At night, only a slight cool breeze blew into the room. Through the window on the side of the room, one could see the faint starlight in the sky, and the watchman was playing the clock.

Zhan Yunhai's voice came from the side.

"... Talking about family background, there is no good reason... When I was a child, I lived in a small village. When I was seven years old, there was a drought in Fujian. I competed with the neighboring villages for water. Many people in the village were killed.

My father also broke his leg... There was no labor at home, so my mother took me to the fields. A few months later, bandits from the mountains also came down. My father died, and my mother... was also insulted and went crazy..."

"...Then...when I was still seven years old, my mother carried me to the beach in a daze, handed me over to a boat boss, and started walking on the sea. Since then, I have never seen my mother again... It's better to go to the sea, Brother Zhou, do you know?

, there are no rules at sea. Once you leave the land, life or death depends on your fate. I worked on the boat for two years and then started to learn to hold a knife... I learned my fierceness at that time, but the boss of the boat was a good man and taught me a few books.

, maybe because he saw that I was not stupid, he pointed at me to die for him..."

"...I didn't catch it and send it away. When I was fourteen, I encountered a big problem at sea. The boat was sunk and I jumped into the sea...I saw in the sea that the people who were caught were lined up on the side of the boat.

They were killed one after another and fell down one by one... I lay down on a board and floated on the sea for who knows how long. I was lucky and survived. Then I didn’t want to go to the sea anymore..."

"... I tried to find a way to go back to find my mother, but I couldn't find her... I was too young when I left and couldn't remember too many things. According to what I thought later, I was probably crazy... It's better to be crazy than dead... I was

I didn't have any other ideas, so I went to find the bandits in the nearby mountains. When I was fifteen, I sneaked into the bandit's den that killed my father. When I was sixteen, I finally found an opportunity to make them fight among themselves, and then drugged me.

I originally wanted to cover up the leaders and tie them up, and hang their family members one by one in front of them, but who knew that their family members were quite strong-willed..."

"...a group of women and children, armed with knives and forks, came to kill me and almost killed me. I was cruel and set several of their heads on fire, and then these women and children ran away crying.

Some... I was covered in blood, so I went to the dungeon and released a few innocent people who were captured. Just like that, I met Xiao Xiang'er, and Xiao Xiang'er also saved me..."

"... Not long after, the Huang family came over and rescued me back to Zhuangzi. When I woke up, they asked me what happened. I told my parents about their hatred, and most of the Huang family people called me Daxia, Zhan Yunhai, Zhan Daxia, hehe...

…”

…

"...I later went to school and learned some polite etiquette...Brother Zhou, have you ever met such a person in your life? Just for her, you want to live a good life again, don't want to

It's like before again... I told you that Xiao Xiang'er is the person in my eyes. I have been working hard in the green forest and killing people all these years, and sometimes I am afraid. Then I will think about her.

While running around, I often see good things and bring them back to her..."

"...Brother Zhou, Xiao Xiang'er is my life. If the Dog Emperor dares to marry her, I will kill the Dog Emperor... Hehe, Brother Zhou, don't bother me, it's too hot today."

"You're a local, you're more afraid of the heat than me today." On the bed beside him, Zuo Xingzhou rested his head on his hands.

"Hey, Brother Zhou, I regard you as my brother... In fact, I am somewhat uneasy about such a big thing, and I am worried that I will drag you into troubled waters..."

"What nonsense are you saying at this time? This is not the first time we have fought hard. What's more, we are seeking wealth in danger. Your share of money has been given to me. What else can I say... At most, I can help you

After getting married to that young lady, I will give you a big red envelope."

"Hehe, then I will accept Brother Zhou's good words... By the way, when Brother Zhou is out, what's your family background?"

"...can you tell?"

"Slowly, I can see something...but you are different from those children of the rich clan. You dare to fight and kill, but you are on par with me."

"You read that right, when we were in the Central Plains, it was originally a scholarly family." Zuo Xingzhou looked at the starry sky outside.

"That……"

"What's there to be ashamed of, a child of a rich clan, a child of a rich clan whose entire clan is gone..." Zuo Xingzhou turned his head to look at him, "Is it possible that you still can't learn to fight hard?"

Zhan Yunhai on the opposite side was silent for a moment.

"...So that's it...has the fighting really been so bad outside these years?"

"..."

"Over the years, I have seen some people dragging their families here from outside, but I think it's just like that..."

Zuo Xingzhou sighed slightly.

"...For example, the gang of bandits who have made enemies with you have surrounded the entire Fujian this time. The entire Fujian cannot be defeated. Everyone has to donate gold and silver, even the women at home, and... ten

After many years, I still can’t take revenge..."

"..." Zhan Yunhai was silent for a while, "That would be very painful."

After a while, he said again: "Brother Zhou, tell me, will these Jurchens come to Fujian?"

"...Why do you ask this suddenly?" Zuo Xingzhou looked at him.

Zhan Yunhai looked at the roof, thought for a while, and smiled: "Actually... that is, thinking about what will happen with Xiao Xiang'er in the future... before... when I was tired from fighting outside, I thought, these days

When will it be over? Xiao Xiang'er also told me that if possible, it would be best to find a place where no one knows us and live peacefully... Actually, it's not that simple. In this place in Fujian,

Life is not easy if you don't follow the clan, but I always think about it. In fact, we are not too young now. I am twenty-two and Xiao Xiang'er is eighteen. This time when things are done and Xiao Xiang'er marries me, I

I don’t really want to go out and fight…”

"..."

"When you have someone in your heart, you have more worries. Sometimes you want to wash your hands in a golden basin, and sometimes you think that the Jurchens are really vicious. They attacked the Central Plains and then conquered Jiangnan. What will happen if they attack Fujian in the future?

.But I think there are so many mountains in Fujian. Xiao Xiang'er and I should be able to escape by hiding in the mountains..."

"..."

"...But, what about you, Brother Zhou? What do you think?"

"...Huh?" Zuo Xingzhou was just listening silently. At this time, he reacted slightly unexpectedly, "What...what do I think?"

"Most of the people outside are not bloody, but Brother Zhou, you are different. You see, you come from a wealthy family, and your family is gone. If one day, the Jurchens attack Fujian, what will happen to you, Brother Zhou?

?Shall we fight them with a knife, or follow us and hide in the mountains?"

"..." Zuo Xingzhou remained silent.

Later, I heard Zhan Yunhai say: "Brother Zhou, let's... sworn brothers."

"……Um?"

"Tonight, I always thought that things should come to an end. Xiao Xiang'er and I can go to the mountains. What will you do, Brother Zhou? Then I also thought, I don't have parents, and Brother Zhou, too

We don’t have any family anymore, and we are so in love with each other, it’s better to plant grass to make a sweet scent and form a sworn brotherhood. In this way, if Brother Zhou you try your best to avenge your family in the future, I can help you. If you are a thief,

If you can go to the mountains, let’s go to the mountains together so that we can take care of each other.”

The sparks glowed faintly, and the wind was speechless. In the quiet room, Zuo Xingzhou looked sideways at him, his expression slightly moved, and he was silent for a long time. He didn't know when he finally let out a sigh:

"...You psycho."

"Everyone needs to be a little crazy to travel around the world." The starlight filtered in, and the figure turned over and got out of bed, "Come on, come on, brother Zhou, let's plant some grass to add fragrance to the Taoyuan Three's sworn bond."

Maybe a hundred years from now, it will still be a good talk..."

In the light of the stars and the moon, two figures came out of the room again, planted grass in the dilapidated yard and made wishes, said some crazy things, and became brothers.

It was already the middle of the night, and most of the lights in Fuzhou City had dimmed, and the air had become cooler. It was the most suitable time for people to sleep. After an hour or two, the first batch of people who got up would light up some firelights again.

, the officials sat in sedan chairs, and the vendors opened the door panels of the roadside shops to welcome the beginning of a new day.

On May 22nd, the morning court meeting in the imperial city began with the officials' meeting in the cool morning breeze. As the sun rose, the situation in the palace seemed to become heated with the weather.

This morning, the atmosphere was anxious.

It was past half hour, and the court officials dispersed and went to various places. Cheng Zhouhai gave some instructions and stayed in the imperial study room for half an hour before leaving and walking towards the imperial city department on the side of the palace.

The Imperial City Department is now the place where the imperial guards of the Fujian imperial court control the palace. Its responsibilities are to be responsible for the security of the palace and to lead the special agents. The official title is currently held by Cheng Zhouhai in name, and the actual duties are acted by deputy envoy Tie Tianying.

As one of the outstanding affairs officers left by the late right-hand minister Qin Siyuan, Cheng Zhouhai was thoughtful and profound. In the past, he had done a lot of assistance when Zhou Pei took over the eldest princess's palace. He was considered to be half of Zhou Pei's teacher.

I have been exposed to many secret service matters that are rarely seen in the light.

After the imperial court went south to hunt for Fujian, he was responsible for a lot of things as a generalist. Internally, he was responsible for connecting with all parties in the princess's palace, in charge of secret agents, coordination between the prime minister and various wealthy families in Fuzhou, and shady secret transactions. Externally, he was also responsible for

He has been sent as an envoy to the Southwest, He Wen and other parties... In short, it is more troublesome and sensitive and requires a backbone. Now he often appears as a firefighter. As for the affairs of the Imperial City Division, Tie Tianying is quite

When he is able, he seldom worries.

As for the more prudent and tactful among the brothers, Wen Renfuer is now sent by the little emperor to his most precious Ministry of Works, as the incarnation of the emperor in this regard, to represent his various ideas. This is a digression.

.

Entering the courtyard of the Imperial City Division, entering the room on the inside, Tie Tianying, Zuo Wenxuan and Song Xiaoming, who is Tie Tianying's disciple and one of the current chief arrests of the Criminal Department, are already waiting here. Zuo Wenxuan gets it for himself

I was fanning myself with a cattail leaf fan. After Cheng Zhouhai came in, he also asked for one.

"...The court meeting in the morning was very noisy, Lord Tie should know it. The situation inside and outside is now tense. Speaking of the case at the end of April, we also talked about various rumors outside, including the Ministry of Punishment and the Imperial City.

Both sides were warned, and His Majesty was also a little anxious, saying that it was just a woman, why couldn't she be caught now, and people almost said that she was going to come to the palace..."

When he said this, he paused slightly: "Of course, there are more specific reasons than these. But now we know something, what the whole thing is like, and I still want to sum it up with a few adults. I'd also like to

Convey the situation to His Majesty."

As an official who is personally responsible for the emperor's safety, Tie Tianying has the authority to report many matters. However, it is obvious that the entire case is only halfway pushed. Without decisive progress, it is impossible for Tie Tianying to report all kinds of trivial intelligence and information.

The information was delivered directly to the superior. However, due to the difficulties raised at the meeting, several people were required to make a phased qualitative assessment together.

After Cheng Zhouhai finished speaking, Tie Tianying nodded and signaled to Song Xiaoming, who also stood up immediately.

"To tell you my lord, the news circulating in the city seems to be mostly smoke screens at the moment." Song Xiaoming said, "Since the Hou Guan County case started at the end of April, Beizhi has arrested and interrogated many people in the city. In private,

I also made inquiries from various parties and found that in Fuzhou City, although the rumors about Chen Shuangran are vivid, the movement on the street is not big. The various rumors she spread in the city are more like building momentum."
To be continued...