"Shen Wu, this is Shen Lang, Shen Battou of the Divine Catcher Hall. Why don't you show your respects to Shen Cattou soon?"
Hearing what Head Zhou said, the tall and heroic eldest disciple Shen Wu was slightly startled, and bowed his hands to Shen Lang:
"Shen Wu pays homage to Shen Batou. Shen Batou's reputation is as powerful as thunder. When we meet him today, his reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Reputation like thunder?
Brother, are you already famous in the world now?
Well, that should be it.
Previously, when He Wei and Feng Wei heard my name clearly, they were so frightened that they knelt down.
When Headmaster Zhou heard that I was visiting, he quickly took eight elders out to greet me, as if he was under surprise inspection by a big leader.
But judging from the reactions of He Wei, Feng Wei, Master Zhou and others, I'm afraid my brother's reputation is not very benevolent...
Shen Lang was murmuring in his heart. He took a look at Shen Wu's expression and posture, and thought to himself:
I, Shen Captou, amazes the world. He and Feng are frightened to their knees by my name. Headmaster Zhou is also a little too enthusiastic. This kid Shen Wu claims to be "like thunder in his ears" about my reputation, but his expression remains unchanged and he is calm and composed, not the slightest bit strange.
nothing……
Is it because he was so foolish and bold that he dared to climb a rope across a hundred-foot-deep gorge when he was thirteen?
Or is it that he doesn’t do anything wrong and isn’t afraid of ghosts knocking on the door?
or……
He had already been mentally prepared for the arrival of the chief arrester from Shenhuatang?
Shen Lang was now like an old catcher, habitually doubting everything. Just because Shen Wu was too calm when facing him, he had some doubts in his heart. Of course, his face was calm and he only smiled slightly.
said:
"There is no need to be polite. Brother Shen is worthy of being the chief disciple of the Wind Chasing Sect, and he indeed has the demeanor of a master from Yuan Ting Yue Zhi."
Shen Wu said in a deep voice:
"You should not praise Shen Captou. Shen Captou is powerful and famous all over the world. Who dares to boast that he is a master in front of Shen Captou?"
Shen Lang chuckled, stopped talking nonsense, and got straight to the point:
"I came here today because I have a piece of information that I would like to ask your faction to assist in the investigation. Are you familiar with Brother Shen, Cheng Xin, and Guan Yue?"
Shen Wudao:
"Of course. Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan went to the mountain to learn martial arts six years ago. I was responsible for receiving the new junior brothers and sisters, so I got to know them. After that, we often interacted with them in the mountain gate."
Shen Lang nodded and asked again:
"Cheng Xin and Guan Yue started their careers in July last year and first worked in the escort bureau under the name of Zhuifeng sect. Later, they found a better job, so they resigned from the escort bureau and went to work in Tongshan County. I heard that the path in Tongshan County
, was it you who introduced me?”
Shen Wu answered honestly:
"Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan's family have been farmers for generations, but they don't have any land of their own. They have to rent land from large households and are exploited by them. They each have several younger brothers and sisters, and their families are very poor.
"They work in the escort agency under the name of our sect. Although they have no worries about food and clothing and can save some money, it is not something they can do in three to five years if they want their parents and brothers and sisters to live a good life. So I
Introduced them to a new job."
Shen Lang's heart moved and he asked:
"It's not that they begged you to help them find jobs, but you took the initiative to introduce them to errands?"
Shen Wu said calmly:
"As the eldest disciple of the sect leader, it is my duty to support my junior brothers and sisters."
After hearing his words, all the elders nodded with approval.
Although Master Zhou had no expression on his face, there was a hint of pride in his eyes, which made him feel quite relieved that his disciples were trying to live up to their expectations.
Shen Lang remained calm and said calmly:
"What errand did you introduce them to Tongshan County for?"
Shen Wudao:
"It was to introduce them to work in the mine of Hu Yuan's wife's family in Tongshan County..."
Tongshan County has had many copper mines since ancient times, and they have not been mined out until now.
Of course, after years of mining, all the mines that are easy to mine have been excavated. The remaining mines are mostly in deep mountains and old forests. Not only are they full of poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, but occasionally there are also some exotic beasts and even low-level monsters that are a threat to ordinary people.
Taste monsters.
From time to time, bandits and thieves roam the mountains.
The government felt that the mining costs of those mines were too high, so they outsourced them to large households in Tongshan County.
Shen Wu happened to know a large company named Hu that contracted the mine, so he introduced Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work there. They were mainly responsible for maintaining the safety of the mining area, expelling strange beasts and monsters, and guarding against bandits.
Although the work is a bit hard and a bit dangerous, the income is many times higher than working in an escort agency.
Cheng Xin and Guan Yue were very satisfied with this job and went to work in Tongshan County in September last year.
After listening to Shen Wu's story, Shen Lang asked again:
"How did Brother Shen get to know that Member Hu?"
Shen Wudao: "This matter is quite a coincidence..."
Listening to his story, his experience of meeting Mr. Hu was not an ordinary coincidence, but a coincidence that seemed like a story.
The year before last, Shen Wu was traveling down the mountain and passing through Tongshan County, he met a flower picker who wanted to do evil to a young girl.
There were several guards around the girl, but their martial arts were mediocre, and they were easily knocked down by the flower-picking thief.
However, when the flower-picking thief was about to drag the girl into the woods to do whatever he wanted, Shen Wu happened to bump into him and knocked down the flower-picking thief with a few moves, saving the girl.
And that girl is the daughter of Hu Yuan’s maternal wife from Tongshan County.
Shen Wu is tall and heroic, with extraordinary bearing and strong martial arts. Although his background was not good, he is the head disciple of the largest sect in Wuyang Mansion, the Wind Chasing Sect. He will be able to inherit the mantle of the head and take charge of the sect in the future. Now his status is not good.
Considered low.
So when General Shen Wu took the flower-picking thief to the Tongshan County government office and escorted Miss Hu home, Yuan Hu was extremely enthusiastic about him, and his words seemed to suggest that he was marrying off his daughter.
However, Shen Wu had already mastered the fifth level of martial arts at that time and was focusing on reaching the fourth level. His trip down the mountain was also to prepare for the fourth level. Therefore, he declined Hu Yuanwai's kind offer.
Hu Yuanwai was also an open-minded person and did not become angry because of this. He still regarded Shen Wu as a great benefactor.
With this relationship, Shen Wu wrote a handwritten letter introducing Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to work in the Hu family's mine, and Hu Yuanwai readily arranged it.
After hearing this introduction, Shen Lang nodded calmly and asked:
"When will the Hujia Mine take vacation before the Chinese New Year? When will it resume work after the Chinese New Year?"
Shen Wulu hesitated:
"Well... I don't know how the Hu family's mines take holidays during the Chinese New Year. However, according to the customs of Fucheng, private workshops, industries and mines usually take a holiday on the 25th day of the year, and will not start work until the 10th day of the Lunar New Year."
Shen Lang stroked his chin with his hand, thoughtfully.
He and his senior sister returned to the capital from Xianwu Mountain, and the night they discovered the victims of the Four-Winged Demon Owl on the way was the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. Judging from the condition of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue's bodies, they had not been dead for more than two days.
He was killed on the fourth or fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
If the New Year customs in Tongshan County are the same as those in Fucheng, then Cheng Xin and Guan Yue should have been celebrating the New Year at their respective homes when they were killed.
However, Venerable Liuli concluded that the last place they appeared was Tongshan County.
In other words, during the Chinese New Year vacation, Cheng Xin and Guan Yue did not go home and were still stranded in Tongshan County?
However, judging from the family circumstances of Cheng and Guan, as well as their eagerness to support their families and improve their family circumstances, it seems that during the Chinese New Year, they should go home with the salary they earned last year so that their families can have a good year.
So, Cheng and Guan went home to celebrate the New Year and couldn't wait to return to Tongshan County on the first or second day of the Lunar New Year?
After pondering for a while, Shen Lang looked at Shen Wu and said:
"Brother Shen, does he know where Cheng Xin and Guan Yue's family are?"
Shen Wu nodded:
"I know. It's in Pingpo Township, less than fifty miles away from Fucheng."
"Well, please ask Brother Shen to accompany me to Pingpo Township." Shen Lang stood up and looked at Master Zhou: "Master Zhou, can you lend me your eldest disciple to help me investigate the situation? Is that okay?
"
Headmaster Zhou also stood up quickly with a smile on his face:
"Of course it's no problem. It's Shen Wu's blessing to be able to assist Mr. Shen in his investigation."
Shen Lang raised his hand to Master Zhou:
"Well, thank you, Master Zhou, for your warm hospitality. Shen is busy with official duties, so I won't bother you and take my leave."
After saying that, he bowed his hands to the elders and strode out the door.
Head Zhou and the elders quickly got up to see him off. Not only did they send him out of the mountain gate hall, they also took him all the way to the deep gorge cable bridge. They even wanted to send him down the mountain. However, Shen Lang repeatedly dissuaded him. Head Zhou and others then
Then he stopped in front of the rope bridge and watched Shen Lang and Shen Wu cross the bridge and leave.
After the two figures disappeared, an elder whispered:
"Master, Shen Wu is assisting Chief Shen in his mission this time. If he can be favored by Chief Shen and join the Divine Hall..."
Master Zhou put his hands behind his back and said calmly:
"Join the Shen Cat Hall? The Shen Cat Hall does have a very good reputation among the common people, but in the world of martial arts, it has a mixed reputation. As for the officialdom...hey, that's called a god-hating thing! It's said that even the emperor doesn't want to see him.
them.
"Once you enter the Divine Catcher Hall, don't even think about getting promoted and making a fortune. On the contrary, there will be bloodshed, cold knives and secret arrows. In short, those who can continue to work in the Divine Catcher Hall are not normal people."
The foreign affairs elder sighed:
"The leader is right. Many people in the martial arts world say that all the people in the Divine Catching Hall are lunatics. But there are also many Jianghu people who say that all the people in the Divine Catching Hall are heroes. As for that,
Who they really are is a matter for the beholder and the wise."
Headmaster Zhou chuckled:
"In short, Shen Wu is neither a lunatic nor a hero like the others in the Shenhua Hall. Occasionally, when the road is rough, he reaches out and does something good, which is already very good.
"Let's, don't worry about building a relationship with Shenhuatang. When Yan Tianying, the 'leader of heroes', is here, Shenhuatang will naturally be majestic, but what will happen if Yan Tianying ascends in the future?
"Without Yan Tianying, we have to rely on the three evil stars... Oh, now there are four evil stars. Just relying on the four evil stars, Shenhuatang can still withstand the hatred of the civil and military officials of the dynasty, and even the nobles of the royal family.
Will it continue to exist? I wonder!"
…
Shen Lang and Shen Wu used Qinggong and quickly descended Xiaoyue Mountain. Then, with Shen Wu leading the way, they headed towards Pingpo Township.
On the way, Shen Wu asked:
"Captain Shen, what happened to my Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan?"
Shen Langdan said calmly:
"They're dead."
"Dead?" Shen Wu was shocked and lost his voice: "How could it be so?"
Then he asked in an almost questioning tone:
"How did they die? But were they killed? Who killed them?"
Shen Lang glanced at Shen Wu from the corner of his eye and said in a calm tone:
"I'm checking."
"..."
Shen Wu looked ugly and was silent for a while, then said in a solemn voice:
"Sorry, Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen has lost his composure."
Shen Lang's tone was calm and without any disturbance:
"It doesn't matter. Brother Shen was so angry and lost his temper when his brothers and sisters were killed. It's only human nature."
Shen Wu was silent for a while and said:
"Junior Brother Cheng, Yuan Wai Hu did not tell me about the murder of Junior Sister Guan."
Shen Langdan said calmly:
"If Tongshan County also resumes work on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Cheng and Guan should have been on New Year's Day vacation when they were killed. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and it is not the day to resume work yet. The Hu family may not know that Cheng
, the two officials have been killed and disappeared."
Shen Wu asked:
"Where were Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan killed? Why did they alert the Divine Catcher Hall?"
The manpower of Shenhuatang is extremely limited, so for ordinary murder cases, we basically only handle cases nearby the capital.
Ordinary murders in the local area generally do not involve labor gods.
When the chief arresters of the Divine Catching Hall come out of Beijing, they usually have big problems, or they are arresting some extremely vicious, cruel and cunning criminals and bandits that cannot be handled locally.
For a local sect like the Feng Zhui Sect, if two ordinary disciples die, the disciple can reach the highest level of government office.
Recently, the "cold-blooded mass murderer" who has gained a reputation in the world went out to Beijing to investigate Cheng Xin and Guan Yue was killed. Shen Wu felt that this case might not be simple.
"The situation is confidential and cannot be disclosed."
Shen Langdan said calmly:
"As for why the Shen Cat Hall was alarmed, I can only say that it happened at the right time."
Shen Wu sighed and said:
"My junior brother and junior sister were killed. I felt so sad and angry that I ventured to inquire into the secret, hoping that Shen Haihan would be arrested."
"It's nothing. Brother Shen has a deep love for brotherhood. How could Shen blame him?"
After chatting a few words casually along the way, Shen Lang fell silent and concentrated on his way.
Shen Wu had a fourth-grade entry-level cultivation level, and he was also the disciple of the leader of the Wind Chasing Sect who specialized in light kung fu and kicking skills. His footsteps were extremely fast. In less than half an hour, he took Shen Lang to Pingpo Township and found
Cheng Xinjia.
Cheng Xin's home is a small farmhouse surrounded by woods, with earthen walls, thatched roofs, and bamboo fences. It looks really poor.
When Shen Lang followed Shen Wu to the outside of the yard, a little girl with dark skin, thin body, wearing a brand-new large red cotton-padded jacket and a red headband was feeding chickens in the yard.
When she saw Shen Lang through the fence, the little girl had a hint of timidity in her eyes. But when she saw Shen Wu, she immediately became happy, put down the dustpan and came over to open the door:
"Elder brother, why are you here?"
Shen Wu introduced to Shen Lang:
"This is Cheng Xin's younger sister Cheng Qiaoer. I have visited here twice with Cheng Xin before. All Cheng Xin's family members recognize me. Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters also call me big brother after Cheng Xin."
While talking, Cheng Qiaoer came over and opened the courtyard door, enthusiastically welcomed Shen Wu and Shen Lang in, and then ran to the main house and shouted:
"Father, mother, second brother, third brother, second sister, senior brother is here!"
Soon, the door to the main room opened, and a large family came out, all wearing brand-new cotton-padded jackets. There were only two lean boys who looked about thirteen or thirteen years old, and a skinny girl who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old.
, the cotton-padded jacket on my body is one size too big.
Cheng Xin's parents are both honest and honest old farmers, and they kowtow to Shen Wu when they are welcomed.
Shen Wu quickly helped him up and said repeatedly:
"No way! Junior Brother Cheng and I are equals. My uncles and aunts are my elders. How dare I accept such a great gift?"
Cheng's father, who looked like an old man in his sixties with a wrinkled face, dark skin, and gray hair, was speechless. Cheng's mother, who was equally old but more eloquent, said gratefully:
"Thanks to the elder brother for finding a good opportunity for the new son and making a lot of money, our family can pay off the loan. After a good year, we made new cotton-padded clothes for the second and third children and ate pork dumplings.
…
"Without the kindness of our eldest brother, how could our family live such a good life? The eldest brother is the great benefactor of our family, so we have to kowtow to him! Second brother, third child, Li'er, Qiao'er, why don't you give it to the big brother soon?
Senior brother kowtow?"
The few young ones quickly bowed their heads and bowed. Shen Wu quickly waved his hand, blowing out an invisible wave of air to lift them up. His eyes were complicated, and he forced a smile and said:
"There's no need to be so polite... I, I just happened to be passing by Pingpo Township and came to see you. Where is Cheng Xin? Why isn't he at home during the Chinese New Year?"
Mother Cheng smiled and said:
"The new son arrived home on the 28th of last year. He helped pay off the debt, bought new year's goods, built fences, and mended the roof. He went out on the first day of the new year."
Shen Wuqi said:
"Going out on the first day of junior high school? Why do you have to leave so early?"
Mother Cheng replied:
"Xin'er said that the boss' side will start work on the second day of the new year, so he has to go there early to work. Although it is a bit unreasonable to work on the new year, the boss offers generous wages. During these New Year's Day, the daily salary is
Three times the usual amount, Xin'er wants to make more money and build a big house for his family..."
When she said this, a proud smile appeared on her face, but her eyes were a little red, and there were faint tears in the corners of her eyes. She was obviously proud of her eldest son's ability and ability, but also felt sorry for her eldest son's hard work.
With Shen Lang's soft heart, he couldn't stand this scene at all, so he turned around and left the yard.
Shen Wu also smiled very reluctantly, his voice was a little weak, and he forced himself to talk to Cheng's mother who didn't know anything.
Shen Lang walked out of the fenced yard, turned his back to the gate of the Cheng family courtyard, and looked up at the mountains in the distance. The voices of Shen Wu and Cheng's mother talking to him from behind reached his ears from time to time.
"Senior brother, why did that senior brother... go out? But we neglected him?"
When she said this, Mother Cheng's voice sounded a little worried.
"No. That Brother Shen is not a member of our Wind-Chasing Sect. He is a friend I met in the martial arts world. I don't know Junior Brother Cheng... He has a cold temper, or he can't stand your enthusiasm, haha. In fact, I don't
I'm a little overwhelmed... By the way, did Cheng Xin come back with Guan Yue?"
"Yes. Xin'er and Yue'er came back together and left together. The official family, also thanks to the blessing of the elder brother, paid off the debts, bought new year's goods, and everyone wore new clothes, big and small.
The two children went to the mountains to learn skills together, and after they became skilled, they also went out to work together... We discussed it with the old man from the official family, and at the end of this year, when they went home to celebrate the New Year, they took care of their affairs..."
Hearing this, Shen Lang couldn't help but walk a little further.
After a while, another voice of condolences came from behind from Cheng’s father, Cheng’s mother, and the Cheng family’s younger brothers and sisters:
"Elder brother, let's go after dinner! Today we will eat leek and pork dumplings, and pancakes with meat..."
"Elder brother, don't leave, tell us a martial arts story."
"Elder brother, this is the handkerchief I embroidered..."
When Shen Wu said goodbye to the Cheng family, he still had a smile on his face, but as soon as he left the sight of the Cheng family and came to Shen Lang's side, the smile on his face disappeared and he said in a sullen voice:
"Captain Shen, I have a merciless request..."
Shen Langdan said calmly:
"Since it's an unkind invitation, don't say it out loud."
Shen Wu was stunned, a flash of anger flashed in his eyes:
"I just want to avenge my junior brothers and sisters. Why should Mr. Shen be so unkind? You have also seen it, the Cheng family..."
"No need to say more." Shen Lang interrupted him, with a calm face and a calm tone: "You can't get involved in the embarrassment of Shenhuatang, and neither can you as a whole chasing the wind."
"..."
Shen Wu clenched his hands into fists, his eyes were red, he gritted his teeth for a while, and finally sighed dejectedly and said secretly:
"Captain Shen is right, I overestimated my capabilities."
Shen Lang raised his hand and patted his shoulder:
"Don't be depressed. By helping me investigate the situation and find clues, you are also taking revenge for Cheng Xin and Guan Yue."
Shen Wu nodded, raised his hand to wipe his face, cheered up, and said:
"Are you going to the official's house next?"
In fact, during this visit to the Cheng family, Shen Lang had already been asked about the news that Shen Lang wanted to know.
But in order to ensure that the information was correct, Shen Lang still went to the official's house with Shen Wu, and saw a scene that he couldn't bear to see.
The news from the official family was the same as that of the Cheng family. Guan Yue went out on the first day of the new year and returned to Tongshan County with Cheng Xin to start work.
When he left the official residence, Shen Wu's face became gloomier and his eyes became more depressed.
Shen Lang didn't say anything, left Pingpo Township and headed towards Tongshan County.
Shen Wu followed silently, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly said:
"Captain Shen, I think there is something wrong with the Hu family."
"Oh? What do you think?"
"I entrusted Cheng Xin and Guan Yue to Hu Yuanwai. Hu Yuanwai also promised to take good care of them, but since the construction started on the second day of the new year, Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan must have returned to Tongshan long ago. They were killed, and Hu Yuanwai
Why don’t you know how to greet me?"
"The bodies of Cheng and Guan are not in Tongshan County."
"But that's also missing! Mr. Hu should have informed me!"
"It's also possible that they just returned to Tongshan County and disappeared on the way before reporting to the mine. Hu Yuanwai didn't know that they had returned to Tongshan."
Although Cheng and Guan died on the fourth or fifth day of the Lunar New Year, it does not mean that they disappeared on those two days.
It is also possible that he was kidnapped when he returned to Tongshan on the first day of the Lunar New Year and was imprisoned for a few days. It was not until the fourth or fifth day of the Lunar New Year that he was fed to the Four-Winged Demon Owl.
"But they didn't go to work in the second year of junior high school. Wouldn't it be weird for Mr. Hu?"
"Perhaps it's because working during the New Year is voluntary? They didn't go to work. Hu Yuanwai thought they wanted to spend time with their families during the New Year and didn't want to earn three times the salary? And it's not the day to start normal work yet. Hu Yuanwai thought
Are they still celebrating the New Year at home?”
"What Shen Captou means is that there is nothing wrong with Mr. Hu?"
Shen Lang hurried on as fast as lightning and said calmly:
"No, I'm just listing the possibilities."
Is Mr. Hu a suspect?
The suspicion is too great!
But Shen Wu was also suspected.
However, Shen Lang would not arbitrarily conclude that there was something wrong with Shen Wu. He would also list various possibilities to eliminate the suspicion of Shen Wu.
"When I arrived in Tongshan County, I personally went to question Yuan Hu. If he has any questions, I will tell him as soon as I ask him!"
"No. Let's not go find Mr. Hu first."
Shen Wu was stunned: "Why?"
Shen Lang said: "If he insists that he has not seen Cheng Xin, Guan Yue, how will you treat him?"
Shen Wu refused: "How dare he, an ordinary person, lie in front of us? Even if he lies, there is no way he can hide it from me!"
When ordinary people lie, even if their facial expressions remain unchanged, their heartbeat and pulse will change.
With an entry-level martial arts cultivation level of the fourth level of Shenwu, it is impossible to hide the subtle changes in the heartbeat and pulse of ordinary people under his concentrated perception.
Shen Lang said calmly: "If he is really related to the deaths of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue, then he will not be an ordinary person."
If Hu Yuanwai was related to the deaths of Cheng and Guan, then he was related to the murderer who raised the four-winged demon lord. How could he be just an ordinary person?
Shen Wu was speechless for a moment, silent for a while, and said in a muffled voice:
"If we don't go to Yuan Hu to question us and we go to Tongshan, where should we start the investigation?"
Shen Lang said: "Let's go to the Hu family mine first. Do you know where the Hu family mine is?"
"I saved Miss Hu's family the year before last and when I was drinking and chatting with Mr. Hu, I heard him mention it. But I only knew the approximate location."
"It's good to know the approximate location. It's such a big mine, it's not difficult to find it. Work started on the second day of the new year... Hehe, miners earn money for their hard work. They work hard in the mine for a whole year with their heads raised, and it's not easy to make money.
, just when you are reunited with your family, recuperating and relaxing, and enjoying the harvest of the year, you are actually willing to give up your annual leave and start working early? How much is three times the daily salary? "
Shen Wu's expression changed:
"What Shen Captou means is...miners are not free agents?"
Shen Lang said calmly: "Maybe."
At dusk, the two rushed to Tongshan County and walked around the county town first.
After visiting the county town, the two of them left the county town and went into the mountains in the dark.
On the way, Shen Lang asked Shen Wu:
"What do you think of Tongshan County?"
Shen Wudao:
"It's clean and tidy. The streets are a bit colder, but that's normal. Today is only the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. There are several percent fewer people on the streets of Fucheng than usual, let alone a small county town?"
Shen Lang said:
"Don't you feel that there is something missing in the wells in Tongshan County?"
"What's missing?" Shen Wu frowned and pondered for a while, then suddenly an idea flashed: "That's right! There are almost no beggars and homeless people on the streets of the county town!"
However, under normal circumstances, this is impossible.
Every year around the New Year, a large number of farmers are forced to sell their children and daughters because they cannot repay their debts. They even have their land confiscated and become beggars and homeless people.
This situation was less common only in the twenty years before the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Twenty years after the founding of Da Chu, such situations became more and more common, and they are now commonplace.
Shen Wu had been a homeless beggar, and he knew very well that during the New Year, a large number of bankrupt farmers would join the ranks of homeless beggars.
During the Chinese New Year, wealthy families also have a lot of leftovers, and they also have to clean up their rags. Some wealthy families will even steam white flour buns and distribute them to beggars.
Therefore, in the city, near the streets and alleys where wealthy families live, there are often many beggars and homeless people gathering, waiting for opportunities.
But this Tongshan County town is too strange.
I didn’t see any beggars or homeless people?
"In places like Tongshan County where there are many mines, you won't see many beggars and homeless people on the streets."
Shen Lang smiled and said:
"Those who dare to work in the mines will take the initiative to find work in the mines. Those who dare not work in the mines will be forced to work in the mines. The best thing is that no matter whether they are voluntary or not, as long as they go to the mines, they can exploit them as much as they want and earn money.
They don’t even have to pay, let alone celebrate the New Year and the holidays. Who calls them rootless beggars and refugees?”
Not to mention using beggars and refugees as mining slaves, even foreigners from good families, or even locals with no foundation, may be abducted or even forcibly kidnapped as mining slaves if they encounter someone who runs a black kiln.
This kind of thing is not uncommon even on the earth in the 21st century, let alone this other world in the age of imperial power?
The corners of Shen Wu's eyes twitched slightly and he stopped talking.
Shen Lang glanced at him and said calmly:
"Are you thinking that when Cheng Xin and Guan Yue go to work in the mine, they are not responsible for driving away wild beasts, ferocious beasts, and bandits as they say? They also have the task of suppressing and guarding the miners? Are they working for the tiger? And introduce them
You who went to work in the mine also indirectly helped the tiger?"
Shen Wu was silent for a while and said in a low voice:
"Shen Shaotou has a sharp eye. I really... didn't expect this to be possible. But Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are both honest people, how could it be..."
Shen Lang said leisurely:
"I remember that Cheng's mother said something. She said that Cheng Xin 'made a lot of money.' Cheng Xin only went to work in the mine in September, right? He returned home before the Chinese New Year, and he had only been working for three months.
"Even if Mr. Hu thinks of you and pays him a very high salary, how can you say 'making a lot of money'? You can pay off the loan, buy new year's goods, and even prepare to save money to build a big house..."
Shen Wu Na Na said:
"Uncles and aunts of the Cheng family have never seen money in their lives. To them... a few hundred coppers may be a lot of money, and ten silver dollars may be a huge sum... If a tenant farmer borrows a loan, even if it's like a donkey rolling, how much can he owe?
money?
"We really owe a lot of money. Several of Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters have been sold off a long time ago. The New Year's goods purchased...are just some cotton-padded jackets and pork...Besides, it doesn't cost much to build a big house. It doesn't cost much for a farmer to build a big house.
…”
Shen Lang smiled and patted Shen Wu on the shoulder:
"You are a good senior brother. But there are some things that cannot be explained this way.
"Do you think that the Cheng family has to sell its sons and daughters because it owes money to the donkey? You are wrong. The eldest son of the Cheng family is practicing martial arts in the Zhuifeng sect, and he does not have to pay tuition and has become a disciple of the true martial arts. With Cheng Xin here, the Cheng family's
The debt will be repaid sooner or later.
"The creditors are eager for the Cheng family to borrow more debts and earn more interest, so how can they kill the goose that lays eggs? They are so anxious to drag Cheng Xin's younger brothers and sisters to pay off the debts? Not only will they not make much money, but they will also offend a disciple of the Wind Chasing Sect, so why bother?
What?
"As for the 'big house', do you think that what Cheng Xin wants to build is an ordinary big house with clay walls, or a deep house with multiple entrances and exits, green bricks and green tiles, and a stone lion gate?"
Shen Wu was covered in cold sweat after hearing this, and said calmly:
"I, I don't know..."
Shen Lang smiled again:
"What I said is just a possibility. Maybe things are not as I said. Maybe Cheng Xin and Guan Yue are really just guarding against wild beasts and bandits in the mine. For the specific situation, we have to wait until we get to the mine to see with our own eyes.
Only then can we be sure.”
Shen Wu remained silent, but in his heart he believed Shen Lang's speculation 70% to 80%.
After walking forward in the mountains and forests for a while, Shen Wu suddenly spoke:
"If Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Sister Guan are really behind the scenes...why does Capt. Shen still have to work so hard to investigate the death of both of them?"
"One yard owned by a yard."
Shen Langdan said calmly:
"Even if Cheng Xin and Guan Yue did something wrong, as I suspected, they are at most just accomplices. They are still young, and their participation time is short, only three months at most. As long as they have not killed innocent miners indiscriminately, they have not committed a capital crime.
, there is room for salvation, and they should be given a chance to change their ways. In this case, they should not die in vain for no reason."
Especially if someone fed it to a monster and was hit by Shen Lang, then he must take care of it to the end.
After hearing what Shen Lang said, Shen Wu couldn't help but feel a little strange:
Mr. Shen, you are a notorious "cold-blooded mass murderer". Legend has it that if anyone is killed by you, the whole body will be found, which is considered a great virtue accumulated by your ancestors. Do you have such a bodhisattva-like heart?
Or is the title "cold-blooded massacre" just a smear attempt by his enemies?
Are they just those who are not upright, have evil thoughts in their hearts, and are afraid of the gods, are they spreading rumors and slandering?
Anyway, Shen Wu had been in contact with Shen Lang for most of the day, so he didn't believe the rumors about Shen Lang being "cold-blooded".
How could a cold-blooded person rush from the capital to Wuyang Mansion, go to Xiaoyue Mountain without even eating a meal, and then rush to the countryside to investigate for the sake of two people who have nothing to do with him?
After that, I didn’t even drink a sip of tea, so I walked for more than a hundred miles and rushed to Tongshan County. I walked around the county town without eating a meal or a glass of wine, and then left the city and went into the mountains in the dark?
Is this a cold-blooded person?
This is clearly a chivalrous man who loves justice!
No wonder, although many people in the world say that Shenbaitang is a lunatic and a ruthless evil star, there are also many people who praise Shenbaitang as a hero, and the reputation among the people is overwhelmingly positive.
With Shen Lang, a head catcher who is eager for justice and righteous, Shen Wu almost has an idea of what the Shen catch hall is like.
They used Qinggong in the mountain forest and walked through the dark for half an hour. The two of them had gone deep into the deep mountains and old forests.
At this time, Shen Wu suddenly pointed to a mountain and said:
"Tiejui Mountain! The Hu Family Mine is nearby."
Shen Lang looked up and saw that the mountain looked like a pointed helmet. Even in the darkness, the shape was very obvious and could be recognized at a glance.
"There are no cattle and horse tracks in the mountains here. The Hu family should have transported the ore out by boat. If you find the river, you can find the Hu family mine."
Soon, the two found a small river that was more than three feet wide and about seven feet deep. After walking along the river for a while, they found a dock with a large amount of ore piled up.
There were only ores around the dock and there were no ships, so there was no one guarding it. The two left the dock and walked along a concave track for a while until they came to a valley.
There is a small castle building built at the entrance of the valley. The lights are bright inside, and the noise of people can be faintly heard. It sounds like several people are playing guessing and drinking.
Shen Lang tapped his eyebrows with his fingers, and scanned the small fortress and its surroundings with his mental power, and said calmly:
"There are only people in the building. There are five people in total, all warriors, three of seventh grade and two of sixth grade."
Shen Wu glanced at Shen Lang in surprise. This was still about ten feet away. Everyone was in the building and no one could see their shadows. It was just that Shen Captou had figured out their number, but he actually judged it in an instant.
Influenced their martial arts cultivation?
He is indeed a "cold-blooded massacre" with a black market reward of up to 200,000 silver dollars!
Secretly admiring this young man who was several years younger than himself, Shen Wu whispered:
"Are you going to restrain those five people?"
"No need. No need to alert them, we will sneak in directly."
Shen Lang said softly, and just as he was about to step in, he suddenly stopped.
Shen Lang shook his head: "If someone wants to come find me, let's go back to the dock first."
As he said that, he raised his hand and turned around to go back the way he came.
Shen Wu felt that something seemed to be released when Shen Lang raised his hand, but what it was, even with his eyesight, he could not see clearly. He only felt that it seemed to be a translucent shadow.
He didn't dare to ask what exactly Shen Lang had released, so he quickly followed and said softly:
"Is the person here also an expert from the Divine Catcher Hall?"
A smile appeared on Shen Lang's lips:
"Yes, someone taller than me."
The sword talisman on his body was vibrating and heating up. Counting the time, it should be Mu Qingxue who contacted him with Wanfa Zhenren's sword talisman.
And Shen Wu heard that there was another master who was taller than Shen Baotou. Apart from being in awe, he also felt more and more that the death of Cheng Xin and Guan Yue was not simple. No wonder Shen Lang said that he couldn't interfere with it.
The style can’t be mixed up either.
He didn't ask who the visitor was and followed Shen Lang back to the pier. He saw Shen Lang taking out a sword-shaped jade talisman that shone with a faint white light. He looked down at it for a while, then put the jade talisman away and went to the pier.
He found a stone to sit down on and said to him with a smile:
"Sit down and rest for a while. We still have to wait for half an hour."
Shen Wu sat down as he was told.
Shen Lang took out another gourd and a stack of meat pancakes and threw them to him:
"I've been running around so far. I haven't had any water or rice for most of the day. Brother Shen is also working hard. Let's eat something and drink something to fill our stomach."
Shen Wu didn't know where he got these things from, and he didn't dare to ask more. He took the gourd and pancakes, thanked them, and started eating and drinking.
Shen Lang also took out a wine gourd and a stack of meat pancakes, ate one pancake and drank a sip of wine.
After eating and drinking, he meditated and adjusted his breath for a while. Suddenly, Shen Lang raised his head and looked into the sky.
Shen Wu also looked into the sky with him, and saw a golden meteor streaking across the night sky.
Then, the meteor became bigger and bigger, falling straight towards where he and Shen Lang were.
Shen Wu was startled and shouted: "There are rocks!"
Just as he was about to dodge, he saw Shen Lang motionless, with a smile on his lips, looking at the meteor that was getting closer and closer.
Shen Wu was a bold man. Seeing Shen Lang not moving, he knew that the "killing stone" might be different from what he imagined. He stopped evading in a hurry and stood there looking up. Soon, he saw that
The "meteor" falling from the sky actually turned into a human shape.
She is still a woman covered in golden battle armor, with a pair of golden wings stretched out from her back, like a god!
Shen Wu was deeply shocked by this scene, his eyes widened, his mouth opened wide, and he couldn't say a word.
However, Shen Lang smiled and raised his right hand towards the woman with golden armor and golden wings.
Then, under the stunned and shocked gaze of Shen Wu.
The golden armor and golden wings were also covered with a golden mask. Except for a pair of clear and bright eyes, the real face of the woman could not be seen. A pair of golden wings with a wingspan of about ten feet suddenly spread out, as if they were made of gold, and like the light condensing the gorgeous feathers.
It trembled gently in the wind, sprinkled with little golden fluorescence, and slowly stopped its rapidly falling figure.
Then, her feet were three feet off the ground, suspended in the air, her upper body slightly leaned forward, and she stretched out her slender palms wearing gold gauntlets toward Shen Lang.
When he probed his hand, the golden gauntlet turned into solution and quickly retracted to the wrist armor area, revealing the delicate jade-like and white-skinned palm skin, which gently held Shen Lang's hand.
Shen Wu, who was fed dog food, turned away very consciously and silently.