Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1064: Rushing Back

When County Magistrate Zheng heard about this matter, he hurriedly left his residence and went to the government office to personally interrogate He Daqian and his wife.

Knowing that Fan Tu had been targeted and was about to be eradicated by the Prefecture garrison, He Daqian stopped being tight-lipped and confessed everything.

Years ago, He Daqian wanted to harm the Gu Family repeatedly and couldn’t rely on the Gu Family Workshop to make a living. Seeing the village’s life getting better, he became resentful and, after two years of stagnation at home, decided to venture out in hopes of making a name for himself before returning to settle scores with the Gu Family.

However, as an unschooled troublemaker, unwilling to work as a porter, he could only seek employment at gambling dens, where he met Zeng Biao.

Zeng Biao, upon learning that he was from Da Feng Village in Tianfu County, pried information out of him about the Gu Family’s general situation.

Upon hearing that the Gu Family had mountains of silver, guarded only by a few servants, he was green with envy and immediately went to the mountains to find Fan Tu to disclose the details about the Gu Family.

Fan Tu and his group, lacking significant capability and incomparable to water bandits like Gao Tong, were attempting this village raid for the first time. Afraid that things might go wrong, they had He Daqian and Zeng Biao first lead a crew to scout, ensuring that the constable squad leader and Military Department Company Commander from the Qin, Gu, and Luotian families were not home before committing the crime.

"So they planned to act the night after Luo Wu and the Qin family boy went to their shifts post-Dragon Boat Festival. At that time, the Qin, Gu, and Luotian households would only have women, children, and servants left, giving them free rein for havoc."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng trembled with anger and immediately kicked He Daqian, cursing, "You’re truly a beast, harming even fellow villagers! Do you have any conscience?"

Jiang Qi sneered, "He and He Dacai are brothers. That He Dacai is also a beast, so how good could he as an elder brother be?"

"The whole family are habitual offenders, truly..." County Magistrate Zheng was furious, pointing at Village Chief He, saying, "How are you being a village chief? Daring to keep those who endanger the whole community in the village, aren’t you afraid your life is short? When He Dacai was sentenced back then, you should have driven his family out of the village!"

Fortunately, it was discovered early. Otherwise, if Tianfu County experienced mountain bandits raiding the village, he as County Magistrate would also be implicated.

Mind you, Gu Jin’an is the top of the county, and if their family were raided by mountain bandits, this would become a joke in the Capital.

Village Chief He, in tears, knelt before County Magistrate Zheng: "I realize my mistake, it’s my poor village management. Please, Lord County Magistrate, help capture those mountain bandits intending harm... Our village life is just starting to improve and cannot be destroyed by those bandits."

"You just have to manage the He Family Members; you needn’t worry about this matter." Seeing the elderly Village Chief He so pitiful, County Magistrate Zheng softened his tone after scolding him, saying, "Stand up, don’t kneel anymore."

This official does not want to be struck by lightning.

"Eh, I thank Lord County Magistrate." Village Chief He was sobbing as He Dacang and He Jinseng helped him up.

County Magistrate Zheng, having no time for Village Chief He, immediately ordered the eradication of the mountain bandits: "County Magistrate Jiang, take people into town to arrest Zeng Biao. His audacity is immense, daring to hide in the county, completely disregarding the county government."

"Luo Wu, take the Government Officials back to the village and guard each entrance of Da Feng Village, preventing the mountain bandits from assaulting it."

"Where is San Lang? Have him quickly go to the Prefecture garrison army camp to inform General Guo about the bandits planning to raid the village, and ask the General to act swiftly to eradicate the Hukang County mountain bandits."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qi said, "San Lang went to Niugou Town to hunt wolves."

County Magistrate Zheng was startled, suddenly remembering his order for Qin San Lang to lead a team to hunt wolf packs, regrettably saying, "I forgot about this matter."

Yet, upon looking at those present, he felt none were as reliable as Qin San Lang.

If Qin San Lang were to report swiftly to the Prefecture, things would certainly go smoothly; he only needs to arrest Zeng Biao and other scouting bandits, then comfortably await reinforcement from the Prefecture to eradicate them.

But Qin San Lang was not here...

"Sir, Company Commander Qin is requesting an audience!" Constable Xiao Tang ran in, reporting to the County Magistrate.

County Magistrate Zheng joyously said, "Quickly let him in."

"Eh." Constable Xiao Tang responded briskly, hurrying out.

Soon, Qin San Lang strode in and said to County Magistrate Zheng, "Sir, I heard about the bandits; do you have orders? Please command me."

At first light, he arrived at the Military Office, obediently resting for two hours and then taking people to Niugou Town halfway through the morning.

Upon arrival, he was unceremonious with the wolves, directly using the skills learned in the Northwest to follow scents and tracks to locate the wolf den in the mountain; spending four hours to lure out the adult wolves and annihilate them with one trap.

Intending to wait until nightfall when the young wolves were hungry before taking them away, Si’an came rushing to inform him about He Daqian’s affairs.

Highly regarded by General Guo, Qin San Lang knew that General Guo was monitoring a group of bandits; hearing Zeng Biao’s name, he realized he was the third master of the bandits, fearing danger to Gu Jinli, he hurried back to meet Gu Jinli.

An hour ago, Gu Jinli was surprised to see him and, upon learning he returned due to He Daqian’s affair, laughed, telling him, "They are merely mountain bandits with no fighting ability, Feng Jin and the others can handle this; you didn’t have to rush back."

However, seeing her demeanor, she was happy he could rush back.

After ensuring Gu Jinli’s safety, Qin San Lang left Si’an and others in the village to lay an ambush and then dashed to the county.

County Magistrate Zheng was elated: "You returned at the perfect time; hasten to the Prefecture garrison army camp to report the mountain bandits to General Guo. Once resolved, I’ll give you five days off to conduct your betrothal ceremony splendidly."

He glanced at Luo Wu: "You as well."

Everyone in the government knew about their betrothal to the Gu Family’s daughter; originally, County Magistrate Zheng planned to give them two days off, but now generously extending it to five days.

Qin San Lang and Luo Wu were overjoyed, and they clasped fists toward County Magistrate Zheng, saying, "Thank you, sir."

County Magistrate Zheng waved his hand and reiterated to Qin San Lang about the affairs of He Daqian and Zeng Biao, advising him: "He Daqian said Zeng Biao brought eight people, and three have been captured. Those three masqueraded as rascals stationed at your village gate but were brought to the government due to insolently assaulting local girls."

He Datian brought three troublemakers today, sent by Zeng Biao to scout; initially thought to be ordinary ruffians at most trying to abduct girls, unexpectedly they turned out to be mountain bandits.

After hearing this, Qin San Lang immediately said, "Arresting Zeng Biao promptly is imperative; otherwise, if he senses the anomaly, he’ll surely flee."

He continued, "Send people to guard Qingshui River in East City immediately to prevent Zeng Biao and his men from escaping via swimming."