If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

Golden sunset in Qingshui County.

In front of the city gate tower, a group of county government officials bowed respectfully.

"Your humble servant, Guo Qin, the magistrate of Qingshui County, along with the county's officials, respectfully welcomes you, esteemed officials!"

The speaker was a sixty-year-old man with white hair and beard, thin as a withered tree, his frail body wrapped in cotton clothes like a candle flickering in the wind.

"Magistrate Guo, you're too kind. Please come into the city."

Zhang Sanshi, his face as cold as ice, rode forward on his horse.

"Please! Please!"

Guo Qin quickly stepped aside, bowing and smiling in greeting.

Zhu Qing stood to Zhang Sanshi's left, riding a tall horse, dressed in black, wearing official boots, and with a long sword at his waist, looking quite imposing in the eyes of the people on both sides of the road.

"Xiao Qing!"

"Xiao Qing!"

A moment later, a few calls came from above.

Zhu Qing turned her gaze in the direction of the voice and saw an elderly man in official robes, who was bloated and had a ruddy complexion.

This is... Zhou Ze.

His memories surged, and he remembered.

This person was Zhou Ze, the magistrate of Qingshui County, who was also his sister's father-in-law. He had met the original owner of this body a few times before.

"Uncle Yin," Zhu Qing replied with a smile.

Zhou Ze walked quickly beside him, looked up and laughed, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Xiao Qing, you're quite dashing and handsome now."

"I never expected you to be back on the case this time. Your sister would be so happy if she knew."

"How is my sister doing lately?" Zhu Qing asked.

"I'm fine!"

Zhou Ze spoke with a smile, but a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.

"Is that so?"

Zhu Qing gave him a deep look: "I'll visit you later tonight. Uncle Yin, hurry up and get on your horse; business is more important."

They arrived at the county government office, where everyone gathered and tea and snacks were served.

Regardless of their achievements in suppressing bandits, Qingshui County certainly showed them ample courtesy.

When the case was brought up next, Magistrate Guo Qin sighed repeatedly in distress.

"As you all may not know, Qingshui County has recently suffered greatly from the poison of the White Lotus Sect."

"Nine out of ten wealthy households in the county were robbed. Even the imperial envoy sent five days ago to supervise the conversion of grain into medicine was murdered by them, and his body is still displayed in the government office."

"Heh, I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you all, but the White Lotus Sect has already spread the word that my head as a county magistrate will have to be moved within ten days."

Clang~

"This is outrageous!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lingyun angrily smashed his cup, splashing tea everywhere.

"How dare they act so recklessly right under the emperor's nose! They simply don't respect the imperial court at all!"

"Magistrate Guo, tell me where these sorcerers are, and I will lead my men to wipe them out!"

Guo Qin gave a wry smile: "Lord Xu, please don't be anxious. The difficulty lies precisely here."

He continued, "This group of White Lotus sect cultists have established themselves as bandits in Black Bear Mountain, mingling with local brigands."

"Heixiazi Mountain is high, steep, and dangerous, easy to defend but difficult to attack. The government troops have repeatedly tried to encircle and suppress it but have all failed."

Black Bear Mountain.

Zhu Qing thought for a moment and realized that she did have some recollection of it.

The capital city is surrounded by mountains, and Heixiazi Mountain is the most precipitous of them, within a hundred miles.

If someone were to establish themselves as a mountain king, ordinary government troops would find it very difficult to deal with them.

"Commander Zhang, what do you think?" Xu Lingyun was also at a loss and turned to look at Zhang Sanshi.

The latter's face hardened: "Let's not rush to conclusions, Magistrate Guo. What other circumstances might you like to discuss?"

Guo Qin thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up and he continued, "As far as I know in this county, the former bandit leader of Black Bear Mountain was nicknamed Black Three. He had a lover at the Lichun Courtyard in the city."

"What's your name?"

"hiss……"

Guo Qin pretended to be unfamiliar with the subject and hesitated for a moment before saying, "It seems to be a top courtesan named Xiao Cui."

Zhang Sanshi nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "If that's the case, then it's easy to handle."

"Since Hei San has a lover in the city, we don't need to worry about him not coming down the mountain. We just need to catch him, and Black Bear Mountain will be easy to deal with."

"Lord Xu."

He turned to Xu Lingyun and said, "We, the Northern Garrison Command, will handle the task of taking on men. You brothers in the Ministry of War only need to rest for a few days before we send out troops."

"Um."

Xu Lingyun had no objection and nodded in agreement: "Commander Zhang is right. This method is sound. Let's do it this way."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Guo Qin's face immediately brightened, and he smiled, saying, "That's excellent! With two such esteemed officials in charge, the White Lotus Sect is nothing to fear!"

"It is getting late, and you all must be tired from your journey. Please allow me to prepare some simple wine to entertain you!"

He stood up, walked to the door, and called over the constables: "Quickly prepare good wine and food. Don't worry about spending money; bring out all the good food and drink you want!"

The constable's eyes darted around, then he stepped forward and whispered, "Sir, are you using public funds?"

"What do you think?!" Guo Qin stared wide-eyed.

"Understood, sir!"

The constable immediately understood.

Spending public funds to cultivate personal connections!

……

As night deepened and the wine was drunk, the banquet came to an end.

Xu Lingyun and his many soldiers moved into a nearby garrison, while Zhang Sanshi and the other Imperial Guards stayed in an inn in the city.

The moonlight was cold and clear, and the official road was dark and gloomy.

Zhu Qing rode his tall horse clattering to a large courtyard made of bluestone.

This is it.

He rolled down, picked up a few boxes of pastries, walked up the steps, and patted the animal ring on the vermilion gate.

"Who is it!"

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a narrow crack through which a small head peeked out.

"It's so late, you..."

Before the man could finish speaking, a closer look revealed that he was dressed in black official robes and hats, with fish-shaped patterns that gleamed darkly, and a long, menacing sword at his waist.

In an instant, his legs went weak and he collapsed.

"Sir, sir!"

"Open the door."

"Yes, yes..."

Although the servant was new and didn't recognize Zhu Qing, he recognized his clothes; he was none other than the hawk and hound of the Northern Garrison Command, a name feared by all.

He dared to stop someone who came late at night with snacks?

Zhu Qing strode in, entered the second courtyard, and went straight to the inner room.

The servants stood by with their heads bowed, not daring to speak, until they watched the official's boots disappear from sight, then they slowly straightened up, raised their heads, and let out a long sigh.

Immediately, an old steward came over upon hearing the commotion, and a servant quickly stepped forward to ask, "Uncle Li, who is this official?"

"Our young mistress's younger brother, from the capital."

"Oh, no wonder."

……

"sister."

"sister."

Zhu Qing walked through the courtyard and shouted towards the west wing.

A moment later, the door to the west wing opened, and a woman carrying a lantern came out.

"Xiao Qing?"

"It really is you!"

The woman was quite young, with an oval face and cherry lips. She was wrapped in a fox fur and cotton robe, and her slender figure could be seen as the night breeze blew through her.

It was her second sister, Zhu Miao.

"sister."

Zhu Qing smiled slightly: "I came to Qingshui County on official business, and I just happened to come and see you."

"Really? Haha, come on in."

Zhu Miao pulled him into the inner room, where candles were lit one by one, and the room began to brighten.

"Let me see! You've gotten so much stronger these past few days!"

"He even got promoted?"

Zhu Qing smiled slightly and said, "Thanks to my elder brother's support, I am now a squad leader."

"Hmm! Not bad! Our father was only a captain back then."

She carefully examined Zhu Qing, a slight smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with concern and relief.

Zhu Qing took the bundle off her back and said, "Sister, these are the hat and shoes that Mother sewed. Mother can't go far from home recently, so I brought them along."

Zhu Miao quickly opened it and picked up the exquisitely sewn and adorable tiger-head hat, exclaiming with delight, "Mother's craftsmanship is still so skillful... and it even has gold thread sewn on!"

Zhu Qing smiled and said, "My mother talks about you all the time."

As he spoke, he began to look around the room.

As the bedroom of the young master and his wife, the room is furnished in an antique style. It is not luxurious, but it is acceptable.

only……

Zhu Qing frowned.

"Sis, your room is so cold, where's the charcoal fire?"