#448 - Who are you looking for, sir?

Xu Ming and Xu Pangda ate together and talked late into the night.

Xu Pangda didn't even return to the Xu residence; at Xu Ming's urging, he stayed directly at the Jinyiwei Commander's residence.

Xu Pangda didn't stand on ceremony with his fifth brother.

In Wudu, Xu Ming still had his colleagues from the Blood Floating Pagoda.

But in Wudu, Xu Pangda's only real friends, besides his sister and Qin Qingwan, were Xu Ming.

Xu Ming specifically asked Xu Pangda about his years governing Baihe County.

In the years after Xu Ming left Baihe County, although there were still some local forces in Baihe County, Xu Ming had already eliminated the vast majority, and the remaining local forces were insignificant.

So Xu Pangda's life was actually quite good.

Xu Pangda only smiled and glossed over his achievements over the years, feeling they were nothing special and not worth mentioning.

But in Xu Ming's opinion, it was not like that at all.

The Listening Wind Pavilion would specially collect information about newly appointed county magistrates and compile it into a record for Emperor Wu to see.

After Xu Ming returned to the capital, he was also worried about how Xu Pangda was doing as an official.

After all, Xu Pangda was a simple and honest person.

At that time, Emperor Wu was also very generous in having someone send Xu Pangda's records to his residence.

So Xu Ming had also read Xu Pangda's records.

Although Xu Pangda was governing for the first time, his years of studying the classics had not been in vain.

In Baihe County, Xu Pangda was considerate of the people's feelings and cared about their livelihood. Whenever there was a case, Xu Pangda would make sure to solve it.

Even if he couldn't solve it temporarily, Xu Pangda would always remember it and often report it to the prefectural government.

Because Xu Pangda was the young master of the Xu family and, moreover, Xu Ming's brother, the prefectural government didn't dare to neglect him and would generally send people to help assist in the investigation.

After Xu Pangda had been in office for half a year, the atmosphere in Baihe County changed completely from the past.

It wasn't quite at the level of doors not being locked at night and no one picking up lost items.

But everyone in Baihe County could be considered to be living and working in peace and contentment.

Emperor Wu's evaluation of Xu Pangda was not low.

Even when Xu Pangda left Baihe County this time, the elders and villagers, worried that this county magistrate would not return, tried to persuade him to stay and saw him off for ten li.

Xu Pangda himself didn't know that this matter had gradually spread in Wudu and become a popular story.

This time, Xu Pangda's return meant that, barring any accidents, he would definitely stay in the capital.

A capable person is rarely left outside; they are basically kept in Wudu.

Moreover, because Xu Pangda was also young, Emperor Wu might have been thinking of cultivating Xu Pangda into a confidant.

The only problem was that Xu Pangda, like Xu Ming, was a student of Xiao Mochi.

And now, Emperor Wu was very wary of this Prime Minister.

Xu Ming had also considered having Xu Pangda join the Jinyiwei.

But, that would give Emperor Wu a very bad impression.

Xu Pangda could join the Jinyiwei, but it couldn't be at Xu Ming's invitation; it had to be appointed by Emperor Wu.

However, Xu Ming didn't think Xu Pangda was suitable for a place like the Jinyiwei.

He was more suited for administration.

The next morning, Xu Pangda entered the palace to meet the Emperor.

Xu Pangda told Emperor Wu the news of his assassination.

As expected, Emperor Wu was furious upon hearing this.

Assassinating a court official was one thing, but to dare assassinate someone in the outskirts of Wudu?

Wasn't this slapping朕 (zhen, the imperial 'I') in the face?!

Emperor Wu then issued another imperial decree, ordering the Jingzhao Prefecture to thoroughly investigate this matter.

In fact, Emperor Wu initially wanted to hand this matter over to the Jinyiwei.

But thinking that Xu Ming hadn't even found all the people yet, the entire Jinyiwei couldn't operate at all.

Moreover, there were too few clues in this matter. The other party hadn't left anything behind, so this matter would probably end without a resolution, and he would only have to suffer in silence.

Considering everything, it didn't matter if this case was handed over to the Jingzhao Prefecture. Even if they couldn't find out the truth, no one would say anything. After all, weren't there few cases that the Jingzhao Prefecture couldn't solve?

But, if the Jinyiwei couldn't find out anything about this case.

Then the civil and military officials would become restless.

They originally didn't like having such a Jinyiwei hanging over their heads like a sword.

So it was better to let the Jingzhao Prefecture handle this case.

After Xu Pangda withdrew, Emperor Wu paced back and forth in the imperial study, his brow furrowed.

"Wei Xun, what kind of person would assassinate Xu Pangda?"

Emperor Wu asked Wei Xun.

Emperor Wu had a habit of asking the people around him whenever something happened.

This wasn't to say that Emperor Wu hoped to get any answers from the other party's mouth.

Emperor Wu was more organizing his thoughts.

Wei Xun hurriedly stepped forward: "This servant can't guess either. Lord Xu's reputation in Baihe County is said to be very good. The people all recognize Lord Xu as their parent official. Moreover, in the imperial court, Lord Xu doesn't have any enemies, let alone the fact that the Number One Scholar is now in charge of the Jinyiwei.

No one in the imperial court should be so blind."

"Heh heh heh."

Emperor Wu smiled.

"Those people in the imperial court naturally understand clearly, but the problem is that those people outside the imperial court may not understand clearly!"

Listening to Emperor Wu's words, Wei Xun was stunned for a moment, and a guess suddenly arose in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it.

Emperor Wu slammed his palm heavily on the desk, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes: "Those remnants from two hundred years ago! They still haven't given up! Do they think that this will make朕 (zhen, the imperial 'I') lose face?

This time!朕 (zhen, the imperial 'I') will eliminate them all! Leaving not a single one behind!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger and don't hurt your dragon body," Wei Xun hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"Hoo."

Emperor Wu deeply exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.

Indeed.

He couldn't get angry and hurt himself because of this kind of thing.

Those remnants wanted to kill Xu Pangda, and even kill him at朕 (zhen, the imperial 'I')'s doorstep, to cause panic among the officials and also to make him angry and lose his mind.

And朕 (zhen, the imperial 'I') must never let them have their way!

"How is Commander Xu's establishment of the Jinyiwei going? He wants to set up two Deputy Commanders, are there any candidates?" Emperor Wu asked Wei Xun.

During this period of time, Emperor Wu had Wei Xun pay close attention to Xu Ming's actions.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the latest news, Commander Xu bought some gifts and went to Spring Breeze Street," Wei Xun said.

"Spring Breeze Street?" Emperor Wu was stunned for a moment, "Isn't Spring Breeze Street the place where those scholars from the Hanlin Academy are settled? He's going to..."

Suddenly, Emperor Wu was stunned for a moment, thought of someone, and a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.

"I didn't expect that Xu Ming would choose him."

At the same time, in front of a small courtyard in Spring Breeze Street, Xu Ming knocked on the courtyard door.

Before long, a freckled girl opened the courtyard door and walked out, saying timidly:

"Who are you looking for, young master?"