Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 175

That night, the shadow guards who hide in the pile of rubble for an entire day finally manage to escape. After observing and investigating the area, they feel deep sympathy for the plight of the captured commoners.

Those people don’t treat the captives as humans at all. From the way they address them to the merciless whips they wield, it is clear they regard these people as no more than livestock. If someone’s strength is lacking, they are beaten; if they move too slowly, they are beaten. It seems they turn every possible reason into an excuse for cruel punishment. Even the shadow guards, who are accustomed to life and death, find it hard to bear such brutal treatment.

The quarry’s entrance is guarded. Due to the narrow terrain, only two guards are enough to secure the area. Since further investigation is impossible, and staying there any longer would be pointless, the shadow guards decide to leave overnight to avoid being exposed at dawn.

They plan to enter the city as soon as the gates open the next morning and report the matter to Pei Che. To make their case more convincing, they bring back a stone sample.

“It seems they must have a hidden agenda to go to such lengths,” Pei Che says while examining the stone they hand over. Though small, the stone feels heavy in his hand and is distinctly different from regular stones. “How many people are over there?” Pei Che asks.

“From where we observed, there are around twenty to thirty people. Among them, two are guards, and the rest are all commoners working in the quarry.”

“Did you check other areas?”

“We searched the entire area. Other than the stones, we found nothing else. However, we noticed that the entrance to the quarry is guarded. While the narrow passage makes it difficult to investigate further, it’s evident that this quarry isn’t the only one at the bottom of the cliffs.” The shadow guards deduce this based on the mountain’s size. They have walked around the base of the mountain for quite some time—there is no reason to believe such a small quarry is the only one.

Pei Che nods in agreement. The disappearances began seven years ago, so it doesn’t make sense for quarrying to have started only this year.

“You mentioned splitting up earlier. What about An San? Have you received any news from his side?”

“Your Lordship, there’s no news yet. The distance between the two groups is too great. We considered sending someone to retrieve them, but the risk of mistakes midway—like alarming the enemy—was too high. So we decide to return first and report to you for your decision.”

This is also the reason why they bring fireworks to signal each other but don’t use them as planned.

Just as they are speaking, someone else enters.

An San, who has been investigating on the other side, also sends someone back to report their findings. The remaining personnel stay behind to supervise and prevent any mishaps.

Based on their report, Pei Che estimates the number of people at that location and decides to personally lead troops to the bottom of the cliff to capture everyone involved.

Although Cangzhou is small, it is well-equipped with manpower. Combining the three divisions and six offices, there are still two to three hundred yamen runners available.

Pei Che gathers his men, summons two officials who usually support him in political affairs, and leads a large contingent that sets out from the city toward the outskirts.

The commoners find it strange to see such a large group heading out of the city, but it isn’t their place to question government matters. Even if they want to talk about it, they find a secluded spot to whisper their speculations.

Halfway to the destination, Pei Che divides the team into two. The larger group continues following him, while the smaller group splits off to approach from another direction, ensuring that if the target attempts to escape, they won’t have a chance to flee.

Heading directly to the destination is far faster than aimlessly searching.

By dusk, both groups have nearly arrived. Pei Che orders a signal to be launched. Upon seeing it, the other group immediately responds. The sight of red fireworks soaring into the sky and exploding catches everyone’s attention. The guards at the bottom of the cliff are puzzled, but they never imagine they have already been surrounded by government forces.

The surprise works in Pei Che’s favor. When he gives the order to attack, the guards are caught off guard. In less than a quarter of an hour, they are subdued and captured.

The once-arrogant guards are now tied up hand and foot, thrown aside like sick hens.

The commoners, who were previously oppressed, huddle in the corners voluntarily, even though no one ties them up. They are too scared to move or make any demands.

“Next, those whose names are called, step forward. Zhang San… Li Si…”

With each name called, people step out one after another.

Pei Che sits to the side, holding another list in his hand. For those who respond to their names, he lets them be. For those whose names are called but no one responds, he sighs and circles the names.

“…Zhang Da!”

“I’m here!” As soon as the name is called, a man steps out from the crowd. Compared to the others, he looks visibly more composed. Despite enduring so much suffering, his eyes remain calm and steady.

Pei Che looks at him and motions for someone to bring him forward.

“Zhang Da, are you a resident of Tuyan Village?” Pei Che asks. He fears this Zhang Da might not be the one they are looking for, and giving someone false hope only to take it away would be far too cruel.

Zhang Da doesn’t know why this official is so interested in him, but he answers truthfully, “Yes, sir, I am from Tuyan Village.”

“Is Zhang Quan your child?”

Zhang Da’s expression changes immediately. He shouts with excitement, “Zhang Quan is my child, sir! What happened to Quan’er?!”

Pei Che replies, “Don’t panic. Zhang Quan is fine. You will see him once you return. I simply wanted to see what kind of man could inspire such unwavering belief from his child—one who has been missing for three years, yet his child remains convinced he is still alive.”

Zhang Da is stunned for a moment before laughing heartily. “I suppose I’m just an ordinary man. Quan’er has just always been stubborn since he was little. Once he makes up his mind, he won’t change it easily.”

Pei Che can’t help but admire him. Despite the scars covering his body, his thin and frail frame, and all he has endured, Zhang Da’s smile is free of any bitterness. It is clear he is a man of unwavering resolve—no wonder Zhang Quan has such faith in him.

After a while, the names on the list are all called. This list contains the names of people who have gone missing in Cangzhou over the past seven years. Barely half of them are still alive, and most have already succumbed to the torment and perished at the bottom of the cliff.

“Take them aside to rest. Later, we’ll return to the Cangzhou government office to ask a few questions and close these cases,” Pei Che instructs.

Once they are led away, Pei Che orders the others who are not on the list to be brought forward. This group clearly makes up the majority of the quarry workers. They look panicked, uncertain of what the official plans to do with them.

“State your names and places of origin one by one. I will have my men verify each one. If anyone dares to lie, there will be severe punishment. Do you understand?” Pei Che’s authoritative gaze sweeps over the group, making them tremble with fear before he withdraws it. Unlike the captured commoners from earlier, these people have unclear backgrounds. If he isn’t stern with them, some might try to fabricate their stories.