Chapter 341 Investigation

Chapter 341 Investigation

That widow was unlike most women of that era. She had always been a bold and daring woman who was willing to go all out, and she didn't care about her reputation. All she wanted was to raise her children well.

The men, including Liu Ertian, who intended to take advantage of her, not only failed to gain entry into her home, but they all ended up giving her a considerable amount of money and gifts.

From this perspective, he is indeed a formidable figure.

Wang Sao and Liu Ertian, one fearing for her son's safety and the other fearing their affair being exposed, and both likely needing money to make ends meet, are indeed highly likely to be coerced.

“We also checked the other cooks, helpers and postmen at the post station,” Old Qian added, “and so far we have not found anything suspicious.”

Moreover, apart from that simpleton, no one else entered their two courtyards yesterday, so they can be ruled out as suspects for the time being.

Jiang Yuan nodded slightly for a moment, "Continue the investigation. Focus on who Wang Sao and Liu Ertian have been in contact with recently, who is using these incriminating facts to blackmail them, and who is the mastermind behind it all. Remember not to alert them."

"Understood, sir." Old Qian bowed and accepted the order. "As for Sister Wang and Liu Ertian, I have already had people keeping a close eye on them. If they make any unusual moves, we will know immediately."

Jiang Yuan nodded, "Then you should go back and rest first."

He's going to take up his post at the garrison today, so he needs to finish his meal and leave early.

After seeing Lao Qian and the others off, Xie Wanniang instructed Jiang Yuan, "You need to keep an eye on things along the way and at the garrison. Since the other side dared to make a move at the post station, they might go crazy on the streets or in the garrison as well."

Jiang Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded slightly to Xie Wanniang, "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on things. You all need to take good care of yourselves at the post station."

Given his status, the garrison would provide him with a residence, so Xie Wanniang didn't need to go out to contact brokers or rent or buy a house for her family to stay in.

After the two finished their meal, Jiang Yuan got up and left the post station with his personal guards, heading towards the Dinghai Guard post. Xie Wanniang stayed obediently in the courtyard, taking care of the children with Haitang and the others.

Having received their instructions, Lao Qian and the other guards divided into two groups to watch over Xie Wanniang and the others, while the remaining small group secretly kept an eye on Wang Sao and Liu Ertian's every move.

Besides cooking, Wang Sao would secretly wipe away tears, her mind uneasy. Occasionally, she would look towards the back door of the post station, as if waiting for someone.

Liu Ertian seemed somewhat restless, frequently distracted while working. In the evening, he even quietly went outside the back door, spoke a few words with a man wearing a gray cloth jacket, and then hurriedly returned.

Old Qian and the others who were secretly watching immediately separated two people and quietly followed the man in the gray cloth short jacket.

The two followed him to a secluded alley. After looking around, the man quickly slipped into an inconspicuous courtyard.

Before long, another person came out one after the other.

The man in the gray cloth jacket walked hurriedly and soon disappeared from sight. The middle-aged man who came out a little later was dressed in fine silk from head to toe, and he also wore a gold crown and a jade pendant at his waist. He walked unsteadily, and his expression was full of arrogance and swagger.

The guard responsible for watching him was not fooled by the man's wealthy and leisurely appearance and demeanor. He quickly judged from the man's every move that he was undoubtedly a martial arts expert.

Out of caution, the guard didn't dare to follow too closely, but because he was experienced enough, he soon managed to find out the man's identity.

He told Lao Qian, "That man's name is Zhou Hao, a retainer under Zhou Tongchun, a commander of the Dinghai Guard. I heard that when Zhou Tongchun was in danger at sea, others assumed he was dead because the search and rescue was difficult and the hope was slim. Only Zhou Hao refused to give up and risked his life to find him and rescue him, preventing him from dying at sea. Because of this, although Zhou Hao was born a slave, he always had a special status in the Zhou family. Even Zhou Tongchun's unfavored illegitimate children would respectfully greet him and call him 'Uncle Hao,' not daring to be the slightest bit negligent."

Old Qian felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "What kind of person is this?"

“His character is extremely poor.” The guard replied in a deep voice, “This Zhou Hao is very famous in Dinghai County. He took advantage of saving his master to get out of the household registration smoothly, and then acted like an elder in front of the young master. He also took advantage of Zhou Tongchun’s trust and indulgence to do all sorts of bad things in the city. It can be said that everyone in Dinghai County knows about this.”

People describe him not only as arrogant and domineering, looking down on ordinary officials, but also as greedy, lustful, and involved in all sorts of dirty and sordid things.

He enjoyed frequenting brothels and gambling dens, and was extremely particular about his food, drink, lodging, and transportation. Because of his enormous expenses, he couldn't make up for his deficit through legitimate means, so he turned to places he shouldn't have.

In order to amass wealth, he was willing to do anything and take on any job.

The person behind the scenes chose him precisely because they saw this potential, making him the one to directly negotiate with Wang Sao and Liu Ertian.

Of course, Lao Qian and his team haven't discovered this yet. They still think that the so-called dirty deeds are at most gambling, prostitution, embezzlement, or bribery. Little do they know that some people in this world are born to break through the limits of other people's understanding.

Old Qian pondered for a moment, "It seems that Zhou Hao is most likely the one responsible for contacting Wang Sao and Liu Ertian. Let's not rush into action, let's keep an eye on him for a few more days and see who else he contacts."

The guard acknowledged and went back to rest.

For the next two days, Lao Qian and his men continued to keep watch in secret, just as he had said.

Soon, they witnessed firsthand just how outrageous Zhou Hao really was.

At the same time, they also confirmed that Zhou Hao had indeed been arranging for his subordinates to communicate with Liu Ertian and Wang Sao under various pretexts.

Perhaps because they hadn't received any news of Xie Wanniang and her group's illness, they finally realized that not only had Liu Ertian failed, but Wang Sao had also failed to get Xie Wanniang and the others infected.

Furthermore, Jiang Yuan was taking over military affairs at an extremely rapid pace, so they couldn't wait and took action again.

On the evening of the third day, Zhou Hao's subordinate came to the back door of the post station again and handed Liu Ertian an oil paper package.

After exchanging a few words, the man turned to leave, but Lao Qian, who was hiding in the shadows, immediately waved his hand, ordering the guards who had come with him to surround him and Liu Ertian.

The man quickly recognized them. Although he didn't know exactly which one was which, he knew they were all guards brought by Jiang Yuan and Xie Wanniang.

Realizing he had been exposed, the man instinctively turned and ran, but he had only taken a couple of steps when someone grabbed him by the back of the neck.