Startled by Xie An's reprimand, Han Li slowly raised his head, revealing tearful eyes, his voice choked with emotion, "Hezi has been arrested by the constables from the county yamen."
Xie An's mind blanked for a moment, "Little He has gotten into trouble?"
He Chunli, usually so honest and introverted, would commit a crime?
This made Xie An feel incredulous.
Han Li wiped away his tears: "This afternoon, he stabbed the son of the second leader of the Giant Whale Gang to death in Black Bridge Town..."
After listening to Han Li's account, Xie An finally understood the general course of events:
Since taking over White Feather Hall from Meng Hu, the Giant Whale Gang had placed its headquarters in the original White Feather Hall location in Water Lantern Town.
Li Fushan, the second leader of the Giant Whale Gang, had a son named Li Huwei, in his early twenties, with the strength of the Second Level of Refined Flesh. He managed the pier and canal transportation affairs of Water Lantern Town, gathered a group of wealthy young men, and indulged in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, bullying married women and young girls. This resulted in many attractive married women and beautiful young girls in the vicinity suffering.
Qingwu County had not arranged for any yamen runners in Water Lantern Town, and even if some husbands of the victimized wives tried to report to the county seat, they were never heard from again.
Over time, the villagers felt despair and dared not speak out in anger.
This morning, a clerk from the Li Pawnshop in Black Bridge Town came to Weisheng Martial Arts School to find He Chunli, saying that Chunlan had gone to Water Lantern Town to buy medicine for Madam Li, and because of her good looks, she had been targeted by Li Huwei.
Then... Chunlan was violated by Li Huwei.
Chunlan felt she had no face to live in the world, so she threw herself into the river, but fortunately, she was rescued by nearby fishermen.
Upon learning this, He Chunli directly took a knife and went to Black Bridge Town, stabbing Li Huwei to death.
Speaking of the end, Han Li couldn't help but shed tears, "At that time, Hezi was completely insane, I couldn't stop him. I tried to subdue him, but I couldn't beat him. In the end, I wanted to go with Hezi, but Hezi refused to let me, and knelt on the ground begging me to stay.
He said that he had not taken good care of Chunlan, and said that if he died, he would entrust me to take care of the Master and see him off in his old age. He also left a suicide note."
Finally, Han Li took out a crumpled, yellowed envelope from his arms and handed it to Xie An.
Xie An took it and opened it.
Several lines of very scribbled handwriting came into view.
—Master, meeting you in this life is the luckiest thing for me, He Chunli. It was Master who raised me, it was Master who taught me to read, it was Master who taught me how to be a person. It was also Master who helped me redeem my indenture, giving me the opportunity to be a person.
Master often told me that being a person should know how to be grateful.
In the past few years, Chunlan has treated me very well, I vowed to take care of her, to marry her, and not let her be bullied.
I'm sorry. This disciple may have to go first, unable to take care of you in your old age.
Master, I'm sorry.
Master, I'm sorry!
I'm sorry!!
The three consecutive 'I'm sorry's made Xie An's nose tingle and his eyes feel hot.
There were many wrinkled round spots on the thin rice paper. It was evident that He Chunli was shedding tears while writing the letter. The tears dripped onto the rice paper and spread, forming round spots and wrinkles after the paper dried.
Xie An had also come from poverty and could understand He Chunli's despair and entanglement when writing the letter.
When he encountered his beloved woman being violated, he did not choose to swallow his anger, but chose to stand up in the most violent way.
If it were eight years ago, Xie An would definitely scold He Chunli harshly, even kicking him twice.
But now, Xie An admired him.
After a long daze, Xie An put down the letter, "Xiao He, you are a good disciple of Master."
Putting away the letter, Xie An said, "Han Li, is He Chunli currently detained in the county yamen?"
Han Li nodded with tears in his eyes: "Yes. I wanted to visit him before, but Constable Liu of the county yamen wouldn't allow it, saying that a life for a life, it's just a formality, and he will probably be beheaded in half a month."
Xie An was not in a hurry, but stood at the gate of the courtyard and pondered carefully.
First of all, he definitely had to take care of this matter.
Since it involved the government, even if Xie An was a Fifth-Rank General Commander, he couldn't act tough. The government has its own rules, and to save people, one naturally needs to use the government's rules. Otherwise, it would be counterproductive.
Moreover, Xie An had learned when he was in the Demon Suppression Division that Wen Zaiqing had resigned from the position of county magistrate early in the morning and was currently unemployed in the county seat. The new county magistrate is named Zhou Li, and he was sent down by Nanzhou.
Naturally, he is a member of the Huainan King.
After a little weighing, Xie An made a decision.
"Han Li, grind the ink."
Seeing that Master was about to take action, Han Li became very excited, followed Xie An to the study, and took the initiative to grind ink for Xie An.
Xie An wrote a letter to Wen Zaiqing, requesting Wen Zaiqing to ask the old subordinates of the county yamen to take care of He Chunli in prison so that he would not suffer the pain of punishment.
After sealing the letter, Xie An handed it to Han Li, "Go to Wen Zaiqing's house quickly and give him this letter. Then go to the gate of the Demon Suppression Division and wait for me."
"Yes."
Han Li took the envelope and rushed out the door.
Xie An then went out and hurried towards the Demon Suppression Division.
Wen Zaiqing had been a county magistrate for more than ten years, and his old subordinates were all his people. Letting Wen Zaiqing release people was definitely not possible, after all, He Chunli's killing was a fact. But asking Wen Zaiqing to come forward and have his old subordinates take care of He Chunli in prison was not a big problem.
As long as He Chunli didn't die in prison, Xie An would have time to arrange other things.
Hurrying to the Southeast Courtyard of the Demon Suppression Division, Xie An changed into his official uniform, and then found Liu Chun, "Brother Chun, take a few people and go to Water Lantern Town with me."
Hearing Xie An call him Brother Chun, Liu Chun was so frightened that his soul flew away, and he quickly cupped his hands: "General Commander, you must not call me Brother Chun, just call me Liu Chun."
Xie An nodded, "Then hurry up, I'll wait for you at the door."
After explaining everything, Xie An came to the door and saw Han Li waiting early at the door, "Was the letter delivered?"
Han Li nodded: "It was delivered, Master Wen said that he would take care of it. But if you want to rescue Hezi, he said it would be difficult."
Xie An said: "Master, I am now the General Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, this matter is not difficult to handle."
Hiss!
Han Li gasped, looking at the Master in front of him in disbelief.
He knew that the adults of the Demon Suppression Division respected Xie An very much, but he never thought that... Xie An had become the General Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, that was a Fifth-Rank official.
Looking at the entire Qingwu County, only the Commander of the Myriad Household Mansion could suppress Xie An.
These were things that Han Li dared not even think about.
After a long daze, Han Li recovered and bowed deeply: "Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Master!"
Xie An nodded slightly, "Between you and me, there is no need to be so polite."
Han Li smiled so wide that he couldn't close his mouth, "The Giant Whale Gang never dreamed that our Master would become a Fifth-Rank official, and one sentence can destroy them. Now Hezi is fine."
Xie An shook his head, "Although I am a Fifth-Rank General Commander, I can't mess around. The officialdom has its own rules. If I am too impulsive, not only will I not be able to rescue Xiao He, but it will cause even greater disasters."
Directly take people to the county yamen to rob people? Xie An would be attacked and impeached by the officialdom in minutes, that would be courting death.
Privately go to the new county magistrate, send gifts, exert power, and let the other party release people?
The new order only needs to attack a few words, and Xie An will have no way to survive.
Han Li was intelligent and immediately realized the problem, and said: "Then what does Master plan to do?"
Xie An did not hide his plan, "Li Huwei violated Chunlan, causing Chunlan to jump into the river and commit suicide. This was originally an ordinary case, and should be handled by the county yamen. But you also said that Li Huwei bullies the married women and young girls in the Water Lantern Town area, this matter is big. My Demon Suppression Division has a reason to intervene.
In a while, I will take people to Water Lantern Town to take some notes from the victimized wives and collect some evidence. Then take this evidence to the county yamen to pick up people, and let my Demon Suppression Division take over.
As long as the case is in the hands of my Demon Suppression Division, it will be easy to handle."
Han Li was very admired after hearing this, "Master is still thinking thoughtfully, so all aspects are taken into account, and it is also possible to clear Hezi's name."
Xie An was not so optimistic, "It may be difficult to completely clear Xiao He's name. But saving his life is definitely no problem. It depends on the situation of the case."
Da Qian indeed has laws regarding the elimination of evil and self-defense. For example, if you encounter a robber breaking into a house, killing him is not illegal.
If He Chunli killed Li Huwei while Li Huwei was violating Chunlan, it would not be illegal.
But he killed someone afterwards.
This is quite difficult.
Xie An was also unsure.
Soon, Liu Chun led Ah Bin and Huzi out, also leading the horses.
"Let's go."
Xie An waved his hand and took the lead.
The Nightmare Suppression Division's BMW is really good. In just an hour, they arrived at Shuideng Town.
The current Shuideng Town is much more prosperous than before. The merchant ships docked at the pier are endless at a glance. There are also four or five-story large merchant ships, as splendid as flowers.
Xie An instructed Liu Chun to inquire about the wives and young girls who had been harmed by Li Huwei in the name of the Nightmare Suppression Division handling the case, and be sure to make a written record.
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Xie An then took Han Li to the home of the village elder, Zheng Bingxiang.
If you want to understand the detailed situation of Shuideng Town, asking Zheng Lao is naturally the most appropriate.
Regarding Xie An's arrival, Zheng Bingxiang personally went out to greet him with crutches. Seeing Xie An from a distance, he quickened his pace and limped forward, "Master Xie… Master Xie. It's great to see you safe and sound. Come in and talk."
After seeing each other again after four or five years, Xie An saw that Zheng Bingxiang was much older than before, with wrinkles and age spots all over his face, and he was trembling when he walked, and he couldn't help but feel emotional. He also stepped forward to help him.
"Old Zheng, be careful of your feet."
Entering the hall, Old Zheng warmly invited them to sit down, and also summoned his granddaughter-in-law to make tea for Xie An, praising him repeatedly, "This is the once righteous Master Xie. The only school in our town was funded by Master Xie, benefiting countless people."
The granddaughter-in-law was beautiful and graceful, very well-mannered, and also gave Xie An a blessing, "Hello, Master Xie. At that time, I hadn't married into the family yet, so I didn't see Master Xie's righteous deeds. But I often hear the surrounding villagers mention Master Xie. Master Xie is a true and upright official."
Xie An exchanged a few words of greeting, and finally asked: "Old Zheng, why don't I see any men in the family?"
Zheng Bingxiang sighed, "Alas, two years ago, there were monsters in the town, and my sons were eaten by the monsters."
Speaking of this, Old Zheng looked at his granddaughter-in-law with pity, full of sorrow, "My grandson was also killed by the people of the Giant Whale Gang."
Xie An was shocked when he heard this, "Old Zheng, please tell me in detail."
Zheng Bingxiang burst into tears, "Master Xie, you don't know, half a year after you disappeared four years ago, the Baiyu Hall was taken over by the Giant Whale Gang. They changed the previous style of the Baiyu Hall. Oppressing the villagers everywhere. Not only did they close the school, but they also directed and acted out bandits entering the town, robbing gentry, and not even letting ordinary people go. Then they grandiosely used the name of suppressing bandits to demand that every household hand over the fees for suppressing bandits. The villagers in the nearby towns are suffering unspeakably, and many families have been forced to sell their sons and daughters.
Even the shops in the town have to hand over protection fees to them every month, claiming that they have spent manpower and material resources to suppress bandits.
However, they are extremely good to foreign merchants, which is why you see the prosperity of the pier area in Shuideng Town. They are really ruthless to their own people. The second gang leader's son, Li Huwei, everywhere ordered people to rob women for his enjoyment. Anyone who refused would persecute their families. My granddaughter-in-law also… was defiled by this beast Li Huwei. My grandson went to the county town to report to the officials, but it was useless. In the end, my grandson planned to go to the prefectural city to file a complaint, but he was killed on the way. It must have been done by the Giant Whale Gang.
This group of people is simply worse than beasts. We can't live our lives anymore."
In the end, Old Zheng burst into tears, and the granddaughter-in-law next to him also sobbed and shed tears.
Xie An was filled with emotion after hearing this.
Things have changed, but he didn't expect that the once harmonious Shuideng Town would fall into such a state.
He Chunli's experience is not an isolated case.
Xie An sighed slightly, turned to look at the granddaughter-in-law, "Do you know how many wives and young girls in the town have been harmed by Li Huwei?"
The granddaughter-in-law drooped her head, wiped away her tears, "If not a hundred, then eighty."
"Do you know them all?"
"I know most of them."
Xie An nodded slightly, "Then I will trouble you to take Han Li to each house."
Han Li, bring your pen and ink, and go to each house to take notes. The more detailed the better, and you need to sign and put your fingerprints on it. If you encounter someone who is unwilling, don't force it."
The granddaughter-in-law was very surprised, "Master Xie, what are you…"
Xie An knew that women in this chaotic world are very reserved and rigid, and care more about their reputation and chastity. They would never talk about being humiliated. Many women who are open-minded endure it. Those who are not open-minded are like Chunlan…
In order to give his granddaughter-in-law a reassurance, Xie An said: "I am the Chief of the Nightmare Suppression Division in Qingwu Town, and I will take care of this matter. As long as I get the confession, my Nightmare Suppression Division can take over the case of the Giant Whale Gang."
The granddaughter-in-law was overjoyed when she heard this, and hurriedly knelt on the ground, almost sobbing, "Thank you, sir! I will take care of this matter."
Xie An asked Han Li to help her up, "Go quickly. I'll wait for you here and talk to Old Zheng by the way."
After Han Li and the granddaughter-in-law left, Zheng Bingxiang also tremblingly got up to kneel down and thank Xie An, but Xie An helped him up, "Old Zheng, there is no need to do this. This is the duty of my Nightmare Suppression Division."
After Zheng Bingxiang sat down, tears couldn't help but flow down, "Good, good. With Chief Xie here, the villagers around can live their lives!"
Xie An felt very uncomfortable after hearing this.
Xie An has lived in this place for many years. He has also spent many years with the surrounding villagers.
Within a radius of ten miles is Xie An's life radius for the past eight years.
It's not realistic to say that there is no emotion.
At dusk, Liu Chun and Han Li returned.
They were holding thick confessions in their hands.
With the persuasion of the granddaughter-in-law, many wives and young girls who were unwilling to reveal their scandals were willing to speak out. What's more, everyone heard that Xie An was going to stand up for them, and they were even more willing to speak out.
The reputation that Xie An had accumulated here played a role.
Xie An frowned as he looked at the confessions with fingerprints and signatures on them.
The number of wives and young girls who were victimized in the confession reached as many as one hundred and eight. Xie An knew many of the women, and some of the girls above had even attended school. There were also some girls who survived the previous fire.
Thirty-six family members were forced to death by Li Huwei.
This is just what has been collected, and there is still a lot that has not been collected.
It's simply outrageous!
"Old Zheng, please wait a moment. I'm going to the county town." Xie An put away the testimony and got up to leave. When he reached the door, Xie An suddenly thought of something and instructed Liu Chun, "Liu Chun, in order to prevent the Giant Whale from continuing to do evil tonight, you stay here."
Liu Chun immediately agreed, "Don't worry, leave it to me. I'm a seventh-rank captain anyway. As long as I reveal my identity first, the Giant Whale Gang won't dare to mess around."
Xie An forehead, feeling that Liu Chun was too upright, he called Liu Chun to his side and whispered: "You don't need to reveal your identity first."
Liu Chun was puzzled, "Master Chief, this is…"
Xie An whispered: "What should be the crime for attacking a seventh-rank captain of the Nightmare Suppression Division?"
Hiss.
Liu Chun took a deep breath, and then said: "The adults are still thoughtful, since the Giant Whale Gang is so heinous, it is better to fuel the flames. Don't worry, adults, I know what to do. Attacking is not enough, you need to add one more item - seriously injuring the seventh-rank captain of the Nightmare Suppression Division, the crime is even worse."
Xie An raised an eyebrow.
This Liu Chun, can do it.
"Then I will wrong Captain Liu. I will go back to the Nightmare Suppression Division to make some deployments. I will probably come over tomorrow." Xie An said his plan, and then left with Han Li.
After leaving the gate of the house, it was already dark.
Han Li wanted to follow Xie An to the county town, but Xie An said: "Han Li, you go to the Li Mansion in Wuqiao Town to appease Chunlan and take care of Madam Li by the way."
Han Li said: "What about Master?"
Xie An said: "I will go back to the Nightmare Suppression Division to deploy. This time, what I want is not just to handle Li Huwei's case, I want… to make the entire Giant Whale Gang disappear from this world."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie An had already jumped on his horse: "The Giant Whale Gang must not be left behind."
Giddy up!
The sound of horses' hooves galloped on the street.
Han Li stood on the street, in the twilight, watching the back of his master leaving, suddenly tears fell down.
He suddenly felt that his master was always the mountain in his heart.
