In Panyu, Guangzhou, after Xie Shufang sent Sun Renshi away, he returned to the backyard of the Governor's Mansion.
Several people were already waiting anxiously in the side hall.
"I've met the Governor!"
After seeing the thank you letter, everyone came in and everyone stood up and saluted.
"The horses are ready. Go quickly and inform Haiyang County that all ships should not go to sea for the time being."
"yes!"
The two strong men in gray clothes on the left hugged Xie Shufang and left in a hurry.
"I have sent people to take care of your ship. No one should doubt you!"
The remaining people thanked Xie Shufang and said:
"Thank you, Lord Governor!"
"Hey! It's a pity that the owner has two new ships!"
Xie Shufang said angrily: "How long has it been and you still regret your two broken ships?"
"Take your people and get out of the north gate quickly and leave Lingnan through Shaozhou."
"Also, tell those old guys in Taihu not to let me float a single boat on the sea before Su Chen leaves!"
Everyone quickly left the Governor's Mansion and took their men north to Shaozhou.
Master Sun Ren was still watching at the mouth of the Pearl River, not allowing any ships to leave Panyu.
At the same time, we searched nearby ports in an attempt to find some clues about the giant cannibal.
…
Five days later, Su Chen hurriedly and slowly arrived at Panyu.
Sun Renshi went to greet him with an anxious mood.
Xie Shufang informed Feng Ang, and they came together to greet Li Chengqian and Su Chen.
The fleet anchored and after landing, Xie Shufang and Feng Ang were greeted at the dock.
Su Chen and Li Chengqian followed Xie Shufang to the Governor's Mansion first.
After sitting down in the Governor's Mansion, Su Chen first asked about the cannibalism.
Sun Renshi is helpless and deserves to be reported truthfully.
"What?
They all ran away and no one was caught!"
Su Chen was furious!
"Commander, the governor of Guangzhou is delaying deliberately, and this will result in the general gaining nothing!"
Master Sun Ren didn’t say anything, but took the blame first!
Xie Shufang glanced at Master Sun Ren and said slowly:
"General Sun, I did not delay on purpose. After receiving the order from His Royal Highness, I immediately closed all the ports in Panyu."
"But the big cannibal left long before the general arrived in Panyu. You can blame this matter on me."
Master Sun Ren said angrily: "Then why did you stop me from entering the city?"
Xie Shufang also said angrily: "You led your army directly to Panyu. I didn't receive any notice in advance. Even if you have the warrants from the Protector and His Royal Highness, I still have to distinguish the authenticity from the fake, right?"
"Besides, I immediately closed all ports when I saw the warrant. This didn't delay the general's mission."
"General Sun, you led your army directly into Panyu City and killed two officials in Panyu. I haven't even settled the matter with you yet!"
Xie Shufang said, stood up and said to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, General Sun acted recklessly and led his troops directly into Panyu City. This matter will not be reported to the court because he has your order from Your Highness."
"But the cannibal's escape is by no means an oversight by my ministers,"
"As far as I know, the cannibal left early that morning, and General Sun only arrived in Panyu in the afternoon."
Li Chengqian glared at Master Sun Ren: "But is that so?"
Master Sun Ren broke into a cold sweat and replied: "Yes, by the time the general reaches Panyu, the big cannibals have indeed escaped!"
"But I heard that someone was tipping off the big cannibal that the general was going to search for a suspect in Panyu. However, Xie Shufang blocked him in every possible way and refused to let the general enter the city at all."
Su Chen said coldly: "You are not doing things well and you still want to shift the responsibility to others?"
"Commander, the last general..."
"Hmph! Go back to the boat and wait until His Highness and I go back, and then we can settle the accounts properly!"
Master Sun Ren's neck turned red and he cupped his fists and said, "Yes! I will obey your order!"
After Sun Renshi left, Su Chen said to Xie Shufang: "Xie Shufang, please don't behave like a reckless man!"
"I was too impatient at the time. I should have informed the governor in advance!"
Xie Shufang cupped his hands and said: "The words of the protector of the country are serious, General Sun is just trying his best to carry out his errands."
"Furthermore, as a local official, I allowed the big cannibal to escape like this, which is indeed a mistake without investigation."
Su Chen laughed and said: "It's just a few big cannibals, just run away!"
"Now that the matter has been explained clearly, and the navy still has a lot of things to do, I won't disturb the governor, Duke Geng."
Xie Shufang stood up and said with a smile: "Your Highness and the Lord Protector have been wandering at sea for many days, and now they have arrived in Panyu. As a local official, I should be responsible for receiving Your Highness and the Lord Protector. How about I let you fulfill your duties as a landlord?"
"
Feng An, who had been serving as the background, also smiled and said: "Your Highness, the Lord Protector has traveled thousands of miles and it has been a hard journey. Why not rest first before talking about anything else."
"Although Lingnan is located in the wilderness and its products are far less abundant than those of the Central Plains, there are still some special fruits and vegetables. Why don't Your Highness and the Protector take a rest first and then taste some local specialties?"
Su Chen looked at Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, what do you think?"
Li Chengqian said: "Since it is thanks to the kindness of the governor and Duke Geng, and I am really tired of staying on the boat, and I am sweating all the time, why not take a rest in Panyu."
After Xie Shufang heard what Li Chengqian said, he immediately sent someone to help Li Chengqian and Su Chen bath and change clothes, and then presented them with exquisite snacks and fruits.
Su Chen and Li Chengqian stayed in Panyu that day. They thanked the emperor and held a banquet for Li Chengqian. Su Chen took the opportunity to wash away the dust.
Everyone was enjoying Lingnan songs and dances while drinking and chatting at the banquet.
"In other words, there is a big cannibal in Panyu and the Persians can't be found?"
Xie Shufang said: "I searched the whole city and found no cannibals, but I did find quite a few Persians."
"But they stayed in Panyu last year. I'll call the Protector tomorrow."
Su Chen smiled and said: "It doesn't matter when he comes to Panyu, I will ask them to be the guide for the fleet and just send the fleet directly."
Xie Shufang agreed: "Well, I will send it to the Lord Protector tomorrow."
"It's strange to say that at this time in previous years, there were still a lot of Persians gathered in Panyu, but this year it's hard to find any."
Su Chen asked: "In the past, there were many Persians in Panyu?"
"Well, these Persian merchant ships usually come to Panyu from March to May and leave in September or October. In previous summers, there were usually dozens or even hundreds of Persian merchant ships."
"This year is very strange. There are only two or three ships coming, and they all left early!"
Su Chen frowned: "Two or three ships?
Did everyone leave early?"
"Yes, this is what the Municipal Shipping Department reported. If the Protector wants to know the specific situation, I will ask the officials of the Municipal Shipping Department to report to the Protector tomorrow."
Su Chen thanked Xie Shufang: "Then I would like to express my gratitude to the governor!"
Xie Shufang picked up the wine glass: "If there is anything else that I can do for you, just give me the direct orders from the Protector."
"After all, this big cannibal escaped under the nose of the official. If there is anything I can do to help the Lord Protector, the official will be happy to help!"
