Cure the cold-faced general by solving crimes

Chapter 12 Use Beauty

An Wen walked away angrily, and after the laughter, the teahouse gradually returned to calm.

Jiang Xihe's heart was in turmoil.

Anwen said that he could work in the county government after solving the case. Why didn't she believe it?
  Can Pei Zhizhao give Anwen such a promise?

Recalling her several meetings with Pei Zhizhao, the man hardly spoke. Although he had a cold face, he had a convincing power about him.

Jiang Xihe believed in Pei Zhizhao's vision.

Even if he was eager to solve the case, he wouldn't give his hope to an unreliable person like Anwen.

So what do Anwen’s words mean?

An Wen can enter the county government office after solving the case, but what about her?
  If she helps Pei Zhizhao solve the case, will she be able to leave a good impression on him and get some work in the Yamen like before?

Jiang Xihe slapped his thigh, regretting why he didn't think of this earlier.

But it's not too late.

It had only been three days since Meng Fang was killed, and Pei Zhizhao was now at a loss. As long as she devoted herself to finding clues, she was not afraid of losing hope.

Once I help a lot, will I have another chance to make money?
  The more Jiang Xihe thought about it, the happier he became. After pondering for a long time, he went to the wine shop next door, picked up a pot of soju, bought a roast chicken, and ran towards the mouth of Qiaoxi.

Ping'an County is high in the east and low in the west, with the meandering Qingshui River passing by the city. This is also the reason why heavy rains in summer cause waterlogging in Ping'an County.

A tributary of the Qingshui River flows through the west entrance of the city, and a small bridge is located on the bend of the river.

Qiaoxikou is not far from Xicheng Gate. It has beautiful scenery. Over time, it has become the second busiest shopping street in Ping'an County for shopping, sightseeing and eating.

The person Jiang Xihe is looking for is currently leaning under a willow tree at the end of the bridge, wearing a high skull cap, huddled in a bamboo chair, with his head hanging down and his hands leaning on his cheeks, his eyes closed and bored.
  There is a bamboo pole stuck next to the man, and a canvas with black characters on a white background unfolds in the wind, with a message: "To know the secrets of heaven, ask people about things."

Jiang Xihe approached, opened the cork of the wine bottle, and put it directly under the man's nostrils. The rich aroma of wine overflowed, and the man opened his eyes instantly, "Where did you get the Maotai-flavored wine?"

When the man saw clearly that it was Jiang Xihe, the corners of his grin instantly dropped, he closed his eyes again, turned away, and ignored Jiang Xihe.

"What for? Not drinking?" Jiang Xihe asked with a smile.

"Can't afford to drink."

"Please."

"I can't stand it."

"Xu Banxian, you are a grown man, how can you be so petty?"

The man raised his eyes and said, "Why am I so petty? My upcoming marriage was ruined by you, and I'm so petty? Don't come, I can't afford to offend you."

Jiang Xihe smiled and sat down on the interrogation chair next to the man, and explained, "Who knew you were on a blind date that day? You said you were in your forties. You have been telling fortunes and setting up stalls here since the day I met you, and you have never left. Can I not be surprised when I suddenly see you in a restaurant, dressed like a dog?"

The man snorted coldly.

"Besides, you girl from Kuang family, you said you have a house and a shop at home. Let me ask you, where is the shop? Where is the house? Just this three feet of white cloth? That thatched cottage at the ruined temple in the west of the city?"

The man kicked Jiang Xihe hard.

"Old Xu, how are you doing on your own now? Do you have any worries? You have nothing to do, like to have fun, drink, play, go to Sishoufang to play a few tricks, no one cares about you, no one reaches out to you to ask for money, what else do you want? What do you want?"

Xu Delu looked at Jiang Xihe's fair face and clicked his tongue, "How do you think you, a little girl, can live so transparently?"

Jiang Xihe smiled, "You have no one to reason with you, and you can easily go astray. You said that you are married and have a son, so your burden is not heavy? You don't raise children or a family? Can you still drink? Can you still be here? Here’s to the sun.”

Xu Banxian grinned happily.

"Right, think about it, have I rescued you, or have I delayed your fate? Besides, you are spying on the secrets of heaven, and haven't you seen when your marriage will come?"

Xu Delu glanced at Jiang Xihe dissatisfied, "The secrets of heaven cannot be leaked, and the fortune teller cannot ask the sky." Jiang Xihe wanted to roll his eyes and said jokingly, "Actually, I see that that little lady is not suitable for you. In my opinion, you have to find someone who knows you." Zhire, the person who cares about you, what do you think that girl wanted from you that day?"

Xu Banxian pretended to avoid the topic, "Humph, please stop worrying. What kind of wine did you bring me?"

Jiang Xihe handed over the wine bottle, then opened the oil paper bag and placed it on the Gua stall. Xu Delu tore off the chicken thighs with one hand, took a sip of wine, and laughed happily, "With wine and meat, life is enough."

After two sips of wine, Xu Delu wiped his mouth with his oily hand and glanced at Jiang Xihe, "Tell me, what are you doing with me? Is it a marriage?"

Jiang Xihe rolled her eyes at him.

"I've said before that the Li family is not a good match. How about it? Has it come true? Come on, give me your horoscope and let me have a peek at your destiny."

Xu Delu and Jiang Xihe have known each other for many years. Xu Delu wanted to know Jiang Xihe's horoscope in his dreams. Unfortunately, the little girl was strict and never revealed it. Xu Delu was itchy.

Jiang Xihe stretched out his hand and pretended to wrap up the roasted chicken, pretending to leave, "Pull it down, if you want to do this for me, I'd better go home and eat the roasted chicken by myself."

"Hey, don't, don't, don't, I won't say it anymore, but tell the truth to me, Jiang Xihe, is the Li family really going to break off the engagement?" Xu Delu didn't quite believe it, "What do you think?"

"You said you're not a good match, what do I care?" Jiang Xihe sat back again.

"Me?" Xu Delu said for a long time, "I think Li Chengye is not worthy of you."

"I like to hear that." Jiang Xihe smiled brightly and casually sat in front of the Gua stall like this, attracting many people's attention.

Xu Delu sighed, "You little girl talks about not being merciful, but you can go to the hall and the kitchen. Li Chengye is nothing. You are just blind."

Jiang Xihe was happy, "But the Li family hasn't withdrawn from the marriage yet. Do you already know about it?"

Xu Delu shook his head proudly, "Just tell me, is there anything else in Ping'an County that I don't know about?"

"That's why I came to find you." Jiang Xihe smiled slyly.

Xu Delu glared, "I knew you had something to do, and you bought me wine and roasted chicken. You didn't mean well."

"When did I not buy it for you?" Jiang Xihe snatched the wine bottle, looked around, and asked in a low voice, "How much do you know about Meng Fang's case?"

Xu Delu stared at the wine pot eagerly, with a mouthful of roast chicken in his mouth. He took a breath for a long time and said, "What do you want to do? I know you wrote a complaint to Fang Lianqing. That's right. He shouldn't be the murderer."

Jiang Xihe nodded and put the wine back into Xu Delu's hand, "Look, I knew you could do it. Xu Banxian, whether I can enter the Yamen depends on you."

"You want to join the county government?" Xu Delu's glasses widened.

Jiang Xihe's delicate eyebrows knitted together instantly, "Yes, I want to do some work in the yamen to earn some money like before, but the new Mr. Pei seems to be difficult to get close to."

"Use beauty!" Xu Delu said firmly.

Jiang Xihe was about to fight, but Xu Delu hugged the wine bottle tightly and laughed mindlessly, "I want to remind you that the new county magistrate is not an ordinary person. He is different from Old Man Qi. Have you thought about it?"

"What's the point? It's not like you don't know what I'm capable of. I'm just making money. I'll do my best." Jiang Xihe thought that Pei Zhizhao had a cold face all day long, but she only wanted money, so what's that cold face?
  Xu Delu said slowly, "Our new county magistrate is the famous General Pingxi, you know, right? General! He joined the army at the age of eighteen and went out to war at the age of nineteen, galloping on the battlefield. Do you know that the northwest is invaded frequently by foreign races? , I heard that General Pei led 200,000 troops and took five years to conquer the northwest. Now the aliens have surrendered to us, and decades of war on the border have finally ended. He is only twenty-four years old this year."

Xu Delu clicked his tongue with admiration in his eyes.

"You know all this?" Jiang Xihe was shocked.

Xu Delu rolled his eyes at Jiang Xihe, "I don't know anything, can you come to me?"

Jiang Xihe regained his smile and said, "You are right. Let's not talk about Mr. Pei. Let's talk about the case first?"

Xu Delu frowned, "I've been thinking about it for the past two days, why was Meng Fang killed?"

"Tell me everything you know. If we work together, maybe we can find a clue?" Jiang Xihe approached Xu Delu and smiled happily.

(End of this chapter)