Capítulo 46: Chapter 46: The Liu Family's Great Influence
Upon seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei's mind stirred—The Liu family!
Didn't Liu Rumei also give him a waist token? It seems it can be used in this way.
Ah, but unfortunately, I didn't bring it with me.
Then, thinking for a moment, weren't these two people from the Liu family? Why not strike up a conversation with them?
With that in mind, he coughed and moved closer, cupping his fists in greeting. "Are you two from the Liu Manor? How is Miss Liu Rumei these days?"
The two men looked at Chen Xiaobei but remained silent.
Chen Xiaobei, sharp as ever, thought that if mentioning Liu Rumei didn't work, he could try another approach. He then continued, "How is Big Brother Liu Tie these days? Has his injury healed?"
The man who had spoken earlier tilted his head, looking at Chen Xiaobei with a confused expression. "Who are you? How do you know that Liu Tie was injured?"
Ah, now we're getting somewhere, Chen Xiaobei thought, secretly pleased. "Oh, a few days ago, on Qingniu Mountain, I was the one who brought Miss Liu to find Big Brother Liu Tie."
The man looked at Chen Xiaobei in surprise. "You... you are the one who refused Miss Liu's reward, Chen Xiaobei?"
Ah, so he knows my name, and even more, I was so noble that I refused the reward.
"Yes, yes, I am Chen Xiaobei. The reward doesn't matter, it was just a small favor."
The man straightened up, his expression becoming much more serious. He clasped his hands in front of Chen Xiaobei and bowed respectfully. "A great favor needs no thanks. Please accept my bow, from Liu Ziming."
Another man beside him immediately bent over and said, "Please accept my bow, from Liu Ziliang."
At that moment, a soldier from upstairs shouted, "Listen below, we are going to open the gates for you now."
Liu Ziming looked at Chen Xiaobei. "Are you also heading into the city?"
"Yes, yes, I'm going to the city," Chen Xiaobei replied with a smile.
He had planned to enter the city anyway, now that the gates were open.
But at that moment, Yang Dazhi on the donkey cart suddenly made a noise.
Hearing the sound, Liu Ziming looked up and noticed the man on the cart, tightly bound with ropes, and couldn't help but ask, "Who is this?"
Before Chen Xiaobei could respond, Chen Ping quickly spoke up. His intention was to make himself look good. "This thief came to Brother Xiaobei's house with bad intentions. We caught him."
At this point, Chen Xiaobei could only helplessly explain, "Oh, yes, we caught a thief. I was just planning to send him to the county office overnight, but I'm not sure when the county magistrate will start the trial."
Liu Ziliang laughed, "This is simple. Once we enter the city, I'll go help you drum up a fuss."
Liu Ziming nodded. "Yes, once the drum sounds, Magistrate Hu will immediately begin the trial."
At this moment, there was a creaking sound, and the drawbridge fell, with the city gates opening wide. A group of soldiers appeared at the entrance and cupped their fists toward Liu Ziming. "Please, gentlemen."
Liu Ziming stepped forward and returned the salute, pointing to Chen Xiaobei behind him. "These gentlemen are also friends of Miss Liu. Would it be possible to grant them some convenience?"
As he said this, he took a silver ingot from his sleeve and cheerfully handed it to the leader of the soldiers.
A favor with both face and substance—how could one not reciprocate such a gesture?
The leader of the soldiers waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately parted to form two lines.
Liu Ziming nodded and cupped his fists again. "Thank you."
Then, he turned to Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, please."
After expressing his thanks, Chen Xiaobei hurriedly led the donkey cart inside. What surprised him was that these soldiers stood there and watched without asking a single question, despite the fact that the cart was carrying a person.
Now, Chen Xiaobei began to feel uneasy. Could the Liu family really have such power in Qingniu County?
Thinking about it now, it didn't seem like a bad trade to receive a waist token instead of silver.
Yes, from now on, whenever coming to the county, he should remember to bring that token. It might come in handy at some point.
True to his word, Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang brought Chen Xiaobei to the county office. Liu Ziming picked up the drumstick and began to strike the drum.
After a few beats, the side door creaked open, and a constable walked out, rubbing his sleepy eyes and shouting, "Who's there? It's still not dawn! Can't anyone let me sleep?"
Liu Ziming stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Ah, it's Brother He Qi! You've worked hard."
The man, called He Lao Qi, steadied himself and immediately smiled. "Oh, it's Brother Ziming. It's so early, what brings you here?"
Liu Ziming pointed to Chen Xiaobei behind him. "My brother here has encountered a small issue, and Miss Liu specifically instructed me to bring him here. Please let Magistrate Hu know that everything should be handled fairly according to the law."
Upon hearing this, He Lao Qi immediately put on a smile.
"Rest assured, even without Miss Liu's instructions, Magistrate Hu would still handle things fairly."
Liu Ziming nodded. "Then, I'll thank you in advance, Brother He."
He leaned in closer. "We'll treat you to a drink some other day."
He Lao Qi then approached Chen Xiaobei with a smile. "What happened?"
Chen Xiaobei briefly explained the situation.
He Lao Qi listened, nodded, and blew a whistle with his pinky finger.
Two more constables emerged from the corner gate.
He Lao Qi pointed to Yang Dazhi on the donkey cart. "Get him down. The magistrate will be questioning him soon."
At this moment, the gate to the county office suddenly creaked open, and several more constables walked out.
He Lao Qi turned to look at Chen Xiaobei and Chen Ping, "Let's go. Follow me to meet the magistrate."
Chen Ping pushed Chen Xiaobei forward, "We're just accompanying him. Brother Xiaobei, you go ahead."
He Lao Qi looked at Chen Xiaobei, who nodded.
"Alright, then you come with me."
Chen Xiaobei walked a few steps ahead, and Chen Ping and the others rushed to get into the carriage. "Don't worry, Brother Xiaobei, we'll wait for you here."
At this moment, Chen Ping, focused on the prospect of eating meat buns, had no idea that what was happening inside would involve him.
Chen Xiaobei followed He Lao Qi into the main hall. At that moment, Magistrate Hu Fan was already properly dressed and sitting upright.
He Lao Qi quickly approached and whispered a few words in Hu Fan's ear. Hu Fan nodded slightly.
He picked up the gavel and lightly struck it. "Who is it, and what is the matter?"
Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward, bowed, and briefly explained the situation.
When Hu Fan heard this, he slammed the gavel down with a louder thud than before.
"Bold thief! To dare enter a private home at night! Bring him up!"
Soon, Yang Dazhi was brought up. Constables held him by the shoulders and forced him to kneel in front of the magistrate.
"Hey! What's your name? Why did you sneak into Chen Xiaobei's house in the middle of the night? Tell the truth!"
Yang Dazhi glanced at Hu Fan but remained silent.
Hu Fan, having been woken up early, was already in a foul mood and was running out of patience. He gave He Lao Qi a look.
He Lao Qi nodded, stepped forward, and kicked Yang Dazhi to the ground.
"Beat him."
Several constables quickly rushed in, swinging their heavy clubs, smashing them into Yang Dazhi's backside and thighs. The sound of the blows was loud and clear, and Yang Dazhi cried out in pain.
He Lao Qi tilted his head and watched Yang Dazhi with a dry laugh. "If you don't speak, we can try something else."
He then reached for a pair of finger clamps from a nearby rack and threw them in front of Yang Dazhi.
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