Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Minister Qin looked in the direction of the Donghai Prefecture capital, but apart from the fog, there was no sign of the city.

To be honest, their journey was not smooth.

The roads were covered with snow a few days ago and the horses couldn't run.

After finally getting through the snowy section of the road, it started raining and the road became slippery and muddy. Especially in the morning, the undried ground was frozen, making it even more difficult to walk.

Many people fell along that road.

When they finally arrived in Donghai Prefecture, they encountered bandits again. Not only did they steal several of their horses, but they also injured several of the accompanying officers and soldiers.

It's really not going well.

When Han Zheng came closer, Minister Pei said, "I went to the capital of Donghai Prefecture once a few years ago. We are very close to it now. I estimate that we can arrive there tomorrow at the latest."

Han Zheng nodded.

After entering the territory of Donghai Prefecture, the two of them separated from the other ten officials, and each led a team of soldiers to the area they were responsible for.

But they should be the last to arrive because they have the longest journey.

"Sir Pei, should we hide our identities or reveal them directly?" Han Zheng asked, looking at his casual clothes.

Minister Pei had thought about this question long ago, and said without hesitation: "Just reveal your identity."

This is a big case. Emperor Tianyuan attaches great importance to it. The news that he has sent officials to investigate the case must have spread throughout the Donghai Province.

There is no need for them to pretend to be ordinary people anymore.

It is better to state your identity so that you can investigate openly when the time comes.

Han Zheng thought so too and nodded.

*

The group continued to move forward.

Towards evening, when everyone was cold and hungry, a city gate appeared before everyone.

Han Zheng looked at the huge plaque on the city gate and said, "This is the capital of Donghai Prefecture."

The officers and soldiers were immediately overjoyed, and their depressed and tired expressions changed.

Minister Pei lifted the curtain, looked for a while, and said, "It's too late today. Let's not go to the government office yet. Let's find an inn to stay in and go to the government office tomorrow."

Everyone responded quickly.

*

Because the prefect's entire family was killed, the guards at the city gate and the people became extremely nervous when they saw outsiders coming.

The guard stopped the carriage of Minister Pei, who was walking in the front, and asked sternly, "Where are you from? What are you doing in the city?"

Minister Pei coughed, and the driver immediately said, "We are from the capital, and the person sitting inside is Lord Pei from the Ministry of Justice."

The guard was stunned for a moment, then he quickly knelt down and saluted.

"I didn't know you were coming, so I apologize for not welcoming you. Please forgive me."

Minister Pei lifted the carriage curtain and said, "Get up. I didn't make any arrangements in advance, so it's normal that you don't welcome us. It's getting late today, so please let us enter the city first."

The guard nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and retreated.

*

Probably due to the murder case, there were few people on the street and many shops along the street were closed.

The car turned a street and finally found an inn that looked quite lively.

Han Zheng and Minister Pei got off the carriage and were about to go inside, but at this moment, a man in his forties with a beard, who looked like a clerk, ran towards them, followed by a group of yamen runners.

"Master Pei, please stay!"

Hearing the shouting, Han Zheng and Minister Pei stopped together.

A man who looked like a chief clerk came up to him with a smile on his face and said, "My surname is Zhuang, and I am the chief clerk of the prefecture. I was busy with government affairs today and was unable to greet you, sir. Please forgive me."

Sir, please do not go to this inn. I heard that you were coming a few days ago, so I had someone prepare a house early. Please move on."

Minister Pei and Han Zheng looked at each other and nodded: "Then let's live in the house."

Zhuang Zhubu smiled and said, "Please come in, sir."

*

The house prepared by Zhuang Zhubu is in the east of the city. Judging from the surrounding houses, this area should be inhabited by rich people.

This house is bigger than Han Zheng’s No. 1 Scholar’s ​​Mansion, and it is more than enough for everyone to live in.

Han Zheng walked around the yard and finally went up to the village chief and asked who the house belonged to.

Zhuang Zhubu did not reply, but asked: "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

"This is Master Han Zheng from the Imperial Academy. You should have heard of his name. He was the top scorer in last year's imperial examination."

The village chief clerk exclaimed, "Ah!" and showed more respect to Han Zheng. "It turns out to be Lord Han. I apologize for my neglect just now."

Han Zheng waved his hand slightly, indicating that he didn't care, and then asked the question again.

Zhuang Zhubu smiled awkwardly, "This is the prefect's private residence."

Han Zheng said "oh" and said no more.

*

Because Minister Pei stated that he would not investigate any cases or drink alcohol today, Zhuang Zhubu quickly left with the yamen runners.

Han Zheng stood at the door of the house and watched them walk away before he went into the house to talk to Minister Pei.

"Sir Pei, there's something wrong with this village chief." Although his superior had died, there was no trace of sadness on his face. Instead, he was in high spirits.

Normal people wouldn't do that.

Minister Pei could see it, so he knocked on the table and said, "Let's check him out tomorrow."

Han Zheng: "Should we send two people to investigate the situation tonight?"

Minister Pei wanted to say no, but then he changed his mind and decided he could give it a try.

It has been more than 10 to 20 days since the magistrate's entire family was massacred, and many traces must have been cleared up. They can investigate secretly first so they can have an idea in their minds.

Nodding, Minister Pei called his personal guard and asked him to check.

The two talked in the house for half an hour and decided on the next plan of action.

After that, they each ate something and then went back to their rooms to rest.

Han Zheng couldn't sleep, so he found a pen and paper and wrote a letter to Li Yu to let her know he was safe.

He had been gone for ten days, and Second Sister-in-law and Xiaomei must have been worried.

*

In the capital city.

Thinking of Han Zheng, Li Yu wrote a letter to Mr. Xiang the next day, asking the prince if he had any news about Han Zheng and the others.

Mr. Xiang: "There was news a few days ago saying everything was normal, but there has been no news in the past few days. I think it is because we are far away and the news spreads slowly.

But Madam Li, don't worry, the secret guards sent by the prince are all experts, they will not let Lord Han get hurt."

Li Yu felt relieved when she saw that he looked calm and didn't seem to be lying.

*

Today is the second day of the snack fair. Li Yu continued to stroll around Chengjiang with Han Xiaomei and Si'er as planned.

Probably because Emperor Tianyuan ordered pancake skewers from the stall in Jinyu Tower yesterday, there were several more stalls selling pancake skewers today.

Out of curiosity, Li Yu went to one of the stalls and bought one for twenty cents.

The taste turned out to be average, neither good nor bad.

The meat and vegetables are fried well, but the sauce is not good, it is too bland.

In addition to the pancake skewers, there was also a stall selling roujiamo. Li Yu took a look and smelled something wrong, so he didn't buy anything.

*

The three of them strolled around for more than two hours and didn't go back until the afternoon.

Both the barbecue restaurant and the hot pot restaurant open on the 16th day of the first lunar month. Halfway there, Li Yu thought for a moment and turned into the butcher shop, arranging for the butcher to deliver meat to her on the 16th.

The butcher shop owner now looks at Li Yu as if he were a golden doll. As long as Li Yu asks, he will always respond.

The two men were discussing the amount of meat outside the door when a group of officials suddenly ran over.

Li Yu turned his head and looked at them carefully for a few seconds before asking, "What are they doing?"

"They're arresting people." The butcher covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "They've been arresting people from Jinlai's gambling house these past two days."