A gray carrier pigeon landed in the backyard of the prefectural office. Upon seeing it, a guard hurriedly caught the pigeon and went to find Lanxi.
Untying the light blue strip of cloth, Lanxi frowned in suspicion.
He found Song Jinzhao and handed the note to her.
Unfolding the note, Song Jinzhao raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Jia Demao, the magistrate of Qingxia County, had taken the eldest daughter of the Fang family as his concubine. This matter was a bit strange.
"I remember the magistrate of Qingxia County is quite old?" Song Jinzhao looked up and asked.
Lanxi replied, "Jia Demao is already over fifty, and the eldest miss of the Fang family is only a teenager. With this age gap, they could be grandfather and granddaughter."
The lit candle burned the note to ashes.
"The Fang family had their salt trading license revoked over twenty years ago. For them to marry their daughter to Jia Demao at this specific time, there must be something going on. Find a way to get our people inside; I need to know the situation in the Jia estate."
Lanxi nodded slightly. "Understood. I will have Yao Ye infiltrate the place."
Just a day after the carrier pigeon was sent out, before Yao Ye even had time to infiltrate the Jia estate, the situation changed.
Song Qiming came to Song Jinzhao holding a memorial written by Jia Demao.
"The head of the Ding family died of illness. According to the law, the county office must take back the salt trading license of the Ding family's salt shop and select a new salt merchant. Jia Demao has recommended the Fang family."
A hint of confusion flashed through Song Jinzhao's eyes.
"Does the Ding family have no heir?"
Thinking of this, the anger in Song Qiming's heart flared up even more.
He clenched his fists, wishing he could fly to Qingxia County immediately to bring the Fang family—who were colluding with southwestern foreign tribes and smuggling illicit salt—to justice.
"The eldest son of the Ding family unfortunately fell off a cliff while mountain climbing yesterday and passed away. The head of the Ding family suddenly passed away because he couldn't bear the shock."
Song Jinzhao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is it really such a coincidence?"
Song Qiming closed his eyes forcefully and then opened them, gritting his teeth, every word filled with anger.
"I don't think it's a coincidence. The eldest son of the Ding family died the very next day after the Fang family married their daughter to the magistrate. They definitely did it."
"I want to go to Qingxia County to find out the truth of the matter, to see if this Jia Demao knows anything about it and whether he is involved."
"Although the affairs in Suining City are managed by our subordinates, I am still not at ease. I will have to trouble you, sister, to keep an eye on things."
Qingxia County was close to the territory of the Wumeng tribe. The commoners had long harbored grievances against Jia Demao's cowardly and unjust behavior, and civil uprisings had occurred more than once.
If he was involved in this matter, it would be the perfect opportunity to strip him of his magistrate position.
Song Jinzhao instructed, "Take more men with you. Since the Fang family has chosen to collude with the southwestern foreign tribes, it's hard to guarantee they won't act out of desperation once exposed."
"Not to mention Jia Demao, the territory of the Wumeng tribe is right next door."
Song Qiming nodded vigorously in agreement.
Jia Demao was completely unprepared for Song Qiming's sudden arrival.
He hurriedly held onto his hat and ran out to greet him.
"I, Jia Demao, Magistrate of Qingxia County, pay my respects to the Prefect. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."
Staring at Jia Demao kneeling on the ground, Song Qiming simply could not give him a pleasant look.
He questioned with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"On my way here, I saw that the people of Qingxia County are all emaciated, nothing but skin and bones. Some were even boiling grass roots on the field ridges to fill their stomachs. Yet you, Lord Jia, appear quite plump, with a waistline comparable to a thick tree trunk."
Jia Demao's heart pounded like a drum, his face almost buried in the dirt.
"I am ashamed. The people of Qingxia County are living a difficult life, and they couldn't even afford seeds for this year's spring planting. I have been so worried but unable to come up with a good plan, which is why my body has become increasingly swollen. I have made a fool of myself in front of you, my lord."
Song Qiming snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves expressionlessly, and strode into the county office.
Cold sweat trickling from his temples down to his neck, Jia Demao hurriedly got up and chased after him.
