Bai Huai shui looked around and took a comprehensive look at the Yanran Prefectural Office. "Indeed, Yanran is thriving. This prefectural office is much nicer than elsewhere."

After a while, he blamed Mr. Jiang, who insisted on bringing him here. He raised an eyebrow and casually said, "Mr. Jiang, are you planning to keep me here for a few days? I'm just a commoner, what am I doing here in this prefectural office? You might as well let me go."

Jiang Yu picked up his teacup and took a sip, not even looking at Bai Huai shui. "Once the matter in Yanran is settled, you can go wherever you want."

"I can't cause any trouble alone. Mr. Jiang, you overestimate me," Bai Huai shui said, not satisfied with Jiang Yu's answer. But seeing Jiang Yu's determined look, he took a step back and asked, "How do you plan to settle the matter?"

This Jiang Yu was a thousand-household officer of the Southern and Northern Pacification Bureau, known for his efficient handling of cases for the Emperor. Bai Huai shui stayed in the capital and couldn't avoid hearing about him. But most of the talk was sour; when you stand high, your achievements are praised, but your hardships are selectively ignored.

Jiang Yu was favored by the Emperor, but at the same time, he was ostracized by the high officials in the capital.

Could it be that he couldn't stand the capital anymore? Bai Huai shui joked inwardly, looking at Jiang Yu with a smile.

"Once all the criminals are sent to Yiling, the matter will be settled in a few days," Jiang Yu said.

As a member of the Imperial Guards, they were treated well by the Yanran Prefectural Office, providing them with good food and drink. Being a favorite of the Emperor, Jiang Yu had to keep everyone happy, even if he wasn't willing to act.

Bai Huai shui didn't show any dissatisfaction, though he didn't like it. He took another delicious pastry and enjoyed its taste.

"Yiling? That place is separated from the Hu by reed waters. The Hu have been sensitive these past few years," Bai Huai shui said, glancing at the embroidered spring knife at Jiang Yu's waist, and snorted, "You're practically provoking them openly."

"Naturally, we've considered that," Jiang Yu paused. "But what can we do?"

Bai Huai shui propped up his chin with his folding fan, pondering for a moment, and asked, "Mr. Jiang, do you know about the Black Horse Escort Agency?"

"Yes, it's the number one escort agency in the country, and it's been thriving in recent years."

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"Yanran is a trade hub, and the Hu have close ties with Yanran. Because of this, the Black Horse Escort Agency just opened a branch in Yanran a few months ago. The branch is grand, with carved beams..."

"Are you suggesting we hire the Black Horse Escort Agency for this trip?" Jiang Yu interrupted Bai Huai shui's rambling.

Bai Huai shui, undeterred by the interruption, smoothly transitioned into a serious tone. "The Black Horse Escort Agency has made a lot of money from the Hu and has established many connections. By using the escort agency, both sides can keep the peace."

Jiang Yu glanced at Bai Huai shui. He knew Bai Huai shui had some ability, otherwise, he wouldn't have caused such a stir in the capital and then fled to the remote Yanran City.

"Find a local official from Yanran to negotiate with the Black Horse Escort Agency," Jiang Yu said as he walked to the door and glanced back at Bai Huai shui. Bai Huai shui was leisurely pouring himself another cup of tea. Jiang Yu spoke again, "What? You think of an idea and want to bypass all the trouble?"

Jiang Yu continued expressionlessly, "The Ning family has a servant who stole a lot of gold and silver when he left. If Mr. Ning knows about this..."

He really wouldn't let go of this matter. No wonder he was a thousand-household officer of the Southern and Northern Pacification Bureau.

"Fine," Bai Huai shui lifted his robe and stood up, following Jiang Yu. "You're the boss."

The two walked around the prefectural office and didn't see anyone. They asked someone.

"My master is still attending to the matters that Mr. Jiang instructed yesterday. He left early this morning and hasn't returned yet."

Jiang Yu nodded and glanced at Bai Huai shui. Bai Huai shui was fanning himself, complaining about the scorching sun, paying no attention to their conversation.

Hu Li had been sitting at the tea stall opposite the prefectural office for half a day.

During the bustling day on Changhong Street, the tea stall was full of people resting. He sat at the table directly opposite the office gate, holding a tea cup, occasionally glancing at the prefectural office gate.

When the sun was at its peak, he finally saw the person he was waiting for coming out of the office.

Wearing a silver-threaded embroidered flying fish robe, Hu Li recognized him in the crowd. It was the leader of the Imperial Guards he had seen the other day. Judging by his attire, he was of a higher rank for sure.

This person was not yet thirty, with a slight frown on his brow and a tight-lipped expression. His right hand was resting on the hilt of his waist. He had another person beside him, walking silently in front.

Hu Li was thinking about the identity of the person behind him. With a sudden turn, he recognized the face.

The person accompanying him was none other than his senior brother, Hua Kongque, who had left home a few days ago.

Hua Kongque was truly impressive. He had just returned to Yanran City and already provoked the Imperial Guards.

He suddenly remembered that Bai Huai shui had told him to avoid walking around the prefectural office in the future.

Bai Huai shui squinted at the bright sun and saw Hu Li staring at him from the tea stall. He didn't mind the odd behavior and turned to Jiang Yu, saying, "There's a young man with a long knife sitting over there at the tea stall. See him?"

Jiang Yu couldn't understand Bai Huai shui's strange behavior but glanced over anyway, then nodded.

"He's a Black Horse Escort Agency guard," Bai Huai shui said smoothly, propping up his pole and climbing down. Feeling proud, he added, "So?"

Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow.

Bai Huai shui didn't answer but waved his hand and called out, "Hu Li, come here."

Hu Li finished his tea, paid, and walked over, addressing his senior uncle.

"This is Mr. Jiang from the capital," Bai Huai shui introduced, then turned to Jiang Yu and said, "This is my senior nephew, Hu Li."

Jiang Yu nodded in response and calmly observed Hu Li.

Jiang Yu entered the yamen at the age of sixteen and became a member of the Imperial Guards at twenty-two. He had met countless people, from the poor to the rich, from merchants to officials, and had long developed a pair of sharp, discerning eyes.

The young man's face was handsome but still somewhat youthful, yet his eyes conveyed a calmness beyond his years, like still water, containing all emotions. At the moment, Jiang Yu couldn't discern anything from them. Moreover, despite his young age, he carried a five-foot long knife on his back, with the hilt diagonally inserted, a stark contrast to his youthful face.

"Mr. Jiang," Hu Li spoke, bowing respectfully.

Jiang Yu withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly, asking, "I heard from Bai Huai shui that you have taken a job as a guard at the Black Horse Escort Agency."