Xiao Gui Rui Sui

The group finally arrived in Qianchuan safely, and Situ Li took them to the garrison camp outside the city to join Situ Rui.

Situ Rui looked at Ji Xiaobai who was intact, and finally let go of his concern, but his face was still calm and his brows were tightly frowned.

Ji Xiaobai saw that his complexion was not good, walked slowly to his side, tugged at his sleeve, "Hey, Situ Rui..."

Situ Rui looked at the cautious look of the poor boy, and sighed helplessly: "Why did you come here?"

Ji Xiaobai bit his lip, didn't speak, just looked at him with bright eyes.Looking at the resentful little eyes, Situ Rui looked a little better. He stroked his hair and asked someone to arrange a place to live. He would ask after he had rested.

Here, Lin Xiao is not so happy. Situ Li is not happy because he kidnapped Ji Xiaobai. Although he avoided a fierce fight because of Xiao's judgment just now, he is very complicated about this person now and doesn't want to be with him. Too many contacts disturbed the mind, so he ignored Lin Xiao directly based on the principle of out of sight and out of mind.

The joy in his heart faded away, Lin Xiao curled his lips, not looking at the man standing in front of him, but feeling far away in the sky.

Grievance spontaneously arises.

Is this self-inflicted?Or is it self-inflicted?Lin Xiao really wanted to look up to the sky and sigh, cursing, peat is what it is! ! !Labor and management also want to desperately peel off the skin and rush in front of him, but... Nima is so scary, okay?And... and... Labor and management are not ready to be together like this in the future! ! !

People say that being close to home is timid, but this guy is actually... shy and awkward...

Back to business, Situ Li and Situ Rui's trip was to investigate the situation of the disaster, and to recover 20 taels of disaster silver.However, the current situation in Qingzhou is turbulent, thieves are rampant, and there are collusion between officials and bandits, the situation is quite serious.In order not to startle the enemy and facilitate investigation, both of them hid their identities, and at the same time, they divided labor and cooperated.The main task of Situ Rui is to ensure the stability of the political situation in Qingzhou, appease the people, and suppress civil uprisings, while Situ Li leads the army and is responsible for cleaning up the bandits, hoping to recover the 20 taels of disaster silver.Although it is known that the disaster silver may have been hidden by the thieves, and there is little hope of finding it, it is an important thing to eliminate the banditry itself, whether it is to ensure the stability of the people's lives or to stabilize the situation.

The arrival of Lin Xiao and his party really helped a lot.Let’s not talk about other things, but let’s just say that Situ Li and Situ Rui left in a hurry and didn’t bring many people. Now there are many places to investigate. Although the two have already taken over the power when they came, the army of Qingzhou is under the control of the two. Among them, in the end, it is my own people who use it smoothly, and the efficiency is higher. The most important thing is loyalty!Who knows if there will be someone from the other side in the army?Now that Jiu Zhong followed, the two of them were relieved.The two of them knew Jiuzhong's abilities, and they felt relieved to entrust her to do some things.

The military camp is dominated by men. It is really displeasing that such a woman suddenly appeared and intervened in the case.But with his identity, King Anyi's right-hand man, even King Jingxiang should be treated with three points of courtesy, and he didn't disturb the military discipline or anything, but shared the master's worries.Share your worries, do you understand?What troubles and needs does the master have, the subordinates did it properly without saying a word, and the job was done beautifully.Such a beautiful woman with strong martial arts, outstanding abilities, and a beauty who can go out of the hall and into the kitchen is the envy of all the elders.

Regardless of the gloomy green gazes around him, Jiuzhong led his subordinates to move quickly.And Ji Xiaobai also gave full play to his potential - seeing a doctor.Due to the early detection, the epidemic in the disaster area was not too serious, but it really shocked Situ Li and the two of them.The arrival of Ji Xiaobai made the two of them let go of their worries and heaved a sigh of relief.This time Ji Xiaobai brought a lot of medicinal materials, just in time to completely eliminate the small plague that appeared.

Lin Xiao just arrived here, after getting to know the situation, he found that he just idled away, how could this work!He said before that he was here to help, how could he do nothing and do nothing?The corner of his mouth twitched, he dragged Ji Xiaobai who had just been idle, and reiterated his original intention very seriously.Ji Xiaobai's eyes lit up, he nodded hastily.Situ Rui has been so busy these days that he couldn't get out of the house. Seeing the man's tired expression and the thick blue shadow under his eyes, Ji Xiaobai felt very uncomfortable. He didn't want to see the man frowning.The man hoped that he would be happy, and he naturally hoped that the man would be happy too, but he couldn't help him.Now Xiao's heart is moved by what Xiao said. What he wants to do most is to share Situ Rui's worries!So I agreed without thinking.

Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows, and together with Ji Xiaobai, they went around the city to find out the news.But people stopped him before he left the barracks.

Looking at the two guards with expressionless faces, knowing that they were ordered by Situ Li to protect Ji Xiaobai, Lin Xiao explained; "We're going to take a stroll in the city to see the situation."

"Master Lin, Mr. Xiao Ji, the city is in chaos right now, and if you are not careful, you will be injured by refugees. If you really want to go, please let us accompany you." One of the guards cupped their hands.

Lin Xiao is not an ignorant person, he nodded with a smile, "Yes, then I will trouble you both."

The guard was a little stunned, then moved out of the way, asked the two to go first, and then followed behind.

The four of them rode into Qianchuan and wandered aimlessly, while Lin Xiao kept observing along the way.

Qianchuan is the capital of Qingzhou. Although it is not as prosperous as Kyoto and the cities along the south of the Yangtze River, it can be considered a relatively developed city.But now after the disaster, Qianchuan is only in ruins and decay, and the glamor of the past is gone forever.Looking around, the originally spacious and tidy streets were torn apart, the buildings on both sides were only ruined buildings, rubbish and debris and the corpses of the dead, and occasionally saw two people walking in a hurry...

Walking to the next street, I found that the situation here is a little better. The collapse of the house is not so serious. There are still two shops open. The inside and outside of the shop are crowded with people. .

The crowd continued to move forward, and when they reached the corner of the street, they found that a house that was still in good condition was crowded with sallow and emaciated victims with worried faces.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Wake up! Wake up!" A disheveled little girl cried and shook the old man who had passed out from starvation, crying, "I'll get you something to eat! Grandpa, wake up!"

Lin Xiao frowned tightly, thinking that Situ Li had asked Jiuzhong to adjust the grain, and then his brows relaxed.

Suddenly, a man appeared from the end of the street and shouted as he ran, "There is porridge being given out in front of Zhang's house! Hurry up, everyone!"

This sentence exploded in the crowd, and the disaster victims who hid together immediately swarmed out and ran desperately towards the end of the street, while the people surrounding the rice shop immediately looked back at the man with joyful eyes, and then They ran in the same direction in unison.You push and squeeze on the way, for fear of being snatched by others.In the panic, someone fell down, while others stepped over without seeing it, screaming one after another.When the crowd passed, the people who were trampled didn't care about the injuries on their bodies, they climbed up in embarrassment, and stumbled to catch up...

"Let's go, let's go and have a look." The doubts in his eyes flashed, and Lin Xiao suddenly smiled lightly.

Seeing his expression, there was no difference between the three of them.The aura radiating from Xiao is convincing, as if he was born to be a leader.

The four of them slowly followed the staggering wounded, watching them run forward desperately.After turning the corner of the street, I saw a group of people crowded together in front of a mansion, making a lot of noise.And the people who came after that also immediately joined the crowd...

Lin Xiao could see clearly the place surrounded by crowds from a distance - Zhang Mansion.Walking forward to a safer distance, he began to look carefully.

Several huge vats are placed in front of the Zhangfu gate, which is very eye-catching, especially the porridge boiled in these vats is filled with white mist, and the porridge is fragrant.The people who were already ready to move were attracted by the fragrance of porridge, and suddenly became agitated crazily.The posture of pushing forward desperately almost broke through the interception of the guards, and couldn't bear the force of pushing forward, the guards had to draw out the sabers around their waists to block the crowd.

"You're making so much noise! ​​Don't close the door! In case you frighten Madam, who of you can afford it?" A middle-aged man with a mustache and wretched features came out with a dark face and said to the gatekeeper. The servants scolded loudly, "Look at the door for me! If this group of unscrupulous people run in, you will go home and eat yourself!"

After scolding, the middle-aged man was still angry, and walked down the steps with short legs, walked behind the guards blocking the crowd, and shouted loudly: "Why are you arguing! If you keep arguing, get out!"

The crowd was bustling, and they didn't hear what he said at all, and they kept pushing and shoving.The middle-aged man was ignored by others, his face flushed, and he shouted angrily with all his strength: "Still squeezed? If you squeeze any more, today's porridge will be poured out! Feed it to the dogs and don't give it to you lowlifes!"

Dump it!Hey the dog!Hearing this, the crowd immediately quieted down. They looked at the middle-aged man pitifully and begged.

Seeing that his threat was so effective, the middle-aged man was very proud, stroked his mustache, and squinted his small eyes full of disdain.After snorting coldly, he said mercifully: "If you want porridge, just line up for me honestly, one after another! How polite are you pushing me! This is the mansion of Lord Inspector, not a vegetable market! If you find someone making noise and pushing, throw away all the porridge! You don’t need to eat it all!”

Obviously this threat was more effective than the one just now. No one dared to move or make a sound, for fear that the middle-aged man would really pour out the porridge and let them drink the northwest wind.

The scene was under control, and the middle-aged man signaled the guards to divide the people into several teams, and each team came to receive the porridge.After queuing up, the middle-aged man waved his hands at the handyman who was looking at him serving porridge, and let people start to share the porridge.Everyone eagerly stepped forward to get the porridge. Even if the people in the back line stared at the steaming porridge in the vat with red eyes, they dared not stop queuing. Besides, the orderly way was much more efficient than the crowded crowd just now. several times.When the porridge bearer passed by the middle-aged man, he couldn't stop thanking him.The man raised his head proudly, looking aloof.But he couldn't stand the small eyes that narrowed into slits when he smiled and the mustache that trembled from time to time.

The middle-aged man, whose vanity was greatly satisfied, stroked his precious beard in satisfaction, and said proudly to the guards: "You have seen it all? Learn from it for me in the future!"

"Yes, Steward Liu!" All the guards said in unison.

So this person is the housekeeper of the Zhang family?Lin Xiao looked meaningfully at the middle-aged man who entered the mansion proudly amidst everyone's compliments, and his thoughts changed sharply.

He had heard people say before that Zhang Qinglian was a rare good official who cared about the people and thought of the people in every way.Since the Dilong riots, he has given porridge and medicine from time to time to help the people.Until the disaster money was robbed and the government had no money to buy food for disaster relief, he sold his little ancestral property to buy food for the people. Even if he ate bran vegetables and coarse grains, he couldn't bear to watch the people starve to death.If Master Zhang hadn't shown great kindness, I am afraid that the dead in Qianchuan City would have piled up into mountains...

Ji Xiaobai was puzzled by Lin Xiao's thoughtful look, "Brother Lin, what are you thinking about?"

"What does Xiao Ji think of Butler Liu?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"This..." Ji Xiaobai frowned, hesitantly said: "The man's tone just now was too... he didn't look like a good person, but..."

"Xiao Ji also thinks that is not a good person?" Lin Xiao smiled half a smile, with such a housekeeper, how could his master be such a good bird?

But I also knew the meaning behind Ji Xiaobai's "but", so he turned his head and looked at the guard behind him, "As far as I know, Zhang Qinglian was once taken into prison as the biggest suspect. Let people go?"

"Returning to Lord Lin, releasing Zhang Qinglian is really a helpless move. We have searched the entire Zhang Manor but have not found anything suspicious. We have also checked the Zhang Manor's account books, and there is no problem at all. Due to the pressure of the people And because there was no evidence, we released him..."

Lin Xiao smiled, and looked at the Zhang family with interest. He was only suspicious before, but now seeing this situation, he firmly believed that there was a ghost in Zhang Qinglian's heart.

"Can you tell me something about this lord?"

The guard looked at him suspiciously, and said: "Zhang Qinglian, a native of Ziliu, Qingzhou, was a Jinshi in the 21st year of Qingyuan. In the 25th year of Qingyuan, he was the magistrate of Qingzhou. Because he was deeply loved by the people, he was promoted to the governor of Qingzhou in the 28st year of Qingyuan..."

"The official fortune is prosperous, and he is promoted every step of the way...Then how is his family?"

"Gaotang has passed away, there is only one wife in the family, no children, wives and concubines."

"My lord and his wife are so affectionate, they don't have children and they don't take concubines..." Lin Xiao touched his chin and said with emotion.

"No...According to our investigation, Mr. Zhang once took a concubine, but was driven away by Mrs. Zhang..."

Lin Xiao frowned, "That concubine was kicked out by Mrs. Zhang, Mr. Zhang has no objection at all?"

"This... Mr. Zhang's family was in trouble when he was young, and he gradually got better after marrying Madam Zhang. It is largely because of Mrs. Zhang's brother's help that Mr. Zhang is today, so..."

"So, what does Mrs. Zhang's elder brother do?"

"A businessman."

"Who is the mustache who was yelling in front of Zhang's mansion just now?"

"The man's name is Liu Xun. He is the chief manager of Zhang Qinglian's house. He is also the son of Mrs. Zhang's nanny. He is quite trusted by Zhang. Therefore, Zhang Qinglian entrusts him with helping the victims. Thank you very much...”

"Leave aside everything else, let's just talk about character. Do you think that a person like Steward Liu will really have a bodhisattva heart? Such a person will be kind and help the people? It is said that face comes from heart, this person looks full He has a treacherous face, and he just put the label 'I'm not a good person' on his face. Okay, but you have seen it just now. What kind of attitude does this person have? His words are full of contempt, and he even threatens him. He really dumped all the porridge without blinking his eyes. Didn’t he say that the Zhang family is shrinking clothes and dieting? It really doesn’t matter if it’s such a waste? Is it reliable to be the manager of a mansion? Also, this Butler Liu is Zhang Qinglian is quite a trusted person. Do you think that with such a steward, how will his master be any better? Don't tell me that Zhang Qinglian is kept in the dark. I don't know this person's nature. I believe that like attracts like , in collusion."

Uh... Ji Xiaobai's eyes widened, and he looked at Lin Xiao with admiration, "Brother Lin, you are so amazing!"

Hearing this, the two guards behind them looked at each other, seeing shock in each other's eyes, and then looked at Xiao involuntarily with respect.

"Hehe, I believe that Situ Li and the others have also noticed this, but because there is no evidence, they don't want to touch people in the Zhang family." Lin Xiao rubbed his nose and said.

The two guards were shocked again, and their eyes on Lin Xiao became more and more burning.One of them reverently said: "I waited for a few days to investigate the matter before I could confirm it. I didn't expect Mr. Lin to detect the problem just by looking at it. The sharpness of his eyes is really admirable!"

Lin Xiao was right, Situ Li and the others were indeed suspicious of Zhang Qinglian.This is the conclusion reached after some in-depth investigations, and this conclusion is almost the same as what he just said.

"Master Lin's words are true. It's a pity that this Qinglian is too good at superficiality. What happened last time almost caused a civil uprising. If there is no conclusive evidence, we can't move him..." Another guard sighed: "Now In the past few months, the 20 taels of silver has not been found, and I am afraid it will never be found again..."

Lin Xiao chuckled, "I still have hope, I probably know where the money is..."

What?The guard's expression was horrified, and he looked at the thoughtful Lin Xiao with eyes full of disbelief.

"Let's go, go back and find your master!" Xiao meaningfully glanced at Zhang's mansion surrounded by the crowd, smiling with his peach blossom eyes.