In Zhou Guanghao's view, the Miao people were entrenched in the southwest and wanted to raise troops, so they had no time to take care of other things. The news coming from the east was most likely caused by the prison robbers trying to clear away suspicion and confuse the public. Prison robbery must require careful planning from organization to implementation, and the most important link in this plan is to obtain the topographic map and defense map of the prison. On the ground in Chengdu, there are only a handful of people who can do this.
Although these big shots are suspected, their motives are unclear. So he went through the entire case file again, and finally got a glimpse of the mystery. The prison robbery occurred between midnight and Haishi that night. Logically speaking, the four city gates had been closed for a long time, so there was no way a group of people could leave under the eyes of the patrolling guards. But there has been a special case in the past half month, and that is the grain truck. Due to the intense fighting in the southwest, the convoy responsible for raising food was not subject to the curfew.
There was only one possibility to take these eighty-three people out of Chengdu in a dignified manner: transport them in a grain truck. After thinking about this, Zhou Guanghao stood up and stretched. He didn't close his eyes all night and finally gained some insights.
If there was still one confusion in his mind, it was how the enemy transferred these people to the Chishui Gang? The floors and walls of the Yinchasi Prison were poured with copper liquid to prevent them from breaking out of the prison by digging into the walls. Naturally, it would be impossible for the criminals to dig tunnels into the prison. Even if the criminal is rescued, how can he avoid the patrol guards? Suddenly a bold idea came to his mind.
He quickly walked out of the study and ordered his men to get water and sprinkle it on the ground outside the prison. Sure enough, on the ground about fifty steps away from the cell door, he found a five-foot-long stone brick that was seeping water very quickly. After asking someone to dig, the tunnel was discovered. Zhou Guanghao found another bold subordinate and searched along the tunnel with an angry wind lantern.
Unfortunately, the second half of the tunnel was destroyed and it is impossible to know where it leads. Even so, he was able to estimate the time of excavation based on the excavated soil in the tunnel and the gouge marks in the tunnel. Following this line of investigation, he believed that he would be able to find out the clue soon.
A secret room in the Chishui Gang was brightly lit, as bright as day. Luo Jiutian knelt on the ground with a solemn expression. Sitting above him was an extraordinary-looking young man, about twenty-four or five years old, wearing a jewel on his head. He reached out and picked up the tea bowl on the table, blew the tea leaves in the bowl gently, and took a sip. He smiled and said: "Mr. Luo, please get up! Your Mingqian Longjing is much better than the one in my house."
Luo Jiutian stood up and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is elegant, only your Majesty can taste this kind of tea. How can you, a common man, know how to understand tea?" In reply to Your Majesty, this tea was given by a friend in Hangzhou. I will order everyone to give it to Your Majesty. Send it."
This young man is Zhu Xuanqi, king of Shuduan. It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang had many sons, and in order to prevent the historical tragedy of fratricide from happening again in the "Xuanwu Gate Incident". Therefore, princes other than the crown prince were named princes and kings, and were enfeoffed in various places. This king Zhu Xuanqi is the descendant of Zhu Yuanzhang's eleventh son Zhu Chun. It was only during the forty years of Jiajing that he came to the hereditary throne.
Prince Duan looked at his white palms and asked, "Mr. Luo, how much do you think this person can do with one pair of hands?" Luo Jiutian hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty's question is strange. For ordinary people to tell. , it depends on whose body this hand grows."
Prince Duan smiled faintly and said: "Then tell me." Luo Jiutian continued: "The hands of ordinary people can only do ordinary things, but outstanding people can use these hands to do earth-shattering things. Ji Kang's hands can When "Guangling San" pops up, Wang Xizhi's hand can write "Lanting Preface", and Zhang Zeduan's hand can draw "Along the River During the Qingming Festival".
These men have some of the finest hands in the world. But the prince's hand is more valuable than them. I think of Sichuan suffering from successive years of disasters and the suffering of the people. The prince has a kind heart and a loving hand. He often provides money and food to support the people. Even the Bodhisattva in the temple may not have such hands. It is indeed a blessing for our people in Sichuan to have such a wise king. "
Prince Duan stretched out his finger and tapped it, laughing loudly: "You, you, that mouth is really cute." Suddenly, he suppressed his smile and said lightly: "But I only have one pair of hands."
Luo Jiutian said: "The common people are puzzled by what the prince means." Prince Duan looked at his hand again and said, "I want you to be my hand." Luo Jiutian's face changed slightly, and he knelt on the ground and said : "The prince's love is the blessing of the common people. The common people dare not disrespect the prince's orders."
Prince Duan stretched out his index finger and tapped the armrest of the chair and said slowly: "Get up and answer, and I'll ask you, is it better to be my hand, or Yan Chongxiao's?" Luo Jiutian frowned slightly, hesitating. He said: "This..." Prince Duan's eyes flashed and he said in a deep voice: "I ask again, is it better to be my hand or Yan Chongxiao's."
Luo Jiutian was beating a drum in his heart, thinking: "Although King Duan is young, his words are often as sharp as a knife. He wants to win over me and make me obey his orders. Leader Yan is very kind to me, how can I I can betray him. If I don't resist him today, I think this prince will definitely cause trouble for me, the Chishui Gang." He then smiled and said: "The common people are people from the rivers and lakes and don't understand government affairs. Let the common people help the prince, I'm afraid I will be disgraced by the prince. Trust."
Prince Duan gently clenched his fist with his left hand and tried to stand up, but he let go and sat down. Then he looked at Luo Jiutian: "I will only tell you three words. You should think about it before you answer. These three words are Xiao Yunfan."
He spoke very slowly, but each word was like a heavy hammer hitting a gong, which was particularly loud. Luo Jiutian's heart sank and he wondered: "How could he know Brother Xiao's name? It must be me, Chishui, who helped create the traitor."
At that moment, he forced himself to calm down and said, "What is Xiao Yunfan? Common people have only heard of Sichuan brocade, Hangzhou silk, and Su satin, but have never heard of Xiao Yunfan. What kind of fabric is this? Please tell me." Prince Duan sneered: " Huh! You will pretend to be confused with me and tell the truth to your confidant Xiang Ying. You are mine and you know what good things you have done.
I came here to talk to you personally because you are usually quite clever. If you are not sensible, then I will have no choice but to report to the Ming court what you are going to do by robbing the court. "
Luo Jiutian's vest was cold and he thought: "If the prince here really tells this matter, not only will Brother Xiao's life be in danger, but the Sichuan Branch and even the entire Chishui Gang will be greatly implicated. Gang Leader Yan has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility and will also tell this matter." I was tipped off, and I thought this matter was handled flawlessly, but in the end it was revealed. I would not regret dying alone, but Yunfan, my brother from the Sichuan branch, and the entire Chishui Gang will not be able to escape the disaster."
He let out a long sigh and said: "Since the prince has the means to put his eyes and ears around me, he must know everything the common people are doing. If you want me to be your hand, I will be the prince's hand. I don't know what kind of hand the prince wants me to be?"
Prince Duan smiled faintly: "You are indeed a smart man, and you can tell the truth. I asked you to be my hand because there are some things in this world that I am inconvenient to do. So I want one hand, one that cannot be seen in the light, but Definitely a useful hand. Now that you agree, I will keep silent about the Chishui Gang."
Luo Jiutian raised his head and said: "The common people will naturally believe your prince's promise of a thousand pieces of gold. May I ask if this is the only reason why your prince came today?"
Prince Duan picked up the tea bowl again, moistened his throat, and said with a smile: "You are indeed smart. I have seen the right person. Please stand up and let's talk slowly." Waiting for Luo Jiutian to stand up straight. He then said slowly: "You have to understand at least one thing when you do my hand." Luo Jiutian said: "What's the matter?" Prince Duan said: "Be obedient."
Suddenly, there was a rapid sound of copper bells in the secret room. Luo Jiutian immediately became alert. He slowly walked to the stone door and pulled the stone twist. Shimen turned around and saw a close disciple who was sweating profusely and said in a panic: "Reporting to the helmsman, the Inspector has sent people to surround our Chishui Gang. Brother Ma is dealing with them. I hope the helmsman will hurry up." Decide.”
Luo Jiutian waved his hand and said: "You go tell Xiao Ma, I will come soon." After the confidant left, he couldn't help but have doubts: King Duan wants to win over me, so why bother? Could it be that the people in the government noticed something.
King Duan followed him, and Luo Jiutian truthfully told him the situation reported by his confidants. Prince Duan frowned and said cautiously: "You go to the front hall to meet them first. I will listen from behind the screen. If someone from the Chasi Yamen becomes violent, I will step in to protect you."
Luo Jiutian nodded, walked out of the secret room, walked around several corridors, and walked straight towards the hall. Zhou Guanghao clasped his hands behind his back and patrolled the hall. Luo Jiutian walked out of the side door and saw the other party in official uniform. He knew something was wrong. He immediately laughed and walked forward and said: "Master Zhou's visit to the Bibang is very splendid. You guys are really If you are ignorant, why don’t you serve Mr. Zhou well?”
Zhou Guanghao snorted coldly and said, "Luo Jiutian, I don't have time to argue with you today. Someone will come and put the shackles on you."
Several officers picked up the instruments of torture and were about to put them on Luo Jiutian. Luo Jiutian's men stood in front of him. A man with a horse face drew out his sword and shouted: "I don't think any of you dare to move?" The officers saw him and looked fierce. With such a look, he couldn't help but take a few steps back. Zhou Guanghao stretched out a finger and said coldly to Luo Jiutian: "Luo Jiutian, do you dare to disobey the king's law?"
Luo Jiutian reached out and patted the horse-faced man on the shoulder to signal him to retreat. He said calmly: "My lord, if you want to arrest Luo, you must have an explanation. Could it be that General Li has not yet collected all the food and grass he wants, so he came to investigate?"
Zhou Guanghao said: "It is reasonable for me to arrest you. Your Chishui Gang conspired to rob the imperial court's important criminals, and the crime is not small. If you dare to resist arrest, the crime will be increased." Luo Jiutian was shocked and said to himself: "This matter It was so secret, how did the government know about it?
King Duan knew about this because he had an informant. Since he wanted to use this matter as a threat, how could he reveal it to the court? I have heard about Kwang Ho this week, he is a powerful character. Could it be that he smelled something about this? In the current situation, King Duan Mingzhe protects himself, so naturally he will not stand up for me. Could it be that the Chishui Gang is really doomed? "
He breathed a long sigh of relief, stretched out his hands and said with a bitter smile: "Since Mr. Zhou wants to take the grass people, the grass people will naturally follow you. I hope you will not embarrass my brothers." The horse-faced man said anxiously: "Helmsman! Luo Jiutian raised his hand and said, "All the brothers will stay in the mansion these days. Lord Zhou and I will go to the Yamen for a walk."
Prince Duan heard everything clearly from behind the screen. He frowned and pondered for a moment, then walked towards the back door with the few soldiers he brought with him. A government soldier looked out from the crack in the door and saw that the people from the Chasi Yamen had surrounded the Chishui Gang branch.
