38 Chapter 038
◎Searching the mountains to rescue people◎
Yao Sanniang returned to Liyu Lane and stayed there for two days, unable to sleep at night.
Whenever she thought of what she said by the river that day, her heart could not calm down. Panic, guilt, self-blame and the desire to find out the truth kept surging in her heart.
She should ask clearly.
On the morning of the third day, as she was preparing to return to the eastern suburbs, a member of the caravan secretly brought her a message.
Before leaving the caravan, she secretly instructed her trusted subordinates to inform her immediately if there were any unusual movements in the mine.
She had saved this man's life, and he was loyal to her. As soon as he heard the news, he secretly came to Liyu Lane.
"Third Lady, this escort mission is not going well."
Yao Sanniang closed the gate and asked, "Why is it not going well?"
"The people at the mines, seeing you weren't leading the team, are unwilling to cooperate with us anymore," the subordinate said angrily. "The goods we brought back this time were less than half of what we usually bring in."
Yao Sanniang knew in her heart that Wang Xin was putting pressure on her father.
What will my father do after hearing the news?
He has already promised me those conditions, so he shouldn't go back on his word.
Yao Sanniang was unsure and still thinking about the missing woman, so she sent her men away and left Liyu Lane.
Before leaving, she deliberately clipped a gardenia above the door panel.
After entering the Eastern Suburbs Palace, she reported to the servants and stepped into Prince Liang's study.
In the study, Prince Liang and the Crown Prince were both there. When they saw her, their expressions were the same as before, as if they were still unaware of the unusual movements at the mine.
"Sanniang is back." Prince Liang smiled and waved. "Come and sit down. Your father has had different designs of wedding gowns and carriages made. Take your pick. We'll use whichever you like."
Xie Yu also smiled and said, "Father has never been so concerned about the marriages of other sisters. Sanniang, you must choose carefully and don't let Father down."
The album was placed in a corner of the desk. Yao Sanniang picked it up and sat down to look through it.
Both the wedding dress and the carriage were luxurious and exquisite, extraordinary, and could be considered the highest standard for a prince's daughter's wedding.
Yao Sanniang wasn't interested, but she pretended to be surprised and said, "Thank you, father. Each one is to my liking. I really can't choose. I want to take them back and discuss them with mother."
"As you wish." King Liang said with an expression of doting on his daughter. "Don't move out before you get married. Stay home and spend more time with your mother. When you marry and move to another place, you won't be able to come back often."
Yao Sanniang didn't respond, but only said, "Father, I have one more thing I want to ask you."
"you say."
Yao Sanniang glanced at Xie Yu and said, "My daughter has traveled all over Anlu since she was a child, but she has never been to Bishan. I want to see the scenery of Bishan before I leave."
"You've never thought about going to Bishan before, why do you suddenly want to go there?" The smile on Prince Liang's face faded a little. "Before you get married, stay home and recuperate. Don't go out anymore."
"father--"
A report came from outside the door, interrupting her.
"Your Majesty, urgent news from Bishan."
King Liang paused, his eyes stern. "Come in."
The man walked in quickly, knelt down and said in fear, "Your Highness, news has come from Bishan that someone broke into Hulu Peak without permission and killed four guards."
"Has he been caught?"
"No, I didn't catch it."
"How many people?"
"No, I don't know."
Xie Yu kicked him and said angrily, "You dare to come to see my father without knowing anything? What a bunch of rubbish!"
Bishan Hulu Peak is his territory. It is really embarrassing that something happened in his territory and it was reported to his father.
But there were only some women there, so even if he was discovered, no one dared to hold him accountable.
Xie Yu was confident, but worried about disappointing his father, so he turned his attention to Yao Sanniang: "Sanniang, you just suddenly said you wanted to go to Bishan. Why don't you explain to your father?"
"What's there to explain?" Yao Sanniang was bewildered. "I haven't even been there."
"I heard that you were outing with your friends two days ago and met runners from the county government office halfway through, is that correct?"
"The prince cares so much about me, Sanniang is terrified."
Xie Yu questioned, "Fan Biqing wanted to gain merit, so he asked the express team to investigate an old case. Lin Fan is really capable. He even found out about Xijiao. I originally asked someone to stop him, but after you met him, Xijiao sent someone to break in. And they said it had nothing to do with you?"
"Sanniang, do you really have a relationship with the yamen officials?" King Liang's eyes were slightly cold.
Yao Sanniang had only guessed before, but now it was confirmed without a doubt.
She met the King of Liang's scrutinizing gaze and asked, "Father, is the missing woman's case related to the Crown Prince?"
"Xie Ni, it's you!" Xie Yi sneered, "Are you unwilling to give up the caravan and deliberately trying to harm me?"
"The intrusion into Bishan has nothing to do with me." Yao Sanniang didn't look at him, but only at King Liang. "Father, those women are innocent."
"They are just women," King Liang said nonchalantly, "Sanniang, you have overstepped your bounds."
Yao Sanniang shook her head and continued, "You once told me that the current emperor is obsessed with alchemy and neglects state affairs. The court is in turmoil, and the people are suffering. The King of Qi is foolish and the King of Jin is dissolute. Neither can be a wise ruler. So we must take control of the capital and change the world."
"This is true." said King Liang.
"Even if it is true, can a person who disregards the laws of the country and wantonly harms innocent people become a wise and holy ruler?" Yao Sanniang asked sharply, directly exposing the two people's dark selfishness.
Rebellion is rebellion, and using the banner of justice is just to cover up one's own selfish desires and ambitions.
It wasn't that Yao Sanniang didn't know this before, she just didn't dare to admit it. Once she admitted it, all her efforts would be wasted.
But now, she has become an abandoned child. Her efforts are not worth mentioning in the eyes of her father. What is there to be afraid of?
"Sanniang, you've changed." Xie Yi said in a deep voice, "You believed the lies of outsiders and dared to question our father."
Yao Sanniang was extremely disappointed: "My daughter dare not question it, but I feel sad for those innocent women."
"Sanniang, you're wrong." Xie Yi waved his fan and said meaningfully, "Those women have nothing to do with me."
Yao Sanniang was startled: "What do you mean?"
*
After Yang Yunkai picked up Lin Fan, he had no time to explain too much. He took him away from Bishan Hulu Peak and got on the carriage hidden in the grass by the roadside.
"There's water, medicine, and clean clothes in the car. You can clean yourself and apply the medicine. We have to get back to the county town as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Brother Yang."
Lin Fan also knew that now was not the time to speak, so his suspicion about the identities of Yang Yunkai and the other six people only flashed through his mind before he hid in a corner.
He took off his bloodstained clothes, washed the wound with clean water, applied medicine, wrapped it with a clean cloth, and changed into new clothes.
Yang Yunkai said again from outside the curtain: "There is some dry food in the secret drawer on the left. Eat some to replenish your strength."
"Thank you." Lin Fan was not polite. He opened the secret drawer and started to fill his stomach.
After his strength gradually recovered and his face regained some color, he finally asked, "What's your name, Brother Yang?"
Yang Yunkai said, "My last name is Yang. Does Captain Lin know about the recent fire at the Longxing Cloth Shop?"
"Are you here for the Longxing Cloth Shop case?" Lin Fan understood immediately.
"The government ruled it an accident, but the owner believes there's something fishy going on, and has sent us here to investigate," Yang Yunkai said half-truthfully. "If Captain Lin knows the details, could you please let us know?"
Lin Fan was skeptical, but smiled and said, "Brother Yang saved my life today, so I will do my best. But I still have official business to attend to. When I have time, I will come to thank you in person."
"Team Leader Lin has helped us many times, so you're welcome."
"As a yamen runner, I'm supposed to protect the neighbors." Lin Fan was anxious, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he asked, "I wonder what Brother Yang is doing at the bottom of the cliff?"
Yang Yunkai knew that he didn't trust him, but he didn't care. He just said, "Team Leader Lin saw blood, which obviously has alarmed the western suburbs. I wonder if there are any rules?"
"Brother Yang, please take me to Qingshui Lane."
Qingshui Lane was right next to the county government office. After the carriage stopped in the lane, Lin Fan's complexion had mostly recovered.
Although the knife wound was deep, it did not threaten his bones and muscles, and the bleeding had stopped. His steps were still as steady as usual.
"Brother Yang, goodbye."
Yang Yunkai clasped his fists towards him and drove the carriage back to Zhuangyuan Lane.
In the clerk's office of the county government, Zhang Zhide was not in the mood for work and would touch the letter in his arms from time to time.
A quarter of an hour had passed since the deadline, and Lin Fan still hadn't shown up in the yamen. He suppressed his worries and prepared an excuse to go to the yamen.
Just as he stood up, a man appeared at the door and said to him with a smile, "Zhang Dianli, please excuse me for a moment to speak."
Zhang Zhide's eyes lit up, and a huge weight lifted off his chest. He strode out the door and punched him on the shoulder out of habit.
Lin Fan avoided him without leaving a trace, led him to a secluded place, and said, "Thank you for waiting, Brother Zhang. Is the letter still there?"
"Yes, yes. If you don't come, I will go to the government office." Zhang Zhide took out the letter and returned it to him.
Lin Fan burned the letter with a fire stick and said, "I have something else to report to the county magistrate, so I'll go first."
"Wait, now that you're back, what about that matter?" Zhang Zhide winked at him.
Lin Fan: “…”
Miss Meng is not an ordinary merchant, so this matter must have been a misunderstanding.
He said, "Please politely decline Aunt Jin's offer for me."
Since the other party is not in a position to speak, let him settle the matter.
"Huh?" Zhang Zhide was confused. "Why did you change your mind again?!"
Lin Fan suppressed the disappointment that welled up in his heart and went to the second hall to ask to see County Magistrate Fan.
"What's the matter?" County Magistrate Fan lowered his head to review official documents and did not look up at him.
Lin Fan got straight to the point: "Your Excellency, we've found a clue in the missing woman's case. Please immediately order the issuance of a warrant of arrest to arrest the suspect who robbed and imprisoned her."
"Oh?" Fan Biqing looked up and asked, "What clue? Where is the lair where the woman is imprisoned?"
Lin Fan said without blinking, "In a hidden forest outside West City."
"Understood." Fan Biqing instructed, "You've been working hard on the case these past few days. I'm allowing you to go back and rest. Huang Ding will be in charge of the arrest."
Lin Fan pretended to be anxious: "But the thieves' lair is only known to me."
"Tell Huang Ding the details of the hideout. He's as familiar with Anlu as you are. You don't have to worry."
Lin Fan lowered his eyes: "I... obey your orders."
He left the second hall and went to the third yamen to find Huang Ding.
Huang Ding had received the news and was ready to go with his runners. When he saw Lin Fan coming, he couldn't help but sneer.
How could hard work be more important than cultivating friendship with his superiors? Wouldn't the credit just go to him?
"Team Leader Lin, please tell me where our hideout is so we can have the brothers bring the prisoner back for you."
The yamen runners behind him burst into laughter.
Lin Fan stared at him and told him the specific location.
Huang Ding's face suddenly turned pale, and he asked in surprise, "Are you sure?"
They are all yamen runners who have been on duty for many years. They are not allowed to enter the western suburbs at will. They have kept this in mind since the first day they entered the yamen.
Lin Fan shook his head.
"Are you deliberately trying to harm me?" Huang Ding raised his brows. "I'll report this to the County Magistrate right away."
Lin Fan raised his hand to stop him: "The County Master is wise and intelligent, why does he need you to remind him?"
"What do you mean?"
"You must be aware of the recent fight between the two tigers. We just need to follow orders."
The Crown Prince and the Second Young Master were fighting fiercely. Everyone in the city knew about it, and it was impossible for those in the government not to have heard of it.
Huang Ding asked suspiciously, "Are you saying there's some ulterior motive behind this arrest?"
"I'm just following the orders of the County Master," Lin Fan said with a look of surprise on his face. "If you're afraid, you might as well report to the County Master and ask me to bring people..."
"No need!" Huang Ding spat and gritted his teeth, "I'll go right away!"
He walked a few steps outside, then suddenly turned back to look at Lin Fan. Seeing that he still had dissatisfaction on his face and a hint of unwillingness in his eyes, he felt a little relieved.
It must be a good job for Lin Fan to show such an expression.
The county magistrate really took a liking to me.
He confirmed again: "Lin Fan, is the suspect's hideout really in Hulu Peak, Bishan, in the western suburbs?"
Lin Fan stepped forward: "If you don't believe me, I'll take you there."
"Stop!" Huang Ding stretched out his hand to stop them, testing them, "But that place has always been under the control of the Crown Prince. How could there be a hideout there?"
Lin Fan approached him and asked in a low voice, "Who will benefit if the prince gets involved in this?"
Huang Ding believed it 50%: "Then we should suppress it even more."
"You just need to rescue them. The prince has his own intentions."
Huang Ding suddenly realized: "I understand."
The struggle for power is just about shifting the blame, and the prince can take this opportunity to turn the tables.
He immediately became confident and rushed to the western suburbs with the train ticket. Before leaving, he glanced at Lin Fan again, and his face turned even paler.
He must be furious that his credit was taken away.
Lin Fan watched them walk away and left the county government office alone.
Instead of going home to rest, he went to the government office and asked to see Judge Shen.
Chen Shi personally invited him into the inner hall and said quickly, "One never comes to see me for no reason. Tell me, what do you want from me?"
"We've found a clue in the missing woman's case. Magistrate Fan has sent people to Hulu Peak in Bishan, the western suburbs, to search for an arrest."
"What?" Chen Shi stood up in shock. "Western Suburbs? Fan Biqing is so bold?!"
Lin Fan said honestly, "I concealed part of the case."
He told Chen Shi everything he had seen last night, except for Yang Da's rescue of him.
He also told them in detail how he had deceived Fan Biqing and Huang Ding just now.
Chen Shi was horrified when he heard this. "Lin Fan, do you know that just by deceiving your superiors, Fan Biqing can dismiss you from your position and even put you in jail? Even if he doesn't use his power, the palace will not let you go."
"I know." Lin Fan raised the corner of his lips, "Officer Shen, I have a favor to ask."
Chen Shi said unhappily, "You're about to die, what else do you want to ask me for?"
"I remember you said that you have a close friend in the capital who works in the Ministry of Justice. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to see the emperor."
"What? You still want to file a complaint with the emperor?" Chen Shi glanced at him, "Besides, he is only a sixth-rank official. He has no chance to see the emperor."
Lin Fan laughed: "Now that things have come to this, I don't have to hide it from you."
"Walls have no ears, so you can speak freely."
"When I was ten, I drifted to Anlu. Everyone knows about this," Lin Fan said seriously. "But there's one thing I've kept deep in my heart and never mentioned to anyone."
Chen Shi could not help but sit up straight and said, "Shen is all ears."
"I was extremely hungry at the time, searching for wild fruit in the mountains when I unexpectedly saw a few men patrolling the mountain. They weren't wearing military uniforms, but they were all holding muskets and testing their targets with game."
Chen Shi's heart suddenly trembled, and he lowered his voice and asked, "The mountain you are talking about is Bishan?"
"That's right."
The army of the Qi Dynasty was equipped with muskets, but these were only used in garrisons to protect the capital and the border.
Officers of garrisons in other places were rarely equipped with muskets.
What is Bishan? It's the territory of King Liang.
Would the current emperor allow a vassal prince to be equipped with a musket? It's impossible even with the toes.
If what Lin Fan said was true, then King Liang undoubtedly had rebellious intentions.
After being shocked, Chen Shi said helplessly, "You hid this deadly thing for ten years. You are really capable. Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Not sure, and..." Lin Fan lowered his eyebrows and didn't say anything unfinished.
In fact, he doesn't care who becomes the emperor.
However, after working in the county government, he came into contact with more and more cases, many of which had the shadow of Dongjiao behind them, making them impossible to be concluded and becoming a pile of unsolved cases.
He gradually realized that there was still a difference who became emperor.
Regardless of whether the current emperor is a qualified emperor, at least Prince Liang is not, and Prince Liang’s son is even less so.
He couldn't bear to see more victims, so he went to investigate at the risk of his life.
Now that he is facing a dead end, the only person he can trust is Chen Shi, and only Chen Shi has the chance to pass this news to the capital.
"Alright," Chen Shi patted his shoulder. "I don't need to ask about what you went through before you were ten, or what your hardships were, but I really can't stand seeing you so bravely prepared to die."
Lin Fan was lost in thought and didn't have time to dodge, so he gasped in pain.
"You're injured?" Chen Shi frowned. "Does that mean we've alerted the enemy?"
"Um."
Chen Shi immediately stood up and said, "Huang Ding and his men can't suppress it. I will personally lead them there."
"Wait." Lin Fan stopped him, "Brother Chen, you have to think clearly. Once you enter this game, you can't get out."
Chen Shi waved his hand and said, "I don't care about that. The worst that can happen is death. When we two go to the underworld, maybe we can get a job in Yama Palace to judge those evil spirits."
"Okay." Lin Fan smiled, "I'll go with you."
Zhuangyuan Lane.
Yang Yunkai returned to his residence and reported to Xie Mingzhuo.
"Your Highness, Lin Fan does not completely believe what I said."
Xie Mingzhuo was practicing calligraphy at his desk. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "It's only fitting for someone of his status that he doesn't believe it."
"Fan Biqing sent Huang Ding to lead his men to the western suburbs, while Lin Fan went to the government office to meet Chen Shi."
Xie Mingzhuo was quite impressed by Chen Shi.
When reading the intelligence of officials from top to bottom in Anlu, Chen Shi's personal abilities and style of doing things were particularly prominent.
"With Chen Shi here, I'm afraid Xie Yu won't be able to get away with it either."
But even if it is determined that the prince was the one who robbed the woman, he can escape the law because of his status as a royal family member.
To Xie Yi, these charges were not serious, but to Lin Fan and Shen Shi, they were like an egg against a rock.
Xie Mingzhuo sighed and stopped writing.
The ink left a thick black mark on the rice paper, gradually spreading along the grain of the paper.
"Old Yang, what else?"
Yang Yunkai took out a letter and said, "Secret information has arrived from Henan."
There has been no news from Henan for a long time, so this secret report came at the right time.
Xie Mingzhuo took a closer look.
The letter came from Lu Lian. He somehow managed to sneak into the Wang family mine and became a small manager.
According to him, a rumor had recently spread around the mine that the mine owner was getting married and had already begun decorating the new house. Hearing that the bride was of prominent family background, the mine owner had been beaming with joy.
But strangely, the quantity of goods he delivered to Datong Horse Racing Company suddenly decreased, so much so that a dispute arose between the two parties, and the noise was heard by everyone in the mine.
The mine owner is getting married soon?
Xie Mingzhuo had never heard Yao Sanniang mention it.
Either the bride was not Yao Sanniang, or Yao Sanniang herself was unaware of it.
"Is Sanniang at home?" she asked.
Yang Yunkai replied: "There is a flower on the door."
This was the agreement between Yao Sanniang and Xie Mingzhuo. If she went out, she would leave flowers on the door as a token of her presence.
A few branches represent a few days, so that Xie Mingzhuo doesn't have to make several trips.
"She returned to the eastern suburbs?"
"yes."
Xie Mingzhuo placed his hands on the table and tapped it lightly.
"Old Yang, the Jinyiwei in Anlu County cannot be deployed for the time being. What about Yingshan County?"
Yang Yunkai: "What does Your Highness mean?"
"As your superior, command the Jinyiwei of Yingshan County to assist in the capture of the wanted criminal. Set up checkpoints along the road from Anlu to Yingshan. All groups must be thoroughly searched. Any unusual activity must be apprehended immediately."
Yang Yunkai didn't quite understand, but that didn't stop him from obeying orders.
"Pay special attention to the wedding procession."
Xie Mingzhuo had a hunch.
Wang Xin reduced the quantity of goods in order to force King Liang to marry his daughter.
If she were Prince Liang, after the government targeted Bishan's first line of defense, she would definitely disregard Yao Sanniang's wishes and appease Wang Xin first to avoid complications.
Going north from Anlu, you must pass through Yingshan County.
Yao Sanniang was unwilling to get married and was delaying time by retreating. King Liang wanted to break the agreement and would definitely use extreme means.
Both knocking someone out and tying them up are possible.
Although the wedding procession attracts attention, it is the least likely to be scrutinized.
Of course, funeral processions are also something people keep away from, but the possibility of local people attending a funeral in another place is extremely small, which would arouse suspicion.
Even if her guesses were all wrong, mobilizing the Jinyiwei in Yingshan County would not cause any harm and would not cause much loss.
Liang Wang Mansion in the eastern suburbs.
Yao Sanniang visited her mother and prepared to return to the county town, but the moment she stepped out of the yard, she was stopped by someone.
The two guards from the palace stopped her. They were strong and powerful, and had good boxing skills.
"What are you doing?" she asked coldly.
The guard said, "The prince has ordered that the third lady will be married soon, so she should stay in the mansion to recuperate and not go out."
"You're still a few months away from getting married, why can't you go out?"
The guard no longer answered, but just blocked the way silently.
Yao Sanniang's heart suddenly sank, and a chill crept up her spine.
Prince Liang's study.
"Father, not only did the county government send people, but Chen Shi from the prefectural government also brought people there." Xie Yu said leisurely, fanning himself. "Chen Shi is a tough nut to crack. I'm afraid he's going to be a tough one."
King Liang: "I thought Fan Biqing was a law-abiding man, but I didn't expect him to be so bold. Send someone to ask Tang Song how he manages people."
Tang Song was the prefect of De'an Prefecture and Chen Shi's immediate superior.
"Son, I understand." Xie Yu turned around leisurely, took a few steps, and then turned back to ask, "Father, there has been no unusual movement in the Western Suburbs for many years, and Sanniang has never asked about the affairs of the Western Suburbs. Today's news is quite sudden."
King Liang snorted and laughed: "He has become wild and cannot be controlled."
"Once she gets married, she will naturally settle down in the backyard and take care of her husband and children." Xie Yu put away the fan. "Although Wang Xin is greedy, he cannot be used right now."
Prince Liang said decisively: "The incident at Hulu Peak is a bit strange. First appease Wang Xin. As for those people at Hulu Peak, you should give them up if necessary. Don't get too involved."
"Father is wise." Xie Yu asked again, "What about Sanniang?"
King Liang made up his mind and said, "Tell someone to dress her up and send her to Henan tomorrow. If she refuses, I will use some tricks, but don't hurt her."
"yes."
"Tell her that I will slowly compensate her for the conditions she mentioned."
Suddenly someone came from outside and reported: "Your Majesty, the Third Lady wants to see you."
"I have something important to do. We can talk later." King Liang replied, and then ordered, "Tell the kitchen to stew a chicken for her to nourish her."
The servant took the order and left.
After learning that King Liang would not see her, Yao Sanniang couldn't help feeling cold.
She sat in her bedroom for a long time, but could not find a way to escape from the palace.
She shouldn't have expected anything from them!
"Third Madam, the prince asked the kitchen to stew chicken soup for you to nourish your body." A maid came in carrying chicken soup.
She was big and strong, and it was impossible for Yao Sanniang to escape if she wanted to.
She didn't move.
The old woman picked up the bowl and put it to her mouth: "Drink it, Third Lady."
Yao Sanniang felt deeply humiliated. How dare a servant force her to drink soup?!
My father is so cautious. Did he put something in the soup to make her obedient in order to prevent her from escaping?
She was so angry that she overturned the soup bowl.
"roll!"
The old woman didn't leave, but just glanced outside the door.
A dozen strong women walked into the bedroom and held Yao Sanniang down tightly.
"Third Madam, I'm sorry."
Western suburbs.
Before they reached Hulu Peak, Huang Ding and others were stopped by people from the Inspection Office.
Huang Ding was determined to make a contribution, so he ordered his men to engage in a melee with the people from the Inspection Office.
You're just a bunch of scum from the Qun Shou Dao sect, how dare you challenge the government?!
When the two sides were fighting fiercely, Chen Shi led the officials from the government office and walked over. By the time the people from the Inspection Office came to their senses, the group had already gone far away.
Lure the tiger away from the mountain, how treacherous!
The people in the Inspection Office were furious and attacked Huang Ding and his group even more ruthlessly.
Chen Shi and others passed the Inspection Office and headed straight for Hulu Peak in Bishan.
The guards at the foot of Hulu Peak were even more severe, and the advancing officials were stopped directly.
"This is the prince's private land, no one outside is allowed to enter!"
Chen Shi rode on his horse and bowed, "I am the prosecutor of De'an Prefecture. I am here to arrest a wanted criminal. Please help me."
"There are no criminals here. Please go elsewhere, Judge Shen."
"No," Chen Shiren had come this far and couldn't give up. "Human life is at stake. I must capture the criminal today!"
The guard gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist and said, "Please, Officer Shen, don't embarrass us."
"The criminal has fled to the mountains and forests. It is lawful for me to apprehend him. How can this be a problem for you? Even if the King of Liang were to come, he would have to make way for the sake of world peace."
guard:"……"
Chen Shi led his men forward.
The guard immediately drew his sword and shouted, "Anyone who trespasses on the prince's private property will be killed without mercy! Official Shen, please return!"
"snort."
Chenshi clapped his hands in signal, and immediately someone lifted a plaque from the trolley with four large gold-plated characters "Yi Kindness Passed Down from Generation to Generation" inscribed on it.
"This is a gift from Emperor Jinglong himself. Who dares to stop me?!"
The ancestors of the Shen family had been kind to Emperor Jinglong, so Emperor Jinglong personally wrote a plaque and gave it to the Shen family.
According to seniority, Emperor Jinglong is the great-great-grandfather of the current emperor.
Even the current emperor would have to bow to show his respect when seeing this plaque, let alone King Liang's lackeys?
So, sinking stone is a tough nut to crack.
After the Shen family obtained this plaque, they never showed it to others easily, nor did they use it to bully others.
But everyone knows that the Shen family has such a treasure, and no one wants to have a head-on conflict with the Shen family, let alone when the Shen family is in the right.
As a prefectural magistrate, Chen Shi had the authority to investigate suspicious places and to apprehend criminals anywhere outside the prince's residence.
Legally speaking, Bishan was not Prince Liang's private land, but was forcibly occupied by him using his power. No one dared to go against the prince, so it became his "private land" for many years.
The guards all fell to their knees, staring at each other.
Chen Shi rode forward: "Everyone get out of the way."
The guards had to withdraw to the sides to allow the government officials to pass.
"Brother Lin," Chen Shi muttered as he approached Lin Fan, "I'm even bringing my ancestors with me this time, so please don't embarrass them."
If the person cannot be found, the plaque will be lost in the future.
Lin Fan was certain: "They won't evacuate so quickly. If we can't find this mountain, we'll try another one."
When he left, the guards had not noticed anything unusual. By the time they discovered something unusual, it would take them much longer to get from here to the palace in the eastern suburbs, and then for the palace to send a message back. It would take him much longer to get to the county government office and then come back here.
The people on the mountain had no time to move.
"If we were to move to another mountain, it might not work." Chen Shi sighed softly, "This plaque can only frighten the guards outside. If we really want to break into the 'Prince's Mausoleum', even if we are right, we will be unreasonable."
Lin Fan nodded: "This time it's all thanks to Brother Shen."
"As long as we can solve the case, everything else is trivial." Chen Shi waved his hand casually and walked to the trail at the foot of the mountain. "Brother Lin, you are injured. Why don't you wait here?"
"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."
"Then we'll go together."
The two men walked up the mountain with the officials from the government office.
Zhuangyuan Lane.
After closing the shop and returning home, Li Jiuyue took Feng Caiyu and Jiang Qing to learn how to make pickles.
The three of them were tinkering in the yard, with Luo Qi helping them.
Xie Mingzhuo sat in the room, lit a lamp and read a book. Occasionally he would daydream and listen to the laughter in the yard, just to relax.
"Your Highness." Yang Yunkai returned from his outing, "Chen Shi, Lin Fan and their men have found a total of 26 women on the mountain, 18 of whom are pregnant."
Prince Liang had no time to order an evacuation and had to abandon them.
Xie Mingzhuo asked, "According to the county yamen files, there are also 26 women with multiple children who went missing?"
"more than."
It seems that the woman who was not rescued was either really lost or no longer alive.
"How was the case decided?"
"The government went to the eastern suburbs to inquire, and they replied that the guards on the mountain, unable to bear the loneliness, secretly abducted women into the mountains. This is truly audacious and presumptuous. I hope the government will punish them severely."
After getting rid of everything, the prince is still innocent.
"Dongjiao even asked Chenshi if he had found the wanted criminal."
Arresting the wanted criminal was just Chen Shi's excuse; his and Lin Fan's real purpose was to rescue the abducted woman.
Both sides know it well.
Dongjiao asked this question in order to strike back at Shenshi and get back his ground.
"How did Chen Shi respond?" Xie Mingzhuo was a little curious.
Yang Yunkai coughed lightly and said, "He said, 'The wanted criminal must have taken refuge in the mausoleum of Prince Liang. If Prince Liang is willing to relent for the sake of world peace, he wouldn't mind searching the mausoleum for the wanted criminal.'"
Xie Mingzhuo was stunned and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
This sunken stone is really interesting.
【Author’s words】
Big fat guy, hands on hips!
PS: I personally don’t like romance novels where a male character suddenly appears and ends up together with the female protagonist. When I write, I prefer novels with an emotional basis.
Lin Fan’s current positioning is that even if he is not regarded as the male lead, he is also an important supporting role that drives the development of the plot.
There are many important supporting roles with large screen times later, so don’t just focus on him.
Once the case related to his background is clarified, his role will be to provide emotional value, and his role will be reduced accordingly.
mwah!
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