It is about to fall into the night, and the setting sun is like blood.
The long street is bustling with people, and the restaurants on both sides are crowded with guests.
Chen Ping walked aimlessly along the long street, and finally subconsciously came to the gate of Lu Mansion. After hesitating for a long time, he didn't dare to come forward to pay his respects. He sighed before turning around and walking back.
Zhao Jin had been looking for some clues for five or six years, and he did not dare to act rashly. After all, he and Lu Wei were not familiar with each other to a certain extent. It was not easy to check the government files, and there might be complications.
I had to think of other ways.
Xie Zhiyuan and Cheng Cheng were following him not far away, and they both looked up at the plaque of Lu Mansion in confusion.
Xie Zhiyuan touched his chin and gestured, and the two of them immediately strode forward and walked around in front of Chen Ping.
Chen Ping was slightly startled, "Why are the two senior brothers here?"
Xie Zhiyuan put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Brother, so this is fate!"
Cheng Cheng chatted from the side, "The teacher is not here today, so Zhiyuan and I are going to have a few drinks. Your exam is coming and you should relax, how about we go together?"
They said they were asking for Chen Ping's opinion, but before he could speak, the two men attacked him from left to right and pushed him into the restaurant next to him.
"Waiter, open a private room and serve up all the good wine and food!"
Only then did Chen Ping realize that the two senior brothers had come specifically to accompany him, but he was bored and wanted to take a few sips.
The three of them entered the private room, and Xie Zhiyuan said with a smile: "No matter how worried you are, you have to eat this meal, right?"
Chen Ping smiled bitterly, "I'm sorry for making the two senior brothers worried."
"What are you talking about? You are my eldest brother!" It seems that Xie Zhiyuan has identified Chen Ping.
"We are all brothers, don't say anything to outsiders." Cheng Cheng filled the wine glass.
Xie Zhiyuan raised his glass and said, "Come on, let's do one first."
Chen Ping hesitated for a moment, raised his glass, touched it lightly with the two of them, and drank it in one gulp.
"That's right."
The name Lihuabai sounds light, but in fact it has great stamina.
The three of them exchanged cups, with Xie Zhiyuan and Cheng Cheng basically talking. After seven or eight cups, Chen Ping's eyes became a little blurry.
"Junior brother," Cheng Cheng put down his wine glass and asked, "What kind of trouble have you encountered?"
"Money? Women?" Xie Zhiyuan can only think of these two things.
Chen Ping was not drunk, and he hesitated to speak.
It's not that he is being hypocritical, but judging from the news brought back by Zhao Jin, Magistrate Wang's matter involves the fourth-rank officials of the current dynasty. Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan are the parties involved, so it is reasonable to participate.
But the whole matter has nothing to do with Xie Zhiyuan and Cheng Cheng, and it really shouldn't be brought into play for no reason.
Moreover, if it is not handled well, it may harm them.
"If you still treat us as brothers, just tell us if you have any difficulties." Xie Zhiyuan's eyes were calm, and his tone was not as playful as before.
"Yes, no matter how big the matter is, let's talk about it and we can figure out a solution together." Cheng Cheng also looked at him sincerely.
Chen Ping thought about his teacher, Magistrate Wang, and the eighteen people who died in vain. He couldn't calm down for a long time. He took a deep breath, poured himself a glass of wine, and said, "I'm looking for someone."
"Oh?"
"Who?"
"Liu Bi used to be a coachman in the state government office. He disappeared three or four years ago."
"What are you looking for him for?" Cheng Cheng was a little curious.
"He may know some things. I need to ask him face to face." Chen Ping replied.
"Okay, we won't ask you anything. We'll help you find it." Xie Zhiyuan winked and reminded Cheng Cheng not to ask anymore.
Chen Ping stood up staggeringly, bowed his hands and said, "Thank you two senior brothers."
"Okay, don't do these rituals. Sit down and let's continue drinking."
"Yes. After drinking, go back and have a good rest. Just wait for the letter."
In the end, Chen Ping was very drunk, and the two helped him to sleep in the hotel guest room, then continued back to the private room.
"It seems that something really happened." Cheng Cheng spoke first.
"Well. You are more familiar with Zhengxing Mansion than me. Come find this person and tell me what you need." Xie Zhiyuan looked calm.
"No need. If it's a carriage driver from the state capital, maybe I've seen him before. In the past few years, several adults from the state capital often came to and from the academy, and my father and I were the ones who received them."
"Okay, since I agreed, let's do it as soon as possible."
......
Two nights later, Cheng Cheng told Xie Zhiyuan that the person had been found, but he couldn't reach him.
Because Liu Bi has been detained in the state prison.
Xie Zhiyuan didn't ask why he was imprisoned. He just said that you don't have to worry about it and I will handle it.
He had been staying in Zhengxing Mansion for more than half a year, so he rented a house close to the academy and returned here directly after leaving Zhuyuan.
He stood in the courtyard of the courtyard, looking up at the sky, wondering what he was thinking.
After a while, he suddenly spoke.
"Come here!"
A man suddenly walked out of the darkness, wearing a black uniform and carrying a saber at his waist. He walked quietly without making any sound.
This person quickly came to Xie Zhiyuan, knelt down on one knee with the knife in his hand.
"Sir, what are your orders?"
"You heard it just now. Let's first find out why this person was imprisoned and whose coachman he was before." Xie Zhiyuan didn't have any of his usual playful and playful attitude at this time, and his expression was solemn.
"Young Master really want to help Chen Ping?" the guard asked.
"What? Are you questioning my decision?" Xie Zhiyuan's tone gradually became cold.
"I don't dare. I just want to remind the young master that although Chen Ping's life experience has been checked before and he is innocent, the matter obviously involves the prefect's Yamen. If the young master is involved, there may be something wrong." After the guard finished speaking, he turned his head.
Low.
"Get up, Zhang Li. I know you mean well, but you must do this favor."
"Could the young master want to use this matter to win over Chen Ping?" The guard still stood hunched over after standing up.
Xie Zhiyuan chuckled and said: "Who said I was trying to win over you? You have been with me for so many years and you still don't know my temper?"
"Master, please forgive me for my stupidity."
Xie Zhiyuan didn't reply and walked to the backyard with his hands behind his back, followed closely by Zhang Li.
Finally, his eyes fell on the bamboo forest in the backyard, which was transplanted from the bamboo garden.
The corner of his mouth curled up, and then he said, "Chen Ping is not even old yet, but he can already speak volumes, and few people can even compare his poems. In the past, he searched for water, dug wells, drove away locusts and prevented disasters, and he made great contributions before he became an official. He will definitely do it in the future.
The future is bright, these are all facts."
Zhang Li's face was expressionless and he didn't dare to speak again.
I heard Xie Zhiyuan change the subject, "But there are many talented literati and well-informed craftsmen in this world. How can I make friends so casually? What I really value is his character." p>
"When we first met, my attitude was somewhat casual, but he was always neither humble nor arrogant. He continuously made great achievements and stood up for the people, but in the end he only received a piece of commendation, but he did not care about it and was not trapped by fame and fortune. He made suggestions for me.
, although I had no choice but to agree at first, I never looked down upon him in the slightest, and I always believe in my words and my deeds will bear fruit."
"A few days ago, he heard that there was another war on the northern border, and he was concerned about the suffering that the war had brought to the people. He wrote: The water is rising and decreasing, and the autumn clouds are not yet dark. The chaotic mountains have turned into wild garrison, and the yellow leaves are flowing from the river villages.
The rain is sparse and the stars are visible, and the returning wind is noisy on the shore. Many battleships pass by, and a few huts remain. Such poems about the country and the people, and such a person's character are really rare."
"He must have a last resort to find this person, and I don't ask why, because I believe him. I recognize this brother, so I have to help him!"