Chapter 105 You guys struck first.
The busiest person that night was Xiao Yunzhan, who painted several portraits of the men who had chosen the girls.
Before dawn, he summoned Xiaodouzi, handed him the portrait, and repeatedly instructed the beggars to keep a close eye on the man's movements.
Special attention should be paid to reporting to Yaoguang Garden as soon as the other party leaves Xinluofang.
Little Bean patted his chest, promising he wouldn't mess things up, and ran to the beggar's den with the portrait in his hand, afraid that if he was a step too late the man would get away.
At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Xiao Yunzhan, Pei Zhiwei, and Xie Ji traveled by carriage to the county government office.
The guards at the yamen gate spotted the carriage from Yaoguang Garden from afar and immediately ran into the county yamen to report.
So as soon as the three of them got off the carriage, they saw Liu Jingchang rushing out of the yamen to greet them, "Your Highness! Madam Pei! Young Master Xie! What brings you here?"
Why wasn't someone told beforehand?
"The matter was urgent, and there was no time to inform others," Xiao Yunzhan gestured.
"There is something I would like to trouble Lord Liu with."
Liu Jingchang quickly stepped aside to lead them inside: "Your Highness, you're too kind! Please come in!"
After the yamen runners served tea, they all withdrew. Only then did Liu Jingchang ask in confusion, "Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here today?"
Is it the Xu family's case, or...?
Xiao Yunzhan: "Lord Liu, we would like to know the internal situation of Xinluo Ward. How much do you know about it?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jingchang's expression darkened slightly. "To be honest, Your Highness, although Xinluofang is said to be within my Yangdu territory, there isn't much I can do about it."
They had their own neighborhood officials and rules, and even their own guards.
Normally, the laws of Liang seem to have no effect there.
He sighed as he spoke, "A while ago, a peddler from Daliang had his goods robbed by people from Silla outside Silla Ward."
The peddler went to argue with the magistrate, but instead he was accused of provoking him first. Not only did he not get his goods back, but he was also beaten up.
I sent someone to negotiate, and the people from the Silla Pavilion came over and said something like, "Foreigners don't understand the rules of Liang, please forgive us, Lord Liu," and that's how the matter was suppressed.
Xie Ji could hardly believe his ears. "Such a thing exists? Is Xinluofang some kind of lawless place?"
"That's about it," Liu Jingchang said with a wry smile.
"What's even more outrageous is that recently it seems that illegal materials are still being sold in the neighborhood, with rumors of smuggled salt and banned drugs."
I repeatedly reported my request to conduct a thorough investigation, but Governor Zhang Xuren rejected it each time on the grounds that it would "affect diplomatic relations between the two countries."
Pei Zhiwei frowned: "Then, Lord Liu, could you show us a map of Xinluo Ward, as well as a map of the water channels within the ward?"
We'd like to know the layout inside.
Xiao Yunzhan added, "This must be kept secret; we can't let anyone know that we've reviewed these blueprints."
Liu Jingchang's expression changed slightly. He looked at the three of them, then glanced around before lowering his voice and saying, "Your Highness, I have something to ask you to keep secret... and I hope Your Highness will not blame me."
Xiao Yunzhan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"
Liu Jingchang did not explain immediately, but stood up and said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment."
With that, he turned and headed towards his residence in the back office.
Pei Zhiwei and Xiao Yunzhan exchanged a glance, both wondering what Liu Jingchang was up to.
Before long, Liu Jingchang returned carrying several rolls of paper and handed them to Xiao Yunzhan. “Your Highness, there’s no need to retrieve them from the archives… I’ve kept a copy for myself.”
Xiao Yunzhan unfolded the scroll, and sure enough, it was a map of Silla Ward and a detailed map of the irrigation canals.
His heart stirred slightly, and he looked up at Liu Jingchang, saying solemnly, "Lord Liu should know that according to the laws of Daliang, it is strictly forbidden for private individuals to possess maps and canal maps."
You're knowingly breaking the law.
Liu Jingchang straightened his back, his face full of seriousness: "This humble official understands."
However, ever since I took office as the magistrate of Yangdu County, I have felt that many of the behaviors of Xinluofang are not right.
This land is within the territory of my Great Liang. How can we allow foreigners to act so presumptuously?
The people of Daliang can only swallow their anger when they are bullied.
I am not convinced.
I was thinking that if I ever had the chance to investigate thoroughly, I should familiarize myself with the layout beforehand to ensure a complete and thorough investigation in one go.
He paused, his voice now tinged with suppressed indignation: "So this humble official did more than just copy the maps and canal diagrams."
They even secretly drew up the blueprints for key buildings such as the Silla Pavilion and the Silla Chamber of Commerce.
He hoped that one day he could seek justice for the people of Liang, and also give himself an explanation.
Xiao Yunzhan and Pei Zhiwei looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
This is truly like a pillow being handed to someone who's about to fall asleep.
They were worried about not being able to find detailed blueprints, but Liu Jingchang had already prepared them all.
Xiao Yunzhan coughed lightly, refolded the drawings, and softened his tone: "Lord Liu, rest assured, these drawings are as if I ordered you to copy them and hand them over to me."
This has nothing to do with you; no one will pursue the matter.
Upon hearing this, Liu Jingchang's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, does that mean..."
Have you already found something wrong with Xinluofang?
When should we go in and search?
"I've been holding this in for almost a year!"
Seeing Liu Jingchang's eager and ready expression, Xiao Yunzhan couldn't help but find it amusing.
He patted Liu Jingchang on the shoulder: "Lord Liu, don't be anxious."
We mustn't alert them yet. Once we've investigated and a search is necessary, we'll have Lord Liu personally oversee the operation.
Liu Jingchang slammed his hand on the table with joy, making the teacup on the table jump a few times: "Good!"
Your Highness has made up your mind!
"I'll go and fetch the other architectural plans right away; I guarantee they'll be detailed!"
As he spoke, he darted off to the back office like a gust of wind.
Pei Zhiwei watched his retreating figure and chuckled softly, "Look how angry Lord Liu has become."
"I've been holding it in for so long." Xiao Yunzhan shook his head and chuckled.
"Anyone would feel aggrieved if they had such a 'lawless zone' under their jurisdiction."
A short while later, Liu Jingchang returned with a large stack of blueprints, laid them out on the table one by one, and pointed to the annotations on them.
"Your Highness, look, this is the layout of the Silla Palace. There is a secret underground room here, which must be hiding something that cannot be seen by others."
This is the Silla Merchants' Association. There's a canal behind it that leads directly outside the city…
When the three of them came out of the county government office, the sun was already high in the sky, and there were more people on the street.
Xie Ji rubbed his stomach and wailed, "I'm starving! Let's find somewhere to eat quickly!"
Xiao Yunzhan glanced at the sky and said, "Let's go to Yuhuchun."
We usually go at night, but today is perfect. We can have dinner at the viewing platform and also see Yangzhou city during the day.
Pei Zhiwei and Xie Ji had no objections, so the three of them headed towards Yuhuchun.
As soon as Zhang Chengyi, the owner of Yuhuchun Restaurant, saw them, he quickly came forward with a warm smile on his face: "Oh!"
Your Highness, Lady Pei, Prince Xie, what brings you here!
"Please come in quickly, the best private room has been prepared for you!"
"We don't need a private room," Xiao Yunzhan waved his hand to stop him.
"We'd like to eat at the observation deck; we just need to find a decent spot."
Zhang Cheng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and replied, "No problem! Your Highness, rest assured, I'll arrange it for you right away!"
As he spoke, he quickly summoned the staff and had them move the table to the best spot on the viewing platform, and even replaced all the utensils with the most elegant ones.
As soon as the three of them sat down, the dishes were served one after another.
Looking at the bustling city of Yangdu under the sunlight, a unique sense of comfort welled up in my heart.
Just as we were enjoying our meal, we suddenly heard a commotion downstairs, mixed with the barking of dogs.
Xie Ji frowned, peeked down, and then curled his lip: "Damn it, why is it him?"
Pei Zhiwei and Xiao Yunzhan also looked down and saw Zhang Xiao leading three tall hunting dogs upstairs.
He wore a conspicuous bright orange brocade robe, his hair was tied up with a jade crown, and a group of spoiled young men followed behind him, each one swaggering and arrogant.
As soon as Zhang Xiao reached the third floor, he saw Xie Ji on the observation deck.
Their eyes met, and a flash of malice crossed Zhang Xiao's eyes. Then, a mocking smile appeared on his lips as he led the dog straight this way.
"Oh, isn't this the heir of the Marquis of Ding'an?" Zhang Xiao walked to the table and looked down at Xie Ji.
"What? Has the Marquis of Ding'an's mansion fallen so low that it has to eat at the observation deck?"
"That's true, after all, they're not royalty; it's already quite an achievement that they even came to Yuhuchun."
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced into Xie Ji's bowl again: "What? This dish doesn't suit your taste?"
Or do you not have enough money and want to order something expensive?
"It's alright. If you're short of money, just tell me. If you say a few nice words, I might be in a good mood and give you a couple of taels of silver, enough for several meals."
Pei Zhiwei was completely dumbfounded.
Is this person blind?
He had a grudge against Xie Ji, and he spoke recklessly and without restraint, so she didn't find it strange.
But Xiao Yunzhan, such a big person, was sitting right next to Zhang Xiao, and Zhang Xiao didn't even notice?
Or perhaps Zhang Xuren never told him that Xie Ji had a close relationship with Prince Rui?
Just then, Zhang Cheng rushed downstairs. "Young Master Zhang, you've arrived!"
A private room has been prepared for you…
"Get out of my way!" Zhang Xiao shoved Zhang Cheng away violently, his eyes filled with malice.
"I'm catching up with Prince Xie, what are you? Who do you think you are to interrupt?"
"Guards, slap him!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a spoiled brat in a blue robe rushed up from behind and slapped Zhang Cheng across the face with lightning speed.
With a sharp "smack," Zhang Cheng's face instantly swelled up, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Xie Ji's nonchalant demeanor returned, but the coldness in his eyes was chilling.
"Zhang Xiao, I heard your father has punished you by confining you to your quarters?"
What? You're out after only a few days? Looks like this stay-at-home order didn't teach you a lesson at all.
Zhang Xiao, with his neck stiff and an arrogant expression, said, "Don't think you're so capable!"
"If it weren't for my father giving face to that Prince Rui, I would have killed you long ago!"
"Kill me?" Xie Ji sneered, pointing at the hunting dogs.
"In my eyes, you're not even as good as these dogs."
At least the dog knows who its owner is.
Zhang Xiao's face flushed with anger, and he was about to retaliate when he was pulled back by a spoiled brat next to him.
The man had a lewd look on his face, his eyes sweeping over Pei Zhiwei, and he smiled at Zhang Xiao, saying, "Young Master Zhang, this is where you're wrong."
Didn't you see? There are two men and one woman here, enjoying the scenery and having a great time.
"Aren't you disturbing their mood by coming over here?"
Before the words were finished, two loud thuds were heard.
The纨绔 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) screamed and fell to the ground, blood streaming down his face.
Everyone looked down and saw broken pieces of porcelain scattered on the ground, which were the teacups that Xiao Yunzhan and Xie Ji had just been holding.
Zhang Xiao's eyes lit up, and he immediately pointed at the three of them and shouted, "Great!"
You guys started it!
"Guards, seize them!"
With that, he suddenly flung off the hounds' chains and roared at them, "Bite them to death!"
The three hunting dogs were well-trained; upon hearing the command, they immediately pounced on the three men.
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