Chapter 587: They Eat Imperial Grain

"As the old saying goes, 'When beating a dog, you must consider its owner.' Cui Ji, that brute, is dead, but his master is still alive…"

Gu Liangong spoke instinctively; before he could finish his words, he snapped back, glanced at Zhuo Tie, let out a slight sigh, and said:

"Indeed, you have no ties with Kumu Daozhang, so Kumu Daozhang's life or death is not within your concern.

You only care that Kumu Daozhang slew that brute Cui Ji, and you could never care that the Zhu Clan's eldest son defended that brute.

Even if Kumu Daozhang—or even Le Zhuang—were killed by the Zhu Clan's eldest son, you still wouldn't care!"

Zhuo Tie dislikes that attitude. He and Xuanqing Daozhang are of the same age; Xuanqing Daozhang has lived in Liangshui Town for many years, but because of his parents, he hasn't really dealt with Xuanqing Daozhang.

He has no feelings toward Xuanqing Daozhang, yet at this moment he still worries about Xuanqing Daozhang's safety.

After all.

Xuanqing Daozhang was the one who eliminated a great scourge from Liangshui Town!

He eradicated that brute Cui Ji.

If possible, he would even make a longevity plaque for Xuanqing Daozhang to keep at home as an Imperial Attendant, so how could he not worry about Xuanqing Daozhang's safety?

He is dissatisfied with Zhuo Tie's attitude, but also understands that people like Zhuo Tie are mostly just sweeping snow in front of their own doors, and that being the first to rush to Le Family to spread the news when Cui Ji suddenly appeared already surpasses most people; he feels embarrassed to criticize Zhuo Tie too much.

Not to mention, no matter how much Zhuo Tie worries about Xuanqing Daozhang's safety, he is just an ordinary commoner; even if he wants to help Xuanqing Daozhang, he can't do any help at all, and not causing trouble for Xuanqing Daozhang is already quite good.

Zhuo Tie gave an awkward smile, wanting to argue a few words, but the words stuck at his lips and he couldn't utter them. Since Gu Liangong's words were true, he found no reason to defend himself, and he had no need to lie before Gu Liangong, so he said earnestly:

"Gu Shu, telling me this is useless. Why don't you go talk to Kumu Daozhang and have him get Le Zhuang to leave Liangshui Town as soon as possible—no, better to leave Xiang Xian.

If there's no travel money, we can chip in. It's a big trouble; we can't help much, but contributing a bit of travel money, I believe we can manage!"

"You're right; this matter does need to be discussed with Kumu Daozhang!"

Gu Liangong stood up, preparing to walk toward Xuanqing Daozhang. He didn't know whether, before or after Xuanqing Daozhang slew Cui Ji and the Zhu Clan's eldest son's bodyguards, Xuanqing Daozhang would think that the Zhu Clan's eldest son might retaliate; regardless of whether he thought of it, he had to remind him that any help, however small, should be offered.

Perhaps he could even give Xuanqing Daozhang a suggestion!

As soon as he stepped out of the main hall, heading toward Xuanqing Daozhang, he saw Xuanqing Daozhang suddenly shout, startling the few constables who were sneaking away, and with a trembling voice said:

"Sir Kumu Daozhang, you wouldn't intend to kill these three constables who reported the news, would you?"

"Gu Shu, think about it: Kumu Daozhang dares to kill even the Zhu Clan's eldest son's bodyguards; killing a few petty constables is nothing."

Zhuo Tie, staying beside Gu Liangong, prepared to show his face before Xuanqing Daozhang, and hearing Gu Liangong's words, said indifferently:

"If you ask me, they deserve to die; they dared to sneak in and report, calling Cui Ji over—if they don't die, who will?"

"What do you know?"

Gu Liangong glared, seeing Zhuo Tie's dissatisfied face, clearly not understanding his meaning, explained:

"These petty constables are insignificant, but they are officials of the yamen, they eat imperial grain, representing the Great Xia Court.

If Kumu Daozhang truly dares to kill them, it would easily draw a wanted order from the court; doing so makes him an enemy of the court!"

Of course.

The three constables before them are merely minor Liangshui Town constables; they do eat imperial grain, but they're not notable figures and won't be listed by the Great Xia Court.

Killing them might not bring a wanted order upon Xuanqing Daozhang, but if the Zhu Clan intervenes, they could easily use this incident to pit Xuanqing Daozhang against the Great Xia Court, leading to a wanted order. If someone in the court takes an interest in Xuanqing Daozhang, even if he flees with Le Zhuang to the ends of the earth, it would still be a dead end.

However.

The probability is low; at most it stays within the Zhu Clan's influence, becoming a county‑wide or even prefecture‑wide wanted case, hard to rise to the whole province or nation, since manpower and resources are limited and cannot be wasted casually.

But.

As the old saying goes: not afraid of ten thousand, only afraid of that one chance!

Just…

This matter need not be told to Zhuo Tie; even if told, it would be useless!

Zhuo Tie hurriedly said, "Gu Shu, since it's like this, why don't you go persuade Kumu Daozhang!"

"Kumu Daozhang…"

Hearing Zhuo Tie's words, Gu Liangong also snapped to attention, stepped forward briskly, and as soon as he spoke, he heard Xuanqing Daozhang command the three constables kneeling before him, begging for mercy:

"These scraps are all caused by you; you must clean up these scraps' corpses thoroughly, no problem, right?"

"No problem, no problem, Daozhang, absolutely no problem!"

This novel you…

The three younger brothers of Chi Yongchun were still worried; Xuanqing Daozhang, eyes reddened, called them, intending to hold them accountable for running to the county seat and summoning Cui Ji's party, causing them deep dread, fearing Xuanqing Daozhang would take their lives.

They hadn't thought of fleeing, but a stray glance at the pool of bloody corpses on the ground made their legs give way; Xuanqing Daozhang's voice sounded like the Yama King's summons, leaving them unable to muster any strength, forcing them to kneel before Xuanqing Daozhang instantly, stripped of any constable dignity.

Kneel and beg for mercy!

Never expected.

Xuanqing Daozhang called them to hold them accountable for running to the county seat and summoning Cui Ji's party, but he didn't go berserk and demand their lives; instead he ordered them to clean the courtyard of corpses.

Xuanqing Daozhang scolded, "Since there's no problem, then hurry up and start."

"Right now, we start, right now!"

The three younger brothers of Chi Yongchun dared not utter any idle words, rushed to their feet, and immediately began clearing the courtyard corpses, even though neighbors were watching for fun, they did not call them to help.

Xuanqing Daozhang watched the three younger brothers of Chi Yongchun swiftly clearing the courtyard corpses, nodded with satisfaction, turned his head toward the approaching Gu Liangong and Zhuo Tie, and said:

"Gu Liangong, what do you call me for?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

Gu Liangong let out a snort of laughter; he suddenly called out to Xuanqing Daozhang to remind him that he must not kill Chi Yongchun's younger brothers, at least not in front of the public; after all, they are constables, and when Xuanqing Daozhang called them, it was only to have them clean the courtyard corpses. Relieved, he changed the subject, saying:

"Kumu Daozhang, Le Wenmao's funeral is over; are you going to take Xiao Zhuang away from Liangshui Town?"

(End of Chapter)