Mr. Changqing turned over and sat up, his face full of irritation. Cheng Sanwu, who was in the same room, was lying on the bed opposite, snoring loudly. The whole room was trembling, making Mr. Changqing unable to sleep even for a moment.
bell.
"are you a pig?!"
Mr. Changqing couldn't bear it anymore and stepped forward to kick Cheng Sanwu. Cheng Sanwu's body was as motionless as a rock. He didn't even wake up. He kicked his mouth and let out a few vague murmurs:
"...Well, the roast chicken is delicious..."
Mr. Changqing was so mad that he became so excited that he rushed out of the guest room and went outside to breathe heavily.
It was almost early autumn, and the night had become somewhat cool. Looking up and seeing the moonlight hanging high in the sky, it calmed Mr. Changqing's mind.
Mr. Changqing took a stroll as he pleased. This post house is located in the old city of Xiaoguan in Yuanzhou. This place is the only way to go to and from the Great Wall and to and from Guanzhong. Countless foreign officials and business travelers will stop here. Even though this post house
After several expansions, it is still full of guests all year round.
If Afu hadn't ordered the inn to provide two guest rooms by virtue of his status as a chamberlain minister and a direct pass to the customs, I'm afraid the whole group would have been sleeping on the street tonight.
Needless to say, Ah Fu had a guest room to herself, and the other three grown men had to squeeze in the remaining room. Mr. Changqing was used to being alone, and originally thought there was nothing wrong with spending the night, but Cheng Sanwu's shocking result
The earth-shaking snoring was like a mountain torrent and thunder passing by. Even if Mr. Changqing used the skill of inner vision and guardianship, he still felt that the rolling thunder was pushing into the sea of consciousness, making it impossible to calm down.
After leaving Quzhi City, the Duhu Mansion sent troops to escort the four of them all the way until they were sent out of the Longyou Prefectures. After arriving at Guanzhong Road, Afu took out the direct pass certificate issued by the imperial court. No one dared to stop them in the pass cities along the way.
, even the post house entertained them with food and wine.
Walking along a creek, Mr. Changqing discovered that this post house was diverted from the outside world. Bamboo frames were erected on both sides of the creek and wisteria was planted. During the day, there was shade from the wisteria above and clear water below.
The wave is like a private garden, presumably used to entertain dignitaries who pass by here.
After turning a corner, we came to an open courtyard. We could see a light in the distance, illuminating the outline of the pavilion.
There was a person in the pavilion holding a book in his hand, reading it silently. Mr. Changqing stared at it, and it turned out to be Su Wangting.
"Master Su is in such a good mood, is it because Cheng Sanwu made him so noisy that he couldn't sleep?" Mr. Changqing stepped forward and asked.
"I am no longer in charge of Baochangfang. Sir, just ask me to assist you." Su Wangting put down the book, announced his name, and welcomed Mr. Changqing to take a seat opposite.
"It seems that your father has high hopes for your brother." Mr. Changqing smiled faintly and understood the meaning of Su Wangting's name.
"My father used to be a prefecture and county magistrate in his early years. Unexpectedly, it was found that the tax amount was wrong during the accounting assessment, so he was demoted to a commoner." Seeing that Mr. Changqing seemed confused, Su Wangting smiled bitterly and said: "My father is stupid and straightforward, and is not good at interpersonal communication in the officialdom.
, maybe he was framed by his peers, so he was depressed for the rest of his life, so he put all his expectations on me. Unfortunately, I still let him down."
"Brother Fu, you are humble. With your talents, you are more than enough to be the governor of Shangzhou." Mr. Changqing said bluntly: "The people in the Western Regions are complicated. Even the governor of the capital has to leave most of the affairs to the people.
Many of the past actions of Baochang Society are almost equivalent to civil agency. Without you Baochang Society, I am afraid that the Duhufu would not even be able to collect taxes."
"Sir's words are truly over-the-top." Su Wangting did not take any credit or be arrogant.
"After brother Fu returns to Chang'an, do you plan to find an official position?" Mr. Changqing asked.
Su Wangting shook his head: "How can I dare to have such delusional thoughts now? When I left the Western Region, it was almost equivalent to being exiled. In the eyes of Prime Minister Lu, I was actually a failed person. I was lucky not to be held accountable. I was still thinking, if I could be saved
Life, do you want to go back to your hometown and study hard?"
Although Mr. Changqing felt that Su Wangting had short ambitions, he did not criticize him harshly, so he asked again: "What about Cheng Sanwu? Do you want to take him back to your hometown to settle down?"
Su Wangting sighed and said: "I have been worried about this matter these days. Lao Cheng... has no family or friends, so he is completely alone. If we see each other again, I would really not worry."
Mr. Chang Qing smiled mercilessly and said: "Cheng Sanwu is stupid and ignorant. He acts entirely based on his temperament. Without the persuasion of a figure like Brother Fu, he might just be a wild boar running around and end up attracting a lot of enemies.
I don’t know where I died.”
How could Su Wangting not know this? Having walked side by side with Cheng Sanwu for these years, Su Wangting has regarded him as his brother, so how could he be willing to put him in danger and despair?
"So when I go to Chang'an, I hope to use my years of service to ask Mr. Lu to get a pardon for Lao Cheng and find a good future for him," Su Wangting said.
"A pardon letter?" Mr. Changqing asked, "Is Cheng Sanwu a criminal?"
Su Wangting nodded slightly. In fact, there was more than one Central Plains criminal housed in his Baochang Society. People who fled to the Western Regions were no longer considered good people. They abandoned everything in the past and made a living based on their own abilities.
But now that Cheng Sanwu has returned to the Central Plains, Su Wangting has to think about his future.
"What crime did he commit?" Mr. Changqing suddenly became curious.
"He...killed someone." Su Wangting replied.
"What's weird about this?" Mr. Changqing saw that Su Wangting's expression was slightly solemn: "Is it possible that some important person was killed?"
"Doctor Yinqing Guanglu, Sun Shaoren, the founding uncle of Heyang County and former Youwuwei general."
After Su Wangting announced these names, the pavilion was silent for a moment, with only a flickering light reflecting Mr. Changqing's stunned face with his mouth slightly open.
"...and one hundred and twenty-seven people in the Sun family." Su Wangting then added.
Mr. Changqing blinked repeatedly, and then looked towards the guest room of the inn. The thunderous snoring was still rumbling in his ears.
"I've heard about it, Uncle Founder of Heyang County." Mr. Changqing was shocked and murmured: "The Taizu of our dynasty once fought fiercely in the Heluo area. He learned that a powerful enemy was invading Hebei and was about to go west through Heyang.
, went straight to Guanzhong. After hearing the news, Taizu also crossed from Mengjin to the north to intercept the enemy army. A big battle broke out between the two sides in Heyang, and the bloody battle lasted for several days and nights.
"In that battle, Taizu personally led the troops into the battle. Nine arrows penetrated his armor, stained his clothes with blood, and three good horses were killed in the battle. It happened to be a heavy rain, and the two armies were stuck in the mud and fought endlessly. Taizu once
Faced with the siege of three fierce enemy generals, Colonel Sun Yunhu fought desperately to save him at the critical moment. After the war, based on meritorious service, Captain Sun was awarded the title of Founding Bo of Heyang County."
"It seems that sir knows the story of the founding of this dynasty very well." Su Wangting praised.
"I just... traveled with my master to the mountains and rivers, and when I passed through Heyang, I learned what happened before and after this battle." Mr. Changqing still couldn't believe it: "A descendant of a founding noble, his entire family was killed. This is
...Can this be pardoned by a piece of pardon?"
Although Mr. Changqing feels that there are many shortcomings in the current imperial laws, the majesty is still there, and the heinous crime of killing a whole family cannot be easily pardoned.
"Actually, most outsiders don't know who the specific perpetrator is." Su Wangting smiled faintly: "Mr. Lu is one of the very few people who has found out the truth, and the troops who originally chased Lao Cheng were also transferred to Mt. Lu under the operation of Mr. Lu.
Let Lao Cheng escape somewhere else."
"Wait a minute, so Prime Minister Lu deliberately allowed Cheng Sanwu to flee to the Western Regions?" Mr. Changqing immediately figured out the key.
"I didn't ask, but I guess that's the case." Su Wangting said, "So when Lao Cheng returns to the Central Plains, he may be able to hide it from others, except Prime Minister Lu. What I want is not an amnesty from the court, but a pardon issued by Prime Minister Lu.
Book, only in this way can Lao Cheng be preserved."
Even though Mr. Changqing prides himself on his talent, he is confused now: "But ten years ago, Prime Minister Lu was not the one who had the exclusive power in the DPRK. He did not have the final say alone. Isn't there anyone else who wants to investigate to the end?
?”
"The investigation was carried out, but the result was nothing." Su Wangting said: "I have been in the Western Regions all year round and don't know much about the details of the case. Later I sent someone to inquire. It is said that Sun Shaoren allowed his children to abuse the people and occupy the land. Later,
The case was also classified as villagers causing riot."
"Cheng Sanwu, is this... seeing injustice on the road, he draws his sword and becomes a knight?" Mr. Changqing found it ridiculous and found it difficult to understand. It was not that he had never seen such things as heroes killing people and using force to break the law, but he killed hundreds of people in one go.
Even those vicious gangsters from the green forest and underworld would rarely do this.
Although Cheng Sanwu was stupid, reckless, addicted to wine and sex, gluttonous and rude, Mr. Changqing at least did not think that he was a very vicious person. Even if Wu Maocai's death was related to him, it was a direct fight between the two parties.
, Mr. Changqing is a Taoist who has a clear mind and will not be entangled by this.
Moreover, the two of them sneaked into the Protector's Mansion together at night. He did not even tell Su Wangting, who was closest to him, about such secrets. Mr. Changqing had unknowingly regarded Cheng Sanwu as a trustworthy person. It was unimaginable that he actually
There is such a past.
"Didn't you ask about the process?" Mr. Changqing realized that Su Wangting didn't know much about the specific case.
"He occasionally mentions this matter to me, but I usually don't ask too deeply." Su Wangting looked at Mr. Changqing: "I tell Mr. these past events because I hope you can understand Lao Cheng if he has any difficulties in the future.
, please sir, please take care of me."
Mr. Changqing frowned, thought about it for a moment, and then realized that Cheng Sanwu had committed such a serious crime, and Su Wangting tried his best to cover it up, but it was too late. How could he confess to himself? He told himself the secret of Cheng Sanwu's past, and there must be something else.
intention.
"Aren't you... afraid that I will betray Cheng Sanwu and take credit for his reward?" Mr. Changqing asked.
"Sir, you have a noble character, and you wouldn't even bother to do such a thing." Su Wangting said slowly, "And if I'm not mistaken, sir... your family name is Tang?"
Mr. Changqing's expression changed, and his hands on his knees clenched immediately. Su Wangting continued: "In the early years, I worked under Mr. Lu, and helped to purchase a property in Nanyang to settle a mother and son.
Later, I heard from colleagues that the mother died of illness early and her son was picked up by a Songyue Taoist."
Hearing this, Mr. Changqing stood up suddenly, as if someone had delicately uncovered old scars bit by bit, and the pain was pricking his heart.
"Sir, your mother's surname is Tang and your father's surname is Lu, right?" Su Wangting's expression was calm, making it difficult to see through his inner thoughts, but the words he spoke were like thunder in Mr. Changqing's ears.
Mr. Changqing's expression was distorted, and he almost gritted his teeth. He was like an injured and lonely baby animal, growling: "Are you threatening me?"
"Threat? Where do you start talking about this?" Su Wangting shook his head: "Can sir's life experience be used to threaten him? I just think that since I told him about Lao Cheng's past, we should be honest with each other. I just helped him by the way.
That’s all.”
Mr. Changqing was burning with hatred, but he did not dare to show his fear for fear of showing cowardice. He said in a deep voice: "I was mistaken. How can a mere prefecture governor be worthy of you? Someone as deep and scheming as you should go to the court.
Fight with that vicious Lu Yan!"
Su Wangting disagreed and continued to ask: "When you first assisted Maocai Society, you think it was because Wu Maocai was a commoner and was not liked by his father and brother, so he felt sympathy for him?"
"I'm different from Wu Maocai. I never intend to please those vicious villains!" Mr. Changqing shouted, rolling his sleeves.
"Then why did Mr. help us deal with An Quti later?" Su Wangting asked again.
"An Quti caused trouble for one party, and I suffered greatly from it. How could I stay out of it?" Mr. Changqing retorted: "Cheng Sanwu has no responsibilities, but he can still stand up. How can I still be inferior to him?"
"This is what I like about you, so I hope you can take care of Lao Cheng in the future." Su Wangting said with a serious expression: "Old Cheng is easily taken advantage of by others. Without the guidance of a wise person, he may do something wrong again.
Since Mr. Lu said that Prime Minister Lu is sinister and vicious, have you ever thought about what a terrible weapon Lao Cheng would become in his hands?"
Mr. Changqing was stunned and slowly sat down. He looked at Su Wangting with vigilance: "You can trust me to leave this kind of thing to me? Even if you can't be an official in the future, you can still take Cheng Sanwu back to your hometown to live in seclusion."
"With Lao Cheng's temper, do you think he can be idle?" Su Wangting smiled: "And I predict that when we return to Chang'an, Mr. Lu must have other plans for Lao Cheng. Even if he can cover up such a major case of family extermination, Lu
The prime minister will definitely not ignore Lao Cheng."
Mr. Changqing did not answer. He had to admire Su Wangting's scheming. If he really wanted to take revenge on that ruthless man, it might be easier to let his plan fail than to take revenge head-on.
The memories of being dependent on each other for life with his mother, being looked down upon, and struggling to survive, are now like sediment rising up, almost suffocating Mr. Changqing.
Suppressing the hatred to the deepest part of his heart, Mr. Changqing felt relieved and said to Su Wangting: "Yes, I promise you."
"Thank you, Mr. Changqing." Su Wangting then asked: "Tomorrow we will arrive at Huangguan in Kongtong Mountain. I wonder if you will allow me to come in and pay homage?"
"The front mountain allows lay people to come and visit to worship. As for the back mountain... I won't know until I arrive."
After Mr. Changqing finished speaking, he stood up again, and Su Wangting handed him off: "Sir, go and have a rest early. I will later..."
As soon as they finished saying this, the two of them looked at each other, thinking of Cheng Sanwu who was snoring like thunder in the guest room. They chuckled and shook their heads, and neither of them moved.
On the pavilion where the two of them were unaware, Afu's figure disappeared into the darkness, silently staring into the distance.