After a while.
When the servants brought Zhang Xiao, Zhang Shuo and his son into the mansion, Bai Yan suddenly looked surprised.
Bai Yan was also a little lucky at this time. Fortunately, when he was not in the mansion before, he let Xi and Bao leave the mansion as soon as possible.
"Meet the general!"
"Meet the general!
"
Zhang Xian and Zhang Shuo, father and son, looked at Bai Yan and bowed their hands.
Zhang Xiao and his son did not feel surprised by Bai Yan's unexpected appearance. After all, they recalled that when Zhang was framed in Xinzheng, Bai Yan, who was escorting Yao Jia, was also in Xinzheng. Regarding the news about Zhang, Bai Yan Yan naturally knows it too.
Therefore, when I see the father and son now and think about the incident of killing Xinzheng in the past, it is surprising, but it is normal.
"Get down!"
Bai Yan looked at Zhang Xiao and his son, and did not rush to return the gift. Instead, he asked the servant to leave first, and then looked at Bai Ming aside.
"Ming, you should go and rest first!"
Bai Yan said.
Seeing Bai Yan's serious look, Bai Ming nodded quickly, put down the bamboo slips very sensibly, then got up and left.
Looking at the middle-aged man and his son, Bai Ming was a little curious about the background of these two people.
Although he was curious, Bai Ming did not ask, but left the room obediently and closed the door.
In the large study room.
In an instant, Bai Yan and Zhang Xiao and his son were left.
"Bai Yan, I've met you two!"
Bai Yan then raised his hand to return the greeting to Zhang Wei and his son, and after the ceremony, he motioned for them to sit down.
Zhang Xiao and his son quickly raised their hands again to express their gratitude to Bai Yan, and then came to the wooden table where they were kneeling with Bai Ming just now.
"I wonder what's going on with you two? Come here tonight..."
Bai Yan knelt down beside the wooden table, and then looked at Zhang Hui and his son calmly.
Recalling what Xi said before, when Zhang Hui and his son came to Xianyang, they went directly to the Prime Minister's Mansion to meet Lord Changping, so it was very likely that Lord Changping told them his address.
Bai Yan could understand Lord Changping's behavior.
After all, Lord Changping is not yet aware that the matter has been revealed. In Lord Changping's eyes, he and the Bai family are still on friendly terms.
but.
This also means that Zhang’s father and son are not Lord Changping’s confidants!
"I hope the general will not blame you for taking the liberty to come here tonight!"
When Zhang Xiao heard Bai Yan's words, he smiled and said politely, with a hint of apology in his tone, hoping Bai Yan would forgive him.
Zhang, who was young at the side, said that he also followed suit.
Speaking of seeing Bai Yan with his own eyes, Zhang said that he felt really complicated. After all, the reason why he and his father were polite to Bai Yan in Zhang's Mansion in Xinzheng was entirely because of Yao Jia's face.
I never thought about this moment.
The young man who followed Yao Jia, whom he and his father didn't care about at all, has actually become a general of the Qin State. He was also reused by the political commissar of the Qin King Ying as the deputy general of the Qin Army. He led his troops to destroy Zhao and a country.
In the study room.
Bai Yan heard Zhang Xiao's words and raised his hand to salute.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiao thought for a while.
"To be honest, General, Zhang Xiao came here today because of Zhang Liang's frame-up in the past!"
Zhang Xiao said, directly explaining his purpose.
As someone who has been there, Zhang Xiao knows that the current relationship between father and son is just a casual relationship with Bai Yan. In addition, Bai Yan has just returned from Pingyang in the middle of the night. He is worried that if he does not explain his purpose, he will be expelled by Bai Yan. guest.
"Framed?"
When Bai Yan heard Zhang Xiao's words, he frowned and repeated the same sentence, seeming to doubt whether this 'framing' was true or not.
But in Bai Yan's heart, he was relieved. At least Zhang Hui and his son would appear here, which proved that Zhang still had no clues in the investigation, let alone thought that he killed Han Ling.
In other words, Yao Jia did not want to reveal the Bao family's affairs.
At least Changping-kun doesn’t know!
"That's right, General, Zhang Liang, Zhang Fu's nephew, was indeed framed by thieves in Xinzheng in the past!"
Zhang Xiao sighed.
Then Zhang Xiao clearly told the whole story of what happened in front of Bai Yan. His original intention was to tell Bai Yan everything so that Bai Yan could believe it.
"I see!"
Under the candlelight, Bai Yan listened quietly and said something after listening.
Then Bai Yan looked at Zhang Xiao with a puzzled look.
This look seemed to be asking, what does this matter have to do with him, Bai Yan, and why are you looking for him now.
"General!"
When Zhang Xiao saw Bai Yan's appearance, he naturally understood what Bai Yan was thinking, so he raised his hand again.
"Did the general know that the person who framed the Zhang family was using the Qin State to attack South Korea? When Yao Jia and the general came to Xinzheng, they blamed everything on the general, Yao Jia, and even the Qin State!"
After Zhang Xiao finished speaking, he paused and continued: "Han Ling is a member of the royal family of the Han Dynasty and a great general of South Korea. His connections are very wide in Korea. If General Han Ling is defeated, no one will complain. However, General Han Ling , You shouldn’t die in the house! Killed by thieves!”
Having said this.
Zhang Xiao shook his head and sighed.
"In this way, the Korean people will blame the traitors for the destruction of the country! They are naturally dissatisfied with the Qin State! Now, the general still remembers that when Yang Duan and the general were in Korea, they were harassed by many thieves! "
Zhang Xiao raised his hand, cupped it towards Bai Yan and said.
As Zhang Xiao said before, the murder of Han Ling not only framed the Zhang family, but also dumped dirty water on Yao Jia and Bai Yan.
In the study room.
Bai Yan listened quietly to Zhang Xiao's persuasion. After Zhang Xiao finished speaking, Bai Yan naturally would not pretend to be stupid.
"So during this trip, you two hope that Bai Yan will order someone to investigate this matter thoroughly?"
Bai Yan said softly.
Zhang Xiao nodded when he heard Bai Yan's words, sighing that it was easy to talk to smart people.
"General, think about it. Now Qin has accepted Han and established Yingchuan. However, there are countless dissatisfied and resentful people in Yingchuan, so there are frequent turmoils. If the general can investigate the truth of the matter and give the people justice, then In the future, there will naturally be no more turmoil in Yingchuan County, and the general will be able to share the worries of the King of Qin and make contributions to the Qin State!"
Zhang Xiao said.
Looking at the young Bai Yan, Zhang Xiao knew that it was definitely not easy for this young man to become a general, so he continued to add.
"In addition, Zhang Xiao hereby swears that if the general can clear the grievances of the Zhang family and restore the reputation of the Zhang family in the future, with the connections in front of my father and brother, Zhang will definitely be able to help the general in the future! Not only can he protect Yingchuan for the general, but also I can also help the general to find out information about the nobles in Zhao! Work for the general!"
After Zhang Xiao finished his words of persuasion, he looked at Bai Yan.
Before coming, Zhang Xiao had seriously thought about how to persuade Bai Yan. Although Zhang Xiao did not think that he could be as good as Zhang Zi (Zhang Yi), who could weaken six countries and strengthen one with just one mouth, he had followed his father since he was a child. Help brother.
It's still okay to lobby Bai Yan if he's familiar with it.
Taking advantage of the previous turmoil in Yingchuan, Ying Zheng's helpless appointment, and meritorious deeds, plus Zhang Xiao's promise, Zhang was tempted to follow the lead after regaining power.
What's more important is that Bai Yan offended countless noble families with the previous incident at Yanmen.
under various circumstances.
Zhang Xi dared to guarantee his life. Under these conditions, not to mention Bai Yan, anyone, even Lord Changping and even the nobles of Chu State would agree to help Zhang investigate if he stood in Bai Yan's position.
Feel the silence in the study.
Zhang Xiao didn't speak in a hurry, Zhang Shuo was also standing by, looking at Bai Yan, who was young and had a pensive look on his face.
"Okay, I will order someone to investigate this matter!"
Bai Yan was not surprised in the end, and nodded slowly under the gazes of Zhang Xiao and his son.
When Zhang Xiao and Zhang Yue saw this scene, they looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. The father and son had found out clearly that Bai Yan and the Yang family were now very close, and the Bai family was married to the Feng family.
Whether it is Bai Yan, who is the general of the Qin State, or the Bai family, the Yang family, and the Feng family.
As long as such a huge power is willing to use their connections and connections to help Zhang investigate, then others must be useful. After all, those in charge of Yingchuan County now are all Qin officials.
"Thank you, General Bai!"
"Thank you, general! In the future, whenever the general needs it, he can order people to go to Chu State's Qu family. The Zhang family will never give up even if they die!"
Zhang Shuo and Zhang Xian expressed their gratitude to Bai Yan and held them in their hands as a gift.
Bai Yan also raised his hand very politely.
"You two don't have to be polite. This matter involves the Qin State. Bai Yan's move will relieve my king's worries, and Bai Yan doesn't want to be framed! If necessary in the future, you two can ask Zhang to cooperate!"
Bai Yan explained.
Zhang Xiao quickly handed over his hand and promised that he would definitely do it.
Next, Bai Yan asked Zhang Xiao some things. Naturally, Zhang Xiao and his son would not hide anything from Bai Yan. They told them all about the progress of the Zhang family's investigation and the analysis of their father, son and clan members.
"Zhanyou was killed?"
Bai Yan frowned when he heard this.
Zhang Xiao nodded, and the young Zhang Shuo beside him also had a gloomy look on his face.
The most critical person who participated in the frame-up was Zhan You. It was Zhan You who went to the Zhang family to ask his cousin Zhang Sheng to go out. Later, it was Zhan You who personally went to the Zhang family to inform his cousin Zhang Liang that Zhang Sheng had been arrested.
If it hadn't been for Zhan You, brothers Zhang Liang and Zhang Sheng would never have been fooled around.
"Yes! My nephews Zhang Sheng and Zhang Liang are already using their few connections to investigate this matter in Yingchuan, because although you are said to have been killed,... there is no body left!"
】
Zhang Xiao said with doubtful eyes.
Bai Yan nodded after hearing this.
Bai Yan naturally knew what Zhang Xiao meant, which was that if he wanted to investigate, he might start with the Zhan clan.
Because Zhang Shi suspected that Zhan You, like the Bao Shi, was faking his death!
Bai Yan did not refuse.
"Then Bai Yan will have people investigate from the Zhan clan!"
Bai Yan said.
Bai Yan actually knows where Zhan You is now better than the father and son in front of him.
Maybe most people really believed what Zhang and his son said just now, but Bai Yan knew very well from the beginning that the turmoil in Yingchuan was not caused by Han Ling at all, as Zhang Xu and his son said.
Even if the Zhang family is restored to innocence, as long as the old Korean clan in Han Dynasty still exists, Yingchuan will continue to be in turmoil!
Therefore, the theory of meritorious service is simply a delusion!
From the perspective of Qin officials, this is nothing more than an illusory temptation.
As for Zhang serving him and helping Qin, Bai Yan didn't believe it even more.
Others would take advantage of Zhang if they didn't know the situation, but Bai Yan would never do that.
Later generations proved that the Zhang family, who had lived together for five generations, would only think about revenge, Korea, and restoring the honor of the Zhang family in the past.
Therefore, making an oath and helping him maintain the stability of Yingchuan are just boasts. For example, Zhang Yi lied to the King of Chu and said that the Qin State would send him six hundred miles, and even if he really helped the Qin State stabilize for a while, it was Zhang who was preserving it. Strength, seeking opportunities, and gathering strength to restore the country.
Think of this.
Bai Yan looked at Zhang Xiao in front of him and recalled that when he met Zhang Xiao for the first time, he was really deceived by his appearance and attitude.
Looking back now, I wonder how Zhang Xiao could not be so scheming in the fifth generation of the Zhang family.
How could Zhang Xiao not be good at these lobbying (fraud) methods?
Outside the study.
It was dark at night, and the cold wind was howling by. Only the branches of the trees in the yard were left. Occasionally, the withered leaves drifted away from the branches under the biting cold wind, and disappeared on the branches under the bright moonlight, blending into the dark night. .
In the courtyard not far away, two servants passed by from time to time, walking around the mansion, and the room next to them was vaguely light.
After an unknown amount of time, as the door opened, a pair of people who looked like a father and son, escorted by a young man, left the room.
After the three people gathered together for the ceremony.
The father and son turned around and left following the servants of the mansion.
The young man waited for a while before returning to the study. Then, in the night, he knelt down in front of the candlelight window and continued to look at the bamboo slips.
.........
The next day.
As dawn dawned, Bai Yan walked out of the room.
Feeling the morning breath, Bai Yan moved his arms. When he saw Bai Ming already practicing his sword in the yard, he couldn't help but smile.
That boy Bai Ming is quite diligent!
"General, breakfast is ready!"
The maid came over and said to Bai Yan.
Bai Yan nodded and glanced at the maid. In the past, Xi Lai called him. This time when he returned to Xianyang, the Bao family was no longer in the mansion. He was always a little uncomfortable.
Speaking of which, Bai Yan didn't care about being alone in the past. After leaving Qi State, he was always used to being alone.
It's like this no matter where you go.
However, after meeting Mr. Bao, having experienced Mr. Bao at home and having experienced the affairs at home, Mr. Bao arranged everything in a thorough and appropriate manner.
Now in the mansion, Mr. Bao suddenly left, and he felt a little uncomfortable for a while, just like the tea had gone cold last night. Without his instructions, the maid was worried about disturbing him and did not dare to take the initiative to come to the study to refill him with hot tea.
Whenever he drinks tea, he can clearly feel that the cup of tea on the table is always cold.
After drinking it, my body doesn't feel warm at all.
