Chapter 14: The murderer is rewarded

On September 12, the tenth year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign, Shao Quanzhong slowly returned from Jingjiang to Hailing County.

As soon as we entered the city, Tian Xing, Hai Qing and Zhang Siwen were all waiting for us on the roadside.

Hai Qing stepped forward and said, "Second brother, you are really patient. Master Wu sent people to look for you yesterday. Hurry up and report to the Zhe Garden."

Shao Quanzhong laughed loudly, "Didn't I give Madam Wen some time to say something nice to me?"

"Second brother, you underestimated Madam Wen. After the funeral of Magistrate Wen, she immediately went to meet her in-laws.

I went to ask Mr. Guo Wengui, and I heard that Mrs. Wen was very unhappy when she came back.

The in-laws were polite to the guests, but they didn't mention when to marry Miss Wenxiu. Mrs. Wen asked for an official position for you, and Mr. Wu agreed without hesitation.

Wen Gui heard Madam Wen chatting with the young lady and suspected that the Wu family felt that Magistrate Wen died for his country and the Wen family was in decline, so they might want to regret the engagement, but they couldn't say it out loud, so they deliberately ignored Madam Wen in this regard. "

Shao Quanzhong waved his hand and said, "We have no right to interfere in the affairs of the Jinshi and Juren families. How is the matter I asked you to do going?"

"With Brother Youtian's abilities, it would be easy to catch him, right?

My fourth brother and I, along with Mr. Wu's servants, raided Yang Yong's village, and found a large number of letters in his attic that were exchanged with various gangs of bandits. There was solid evidence that he had colluded with the bandits and robbed the villagers who refused to pay their share of the money.

We don't even need to frame him, his crime is enough to punish him with death.

Yang Yong was dead, and all his family members were exiled to Ningguta, and the villagers applauded.

Now the village is vacant, waiting for you, the head of the regiment, to take over."

Shao Quanzhong chuckled, "Frame-up is still necessary.

You guys don’t understand the thoughts of these officials.

The officials knew that Yang Yong had colluded with the bandits, so why didn't they arrest him? Those bandits were useful.

The bandits didn't rob officials, they just robbed merchants.

They are kept at ordinary times, and when the superiors give orders, the obedient ones are recruited, and the disobedient ones are eliminated, and the results will come out immediately.

The bandits are just the ass-wiping paper for these corrupt officials. They look impressive at ordinary times, but when they need to take the blame, they are thrown into the toilet. These bandits are actually quite difficult. "

Shao Quanzhong seemed to recall some unpleasant past events, sighed, and patted Haiqing on the shoulder, "The things that Brother Tian added are different, they are all evidence of contacting the rebels.

The bandits only harass the people, but the rebels want to kill the officials and gentry, so they must be killed."

Tian Xing went into the attic of the village and stuffed Hong Xiuquan's gold medal, Zhang Lexing's waist badge, the White Lotus Sect's token, and a handwritten letter from Wing King Shi Dakai.

Tian Xing had a thick stack of letters from traitors in his hand. He deliberately picked out the one that started with "My brother Junjian" with a vague address and the content couldn't tell who it was addressed to and put it in the attic.

As for how the things were put in under the strict guard of the militia - how did the nickname "Skywalker" of the boss Tian Xing come from?

Originally, Yang Yong's confidants spoke up for Yang Yong, claiming that Boss Yang contacted the bandits in order to recruit them.

As soon as these things were found, all his confidants immediately turned against him and said that they had long seen that Yang Yong was a good-for-nothing and should be killed. No one dared to speak for him anymore.

This is also Yang Yong's fault for being too arrogant and making a lot of noise, as if the Taiping Army and the Nian Army did not attack Tongzhou and Taizhou because they listened to him. Now that there is physical evidence, no one thinks that Yang Yong was wronged.

Tian Xing wanted to be modest, "It was only with the badge of Prince Haiqing Su's Palace that Wu Wenxi decided to search and confiscate the Yangjiawei Village. Otherwise, my possessions would be in vain.

The reputation of the Prince Su’s Mansion, a seventh-rank official at the doorstep of the prime minister, could intimidate this Daotai Wu.”

Hailing County is not big. As they were talking, the four brothers had already arrived outside the Zhe Garden.

Outside the Zhe Garden, two gatekeepers stood guard on the left and right. Hai Qing stepped forward and said, "Shao Quanzhong comes to see you, respecting Master Wu's order."

The gatekeeper of the Zhe Garden was quite discerning. This young eunuch, who was holding a badge from the Prince Su's Palace, was invited in by Mr. Wu two days ago.

Now I have become an errand boy for Shao Quanzhong. Is there any need to ask what Mr. Shao’s background is like?
A doorman bowed and nodded, "I will go and report it right away."

Menzi ran in quickly, and the four brothers were waiting outside the door.

Suddenly, two people were seen carrying a small sedan chair with a black oil-soaked curtain entering the garden from the side door, and several maids and old women followed the sedan chair.

I didn't ask about the remaining door and just let it in.

Hai Qing had no time to talk to the doorman, "Mr. Wu's family is so rich, how can he afford a sedan chair? Even Prince Su's Mansion can't afford it." The doorman waved his hands, "Don't dare spread this. Mr. Wu is an honest official, how can he afford a sedan chair?
This is the young master taking a concubine, and the bridegroom is coming."

"Ah? The young master has taken a concubine before getting married?"

"The young master is not in good health. He caught a cold in the autumn a few days ago and is even weaker. It seems that he is about to die. This is to take a concubine to bring good luck."

No wonder Wu Wenxi didn't mention marrying Wenxiu. It turned out that the problem lay with the young master.

Shao Quanzhong felt emotional. The Wen family was really unlucky. Master Wen had just died, and now Miss Wenxiu was going to be a widow again.

What's the use of getting married for good fortune? It's just a way for rich girls to bring disaster to poor families.

As for the fact that Prince Su’s Mansion couldn’t afford a sedan chair, that was true.

A sedan chair carried by four people requires eight bearers to take turns carrying it, and a horse-drawn carriage is needed to accommodate the bearers who take turns. Maintaining a sedan chair costs one thousand and two taels of silver a year, just for show. It's a complete waste.

The prince's annual salary is only 10,000 taels. If the prince wants to demonstrate the bravery of a descendant of the Eight Banners, he has to ride a horse and does not need a sedan chair. His family can just ride in a sedan chair. Isn't it better to save 1,000 taels of silver?
After a while, the doorman came running back, "Master Wu is meeting you at Shan Xiang Thatched Cottage."

Shao Quanzhong followed the doorman, walked through the winding corridor, and came to the outside of the thatched cottage.

Caotang was Wu Wenxi's study. Meeting Shao Quanzhong here meant that he did not treat him as an outsider.

Shao Quanzhong walked in, took two quick steps, patted his sleeves left and right, and bowed on one leg, "I pay my respects to Lord Wu."

Wu Wenxi stroked his beard and expressed his great satisfaction.

Before Shao Quanzhong came in, Wu Wenxi was a little worried that this righteous man recommended by his mother-in-law did not know the rules.

He has experienced a lot of worldly affairs and knows people's hearts well. Generally speaking, those who can be heroes are a bit stubborn.

I have already retired, and Xiao Shao has the background of the Prince Su's Mansion. When he meets me, he might show some "heroic spirit" and be arrogant, which would be disharmonious.

Now I see that I worried for nothing, he is a sensible person.

"Get up, sit down."

He looked at Shao Quanzhong and said, "My dear nephew, you have outstanding character. You are indeed a young hero."

"Your Excellency, you are so complimentary."

Lord Wu nodded and said, "The local squire Wen said that you are loyal and righteous and can take on great responsibilities. Taizhou's militia is in need of a head of the group. You should take the position."

"Thank you for taking care of me, sir."

“I have been entrusted by the court and Lord Qiao to supervise the militia training.

This is an important task to defend against the rebellion of the Taizhou people. It concerns the safety of the people of Taizhou. My dear nephew, you have assumed the post of the head of the regiment. You must do a good job and live up to the grace of the emperor. "

"I will certainly serve you as a humble servant."

After Lord Wu finished his official speech, he looked at Shao Quanzhong with a smile and said, "Since my nephew was recommended by Madam Wen, I have to make it easier for you to do things. The 20,000 taels of silver seized from Yang Yong will be given to you as funding.

From now on, you will be needed for the state's 'separate levy of taxes', 'sharing of taxes and grain', and 'donations of money and grain'. If you are short of money, you can directly ask the gentry for share.

I won't give you less money, but you must run the group training for me well."

"Sir, I have a favor to ask of you."

Huh? Wu Wenxi was stunned. I was just praising you for being sensible, how come you're ordering me around in the blink of an eye? Can you order me around?
"Sir, I will certainly fight bravely and take the lead in fighting and training soldiers, but logistics and money are not my strengths.

Logistics and money are the top priorities of the military. From now on, half of the funds for the militia training will be given to you to manage. Please take the trouble to help prepare the food and grass. I will be very grateful. "

Wu Wenxi laughed loudly, "You are a clever boy, you dare to order me to do things for you.

Good! Fight well, I will help you with the logistics."

Mrs. Wen’s recommendation was a great success. This kid is much more sensible than that rough guy Yang Yong.

"Shao Quanzhong is listening.

Shao Quan was brave in his duties and loyal to the court. He killed Yang Yong, a traitor who was in league with the rebels, the Nian rebels, and the White Lotus bandits. He was rewarded with the sixth rank military merit for his meritorious service to the court.

(End of this chapter)

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