From the main gate of the Xuanjing Bureau to the courtyard of the Liu Ye Residence, a distance of several hundred meters, Wei Changtian walked for half an hour.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people at the Liu Ye Residence, and most of them had gone out to work.
After chatting with Kong Changgui for a while and making an appointment with the bald-headed man to go to the pleasure district together, Wei Changtian asked:
“Lord Kong, where is General Xu?”
“She’s gone out to work.”
Kong Changgui replied, but seeing Wei Changtian’s slightly furrowed brow, he quickly added an explanation: “General Xu’s injury hasn’t fully recovered, so I wouldn’t let her take on ordinary tasks.”
“It just so happens that today is the day of the Zhang family’s execution, and many people are going to watch the commotion. The yamen doesn’t have enough constables, so they want to borrow some people from the Xuanjing Bureau to maintain order. That’s why I sent her.”
“Oh? Is the Zhang family being executed today?”
Wei Changtian was taken aback, only then remembering this matter.
Wei Xianzhi had mentioned it to him before, but he had forgotten about it in the past few days of playing cards.
“Yes, it’s at three o’clock this noon.”
Kong Changgui glanced at the hourglass in the room: “By now, they should have finished their procession and arrived at the vegetable market.”
“Okay, I’ll go take a look later.”
Wei Changtian nodded, but instead of getting up immediately, he suddenly asked again: “By the way, Lord Kong, what’s the process for recruiting officers at the Liu Ye Residence?”
“Recruiting officers?”
Kong Changgui didn’t know why Wei Changtian was asking this, but he still answered truthfully: “Generally, it’s a unified recruitment process within the bureau, and then they’re assigned to the three guards and three offices.”
“But if it’s just for ordinary duties, we can decide for ourselves.”
“Is that so?”
Wei Changtian understood in his heart.
The official system in Daming was similar to that of his previous life, divided into formal “officers” with a quota and informal “duties” without a quota.
The Xuanjing Bureau, as a special institution, had strict selection criteria for formal officers, not only requiring a certain level of martial arts proficiency but also conducting thorough background investigations.
But “duties” were different, and basically, as long as the department head agreed, they could be recruited.
“Lord Kong, I have a favor to ask.”
After thinking for a while, Wei Changtian looked up and asked: “Do you know if the residence is currently lacking in personnel? If so, I have some people who might be suitable.”
“They’re all my younger brothers who have been following me, and they’re all upright and law-abiding. They just want to find some work to do.”
“Ah?”
Kong Changgui was taken aback, immediately understanding.
This young master Wei was trying to pull strings to get people in!
“Lacking! We’re definitely lacking!”
He immediately expressed his stance: “I’ve been worried about this recently, and you’re solving my urgent problem, young master!”
“Haha, great!”
Wei Changtian didn’t care whether it was true or not, nodding and laughing: “In that case, I’ll send people over in the next few days, and Lord Kong can arrange it.”
“If anyone isn’t suitable, Lord Kong doesn’t need to worry, and don’t let them get away with it just because I recommended them.”
“Understood.”
Kong Changgui hurriedly nodded, then heard Wei Changtian add: “And, my father is too busy with official duties, so don’t bother him with these small matters.”
“…”
Kong Changgui was taken aback by the words, but seeing Wei Changtian’s enigmatic smile, he still nodded and replied, “Yes, I understand.”
“Good, thank you, Lord Kong.”
Wei Changtian cupped his hands and stood up: “Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Take care, young master.”
Kong Changgui hastily followed suit, escorting Wei Changtian out the door before letting out a sigh of relief.
He looked at the closed door, then suddenly realized something.
Wait, wasn’t I the one in charge here?
……
West City, Vegetable Market.
When Wei Changtian arrived, it was already past noon. The “public display” segment was underway at the execution ground.
Dozens of members from the Zhang family were kneeling on the ground, their hands tied behind their backs, with a placard inserted into each of their backs, inscribed with their names and crimes – raising demonic creatures.
According to the Da Ning Code, prisoners were allowed to meet with their families before execution, but that was clearly not necessary here.
Because almost the entire Zhang family was present, with only a few women left behind, imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, awaiting their turn to be sent to the Teaching Bureau as official concubines.
The crime of raising demonic creatures was equivalent to treason, and the punishment was not just empty words.
“Spare no mercy! They deserve to be torn apart!”
“I saw it! They’re demonic creatures in disguise!”
“Waaah! My mother was killed by those monsters, I’ll crush you all!”
“Rumor has it that Zhang Hongwen was even the Minister of Justice!”
“You corrupt official!”
“……”
Vegetable leaves and eggs were flying everywhere, as the onlookers vented their righteous anger.
Wei Changtian stood at a high vantage point, scanning the area, and soon spotted Xu Qingwan, who was diligently maintaining order.
Her area was clearly more organized than the others, with only one minor annoyance – a purple-clad police officer standing beside her, currently flattering her excessively.
Damn it! Can’t you see she’s mine?!
Wei Changtian’s face darkened, and he pushed through the crowd to stand beside the two.
“You…”
Xu Qingwan’s expression changed from annoyance to surprise upon seeing Wei Changtian’s sudden appearance.
The purple-clad police officer, however, didn’t recognize Wei Changtian, and had initially wanted to show off his authority, but upon seeing the latter’s extraordinary aura, hesitated before warning him politely:
“This young master, the front area is a restricted zone, please step back.”
“Oh?”
Wei Changtian used his gaze to silence Xu Qingwan, who was about to speak, and turned to smile: “You’re quite diligent, but it seems you were too busy flattering this lady official just now, and neglected your duties.”
“Who are you?”
The purple-clad police officer’s face turned red with anger, but he still managed to contain his anger: “Don’t speak nonsense.”
Wei Changtian chuckled lightly: “I’m just a ordinary businessman.”
“A businessman?”
The police officer was taken aback, his tone instantly turning unfriendly: “Hmph! You have three breaths to return to the crowd! Otherwise, you’ll come with me to the yamen!”
“What crime have I committed?”
Wei Changtian narrowed his eyes, still smiling: “I haven’t entered the restricted zone, why can’t I stand here?”
“Cut the crap!”
The captain was furious, and for a moment, he lost his temper: “I say you’re a criminal, and you’re a criminal!”
“Heh heh.”
Wei Changtian sneered: “So, what do you plan to do to me?”
“What do you mean? You’ll find out when you get to the yamen!”
The captain shouted and prepared to draw his sword to intimidate, but before he could even touch the hilt, his neck suddenly felt a chill.
“Gulp…”
His Adam’s apple moved, and he looked down to see a long, cold sword casually resting on his shoulder.
“You, you dare to assault an officer…”
He stared in disbelief, his heart suddenly filled with terror.
Wei Changtian, however, didn’t bother to waste words with him, flipping his wrist to strike him down directly.
“Whoosh!”
The person was fine, but his pants fell off.
“…”
From noble mtl dot come
The surrounding area was silent, with countless onlookers staring at the bright red underwear, their eyes wide with shock.
Even Wei Changtian was somewhat surprised.
“I’ll fight you to the death!!”
The captain, whose secret had been exposed, was so ashamed that he lost all reason, and didn’t care that Wei Changtian still held a sword, charging forward to fight to the death.
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere and kicked him several feet away with a “bang”.
“Thud!”
A cry of pain came from not far away, but the person who had acted seemed not to have heard it, kneeling down on one knee and bowing their head to say:
“Seasoned officer of the Six Gates, Ji Hongan, pays his respects to Lord Wei!”