Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart stirred. The Liu family!
Didn't Liu Rumei also give him a waist token? And it could be used like this.
Alas, it was a pity he hadn't brought it with him.
Thinking again, weren't these two people in front of him from the Liu family? Why not try to get closer.
With that thought, he coughed, walked up, cupped his fists, "Are you two from the Liu Mansion? Miss Liu Rumei, how have you been recently?"
The two looked at Chen Xiaobei and remained silent.
Chen Xiaobei, with his meticulous mind, since using Liu Rumei didn't work, he changed tack. He continued, "Brother Liu Tie, how have you been these past few days? Is your injury getting better?"
The one who had spoken earlier tilted his head and looked at Chen Xiaobei with a puzzled expression, "Who are you? How do you know Brother Tie is injured?"
Good, this is right, Chen Xiaobei secretly rejoiced, "Oh, a few days ago on Green Ox Mountain, it was I who brought Miss Liu to find Brother Liu Tie."
The man looked at Chen Xiaobei with surprise, "You you are that Chen Xiaobei who refused the young lady's reward?"
Oh dear, they actually knew my name, and I was so noble and upright, refusing the reward.
"Yes, yes, yes, I am Chen Xiaobei. What reward or no reward, it was just a small gesture."
The man straightened his body, his expression becoming much more serious, cupped his fists and bowed respectfully to Chen Xiaobei, "I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Please accept my bow."
The person beside him immediately bowed as well, "Please accept my bow, Liu Ziliang."
Just then, a soldier called out from upstairs, "Listen below, we will open the city gate for you now."
Liu Ziming glanced at Chen Xiaobei, "Are you also entering the city?"
"Yes, yes, yes, entering the city," Chen Xiaobei replied with a smile.
Originally, he had thought, since the city gate was opening, he would just tag along.
But at that moment, Yang Dazhi on the donkey cart suddenly grunted twice.
Hearing the sound, Liu Ziming looked up. Seeing the person on the carriage bound with ropes, he couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"
Before Chen Xiaobei could speak, Chen Ping beside him interjected. His intention was to boast about himself, "This villain sneaked into Brother Xiaobei's home to cause trouble. We caught him."
Since it had come to this, Chen Xiaobei could only helplessly explain, "Oh, yes, we caught the villain. We wanted to bring him to the county yamen overnight. I wonder when the county magistrate will hold court."
Liu Ziliang next to him laughed heartily, "This is simple. I'll help you beat the drum after we enter the city."
Liu Ziming nodded, "Yes, as soon as the drum sounds, Magistrate Hu will immediately hold court."
At that moment, with a creaking sound, the drawbridge lowered, the city gate opened, and a group of soldiers appeared at the entrance, cupping their fists at Liu Ziming, "Please, gentlemen."
Liu Ziming stepped forward and returned the礼, pointing to Chen Xiaobei behind him, "These few are also friends of our young lady. Could you show some convenience?"
As he spoke, he directly took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and happily slipped it into the leader's hand.
With both face and profit, why wouldn't he give this favor?
The man waved to those behind him, and the soldiers immediately lined up on both sides.
Liu Ziming nodded and cupped his fists again, "Thank you."
Then he turned to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, please."
After thanking him, Chen Xiaobei quickly pulled the donkey cart inside. To his surprise, these soldiers stood there, watching the person on his cart without even asking any questions.
Now, Chen Xiaobei was a little uneasy. Was the Liu family really that powerful in Qingniu County?
Thinking back now, refusing the silver for a token didn't seem like a bad deal.
Yes, he had to bring that token with him the next time he came to the county town. It might be useful at some point.
Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang kept their word. They led Chen Xiaobei to the county yamen entrance and picked up the drumsticks to beat the drum.
After only a few beats, a small door next to them creaked open, and a bailiff emerged, rubbing his sleepy eyes and shouting loudly, "Who is it? It's not even dawn yet, can't people sleep!"
Liu Ziming cupped his hands and said, "It's Brother He Qi, thank you for your hard work."
He Lao Qi steadied himself and immediately put on a smiling face, "Yo, it's Brother Ziming. What brings you here so early in the morning?"
Liu Ziming pointed to Chen Xiaobei behind him, "My brother has a small matter. Miss Liu specially ordered me to bring him here. Please inform Magistrate Hu that everything must be handled justly."
Hearing this, the man called He Lao Qi immediately put on a smiling face.
"Don't worry, don't worry. Even without Miss Liu's care, Magistrate Hu would naturally handle it justly."
Liu Ziming nodded, "Then Ziming thanks you in advance, Brother Qi."
After speaking, he moved forward slightly, "I'll treat you to a drink another day."
He Lao Qi came up to Chen Xiaobei and asked with a smile, "What happened?"
Chen Xiaobei briefly explained the situation.
After listening, He Lao Qi nodded and put his little finger in his mouth and whistled.
Two more bailiffs came out from the side door.
He Lao Qi pointed at Yang Dazhi on the donkey cart, "Bring him down. The county magistrate will interrogate him later."
Just then, the gate of the county yamen boomed open, and several more bailiffs walked out.
He Lao Qi turned to look at Chen Xiaobei and Chen Ping, "Let's go, follow me to see the magistrate."
Chen Ping, however, pushed Chen Xiaobei forward, "We're just accompanying him. Brother Xiaobei can go in alone."
He Lao Qi looked at Chen Xiaobei, who nodded.
"Alright then, you follow me."
Chen Xiaobei walked a few steps, and Chen Ping and the others had already eagerly gotten onto the donkey cart, "Brother Xiaobei, don't rush. We'll wait for you here."
At this moment, Chen Ping's mind was filled with thoughts of going to eat meat buns. He had no idea that what happened inside would have anything to do with him.
Chen Xiaobei followed He Lao Qi into the main hall. The county magistrate, Hu Fan, was already dressed and sitting upright.
He Lao Qi hurried forward and whispered a few words in Hu Fan's ear. Hu Fan nodded slightly.
He picked up the gavel and lightly struck it, "Who are you and for what purpose have you come?"
Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward, bowed, and briefly explained the matter.
Upon hearing this, Hu Fan slapped the gavel, this time much louder than before.
"Audacious villain, how dare you break into a civilian's home at night! Bring the person up."
Soon, Yang Dazhi was brought up. A bailiff held his shoulders and made him kneel in the hall.
"Hey, what is your name? Why did you sneak into Chen Xiaobei's house late at night? Tell me the truth."
Yang Dazhi looked at Hu Fan and remained silent.
Hu Fan, who had been woken up early in the morning, was already simmering with anger and naturally had no patience. He exchanged a look with He Lao Qi.
He Lao Qi nodded, stepped forward, and kicked Yang Dazhi to the ground.
"Beat him."
Good heavens, several bailiffs came forward with their batons and struck Yang Dazhi, not caring whether it was his buttocks or his thighs. The blows made Yang Dazhi cry out in pain.
He Lao Qi tilted his head and looked at Yang Dazhi, chuckling dryly, "If you still don't speak, we'll try something else."
With that, he reached out and took the finger-pinching device from a nearby shelf, throwing it in front of Yang Dazhi.