Among the people present, Li Xuan, Zhang Zhanyi, and Tian Ming had the most ugly faces, and there seemed to be a thunder explosion above their heads, and in a trance, they thought they had heard it wrong, and their mouths lost control, and they opened unconsciously, dazed, and looked at Du Mingtang with their eyes, like a person carved in clay and wood, obviously, everyone felt unbelievable about this result.

Not only these city servants, but Wang Ling and Cao Yong couldn't help but look at Du Mingtang suspiciously.

Dozens of pairs of eyes converged on one person.

In front of everyone's eyes, Du Mingtang slowly moved his left hand on his back to his back, spread his palm upward, and his gaze moved with it, and finally stopped on the neatly folded rice paper in his palm.

Du Mingtang: "I have a petition here, which has not been handed over to the government office, nor has it been handed over to the street division, Zhang Zhanyi, where do you guess this book came from and what is the complaint?" ”

Zhang Zhanyi glanced at the pleadings with some confusion, "It belongs to... The subordinates don't know. ”

"Three days ago, the eldest daughter of the Li Fuzi family of Chunji Academy went missing, but she did not report the case to the street department or the government office, and I just got this pleading, do you know anything about this matter?"

Everyone looked at Zhang Zhanyi again, at this time, his expression was stunned at first, followed by panic, his eyes kept dodging, and many old oilmen had already guessed what was going on.

Tang Xiaoyu frowned, his clear and translucent eyes, and when he looked at Zhang Zhanyi again, he was already full of disgust, as if he was looking at a pile of pickled filth on the side of the road.

In addition to patrolling the streets, the city servant patrols the streets, and when he sees a cute little lady, he can't help but occasionally come up and tease, but he doesn't flirt when he sees a beautiful girl.

Only those women who are from poor families and have a pretty little face can have this "honor".

The daughter of Old Master Li's family, Tang Xiaoyu has also seen it, she is indeed a beautiful woman, she is smart and she guessed what was going on in an instant, thinking that Zhang Zhanyi had taken people into captivity, and threatened the master's family to keep quiet, but how did Lord Zun know? Tang Xiaoyu always felt that something was wrong, and he couldn't figure it out for a while.

"Although you have concealed from me, you have not concealed our discerning Lord Cao, the daughter of Old Master Li has now returned home, robbed the people's daughters, and intimidated the people, such evil deeds should have sent you to Wuyang Pass to fight with the Jin thieves, it is best to die on the battlefield, and it can be regarded as sacrificing your life for the country."

Cao Yong was stunned, he didn't expect someone to rob the people's girls under his nose, but he didn't know at all, angry, he glanced at Cao Yong suspiciously, he didn't understand what kind of medicine was sold in the gourd of this commander who had always been lazy and official, and he always felt that when he said that he was 'discerning', his tone was strange, not like he was praising people.

However, the only thing that Cao Yong knew was that Du Mingtang was deliberately beating this little flag officer, wanting him to retreat from the difficulty, although he didn't know the reason, he still nodded silently and cooperatively.

"Two adults, your subordinates have been wronged... subordinates can explain..."Zhang Zhanyi's matter is at the end of the day, and he still wants to argue for himself.

Unexpectedly, Du Mingtang's eyes lit up, and he said in a cold tone: "Still want to quibble? ”

"I... Yes! ”

Zhang Zhanyi was about to explain, but as soon as the word 'I' popped out of his mouth, he was swept away by Du Mingtang's backhand, spitting blood in mid-air and slamming it heavily on the ground.

The city attendants led by Li Zhen were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and did not dare to raise their heads.

Wang Ling was stunned, he looked at the little flag officer who was still arrogant and domineering before, at this time he was lying on the ground like a puddle of mud, bleeding from his mouth and nose, he roughly estimated the distance, Zhang Zhanyi, who was as strong as an ox, actually flew upside down seven or eight meters away, for himself, he might not be able to kick people so far with all his strength, and then looked at Du Mingtang's eyes, he was a little more jealous.

Du Mingtang looked indifferent, looked at Zhang Zhanyi on the ground, and said with a trace of disdain in his eyes: "This young man is a person from the government, Lord Cao is here to get you today, I wanted to take you away with a good voice, but I didn't expect you to dare to resist, he broke one of your hands is already polite, fortunately, I have a good relationship with Lord Cao, thinking of your hard work for many years, the girl of the Li family has not lost her body, so I spared you this time, and now I will punish you slightly, but there is anything else to say?" ”

Zhang Zhanyi struggled to get up, knelt on the ground and gritted his teeth and said, "My subordinates are willing to be punished, and I have nothing to say." ”

Du Mingtang narrowed his eyes and said quietly: "If there is a next time, you should know the consequences." ”

The pig-faced man's body trembled violently, cold sweat oozed from his forehead, and he said tremblingly: "My subordinates understand, thank you for your grace not to kill." ”

At this time, Du Mingtang looked at Wang Ling, and his expression was much warmer: "Although you are a person of Lord Cao, you are a grass person after all, and you still can't be spared if you commit such a crime." ”

Li Zhen and the others, who were still depressed just now, were overjoyed when they heard this, but Du Mingtang's second sentence was like a bucket of cold water splashed on their faces, and everyone was stunned and confused.

"I'll leave you in the Street Division, be a third-class city servant, I see that you have a very good relationship with the second room, then you will enter the second room."

Then he looked at Tang Xiaoyu, who had not eased up on the series of changes that had happened in front of him, at this moment she was confused, Du Mingtang didn't care, just smiled, this conductor made the adult show a smile in the real sense for the first time from his appearance to this moment.

In the end, he nodded to Cao Yong and returned to the Street Division first, until he left completely, everyone still couldn't react to what happened, but the eyes they looked at Wang Ling were a little strange.

Don't talk about them, Wang Ling and Cao Yong, the two outsiders, feel a little unclear about the situation, especially Wang Ling himself, he is sure that he and this commander are meeting for the first time, and there is no friendship between the two, and he is obviously pulling the bias, especially the pleadings, he just had a conflict with this little flag officer, and then he turned out the pleadings to support himself, how can there be such a coincidence in this world?

Cao Yong's mind was lively, and he thought a lot, but he didn't say a word, but his frowning brows had betrayed the prefect's complicated thoughts at the moment.

Wang Ling moved, he moved, Li Zhen and the others couldn't help but be nervous, and some even took a step back, unconsciously, the people of Shicheng had a trace of fear for this irritable young man who didn't know the origin, it is impossible not to be afraid, Zhang Zhanyi suffered a lot of losses before, these people have witnessed it with their own eyes, which of those present dare to say that they can do it? Although there is also a strength gap between the small flag officers, the difference is not much, and even Li Zhen cannot say that he can crush other peers.

However, Wang Ling did not intend to continue to embarrass them, but turned around and came to the people in the second room, and he asked softly in a suppressed voice, "What is the origin of your commander?" Why help me? ”

Tang Xiaoyu and Zuo Yucheng were both stunned, and said in unison: "You don't know him?" ”

Wang Ling rolled his eyes at the two of them, and said a little speechlessly: "I entered the city yesterday, and today is the first time I met him, where can I get to know him?" ”

At this time, Cao Yong also came to his side and whispered to Wang Ling: "I have dealt with Du Mingtang for many years, this person is so scheming, I can't figure it out, and he is never nosy, although he intends to relieve you today, but he still has to be guarded, I am afraid he has another purpose." ”

Wang Ling shook his head, and he couldn't tell why the other party wanted to help him for a while.

Tang Xiaoyu frowned, Du Mingtang was the superior and elder she respected, and when she heard someone say bad things about him in front of her, she felt a little unhappy in her heart, but one of them was another elder she respected.

Tang Xiaoyu: "Anyway, if you don't ask Lord Zun to help, your kid has been dragged to the entrance of the vegetable market and beheaded, how can you be embarrassed to suspect the kindness of others to you?" ”

The two of them noticed the resentment in her tone, and looked at each other awkwardly, yes, criticizing their superiors in front of their subordinates, somewhat looking for scolding.

Seeing Tang Xiaoyu staring at himself unkindly, Wang Ling secretly said bitterly in his heart, I will go, I will nod my head, this is not what I said, why are you staring at me like this?

"It's not too early, I also went back to the government to deal with official business, he Du Mingtang walked in style, and he didn't wait for me to explain a few words to him, but it doesn't matter, fortunately, I have already prepared, Xiaoyu, I have a handwritten letter here, please give it to him yourself." Cao Yong said as he took out a letter from his cuff and handed it to Tang Xiaoyu.

Tang Xiaoyu bowed his head, solemnly took the handwritten letter, and said, "I will definitely hand it over to the envoy with my own hands." ”

"Then I'll hand this kid over to you." Cao Yong said.

Cao Yong left in a sedan chair, Dawu also left with his master, and did not forget to pick up the little black donkey before leaving, Wang Ling wanted him to keep the donkey for himself, after all, he could still use it to go home, but Tang Xiaoyu said that he would send him back to his residence, and Wang Ling had to give up.

Wang Ling didn't want to say it, but it was actually because the freshness of riding the donkey hadn't passed yet, and he felt a little depressed as he watched the little black donkey leave.

At this time, an official stood at the gate of the yamen and shouted to the crowd: "The commander has given your lordship, and the order will be canceled today, and everyone will disperse on their own to perform official duties." ”

Li Zhen took the person away, and before leaving, he didn't forget to glare at Wang Ling and the people in the second room, as if to warn him to pay attention in the future, Wang Ling naturally remembered him, after all, this person has been embarrassing himself just now, and he will inevitably have conflicts with him in the future.

Tian Ming took a few servants to help Zhang Zhanyi, who was seriously injured, and took him to be treated.

When Wang Ling and the servant in the second room were left alone, Tang Xiaoyu said: "Brother Yucheng, you take everyone to patrol the street, and I will take Wang Ling to report." ”

Zuo Yucheng bowed his head and left with the people in the second room, in the opposite direction to Li Zhen and the others.

"Let's go, I'll take you in." Soup small fish road.

Wang Ling silently followed behind her, entered the gate, and passed through the Yi Gate, it was an empty school field, there was no extra green plant and stone carvings as decoration, several of the floor tiles paved with bluestone slabs had turned into gravel, and the pillars of the corridors on both sides were covered with mottled red paint, Wang Ling felt a little surprised, and couldn't help but be stunned.

Tang Xiaoyu looked at him sideways: "What's wrong?" ”

Wang Lingdao: "It's nothing, but I didn't expect the Street Division to be so simple, not the same as I imagined." ”

Stepping on the cracked floor tiles under his feet, he could clearly feel the loosening of disrepair, Wang Ling couldn't help but wonder, didn't he say that there was a lot of oil and water in the streets? Why not fix it?

Tang Xiaoyu understood, but she didn't seem to want to say more, but explained: "The street division has no money. ”

"No money?" Wang Linghu glanced at the girl suspiciously.

This is interesting, Cao Yong, who lives in a deep house compound, is so poor that he can't afford to raise a horse, only a donkey, but the street division with the most oil and water said that he has no money, and when he says this, those vendors who have to pay tea money to the people in the city every month are the first to jump up and hit her knee.

Of course, Tang Xiaoyu knew what he was thinking, but he didn't bother to explain, he just cared about himself and walked forward, Wang Ling spread his hands helplessly, and then strode after him.

The two of them first came to the registration officer of the responsible personnel to report to the office, took away the official uniform and the bronze waist card, and when they came out, Wang Ling looked at the waist card a little sullenly.

Just inside, he saw what the waist card that the official put on the table looked like, three inches long, one inch wide, the whole body was black, the front was engraved with three big characters of "Street Division", the top was a golden silk moire, and the back of Tang Xiaoyu's small flag official waist card was engraved with her name and birth date in small characters.

And the reason why Wang Ling is depressed is because his waist card is not the same, not to mention the small flag officer, and even the ordinary city servant he can't compare.

In addition to the fact that the size of his waist card is only half the size of an ordinary waist card, there are only two words in total because of the words engraved on it.

3rd class!

If you go out on an errand, but you take it out and it's so much smaller than others, you don't have to say it, the word third-class, obviously there is no deterrent, alas, shouldn't I come to this street division······ Wang Lingnao made up the scene where he took out his waist card in front of everyone's eyes, but was ridiculed by everyone, and couldn't help but regret that he promised Lao Sun Tou too happily.

"Yesterday, the old gentleman seemed to say that he asked you to sit up from the second class, but after all, it was the commander who made the lord relieve you from the siege, although I don't know why he wanted to save you, but after all, it was a good intention, after all, you are against a big crime, the third class, after all, it is better than cutting in half, don't be satisfied." Tang Xiaoyu saw that he was staring at the waist card with a depressed expression, so he was relieved.

Wang Ling was indifferent, in fact, he had been thinking about a question since he stepped into the gate of the Street Division, that is, why did Du Mingtang help him?

Although he didn't know it in advance, after listening to Tang Xiaoyu, even he knew what a crime it was for civilians to beat people with official status and maim them, and the beheading was definitely not a joke, it was to give Cao Yong a face?

A yamen who is independent of the government and is not under the control of the local chief official, and he has committed such a serious crime, that Du Mingtang doesn't seem to buy Cao Yong's account very much, it can't be because of this reason.

In addition, the pleadings did not appear in his hands for no reason, Du Mingtang had obviously held it in his hand before he appeared, could it be that all this was arranged by him······ Wang Ling thought of this possibility, and then denied himself.

The little flag officer named Zhang Zhanyi, the panic and panic he showed at that time were not like yes, why did Du Mingtang sacrifice a little flag officer to deliberately show favor to me? It's not just Zhang Zhanyi alone, the rest of the people who serve the city must be dissatisfied with this, they can't figure it out, there are too many places to figure it out, what does this person mean? Forget it, take it one step at a time, no matter what he wants from me, and then it is.

Put the card away, and if he could, he hoped he would never get a chance to show it. Then with Tang Xiaoyu came to the martial arts room again, registered his name and time, and took a standard saber and a long whip.

"Even if you have a portable blade, why do you need to issue a long whip?" This is a question he wanted to ask when he first met the city servant.

Tang Xiaoyu explained: "The street division patrols the streets, not only to suppress the bandits, but also to maintain the order of the market, if the unscrupulous businessmen who violate the law are caught, the small ones do not need to be brought back to the yamen, and they will be whipped and flogged for 20 on the street, which is also to make other businessmen fearful." ”

"To what extent is it called a petty sin?" Wang Ling couldn't help but be curious.

The heroic girl raised her eyebrows and said: "For example, violating private houses, such as shoddy, or forcibly buying and selling...... These count. ”

"What does it mean to invade people's homes? Could it be that someone would put their business in someone else's house? "The other two are easy to say, easy to understand, only the invasion of private houses, the king did not understand.

"The Street Division stipulates: There is no city ten zhang away from the house, and the business is half a zhang outside the house. Operators who commit transgression shall be fined 10 taels of silver and 20 lashes. "Tang Xiaoyu said.

Wang Lingchang sighed, this is clear, hawkers and traveling merchants can not set up stalls within 30 meters of the yamen, nor can they block private houses, they must keep a distance of more than 1.5 meters, otherwise they will not only be fined 10 taels of silver, but also eat 20 whips from the city servant on the street.

He suddenly remembered the merchants in the previous life, and couldn't help but sigh that they were really born in a good era.

"What is a great sin?" Wang Ling asked.

Tang Xiaoyu put the pestle knife in both hands, tilted his head and said while thinking: "Well, I can't remember exactly what they are, but there are a few that I have the impression of, tax evasion and tax evasion of more than 100 people, price hikers, and bribe-takers are all punished as felonies." ”

Wang Ling asked: "Then what will these people do?" Locked in a prison? ”

Tang Xiaoyu didn't answer him this time, but glanced at the long knife in his hand.

Well, got it.

He couldn't help but think of the businessman in the previous life, such a good policy, why didn't he have it in the previous life?