Drunk Bamboo

Zhang Xinghe collected his thoughts and continued to ask, "Your Majesty deliberately mentioned Loushan and will visit Loushan again in the afternoon. Let's see what County Magistrate Wang's expression will be."

Hua Qinfeng was very happy to see Zhang Xinghe's surprised expression.

He couldn't help but show a smug look on his face: "Yes, when he was talking about what was on Lou Mountain, he became nervous and even his breathing became rapid. It's obvious that he has something to hide."

Hua Qinfeng is extremely skilled and has a very good mentality on the battlefield.

Although he is easily irritable and angry on weekdays, he is definitely more confident than the enemy on the battlefield, and his confidence scares the enemy.

Once the enemy's mentality is broken, he will be unstoppable and take him down in one fell swoop.

Zhang Xinghe understood: "But the prince didn't tell County Magistrate Wang anything, County Magistrate Wang was feeling uneasy, and we all went to Loushan in the afternoon, so he will definitely come to this courtyard to do something."

Hua Qinfeng nodded and said naturally: "Since we can't find any traces of the bandits and the official silver, we can only let them expose themselves."

Looking up at Hua Qinfeng, Zhang Xinghe asked, "When did you learn this trick of making something out of nothing and deceiving the world?"

"Anyway, I didn't learn it from you." Hua Qinfeng raised his head.

Chaoyang on the side was very shocked.

He said in a daze: "Your Majesty, I only told you about the Art of War once..."

I actually remembered it and used it in real life.

It wasn't that the prince didn't like reading in the past, or that he couldn't remember the content, but that he simply had no intention of learning. Once he got serious, reading was like practicing martial arts, he would learn it after reading it once!

Hua Qinfeng waved his hand: "Let's not talk about this for now. Zhongdu has sent a letter. Take a look."

"There is also a letter from the palace. Let's open it together."

Both letters were handed to Zhang Xinghe.

Hua Qinfeng asked nervously: "What did the letter say?"

"The letter from Lord Chen of the Ministry of War said that Lord Liu of the Ministry of Revenue has raised 100,000 taels of silver and will send it here soon. He needs the prince to escort it. He sent a letter to inform us so that we can prepare early."

Hua Qinfeng raised his eyebrows: "Liu Shancai is really capable this time. He raised the money so quickly. It's good that it doesn't delay the prince's construction of the dam. We are at a loss here. Father's punishment is a small matter, but delaying the project in the middle of the river is a big deal. As long as they enter Jiangbei County, I will be here, and no one dares to touch this batch of money!"

I've been at a loss these days, but finally I heard some slightly good news.

Zhang Xinghe opened the second letter: "This is a letter from Lao Liu..."

His brows suddenly frowned.

Hua Qinfeng asked hurriedly:

"What's wrong? Did something happen in the mansion? Or did something happen to Yuzhu?"

Zhang Xinghe shook his head: "It's okay, the princess is fine, and everything is fine in the mansion."

Hua Qinfeng breathed a sigh of relief and took the letter.

Most of the letters from Lao Liu were news from the imperial court in Zhongdu, but I didn’t expect it to be a family letter!

When I saw that the letter was addressed to Xie Yuzhu, the corners of my mouth couldn't help but rise.

Zhang Xinghe looked at Hua Qinfeng with a curious and unpredictable look.

"Lao Liu said in the letter that according to the princess's instructions, he arranged for the martial arts masters in the Liu Gang to secretly escort the team..."

"She also said that the silver was raised with the help of the princess. There was a box of gold that His Majesty had awarded to the prince that year, and the princess donated it all. The princess is in charge of the palace, so the prince can just focus on investigating the case. If you have any needs, please write to let me know."

He stared at Hua Qinfeng's face, hoping to see something.

But Hua Qinfeng smiled widely:

"Well, it's still my Yuzhu who is capable and helped raise so much money!"

Chaoyang stared at the letter and said happily, "The princess can help the prince no matter where she is."

The two of them stared at the letter as if no one was around, looking smug and proud.

Zhang Xinghe suddenly asked: "Prince, what is the Liu Gang? What is a Jianghu master?"

The two men suddenly raised their heads.

Hua Qinfeng seemed to have lost his memory instantly, and he put the blame on Chaoyang: "Chaoyang, why did you just give him the letter from the mansion?!"

Chaoyang looked innocent: "Didn't the prince ask me to give it to you?"

How could they forget? Zhang Xinghe only knew that Lao Liu had been to the battlefield and later went to the palace, but he never knew about Changfeng Tower, let alone the Liu Gang and the masters of the martial arts world.

It’s just that the scene of the discussion just now was just like when they fought side by side three years ago, and for a moment they forgot that they were no longer comrades.

Hua Qinfeng coughed lightly and said in a serious tone, "Zhang Xinghe, I am the prince. I don't need to tell you that there is a gang that makes money for me to pass on information. I don't need to inform you in advance that there are a few friends in the martial arts world, right?"

Zhang Xinghe asked, "Does Your Majesty want to join the fight between the Crown Prince and King Wen?"

Hua Qinfeng looked stunned. He did not explain and said coldly: "I have always been in the vortex? I just want to protect myself!"

Seeing that something was not right, Chaoyang immediately explained to Zhang Xinghe: "Master Zhang, you know the prince best. He would rather avoid the affairs of the court and the dispute between the crown prince and King Wen. How could he have the intention to join in?"

The room suddenly became quiet.

After a while, Zhang Xinghe spoke:

"I am glad that you have a plan in Zhongdu and are able to protect yourself."

Hua Qinfeng looked at him in surprise and said nothing.

Zhang Xinghe continued to analyze: "The day before yesterday, the old man in Loushan Village said that the reason why Loushan is rarely visited and few people climb it is because there are wild beasts in the mountain that eat people, so people around dare not approach it. But he also said that this has only happened in recent years. Just now, Prince tested County Magistrate Wang and saw his reaction. I think there must be a secret in Loushan."

Chaoyang also said: "I have been gathering information with people these days and setting up sentries at various checkpoints in Jiangbei County. It is a big target to transport so much official silver out of the county. It must still be in Jiangbei County. Maybe it is near Loushan."

Zhang Xinghe frowned, "The terrain near Loushan is complicated, with many mountains. If we search the mountains, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Hua Qinfeng quickly forgot about the incident and joined the discussion: "Even if you hide in the mountains, you still need to eat, drink and sleep. You need to have a hiding place and prepare food and daily necessities in advance. As long as people have lived in a place, there should be traces left behind."

Suddenly remembering something, Hua Qinfeng ran out the door: "Wait, there are a few maps given by Yuzhu in my luggage, maybe they can be used!"

Not long after, he came into the room with a few scrolls in his hands and landed on the bed.

Zhang Xinghe opened the scroll and said in surprise: "This is the map of Rao Country drawn by Mr. Sanshi himself!"

"and this!"

"Are these the mountains along the Dajiang River? There is also Loushan in Jiangbei County!"

Hua Qinfeng leaned over to take a look and asked in confusion, "What do the circles and dots mean?"

Zhang Xinghe: "The annotation says it is crystal flower stone and stalactite"

Hua Qinfeng: "Which mountain is not made of stones? Why mark them?"

Zhang Xinghe's eyes fell on the signature on the scroll, and he was startled: "Xia Yushanren?!"

Chaoyang: "Who is it?"

Zhang Xinghe was not very clear either: "Legend has it that he was a tourist who was particularly keen on atlases and geography. He traveled to all the mountains, rivers and streams. The atlases he produced were rich in content and unique, and were priceless."

Hua Qinfeng sneered: "It's useless, and you still want a thousand gold coins."

Zhang Xinghe shook his head: "The maps that the princess gave to the prince are all masterpieces and priceless treasures."

Chaoyang asked: "There are crystal flowers, stones and stalactites on Mount Lou. Could there be some treasures hidden there or some secret passages or mechanisms?"

Zhang Xinghe thought of something, and a gleam flashed in his eyes: "Chaoyang's words reminded me. I remember reading a book that crystal flower stones usually appear in naturally formed caves."

Hua Qinfeng said excitedly: "There is a mystery inside Loushan!"