Jiang Bin walked out of the door in high spirits. His nose was crooked from anger when he saw the door. His subordinates were all there, and no one had left. These people stood at the door with their hands in their sleeves, stomping their feet to ward off the cold. They were waiting for him at the door, and when they saw him come out, they immediately laughed.
Jiang Bin glared at them unhappily and walked forward with his head down. A group of unloyal subordinates, including a few bodyguards from the Xuan Residence, laughed and followed behind him to watch the show. Jiang Bin secretly cursed, "No matter what, today can be considered as a small success. I didn't enter the bridal chamber, but made a fool of myself."
He turned his head to look at Wang Tingshuang's house and felt a little scared, "This house is too evil. Just being next to Wang Tingshuang makes me a fool. Looks like I have to hire a Fengshuang to take a look. Ugh … Damn it, there seems to be no Fengshuang Master in Bazhou. Those with legs are all scared away. "
This ostentatious passing was really a scene in Bazhou. When the commoners on the streets saw this scene, they pointed at it excitedly and chased after him. Jiang Bin carried a bundle of firewood and was bare-chested. He wore a pair of high-waisted military boots and strode along the streets. He was carrying a bundle of firewood.
Jiang Bin's appearance was handsome, his body was well built, his well-developed muscles, his broad and powerful arms, and his chest muscles were like hills. He was really a sight to behold, especially when he was passing through the red-light district. A few madams and pimps were standing at the entrance basking in the sun, and when they saw this scene, they did not know who Jiang Bin was, and couldn't help pointing and laughing.
His loud yelling caused the girls upstairs to open their windows and sit on the railings. They held melon seeds in their hands, and as they munched on them, they tossed the shells of the melon seeds at Jiang Bin and winked at him seductively. Their watery eyes were glued to Jiang Bin's chest and flesh.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Bin immediately perked up and straightened his back even more. His body was no longer so cold, and the bundle of firewood on his shoulder seemed to have turned into a Green Dragon Crescent Moon Blade. With his head held high and chest puffed out, he strode forward as if he was flying. From time to time, he would shake his strong chest muscles and smile wickedly at the girls upstairs. His sloppy expression made the girls scream, cheer, and even whistle.
Jiang Bin took the lead and led a large crowd of onlookers to the imperial envoy's temporary residence. The guards of the temporary residence saw a large group of people rushing over from afar and immediately rushed in to report the news. Song Ai was shocked when she heard the news and quickly rushed out with a scimitar in her hand, followed by a team of gunners who nervously got into position.
Song Ai walked to the door and saw that there were quite a few people there. However, none of them were armed and were laughing. They didn't look like a mutiny at all. The lunatic at the front looked familiar … Ah! It was Bazhou's You Ji Jiang Bin.
Xiao Ai heaved a sigh of relief and shouted, "Master Jiang, what are you doing? You're disheveled, you look poor and evil, and you're leading so many people. Isn't Bazhou chaotic enough? "
Jiang Bin solemnly said, "Sir Song, I … I'm here to ask for High Duke's forgiveness." "Sir Song, I'm here to ask for High Duke's forgiveness."
Song Ai looked at him and could already guess what was going on. When she heard that this clown was indeed learning from the ancients and asking for forgiveness, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. She covered her mouth and said, "Asking for forgiveness? Is it because of Zhang Mao? He is a great thief, not you. Although we are cousins, there is no need to punish you. Why do you have to bear the burden? What kind of punishment are you asking for? "
Jiang Bin let out a long sigh and said with a pained expression, "It's a long story. It's too windy here, it's too cold here, and there are too many onlookers. Uh … Master Song, can you pass on a message? When I see High Duke, I'll tell him everything."
Song Ai giggled and said, "That's unfortunate. Master Jiang, High Duke is interrogating a prisoner in the Bazhou government prison. I'm afraid he won't be back for a while."
Hearing this, Jiang Bin's sorrow turned into sorrow. He still had to go to the governor's prison. Wouldn't that be freezing him to death? … Wait, High Duke is interrogating a prisoner? Oh no, if my cousin is not loyal and betrays me first, then wouldn't it show my sincerity to ask for forgiveness?
Thinking of this, Jiang Bin couldn't care less about the cold. Without another word, he immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Master Song. I'll rush to the prison to see High Duke."
Jiang Bin turned around and carried the firewood, leading a large group of onlookers. He swayed his arms and went straight to the prison. He didn't need anyone to lead the way. He was familiar with that place. He went there often and knew the way.
Song Ai watched him leave in confusion. Jiang Bin was tall and sturdy. He was indeed an imposing and handsome man. He had broad shoulders and a stocky waist. His physique was fit and healthy. Song Ai couldn't help but compare him. "Hmm … He's not bad, but he's far from my Xiao Wu. He has a stocky back and a stocky waist, while Xiao Wu has a slender waist. His arms are as thick as thighs, while Xiao Wu has a tiger's body. Hmm … Xiao Wu looks better than him. Hmm … Xiao Wu's skin is fairer than him. Hmm … "
※ ※ ※
"Hahaha, the winner is king and the loser is a thief. Since I've fallen into your hands, I have no intention of leaving this place alive. Life has only one life, and the plants have only one autumn. This Zhang Mou's life has been vigorous and joyful. I have no regrets. High Duke, you don't have to worry about it. How could Zhang Mao betray his own brother? "
Yang Ling waved his hand. Two boxes of food and a jar of good wine were sent into the prison. Yang Ling sighed. "In the past, I was your guest and received Brother Zhang's hospitality. Now that you're my prisoner, I, Yang, would like to return the favor."
Zhang Mao cupped his hands together, and the iron shackles on his hands and feet clanked loudly. "Thank you, High Duke. You are a man, and I do not wish to be your enemy. However, fate makes fools of me. Hehe, hehe, I have disappointed High Duke's expectations."
Yang Ling shook his head and walked out. Imperial Judge Hua was supported by someone and followed beside him. Imperial Judge Hua was now the acting Imperial Judge of Bazhou. He was in charge of the punishment in the prefecture. These criminals were naturally under his jurisdiction.
"Your Excellency, I have a presumptuous request. Can you grant it?"
Yang Ling stopped but he didn't turn around.
"Qi Yanming is my sworn brother. Now that he's in the hands of High Duke, my head must be given to High Duke. I wonder if High Duke can transfer Brother Qi to this prison. I would like to have a drink with my sworn brother and reminisce about our parting!"
The authorities couldn't catch the important figures of the Ringing Horse Bandits. Even if the bandits were caught, their understanding of the leader and the whole organization was very limited. Finally, Qi Yanming was caught. When the authorities found out that he was an important figure of the Ringing Horse Bandits, they used all kinds of torture but still couldn't force him to reveal anything.
Later on, Zhang Mao asked Zhang Zhong to rescue Qi Yanming. Unfortunately, Qi Yanming was caught at the scene of a crime and had a criminal record. It was really not good to release him openly. Therefore, Qi Yanming was kept in prison. However, with Zhang Zhong spending a lot of money to take care of him, Qi Yanming's life in prison was also very enjoyable.
Yang Ling listened and nodded his head. He continued to walk forward.
Zhang Mao opened the clay seal on the wine jar. Immediately, the fragrance of wine filled the air. Zhang Mao held the edge of the jar with one hand and held the bottom of the jar with the other. He raised the jar to his lips and drank a mouthful of wine. He wiped the wine stains on his lips and laughed, "Good wine, good wine. Brothers, drink a few mouthfuls each. Hu Er, catch."
He was in a single cell. Next to him was a cell that held several bandits. At this moment, they were holding on to the bars and looking over. Zhang Mao's hands and feet were nailed to the wall. He couldn't reach the walls on either side. He waved his arm and threw the wine jar over.
One of the bandits caught the wine jar. With a 'hua' sound, the wine in the jar splashed onto his hand. He moved his mouth to the bars and raised his head to drink a few mouthfuls. The wine splashed onto his mouth and nose, choking him. His face turned red from coughing. However, he was still panting and praised, "Good wine, good wine. It's strong enough. Brothers, come! Everyone should have a taste of the wine from the Duke! "
As the wine jar spun in the cell, there was a lot of cheering. Yang Ling heard it. He smiled and walked out of the cell.
"Duke." Magistrate Hua was panting as he walked too fast. "You don't have to be so courteous with these prisoners. They are obviously trying to intimidate you by shouting and yelling. Why don't you just torture them? Maybe some of them will confess after being tortured." Magistrate Hua said.
Yang Ling smiled and said, "I know they are trying to intimidate me. But they have confessed a lot. This jar of wine is my gift to them."
Imperial Judge Hua was surprised and asked, "Confessed? What did they confess? "
Outside the prison was a cell. It was where the prison officers worked and rested. Yang Ling walked in and said, "Come, let's rest here. If you walk too long, your wounds won't be able to bear it."
Imperial Judge Hua nodded gratefully and followed him in. The prison officer took a seat and asked someone to make tea.
Yang Ling and Imperial Prosecutor Hua sat on two chairs. Yang Ling tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and a worried look slowly appeared on his face. He said softly, "Sir Hua, we have made a mistake. It looks like the Bazhou Roaring Horse Bandits are not that easy to deal with."
Imperial Judge Hua knew that he must have something else to say. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Duke, please explain."
Yang Ling sighed and said, "Sigh! I originally wanted to use Zhang Zhong as bait to capture the main leader of the Ringing Horse Bandits and catch them all in one fell swoop. Unfortunately … our previous information is limited and we underestimated them. Our plan is not going to work. "
He lifted the lid and blew on the tea but did not drink it. He stared at the floating green tea leaves and said in a low voice, "The Bazhou government has always mistaken the Ringing Horse Gang as a group of mountain bandits. It was not until Yang Hu moved away from Bazhou did we know that the Ringing Horse Gang is a group of mountain bandits. Our understanding of their strength is limited.
Based on the information we have, we thought that there are only a few dozen of them. Because the Ringing Horse Gang used to plunder big families, they would escape once they failed and rarely fight with the government. We also seriously underestimated their fighting strength. As a result, the ambush was not ideal and most of the horses escaped. From the situation in the prison today, their organization is not as simple as we thought. "
"Lord Hua, we originally estimated that the so-called Ringing Horse Bandits were some skilled horse farmers who came from poor families. In order to make money, they banded together and worked as bandits in the dark, but in the open, they were people. They gathered together temporarily and were loosely organized. But now it seems that this is not the case.
Official Hua, did you notice? Just now when this official was persuading Zhang Mao to surrender, when the Rattle Horse Bandits addressed each other as brothers. Very few of them called each other by their names. But when Zhang Mao spoke to them, he called everyone by their names. What does this mean … "
Magistrate Hua was enlightened. He had been solving cases all his life, but he did not pay much attention to how bandits greeted each other in prison. Now that Yang Ling reminded him, he said, "These Ringing Horse Gang … are directly controlled by Zhang Mao and are not familiar with each other? Or … every time they move, they purposely gather their subordinates from different places and never allow them to exchange their names and birthplaces? "
Ordinary people rarely left their homes and the government did not allow them to wander around. Some villagers never left their villages for their entire lives. With some simple control, it was very easy for their subordinates to not know each other.
Yang Ling nodded and said, "Yes. But it is impossible for them to only recruit one or two Ringing Horse Gang in each place. If they recruited several Ringing Horse Gang in the same village and did not let them know each other's identity, then every time they move, they must have a different group of Ringing Horse Gang.
I think this is the reason why the Bazhou government has asked the Baojia Li officials to check the accounts and the number and time of people who left their homes to visit friends and do business. But they could not find any suspicious people to match with the time and place of the Ringing Horse Gang. At the same time, it proves that the hundreds of Ringing Horse Gang that appeared today is not their full strength. The iceberg has only revealed the tip of the iceberg. "
Magistrate Hua gasped and said in fear, "The Bazhou Ringing Horse Gang is so powerful? Why … why did we not notice it? "
Yang Ling said calmly, "I am afraid that most of the crimes they have committed have been attributed to Yang Hu and the other bandits. The Bazhou Ringing Horse Gang has just been annihilated and the situation has just calmed down. During this period, they must have all laid low. Then when I came to Bazhou, they did not have the time to be active again."
Magistrate Hua's face was solemn and he nodded silently.
Yang Ling continued, "That is why Zhang Mao was so relaxed. He was not worried that I would torture him and that someone would confess and destroy their whole organization. This morning, Zhang Mao was captured and the Ringing Horse Gang immediately gave the order to retreat. Obviously, in their organization, there are other leaders whose status is not inferior to Zhang Mao. From the description of Xiao Wu, Xiao Ai, and the big stick, they did meet a few leaders who could command the Ringing Horse Bandits. "
"Let us assume," Yang Ling moved the teacup away and said, "for example, if this Ringing Horse Gang has a few big leaders, or there are a few groups of Ringing Horse Gang that do not belong to each other, and because the leaders are sworn brothers and know each other, they can form an alliance of some degree.
But they each have their own set of people, just like the East Faction Guards, the West Faction Guards, the Inner Faction Guards, and the Brocade Guards. These people don't communicate with each other, and the four leaders don't know who the other leader has … "
Magistrate Hua smiled bitterly, "High Duke, if that is the case, it means that if we capture Zhang Mao and he is willing to confess, as long as the other three leaders hide, we will not be able to eliminate them. At most, we can destroy Zhang Mao's forces and force the other leaders who have their identities exposed to escape. The hidden Ringing Horse Gang will choose a new leader, and when the time is right, they will rise again … "
Yang Ling also smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, this is only if Zhang Mao is willing to confess and name the other leaders. I also hoped that Zhang Mao would be the highest leader of the Ringing Horse Bandits. To the other leaders of the Ringing Horse Bandits, he wasn't just a sworn brother. He was the only leader with the highest authority. At the same time, he held the list of the entire Ringing Horse Bandits.
But this hope … isn't great. If he's the sole leader of the entire troop of ringing horses, with such great authority, he'll affect the survival of the entire troop. Those ringing horses would rather all die than risk their lives to rescue him. They won't decisively retreat when the situation is bad. "
Magistrate Hua clenched his fist and said hatefully, "No matter what, we finally caught a big fish. The people's hearts are like iron, and the law is like a furnace. Zhang Mao usually lives in luxury, he may not be able to withstand torture. Against such a big Ringing Horse Gang, there is no need to be polite. I will torture him day and night, I think he will confess. "
Yang Ling sighed, "I am afraid … this is the only way. But this way, the Ringing Horse Gang in Bazhou will not be able to complete their mission. I cannot stay in Bazhou for long, the Emperor has already issued an edict. In order to lure the Ringing Horse Gang out, I pretended to be escorting these corrupt officials into the capital. Now, the Ringing Horse Gang will not be tricked again. Tomorrow, I will announce the imperial edict to punish the corrupt officials in Bazhou, and then I will return to the capital. Here, I will have to trouble Official Hua. "
Imperial Judge Hua hurriedly bowed and said: "Arresting bandits and robbers is my duty. You don't have to worry, High Duke. I have been the Imperial Judge for ten years and have seen all kinds of criminals. Everyone has a weakness. As long as we find his weakness and use the right medicine, Bazhou's Whistling Horse will definitely be eliminated. "
Yang Ling smiled and nodded. Suddenly, he thought of something and said solemnly, "The bandits must be eliminated, but Official Hua must not learn from Bazhou's Commander Zhou De 'an. Not all the Ringing Horse Gang in Bazhou are vicious and stubborn. Take Qi Yan Ming and this Zhang Mao for example, on the surface, they are local gentry, repairing bridges and roads, giving food and donating to schools. Although they are suspected of fishing for fame, they are righteous and generous.
The bandits who are under them, the one arrested today is also an ordinary citizen, how can he be a bandit? Of course, they have their own reasons, but being oppressed by the corrupt officials and having a hard life is also a big reason. Now that the Bazhou bandits have escaped, the corrupt officials have been punished, and the priests have been chased away, the people can finally breathe.
When the horse farms outside the pass can provide a large number of good horses, the Bazhou horse policy will be abolished and the heavy burden on the people will no longer exist. At that time, the grasslands can be changed to good farmland, and businesses and small workshops will be strengthened. The atmosphere will be changed and the people will have a way to live, so naturally they will not be bandits anymore. Therefore, we should mainly appease the Ringing Horse Gang.
Now, we can only grasp Zhang Mao's lead. If we can successfully appease these Ringing Horse Bandits who have exposed their backgrounds and give those with lighter criminal records and no murders a lighter sentence, as the situation of the people in Bazhou improves, more hidden Ringing Horse Bandits will be encouraged to give up evil and be lured to do good. "
Magistrate Hua understood and smiled, "I understand. Using both kindness and authority, and suppressing and appeasing. The Ringing Horse Gang mainly plunder large families. As long as the family owner does not resist, they will rarely kill. I will investigate and hand over those with light criminal records to the local authorities and will not punish them severely. Those who continue to do evil will be arrested and punished, and those who surrender will be punished lightly.
However, it will be difficult to attract a large number of Ringing Horse Gang to surrender for the time being. If the situation of the people in Bazhou really changes, with the deterrence of the law, those who surrender will be punished lightly. By then, we can let more Ringing Horse Gang come out on their own. As long as they surrender and have a criminal record, there will be a layer of restriction on them and it will be difficult for them to be bandits again. "
Yang Ling smiled in praise, "Well said, that is exactly the reason!"
At this moment, the jailer rushed in and bowed, "Reporting to Duke, General You Ji Daren Jiang, he … he is outside the prison asking for an audience."
Yang Ling was stunned, "Why is Jiang Bin asking for an audience at this time? Is he here to plead for Zhang Mao? Isn't he too daring for such a big case? "
Yang Ling waved his hand and said, "Let him in!"
The jailer hurriedly said, "Yes!" He turned around and hurried out again.
After a while, Jiang Bin walked in shivering, his lips were purple from the cold and his face was pale. When he saw Yang Ling, he wailed, "Duke, I have sinned." As he said this, he pushed the mountain of gold, poured the firewood, and knelt down.
Yang Ling and Imperial Prosecutor Hua were stunned. Yang Ling was stunned for a while before he said, "Jiang Bin? Daren Jiang, you … what are you doing? "
Jiang Bin was overjoyed when he heard this. The Duke's question meant that his cousin had not told him about his matter. He did not suffer for nothing. Jiang Bin immediately reported with a face full of regret, "Duke, I have sinned. Cousin Zhang Mao secretly became a bandit and even colluded with the treacherous eunuch Zhang Zhong. I was not aware of it and was deceived …"
Although Jiang Bin was boorish and ignorant, he was not a fool. His actions were half natural and half pretentious. His performance was neither lukewarm nor angry. The whole story was narrated in such a way that no one would think that he was stupid. Instead, they would think that he was simple, straightforward, and adorable.
As Jiang Bin spoke, he peeped at Yang Ling's expression. He saw that Yang Ling was first stunned, then suddenly enlightened, and finally looked like he did not know whether to laugh or cry. Jiang Bin heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that Duke Wei had passed this hurdle. Now that Duke Wei knew about this and did not blame him, no one would be able to use this matter against him in the future.
With this, Jiang Bin no longer peeped and lowered his head to speak even more energetically. He had stayed in the room for so long with the stove next to him. His body was warm from the heat. He was really good at talking about heartache and beating the ground with his fists.
Yang Ling did not know whether to be angry or amused. When he captured the Bazhou officials, he had announced the news that Zhang Zhong was still alive. At that time, Hejian Prefecture's General Yuan Biao had not arrived yet. Even if Jiang Bin did not leak the secret, Zhang Mao would definitely have escaped. Jiang Bin did not cause any trouble. Moreover, what he did today … Carrying a thorn to ask for forgiveness had been passed down since ancient times. Most people who had read a few books would know about it, but to really imitate it … it seemed that no one had ever heard of it.
It was really hard for Jiang Bin. Yang Ling was about to help him up when he suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He thought of a plan to deal with Zhang Mao. Everyone had a weakness. What was Zhang Mao's weakness? He was loyal to Jianghu. This could be seen from the fact that he would rather spend more effort to rescue the prisoners than to silence them. Zhang Mao's capture could not cause a fatal blow to the Bazhou Ringing Horse Gang. This scourge would probably continue to plague the place for many years. If he could find another way …
Thinking of this, Yang Ling banged the table and shouted angrily, "Jiang Bin, how dare you!"
Jiang Bin had started to sing from complaining. He was talking excitedly when he was frightened by Yang Ling. "Weren't you fine just now? Why did you turn against me so suddenly? "
Yang Ling frowned and pointed at him. "Although you didn't know that Zhang Mao was a bandit, you should have known that he was close to the local officials. This is a matter of great importance to the Duke, and a single strand of hair can affect the entire situation. At this critical moment when the net is spread out and we're ready to act, you, for your own selfishness, have almost ruined this important matter of the Duke? I've repeatedly warned you to keep it strictly confidential and not tell anyone, but have you turned a deaf ear to it? Humph! "
Jiang Bin's face turned pale from the roar. He cowered on the ground and said, "Duke, please don't be angry. I know my mistake! I know my mistake! "
"Since you know your mistake … I will not go too far. I will give you a chance to make up for your mistake. Are you willing?"
Jiang Bin was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "High Duke, please instruct me, Jiang Bin will obey."
Yang Ling's eyes flashed. He waved his hand and said, "Get up and come closer."
Jiang Bin quickly stood up and walked to Yang Ling's side. Yang Ling used a low voice that only Imperial Magistrate Hua could hear.
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