Chapter 1065: Making Arrests

Jiang Qi listened and changed his expression, quickly saying to County Magistrate Zheng: "Master, I will immediately take people to Qingshui River."

Damn it, he almost forgot that Qingshui River was connected to outside the county. Luckily, San Lang mentioned it, otherwise, if Zeng Biao and his men escaped, he would be dealt with by County Magistrate Zheng, General Guo, and Magistrate Gu together.

"Quickly go." County Magistrate Zheng was also scared, quickly urging Jiang Qi to handle it.

Qin San Lang didn’t delay either, taking County Magistrate Zheng’s handwritten letter and token, he assured, "Master, rest assured, I will definitely deliver the message."

While speaking, he looked at Gu Jin’an and Luo Wu, nodded to them, indicating they should be at ease, as his people were already guarding the village.

Qin San Lang soon left, riding towards the Prefecture.

Luo Wu and Gu Jin’an also bid farewell and left, taking a group of Government Officials back to the village.

While passing through Shang Family Village, Gu Jin’an worried about Scholar Shang, turned into Shang Family Village, and found Scholar Shang to tell him about the mountain bandits.

Gu Jin’an: "Master, be careful these days. If you notice anything wrong, immediately send someone to inform me."

Scholar Shang was shocked upon hearing this: "It’s mountain bandits targeting your family; they are truly daring beyond measure."

He sighed, "How does everything happen all at once? You still have to prepare for the college examination. Being caught up in these matters now prevents you from focusing on studying seriously."

"I’ve learned what needed to be learned, hugging books now won’t be much use." Gu Jin’an wasn’t worried or afraid; instead, he said, "My family has been quite conspicuous these years, being targeted by someone was inevitable. Catching a gang of bandits early to set an example is not bad. Besides, that gang’s strength is not great; they’ve long been watched by the Prefecture garrison army, my family will be fine, Master, rest assured."

As early as during the thriving sale of spices at home, Xiao Yu said, in the countryside, wealth is a murdering knife; not only will hooligans target her family’s Silver, but even bandits would eye it, so the family should beware.

However, if truly targeted by bandits, there’s no need to be afraid. Feng Jin and the others are not to be trifled with; teaching a batch of bandits a harsh lesson would make future days more peaceful.

As even bandits can’t take advantage of her family, who else would dare find fault?

Gu Jin’an was reminded by Gu Jinli a few years ago, so he wasn’t afraid when really targeted by bandits.

After hearing, Scholar Shang was somewhat reassured, but he urged them promptly: "Good Brother An, Brother Wu, quickly return to the village, don’t linger outside. If those bandits know He Daqian is caught, they might act ahead of time."

Gu Jin’an nodded: "Yes, we’ll head back now."

Scholar Shang, along with Ah Jiu, carried a lantern and escorted them outside.

After they left, Scholar Shang said again: "Let’s go find Uncle."

Village Chief Shang was almost sickened by the commotion caused by Old Master Shang Si’s matters; seeing the two letters Scholar Shang brought back, he felt much better.

Yet upon hearing Scholar Shang’s words, he was frightened again: "Mountain bandits? How could such a thing happen!"

Village Chief Shang knew that Great Chu had many bandits, but He’an Prefecture being near Jiangnan was historically more stable than other places, with not many bandits.

And bandits were mainly highway robbers, never having raided a village.

He only heard that the Northwest bandits and Da Rong people would raid villages.

Scholar Shang said, "You don’t need to worry too much; General Guo from the Prefecture has already sent people to eliminate the bandits. These mountain bandits are not Northwest bandits; they won’t cause too much havoc. Nephew came to tell you about He Daqian; for instance, if he were like Old Si from Shang family, one person could ruin the entire village. You can use the matter of He Daqian to reprimand those protecting Old Si in the Shang Family Clan."

Lastly, he earnestly added: "The example of one person harming an entire clan is right before you; you can’t tolerate these troublemakers any longer."

Village Chief Shang, jolted, assured: "I understand what you mean, Uncle will, as soon as it dawns, send Old Si to the government office, not waiting for Uncle to return to the village."

This Uncle is Old Master Shang Si, one of the Shang Family Elders, who makes a living in the Prefecture, having quite a prosperous life there.

And it’s a major matter to report to the officials from the Shang Family; according to clan rules, all clan elders should come back to discuss and resolve the matter together. But now Village Chief Shang doesn’t want to wait any longer; who knows what trouble might arise if he does.

Village Chief Shang mused in his heart: Since the Emperor killed the Eldest Imperial Prince’s entire family, Great Chu has been fraught with disturbances, fearing it’s nearing an end.

Seeing Village Chief Shang agree, Scholar Shang didn’t linger too long, returning home with Ah Jiu.

...

By the time Gu Jin’an and the others returned to the village, dawn was breaking, and Luo Wu immediately had Government Officials ambush the eight directions of the village, watching outside, protecting the villagers.

Village Chief He, after a night of rushing about, was physically worn out, constantly shivering, yet he didn’t intend to go back and sleep; he said to He Dacang: "Go now, to the ancestral hall... expel Fourth Son He’s family from the clan!"

Fourth Son He’s family, besides He Daqian’s family, was the biggest rogue in the village, having committed numerous bad deeds over the years. But because they hadn’t caused major troubles, Village Chief He, considering the sentiment towards fellow clan members, hadn’t driven them away.

Now, they couldn’t be kept; who knew if Fourth Son He would become another He Daqian?

He Dacang was shocked, looking at his father: "Father, He Daqian’s family has been expelled from the clan, now if Fourth Son He’s family also..."

"Fourth Son He’s family must be expelled from the clan!" Village Chief He was very emotional, angrily saying: "He is just like He Daqian; this old man has seen it clearly over these decades. He may not have noble ties now, but if he encounters someone and has malicious backing, see if he won’t bring people to the village and ruin us like He Daqian!"

He continued: "And as for He Tianwa’s wife, He Laixin and his wife, He Laosou and his spouse, these people are forgetting pain once healed. They admitted their mistakes only when severely beaten, but if they aren’t shown how a chicken dies, they won’t remember pain. Fourth Son He’s family must be expelled from the clan, letting them see the consequences of causing trouble, so they will fear."

Finally, he pointed at He Dacang: "And you, eldest, can’t be like me. I didn’t act when I should have, raising the courage of He family troublemakers, leading to He Daqian’s misdeeds, cough, cough!"

Village Chief He was very agitated, coughing between curses.

He Dacang hurriedly patted his back to ease his breathing, assuring: "Yes, yes, yes, son remembers, definitely won’t be soft-hearted anymore. When troublemakers need expelling from the clan, they will be expelled."

After hearing, Village Chief He finally calmed down somewhat, accepted the water pouch handed by He Jinseng, drank some water to soothe his throat, then looked at He Jinseng, saying: "Jin Sheng, likewise, be ruthless when necessary, don’t be too soft-hearted... Grandpa doesn’t expect you to become an official, but if you want to pursue such a path, you can’t handle matters like Grandpa, it will get you killed."