Chapter 71

  What is the concept of one or two hundred miles?

  Does it include climbing two mountains? Is this guide being serious or just kidding...

  The mountain, Little Phoenix Maiden and they did not turn over, because the carriage was inconvenient, they went around the mountain, so they walked a few hundred miles more.

  Fortunately, they were not in a hurry to do anything, and along the way, they didn't seem flustered either.

  But the closer we got to Xin'an County, the more shocking the scenes became.

  In Xiaofeng's heart, Xin'an County belongs to the ancient Huizhou territory, so this place should be a good mountain and water place, even if it is winter now, it should have a different charm.

  However, seeing the frozen bones on the road and the people in groups of three or five, dragging their children and carrying their elderly, fleeing from their homes, my preconceived notions quietly collapsed.

  There must be something wrong somewhere!

  "Feng Si, go ask him, what's going on here?"

  "Yes."

  Lu Xiaofeng sat in the carriage, looking at the people on the road outside who were obviously fleeing in a hurry, with complex and unspeakable emotions in his heart... this severe winter season, away from home and separated from his native land...

  "Miss, I've asked."

  "What's going on?"

  "It is said that Shezhou has been plagued by natural disasters in recent years, with floods and droughts coming one after another, and the disaster situation in Xin'an County is the most severe. Up to now, many ordinary people's families have no surplus grain to spend the winter, and they are forced to flee their homes and escape to other places."

  "Has the imperial court sent disaster relief?"

  "The common people are not very clear, but someone said that County Magistrate has already reported this matter to the imperial court, and perhaps relief will come soon, but it is unknown when it will arrive. They cannot just wait at home for death."

  This is indeed true, in an era of inconvenient transportation, rescue and disaster relief efforts are often delayed by many steps.

  "Miss, shall we continue walking forward or take a detour somewhere else?"

  Lu Xiaofeng thought for a moment and said: "Let's go take a look. If we really can't help, it's not too late to leave."

  "Yes."

  Lu Xiaofeng and his group arrived in Xin'an County and directly stayed at the government inn. At this time, Lu Xiaofeng felt that even if they stayed at the government inn, they would still have to eat a full meal, and staying outside at an inn would be expensive, with estimated food costs being frightening!

  She's out making a living, she should save as much as possible.

  On the third day of Xiaofeng's stay in the government hostel, the imperial envoy arrived with his retinue. However, they looked down on this small and poorly equipped government hostel and directly occupied the county magistrate's yamen instead.

  The imperial envoys who have arrived are the two young princes of Jing Mountain's royal manor!

  "Zi Jin Chui" three golden characters suddenly appeared in Lu Xiaofeng's mind.

  But how could Zijin's matter be in Xiuzhou New An County? Although she couldn't remember the plot at that time, it shouldn't be this place, right?

  Moreover, as soon as the imperial envoy arrived at the county town, he strictly ordered the county magistrate to issue a warrant for the arrest of the great thief Yan Wushuang. As it turned out, the thief had intended to rob the imperial gift - the Purple Gold Mallet - halfway through!

  What made Little Phoenix Maiden feel most regretful was that her Swallow Without Pair had failed!

  If this succeeds, it will bring benefits to many ordinary people.

  As soon as the imperial envoy arrived, the local rice price skyrocketed. The wealthy and affluent gentry were summoned by the two young princes, then peeled layer by layer.

  The two young princes of the Jingyuan royal mansion are clearly here to embezzle money, but to do such a thing in this disaster-stricken place is truly devoid of all conscience!

  They were dissatisfied with living in the county government office and directly occupied a rich household's mansion in the city, completely behaving like local tyrants.

  Little Phoenix Maiden was slightly hesitant, she had the function of handling various prison affairs, but those two idiots were imperial envoys who were pardoned by imperial decree, and they also held the imperial gift of the opening country weapon, the purple gold hammer, the two sides were not on the same level at all, there was no comparison.

  Don't go, it seems like there's no place for her to fit in anyway.

  Let's go, it's really unwilling.

  Even if Judge Bao comes to arrest the two scoundrels of the Jingyuan Wangfu, the common people have already suffered greatly. This place is far from the imperial palace, and it will take a long time for Judge Bao to arrive; by then, who knows what miserable state the local people will be in?

  What should I do?

  Finally, Little Phoenix Maiden decided to reveal her identity and went to see the Magistrate of Xin'an County.

  Since it's about the crime of imprisonment, she has been imprisoned for a while.

  Whenever there's an injustice, she can be of use, no matter how big or small the role, as long as it has an effect.

  The county magistrate of Xin'an received her with a mixture of fear and respect.

  It was also the case that the prefect of She Prefecture personally came to the official hostel to pay his respects.

  The Ministry of Punishment is a department directly under the Emperor, and this official visit is necessary.

  The magistrate of Shezhou is indeed having a headache, the relief commissioner has already made people tired of responding, and now another Feng Da Ren who can bring up various prison cases - this is really a leaky house meeting a rainy night, and sailing a boat encountering a headwind.

  Xiao Feng naturally wouldn't give the county magistrate and others anything to take advantage of, she was just simply clarifying her identity. If the county magistrate is clever enough, he will naturally know when to use her.

  It turned out that the prefect of Shezhou was indeed a clever man.

  That Wang Lao Shi, who had just accused the Emperor, was beaten by Zhao Qiu Jie, the elder of the two young masters of Jing Shan Wang Fu, in front of everyone. The county magistrate tried to stop them while also sending someone to find Lu Xiao Feng, who was reviewing case files inside the yamen.

  "What's going on? How can it be that the young master himself is personally carrying out the punishment?"

  Such a crisp sentence made Zhao Qiujie, who was holding a board and hitting someone, stop his action, turn his head to look back, but saw a beautiful girl, and his eyes widened immediately.

  The magistrate hastily ordered the yamen runner to take away the board.

  "What kind of person are you? How did you come out from inside the government?"

  The magistrate of Shezhou was about to help introduce them, but Lu Xiaofeng beat him to it. He said, "Is Young Master Wang asking me?"

  "Of course."

  "My father is the current Taishi Pang, and as it happens, I once saw Young Master Wang from afar at a palace banquet."

  "You're actually the third sister of Anle Hou."

  "It's just a little girl."

  "How did you end up here?"

  "We passed by this place on our journey, and since Mr. Chen is a student of Duke Wang, my father has a good relationship with the duke, so we came to bother you, Governor."

  "Why bother Chen Qian here? Come with me to the Imperial Commissioner's office, the conditions are much better than this prefecture."

  "How could Young Master Wang have a falling out with these country bumpkins?" Lu Xiaofeng smoothly changed the subject.

  Zhao Qiujie turned his head in disgust to look at Wang Laishi, who was lying on the ground, and said: "Such a wicked commoner dares to falsely accuse His Majesty and even dares to speak ill of me, the imperial envoy. He must be taught a lesson."

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Wang is wrong."

  "What's wrong?"

  "It is said that punishment does not extend to the nobles, and courtesy does not reach down to the common people. This means that we cannot exempt the nobles from punishment just because of their high status, nor can we fail to treat the common people with courtesy just because of their lowly position."

  Zhao Qiujie felt somewhat bewildered.

  "Didn't Young Master Wang learn such a principle from his master?"

  "I've learned it, of course I have."

  "Since you've studied, Young Master Wang should know that the so-called 'prince breaking the law is the same as a commoner' and 'the people suing the emperor', although it's a bit presumptuous, but also not something that can't be understood. If the ruler has done wrong, they can change; if the ruler has done no wrong, they can be blamed."

  Zhao Qiujie was so bewildered by Little Phoenix's words that he became dizzy and his head spun, for a moment it was as big as a bucket.

  "What you said is all correct, what should we do now?"

  Lu Xiaofeng said: "You are just a humble commoner, you shouldn't be so petty and calculating, it's beneath your dignity."

  "It's reasonable." Zhao Qiujie turned his head and glared at Wang Laoshi, then turned back to look at Lu Xiaofeng. "This king will not bother with him anymore, Miss Pang, are you coming with me back to the headquarters?"

  "Dad, Dad——" A young girl rushed in from outside the government office and went to help Wang Laishi who was on the ground.

  Zhao Qiujie took one look at the girl and his eyes lit up again.

  Lu Xiaofeng shook his head inwardly, just as he was about to deceive this ignorant guy, this girl suddenly burst in, really bad timing.

  The prefect of Shezhou also sighed in his heart. Little Wangye had taken a liking to Feng Daren, which was not a problem, as Feng Daren had the backing of Grand Master Pang. However, if Little Wangye were to take a liking to this commoner girl, that would be a big trouble.

  Zhao Qiujie looked at the beautiful and elegant civilian woman, then looked at Lu Xiaofeng's dignified and lovely demeanor, and decisively chose the civilian woman.

  Roses are beautiful, but they also have many thorns. Moreover, in reality, this Pang girl is several years older than him.

  "Little Prince."

  "Big sister Pang, what's going on?"

  "It's impolite for Young Master Wang to stare at a girl's home like that. As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not gaze upon what is not proper, nor speak of what is not proper.'"

  Zhao Qiujie: "......" This Pang girl is beautiful indeed, but her learning is too profound, he has some awe.

  Lu Xiaofeng gave a signal with his eyes to the Magistrate of Xiuzhou.

  Qianzhou Prefecture Magistrate Chen Qianxin understood the divine will and hinted to his attendants to hurry up and drive Wang Laoshi and his daughter out of the prefecture's main hall.

  While Zhao Qiujie could only watch Wang Laoshi and his daughter leave under Lu Xiaofeng's smiling gaze.

  "Little Prince Wang, let's go to the headquarters now."

  "Do you want to go back with me?" Zhao Qiujie was simply delighted.

  The prefect of Shezhou was getting anxious in his heart. This Miss Feng is a young lady after all, and she absolutely cannot fall into the hands of those two scoundrel princes.

  "Actually, I came to Xiuzhou to see the winter scenery of Huangshan. I wonder if the two young princes are interested in accompanying me?"

  "We are here to offer disaster relief..." Zhao Qiujie still remembered that the two brothers came to Shezhou in order to raise funds for the Jing Shan Wang Fu, so he was very hesitant.

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled, "Let the lower officials handle the relief efforts, after all, being an imperial envoy is just a title. We can go sightseeing and playing without anyone daring to say anything."

  Xu Zhou Magistrate: This is obviously a beauty trap, Lord Feng.

  "This probably won't work......" My little brother will definitely not agree to it.

  "Let's go ask Young Master Wang first, if your younger brother really doesn't agree, I'll just go by myself then."

  "Alright then."

  "Let's go." Little Feng smiled at Zhao Qiu Jie, and immediately made Zhao Qiu Jie forget the girl from earlier. With a smile all over his face, he led her to the command tent.

  The two young princes of Jingyuan Wangfu, the younger brother is obviously more troublesome than the older brother, which was to be expected. Lu Xiao Feng didn't feel particularly disappointed.

  Zhao Qiutang didn't really care whether her foolish older brother was around or not. If her brother could really marry the daughter of Peng Taishi, it would be a good thing for the Jingyuan Wangfu as well.

  "It's settled then. When Autumn Hero and Young Master Wang arrive, they will accompany me to Mount Huang."

  "Good."

  "I'll head back to the inn first then."

  "Why don't you stay here?"

  "Inappropriate."

  "Alright then." Zhao Qiujie felt a little disappointed, and his heart involuntarily let out a sigh of relief. He really did feel pressure when facing this Pang girl.

  Luk Siu-fung successfully escaped from the Imperial Decree Office.

  This also made Qian Chen, the magistrate of Shezhou who had been guarding outside, breathe a sigh of relief.

  Two people exchanged a knowing smile and parted ways.

  The next day, the chief of the prefectural yamen, Feng Da Kai, actually brought Yan Wu Shuang back, which shocked Lu Xiao Feng.

  Two vengeful little princes immediately bound the person and let the common people come forward to insult and kill.

  As a result, no one paid attention to them.

  Xiao Feng said: This is simply delightful, the people have their own scale in their hearts and can distinguish between right and wrong.

  Especially in this era, there are few people who bump into porcelain, unlike later... it's all tears when you talk about it.

  No one among the common people dared to step forward, but Little Phoenix Maiden walked calmly onto the platform and took a knife from the hand of the Wang Manor guard.

  Yan Wushuang was also surprised when she saw her, "Is it you?"

  "It's me." Lu Xiao Feng replied calmly.

  Zhao Qiujie was surprised on one side, "Do you know this guy?"

  "Understood." Lu Xiaofeng walked step by step to the execution stand where Yan Wushuang was tied up and chopped down with force.

  The common people let out a collective cry of surprise.

  As a result, the knife directly cut off the rope on Yan Wushuang's body.

  "Thank you." Yanzhi Wushuang directly snatched the knife from her hand and broke through the crowd, naturally no one stopped him.

  Zhao Qiujie pointed in the direction that Yan Wushuang had escaped and loudly asked Lu Xiaofeng: "Why did you let him go?"

  "Because he saved me."

  "But he has robbed me and my brother."

  "He robbed two young princes, but didn't harm them. Now the young princes have also captured him and had him tied to a punishment frame for half a day, so it's evened out. Let me release him and repay this favor, isn't that nothing? Lu Xiaofeng paused, "Could it be that the young prince is someone who must take revenge, in that case..."

  "Of course I am not that kind of person." Zhao Qiujie categorically denied.

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled, "I knew it, so I let him go."

  Zhao Qiujie: "......"

  Xu Zhou Governor Chen Qian: This Zhao Qiujie is easier to deal with than Zhao Qiutang, and it's not unreasonable for Lord Feng to choose him as the breakthrough.

  "Big brother, how could you let Yan Wushuang go?"

  When they heard the voice, everyone also saw Yan Wushuang being escorted by the Wangfu guards, and Zhao Qiutang, who was speaking, held in his hand the opening national weapon of the country - the Purple Gold Mallet!

  Damn it!

  Little Phoenix Maiden said that Zhen Xin was too infuriating.

  "Brother, anyway we're not in a hurry, why bother arguing with a bandit about who's right or wrong?"

  "He robbed the imperial envoy, this is contempt for the emperor, how can he be lightly pardoned?"

  Zhao Qiujie was at a loss for words and felt embarrassed in front of the beauty.

  Lu Xiaofeng carefully observed Zhao Qiutang, who was holding the purple gold hammer, and felt that there was some evil aura between his eyebrows, guessing that it should be due to the influence of the Golden Armor General inside the hammer.

  "Is this the Zi Jin Chui? It's indeed worthy of being the weapon used by him to conquer the world back then, just looking at it gives off a strong sense of intimidation." Little Phoenix Maiden said with utmost sincerity.

  Zhao Qiutang snorted coldly at her, seemingly extremely disdainful.

  Little Phoenix Maiden said it didn't matter, she wouldn't argue with a dead person.