"I've seen it. It was bought by a man wearing a gray short shirt." I replied.
"Why didn't I listen to your report?"
"This..." I thought about the scene when Master Xiang held the painting scroll against my neck that day, and I still felt lingering fear. I almost died that time. I really didn't think about it so much. At that time, I just vaguely felt that Master Xiang wanted to find out Li Dongsheng's identity.
, so someone bought one of his calligraphy works.
"Where else have you seen this calligraphy?" Meng Sima asked again.
I had to honestly tell the story of my second meeting with Lord Xiang on the afternoon of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month.
"So that's it." After hearing this, Meng Sima smiled happily and said: "It seems that they really frightened you, so they were self-defeating."
A big question popped up in my head: "What does it mean?"
Meng Sima explained: "Master Xiang deliberately asked people to buy Li Dongsheng's calligraphy and display it in front of you. I expected you to report to us that Master Xiang may be interested in calligraphy and painting. At this time, this calligraphy appeared again in the governor's home.
, doesn’t that mean we can suspect that the governor might be the lord of Xiang?
It's a pity that you didn't notice this. In addition, this calligraphy may be copied by others like me now, so it is not possible to convict the governor based on one calligraphy. So they temporarily gave up the plan to frame the governor.
.
They expected that you wouldn't tell about the other spies because you were tight-lipped, or because you simply didn't know.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, your family checked into Jianghu Inn. Shopkeeper Huang happened to come over for breakfast and knew your whereabouts clearly. So he deliberately announced that the store would be open the next day.
As he expected, by the next day, you couldn't hold your breath any longer and went to find Lin Sheng, wanting to take the first step and lead people to capture Lord Xiang.
So, after Lin Sheng gave the order, Han Lu sent a message to the governor and tricked the governor into changing into the clothes worn by Lord Xiang, and arrived at Maocaolong. Later, Xiaoxianwei's people came to the governor's office to report the news. Wu Changshi and I took
The people passed together.
In order to make it more realistic, Lin Sheng did not hesitate to sacrifice his own life. If someone kills someone in public, no matter what, the governor will always give an explanation."
I listened carefully to what Meng Sima said, and I just felt chills running down my back. I was a little lucky, thinking that we were in a dominant position and could lead those crafty people by the nose, but I didn’t expect that Master Xiang was extremely cunning and was always in trouble.
Set a trap for us.
Looking at Meng Sima's frowning expression and his bloodshot eyes, I became worried: "Then what should we do to the governor now? We can rely on Li Huichun's test and Long Yuhan's testimony to prove that he was raped yesterday.
Did you trick me into going to Maocaolong to meet me?"
Meng Sima pinched his eyebrows with his hand: "Han Lu died last night! He committed suicide by hitting the wall in the prison. He should have known that he was being teased by the fake Lord Xiang."
"What?" I felt a chill in my heart, and the only witness was gone.
Meng Sima let out a long sigh again: "Even if he doesn't die and is tortured, I'm afraid he won't admit in court that he spread the word. Even if he admits it, people will probably think that he was beaten into submission by us.
The governor was caught on the spot as a spy leader and killed someone in front of everyone. There is no conclusive evidence. It is really difficult to convince the public that he is not guilty.
Believe it or not, if the governor is released from prison now based on the insignificant testimonies of Li Huichun and Long Yuhan, it is guaranteed that people will immediately gather to cause trouble and accuse us of ignoring the law and the officials protecting each other."
"What should we do?"
"I'm also in trouble. As for shopkeeper Huang, we don't have enough evidence to prove that he is the master of Xiang. How do you doubt him? Just based on the fragrance of ink on his body?" Meng Sima walked around to the book case and wrote in the inkstone with his pen.
He was drawing circles and looking at the "Quietness Zhiyuan" he had just copied with blank eyes, not knowing what he was thinking.
"I can't explain clearly, but I just happened to see him put the couplet written by Li Dongsheng in his sleeve, and then went upstairs to accompany the guests. After that, I went to Maocaolong, and when he approached me, I smelled the wine on his body
The smell and the fragrance of ink, so the feeling... is really just a feeling."
I couldn't help but sigh, it was too difficult. If I had Li Huichun's skills and pulled off his veil, I wouldn't have had so many worries.
Meng Sima smiled faintly: "So, in the final analysis, you can only say that for Shopkeeper Huang, it is just a feeling. In fact, sometimes a person's feeling is quite accurate. After all, you have only met Master Xiang three times. However, feeling cannot
As evidence, we can't arrest him, just like we can't clear away the suspicion of the governor."
I clenched my fist feebly: "Sima, don't worry, since I have this feeling, I will look for this feeling and find evidence."
Meng Sima smiled bitterly: "You are so unsure of what you say."
Yes, I feel like it's just a word of comfort.
Looking for evidence? How to find it?
"When will the imperial envoy come back?" I asked, really missing Xiao Mu.
"Imperial envoy?" Meng Sima's eyes became even more confused: "He is also my friend. Three years ago, we went to high school together in Chang'an. We were both in poverty, but he always found ways to get money. Even when I left Beijing to take up my post.
He gave me some money. I once thought I knew him very well, but now, I understand him less and less."
…
I left the Governor's Mansion in a daze, and it was finally dawn. Looking at the bustling crowds of people on the street, I couldn't feel the joy of the New Year at all.
I understand in my heart that today's Xiangzhou seems to be peaceful and peaceful, but it has already hidden murderous intentions. Just like the rows of pavilions and pavilions, they are magnificent on the surface, but the load-bearing pillars are infested with termites. If we don't dig them out immediately, they will wait.
As they multiply and multiply, the building will collapse and the prosperity will cease. They will become the masters of Xiangzhou, and we will become slaves, with no guarantee of survival.
"But you want to buy candied fruits? Come in and take a look! There are also various pastries, you can try them for free!"
I suddenly woke up and realized that I had unknowingly stopped at the door of Huang's pastry shop. Facing the warm greeting from the waiter, I shivered involuntarily. Who knows if he was careful?
"No... no need." I felt that my tongue was a little unruly, and I couldn't help but glance into the shop. I happened to see shopkeeper Huang smiling and nodding towards me, so I didn't dare to stay longer and quickly headed towards Jianghu Inn.
Run away.
Alley! I stopped walking. The small alley between Huang's Pastry Shop and Jianghu Inn is only three feet wide and can accommodate one person passing through. It is only twenty steps long. To the west is the wall of Huang's Pastry Shop and to the east is the inn.
In the side yard, the road bricks on the ground are also old and uneven. Since the east side of Jianghu Inn is the street, almost no one passes here.
I remember that it was in this alley that Xiao Mu first invited me to be an elite spy, and also found me a part-time job to take care of Lao Meng. The way he contacted me was: walk five steps in from the entrance of the alley, lean against the wall
Place a copper plate under a loose floor tile.
It's just a copper plate. If Xiao Mu was in Xiangzhou City, he might have seen it.
With a glimmer of hope, I looked around and saw that no one was paying attention. I quickly stuffed a penny under the stone slab and ran into the inn.
"Brother Jianghu, when did you get up?" Wang Jiajia and Auntie were having breakfast in the living room. When they saw me coming in, they quickly got up and pulled me to the table.
"Aniang."
"Why did you go out so early?" Auntie's face was full of displeasure, but her words were filled with concern.
"I got up at dawn and went out for a trip." I sat down opposite Wang Jiajia and carefully looked around the entire living room: "We seem to be passive."
"Why are you so passive?"
I picked up a steamed bun and took a bite, then lowered my voice and said, "The governor has been framed, but there is no evidence to prove his innocence. I wonder what else Master Xiang will do."
"Does that Chief Xiang still leave you with no clue?" Wang Jiajia also became nervous.
"Well, let's stay here for a few more days. Hey!" I shook my head, took another bite of the steamed bun, and then took half a bowl of gruel from the bowl next to me and ate it.
"Jiang Hu, you are here too." Fatty Wang ran in panting, glanced at A Niang, and said to me: "Han Lu died in the jail of the Governor's Mansion last night. It is said that he was the only witness who could prove the Governor's innocence.
"
"Master, I know. Sima told me."
"Then... this has been going on for a long time, and you took the risk to find the leader..." Fatty Wang looked around vigilantly, and saw that there were few people eating, and no one paid attention to us, and then asked: "Is it possible that we really have to count?"
Is it on the governor’s head?”
"Okay, don't make any more trouble. This case is not your concern in the first place. If the governor is guilty, he can only be judged by the imperial envoy. He is imprisoned on his own now just to prove his innocence. If the governor does anything during this period,
, which naturally eliminates his suspicion." Aniang analyzed.
Wang Jiajia bit her lip: "If mother can think of this, Master Xiang will definitely pay more attention to it. How could he commit another crime during this period?"
"Waiter, it's still the same!" A familiar voice shouted, and Shopkeeper Huang walked into the store with a smile.
"Oh, Shopkeeper Huang. How is business today?" Uncle Fu went up to him and asked.
"It's okay. I just make a living. It's difficult to make a fortune!" Shopkeeper Huang sat down and looked at the counter: "Is your boss not here?"
"Here you are, here you are." Li Dongsheng trotted down the corridor: "Good morning, Shopkeeper Huang!"
"Haha, thanks to your good advice from my boss, business was really good yesterday. I sent your couplet to be framed. They said it would take a few days to be ready."
"Shopkeeper Huang, please use it slowly!" Ah Wu brought the food.
Li Dongsheng also sat down opposite him: "Thanks to Shopkeeper Huang for being considerate, if you really like my calligraphy, I will write a few more for you when you are free."
"Oh, I'll thank you in advance. Hahaha." Shopkeeper Huang said with a smile and came over after breakfast.
I just chatted with Meng Sima and found out that Li Dongsheng had been his benefactor before and had supported him during his exams. So this time Meng Sima stooped to take care of the gift book for Li Dongsheng when he married Madam Mu, and secretly asked someone to
Buy the words he cannot sell.
But not everyone understands how to repay kindness and is worthy of deep friendship. Li Dongsheng is simple-minded and chatted happily with shopkeeper Huang just because he liked his words. Don’t accidentally be tricked into saying something you shouldn’t say.
.
I listened to them talking happily about calligraphy, but I felt a little worried for Li Dongsheng. If this shopkeeper Huang is really the master of Xiang, what is his purpose in getting close to Li Dongsheng?
Hey, my brain is really running out of resources for such a complicated matter. Xiao Mu, what on earth are you...
"Hey, Brother Jianghu, Xiao Mu!" Wang Jiajia suddenly shook my arm and pointed towards the gate.
I couldn't wait to look over and saw a man walking through the door with a smile. He was still wearing the washed-out gray gown, with the silver-white cloth bag slung across his body and playing with a copper coin in his hand. It wasn't Xiao Mu who was still wearing it.