next.

"The expenses of each courtyard in the residence, the servants' expenditures, and also some shopkeepers' and servants' expenditures."

"Do we need to use that much?"

"Yes, the Zhang Residence employs over six hundred servants."

"Who usually comes to visit you?"

"Do you need to say that when you're in the capital?"

"Speak!"

"Then there are many more; my master has excellent connections at court and is on good terms with many officials."

"It's fine, take your time to speak."

Zhang Guanshi had no choice but to start recalling forcibly.

This list is so long that the Imperial City Department's recorder is about to wear his pen down to sparks, and he can't figure out why the temporarily assigned investigator is asking these questions.

After recording for nearly half an hour, Zhang Guanshi finally finished recounting those who had come to visit her and their backgrounds.

"Among those who came to visit you, there aren't any Southwestern Barbarians?" Chen Wuji suddenly asked.