Chapter 1715: Old Master Yang and His Companions Learn the Truth

Chapter 1715: Chapter 1715: Old Master Yang and His Companions Learn the Truth

As for the grand gifts, let’s set that aside for now. Meng Yunzheng merely asked them with a serious expression, “Are you planning to return to Chenggu County?”

Old Master Yang and the others were taken aback, somewhat puzzled, and hesitantly nodded, “Well, of course, we plan to return. We’ve barely escaped danger and only wish to reunite with our families, who surely must be worried about us.”

Meng Yunzheng was silent for a moment, then lifted his head and said, “But Chenggu County isn’t safe right now; it’s even dangerous.”

Old Master Yang was startled and then seemed to recall something, hastily asking, “Do you mean there are still quite a few mountain bandits roaming the county town who haven’t been captured?”

“Mountain bandits?” Meng Yunzheng chuckled, looking towards Qin Kun in the distance, beckoning him over, and asked in front of everyone, “Tell everyone, are you a mountain bandit?”

Qin Kun shrunk his neck, sensing a bad premonition.

But now he stood with the others, it wouldn’t do to hide things further, so he whispered, “We’re not mountain bandits. There’s not a single mountain bandit in this black market. I was tricked by a fellow townsman two years ago to come here. After arriving, I found you either become laborers, or like Lu Wu, join the dueling field, or collude with them in the black market as muscle. The first two options are dead ends for me. I had local introductions, so I quickly became a black market thug. But believe me, even though I’m part of the black market, I’ve never harmed anyone.”

Old Master Yang and the others listened with growing concern, “So, you didn’t become bandits because you couldn’t wait for the new emperor’s full pardon? It’s you, the black market’s thugs, who are plundering Chenggu County, not some so-called mountain bandits?”

Qin Kun swallowed hard and nodded, “Yes.”

Young Master He standing next to Old Master Yang instantly raised his voice, “Why? How did we offend your black market that you’re so ruthless towards the town’s people? What do you intend to do?”

Qin Kun was about to cry, silently retreating two steps back.

“I don’t know, I’m merely a small minion obeying orders from above.”

Old Master Yang took a deep breath, having an intuition that the situation might run deep.

He asked Meng Yunzheng, “Does Young Master Meng know the reason?”

Meng Yunzheng looked towards Xia Yi, the reasons were somewhat complicated, his ties to the Capital weren’t deep, nor did he know what should or shouldn’t be said, letting Xia Yi decide.

Xia Yi quickly stepped forward, solemnly addressing everyone, “Given the situation, let me make things clear to you. The people in the black market indeed aren’t mountain bandits; they’re rebels plotting insurrection. They’ve targeted Chenggu County because the county magistrate is colluding with them.”

“Wh-what??” Everyone was astonished, “Lord Cheng is in league with them?”

Xia Yi nodded, “Yes, this black market has two secret passages; one is the route you all were brought in through, and the other leads to County Magistrate Cheng’s private residence. The rebels in the black market have targeted you based on a list County Magistrate Cheng provided, specifically capturing you all.”

Old Master Yang gasped sharply, “Then aren’t our families in grave danger?”

Young Master He, “County Magistrate Cheng is a rebel, will the imperial court send anyone to save Chenggu County?”

He Er, “So that’s how it is, thinking back, amongst those captured, none were families close to County Magistrate Cheng.”

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