Through Zhou Ci's confession, Xie Xun found the person in charge of the mine without much effort after returning. Through the person in charge of the mine, Xie Xun quickly traced Tang Dun, the director of the Shaofu Supervisory and Metallurgical Department.
Tang Dun was greedy for money but timid. The moment he saw Xie Xun, he didn't even wait for him to ask, and he told Xie Xun everything like he was pouring beans out of a bamboo tube. He was bewitched by Ma Deqing, the money-making supervisor, and sold the detected iron ore to Fan Wanyuan, who was acquainted by Ma Deqing. As for what Fan Wanyuan was doing when he bought the iron ore, he had no idea.
However.
When Ma Deqing was arrested in Tang Dun, he knew that it would be his turn next, and for his crimes, it would be difficult to escape the death penalty. So before Xie Xun came to the door, he poisoned his wife and children, and then hanged himself.
Although Xie Xun arrived a step later, when he inspected Ma Deqing's body, he accidentally discovered that he also had a flame totem on his left arm. He had already sent the news back to the capital. This time he came back mainly to rest and wait for the emperor's next instructions.
"You don't have to watch the bandits behind you?" Chen Anning asked.
"You don't have to watch anymore." Xie Xun looked at her without raising her head and reached out to hold down the information in her hand. "It's just a good time to train these bandits."
Chen Anning pushed his hand away, "In that case, then go and have a rest. There happens to be a shortage of manpower here. After two days of rest, we will come over to help."
Xie Xun joked: "Zhou Papi."
Chen Anning glanced at him, "What, do you have any objections?"
"I don't dare." Xie Xun pulled a pile of information from the side. "When I came back, I saw children on the street. Weren't we rescuing them and finding their families at the same time? Is it because no one came to claim them, or what? "
Chen Anning stopped reading the information and said, "You reminded me. I was just about to talk to you about this matter."
Xie Xun: "You say."
"These children basically come from poor families in poor places. Although the corresponding counties have posted the information of these children based on their place of origin, there are indeed very few family members who come to claim them. I summarized the reasons, First, most of the information posted stops at the county government, and these children are from villages and towns, and their families are most likely not aware of it at all. Even if they know, if they are illiterate and the government does not help them read well, they are very likely to Just give up. Second, the journey is long. Although we said it would be funded by the government, you also know... Third, some children were not robbed or stolen, but sold. Even if the family members knew that we would not pursue the case, they still feared the crime. The attitude is that they dare not come to claim them. Fourth, some children are unwilling to go back."
I understand the first three, but the fourth...
Xie Xun looked at her in confusion.
Chen Anning sighed and explained, "The families of these children are too poor and miserable. Although they were robbed and robbed, they were sent to places like Hualou because of their superior appearance. As long as they were obedient, they would have no shortage of food and drink. So they would rather stay in Hualou than go back and continue to suffer."
As he spoke, Chen Anning told the story of several young girls who came to Wen Huan recently and asked to return to Hualou.
After hearing this, Xie Xun did not feel contempt, but fell into deep thought.
Chen Anning knew what he was meditating on and didn't interrupt.
After a while, Xie Xun spoke: "It's not their fault."
Chen Anning said slowly: "It is indeed not their fault, but no matter whose fault it is, if you want to correct it, I'm afraid..."
"I'm afraid we have to change it no matter how difficult it is." Xie Xun took over what she said, "I'll think of a way to resettle them first."
Chen Anning didn't dampen his enthusiasm, and she couldn't, because Hua Jin and Hua Rong were here.
After the two heard the news that Xie Xun was back, they rushed over immediately.
Seeing Xie Xun reading the information, Hua Rong immediately said to Chen Anning angrily: "Didn't Second Miss Chen say that she can look over without help from others?"
Chen Anning calmed down and said: "First, I really don't need help from others, but I can't stand others and insist on helping. Second, your third cousin is someone else to you, but to me, he is one of your own."
"Who is one of your own! How shameless!" Hua Rong blurted out.
Xie Xun looked at her briefly and said, "She and I have always been on our own, is there any problem?"
Hua Rong curled her lips and did not answer.
Xie Xun: "Is something wrong?"
"Of course there is something!" Hua Rong glared at Chen Anning secretly and said, "Auntie asked us to come over and ask the third cousin to go back and rest. Auntie said that if Miss Chen is really too busy, she can arrange for someone to come and help. But third cousin has been busy for such a long time, so he needs to take a good rest and recuperate."
Xie Xun chuckled, "Are you sure that's what your aunt said?"
Hua Rong said: "Of course."
Xie Xun shook his head and said mockingly: "Your aunt never told you before she said these words. The reason why Miss Chen Er is working here before she has recovered from her injury is because she is helping me?"
Hua Rong hummed: "That's what she wants!"
"Yes, she is willing, that's why she wins my heart." Xie Xun said unhurriedly.
"If Third Cousin needs it, we can..." Xie Xun sneered twice and interrupted her, "Who doesn't know how to say nice things? You can do it too. If you could, you wouldn't stand here and say sarcastic words. "
Hua Rong was not angry, "Anyway, third cousin just wants to help her."
"If I don't help her, how can I help you?" Xie Xun said impatiently.
Hua Rong refused, "I'm your cousin!"
"So?" Xie Xun mocked, "Because you are my cousin, you can do these tasks yourself without anyone else? Because you are my cousin, you are stupid, evil-minded and self-righteous, so I will follow you." Are you stupid and self-righteous?"
Hua Rong's eyes turned red with anger, "How could I..."
"You are so stupid and so self-righteous, aren't you?" Xie Xun said scornfully, "Okay, I'll give you a chance to defend yourself. Tell me, where are you not stupid, where are you not bad, and where are you not self-righteous? Or tell me you can do anything.”
Hua Rong was so angry that she couldn't say a word.
Xie Xun looked at Hua Jin again, "Come on, it's okay if you say so. Don't you like me, so you can marry me as my concubine? Please tell me what merits you have that make me have to marry you as my concubine."
Hua Jin blushed with embarrassment.
Xie Xun had no intention of letting her go, "Why, apart from the fact that she is my cousin, you can't say anything else?"
Hua Jin bit the corner of his lip, "I..."
Xie Xun looked at her quietly.
Hua Jin blushed, "I just like my third cousin..."
Xie Xun quickly interrupted her, "You not only like me, you also want to destroy the relationship between me and Miss Chen Er and replace it. Even after knowing that you can't replace it, you continue to act groveling, trying to force me to marry you. As a concubine.”
Hua Jin's eyes turned red, "Does third cousin hate me so much?"
"Do you want to hear the truth?" Xie Xun asked.
Hua Jin: "I think so."
"I don't hate you," Xie Xun said softly, "but I do hate your capriciousness and the way you constantly use Hua Rong's ignorance to cause harm."
"I……"
"No need to explain," Xie Xun interrupted her again, "You just need to know in your heart whether what I said is right or wrong. Explanation is equal to covering up, and covering up is equal to dishonesty. Do you like me or do you like what Guangling Palace gives you? Or bring glory and wealth to Washington, you know it yourself, I will say this. If I see or hear you two being so rude to Miss Chen Er next time, I won’t mind it again. Go and ask the emperor for two imperial edicts granting marriage, and you will be dealt with."
"When the time comes, whether you marry a chicken or a dog, I won't follow your wishes!"
