The bully, already shouldering his pack and preparing to leave through the main gate, turned and ran back upon seeing the soldiers outside.
"The patrol battalion is here, take the back door!"
One of the bullies shouted, alerting his companions to abandon the main gate and look for a back or side entrance.
Upon hearing that the patrol battalion soldiers had arrived, the Hao family womenfolk felt as if they had heard heavenly music. A servant woman immediately cried out for help and to catch the thieves.
The other women, as if waking from a dream and feeling that saviors had arrived, all shouted without regard for their composure.
Even the household guards and retainers who had been beaten and could not get up cried out louder in their pained groans.
Xie Jiang stood up, checked the progress, and instructed Da Chui and the others, "Keep dismantling."
They had to dismantle at least two courtyards to make this trip worthwhile.
After speaking, Xie Jiang walked out.
The first wave of patrol battalion soldiers to arrive was blocked outside by Nie Tong.
The commotion within the Hao family mansion could be heard two streets away, and the surrounding residences sent servants to inquire about the situation.
The fellow who claimed to be a subordinate of the Marquis of the South Sea was very troublesome, and his ability to lie with a straight face was astounding.
The patrol battalion soldiers personally witnessed several sneaky thieves, carrying their loot packed in tablecloths, running towards the entrance to escape. Upon discovering their patrol, they immediately retreated inside.
However, this subordinate of the Marquis of the South Sea insisted that his Marquis was visiting relatives today, and the Hao family was joyfully hosting a banquet. He claimed that the patrol battalion entering at this time would frighten the Hao family women.
Did the Hao family women need the patrol battalion to frighten them? Their desperate cries for help could be heard clearly through the high walls!
Heaven knew what kind of horrific events were unfolding inside!
Had there ever been such a way of visiting relatives since the beginning of time? Or did these few of them look particularly foolish?
The squad leader solemnly stated that it was their duty and that they had to go in and see for themselves whether it was a visit to relatives and a banquet.
Just then, Xie Jiang emerged.
The squad leader quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists in greeting. Although he inexplicably felt a great deal of pressure facing Xie Jiang, he still dutifully spoke.
"We heard that thieves have entered the Hao residence and are engaged in large-scale looting. Is it true that the Marquis of the South Sea is here?"
Xie Jiang stood on the steps, looking down at the six patrol battalion soldiers. "You say I am a thief?"
The squad leader quickly lowered his head and claimed he dared not. He inadvertently caught a glimpse of the faint smile on Xie Jiang's face, and felt a wave of dizziness.
The squad leader steadied himself and said, "Someone saw many thieves enter the Hao family residence. It is said that before we arrived, some had already grabbed property and fled. The womenfolk of the Hao family seem to be crying for help. We hope the Marquis of the South Sea will not obstruct us."
Xie Jiang said, "Three days ago, Hao Wei, with a group of people, broke into my residence with weapons, intending to kill me out of anger. Have you heard of this?"
The squad leader was silent for a moment. "...I have heard some of it."
He knew from the beginning that the Marquis of the South Sea, Xie Jiang, was not here with good intentions at the Hao residence today.
As soon as Xie Jiang spoke, the squad leader was certain that Xie Jiang was involved in everything happening at the Hao residence.
To put it plainly, Xie Jiang was here for revenge.
"Therefore, today the Hao family's blessings have arrived. All right and wrong, cause and effect, are all the cycle of heaven's will. Forcibly interfering will incur divine punishment," Xie Jiang threatened openly.
The squad leader was extremely troubled. "This..."
He couldn't even bring himself to persuade the Marquis of the South Sea to pull back from the brink. Originally, the Marquis of the South Sea had intended to resolve the matter through proper channels, but as soon as the Marquis of the South Sea sent Hao Wei to the Shun Tian Prefecture yamen, the Hao family rushed to the yamen and took Hao Wei back.
The Hao family's actions were indeed rather ungracious, and it was understandable for the Marquis of the South Sea to be displeased.
However, the Marquis of the South Sea's methods of retaliation after being provoked were a bit too ruthless.
Loud crashing sounds continued from within the Hao residence, and dust rose into the air, visible from a distance.
The squad leader's brows furrowed into a wave. He wondered where the Marquis of the South Sea had found such a group of bandits. Looting property was one thing, but judging by the sounds, they were even taking the Hao family's houses with them?
"You don't need to be conflicted or troubled. This matter is not something you can manage. No matter how diligently you work, do you really think you can step over me?"
Xie Jiang sat down on the steps in front of the Hao residence gate, making it clear that he would not allow the patrol battalion soldiers to enter.
"If you are worried about being held accountable, then I will have someone knock you out and put you aside. That way, you can be considered to have fulfilled your duty."
The six patrol battalion soldiers looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
Stepping over the Marquis of the South Sea, not to mention whether they had the courage, was simply not a viable option.
Seven dissolute youths sat in a row beside the Marquis of the South Sea, all of them wearing ill-intentioned expressions.
If they wanted to enter the Hao residence gate to rescue people, they would have to step over the Marquis of the South Sea, and then step over these dissolute youths.
The squad leader, lacking confidence, tried to persuade them a few more times. Xie Jiang simply looked at him and smiled calmly, so calmly that the squad leader almost bit off his tongue.
"Please, Marquis of the South Sea, show mercy. If a life is accidentally taken, it may be difficult to resolve the aftermath..."
"Enough, save your energy. Otherwise, if we really knock you out, and Xie Jiang treats you courteously, don't be ungrateful!" Ruan Ziji's impatience was evident. Why try to curry favor with Xie Jiang?
The squad leader knew that Young Marquis Ruan was a ruthless killer, and he dared not say any more. He could only secretly place his hopes on Marquis Yongxin arriving soon.
The patrol battalion was under the command of Marquis Yongxin.
More patrol battalion soldiers arrived one after another, but Xie Jiang, with a group of second-generation nobles, sat at the entrance of the Hao residence, and the patrol battalion soldiers did not dare to confront them head-on.
The sun rose higher and higher.
The cries of the womenfolk within the high walls gradually became hoarse.
The Hao family matriarch, having waited in vain for a savior, was helped out. She saw dozens of patrol battalion soldiers standing below the steps, confronting Xie Jiang and his group, yet daring not to do anything to Xie Jiang.
The Hao family matriarch was furious!
She pointed at the patrol battalion soldiers, scolding them for their inaction, and demanded that Xie Jiang be arrested and thrown into prison!
She also wove a basketful of charges against Xie Jiang, almost accusing him of annihilating the Hao family.
The squad leader who arrived first said, "According to the Marquis of the South Sea, they have not harmed innocent people, only had the houses dismantled."
With Hao Wei's attempted assassination beforehand, and the Marquis of the South Sea not harming anyone, only dismantling the Hao family's houses, it wasn't considered too excessive.
As for the thieves who took advantage of the chaos to loot, anyone with eyes could see what was going on.
But the Marquis of the South Sea did not admit to it, and to pin the blame on him, evidence was needed.
It wasn't that they were siding with the Marquis of the South Sea, but they felt that retribution was inevitable.
If they had known this would happen, why didn't they stop Hao Wei from causing trouble at the Xie residence back then?
The sound of horseshoes echoed from the end of the street.
The Hao family matriarch's angry curses abruptly stopped, and everyone's gaze turned towards the end of the street.
A group of people on horseback was seen galloping towards the Hao residence.