All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Page 530

Xu Qi'an asked in a deep voice, "Which government department are you from, and what jobs are you doing now?"

"I am the head constable of the canal transport office, responsible for escorting a batch of iron ore to the capital," the bearded man replied.

Salt and iron are the lifeblood of the nation, strategic resources of the Great Feng Dynasty, and major sources of revenue. These people's identities and positions are all legitimate, so why do they exude such a strong murderous aura?

Xu Qi'an stroked his chin, observing the behavior of the bearded official without uttering a word.

Upon seeing this, the official looked reluctant, reached into his robes and rummaged around for a while before respectfully handing over three hundred taels of silver.

Locally, the image of night watchmen, as portrayed by civil officials, is that of petty thieves who exploit and harm the loyal and virtuous, and who are corrupt and lawless.

However, when the three hundred taels of silver notes were taken out, no one dared to accept them for a long time.

Xu Qi'an led the investigation aboard the ship. No one else knew what Xu Qi'an was planning to do. Surely it wasn't for a few hundred taels of silver; Master Xu was certainly not short of money.

“Take us to inspect the ship,” Xu Qi’an said.

Subsequently, the bearded official readily agreed to Xu Qi'an's request without any intention of obstructing him.

So the watchmen carefully searched the entire barge, and found that the cargo hold was filled with crates of iron ore.

"They're all high-quality iron ore, and the quality is so good it's almost abnormal," Zhu Guangxiao whispered to Xu Qi'an.

When the two reached a secluded spot, Zhu Guangxiao said, "Ore entering the capital is usually calculated by weight, and the quality requirements are not this high. Iron ore transported to the capital from other places is definitely not this refined."

Xu Qi'an understood. Under normal circumstances, officials would adulterate iron ore to line their own pockets, and would not use such high-quality iron ore.

Iron ore entering the capital would pass through many hands, and even if the Great Feng had an honest official, it was impossible for this string of officials to all be incorruptible.

Something unusual must be going on; there's definitely something wrong with this ship.

During the continued search, Xu Qi'an discovered four cooks sitting in the kitchen, with fresh vegetables in baskets next to them.

Xu Qi'an smiled and remarked, "After eating fish on the boat for several days, which was both fishy and unpalatable, now my eyes light up at the sight of vegetable leaves."

A cook said with a forced smile, "Yes, it's inevitable that the fish in the river have both fresh and fishy smells. It's normal for adults not to be used to it. But we people who make a living on the water are used to it."

Xu Qi'an smiled and said, "Oh, so you don't know how to get rid of the fishy smell."

The bearded man and the officials clearly sensed that Xu Qi'an's smile was meaningful. Just as they were pondering it, they saw a faint flash of lightning before their eyes.

Even the gong players thought they were seeing things, and the officials and cooks were knocked down.

In that instant, Xu Qi'an activated Thunder God's Swiftness, then unleashed Vajra Release, capable of breaking a person's ribs with a single, gentle punch.

So, after the lightning flashed, the five people were already lying on the ground, clutching their chests and groaning in pain.

"Take down everyone on the ship, but leave no survivors." Xu Qi'an had already returned to his original position, his clothes still fluttering due to his rapid movement.

Without hesitation, the watchmen took action and subdued all the officials and boatmen on the ship. For the watchmen, who were all at the Qi Refining stage, subduing a group of officials with decent skills was about as easy as Xu Qi'an beating up Xu Lingyin.

Soon, Xu Qi'an arrested all sixty-two people on the ship and then sent someone to report to Governor Zhang and Jiang Luzhong.

Both of them knew Xu Qi'an's abilities and didn't ask any questions, leaving it entirely to Xu Qi'an to handle.

"Snapped!"

Zhu Guangxiao slapped the bearded man away, and the latter lay miserably on the deck groaning.

"Who are you, and why are you robbing an official ship!"

Xu Qi'an had already told him that these people couldn't remove the fishy smell, so they must not live on the water all year round. Moreover, the signs of a fight in the cabin had not been removed, and these people were too docile when questioned by the night watchman.

All indications suggest that this group of people were not officials escorting iron ore at all.

With a few soft sounds of steel knives being drawn, the bearded man saw that several gong-wielding men had already pulled out their swords.

"My lord, spare my life! I am a member of the Yellow Flag Gang in the martial arts world! We are just doing this for money, not killing officials on purpose!"

"The one who instructed us was the transport commissioner of the Yuzhou Canal Transport Office. He told us that there was a barge going to the capital tonight, carrying iron ore, and that we should kill the guards and seize the iron ore."

The night watchmen exchanged silent glances, their expressions filled with shock. Good heavens, this was embezzlement by their own ward.

The transportation of the Grand Canal was managed by two departments: the Pan'an Division managed the storage and handling of goods, while the Gangyunshi (the Transport Commissioner) managed logistics and transportation. Therefore, the Gangyunshi wanted to embezzle the iron ore, so he hired bandits to rob himself.

"After you seized the iron ore, what's your next step?" Xu Qi'an continued to ask.

The bearded man shook his head and said, "We're only responsible for transporting it to Yunzhou, where someone will make contact. As for what to do with it afterwards, I really don't know."

Xu Qi'an's lips twitched. It turned out to be this godforsaken place, Yunzhou. The canal transport office was under the Ministry of Works and was within the sphere of influence of the Qi faction.

Qi Dang is suspected of secretly supplying arms to Yunzhou, and these iron ore mines were also transported to Yunzhou in this clandestine manner. It seems that this is the truth.

"This isn't the first time you've done this, is it?"

"This is the third time this year, a total of 100,000 jin of iron ore has been transported to Yunzhou."

Xu Qi'an gasped. This was quite a quantity; these ores were far more refined than the iron ore transported to the capital.

Subsequently, Xu Qi'an, accompanied by the bearded Fang He, met with Jiang Luzhong and Governor Zhang. Both were greatly shocked, but at the same time, they were full of praise for Xu Qi'an's sense of smell.

The three decided to pretend that nothing had happened and the fleet turned towards Yuzhou, preparing to go to the Yuzhou Canal Transport Office to arrest the transport commissioner who ordered Fang He to hijack the ship.

Along the way, Governor Zhang explained to Xu Qi'an the importance and corruption of the Grand Canal Administration.

"In the twenty-second year of Yuanjing, Wei Gong and Chief Minister Wang joined forces to abolish the policy of selling official positions and titles."

However, after only two years of operation, the canal transport system was infiltrated by a large number of incompetent and corrupt individuals who held positions without merit, bribing their superiors to secure important posts.

Xu Qi'an raised an eyebrow. The eunuch faction and the Wang faction had actually joined forces. Who was the one who advocated this policy of selling official positions?

Without a doubt, it was Emperor Yuanjing.

What is this damned emperor thinking? He's always thinking about amassing wealth or cultivating immortality. Does he think the Great Feng Dynasty isn't his own family's? He's completely obsessed.

After the ships docked, Governor Zhang and Jiang Jinluo personally led the team straight to the Transport Commissioner's office.

The group arrived at the canal transport office and met the transport commissioner. They immediately brought more than sixty Yellow Flag Gang bandits into the hall and told the transport commissioner what had happened.

"Your Excellency, I truly have no knowledge of this matter! It must be that Transport Commissioner Yan Kai, blinded by greed, has acted recklessly!"

"Yan Kai is on leave today. I will personally lead the way to capture this bastard!"

Led by the transport commissioner, the night watchmen and the Tiger Guards surrounded the Yan residence, and then the night watchmen broke down the door and entered.

So many experts swept through the entire Yan residence, giving him no chance to react, but even so, they were still a step too slow.

The study floor was covered in blood. Yan Kai lay on a chair with his mouth and eyes crooked, and there was a deep wound on his neck. A dagger lay on the floor to his right.

Governor Zhang was furious, and the transport commissioner surnamed Yang was so shocked that he immediately knelt down. With Yan Kai dead, the transport commissioner's situation became even more complicated.

"Your Excellency, Yan Kai must have committed suicide out of fear of punishment. This case has nothing to do with me. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Excellency!"

Governor Zhang roared, "Get out and kneel outside the door to await your fate!"

Subsequently, the night watchman investigated the scene and found that Yan Kai died from a severed carotid artery, shortly before the arrival of the crowd.

Based on the deceased's sitting posture and the direction of the wound, Xu Qi'an concluded that Yan Kai did not commit suicide, but was murdered.

In the time that followed, the night watchman and the three astronomers from the Imperial Observatory led by Governor Zhang began to inspect and question the officials of the Grand Canal Transport Office, as arranged by Xu Qi'an.

However, there were no clear clues. The transport commissioner was indeed very incompetent, so incompetent that he was completely unaware of the matter.

That night, after the group dispersed, Xu Qi'an was still thinking about this matter.

It was only at this point that Xu Qi'an realized that this trip to Yunzhou was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

"Ning Yan, things have gotten serious. Why don't you go to the brothel to relax?" Song Tingfeng opened the door and extended a sincere invitation.

"No way, I'm thinking about something," Xu Qi'an said irritably.

"Sharpening your spear won't delay your work. Once you calm down, your mind will be clearer, and you'll think more clearly then!" Song Tingfeng knew Xu Qi'an well; this kind of temptation was something Xu Qi'an couldn't resist.

Xu Qi'an suddenly realized that his mind was indeed clearer and more meticulous during the post-coital period.

The pursuit of lust is indeed disturbing to the mind and spirit, and should not be tolerated!

Therefore, it's important to relieve stress promptly!

"Song Tingfeng, oh Song Tingfeng, you can never forget those things in the brothels."

Xu Qi'an complained, but his buttocks honestly moved off the stool. "Let's go!"

Yunzhou.

In the Golden Eagle Village, Li Miaozhen's room was simply decorated, somewhat monotonously.

There was no mirror for dressing up, no large wardrobe for storing clothes, but she continued her habit of learning magic. Her room was not lacking in various magical implements and books.

The most eye-catching items were the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, all of which were sent by Li Chang'an.

After removing her armor, Li Miaozhen, dressed in a red dress, had a graceful and agile figure, completely different from the other young ladies Li Chang'an knew.

"who!"

Li Miaozhen gave a clear shout, and a white light shot out from beside her as a flying sword slashed towards the suddenly appearing, powerful aura.

The flying sword pierced the air, dozens of times more powerful than the crossbows used in the army; an ordinary person would surely die on the spot if struck by it.

hum!

A figure in a green robe suddenly appeared and gently pinched the flying sword with just two fingers.

The flying sword continued its momentum, its hilt still trembling, but it could not advance even an inch further!

"Li Lang!"

Li Miaozhen's beautiful eyes widened as she discovered that the person in her room was none other than Li Chang'an, whom she hadn't seen for over a year.