Looking at the tightly closed city gates before him, Fang Zheng suddenly felt something was wrong.

City gates closed in broad daylight could only mean one thing. something had happened inside!

Could it be Xie Xian…

When the guard on the wall saw an unfamiliar caravan approach, he called out loudly. “Who comes there? State your business and name!”

“I am Fang Zheng, dispatched by imperial decree to inspect local areas. Open the gates immediately!”

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately grew tense, lowering a basket from the wall to collect credentials.

Fang Zheng didn’t waste words, simply ordering someone to place the imperial decree in the basket.

After receiving the credentials, the guard on the wall called out. “Please wait, sir! I will report this at once!”

Soon after, the city gates opened, and a man wearing official robes with a goatee appeared at the entrance.

Fang Zheng stepped forward quickly, greeting him warmly. “You must be Magistrate Wang Qian?”

Before arriving, he had done his homework and knew something about Haiyuan City.

The official in charge here was Wang Qian.

Wang Qian quickly sized up Fang Zheng, feeling somewhat nervous inside.

“Indeed I am. Wang Qian greets Lord Fang! May I ask what brings you here?”

He smiled outwardly, but inwardly he had grown extremely cautious.

Fang Zheng had personally taken down Liu Xun. He was ruthless.

His own dealings with salt merchants involved many shady practices… could he be here to investigate the salt merchants?

Fang Zheng smiled pleasantly. “This official has been sent by imperial decree to inspect local areas. Passing through Haiyuan City, I’ve long heard of its reputation and came specially to see it, while also resting briefly. I’ll be leaving in a few days! But why are the city gates closed in broad daylight?”

Wang Qian laughed awkwardly, still feeling wary.

But something major had happened in the city, and he couldn’t hide it. He could only steel himself and say. “In response to your lordship, a local prominent family, the Lu household, has been taken hostage by bandits.”

“I have just sent men to handle this matter. To prevent the bandits from escaping, I ordered the city gates closed!”

Fang Zheng tensed. “What kind of bandits are so difficult to capture? How long has this been going on?”

“It’s been five days now. We don’t know the bandits’ identities for certain, but they’re definitely not locals.” Wang Qian’s expression turned bitter.

“Such audacity! A few days ago, this official encountered a group of desperate criminals on the road and let them escape by chance. They might be the same group!” Fang Zheng said angrily.

His words were stern, but inwardly he relaxed somewhat. It was probably Xie Xian and the others who were in trouble, but at least they hadn’t been captured yet.

“This… could it be so? The entire Lu family has been taken hostage, and they’ve been killing indiscriminately. Even the Lu family’s eldest son, third son, fourth son, and steward have been killed! Whenever we send people in, they start killing.”

“Lord Fang, the Lu family is one of the four major salt merchants. If anything happens to Old Master Lu, salt supply in many southern regions will be affected. I have no choice but to hold a standoff with the bandits.”

“Haven’t the bandits negotiated with you?” Fang Zheng asked.

“No, we’re just at a stalemate! As soon as we send officials in, they harm innocent people!”

“I’m thinking… when they can no longer hold out, they’ll negotiate. Then we can find a way to rescue the people.”

Wang Qian had a bellyful of grievances.

Those bastards refused to negotiate with him, just maintaining this standoff without stating their demands.

He didn’t dare take forceful action either. If Old Master Lu died, the impact on the Lu family would ripple through the entire southern salt industry.

The court would certainly send people to investigate thoroughly, and his own pile of shit wouldn’t withstand scrutiny…..

“Lead the way! This official will personally assess the situation. In broad daylight, under the clear sky, these bandits are incredibly brazen, daring to commit crimes inside Haiyuan City. This official will personally apprehend them this time!” Fang Zheng appeared righteously indignant.

Wang Qian grew increasingly anxious.

If Fang Zheng truly was just passing through to rest for a few days, then all would be well.

But if he got involved and learned something he shouldn’t… would he lose his life?

However, since Fang Zheng had spoken, he couldn’t refuse. He could only take it one step at a time.

Wang Qian nodded, then led Fang Zheng into the city, heading straight for the Lu family mansion.

Only two guards stood watch outside the residence. Fang Zheng asked. “Why are there only two men here? Where are the rest?”

Wang Qian hurriedly explained. “The others are guarding the inner courtyard!”

Fang Zheng grunted, then turned to his caravan behind him. “Everyone come out! Dismount and follow this official to capture the bandits!”

Taoyuan County’s elite troops poured out of the carriages, and Shui Yibai also emerged from the first carriage.

Fang Zheng stepped forward to help her.

The journey had been taxing, switching from land to water and back to land. The young lady’s physical condition wasn’t like a man’s, and she was clearly very fatigued.

When Wang Qian saw Shui Yibai, his eyes widened.

This Fang Zheng was no ordinary man!

Traveling with such a stunning beauty who was clearly not a servant girl, wasn’t he afraid of criticism? It seemed he too was a man who enjoyed wine and women….

After everyone had dismounted and formed ranks, Fang Zheng pointed at the group. “These are this official’s guards from the road. They can assist you.”

Wang Qian glanced at them and said bitterly. “Lord Fang, the opponents are only about twenty people. Officials would be more than enough, but the problem now is that they have hostages. We must protect the hostages’ safety!”

“Good! Everyone follow me inside. I will personally negotiate with the bandits!”

“My lord, please be cautious, be cautious!” Wang Qian pleaded.

This official wasn’t what he had imagined. How could he be so reckless when he’d just arrived in the city…

“Enough talk! Let’s go in!”

Upon entering the compound, Fang Zheng began looking around, marveling at the various beautiful sights and secretly clicking his tongue. After walking for a while and feeling somewhat tired, he asked. “How much further? The Lu family is truly extravagant, with such a large mansion. This is the first time this official has seen such a place!”

Wang Qian smiled awkwardly. “We’re almost there. The Lu family has been in the salt business since the days of the Qian Dynasty. It’s natural for them to have accumulated such wealth over the years!”

“This official was also quite shocked when I first saw this mansion!”

After walking for another five minutes, past several magnificent buildings, a delicate pavilion appeared before Fang Zheng and his group.

Inlaid with gold and jade, with upturned eaves and intricate brackets, it was both elegant and noble, clearly different from the other areas.

In the courtyard outside the pavilion, a line seemed to have been drawn with blood, though it had already dried and darkened.

Outside this line, layers of officials stood guard. Seeing Wang Qian approach, they automatically parted to create a path.

Wang Qian pointed at the pavilion. “This is the Lu family’s South Tower, where Old Master Lu and several young masters reside. The bandits are inside.”

“We can’t cross the line. Someone is watching from a window on the second floor. If we cross it, they kill people and throw the bodies down from the second floor.”

“Lord Fang, you’ve seen the situation. Please leave this matter to me.”

“You’ve had a tiring journey. Let me arrange accommodations for you now.”

At that moment, a small gap opened in a second-floor window, revealing half a face looking outside, making direct eye contact with Fang Zheng.

Isn’t that Zhou Tie? So it really is my people!

Fang Zheng raised his hand to stop Wang Qian and, to Wang Qian’s astonishment, strode directly across the blood line, spreading his arms wide and calling out loudly. “Bandits, listen up! I am Fang Zheng! I’ve come to negotiate with you. I come alone, unarmed. If you’re willing, open the main door!”