Chapter 29 The dust has settled and Fu Yuanlong leaves
The next day.
A wanted order issued by Xu Dianshi was posted on various bulletin boards in the city.
In an instant, the entire Canglong County was shocked.
"Zhou Ze is a rebel?!"
"Hasn't he been working in Canglong County for more than ten years? Why did he suddenly become a rebel?"
"Is it strange that a rebel thief dares to say that he is a rebel?"
"Oh, I had long thought that Zhou Ze was unclean, but I didn't expect that he was a traitor."
"Hiss! Whoever catches Zhou Ze will be rewarded with 10,000 taels of silver?"
"Come on, arresting people is a matter for the government and has nothing to do with us ordinary people."
"I don't want to arrest people anymore, but there are rewards for providing effective clues..."
"..."
The enthusiasm of the common people was thus mobilized.
For Zhou Ze who was labeled as an 'anti-thief', it can be said that they felt no psychological burden at all when reporting him.
All kinds of gossip fell like snowflakes to the county government's clue collection office.
However, I have to say that Zhou Ze's disguise is really on point, no worse than Wu Wenjing's.
There are thousands of clues, but none of them are useful.
What is "Which road did Zhou Ze pass by on what day and month?".
What’s the date of Zhou Ze’s reservation at Chunhua Building?
What’s the date of Zhou Ze’s birthday party?
This type of information is of little value and does not meet the standards for bounty exchange.
"Why didn't I leave any clues..."
In the county government office, Fu Yuanlong was very confused, "Did the water ghost clean it up before he left?"
"That's not right..."
"Since the water ghost chooses to take the initiative to expose himself, it means that he will not come back again. Even if he leaves any evidence of crime, it will not hinder him, so why bother?"
At this time, Xu Chong walked in with a letter and happened to see Fu Yuanlong's expression.
"Are you thinking about clues, sir?"
"Xu Chong."
Fu Yuanlong came back to his senses and nodded, "I was thinking about this."
"The official believes that eighty thousand taels of treasure is enough to prove a lot of things."
Xu Chongdao said, "After all, treasure money is extremely unstable, and the market fluctuates from time to time. It is far less reliable than real money and silver."
"Who would exchange most of their wealth into precious cash?"
"Only rebels."
"Because the rebels may reveal their identity at any time, only the most portable treasure banknotes are the necessities for them to move around."
What Xu Chong said is reasonable and well-founded.
Unexpectedly, Fu Yuanlong waved his hand, "There are some things you don't know yet. The 80,000 taels of treasure money may also be Zhou Ze's plan to purchase a great medicine to break through the realm."
"Big medicine?"
Xu Chong was puzzled.
"It is a medicine that can be used to break through the small realms after taking it. The big medicine is used to open the mind, and the precious medicine is used to open the meridians."
Fu Yuanlong explained, "Big medicines are expensive, which inevitably attracts covetousness. Most people will choose to use treasure money, or even change their appearance to hide their identity."
"That's it..."
Xu Chong thoughtfully handed over the letter in his hand, "I wonder if this can prove Zhou Ze's identity as a rebel."
"Letterhead?"
Fu Yuanlong was surprised.
"It was sent by Wang Hezhiwang of the county school, and it has his seal on it."
"Wang Hezhi?"
Fu Yuanlong frowned, not having the slightest impression of this name.
However, as soon as he opened the letter and scanned it, his eyes suddenly widened.
"Martial slave?!"
"What a courage!"
Fu Yuanlong suddenly changed color.
Wu Nu...
Does Master know about Zhang Youde?
Xu Chong's heart moved slightly and asked: "May I ask, sir, what is a martial slave?"
"You don't know?"
Fu Yuanlong was a little surprised, then nodded again, "That's right. Although you are already an official, your contribution is not enough. Knowing too much is harmful and unhelpful."
"You just need to know that keeping martial slaves is something that is prohibited by the imperial court. You can only do it secretly. Once it is confirmed, even a first-class official will be dismissed and investigated."
"This letter...Zhou Ze raised martial slaves in Canglong?"
Xu Chong pretended to be surprised.
"Well, it's a pity that the martial slave is dead."
Fu Yuanlong felt a little regretful and asked instead: "Are you familiar with this Wang Hezhi?"
"Before I went to the official position to make up for the history, I studied under the Confucius."
Xu Chong answered truthfully.
"Oh?"
Fu Yuanlong was a little surprised and couldn't help but look at Xu Chong a few more times, "It turns out he is still a scholar, no wonder... why don't you continue studying?"
Isn't it too stupid to ignore the broad road and come here to be a slanderer?
"I don't dare to deceive you, sir. When my father was the official historian, the people complained."
Xu Chong's face darkened, "As a subordinate, I can't bear to continue to bear the infamy after my father's death..."
"Got it."
Fu Yuanlong waved his hand.
He has seen too many incredible things from Xu Chong, not many more than this one.
"I wonder if this letter will be useful to you?"
Xu Chong asked.
"Yes, but not big."
Fu Yuanlong sighed secretly.
With the existence of Wu Nu, even if Zhou Ze is not a rebel, he must be a rebel.
Because if Zhou Ze is not a traitor, then everyone who has had a close relationship with him will be thoroughly investigated.
Therefore, as long as the report is submitted, Zhou Ze's reputation as an anti-thief will be gone.
But the problem is.
This alone cannot confirm Xu Chong's inference.
The statement that "Taiping Dao has been plotting for more than ten years" may not be recognized by the higher authorities.
The best outcome is just to absolve him of his fault, no longer hold him responsible, and forget about the credit.
Alas...
I thought there was a bright future in another village, but unexpectedly it ended up in vain.
Fu Yuanlong gathered his thoughts and said to Xu Chong: "I will rush back to Fucheng immediately. Here in the county, your memorial must be sent up as soon as possible."
"I understand."
Xu Chong clasped his fists.
Fu Yuanlong just left.
Just like when we arrived, no one knew.
A mess was left behind.
But Xu Chong just couldn't ignore it.
The county magistrate and the chief clerk ran away, and he became the only official in the county government.
After lifting the county blockade and resuming the affairs of Liufang, the people's emotions must be appeased.
The most important thing is to restore people's livelihood.
The blockade for more than ten days has caused great troubles to people's lives.
Commerce and industry are fine, but they have stagnated, and it will be easy to pick them up again.
But agriculture is different.
The farmland outside the city has been abandoned for half a month without anyone taking care of it. If we don't save it, the autumn harvest in the next month will be in trouble.
In short, this is the first time in Xu Chong's entire life that he does not envy civil servants at all.
It took a whole day just to sort out the six-bedroom affairs.
It took another three days to resolve the dispute between the vendors.
Finally, we have to call on Minzhuang to help in the farmland outside the city.
By the time Canglong County returned to its previous order, half a month had passed.
Even though Xu Chong had the strength of the fourth level of awakening, he was still exhausted from the fatigue.
"Damn it... When the new county magistrate takes office, if he doesn't give me a proper credit, I will never be done with him!"
Xu Chong complained and dragged his tired body back to Xu Mansion.
"Master, you are finally back!"
The housekeeper Lao Li came up with two maids, "Sir, should you take a bath or eat first?"
"Old Li..."
Xu Chong looked at the housekeeper in a daze, and then he remembered another Lao Li.
Such a serious injury, I don’t know how it is now.