Jiaochu

Chapter 162 Yangzhou Governor ([-])

"Is it him?" Yan Fei's eyes darkened a little.

Ye Lingjue said: "This person came from Xuzhou. He has a recommendation letter from a local workshop. There is no problem with his origin. What's interesting is that Concubine Liu is also from Xuzhou. In addition, Xuzhou is close to Xiuzhou, and Xiuzhou That place was once the place where the forces of the previous dynasty were entrenched, you must have heard about it, and you must also know who is guarding Xiuzhou now."

The one currently guarding Xiuzhou is General Lin, the elder brother of Empress Lan Fei. He is the only one among the seven military governors who holds military power. He has guarded Xiuzhou for seven years and managed the place where fish and dragons are mixed to flourish. It is his three One of the rare people that his uncle admires. Yan Fei has heard from his third uncle since he was a child that he is familiar with military deployments in various places. His third uncle also said that he would bring the Long Shadow Guard to him in the future. Recently, for some reason, He changed his mind again and said that if he became the leader of the Long Shadow Guard, he would not be able to get a wife. His improper look was just a bit... wretched, so he left without eating.

He also knew something about the Liu family.

Concubine Liu's brother Liu Xin is the inspector of Xiuzhou. Every year, this inspector comes to Beijing to congratulate her. This is also a rule set by the late emperor.

The previous Jiedushi of Xiuzhou colluded with the rebels and had his family confiscated and exterminated. After that, the late emperor set up the post of inspector in Xiuzhou. The second Jiedushi was Liu Fan, the father of Concubine Liu, and later Ye Lanchen ascended the throne. Lin Yi, Lan Fei's brother, took over as the third Jiedu envoy of Xiuzhou, and Liu Xin took over as the inspector of Xiuzhou.When the late emperor put down the rebellion in Xiuzhou, Liu Fan served as a military advisor and used a cunning plan to capture the rebel leader. Therefore, during the reign of the late emperor, he relied more heavily on the Liu family. At that time, Liu Fan served as the governor of Xiuzhou, and the late emperor also granted him a title. He was the prince's young master. Later Liu Fan died of illness and the Liu family gradually declined.

"If the missing craftsman sawed off the railing, the matter has nothing to do with the craftsman. Why would the other party hide the body of the craftsman? Isn't he asking for trouble?" Yanfei said.

"Why did he hide the craftsman and why he faked his death?" Ye Lingjue asked, seemingly questioning, "It was all just to deceive others."

Yan Fei soon understood what those four words meant. Commander Wu had captured all the craftsmen, except for the missing craftsman, so the focus of the investigation would be on that craftsman. The secrets of the others were safe, but Commander Wu did not fall into the trap and secretly monitored every move of the others, so he thought of another way to escape.

But what is the purpose of this person entering the palace? He has been dormant for ten years and is willing to fake his death just because of a possible crisis. How ulterior is this purpose?

"Master Liu should arrive in two days, and it is inconvenient for me to find out the truth." Ye Lingjue said.

Yanfei said: "Your Highness wants my third uncle to go?"

"If General Yan is not busy," Ye Lingjue said, "If Xiuzhou is really involved, it would be beneficial to both the court and Lingxi to find out early." He glanced out the window and saw that Hanshan Temple had arrived. .

The carriage stopped slowly at the foot of Hanshan Temple.

Ye Lingjue gave an order, and Dong Mo drove the carriage back the same way.

The sun sets in the west, and a thin layer of twilight rises from the earth. At this time, the people who came to the temple to see the plum blossoms have dispersed, and only a little light fragrance floats in the air, seemingly there or not, it is the fragrance of plum blossoms.

Above the stone steps is a simple and leisurely building. After the vicissitudes of life, the lead has been washed away, and the plum fragrance remains the same.

The two of them walked up the stairs without saying a word to each other on the way. When they arrived at the door, a man quietly walked over from behind the shadow of the tree next to them.

"I just heard someone say that there is a thousand-year-old plum tree in the back mountain. Why don't we go and see it together." There are hundreds of plum trees planted in the back mountain, each with its own shape and charm. It looks crowded and stacked, or two or three are scattered in a well-proportioned manner, or one is proudly independent, and the red plum blossoms are like clouds and fog, revealing an illusory beauty in the hazy light.

And in the center is the thousand-year-old plum tree.

The trunk of this plum tree is quite thick, showing a dark and luminous texture. The crown of the tree is opened like a crown, and the layers of red plums are sparsely spread from top to bottom, like red pearls inlaid in the sky. The branches are very beautiful.The open space within one foot of the surrounding area was kept very clean, so clean that no one could bear to step on it for fear of getting dust from their soles on it.

"As expected of a thousand years—"

"If you have anything to say, please speak directly."

The young brother who claimed to have been lured to the capital saw the clusters of steaming plum blossoms and was about to praise him. He looked relaxed and at ease, as if he had forgotten that he had just said in the inn that he was desperate. .

"Your Highness is a cheerful person, so I won't beat around the bush." ​​He suddenly put away the relaxed look on his face, and his expression suddenly became serious, "My surname is Fang. I was a swordsman. Five years ago, when I was dueling with someone, I was seriously injured and was rescued by a young lady. Later, I stayed in this young lady's house as a guard. The master of the house appreciated my courage and wisdom and married the young lady to me. A few days ago, my old husband The person was escorted to the capital, and two days later, I received a letter." As he spoke, he reached into his arms as if to take out the letter. The two of them thought so, but he took out a book. Account books.

What's even stranger is that the account book is stained with blood.

Ye Lingjue glanced at the account book and said, "You are not that guard Fang, right?"

Yan Fei also guessed this. This person's weird words and deeds seemed more like a performance in his eyes.

The guard Fang clicked his tongue twice, "Nowadays, children are getting harder and harder to deceive. If I had known, I would have sent the prince here." As he said this, he tossed it casually, and Yan Fei caught the account book.

"I picked up this account book on the road. The whole family of three was being hunted. Brother Fang was breathing his last breath. Fortunately, I met this hero. I came to the rescue and beat the killers to death. He thanked me for saving his wife and children. Before he died, he entrusted me with this account book, and also entrusted his wife and children to me. You said that I am a young and talented man who is not yet married. What will happen to me who brings up a family? Marrying a wife is an orphan and a widowed mother after all, and I can't leave her in the mountains to feed the wolves. She is at Jixiang Inn. If it is true or false, you can find out by asking Mrs. Fang."

After saying that, he waved his hand and left gracefully. After walking a few steps, he stopped and threw something over.

"Boy, go on."

Yanfei raised his hand to catch a wooden box.

"It's for your third uncle."

The "Guard Fang" waved his hand and left again.

Yanfei looked at the two things in his hands, a blood-stained account book and an exquisite wooden box. A strange feeling arose in his heart. It was just like the impression the other party left on him. A weirdo. Do you know how he met his third uncle?
(End of this chapter)