From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

Upon hearing this, Gu Huai'an remained silent for a long while, showing no anger on his face. Instead, he nodded slightly and smiled gently: "You little rascal," he shook his head, pointed at Zhu Hong, and turned to Liu Kui and Wang Zhenshan.

"Listen to this, they're trying to shut me down with words."

Liu Kui remained expressionless, only letting out a "humph," while Wang Zhenshan lowered his head, his lips twitching slightly.

"Never mind, never mind, it was my fault for being presumptuous."

After Gu Huai'an finished laughing, he leaned back, his nonchalant expression instantly vanishing. He spoke calmly, "A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time. Speak," his gaze sweeping over Zhu Hong and Wang Zhenshan before finally settling on Wang Zhenshan.

"What have you two come to inquire about?"

Wang Zhenshan bowed slightly and said solemnly, "Clerk Gu, Zhu Hong and I have come here only for the Liu family case."

"The Liu family?"

Gu Huai'an's expression hardened slightly, his gaze lingering briefly on Zhu Hong. "What is the reason?"

Wang Zhenshan sighed softly and explained in detail the facts he had recently uncovered: Bai Xiuying and Liu Sheng's past feelings, Jiang Jingtang and Chi Shoutan's coercion, Jiang Feng's hidden story, and even the whole story of Zhu Hong's intrusion into the pleasure boat at night.

He spoke briefly, but he said everything that needed to be said.

Finally, Wang Zhenshan glanced at Zhu Hong one last time before turning to Gu Huai'an and saying in a deep voice:

"Zhu Hongyuan is willing to take full credit."

"Let him shoulder all the blame? No way!" Before Gu Huai'an could speak, Liu Kui frowned, looked at Wang Zhenshan, and said in a deep voice, "How can the Jiang family be compared to Huo Qianshan? Letting him take the credit for the Liu family case is putting himself in danger!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhu Hong, his gaze icy:

"You should go back and rest for now."

"I will come again in an official capacity after the incident at Jinyuan Valley occurs."

The so-called "taking credit" means bearing all the blame for successes and failures alone. If things go well, the credit goes to him; if things go wrong, he will suffer the consequences. Moreover, the Jiang family's grudges will also be held against him alone, and he will face constant open and covert attacks in the future.

This is why high-ranking officials in government offices avoid getting involved with such things.

"Captain Liu."

Zhu Hong paused for a moment, then looked up at Liu Kui. "I mentioned this matter to Chief Wang, and I hope the constable will grant my request." His gaze was clear, and his words were distinct.

"Huo Qianshan has already been eliminated by my own efforts."

Even if the Jiang family is powerful, I still have the government office to rely on, so what do I have to fear?

Liu Kui was taken aback by these words.

As soon as he said this, he felt as if he were making a refusal, unable to say that the yamen was inferior to the Jiang family? He couldn't help but mutter, "What a stubborn, narrow-minded fool, a scoundrel who eats his conscience like it's food." After saying this, Liu Kui turned his head, his eyes meeting Gu Huai'an's, and said:

"That kid has guts, that's his business."

"The Jiang family has teeth, that's their business. Our government's livelihood comes from the imperial court, but we eat from the people. Anyone who dares to provoke us will be dealt with severely." He finished speaking, crossed his arms, and waited for what he would say next.

"Lord Gu, what's your opinion?"

Seeing that Liu Kui was targeting him, Gu Huai'an smiled and said, "Liu Kui, since you've already forced the emperor to abdicate, why not just force the Prefect to abdicate as well? That would be much more decisive, wouldn't it?"

"You said it, I didn't say it."

Liu Kui's expression remained unchanged, his brows and eyes still displaying their usual solemnity.

Gu Huai'an shook his head slightly, the smile on his face instantly vanishing, leaving no trace of jest. He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Zhu Hong, and pondered, "A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass. Since you are willing to take credit, then..."

His eyes suddenly sharpened, and his aura tightened:

"Then let go and do it."

"Let's make a scene, let's turn the world upside down!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hong's eyes lit up. He immediately curtsied and bowed, his voice clear and bright: "Thank you, Registrar, and Chief Constable Liu!"

Gu Zhangbu was the second most important person in the yamen.

With him speaking up today, all my previous concerns have vanished, and I feel much more confident about what I will do in the future.

"Alright, you should go back and rest today."

Seeing the light in his eyes, Gu Huai'an waved his hand, his tone softening, the previous sharpness replaced by a touch of sympathy: "Having not slept all night, even an iron body would be exhausted." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Wang Zhenshan beside him, and said in a deep voice:

"Wait until you wake up and are well-rested."

Wang Zhenshan will explain all the details to you in detail. Once everything is agreed upon, we can proceed according to your wishes.

Zhu Hong bowed and accepted the order, then said loudly:

"Your subordinate will remember this!"

After saying that, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gu Huai'an and Liu Kui, then took two steps back and turned to walk out.

……

The door closed behind him, and the room fell silent for a moment.

"This kid is a real talent."

Liu Kui stared at the door for a long time, then gave a cold "heh."

"interesting?"

Gu Huai'an glanced at him and laughed, "It's rare to find someone in the yamen who even you, Liu Kui, would praise." He then sighed to himself.

"This kid is more than just interesting."

His physical refinement was at its peak, his physique was exceptional, and even more astonishing was the speed of his cultivation progress, far surpassing his peers. Such a fine talent, found on the grounds of Jinyang, was truly a rare sight.

Liu Kui nodded slightly, then looked at Wang Zhenshan:

"Zhenshan, how much do you know about him?"

Wang Zhenshan shook his head and said with a wry smile, "This young man is intelligent and righteous, but I know nothing else about his background." He paused, his words filled with regret:

"This kid's progress is too amazing."

"Damn it! Jian Ba ​​has only been in the government for a short time, and he's already gotten to this point?"

"Great news, great news!" Gu Huai'an laughed to himself. "Finally, someone capable of handling things has arrived in Jinyang's tranquil waters." With that, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"Zhenshan, I need you to go to the Jiang family first."

Wang Zhenshan was taken aback:

"Your Excellency, you mean...?"

"Go and say hello," Gu Huai'an waved his hand. "Tell them the authorities know about the pleasure boat incident, and that we were the ones who killed them. As for why we killed them..."

He paused, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"They said that the charity guild was colluding with bandits and plotting something sinister."

The authorities will handle the matter according to the law.

Wang Zhenshan's words were anything but polite. "Alright, I'll go take a look." With that, he clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

"etc."

Gu Huai'an suddenly called out to him again.

Wang Zhenshan turned around. Gu Huai'an looked at him and said slowly, "Please pass on another message for me."

Wang Zhenshan didn't say anything, he just waited.

Gu Huai'an's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "Remember to inform Jiang Yannian that this time, we'd rather strike a golden bell once than beat a broken drum three thousand times!" His tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable chill:

"Call him..."

Take it easy. "

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhenshan knew that Manager Gu was about to get serious.

He grinned:

"yes!"

Having said that, he took a large step and turned to leave.

After Wang Zhenshan's figure disappeared out of the courtyard, Gu Huai'an turned to look at Liu Kui and said calmly, "Now, it's time for you and me to get down to business."

Liu Kui was slightly taken aback and asked:

"You and me? What do you want to do?"

Gu Huai'an's gaze darkened slightly, and he said calmly, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

……