Seeing that the conversation between the two was very boring, Han Baihang deliberately changed the subject and asked about what happened after he left today. Mei Changyuan recounted the situation at that time and said with regret: "It's really unreasonable. In the eyes of these people,
There is no such thing as me as the county magistrate."
Han Baihang hit the nail on the head: "Just because the county magistrate has no power, everyone does not respect and fear you. If one day the county magistrate monopolizes power, they will turn around and curry favor with you."
Mei Changyuan sighed and said, "I don't know this. But there was Ding Zuopeng in the past and Xu Wangtang now. They are all ambitious people. With their constraints, it will be difficult for me, the county magistrate, to realize my ambitions."
Han Baihang laughed in his heart. He really couldn't see what Mei Changyuan's ambition was, but the two of them were already on the same side. Of course, he had to be indignant for him, and sighed: "I am very sympathetic to the county magistrate's experience.
, willing to help the county magistrate solve problems."
Mei Changyuan was anxious to invite Han Baihang to a banquet. This was what he was waiting for. A smile suddenly appeared on his face. He stood up and took Han Baihang's arm and said, "The banquet is ready. Let's talk while eating."
The two moved to the next room, and soon the table was filled with wine and food. He Ruiliang poured wine to accompany them. After drinking for three rounds, He Ruiliang took the opportunity to leave the table and closed the door, leaving only the two of them. Mei Changyuan poured the wine for Han Baihang himself.
Filled with wine, he sighed with emotion: "To be honest, I am able to serve as county magistrate today thanks to the protection of Company Commander Han. Otherwise, I would have been forced to give up my job by Ding Zuopeng. I would like to thank you with wine."
, I will repay this kindness in the future." After saying that, he raised his glass and drank it down in one gulp.
“The county magistrate’s words are serious.”
Han Baihang stood up and hurriedly drank the wine in his glass. He said seriously: "I am a soldier. I obey military law in the army. Outside, I only recognize the national law. The national law stipulates that the county chief leads the people and governs the government, but Ding Zuopeng, Xu Wangtang and other wealthy gentry and merchants take over the county."
The chief controls the county administration, which cannot be tolerated by the national law. Naturally, I have to fight against it, but the soldiers are not allowed to interfere in politics. Otherwise, according to my temper, I would have brought them to justice."
"Who says it's not the case?" Mei Changyuan frowned and said, "I have also served as a county magistrate elsewhere, but I have never encountered such a situation of collusion between the wealthy gentry in Yongcheng. It is really a headache."
Han Baihang took it seriously and said: "Yes, the situation in Yongcheng County is extremely complicated. It is not only the scheming gentry in the city, but also the bandits outside, as well as the Red Spear Club hiding in the dark, with murderous intentions hidden everywhere!"
When he said this, he cast his eyes on Mei Changyuan's face and suddenly asked: "County Magistrate, was Ding Zuopeng's death the result of the Red Spear Club?"
"I also heard from hearsay. There are rumors outside that Ding Zuopeng was killed by the Red Spear Society. It's hard to say what the specific situation is!" Mei Changyuan frowned, his expression was a little far-fetched, and he seemed unwilling to talk more about this matter.
He didn't want to say more, but Han Baihang wanted to break the casserole to ask the truth. He took a bite of the pig's ear and said while eating: "County Magistrate, I also heard some news. There are rumors that you and the Red Spear Club
The relationship is not shallow."
"Nothing."
Mei Changyuan flatly denied that as a county magistrate, how could he be involved with gangsters like the Red Spear Society, and said in a serious tone: "Captain Han, these rumors cannot be taken seriously."
Han Baihang had his own intelligence source and knew that Mei Changyuan had a close relationship with the Red Spear Society. He pretended to stand up and leave and said calmly: "County Magistrate, if you can't trust me, then there is no need to drink this wine."
Mei Changyuan hurriedly stopped him and said: "Captain Han, what are you talking about? Of course I can trust you."
"Then I want to hear the truth."
Han Baihang borrowed the donkey to get off the slope and sat down again, saying: "We are in the same boat, and we shouldn't have anything to hide from each other."
Mei Changyuan hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "I do have some contact with the Red Spear Association. This is because of the last resort. However, Ding Zuopeng's death has nothing to do with the Red Spear Association."
Han Baihang frowned and said, "How can the county magistrate be so sure that this is not something that Red Spear would do?"
Mei Changyuan said: "It's very simple. When it comes to grudges, the first person the Red Spear Society wants to kill is Xu Wangtang, not Ding Zuopeng."
Han Baihang shook his head and said: "But this reason is not convincing. Maybe the Red Spear has wanted to attack Xu Wangtang, but it has never succeeded!"
Mei Changyuan said meaningfully: "Captain Han was wrong about this. It would be easy for the Red Spears to kill Xu Wangtang."
"Since it's not the Red Spear Society, then there is someone else who killed Ding Zuopeng. Who could it be?" Han Baihang did not pursue the question. Mei Changyuan's words confirmed one of his thoughts, and he fell into deep thought.
Mei Changyuan sneered: "Ding Zuopeng has made too many enemies, and there are so many people who want to kill him. Captain Han should not bother with this."
Han Baihang said: "Having said that, can we think about it this way, if Ding Zuopeng dies, who will benefit the most? That person will be suspected of murder."
"I asked the people in Ding Mansion. The murderer has been lurking in Ding Mansion many years ago. Even if you have murderous intentions, county magistrate, you don't have the time to arrange for such a person." Han Baihang knew that Mei Changyuan had intentions or courage, so he never suspected it at all.
he.
"That's Pang Yumin. His daughter and in-laws died at the hands of bandits. It was ordered by Ding Zuopeng." Mei Changyuan suddenly thought of someone and said with certainty.
"It's not him." Han Baihang shook his head. He was the only one who knew the whole story, and he was too lazy to do it to Ding Zuopeng.
"That's unthinkable!" Mei Changyuan said, spreading his hands.
However, Han Baihang couldn't help but suspect Xu Wangtang. This old fox was really well hidden. He usually stayed quiet, but yesterday when he was reorganizing and inspecting the troops, he was shocked. He actually had more than 600 people with guns.
, and they are all strong and capable men. Such a team has been quietly hiding in the city for these years. It really makes people feel chills in the back just thinking about it. Xu Wangtang is secretly armed and his intentions are unpredictable.
Moreover, these Japanese and Korean Baihangs also understood Xu Wangtang's behavior. Not only was this person extremely sophisticated, but he was also scheming and ruthless. From the eradication of the Yongcheng Red Spear Club in the early years, to the fact that he easily captured Xue Lin the day before yesterday,
There are enough reasons to suspect that he is the culprit behind Ding Zuopeng's murder.
However, this was just Han Baihang's guess, and suspicion could not be regarded as evidence, so he hid this idea in his heart and did not continue this topic.
"The bandits have retreated, and the city is in ruins. The county magistrate has a lot of courage on his shoulders." Han Baihang picked up the jug and served it to Mei Changyuanman, and said with a smile: "Many important positions in the city are vacant. What are the county magistrate's arrangements?
What?" After finally defeating the bandits, it was naturally time to enjoy the fruits of victory.
Finally coming to the key point, Mei Changyuan cheered up and couldn't help stroking the wine glass with his fingers. He muttered: "At that time, we had no choice but to temporarily let Xu Wangtang, the leader of the militia, be in charge. Now that the bandits have retreated, it is not appropriate to let him continue.
I heard that Company Commander Han has a right-hand man named Zhou Qing, who was previously the captain of the Yong'an Town Vigilante Corps. Why don't we give him a promotion and let him take over as the captain? What does Company Commander Han think?"
Seeing Mei Changyuan's offer of an olive branch, Han Baihang smiled and readily agreed: "Since the county magistrate thinks highly of Zhou Qing, I agreed on his behalf."
Then he raised his glass to Mei Changyuan and said: "The militia has been under control for a long time and needs to be replaced. I promise that from now on the militia will only listen to the county magistrate's orders and all actions will be subject to command!"
Mei Changyuan laughed heartily at these beautiful words, waved his hands and said, "You don't have to say that, let's discuss anything."
