Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 32 Misfortunes never come singly
Liu Cangcao originally thought that this young eunuch from the Ministry of Internal Affairs might be a connection of Zhou Liang, but he didn't expect him to be such a vicious debt collector. He didn't care at all when he heard the news of Zhou Liang's death, and even forced Mrs. Zhou to repay the debt. It was really inhumane.

Even though the Henan officials were forced to put the blame for the flood in the south of the city on the deceased Zhou Liang, which affected his family, they were only dealing with the situation in the moment and did not want to force Zhou Liang's family to death.

And this is not actually unfair. After all, Zhou Liang has been talking about the dangers of floods after the summer in the mansion for several days, which made Dayin worried and led to this disaster. So Zhou Liang is not innocent.

"Although I don't know the value of that ancient painting, this woman is now imprisoned. Even if Niu Neipu asks her again, it will be difficult to remedy the situation. Why bother..."

Seeing that Mrs. Zhou was crying heartbrokenly, Liu Cangcao stood up and started to speak. However, before he could finish his words, he saw the young man glaring at him with cold eyes.

After hearing Mrs. Zhou say that she had burned the information collected by Zhou Liang, it was obvious that Zhou Liang had followed his advice and did not report all of it. In this way, it can be confirmed that Zhou Liang did not offend the powerful and suffer revenge, so this incident should be a simple accident.

As soon as Zhou Liang's body was cold, officials from Henan Prefecture rushed to search his house, as if they were afraid that others would not know that Zhou Liang was the culprit of the flood. They even did not go through the formalities of verifying and approving the responsibility for the accident. Their intention to put the blame on others was too obvious.

Zhang Luo felt that Liu Cangcao was like an executioner who laid a blanket on the prisoner's face out of concern that his head would hit the ground. This sympathy was really a bit inappropriate, so he naturally didn't have a good face towards him.

"Now that the matter has been verified, can I take the goods?"

Zhang Luoqiang suppressed his anger and stopped looking at Madam Zhou. He asked about the property again because he wanted to put on a complete show and also because he hoped to get some of the property back to see if he could save the situation from somewhere else.

Regardless of Zhou Liang's guilt or innocence, Zhang Luo hoped for a relatively fair trial. If the charges were allowed to continue, Mrs. Zhou would likely be enslaved by the government, and Zhou Lang would either surrender to the government or become a fugitive.

"Although the item has an owner, it has already been taken into the hands of the government. Taking it away without an investigation is a violation of procedure..."

In fact, the whole government was currently busy with the flood in Luonan, so the things seized from Zhou Liang's house had not yet been put into storage as stolen goods, but were temporarily piled up in the wing in front of the government office. However, after all, there were so many people watching, so it was not convenient for Liu Gui to dispose of them at will.

"The most valuable of all the items is the ancient painting. Now that it's gone, I'm bound to face punishment when I return! The most important thing right now is to save this woman from the Zhou family so that my father-in-law can vent his anger. I don't care how you in Henan Prefecture punish her. If Liu Cangcao is willing to return the items, I will take the initiative to give you half. Please take good care of this woman for me. Give her food when she's hungry, clothes when she's cold, and medicine when she's sick. Make sure she survives the torture so that I can bring her alive to my father-in-law!"

Zhang Luo glared, gritting his teeth as he spoke, his eyes wide open. He was genuinely worried that Madam Zhou wouldn't be able to endure the torment in prison after the series of blows she'd endured.

"Does the inner servant really mean what he said?"

Liu Cangcao's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this. He had already calculated in his mind when he listened to the conversation between the two people. Putting aside the ancient paintings and jade pendants that he had never seen before, the property mentioned in the conversation alone was worth hundreds of strings of cash, and they were all floating assets that had not been put into the warehouse.

After a brief pause, Liu Cang Cao continued, "Although I don't know how deep the resentment of the eunuch is, Zhou Lushi is my colleague. His widow has fallen into such a state, so I should take care of her. However, after all, all the things must be submitted to the authorities, and the eunuch needs to give me a letter of receipt before I can make the payment."

Zhang Luo said nothing more after hearing this. He walked to the desk in the hall and saw that there was still ink in the inkstone. He picked up his brush and began to write: "I have received the Yangzhou fish-patterned bronze mirror from the Henan government office..."

"There's no need to write about the gift. My servant and I have a pact of loyalty, and I will not break it!"

Liu Cangcao came to the table and pushed the ink pad beside the table forward. Seeing this, Zhang Luo also printed Niu Guier's official title and name on the fish token on the paper.

After putting away the document, Liu Cangcao waved his hand and had the official take Madam Zhou away. Then he went to the front wing of the mansion and personally counted the items listed on the paper list. He did not forget to carefully divide it into two parts and wrap each in cloth. Then he hurried to the outside of the mansion prison and handed one of the cloth bags to Zhang Luo, saying with a smile: "Niu Neipu, please check carefully to see if there is anything missing."

"No need, I remember you and will come to see you again!"

Zhang Luo took the cloth bag and casually hung it on the saddle, then glanced at Liu Cangcao. He didn't care how much he spent today; he would definitely make this guy pay back double in the future!
Liu Cang Cao couldn't help but ask, "The confiscated property of Zhou Lushi is quite large. Besides Niu Neipu's belongings, there's still quite a bit left. Does Niu Neipu know who deposited them?"

"Why should I care so much about his family affairs! He just lost my precious things, I will never let him off easily!"

After hearing this, Zhang Luo spoke harshly again. He did not satisfy this guy's curiosity, but also wanted to add some mystery to Zhou Liang's family so that Liu Cangcao would not dare to be too negligent.

Liu Cangcao smiled awkwardly after hearing this answer, but didn't dare to ask any more questions. After watching Zhang Luo leave, he took out the letter and looked at it. He couldn't help but sigh, "These useless eunuchs are really rich. A mere eighth-rank eunuch can use so much wealth. We work diligently, but the salary we get is just enough to make a living!"

That being said, he had no intention of entering the palace as a eunuch. He was simply grateful that the officials in charge were away, giving him this opportunity to make a fortune, a windfall equivalent to more than a year's salary. When Zhang Luo rode out the other side of the palace and returned to the main street, Ding Qing, who had been waiting there for a long time, hurried over to meet him. "Ah Lang, how's the situation? Is there any hope for Zhou Lushi's family?"

He had stayed at Zhou Liang's house for many days to guard the deposited property and was familiar with Zhou Liang's family, so he was very anxious.

Zhang Luo sighed softly upon hearing this. He had previously borrowed Niu Gui'er's fish token to enter and exit the government office, appearing calm and composed, but in reality, he was also deeply troubled. This incident happened so suddenly that he was caught off guard.

Although he had some understanding of the situation, he still had no idea what to do. He planned to leave Changxia Gate first to tell Zhou Lang what he had learned, and then think of a countermeasure. Seeing this, Ding Qing hurriedly reined in the old horse and followed A Lang out of the town.

The two men walked south along the long street. When they reached Chongzhengfang, hundreds of fully armed Jinwu Guard knights suddenly rushed out from the west on the cross street.

It was the first time that Zhang Luo had seen a cavalry team of such a scale since he came to this world. Although it was still some distance away from Hengjie, he reined in his horse and stopped. He watched from afar as the team of knights marched in formation on the street. Then he saw the team of knights galloping along the sandbank and entering Kangsufang.

"What are these Jinwu soldiers doing in Kangsufang?"

It was still daytime and the curfew had not yet begun. The sudden appearance of so many Jinwu Guards on the street was already very eye-catching. When people saw all these Jinwu Guards pouring into Kangsufang, they couldn't help but talk about it.

"Alang, this..."

Ding Qing was naturally curious, so he approached Zhang Luo and wanted to share his guess. However, Zhang Luo raised his hand and gently waved, whispering, "Don't talk!"

At this time, people on the street had already begun to discuss: "So many Jinwu soldiers suddenly entered the block, it must be a big deal! The only powerful family in Kangsu Block is Zhang Yangong. Could it be that these soldiers are going to the Zhang family? Will Zhang Yangong be rewarded or punished..."

Some curious people also rushed to Kangsufang, hoping to follow the Jinwu Guards to find out what was going on. Those living in the capital had this advantage: if they were lucky enough, they could witness the rise and fall of those famous and powerful figures.

Zhang Luo had probably guessed what had happened by now. It seemed that the political enemies Zhang was talking about had already begun to take action. This time, the Jinwu Guards entered the neighborhood probably to surround his house.

He naturally wouldn't join in the fun by entering the alley. He led his horse to the willow tree beside the canal. Ding Qing also came over. Seeing that there was no one around, he said nervously in a low voice: "Alang, is the Zhang family really going to be in trouble? We are lucky that we didn't stay at the Zhang family. Alang will definitely guess..."

"You go from Changxia Gate and go back to the village with Zhou Lang. Tell Yingniang, Aying, and you to get out of here immediately..."

Zhang Luo's thoughts raced in his mind, and he quickly said to Ding Qing that he should get his men away from this disturbance before the Jinwu Guards still controlled the Zhang family mansion and the incident spread to other areas.

Zhou Liang's family affairs hadn't been resolved, and most of his wealth was still being held in Henan Prefecture, so he naturally couldn't just leave. Although his family was in turmoil again, he wasn't completely at his wit's end and still hoped to try again.

"Ah Lang, what about you? I'm afraid that if I go back alone, Aye will beat me to death..."

Ding Qing spoke quickly, but was interrupted by Zhang Luo's wave of his hand: "Don't talk nonsense, this isn't a life-or-death separation, just listen to my instructions. After they escape quickly, you and Zhou Lang will go around to the north of the city and meet me at Qinghuafang. I'll be waiting for you there."

As he spoke, Zhang Luo searched Ding Qing's body again and took out all the hundreds of coins that the boy had on him.

Although he was dressed in fancy clothes, he had no money on him. It would be too conspicuous to sell the light goods he had just retrieved from the Henan government office in cash, and he might be arrested if he went into the market. It would be safer to use cash, so he threw the light goods to Ding Qing.

Considering that he didn't know how many days he would have to hide outside, and if it took too long, he might have to pawn all his clothes, so Zhang Luo said quickly: "Don't forget to bring money when you return. If you don't have enough, I'll sell you!"

At this moment, he saw familiar-looking men and women running out of Kangsufang. They must be members of the Zhang family or servants who had escaped during the chaos. Zhang Luo naturally didn't dare to confront them. He immediately jumped onto his mount and galloped northward.

"How much..."

Before Ding Qing could ask more questions, he saw Alang riding away in fine clothes and galloping away. He also realized the urgency of time, so he quickly got on his old horse and galloped west, bypassing Kangsufang and leaving the city.

(End of this chapter)