The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 300: The road is higher

In the early morning, the river in front of the village still flows quietly, as clear as yesterday. However, more than a dozen houses in the village, along with their owners, were reduced to embers and ashes in the fire last night, and the air is still full of You can smell a pungent burning smell.

Tiehu and Xingwei looked extremely gloomy. The two hundred cavalrymen behind them had dismounted, holding the reins of their horses and standing with their heads bowed. They looked sad and angry, silently mourning in front of the ruins.

"——Report! Traces of thieves were found in the east!" A scout galloped over on horseback.

Tie Huhu's eyes were cold, so he picked up the iron rod and jumped on his horse. Xing Wei also jumped on his mount, gritted his teeth and shouted: "Everyone get on the horse and chop this bunch of bastards into pieces."

At that moment, the two hundred cavalrymen mounted their horses with murderous intent, and like a violent thundercloud, they galloped toward the east. However, they pursued them all the way to the seaside, but in the end they found nothing and could only hold back their breath. They searched carefully along the coast, but they didn't know that Kang Dayong and others had already gone in the opposite direction and fled inland towards Taizhou.

…………

In the lobby of the Rugao County Government Office, Yi Hong, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, was like an angry trapped beast, pacing back and forth with a pulled face, and his sinister and sharp eyes made people shudder. Everyone in the lobby took a deep breath, fearing that they might get into trouble with King Yi Yan.

It turned out that day Yi Hong heard that the leader of the bandits, Kang Dayong, was suspected of escaping into Rugao County. Regardless of his own injuries, he immediately summoned the Jin Yiwei to rush to the scene in Rugao County, and ordered the garrison troops from nearby counties to rush in to encircle him, especially along the coast of Rugao County. The whole area was searched again and again, barely turning over the land, but in the end not even a single thief was found. It was incredible that Kang Dayong and his gang seemed to have disappeared from the world.

"They are all trash. What is the use of the imperial court in supporting you guys? I'll give you three more days. If you can't catch Kang Dayong and his gang, you can all go home and farm..."

Yi Hong laughed loudly at this time and said: "It's just a joke, Jia Xiucai, don't think nonsense. By the way, our people have almost turned over the entire Rugao County in the past few days, and we haven't found any trace of the thief Kang Dayong." , This thief seems to have disappeared from the world. Isn’t it strange that Jia Xiucai asked? Or else Zhang Guizhang made a mistake and Kang Dayong and his gang did not escape into Rugao County at all. "

When Dai Li saw Jia Huan arriving, he felt inexplicably uneasy, because this kid was very evil, as if anything he handled could be done easily. Wouldn't it be terrible if he really caught Kang Dayong? ?

At this time, Jia Huan stepped forward quickly, bowed his head and saluted Yi Hong, and said humbly: "I don't dare to take it seriously. Jia Huan has met Mr. Yi." After saying this, he turned around and saluted other officials.

Although Jia Huan was busy at the moment, he was as calm and unhurried as ever, always giving people a feeling of being confident, which made Yi Hong feel a little jealous inexplicably.

The magistrate of Rugao County stood close, and his face was sprayed with spittle, but he did not dare to reach out to wipe it off, so he could only lower his head and remain silent. The military officials present were even red-faced, so ashamed that they couldn't even shit. Dare to let one go.

Jia Huan shook his head and said: "Zhang Shen will act prudently. Such important information cannot be mistaken. Kang Dayong must have fled into Rugao County that day. As for whether he is still there now, it is unknown. Mr. Yi Do you have a detailed map of Rugao County?”

Jia Huan took the map and unfolded it, and found that the paper was yellowed and obviously old. It was probably a map retained by the county government. The painting was relatively abstract, but all the land and water transportation routes were marked, so he began to study it carefully.

Jia Huan felt a little chilled in his heart. Yi Hong meant something by what he said. He seemed to be dissatisfied with himself. By the way, this man was really evil-minded. Could it be that he had captured Chongming Sand and aroused his jealousy?

At this time, Yi Hong had put on a smiling face and greeted him enthusiastically: "What a coincidence, everyone is looking forward to Jia Xiucai, so Jia Xiucai is here. It's really timely."

Yi Hong touched the black eyepatch and said mockingly: "I can't die. I still have a little pain, but I can eat and sleep. Hey, it's okay if your eyes are blind, but your mind is not blind. Now you can see some people and things better than before. Cleared." After saying that, he looked at Jia Huan with a meaningful expression.

Yi Hong replied: "Of course I did. I wouldn't have made such an omission. Moreover, I immediately mobilized manpower to block all land and water transportation routes in Rugao County. If Kang Dayong, the leader of the thieves, did escape into the county, he would be safe." He can’t escape even if he has wings.”

Dai Li, the commander of the Yangzhou Guard, waited for Yi Hong to finish venting, and then smiled and said: "Master Yi, please calm down. In fact, everyone has tried their best and searched everywhere possible. There is nothing we can do if we can't catch him. , By the way, could it be that General Zhang’s information was wrong and that the thief Kang Dayong did not escape into Rugao County at all? Or maybe the other party had already escaped to the sea before we encircled him? "

A flash of light flashed in Yi Hong's single eye, and he turned to look at the door of the lobby. He saw a young man walking in, no doubt it was Jia Huan, followed closely by Mandarin, a foreign maid disguised as a man. Afterwards, there was a blond man with blue eyes, skin as white as snow, tall figure, dressed in shorts, carrying a sword on his waist and a round shield on his back. He was really beautiful and sassy, ​​and he was particularly eye-catching.

A Jinyi guard next to him quickly took out a map from his backpack and handed it to Jia Huan.

Yi Hong paced back and forth for half a stick of incense, and finally broke out. He pointed at the civil and military officials present and cursed loudly, spitting out the fragrance, and continued to drink tea.

All the officials hurriedly smiled and returned the greeting. Although this boy was only white, he still had Lin Ruhai's seal of governor Yingtian hanging on his waist, and his abilities were obvious to all, so no one dared to neglect him at all.

Jia Huan saw the ceremony with everyone and asked with concern: "How is Master Yi's injury?"

Yi Hong's expression changed. Now the number of troops involved in the encirclement and search has exceeded ten thousand, including two guards. Rugao County itself is not big. If Kang Dayong and his group are really here, it is unlikely that they will not be able to find them out. Could it be that they are really like this? According to Dai Li, Kang Dayong never fled into Rugao County in the first place, or did he slip away before the encirclement?
When Yi Hong was hesitating, a guard in golden clothes walked in quickly, leaned into his ear and whispered: "Sir, Jia Huan is here."

Yi Hong glanced at Jia Huan, who was engrossed in studying the map. He felt quite conflicted. He hoped that Jia Huan would find something, but he was worried that Jia Huan would find something, so as not to make it appear that this person was really smarter than him.

Yi Hongran said: "What Jia Xiucai said is a layman's question. Of course there are some. Otherwise, how can we arrange our troops? Come here, show Jia Xiucai the map."

Jia Huan studied it carefully for a while, pointed at the map and said, "These rivers all flow into the sea. Has Mr. Yi sent someone to check them?"

Jia Huan nodded: "Master Yi is very cautious and resolute in his actions. Jia Huan admires him. But does this map mark all the rivers that enter the sea in this county?"

Yi Hong turned to look at the Rugao County Magistrate. The latter couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and said cautiously: "This picture was drawn during the Dazhi period. It is almost forty years ago. It is unknown whether the rivers may have changed their course during this period, and some small rivers may have surged." There are so many branches that it is inevitable not to include them all.”

Yi Hong's face suddenly darkened and he said sternly: "What do you do as a county magistrate? Since you know that there are flaws in the county map, why didn't you re-map it in time? If the thief escapes because of this, watch your head!"

The magistrate of Rugao County was so frightened that his legs became weak and his face turned pale. However, he still had some literary backbone and did not fall to his knees on the spot. He said tremblingly: "Yes, it was the official's negligence. I will find someone to redraw it immediately."

Jia Huan shook his head and said: "It's too late to redraw the map now. However, the thieves may not be familiar with the rivers in this county. The possibility of escaping to the sea through the nameless river is very low. County Magistrate Zhang only needs to send an order to the people of this county. If every family has a missing boat, If it is stolen, it must be reported in time." All the civil and military officials present brightened up and agreed: "Master Huan, this is a good and appropriate method!"

The magistrate of Rugao County glanced at Jia Huan gratefully, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Huan. I will let someone handle it now."

Yi Hong remained calm and silent, apparently having no objections. The Rugao County magistrate breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and left in a hurry.

Mandarin had been standing behind Jia Huan. Although she didn't fully understand, she still managed to get a general idea. Seeing the seventh-grade civil servant leaving with sweat on his cheeks, she couldn't help but pursed her lips and glanced at the calm and calm certain person. The man was inexplicably happy, thinking to himself, this guy is indeed smart.

At this time, I heard Jia Huan say again: "If Wan Sheng's prediction is correct, Mr. Yi should focus his search on the area along the coastline."

Yi Hong nodded and said solemnly: "Of course."

"I'm afraid this is inappropriate!" Jia Huan shook his head.

Yi Hong was stunned for a moment, then said a little displeasedly: "What's wrong?"

Jia Huan pointed to the northwest side of the map, where Rugao County and Taizhou border, and said, "This place is full of mountains, forests and hills. I wonder if Master Yi has searched carefully?"

Yi Hong suddenly frowned, and Yangzhou Guard Commander Dai Li interrupted with a smile: "Kang Dayong and his gang are pirates, not rough bandits. They are in a hurry to escape from the sea, so how can they run into the inland mountains? , isn’t this asking for death?”

Jia Huanruo glanced at Dai Li meaningfully and said: "There is a saying in the art of war. What is false is true, and what is true is false. Since most people hold the idea of ​​Commander Dai, will the thieves do the opposite? How about doing it right?”

As soon as these words came out, all the officials present looked thoughtful, including Yi Hong.

Dai Li's heart skipped a beat, it was really possible, but he still said with a smile: "They are just a group of gangsters. Could it be that Jia Xiucai overestimates them? And we have also searched that area and found nothing. Yes." Yes, I remember that people under Chu Qianshi are in charge of that area, right?"

Chu Qianshi is Chu Dazhong, the commander of the Taizhou Guard. He is in his forties and has a large distance between his eyebrows. Such people are usually generous and kind to others, but they are also easy to be manipulated. They are also commonly known as The reason why a good old man but a soft-spoken son can sit in the position of guard and command is purely because he inherited his father's legacy. Otherwise, it would be impossible for such a soft-spoken person to climb to this position.

Let's say that when this Qian official heard Dai Li calling his name, he stood up and said: "It is indeed our Taizhou Guards who are responsible for searching that area, and no trace of the thief was found."

Jia Huan nodded and said: "Then I'll trouble Chu Qianshi to search carefully again, and expand the scope to Taizhou as much as possible, focusing on searching various woods, go now!"

Chu Dazhong cupped his hands and said: "The final general has your order." After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the hall.

Yi Hong was naturally very unhappy when he saw Jia Huan giving orders calmly in front of him, but he hoped to catch Kang Dayong, the leader of the thieves. After all, this person was the key to the "private salt nest case". Can he complete the task handed down by the emperor? The task given to him, to overthrow Prince Yi Zhong, would probably fall on the brothers Kang Dayong and Kang Dayi.

Yi Hong didn't know that Kang Lingcheng had been secretly rescued by Jia Huan, so he pinned his hope of solving the case on the Kang brothers.

At this time, Jia Huan ordered again: "Commander Dai, you also allocate half of the Yangzhou Guards to focus on investigating the dense forests and grasslands near the border between Haimen County and Rugao County."

Dai Li glanced at Yi Hong hesitantly, but did not immediately accept the order. Jia Huan raised his eyebrows and said coldly: "Commander Dai, do you have any objections?"

Just as the so-called raised eyebrow sword was unsheathed, Jia Huan raised his sword eyebrow, and his eyes were filled with a fierce aura. Even an old man like Dai Li couldn't help but shudder, and said hurriedly: "I have no objections, so I will order someone to do it." go."

Yi Hong frowned secretly. He was a little uncomfortable with Jia Huan's sudden "dominance" and said with a smile: "Is Jia Xiucai so sure that the thieves will flee inland?"

Jia Huan said confidently: "I'm not 100% sure, but I'm still 70% or 80% sure."

Yi Hong took a deep look at Jia Huan, nodded and said: "Okay, in that case, I will wait and see. Everyone has dispersed to do their own duties. I will see the results within three days, otherwise don't blame me for turning my back." !”

All the officials withdrew sternly, and Jia Huan was about to leave, but Yi Hong said with a smile: "Brother Huan, don't mind. I am being harsh on purpose, just to put more pressure on those guys. It is not aimed at you."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Master Yi has good intentions, how could Jia Huan not understand?"

Yi Hong chuckled and sighed: "Brother Huan, just understand. Brother Yi, I am old and now I am blind. The emperor pays great attention to appearance. I am afraid that my official career will come to an end in this life, and Brother Huan is very young." "You are handsome, both civil and military, and if you become successful in the future, don't forget to give Brother Yi a helping hand. It's not a waste of time for us to work together today."

Yi Hong may not have great wisdom, but he is definitely cunning and insidious. I am afraid it is too much to believe even 10% of his words, so Jia Huan calmly said: "Master Yi, Jane is in the heart of the emperor, and the holy family is prosperous. Jia Huan No matter how good he is, if he wants help, it is Jia Huan who begs Master Yi to help him. "

Yi Hong laughed and said: "Brother Huan is being humble. Let's just take care of each other. We are not afraid to tell the truth. Brother Huan has already fallen into the eyes of noble people. If we can eliminate Kang Dayong and his gang this time, we can use this achievement to get a title on the gold medal list and rise to the top." It’s just around the corner!”

"Noble?" Jia Huan looked confused.

Yi Hong patted Jia Huan on the shoulder and smiled: "You will know in the future."

(End of this chapter)