In the afternoon.
There were no patients at the Baicao Hall, and Doctor Bai was resting in the back hall.
Qin Wang and Bai Fenghuan were sorting herbs in the back hall when Qin Wang noticed a peddler carrying a straw target with some candied haws inserted into it. He immediately went out to buy two skewers of candied haws.
"Did you hear? Old Li was supposed to be buried today, but there was a fire last night, and his wife and son were involved. So now, they'll be buried together tomorrow. Chief Catcher Zheng announced that anyone in the market can go to the banquet as long as they burn incense."
"Anyone in the market can go?"
"Yes, Old Li's brother-in-law said so."
"Then I must go tomorrow! Who wouldn't go for free food?"
Hearing the conversation between the peddlers, Qin Wang's heart stirred. "A banquet?"
Qin Wang felt that this banquet was worth attending.
He could scout out the 850 taels of silver, gather more useful information from the crowd, and enjoy the irony of eating at Old Li's banquet after being responsible for his demise.
"Old Li, you didn't expect this, did you? I killed you and now I get to eat at your banquet!"
Qin Wang looked towards the direction of Li Family Manor, feeling very satisfied.
He took out a few copper coins, bought two skewers of candied haws, and handed one to Bai Fenghuan.
"Wow, big brother, candied haws? For me?"
Seeing the candied haws, Bai Fenghuan's beautiful eyes lit up with joy, and she jumped with excitement.
"Yes, today's batch looks well-made, so I bought you some."
Qin Wang nodded.
Recently, Bai Fenghuan noticed that he was too thin and had been making an extra dish for him every day. Repaying her with a candied haw was only fair.
"Thank you, brother!"
"One for each of us!"
Bai Fenghuan's eyes sparkled as she handed one skewer to Qin Wang and then started to nibble on hers.
"By order of Chief Catcher Zheng, we are here to take away the suspect in the Li Family Manor arson case. Is Qin Wang here?"
At this moment, a cold voice rang out from the front hall of Baicao Hall.
"Big brother, the county's catchers are looking for you?"
Bai Fenghuan looked at Qin Wang, puzzled, as she also sensed the unfriendly tone.
"Let's go see."
Various thoughts flashed through Qin Wang's mind. The intelligence report from early morning indicated that Zheng Kecheng would thoroughly investigate the arsonist, and he would be one of the suspects. It seemed Zheng Kecheng had already started the investigation.
Qin Wang knew well that in these times, people could be easily framed and tortured into confessing crimes they didn't commit.
Not going was not an option.
He had to handle this cautiously!
"Sir, I am Qin Wang. May I ask what this is about?"
Qin Wang walked to the front hall and saw a medium-sized, powerful man in black with a long knife at his waist, standing in the middle of the hall. His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the room.
"You are Qin Wang?"
The middle-aged catcher looked at Qin Wang and said indifferently, "I am Catcher Lin Bao from the county office. According to our investigation, there is evidence that you are involved in the Li Family Manor arson case. Come with me!"
"Sir, I am Qin Wang, but I didn't go anywhere yesterday! How could this be?"
Qin Wang frowned deeply.
"Officer, what evidence do you have to implicate my brother in the Li Family Manor arson case?"
Bai Fenghuan, holding her candied haw, questioned from behind Qin Wang.
"There were three points of ignition in the Li Family Manor last night, indicating arson. Chief Catcher Zheng ordered us to take in everyone who had disputes with Old Li for questioning! Your family's three tiled houses and three mu of land were taken by Old Li to repay a debt, making you a prime suspect. Come with me to the Li Family Manor for questioning!"
"Unless you want to suffer!"
Catcher Lin Bao rested his hand on his knife handle, his tone leaving no room for argument, acting strictly on orders.
"Just because my family's land and houses were taken to repay a debt, I am suspected of arson?"
Qin Wang laughed in anger. Zheng Kecheng was truly a tyrant!
"This is too domineering!"
"Sir, I have some influence here. I'll accompany him as a guarantor. I can assure you that young Qin would never do such a thing!"
At this moment, an old voice came from behind Qin Wang.
Qin Wang turned around.
He saw Doctor Bai wrapped in a cotton jacket, standing at the back hall door.
"Grandpa Bai!"
Qin Wang looked at Bai Mingliang, not expecting him to step up for him.
"I'll go to the Li Family Manor with you. It's no trouble."
Bai Mingliang waved his hand and said.
At the Li Family Manor.
In a large hall, Zheng Kecheng sat with a grim expression, surrounded by five black-clad catchers.
In the hall, over a dozen haggard men in patched clothes stood.
"Chief Catcher, suspect Qin Wang has been brought in!"
At this moment, Catcher Lin Bao walked in and bowed to Zheng Kecheng.
"Bring him in!"
Zheng Kecheng's face darkened as he spoke.
"Qin Wang, come in!"
Lin Bao called out.
Shortly after, a slender, blue-clad young man walked in, followed by an elderly man with graying hair.
"Eh? Doctor Bai? Why are you here?"
Seeing Qin Wang and the elderly man behind him, Zheng Kecheng was surprised. He remembered this young man as the one who carried the medicine chest when he invited Doctor Bai during his brother-in-law's critical illness.
That young man was the suspect Qin Wang?
"Chief Catcher Zheng, young Qin is my disciple. Although his family's land and houses were taken by Old Li, repaying debts is natural and understandable. On the night of the Li Family Manor fire, young Qin was helping me sort herbs at Baicao Hall and slept there. It's impossible for him to have been at the manor setting fires."
"I can vouch for him."
Bai Mingliang bowed to Zheng Kecheng as he spoke.
"Doctor Bai is highly respected. With your guarantee, there's no issue!"
Zheng Kecheng pondered for a moment, then bowed to Bai Mingliang. "Someone set fire to the manor last night, killing my brother's entire family. In my haste to find the culprit, I may have disturbed you. Please forgive me!"
"No problem, I understand!"
Bai Mingliang nodded and bowed again.
"Lin Bao, escort Doctor Bai out!"
Zheng Kecheng instructed Lin Bao.
"Yes, Chief Catcher!"
Lin Bao made a 'please' gesture towards Bai Mingliang and Qin Wang. Bai Mingliang slightly bowed to Zheng Kecheng and led Qin Wang out of the manor.
"Thank you, Grandpa Bai!"
Qin Wang followed Bai Mingliang, sincerely grateful.
He hadn't actually slept at Baicao Hall last night, but Doctor Bai covered for him. He was truly a good person.
"Don't mention it. You're a good kid."
"Since you're part of my hall, I couldn't let you suffer injustice, even if I have to stake my reputation!"
Bai Mingliang looked at Qin Wang with approval.
"I must increase my strength!"
"Without strength, I'll always be at the mercy of others!"
Qin Wang said nothing more, but vowed to train hard and become strong—strong enough that others wouldn't dare provoke him!
If he were powerful enough,
Would Zheng Kecheng dare be so tyrannical?
Would he dare arrest someone based solely on suspicion?
"Zheng Kecheng, once I'm strong enough, I'll take you down!"
Qin Wang's fists clenched tighter in his sleeves.