Return

The return journey was simple. Xiang Yang, with Young Master Lan, rode back to Weicun Village. After retrieving the horses they had left with the village chief, they shared a single mount, the two of them galloping back to the Anyuan City county office.

At this time, the constables of the county office had already been dispatched to other locations where An Qinglong was hiding hostages, leaving only a few yamen runners on guard. Xiang Yang handed Little Fatty Lan over to Old Ren, a yamen runner, and headed to the study in the backyard of the county magistrate, Li Zhizhi.

In the elegantly decorated room, filled with the scent of books, Li Zhizhi sat behind his desk, his hands resting on his knees. He listened to Xiang Yang's account, his expression shifting between joy and gloom, the two expressions alternating like the face-changing art of Peking Opera, which Xiang Yang marveled at.

"Well done. I never expected you to accomplish so much on your first day of duty, young man. Truly, a hero emerges from youth.

However, Jia Kui was not someone you should have handled. After all, as you said, he was already captured and offered no resistance. At the very least, he should have been brought to the county office."

Li Zhizhi first praised Xiang Yang, then criticized him with a stern face. To put it bluntly, Xiang Yang's actions could be described as lawless and disregardful of human life.

If it weren't for his youth, his first day on the job, and his detailed report to him, he would have certainly taught him a lesson. It wouldn't have been impossible to strip him of his official position.

Xiang Yang appeared worried and flustered, looking at Li Zhizhi with a hint of gratitude, while thinking to himself, Using both kindness and severity to win me over? I must say, his methods of managing people are rather crude.

Li Zhizhi, on the other hand, was very pleased with Xiang Yang's expression. In this era, talented individuals were rare, especially subordinates who were obedient, loyal, and capable. Such individuals were the most favored by local county magistrates like himself.

Xiang Da Niu, in his time, possessed exceptional martial arts skills, ranking among the top constables in the county office. However, due to his loyalty to his former benefactor, he had never truly opened himself up to Li Zhizhi, which created a rift between them. This led Li Zhizhi to sideline him, paying him no attention.

Now, Xiang Yang, young and naive, was like a blank slate, yet possessed superior martial arts skills. Defeating the renowned Anyuan County boxing master Jia Kui in a one-on-one fight was enough to compensate for Li Zhizhi's regrets. If he couldn't win over the father, wouldn't it be better to win over a son who surpassed his predecessor?

Of course, he believed that an important reason Xiang Yang was easy to manage was that the young man told him everything, even things he shouldn't have, without any concealment. Wasn't this exactly what he had hoped for?

Here, one must mention Xiang Yang's cunning and shrewdness.

Firstly, he had analyzed Li Zhizhi's character and determined that he was not someone who merely studied books and strictly followed court regulations; in other words, he was not a good person. Such individuals were adept at handling matters smoothly, making them good officials, which also gave Xiang Yang an opportunity to confess his actions and escape unharmed.

Secondly, he knew that his actions this time were full of loopholes and lacked consideration in many aspects. Therefore, he decided to make the best of a bad situation by revealing all his actions after arriving at Weicun Village, with the sole exception of forcing Jia Kui to transcribe the Tiger Subduing Fist manual and the Breathing Technique mental method.

This way, even if Li Zhizhi was displeased with Xiang Yang's taking matters into his own hands, he would, in consideration of him rescuing Little Fatty Lan and being so open and trusting, let him off this time. He might even come to see Xiang Yang's misstep as a leverage point and consider him a confidant in the future.

"My Lord, when I first heard Qian Fu's name, I panicked, fearing I might implicate you. That's why I made a mistake. As you know, Qian Fu is highly skilled in martial arts. If he were cornered, his martial arts would pose too great a danger."

As Xiang Yang spoke, Li Zhizhi's regard for him increased. It wasn't that he believed Xiang Yang's explanation, but rather that he knew how to speak eloquently, and it appeared sincere. This was remarkable.

After all, everyone could say pleasantries and flatter others, but the effect varied depending on the person. Many people's words and actions contradicted their persona when they spoke well or flattered, making it too forced and obvious, thus making the recipient less comfortable.

"Hmm, I know you have a heart full of sincerity. However, rules are rules. We are part of the yamen, and we always use the law to govern the common people and those in gangs. If we ourselves cannot abide by it, cannot set an example, how can we govern others?

Young Xiang, you are young, your martial arts are not bad, and your future is limitless. You must maintain your integrity and not adopt the habits of those rogue martial artists.

Jia Kui was involved in human trafficking, including Young Master Lan. His death was deserved. Coupled with your great contribution in rescuing Young Master Lan, this matter is considered settled. But let this be the only time."

Xiang Yang nodded, relieved, and said with a smile, holding his saber, "Thank you, my Lord, for your protection. From now on, I will follow your lead in all matters, and dare not deviate."

"You rascal, always flattering me. Alright, I'll handle things here. Also, I will send people to assist the Green Wolf Gang. You should go home and rest."

Li Zhizhi shook his head and chuckled, scolding him. He was usually strict and solemn, but today, this young man had made a great contribution, putting him in a very good mood. He didn't mind these pleasantries, and his demeanor became much more approachable.

Xiang Yang received the order, bowed, and retreated. Li Zhizhi frowned, thought for a moment, took out a blank piece of paper, and quickly wrote a full page. He then called the yamen runner guarding outside and asked him to deliver the letter to his steward, Steward Fang, at his residence. He then walked towards the front hall, preparing to properly receive Young Master Lan.

Meanwhile, the constables led by Wang Ying, Liu Feng, and Yu Fei had also raided three other hidden locations of An Qinglong, achieving a great victory. With only five lightly injured constables, they secured the three strongholds and rescued nearly sixty abducted women and children, all of whom were young women under thirty or children under ten. The only regret was that Young Master Lan was not found.

When everyone returned to the county office, they heard that Xiang Yang had already returned and rescued Young Master Lan. They all felt envious of this young man's luck and strength.

This was only Xiang Yang's first day on duty, and he had already achieved such a great feat. Not only had he gained the appreciation of the county magistrate, but he had likely also made a name for himself with Mr. Lan, and would surely leave Anyuan in the future.

Among them, Liu Feng's expression was the most complex, and his smile was the most forced. He was the second-in-command constable after Wang Ying and had been hoping to use this great achievement to secure a position as a constable in another county or receive a recommendation to join the Divine Constable Gate. Now, all his plans had come to naught, and it was natural for him to feel disappointed.

"Xiang Yang was the first to choose to go to Weicun Village. He must have known that Young Master Lan was hidden there. Damn him, stealing credit, just like his father."

Liu Feng cursed venomously in his heart, but he was not the only one. They did not know that if they had gone to Weicun Village, nine out of ten would have died there. The remaining one out of ten would have encountered members of the Green Wolf Gang, and wouldn't have even gotten past Huang Peng, let alone raided Anjia Manor and rescued Young Master Lan. This was a gap in ability and martial arts.

Of course, as the saying goes, the bird that sticks its head out gets shot. Xiang Yang's prominence this time had already incurred the dissatisfaction and apprehension of these veteran constables. The basket was only so big, and the portions were fixed. With one more person competing for food, how could there be no ripple?