"Henry Hu!"
Evan Zhao rushed back home, without even having time to dismount, and first raised his voice to call the old servant.
"Where are the thieves? I can be of great use to you!"
Uncle Hu and Uncle Xiong walked out of the door one after another. Seeing Evan Zhao, whose cheeks were red from the wind but whose eyes were bright and whose expression was full of excitement, they looked at each other and immediately made up their minds. They grinned at the same time, opened the door, and said, "He's at home."
"Good!" Evan Zhao jumped off the horse, threw the whip to the strong servant, and strode into the yard.
After being whipped several times and doused with snow water, the thief's teeth were chattering, his hands were tied with ropes, and he was shivering in a corner of the yard.
Perhaps frightened by Xiong Bo's methods, the thief dared not hide anything when he heard Evan Zhao's questioning, and told everything he knew, fearing that Xiong Bo would whip him again if he said something wrong. He could withstand the whipping, but it was really unbearable to be splashed with cold water in the cold winter.
"Can you recognize all these people?" Evan Zhao asked.
"Yes, yes, there are hired farmhands from the nearby villages, escaped farmhands, and two wild men."
A hired farmer is also called a farmhand. Because he has no land of his own, he is hired to work for others. A farmhand is a farm slave, most of whom are bankrupt farmers. The so-called barbarians have a completely different meaning from later generations. They refer to the illegal households in the Han Dynasty who have no household registration, no land, and will be arrested and forced to do hard labor if they are encountered.
These people have no fixed property, and some have even become thieves.
Because they knew each other well and had teamed up to commit crimes several times, the thief could not only call out their names but also describe their appearances in detail.
According to his confession, three of them were hiding in the Zhao village, two in the village where Elena Wei lived, and the rest wandering in other villages. However, the two wild men had no fixed place to stay, and even he didn't know where they were now.
Of the three people in the Zhao village, two have been dealt with by Xiong Bo, and the remaining one has not yet been caught.
"My dear, you should send someone to inform Miss Wei." Henry Hu said.
Evan Zhao nodded, left the thief aside, sent out the strong servant to deliver the letter, and then told the two old servants of his plan.
If it weren't for the big, strong leg of Governor Wei, it would have been impossible to convict Magistrate Zhang based on the confession of a thief. It would have been more likely that the magistrate would sit high in the hall while several people stood below, and a farce would have unfolded, such as "Why did the people below sue me?"
However, the confession of the thief could make the county magistrate's conspiracy public, and like the plan of Henry Hu and Xiong Bo, all the ungrateful people hiding in the dark could be caught.
He has a lot to do in the future, and the livestock farm is just the beginning. Nathan Zhang's plot reminded him that in order to avoid greater trouble, he must nip hidden dangers in the bud, and nip them in the bud as soon as he finds one, without holding back!
Soon, the village elders, the stingy man and the patrolmen arrived one after another. Hearing the sound of the gong, the villagers also gathered at the entrance of the village.
The thief's hands were still tied, and he was dragged in front of everyone and forced to kneel on the ground.
There was no need for Evan Zhao to say anything. With just a look from Xiong Bo, the thief was startled on the spot and confessed how he was assigned by the county magistrate to spy on the livestock farm, how he destroyed the land fiefdom, and how much benefit he would get after the success.
While the thief was talking, a man in the crowd turned pale and tried to sneak away while everyone was not paying attention. Unexpectedly, he was held down by the shoulder by a big man before he took two steps.
"Heizhi, where are you going?"
The big man's voice was loud, which immediately attracted everyone's attention.
The thief on the ground also looked over and pointed at him: "This man is one of the accomplices!"
"You are talking nonsense! Stop slandering me!" Heizhi denied it flatly. His wife threw a tantrum on the spot and even rushed out of the crowd to fight the thief.
While dodging, the thief said that he and Heizhi had known each other for a long time and had received orders from Magistrate Zhang together. He also said that his wife knew about this.
"Just ten days ago, I met Heizhi at his brother-in-law's house. The woman was helping to guard the gate. She said she would definitely take the strongest bulls from the livestock farm. She also scolded Mr. Zhao for being evil-hearted and hiding corn at home. He should be thrown into prison and beheaded!"
The thief's words were very convincing, including the meeting place, what was said during the meeting, and the reactions of the Heizhi couple.
There was no need to say anything more. The young men around immediately took down the black beast and beat it up with their fists and feet. In less than a moment, the black beast was beaten into a pool of rotten meat.
The woman was taken down and forced to kneel beside Heizhi. She wanted to throw a tantrum, but a strong woman stepped forward and slapped her without saying a word. Her cheeks were red and swollen, and she spat out two yellow teeth. She dared not cry out loudly anymore.
"How do you treat us, my dear? Have your consciences been eaten by dogs?!"
"Those with evil hearts and bad lungs should be fed to the wolves!"
Just then, a female voice sounded from outside the crowd.
Everyone made way for Elena Wei, who landed from his horse in a straight-hem long gown with slightly fluffy hair, obviously having come all the way at a gallop. He held two hemp ropes tightly in his hands, and at the other end of the ropes were tied two short men covered in blood, who had obviously been dragged all the way.
"Ado, these two are also accomplices!"
As the girl spoke, she pulled the hemp rope hard, and the two men staggered and fell in front of the crowd.
There is no need to elaborate on what happened next. The thieves could not bear the beatings and could only confess everything they had done. Not only did they help the county magistrate seize Evan Zhao's property, but they also had done many evil things before.
After hearing the thief's confession, everyone present was furious.
Some of them had bad tempers and would beat several people to death on the spot and chop them all into minced meat.
The village elder, the miser and the patrol officer all looked angry, but considering Nathan Zhang's identity, two of them did not speak immediately. Instead, they turned to look at Evan Zhao, with a hint of hesitation in their expressions.
Seeing everything, Evan Zhao smiled slightly without saying much. He knew very well that this hesitation would immediately disappear after the cart loaded with grain was delivered.
As expected, when the carts loaded with millet and beans entered the village, the villagers' anger instantly escalated. Without the cattle and sheep in the livestock farm, there would be no food! Without Evan Zhao's kindness, how many people would starve to death due to lack of food?
Thinking of this, the crowd became even more angry, and the hesitant village elders could not help but look ashamed. Some even shouted: "That foreign county magistrate is trying to seize Mr. Zhao's family property. How despicable! I will give up my life and chop off his head!"
Fighting the Xiongnu every now and then has shaped the Yunzhong people into a tough character with a clear distinction between love and hate and a fearless attitude towards death. If they are not afraid of the Xiongnu, what is a mere foreign county magistrate?
Is killing an official a serious crime?
Many men straightened their chests and said, "I have no parents and no wife or children. I will take this crime and repay my husband's kindness. It is worth it!"
"We will help you guard the livestock farm!" said a big man.
"That thief county magistrate won't come, but if he dares to come, I will take his dog's head!"
As they were talking, some men had already rushed back home, fetched their bows and arrows and short knives, and vowed to guard the farm for Evan Zhao. If one came, they would kill one; if two came, they would kill a pair!
"That thief county magistrate should be made aware that border counties have their own rules and regulations, and they cannot tolerate reckless behavior!"
Sweeping his eyes over the crowd, Evan Zhao took a half step back, stood straight, and bowed.
"Thank you, neighbors!"
"You don't have to do this, sir!"
Everyone waved their hands quickly, and some even looked ashamed. Especially the villagers who had been in contact with Heizhi and others, at this moment, they all gnashed their teeth, hating themselves for having a pair of eyes to be on good terms with such a villain!
"Such an ungrateful villain must not be allowed to stay!"
Hearing these words, the village elders, the miser and the roving guards looked at each other and finally reached an agreement: get rid of these thieves on the spot!
If someone in the village breaks the law, they should be sent to the county. But given the current situation, this is obviously inappropriate.
Henry Hu whispered to He Lao according to Evan Zhao's instructions, and He Lao informed the other two village elders. The village elders exchanged opinions with the stingy man You Jiao, and they quickly decided that the thief should be killed without hesitation! With the support of Wei Taishou, an outsider county magistrate is nothing!
Looking at the villagers who were filled with indignation, several people did not show it on their faces, but they were sighing in their hearts. From now on, in this village, Evan Zhao's words would be more effective than theirs.
After going through the whole thing, Evan Zhao vaguely guessed that Liam Wei asked him to tell the villagers the truth not just to expose Nathan Zhang's conspiracy.
Thinking back to the days when he was a mascot, when the Third Master of Wei held him as a hand warmer with a copy of Wei Liaozi in front of him, which said that he should emulate the ancestors' strategies of cleansing the grassland and exterminating the clan, Evan Zhao's face instantly became expressionless.
The jade-like gentlemen of the Han Dynasty were actually all made of black jade, right?
Still the top one.
The thief's body was thrown out of the village and left to be eaten by wild animals.
The crowd spontaneously formed teams, prepared bows and arrows and short swords, and went to the livestock farm in batches to take over the young and strong men who were guarding the field fences. As the thieves had said before, they searched for the newly built field fences and destroyed them all.
Evan Zhao entrusted the affairs of the livestock farm to Xiong Bo, sent Elena Wei away, and returned home to entertain the village elders, misers and patrol officers.
Although it was called a banquet, the dishes were actually quite simple, but the portions were sufficient.
The bean sprouts had just started to sprout, but Evan Zhao was reluctant to eat them, so he asked the maid to cook a whole fat sheep, smoked and grilled it over charcoal, and served it with pickles pickled in autumn. The staple food was corn rice and steamed cakes.
In Evan Zhao's opinion, it is inevitably a bit strange to pair pickles with barbecue.
He Lao and the others finished all the mutton in one breath, eating half a pottery jar of pickles, and not leaving a single bit of the corn rice and steamed buns.
Looking at the gray beards of several village elders, Evan Zhao suddenly had an idea. Judging from their appetite, it seemed that it was not difficult for Lian Po to eat a dou of rice and ten kilograms of meat.
In the official temple of Shaling County, Nathan Zhang was unaware of the impending disaster and prepared to send people to the Zhao family's livestock farm and village tomorrow to capture Evan Zhao and all his servants.
In the eyes of County Magistrate Zhang, Evan Zhao was meat on the chopping board and he could do whatever he wanted to him.
"Capture that kid and take back the land!"
The so-called land measurement was just a cover. What he had to do was to get evidence of Evan Zhao's unauthorized use of the land and take him to the government temple. As long as he had the man in his hands and forced him to confess, the methods of raising and taming cattle would be easily obtained, and he would have no more worries.
Nathan Zhang sat in front of the screen, feeling that he had the wisdom in hand and that things would be accomplished, and he couldn't help feeling very proud.
"A mere child who has a law that benefits the people but does not offer it should be punished! If he sincerely repents and changes his ways, I can show mercy and allow him to live a few more days."
"My lord, you are so generous!" complimented the old servant.
Nathan Zhang laughed again and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go down and make arrangements."
"promise!"
Nathan Zhang was still feeling proud of himself, not realizing that he was the moth caught in the spider's web.
The magistrate and lieutenant of Shaling County received the news from Yunzhong City respectively. After they met and confirmed the news was correct, they looked in the direction of Guansi and couldn't help but sneer.
"If the county magistrate wants to transfer people tomorrow, you may arrange more." The county magistrate looked at the county lieutenant with a smile and said.
"Of course." The county lieutenant nodded.
The two men looked at each other. They had been colleagues for many years, so there was no need for further explanation.
If Nathan Zhang doesn’t move tomorrow, it will be fine. But if he dares to move rashly, he will be charged with another crime!
"Have you prepared everything the Third Young Master ordered?" asked the county lieutenant.
"It has been prepared long ago." The county magistrate took out two wooden slips with a smile and opened them. One was a letter handed by County Magistrate Zhang to his family, and the other recorded the number of cattle and sheep exchanged for copper coins.
"The evidence is irrefutable. Nathan Zhang can't get away."
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