Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Chapter 898 Mingzun, I found you!
A river of clear water passes through the city, and ten miles of green hills and half enter the city.

At the juncture of the continuous battle in Jinghu and the internal power struggle, Xiangyang City, as an important pass for waterway transportation in the south, began to quickly recover its vitality.

Outside the city is construction in full swing, the majestic city walls are reinforced, and the moat is constantly widening.

Not only did the width increase to sixty feet, but under Tao Zongwang's command, the craftsmen also left a water outlet in the southwest of the city and the south canal, and set up control gates. When the water in the moat was shallow, the water from the Xiangqu canal was introduced.

A water outlet was also left in the northeast of the city and a gate was set up. When the moat overflowed, the gate was opened and poured into the Han River, so as to adjust the water level of the moat and ensure the safety of the city.

The Ministry of Industry worked very hard, and Tao Zongwang felt the joy of construction. As for whether Fang La was happy or not, he didn't know.

And the city has changed drastically.

It turns out that when Guo Kang ravaged this area, the wealthy households fled first, and if they didn’t flee, their homes were ransacked and their clans were wiped out.

Now it's the other way around. After getting the news, people flocked back one after another. Even the people who were not from Xiangyang originally dragged their families and gathered here to avoid the chaos of war.

Ever since, Yan Jun had to dispatch manpower to limit the number of people entering the city in addition to training the navy on the Han River.

After all, the scale of Xiangyang City is so large, and if the city is besieged next, the food in the city cannot bear too much pressure.

As for the crowds who rushed over, there was no need to drive them away, they just sent them to Luoyang, where they were ravaged by the Liao army and Zhang Xian's thieves, so that their vitality was seriously injured.

When Li Yan and Qiao Daoqing brought Wang Qing and Song Jiang into Xiangyang City, what they saw was the flow of people heading north in an orderly manner. Yang Xiong, who had received the news, had been waiting for a long time, and he bowed his hands and saluted: "I have seen the 'Zuo Ming' seniors." !"

In order to deal with Mingzun, "Zuo Ming" specially asked King Yan to order two helpers.

One is Qiao Daoqing from Erxian Mountain, who came here to decipher Mingzun's illusion;

The other is Yang Xiong, the Minister of Secrets of the Governor's Mansion, who came here for southern intelligence.

At this time, Yang Xiong sent the list: "The identities of the cult's eight protectors have been determined, their connections have been collected, and the special attack department has sent manpower!"

Li Yan took the list, read it carefully, and felt relieved at Yan Ting's increasing efficiency: "Okay!"

Wang Qing thought of these Dharma protectors who had the virtue of humility in Ming Zun's mouth, and subconsciously probed.

I saw the above personnel, distributed in the southern states and counties, even Jinling and Jiangling, not only wealthy merchants, but also local wealthy gentry, all of them are prominent figures.

But there is no doubt that this group of people can have such wealth and status, which is inseparable from the support of Ming Zunjiao behind the scenes.

The believers in the middle and lower classes rely more on beliefs, while the connections at the higher levels rely on interests. Of course, there are also people who are completely devoted to King Ming.

Wang Qing obviously valued all benefits, and this time he felt that he was being dragged down by Ming Zun, so he gritted his teeth secretly: "Ming Zun's religion should be destroyed!"

Originally, he was a good secretary of the Ministry of Officials, Fang La achieved a great cause, and he was able to rise to the top. If possible, go directly north to Xiangyang...

So at this moment, Wang Qing really hated Mingzun deeply, and couldn't wait to ask: "Senior, is Mingzun really a descendant of Chu Xiang?"

Li Yan shook his head: "After more than a thousand years, how could they be the real descendants of Chuxiang? The so-called descendants of celebrities have a high degree of credibility within a hundred years. They can be traced back hundreds of years. They have survived wars and survived. Yes, it is often those noble families from the previous dynasty."

"And even the high-ranking noble families, such as the five surnames and seven families, actually basically made their fortunes during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and there are some impostors among them."

"When is Chu Xiang? It's been [-] years ago, and there are absolutely no descendants. Xiang Yu's uncle, Xiang Bo, surrendered to Emperor Han Gao, was given the surname Liu, and changed his name to Liu Chan. It is most likely that it will be passed down to today's Xiang Bo. The bloodline of the clan should also be people with the surname Liu, and it has long been lost to everyone."

Thinking of the Xiang family's surname being Liu now, Wang Qing couldn't help sighing: "So that's how it is..."

Li Yan continued: "However, it is very common to misidentify ancestors' relatives". For example, Ma Yin in the Five Dynasties, who ruled Hunan separately, was named King of Chu by Zhu Wen, but he claimed to be General Fubo of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Ma Yuan's descendants also dare to misidentify him after nearly a thousand years."

"Many rulers who were born in poverty will be like this after they reach a high position. First, they have a glorious ancestor, which makes it easier to be recognized by all classes. It is also because of their vanity, and they begin to forget their roots, thinking that they should be born noble."

"My judgment of Mingzun's identity is not based on blood inheritance, but psychological analysis... General Song, what do you think?"

Song Jiang didn't expect that this person would ask him for his opinion. Hesitation flashed across his dark face, and he finally said: "Ming Zun has great power, but has been hiding in a low-key way. He always feels unwilling. If this person's surname is really Xiang , taking Chu as the title of the country, it should be pinned on the desire for power, and it also has the meaning of stealing the fate of the country in the end..."

Wang Qing always thought that he understood people's hearts, and only after hearing this did he fully understand. He couldn't help but look at this court general with admiration.

Li Yan knew that the other party's scriptures were not in vain, so he nodded slightly: "It is precisely this reason, General Song really understands people's hearts."

Song Jiangdao: "I got a hint, far less clear than your Excellency, you can guess so much with just one king name..."

Li Yandao: "This is not a guess, it's just a guess. There are too few clues, so that's the only way to go. If one hits, it depends on luck, not discernment."

Song Jiang actually thought so too, but when the other party said this, he couldn't help but feel even more depressed.

Just like what this guy just said, the higher the status, the more often vanity inflates, and he begins to forget his origins, and has a blind self-confidence, thinking that what he does is right, and it is good to accept advice with an open mind. It's really scary.

This world-leading rebel belongs to the latter.

Thinking that King Yan had already occupied the Central Plains, and there were such figures supporting him to fight for the dragon, Song Jiang felt more and more worried that the court was in danger.

"Song Jiang Song Jiang, the country of the Great Song Dynasty, is it on your shoulders?"

Li Yan looked at this short black man, and found it quite interesting.

He doesn't like Song Jiang, but he won't belittle him either.

Compared with the CCTV version of Song Jiang, who was weakened by the protagonist and made all the heroes bow down, Song Jiang in the original book is very capable, especially good at uniting people, managing organizations, and has the charisma of a leader. good material.

For the mainstream thinking of people in this era, Song Jiang can be regarded as a hero of Liangshan, who has won a good way out, but for later generations, this person is loyal to the corrupt court of Song Huizong, bowed his knees to corrupt officials, worked wholeheartedly, and finally The brothers suffered heavy casualties, and if one of the slogans of the past was not realized, the face appeared very hateful.

Now Song Jiang doesn't need to be a thief before calling for peace. This petty official has been honorably appreciated in the crumbling court, his status has risen sharply, and Fang La stretched out his hand to call for peace...

The world is really wonderful.

After thinking about it, Li Yan began to arrange specific tasks: "One of you is stealing Fang La, and the other is unknown to the court. They are all in Mingzun's calculations. The so-called entanglement of cause and effect, this search is also carried out by you. Yang Busi, take them to the secret room..."

Yang Xiong took the order: "Yes! You two come with me!"

Walking into the house, looking at the high stack of documents, Yang Xiong introduced: "These are the rosters of officials, gentry, and rich households from all walks of life. If you want to find people, you can start with this pile of Jinghu South Road. ..."

Song Jiang and Wang Qing were both shocked, they hurried to the table and looked through it.

What is recorded in it is indeed a summary of the status of important social figures from various parts of the South.

The official part was obtained from the Ministry of Officials in Bianjing. When Zhao Ji fled south, he left in a hurry and did not take away a large number of documents. All of them were taken over peacefully by the Yan army, saving a lot of effort.

The private part is sorted out by the secret department, and the spies have been scattered into the southern states and counties early on, and the intelligence is continuously reported.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger, the Yan army is really terrifying!"

The more Song Jiang watched, the more frightened he became. Song Jun had almost no sources of news from the north, and his eyes could only be limited to the south of the Yangtze River. On the other hand, the north had a clear picture of Song Ting's movements...

Such a gap in intelligence, the strength of the two armies is equal, can't stand it, not to mention that the combat effectiveness of the Western Army is still deteriorating, and an easy-to-attack and difficult-to-defend Jiangling Mansion can stop them for a long time...

"The gap is too big. Even if I can securely seize Fangla's foundation, how can I resist the Yan army once it goes south? It's really better to let Fang La be the lord on top, and I am a subject. When I surrender, I can still be an official and a half in the new dynasty." job..."

Wang Qing also sighed secretly, seeing the vitality of Xiangyang City, and seeing the gap in specific work, he was basically desperate.

Not to mention not occupying the entire Jingxiang now, but even occupying it, compared with the Yan army that dominates the essence of the Central Plains, I don't know where the winning point is...

While the two were somewhat dejected, they looked at each other again, and understood that they had the same idea: "Find out Ming Zun first, we can only live if this person is dead!"

Under the supervision of Yang Xiong, Song Jiang and Wang Qing started working with a group of officials.

Li Yan and Qiao Daoqing chatted and tasted tea not far away, discussing the techniques of illusion.

Facts have proved that a clear division of labor is conducive to work efficiency.

Soon, Xiang's family on South Jing South Road was found out and handed over to two people for investigation, and then expanded the scope to the surrounding area, and finally cross-compared with the social relations of the eight guardians.

With Mingzun's cautious way of handling things, under normal circumstances, he would not allow his true identity to have a close relationship with the Dharma protectors under his command, so as to avoid being implicated in the exposure of Dharma protectors.

Of course, this is not completely absolute, but it is still of great reference value in the screening process.

So, just over an hour later, Song Jiang and Wang Qing presented a short list:

"Xiang Shi'an, courtesy name Pingfu, is from Jiangling Mansion, Jinghu North Road, and knows Ezhou;"

"Xiang Yong, whose courtesy name is Boda, is from Songxi County, Jianzhou, Fujian Road, and is currently the captain of Changsha County;"

"Xiang Long, courtesy name Fengming, is a native of Shezhou on the Liangzhe Road. He is now an official and lives by the Dongting Lake;"

The Xiang family belonged to a small surname, there were not many people, and after screening, there were only three people in the end.

Li Yan looked at it and handed it to Yang Xiong.

Yang Xiong understood, and immediately took someone to summon the country gentry in Xiangyang City, asking if anyone recognized these three, and began to add specific information, such as which imperial examination, official contacts, hobbies, relatives and friends, etc...

When this message was sent back again, it was already dark, and a piece of paper had become three books.

Li Yan looked up with a peaceful breath.

Wang Qing and Song Jiang stood in front of them, breathless, but nervous.

According to what this person said, the investigation from Mr. Xiang was just a guess, and there was no real evidence, but when they first searched, they felt a strange feeling, as if the target they were looking for was really hidden among this group of people. Coupled with the fact that it is related to one's own safety, of course one is eager to succeed.

After reading it, Li Yan said calmly, "Are you two deeply impressed by Zhu Dan, the prefect of Jiangling Prefecture?"

The expressions of the two changed immediately.

Wang Qing first said: "Of course, this person also believes in King Ming. He first took refuge in Fang La, and was also persuaded by the church. He also cooperated with me a lot before..."

Song Jiang said in a deep voice: "My brother Wang Ying died because he wanted to turn against this person..."

Li Yan handed over the roster: "Xiang Long is Zhu Dan's father-in-law. Zhu Dan is forty-two years old this year. He has only a five-year-old only son under his knees. He treats him like a treasure and loves him extremely. The biological mother of the small yamen is Xiang Long. Female."

Qiao Daoqing was not good at this, and he hadn't opened his mouth before, but when he heard this, his eyes were serious: "Is this person Mingzun?"

"I can't say for sure, but it reminds me of something."

Li Yan shook his head slightly, and looked at Wang Qing: "You said before that Ming Zun usually sees you after the time of Xu, but not long after Wang Ying's death, he made an exception to see you earlier?"

Wang Qing nodded again and again: "Exactly!"

Li Yan looked at Song Jiang again: "Your subordinates, Mu Hong and Mu Chun, brought Zhu Dan's only son, Xiao Ya Nei, out of Jiangling Mansion and into Song Ying?"

Kidnapping a five-year-old child is obviously a scandal, but Song Jiang knew he couldn't deny it, and said in a low voice, "Yes."

But then, Li Yan's words sent chills straight to the sky: "You two are a pair, is this the same day?"

When the two of them were together, Wang Qing moaned: "No way..."

Song Jiang's face changed drastically: "Not good! I will give the child to my brother to take care of!"

……

"Big brother must be rescued. If you are alive, you must see people, and if you die, you must see corpses!"

In the Song military camp, Li Kui's broken gong and voice resounded everywhere, and there were occasional scoldings from Zhang Qing and others, forming a quarrel.

"Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaible"

Outside the tent, Song Qing hugged Xiao Ya Nei, coaxing the child: "Don't cry, don't cry! Alas, what are you doing with this child who should have been sent to the Jiangling mansion long ago?"

Just as he was having a headache, the crying of the child in his arms slowly stopped.

At some point, two figures hung above, looking down:

"Mingzun, I found you!"

　Thanks to book friends "Bloodfiend", "Longlynn", "Orange Summer Lantern", "Rogeotarifos" and "Book Friends 20200306220649381" for their rewards.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)