In the middle of the summer of twenty years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the isolated and backward Xizhou has received a rare group of "tourists". These outsiders are also somewhat special.
There were not many people, five of them in total. They wore black round-necked clothes, embroidered with cow and horse patterns, tied with red ribbons around their waists, and had gauze futons on their heads. This was the attire of a local official in the Han Dynasty.
The leader is a bearded man with a strong temperament, sharp and firm eyes, and stories written on his face. The wilderness trails are lonely and surrounded by yellow. Except for overlapping mountains and dense ravines, almost nothing can be seen.
As for other sights, this is obviously an inaccessible place.
These officials looked very embarrassed, with tired faces and dust on their bodies. They were state policemen from Xiangzhou. They set out from Anyang and traveled more than 800 miles just to hunt down two people.
fugitive.
This cross-state operation is always troublesome, and this kind of thousands-mile pursuit is even more difficult. They have suffered a lot along the way, especially after entering the Shanxi Plateau.
It was very dangerous. There were eight people in total when we set out, but now three people have been lost. In addition to two people who were injured and left to recuperate, another person was attacked by wild animals and lost his life.
The summer sun shines wantonly, shrouding the mountains in western Shanxi. Fortunately, it is in the shade of a mountain, so it is less hot. However, looking around, the barren mountains, wild ridges, cliffs and ravines are a bit depressing.
"Rest, eat, and replenish water!" Seeing that his subordinates were really exhausted, the leading trapper stopped and ordered.
When he opened his mouth, the remaining four people immediately breathed a sigh of relief. They didn't say anything. They leaned or stood among the rocks, took out dry food and water bags, and rested on the spot.
"Open your head, want to have a drink?" A young cadre saw that the head catcher was still observing the terrain and studying the traces left on the mountain paths, so he couldn't help but stepped forward and handed over a water bag.
"Thank you!" the catcher responded coldly, but as soon as he took it, his nose twitched slightly and his brows furrowed: "Is this wine? Where did you get it?"
The young detective laughed along with him: "When I passed by Linfen, I bought some and kept it ready. The store where I bought the wine said it was authentic Fenjiu. I don't know if it was true. However, this is Hedong, so I guess it can't be fake.
.Zhang Tou is an expert in wine tasting. Please give me a taste..."
Zhang Captou smiled and scolded: "You are so clever, kid."
After saying that, he took it and tasted it, breathed a sigh of relief, looked at several other subordinates, patted their shoulders, and ordered: "If there are good things, don't hide them, give them to the brothers to try too!"
It’s very rare to have a sip of wine in these barren mountains and wild mountains!”
"yes!"
The arrester Zhang's name is Zhang Yuan. He is now the arrester of Xiangzhou City. Although he has a low-ranking position, he is still a figure in the local law enforcement system of Anyang.
Judging from his style, it is obvious that he has a military background. He once served in Yulin Road and served as a low-level officer in the scout camp. He was also retired during the nationwide reduction of troops. When he returned to his hometown, he joined the government and served as a catcher.
.
Because of his keen sense of smell and ability in handling matters, he was valued by the prefect of the state. In just two years, he became one of the chief arrests in the state city. This time, he was led by his own family, tracking thousands of miles, and handling cases across the country. Naturally, the cases involved were
Extraordinary.
The fugitive being hunted is Li Jiqian, a descendant of the Li family in Anyang and the son of the former Yinzhou defense envoy Li Guangyan. There is no doubt that this Li family in Anyang is the Li family of Party Xiang Tuoba. After the Dingnan Army was disintegrated, in order to further eliminate Li
The influence of the clan shook the foundation of the Nanyang Army, and the imperial court moved all the Li clan members eastward and settled in Anyang, Xiangzhou. It has been almost twenty years now.
After so many years, the Li family has been relatively peaceful in the hinterland of the Han Dynasty. Now the Li family's patriarch, Li Jipeng, has also inherited the title of Marquis of Yongping, and the Li family has become a major local clan in Anyang.
Li Jiqian, who is under twenty years old, is a relatively promising young man in the Li family and has gained some fame in the local area. The reason why he became a fugitive and was arrested by the Xiangzhou government was because he committed a felony of murder.
In fact, with Li's local influence in Anyang, even if he killed someone, there would still be a way to calm him down. Moreover, the people who were killed had no background and were just common people as humble as grass. However, Li Jiqian made a big fuss and killed people.
A family of seven was wiped out.
It is difficult to conceal such a serious crime, not to mention that they are party members. These foreign ethnic minority people will never go around lightly when they commit crimes in the Han Dynasty.
As a result, Li Jiqian decisively fled, and Zhang Yuan was ordered by the state government to pursue him with his men. This pursuit took him through thousands of mountains and rivers, crossing Taihang with his men, and now he was almost crossing Hedong.
After resting for a while, the young detective walked up to Zhang Yuan, straightened his legs and sat down. He couldn't help complaining: "Zhang Tou, we are going further and further away. That thief Li Jiqian is too cunning to lead us here."
In the ravine, there are mountains and plains with few people, how can we pursue him? If Zhang Tou hadn't been good at tracking, we would have lost him long ago!"
"What, can't stand it anymore?" After hearing what he said, Zhang Yuan glanced at him.
The policeman said: "It's not that my subordinates are complaining, but if we continue to chase like this, we brothers will probably kill many people, but Ma Tao will even lose his life!"
After hearing what he said, Zhang Yuan's expression was serious and he said: "The order of the state government was personally given by the magistrate. You want to see the person alive and the corpse when you die. If there is no result and I return it empty-handed, how do you want me to explain it to the state government?"
If the errand goes wrong, we won’t be able to get any benefits!”
The policeman was stunned for a moment. Obviously, the most important thing was that he had a hard time explaining it. However, it was hard to say this bluntly. The policeman continued: "What I am angry about is the government in Hedong along the way. There are many checkpoints on the way west. Why?"
That would allow Li Jiqian to pass easily. Didn't the state government issue a document to assist the arrest? Hedong side didn't try their best at all!"
Mentioning this, Zhang Yuan was silent for a moment, with a little helplessness on his face: "After all, this is Hedong, not Hebei, let alone Xiangzhou. Xiangzhou's arrest warrant is not that easy to use in Hedong. Besides, what else can you expect?
Did Hedong seal off the passes for Li Jiqian?
Along the way, the governments from various places have cooperated and not hindered us, which is already rare. Not to mention they have provided a lot of help. Furthermore, as you said, Li Jiqian is cunning and wants to capture him.
, it’s really not easy.”
"I just think about it and I'm depressed. We were led by the nose by that Li Jiqian, led around the mountains and fields like dogs..." The policeman cursed: "This Li Jiqian, when we catch him, I'm going to
Kill him with your own hands!"
Seeing how forcefully he spoke, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but laugh: "Boy, have you ever killed anyone?"
Somewhat embarrassed, the policeman said: "When I find the thief, I will see blood..."
"Have a good rest, regain your strength, and recuperate your spirit. I don't know how long this pursuit will last!" Zhang Yuan sighed: "I know that the brothers have worked hard. When I finish my errands and return to Anyang, I will ask the brothers to give me some pain.
Have a drink!”
"Then thank you in advance Zhang Tou!"
There was another moment of silence. Seeing Zhang Yuan studying a map of Hedong with unclear markings, the policeman couldn't help but said: "Zhang Tou, this map is all about big roads, post roads, and remote places here."
In the mountains and fields, there is no village in front and no shop behind, what can you tell?"
After listening to what he said, Zhang Yuan thought seriously for a moment, took out a charcoal pen from his pocket and marked it on the map, saying, "At least it can help us determine the general direction of where we are, so we won't get lost!"
He pointed forward: "Did you hear that? In front of you is Pushui, to the north is Xinshui, to the west is the Yellow River, and to the north is Daning County..."
"Then what should we do next? Should we go north or west?" The policeman became more energetic and asked, "Should we look for another village and inquire about it?"
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Yuan frowned and thought, then made up his mind and said: "Let's not pursue him like this!"
The policeman was slightly happy: "Go back to Anyang?"
Zhang Yuan immediately scolded: "You kid, you just want to hide!"
After pondering for a while, Zhang Yuan said firmly: "Let's go to Yulin, first cross the river to Yanzhou, and then go to Yinzhou!"
The catcher's eyes widened immediately, with surprise written all over his face: "Zhang Tou, I'm afraid we have to walk hundreds of miles to Yinzhou. How can Li Jiqian run so far?"
"Don't you want to be led around so aimlessly? Then I will find a target for you!" Zhang Yuan said seriously: "Don't forget, this Li Jiqian is from Dangxiang, and his father is the former Yinzhou
Defense Envoy, that is his hometown. Seeing him fleeing all the way to the west, I guess his destination is Yinxia. You can take a gamble! To be honest, let alone you, I am tired of this kind of pursuit!"
After listening to his analysis, the detective felt more relaxed. Compared with the physical fatigue, the mental pressure was obviously more severe, just because he was aimless and exhausted.
"But what if Li Jiqian doesn't go to Yinzhou?"
"Then we have tried our best. If there is still no result, then we can go back to Anyang to apologize..."