Chapter 57 Chapter Three Severed Fingers

Zhao Buyou said goodbye to Jianzhuang, and went to the Privy Council to find Gu Dexin. In the false letter from Lianguan, Jian Zhuang got the address of Liang Shilang from the Confucian Society in Yingtian Mansion. However, during the days of cold food and Qingming, someone temporarily rented the empty courtyard of Liang Shilang's house. The two people who rented the house did not want to disclose it. name, and left without saying goodbye the day before Qingming, it is hard to believe that this is a coincidence. Zhang Mei and Lang Fan both know this address, Han Shi and the others have gone to Yingtian Mansion, have they been to Liang Shilang's house?If they have been there, it is just to make Song Qiyu delay the fake blind date address of the palace test. What are they going there for?

Zhao Buyou thought about it all the way, but he didn't realize that he had reached the Privy Council.The Privy Council is an important place for military secrets, and the sergeants in front of the gate are guarding with halberds.Zhao Buyou came to the side gate on horseback, where there were only four sergeants and two guards guarding the gate.He got off his horse and came to the door, took out the name card, and asked the doorman to go in and send a message to the owner of the house in the south, Gu Dexin, saying that he had something important to meet.One of the gatekeepers took the certificate, said to wait a moment, and then went in to report.After a long time, the gatekeeper came out and said that Gu Dexin was discussing confidential matters and could not be disturbed.

Zhao Buyou withdrew the certificate, thanked him, and thought he had to see Song Qiyu. He didn't know that the last letter from Lian Guan was a fake letter, so Zhao Buyu got on his horse and went to Chengnan Taixue. Fortunately, Song Qiyu was there, and the two found a teahouse to sit down.Zhao Buyou told Song Qiyu about Lian Guan's false letter, Song Qiyu was stunned for a long time after hearing this, and then smiled wryly: "So that's how it is..." Zhao Buyou saw that although he was surprised, there was no resentment in his expression, so he couldn't help saying with emotion: "Qi Yu really has a broad mind, but it's a pity that Brother Jian Zhuang and others only accept death, they are too stupid."

Song Qiyu smiled again: "It's also my fault that I didn't know how to speak, which annoyed them." "It's not your fault. Don't let your teacher do your part, and only be open and honest. It's just like this between friends. What's the fun in hiding it, hello and me?" Song Qiyu smiled, but did not answer. Zhao Buyou sighed for a while.The saddest thing in the world is not that the villain defeats the gentleman, but that the gentleman fights against the gentleman, and both sides suffer, and the villain gains.Just like Wang Anshi and Sima Guang back then, they were close friends and leaders of scholars in the world.But since Shenzong reused Wang Anshi to implement the new law, Sima Guang strongly opposed it, and the two became enemies from then on.And it triggered party struggles in the following decades. The factions were incompatible with each other and fought with each other. Only Cai Jing and others calmly dealt with it, and finally listed all the old parties as traitors and wiped them out...

He sighed and got back to the topic: "I'm here today to ask you two things. The first one, Brother Jian Zhuang and others are angry with you, not only because of that controversy, but also because of one person..." "who?" "Cai Jing." "Cai Jing?" Song Qiyu was stunned for a moment, and after a while, he seemed to understand, and said in a low voice, "I'm afraid it's that matter..." "What's the matter? They suspect you, Ah Fu Cai Jing, but I believe Qi Yu is definitely not such a person." Song Qiyu smiled wryly again: "This matter is actually due to Zheng Dun, and there is still some inconvenience during it, Brother Buyou, don't tell him for now."

Zhao Buyou nodded. Only then did Song Qiyu speak: "I went to the Cai Mansion to meet Zheng Dun's mother..." A few months ago, a woman secretly approached Song Qiyu and said that her surname was He and that she was Zheng Dun's biological mother.Song Qiyu was very puzzled. According to Zheng Dunyan, his biological mother died of illness when he was three years old.The woman spoke slowly through tears— Zheng Dun's grandfather Zheng Xia privately presented the "Picture of Refugees", so Emperor Shenzong stopped the new law. After that, the New Party regained power and immediately began to counterattack and revenge. Zheng Xia was the first to bear the brunt and was relegated to Lingnan.At that time, Zheng Dun's father, Zheng Yan, was still young and was adopted by an uncle of the same clan. Later, he married his wife He Shi and gave birth to Zheng Dun. Zheng Yan passed the martial arts exam soon and was sent to the border area.He's mother and son are still in that uncle's house.

Although the uncle was old, he was fascinated by He's appearance, and he would do some unbearable behaviors behind his back. He didn't dare to say anything and could only do his best to hide.When Zheng Dun was three years old, his father came back from the garrison for vacation, but the uncle actually said that Mrs. He was unruly and seduced him.Since childhood, Zheng Yan was grateful for the kindness of his uncle Dai's adoption, so he immediately divorced He and drove her away.He's father and brothers thought she was ruining her name and refused to let her in, so He had to wander around.Later, he was exiled to the capital and found a job as a cook in Cai Jing's mansion.

She always thought of Zheng Dun, asked around, and learned that Zheng Dun was in the Imperial Academy in the capital, she did not dare to meet rashly, and only wished to see her son from time to time, but Cai's house had strict rules and could not come and go at will.She inquired that Song Qiyu was Zheng Dun's close friend, so she came out and begged him, begging him to take Zheng Dun to the vicinity of Cai's mansion, so that she could have a look at him from a distance. Song Qiyu saw that what she said was sincere, and it should be true, so he made up his mind, went to the side door of Cai Mansion, and sent a message to Mrs. He——every fifteenth day of every month, take Zheng Dun to the second floor of Jinyuelou Tea House opposite Cai Mansion. , He sneaked out and looked at Zheng Dun on the bridge.

Song Qiyu finally said: "I always wanted to tell the truth, but Aunt He was always afraid that Zheng Dun would hate her, so she wouldn't let me tell. Then these things happened again, so I couldn't tell Zheng Dun." Zhao Buyou sighed: "It turns out that there is such a thing behind the scenes. Brother Jian Zhuang and the others are too wrong. However, we should tell Zheng Dun about this." "I also plan to find Zhang Mei and tell Zheng Dun when there is nothing wrong." "By the way, the second thing I came here today was about Zhang Mei. Zhang Mei and Zheng Dun really haven't read the previous letters of that Lianguan girl?"

"No. I only told them about this—" Song Qiyu looked a little disappointed, "There is a little selfishness in it, and I don't want a third person to see Lian Guan's pen and ink." "Zhang Mei got Lian Guan's handwriting from you, so she copied that fake letter, didn't you notice?" "No—I don't have any valuable things. At first, the cabinets in the dormitory were often forgotten to be locked. Later, when I received a letter from Lianguan, I bought a wooden box and locked the letters in the wooden box. It is hidden in the cabinet, and the lock is always remembered, and I have never been careless. Those letters are still locked in the wooden box, and I read them last night, and there is no missing letter."

"Both sets of keys are there?" "Well, there are two locks for the cabinet and two locks for the box. I carry one set with me, but I don't need the other set. It has been locked in the wooden box, and it is still there today." It is separated by two locks, but the contents of the box can be taken away? Zhao Buyou said goodbye to Song Qiyu, and when he got home, he saw that the courtyard door was closed, so he raised his hand and knocked on the door. "Who?" He Sainiang's voice was still alert. "Sai Niang, it's me." He Sainiang just opened the door, let Zhao Buyou in, and immediately closed the door again.Seeing her solemn face, Zhao Buyou knew that she accepted death in everything, so he smiled and said, "Thank you, Sai Niang." "Thank you, I don't care who cares about my sister's affairs." He Sainiang turned around and walked under the apricot tree, and sat on the bamboo chair, which creaked under her weight.She stared up at the wall, always alert. Mo'er came out to welcome him: "Brother, Wu Xiang received another secret letter, asking him to hand over the sachet tomorrow. This is the secret letter—" Zhao Buyou took the secret letter, read it carefully, and snorted coldly: "It seems that this person thinks he is quite sure." "what should we do?" "Just deliver as stated in the letter. No matter how clever he is, he must find someone to pick it up." "Do you want to ask Brother Gu Zhen to send some people?" "No need. This person is already successful, but too many people will get in the way. Just keep an eye on the person who comes to pick up the sachet, and don't lose it." "The brothers of the Wu family and we may not be able to follow." "There is an excellent candidate—Brother Yi. He has quick legs and quick feet, and he is also alert, but he is not easy to be noticed." "Then I'll call him." After a while, Mo'er came in with Brother Yi.He Sainiang strictly controls the opening and closing of the door. "General Zhao, do you have another letter to send?" Brother Yi asked with a smile. "It's not sending letters, it's talking to people." "I'm the best at this. As long as I'm watching him, even if he gets into a mouse hole, I can pull out his tail." "Okay, you keep the one hundred wen for now, and I will give you one hundred wen tomorrow when we are done." Brother Yi happily accepted the money, Zhao Buyou explained it carefully, and then gave Brother Yi the official inspection token that Gu Zhen had given him as a backup.Brother Yi took the token and left with a full promise. "Brother, I also discovered that Kang Qian should have been killed by Peng Zuier's design." Mo'er said. "Oh? Didn't Gu Zhen ask Wu Zuo to check him, he died of drunkenness?" "I always have some doubts. Kang Qian rarely drinks alcohol on weekdays. Even if he wants to use alcohol to relieve his worries, he may not drink so much at one time. So I suspect that someone may be coaxing or even force-feeding that night. Before, I gave Kang Qian Demonstrated how to lock the door bolt from the outside, he was a little scared, and immediately picked some black oil mud from the furnace wall, and filled the hole in the door panel. Just now I came out of Wu’s house, and I looked at the hole again, and felt There seems to be some difference in the greasy mud marks on the wormhole, but I can’t confirm it. The Kang’s house was locked, and Wanfu asked Wu Xiang to take care of it. I asked for the key from Wu Xiang, went into the Kang’s kitchen, and checked the stove. It doesn’t take a lot of sludge to fill the cavity. I remember very clearly that Kang Qian only scratched the furnace wall. However, when I looked at it just now, there were two fingerprints on the furnace wall, and they were all new marks— —” "There is only one person who wants to murder Kang Qian—Peng Zuier." "Well. It's just that Peng Zui'er is dead now, so this murder case can only be buried in the ground." Zhao Buyou and Mo'er both sighed at the same time, and went into the room together, before they sat down, Wen Yue and Hua'er came out from behind, their expressions were a little strange. Wen Yue said, "I have something to discuss with you." "What's up?" "It's Petal. For a while, she went to investigate a case by herself, which was the case of Fan Lou's headless corpse last month, and she finally found it out." "Oh?" Zhao Buyu looked at Petal, very surprised. Petal stuck out her tongue with a smile, and whispered, "Brother, don't scold me." Zhao Buyou laughed: "It's a good thing, what did you scold you for? But, did you really find out about that case?" Mo'er also asked in surprise, "Fan'er? Are you alone?" Petal blinked: "There are two friends helping me." Mo'er urged: "Tell me quickly!" Petal said embarrassingly: "Sister-in-law should speak for me." Wen Yue then told the whole story. Zhao Buyou couldn't help laughing after hearing this: "Okay! It's not easy! It's really not easy!" Mo'er's eyes were also full of surprise: "It's really amazing! I can't solve this case." Petal smiled and stuck out her tongue again, then said in a low voice: "Don't rush to praise me, the most important thing is that my sister-in-law hasn't said anything yet. Brother, you have to promise me first, don't scold me, and don't drive her away .” "Oh? What else?" Wen Yue said: "Seeing how Hou Lun and his son treated Hou Qin, she was so angry that she went to Qinglin Lane with Cao Xi and Chi Liao to pick up Hou Qin and brought her to our house. I didn't talk to you Discuss and let her stay on my own initiative. Petal, you go and invite sister Hou Qin out." Petal quickly looked at Zhao Buyou: "Brother?" Zhao Buyou thought for a while, and said: "Fan'er did the right thing. Although what Hou Lun and his son did did not violate the law, it is absolutely unjustifiable in terms of human ethics and reason. If I really want to sue the government, I will fight hard." .Hou Qin stays at our house, just an extra pair of bowls and chopsticks." Petal smiled and said, "Thank you brother! I'll call sister Hou Qin out." After a while, Petal came out leading Hou Qin.Hou Qin has a graceful appearance, but her complexion is pale. She walked up to Zhao Buyou lightly, said a deep blessing, and said softly: "Thank you brother Zhao and sister-in-law for taking Hou Qin in. Hou Qin has nothing to repay, and is willing to be a cow and horse for life. I will serve you." He said with tears streaming down his face. Zhao Buyou hurriedly stood up: "Miss Hou Qin, Wanmo said that, when you come to my house, you are the sister of Hua'er." Gu'er Feng Tingchi came back and said that she had whipped Hou Lun with her shoe, and couldn't help laughing.Hearing that she rescued Hou Qin together with Bao'er and Cao Xi, I feel even more relieved. This time he was sick and didn't go out. Remembering that he hadn't seen his old friend Liu Heyi for a long time, he told Chi Liao and went out to walk north along the Hulong River. Before his finger was broken, he was the best at playing the flute, and was called "Jade Flute Seal".Liu Heyi and him are brothers and sisters. They are good at playing the zither, and they are called "Tiezheng Liu".When the two of them learned the piano with their master, the master repeatedly warned: "The piano is based on breath, and the flute is based on a bone. The skill of the piano is second. Anyone who is willing to practice hard will not be too bad. But if you If the backbone is lost, the sound of the piano and flute loses its strength and soul." The two brothers and sisters always remember Master's teachings and never dare to forget them.More than 20 years ago, when Cai Jing was promoted to the prime minister for the first time, he held a banquet in the mansion and invited the heads of prostitutes from various guilds and clubs in Bianjing to join in the fun.Yudifeng and his younger brother have always despised Cai Jing as a human being, so they didn't go.A few days later, the two of them went out to catch the market, and when they returned home late at night, a group of hooligans popped up from the corner of the street, knocked them down, and chopped off their index fingers with a knife. Both of them rely on their fingers to eat, and the index finger is missing, so they can no longer play the flute or the piano.Liu Heyi is good at doing coolies, but Yudifeng is too thin to do strenuous work. In addition, his wife just died of illness and left behind a half-year-old son. Life is extremely difficult and he can barely endure it.After his finger injury got better, he gritted his teeth and practiced drumming hard. Fortunately, the music theory was the same. After practicing for more than half a year, he was gradually able to earn a living by drumming, and his stage name changed from "Yu Di Feng" to "Gu Er Feng". ". Now that he is getting old, senior brother Liu Heyi has been working hard for many years, and recently he suffered from wind disease, paralyzed half of his body, lying on the bed, relying on his son Liu Xiaocuo to carry the burden and sell some dried fruits to survive. The two families were not too far away, Gu Erfeng bought some roasted pork on the way, and after a while, he arrived at Liu He's family. The door was ajar, and the father and son only rented a small room, which was very dark. , Liu Heyi was lying on a dirty old bed, only the sound of wheezing and wheezing could be heard. Seeing him coming in, Liu Heyi struggled to get up, he hurried over to put a broken pillow behind his senior brother, the two old brothers held hands and talked for a long time, Gu Erfeng laughed and chatted again He and his friends solved the Fan Lou case. Liu Heyi was shocked when he heard this, twisted his body with difficulty, took out Sanmo money from under the mattress, gasped for a long time before saying: "Dong Qian you mentioned is the benefactor who saved me! Two months ago, I was walking on the road, suddenly I fell down due to a stroke, and a young man hired a car to take me back. He left Sanmo money and refused to reveal his name. I asked my son to ask around, and finally found out that his name was Dong Qian last month. But I heard that he was killed by someone. In my situation, I can only wait for my next life to repay my kindness, but I dare not use the Sanmo money anyway. Since he still has his old father, please do me a favor and take this Give the money back to his father." Gu Erfeng was very surprised when he heard that, the case of Fan Lou had started in Chi, and the suspect was Cao Xi again, which already surprised him, he didn't expect his senior brother and Dong Qian to have an old relationship. He sighed again and again, took away the Sanmo money from his senior brother, gave some more instructions, and then bid farewell to go out.When I came out, I realized that the sky was already dark, but I thought it was better to get rid of my senior brother's wish as soon as possible. Chi Liao said that Dong Qian's house is in the south, and it is not too far away.So he went home, talked to Chi Liao, and walked south.After asking all the way, I found Dong Qian's house. The door was closed, and he was about to raise his hand to knock on it, but the door suddenly opened, and a person rushed out, bumping into Gu Erfeng.The two fell in front of the door together.Gu Erfeng sat down on the ground, the man knelt in front of his arms, in the dark, the man raised his head, Gu Erfeng took a closer look, he was startled, it was Cao Xi! When Cao Xi saw Gu Erfeng, his expression changed drastically, he hurriedly got up and ran quickly.When Gu Erfeng struggled to get up, Cao Xi had already disappeared in the night. Gu Erfeng stared blankly for a while, what is Cao Xi doing here?Why is he so flustered? He felt faintly ominous, and hurriedly turned around to look into the yard. The yard was very quiet, except for a little light in the main room.He called several times, but no one answered.So he walked in carefully, and when he got to the courtyard, he called again, but still no one answered.He then walked to the front of the main room and looked inside. There was an oil lamp on the table, but there was no one around the table.He looked around again, and suddenly saw a person lying on the ground on the left. He tried to call out twice, but the person remained motionless.He was a little panicked immediately, but thinking of Cao Xi's panic just now, he bravely walked over. The light was dim, and it was only when I got closer that I saw that it was a white-haired old man, lying on the ground with his head facing the door, and a pool of blood flowed from the back of his head to the ground. Gu Erfeng became more and more frightened, not knowing what to do, stood in shock for a long while before thinking of turning around to leave, suddenly there was the sound of the door opening, and then a burst of footsteps came to the door of the main room, Gu Erfeng turned his head to look, it was An old man in his sixties, he looks like a servant in his clothes. Seeing Gu Erfeng, he widened his eyes and asked loudly, "Who are you?"