Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven Longfu Temple Scenery

To be honest, this strange house in Soju Alley was not suitable for secret meetings.As long as people find some signs, they will guess that a secret meeting is likely to be held here. Meet in a crowded place, but it is not easy to expose the target. During the days when temple fairs are held, many people come and go. If you meet in this kind of place and have a secret conversation, it is often not easy to attract others' attention. In such a place, it is not surprising to run into acquaintances.Friends or acquaintances who see themselves talking to someone generally assume that it was probably a chance encounter.

Zhang Shaoguang chose to meet someone on the day when the temple fair was held in Longfu Temple.The meeting place is naturally in Longfu Temple. Longfu Temple is near Dongsi Pailou.This is a huge temple that cost hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to build during the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty. Every ninth and tenth day there is a temple fair. The bustling scene of the Longfu Temple Fair can be called the crown of all temple fairs in Beijing. According to the book "Tian Zhi Ou Wen", in the past, the Longfu Temple Fair was not a low-level market for selling groceries, setting up street stalls, and performing magic tricks, but a more elegant and cultural exchange.Among them are many antique rubbings of calligraphy and paintings, and the prices are not high.

The book also mentions that, not only that, Longfu Temple is also a market known for selling bonsai flowers. There are crabapple, winter jasmine, and green peach in spring, oleander in summer, and peony and plum blossom in winter. Among them, chrysanthemum is highly appreciated by people. Now is the season for chrysanthemums to bloom. While wandering around the Longfu Temple, Zhang Shaoguang pretended to be nonchalant looking for someone to date him. "It will definitely come." He was so sure. If you don't come, it means that the other party has not received the letter.I will definitely come when I get the letter.

Zhang Shaoguang’s letter reads as follows: "The whereabouts of the sterling equivalent to 250,000 yen that Xiongtai handed over to Wen Baotai at the Yoyo Pavilion has been revealed, and I would like to let you know..." The opponent is Doi Sakutaro. After the Wen Baotai incident, Zhang Shaoguang and the officials of the patrol camp immediately went to the scene to check, met with two Japanese, and listened to their introduction of the situation.At that time, he felt that Keigo Nasu was a bit cunning, so he chose Cetaro and wanted to deal with him. Zhang Shaoguang has a general understanding of the situation of this case, and he hopes to further inquire into the origin and nature of the huge sum of money, so as to further investigate the case and find out the truth.

While waiting for others, Zhang Shaoguang looked back and forth at the buildings in the temple.The temple is old, the eaves are sloping, and some parts are about to collapse.However, the temple fair is still bustling and lively. The Longfu Temple in the east city and the Huguo Temple in the west city are juxtaposed. They are known as the famous temples of Beijing's two temples, and they are also the imperial court's incense house. Japanese temple fairs are also known as "night markets", which are mainly for business at night; while the climax of Chinese temple fairs is during the day.

Women from rural families in the suburbs usually choose temple fairs to purchase daily groceries, while princes and nobles take advantage of temple fairs to rub their shoulders among the crowd and wander back and forth. The author of the book "Tengyin Miscellaneous Notes" once recorded the heyday of the two temple fairs of Longfu Temple and Huguo Temple as follows: - Department stores were all on display, and the eyes were fascinated.The prince also commented on the game on foot. Poet Bao Xigang once used couplets to describe the prosperity of temple fairs as: The air of gold and silver and the dust of chariots and horses actually mean that the vulgarity permeates the temple.However, the smell of chrysanthemums and books from the many bookstores near the temple make up for the kitsch atmosphere.

Liulichang in the outer city of Beijing is the place where bookstores are concentrated, and the place where bookstores are concentrated in the inner city is around Longfu Temple. "what!……" Zhang Shaoguang suddenly subconsciously let out an ah, and stopped immediately.He turned around like a reflex, trying to hide. He found Fanglan, the maid of the Wen family. It is not surprising to see Fang Lan in this area, because Wen Baotai's residence is in Tieshi Hutong nearby. Fang Lan entered a bookstore. There are three most famous bookstores in front of Longfu Temple - Sanhuai Hall, Baoshu Hall and Juzhen Hall.Her figure disappeared in Sanhuai Hall.

The bookstores in this area generally also engage in rubbings, which are connected with writers. Normally, Zhang Shaoguang wouldn't have to avoid her, but today he didn't want her to see him. When Fanglan entered Sanhuai Hall, he breathed a sigh of relief, and then walked slowly again. Someone patted him on the shoulder.Looking back, Doi Satsutaro was standing behind him pretending to be serious. "Let's talk as we go." Zhang Shaoguang whispered something, and immediately walked forward. "Okay. That's it." Ce Tailang rushed forward and walked side by side with Zhang Shaoguang.

"Among the crowd's sweaty smell and tangy dust, there is the fragrance of chrysanthemums." Zhang Shaoguang said. "Really?" Tsunade replied with a straight face. "Unfortunately, my sense of smell is very poor..." "What new varieties have emerged this year?" "I don't know anything about chrysanthemums." Tsutaro replied. Cultivating chrysanthemums among scholar-bureaucrats is a very popular Yaxing.They have given various elegant names to chrysanthemums, and it is said that there are more than 300 species. At the same time, the grafting of chrysanthemums can breed new varieties every year.In a period of time, new chrysanthemum seedlings can obtain high profits.

"Have you seen my letter?" At this time, Zhang Shaoguang spoke in Japanese instead. "Look. Isn't that why I came here?" Tsunade replied angrily. "Stop rambling, let's get down to business." Cetaro thought to himself. As if Zhang Shaoguang understood Ce Taro's mood, he simply pointed out the problem. "I can tell you the situation. Is there a reward for investing?" This is what Cetaro expected. As soon as he received Zhang Shaoguang's letter, he immediately went to my house in Nasu to discuss it. "Anyway, we have all delivered the money to Wen Baotai, which means that our task has been completed."

Nasu said. However, the situation was not smooth. Wen Baotai is just a bridge of communication. This bridge has been cut off, and he is dead, which means that the money has not been handed over to the other party smoothly.The other party's witness is a little girl, and she has truthfully reported everything to Na Tong. "It's like magic, it's unbelievable." It is said that Natong said so. At that time, Nasu raised his voice and said, "Just bring the witnesses." However, it was too late to regret. Minister Uchida's opinion is: "We purposely spent one million yen, but the 250,000 yuan was lost later, and it ended up being a mess. If the other party asks, we can pay the same amount again." Minister Uchida believes that since the one million yuan delivered has actually come to naught, whether he can successfully bribe important officials of the Qing court is related to the fate of the country, which cannot be exchanged for money.The espionage team has been ordered to find a new liaison immediately and deliver a huge sum of money to the other party. "We accept our fate, even if the huge sum of money is lost. Of course, it would be the best if we can find it back. In short, everything is troublesome to you." Nasu countermeasure Taro said. Ce Taro coughed lightly, trying to calm himself down, and then replied to Zhang Shaoguang: "If you find cash, I'll give you 50,000 yuan." "That is to say, if I give you clues about the whereabouts of the cash, I can get fifty thousand dollars, right?" "Of course. It would be ideal to get back the exact amount of two hundred and fifty thousand yuan." "Ha ha ha ha……" Zhang Shaoguang laughed out loud. People around cast curious eyes on them. No one would have guessed that they were talking about something secret. "If I find it, will it all be mine?" Zhang Shaoguang said with a smile. As he said. Where that money came from and who it was delivered to cannot be made public.It's actually a black market trade.If Zhang Shaoguang finds that huge sum of money, even if it all belongs to him, no one can say anything. "Your inspiration led us to find the money, and I will give you fifty thousand dollars. What do you think?" "Isn't that appropriate?!... However, we can investigate whether you got the money in the future. It is estimated that you will not deceive us, but you only paid 50,000 yuan. Isn't it too little?" "What's the matter? You just provided some clues. It's unprecedented for us to offer 50,000 yuan." "Really? Actually, you didn't suffer any loss at all. You won't pay for it yourself." "Fifty thousand is quite a lot..." "Didn't you also give Wen Baotai 50,000 yuan at the beginning? He is dead, and there is no need to give him any more, so you just gave me his money...isn't it? To you, It's exactly the same. Anyway, it's after the incident. It seems that it doesn't matter if we go our own way. Isn't it?..." "this……" Taro was speechless. The situation is indeed as Zhang Shaoguang said. He thought, anyway, everything is left as it is, not to mention that the occurrence of the Wen Baotai case resulted in the loss of 250,000 yuan in vain.Takutaro made up his mind: "Then, how about giving you 80,000 yuan?" "Why not be more straightforward. How about a round number, one hundred thousand dollars?" "Uh-huh……" Tatsutaro snorted.After a short pause, he sighed deeply and said: "Ok!" "However, I have provided you with clues, what should you do if you still can't get the huge sum of money back?" Zhang Shaoguang asked. Although Cetaro accepted the task, he did not have the freedom to spend money as he wished.The money can only be used within the permitted range on the premise of trying to find 250,000 yuan. "That would be a great pity. I count on finding the money. If it doesn't come, nothing can be done." The Ministry of Strategy and Tai answered honestly. "You only plan for yourself. In fact, I have already expected this." "This... To be honest, this is also a shameful thing. Anyway, we don't have the right to search!...In the embassy, ​​it is a different matter. However, we are foreigners, can we find it? We can't determine the amount of money..." "Hahaha, aren't the Japanese very talented in reconnaissance?" Zhang Shaoguang said in a sarcastic tone. In the twenty-ninth year of Guangxu, the Qing government established a school for patrol police, and almost all the teachers were Japanese. "Hey, no... this kind of thing..." Cetaro was extremely embarrassed. At this time, Zhang Shaoguang said sincerely: "Okay. Let's make a bet. I also propose a reward on the premise that you find 250,000 yuan. As for the reward, I will pay it later. I will provide the situation first. However, I hope you can put the huge sum of money Tell me the ins and outs, okay?..." "People like me are just running errands. How can I know the details?" "Well, let's do this! You can just say 'yes' or 'no' to my questions. Of course I won't ask questions that you can't answer." "what!……" "Then let me talk about the search situation first... Who should I ask first? Well, let me talk about the name and reason first." At this moment, Zhang Shaoguang stopped in his tracks. "Okay, then please." Tatsutaro stopped talking.However, Zhang Shaoguang started to leave again. At this time, a strange voice suddenly came from the right: "Oh, in the end, in the end... these people, in the end, they still don't study too much, and they are infected with the habits of the world. They are barbaric and ungrateful. What will happen to them? It can be roughly imagined. Now I will describe them in detail. Let me tell you about it..." After finishing speaking, the sound of hitting bamboo boards sounded. It turned out to be an old man with a crab-claw beard who "sang big drum books" and started a business. Singing big drum books is a storyteller on the roadside.Most of what they sang were stories about exhorting people to do good and hating evil.It is said that Taoist priests used this form of rap and singing when they preached in the past.Later, this form was inherited by storytellers. The drums used by storytellers are called fish drums, which are made of bamboo tubes with fish skin pasted on both ends.Storytellers beat the fish drum with their hands while beating with bamboo boards. At this time, a young man said mockingly: "How is it? Don't you understand? Why did you come to Longfu Temple to sing Dagushu in the end?" "Bastard! What did you say?" The old man who sang the big drum book was very angry, scolded him a few words, and then beat the fish drum again. The young man ran away quickly, and the children who watched the excitement burst into laughter. Next to singing the big drum book is martial arts.He wields a pair of knives, attracts customers, and shows his bravery and strength. Passing through the crowd of performers, Zhang Shaoguang said frankly: "It's that girl!" "Girl?" Cetaro asked back. "Don't the Wen family have several girls?..." "But, isn't there only one girl who can enter and exit the Yoyo Pavilion?..." "It's Fanglan? It's true... But, she's with us..." "You said she came out of the Yoyo Pavilion with you, didn't you?... Did she really come out together? But I heard that she came out later." "Oh! Yes. It was Wen Baotai who asked her to clean up the house, but she came out a little later." "Isn't there a wastebasket made of bamboo in the Yoyo Pavilion? Since there is a wastepaper basket, why put the shredded paper in the bucket? ... Yes. Wen Baotai did ask her to throw the waste paper into the bucket ...Fang Lan took this opportunity to throw 250,000 yen worth of British pound banknotes into the bucket, covered it with shredded paper, and followed you out. It is said that it was only a moment. So you feel like you left Yo-Yo at almost the same time, don't you?!" If it is really...impossible.No, almost impossible.Think about it, there are so many banknotes that you can't hold them with one hand.No matter how dexterous his hands and feet are, he can't hide it from Wen Baotai's eyes and throw it into the bucket!What's more, the huge sum of money has just been handed over, Wen Baotai must be very careful.It was inconceivable that he should have been so careless under the circumstances. "Indeed." At this moment, Zhang Shaoguang nodded as if the matter had come to an end. "Under normal circumstances, it can be said that it is impossible. But we should consider it from various aspects. I mean, as long as certain conditions are met, it will be very simple to do." "What conditions?" "I don't want to get involved in this. What I'm talking about with you is only the whereabouts of the money, not the criminals who killed Wen Baotai." "I see. I would like to ask what you mean when you say that you have met certain conditions? I am very interested in this point." "Haha...it's very simple. That is to say, if Wen Baotai conspired with him, it would not be surprising to lose two hundred and fifty thousand yuan." "accomplice?" "No, not only the accomplice, but maybe the principal offender. Of course, I have a basis for saying this... If someone tries to pocket other people's money, is there such a possibility? After all, two hundred and fifty thousand yuan It’s a huge sum of money, and it’s very attractive! Of course, it’s conceivable that Fang Lan worked in partnership with him.” "Things like that..." Ce Taro wanted to refute Zhang Shaoguang, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was not unreasonable, and even very likely. "When the two of you left Yoyo House, you turned your backs to them and walked towards the gate. At that time, only Wen Baotai and Fang Lan were left. Fang Lan stuffed the banknotes into the bucket, and it might be Wen Baotai's help." "Hmph! It's very possible!" Cetaro swallowed, and continued, "It's entirely possible... But, can you provide reliable evidence?" "I think, apart from what I said above, there is no other key that can solve the mystery of the loss of 250,000 yuan. Isn't what I said just reliable evidence? Of course, I will also think Other episodes." "Then what is it?" "I think their original plan might have been like this...You Fanglan tried to hide the money in a safe place first, and then Wen Baotai came out of the Yoyo Pavilion and pretended to go to the upper room to get something, and waited for him to come back Yoyo Pavilion, then shouted,..." "You mean you lost your money by shouting? . . . " "Yes, of course he said about catching the thief. According to the situation at the time, he could say anything anyway, for example, he saw the back of the thief who stole the money. So, the whole family rioted... However, Wen Wen was notified at the time Ma'am, is it really you?" "Well! Yes. I would rather not do such a thing." "I heard that you once said that Mrs. Wen was very calm at that time, wasn't she?" "Yes. Before she entered the Yoyo Pavilion, she was calm and calm. It's unbelievable." "I heard she started to panic when she saw Wen Baotai lying on the ground. Is that right?" "Yes. She was calm before that, that was very obvious." "Wen Baotai only told the truth to his wife. Shortly after the two Japanese visited him, there was a riot in the Yoyokan. However, it was caused by collusion, and it is not worth making a fuss at all... It is estimated that Wen Baotai gave some illusions about what will happen I told my wife in advance. The plan to embezzle 250,000 yuan will definitely be told to my wife, right? When you went to Mrs. Wen and told her that Wen Baotai might be in trouble, she was not surprised and said calmly:' Oh! That's what happened!' She must have thought that things happened as they had imagined. However, when she saw Wen Baotai lying on the ground, she was suddenly surprised, especially when she saw the blood on Wen Baotai's body. Completely in a panic, that was something she never imagined, it was totally not what she had imagined... Now that I think about it carefully, the madam's attitude is completely different, isn't it very reasonable?" "Based on what you said..." "What I want to explain to you is that Fang Lan may have something to do with the loss of 250,000 yuan. It is probably Wen Baotai who lured her into colluding with her. This is not wrong. However, Wen Baotai's death has nothing to do with her I don't know if there is any relationship. If there is no relationship, it will be beyond her expectation, and this huge sum of money that no one knows will all fall into her hands. If she is related to the murder, then she will Participated in a premeditated attempt to embezzle 250,000 yuan." "I don't think she has anything to do with the murder case. The door of Yoyo House was closed after the three of us left. The sound of closing the door bolt at that time is still in my ears. This fact can at least prove that it has nothing to do with her. " "All in all, regardless of whether Fang Lan was the first to participate in the plan to embezzle 250,000 yuan, it can be said that Fang Lan has become the owner of this huge sum of money, right? How? What I said, or enlightenment Well, does it work for you?" "Hmm! It's very informative." Tsutaro replied. According to Zhang Shaoguang's analysis, it can be clearly concluded that Wen Baotai was the principal offender, who was murdered by his accomplice and put the blame on others.It seems that apart from Zhang Shaoguang's analysis, there are no other clues.Ce Taro agreed with his analysis because he personally reported Wen Baotai's assassination to Mrs. Wen, and witnessed two completely different attitudes before and after Mrs. Wen.Ce Taro was deeply impressed by Zhang Shaoguang's talent. "If you agree with my analysis, it's my turn to ask you. Did the Japanese embassy pay the 250,000 yuan?" "I'm just an errand runner," replied Sakutaro. "I don't know where the money is coming from. If you tell me 'yes' or 'no,' then I can say 'yes.'" "It seems that this money has something to do with the Qing government and Russia re-concluding the troop withdrawal treaty?" "yes." Up to now, Ce Taro felt that it would be useless to hide it. "Can you guess who the money is going to be distributed to?" "Maybe it's Natong, maybe it's Prince Qing and his son..." "Then what about Yuan Shikai?" "Oh, he's in Tianjin. However, it's also possible..." Tsubasa answered after careful consideration.Zhang Shaoguang has been paying attention to his expression. Zhang Shaoguang thought to himself, it seems that Ce Taro does not seem to be lying, and it is estimated that what he knows is limited to these. At this time, Zhang Shaoguang suddenly felt an indescribable sense of emptiness attacking him, as if everything was boring, life was so cruel and ruthless, and he could not defend himself against it. Besides, the two sides talked a lot, which can be regarded as a relief.He thought, it's time to break up with Cetaro. He remembered another subject of conversation...