The leader of the man in the bamboo hat took a few steps forward and looked around. There were signs of someone living around this remote stone platform, but they were just not there for a while.
The man in the bamboo hat didn't look in a hurry and continued walking towards the stone platform. After passing a protruding boulder, there was a field.
The field was surrounded by a bamboo fence, and an old man, hunched over, was cultivating it patiently.
One of the men in bamboo hats was startled, as if he had seen some incredible scene. He involuntarily took a few steps forward and looked at the old man.
After hesitating for a moment, the man in a bamboo hat said softly, "Are you the foster father?"
Just this sentence, the busy old man was startled, and he was obviously touched. He turned around, and a familiar face appeared.
This person is none other than Chu Xiong, the former Prime Minister of Great Liang, who has retired to his hometown and retired to his hometown, and is the famous leader of the Four Kingdoms.
Who knew such a big shot would appear here.
Seeing Chu Xiong, the man in the bamboo hat who spoke took off the bamboo hat on his head, rushed forward, hugged Chu Xiong, and sounded excited.
"Father, my child has been looking for you for a long time, but there has been no news from you. Why doesn't the foster father want to see me?"
Seeing Xie Cang's face full of excitement, Chu Xiong patted him on the shoulder, comforted him, put down the farm tools in his hands, looked at the two men with bamboo hats at the back, and said softly.
"Haha, Dongshan Hou is really capable. I haven't seen him for several years, but you still discovered him. It seems that I and Wenxuan were not wrong about him. He is a great person."
After Chu Xiong said this, Su Qi'an did not continue to cover up and took off the hat. Beside him, there was Tong Zhan, the second safe person, who was silently protecting him.
Looking at Chu Xiong in front of him, Su Qian smiled and saluted, "Haha, Mr. Chu is joking, I don't have such great ability. If the elder is serious, it will be difficult to find you, elder, no matter how powerful the junior is. "
Chu Xiong had a smile on his face, waved his hand, and then motioned for several people to leave the field, returned to the stone platform, and found some stone chairs to sit down on.
According to his age, Chu Xiong had reached the age to become an official a year ago. According to the court rules, he returned to Dongzhou to take care of himself.
But with his status, even if he returns home, he will still be in a good state. Zhou Zibin and other high-level officials will not only come to the city gate to welcome him, but will also arrange for him to live a good life in the city.
But after Su Qi'an returned to Kyoto City, he learned that this was not the case. On his way back to Dongzhou, Chu Xiong was warmly received by officials from various places.
But just before entering Dongzhou, Chu Xiong's convoy returning home disappeared.
Even people and cars were missing, which was a big deal for the local area. Not only did they send people to search everywhere in Dongzhou, they also notified the court as soon as possible.
But after receiving the news, the imperial court was quite calm and issued an order. There was no need for Dongzhou officials to conduct a large-scale search. Everything was fine with the Duke of Chu. There was no need to be nervous. The search troops could be withdrawn.
That attitude was quite perfunctory. After receiving the letter, Dongzhou officials almost thought it was fake news. After repeated confirmations, they finally confirmed it.
The court's statement is somewhat intriguing. What is the status of Duke Chu Xiong of the Kingdom of Chu and the former Prime Minister of Great Liang? It is unreasonable to have worked for Great Liang for a lifetime, but in the end, it ended up in such obscurity.
But Zhou Zibin was not an ordinary person. He discovered the problem keenly and did not wait for him to ask the two highnesses through his own channels.
The Prince's Palace in Kyoto City informed some insider information about the news.
Chu Xiong's life is indeed safe, but as for where he is, Dongzhou officials cannot know. Regarding Chu Xiong's return to his hometown, Dongzhou officials have repeatedly kept silent, pretending that there is no such thing.
There was only one reason why the court could order such an order, which was to protect Chu Xiong's personal safety, and more importantly, it was a kind of surveillance.
Chu Xiong has been in the court for half his life. If he is left alone, one can imagine how much influence he will have when he returns to the local area.
After staying in the court for so long and offending so many people and things, it is inevitable that someone will send someone to assassinate him on the way. Rather than doing this, it is better to
The imperial court took action and protected him silently, so that no one could find any trace of him.
Of course there is the most important point. Chu Xiong has been in Kyoto City for so long, and he is very clear about all the major events in the court and the affairs of the royal family. If such a person is not under control, some accidents will inevitably happen.
Therefore, Chu Xiong's sudden disappearance seems reasonable and reasonable. This is the disadvantage of being in a high position for a long time. On the one hand, he has supreme power, but at the same time, he must accept the negative consequences of power.
From a certain perspective, the emperor's ruthlessness can also be seen.
With the two Highnesses speaking, Zhou Zibin treated the matter of Chu Xiong, the retired Duke, as if it did not exist, not only him, but also the entire court.
Su Qi'an didn't say much about Chu Xiong's experience, but just accepted it silently. It would be okay if he didn't come to Dongzhou, but when he came to Dongzhou, it would be unreasonable to say that he didn't meet the former prime minister.
On the surface, this local inspection was to collect food and grass and travel to places. In fact, Su Qi'an wanted to see Chu Xiong.
Chu Xiong was secretly protected by the imperial court. Even if Su Qi'an wanted to, it would be difficult to find him. It was only thanks to two people that he was able to find Chu Xiong.
One is the clue provided by King Yu, and the other is Chu Xiong himself.
Chu Xiong was secretly protected. Although he lost contact with the outside world, it did not mean that the court prohibited him from contact with outsiders.
Su Xuanyong's so-called coldness seems to be very ruthless, but Su Qian knows that this can better allow Chu Xiong to enjoy his old age.
Su Qi'an understood Chu Xiong's personality. He was unwilling to deal with local officials, and he didn't like the limelight. For power, it was just a tool for him to serve Daliang.
Not to say he was a perfect man, but Chu Xiong was truly devoted to Da Liang. Su Xuanyong would not kill such a person.
However, he has offended many people as he has been serving as Prime Minister for more than ten years, and he cannot prevent some people from making small moves behind his back.
It is easy to hide from an open gun, but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. Instead of doing this, it is better for the imperial court to come forward in person and act like a cold and ruthless emperor who regards Chu Xiong as a dispensable abandoned son.
In fact, he secretly protected it and chose this place. After understanding it, he completely respected Chu Xiong's opinion.
To outsiders, this place seems like nothing. To Chuxiong, there are mountains, rivers, and fresh air. He has spent his whole life fighting with people in the officialdom. Now he has the opportunity to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Wouldn't it be wonderful.
In order to meet Chu Xiong, Su Qi'an put in a lot of effort. First, he held a banquet in Luyue County City, and then asked Su Yong, the best stand-in, to play him, along with Fang Jingzhi, Master Liu and other entourages. In the next twenty days, we will visit eight local counties.
And he himself, Xie Cang and Tong Zhan, based on previous clues, finally found Chu Xiong's retreat bit by bit.
Even Su Qi'an had to say good things about this place. Even though this place is surrounded by mountains and there is only one waterway in and out, on the mountainside, you can completely overlook the small mountain village in front of you.
No move can escape Chu Xiong's gaze, and based on Su Qian's thinking, if the prediction is correct, the dozen or so families living in the small mountain village in front of him are probably the Forbidden Army personnel sent by Su Xuanyong, and most of them are his personal bodyguards. Dragon Guard.
It can be said that as soon as Su Qian and the others arrived here, Chu Xiong on the mountainside probably received the news.
From the moment they passed through the waterway and entered the small mountain village, their every move was monitored by the secret dragon guards.
If it weren't for Chu Xiong's acquiescence, even if Su Qian found this place, he might not be able to see Chu Xiong.
Instead of worrying about Chu Xiong's safety, it's better to worry about Su Qian's own troubles.
Chu Xiong smiled and said nothing as Su Qian's words were broken. He looked at Xie Cang who was gradually regaining his composure and said softly.
"Cang'er, if you have half the thoughts of Qi An when it comes to understanding everything, I would be satisfied as a foster father. Hehe, it seems that I really envy Old Man Wen for accepting a disciple like you."
Xie Cang nodded slightly. When he understood the cause and effect of everything, Xie Cang admired Su Qi'an even more.
Returned to Beijing before
When he arrived in the capital, he learned that his adoptive father's whereabouts were unknown. Xie Cang was quite anxious and wanted to return to Dongzhou immediately, but was stopped by Su Qi'an.
He still remembers what Su Qi'an said to him, "Your Majesty has been getting along with Mr. Chu for many years. Even if he has murderous intentions, it is impossible for him to resort to such despicable means."
"The sudden disappearance of Mr. Chu is probably a protective measure, and the leader behind it is probably Mr. Chu. When we go to Dongzhou, everything will be revealed."
These few words are basically consistent with what Su Qian'an guessed.
Not to mention Chu Xiong's admiration for Su Qi'an, even he himself had long admired Su Qi'an.
Xie Cang smiled and said, "Hey, meeting Brother Su and bringing Brother Su out of a ravine is the most right thing I have done in my life."
Su Qian cupped her fists and said, "Elder Guo, Brother Xie, you two should stop complimenting me here."
"Elder Guo, this time I came to you, this junior has really encountered a difficult situation, just to listen to your ideas."
Chu Xiong nodded slightly, his smile faded, and he said softly, "You dare to stir up the muddy water in Dongzhou. You are really brave."
"But I still appreciate your actions. The water in Dongzhou is stirred up in the morning and at night. Since you are here this time, you must have made up your mind."
"I will give you a helping hand. It depends on whether you have the ability."
"Please teach me, Mr. Guo." Su Qi'an clasped his fists in a respectful manner.
"This time you came to Houjiu County. What you saw along the way should make you mentally prepared. If you want to solve the problems in Houjiu County, the key lies in those local aristocratic families and even the great scholars who have become officials."
"If you make up your mind and are not afraid of losing control, you can do this next..."
