Gu Xifeng looked at the poor mother and son with solemn expressions. If his judgment was correct, the new medicine Xiao Wu bought this time was still fake. If he bought fake medicine once, it might be by chance or he met a profiteer, but every time If the medicines purchased are all fake, then the problem will be serious.
Either someone was plotting against the mother and son, or there was a big problem with the medicine here.
Gu Xifeng had no mission during this trip. He just wanted to go to the border between Taichu and Xinhan. Ever since Han Linfu accepted the title of vassal king from Taichu Emperor Li Boqian, there has never been a war between the two dynasties.
Especially in the past year, there have been almost no conflicts at the border between the two Koreas. Both border trade and the entry of travelers have been orderly. There has been no friction between the troops stationed on the border between the two Koreas, especially the Qinghe Army assisting the Western Front Border Army in setting up defenses. Afterwards, they were even more peaceful.
This made Gu Xifeng suspicious. He always felt that Han Linfu was by no means a peaceful person. This kind of peace was especially like the calm before the storm.
Now that he has arrived in Fengwu County, Gu Xifeng suddenly wants to visit the place where he first performed his mission. He especially wants to see what will happen to Qiao County after the death of Xinhan spy Qin Chuan. got involved in this matter.
The secret agents of the Seven Kills Battalion mastered a wide range of skills, and medical skills were one of the most important. As a direct disciple of the leader of the Seven Kills Battalion, Gu Xifeng would only become more proficient in what he mastered.
After a brief moment of losing control of his emotions, Xiao Wu left the room. He still had a lot of things to do. After a while, he brought a bowl of porridge and a dish of side dishes. After his mother had dinner, the medicinal soup prepared by Xiao Wu also Well, he carefully brought the medicinal soup to his mother and fed her with his own hands.
During this series of events, Xiaowu's mother had a look of comfort in her eyes, but she felt more guilty for having caused her son to suffer.
After his mother drank the medicine, Xiaowu asked her to stay in bed while he hurried out.
Gu Xifeng also followed, and Xiao Wu came to a restaurant that looked a little shabby. He walked into the restaurant and started to help the shopkeeper do this. His movements were very skillful, and he had obviously been doing it for a long time.
The restaurant owner looked at Xiao Wu working neatly, nodded with satisfaction and asked, "Xiao Wu, has your mother's illness gotten better?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu turned around with a smile on his face and said: "Shopkeeper Wang, I gave my mother new medicine today. She should be fine soon. Thanks to the shopkeeper for letting me work in the restaurant, he not only takes care of our food but also pays us wages. Otherwise, we two will never be able to make ends meet."
The shopkeeper said with a hint of pity in his tone: "No need to thank me, you deserve this for your work. There are not many good children like you who are filial and sensible."
The smile on Xiao Wu's face, who had his back to the shopkeeper, disappeared and was replaced by a sad look. Obviously, he was not so optimistic about his mother's condition.
Gu Xifeng sighed softly and returned to Xiao Wu's home. At this time, Xiao Wu's mother had fallen asleep, but her sleep was not sound. She frowned and coughed from time to time.
Gu Xifeng walked up to her and put his hand on her wrist. Judging from the symptoms and pulse, Xiaowu's mother was indeed suffering from lung fever. The doctor Xiaowu was looking for was not wrong, so it can be concluded that , there was indeed something wrong with the medicine Xiao Wu bought for her mother.
Gu Xifeng stretched out a hand and pressed it on the top of Xiao Wu Niangqin's head, activating her internal energy. A trace of pure internal energy was instilled into her body. Her breathing gradually stabilized, her coughing also eased a lot, and then she fell into a deep sleep. .
Instilling internal strength cannot cure her disease, it can only strengthen her body and reduce some of her pain.
After doing this, Gu Xifeng left Xiao Wu's house and came to a remote alley in the city. He stopped in a private house.
He gently knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened slightly and a head poked out. Gu Xifeng showed a token. The man immediately stood in awe, led him into the courtyard and closed the door tightly.
After closing the door, the man immediately knelt down on one knee and saluted Gu Xifeng and said, "Xu Yi, the manager of the Dark Star Qingfeng City branch, pays homage to the deputy commander."
This man named Xu Yi is about forty years old. He has a very ordinary appearance. He is the kind of person who can never be found if he gets lost in the crowd. This kind of appearance is very suitable for a spy. Gu Xifeng also likes Yi every time he travels in disguise. Make this kind of face.
Gu Xifeng stepped forward to help him up and said, "No need to be polite."
After Xu Yi stood up, Gu Xifeng continued: "I was passing by here and found that there was a problem with the medicinal materials sold in the city. Did your Dark Star branch notice any abnormalities?"
Xu Yi immediately replied: "Sir, not only is there something wrong with the medicinal materials in Qingfeng City, but the medicinal materials in Fengwu County are now controlled by a profiteer named Zhuo San, and the new county Yin of Qiao County is Zhuo Zhen, the son of Zhuo San. In just half a year, it has become difficult to find good medicine in Qiao County.”
Gu Xifeng frowned and said, "Has the imperial court in Taichu become so corrupt? Does the governor of Fengwu County just sit back and watch this kind of money-seeking and murderous things?"
Xu Yi smiled bitterly and said: "Sir, Zhuo San can be so confident in selling fake medicines. Without the protection of the Fengwu County Sheriff, he would not dare or be able to do this."
Gu Xifeng's expression became even more ugly, and Xu Yi also continued with some sadness: "Sir, things like fake medicines are everywhere in Qiao County, and Qiao County is already considered a peaceful place in Yingzhou. Other places are not to mention starved to death. Pretty much the same.”
Gu Xifeng's expression gradually calmed down, and he uttered four words dejectedly: "The building will collapse..."
Xu Yi was silent. Those spies who have been away all year round can feel the changes in Yingzhou over the years. If they continue to let things go, it will only be a matter of time before Taichu is destroyed.
"Now that we've encountered it, we can't just sit back and do nothing. I'll handle this matter. The Dark Star branch is always ready for instructions." Gu Xifeng said firmly.
Xu Yi solemnly nodded and said: "It is a blessing for the people of Qiao County that your Excellency can take action, and my subordinates should do their best to cooperate."
After asking some more questions, Gu Xifeng left the Qingfeng branch. He felt very heavy. The matter of Xiaowu and his son could be easily solved, but the decline of the entire Taichu seemed to be a foregone conclusion. The decline of the dynasty and the common people would suffer accordingly.
Xinyang City in Qiao County is the seat of the county government and the most prosperous city in Qiao County. There is a brothel on the edge of the busiest street in Xinyang City. Because Qiao County is rich, even the brothel is very luxurious.
It was late at night, and there were not many guests in the brothel. In the largest private room in the brothel, a dozen beautiful girls were waiting for a young man in official uniform.
This man had a sharp and mean look, and his eyes were lifeless, with heavy dark circles, obviously caused by excessive indulgence. He hugged the girls on both sides, not only enjoying the service of the girls, but also kept touching them. They could only laugh together, but there was a hint of disgust in their eyes.
After finally having enough wine and food, the man shouted in a high-pitched voice with an arrogant attitude: "Call me your old bustard!"
The girls were trembling with fear when they heard this, and immediately one girl said cautiously: "Master Yin of the County, please wait a moment, I will call you soon."
It turns out that this man is Yin Zhuozhen, the current county magistrate of Qiao County.
Zhuo Zhen waved his hand impatiently, and the girl trotted out of the room.
After a while, a middle-aged woman who still had charm walked in with a smile on her face. She looked happy when she saw Zhuo Zhen and said, "Master Zhuo, you have a lot of fun today."
Zhuo Zhen narrowed his eyes and said happily: "Not bad. If I want to go back to the Yamen now, I still follow the old rules and find two girls to accompany me."
Hearing this, the girls present all showed fear. This Zhuo Zhen was not only lustful but also very violent. If he was neglected in the brothel, he might just be beaten and scolded, but if he returned to the county government office with him, he would have fun with him. On good days, he would still torture her. In the mild cases, she would have a bruised nose and face, in severe cases, she would be covered in injuries. In the worst case, a girl almost lost her life.
A hint of hatred flashed in the eyes of the old madam, but it was quickly covered up. She recovered her smile and said, "Chunyi, Dongmei, you two will accompany the adults back today."
Among the crowd, two beautiful girls stood up reluctantly. They gritted their teeth and kept smiling. Zhuo Zhen laughed and stood up. He hugged the two girls and walked downstairs. A middle-aged man with a philistine appearance followed closely behind.
The old madam accompanied him to the door with a smile. After the middle-aged businessman came downstairs, he quickly called to the coachman to stop the carriage in front of the door. Zhuo Zhen hugged the two girls and got into the carriage.
The old bustard whispered to the middle-aged philistine: "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, our Lord has come to Caifeng Tower almost every day in the six months since he took office. Naturally, we have tried our best to serve you well. However, it has been so long, and now Caifeng Tower cannot make ends meet. Can you give us some money to help us tide over the difficulties?"
This middle-aged philistine turned out to be the county magistrate of Qiao County. The previous county magistrate resigned because he was unwilling to join in with Zhuo Zhen. Zhuo Zhen was so happy that he immediately arranged for his housekeeper to become the county magistrate.
The county magistrate's face turned cold and he said angrily: "Are you asking for money from the master? The master is here to look down on you!"
The old madam came up to the county magistrate, put his arms in his arms, and leaned against the magistrate's body and whispered softly: "Sir, don't be angry. The girls earn hard money, and they must be allowed to eat." Only when you have enough food can you serve the adults well."
The county magistrate pushed the old madam away and sneered: "Go away and don't get close to me. My lord is the head of Qiao County. If you ask for money from your lord, you must be tired of living."
The old madam was choked and speechless, feeling extremely aggrieved.
The curtain of the carriage was opened, and Zhuo Zhen showed his head. He looked at the county magistrate and the old madam impatiently, and said with a glare: "What are you waiting for? Come on, don't disturb my pleasure, or I'll let you eat." I can’t walk around in circles.”
The county magistrate came close to Zhuo Zhen and murmured in a low voice. Zhuo Zhen's expression became even more grim. He looked at the old madam with a cold smile and said, "Smelly bitch, I'm in a good mood to spare you today. If you dare to mention it to me again, Qian, you and the girls like you can’t even get out of Fengwu County alive!”
After saying this, Zhuo Zhen got into the carriage again, and his voice came from the carriage: "Let's go!" Upon hearing this, the county magistrate also got on the carriage, and the coachman immediately drove the carriage away.
The old bustard was left alone in front of the brothel, feeling very sad.
