That night, the group stayed at a wild hotel again. After the couple entered the room, Mrs. Wang's face was full of worry.
"Husband, what is going on? Why does County Lieutenant Zhao refuse to answer your question? Is there any collusion between the government and that group of bandits?"
Wang Chen pondered for a long time, looked around, closed the window tightly, and whispered: "I have also thought about it for a long time, and I suspect that the person who wants to kill us is King Pei!"
Mrs. Wang lost her voice and said: "He? Why did he want to kill us?"
Wang Chen whispered: "Maybe he hates me for betraying him. I really can't think of anyone else except him. After all, King Pei used to be a prince. The county magistrate may have received his kindness, so he helped him harm us!"
Mrs. Wang nodded: "Then why did County Lieutenant Zhao refuse to say it clearly?"
"His rank is lower than that of the county magistrate. He may be worried that if he tells us, he will be retaliated by the county magistrate." Wang Chen guessed.
Mrs. Wang solved her doubts and thought that King Pei was a fugitive. With the protection of County Lieutenant Zhao, the two of them would not be in danger.
In the next few days, with County Lieutenant Zhao and government officials accompanying them, no bandits dared to cause trouble, and the couple arrived in Qinzhou City safely.
Lieutenant Zhao said goodbye to the two of them outside the city. Wang Chen was not a stupid person. He knew that Lieutenant Zhao escorted them all the way because of the royal status of King Zhou.
"Zhao Xianwei, our husband and wife will never forget your life-saving grace, and we will also inform His Highness the King of Zhou about it." He sincerely held his hand.
County Lieutenant Zhao smiled slightly: "Some trivial matters are not worth mentioning."
After a pause, he said in a low voice: "Brother Wang, if you encounter any danger after entering the city, you can go to Wang Changshi, the Governor of Qinzhou's Yamen, with the King of Zhou's token."
Wang Chen was stunned for a moment, nodded and said: "I understand, thank you County Lieutenant Zhao for the pointer."
After breaking up with Lieutenant Zhao, the couple stayed at an inn, closed the door, and discussed with each other.
Wang Chen looked solemn and said: "Madam, what County Lieutenant Zhao said before leaving made me feel something was wrong."
Mrs. Wang nodded and said quietly: "I also have an uneasy feeling."
Wang Chen gritted his teeth and said: "I have thought about it carefully these days. Even if King Pei is really kind to the Shanyin County Magistrate, now that he is a fugitive, the Shanyin County Magistrate will never do anything for him again!"
Mrs. Wang nodded repeatedly.
Wang Chen added: "Coupled with the warning given by County Lieutenant Zhao just now, it means that those who want to kill us can also affect the officialdom of Qinzhou!"
Mrs. Wang looked horrified: "That person... who is that person? Why won't he let us go?"
Wang Chen scratched his scalp and said distressedly: "I really can't understand it either."
Mrs. Wang whispered: "Then do we still need to go to the government to escort us?"
Wang Chen smiled bitterly and said: "If we don't have the protection of the government, those bandits can kill us. I'm afraid we have to take the risk."
Mrs. Wang recalled the two evil spirits in Shu, her whole body trembled, and she nodded vigorously.
The couple stayed one night and went to Qinzhou County Government early the next morning.
After showing the King of Zhou's token, the county magistrate of Qinzhou came out with officials to greet them and ushered them into the back hall.
Upon hearing their request, the Qinzhou County Magistrate agreed and said with a smile: "No problem, the county will send someone to escort you to Chang'an tomorrow."
That night, the two stayed at the county government office.
On the next day, Wang Chen and his wife said goodbye to the Qinzhou County Magistrate, and under the protection of thirty government officials, they left the county government office in a carriage.
Along the way, Wang Chen noticed that his wife was pale and asked her, "Madam, what's wrong with you?"
Mrs. Wang twisted her fingers tightly together and whispered: "Husband, I'm hungry and want to buy something to eat."
Wang Chen only said that he would buy it himself and asked his wife to wait in the car, but Mrs. Wang winked at him repeatedly.
Wang Chen's heart moved and he nodded in agreement.
The two stopped the carriage and asked the government officials to wait where they were, and then ran together to a stall selling Hu cakes.
"Madam, what's wrong with you?"
Mrs. Wang glanced at the government officials in the distance and whispered: "Do you think the Qinzhou County Magistrate's attitude is a bit strange today?"
Wang Chen was startled, thought about it for a while, and said, "Well, he is indeed not as enthusiastic as yesterday, and his eyes are a little evasive."
Mrs. Wang gritted her silver teeth and said, "Husband, do you think his attitude today is somewhat similar to that of the Shanyin County Magistrate?"
Wang Chen was startled. After thinking about it for a moment, he felt his head was numb.
As my wife said, the Qinzhou County Magistrate's attitude yesterday was the same as the Shanyin County Magistrate's attitude when he first met them. They were very enthusiastic.
Then the attitudes of both of them changed later on, with their eyes evasive, their smiles false, and a hint of fear.
Wang Chen looked at the government officials again, and saw that they were staring here, as if they were monitoring the two of them, and a chill rose up his back.
He thought to himself that these people would definitely sell them on the road. When the bandits attacked, there would be no Zhaoxian Lieutenant to save them!
"Madam, what should we do?"
Mrs. Wang originally wanted to ask her husband this question, but when he asked her first, she said, "Otherwise, we should listen to County Lieutenant Zhao and go to Qin Governor Shi?"
Wang Chen nodded in agreement, glanced at the government officials, and said, "Do you want to tell them?"
Mrs. Wang worriedly said: "I'm afraid they won't let us go."
Wang Chen thought for a while and suddenly said: "Yes." Fu'er said a few words to his wife, and Mrs. Wang nodded repeatedly after hearing this.
The couple bought two biscuits and returned to the carriage.
Wang Chen said to the leading detective: "Captain Deng, I suddenly remembered something. I'm afraid I have to go to the Governor's Mansion."
Agent Deng frowned and said, "What are you doing at the Governor's Mansion?"
Wang Shen said: "Yesterday, before we went to the county government, we first went to the Governor's Mansion to meet with Wang Changshi. Wang Changshi knew that we were going to Chang'an, so he asked us to help him bring something to His Highness the King of Zhou."
Agent Deng looked hesitant.
Wang Chen thought to himself: "If he doesn't agree to such a simple request, there must be something wrong with him!"
He said coldly: "This matter involves Wang Changshi and His Highness the King of Zhou. If you make a mistake and those two are blamed in the future, can you afford it?"
Detective Deng's face changed slightly and he said hurriedly: "Okay, let's go to the Governor's Mansion first."
The wheels changed course and headed west.
The winter in Shu is cold, and it is cloudy most of the time. Today I am lucky, it is a sunny day, and the sun rises early.
Wang Chen looked at the rising sun, but his heart could not feel warm.
The person who wanted to kill the couple must be a very powerful person. He didn't have many contacts in Chang'an, most of them were people from King Pei, and most of them were in jail now.
The remaining people are related to Zhou Wang Wu Chengsi.
He also thought about whether it was because he had assassinated King Zhou that he suddenly felt hatred and sent someone to kill him.
But when I thought about it again, I found it too unbelievable.
After thinking about it over and over again, my head hurts, but I still can't figure it out.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the car.
"Masters, please save me! I will definitely repay you in the future!"
"Where are you beggars? Get out of here!" Deng Deng's voice shouted angrily.
Wang Chen opened the car curtain and saw an unkempt young man outside, trying to run towards the carriage, but was blocked by the government officials.
The man shouted to Wang Chen: "Master, if you help me, I promise to repay you in the future!"
Wang Chen was about to close the car curtain when Mrs. Wang suddenly said: "Husband, that man's accent seems to be from Chang'an."
Wang Chen was startled, and looked at the man again. After a closer look, he found that although he was wearing tatters, his original clothes were made of fine materials.
He was not nosy, but he knew that what his wife had just said was a sign of sympathy for that person, so he said: "Captain Deng, please invite him over."
Chief Deng said: "Wang Langjun, this man is just a beggar, we'd better ignore him." He didn't listen to Wang Chen's words and continued to drive him away.
Wang Chen snorted and said: "Captain Deng, I think we and I should go to Chang'an by ourselves. You are too proud and we really don't dare to trouble you."
Mr. Deng hesitated for a moment, then said with an apologetic smile: "Wang Langjun, what are you talking about? Since you let him go, I will listen to you."
With a wave of his hand, the government officials moved out of the way.
The slovenly young man came quickly and said hurriedly: "Are you going to Chang'an? Take me with you. I will be very grateful when I get to Chang'an!"
Wang Chen thought to himself: "This person must have suffered a lot and ended up like this."
Recalling the hardships he and his wife had suffered in the past few days, they felt sympathy for each other and said, "Okay, let's give you a ride. What's your name?"
The man was overjoyed: "My name is Li Xian. Thank you very much. I will definitely repay you in the future!"
Deng Captou frowned, but did not stop him. He only urged: "Wang Langjun, let's go to the Governor's Mansion quickly."
Wang Chen nodded in agreement and asked Li to get on the carriage first. The wheels rolled and he continued to move towards the west.
Wang Chen soon discovered the difference between Li Xian.
Although his clothes were ragged and his hair was unkempt, he performed a very standard etiquette after meeting Mrs. Wang and his posture was very upright.
Gu and his wife looked at each other and both felt that this person was anything but ordinary.
The carriage drove for a while, and suddenly there was a gurgling sound. Li Xian blushed and lowered his head.
It turned out to be his stomach growling.
Mrs. Wang smiled slightly, handed him the two sesame cakes she just bought, and said, "Take them and eat them."
Li Xian bowed respectfully again and took the sesame cake.
Although I was very hungry, I ate very gracefully.
After he finished eating all the two cakes, Mrs. Wang asked: "Master, why did you ask for help just now?"
Li Xian's face turned pale and he said with a grimace: "It's one of my brothers. He...he wanted me to do something for him, but I ran away if I didn't want to. He has been sending people to chase me."
Mrs. Wang frowned and thought: "This man must be a rich man, asking for help for such a trivial matter." Her opinion of Li Xian declined and she stopped talking.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the governor's office. Wang Chenliang showed the king's token and only said that he wanted to see the governor of Qin. The yamen officer who was standing guard immediately ran in to report.
Wang Chen suddenly noticed that Li Xian was looking closely at the token in his hand, and thought to himself: "This token is what my husband and I rely on most. This person's origins are unknown. We must be careful in the future to prevent him from stealing the token."
Already."
Not long after, the king of Qinzhou, Changshi, came out in person.
He is a middle-aged man in his forties, with clear and handsome features and an elegant temperament. If he were twenty years younger, he would definitely be a handsome young man.
Wang Changshi glanced at a few people, cupped his hands to Wang Chenyi and said, "You are Mr. Wang, right?"
Wang Chen bowed his hands and returned the salute: "I have met Wang Changshi."
Wang Changshi nodded with a smile and said: "I left Beijing before next year and haven't seen His Highness the King of Zhou for a long time. I wonder if His Majesty is still well?"
Wang Chen hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is in good health."
Wang Changshi added: "I heard that the princess will give birth in two months. Is her health okay?"
Wang Chen was stunned and thought to himself: "The princess gave birth to the child two months ago, doesn't he know?"
Looking at Wang Changshi again, I saw him looking at me with bright eyes, and I immediately understood that the other person was testing me.
He was not surprised. After all, the token given by King Zhou could not be imitated. He could make an exact one himself.
He immediately raised his hands and said, "Her Royal Highness the Princess gave birth to a child two months ago and has been canonized as the Prince of Chang'an County."
Wang Changshi smiled slightly, slapped his forehead and said, "Look at my memory. Please come in, don't stand outside the door and talk."
Wang Chen, his wife, and Li Xian followed Wang Changshi to Changshi's Yamen, while the Yamen servants stayed outside and waited.
When they arrived at the Yameni study room, Wang Changshi was very enthusiastic. He first confessed his identity as a Taiyuan Wang family, and then asked Wang Chen how he met the King of Zhou.
Wang Chen only said that he was recommended by his friend Yang Tai and was able to serve the King of Zhou.
Wang Changshi thought to himself: "If it were not appreciated by His Highness the King of Zhou, how could he give you this token?"
In his words, Wang Chen was praised very highly, saying that he could become the disciple of King Zhou at a young age and his future would be limitless.
Wang Chen waved his hands hurriedly and said: "I just go to work in Shenhuo Camp, not His Highness King Zhou's disciple."
Wang Changshi smiled and said: "Young master, why should you be so modest? My nephew is just like you, a disciple of the King of Zhou. According to him, the officials who can enter the Shenhuo Camp are the most trustworthy people of His Highness the King of Zhou."
Wang Chen was taken aback and asked who his nephew was. Wang Changshi smiled and said, "His name is Wang Bo. He works in the Ministry of Personnel. You are about the same age. You should move around more after entering the capital."
Wang Chen nodded, hesitated for a while, and said, "Wang Changshi, I have something to ask you for help."
Wang Changshi smiled and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it, and you don't have to be polite to me."
Wang Chen immediately started talking about meeting gangsters at home, and then he was offered a reward by the underworld. When he went to the Shanyin County Government to report to the officials, he found that the county government had colluded with the gangsters.
Later, when I arrived at the Qinzhou County Government Office, I found that the county magistrate was also quite strange.
Wang Changshi listened without saying a word, stroking his long beard sideways, and after a long while, he said in a deep voice: "Brother Wang, I'm afraid you have offended someone, and the person you offended is not an ordinary person."
Wang Chen said anxiously: "But my husband and I have always lived in Shu, and we didn't come into contact with too many people when we went to Chang'an. We have never offended any official!"
Wang Changshi frowned and thought for a while, then said: "This matter is indeed strange. You are holding the token of His Majesty the King of Zhou. Logically speaking, even if you offend someone, that person will not fight with you if he looks down upon His Majesty the King of Zhou."
Difficult."
Wang Chen and his wife looked at each other and felt a chill in their hearts when they heard these words.
Wang Changshi said: "You can stay at my house with peace of mind for the time being, and I will help you investigate."
Wang Chen hesitated for a while and said: "We have promised His Highness King Zhou to enter the capital as soon as possible. We also hope that you can send someone to escort us to the capital. Your kindness will be remembered by me and my husband!"
Wang Changshi waved his hand and said: "It's a small effort, but it doesn't matter. Since you are rushing to Beijing, I will arrange for someone to send you off tomorrow."
The couple thanked each other together, and Li Xian listened silently, his eyes flickering.
After leaving the government office, Wang Chen, his wife, and Li Xian followed Wang Changshi to the Wang family's residence. Wang Changshi found a random excuse and dismissed the county government officers.
The three of them lived in the same courtyard. At night, with the cold moon shining slantingly, Mrs. Wang asked a servant for a harp and played drums in the courtyard. Wang Chen sat on a stone bench and listened.
After the song was played, a burst of applause suddenly broke out.
One person said loudly: "Madam is good at ceremonial skills. Compared with the famous artists in Chang'an, she is by no means inferior."
The couple turned around and looked, and were immediately surprised.
I saw a handsome young man appearing under a tree in the courtyard.
Wang Chen raised his hand and said, "Is Xiongtai Wang Changshi's son?"
The young master was stunned and said with a smile: "I am Li Xian. I took a bath. Don't you recognize me?"
After Wang Chen carefully identified the person for a while, he realized that this person was indeed similar in appearance to Li Xian, but he didn't expect that this person actually looked so handsome.
Mrs. Wang took the opportunity to ask: "Is Master Li from Chang'an?"
Li Xian's eyes turned red immediately, and he said quietly: "Yes, I have lived in Chang'an since I was a child, and this is the first time I have come back outside."
Mrs. Wang was secretly surprised that this man was so big, but he didn't expect to be so fragile inside.
He added: "Looking at the young master's appearance and temperament, he must come from a wealthy family. Your father must be an official in the court, right?"
Li Xian sighed quietly: "My father is dead."
A picture suddenly appeared in Mrs. Wang's mind.
In a Yinfu mansion, due to the early death of the head of the family, the family fell into decline, and the brothers competed with each other for inheritance. Mr. Li was weak in temperament and could not compete with his brothers, so he was persecuted to Shu.
Mr. Li was four or five years younger than her, and looked extremely weak. Mrs. Wang was inspired by his maternal nature and comforted her: "Don't be sad. After your father died, didn't you still have your mother?"
Li Xian's eyes became even redder, tears welling up in his eyes: "My mother is only busy fighting with my brothers and doesn't care about me at all."
Mrs. Wang was stunned and said, "Then what are your plans after returning to Beijing?"
Li Xian shook his head and said, "Let's talk about it after we go back."
After a pause, he said: "You saved me and are my great benefactors. When the time comes, you will all come to live in my house. My house is very big and has many interesting things!"
Wang Chen suddenly felt that this person was a bit distasteful and snorted: "Didn't you say that your mother and your brother were fighting? We lived there and they didn't kick us out!"
Li Xian said hurriedly: "No, no, we don't live together. My house is just for me and my servants."
Wang Chen sneered, how could he believe it?
Mrs. Wang, however, felt that Mr. Li did not look like someone who could lie, and thought to herself: "His family must be rich and powerful, and getting to know him will definitely be good for her husband's career."
I missed Li Xian for a long time, and became even more enthusiastic about Li Xian, asking him questions.
Li Xian was very polite and answered every question seriously.
But his answer was a bit bizarre. Not only did he say that his family had a theater troupe and several musicians, he also said that he had a polo team.
As she listened, Mrs. Wang was a little unbelievable and stopped talking.
The more Wang Chen looked at this pretty face, the more displeased he became, and he snorted: "It's true. If your family really has a theater troupe and a polo team, how could your brother force you to come here just to fight for the family property?"
Li Xian's face turned pale and he stopped talking.
On the next day, Wang Changshi sent fifty government officials, led by a soldier named Cao, to escort the three people toward Chang'an City.
For the first two days, the road was peaceful and the weather was not bad. On the third day, it started to rain lightly.
The road was affected by the rain and became muddy, which delayed the journey. They did not make it to Sutou that night, so the group had to find a ruined temple to rest.
The dilapidated temple had been abandoned for a long time, and the east side was leaking rain. Everyone built a fire on the west side, surrounded it, and lay down in their clothes.
Naturally, gossip is unavoidable when we are together. Wang Chen is not good at words, and Mrs. Wang does not speak much on such occasions.
Li Xian, on the other hand, was very excited and chatted and laughed with the government officials.
Wang Chen found that this boy was particularly good at having fun, whether it was fighting insects, cocks or beasts, he had quite a lot of experience in it.
Hearing Li Xian say that he had raised a leopard before, Wang Chen shook his head and concluded that this guy was a liar, but the government officials listened with interest.