Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1523: Kicked Against an Iron Wall

"What kind of thing is the Eastern Qing Country’s Prince Yi? Why is an Eastern Qing person coming to our Great Chu? And he’s bought everything from us, what’s he trying to do?!" Niu Dabao, who didn’t even know where Eastern Qing Country was, didn’t care about Prince Yi at all and cursed fiercely, insulting both Prince Yi’s ancestors and descendants.

"Company Commander Niu, calm down first!" Magistrate Jin finally found an opportunity to speak, hurriedly relaying Emperor Jingyuan’s secret order: "This is the order from His Majesty, and indeed we cannot afford to make enemies with Eastern Qing now. It’s just a few things, it’ll be fine once Prince Yi leaves."

Niu Dabao shouted with spittle flying: "Just a few things? That damned son bought everything the soldiers need, buying it all up — what are the soldiers meant to do? And must’ve bought it at a low price, right? Some rascal from Eastern Qing using a low price at this time to buy our stuff, how is this different from robbery? How shameless can he be?!"

Assistant Judge Lao smirked coldly and said, "Niu, for a soldier to speak of Prince Yi like this, do you want your entire family beheaded? You’re insulting the Imperial Family."

"Why should I, a Company Commander from Great Chu, respect someone from Eastern Qing?" Niu Dabao pointed at Assistant Judge Lao’s nose, scolding: "And you, you damn traitor! Speaking up for Eastern Qing people? Talk — didn’t you take benefits from Eastern Qing people?!"

Whether genuinely foolish or not, Niu Dabao’s words were not only reasonable but pierced Assistant Judge Lao’s sore spots each time.

He indeed had taken money from Fourth Master Yin.

Fourth Master Yin said that if he helped Prince Yi buy these supplies at a low price, he’d not only get 5000 tael of reward silver but Prince Yi would also say good things about him to His Majesty, paving the way for his promotions.

The silver seemed a little less, but if it helps him get promoted...

Assistant Judge Lao thus desperately helped, clearing out the supplies from Beicang Prefecture within less than two months.

Little did Assistant Judge Lao know that this was just a deceitful promise that didn’t count.

Who is this Yin Family, you ask? Naturally, it’s the family of the Assistant Minister of Rites.

The Yin Family was helping Prince Yi because the Sixth Miss from their household was already attached to Prince Yi, and they wanted to assist Prince Yi so he could elevate the Sixth Miss to a concubine.

"Silence! You, insignificant soldier, not only slander this official but also speak arrogantly, insulting Eastern Qing’s Prince Yi. You’re trying to create enemies for Great Chu; such intentions are punishable!" Assistant Judge Lao, well-versed in Great Chu’s Criminal Law, and knowing His Majesty’s recent goodwill towards Eastern Qing Country, immediately charged Niu Dabao: "Guards, arrest Niu Dabao and throw him into the prison, send him to the Capital for investigation!"

Then turned to Magistrate Jin: "Lord Magistrate, His Majesty has issued a secret order, you know very well what it says, you wouldn’t still want to assist Niu Dabao, would you? He not only scolded Prince Yi but implicitly scolded His Majesty just now!"

"To hell with you, you dog official, daring to frame me! I’ll kill you now and then head to the capital to confess!" Niu Dabao, enraged beyond control, drew his sword to charge at Assistant Judge Lao but was held back by Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang looked at Assistant Judge Lao and said, "Lord Lao, we are under orders to go to the northwest to resist the Rong, yet you twist Uncle Niu’s words and charge him, aren’t you afraid we’ll report to the Capital City Ministry of War, and have you punished for framing the loyal?"

Qin San Lang carried a heavy aura, his words dripping with menace, frightening Assistant Judge Lao.

But Assistant Judge Lao had backing; he steadied himself and dismissed Qin San Lang: "Who do you think you are? Of the many soldiers heading to the northwest to resist the Rong, the officials in the capital are very busy, who has time to deal with your report?"

A report?

That petition paper would likely be burned as firewood by the officials the moment it arrives at the Ministry of War!

It’s not that Assistant Judge Lao was arrogant, but with so many Southern soldiers heading northwest against the powerful Rong, even the soldiers in the Northwest Camp are easily cut down by the Rongs — what more of these Southern soldiers?

In their eyes, including the capital officials, these Southern soldiers were merely going to become corpses; why should he fear these dead men?

Assistant Judge Lao’s words almost made Niu Dabao pass out from rage.

Qin San Lang, his gaze heavy, looked at Assistant Judge Lao then said to Squad Leader Wan: "Squad Leader Wan, there’s another Company Commander outside the government office, surname Zhang, please bring him in."

Squad Leader Wan was stunned, but didn’t waste time asking questions and promptly brought Zhang Yan inside.

Zhang Yan, who had been waiting outside for a long time, upon entering and seeing the situation asked: "What’s going on? Is the matter of buying supplies not settled again?"

Qin San Lang looked at Assistant Judge Lao, pointed at Zhang Yan and said: "This is Zhang Yan, grandson-in-law of the Capital Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion. His son will inherit the Guang Cheng Marquis title. I ask Assistant Judge Lao, with the Iron Certificate from the Han Family of Guang Cheng Marquis, can our report reach His Majesty’s desk directly?"

Assistant Judge Lao’s face turned pale upon hearing this and pointed at Zhang Yan: "You — you are the grandson-in-law of Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion? From Linhe Prefecture?!"

Zhang Yan, smart, already grasping Qin San Lang’s intent for calling him in, took out a Jade Pendant from Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion, and turned to willingly present it to Magistrate Jin: "Indeed, I am Zhang Yan who serves in the military, grandson-in-law of Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion, and this Jade Pendant was given to me by the old Marquis upon my marriage."

Magistrate Jin, surprised to find such distinguished status among the South army leaders, quickly accepted the Jade Pendant and examined it carefully, finally saying: "Ah, a descendant of the Earl Mansion, my apologies for offending you."

Assistant Judge Lao snapped back to the situation, hurriedly saying: "Ah, grandson-in-law of the Earl Mansion, I am Lao, the Deputy Magistrate of Beicang Prefecture — this matter is a..."

Qin San Lang interrupted Assistant Judge Lao, handing him a pamphlet and saying: "This is the list of supplies we need; please gather them within three days — we shall pay with silver and won’t default."

Assistant Judge Lao was dumbfounded, looking at Qin San Lang and then the pamphlet: "What do you mean, trying to rob in broad daylight? Beicang Prefecture has no supplies left, and you’re asking me to gather all these things?"

"Assistant Judge Lao, with your influential abilities in Beicang Prefecture, surely you can gather these supplies, but if not..." Qin San Lang smiled at Assistant Judge Lao: "Then all your actions accusing Kangrong Generals, helping the Yang Family kill in the government office, your wrongdoings over the years, His Majesty will know."

Assistant Judge Lao shivered, staring at Qin San Lang’s terrifying smile and nodding Zhang Yan on the side, feeling as if he’d rather cut off his own tongue.

If he’d known this group of soldiers would turn out to be an iron wall, he wouldn’t have kicked it!

Magistrate Jin almost laughed out loud... serves him right; who told him to be arrogant because of associating with a noble? And trying to send me to Long’an Prefecture so he could become Beicang Prefecture’s magistrate? Doesn’t he know the Rongs are targeting Long’an Prefecture next? He wants to send me to my death, then shouldn’t he blame me for being ruthless?

"Rest assured, Assistant Judge Lao will help gather all the supplies, come the day after tomorrow to pick them up. Just remember to bring the soldiers’ badges or identifications, since among the supplies are weapons." Magistrate Jin happily agreed on Assistant Judge Lao’s behalf.