If the emperor could be allowed to leave earlier, or even allowed to leave Qizhou earlier and return to Chang'an, Ma Zhiyuan would try his best to find other ways.
But the emperor came to investigate them.
It is absolutely impossible to leave Qizhou so easily.
After everyone dispersed, Ma Zhiyuan's worry still did not dissipate.
He didn't understand why he was always so worried.
Obviously they have taken care of everything.
But just...
"County Magistrate Chen, please wait a moment." Ninggu County Magistrate Chen Qu had just stepped out of the threshold when he heard Ma Zhiyuan's voice from behind.
"Captain Ma." Chen Qu turned around and looked at Ma Zhiyuan.
"I would like to ask you, is this the only number of people in the emperor's party?"
"Have you not seen that Zhao Chen?" Ma Zhiyuan asked Chen Qu.
Ma Zhiyuan was still worried that if Zhao Chen actually followed the emperor, he would discover something about them secretly.
Although Ma Zhiyuan has never met Zhao Chen, Zhao Chen's reputation has long attracted Ma Zhiyuan's attention.
He was now worried that Zhao Chen was actually following the emperor and had secretly arrived at the border of Qizhou.
Searching for their evidence in the dark.
Chen Qu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ma Zhiyuan doubtfully and said, "Didn't Governor Ma receive news from Chang'an that Zhao Chen is still in Chang'an?"
"Why are you suddenly worried about this again?"
Chen Qu was puzzled.
The news that Zhao Chen was still in Chang'an was obviously told to him by Ma Zhiyuan.
Why is Ma Zhiyuan still worried now?
Furthermore, a powerful dragon cannot overwhelm a local snake.
Even if Zhao Chen comes to the border of Qizhou, he still has to look at the faces of their local officials.
Otherwise, he would be unable to move even an inch.
"That Zhao Chen is not simple. I am also worried that he is secretly investigating Qizhou's affairs."
"The emperor and the others are in the open, we can control them, but Zhao Chen..."
"That's all, let everyone be careful, lest something happens and you don't even know how you died." Ma Zhiyuan left these words before turning around and leaving.
Chen Qu looked at Ma Zhiyuan's retreating figure and secretly shook his head.
He felt that Ma Zhiyuan was too cautious, and his intelligence already said that Zhao Chen was still in Chang'an.
Moreover, there was no trace of Zhao Chen around the emperor.
Furthermore, what will happen even if Zhao Chen comes?
With such tight defense here, what can be found?
…
The next morning.
Li Ke just left the restaurant.
He had to take a look around. It would be better if he could find out something.
If you can't detect it, you still have to know what's going on in Ninggu County.
"Your Highness, King of Shu, is going out?" As soon as Li Ke went downstairs, he saw Chen Qu, the magistrate of Ninggu County, coming up to him.
"I want to go out for a walk and see the customs and customs of Ninggu County." Li Ke smiled and nodded.
But I was thinking, there really is a big problem in Ninggu County.
Otherwise, as soon as he went out, Chen Qu, the magistrate of Ninggu County, would greet him.
Does it mean that as the head of a county, he has nothing to do?
"It just so happens that I don't have anything to do today. Why don't I go with His Highness the King of Shu?"
"On the way, I might as well introduce the situation in Ninggu County to His Highness the King of Shu." Chen Qu said with a smile.
What he said was also to cover up for himself.
Li Ke knew very well that he should not think about wandering around Ninggu County alone.
"If that's the case, of course it's best." Li Ke nodded, and then walked out.
Chen Qu nodded with the people behind him, and then followed Li Ke.
"Your Highness, King of Shu, the front is the most prosperous street in our Ninggu County, but due to road renovations recently, many places are blocked."
"His Royal Highness, King of Shu, go this way." Chen Qu followed Li Ke and explained to him.
Then he extended his hand to invite Li Ke to take another path.
Li Ke glanced ahead at the bustling street that Chen Qu mentioned, and could only vaguely see a few common people.
Not to mention, these common people are very well dressed.
Li Ke didn't know if these people were hired by Chen Qu to act for him.
Li Ke did not insist on going to the front, but chose to walk on the path Chen Qu chose for himself.
Li Ke knew very well that he should not expect to find the slightest evidence against them under Chen Qu's surveillance.
"How many years has County Magistrate Chen been in Ninggu County?" Li Ke asked Chen Qu.
"Five years." Chen Qu replied with a smile.
"In five years, I should be promoted." Li Ke nodded and asked again.
"It's not that simple. To be honest with Your Highness, I originally hoped to move up this year, but something like this happened in Qizhou again."
"There are a few people in Ninggu County, Xiaguan, who don't know how to live or die. Alas..." Chen Qu sighed, as if he was really troubled by this matter.
Li Ke glanced at Chen Qu, then said with a smile: "My father also saw County Magistrate Chen's achievements in Ninggu County yesterday and praised Magistrate Chen very much."
"If everything goes as expected, County Magistrate Chen will be promoted soon."
When Chen Qu heard this, he didn't show much excitement on his face.
He just smiled and said a few words to express his loyalty to the emperor.
Li Ke didn't speak anymore. The two of them walked to the end of the street and saw a large number of people in front of them renovating the road.
The houses on both sides of the road are all covered with wooden boards and tightly fitted together.
You can't see what's going on on both sides at all.
"Your Highness, King of Shu, this road has come to an end. The road ahead is being repaired, so we should turn back." Chen Qu and Li Ke advised.
Li Ke wanted to see what was going on behind the wooden board. Before he could get closer, he saw a pool of foul-smelling water flying toward him.
Li Ke quickly took a few steps back.
"Didn't you see that the road is being built here? If you are so close, you are asking for it." The craftsman who was building the road shouted coldly.
Li Ke didn't say anything, but Chen Qu walked up and shouted: "Be brave, this is His Highness the King of Shu from Chang'an. If you dare to speak like this, be careful of your life."
When the craftsman saw that the visitor was the county magistrate Chen Qu, he kept smiling with him.
"Don't be surprised, County Magistrate, I just think he is a free boy with nothing to do."
"I didn't know it was His Highness the King of Shu."
"The filth here is very serious. Please ask the county magistrate to take His Majesty the King of Shu to go elsewhere." The craftsman accompanied him with a smile.
Li Ke discovered that the craftsman in front of him was not afraid of his status as the King of Shu at all.
The princes of the Tang Dynasty are just legendary figures to ordinary people.
They can't be seen.
But status is noble, and ordinary people will not just have this attitude when they hear their status.
The other craftsmen were quietly doing their own thing.
It seems that he is completely unaware of the situation here.
This is obviously very abnormal.
Li Ke looked around and took note of the surrounding situation in his mind.
"County Magistrate Chen, we'd better go back, there's nothing to see here." Li Ke said.
Chen Qu looked apologetic and said: "These guys are not used to the rules. Your Highness has a lot of them, so don't take it to heart."
"When the roads here are repaired, I will personally accompany His Highness the King of Shu to visit this place."