Seeing this, Fan Changyu also felt that Yu Qianqian’s worries were not without reason. Without concrete evidence, relying only on clues and speculation, most people—even if they had suspicions—would not dare take sides without hard proof.

Remembering what Yu Qianqian had said about the grain requisition order, she asked, “Uncle Wang, have you ever seen the grain requisition order sent from Jizhou Prefecture to Qingping County? If the amount of military grain the magistrate collected doesn’t match the amount stated in the requisition order, then that would be solid evidence.”

Constable Wang shook his head. “How would I ever get to see something like that? The magistrate and Advisor He review those documents themselves before directly ordering the officers below to collect the grain. But all official documents are stored in the county archive. I’m somewhat acquainted with Registrar Liu, who manages the records. Since he handles the documents, he should have seen the requisition order.”

Fan Changyu’s heart immediately began pounding, and a thin layer of sweat formed in her palms unconsciously. “Can we go speak to Registrar Liu?”

Having handled cases for many years, Constable Wang was far more cautious and composed. “We can’t alert the enemy. I was just stripped of my position. If I go to Registrar Liu’s house immediately afterward, and the magistrate truly harbors rebellious intentions, then the moment I step into Liu’s residence, someone will likely report it straight to the magistrate.”

Madam Wang suddenly spoke up. “We haven’t gone to pay New Year’s visits to the Liu family yet this year, have we? That gives us a perfect excuse. It’s nearly noon anyway. Old man, you stay home. I’ll take Changyu with some New Year gifts and visit the Liu family ourselves. That way the magistrate won’t suspect anything.”

Constable Wang nodded. “That should work.”

Madam Wang selected several holiday gifts and took Fan Changyu with her to the Liu residence.

After hearing their reason for visiting, Registrar Liu was greatly shocked. Then he said, “Jizhou Prefecture did indeed send a document regarding the military grain requisition, but I’ve never actually seen the document itself. The requisition order has remained in the magistrate’s possession the entire time.”

The fact that the magistrate had continuously kept the document from being archived by Registrar Liu undoubtedly further confirmed his rebellious intentions.

After leaving the Liu residence, both Fan Changyu and Madam Wang walked back with heavy expressions.

Without the requisition document, all their hopes now rested solely on Advisor He.

Madam Wang said sorrowfully, “That damned magistrate took the grain and money to join the rebel king. Those farmers whose grain seeds were stolen clean—how are they supposed to survive?”

Fan Changyu glanced at the sun overhead, wondering whether Yu Qianqian’s group had already managed to capture Advisor He.

The moment that thought surfaced, another idea suddenly flashed through her mind.

She turned to Madam Wang and said, “Auntie… why don’t we just kidnap the magistrate directly?”

The redness around Madam Wang’s eyes had not yet faded. Looking at the obedient and well-behaved young woman before her, she opened her mouth, but for a long while could not say a single word.