Magistrate Cheng was startled by Jiang Wan's words.
"Wan Wan, what did you say? Refugees have infiltrated the city?"
Jiang Wan nodded. "The reason those civilians came to sit-in today and cause trouble at Magistrate Cheng's manor was the result of refugees inciting them amidst the crowd."
Magistrate Cheng immediately took it seriously. "Do you have any other clues?"
Jiang Wan said, "Yes, I've already figured out where they are hiding. However, I suggest Uncle Cheng not alert them for now and see what exactly they intend to do. They must have infiltrated the city for more than just simple incitement of the populace; there should be a larger conspiracy."
Magistrate Cheng agreed. "Wan Wan, you've done very well. This matter is of great importance. I will immediately discuss countermeasures with your father and the others. We will definitely uncover the truth about these people."
Jiang Wan said, "Uncle Cheng, if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Magistrate Cheng was now very impressed with Jiang Wan's abilities. A six-year-old girl dared to face so many people and successfully persuaded them to disperse. Such capability was something even some adults might not possess.
"Alright, when I need you, Uncle will find you."
Jiang Wan nodded and took her leave from the yamen.
She had only walked a few steps when she saw Gu Chenzhou standing ahead, seemingly waiting for her.
Jiang Wan smiled and walked up, as usual, reaching out to tug his sleeve. Energy surged instantly.
"Little brother, did you need me for something?"
Gu Chenzhou glanced at his sleeve, then turned his eyes away. "I heard some civilians went to Magistrate Cheng's manor to cause trouble. When I went over, those people had already dispersed. Little girl, you're quite brave."
Jiang Wan chuckled. "I guess so. Dealing with these brainless people isn't that difficult."
Gu Chenzhou pursed his lips. "Don't be too careless. Those who stir up trouble are not good people."
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow. "Little brother, you noticed them too?"
Gu Chenzhou looked at her. "You too..."
Jiang Wan nodded. "I've found some clues and just came to inform Uncle Cheng. Tell me, what have you found out?"
Gu Chenzhou led her to a corner and whispered, "There are fifteen of them in total. They swam into the city through the river. Their plan is to create chaos in the city and force Magistrate Cheng to open the city gates. Today's chaos is just the beginning; there will be more trouble to come."
The south was abundant in water, and a large river flowed through Yaoxian City. Coupled with the terrain, swimming in from upstream would take at least several minutes, which was impossible for ordinary people. Moreover, there were mechanisms at the points where the river entered and exited the city. Once activated, ships could not pass. For so many years, it had been very safe, so Magistrate Cheng had only assigned guards to patrol the vicinity.
Who would have thought these refugees would be so audacious! Furthermore, after entering the city, these fifteen people scattered and hid, with some even blending into the local populace.
Jiang Wan's brows furrowed tightly. "Do you know who those fifteen people are?"
Gu Chenzhou shook his head. "My master and I have only seen three of them. The number of others was deduced from their conversations."
"This is troublesome."
Jiang Wan hadn't expected this matter to be so difficult. However, no matter how difficult, she had to help Magistrate Cheng apprehend these people. After all, their family had finally settled down in Yaoxian, and they would never give up easily!
So she looked at Gu Chenzhou. "Little brother, can you and your master now move freely in the official government?" Although Gu Chenzhou and his master had stayed at Magistrate Cheng's manor for a day before, Magistrate Cheng had not met them. Therefore, for the sake of caution, Jiang Wan wanted to clarify this issue first.
Gu Chenzhou nodded. "Yes."
"Then come with me to find Uncle Cheng. This matter was discovered by you and Uncle Yan, so Uncle Cheng should at least acknowledge your contribution."
Gu Chenzhou thought to himself that acknowledgment of contribution was enough; they didn't care about that. But Jiang Wan didn't give him a chance to speak and pulled him into the yamen.
Magistrate Cheng saw her return, bringing a remarkably handsome young man with her, and asked, "Wan Wan, who is this?"
Jiang Wan got straight to the point. "Uncle Cheng, this is Brother Gu who escorted us to Huainan Prefecture some time ago. He and his master have discovered some very serious issues in the county, and I specifically brought him to report to you."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Cheng immediately took it seriously. "Young hero, please elaborate on the situation."
Gu Chenzhou then carefully explained the matter of the refugees to him. The more he spoke, the tighter Magistrate Cheng's brows furrowed. These refugees who had infiltrated the city were not easy to deal with.
"Young hero, could you please ask your master to come over? I believe I will need your master and disciple's help." The county yamen had only a few people, and the city guards numbered just over a hundred. What if the infiltrated refugees were far more than fifteen? Therefore, he urgently needed capable helpers.
Gu Chenzhou thought for a moment. "I'll go back and inform Master now."
Yan Li arrived quickly and was very proactive. As soon as he reached the yamen, he began discussing the matter with Magistrate Cheng and others. As a martial artist, he was experienced and knowledgeable, and in these matters, he had far more methods than civil officials like Magistrate Cheng. Thus, before long, Magistrate Cheng and the others were led by his thinking.
Jiang Wan watched for a while, then smiled. She could roughly guess why this master and disciple were so enthusiastic. They wanted to use this opportunity to establish themselves in Yaoxian, so they could then move freely and openly within Yaoxian.
Seeing her eyes flicker, Gu Chenzhou asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Wan smiled at him and reached out to grab his sleeve again. "Nothing."
Gu Chenzhou couldn't help but ask, "Why do you always like to grab my sleeve?" Since they met, whenever she had free time, she would hold onto his sleeve.
Jiang Wan squinted and smiled. "Little brother, if I told you that your sleeve possesses a very magical power and I can't control myself, would you believe me?"
Gu Chenzhou looked at his sleeve, then at her, and turned his head away. Jiang Wan's eyes twinkled with amusement. What she said was the truth, but he didn't believe it.
Due to the information brought by Yan Li and his disciple, Magistrate Cheng and his team began to plan meticulously. With insufficient manpower, they had to accurately ascertain the exact number of people who had infiltrated the city, including where they were hiding, and then resolve them silently. In short, the city must not be in chaos, or the consequences would be unimaginable. However, this was easier said than done. The city currently had about forty thousand residents. Searching secretly among these forty thousand people, and doing so at the fastest pace without alerting them, was even more difficult.
Seeing them all looking so worried they were about to pull their hair out, Jiang Wan quietly went to a corner and summoned her helpful assistant.