Chapter 375 Doubt
Chu Ci took in all the changes in his expression, smiled slightly, and suddenly turned around, pretending to be unaware and asked, "Are you curious why I'm here?"
Chen Zhenlong didn't expect his thoughts to be seen through so easily. He was stunned at first, but then he stopped trying to hide his feelings and said frankly, "I have some. I hope the princess will be willing to enlighten me."
His eyes were firm and sincere, he bowed slightly, and asked for advice humbly.
"Originally, my husband planned to come here with County Lieutenant Shan, but unfortunately, another case occurred in the county that required him to handle. I was really worried, so I followed him."
"Mr. Chen, are you satisfied with this answer?" Chu Ci did not hide it and said directly.
Her eyes were clear and open, and her tone was calm and sincere.
"Originally, my husband planned to come here with County Lieutenant Shan, but unfortunately, another case occurred in the county that required him to handle. I was really worried, so I followed him."
After hearing Chu Ci's words, Chen Zhenlong's face flickered with realization, followed by a look of admiration. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "So that's how it is. The princess and her husband are deeply in love, and they care deeply about the safety of the people. I admire you deeply. It's truly a blessing for this place to have the princess come here in person."
Seeing Chen Zhenlong's demeanor soften, Chu Ci's eyes flashed with joy, and he immediately invited him warmly, "Mr. Chen, are you interested in visiting the county government? Perhaps you can provide more useful clues and ideas for resolving this matter."
Seeing Chen Zhenlong was a little hesitant.
Chu Ci continued, looking at him with a burning gaze, and said, "Mr. Chen, don't you want to see for yourself the sweet potatoes you brought back with so much difficulty being happily served on the tables of the people, becoming delicacies that fill their stomachs, with faces filled with satisfaction and happiness?"
Chu Ci's proposal really touched Chen Zhenlong's heart, causing ripples in his heart.
However, what really made him make up his mind was Shan Yufeng's words.
"Mr. Chen, as the village chief of Cuiliu Village, you are the most knowledgeable about why the tiger attacked us. You need to go to the county government and give a detailed statement."
"Moreover, you will be required to testify later when necessary. So I'm afraid you will have to stay in Tingzhou during this period of time." Shanyu Feng looked at Chen Zhenlong with a serious face and sincere eyes.
Chen Zhenlong frowned, a conflicted look on his face.
He was silent for a moment, then he sighed heavily and said, "Never mind, if that's the case, then I will cooperate with the government. I just hope that this matter can be properly handled as soon as possible so that the villagers can feel at ease."
There was a hint of helplessness in his eyes, but more of it was determination and responsibility.
Seeing him like this, Chu Ci felt a little relieved, and a gratified smile spread across his face: "Mr. Chen is very understanding. With your words, this matter will definitely be properly resolved. When it is accomplished, the people will be grateful to you."
Before Chen Zhenlong could react, Chu Ci couldn't wait to ask, "Sir, you're not from here, are you?"
"Why don't you just stay at the county government office for the time being?"
"Firstly, it will facilitate our timely communication and handling of the tiger attack. Secondly, it will also facilitate our discussion of sweet potato cultivation methods! After all, if sweet potatoes can be widely cultivated, it will benefit the people greatly."
If it was just the matter of the tiger attacking the village, Chen Zhenlong might still have refused.
After all, he is a casual person and doesn't want to be bound by too many trivial matters.
However, Chu Ci's mention of sweet potato planting hit his sore spot.
Chen Zhenlong was thinking about planting sweet potatoes widely so that more people could benefit from them. When faced with Chu Ci's proposal, he couldn't say no no.
His full desire and persistence in promoting sweet potato cultivation made it impossible for him to refuse such a rare opportunity.
"Okay, I'll listen to the princess."
"I am a government official from Changting County, Tingzhou, Minyue. Nice to meet you, princess." Chen Zhenlong bowed slightly with a respectful look, and then stood behind Chu Ci very consciously.
Changting County, as far as Chu Ci knew, was one of the counties closest to the sea in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Chu Ci immediately asked, "Then why did you come to Tingzhou, thousands of miles away? After all, if we want to popularize sweet potatoes, it should be easier for you, Chen Zhenlong, a yamen runner, to act locally!"
She frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion, and stared at Chen Zhenlong, waiting for his answer.
As soon as Chu Ci asked this question, even Shan Yu Feng and the yamen runners all stared at Chen Zhenlong closely, their eyes seemed to see through everything about him.
However, Chen Zhenlong was not afraid at all and told the story of his experience.
"After I discovered sweet potatoes in Luzon and brought them back, I excitedly reported them to our county magistrate, Lord Su Xuansu." An expression of reminiscence emerged on Chen Zhenlong's face, and his voice trembled slightly.
"Lord Su also attached great importance to this and wanted to promote planting to benefit the people. Lord Su's enthusiasm and firm determination are still engraved in the hearts of ordinary people." Speaking of Lord Su, Chen Zhenlong's eyes revealed admiration and nostalgia.
"What we never expected was that what was supposed to be a good thing for the country and the people would bring us fatal disaster." He shook his head helplessly, his face full of grief and indignation.
"On the third day after Lord Su submitted the memorial, a group of men in black arrived."
"That night, under a dark moon and strong wind, this group of men in black sneaked into the county government office like ghosts."
"They are all highly skilled in martial arts and ruthless. Not only did they beat Lord Su into a fool with one palm, they also swept away all the sweet potatoes in Changting County." When Chen Zhenlong said this, he clenched his fists, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.
Chu Ci frowned, his expression solemn, and asked anxiously, "The court didn't investigate this matter? How could such a heinous thing go unattended?"
Shan Yufeng also pressed the issue, "The murder of a county official is no small matter. Didn't the local governor investigate at all? Is there some hidden reason behind this?"
His eyes were full of suspicion and confusion.
Chen Zhenlong just shook his head, his face full of bitterness. "I don't know. I was struggling to save myself at the time and was only focused on escaping. How could I have the ability to investigate these things?"
Chu Ci's brows furrowed even deeper upon hearing this, and he stared at Chen Zhenlong fiercely, "What happened after you escaped? Didn't you investigate at all? Didn't you even notice a single clue?"
At this time, Chen Zhenlong did not answer, but slowly turned his head to look at the person he had just shouted and killed.
There were complex emotions in his eyes, including anger, helplessness, and a hint of expectation.
"He has been chasing me for two years. I have been hiding from people and running around all the time. If it weren't for the clues, he should know who is behind the scenes." Chen Zhenlong gritted his teeth, his tone full of resentment.
Two years ago?
For some reason, Chu Ci's mind instantly thought of the time when the Fan family was just exiled.
But on second thought, haven’t the second prince and the rebels of the previous dynasty already been investigated and punished?
Is there any hidden secret behind this matter?
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