Zhao Ying, Meng Yuan and Shen Qingqing are discussing the follow-up plan. If Qi Sheng really lets the Ning family buy grain, weapons and other contraband, then there will be evidence of King Xiangnan's rebellion, and the day for sending troops to capture the thieves will be around the corner.
The three of them were so focused in their discussion that they didn't even notice that something was going on in the city. It was Ning Youan's appearance that reminded them.
At this time, the fire became even more intense, and half of the sky was filled with blazing fire, bright red and hot, which filled the air with a burning smell.
Shen Qingqing reacted the fastest. She squinted at Ning Youan and asked, "You came here in the middle of the night to inform us that there was a fire in the classroom, right?"
"There must be something important." Ning Youan wiped the sweat from his face and pointed to the open door, "Let's go in and talk."
After entering the house, Ning Youan drank a few cups of herbal tea first, and then said after calming down: "Today when I went to the palace to buy some shopping, I bumped into a group of people. Judging from the appearance, they must be from the palace."
"They had just returned from a mission. They took a side road and saw a series of footprints under their feet. They were black and smelly. The dumpling said it smelled like rancid pig blood."
"I was furious at the time, so I left without thinking much. The more I thought about it, the more wrong it became. Those people were obviously not cooks, so how could they be contaminated with rotten pig blood?"
Ning Youan licked his lips and looked at Shen Qingqing nervously, "Master Shen, last time there was an accident in Changping Lane, I remember you told me that the blood of those who were poisoned would become black and white after death.
Smells. So the black footprints left by those people can’t be blood prints, right?”
Shen Qingqing thought of something and her face became extremely solemn, "You mean the prisoners in the cell have long been killed by their poison?"
"That's what it means." Ning You'an reasoned: "That place is guarded twelve hours a day. Even if there is an accidental fire, it will be discovered and put out early. How could it be burned like this?"
He turned his head and glanced out the window, and sighed: "According to the intensity of the fire, half of the street will probably be burned to ashes."
The remaining three people obviously agreed with his statement and stood silently at the window with ugly expressions on their faces.
After a long while, Zhao Ying slapped the table in annoyance. Fortunately, the table board was strong enough and was not cracked by him. However, the teacup beside the table was shattered into several pieces.
"During this period, I focused all my attention on remote areas, thinking that even if they attack again, they should choose a remote place. I didn't expect them to be so bold!"
He actually did it right under the noses of the people in Xiangcheng. Not only did he dare to do it, he also dared to set fire to destroy the evidence openly.
"It's definitely too late to put out the fire and collect evidence. The only hope now is still that batch of goods." Meng Yuan said calmly: "It's just that the mountains are high and the road is far away this time. I don't know how long it will take. If Chen Bitian behaves like a monster again, what should we do?
?”
There was silence in the room for a long time. Shen Qingqing hesitated and said: "Why don't I go out with you tomorrow? Let's go separate ways."
"You still buy the goods according to the original plan and cut off the goods. I will stay in Xiangcheng and look for opportunities to meet Chen Bitian. It would be better if I can deal with him in advance."
Meng Yuan held her hand and shook his head gently, "It's too dangerous."
Xu was afraid that Shen Qingqing wouldn't be able to persuade Shen Qingqing, so he immediately added: "I believe in your ability. If you deal with Chen Bitian alone, there will be no problem, but there is Qi Sheng behind him, and a group of guards who are not afraid of death. How can you do it alone?
Can……"
Shen Qingqing interrupted him: "I understand what you said, but this is indeed the best way. Even if you can't get rid of him, just buy some time."
"Um, can I interject a word?"
Zhao Ying coughed and said, "Maybe we can divide our troops into three groups. In the original plan, after Meng Yuan figured out the types of goods, he would find a way to notify me. Now change me to my deputy general, and I will call him later.
Come here, let’s meet and get to know each other.”
"Chen Bitian, I'll ask for some foreign help. I heard that the man named Gu from Dali Temple happened to be investigating a case near Xiangcheng in the past few days. Let's bring him here to stir up the situation."
When mentioning Dali Temple, Zhao Ying's mood obviously got much higher. "The guy named Gu is a thief. He is not afraid of death at all. He especially believes in the principle of death. He regards the law as the golden rule. People in the capital call it the 'Walking Tao Te Ching'. Even the emperor is afraid of it."
he."
Shen Qingqing automatically imagined an image of an old scholar with a beard, a long gown, and a prim face. She was a little worried: "Will such a person listen to our arrangements?"
"He has to listen even if he doesn't want to!" Zhao Ying lifted up his clothes and revealed a jade plaque with white flowers around his waist. "Did you see that the transfer orders from various provinces and ministries, as well as the military talismans of several counties near Xiangcheng, are all in my hands!"
"Hey." Shen Qingqing raised her eyebrows and teased: "General Zhao is so powerful."
"That's necessary. I will never fight an unprepared battle." Zhao Ying put down his clothes and showed a row of big white teeth. "My brothers and sisters will follow him to the palace to investigate the case. If he comes forward for anything, you can just watch from behind.
.”
Shen Qingqing: "Isn't this not good?" It is not in line with the virtue of respecting the elderly and loving the young.
Zhao Ying grinned and smiled treacherously, "There's nothing wrong with it. I've been tricked by him several times. It's bad luck for him to fall into my hands this time."
"But don't go too far, just act according to the situation. I will take the Tiger Talisman to the surrounding counties to mobilize troops. If there is a situation with you or Meng Yuan, we will directly lead the troops into the palace without waiting."
Meng Yuan nodded and asked again: "How long will it take you to mobilize troops and then rush back to Xiangcheng?"
"Ten days, guaranteed to be done within ten days."
Meng Yuan pulled out a piece of white paper, polished the pen, and said, "Let's refine the time first and try to avoid any accidents." In this situation, one wrong move could cost thousands of lives.
Ning Youan, who had been listening for a long time, raised his hand weakly, "Everyone, do you still have my mission? If nothing else, I will leave first."
Fighting and investigating crimes are too bloody and too brain-consuming. He would rather be a little loser who only sleeps with women.
"Wait a minute." Shen Qingqing stopped him, "Invite some women to spread the news, saying that there are bad people making trouble in Xiangcheng, and the prisoners in the cell died unjustly. If the injustice is not eliminated, the clouds will continue in Xiangcheng, and the people will never have peace.
day."
Ning Youan subconsciously raised his head and glanced at the sky. The originally sparse stars had disappeared at some point, and the crooked moon was also covered by clouds. The night was extremely gloomy, and it seemed that it was really going to rain.
He opened his eyes wide and looked stunned, "Master Shen, you are not really like that, are you?"
Shen Qingqing didn't react for a moment, "What then?"
"God!" Ning Youan's voice was excited.
Shen Qingqing helplessly raised her forehead, "It's just a matter of observing the celestial phenomena. Many people can do it, so we shouldn't make such a fuss, right?"
"That's it." Ning Youan winked at her, "Then you can teach me later and consider it as the reward for hiring someone this time."
Without waiting for Shen Qingqing to answer, he ran away happily, shouting over his shoulder as he ran, "That's it, no default!"