Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 375 Jiang Liu's whereabouts

Early morning, Gusu, Tielingguan Ferry.

After a day's sailing, Zheng Xiaohai's sailboat had entered the territory of Gusu at dawn the next day.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao stood at the bow of the boat, facing the cool morning breeze and gazing at the charming ancient city before them.

At the ferry crossing where the morning mist had not yet dissipated, many night ships were calling in.

The shouts of the boat captain poleing the barge, the figures of coolies carrying goods back and forth, and the loud calls of hawkers carrying loads on their shoulders all merge together.

The Hanshan Temple not far away is extremely eye-catching with its yellow walls, black tiles, and flying eaves. The melodious and loud bell sounds, solemn and deep, echoing over the ancient city.

All these scenes are like a painting painted with ink. In the dim light of the early morning, although the shadows are hazy, the outlines are clear and it is full of simple and lively fireworks.

Jia Cong said goodbye to Zheng Xiaohai and his wife, added ten taels to the originally agreed rental fee, and agreed to rent their boat again on his next return trip.

The couple thanked them profusely and agreed, saying many happy words wishing them a long lasting marriage and a son soon, which made Zhishao's pretty face blush.

Along the way, Zheng Xiaohai and his wife saw that the two of them were young, good-looking, and behaved in a friendly manner.

They just thought they were a newlywed couple visiting their parents-in-law, and now that they had received a large sum of money, they had to say some auspicious words to please them.

When Jia Cong and Zhi Shao got off the boat, they could still vaguely hear the happy voice of Zheng Xiaohai's wife.

"Boss, we have been very lucky these past two months. We have met such a good customer. If we have more business like this, we will have enough food and clothing for two years..."

Zheng Xiaohai laughed and scolded, "Silly woman, just shut up. You are still making noises like you are afraid that others don't know."

Jia Cong was a man of sharp ears and eyes, so he naturally heard these gossips, but he didn't care. He chartered Zheng Xiaohai's boat for thirty taels of silver, and later saw that the couple were honest people.

Thinking of taking their boat again on the way back to Yangzhou, I added ten taels when paying.

Forty taels of silver were enough for an ordinary family to live without worries about food and clothing for more than half a year. No wonder the couple were so happy.

……

He looked at the busy ships docked at the pier, and suddenly remembered that Zhou Zhengyang was involved in a major case of the Water Supervision Bureau, and he no longer had a place in the Great Zhou.

If it were me, the best solution would be to flee overseas and live far away from home.

However, there are several garrisons guarding along the way, so he might not be able to escape.

The commanders of each guard are on the same level as Zhou Zhengyang. Generals of the same level in the army are all enemies who can replace and compete with each other. No one will be polite to him at this time.

I just thought about this idea briefly and didn't take it seriously.

He turned around and looked beside her. Zhishao was carrying a small bag, looking at the gradually bustling Gusu City in the morning light. Her bright eyes were shining, her skin was as white as cream, and her pretty face was flushed. She was indescribably beautiful and lovely.

Jia Cong saw that her eyes and eyebrows were filled with joy, which made her look even more charming. He thought that she was about to meet her master and sisters, and he was very happy.

He took the bag from her with a smile, put it on his back, and without calling a carriage, he held her hand and walked out of the pier, preparing to find a place to have breakfast.

Then take a look at the customs of Suzhou along the way, and then stop at Panxiang Temple.

……

Just as Jia Cong and Zhi Shao walked out of the dock, another passenger ship was setting sail from the dock, going up the river towards Jinling.

There are only three or four sailors on this ship, and at first glance they look no different from ordinary sailors.

But if you pay close attention, you will find that these sailors are in good spirits, their hands and feet are light, and they are somewhat different from ordinary sailors.

Standing at the bow was a young woman with a graceful figure, beautiful eyes and charming charm.

Standing side by side with her was a tall and slim young man, his face as white as powder, hair as black as ink, and he was handsome, but his eyes were a little cold, making it difficult for people to approach him.

If you look closely, you will find that there are tiny and delicate ear holes on the boy's snow-white earlobes.

But even if someone noticed such details, they would not take it to heart.

Several states in the south of the Yangtze River have been prosperous since ancient times, with developed culture and education, and the customs of the people are more open-minded than those in northern big cities such as Shenjing. It is common for the daughters of wealthy businessmen to change their hairpins into hats and go out for fun.

The charming young woman said, "Master Zou, we have not only visited Haishanzhu, but also checked the waterways along the way, but we still have no clue."

One of these two people is Zou Miner, who had just arrived in Nanjing, and the other is Xu Qinnan, the owner of Yao's wine shop.

When the two met that day, they talked about Chen Kuishan, a spy planted by the China Railway Corps in Jinlingwei, who disappeared as Zhou Zhengyang fled.

Someone saw Chen Kuishan appear in a fishing village called Haishanzhu, east of Zhenjiang, but he disappeared afterwards.

The important criminals related to Zhou Zhengyang in Jinling Guard either fled with Zhou Zhengyang or were assassinated to silence them.

All the relevant clues were like kites with broken strings, and the Yingtian Prefecture in Jinling and the Dali Temple were at a loss and helpless.

The missing CRRC spy Chen Kuishan is the only clue that Zou Min'er can grasp.

When Zou Miner proposed to search for clues along the river and go to Haishanzhu in person, Xu Qinnan was also a little surprised.

Before Zou Min'er went to Nanjing, the staff of the Nanjing Railway Company had not received the imperial edict to collect information on the whereabouts of Zhou Zhengyang, so they did not go into the matter any further.

The reason why Xu Qinnan found out about Chen Kuishan was not to find out the whereabouts of Zhou Zhengyang, but because Chen Kuishan was a member of the China Railway Company and could not disappear for no reason.

She didn't expect that Zou Min'er, who looked gentle and pretty, was not afraid of hard work and was willing to do the difficult job of patrolling along the road. She was dedicated and persistent, and worked diligently, which was very different from her slightly gentle appearance.

She also knew that Zou Min'er was a lowly official in the Jiaofang Bureau. It was indeed unusual that she could be valued by Du Dangtou in the capital despite such a shameful identity.

According to the handwritten instructions of the Shenjing Railway Company, Zou Min'er was given full authority to act as Zhou Zhengyang's agent in Nanjing, and all the personnel registered in the Nanjing Railway Company must be under her control in this matter.

As the saying goes, it's easier to get things done if you have someone in the court. Since Zou Min'er is going to patrol the waterways along the way, as Zou Min'er's first contact in Jinling, Xu Qinnan will naturally accompany her throughout the journey.

She even brought along some capable staff from Yao's wine shop in case of emergency.

……

During the inspection, Xu Qinnan saw that Zou Miner was personally involved in everything and made detailed arrangements.

Wherever he went, he would inquire at the docks, foot shops, taverns, etc., thinking carefully and cautiously, and never getting tired of it.

Xu Qinnan had seen people who were attentive in their work, but she had never seen anyone as persistent and tenacious as Zou Miner. Her behavior was really inconsistent with her young and delicate appearance, and there was something weird about it.

She only knew that Zou Min'er was a musician in the Jiaofang Bureau, but she didn't know that she was the only daughter of Zou Huaiyi, the Jinling Water Conservancy Bureau.

The case of Zhou Zhengyang, which concealed the inside story of a major case at the Water Supervision Bureau back then, was most likely the root cause of the Zou family's fall into the Avici Hell.

This is Zou Min'er's biggest concern. It is difficult for outsiders to understand the persistence and enthusiasm she has devoted to this matter.

……

Zou Miner said: "Zhou Zhengyang got the news in advance and escaped the arrest of the Dali Temple. According to common sense, he would never dare to hide somewhere in Jinling City.

No matter how big the city of Jinling is, it cannot withstand the investigation and search by Yingtian Prefecture, Dali Temple, Jinyiwei and other parties. No matter how secretly you hide, you will be found out.

And according to Qiniang, in order to avoid suspicion, the Jinling Commandery Commander Du Hengxin also sent out capable personnel to assist in the search for Zhou Zhengyang in Jinling City.

Therefore, this person could not have been hiding in Jinling, but had fled the city as soon as possible. Chen Kuishan, as his confidant, was not killed in Jinling City, but appeared in Zhenjiang Fishing Village a hundred miles away from Jinling, which can only mean that Zhou Zhengyang had also fled here. "

Xu Qinnan was surprised to see that she was so young and probably didn't have much work experience, but she was meticulous and careful, and every word she said was to the point without any error.

How did a musician from the Jiaofang Bureau develop such temperament and ability?

Xu Qinniang didn't know that Zou Min'er was demoted to the Jiaofangsi before she was rescued by Du Qingniang and recruited into the Zhongchesi.

At that time, Zou Min'er's tragic experience twisted and tempered her into an extremely tough character.

For nearly two years, Du Qingniang only asked Zou Min'er to do one thing, which was to screen and analyze intelligence from various places.

Analyze and compare the useful information from various complex and mixed information to find the truth that CRRC Corporation Limited needs.

This requires the implementer to have excellent clerical skills, careful and meticulous thinking, and persistent and steady patience.

Coupled with Du Qingniang's constant guidance, she was able to transform a delicate girl into a cold, stern and meticulous operator of the China Railway Company.

……

Zou Miner added: "We were sailing along the way, and every 50 miles or so, we were checked by patrol boats along the way, which was very strict.

It is very likely that Zhou Zhengyang fled overseas by water along the mouth of the Yangtze River. After all, the things he was involved in would be difficult to resolve within the Great Zhou.

Jinling is a major naval port. Zhou Zhengyang holds the rank of third-rank military officer and has been doing business in Jinling for many years. It is not surprising that he has some overseas maritime trade relations.

But it was almost impossible for him to avoid the inspection of the fast boats along the way and successfully enter the sea. "

Xu Qiniang said: "If he cannot go to the sea along the river because of the inspection by the guards along the way, then he is hiding in a town or village along the river.

But along the way, we pass through five states, covering an area of ​​nearly a thousand miles, with hundreds of villages and towns. Finding him is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Zou Min'er's eyes flickered as she said, "It's also possible that he has already fled to the sea!"

Xu Qiniang was surprised: "How is this possible? From Jinling to Songjiang, we have to pass through five major guard posts along the way. If he can escape into the sea like this, he must be extremely powerful."

Zou Min'er said in a cold voice, "There are ways, for example, someone familiar with the waterway can help him avoid being checked along the way, or protect everyone along the way from showing favoritism..."

When Xu Qinnan heard this, her heart skipped a beat. This little girl was young, but her mind was deep and sinister enough. If such speculation was reported, it would probably cause an uproar.

……

Xuan Tomb Mountain, Panxiang Temple.

The moss on the steps is green, the old road seems like yesterday, and the mottled mountain gate is old.

Two years have passed, and Panxiang Temple has not changed at all; only the people who were once associated with it have changed.

Zhishao went up to knock on the door cymbal, and the nun on duty who came to open the door happened to be a familiar face.

That year, in order to find Zhishao, Jia Cong brought Yinglian to Panxiang Temple to make a large donation. I vaguely remember that it was this nun on duty who received them.

The nun's name was Jingxuan, and she was Zhishao's senior sister.

In the past, Zhishao always wore Buddhist robes in the temple, but now she was dressed in a pretty and bright secular outfit. Jingxuan was slightly stunned when she saw her, but quickly recognized her.

While smiling, he invited them in, took them to the guest room and sat them down, then hurried to the inner courtyard to report.

Every once in a while, Miaoyu was seen supporting the smiling nun Xiushan and entering the guest room, followed by a pretty and beautiful girl.

When Zhishao saw Master Xiushan, she was so happy that she cried. When she fell into the water and was dying, she was saved by Master Xiushan. All her past was forgotten, and she was guided and comforted by Master Xiushan. This kind of friendship was naturally extraordinary.

But Zhishao hadn't seen her master for two years. Seeing her master looking sick, much older and more haggard than before, with a weak and scattered look between her brows, she felt sad.

When Miaoyu saw Zhishao coming back, the coldness on her face faded and seemed to disappear all at once.

There is joy between her eyebrows and her smile is as beautiful as a blooming ephemeral flower, pure, gorgeous, elegant and moving.

Jia Cong, who was standing by, was slightly stunned. The last time he went to Panxiang Temple to look for Zhishao, Miaoyu always looked annoyed and spoke coldly to him, as if he was going to take away her treasure.

Although Miaoyu looked a little better when she was seen off for the last time, Jia Cong had never seen her smile.

I never expected that this little nun looked so pretty when she smiled. It was such a sin.

Miaoyu seemed to feel Jia Cong's gaze and looked back at him. Her smile slowly faded and she nodded slightly to Jia Cong as a greeting.

Master Xiushan smiled at Jia Cong and said, "Mr. Jia, how are you? You are more elegant than ever. Thank you for sending Jinghui back."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You don't have to be polite, Master. You haven't seen each other for a long time. You should go into the inner hall and chat. I can just sit here for a while."

Panxiang Temple is a nunnery, and male guests are not allowed to enter the inner hall. Even Jia Cong and Zhishao are in a relationship, so male guests are not allowed to enter.

Zhishao and Master Xiushan have not seen each other for two years, so they must have a lot to talk about, which is why Jia Cong said this.

Master Xiushan was a virtuous nun, open-minded and insightful. She sat down and chatted with Jia Cong for a few more words, then asked Jingxuan to serve tea to entertain him.

He was then helped into the inner hall by Miaoyu and Zhishao. The three masters and disciples had not seen each other for a long time, and Master Xiushan did not look very well, so naturally they had some personal words to say.

When Zhishao entered the inner hall, she looked back at Jia Cong several times. Only until Jia Cong nodded to her did she follow Master Xiushan and Miaoyu into the inner hall.

When the three of them entered the inner hall, Jingxuan went out to serve tea, only to find that there was still one person in the guest room who had not left.

The person had an elegant and beautiful complexion, and her skin was fair and fragrant. Although she was slender, she already showed graceful charm. Her clothes were a little old, but not a speck of dust on them. She was unique and graceful.

Jia Cong said with a smile: "Miss Xiuyan, it has been a long time. You have grown a lot taller. I almost can't recognize you."

The person was Xing Xiuyan who had not left just now. She had always lived in Panxiang Temple and had long regarded herself as a member of the temple.

Just now, Master Xiushan and her two disciples went into the inner hall to talk, and Master Jingxuan went there to prepare tea. She felt that she had to stay, and it would be disrespectful to leave Jia Cong alone in the guest room.

When Jia Cong first met Xing Xiuyan two years ago, she was still very childish, the kind of girl who would be happy for a long time after buying a silk flower.

Two years had passed and his appearance had changed a lot, but Jia Cong still recognized him at a glance.

Xing Xiuyan has a cheerful and calm personality. When she is alone with Jia Cong, she is not shy or embarrassed for some reason, but rather appears to be very graceful and confident.

She thought of what Miaoyu said that day, that Jia Cong would be a broad-minded person and would not blame her for his stepmother's unkindness.

Then he said boldly, "Cousin Cong, I hope you are well too."

After saying this, she looked at Jia Cong's expression with her beautiful eyes, wanting to verify whether what Sister Miaoyu said made sense.

She is a go-with-the-flow person. If Jia Cong ignores her because of Madam Xing, she will feel sad, but she will not mind it for too long. Of course, it would be best if Jia Cong would not be alienated from her because of this.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I'm fine. We are not only old acquaintances, but also cousins. Sister Xiuyan doesn't need to be treated as an outsider."

She called Cong "cousin" and Jia Cong replied "sister Xiu Yan". They understood each other tacitly and reached some kind of tacit understanding. Although they didn't say anything, it seemed like they said a lot.

After hearing this, Xing Xiuyun smiled sweetly and quietly, feeling happy in her heart. Sister Miaoyu was right in her guess, he was indeed not a stingy person.

(End of this chapter)