The Golden Age - Chapter 66: Voices from the Carriage
Shi Ling immediately smiled. “Governor Han, it’s not what you think. We’re not here to cause trouble for you guys. I got an order from the Marquess to catch some rebels.”
“Rebels?” The smile on Han Yunong’s face disappeared. “I’m not sure what Commander Shi meant. Since when are there rebellions in the city?”
“Maybe Han Yunong hasn’t heard about it yet. But last night there was an assassin who tried to kill the young master of the Manor of the Marquess. Even Lang Shenshui unfortunately died,” replied Shi Ling.
Han Yunong’s face changed completely and asked in shock, “Lang Shenshui is dead?”
Seeing Han Yunong’s facial expression, Shi Ling seemed to believe that he doesn’t know anything yet. He nodded. “Yes. There were two assassins.” He thought about it then shook his head. “Actually, there were three assassins last night. One of them failed and was saved by his companion. The young master and Mr. Lang thought that the assassins have already left, but they didn’t expect a third one to pop out of nowhere. The young master was very lucky and escaped. But the assassin escaped too.”
Han Yunong frowned. “Assassinating the young master is obviously an act of rebellion. Commander Shi, are they still in the city?”
Shi Ling nodded. “Speaking of it, the assassins were unfortunate to do it at night. Gui City’s gates are not opened during the night. And I ordered my men to go and take control of every single city gate. There is no way they could have left. They’re hiding in the city.”
“That should be right.” Han Yunong said immediately, “The Manor of the Governor should’ve helped investigate the incident too.” He walked forward. “Are you here to discuss with me how to investigate this together?”
Shi Ling smiled, “We have enough men to investigate this. And I’ve sent wanted notes around the whole city. People around the city will help us now and the Marquess is giving heavy rewards to anyone who captures them alive or dead.”
“Wait a second.” Han Yunong interrupted, “Commander Shi, you said you sent wanted notes? Have the assassins’ identities been verified already?”
Shi Ling smiled and replied, “We are already sure of the assassin. But I’m afraid Governor Han will never even guess it.”
Han Yunong sighed. “I have a lot of things to deal with the past few days, so I slept really early last night.” He smiled bitterly. “Maybe Commander Shi doesn’t know it, but one of my officers, Lu Hong, made a crime and has already been sent to prison. My other officer, Meng Zimo, also quit his job. These days I have been really stressed, can you please inform me who the assassin is?”
“It’s the previous officer of yours, Meng Zimo.” Shi Ling stared at Han Yunong’s eyes.
“What?” Han Yunong couldn’t believe what he heard. “Meng Zimo?”
Not only was Han Yunong shocked, but all the officials around them were also completely mind blown.
“Last night, many of the people at the scene recognized that the figure was Meng Zimo,” said Shi Ling, his tone serious.
“Impossible!” One of the cops sneered. “There’s no proof at all. It’s all your men there anyways, you can say whoever you want it to be.”
Other cops also agreed and yelled,
“Yeah! Stop blaming us! How can you say it was him without any evidence?”
Han Yunong raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. He looked at Shi Ling and asked, “Commander Shi, are you sure everyone saw Meng Zimo’s face? Or did you guys assume it was him?”
Shi Ling wanted to say that of course people saw Meng Zimo’s face.
But the fact was, although Zhen Yujiang and the others were a hundred percent sure that the assassin was Meng Zimo, Meng Zimo had his face covered the whole time. And on top of that, he didn’t say a single word throughout the process.
When the incident happened, it was not only the people from the Manor of the Marquess there. Many guests were also hiding behind the doors peeking around.
If he said confidently that everyone saw Meng Zimo’s face, but once the investigation finishes and people find out that he was lying, then even the Manor of the Marquess will be accused of wanton slander.
Shi Ling did not reply. Instead, he asked back, “Governor Han, is Meng Zimo on duty right now?”
“He has quit his job and left the Manor already. Of course he’s not here.” Han Yunong said calmly, “I’ll be straightforward, if you guys don’t have the evidence that he’s the real assassin, then even if he’s here, you do not have the right to arrest him.”
Shi Ling smiled. “If he is at the Manor, please get him out and prove his innocence.”
“Oh?”
“Last night, the assassin was seriously injured.” Shi Ling continued, “He had at least three wounds on his back, one on his waist, and another one on his right leg. If Meng Zimo walks out without any injuries on him, then that would prove his innocence.”
Han Yunong nodded and replied calmly, “If Meng Zimo is at my Manor, I would get him out and prove his innocence. But ever since he left last night, I haven’t seen him.” He looked around. “Have you guys seen him?”
All the cops replied together, “Nope.”
“Commander Shi must have heard it. We haven’t seen him.” Han Yunong raised his hand. “So please, bring your men away. If you guys want to capture Meng Zimo, go ahead. But please stop blaming innocent people.”
Shi Ling replied, “I’ve sent people to Meng Zimo’s house already. But I think he is hiding in the Manor of the Governor.”
“So Commander Shi is planning to search for my manor?” Han Yunong asked coldly.
There were only a few people in the Manor of the Governor. But after hearing Han Yunong’s words, they all placed one hand on their swords and looked angrily at the Wolf Riders outside.
Shi Ling nodded. “That’s exactly what I am planning to do. Governor Han, I heard that Meng Zimo was accused of stealing in the Manor of the Marquess. To prove Meng Zimo’s innocence, our young master allowed you to search his manor too, didn’t he?”
“That is true.”
“The Manor of Marquess Zhen seems to be more important than the Manor of the Governor. Since the young master allowed you guys to search and find the truth…” He looked at the gates behind Han Yunong and continued, “Don’t you think it’s right if we search your manor to find out the truth too?”
Han Yunong smiled. “Not everyone is as nice as the young master. The young master decides what happens in his manor, but unfortunately, I cannot do the same for the Manor of the Governor.”
“Are you not the governor?”
“I am the Governor from the Imperial Court.” Han Yunong said, “So if Commander Shi wants to search my manor for no reason, forgive me for not allowing that.”
The Vice commander, Yan Qing stared coldly at Han Yunong the whole time. Finally, he couldn’t bear it anymore. “Governor Han, what do you mean for no reason? We think that Meng Zimo is hiding in the Manor of the Governor. It is only right for us to go in and search for him. What do you not understand?”
“I repeat, you have no evidence that the assassin is Meng Zimo.” Han Yunong said quietly, “Even if he is the assassin, he is no longer a member of my manor. He has nothing to do with us.” He raised his hand again. “Commander Shi, please leave with your men. If you stay here for too long, there might be some misunderstandings. Close the gates!” He was about to go back when he heard Shi Ling’s sneer.
Shi Ling then commanded in a deep voice, “Search the Manor! I’ll stand here and fight whoever is going to stop me.”
Yan Qing pulled out his sword and yelled, “Follow me!” He charged towards the gates and the Wolf Riders all drew out their swords too, following Yan Qing into the manor.
Han Yunong did not have his sword with him. After seeing the Wolf Riders charging, he grabbed one of the cop’s swords and held it high. “Anyone who dares charge into the Manor of the Governor will be killed!”
All the cops also drew their swords out. Although they were outnumbered, none of them were afraid.
Both sides have swords in the air when suddenly, someone shouted, “Stop!”
Everyone followed the sound and saw a carriage coming in fast. A person had already emerged from the window, shouting, “Stop! Don’t do this!”
Han Yunong has already clearly identified the person. It was Zhen County’s Defense General, Du Hongsheng.
Du Hongsheng himself doesn’t have much power. But even so, he was the Defense General of the county. With his appearance, the Wolf Riders actually stopped moving.
When the carriage arrived at the gates of the Manor of the Governor, Du Hongsheng looked around and looked at Shi Ling. “Is this what the Marquess ordered?”
“The Marquess ordered us to find the assassin at all costs.” Shi Ling said seriously, “I suspect that the assassin is indeed in this manor. My men were about to go in and search.”
Du Hongsheng nodded. “I already know about this. The Marquess sent someone to inform me that there was an assassin who tried to kill the young master. Although everyone states that it was Meng Zimo, there was no evidence. Commander Shi, don’t you think it’s not right to charge into the Manor of the Governor like this?”
“Sir, assassinating the young master is a serious crime. If we do not find him, we’ll be in serious trouble too.” Shi Ling said slowly, “When the Marquess got in charge, he promised that if there are any rebellions in Zhen County, he would eliminate it for the Imperial Court at all costs.” He pointed at the gates of the Manor of the Governor. “Now I suspect the rebel is in this manor. Of course, I have the right to go in.”
“What if Meng Zimo is not inside?” Du Hongsheng frowned.
Shi Ling smiled calmly. “If we were not able to find Meng Zimo, I will apologize to Governor Han. If you want to punish me, I will accept it too.”
Du Hongsheng said slowly, “Commander Shi, the Manor of the Governor is alongside with the Manor of the County’s Defense. If I were you, I would report this to the Manor of the County’s Defense first. Otherwise, I’m afraid Commander Shi wouldn’t stand the consequences.”
“Couldn’t be anything worse than death.” Shi Ling smiled. “If Mr. Du thinks that I’m wrong for my actions, then I will accept death. I’m not trying to be against the Manor of the Governor, I’m just trying to find the rebel.” His face sank and was about to signal Yan Qing to charge in again when suddenly, a high pitched and a quiet voice came out of the carriage, “Do you really dare to charge into the Manor of the Governor?”
Edited by: Eyljee