Golden Branch

"I see!"

On the surface of the water, a small head emerged.

Zhao Jinniang was an excellent swimmer. She stepped lightly on the water with her feet and stood in it.

She followed her own fishing boat closely and saw the whole process of the pirates pretending to be fishermen and sneaking onto the pleasure boat.

Hearing the cries of killing and help coming from the pleasure boat, Zhao Jinniang finally understood why her family had suffered such a devastating disaster.

The pirates set their sights on the pleasure boats and tried to rob the distinguished guests who were sightseeing there.

However, the noble man was heavily guarded, and they could not get close, so they robbed and killed the fishermen, using Li as a substitute, and then -

"Yeah, you died so unjustly!"

Zhao Jinniang's tears were almost dry, but at this moment, knowing the truth, she still cried with wet cheeks.

In fact, it wasn’t just her; other fishermen were also killed.

Just by looking at the seven or eight boats surrounding the pleasure boat, you can tell how much murder those pirates have committed tonight.

"Kill me, pay me with your life! You killed my Yeye, I want you to die too!"

Zhao Jinniang clenched her fists tightly and did not stay in the water to watch.

She turned nimbly and dived into the water.

She waved her hands and feet vigorously, and in the blink of an eye, she swam several meters away.

"If it were just lowly fishermen like us, even if the government knew about it, they would prevaricate, evade responsibility, or even cover up!"

"But now, the young masters and young ladies of noble families are also in trouble. Humph, I don't believe that those corrupt officials can just sit back and do nothing!"

Zhao Jinniang was furious and swam desperately towards the shore.

In less than a quarter of an hour, she actually reached the shore.

Wow!

After getting ashore, she wrung out her wet clothes, looked around, identified the direction, and ran towards the governor's office.

During the day, she and Ye Ye met a familiar fisherman on the river.

Someone mentioned that there was a banquet at the governor's mansion today and river seafood had been ordered in advance.

They got up early in the morning to fish, and before noon, they would deliver the fish and shrimp to the governor's mansion.

Ye Ye chatted with the uncle for a few more words, and Zhao Jinniang heard it clearly. She knew that all the officials, wealthy families, gentry and other leading figures in Yizhou would attend the orchid viewing banquet at the governor's mansion.

Although common people like them did not understand what was so interesting about a pot of orchid that looked similar to leeks, Ye Ye, Uncle and others were very envious of the nobleman's elegant taste.

"...Great! The governor, the chief secretary, the county magistrate...they are all in the governor's mansion."

"If they knew their children were kidnapped by pirates, would they still have the heart to appreciate orchids and drink wine?"

Zhao Jinniang ran madly while thinking to herself happily.

God was finally fair for once. Her Ye Ye died, and those high-ranking and extremely valuable young men and women also suffered!

The river bank was five or six miles away from the governor's mansion. Zhao Jinniang arrived barefoot in just over half an hour.

She was so tired that she was out of breath, her heart was beating fast, and her mouth was dry and astringent.

She barely stopped, bent down, supported her knees with her hands, and tried to calm her breathing.

After a while, she stood up, walked a few steps to the yamen gate, and came to the big drum.

Standing on tiptoe and raising both hands high, he finally touched the drumstick.

She knocked hard.

Boom!

dong dong!

The dull drumbeats were particularly harsh in the quiet evening.

The officers on duty in the yamen ran out, and even the backyard of the governor's yamen, two courtyards away, could vaguely hear the noise.

Backyard, flower hall.

The lights are bright and people are everywhere.

The huge main hall was filled with guests.

As the prince of Qi, Yang Rui has a noble status and high rank, so he naturally occupies the main position.

Lou Yu sat beside him.

In the two columns on the left and right below, Governor Li and Wang Lin are at the head of each column.

Beside Governor Li were the magistrates of several other counties, and below Wang Lin was the magistrate of Hedong County, Lu Huaixin.

In addition to officials such as the county magistrate and the chief clerk, there were also the heads of several powerful families, as well as talented people and elders in Yizhou.

Having already admired the orchids during the day, Governor Li said, "The night-blooming cereus I'm raising is expected to bloom tonight."

"If you are interested, you can stay and watch together!"

The ephemeral flower is short-lived but precious.

Especially the appearance of the slowly blooming Epiphyllum is extremely beautiful, fairy-like and elegant.

The guests present, even if they were rough warriors leading troops to fight, were willing to join in the fun.

Not to mention, there are people here... neither the mastermind nor the victim wants to leave.

So the banquet continued.

Drinking, dancing, chatting and talking nonsense, the atmosphere in the flower hall always remains joyful and lively!

Yang Rui had a faint smile on his face throughout the whole process. No matter whether Li the governor was flattering or some officials were pretending to be noble, he treated them all with a gentle attitude.

There was no contempt for Governor Li in his eyes, nor was there any ridicule towards certain officials, only respect for them.

But he is not humble, and he has compassion and nobility for all beings who are equal!

“A gentleman is like jade, cut and polished.”

Even Governor Li, seeing the Prince of Qi like this, couldn't help but admire him in his heart: He is worthy of being the eldest son that the King of Qi values ​​the most. His status, character, and personality are all perfect.

If he had a son like Yang Rui, he would wake up laughing in his dreams and would not risk doing anything wrong - he was mediocre and his children and grandchildren were unfilial, so he could only take advantage of his tenure to make as much wealth as possible.

One wrong step leads to all wrong!

It has finally reached the point where it cannot be reversed.

"Prince Yang, I'm sorry!"

Governor Li raised his glass and toasted Yang Rui attentively, but silently said sorry in his heart.

Yang Rui thanked him politely, with a gentle and considerate manner.

Lou Yu watched silently, but unlike usual, his fair and delicate face was slightly tense.

It was the first time he was entrusted with an important task, the first time he made plans and arrangements. He was excited and full of confidence, but as time went by and the truth was about to be revealed, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

His palms were a little wet, so he quietly stretched out his palms and rubbed them on the side of his thighs.

"...It still doesn't work. Unlike 'him', there's nothing unusual about him!"

The longer Lou Yu followed Yang Rui and the more he learned, the more he realized his own shortcomings.

He knew he was smart, was proud of it, and had used his intelligence countless times.

However, after getting to know Yang Rui and studying with him for more than a month, Lou Yu realized how shallow and ridiculous he was.

clever?

No, just clever tricks.

If he wants to become a strong man who can surpass Lou Jin, he must possess great wisdom!

Lou Yu was a little distracted, but it also eased his tension at the moment.

He continued to listen attentively to the hypocritical negotiations between Yang Rui and Governor Li.

In addition, Lou Yu also took the time to pay attention to Wang Lin——

This is the fat girl's father. He is irresponsible and does not love the fat girl, but the relationship between father and daughter cannot be changed.

Even though Concubine Jiang resented Wang Lin, she couldn't really take revenge on him.

It's not that he is afraid of Wang Lin, but he is afraid to use the wrong tool.

If Wang Lin were lost, the fat girl would become a complete orphan without a father, and might have to live under the care of her stepmother in the future.

"Don't be afraid, fat girl, I'm still here!"

Lou Yu will work hard to become stronger and become someone who does not have to worry about "rules".

By then, whether the fat girl has a father or not, she will be protected and favored by him!

"...For the matter of Hedong, thank you, Brother Lu!"

"Haha, you're too polite, Brother Wang. Although we just met, we are both officials in Yizhou, so we should support each other."

"Yes! Brother Lu is right. You and I are colleagues, and our daughters are also classmates..."

"Yeah, I don't know if those kids are having a great time playing in the Yi River!"

Wang Lin and Lu Huaixin got together, clinking glasses and chatting idly.

Lou Yu, who vaguely overheard their conversation, was suddenly shocked: What? The fat girl is in Yihe?

impossible!

He knew Wang Heng best. This girl looked silly, but was actually very talented.

Besides, she is not someone who likes to join in the fun.

As long as the other party is not someone she trusts enough, she will not easily accept the other party's invitation.

Looking at the entire Deyin Hall and Dongshan Academy, the fat girl is closest to only two people: Lou Yu and Wang Mian.

Lou Yu was in the river camp, and Wang Mian, a lowly commoner, could not possibly "incite" Wang Heng to attend the river cruise banquet.

But if it was anyone else, even Lou Yu’s adopted cousin Zheng Chi, Wang Heng would not agree.

It was precisely because of these considerations that Lou Yu did not pay too much attention to it even though he had clearly discovered that there was a pleasure boat on the Yi River today - the fat girl was not there, so why would he care about what other people were doing?

Whether they want to cruise on the river or go "fishing" is up to them!

But now, Wang Lin said that the fat girl also went to Yihe—

Lou Yu's heart was in turmoil. If he had not been able to control himself rationally, he would have almost stood up and rushed to Wang Lin to ask for clarification!

Even if he hadn't felt any impulse, Lou Yu's heart was in turmoil at the moment.

There was a flash of panic and impatience in his eyes.

Just as he was hesitating whether to tell Yang Rui, the sound of drums and hurried footsteps were heard outside.

"Oh no! My dear! Oh no! Bandits suddenly appeared on the Yi River. They robbed the fishing boats, killed the fishermen, and then impersonated them to sneak into the pleasure boat."

"All the young ladies and gentlemen on the pleasure boat are now being held hostage by thieves!"

The officer ran in quickly, followed closely by Zhao Jinniang.

After the officer finished reporting, she, the victim and witness, told the truth.

"what!"

Lu Huaixin stood up suddenly and asked, "My Galan was also captured by thieves?"

Bang!

Wang Linze smashed the wine cup directly, and the warm fermented glutinous rice wine spilled all over him.

Wang Lin didn't care about all this. His face was full of fear: Jiu Niang, something happened?

Although he knew that some people were secretly doing things.

Today’s orchid viewing banquet is the Hongmen Banquet.

But he just wanted to be the fisherman in accordance with the principle of not helping either side.

But he never expected that the orchid viewing banquet here was just a decoy, and the pleasure boat on the Yi River was the thieves' target.

Ajiu!

His Ajiu is on the pleasure boat.

Wang Lin may not love Wang Heng very much, but he values ​​this daughter very much.

The reason is simple: Wang Heng is the only bond between him and Jiang.

In other words, Wang Heng is his most important bargaining chip.

Wang Lin knew very well that Jiang was just unwilling to do her best to help him, and might even be a little bit of a hindrance.

But if Wang Heng were to die, Jiang would settle all the old and new grudges.

Wang Lin did not forget that Wang Heng's participation in the river cruise banquet was his "reminder".

If Jiang knew about this... In the middle of summer, Wang Lin shuddered!

"Perhaps, things are not so bad yet?"

"After all, the little fisherwoman saw the thieves boarding the pleasure boat and came to report the news. She didn't stay in the Yi River all the time."

In fear, Wang Lin began to comfort himself desperately.

However, the "fantasy" was soon shattered.

Someone else came to report the news, but this time it was not a surviving fisherman, but a guard on the pleasure boat.

He was injured and there was blood on his face and body.

He staggered into the flower hall and shouted hoarsely to his husband, "My husband, go and save the young master. He's been kidnapped by thieves..."

Wang Lin was completely desperate.

Because he heard from the guards that not only this young man, but all the nobles on the pleasure boat escaped.

"Quick! Go save them!"

"Where are my troops? Where are my troops? Gather, gather everyone, go to the Yi River and save the young lady!"

Wang Lin stood up regardless and shouted loudly.

boom!

Lou Yu finally couldn't help it and stood up.

He rushed to Yang Rui in two steps, his eyes red and his face fierce: "Prince!"

Since it involved the fat girl, he really couldn't continue his plan calmly.

It’s not that he is not calm enough, it’s just that he is “too concerned to be confused”.

When Lou Yu spoke, the others seemed to react as well. They all saluted Yang Rui and said, "Prince, please send troops to eliminate the bandits and rescue the hostages!"

A gleam of light flashed in Yang Rui's eyes: It is true!