Chapter 16: The Colonel's Justice

  Ye County, west of the city.

  Located on Xijie Xiaobei Lane, this mansion is simple and unadorned, yet has a unique charm. The study in the backyard is elegant and refined, with paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls, screens placed in the corners, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafting through the air. Row upon row of bookshelves stand upright, holding countless bamboo scrolls, all of which are rare books.

  Smoke curled around, two men sat facing each other, boiling tea and drinking together.

  "Elder brother, what do you think about Governor Zhou appointing Wang Lei as the magistrate of Wuji County?"

  One of the men took a sip of tea and asked in a soft voice.

  The man wore a high hat, dressed in a black long gown with neat lapels. He was in his early twenties, with a pale face and no beard, a square-shaped face, eight-shaped eyebrows, clear and bright eyes, and extraordinary intelligence.

  His name was Xin Pi, and he was a staff member of Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province.

  Xin Pi's so-called "older brother" was named Xin Ping, nearly thirty years old, with a face that resembled Xin Pi by about three parts. Xin Ping had a stern expression, his eyes were upright and calm, and like Xin Pi, he also served under Han Fu, but as Han Fu's long historian.

  Xin Ping snorted, coldly laughing: "What else can be done? This is obviously a plan for Shu Zu to present to the governor, a borrowed knife to kill someone. Shu Zu, a renowned scholar of Ji Zhou, actually stooped to dealing with a thug from the eastern market, how humiliating."

  Xin Pi shook his head and said: "Elder brother, I'm talking about how to treat the governor of the province?"

  Xin Ping thought for a moment, lowering his voice: "Without the elegance of accommodating others, with no city walls in his heart. Wang Yue is a rogue, even if he's lowly, but at least he's a meritorious minister. Although the matter of intercepting Zhang Cheng shouldn't be publicized, everyone knows it in their hearts and should be rewarded, but Han Fu borrowed a knife to kill someone, which instead makes people feel disgusted."

  Xin Ping's expression became even more serious, "At first, my brother and I thought Han Fu was talented, so we came to Ji Zhou to join him. After observing him for some time, I think he is timid by nature, narrow-minded, and lacks the elegance of accommodating others. Moreover, even if he really wanted to kill Wang Pei, he shouldn't have used such an obvious method, without any tact at all."

  Xin Bi nodded and continued: "Especially since Wang Lei is only 18 years old this year, a young adult who has just come of age, yet he was appointed as the county magistrate of Wuji County. It's simply absurd. To kill one person, and disregard the lives of hundreds of citizens, alas..."

  Pausing for a moment, Xin Pi continued: "Elder brother, it's actually Wang Wei who has some ideas."

  "Oh, what's your interest in him?"

  A skeptical face, is a hoodlum worth paying attention to?

  Xin Bi smiled and said, "After Shu Shou released Wang Yue, his actions became quite interesting."

  "Bang! Bang!!"

  There was a knock at the door outside the room.

  "Come in!"

  Xin Ping shouted, the door creaked open. The steward of the mansion walked in, bowed to Xin Ping and Xin Bi, called out "Master" and "Second Master", before slowly saying: "I report to Master, Colonel Qiu Yi has come to visit."

  Xin Ping waved his hand and said: "Please ask General Jin to wait in the main hall, I will be there soon."

  "Yes!"

  After the housekeeper left, she closed the door again.

  Xin Ping frowned and said, "Ji Yi is a man who relies on his talent and looks down on others. Even when the governor summons him, he has an expression as if he owes him money. We have nothing to do with him, but today he comes to our door, probably because something's up!"

  Xin Bi smiled and said: "Elder brother, I guess it has something to do with Wang Yue."

  "Oh, how did you infer that?" Xinqing asked.

  Xin Bi shook his head and smiled lightly, not answering. With a smile, he said: "If Mei Yi came to visit Brother Long just for Wang Wei, please add another fire to make Mei Yi angry and directly find trouble with Wang Wei. Although Wang Wei is a rascal in the East City, I think it's quite interesting. He has some means to let Mei Yi be a whetstone to test Wang Wei's sharpness."

  Xin Ping frowned and said: "Why are you so concerned about Wang Lei?"

  Xin Pi's expression was despondent, his face full of helplessness. He forced a smile and said: "Han Fu is a great celebrity, also the famous governor of Ji Zhou, but he is all show and no substance. Following him is boring, I have nothing to do. Every day I stay at home, I need to find something interesting to pass the time. Coincidentally, I think Wang Lei is quite interesting, so I pay a bit more 'attention'."

  Xin Ping shook his head and turned to leave the study.

  He came to the hall, but saw a middle-aged man with a strong physique, wearing armor, with a sword hanging from his waist, holding his head high, with an arrogant and proud look in his eyes, standing in the hall. This person was Mian Yi, who saw Xin Ping walking towards him with big strides, did not move forward to greet him, and only after Xin Ping arrived at the hall, did he cup his fists and say: "Commandant Mian Yi, pays respects to Xin Zhangshi."

  Displeased to see an ugly face, unhappy in heart.

  You are a military officer, but at this time you come to visit, shouldn't put on a stinky face! Xin Ping's face was expressionless, and he said, "Please sit down, Lieutenant!" The two knelt down and sat, and Xin Ping asked straightforwardly: "Lieutenant came to my house, what's the matter?"

  "Here for Wang Wei!"

  Xin Ping smiled wryly in his heart, and was indeed guessed by Xin Pi.

  "Wang Lei is appointed as the county magistrate of Wuji County. This is an appointment by the governor, I don't know what the chief commander will do with him."

  Xin Ping replied to Xin Pi, speaking with a tolerant and patient tone of mind.

  The county magistrate's face turned red with rage, and he said in a deep voice: "Wang Lei, you are not worthy of being the county magistrate of Wuji County. Wuji County has hundreds of thousands of people under its jurisdiction, and the county magistrate is responsible for their safety. The governor's decision was hasty, I think it's very unreasonable. This time I came to visit Xin Changshi, wanting to join forces with him to advise the governor and stop Wang Lei from taking office in Wuji County."

  He's really straightforward!

  Qingyun said with a smile: "As long as Lord Zhangsun agrees, I will surely be heavily rewarded."

  Xin Ping thought for a moment and wondered if Wang Wei's appointment as the magistrate of Wuji County might have blocked Miao Yi or his relatives from advancing in their official careers. As it turned out, Xin Ping had guessed correctly - Miao Yi had already learned that the position of magistrate of Wuji County was vacant and had promised his cousin that he would secure the job for him, but before he could make a request to Han Fu, Han Fu had already appointed Wang Wei to the position.

  Qianyi lost face and was reluctant to come visit Xinpeng.

  Xin Ping rolled his eyes and said, "General Mian Yi, the governor has already given the order, it's impossible to change. If we go to persuade him, it will only make the governor dislike us."

  "Can't just sit back and do nothing?"

  Xin Ping shook his head with a smile, "Of course not, if we want to stop Wang Yue, we must make our move."

  "Please instruct me, Senior Recorder!"

  Xin Ping said calmly: "Wang Lei is just a rogue from the East Market of Ye County, with a lowly status, not worth mentioning. The Colonel is the trusted aide of the Governor, with a noble status. In my opinion, the Colonel can wait until Wang Lei takes office and then take him down directly, beheading him first and reporting later. Given the Governor's temperament, even if he finds out later, he won't punish the Colonel, at most just scolding him."

  "Right! How come I didn't think of that?"

  Qian Yi's eyes lit up, and he suddenly felt his blood boiling. He stood up, bowed with a fist in respect, and thanked him: "Thank you, Chancellor Zhangsun, I will come to visit again after the matter is settled."

  Xin Ping shook his head and said, "The school lieutenant doesn't have to be like this. This matter comes from my mouth and enters your ears. Once we leave this door, I won't admit that this is my suggestion. After all, beheading first and reporting later will not please the governor."

  Mochi nodded repeatedly to show her understanding and left the Xinfu house with an uncontrollable smile.

  PS: Three watches, work finished.