This made Wu Shian a little worried. After all, Zeyang County was only so big, and the two consecrators Chen and Liu were already the top experts.
Since the person hired by the Zhao Clan could kill them, it meant that the person was even more powerful than the two consecrators. It was not easy to find an expert who was confident in killing the other party.
"Squire Wu, don't worry. I've already sent people to protect the Wu Estate. Even a fly won't be able to fly in."
County Magistrate Zhang, who was as fat as a ball, saw that Wu Shian was silent and thought that he was afraid. He squeezed out a kind smile and comforted him softly.
"Thank you, County Magistrate Zhang."
Wu Shian came back to his senses and said politely.
"Officer Wu, you don't have to be so polite with me. We are close."
County Magistrate Zhang's fat face was full of smiles, and he took this opportunity to get close to Wu Shian.
As a local official who wanted to climb up, County Magistrate Zhang was naturally smooth and slick. He fawned on Wu Shian, who had the background of the Imperial Concubine, and wanted to get close to the Imperial Concubine through him.
Although there was a clear rule when the Taigu Dynasty was founded that no one in the imperial harem was allowed to interfere in politics, and the Imperial Concubine seemed to be of no help to his career, but who in the imperial harem was not clever? Who didn't secretly cultivate their own forces?
Moreover, Imperial Concubine Xian was not a simple character. She had schemes and was good at buying people's hearts.
According to the news he received, Imperial Concubine Xian was now at the peak of her power, and even the Empress had to give her some respect. Who asked the Empress's belly to not live up to expectations, and she had not given birth to a prince?
Although Imperial Concubine Xian gradually fell out of favor due to her old age, she had already made arrangements. She quietly let her two sons enter the Emperor's eyes, and they were highly regarded by the Emperor. He entrusted them with important tasks, and there were rumors that the Emperor was likely to appoint one of them as the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was the heir to the throne. If there were no major changes, he would be the future Emperor. Therefore, to County Magistrate Zhang, he spared no effort to please Wu Shian, and through him, he could get close to the Imperial Concubine Xian. This was the biggest hope of his career.
"Ho ho, what County Magistrate Zhang said is right. If there is any need in the future, as long as I can help, I will do my best."
Wu Shian was also a smart person. How could he not understand his thoughts? He said with a smile.
It sounded like a promise, but in reality, it was all empty words. What could he do to help? What do you mean you can't help? He was the one who had the final say.
How could County Magistrate Zhang not understand the meaning of his words? He cursed the old fox in his heart, but the smile on his face remained unchanged. He knew better than anyone else that he should be humble when he wanted something.
Therefore, he did not dwell on this topic. Instead, he put on a straight face and said seriously, "I've already arranged for Constable Gao to investigate the murderer of the Wu Clan's two Revered Elders. However, as you know, although Constable Gao and the other constables are very responsible, their strength …"
At this point, County Magistrate Zhang didn't continue. He didn't need to explain his meaning, Wu Shian would definitely understand.
The two Revered Elders of the Wu Clan had been killed. If Constable Gao and the other constables went to catch the murderer, they would be sending food to the murderer.
"Even so, Constable Gao is a member of an official's family after all. I think the murderer wouldn't dare to be so bold and even dare to kill an official's family."
Wu Shian naturally understood what he meant, but he didn't take it seriously and said with confidence.
Constables were equivalent to policemen on Earth. Although some criminals dared to kill people, they would have scruples about killing policemen. After all, killing policemen was a provocation to the entire law enforcement agency, which would arouse a strong backlash from the violent agency.
A light flashed in County Magistrate Zhang's eyes.
He leaned over and said in a low voice, "Does Squire Wu have any suspects?"
Wu Shian looked at him with a faint smile and nodded slightly. He said, "With your wisdom, County Magistrate, you should know who did it."
County Magistrate Zhang frowned and thought for a moment. With a surprised expression, he said involuntarily, "Is it Zhao …"
He didn't finish his words. Such a thing could be suspected, but he couldn't say it without evidence.
As a local official, how could he not know the dispute between the Zhao Clan and the Wu Clan? Since Wu Shian was so sure, it was basically Zhao Da Hai who did it.
But the problem was that the Wu Clan had a background, so did the Zhao Clan, which made him feel awkward.
As a qualified bureaucrat, if he wanted to have a development in his official career, he couldn't put all his eggs in one basket. Therefore, he had been wandering between the Wu Clan and the Zhao Clan and never clearly stated his position. When the two clashed, he would only be in the middle to smooth things over and not offend either side.
"The two Revered Elders of the Wu Clan died so miserably."
Wu Shian said in a strange tone and began to close his eyes to rest, waiting for County Magistrate Zhang's answer.
Although County Magistrate Zhang knew what was good for him and tried to curry favor with the Wu Family in every possible way, he was too slippery and refused to take a side. He didn't want to offend the Wu Family, but he also didn't want to offend the Zhao Family, which made him very dissatisfied. This was also the reason why he was always half-hearted and didn't want to introduce him to the Imperial Consort.
People like County Magistrate Zhang, who thought well and wanted to buy an old donkey not to eat grass, described him.
Since he wanted to get something, he had to pay. This was an unchanging truth. If County Magistrate Zhang really wanted to get close to the Imperial Concubine, he had to show his attitude. This was Wu Shian's attitude.
He was forcing him to take sides.
County Magistrate Zhang thought bitterly. He couldn't afford to offend the Wu Clan, nor could he afford to offend the Zhao Clan.
Although the daughter of the Zhao Clan was only a concubine when she married into the noble family, the problem was that the Zhao Clan was quite favored, even more than the legal wife. Even the Zhao Clan rose with her.
The Imperial Concubine was very scheming, but after all, she was a member of the imperial harem and didn't dare to be so ostentatious. Before her son ascended the throne, she couldn't help her career at all.
But the in-laws of the Zhao Clan were different. They were a family with real power. If they really hated him, they could take off his black hat with one word.
On one side, he could control him now, and on the other side, he was likely to become the emperor in the future. This multiple-choice question made County Magistrate Zhang, who had always been smooth and slick, very embarrassed. His lips moved for a long time, but he couldn't make a decision.
Wu Shian slowly opened his eyes, slightly cupped his hands, and expressionlessly said, "A life for a life, a debt for a debt. Unfortunately, a murder happened in the Wu Clan. County Magistrate Zhang, as the parent of this county, I hope County Magistrate Zhang can uphold justice and give a deadline to solve the case, so that the people under my jurisdiction can be at ease. The Imperial Concubine is about to return to her hometown to visit her relatives, which will happen in two or three days. If this matter alarmed the Imperial Concubine, I'm afraid County Magistrate Zhang won't be able to explain it."
County Magistrate Zhang's cold sweat suddenly came down. Wu Shian's move was very ruthless. He put a big hat on him and asked for a deadline to solve the case as soon as he opened his mouth. Moreover, he had reason and evidence, making him unable to refute even if he wanted to. This was originally within the scope of his duty.
If it was an ordinary case, he could completely ignore it except for the pressure from the superiors. He could casually brush it off.
But the Wu Clan couldn't, especially when Wu Shian emphasized that the Imperial Concubine was about to return to her hometown to visit her relatives. If she was alarmed by this case, after returning to the capital, she only needed to mention it casually in the ear of the Emperor, and his position as the county magistrate would be over.
He clearly knew that Wu Shian was using the Imperial Concubine's name to intimidate others.
He had to accept the pressure of the Imperial Concubine's name, and quickly made a decision in his heart.
If he offended the Zhao Clan, the most they would do was to secretly trip him up. Even if they wanted to get rid of him, they had to find a suitable reason.
But if he offended the Wu Clan, losing his position was just something that Wu Shian could say in front of the Imperial Concubine. Moreover, the future Imperial Concubine was very likely to become a mother because of her son. If he stood on the Zhao Clan's side and expressed his desire to pledge allegiance to her now, how could he miss out on benefits in the future?
Even if he was punished by the Zhao Clan now, with this relationship, if the Imperial Concubine's son ascended to the throne in the future, it would be a matter of a word for him to be promoted.
After weighing the pros and cons in his heart, County Magistrate Zhang was also a decisive person. He immediately put on a cordial smile on his fat face and said righteously, "Don't worry, Officer Wu. Since I am the magistrate of Zeyang County, I will naturally seek justice for the people who died in vain. This case will definitely come to a conclusion within three days. I will not disturb the Imperial Concubine's carriage."
"That's great. Thank you, County Magistrate Zhang. When the Imperial Concubine returns to her hometown to visit her relatives, I will definitely report to the Imperial Concubine about how County Magistrate Zhang loved the people as if they were his own children and fulfilled his duty. Maybe the Imperial Concubine will be happy and receive County Magistrate Zhang."
Wu Shian's acting was also superb. His face was full of dark clouds just now, but now that he heard County Magistrate Zhang's attitude, the clouds immediately brightened up and he said with a bright smile.
"Then I will have to trouble you."
County Magistrate Zhang's face was full of joy. A huge stone in his chest was lifted to the ground.
Wu Shian's words were equivalent to telling him that he had accepted this favor and would definitely not mistreat him.
It was not important whether the Imperial Concubine would receive him or not. The key was that the Imperial Concubine would remember him. With this favor, she would definitely take care of him in the future, and this was the result he wanted.
"Same to you!"
Wu Shian cupped his hands and said politely.
The two people, who each had their own ulterior motives, looked at each other and smiled tacitly. They both knew that from this moment on, they had reached a tacit alliance.
County Magistrate Zhang would spare no effort to help the Wu Family to deal with the Zhao Family, and what the Wu Family had to pay was nothing more than to mention it in front of the Imperial Concubine, so that the Imperial Concubine would have a preliminary impression of County Magistrate Zhang.
Although it was easy for Wu Shian to leave the impression of being spoiled and arrogant in front of the Imperial Concubine, Wu Shian knew that with the relationship between him and the Imperial Concubine, it was just a matter of saying a few good words for County Magistrate Zhang and helping him.
The two reached a tacit understanding. County Magistrate Zhang called Constable Gao and ordered in front of everyone that the nature of this case was bad and the social impact was extremely bad. No matter who was involved, they must be investigated to the end without any leniency.
Constable Gao was the most loyal lackey of County Magistrate Zhang. Since his master had ordered and got an obscure hint, he immediately understood that his master had made up his mind to stand on the side of the Wu Family.
This made him immediately follow the principle of investigating if there was a clue, and investigating if there was no clue, making up a clue. Soon, he fabricated a groundless clue out of nothing and locked the suspect on the Zhao Family.
Speaking of which, it was also a coincidence that the Zhao Family happened to have masked people with mysterious whereabouts frequently in the past two days, which made Constable Gao, who only wanted to show his loyalty and frame the Zhao Family, excited. Could it be that the case was really done by the Zhao Family?
He immediately arranged for the constables to keep an eye on every move of the Zhao Family. Once they found detailed evidence, they would immediately take action to arrest Zhao Da Hai.
Wu Shian was very satisfied with Constable Gao's efficiency. Although County Magistrate Zhang was worried about personal gains and losses, there was no turning back. Moreover, the Zhao Family was indeed a major suspect, so he immediately calmed down and stood firmly on the side of the Wu Family.
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