Seeing Zhao Hao's face that looked like he deserved a beating, Wang Mengyu was so angry that his teeth were itching, but he didn't say a word. He walked away with his cheeks puffed up like a puffer fish that was about to explode.

After a brief tour around the brick factory, Zhao Hao returned to Bluebird.

"Put aside the interrogation for now and let your subordinates handle it. Come back to Qinzhou with me tomorrow, and then we'll go back to Beijing together."

Bluebird nodded: "Then I will arrange things here."

Zhao Hao had no one to use, so Qingniao took over some things, but its main task was to protect Zhao Hao's safety.

In the evening, Zhao Hao called Wang Mengyu and Zheng Zhiqian, and the three of them sat together for dinner.

Even though the three of them were not too far apart during this period, they did not have many opportunities to eat together.

Zhao Hao briefly asked the two if they needed any help after returning to Dijing.

The two of them were straightforward and there was no mess.

Only Wang Mengyu smiled and said, "Brother Hao, tell me, when you return to the Imperial Capital this time, can you bring your buddy Zhao Hao a beautiful wife..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Hao glared at him angrily and said, "Get lost now. If you want to find a wife, go find a way yourself!"

"If you can't find it, go to the brothel outside the valley."

After Shenglian Valley was cleared out by Zhao Hao, all the original wine shops, inns and brothels were moved outside the valley.

Some of them were taken directly to the mountains.

After drinking, everyone went back to rest.

The next morning, Zhao Hao got up early, had a simple meal, and then took Wusong, Qingniao, and a group of guards to Qinzhou City.

In Qinzhou City, Zhao Hao did not go to the provincial government office, but went directly to the garden arranged for him by Duan Youde.

Zhuoya has been living here.

When Zhuo Ya saw Zhao Hao coming back, she felt a lump in her throat and her eyes turned red after not seeing him for a long time.

Then he ran over immediately.

Seeing this, Wusong, Qingniao and others left tactfully.

Zhao Hao hurriedly said, "Miss Qingniao, go inform Lord Duan and ask him to come see me."

The bluebird nodded and took the order.

Holding Zhuo Ya in his arms, Zhao Hao smiled softly and said, "How is it? Are you used to the food and accommodation here?"

Since coming to Qinzhou, Zhao Hao has only met Zhuo Ya twice, including this time.

The last time we met was two months ago.

Zhuo Ya had obviously lost a lot of weight. She came out of Zhao Hao's arms and said with red eyes, "Everything is fine, but I miss you in my heart."

Zhao Hao sighed, feeling a little guilty.

"I didn't expect that I would be so busy. I'm really sorry for having you suffer during this period of time!"

Zhuo Ya said softly, "I'm not wronged, but you must be very tired during this period. Compared to two months ago, you are like a different person."

Zhao Hao smiled softly, then picked up Zhuo Ya and said, "Then I'll let you see whether the person has been replaced or not."

Zhuo Ya whimpered immediately and said quickly, "Master, didn't you just ask Miss Qingniao to invite Master Duan?"

Zhao Hao paused, then he remembered that he had forgotten about Duan Youde while talking to Zhuo Ya.

He put Zhuoya down angrily and they walked back into the house.

Zhuo Ya said, "The south is really different. Even at this time of year, the flowers and plants are still blooming."

"In the Imperial Capital, or a little further north, our grassland, the situation is totally different."

"By the way, young master, the New Year is coming soon. Are you going back to the Imperial Capital?"

Zhao Hao said, "I came back to the city this time just for this matter. I will meet with Lord Duan today and explain some things to him. We will leave tomorrow."

"It takes half a month to get there. By the time we get back to the capital, it will basically be the New Year."

"Your Majesty gave me an order to return to the Imperial Capital."

"Pack up your stuff here too. We'll be on the road early tomorrow morning."

Zhuo Ya paused when she heard this, then said hesitantly, "Sir, I guess I don't need to go back, right?"

Zhao Hao was puzzled and asked, "Why, don't you want to go back?"

Zhuo Ya nodded: "Even if I go back, I have nowhere to go, so I might as well stay."

"Anyway, the young master will be back after the New Year, right?"

Zhao Hao said: "That's true, but you stay here alone..."

Zhuo Ya smiled softly and said, "It's good to stay here and do whatever I want. You don't need to worry about me, sir."

"Just leave Miss Hongye to accompany me."

Zhao Hao's eyes moved, and he said, "It seems that you and Hongye have been getting along well during this period."

Zhuo Ya nodded: "I didn't understand before, but after spending a few months with her, I found that Hongye is really a woman of the rivers and lakes, very straightforward and free and easy, very similar to us grassland people."

Zhao Hao smiled slightly: "No wonder you two get along so well. Then I will leave her to you. I will let her stay by your side and protect your safety at all times. This way I will feel more at ease."

As the two were talking, Qingniao came in with Duan Youde.

After Zhao Hao asked him to take a seat, he told him that he had been ordered to return to Beijing, and then explained the matters concerning the mining area.

"Master Duan, during my absence, the mining area was handed over to Wang Mengyu and Zheng Zhiqian."

"Master Duan, if you have something to discuss, you can discuss it with the two of them."

"However, the New Year is coming soon, and the mine will also be closed. When the two of them return to the capital, if there is anything, you three can meet and discuss it in detail."

Duan Youde said quickly: "Don't worry, sir, I will do my best!"

After a pause, he seemed to be hesitant to speak, so Zhao Hao couldn't help but say, "Master Duan, if you have anything to say, please speak directly."

Duan Youde glanced at the blue bird next to him.

Zhao Hao nodded slightly and said to Qingniao, "Miss Qingniao, please go out for a while."

After the blue bird left, Zhao Hao said, "Master Duan, can you tell me now?"

Duan Youde hurriedly said, "Sir, when I return to Beijing to see His Majesty, please...please don't tell anyone about the corruption in the mine..."

Zhao Hao's eyes moved when he heard this, and he said, "Master Duan, I only investigated and punished those managers of the mining area. I didn't touch any officials in the city."

Duan Youde said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, your Excellency is magnanimous and generous. All my colleagues in the city sincerely admire you."

"But, sir, please forgive me for speaking frankly. If all the managers of the three mining areas are punished, what will the officials of Qinzhou look like? How will Your Majesty feel about this..."

Zhao Hao sighed and said, "Master Duan, I didn't touch these officials in the city before. First, it was because I didn't have time, and second, it was because I didn't want to cause trouble for myself."

"Master Duan asked me for help, and I can understand that."

"But I have to tell the truth."

"I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter. Even if I don't tell you, you can't hide this matter."

"Master Duan, maybe you understand?"