Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

Zhang Sanlang glanced at him and simply said, "Follow me."

Qian Laohei followed behind, and Lu San, leaning on a cane, walked at the very back. The three of them walked slowly down the alley, one in front and two behind, without saying a word.

The sound of the clapper rang out again. This time it was closer, as if it were coming from the next street.

Zhang Sanlang stopped and listened intently.

Soon, footsteps came from the street, a lantern swayed at the alley entrance, and the flame flickered inside the paper cover, illuminating several figures.

Leading the procession was Wu Yan, a short stick tucked into his waistband and a lantern in his hand. Old Liu followed behind him, two familiar archers walked in the middle, and Xiao Zhao trailed at the back, yawning.

Wu Yan saw Zhang Sanlang and paused for a moment, then noticed Qian Laohei and Lv San behind Zhang Sanlang, and his expression immediately changed. He placed his hand on the short stick at his waist, took a step forward, and said, "Sanlang, you've been... by them..."

Zhang Sanlang patted his hand. "Brother Wu, don't panic. I brought them. They need to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yan carefully examined the two men before releasing his grip. Qian Laohei lowered his head, not daring to look at him. Donkey San stood against the wall, propping his stick on the ground.

He pulled Zhang Sanlang aside and lowered his voice, "What exactly happened?"

In a few words, Zhang Sanlang recounted how Donkey Sanye broke into the old house three nights ago, and what Qian Laohei wanted to ask for.

After listening, Wu Yan frowned, remained silent for a moment, then turned and waved to Lao Liu and the others, "You continue patrolling the streets. I'm going to the county government office."

Old Liu responded and left with Xiao Zhao and the others. Xiao Zhao curiously glanced back, but Old Liu smacked him on the head, and he dared not look again.

Wu Yan led Zhang Sanlang and the other two to the county government office.

The night watchman recognized Wu Yan, peeked in, greeted them with a smile, and then opened the door to let them in.

Several people walked through the corridor to the door of the county magistrate's office. Wu Yan stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, Xu Kai's drowsy voice came through, "Who is it?"

"Wu Yan has urgent business to discuss with County Magistrate Xu."

Before long, Xu Kai stood at the door, wearing a coat. His thin face was expressionless, and his gaze moved from Wu Yan to Zhang Sanlang, then to Qian Laohei and Lu San.

He paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He stepped aside to let everyone in. "Come in."

Wu Yan turned on all the lamps in the signing room. The oil lamps blazed brightly, the flames flickering, casting a dim yellow light throughout the room.

Zhang Sanlang stepped forward and explained what had happened.

As Xu Kai listened, he tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

Qian Laohei knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed against the brick floor. "County Lieutenant Xu, I'm willing to confess. I know everything about Kong You'an and Chen Youde. I only beg you to spare my life."

Xu Kai looked at him, hesitated for a long time, and then slowly said, "Zhang Qianxing, you are in charge of recording everything. Write it down clearly, one by one."

Zhang Sanlang quickly responded and sat down at the table, spreading out paper and picking up a pen.

Xu Kai looked at Qian Laohei and said, "Speak. Let's start with the murder case at the dock."

Qian Laohei knelt on the ground, his voice squeezed out from his throat.

His first words made Zhang Sanlang pause for a moment.

"Huo Laogen is the former steward of the Chen family. He was instructed by Chen Youde to have Feng Bazi knock Shenhe unconscious. Two years ago, Huo Laogen let the three young ladies of the Chen family go, and thus lost Chen Youde's trust."

"Huo Laogen knew Chen Youde's temperament and secretly collected evidence of Chen's extortion and robbery, hoping to save his life. When he was discovered, Chen Youde sought help from Kong Youan. Kong Youan asked me to lure Huo Laogen into the county town, saying I would treat him to drinks."

"At Fenglelou," Xu Kai interjected. "Huo Laogen drank with you there before he died. It's in the case file."

Qian Laohei nodded. "Yes. I was responsible for luring him out, getting him a few drinks, and then arranging for him to go to the warehouse to settle accounts. When we got to the dock, Feng Bazi knocked him unconscious with a stick, tied him to a stone, and threw him into the Guangji River."

Zhang Sanlang wrote down Qian Laohei's confession in a swift and elegant manner.

"Where is Ma Dashou?" Xu Kai asked again.

Qian Laohei quickly confessed, "It was Chen Youde who made me do it. He said that Ma Dashou didn't speak as he was instructed in the interrogation room, causing him to lose face in front of Clerk Gu."

"He ordered Blister Feng to teach Ma Dashou a lesson, enough to keep him bedridden for half a month. Blister Feng went too far and beat him to death."

Zhang Sanlang paused for a moment.

Feng the Scarface.

It's Feng the Scarface again.

The blow that the original owner received was delivered by Scarface Feng.

Huo Laogen's drowning was also done by Feng Bazi.

Ma Dashou was beaten to death, and it was Feng Bazi who did it.

This man is like a knife, specializing in doing dirty work for Kong Youan and Chen Youde, cutting whomever he wants.

"How much money has Kong You'an received from Chen Youde over the years?" Xu Kai asked again.

Qian Laohei thought for a moment, "At least three to five hundred strings of cash every year. Kong Youan covered for Chen Youde in the county government. The case files in the criminal division were locked up or destroyed as appropriate."

"The Kong family has a stake in those warehouses at the dock—Fengrun Warehouse, Guangji Warehouse, and Shunhe Warehouse. Chen Youde provided the capital and distributed profits to the Kong family every year."

"Where are the warehouse's tax invoices?"

Qian Laohei looked up at Zhang Sanlang. "The amount on the tax bill is more than half less than the actual amount of goods handled. The ledger is in my hands, hidden in a hidden compartment in the wall of my house in the north of the city. Only I can understand the coded messages on it."

Xu Kai picked up his teacup. "Continue."

Qian Laohei then detailed the land that Chen Youde had seized over the years, including sixteen mu of land in Liushugou, fifteen mu of land near Guangji Bridge, and eighteen mu of dry land in the east of the city, explaining each item clearly.

And then there were those who lent money at exorbitant interest rates, lending out only nine out of ten strings of cash, demanding thirteen strings back by the due date. If they couldn't repay, they would seize their land, houses, and people. Over the years, he has driven at least dozens of families to ruin and death.

Zhang Sanlang's pen rustled softly on the paper, and he would fill one sheet before moving on to the next.

The sky outside the window changed from black to gray, and then from gray to white.

The wick of the oil lamp burned out, and the flame flickered. Wu Yan took a pair of scissors and trimmed it, making the room a little brighter again.

Qian Laohei's voice grew increasingly hoarse, and Lv San would occasionally chime in, adding details that Qian Laohei couldn't recall.

It took Qian Laohei two or three hours to finish speaking, until his mouth was dry and he could barely kneel down.

After listening, Xu Kai leaned back in his chair and remained motionless for a long time.

He glanced out the window; the sky was already turning white. "Captain Wu."

"exist."

"Take your men to Chen Family Village immediately. Arrest Chen Youde and several of the Chen family's stewards. Don't let a single one escape."

Wu Yan responded and turned to leave.

Xu Kai stopped him, "Bring enough men. Chenjiazhuang isn't a small village, don't let them escape."

Wu Yan nodded and headed straight for the archers' barracks.

"What time is it?" Xu Kai rubbed his eyes.

Zhang Sanlang glanced at the bronze water clock on the corner of the table. "It's time to roll call."

Xu Kai stood up, walked to the door, and called out into the corridor, "Go and call Sun Qianxing from the military office."