Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised that there was such a beautiful woman in Liaodong.
His eyes gleamed as he looked at the beautiful woman before him, overjoyed.
The woman was tall and slender, with fair skin and bright, captivating eyes.
Dressed in a light robe, she stood there like a secluded orchid in a deep valley.
She possesses both the heroic spirit of women from the northern frontier and the elegance of women from the Central Plains.
Her lingering glances also carried a touch of the gentle grace of a woman from Jiangnan.
It truly captivated Zhao Chen.
Zhang Zhongjin, accompanied by several officials, waited on the side, their faces displaying obsequious smiles.
Although Zhang Zhongjin was the prefect, a rank higher than Zhao Chen, he never dared to act as if he were a superior.
He always behaved himself well in front of Zhao Chen, and would ask Zhao Chen to make decisions on everything.
"Is the Duke of Chong satisfied?"
Zhao Chen nodded and laughed, "Hahaha, satisfied! Satisfied!"
"Xiaoru, quickly pour wine for the Duke of Chongguo."
"yes."
The woman stepped forward, her five fingers as slender as scallion roots, and poured Zhao Chen a cup of wine. Zhao Chen's delight was undisguised.
Zhao Chen said, "Zhang Zhongjin, what are your demands? Speak up."
Zhang Zhongjin smiled and said, "Your Excellency Chongguo is overthinking it. This humble servant has no requests whatsoever."
"Oh, then why are you sending me a beautiful woman?"
"This humble servant is filled with admiration for the Duke of Chongguo's talent. Since the Duke of Chongguo came to Xianzhou, Xianzhou has developed by leaps and bounds, the people live in peace and prosperity, and the culture is refined and beautiful. This is all thanks to the Duke of Chongguo's great virtue!"
"You flatter me," Zhao Chen said modestly, but he was secretly overjoyed, feeling like he was floating on air.
“Duke Chong, this humble servant is always straightforward and says what he thinks.”
"Prefect Zhang, please speak freely."
"To be honest, I often feel confused and lost in life. The future seems bleak, and I don't know what to do," Zhang Zhongjin lamented.
The officials around him nodded in agreement, their facial expressions perfectly matching his.
"Since meeting the Duke of Chong, I feel as if I have suddenly had an epiphany, as if the light of day has broken through the fog, and I have suddenly found the true meaning of life."
It seems a bit strange for a person in their fifties or sixties to speak to a twenty-two-year-old like that.
But Zhang Zhongjin seemed completely unaware of anything.
"Oh, what is the true meaning of life for Prefect Zhang?"
"Naturally, we should follow the Duke of Chongguo and seek happiness for all the people."
Zhao Chen was even more pleased by what he heard. After a few drinks, he became more generous and said, "No problem, no problem. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know!"
Zhang Zhongjin was overjoyed and immediately stood up and kowtowed, saying, "I am willing to follow your lead."
At this time, in Zhao Chen's residence, twelve-year-old Zhao Shen was lying in the backyard reading the emperor's "On Economics" and "On Enriching the Nation," among other newly popular books in the Song Dynasty.
This book is said to have been written by the emperor and compiled by Shi Xiangong.
Zhao Shen had not read them before. He was still young at the time. Although he was exceptionally intelligent, he had only read the Four Books and Five Classics.
After all, the education of the royal family is very traditional and conservative.
Zhao Shen was completely engrossed in reading it and soon became a big fan of Zhao Huan.
"Young master, young master." A hurried voice came from the doorway; it belonged to a beautiful woman.
The woman was dressed in a smart outfit and looked very dashing.
Her name is Wang Xiaozhu, and she is from Guangnan West Road.
Wang Xiaozhu's family was involved in a criminal organization. Two years ago, the imperial court's decree to rectify private organizations was strictly enforced in Guangnan West Road, and Wang Xiaozhu's father was arrested for committing a crime.
Wang Xiaozhu, all alone, wandered to Jiaozhou to make a living, where she met Zhao Shen.
Wang Xiaozhu is now Zhao Shen's personal bodyguard.
Don't let her appearance fool you; she can wield a kitchen knife without batting an eye.
Zhao Shen had personally witnessed her hacking her way from East Street to West Street; that was a true skill she had inherited from her father.
"What is it?"
"The operation in Beijing has already begun."
"Closing the net" is slang for "the net is about to be closed," meaning that the entire operation has begun.
"The warrant for a thorough investigation was delivered to the Imperial City Guard Office in Xianzhou this morning. Wang Fugui has probably already drawn up the list and is about to arrest the people!"
Wang Xiaozhu spoke rapidly, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Zhao Shen.
It's strange, this twelve-year-old boy is really prescient.
"Where is the Duke of Chong? Where is he?"
"I heard on the way that he is drinking with Prefect Zhang at the Drunken Flower Pavilion."
Zhao Shen sat up in pain from the bamboo chair, his youthful face showing an inappropriate maturity: "Nonsense! What time is it? How dare you hang out with Zhang Zhongjin!"
"Go quickly! Call the Duke of Chongguo back, don't let Wang Fugui take it!"
Zhao Shen, dressed in a light blue silk robe, paced back and forth on the wooden floor several times.
"If he doesn't come back, we'll tie him up and bring him back!"
"yes!"
Wang Xiaozhu turned to leave, but Zhao Shen was still worried: "Prepare the horses and call Tian Zhong!"
Zhao Shen led his personal guards toward the Drunken Flower Pavilion.
"Young master, look! It's Wang Fugui!"
Zhao Shen looked closely and indeed saw Wang Fugui, the commander of the Imperial City Division of Xianzhou.
"Run!"
Wang Fugui only felt a group of people rushing past him.
"Is that the young lad beside the Duke of Chong?"
"It looks like him!"
Where is he going?
"It seems to be the Drunken Flower Pavilion!"
Wang Fugui's eyes lit up immediately: "Men, let's go!"
The Duke of Chongguo must also be at the Drunken Flower Pavilion, mingling with Zhang Zhongjin.
If Wang Fugui were to seize the opportunity to capture the Duke of Chongguo, he would surely become famous throughout the Song Dynasty.
Didn't Boss Sima keep emphasizing that I should keep a close eye on things?
If necessary, just arrest them!
Zhao Shen led his men in and entered the room. Without saying a word, he said, "Tie him up!"
The imperial guards were all stunned. Before Zhao Chen and Zhang Zhongjin could react, Zhao Shen shouted, "What are you standing there for! Take them away!"
The imperial guards quickly bound Zhao Chen and carried him away.
The people at the Drunken Flower Pavilion were dumbfounded.
Zhao Chen wanted to curse, but his mouth was gagged, and he could only make muffled sounds.
Zhao Shen and his men rode away swiftly on horseback.
No sooner had they left than Wang Fugui arrived.
Only Zhang Zhongjin and the others, looking completely bewildered, remained in the side room.
"Hey, Prefect Zhang, what are you doing?"
"Can't you see? I'm eating."
"Come on, follow me to the Imperial City Guard Office, we'll eat slowly!"
"Wait! What are you doing?! I am the Prefect of Xianzhou! A fourth-rank official of the imperial court! How dare you lay a hand on me! I'm going to report you to His Majesty..."
Zhang Zhongjin, who had just been lamenting about life with Zhao Chen, now looked like a pig being slaughtered.
Zhao Chen, who had just said he would protect him, was now also kidnapped.
"Boss, we couldn't find it."
Wang Fugui sighed through gritted teeth. What a pity, we were a step too late!
Or should we go to the Duke's mansion now and take him away?
What a joke! Going there now would be like going straight into the Duke's personal guards.
Wang Fugui didn't intend to do anything to Zhao Chen; he simply wanted to take the opportunity to bring Zhao Chen away and use the chance to gain fame.
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