County magistrate Chen Yuannian had just finished handling his morning business and was sitting in the back hall of the county government office to rest. Just as he was holding a cup of tea, he heard a rapid drumming sound coming from outside.
A moment later, the head catcher, Zhang, hurried into the county government office and panted, "Mr. Chen, it's not good!"
"Huh? What's wrong? What's the matter with drumming outside?"
Chen Yuannian's face was full of doubts. He didn't know what the old catcher Zhang meant, but when he saw his hurried expression, he felt that this matter was unusual.
"Lord County Magistrate, the person playing the drum is a villager from Zhengjia Village. Their entire village was looted by bandits, and not much food was left in the village!"
After the arrester Zhang finished speaking, he looked at Chen Yuannian. After hearing about this, Chen Yuannian had a solemn look on his face, as if he was thinking about something.
"Let's go to the church first."
After Chen Yuannian finished speaking, he straightened his official uniform, put on his official hat, and headed directly towards the county government lobby. The head catcher Zhang quickly followed behind the county magistrate. You know, bandits robbed the entire village, and in one county
It's not a trivial matter.
Chen Yuannian was sitting in the hall and ordered his subordinates to bring up the drummer.
After a while, I saw only four or five villagers, both men and women, walking in from the gate of the county government office. They looked miserable.
"What are the people in this hall complaining about?"
"Sir, we are all from Zhengjia Village. Just yesterday, our entire village was ransacked by bandits. Those hateful thieves even took away my child."
The person speaking in the hall was Mrs. Liu, and beside him stood Xiao Changan, Sister-in-law Li and other villagers from Zhengjia Village.
After Chen Yuannian heard Liu's words, a look of anger emerged. These hateful bandits not only robbed food, but also robbed people?
However, when Chen Yuannian saw that one of the people in the hall was Xiao Changan, he was greatly surprised. He had seen Xiao Changan before. He had won the first place at the literary exchange meeting two years ago, and his youngest son was very good in literature.
The performance at the meeting also remains fresh in my memory.
"Xiao Changan? Are you also from Zhengjia Village?" Chen Yuannian asked as he looked at Xiao Changan in the hall.
Xiao Changan was very surprised. He didn't expect that the county magistrate would remember him just at the literary exchange meeting. He then quickly replied to Chen Yuannian, "Reporting to your lord, I am from Zhengjia Village.
The child kidnapped is Xiao Chu. I hope you will show mercy and try to rescue me. My whole family will be extremely grateful."
When Chen Yuannian heard what Xiao Changan said, he was surprised. The child who was kidnapped was actually Xiao Changan's son? That was a rare child prodigy in Dingyuan County that could only be seen in a hundred years! You must know that this child will definitely have unlimited potential in the future.
If he was killed by bandits, wouldn't it be a big loss to Dingyuan County?
Chen Yuannian felt a huge wave in his heart. He originally wanted this little guy to represent Dingyuan County to participate in the Chongming Prefecture Three Counties Talent and Learning Competition, which had been held for a few days, so as to see what the potential of this kid was, but he didn't want to think about it.
Things like this.
"Don't worry yet. Xiao Chu was robbed by bandits and his life should not be in danger. This little guy is smart. He can think of ways to protect himself even if he is in the hands of bandits. I will go to Chongming Mansion in person later to find him.
Lord Lu, the prefect, reported." Chen Yuannian looked at the people in the hall with a solemn tone.
Chen Yuannian still has some knowledge about this group of bandits in Dingyuan County. They gathered in Pheasant Ridge. He has reported it several times, but the superiors did not pay attention to this matter. Pheasant Ridge is located in Dingyuan County.
At the junction of Dingbo County and Dingzhen County, the terrain is complex and easy to defend but difficult to attack. It would be hopeless to rescue Xiao Chu with dozens of government officials. This matter should be reported to the prefect for a decision.
.
Mrs. Liu was in the hall, and when she heard Chen Yuannian's words, she quickly said, "Master Magistrate, please help me. My son's life depends entirely on your rescue."
Ms. Liu was so excited that her voice was filled with tears, and her tears fell involuntarily. Ever since Xiao Chu was taken away by the group of bandits last night, Ms. Liu had hardly closed her eyes all night, and went to Dingding before it was completely light.
He rushed to the far county, hoping to use the power of the government to rescue Xiao Chu.
Chen Yuannian stood up and said, "Madam, please don't get excited for now. I believe Xiao Chu will come back safe and sound. I will arrange carriages and horses to report to the magistrate."
Immediately, Chen Yuannian quickly ordered people to place Liu and others in the inner hall to rest. After explaining to them, Chen Yuannian got on the carriage.
However, just when Chen Yuannian was about to set off, he saw Mrs. Liu rushing out of the government office and said emotionally: "Sir, take me with you. I also want to meet the magistrate and tell you the truth."
Xiao Changan behind him looked helpless, but there was also a hint of prayer in his eyes as he looked at Chen Yuannian.
The county magistrate Chen Yuan sighed, and finally nodded, oh, poor parents in the world, it is understandable that Mrs. Liu would be more excited after losing Xiao Chu. Then he asked Xiao Changan and Mr. Liu to get on his carriage.
.
Xiao Changan was grateful. Mr. Chen has been in Dingyuan County for many years and has long known that he is an honest and fair official. He is a rare good official. Today, he is indeed approachable. You must know that Chen Yuannian is an official and the two of them are civilians.
, the county magistrate actually agreed to ride in the same car with them, this treatment is not bad.
When he arrived at Chongming Mansion, Chen Yuannian did not hesitate and went directly to Chongming Mansion Office. The matter was urgent. The sooner he reported the matter to the prefect, the more time he could have for rescue.
At this time, the prefect Lu Qingzhi was discussing matters with Duke An Guo and the Governor-General. Suddenly he heard an urgent report from the servant, "Sir, Mr. Chen, the magistrate of Dingyuan County, has arrived and said that he has something urgent to report to you."
Lu Qingzhi was a little surprised. Reporting anything in this county requires submission of documents. How could the county magistrate come to report in person? Chen Yuannian has been an official for many years, so he should know this truth, but why did this guy come in person?
Woolen cloth?
"Is there really something urgent? What urgent matter can happen in a small county with just a hundred miles of land?" Lu Qingzhi thought to himself. Besides, he was discussing matters with the Duke and the Governor. What could be too big?
These two adults?
Hey, forget it, let’s wait until things here are settled before we deal with it.
"Please go down and take Mr. Chen to the back hall of the government office to serve tea, and let Mr. Chen wait a moment."
After hearing Master Lu's instructions, the boy walked down directly. He knew the identities of the two adults above him. Even if Chen Yuannian had something urgent to do, he had to give priority to this side.
"Your Excellency, Your Majesty the Governor, let's continue." Lu Qingzhi said after the boy left.
"Master Lu, do you have any official business over there? You deal with it first, we can't rush things here." Seeing that the boy's voice was a little anxious, Xiao Tai turned towards Lu Qingzhi.
"It's a few small things that Mr. He Lao'an Guoguo is concerned about. I'll just wait until you finish your instructions and deal with them."
Let's say that Chen Yuannian, Mrs. Liu and others were waiting in the inner hall of the government office, but after waiting for a long time, they did not see the arrival of the prefect. Mrs. Liu became anxious again, "Sir, do you want to inform me again?"
Chen Yuannian, Yaoyao's head, said: "This Mr. Lu is fair and honest. He must be dealing with something important. Otherwise, he would have shown up to meet me long ago if he knew that I would come to report in person."
Chen Yuannian looked proud. He thought that he had worked with Mr. Lu for many years, so he still had some face. Besides, both of them were honest and upright officials, so there was a sense of sympathy for each other.
Xiao Changan and Liu were speechless, but they could only wait.
In the inner hall of the government office, three people were discussing something, but suddenly they heard a rapid drumming sound outside the government office. This surprised the three of them. Who was playing the drums?
"Come on, come on, let's go out and see who's playing the drums?"
"Your Excellency, there is a woman playing a drum outside the government office. If she has any grievances, she should directly complain to Mr. Lu."
As the boy's words fell, Lu Qingzhi's face couldn't help but darken. Who is this? If something like this happened in front of his two bosses, isn't this obviously looking for trouble for himself?