Chapter 13: Arriving at the County Government Office

  The yard of the old willow family was surrounded by withered branches about one meter long, which could not block the view at all. So whether it was people outside looking in or people inside looking out, they could see everything clearly and there were no secrets.

  When Huang Shan led his men to the gate of the Liu family's house, Liu Yitiao also came out with Liu Laoshi.

  Huang Shan has just been promoted from deputy position, with a red glow on his face, seemingly in a good mood.

  Liu Yitiao rushed up to him and bowed his hands in greeting: "Captain Huang, what wind has blown you to our humble abode? Please come in quickly!"

  Huang Shan rushed to Liu Yitiaotou, nodded silently, and led his men to the old willow house's cattle pen. Pointing at the still mooing calf, he said: "Liu Yitiaotou, you're quite capable of handling things! Yesterday you just finished fighting, today you're already messing with the plowing cows? How about coming with me for a trip?"

  "Hey, adults! This cow was hit by me, and the cow's nose ring was put on by me. Don't bother with the kid, if you want to catch someone, catch me instead! Don't catch the kid!" Liu Laoshi shielded Liu Yitiao behind him and hastily said to Huang Shan.

  "Are you Lao Liu? Old Man Liu, the father of Liu Yitiao?" The man in yellow robes looked up and down at old Liu with a strange tone and said: "You've got a good son!"

  "But it's no use, someone saw Liu Yitiao beat the cow to death with a wooden stick, now he has to go to the county government office with me. Master Wang is still waiting to interrogate him."

  "Ah, sir! Our cow isn't dead, you see, it's still alive! It didn't die! You can't arrest my son!" Old Liu's emotions were somewhat agitated, and he began to regret not taking matters into his own hands earlier.

  "Dad," Liu Yitiao spoke up and stopped Old Liu, saying: "I'll go with them for a trip, I'll be back soon, nothing will happen, trust me!"

  Liu Yitiao's calm and peaceful voice had a soothing effect on people, making them involuntarily believe in him and rely on him. Liu Shishi slowly calmed down due to his words, looking at Liu Yitiao: "Yitiao, hurting the draft cattle is a serious crime, if things go wrong, you'll end up in prison. If you follow them, can you really come back?"

  Liu Yitiao smiled confidently and said, "Dad, you can rest assured, it won't take long, I'll be back for dinner tonight."

  After hearing his words, Huang Shan looked at Liu Yitiao with a strange gaze. In all these years of being an officer, he had never seen anyone as confident as Liu Yitiao. Yesterday when they caught him, he seemed to have said something similar too. As a result, not only did the person escape punishment for severely injuring a tax official, but also managed to bring down Wang Kui, the head of the constables. Although there were many inexplicable coincidences in this case, being able to link these invisible coincidences together was no ordinary skill.

  Liu Yitiao's smile made Liu Laoshi feel a lot more at ease, and he said, "Really? Why don't I go with you then, that way if something happens we can take care of each other."

  "Dad, it's the same whether two of us go or one, you'd better stay at home. Mom and Little Hui are still here. If you also go, they will worry even more."

  "This..."

  "Alright, alright, you two stop dawdling! Lord Wang's strict orders are to capture only one person, Liu Yitiao. If you want to take both of us brothers, we won't make it easy for you." Huang Shan ordered the attendants behind him: "You two, put Liu Yitiao in chains and bring the cow over!"

  Liu Yitiao smiled and stretched out his head, allowing the bailiffs to put iron chains on him. He said to Huang: "Huang, let's hurry up, I still have to come back for dinner later."

  Facing the iron chains in the government office, it's probably only Liu Yitiao who can still talk and laugh like this. Huang Shan couldn't help but feel a little admiration for him. He bowed to Liu Yitiao and said: "In that case, I'm sorry!" After finishing, he shouted at the bailiff holding the iron chain: "Take him away!"

  Several dozen kilograms of iron chains weighed on his body, Liu Yitiao was still unhurried, following Huang Shan and others out of the gate with ease. Let a group of guards look at him in secret admiration, worthy of being the master who beat Wang Shuai half to death with one punch, having great strength.

  Lao Liu watched anxiously from behind, but was helpless. Thinking of Yang Bo Fang who came to his house for a drink yesterday, he thought that he might have some way out, so he told his family two sentences and followed him out the door, rushing straight to Yang Bo Fang's house in San Yuan County Town.

  "Hey, Yellow Captor!" Liu Yitiao looked around and saw no one, then called out to the yellow-shirted man walking ahead, "Yellow Captor, we've walked so far, shouldn't you remove this chain? My brother's legs are almost broken from carrying him."

  The man in yellow stopped in his tracks, turned around with a smile on his face, and waved his hand to signal them to remove the iron chains. He laughed loudly: "Brother Liu, how did you figure it out? Did I reveal any flaws?"

  Liu rubbed his sore neck, stretched his limbs and smiled: "Can't the chief of the Huang capture come in person? Isn't that a big loophole? In general, for such small cases, would the chief capturer come to take people personally?"

  "Ah?" Huang Shan was taken aback, then suddenly understood and couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Brother Liu is truly meticulous in his thinking, I, Huang, admire him!"

  Praise for Huang Shan, Liu Yitiao did not speak. After Huang Shan finished laughing, he continued to say: "Huang can come in person and so quickly, I'm afraid it's not just because of the little yellow cow at our house?"

  Huang's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Liu Yitiao and said, "Brother Liu is indeed a benevolent person. This time, I, Huang, have come not only for the sake of this little cow but also to thank you. Brother Liu was able to drive away Wang Kui, fulfilling my long-held wish. Thank you!"

  "Oh?" Liu Yitiao said: "So that's how it is. I thought Huang Captor was here for Wang Kui, looks like I overthought."

  "Huh?" Huang Shan's eyebrows rose again, and his gaze at Liu Yitiao intensified. He said: "Why did Brother Liu say that? Did Wang Kui come to you with trouble?"

  Liu Yitiao said faintly, "It's not a trouble, but Wang Kui doesn't have the guts now. However, I originally thought that our family's Little Yellow Cow incident was reported by Wang Kui, but now it seems that I might be wrong. The awareness of the people in the Great Tang Dynasty is still quite high after all. It's indeed the wisdom of His Majesty."

  What's going on here, Huang Shan was confused by Liu Yitiao's words and couldn't tell which direction was north. But there was one thing he did hear clearly, that Liu Yitiao had seen through his purpose for coming. He opened his mouth to flatter: "Yes, yes, the Emperor is indeed wise and powerful, truly worthy of admiration!"

  "Yes, I heard that Lord Wang was sent by the Emperor to experience the people's feelings and train as an official. Who knows when he will be summoned back to take on important tasks." Liu Yitiao seemed to hint at Huang Shan lightly.

  "Huh?!" Yellow Shirt's eyes lit up, and he bowed deeply to Liu Yitiao, saying: "Brother Liu, I won't forget the favor you've done me today!"

  Liu Yitiao stepped aside and said, "Marshal Huang was joking. What kindness has Liu ever shown you? Let's hurry up, Lord Wang is probably getting impatient."

  Huang Shan saw Liu Yitiao like this and didn't insist anymore. Some things are better left in the heart. He bowed to Liu Yitiao and said, "Brother Liu, please go first!"