After lunch, I went to the west of the city to watch the show as promised.

Men, women, young and old in the town and several nearby villages had arrived early, squeezing the huge threshing farm, and even the surrounding poplar trees were covered with children.

There were four eight immortal tables in front of the stage, with peanuts, melon seeds, dried fruits, sesame candies and cloud cakes on it. While Han Xiufeng bowed to greet the local elders, he sat down and greeted the local gentry and other gentry. After the New Year, the drums started to be held.

The local opera is indeed different from the Peking opera. There is only one young actress and a clown singing duet, and the singing styles are all strong local accents. If it weren't for the explanation of Dean Gu and Wang Jiansheng, I wouldn't have known that they were singing "Jade Dragonfly". However, the singing style is very delicate and has a unique charm. Especially the part of "Root-up Reed Flower" at the end of the show, the tune is light and lively, which really opened Han Xiufeng's eyes.

Xu Lequn was neither an official nor a local gentry, so he was not qualified to move forward and could only squeeze behind like the people.

But he didn't care at all, because he was like Han Xiufeng, and he looked around for a long time behind him, and finally saw the person who was also looking for him. The man who was selling peanuts at the yamen a few days ago squeezed to him quietly, following the crowd to the town, and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Xu, the guests are at Benjiajia. When will they come to the wine?"

Xu Lequn looked at Han Xiufeng who was walking towards the town by a group of gentry, and touched his nose and said, "Look at the yamen, when will I go with Mr. Han? When will you call guests to come for a drink?"

"Okay, I'll go."

"etc."

"What else?"

"The wine in the town is not good, so the guests arrived and asked them to go directly to Zhongjiazhuang."

"clear."

Xu Lequn looked back at the big man, then accelerated his pace as if nothing had happened, squeezing around the crowd, and when he was about to reach the south entrance of Shiban Street, he finally squeezed to Han Xiufeng.

"Mr. Han, what do you think of the local flower drum show?"

"No, it's pretty good, it's really eye-opening." Han Xiufeng sighed and asked curiously: "Mr. Xu, where did you go just now? I'm still thinking about going together. Why can't I see anyone when I arrive at the threshing ground?"

Xu Lequn said a little embarrassedly: "I am right behind you. When I see the squire surrounding you, I have no nerve to move forward."

"I blame me for talking to them, but I forgot you."

"Mr. Han must not think so. It's actually quite good to look at it from the back. It's uncomfortable to sit in front."

As he was talking, the yamen arrived.

Han Xiufeng walked around the Yimen Gate and walked into the yard. Zhang Dadan was wearing an official uniform and carrying an oxtail knife. He was checking the water and fire sticks piled in the corner of the wall, spears and dozens of sticks found from unknown places. The two green camp soldiers invited by Su Juemin from Taizhou were rubbing the barrels with iron strips wrapped in cloth. The big head felt that the water and fire sticks were using the shoulder pole that they did not bring from their hometown in Ba County. He was guiding Yu Youfu to wrap the cloth ropes on the shoulder pole.

Pan Er, who was usually in charge of accounting and purchasing, picked up the oxtail knife and waved it in the yard, obviously wanting to practice before the battle. All the Zao Li archers who were on duty last night were called back, and they were standing aside with Jiang Huai and other Zao Li archers who were on duty today, stood aside and did not dare to say anything.

"Young Master, this is yours. I've been grinding it for an afternoon." Datou waited for a while and did not waste it. As soon as he saw Han Xiufeng, he ran back to the lobby to get an oxtail knife.

Han Xiufeng took the knife and pulled it out to look at it. He turned around and asked with a smile: "Mr. Xu, do you want to bring a knife to defend yourself?"

"Mr. Han, I don't need it anymore. I have no power to tie a chicken..."

"Then you will follow me when you get to the place."

"Thank you Mr. Han to take care of you."

Zhang Dada came up and bowed, "Master Han, everything is ready, just wait for news from Hu's house."

"Okay, we will set off as soon as there is news." Han Xiufeng thought for a while and said, "But can't go hungry, have you done the night snack?"

“Qianbu is doing it.”

"Where is the ship?"

"The ferry for a large group of people crossing the river has been found, and the boatman is waiting for us at the ferry. Mr. Zhang is worried that the news will be leaked, so he did not look for the boats from Hu Jiashe and Qilidian."

Zhang Dadan hurriedly said, "Master Han, we must take a break after we arrive before taking action. When we arrive, we will let Chief Bao Zhengjia go to find the ship."

"Okay, that's it." Han Xiufeng turned around and looked at Chu Chenggui and said, "Chenggui, bring out all the prisoners detained in the class room!"

"Take it all out?" Chu Chenggui was shocked.

"Take it all out." Han Xiufeng nodded and then walked to the lobby.

Zhang Dadan followed him with a knife handle and stood on his left. Pan Er, Yu Youfu, Datou and the two Xun soldiers under Zhang Dadan tacitly greeted Jiang Huai and other Zaoli bowmen in a circle in the yard. Even the two green camp soldiers invited by Su Jueming from Taizhou had mounted the bird guns and prepared to press the bullets.

Chu Chenggui didn't dare to ask again, so he quickly took the key from Pan Ershu and opened the door.

"Come out, be honest with me and stand in a row!"

"Get up, what sleep can I sleep in broad daylight? Come out, don't squeeze, go out one by one."

...

Chen Jingjun walked out of the room, looked at the inspector and the foreign commissioner Zhang Dadan standing in front of the lobby, and then looked at the Zaoli bow soldiers and the Green Camp Farm soldiers who were waiting for battle around him. He thought he was going to be taken to Taizhou for trial, and his heart was shocked and he was so scared that he was out of control.

Gu Tinggui also thought it was time to "get on the road", so he was scared and sweated in a cold sweat. He wanted to complain but did not dare to speak.

Ma Guozhong always acted like he was not afraid of the world in the class room, and always said that his head had fallen out of his body but had a big scar. Eighteen years later, he was a hero again, let alone he would not die of sin, but when he saw this posture, he was so scared that he couldn't move.

"What are you going to do, hurry up!"

"Chen Hu, what are you thinking? Hurry up and line up, and you can hear it if you hear it!" Chu Chenggui kept scolding and kicked it from time to time.

After a while, all ninety-six criminals were released, and they were lined up in nine neatly. The timids were so scared that they shivered and bravely looked up and peeked, but they only dared to peek, not look around, and not dared to whisper.

"Report to Mr. Han, all ninety-six prisoners are brought here!"

"Okay, go down."

"yes."

As soon as Chu Chenggui retreated aside, Han Xiufeng cleared his throat and looked around the gangsters and said, "Raise your head and look at me!"

"Did you hear that? Mr. Han asked you to look up!" Zhang Dadan shouted in local words, fearing that some gangsters would not understand.

Chen Jingjun and others recovered and raised their heads one after another.

Han Xiufeng held the knife tightly and said loudly: "As the saying goes, one official will benefit the people. When I come to Hai'an, I will naturally have to make the decision for the people under my jurisdiction, and also divide the Zhuangzhen under my jurisdiction into a bright world. And you are rampant in the village and do many evil deeds, so it is hard tolerate if you don't strictly investigate and deal with the laws of heaven!"

"Master Han, you're so unjust..." A rascal was frightened, and his legs were weak and he knelt down and shouted for his injustice.

"Shut up!" Chu Chenggui hurriedly ran up and kicked him hard, then grabbed him.

"I am wronged. Not only do I know it in my heart, but I also have a strong evidence!"

Han Xiufeng snorted coldly, then changed the subject: "But no matter how you are, you are also the people under my rule. These days, your parents, brothers and other relatives have almost all come to ask for love or ask someone to plead for love. If you have committed a crime, they have not had a good time this year! I can't bear to their sadness, and after thinking about it, I plan to give you a chance to redeem your sins!"

What does it mean to redeem your sins?

Chen Jingjun could understand the official language, and his mind suddenly became active. He stared at Han Xiufeng and wanted to know how to atone for his merits.

"I just received the news that a group of private salt dealers smuggled more than a dozen ships of private salt through Hai'an. This is your last chance. As long as you are willing to help the same official to investigate and smuggle salt, you can not only atone for your merits, but also get rewards after taking down these private salt dealers! If you don't want to..."

Although catching private salt dealers is risky, it is better than taking them to Taizhou. Chen Jingjun shouted without hesitation: "Master Han, the young one is willing, the young one is willing!"

"I'll finish my words." Han Xiufeng paused and continued: "Although the private salt dealers are a mob, they are all brave and fierce outlaws. You should be careful. If you say you are willing at this moment, you will retreat in the face of the battle when you fight with the private salt dealers. Don't blame me for serving the military law!"

"Those who retreat in the face of battle will be killed!" Zhang Dadao shouted boldly.

Ma Guozhong thought that private salt dealers were like human beings, wasn’t they just fighting? Who is afraid of whom? What’s more, this is helping the yamen to do things. Judging from the situation, not only the Zaoli archers from the inspector’s yamen will go, but even the Fong soldiers from the foreign commissioner’s office will go, and there are even two bird guns. What’s the point of being afraid of so many people, and they can’t help but shout: “Master Han, the little one is a bad life, the little one is not afraid!”

"Isn't you really afraid?"

"Not afraid!"

"Okay, go there." Han Xiufeng signaled Chu Chenggui to help him open the handcuffs and shackles, and said in a slight manner: "I am a clear reward and punishment. If you can help the same official take down these private salt dealers, not only will the past be punished, but each person will also be rewarded with 5 taels of silver. If you are unlucky, the private salt dealers will die, so as to the Green Camp Fensive Army."

"Hongshu is a dead man, so why not fight with those private salt dealers, I'm the only one!"

"What are you talking about? Whose guy are you?" Zhang Dadan asked sternly.

"Master Zhang, the young man can't speak, the young man is willing, he is considered a younger man."

He actually dared to call himself "I" in front of the inspector. Not only did Pan Er and others laugh, but even the acquired gangsters couldn't help laughing.

"Master Han, the younger one is willing to atone for his merits and sins, and he is considered the younger one."

"Isn't it just a bunch of private salt dealers? Who is afraid of whom? Mr. Han, the young man is willing to help his fellow officials investigate and smuggle salt."

...
Chapter completed!