What to do if you have too many golden fingers? Walk sideways!

At this moment, two uninvited guests came to the door of General Chu's mansion.

The day before yesterday, the new Chengyang County magistrate took office. After the handover, Governor Zhou Qing was supposed to set off for the next stop.

But after he finished drinking Moutai, all other liquors tasted bland.

Because of his greed, he ordered the governor's ceremonial procession to move forward slowly, and he quietly brought Zhou An to Dingxi County in disguise.

Now, when he arrived at the gate of General Chu's mansion, he was stopped by the servants.

The current emperor hates private relationships between civil officials and military generals the most, so he dare not reveal his identity.

"My brother, my master is really acquainted with General Chu. Now that he is passing through Dingxi County, he naturally wants to come and visit General Chu."

The servants of the general's mansion originally wanted to drive them away, but the two refused to leave. They even brought in General Chu who was far away in Kyoto. Judging from their accent, they did sound like they were from Kyoto.

So after hesitating for a long time, he said:

"Do you two have any tokens? I can pass them on."

Zhou Qing was dressed as an ordinary scholar, holding a folding fan in his hand. He folded the fan and handed it to the servant.

"Give this to the general, and he will come to see me."

The servant took the fan and went in to report to the housekeeper.

It happened that Chu Shiting returned home today after a day off, and Madam Ren was out again. Chu Shiting was practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

The butler brought the fan and said respectfully:

"General, there is an old man at the gate asking to see you. He refused to reveal his identity and only brought in a fan."

Chu Shiting put the spear in his hand on the weapon rack, took the fan, opened it and took a look.

There were four big characters written on it in a flamboyant style: As clear as water.

Although there was no signature, Chu Shiting recognized these words. When he was young, he had also received guidance from Zhou Qing.

"Please come in, sir!" Chu Shiting hurriedly walked towards the door.

When he arrived at the door, Chu Shiting saw that it was indeed Zhou Qing, and he quickly bowed and saluted:

"Sir, why didn't you send someone to inform me of your visit? Fortunately, I have a day off today. Please come in, sir."

Since Zhou Qing was traveling incognito, he didn't want to reveal his official status, so Chu Shiting used the name he had called him by when he was young.

Zhou Qing waved his hand and said:

"I was just passing by here, and I came here on a whim. Nephew, there is no need to be polite."

After entering the main hall, Zhou Qing chatted with Chu Shiting, mainly talking about the situation of Old Master Chu.

Chu Shiting hadn't seen his father for more than two years. He was comforted to hear Zhou Qing say that his father was in good health.

After a while, Zhou Qing took a sip of tea and said casually:

"Why don't you see that kid Chu Zhao?"

Chu Shiting said hurriedly:

"My son is busy training in the military camp and hasn't returned for a few days."

Zhou Qing nodded and said:

"Some time ago, I met a man in Chengyang County who helped me a lot."

When Chu Shiting heard Zhou Qing talk about Chengyang County, his heart was pounding.

However, his son brought a large amount of grain from Chengyang County and later gave him 50,000 taels of silver.

Now, the food has been eaten, and he has also distributed the silver as salary.

This Zhou Qing has always been upright and honest. Could he be here to settle accounts with me?

"Oh? What do you mean sir?" Chu Shiting pretended to know nothing.

"That man's surname is Xi, and he's about thirty years old. I wonder if he's Chu Zhao's personal guard?" Zhou Qing asked.

Chu Shiting really knew nothing this time.

"The personal guards around Zhao'er are all around 20 years old. Besides, the Xi surname is extremely rare. I'm sure there is no such person."

Zhou Qing was also confused now, and asked again:

"Is there anyone with the surname Xi in the military camp?"

Chu Shiting thought for a while, but didn't seem to have any impression, so he said:

"Sir, are you looking for this person? If he is really a member of the Northwest Army, I will naturally help you find him. I wonder why you are looking for him?"

Zhou Qing's face turned red, he cleared his throat and said:

"He helped me a lot, so I have to thank him."

He would never admit that he left his post because he was craving for wine.

Hearing him say this, Chu Shiting felt relieved, as long as they were not here to ask for food.

Then he called the butler in and asked him to send a letter to the army to find out if there was anyone with the surname Xi in the army.

Then added:

"Call Zhao'er back as well."

The butler took the order and went out.

At this moment in the Northwest Military Camp, Chu Zhao had just developed a new formation and was excitedly letting the soldiers try it out.

When he heard his father calling him to go home, he said without even looking up:

"No time, no time. I'll go back tomorrow."

The messenger was in a dilemma and hesitated to leave.

Chu Zhao said impatiently:

"Okay, okay, Wu Dajiang, go back with him and see what my father wants to talk to me about. If it's not something particularly important, don't bother me."

Wu Dajiang had no choice but to follow the messenger.

When they arrived at the General's Mansion, Zhou Qing and Chu Shiting had already had lunch, and Mrs. Ren had already returned home.

The butler reported that there was no one with the surname Xi in the army, and then said that the young general was too busy to be away, so he sent his personal guards back.

Chu Shiting stared:

"This rebellious son, I can't even call him back!"

Wu Dajiang was so scared that he shrank his neck and stood behind the housekeeper like a quail.

Zhou Qing asked kindly:

"Young man, are you the personal guard of the Major General?"

Wu Dajiang nodded and glanced at the old man.

Hey, I know him. Isn’t this the governor?

Zhou Qing asked again:

"Did you go to Chengyang County a few days ago?"

Wu Dajiang didn't know what the governor was going to do. His eyes rolled around and he looked at General Chu.

Chu Shiting was a little panicked, but he couldn't show it. He glared at Wu Dajiang:

"What are you looking at me for? Answer the gentleman's question!"

Then he winked desperately.

Wu Dajiang was confused for a long time and didn't understand the general's expression.

Then he stammered and said tentatively:

"This, that, I think I've been there before?"

Seeing Chu Shiting's disgusted face, he quickly changed his words:

“It seems like I’ve never been there!”

Chu Shiting rolled his eyes. The people around this brat were really unreliable.

Zhou An, who had been standing behind Zhou Qing, testified:

"I have seen this young man in Chengyang County."

Zhou Qing looked at Chu Shiting, then at Wu Dajiang, and understood, then explained:

"I am here on a private trip, just to look for someone. After I find the person, I will set off again immediately. Since this young man has been to Chengyang County, do you know a man named Xi? He is about 30 years old, about half a head shorter than you?"

Chu Shiting was completely relieved after hearing Zhou Qing's assurance. He glared at Wu Dajiang:

"Tell me what you know."

Wu Dajiang felt that Miss Gu had helped Zhou Qing a lot and was a good official, so he thought she would not harm Miss Gu, so he said:

"If my guess is correct, the man surnamed Xi that you are looking for should be the eldest daughter of the Gu family in disguise."

"What?!" Zhou Qing was shocked.

Chu Shiting was also shocked.