Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Who Hit Him

Wang Bolao’s legs went weak with fright, almost falling over. This matter should not be spoken of.

He knelt again, his face full of panic, and said, “I am terrified, I am worried, I do not know whether this illness is indeed an epidemic. If it is, then I deserve to die a thousand deaths!”

Shang Jingwang looked at his trembling appearance, as if he had no bones, kneeling at every moment, glanced at him, and waved his hand, “Indeed, my arrival was rather abrupt, but it was fortunate someone informed me. Wang Bolao, I ask you, since the number of sick people has increased and someone has determined it is an epidemic, have you reported it to the county?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Bolao’s mouth involuntarily twitched, and he once again thought of Xia Wenjin.

Xia Wenjin, this young man, really is a living immortal who knows everything beforehand. He thought of everything and also reminded me. Yet, it was precisely because of his reminder that when I went to the County Magistrate to report this matter, I was rebuked, whipped a few times, and had my buttocks beaten red, which made me furious when I returned, and then Xia Wenjin gave me a good beating!

That beating was well-deserved!

If it weren’t for that beating which got me scared, how could I have cooperated so well these past few days?

Now the benefits of cooperation are appearing.

He cautiously said, “This, four days ago I went to the county and met the Lord County Magistrate. However, words alone were not enough, the Lord County Magistrate thought I was spreading rumors, whipped me and chased me out!”

Shang Jingwang frowned; a mayor personally went to report a suspected epidemic to the County Magistrate, only to be dismissed as rumor-mongering? Without investigation or inquiry? How negligent!

Seeing Shang Jingwang’s face darken, Wang Bolao dared not say another word and lowered his head.

But Shang Jingwang looked at him once more, “So your injuries were actually inflicted by the County Magistrate’s people?”

“No, no, no…” Wang Bolao felt troubled; how could this injury not be bypassed when it wasn’t obvious anymore? Although the County Magistrate had people whip him, they hit his buttocks, and the Prefect obviously saw the injuries on his face.

Seeing his awkward appearance, Shang Jingwang became impatient, his gaze sharp, “What’s the matter? Who beat you?”

Unable to hide behind an excuse anymore, Wang Bolao had to tell the truth, “It was… it was an out-of-town doctor who determined there was an epidemic who beat me!”

“Oh?” This statement contained much information, and Shang Jingwang said, “Explain in detail!” As a long-time local official, Shang Jingwang knew well how to understand these people’s thoughts. At this moment, his gaze carried a penetrating force that seemed able to see through one’s soul.

Under such a direct gaze, Wang Bolao eventually spilled the beans and recounted everything.

He didn’t dare to claim credit, explaining how Xia Wenjin suspected an epidemic, then came to him; how he initially didn’t believe it, listened to Zhang Jiantang, later Xia Wenjin advised him on how to establish isolation points, how to have wealthy families donate money and materials, how he was beaten when reporting to the County Magistrate, and how he vented his anger on Xia Wenjin, ultimately receiving a thorough beating from Xia Wenjin, which he recounted one by one.

These matters were not only shameful, but some even highlighted his incompetence as a mayor.

He didn’t want to say it, but Shang Jingwang’s eyes just stared at him like that, making him anxious about leaving out any details, not daring to hold back a word.

Shang Jingwang’s complexion grew darker; this Kong Tixin truly occupied his position without fulfilling his duties. However, upon hearing Wang Bolao had been thoroughly beaten, he actually smiled slightly, nodded and said, “This Xia Wenjin is quite good, where is he? Take me to see him!”

Wang Bolao felt like wiping sweat again.

He hesitantly said, “This, I don’t know where Mr. Xia is either. Seven villages, including the town, with eight isolation points… there’s only one doctor…” As for the report from his subordinates, Song Heizi took Zhang Jiantang’s silver coin, gathered people to prepare to ambush Xia Wenjin, which he still dared not speak of.

Shang Jingwang remained silent for a moment, knowing what kind of situation it was.

Considering Wangshan Town is merely a remote area, lacking medical resources, if this out-of-town person hadn’t come by a chance coincidence and discovered it, until it spiraled out of control, what kind of situation would it have been? It was simply unimaginable.

Seeing the Prefect not continue to pursue the matter, Wang Bolao breathed a sigh of relief. Now he increasingly felt Xia Wenjin’s importance, thinking of the names of various immortals in his heart, hoping they would protect Xia Wenjin from encountering Song Heizi and his group.

Wang Bolao still sought an opportunity to instruct his subordinates, “Immediately send someone to inquire for news, if anything happens to Xia Wenjin, arrest Zhang Jiantang. If nothing happens to him, then strictly monitor Zhang Jiantang, report any movements to me immediately!”

However, Shang Jingwang not only had sharp eyes, but also sharp ears; even though he had walked several steps away, he turned back, with a gaze like a sharp blade, “What happened to Xia Wenjin?”

Wang Bolao wanted to muddle through, but when faced with his gaze, he cowered; his face gaunt, his eyes flashed with a sharp glint, accompanied by an aggressive aura, the kind of pressure from someone in a high position, the overwhelming momentum looking down on him, made Wang Bolao tremble inwardly. Thinking about how things have developed to this extent, it couldn’t be concealed anymore, and he was also concerned about Xia Wenjin really encountering trouble.

Upon hearing about bribery and secret plotting for an ambush, Shang Jingwang’s gaze changed, looking at Wang Bolao colder, saying, “Mayor Wang, previously I thought you had some ability to at least listen to reason. Upon knowing there was an epidemic, your handling was somewhat appropriate. But now it seems, Wangshan Town really is a place where the poor mountains produce rogue people, with no distinction between good and evil, ignorant beyond belief, especially you, being the first muddle-headed fool!”

Wang Bolao was so chastised he dared not lift his head, Shang Jingwang’s anger was uncontrollable, “Aren’t you going to dispatch someone to look?”

Shang Jingwang was also anxious, guessing that Young Master Jing was seeking a friend, who was likely Xia Wenjin. Imagine, with Young Master Jing’s noble status, his friend could not possibly be some rural person from Wangshan Town. According to Wang Bolao, this Xia Wenjin is skilled in medicine and capable; at a young age, able to recognize the epidemic hidden beneath the miasma, such a person is indeed fit to be Young Master Jin’s friend.

If Xia Wenjin is harmed, Young Master Jin would definitely be furious, and then forget about any achievements; him being a Prefect, not being punished would already be fortunate.

Moreover, setting aside Young Master Jing’s side, Xia Wenjin recognizing the epidemic and running around treating the villagers, only to end up being ambushed and killed by these villagers, what a vile act that would be?

Wang Bolao also understood, everyone hurried in the direction of Daleng Village.

Shang Jingwang, as the Prefecture, without even having a sip of water, began rushing about for Wangshan Town’s affairs. He worried that if he arrived too late, Xia Wenjin would have already encountered violence, so he called upon the doctors he brought, getting them to prepare medicine, and with everyone mounting horses, hurried toward Daleng Village.

Be it Shang Jingwang or Wang Bolao, at this time, both hoped that Xia Wenjin would not encounter trouble.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep