"Has Lu Jishou arrived recently?" Guo Chuzi asked, putting down the letter.
Wen Zhong said: "That's not all. Before that, he also invited craftsmen to renovate the council hall. This was heard by the people I sent."
"If the two are connected, then County Magistrate Chen expected Lu Jishou's visit." Guo Chuzi understood quickly.
"But we must be sure before we take action." Wenzhong reminded.
Guo Chuzi shook his head: "Dear brother, please be careful, I am completely sure about this matter. Chen Tongpao has been uncharacteristically uncharacteristic during this period. He has not replied to us for a long time. He must be afraid that the correspondence will pass through the ears of Mei County Cheng. , arousing suspicion. According to your information, the Prime Minister of Meixian County has a relationship with the Lu family. He is so cautious and does not dare to disturb the people of the Lu family. He must be doing something big!"
Wen Zhong stamped his foot: "Could it be... murder?"
Leng Ping came from the direction of the study, holding a broom and sweeping along the way. She had just eavesdropped on the conversation between Chen and Lu outside the house, and her mind began to wander. She stopped immediately and was stunned for a long time before she realized that the broom in her hand was missing.
"Miss Zhu," Tongpao Chen called her from behind, "I have something to discuss with you."
When Leng Ping saw him holding a broom, he saluted in a panic: "It's up to your Majesty's orders."
The colleague said nothing, just shook his head and smiled, slowly approaching her: "This is a big deal, don't neglect it."
Leng Ping became more and more frightened and stepped back: "I hope you will make it clear."
The colleague looked around and sighed softly: "There has been no wife in this county for a long time. I want to marry a diligent and kind-hearted woman, but I can't find her. The girl is filial and has a harmonious attitude towards others. She is really a character in this. That’s it!”
Leng Ping's face turned red and he was too shy to answer.
"I wonder what you would like, young lady?" The colleague looked cautious.
She was filled with complicated emotions, especially the joy and fear in her heart, which made her hesitant at the moment. Needless to say, she has been planning carefully for this and is looking forward to this day. However, she has never understood the details of Chen Tongpao. She doesn't know why he does what he does, why he wants to advise the office, treat Lu Jishou, and His obvious oversights are all tightly packed together, as if there is a very strong connection between them. She was afraid that the conspiracy behind her would drag her into a bottomless abyss.
Leng Ping thought for a long time, but in the end he could only grit his teeth and said: "Since you don't mind me, how can I dare to say anything else..."
Chen Tongpao nodded happily, handed the broom back, and patted her shoulder: "Leng Ping, take good care of yourself, I have to wait for you to become my bride."
Wen Zhong sent two or three spies to Taizhou and told them to "keep an eye on the Chen Mansion and the Yamen, and carefully question passers-by." Unfortunately, several groups of people came and went. In the past three to five days, no news was found. This Taizhou really is. There are no more lost things along the way. After hoping in vain for a while, but having no plan, Wen Zhong discussed with Guo Chuzi that they should set their sights wider to spy on Yizheng's feelings.
Naturally, Wen Zhong has to choose the people. The reason is simple. There are many cunning people in the market here, so they are definitely good informants. There was a man named Guan Qi, who was considered a prominent figure in the gang, and everyone called him Guan Qiye. He was cunning by nature, his mind worked very fast, and he did things neatly. Wen Zhong took a fancy to him and told him to pack his luggage. , hurried to Yizheng. Seeing the shopkeeper's kindness, Guan Qi didn't dare to delay for a moment longer. He changed his clothes, got on a black horse with his hands free, and left the city along the street.
After a dark night, by the time Guan Qi arrived at Yizheng, it was already the next morning. He heard that there was a morning market here, so he planned to go to Lu's pawn shop to check out and ask about Master Lu's whereabouts. He didn't even stay in the shop, and took his horse to the morning market.
He originally wanted to ask passers-by for directions, but considering that he was a foreigner with a foreign accent that could easily arouse people's alertness, he simply didn't say a word, just looked at the sign, and got into the Lu's pawn shop amid the crowds of people.
The shopkeeper was chatting with the waiters with his legs crossed. When he saw a man in homespun clothes coming in, he stood up quickly and asked, "Do you want to pawn something?"
Master Guan Qi said with a smile: "I'm sorry to bother you, shopkeeper, but I wonder if Mr. Lu is back?"
"who are you?"
"Mr. Lu's friends from other places." He said casually.
The shopkeeper knew that his young master usually did not do his job properly, so he could attract some friends to come over, so he was not surprised and replied: "Young Master Lu went to Taizhou to pay homage to Mr. Chen. He just returned yesterday."
When Guan Qi heard what he said, it didn't sound like a lie. He understood immediately and asked again, "Does Mr. Lu take care of this pawn shop?"
"It's up to you. I'll be here around noon," the shopkeeper looked at the sun, "please sit here for a while."
Guan Qi was afraid that his secret would be revealed on the spot when his successor came, so he declined repeatedly: "Thank you very much, shopkeeper, for your kindness, but it's not necessary."
He came out, squatted by the roadside and waited, thinking over and over again, and finally figured out the matter of Lu Jishou going to Taizhou. Judging from the words of the shopkeeper, this move is by no means a cessation of activity, but is well known to everyone, and is only regarded as an inconspicuous trivial matter; and according to the news from Wenzhong, Mr. Lu Zhengfu was not involved from the beginning to the end. The traces, if he was secretly instigating it, must be kept strictly confidential and will not be publicly announced to avoid anyone getting in the way.
So, going to Taizhou was Lu Jishou's pretense to conceal the truth, and going to catch Leng Ping was his own initiative.
Not the entire Lu family came out to stir up trouble, which made people feel more relaxed. He silently remembered this in his heart, which was especially important to Jiangdu's Guo and Wen.
Master Guan Qi suddenly raised his head and saw Lu Jishou slowly walking towards here with a few minions. The appearance is exactly the same as what Mr. Wen described. he thinks.
Guan Qi immediately stood up, hurried over, lowered his head, and secretly patted his shoulder in the crowd.
Jishou stared, stopped on the ground, and looked around in astonishment.
"What happened, Master?" The servants said in confusion when they saw that the young master was not leaving.
"I don't know which bastard just now..."
"Master Lu," Guan Qiye walked up to him and rubbed his hands, "It's me."
The slaves stared at him fiercely and were about to get ready to fight when Jishou stopped him with his hand: "I don't think this person is here to cause trouble. It's best not to hurt anyone first."
He hurriedly raised his hands and said, "May I ask who you are?"
"Master Fan, go to a quiet place and say it alone." Guan Qi smiled mysteriously.
Ji Shou hesitated for a moment, then motioned to the minions to wait, and went to the alley to talk with Guan Qi.
"I am from shopkeeper Jiang Duwen." Guan Qi told the truth.
Ji Shou had used Jiangdu's account on credit, so he naturally remembered: "I have been to Shopkeeper Wen's gambling shop. He is a powerful person who mixes black and white, but I have never met him."
"Since the young master understands, I will continue."
“Just say it plainly!”
