bookcurios Chapter 121 Sending a beautiful woman?
Chapter 121 Sending a beautiful woman?
After a while, Yanqing finished his interrogation with a few words, pulled out the dagger that had pierced Wang Erlai's wrist, and slit his throat.
He casually used the clothes on the corpse to wipe the blood off the dagger, then put it away and walked back.
Upon hearing Wang Erlai's dying scream, the Lin family grandfather and grandson, along with Song Lianghan, exchanged bewildered glances.
"Master, there is only one person on the other side."
Yanqing reported the results.
Yu Wanran nodded, and seeing the fear on the three people's faces, explained, "This concerns the crucial plan to suppress bandits; we cannot let this person leave alive to prevent leaks. Therefore..."
The three nodded hurriedly, indicating their understanding. However, they no longer thought of Yu Wanran as being soft-hearted or merciful.
Yanqing took the things that Wang Erlai had dropped and returned them to Lin Fang. She then looked at Dundun; thankfully, he was alright. The dog had bumped his head on the edge of the boat and scraped it, but after a quick bandage and a short rest, he was able to get up, albeit unsteadily.
The Lin family grandfather and grandson didn't have much to pack. The most valuable thing was that Chengni inkstone, which could be wrapped in old clothes and left with Yu Wanran.
As for Wang Erlai's body, it was dragged under the boat and hidden. Even if bandits patrolled the area, it would not be easy to find it.
They traveled day and night, and it took them another two days to get back to Dezhou.
Because the Lin family grandfather and grandson had nothing to do with bandit suppression, to avoid trouble, Yu Wanran did not bring the two people and the dog to the yamen. After entering the city, she directly arranged for them to stay at an inn and asked a doctor to take care of them.
The group, accompanied by Song Lianghan, entered the main hall through the back door and reported to Xue Heyu.
By this time, Xue Heyu had successfully completed the handover and taken over the yamen. Magistrate Hao led his family to the capital to report on his duties, and Xue Heyu succeeded him to his former position.
As for how to control it, that's Xue and Yu's business.
Despite being busy for days on end, working tirelessly day and night, Xue Heyu, newly appointed as the new commander, was full of ambition and high spirits. Seeing Yu Wanran and her group return safely, bringing back intelligence about the bandit stronghold, he was overjoyed and exclaimed "Good!" three times!
With the right timing, location, and people, why should he worry about not being able to accomplish the feat that his predecessor failed to achieve?
He sent Qiu Yan and Dou Yi to rest, leaving Yu Wanran and Song Lianghan behind. He felt pity for the young scholar who had suffered misfortune.
"Song Tongsheng, I will avenge your family! Once the bandits are wiped out and the people are at peace, I will report the truth to the court and request commendation for you!"
Song Lianghan bowed respectfully to the magistrate in return.
"Thank you, Lord Xue! My sister..."
Xue Heyu waved his hand.
"I've arranged for your sister to stay in the back office; please have the doctor look after her. You'll also stay there during the bandit suppression campaign; your safety will be guaranteed!"
After saying this, he asked someone to take him to the back office to visit his sister.
After Song Lianghan took his leave, Xue Heyu and Yu Wanran discussed the bandit suppression plan. Both felt that this matter should be handled swiftly; speed was of the essence in war. If even the slightest leak were to occur, all the intelligence they had painstakingly gathered would be wasted!
Xue Heyu said, "These bandits have been robbing, killing, and burning for years. They are not something that ordinary constables can handle. My niece, come with me to the garrison to see the commander."
Since things had come to this point, they decided to go with the flow and acknowledge the relationship between the uncle and niece. This would give them a legitimate reason to maintain close ties.
Yu Wanran readily agreed.
After bathing, changing clothes, and having a meal, the two changed into civilian clothes and, together with Yan Qing, Qiu Yan, and Dou Yi, quietly arrived at the garrison and presented Xue Heyu's calling card.
A short while later, they were led into the main hall of the garrison. The commander of the garrison in Decheng, dressed in military uniform and wearing a black brocade cloak, strode out to greet them.
Although the commander of a thousand households held a fifth-rank military position, the administration and military affairs of the Great Zhao Dynasty were separate, and the two were not subordinate to each other. Mutual respect and cooperation were sufficient.
For example, in this bandit suppression campaign, the garrison needed to be mobilized. Xue and Yu had to consult with the commander and obtain his consent before troops could be deployed.
Following Xue Heyu's greetings, Yu Wanran quietly observed this commander, who was surprisingly young. He was at most twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and possessed a handsome appearance!
He stood tall and elegant, with eyes like cold stars. His skin was a healthy wheat color, and his gaze was indifferent and aloof.
However, at such a young age, he was able to hold the rank of a fifth-grade commander. Whether it was due to his powerful family background or his outstanding military achievements, he had every reason to be arrogant.
Xue and Yu introduced this person when we arrived. His surname is Si, and his given name is Yuankai.
Yu Wanran pondered that the surname Si was very rare. There was only one first-rank official in the capital with the surname Si. She wondered if there was any connection between the two.
Xue Heyu appeared somewhat reserved in front of Si Yuankai. This concerned the crucial plan to suppress the bandits, and he feared that the young and impetuous Si Yuankai might refuse to send troops if they disagreed, which would be extremely troublesome.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sides took their seats as host and guest, with Yu Wanran sitting to their left and right.
Si Yuankai was surprised to see the newly appointed magistrate arrive with a young woman. He glanced at Yu Wanran and asked, "And who is this young lady?"
"She is my niece, surnamed Yu."
Upon seeing the soldiers from the garrison come in to serve tea, Xue Heyu gave a brief introduction of Yu Wanran.
Si Yuankai waved his men away, somewhat uncertain about the two men's intentions. Normally, the county magistrate would only see him on official business. But Xue and Yu had come in plain clothes, quietly, and with a young woman in tow, leaving him no choice but to suspect something.
Could it be like the county magistrates of the past, sending him beautiful women and trying to curry favor?
He glanced at Yu Wanran again, and his gaze unexpectedly darkened.
Yu Wanran was bewildered by his scrutiny. Xue Heyu, on the other hand, felt extremely uncomfortable under his sharp gaze.
The two men secretly thought that this young commander was probably not someone to be trifled with. They had barely sat down and hadn't even had a chance to explain their purpose when the man unleashed his full aura, and the air suddenly seemed to grow heavier and more oppressive, as if a huge boulder were pressing down on them!
Yu Wanran couldn't help but wonder: Had they come in too much of a hurry and not brought any gifts for their first visit? But they were here on business, not to curry favor, were they?
Xue Heyu felt a chill run down his spine. Under Si Yuankai's cold gaze, he coughed and spoke.
"Ahem, Commander Si, I have come here on the matter of suppressing bandits... This Miss Yu is a volunteer recruited by the yamen. She led her men deep into the enemy's lair and gathered intelligence on the bandits."
After saying those two sentences, Si Yuankai's expression changed drastically.
He rested his elbow on the chair armrest and touched his nose. The coldness in his eyes faded, replaced by surprise.
"Lord Xue, isn't Miss Yu your niece? She's involved in suppressing bandits?"
Xue Heyu was very proud and once again emphasized Yu Wanran: "My niece is highly skilled in martial arts, courageous and resourceful, so I invited her to participate in this bandit suppression operation!"
After his initial surprise and doubt, Si Yuankai's expression turned cold again.
"Bandit suppression is not a game for the ladies of the inner quarters. Lord Xue, it's far too presumptuous of you to bring your niece along on such an important official business!"
It should be noted that the former magistrate Hao had once borrowed troops from him, but had failed to suppress the bandits.
Of course, Magistrate Hao was stubborn and self-willed. After a failed attempt to suppress bandits, he retreated to Decheng and dared not approach it. He looked down on such people and did not take the initiative to help them.
His mission was to defend Decheng. As long as Decheng remained intact, minor disturbances in other areas were none of his concern. He wouldn't bother helping local officials gain merit and getting himself into trouble for no reason!