Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

News of the incident at the city gate spread rapidly.

When the garrison commander and the county magistrate arrived together, they only saw the yamen runners and soldiers kneeling on the ground.

The ordinary people and passing merchants who used to look at them like tigers now stood quietly on the sidelines, some even with expectant and mocking expressions.

Their hearts skipped a beat. Without time to observe closely, the two hurried forward and knelt before the woman in Hu clothing who sat before the desk, saying:

"This humble servant, Liu Dahai, pays his respects to the Princess."

"Your humble servant Feng Jin greets the Princess."

There was no response; the scene was very quiet.

The two could only hear the whistling wind in their ears, and cold sweat began to bead on their foreheads.

A clear and aloof voice rang out.

"When I was young, I accompanied the Crown Prince and several of my elder brothers to study in the Imperial Study for a few days. At that time, I often heard the teachers say that all officials should first be loyal to the country and share the emperor's worries, and secondly bring benefits to the people of their region and maintain local peace."

Do you two gentlemen agree with this?

Upon hearing this, the garrison commander and the county magistrate knew that the princess was questioning them, and thus they all showed expressions of shame.

"One of you, sir, serves as a garrison commander, bearing the responsibility of protecting the local area, while the other is the official who serves as the parent of the people of this place."

If any extortion or plunder occurs here, or if someone abuses their power to oppress the people, should you two act as their support, rightfully standing up for them and upholding justice, or should you turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, or perhaps even line your own pockets and aid and abet the evildoers?

In an era dominated by the imperial examination system, most officials were educated by sages. How many of them didn't initially harbor thoughts of serving the country and its people, or even achieving lasting fame in history?

Now, hearing the young princess rebuke them to their faces, the garrison commander and the county magistrate, in a daze, recalled their own youthful ambitions when they had not yet achieved their goals, and felt even more ashamed.

fo

He wanted to argue, but facing the weathered, calm, and insightful princess of the court, it seemed that all his sophistry would be exposed.

Glancing again at the gaunt, ugly man beside them, nearly fainting beneath a sharp sword, their hearts filled with fear once more.

They exchanged glances and bowed, saying, "We know our crimes and beg the princess for punishment."

If facing a superior to interrogate him, perhaps there's still a chance to negotiate. But facing a princess, especially with a renowned, cold-faced killer standing beside her, arguing or provoking him would be foolish.

Admitting your mistake decisively will appease the person in charge, and they may then be less inclined to retaliate. This is the wise approach.

Sure enough, seeing that the two of them did not try to argue, the princess seemed to have no reason to continue to reprimand them.

She paused, then waved her hand and said, "Never mind, I am just a woman, it is not appropriate for me to ask about local matters."

However, when General Jia left the capital, his father, the Emperor, entrusted him with the important task of imperial envoy and bestowed upon him the imperial sword. Wherever he went, he could execute any civil or military official below the third rank without prior approval.

Therefore, let General Jia decide this matter.

As she spoke, Princess Zhaoyang glanced at Jia Lian, her eyes flickering slightly.

Jia Lian was inwardly impressed, never expecting that Princess Zhaoyang's first time presiding over a court session would be so impressive.

Seeing her suddenly throw the ball at him and raise an eyebrow, he found it amusing but didn't show it, instead looking at the garrison commander and the magistrate.

Compared to when facing Princess Zhaoyang, the two guards were noticeably more humble and cautious when facing Jia Lian.

Indeed, a princess may be noble, but that's all she is—noble.

Jia Lian is different. As an imperial envoy sent out of the capital, he is not only noble but also powerful. Moreover, even from rumors, it is clear that although Jia Lian is young, he will not hesitate to kill.

If she fell into the princess's hands, she would probably be scolded. But if she offended Jia Lian, she might lose her life in an instant.

In addition, the two of them already knew what had happened at the city gate on their way here, and had already thought of some words that would be most advantageous to themselves.

Therefore, when faced with Jia Lian's interrogation, he quickly told the whole story.

It is true that the military governor's office received the imperial order to prepare for war, and it is also true that the military governor's office arranged for people to collect military supplies and provisions from various places, and ordered the local areas to cooperate.

However, it is clear that the military governor's decree did not intend for his subordinates to plunder everywhere.

However, he was only the younger brother of his concubine. Relying on his nepotism with the military governor, he finally managed to get a job. After arriving in the local area, he was flattered by the officials, so he became greedy and acted increasingly eccentrically and plunderingly.

Especially when they saw the countless riches in the Xue family's caravan, they were tempted to take advantage of them. That's why they disregarded government orders and forcibly seized the goods even though the Xue family had clearly paid border taxes.

"According to what you all say, this person has committed such a grave crime, how should he be punished?"

Jia Lian pointed at the gaunt man and asked.

Jia Lian was not afraid of offending the military governor's office, but he dared not offend the garrison commander and the county magistrate, so he simply said, "Please let the Imperial Envoy decide."

"Since that's the case, then give him forty strokes of the cane and break one of his legs."

"this……"

The garrison commander and the county magistrate were startled, but dared not disobey Jia Lian's wishes. They considered letting the matter drop and figuring out a solution when they returned to their offices.

"Will you proceed with the execution myself?"

Under Jia Lian's cold, piercing gaze, the magistrate had no choice but to get up and arrange for the execution.

Upon seeing this, the gaunt man shouted loudly, uttering many threatening words. Jia Lian, of course, paid no attention to this, but the two county magistrates, fearing that the gaunt man would say something detrimental to them, disregarded their "affection" in their haste and ordered their men to gag him before beginning the torture without any mercy.

Even when it came to the final punishment of having his leg broken, after glancing at Jia Lian to make sure he wasn't joking, he dared not utter a word of complaint.

The man was pressed onto the torture bench, one leg placed on another bench with his knee pointing upwards. In the emaciated man's despair, the executioner raised his heavy rod and brought it down hard.

A scream rang out, and some of the onlookers turned their heads away in pain.

But many more people erupted in thunderous cheers!

This is also why Jia Lian interrogated and executed people in public.

Because he knew that if the normal procedure was followed, the emaciated man would be thrown into the county jail, and he would probably be released as soon as he left the place.

What he wanted was this kind of punishment of evildoers that the people could see with their own eyes, without any pretense.

Only in this way can we make an example of one to deter others and appease the people.

As for the garrison commander and others, he certainly knew that they were not as unaware as they claimed.

For Jia Lian, it wouldn't be difficult to investigate them thoroughly or even remove them from their posts.

However, as an imperial envoy, he was, after all, a messenger escorting a bride, not an inspector. Strictly speaking, he shouldn't have interfered in local government affairs.

Moreover, he and Princess Zhaoyang were passing through this area without any trusted confidants. Even to prevent corrupt officials from resorting to desperate measures, he would not show any ruthlessness towards them at this time.

Even though he knew the chances of these people resorting to desperate measures were extremely low, there was no need to test them.

Since this is the territory of Princess Zhaoyang's maternal uncle, if such a thing as oppressing the people has occurred, with such a bad and far-reaching impact, and if the military governor's office was unaware of it, it would surely handle the matter properly on its own. Whether the garrison commander and others are killed or demoted would be decided by the military governor's office.

If the military governor's office knew beforehand, or if they intentionally condoned it...

Therefore, it can be concluded that this Marquis Yangwu, Bai Qi, is not a capable person, and he will not be able to hold onto the position of Military Governor of Anxi sooner or later. In that case, even if he is Princess Zhaoyang's uncle, there is no need for him to associate with her in the future.

In any case, these insignificant minor officials are none of his business.

The guards ordered the emaciated man to be sent away, and the two guards rushed forward, vying to take Princess Zhaoyang and Jia Lian to their territory for lodging.

Jia Lian did not want to get entangled with the two men any further and planned to rest briefly in the city before returning to Ganning Pass.

Are there any decent inns in the city?

"Yes, Your Excellency, there is an inn in the city called 'Kunyu Pavilion,' which is quite elegant..."

Jia Lian glanced at Princess Zhaoyang, and seeing that she had no intention of objecting, he made the decision. Then he looked at the Xue family members waiting in the distance and walked over.

The three members of the Xue family, including their servants, shop assistants, and hired bodyguards, had been in a state of shock ever since Jia Lian and his companion revealed their identities, and they remained stunned for a long time.

"I see that Uncle is not feeling well. Why don't you come with us to the inn and have two skilled doctors take a look at you as soon as possible?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian address the second master of the Xue family as "uncle," the two county magistrates were filled with inward regret. They should have known better than to provoke a centuries-old clan like the Xue family, for their roots were deep and their connections intricate!

Unfortunately, greed clouded his judgment, and he went too far with his greed.

But who could have predicted that the Xue family and the Jia family were old friends, and that Jia Lian would happen to be here?

Without a second thought, the magistrate immediately ordered his men, "Quickly fetch the best doctor in town to treat Master Xue!"

"No, no... Nephew... No, Your Excellency is too kind."

My illness is nothing serious, and I dare not trouble the princess and the lord…”

Even the second master of the Xue family, a man of considerable experience, never imagined such a serendipitous event could occur. He was even more astonished that someone as distinguished as Jia Lian would treat him with such courtesy!

Although the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families were the four great families of Jinling, they had always been closely connected.

However, as the second branch of the Xue family, after separating from the eldest branch, they were essentially ordinary people. If the Jia family were to acknowledge anyone, it should be the direct line of the eldest branch.

In short, he felt a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"It's alright."

Jia Lian waved his hand, giving the Xue family no chance to refuse. He glanced down at the Xue siblings who were secretly observing him, and smiled, "Didn't expect to see you again, did you?"

The eldest son of the Xue family was shocked by the power that Jia Lian had previously displayed, and at this moment he couldn't help but lower his head.

The youngest daughter of the Xue family, perhaps seeing Jia Lian's bright smile, wasn't particularly afraid. Hearing his question, she opened her bright eyes and said in a clear voice, "Then...big brother, are you really the imperial envoy? Is he the General Jia the storyteller mentioned in the teahouse?"

Jia Lian was charmed by her shocked yet beautiful gaze, and involuntarily raised his hands, pretending to ask, "What, doesn't it look like it?"

"Qin'er, you mustn't be rude to adults..."

The second master of the Xue family was worried that his young daughter might offend Jia Lian because of her ignorance, so he quickly stopped her.

Upon seeing this, the girl stuck out her tongue slightly, seemingly terrified of her father's authority, and shrank back, not daring to speak again.

"Hehe, it's alright."

After casually inquiring about the second master of the Xue family's illness, Jia Lian said to the Xue siblings, "Alright, help your father into the carriage, let's go into the city."

"yes…"

It wasn't until Jia Lian and his group had been inside the city for quite some time that the crowd at the city gate gradually dispersed.

However, a gossipy desire that had been brewing in their hearts, which they had previously dared not speak of, had already begun to boil over!

"My God, I'm not dreaming. Was that imperial envoy really Jia Lian? The legendary, unparalleled General Jia?"

And the princess...

"I never imagined that I, Li Liangshan, would have the honor of seeing the princess's golden face in my lifetime. If it's true, even dying would be worthwhile!"

"Of course it's true! Didn't you see those officials kneeling on the ground before?!"

However, it must be said that the rumors were true. The imperial envoy, General Jia, was indeed handsome and elegant, and full of integrity and uprightness. He was truly a hero of our time.

And Her Highness the Princess is just as rumored…”

"Yes, yes, but I didn't expect them to suddenly appear here, and they're even wearing... Hu people's clothes?"

"Hmm...I understand!"

Didn't they say that the princess was kidnapped by the enemy on her way to a marriage alliance, and then General Jia infiltrated the enemy camp alone to rescue her?

Judging from General Jia and his entourage's travel-worn appearance and attire, they might have just returned from the desert! It seems the rumors were wrong; General Jia and the princess hadn't actually escaped danger before, but had been trapped in the desert until now!

So, we witnessed General Jia rescuing the princess with our own eyes, didn't we? I'm so excited, I can't even speak..."

Hearing the astonished discussions around him, the tea shop owner, who had abandoned his tea shop to come and see what was going on, slapped himself several times!

He has confirmed that the young man who rested in his teahouse and pawned his jade pendant because he had no change was the protagonist of the story he had been telling these past few days, the imperial envoy Jia Lian.

"What heartless thing have I done? The princess and General Jia coming to my teahouse is a great honor for me. Instead of treating them well, I forced General Jia to pawn his beloved possessions to pay for the tea. I..."

After a moment of regret, he suddenly had a brilliant idea.

People love to hear stories of heroes and beauties, which is why he kept up with the times and told stories of Jia Lian in his own teahouse.

His materials were all collected and organized from the conversations of visiting merchants.

But right now, fresh and readily available materials are right in front of us, aren't they?

A general and a princess descend from the heavens to punish evil and uphold justice!

One can imagine that if today's events were compiled into a book and told in one's own teahouse, it would surely elicit gasps and cheers from everyone.

We might even speculate further: why did the princess and the general suddenly appear here? It's because after General Jia single-handedly rescued his lord, he didn't actually return safely to Ganning Pass. Instead, he fought the enemy in the desert, enduring countless life-threatening situations before finally making his way back to his homeland...

This section alone could be used to create several wonderful chapter titles!

Thinking of this, the shopkeeper slapped his thigh and immediately ran to the teahouse to prepare for compiling the book. He was afraid that if he was even a step too late, someone else would seize the opportunity...

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