Chapter 119：

Cheng Shaogong came to Tongniu County in the eyes of her sister, looking up, the people were stagnant and the market was deserted. He wrinkled his nose and said dissatisfiedly: "This prefect of Chen County is a bit neglectful. In the past, the county magistrates under his control defected, and then he neglected to appease the post-war city."

"Before Yan Zhong fled, the prefect of Chen Jun had already died." Ling Budo said.

Cheng Shaogong was surprised.

Shao Shang said: "Third brother, haven't you read the map? I did my homework before I came. Chen Jun was adjacent to Shouchun, Peng Ni held the anti-flag high, and the imperial army did not arrive before the chaos. , most of the county towns have fallen into the hands of rebels. The prefect of Chen County was one of the first loyal martyrs to die in the city. The reason why Tongniu County can hold up so well is because the city here is strong and the walls are high and not large. It’s easy to break through.” Pre-class preparation is a habit of learning bullies, right?

Cheng Shaogong said in amazement, "What about Uncle Wan's Xu County?"

"There is an entire Qingyang County between Xu County and Shouchun."

Cheng Shaogong sighed, "Oh, back then, I took the horoscope for my uncle, but it was a superior fate that turned auspiciousness into good luck, and always met great luck in misfortune. The biological father died early, but Mrs. Wan has the ability; if the world is in chaos, he will meet his father and mother."

Shao Shang complained: "Third brother, don't talk about it all day long. When my uncle and grandfather got married, the Cheng family gathered hundreds of soldiers. They were short of food, grass and weapons, and they were in a remote village. No one takes us seriously. But my uncle can treat my father with sincerity and treat each other as equals. This is what makes my father and mother return with sincerity. To be able to trust people who are trustworthy, this is what Godly thing."

Ling Budo suddenly turned around: "Then do you believe me?"

"Believe, naturally believe, the sea of ​​​​belief is rotten, and you will not repent!"

Ling Budo suddenly turned his face: "Okay, if you break your promise in the future, I will throw you into the sea to feed the fish!"

After he finished speaking, he rode his horse forward, and Ban Xiaohou lowered his head to keep up, leaving behind Cheng Shaogong, who was trembling with laughter, and Shaoshang, who was dumbfounded.

Cheng Shaogong haha ​​said: "Sister, I want to persuade you for my brother, these sweet words are meant to be said, but you can't come here with your mouth open. On the horse's feet!"

Shao Shang's answer was to kick the horse's hip under his brother's seat.

The one who came to greet everyone was a county chief surnamed Yin, who was also a local. It is said that he belonged to a different branch of the same clan than the Yin Juncheng promoted by Comrade Lao Wan. He is now the only remaining one in Tongniu County. the boss. Yin Xiancheng seemed to have suffered a lot, described as haggard, and his tone was obscure.

Tongniu County is the lucky one in the troubled times The surnamed general, the general pretended to be the life-saving help of the Yan county magistrate who moved out and opened the gate of the county town. Then, a group of officers and soldiers in the city were locked up, and a group of officers and soldiers were recruited. Most of the remaining ones were neither willing to die nor surrender. Seeing that the county magistrate disappeared and the enemy army entered the city, they fled to Qingyang County overnight.

All in all, the people in the city suffered no harm, that is, they were eaten a few overlord meals, robbed of the wealth and silk of several large families, and the lives of women and women were all preserved.

Although Yin Xiancheng was timid, he still insisted and did not surrender, so he was imprisoned in prison until the Shoucheng general was persuaded by Lou Yao's brother to surrender. Shaoshang immediately respected him, and used seventeen or eight idioms in one breath to praise Yin Xiancheng, the pillar of the country, and the aura of heaven and earth and those traitors...etc.

Yin Xiancheng smiled and said: "Actually, Magistrate Yan is not a bad person, although he is a little more aloof in temperament and doesn't like to talk to me in private, but he has been in office for all these years. The people have done a lot of good things. Even if the family is in financial trouble, they will raise it on their own.

Shao Shang smiled, this is the first person to speak for Yan Zhong so far. She asked, "Why don't you ask the county magistrate to tell us the whole story of the defection of the county magistrate Yan."

Yin County Chancellor let out a long sigh, and invited everyone to dismount and sit down in the backyard of the county government for a detailed discussion.

"Speaking like a dream, the county magistrate Yan was the same as usual that morning, but looked a little ashamed, and asked where my wife and children were placed, I said that my parents and children were I sent it to the countryside to hide, but only my old wife refused to leave. After that, I checked the city defense as usual, and inspected the guards. Who would have thought that when I came back from lunch in the city head, I heard that the county magistrate brought his family and friends with him. The 2,000 catties of fine copper left the city, and they said they were there to move soldiers."

"Your Excellency heard who said that the magistrate Yan was going to rescue the soldiers." Shao Shang quietly took out the small bamboo pieces and charcoal pens that he carried with him, and recorded them carefully. Ling Budo glanced at her with a smile.

Yin Xiancheng said: "Zuo Xiancheng Li Feng. The county magistrate left the city first, and Li Feng followed after. He left a message to the guards."

“How many people are there in Yan County Magistrate’s family?”

"Family of six. The magistrate is a filial son, and he specially brought Gaotang to his side a few years ago for filial piety, as well as a young son and two wives and concubines."

"The family of six is ​​gone, so no one will feel strange to ask." Shao Shang was incredulous.

Yin County Chancellor smiled bitterly: "The county magistrate is strict and unsmiling. After so many years, he has accumulated a lot of prestige, and I don't dare to cross-examine more than the lower officials."

Shao Shang nodded, Yin Xiancheng continued.

"I was skeptical. When the sky was about to get dark, I saw a dense army coming over at the top of the city. The leading general took out the seal and talisman of the county magistrate, and let's talk about their clothes..."

Ling Budo understands that he is the same local army and wears the same clothes.

"Then the city gate was opened, and by the time we realized that the situation was not right, it was too late." Yin Xiancheng lowered his head and sighed, "I saw Li Feng in prison later, and he said that the county The lord left us and ran away, took away the fine copper, and sold Tongniu County to the traitor. He didn't want to follow, so he took the opportunity to escape, but he was caught. Later, the old wife and I When the food was delivered, he told me that it was spread all over the world, saying that the magistrate of Yan had defected to the enemy and betrayed the country, and took away the two thousand catties of fine copper."

Shao Shang frowned and said, "That means, so far, the story of Yan County's defection has been passed down by word of mouth?"

Yin Xiancheng shook his head in pain, took out a bamboo slip from his sleeve, and showed it to everyone. There are eight words written on it - greed and guilt in the heart.

The county magistrate said: "There are forty or fifty pieces of bamboo slips in this way, and this is just the rest. Many of the original ones were burnt. These are all written by the county magistrate in those days. The county magistrate has been an official for so many years, I can't read the magistrate's handwriting wrong. And the servant said later, I saw the magistrate keep writing these eight characters in the study..."

Cheng Shaogong laughed dryly: "From the point of view of a traitor, this magistrate Yan has a conscience, and he knows he is ashamed."

Ban Xiaohou said with a sullen face: "So what? Who in the world is not afraid of death, can't he just be greedy?!"

Shao Shang knew that one of Ban Jia's uncles was executed by the enemy after he would rather die than surrender, and he couldn't help sighing in his heart.

Ling Budo suddenly asked, "Where is Li Feng now?"

Yin Xiancheng said: "Dead."

Everyone was shocked.

"Alas, he was full of energy when he was first imprisoned, and he said that we were going to be locked up soon. I asked him how he knew, and he said that the imperial army will soon be killed. I I became more and more frustrated, thinking that if the army really kills, and the dog who is forced by the rebels will jump over the wall, maybe they will take us first and sacrifice the flag, but Li Feng insists that he will not."

Yin Xiancheng's expression was low, "Probably because he was open-mouthed and repeated nonsense, and finally annoyed the **** who was watching over us, he broke into the prison one night and killed him, and then he died. In front of me. I didn't think that after just a few days, the rebels who defended the city surrendered, and we were all released, alas...Old Li..."

As the sun sets, everyone can't help but feel that this world is impermanent. Shaoshang was unhappy with his pen on the side, thinking that the clues were broken again.

Ling Budo suddenly asked, "You said Mrs. Zun once delivered meals for you, so did Li Feng's family also deliver meals?"

Yin County magistrate praised: "Lord Ling is really meticulous. Yes, Li Feng's wife also visited when we were in prison. Alas, they are a couple. It's a clever wife and husband. Li Feng has no idea, but his wife is very cautious and clever. My old wife once dealt with this woman and said she had to knock three times to cross the stone bridge. Look at the stable person. When she came to deliver meals to visit the prison, she was always worried about whether Li Feng would be released. Li Feng bit her ear a few words, and she left with confidence. Now it seems that she is right. "

"Where is Li Feng's family now?" Little businessman knew, and quickly asked.

Yin county magistrate was startled and sighed: "Maybe she ran away, such a timid and cautious woman, how dare she stay in the county. Anyway, I have no news of them, and later still I gave Li Fengshou the corpse."

…

For the next two days, Shao Shang stayed in the county government office according to Ling Budo's instructions, but kept asking servants to ask questions, and was still in the house where the Yan family lived before. Touch and touch. And Ling Budo leads people out to find the only remaining clue - Li Feng's wife and child.

Two days later, Shaoshang took a stack of dense bamboo slips to the front hall of the county government to find Ling Budo, and hesitantly said: "...Do you really think the county magistrate Yan defected to the enemy?"

Ling Budo held a small roll of silk in his hand, and Liang Qiuqi stood beside him with a generally solemn expression.

Ling Budo heard the words and replied softly, "What's wrong with you, what did you find?"

Shao Shang took out a long roll of fine linen cloth and unfolded it to Ling Budo: "Yan county magistrate has been diligent in administering government. Over the years, he has encouraged mulberry farming, established rural schools, and dug three canals. Two roads have been paved... You see, these are the two sloping fields he plans to reclaim recently, and how complete are the headlines. If he is going to leave immediately, what is he planning to do?"

"And then."

"I thought about it and thought that I should ask the general Ma who earned the gate of the city, how he got the seal and talisman of Yan County magistrate."

Ling Budo sighed slightly, and pulled the girl to sit beside him: "I want to tell you two things, both are bad news. First, the Shouchun City was destroyed yesterday, and Uncle Cui got a great deal Victory, capture Peng Zhen alive."

"It's a good thing." Shao Shang smiled, "It's not a big casualty."

"The casualties were not large, but the general Ma Rongma you wanted to ask questions died."

Liang Qiuqi added: "It is said that it was shot by a cold arrow, and he died on the spot."

Shao Shang changed his face, and his heart was full of dark clouds. The visual sense of this conspiracy is too strong.

Ling Budo continued: "Second, Li Feng's family is also dead. It turns out that they left Tongniu County that night. I asked Liang Qiuqi to divide his troops to inquire along the way Finally, someone saw the woman and some children and servants guarding several people. Then we found their corpses that were hastily buried under a hillside outside the city. Thieves did."

Shao Shang attached to Ling Budo and said nervously, "You don't think it's the actions of thieves?"

"There are so many coincidences that it's hard not to be suspicious."

"What should I do now?" Shaoshang asked in confusion, "Have all the clues been broken? Have you checked the body of Mrs. Li Feng, have you..."

"Nothing, dead body, clothes, vehicle luggage, nothing. Hands and feet are very clean." Ling Budo showed a touch of self-mockery, "I even asked people to inquire about that day. When Mrs. Li Feng came out to visit the prison and escaped from Tongniu County that night, she had seen who, what had been left, or nothing. Li Feng was originally a foreigner and came to Tongniu County shortly after taking office, when Ma Ronggang took over. In Tongniu County, people in the county are panicking, and no neighbors dare to talk to her."

"Didn't go anywhere?" Shaoshang was a little desperate.

Ling Budo went to see Liang Qiuqi, Liang Qiuqi thought about it, and replied: "I only went to a pawnshop, became a jade, and quarreled with the pawnshops. "

Shao Shang smiled and said, "I've asked around for the past two days, but everyone says that Li Feng's wife is taciturn and has a good temper. It seems that she is trying to raise entanglements and has no good temper. ."

Liang Qiuqi said: "According to the woman, she said over and over again that the jade was left by her uncle who was the pavilion chief, and it cost at least a thousand dollars, but the pawnshop said that the color of the jade is not good. , at most three hundred dollars. So there was a quarrel, and many people in the store heard..."

Short businessman stood up with great momentum.

Liang Qiuqi stopped his mouth, Ling Budo looked at her funny: "What did you find?"

Shao Shang's eyes were bright: "Li Feng was a posthumous son, his father died unexpectedly when he was young and weak. Li Feng was raised by his clan, and his father never served as a pavilion at all. !"

Ling Budo reacted instantly: "Liang Qiuqi, find someone to search in the direction where Yan Zhong left, if there is a pavilion, dig on the spot!"

Liang Qiu clasped his fists and said yes, and immediately led the way.

Shao Shang's heart was pounding, and he felt that something had finally come to light.

I waited restlessly for a long time, seeing that it was getting dark, and finally a flying horse came back to deliver a letter - I found it, it is at Wangfeng Pavilion, 80 miles outside Tongniu County.

This time, not only Shao Shang will follow, but even Yin Xian, Ban Jia and others will follow.

, no one spoke, like a silent and eerie sacrificial ceremony.

A huge hole has been dug in front of the pavilion, and there are twelve black and red corpses in all directions, apparently killed and then burned.

Although the face is unrecognizable, the skeleton is still there. After examination, it is concluded that there is one woman in her sixties, two men in her fifties, one woman in her forties, three Two women under ten, two children under ten, the other two young adults, and two young girls—just fit for the Yan family of six, an old servant, a mother, two maids, and two guards. .

In particular, the 60-year-old woman has six fingers on her left hand, which is the physical characteristic of Yan Zhong's mother.

Shao Shang was frightened, took a step back, turned his head and saw Ling Budo's face as frosty, but his eyes were brighter and scorching than the surrounding torches. She pushed him: "You... do you want to understand now..."

Ling Budo turned his head sideways and lowered his head: "Do you remember that before we set off from the inn, we asked carefully where the old servants of the Wan family went when they stayed in the capital?"

Shao Shang nodded: "Han family, Lin family, Aunt Wan's family... Actually, my uncle doesn't have much friendship with the dignitaries in the capital, and he wouldn't rashly ask Ah Fu to give gifts."

"You missed one."

"Whose?"

"You Cheng family!"

Shao Shang was stunned for a moment, and laughed out loud, but his voice was inexplicably dry: "My uncle Li sent it away long ago, and Ah Fu was very busy during that time, and he never came to my house again."

"It's not a gift, it's an engagement banquet." Ling Budo's voice did not fluctuate, "Your and my engagement banquet."

Shao Shang didn't speak anymore, just clutched his robe tightly, and there was another inexplicable fear in his heart.

"There is such a person, he is rich and famous, even a lonely person like Yan Zhong is willing to make friends."

"This person is not only good at dancing, but also has a wide range of friends. When he travels outside, he has won over many high-profile customers, and he can secretly instruct them to kill people."

"He also has many peers in his division, and he can find an intermediary to persuade Huang Wen to impeach Wan Songbai."

"More importantly, he also came to your engagement banquet that day, and with the friendship of the Cheng Wan family, the old servants of the Wan family will definitely come to send congratulations in person."

Shao Shang's pupils tightened, as if he had aphasia and did not say a word.

Ling Budo patted her head pitifully: "Yes, that's the person you guessed."

The two of them didn't say any more, Ling Budo immediately ordered people to fly to the inn to find Wan Songbai's master and servant, and asked them to take a shortcut from the back and go directly to the Qingyang County Office, which is Cuihou Dajun Stationed base camp.

After riding a fast horse for a day, Ling Budo and his party bumped into Wan Songbai's master and servant outside the Qingyang county seat. Shao Shang said softly: "Uncle's injury is not yet healed, and it's the same for A Fulai."

Wan Songbai clutched the wound that was about to burst, and said with difficulty: "Although I don't know your intentions, it's better to recognize the person, so as not to be a ghost."

After entering the city, everyone followed Ling Budo directly to a two-story restaurant. There was a lot of people in the restaurant, people coming and going, either the soldiers in armor or the scribes with swords, everyone drank and beat the sword, sang the case, and enthusiastically exuded the joy of the victory in the Spring Festival.

Ling Budoubt did not enter the restaurant either, standing under a window sill on the second floor, and said loudly, "Louben Louzi is the only place? Ling Zisheng came to visit."

The surroundings seemed to be quiet for a while, and then the casement in the middle of the second floor slowly opened, and behind stood a young scribe, with an ordinary appearance, but with a majestic appearance and an extraordinary bearing, like a man in a palace. The leader is born to be a person who points the country.

The master and servant of the Wan family raised their heads to look, and they all let out an 'ah'!

Wan Songbai lost his voice: "It's him!...But...why did he go to see old thief Yan Zhong?"

Wan Fu also said: "Yes, it was this person who was in Dieshui Temple that day. Although he changed his clothes, the villain will never see it wrong!"

Shao Shang's last hope also dissipated, and he stood aside with his head bowed, and Lou Yao's innocent and sunny smile appeared in front of his eyes - not to be punished by the clan.