The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 41: Capturing Zhang Changji

The centurion named Zhou Cang sat respectfully opposite and said:
"According to your instructions, I have investigated and found that Zhang Changji has taken leave to recuperate in the past few days and has rarely gone out."

asked for leave?
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows. He was well aware of the power of his punch that day.

Although Zhang Changji was knocked out with one blow, thanks to his martial arts background, apart from his palm which needed to rest for a while, other problems were not serious.

Was he warned by his brother? Did he hide from the public? Not important.

"Is that so?" Zhao Duan thought thoughtfully.

Captain Zhou asked curiously:

"How do you plan to investigate, sir? This person is hiding at home, so it's hard to follow him secretly. Should we start with his network of relationships? Or, can we trace back from the disconnected clues involved in the case..."

He used the method of "questioning" to tactfully explain his ideas on handling the case.

Before setting off, the Inspector General Ma Yan had personally instructed that this time, they had to get the job done while taking Zhao Duan's face into consideration.

Translated into plain language:

"That Zhao guy doesn't know how to investigate a case. He doesn't understand anything! The reason he wants to have the 'leading power' is just to get a name and take credit."

Such operations are common in official circles.

The leader is in charge, but the ones who actually do the work are still the people below. It sounds unfair.

But on the other hand, if things go wrong, the leaders, not the soldiers, will bear the biggest blame.

Therefore, Ma Yan never relied on Zhao Duan to solve the case, and only regarded him as a mascot.

If things are done successfully, it's okay to give him most of the credit; if things go wrong, there's still someone to share the blame with.

The two of them ran towards their destination in both directions.

"Hmm?" Zhao Duan, who was well versed in this, glanced at Zhou Cang and did not follow suit. Instead, he said:
"Don't bother with that. I have simpler methods for handling cases."

Zhou Cang's heart skipped a beat, and he felt something was wrong:

"What do you mean, sir?"

Zhao Duan smiled:
"Since the suspect is at home, wouldn't it be better to just go to his house and arrest him and interrogate him?"

……

……

At about noon, a group of men in brocade robes on horseback passed by on the main road in the west of the city.

On both sides of the street, pedestrians were all terrified.

"Sir, are you sure you want to do this? Will it alert the enemy?" Zhou Cang was a little panicked and tried to dissuade him.

Zhao Duan held the reins tightly and said calmly:

"When the imperial court launched a high-profile investigation, it already alerted the enemy. Or do you think that the saint will give you enough time? Wait until the storm is completely over before the other party shows up again?"

Zhou Cang was speechless.

Zhao Duan said again:
"Besides, this happened right under our noses, but the clues were cut off completely. Do you think the enemy doesn't have any 'accomplices' in the court?

The longer we delay, the greater the risk of the news leaking out. To kill a snake, you must not only aim at its weakest point, but also be fast, accurate and ruthless, so fast that the other party cannot react."

Zhou Cang was stunned, thinking about something.

At this moment, the look he gave Zhao Duan was different.

Even if I don't completely agree with this logic in my heart, but... is the person who can say these words so clearly really the legendary pretty boy with a good-looking appearance?

"Don't talk nonsense. Now that we are here, you must obey my orders. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility."

Zhao Duan threw down a sentence, squeezed his legs hard on the horse's belly, took the lead, and crashed into the mansion in front.

The Zhang brothers had long since separated. Zhang Erlang's house had three courtyards and was located in a very good location.

Zhao Duan led a group of soldiers in royal uniforms and headed straight for the gate.

The man is on horseback, holding the hilt of the sword with his right hand, and pulling it out with a "clang". The surging energy fills the blade, stimulating a sharp sword energy.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, the tightly closed door was torn open in the middle.

Zhou Cang's eyelids twitched, thinking that the general was retaliating openly.

After all, a few days ago, Zhang Changji had trampled on the Zhao family on his horse, and this time, it was just a replica of the past.

"Come with me!"

Zhou Cang wanted to show off. He laughed grimly and jumped off the horse with a knife in hand: "If anyone dares to resist, I will beat him hard!"

"Here!"

Behind him, a group of living devils wearing flying fish costumes were as fierce as wolves and tigers. They crossed Zhao Duan and competed to be the pioneers.

"Ah, you are..."

"Someone is coming!"

"Go and call the young master..."

When the slaves heard the noise, they rushed out with their whistles, but they immediately became cowardly and gave in. Before they could drop their weapons and surrender, they were beaten up by Zhou Cang and his men.

There was chaos and everyone was crying for their parents.

"But Captain Zhou? This is the residence of Captain Zhang of the Beijing Camp. I'm afraid you have found the wrong person?" The steward of the mansion ran out and asked in panic.

Zhou Cang's face was as gloomy as water, and he pretended to pull out his scabbard, which frightened the steward so much that he fell to the ground:

"We are looking for Zhang Changji. Where is he?"

"Stop it!!"

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard from the inner house, and a figure rushed out. It was Zhang Changji, who was ordered to recuperate at home.

At this moment, he was only wearing a loose undershirt with his chest open, his hair untied, and cloth shoes. His cold face was full of anger.

It seemed like he was taking a nap and was awakened.

"Zhou Cang!?"

Zhang Changji's eyelids twitched and he recognized the person.

The officials of the imperial yamen also belonged to the "Imperial Guards" and strictly speaking, they were "comrades" with the Beijing Camp.

Although the two were not familiar with each other, they had met each other several times.

Zhang Changji was originally a violent person, but when he saw the Feiyu suit on the other party, he calmed down a bit, suppressed his anger and said:
"Why are you breaking into my house?!"

Zhou Cang ignored him and waved his hand:

"Seal off the house and don't let anyone escape."

A large group of men responded and left, apparently they were quite familiar with this procedure.

Immediately, Zhou Cang turned around and smiled at the people behind him:

"Sir, they have been captured."

"good."

Zhao Duan came late from the gate, strolling along the way. When he got closer, he nodded with satisfaction and said jokingly:
"Zhang Erlang, we meet again."

"Zhao Duan!"

Zhang Changji was startled, then became furious, his blood boiling:
"How dare you come to my house and seek death?"

As he spoke, he took a step forward, his muscles bulging, and his left fist, which was not bound with gauze, made a creaking sound.

Zhou Cang's eyelids twitched wildly. He drew his sword and stood between the two men, shouting:
"Zhang Changji! Do you dare to resist the law?"

Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes, smiled, raised his hand and gently touched the back of the knife, pressed it down, and said softly:

"Brother Zhang's house was broken into and he was furious. It's understandable. Put down your knives and don't make it seem like I'm bullying you."

After a pause, he pretended to look around and asked curiously:
"Hey, why don't I see the women of this family? I've heard that Zhang Erlang's mistress is quite pretty, and I want to broaden my horizons."

Zhou Cang said with a smile: "If the envoy wants to see him, I will go and get him right away."

Sing together.

Veins popped out on Zhang Changji's forehead, his joints crackled, and his energy surged, as if he was about to take action at the next moment.

Zhao Duan was deliberately trying to provoke him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Changji's face changed several times. Thinking of his brother's admonitions, he finally endured it and said with gritted teeth:

"Zhao Duan, what exactly do you want to do?"

He looked at Zhou Cang again and said in a deep voice:

"Since when did the imperial court become a dog that takes revenge on others?"

He felt that it was obvious that Zhao Duan came here today just for revenge.

Zhao Duan was shocked when he heard this and said:
"What? You actually slandered the current emperor for revenge? Zhang Changji, what are you up to?"

Everyone knows that Zhao Ya is the empress's dog.

Zhang Changji originally wanted to satirize Zhou Cang, but he didn't expect that the original intention would be distorted by Zhao Duan.

I was so angry that my eyes went dark. I knew I couldn't win the argument.

"You know that's not what I meant!"

Zhao Duan restrained his exaggerated expression and was too lazy to tease him. He said calmly:
"I don't want to waste my time talking to you. I am working with my colleagues in the imperial court on a case, and I want to find you today to learn more about the situation."

case?

Zhang Changji was stunned: "What case?"

Beside him, Zhou Cang said:
"We suspect you are in league with..."

Zhao Duan interrupted abruptly and said quietly:

"I suspect that you are colluding with Zhuang Xiaocheng and are an insider of the rebel party. The last time the other party was able to escape, it was because of you who tipped him off!"

Zhou Cang: ???
No, this is different from what we agreed!

(End of this chapter)