The next morning, Xu Ke rose early.

Yingchun was already up, with Siqi and Xiuju attending to her. They said little, quietly handing him a towel and straightening his clothes. Xu Ke took it all in and felt increasingly at ease. This young woman was not the talkative, sharp-witted type others might prefer, but her gentle thoughtfulness instead made everything feel comfortable.

After breakfast, as usual, he went into the courtyard to practice his saber forms. Once his body had loosened up, he sent Xu Fu to summon Luo Hu.

Luo Hu arrived quickly. By the time Xu Ke had changed his clothes, Xu Fu had already returned to report that he was waiting in the study.

Xu Ke nodded and went straight there. He didn’t bother with pleasantries upon entering.

“Luo Hu, have your men carry their weapons today and await my orders at all times.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Also send two sharp ones to the wine house where County Magistrate Zhou held his banquet yesterday. Find out exactly what happened last night—who attended, how many came, and what was said. Record everything and bring it to me.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll do it immediately.”

“Go.”

Luo Hu withdrew.

Xu Ke then turned to Xu Fu.

“When Qin the legal advisor returns, report to me immediately.”

After issuing these instructions, he proceeded to the front yamen as usual.

The morning court session carried a subtle tension.

When Xu Ke took his seat on the bench, the clerks below carried out their duties as usual, but their wandering eyes and hushed whispers revealed an undercurrent of unease.

Xu Ke ignored it completely.

He handled several ordinary cases that morning—one family losing a chicken, another’s wall collapsing, disputes between Zhang and Li families over a few feet of land. He judged each case swiftly and cleanly, resolving them one by one.

Before the midday session ended, he summoned the clerks of the household office and the registry office and publicly reprimanded them. The issues were minor—sloppy records, missing entries in household registers—but being scolded in front of the entire yamen still left them humiliated.

Both clerks responded with forced agreement, occasionally glancing toward Zhou Fengchun.

Zhou Fengchun sat nearby, expression unchanged, calmly reading a document as if he had heard nothing.

After finishing his reprimand, Xu Ke dismissed them and rose to leave for the inner yamen.

As he passed Zhou Chengping, he paused slightly and glanced sideways at him.

Zhou Fengchun looked up. Their eyes met. He gave a faint nod, still wearing that courteous smile.

Xu Ke smiled lightly and walked on.

Behind him, Zhou Fengchun watched his retreating figure, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes.

A reckless upstart. Cheap tricks not worth mentioning.

Xu Ke did not wait long.

Before lunch, Xu Fu hurried in to report.

“My lord, people from the Jia household have arrived. They are waiting at the Three-Li Pavilion outside the city—twenty-three people in total, five on horseback, the rest on foot. As you instructed, they have not yet entered the city.”

Xu Ke nodded.

“Did you deliver the items?”

“Yes. Everything was delivered as you ordered. They’ve been fitted with the proper clothing and given food to eat. There are also two who came along with them—one young man and one man in his thirties. They said they were personally requested by Second Madam Lian.”

Xu Ke’s eyes brightened slightly.

“Where are they?”

“They’re waiting outside.”

“Bring them in.”

Shortly after, Xu Fu led the two men into the study.

The first was a young man of about eighteen or nineteen, fair-faced, wearing a slightly worn scholar’s robe. His eyes were sharp and lively, suggesting quick wit.

The second was a man in his thirties, dark-skinned and broad-shouldered. As soon as he entered, his eyes darted around nervously. He looked awkward, unsure where to place his hands or feet, and within moments was already sweating heavily.

Xu Ke first examined the younger man.

“What is your name?”

The young man bowed.

“Replying to Second Young Master-in-law, this lowly one is Jia Yun. I handle miscellaneous affairs in the household.”

Xu Ke nodded slightly, then turned to the dark-skinned man.

The man immediately panicked, dropped to his knees, and kowtowed.

“M-my lord… this humble one is Ni Er! I greet you, my lord!”

Xu Ke did not tell him to rise at once.

“Ni Er. You are the one who handles lending money on behalf of Second Madam Lian outside?”

Ni Er turned pale and pressed his forehead to the ground, not daring to respond.

After a moment, Xu Ke said calmly:

“Stand up.”

Ni Er trembled and slowly got to his feet, head still lowered.

Xu Ke took a sip of tea and spoke evenly without looking at him.

“Do you know why I specifically asked for you?”

Ni Er shook his head blankly.

“I have looked into you,” Xu Ke said. “You don’t have many skills, but you do have a bit of loyalty and courage. That alone is enough for me to give you an opportunity.”

Ni Er suddenly looked up, both shocked and delighted.

“Stay in the county for the next few days. Walk around. Find out everything about the underworld—who runs gambling dens, who lends money at interest, especially those who control street gangs. Record everything and report it back to me.”

Ni Er nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, yes! I’ll do it right away!”

Xu Ke glanced at him.

“You won’t be working for nothing. Later go to Xu Fu and collect two hundred taels of silver. Use it for bribes, for meals, for whatever is necessary.”

Ni Er froze, mouth half open, unable to speak.

Xu Ke frowned slightly.

“What, too little?”

“No, no!” Ni Er immediately dropped to his knees again. “This humble one… this humble one is not worthy… I don’t dare take it!”

Xu Ke’s expression turned slightly cold.

“If I tell you to take it, you take it. Since you are working for me, do your job properly and stop overthinking things. I already know your background clearly.”

Ni Er shuddered violently and kowtowed heavily.

“Please rest assured, my lord! From now on, my life belongs to you!”

Xu Ke waved his hand dismissively.

“Go.”

Xu Fu led Ni Er away to collect the silver.

Only then did Xu Ke turn his attention to Jia Yun.

Xu Ke nodded to himself. He already knew this man from his past life reading Dream of the Red Chamber. A collateral branch of the Jia family, his father died early, and he alone supported the household. He worked under Sister feng and was capable and quick-witted, yet never ostentatious; even men like Ni Er, a local rogue, were willing to associate with him. Most importantly, he was loyal and grateful, the type who would repay kindness, and later in the Jia family’s decline, he had once extended help.

A man like this—if he could be taken under his command—would be far more useful than those who only knew how to flatter and fawn.

“You’re Jia Yun?” Xu Ke asked.

“Yes.”

“Since you’re here, first follow Xu Fu and familiarize yourself with the workings of the county office,” Xu Ke said after a pause. “We’ll talk about everything else later.”

Jia Yun bowed. “Understood.”

No further questions. No pledges of loyalty. Just a simple response. Xu Ke observed this and became even more satisfied.

“Go.”

Jia Yun withdrew.

Xu Ke rested briefly, then went to the main hall again—it was time for the evening court session. He sighed inwardly: being a county magistrate in this era truly wasn’t easy.

The evening session was routine. He reviewed documents accumulated during the day, issued rulings, and went to the prison to interrogate several inmates. By the time everything was settled, the sky had already darkened.

He returned to his desk, preparing to strike the gavel and dismiss court, when suddenly an officer rushed in.

“Report—Your Excellency! There is a group causing destruction and violence on Liu Tree Alley in the east district!”

Xu Ke’s spirit sharpened, though his expression remained calm.

“How many of them?” he asked.

The officer hesitated. “I… I didn’t dare approach. From a distance, there must be thirty to forty people, all carrying clubs.”

Xu Ke nodded. “Understood. You may leave.”

The officer withdrew. Xu Ke’s gaze swept across the hall and landed on Luo Hu.

“Captain Luo, receive orders.”

Luo Hu stepped forward and bowed. “Present!”

“Immediately lead the fast patrol unit to suppress them. If anyone harms civilians, do not show mercy—arrest them or strike them down as necessary.”

“Yes!” Luo Hu answered solemnly.

“The bailiffs will form a rear formation to disperse onlookers and prevent interference,” Xu Ke continued. “From this point on, Captain Luo will have unified command; the bailiffs will obey him.”

The bailiff captain also bowed in acknowledgment.

Luo Hu turned and waved his hand. The officers surged out in formation, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Xu Ke sat behind the desk, expression unchanged, glancing at the remaining clerks.

“Everyone else remain here and wait for news.”

The officials exchanged uneasy looks but did not dare speak, returning quietly to their positions.

Xu Ke picked up his tea and took a slow sip.

Then he glanced sideways.

Xu Fu understood and silently withdrew.

The hall fell into complete silence. Candlelight flickered, casting shadows across Xu Ke’s young face, revealing no emotion at all.

He set down his cup and slowly scanned the room.

“Such crimes have occurred. I wonder what views you all have?”

Silence.

Xu Ke did not expect a reply and continued calmly:

“A few days ago at the Jia residence, I mentioned to my father-in-law that this county is difficult to govern—bandits everywhere, petty criminals abound. Wouldn’t you say that is accurate?”

Clerk Qian from the penal office forced himself to speak:

“Your Excellency… absolutely not. Though not perfect, the county is generally stable. Tonight’s incident must be accidental, perhaps… there was a reason behind it.”

Xu Ke glanced at him. The man was clearly anxious, trying to distance himself, afraid Xu Ke would start arresting people again in court.

“Oh?” Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. “What reason might that be?”

Qian opened his mouth but stammered. “I… I do not know.”

Xu Ke smiled faintly and did not press further.

“Very well. Fortunately, my father-in-law has shown consideration and sent thirty veteran soldiers to assist in deterrence,” he said slowly. “You need not worry. It should already be under control.”

At this, a murmur rose in the hall. Several clerks exchanged shocked glances.

Zhou Fengchun’s face stiffened. He forced himself to speak:

“How can this be! The citizens of the county are mostly law-abiding people. Why resort to armed force? I fear this is inappropriate, Your Excellency.”

Xu Ke sipped his tea leisurely before replying:

“I have my own judgment. Please wait for Captain Luo’s report.”

Zhou Fengchun opened his mouth again, then closed it. He said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Luo Hu arrived at Liu Tree Alley with his men.

Chaos was everywhere. Thirty-odd ruffians were smashing shops and shouting wildly.

“Brothers of the fast patrol—follow me!” Luo Hu ordered.

The officers charged forward to stop them. But the ruffians, relying on numbers, shoved them back while laughing and mocking them.

Just as Luo Hu was struggling to contain the situation, hoofbeats echoed from the alley entrance.

In an instant, five warhorses burst into the street.

On them sat five strong men in strange armor, holding long clubs. The leader rode straight in and struck down the ruffians without hesitation. One man too slow to dodge was knocked flying by the horse, screams erupting everywhere.

After the cavalry charge, more than a dozen men followed—also armored, wielding twin clubs, striking anyone in sight without mercy.

The ruffians had never seen such a formation. Instantly they fell into chaos, fleeing in panic in all directions.

Luo Hu saw everything clearly and, gritting his teeth, raised his arm and shouted, “Everyone, follow me! Anyone still standing, keep fighting!”

The constables were instantly energized and rushed forward with Luo Hu.

This time, the ruffians had no strength left to resist. They were beaten until they cried out for their fathers and mothers, and soon lay sprawled all over the ground.