The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 737 - 726: Power

Chapter 737: Chapter 726: Power

The bandit, still kneeling, shivered and shuddered, yet he said not a single word.

County Magistrate Tang narrowed his eyes, glancing at the yamen runners below, and with a slight smile said, "Summon the county sheriff again, tell him the bandit has awakened, and soon when the guilty are identified in the trial, we’ll need him to lead the arrest."

"Yes."

The adjacent office was not far, and this being the second time County Magistrate Tang had sent for him, the county sheriff arrived before long.

He glanced at the person kneeling in the hall and saluted County Magistrate Tang, explaining, "This subordinate was arranging winter preparations for the villages, which is why I was delayed."

Winter was fast approaching, and for safety, the county sheriff had to make some arrangements, especially for the newly established village for the displaced.

Those displaced were recently grouped together, and to reduce disputes and various security risks, he had to assign some people to take charge of the safety of each village.

The county sheriff had been busy with this recently, and County Magistrate Tang was also concerned.

Therefore, he said nothing, merely nodding slightly with a smile to the county sheriff, inviting him to sit to the side and listen, "For other cases it might be fine, but for the robbery on the official road, we need your assistance, so I called you to listen."

The county sheriff bowed respectfully and said "Yes," then sat down on the chair beside.

Only after sitting did he notice two familiar figures standing beside County Magistrate Tang.

The county sheriff couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

County Magistrate Tang was in no hurry to interrogate, and upon seeing him looking at Bai Shan and Manbao, he explained with a smile, "Those under my command do not discriminate. The man was knocked unconscious when he was caught; seeing that he took so long to wake, I had someone fetch Young Doctor Zhou from Jishi Hall."

As for why Bai Shan was there, was there a need for explanation?

The county sheriff did not inquire about this matter; instead, he hesitated, "So now..."

County Magistrate Tang smiled slightly, "I asked them to stay. Coincidentally, the previous robbery victim is the elder brother of Young Doctor Zhou; they are family, the aggrieved party, so I let her stay to listen."

The county sheriff nodded, praising, "Once again, my lord has considered everything."

The bandit looked up in surprise at Manbao, clearly just realizing she was the sister of the person they had robbed that day.

When Manbao saw him looking at her, she grinned at him.

The bandit shuddered, seeing her standing so close to County Magistrate Tang, and, recalling the words he overheard while feigning unconsciousness, it was clear—they knew each other.

This person has powerful backing!

And that backing is none other than their superior, Lord Tang!

The bandit’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, and he collapsed on the ground, not requiring County Magistrate Tang to interrogate him, as he fainted, rolling his eyes backward.

County Magistrate Tang: "..."

County Sheriff: ... He just said "my lord has considered everything," what’s he fainting for?

The county sheriff was too exasperated to react.

County Magistrate Tang looked at Manbao.

Manbao quietly took a needle pouch and approached the man. This time, with the county sheriff present, she did not prick his Renzhong acupoint; instead, she chose a sharp needle, took his right hand, found an acupoint, and inserted the needle, twisting it several times until he groggily woke up.

Manbao said intently to him, "You’d better not faint again, or next time, it won’t be your hand that I’ll be pricking."

Then she stared at his nose.

The bandit, trembling, didn’t speak.

County Magistrate Tang said to the county sheriff with a smile, "I didn’t expect the robber to be this faint-hearted; one might not know and think he’s the victim."

The county sheriff also nodded and replied, "Some seem docile on the outside, but are very ferocious behind the scenes. My lord hasn’t had much exposure to such wicked criminals; they are truly dangerous."

Lord Tang nodded, motioned for Manbao to step back, and struck the gavel to begin the interrogation of the bandit, asking, "Speak then, what is your name, where do you live, and who else is in your family?"

The bandit quickly kowtowed, crying out, "It’s unjust, my lord, I am truly innocent, I have no idea why I was brought here..."

Lord Tang slammed the gavel hard, barking, "I didn’t ask what crime you committed. I asked for your name, where you live, and who is in your family?"

The bandit trembled without speaking, his mind in turmoil.

Brother Shu only said that if anyone was caught, they must deny everything and not betray the others, but he didn’t say what to do when asked for one’s own name.

What if he confesses, and County Magistrate Tang seizes his family?

While he was in a flurry of panic, an officer came in to report, "My lord, the chiefs from Dagong Ridge have arrived."

County Magistrate Tang smiled faintly, "Gag his mouth and take him downstairs for a beating on the board, but go easy, we still need to interrogate him later."

"My lord, how many strikes should we administer?"

County Magistrate Tang dismissed the question with a wave of his hand, "Just do as you see fit."

The officers, long accustomed to County Magistrate Tang’s variety of peculiar orders, did not find this one strange and adeptly gagged the man and dragged him out for the board beating.

After they started the punishment, County Magistrate Tang then said, "Invite the chiefs in."

Those who served as chiefs were usually not young; the two chiefs came in together soon after.

As they entered the main hall, they attempted to kneel, and halfway through realized County Magistrate Tang had no intention of stopping them, so they had no choice but to properly kneel down to pay their respects.

Both chiefs felt a sinking sensation in their hearts, clearly having seen the man outside receiving the beating.

County Magistrate Tang did not speak for a moment, and as the two lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to rise, the sounds of the board striking flesh echoed ominously, as though it beat upon their own hearts.

The county sheriff lowered his eyes; Lord Tang’s tactic of intimidation was indeed versatile and never tiresome. He had to admit it worked well, for even he, aware that the man outside had not confessed, couldn’t help but feel his heart tense.

Observing the two chiefs kneeling on the ground, sweat slowly forming on their foreheads and their bodies trembling slightly, he knew that the county magistrate had secured another win.

Bai Shan also exchanged a glance with Manbao, their eyes gleaming brightly.

County Magistrate Tang drank a couple of sips of tea, and after a long time, an officer entered to report, "My lord, he has fainted again."

County Magistrate Tang: ...

He looked towards Manbao.

Manbao silently went out to revive the man.

But County Magistrate Tang didn’t order them to continue the beating, nor did he have the man brought back in. Instead, he just left him lying on the bench.

Then his gaze fell on the two chiefs, and he tossed two portraits at them, spreading out beside them, asking, "Chief Mo, Chief Sun, I ask you one last time, do you recognize these two men?"

The two chiefs sweated profusely, and Manbao watched with concern.

She thought if these two fainted, it might be more serious than the bandit fainting outside after being beaten with the board.

County Magistrate Tang was not in a hurry, content to wait as they remained silent. After all, he was seated, they were kneeling, and he still had tea to drink—what was there to fear?

After a prolonged silence, Chief Mo finally could not endure any longer, speaking softly, "My lord, these two look vaguely familiar, but I am old and my vision is weak, so I cannot remember clearly. Therefore, I dare not mistakenly identify."

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