The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1742 Three-inch nails, bark of a tree?
Northern Song Dynasty, Qinghe County

The dejected group returned to the yamen.
Sitting in his chair, Liu, looking slightly tired, said, "This is troublesome. I'm afraid we're in for a lot of trouble!"

Seeing Liu's expression, Zhang Cheng said softly, "Squad leader, things aren't as bad as you think!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with suspicion, Liu Bantou said in astonishment, "What do you know at such a young age? If we can't solve such a major case involving the Han family, the magistrate won't let me off the hook!"

"The Han family won't even let you see the coroner! They obviously know something. If you go to investigate and find something, do you think that would cause even bigger trouble!"

Zhang Cheng looked at Liu Bantou with a broad smile, his expression carrying a deeper meaning.
Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Liu Bantou was momentarily stunned.
Indeed, after Master Han's incident, the local government didn't receive a case; it was the county magistrate who, upon learning of it, ordered them to investigate.

The problem is, the Han family didn't send a coroner, and they didn't even notify the government. So how did Master Han get "poisoned"?

Zhang Cheng initially thought there was something wrong with Master Han's death, but after seeing the butler's gloomy reprimand, he realized that the Han family didn't want to investigate; they just didn't want to lose face!

After leaving the yamen, Old Wu pulled Zhang Cheng aside and asked, "How do you think Master Han died?"

Zhang Cheng glanced at Old Man Wu and smiled, saying, "If they don't allow us to investigate, and we rush in, we'll offend them!"

"Wait, why the county magistrate?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Old Man Wu subconsciously spoke.
"Our county magistrate wants to curry favor with the Han family, but is it possible that he's gotten himself into trouble?"

Zhang Cheng smiled as he spoke to Old Man Wu.

Judging from the Han family's situation today, they clearly do not welcome government officials investigating the case.
Moreover, the passing of his elderly father meant there was another matter at hand: the high-ranking official in the Han family was going into mourning!

Holding the worst possible view, Zhang Cheng felt that this might be a conspiracy.
Since the patriarch of the Han family has passed away and a high-ranking member of the Han family is in mourning, whoever benefits from this situation is the culprit!

"Tsk tsk tsk, these days, people who can become officials really have guts! They actually resort to this kind of trick!"

With a smile, Zhang Cheng walked towards home.
Because if he were an official, he would definitely use this tactic to deal with his rivals.

After all, the rule in officialdom is that you can't assassinate someone, but it doesn't say you can't assassinate your parents!
After three years of mourning, even if one were to be reinstated, one would have to wait for a new position!

But what if there are no more positions available? Then you can just hold a nominal position and collect a salary!

Of course, these are all Zhang Cheng's guesses. It's also possible that Master Han died of a stroke, which would be too embarrassing. It can only be said that he was poisoned!
The origins of the "three redundancies" in the Northern Song Dynasty can be attributed to several factors. Besides the Zhao family's practice of paying high salaries to maintain integrity, various systemic flaws also contributed.

After all, following the chaos caused by military officials, the Zhao family wanted to control the military with civil officials, but they forgot one thing: while civil officials can govern the country, not all civil officials can fight a war!

When discussing this issue, one cannot help but mention the legendary Lianghe charioteer.
After all, his actions were even more outrageous than those of the "Island Raiders" known as the "Transportation Captain"!
Others play micro-management, but Zhao Er plays military maps!
Because no matter how the enemy attacks, you must use Zhao Er's battle formation diagram to set up your formation. If you win, it's Zhao Er's credit, but if you lose, it must be because you, as the general, are incompetent!

The problem is, when it comes to military campaigns, there are no fixed formations.
If we really fought according to his plan, let alone the military merits of the founding lineage, even if it were Lu from next door, they would be beaten so badly that they would have their hands in their pockets and dare not fight back!
In the era of fire-breathing lances, you could play the game of firing squads, but this was ancient times. When marching and fighting, formations were very important. The enemy was the Liao Dynasty. At its peak, the entire Mongolian region was their territory, with a cavalry force of up to 200,000. Under special circumstances, they could even swell their army to 700,000!
Just imagine the overwhelming cavalry charging towards us, and you'll know what the word "despair" truly means!

Therefore, military officers in the Song Dynasty wouldn't even serve as dogs!
Putting the Han family's affairs out of his mind, Zhang Cheng's main focus was on eating and drinking as usual, and going out to "sing" whenever he had free time!
"Cheng-ge'er, it's time to leave the office!"

A familiar shout rang out, and a short man came swaying as he carried a huge shoulder pole.

Looking at the other person, Zhang Cheng was immediately taken aback and said, "Wuhan University?"

"It's me! Don't you recognize me?"

Smiling broadly at Zhang Cheng, Wu Dalang put down his carrying pole and said, "Have a piece of cake!"

Zhang Cheng, his lips twitching, stared at Wu Dalang and gasped in shock.

Yes, this is Qinghe County. Wu Dalang is here? Doesn't that mean that Wu Song, the demon lord who descended from heaven and the tyrant of the mortal world, is also here?
Thinking about his mission, Zhang Cheng finally understood: "Unpredictable constellations" referred to the 108 stars! *Snap!*

Slapping his forehead, Zhang Cheng exclaimed, "So that's how it is!"

"Cheng-ge'er, what's wrong?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng curiously, Wu Dalang, holding the sesame seed cake in his hand, couldn't help but ask,

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something!"

As he spoke, Zhang Cheng took out the copper coins from his pocket and handed them to Wu Dalang, saying, "Thank you, I'm hungry too!"

"No, this won't do! You've taken such good care of me in the past, how can I take your money!"

Seeing Zhang Cheng offer him money, Wu Dalang quickly refused.

Hearing Wu Dalang's words, Zhang Cheng laughed and said, "Do we need to be so polite? Take it, you don't earn money easily!"

After saying that, Zhang Cheng immediately asked, "By the way, Wu Da, are you married yet?"

"Hey, you know about this too! It's all because of that Master Zhang who betrothed my maid to me!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a big smile, Wu Dalang immediately became happy.
For someone like him to be able to marry such a beautiful wife is truly fortunate!
Upon hearing Wu Dalang's words, Zhang Cheng hesitated for a long time.

Because he married Pan Jinlian, doesn't that mean something bad is going to happen next?

Everyone laughs at Li Kui for losing his mother, but who dares to laugh at Wu Song for losing his brother!
If Wu Dalang were still alive, you could call him Three-Inch Nail or Tree Bark, and no one would argue with you. But if he were gone, everyone would have to call him Demon-Suppressing Nail!

In the Liangshan Hall of Righteousness, when Wu Song stepped forward, who dared to speak?

Putting aside how formidable the Erlongshan Group was, just look at Wu Song's land combat skills. If the gate were closed, everyone would be in a life-or-death situation!

Therefore, Wu Dalang truly is the only key to sealing away the Tai Sui of the human world.

"Congratulations!"

Zhang Cheng bowed to Wu Dalang in front of him, but he couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

If he hadn't married Pan Jinlian, he would have had a way to deal with it, but now that he's married her, what can he do? He can't exactly steal her away, can he?
Zhang Cheng's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but smile. Yes, he could steal it!

After saying goodbye to Wu Dalang, Zhang Cheng ate a sesame seed cake as he returned home.

Looking at the fairly large courtyard, Zhang Cheng began to clean it.
Because tonight, Zhang is going to be a master thief!
Uncle Li: Didn't you look down on us craftsmen the most?

Zhang Cheng: Can stealing someone be called stealing?
Wu Dalang: Cheng Ge'er, don't you want to listen to what you're saying?
In the dead of night, Zhang Cheng, his face covered, quietly climbed over the wall, and said wearily, "Damn it, even being a thief is exhausting until the transmission is finished."

However, right after Zhang Cheng finished speaking, he froze on the spot and said, "Wait, why would I climb over my own wall? I can just open the door and walk out!"

"Paji!"

After jumping, Zhang Cheng held his breath for a second, broke out in a cold sweat, and then staggered home because he had sprained his ankle!

(End of this chapter)