The mystery grows ever more complex as the Prefect arrives in Yuncheng.

Song Jiang sat up in bed, lit a kerosene lamp, and took out paper and pen!

First, I wrote down Lai Wu's name, then Chen Lei's and Wu Qianhu's names, and after thinking for a moment, I also wrote down the gatekeeper of Chai Village! This is all the people I have grudges against right now!

An assassination is unlikely to happen without a reason, so it must have been one of these four people!

First, the gatekeeper of Chai Village was ruled out, because even if he knew my name, he wouldn't risk his life for something so trivial!

Moreover, these assassins were far beyond the reach of a mere gatekeeper like him. They had clearly been lying in wait for him for a long time. Could a gatekeeper like him have meticulously planned everything? Or perhaps he had found the assassins, and they had already set everything up for him to fall into their trap?

There are just too many chances involved, so there's absolutely no way it could be this person!

He crossed out Lai Wu's and Chen Lei's names. Chen Lei was just a bandit, and besides, he was already dead. Even if he wasn't dead, he'd probably be hiding somewhere like a turtle, not bothering him. He didn't have the guts!

Lai Wu is already dead, and he acted discreetly, leaving no loose ends, so it's unlikely he would do so. As for Huang An? If he really knew he had killed Lai Wu, he'd probably be overjoyed, and wouldn't bother hiring an assassin to kill him.

That can only be Commander Wu!

Although Wu Qianhu and Yun Lishou are both dead, the person behind them has not yet come to light!

This person must be someone of great importance, most likely someone in the imperial court, and someone with high rank and power, not just an ordinary minister!

Who could it be? Cai Jing? Cai Bian? Tong Guan? Yang Jian? There are quite a few such people if you compare them, and Song Jiang really had no clue, and he couldn't be sure it was someone from the imperial court!

Song Jiang wrote down the words "Western Xia people." Were these people Western Xia people? Song Jiang still had doubts when he thought about it!

Indeed, most people don't recognize the distinctive tattoos of the Western Xia, but what if the assassin knew Yang Zhi was by his side? Would he deliberately make it for him to confirm that the assassin was a Western Xia person?

If Song Jiang were to assassinate someone, the assassin would not leave anything to prove their identity, including tattoos!

Judging from their seamless teamwork and ruthless actions, these people are clearly seasoned assassins who have been in the business for a long time. As veteran assassins, they would naturally not reveal any flaws.

So obviously, this tattoo, which appears to be just an ordinary tattoo on one of the assassins' bodies (the others don't have any tattoos at all), was actually a deliberate attempt to get Yang Zhi to tell Song Jiang that it was done by the Western Xia people!

Sometimes, the more nonchalant you seem, the more likely the truth is right in front of you!

At this time, the Western Xia was still fighting a major battle with Tong Guan, but its defeat was already evident, and the Song Dynasty's victory was only a matter of time!

Tong Guan was subsequently known as Commander Tong, which greatly enhanced his prestige among the people!

The Western Xia would obviously not do something so trivial. If it were truly the Western Xia people who instigated the theft, they would only anger the court and make things even worse for him!

Who could it be? Song Jiang tapped the table, deep in thought!

The Western Xia people offered him a clue: this matter might indeed be related to ethnic minorities, but he couldn't determine which minority group it was—the Khitan? The Jurchen? Or the Tibetans? After all, he wasn't a god and couldn't be sure. However, after calmly thinking things through, some of his doubts were resolved!

It's an undeniable fact that I'm being watched. From now on, I need to be extra careful in everything I do. If I can stay in Liangshan, I should stay there as much as possible and not wander around. Otherwise, something bad might really happen. There is hope as long as I'm alive. If I die, everything is meaningless!

Lying in bed, Song Jiang calmed down considerably, and his resolve strengthened!

The next morning, Song Jiang returned to Yuncheng County with Wu Song and Yang Zhi, while Gongsun Sheng stayed in Song Family Village. With Gongsun Sheng there, Song Jiang felt much more confident!

Walking on the long-missed streets and watching the bustling market, Song Jiang felt much more relaxed!

The last time I left Yuncheng, the desolation of the streets was a stark contrast to its current prosperity!

Inside the county government office, Shi Wenbin was overjoyed to hear that Song Jiang had returned. Before Song Jiang even entered the door, he saw Shi Wenbin already standing there to greet him.

If we're talking about who deserves the most credit this time, it has to be Song Jiang. He actually managed to find the stolen imperial treasures, a feat that no one else can match!

A few days ago, after Zhu Tong returned to the county government office, Shi Wenbin found it strange that only Zhu Tong had returned!

When Zhu Tong took out the luminous pearl, Shi Wenbin was stunned. It only took him a few seconds to go from surprise to delight!

He then exclaimed happily, "I knew you would find the imperial treasure!"

Zhu Tong bowed and said, "We were able to retrieve the imperial treasure entirely thanks to Clerk Song!"

Shi Wenbin asked in confusion, "Where's Gongming? Why didn't he come back with you?"

Zhu Tong replied, "Sir Song wants to investigate the person behind this, so he sent me back to report to the magistrate. Please rest assured, sir!"

Shi Wenbin said anxiously, "How can his safety be guaranteed when he's out there alone?"

Zhu Tong laughed and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Clerk Song encountered several people along the way, and their skills were even better than mine!"

Shi Wenbin was finally relieved!

On that day, Shi Wenbin sent two people to Jeju Prefecture to inform them that Zhu Tong had found the treasure. However, Zhu Tong only brought back one item, which he also reported truthfully, so that Shi Wenbin could rest assured for now!

A few days later, the two returned and informed Shi Wenbin that the prefect of Jizhou was very happy to have found the treasure. He said that after Song Jiang returned, he would personally go to Yuncheng!

Lei Heng was injured while saving people, leaving Zhu Tong alone in Yuncheng. To prevent the luminous pearl from being lost again, Zhu Tong moved into the Yuncheng County Government Office and stayed by its side. There were also four soldiers guarding the gate, so he believed that it would be difficult to lose it this time!

Seeing that he was there to greet Shi Wenbin, Song Jiang stepped forward and quickly said with a smile, "Gongming, I have not failed you! The item has been found."

Shi Wenbin stepped forward, grasped Song Jiang's shoulders with both hands, and kept smiling. He held Song Jiang's hands tightly until Song Jiang's arms started to ache and he pulled away a little. Only then did Shi Wenbin realize and let go.

Shi Wenbin immediately sent a yamen runner to the prefectural government of Jizhou to deliver a message. Then he grabbed Song Jiang's hand and said happily, "Gongming, I knew only you could accomplish this task."

Unable to break free, Song Jiang could only helplessly reply, "It wasn't all my doing. If it weren't for Commander Zhu, Governor Yang, and Brother Wu, I wouldn't be alive today. They all made great contributions."

Zhu Tong had mentioned Yang Zhi and Wu Song to Shi Wenbin before, and now that Song Jiang was talking about them, Shi Wenbin became interested and looked at Yang Zhi and Wu Song.

Song Jiang quickly introduced them, adding, "Brother Wu has rendered great service this time. I wonder if you could arrange for Wu Song to be the deputy captain of the infantry in Yuncheng?"

Shi Wenbin waved his hand and said heartily, "What deputy captain? I'm the captain, on par with Lei Heng." Shi Wenbin was truly happy today. First, Song Jiang had returned safely, and second, the imperial treasure had been recovered. He was no longer as refined as before, but rather much more hearty!

After thinking for a moment, he added to Wu Song, "The soldiers in the county have already been assigned. Tomorrow, you can personally recruit some more patrol soldiers to increase manpower."

Wu Song quickly bowed and thanked him. Song Jiang was secretly pleased. It seemed that Shi Wenbin was very satisfied with the success of this treasure hunt, otherwise he wouldn't have spent so much money. You know, the county paid for the extra dozen or so people.

Shi Wenbin also estimated that Song Jiang had spent a lot of money on this trip, and did not want Song Jiang to spend too much, so he ordered the yamen runners to take out two hundred taels of silver to reward the men. Song Jiang could not refuse, so he accepted it.

Shi Wenbin began, "I originally said I would give you a proper welcome dinner today, but I'm still worried about this treasure not being returned to its rightful owner."

Song Jiang smiled and said, "My lord, there's no need for such formalities. The matter is of utmost importance."

Shi Wenbin thought for a moment and said, "Zhu Tong will continue to stay in the government office and share a room with Yu Bao tonight. Could Wu Song also stay?"

Song Jiang nodded and said, "Alright, I hope you will treat Governor Yang well."

Shi Wenbin was overjoyed. Song Jiang walked up to Yang Zhi and whispered, "Let's stay here for two days until the prefect of Jizhou arrives."

Yang Zhi nodded without saying a word.

Song Jiang continued, "I will stay here and wait for the prefect to arrive!"

Two days later, outside the city gate of Yuncheng, Shi Wenbin was respectfully waiting at the gate, pulling Song Jiang along with him.

Zhu Tong, Wu Song, and Yang Zhi continued to guard the imperial seal with the county government, so they did not come. To prevent any accidents, Shi Wenbin specially left half of the yamen runners at the county government office, while the other half came with him to welcome the prefect of Jizhou.

Song Jiang didn't actually want to come; he wanted to stay with Wu Song and the others at the county office. However, he couldn't resist Shi Wenbin's persistent pleading and was dragged along.

Finally, amidst the waiting and gazes of the crowd, the sedan chair of the Jeju governor slowly approached.

Shi Wenbin immediately went to greet him. Song Jiang looked at the large, dark-skinned guards surrounding the prefect, numbering at least three hundred, and didn't know what to say. He could only follow Shi Wenbin to greet them.

After a period of feigned politeness, the group slowly arrived at the county government office.

Looking at the prefect protected by hundreds of guards, Song Jiang wanted to laugh. It was really unnecessary to come all the way to Yuncheng. In fact, it was obvious that the other side was heading for Yu Bao. If they really wanted to assassinate the prefect, they wouldn't have sent Jiu Wan.

As for escorting the imperial treasure back, Song Jiang believed that one hundred men, plus Zhu Tong and Yang Zhi, would be sufficient.

Finally, they got to the main point. In the room, the prefect nervously examined the eight-treasure box, almost ready to open it. After a long while, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was undamaged, and his expression relaxed. The tension he had felt recently was finally gone, and joy slowly filled his previously agitated heart.

Setting down the eight-treasure box, the prefect looked at Shi Wenbin beside him and praised him, "Wenbin, you handled this matter exceptionally well, saving us from disaster."

Shi Wenbin chuckled and echoed, "It's all thanks to the prefect's good fortune."

The prefect shook his head and said, "This time you really did a great job. Finding the two imperial treasures is indeed a great achievement, and I will reward you handsomely."

Shi Wenbin pulled Song Jiang to his side and said, "This time, it was all thanks to Song Jiang, Zhu Tong, Wu Song, Yang Zhi, and others that we were able to find the jewels."

The prefect stroked his beard and laughed, "There will be rewards, everyone will be rewarded. Tonight, I will treat you to a grand banquet at the best restaurant in your Yuncheng County."

Shi Wenbin quickly replied, "Since the Prefect has come from afar, I will naturally host a banquet for him. There is no need for the Prefect to spend money."

The prefect waved his hand and said, "Enough talk, it's settled then."

Song Jiang sighed, saying that Shi Wenbin was good in every way, but he was too cautious in his actions, too humble towards his superiors, and had no authority over his subordinates. This was not a good thing. However, everyone has their own way of life and way of dealing with people. Although Song Jiang did not like his brother's behavior, he could not say anything. He could only try to prevent him from making a mistake when he was about to make one.

The prefect of Jeju, in a display of extravagance, booked the entire restaurant and demanded that all officials and their guards come to the restaurant. Naturally, the Eight Treasures Box and the luminous pearl were also brought along.

The restaurant was already packed. Song Jiang wanted to find a seat anywhere, but the prefect insisted that he sit at the head table. Song Jiang had no choice but to sit at the same table as the prefect, the magistrate, and the county magistrate's assistant. The prefect then said, "The brave warriors who have helped find the treasure this time, please come to the head table."

Zhu Tong, Yang Zhi, and the others had no choice but to come over.

The private room was on the second floor. The entire second floor had only one table occupied by the prefect, while everyone else was crammed on the first floor. Fifty guards stood at the entrances and exits of the stairs on both sides, in the corridors and at the doorways of the rooms. There were also eight guards standing at the main entrances inside and outside the building, and ten guards patrolling in circles on the first floor. Under these circumstances, unless someone sent troops to forcibly seize it, it would be impossible for thieves to steal the imperial treasure.

There were no guards inside the room, but there were four people: Zhu Tong, Wu Song, Yang Zhi, and Lei Heng. They wanted to break through the outer defenses and seize the treasure right under their noses. If they could really steal it, Song Jiang would accept it.

Shi Wenbin smiled and looked at Song Jiang, asking, "The dishes haven't been served yet, let's pour some wine first! What do you think, Gongming?"

The day before yesterday, Shi Wenbin told Song Jiang that he wanted to use the wine he had brewed to entertain the prefect, and Song Jiang specially ordered two soldiers to go to Song Family Village to get some!

Song Jiang understood Shi Wenbin's meaning, so he called over the waiter and asked him to bring up the wine he had left there earlier, as well as more cups and bowls, and urged him to hurry up with the dishes.

The prefect of Jeju laughed and said, "What's wrong? Clerk Song can brew wine too?"

Song Jiang shook his head and said, "I am not very talented. I tried brewing some before. I would appreciate it if the Prefect would like to taste it."

The prefect of Jeju glanced at the two treasures on the cabinet beside him, then turned around and said, "We must try them. We've had a wonderful day, and we're determined to drink until we drop."

The waiter brought eight bowls and eight cups and placed them on the table. Then he brought a small jar of wine and opened the seal.

A sweet fragrance wafts over, refreshing and invigorating, as if you are lying in a pastoral garden surrounded by ripe fruit, with various fruit aromas vying to enter your body.

The wine, when poured out, was as thick as honey and as golden as a snow pear.

Even though the prefect was a man of wide experience, this was the first time he had ever seen such wine, and he was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

"Try it." Shi Wenbin could tell what the prefect was thinking just by looking at his expression, so he picked up a cup of wine and placed it in front of him.

The prefect looked at the wine in the cup, which was neither liquid nor solid, and couldn't help but pick it up and take a sip. Instantly, he felt a sweet taste that made his taste buds feel like a person who had just had a haircut and was given a head massage by a hairdresser. His whole body felt refreshed and comfortable, without a trace of fatigue.