Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Encircled by Troops

At this moment, Governor Wang had no time to pay attention to Qin, and led people briskly to the front yard.

Qin thought to himself, the Military Commander was playing such tricks on him! Was this an attempt to intimidate him? He was curious to see who had the audacity!

Governor Wang hurried along and saw from a distance that someone had broken into the mansion entrance.

The leading person was dressed in armor, accompanied by soldiers similarly armored, forcing their way in. The servants at the Governor Mansion attempted to stop them, but how could they? Faced with this imposing manner, they dared not intervene, yet dared not do nothing, retreating step by step.

Governor Wang noticed that the person’s armor seemed to belong to a Colonel.

He was familiar with the Military Commander and the Generals under him, but he did not recognize a junior officer. He immediately shouted, “How dare you! On whose orders do you trespass on my estate? Where is Ding Yichuan?”

Ding Yichuan was the Military Commander of Yuqing County.

The Colonel, with bushy eyebrows and large eyes, stern-faced and his hand resting on his sword hilt, did not respond to Governor Wang.

Governor Wang became even angrier and also felt a loss of face. What was Ding Yichuan playing at? Did he know that Qin was coming today for evaluation and deliberately staged this to escape his control?

After all, Qin evaluated both civil and military officials, and if he were to be brought down, it would indeed be a vicious scheme. He worried that Ding Yichuan was colluding with people from the Governor’s Office, trying to pull the rug from under him.

This scoundrel had also benefited from him, yet now dared to pull this stunt.

However, Governor Wang inwardly smirked. Ding Yichuan surely didn’t know that his relationship with Qin had long surpassed that of an evaluator and the evaluated, and could even be described as mutually beneficial or destructive. Even if Qin had strong backing, it would still be painful. Ding Yichuan trying to use Qin to suppress him was laughable.

With his mind made up, Governor Wang became even angrier and shouted, “Are you mute? Which General do you serve under? Such a lack of discipline! Quickly fetch your superior!”

The Colonel stepped aside, and the soldiers followed suit, neatly arranging themselves on both sides, trained and disciplined, hands on sword hilts, the atmosphere stern.

Down the path they made way for, someone approached.

Leading the way was a man about forty years old, with a purplish face, rough skin, large hands and feet, wearing plain clothes but exuding a robust vigor that could not be concealed. Half a step behind him was a man in his late thirties wearing a blue-gray long robe. This man’s appearance was much leaner and differed from the rugged features of the purplish-faced man, with neatly combed hair, appearing quite scholarly.

Beside him, there were several others, among whom a young man around twenty stood out the most. He wore a blue outfit, with handsome brows and sharp eyes.

Over there, Qin was already deeply shaken. This man was truly the top military officer under Jiazhou Governor, Inspector Yue Zhengrong. Astonishingly, not just him, but beside him was the top civil officer, Chief Historian Su Shijie. Both of them were his superiors. He quickly took two steps forward, saluting as he greeted, “Inspector Yue, Chief Historian Su, what brings you both here together, is there something you wish to instruct your subordinate on?”

He had set off from Jiazhou for Yuqing County, which would take two days at a brisk pace. However, he had traveled leisurely over four days. When he departed, there was no word, and he was sure that Lord Governor had no intention of sending Yue Zhengrong and Su Shijie either.

Dispatching one was significant enough, but sending both, how monumental must the matter be?

What happened during these four days?

Why have they come?

Moreover, they’ve brought fully armed soldiers.

He had found it peculiar earlier; he recognized the armor and clothing of these soldiers as belonging to the Jiazhou garrison.

No wonder the junior officer paid no heed to Governor Wang. The Jiazhou garrison only obeyed Jiazhou Inspector and Jiazhou Governor. Why would they care about the Governor of Yuqing County?

Su Shijie glanced at Qin, nodding slightly and said, “On the Lord Governor’s orders, we are here on official business!”

Governor Wang recognized them too, and in shock and surprise, his eyes widened, unsure of what to say as his mind raced. He quickly stepped forward with a smile, saying, “Pardon me, pardon me, I did not know Inspector Yue and Mr. Su were gracing us with your presence, please forgive any lack of hospitality!”

Yue Zhengrong turned his gaze to Governor Wang, his expression far more stern, “Are you Wang Qianshan?”

Governor Wang forced a smile, “I am indeed!” But inwardly, he felt quite anxious. The last time they met during a report, they had spoken, and as a distinguished person, Yue Inspector was unlikely to forget completely. Now asking such questions must be deliberate?

Yue Zhengrong’s voice deepened, “How dare you, Wang Qianshan, conspire against Prince Cheng’s Heir and even seek his life. You must have nerves of steel!”

Wang Qianshan was startled, hastily responding, “Is it possible that Inspector Yue is mistaken? In this small Yuqing County, if a noble arrived, how could I dare show any disrespect? Besides, Prince Cheng’s domain is in Yunzhou, how could his Heir be in Yuqing County, Jiazhou?”

Yue Zhengrong sneered coldly, “Are you suggesting that I am falsely accusing you?”

Wang Qianshan did think so, but dare not say it aloud, instead adopting a pleading posture, “Inspector Yue, please discern clearly, this cannot be true, it cannot be true!”

Qin quietly retreated a step. His relationship with Wang Qianshan afforded him knowledge of the latter’s covert dealings.

For ordinary people, harming hundreds or thousands wasn’t an issue, but if it involved princes, imperial grandchildren, or royal relatives, it became a severe matter.

Could Wang Qianshan have truly been blind and offended someone untouchable?

Otherwise, how could the Inspector and Chief Historian come together, and with armed soldiers in tow?

Su Shijie cast a chilling look at Qin, speaking with a faint smile, “Perhaps Lord Wang unknowingly plotted against Prince Cheng’s Heir. Wang Qianshan, think carefully. Could Inspector Yue falsely accuse you?”

Wang Qianshan felt as if he were at a loss; he had dominated Yuqing County with his hand covering the sky, having judged countless wrongful cases and harmed numerous people in secret. Thinking back, how could he know who Prince Cheng’s Heir was?

However, Yue Zhengrong’s words revealed a clue that an attempt on life was made, which means the person was not yet dead?

Who could it be?

Wang Qianshan couldn’t think of an answer; there were just too many people! He could only maintain his smile, saying, “Inspector Yue, Chief Historian Su, even if I had eyes of no use, I would never dare to show any disrespect toward Prince Cheng’s Heir. Moreover, I have never seen Prince Cheng’s Heir. It must be a misunderstanding, it must be!”

Yue Zhengrong’s face darkened, pointing to the young man beside him, “The Heir’s subordinate is here, and upon receiving a direct message from the Heir, I’ve rushed here with troops. How could there be a mistake?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep