"Tell me about it." Lao Zhu spoke in a low voice, holding the confession in one hand.
Han Du nodded and explained: "According to the female officer's explanation, if Fang Benzhai did not lie to her, then the place where Fang Benzhai was hiding should be a big island. Although there are many islands in the sea, most of them are small desert islands. , as Fang Benzhai said, there are not many islands that are rich in products and can cultivate more than 10,000 acres of fertile land. If we follow this clue to investigate, we may be able to find Fang Benzhai."
"Another thing is that Fang Benzhai is from Yanping, Fujian. Therefore, he is most likely hiding on the sea around Fujian. The distance that ships can reach is limited, so if you look in this direction, you may be able to find him. "
No matter how big the Ming Dynasty's ships were, they could only operate in coastal waters and could not sail across the ocean at all. Han Du did not think that the ships of people like Fang Benzhai would be more advanced than those of the Ming Dynasty.
Lao Zhu frowned when he heard this and asked dissatisfiedly: "Then how long will it take to search like this?"
"Well," Han Du hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and replied, "I don't dare to make any assumptions."
Although Han Du had the direction to find Fang Benzhai, it was not easy to actually find him. Having a direction is just better than finding a needle in a haystack. If you are lucky, you can find Fang Benzhai in a year or two. If you are just a bit lucky, you may not be able to find it even if you look for it for three to five years.
Because Han Du only guessed that Fang Benzhai was hiding around Fujian. If he doesn't have it, then if you want to find him, you have to continue looking south. As for how long you have to look south, you don't know. According to Zheng He's voyage route, it is possible to keep looking for it.
Lao Zhu also understood that it was not easy to find Fang Benzhai with this bit of information. With a helpless sigh, he had no choice but to suppress the anger in his heart for the time being.
He waved to Han Du and said, "You have been tired for the whole day, so please step back."
"Wei Chen, please retire." Han Du quickly retreated after hearing this.
Mao Xiang was left kneeling on the ground alone, facing Lao Zhu.
The two of them just sat and the other kneeled, maintaining a quiet atmosphere.
After coming over for a while, Lao Zhu said: "I don't blame you for what happened this time."
"Wei Chen, Wei Chen is guilty, and his crime is unpardonable. I am incompetent. If I could have noticed in advance that the female official had given birth to a child, or knew in advance that she had other intentions, His Highness the Grand Sun would not have..." Mao Xiang cried bitterly in front of Lao Zhu, feeling inexplicable grief.
He behaved as if his son Mao Xiang had died, with a feeling of heartache.
Seeing this, Lao Zhu sighed and his expression softened. In turn, he comforted Mao Xiang and said: "I have a golden tongue and I keep my word to the letter. If I say I don't blame you, I won't blame you."
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I thank you for your grace. Your Majesty does not blame Wei Chen, but Wei Chen is so ashamed that he has no place to show his shame..." Mao Xiang held his face in his hands, blaming himself beyond measure.
When Lao Zhu saw this, the anger on his face flashed away, and he kicked Mao Xiang, causing Mao Xiang to roll twice on the ground.
"Why are you crying? If you want to cry, you have to wait until you have avenged our grandson before you cry. Do you want the rebellious officials and thieves there to see my jokes by crying like this? Get out of here right away."
Mao Xiang suddenly came to his senses, wiped away his tears, and immediately got up from the ground, as if suppressing his grief, he sobbed and said: "Your Majesty said, if I don't cry, I will dig out these thieves one by one." , to avenge His Highness Taisun."
Lao Zhu's face became less angry and he ordered: "You are not confused. You know what is most important now. You immediately send capable people to Fujian to find out all the ins and outs of Fang Benzhai. How could a good family man know this?" Trouble in the palace implies evil intentions. What do those recommended and selected people do? Go and investigate, and you will be able to find out everything clearly for me. Don’t let anyone who has anything to do with Fang Benzhai go."
The emperor was so angry that he laid down millions of corpses, bleeding and floating in the oars.
From the emperor's few words, Mao Xiang felt that a bloody storm was coming. Unlike ordinary people who are afraid of such wind and rain, Mao Xiang is extremely greedy for such wind and rain. Without such wind and rain, how could he survive in front of the emperor? Without such ups and downs, how could he have been promoted to a higher position, made a fortune, and become a marquis and prime minister?
Taking a deep breath, Mao Xiang felt as if he had inhaled the smell of blood, which made him extremely excited.
He cupped his fists and saluted, and replied sternly: "Your Majesty, put it down, I will personally lead the team to Fujian, and I promise not to let a fish slip through the net. If there is anything wrong, I will bring it up and see you!"
After hearing this, Lao Zhu glanced at Mao Xiang strangely, and said quietly: "Who said you should go? I have someone who wants you to go?"
Your Majesty won't let you go? Mao Xiang did not expect this result. If you don't go there, even if your subordinates make meritorious deeds, your own credit will be greatly reduced. The first thing Mao Xiang thought of was his own merit. He was now eager to make meritorious deeds. Promotion is secondary, but the most important thing is that now that the great grandson was killed, with credit in hand, it can save lives at critical times.
Therefore, Mao Xiang was naturally eager to make contributions.
But I didn't expect that the emperor would not let Mao Xiang go. This...
Lao Zhu stared at Mao Xiang and ordered: "Don't go there even if you are in the capital. Strengthen the security of the entire palace and closely observe all suspicious people."
"My lord, I obey the order," Mao Xiang replied respectfully. I felt a little regretful in my heart, what a great opportunity to make a contribution, just slipped away in vain. But there was no way. The emperor wanted to keep him in the palace, so he had no choice but to stay. He didn't know why the emperor wanted to keep him, Mao Xiang couldn't figure it out.
"What if they are making false claims in the east and attacking in the west?" Lao Zhu said quietly.
When Mao Xiang heard this, he felt like a bolt from the blue.
The emperor's words immediately awakened Mao Xiang. Yes, why do you say that the target of these people secretly is His Highness Taisun? What if their target is the emperor, and His Highness Taisun's death is just their attempt to divert everyone's attention?
Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was aimed at Pei Gong. When everyone's attention is focused on the sword dancer, maybe what the sword is stabbing is their real target?
Is this possible?
It's simply too possible.
Perhaps, what Fujian, what Fang Benzhai, and what overseas strongholds are are all the fog spread by these people. The purpose is to let the court focus all its energy on these things. When the capital is empty, they can avoid the reality and assassinate the king!
Mao Xiang looked at the emperor in shock and was deeply impressed by the emperor's wisdom.
