Chapter 32

In fact, in the eyes of many people, Yang Shouwen's appearance was more for the purpose of protecting Yang Rui's safety.

"Father is fine, let me bring Elder Brother to take a look."

"Um!"

Guan Hu's face showed a fierce expression as he gritted his teeth and said, "The County Magistrate was injured on my behalf this time. If I don't capture those assassins, I, Guan Hu, will have no face to face the County Magistrate again. Second Brother, you take Elder Brother for a walk around. If anything happens, just find me."

"Thank you, Uncle Guan."

Now that Yang Chenglie was injured, the affairs of the yamen were being handled by Guan Hu.

Among the three groups of yamen attendants, the Capture Group had the heaviest responsibilities and the greatest power. Guan Hu naturally couldn't stay here to chat with Yang Rui. After a few polite words, he hurriedly left. Yang Rui was very familiar with the yamen and didn't need anyone to accompany him. Besides, with Yang Shouwen following him, there wouldn't be any danger, so Guan Hu didn't worry about it.

No one paid attention to Yang Shouwen's presence, which suited his intentions perfectly.

He could observe everyone in the yamen with a cold eye, viewing everything as an outsider.

"Headman Guan is quite responsible."

"Yes, Uncle Guan is one of Father's confidants, having followed him for five years. Father usually trusts him a lot."

Yang Rui explained, then suddenly stopped.

"Elder Brother, that room over there is where Father was on duty last night."

He pointed to the central room and said softly, "This morning, if it weren't for Jasmine, Father would have been in real danger."

"Does Father always work in this room?"

"Not exactly!" Yang Rui replied, "This room is mainly used for storing evidence. Father usually works in the left wing."

"Evidence?"

Yang Shouwen jumped down from the steps and took two steps forward.

"Unrelated people are not allowed to approach."

Just as he was about to go over, he heard someone shout sternly. Then, several attendants came out from the room next to the evidence room.

Yang Rui hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Fifteenth Brother, don't misunderstand, this is my Elder Brother.

He doesn't understand the rules of the yamen. He just heard from me that Father was attacked here last night, so he wants to take a look."

The leader, upon seeing Yang Rui and hearing his explanation, relaxed his tense expression.

"Ah, it's Second Brother... No offense, but it's not that I'm unwilling to inform. It's just that Clerk Lu has given orders that no one is allowed to approach."

Clerk Lu, named Lu Yongcheng, had more seniority than Yang Chenglie.

It was said that he came from one of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, the Fan Yang Lu family, and later moved to Changping, where he settled down. At the age of twenty-eight, he became the Chief Clerk of Changping through his family's influence and has held this position for twenty years.

"Even I am not allowed to approach?"

Just as Fifteenth Brother was speaking, a voice came from behind Yang Shouwen.

Yang Shouwen and his brother quickly turned to see Wang He, hands behind his back, coming in from the right wing gate. He nodded to Yang Shouwen and his brother and then walked towards the evidence room. For some reason, Yang Shouwen felt that Wang He was beckoning to him.

"Unaware of the County Magistrate's arrival, please forgive me."

Fifteenth Brother, a yamen attendant, was certainly familiar with Wang He and quickly bowed.

"Being loyal to your duties is good, but you also need to be flexible.

Elder Brother and Second Brother are also part of the family. With County Magistrate Yang now injured, it's commendable for a son to want to help his father. Why be so unyielding? Elder Brother, feel free to look around... Heh, you might even find some clues."

"Thank you, County Magistrate, for your understanding."

Fifteenth Brother's face showed a mocking expression.

Clearly, he didn't think much of the idea that Yang Shouwen and his brother would find any clues. However, he didn't dare to say more in front of Wang He. The yamen wasn't as harmonious as it seemed from the outside. The yamen had four officials: the County Magistrate, the Deputy County Magistrate, the Chief Clerk, and the County Magistrate. The Deputy County Magistrate was already old and hardly managed anything, making him almost irrelevant in the yamen.

Yang Chenglie was responsible for capturing thieves and maintaining order, yet he was unassuming.

He had his own sphere of influence, and as long as no one encroached on it, he would be kind to others.

Therefore, the main conflict in the yamen was between County Magistrate Wang He and Chief Clerk Lu Yongcheng. Both were from the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, and neither was inferior in terms of background. However, Wang He, the County Magistrate, had passed the imperial examinations and was appointed by the court, while Lu Yongcheng relied on his family's influence to become an official. In terms of the legitimacy of their positions, Wang He had a slight edge.

But Lu Yongcheng had been the Chief Clerk for twenty years, and although Changping wasn't Fan Yang, it was close enough to compensate for his lack of legitimacy.

One could say that one had the advantage of time, while the other had the advantage of place.

What they were now competing for was the support of the people. Whoever could gain Yang Chenglie's support would see a significant increase in power. Therefore, both Wang He and Lu Yongcheng were very cautious and nervous when it came to dealing with Yang Chenglie.

Yang Shouwen ignored Fifteenth Brother's mocking expression and went to the evidence room with Yang Rui.

"Seven people were injured in the early morning assassination.

Three died under the County Magistrate's sword, two were killed by the attendants around him. The remaining two were killed by us during their breakout, and one accidentally set himself on fire while trying to start a fire, dying in the flames."

Yang Rui whispered this information to Yang Shouwen, occasionally glancing at Wang He.

Wang He stood outside the evidence room, looking very calm. He had his hands behind his back and was looking around, appearing quite relaxed.

"Were they all Liáo people?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, were the assassins this morning all Liáo people?"

"Not exactly. From the dead, they seem to be Han people, not outsiders from beyond the border."

A thought suddenly flashed through Yang Shouwen's mind.

"Is this where all the evidence is stored?"

"Yes!" Yang Rui looked at Yang Shouwen with confusion and said softly, "As long as it's evidence, it will be stored here."

"Does anyone outside know about this evidence room?"

"Who knows... There are so many people in the yamen, who knows who might have let it slip?"

Yang Shouwen nodded and didn't ask further, turning to leave the evidence room.

"Elder Brother, are you done looking?"

"Thank you, County Magistrate, for your understanding. I'm done."

Wang He smiled and asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Well... I'm not very smart, so I didn't see anything."

"Did Second Brother notice anything?"

Yang Rui was startled and quickly bowed, "County Magistrate, I didn't see anything either."

"Heh, it's fine... This kind of case requires careful investigation. How could there be clues right away? Even Headman Guan didn't find anything after being here for half a day. If there's nothing else, go back and pass my regards to your father."

"I will certainly pass on the County Magistrate's good wishes to my father."

Wang He didn't say anything more, nodded, and turned to leave.

As soon as he left, Yang Rui let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Elder Brother, the County Magistrate is truly impressive. When he stood in front of me, I felt a tremendous pressure."

"Of course, he's the County Magistrate."

Yang Shouwen laughed and scolded, but his eyes followed Wang He's back until he disappeared through the right wing gate.

Yang Rui thanked Fifteenth Brother a few more times and then prepared to leave.

He walked up to Yang Shouwen and asked in a low voice, "Elder Brother, what were you looking at?"

Yang Shouwen smiled, "Nothing, let's go back."

But in his heart, he had a vague feeling: this young County Magistrate was probably not as simple as he seemed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As they walked out of the yamen, they stood on the street.

Yang Shouwen looked around, while Yang Rui unexpectedly saw someone not far away waving at him.

Yang Rui hesitated for a moment, saw that Yang Shouwen wasn't paying attention, and quickly walked over, turning into an alley with the person.

When he came out, he saw Yang Shouwen sitting on a stone step not far from the yamen.

"Elder Brother!"

Yang Rui ran up excitedly, a smile on his face.

Yang Shouwen looked at him and asked with a smile, "You look so happy, you must have encountered something good. Tell me about it?"

"Do you remember Gai Jiayun, whom I mentioned to you before?"

"Gai Jiayun?"

"The son of the old soldier, the head of the old soldier's inn."

Yang Shouwen suddenly remembered and nodded, "If you hadn't mentioned him, I almost forgot."

"Before, you asked me to find Gai Jiayun to help gather information on any suspicious people recently. Heh, he just sent a message, and they did find some suspicious people and even found out where they are staying."