Chapter 17 Negotiation
Seeing that the evidence was complete, Yang Chang thought that if he could use this to convict Ximen Qing, he would be indirectly eliminating another evil and resolving the Wuda tragedy at the source.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but remind Wu Song.

"Brother, Ximen Qing committed a murder. Should we send someone to arrest him? The news of Wang Po's death has spread. Be careful that he will flee out of fear of the crime."

"Ximen Qing is a well-known figure in Yanggu. How dare we act on our own without the approval of the county magistrate? But Sanlang's concerns are reasonable."

Wu Song pinched his chin and thought for a moment, then instructed Yang Chang, "I will assign two of you to keep watch outside Ximen Mansion, but you are limited to observing in secret. Report any unusual movements in time, and do not go to the house to arrest people without permission."

"If Ximen Qing wants to"

"Ximen Qing has such a huge business, he won't abandon his home in a hurry, he might make arrangements, anyway, you listen to me."

"Oh"

Wu Song predicted Yang Chang's prediction, and Yang Chang thought about it and felt that it made sense. After all, there were many protectors in Water Margin, and Ximen Qing might not necessarily go to jail.

But during the time he had been working as an archer, he felt that the magistrate of Yanggu County was quite nice to Wu Song. Perhaps he was an upright and good official?

Yang Chang arranged for the front and back doors to be guarded, and sat down in a teahouse diagonally opposite Ximen Mansion, ordered a cup of tea and waited for news from Wu Song.

After waiting for about half an hour, Wu Song finally brought his men over.

Yang Chang was delighted when he saw this, so he paid for the tea and chased after him, only to see Wu Song waiting there.

"Brother, why don't you go in?"

"This matter is still controversial. The county magistrate sent Li Guanshi to question him. I am here to take you back."

"What? The evidence is already irrefutable, but there is still room for dispute?"

After hearing Wu Song's answer, Yang Chang showed a look of surprise.

Wu Song smiled leisurely, "First of all, Ximen Qing is rich and handsome, so it is reasonable that he would not commit adultery with Wang Po; secondly, Wang Po did not die on the spot, so it is not ruled out that she had other diseases; finally, no victim filed a complaint on behalf of Wang Po, so no case should be filed to arrest her."

"Why is that?"

Yang Chang felt a little guilty when he heard this. He swallowed his saliva and pointed across the street, as if to say, since no case should be filed, why did the magistrate send Manager Li?

"It's a life after all. Ximen Qing is indeed implicated. We must find out the reason. Otherwise, the people in the county will spread rumors. Let's go. Manager Li will take care of it. Let's go back first."

"okay."

Wu Song patted Yang Chang's arm and took him out of Ximen Mansion.

After leaving Zishi Street in the afternoon, Ximen Qing felt tired and went home to rest.

The affair between him and Wang Po spread quickly, and even his wife Wu Yueniang learned about it from the servants.

Wu Yueniang didn't believe it at first, but several servants were discussing it and said that the streets were already in an uproar.

This posture forced her to take it seriously.

She found Ximen Qing in the bedroom and just as she mentioned the rumors about the servants, Ximen Qing became furious and scolded Wu Yueniang to drive her away.

Admitting to having an affair with Wang Po? I, Ximen Qing, am not crazy.

I closed my eyes and tried to take a nap, but my mind was in a mess.

After finally falling into a deep sleep, he was dreaming about doing things with Pan Jinlian when he was suddenly woken up.

"You bastard, you disturbed my sweet dream!"

Ximen Qing sat up cursing, and seeing Wu Yueniang standing at the door, he pointed at her and continued to complain:
"You woman, you said it has nothing to do with me, but you insist on getting involved."

"Manager Li from the county government has come and said that you are involved in a murder case. If you don't want to see him, I will send him away."

Wu Yueniang turned around and was about to leave with an expressionless face. Ximen Qing's drowsy head suddenly cleared up and stopped her and warned her: "Wait, Manager Li is the county lord's confidant, how can you neglect him? I will change my clothes and meet you right away. I don't know what murder case it is."

Before he could finish his words, Wu Yue Niang had disappeared.

Ximen Qing dressed neatly, composed himself and went to meet the guest.

He thought that the steward had come at a good time. If he wanted to investigate Wu Song, he needed the county magistrate's approval, so this was a good time to sound out the issue.

But as soon as he walked into the front hall and heard Manager Li explain his purpose, his smile instantly fell.

Wang Po is dead?

If I want to deal with Wu Song myself, wouldn't I have to gather enough witnesses?

How can you let this go?

"Sir, all the evidence points to you. The situation is not optimistic."

"No." Ximen Qing was stunned by what Manager Li said, then pointed at himself and asked back: "From the manager's tone? Did I kill someone?"

"The official and Wang Po had an affair. This matter has become known to the whole county. There are countless witnesses to testify. In addition, the coroner examined the body and found that Wang Po's lower body was ruptured and her upper body also had external injuries. Her death was directly related to the official."

Manager Li stroked his beard and told the story. Looking at Ximen Qing's face, it was hard to believe that he would sleep in the same bed with Wang Po, but the fact was so absurd.

Ximen Qing felt like crying but couldn't. He was like mud falling on his crotch and couldn't explain it. He retorted with a sad face: "Manager, please listen to my explanation. I was also tricked by the villain. Otherwise, with my appearance and status, how could I have climbed onto that old woman's couch?"

"The Prime Minister will not let the bad guys go, nor will he wrongly accuse the good guys. He also feels that something is fishy, ​​so he sent me here to inquire. I wonder who the traitor the official is talking about is?"

After Manager Li finished speaking, he showed a strange look on his face, wondering if anyone in Yanggu County would offend this Tai Sui?

"This"

Ximen Qing looked at his fellow yamen runners who were hesitant to speak. Manager Li understood and asked the two to go out and wait, and continued, "Can you tell me now?"

"Well, the instigator of this incident was the captain Wu Song."

"Stop it, sir, please don't make random accusations. Framing a public official is a serious crime."

"It's true, please listen to me."

The magistrate sent his steward to extort money from Ximen Qing, but he didn't expect Ximen Qing to say something shocking. After hearing it, he stroked his beard and shook his head.

"For the sake of our past friendship, I will pretend that I didn't hear what you just said. Please tell the truth, sir."

"This is the truth. I was framed."

"Wang Po's story is one-sided. Can she testify for you now? Besides, Wu Dutou is such a hero. How could he do such a despicable thing? I advise you to think it over before you speak. Besides, since there is no victim to file a complaint, there is actually room for maneuver. It's just that the matter has become too serious, and it is a bit troublesome to handle it properly."

Ximen Qing is used to trading power for money, so how could he not understand what Manager Li was saying?
"I am a businessman and I know how to repay my friends, but I don't know how to properly handle this."

"hehe."

Manager Li took a sip of tea and said meaningfully, "The greater your sincerity, the more ways your minister can solve it."

"alright, please wait."

Ximen Qing clapped his hands, stood up, turned around and said goodbye to show his sincerity.

Not long after, he returned holding a wooden box.

Gently lifting the lid of the box, he saw gold and silver inside, which was worth at least several hundred taels, showing how sincere the man was.

Ximen Qing held the wooden box, pressed the table against it and pushed it towards Manager Li, but he did not let go even when the other party took it.

"Don't worry, manager. Tell us how to deal with this properly. It's not enough to just clear the injustice."

"What the great official meant."

"Catch the traitor and put him in jail to clear Ximen Qing's name."

"This"

Manager Li's face changed drastically when he heard this. He quickly let go of the silver box and said sternly, "You and Wu Dutou must have a misunderstanding. Why listen to Wang Po's instigation? I dare not agree to this matter."

“Then I can only go to the state to seek justice.”

Ximen Qing took back the wooden box. Li Guanshi saw this and whispered a reminder:
"Don't you have physical evidence, sir? Why don't you ask someone to come and try it? Otherwise, how can you convict the minister? He is a tiger-killing hero!"

"That's right."

Ximen Qing agreed with this and called a trusted servant from outside the house. He then took out the cold bun from his arms, broke it in half and handed it out.

"Bamboo pole, taste it for me."

"Oh."

Zhugan took half of the bun, threw it into his mouth and chewed it slowly.

"how?"

“It tastes good, but the noodles are a bit cold.”

"impossible."

Seeing that there was nothing wrong with the bamboo pole, Ximen Qing couldn't help talking to himself. Then he ate the remaining half himself without any hallucinations or impulses.

That old guy lied to me?

(End of this chapter)