Bianjing was far more prosperous than places like Dingyuan and Shouzhou.
On the Bian River, countless large ships sailed in and out. The small boats of the Transport Office darted back and forth near the docks like white fish in the river.
The docks were exceptionally lively.
“Hei-yo— Hei-yo— Hei-yo...”
“Put your back into it— Hei-yo—”
“Ropes on the shoulder, ye-me-hei-yo—”
The trackers shouted their boat chants loudly. Their bare torsos were covered in sweat, and their shoulders bore layers of thick, aged calluses built up year after year.
Porters shouldered heavy bags and leaped onto ships, shouting loud warnings to the passing merchants and travelers:
“Make way! Make way!”
“Step aside! Out of the way!”
There were also those seeing off or welcoming friends and family. They stood at the docks, lingering in reluctant farewell, their faces etched with an indescribable melancholy.
As for the young women carrying shoulder poles to sell perilla water, the sturdy men squatting by the walls gnawing on pancakes while waiting for work, the wealthy families of officials leaving their ships for sedans, and the crew members carrying cargo back and forth—together, they formed a vivid and complete portrait of the Bian River docks.
There were four canals within the city of Bianjing: the Huimin, Jinshui, Wuzhang, and Bianshui. However, only the Bianshui Canal spanned the entire city, connecting the Yellow River above and the rivers and lakes below. All foreign ships entering Bianjing did so through this route.
Thus, as dawn broke, countless vessels were already waiting on the river to enter the city.
Ships of all sizes were lined up in two rows, bobbing on the water. From a distance, they looked like a long dragon of wood and sail, coiled menacingly atop the green waters.
This was the entrance to Bianjing. Once they entered the Bianshui Canal, they would still have to travel forward for a while before truly being inside the city.
...
“Thump, thump, thump, thump...”
A minor official responsible for ship registration ran with a hunched back, repeatedly wiping the sweat from his face before reaching his superior. He whispered a few words into his ear:
“...From Shouzhou... a major case... Demon Suppression Division... traffickers...”
The superior, who was currently registering the incoming and outgoing ships, immediately changed his expression upon hearing this. He confirmed several times:
“Is this truly the case? Have you made the details clear?”
“In a matter this significant, I have naturally clarified everything.”
The minor official caught his breath and nodded.
“The boat owner sent his crew ahead in a small boat to report. Fearing the news might be incorrect, I personally sent men to the ship to check.
There are twenty abducted civilians in total: six able-bodied men, seven women, and seven young children. They are all currently on that ship.
As for the token of that demon suppressor, I have also carefully inspected it. It is indeed a genuine arrest token.”
“A case involving more than twenty civilians... this is indeed a staggering affair!”
The official from the Transport Office slapped his thigh in anxiety.
“Quickly, send someone to inform the Kaifeng Prefecture. Tell them to dispatch men immediately. Furthermore, have our brothers guard this ship. Until the people from the Kaifeng Prefecture arrive, no one on that ship is allowed to leave!
Not just the people—if even a bird flies out, I’ll hold you responsible!”
The minor official was about to leave when he suddenly hesitated and reminded him:
“My Lord, should we perhaps inform the people from the Demon Suppression Division?”
The fact that the Demon Suppression Division and the Kaifeng Prefecture did not get along was something every official in Bianjing, high and low, knew in their hearts.
Bao Zheng, the Prefect of Kaifeng, governed all metropolitan jurisdiction matters within the capital. All litigation and criminal cases in the central capital were handled by the Kaifeng Prefecture. The Emperor had even specially granted Bao Zheng the authority to decide small cases independently and report major matters to the throne.
In theory, this meant that even cases occurring within the Imperial Palace should be handled by the Kaifeng Prefecture.
However, in recent years, strange occurrences had plagued the capital. First, there was the Hat Demon incident, and later, the celestial secret of the Civet Cat for Crown Prince mystery. The Demon Suppression Division constantly patrolled the capital under the Emperor’s orders to handle supernatural and demonic affairs.
As time passed, because their authorities were similar and their jurisdictions often overlapped, friction and discord were inevitable.
Sometimes, it even reached the point where a single criminal would lead to the farcical scene of both agencies competing to make the arrest.
This was especially true for Lord Xu Zi, a second-class arrest officer of the Demon Suppression Division, and Lord Zhan Zhao, a fourth-rank imperial guard of the Kaifeng Prefecture. Whenever those two met, they were at each other's throats like bitter rivals, neither willing to yield an inch.
Over time, the subordinate officials of these two departments also harbored a competitive spirit. They were like fire and water, and when they crossed paths, they often wished for nothing more than a chance to trade blows.
At his subordinate’s reminder, the Transport Office official broke into a cold sweat.
Good heavens, I almost forgot about that!
Although kidnapping cases should technically fall under the jurisdiction of the Kaifeng Prefecture, the culprit here was an evil Taoist, and the person who made the arrest was from the Demon Suppression Division.
If he only called the people from the Kaifeng Prefecture, there would surely be a great deal of trouble later.
But he couldn't afford to offend either side!
“How about this: you go to the Kaifeng Prefecture to report, and you go to the Demon Suppression Division to inform them.”
The official hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his face, speaking with great gravity.
“No, no, that’s not right. It’s safer to notify both sides simultaneously. You, come here!”
The Transport Office official gestured to another minor official, sending the two of them to report separately. He then ordered his subordinates to escort the ship to a mooring point and wait for both parties to arrive.
Even after doing all this, he still felt uneasy. He straightened his official hat and led his men onto a small boat, heading toward the cargo ship.
Before the others arrived, he absolutely had to keep a close eye on this hot potato of a ship!
...
Kaifeng Prefecture.
The prefecture sat near the East Lake. The main hall, the council chamber, and the Plum Blossom Hall were situated within, supported by the Tiansheng Monastery, the Mingli Courtyard, the Qingxin Tower, and the Yingwu Tower. It was a magnificent and imposing complex, radiating immense majesty.
In front of the vermilion main gates stood a large copper gong and a drum. The drum was set upon a sandalwood base with gold-lacquered edges, and a large black mallet stood beside it.
This was the Drum of Grievances of the Kaifeng Prefecture.
Before the gates, two stone lions sat on either side, one male and one female. They were majestic and awe-inspiring, their eyes seeming to flash with divine light and a murderous aura that deterred any wandering ghosts or evil spirits from approaching.
“Hei! Ha! Hei-ha!”
“Hei! Ha!”
“Hei! Ha!”
In front of the Yingwu Tower, over a dozen bare-chested martial artists were practicing. Every punch and palm strike, every move and stance, was performed with the force of a howling wind.
Nearby stood a man of tall stature, six feet in height with broad shoulders and a wide chest. He was dressed in a crimson official uniform. Whether walking or standing, he moved with the grace of a tiger or a leopard, clearly a master of martial arts.
Someone hurried in from outside and clasped their hands in a respectful salute toward the man:
“Lord Zhan! Someone has reported from the Bian River docks. They say they’ve caught the culprit of the Shouzhou kidnapping case!
The abducted victims are also on the ship entering the capital and are currently safe. The people from the Transport Office are asking us to head over and take charge!”
“Lord Bao has just entered the palace; he likely hasn't received the news yet.”
The man addressed as Lord Zhan reached out to grip his sword, his voice deep and steady.
“But time is of the essence. Everyone, prepare yourselves immediately and come with me.”
He had a high-bridged nose and deep-set eyes, with sharp brows that swept toward his temples. He was peerlessly handsome, and his eyes were filled with an upright, righteous aura, resembling a wild leopard brimming with primal beauty.
This person was none other than the current fourth-rank imperial guard and an officer of the Kaifeng Prefecture, the Southern Hero, Zhan Zhao.
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