Chapter 294 Confrontation

When Zhongjing Hou Shi Ding walked into the Huating County Office, he found that the real master was not in the office today. Xiao Zhubu, who was called to meet him temporarily, said with fear that he had ordered someone to inform Lord Chen.

The imperial envoy came in person, with such status and official position. Xiao Ping was afraid that a wrong response would cause trouble to his superiors. He responded tremblingly from beginning to end, fearing that something would go wrong.

Shi Ding had no idea of ​​communicating with a county office chief. He only sent an attendant to deal with it, and stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at the departure equipment.

In the reception hall, there were ornaments and decorations everywhere. It had been changed into a brand new look under Daiyu's daily adjustment. Like Chen Heng, she did not like too luxurious things. The objects used in it, except for the couple's collection in their spare time, were mostly each other's calligraphy and paintings.

Shi Ding was a military general and was not very interested in this style. Looking around, he felt that the host of this house had a very good relationship, quite like the beauty of a harp and a chord.

The Marquis of Zhongjing, who is now in his early forties, is a young man who grew up after Li Zhi ascended the throne. Unlike Lin Ruhai, Wei Yinghong and other civil officials, these young men among the nobles all have a strong sense of military service. The frowning brows made it difficult to guess what the other person was thinking.

When Chen Heng hurried back, the two met. Shi Ding, who had always been serious, forced a smile. His intimidating look faded a little. Shi Ding looked at the new celebrity in front of the emperor and said, "I came in a hurry today and I am going to bother Mr. Chen."

Chen Heng bowed, and he still couldn't figure out Shi Ding's intention. He had to invite the other party to take a seat first, and tried to test him, "The imperial envoy must have important things to do here, so how can I bother you."

He said three points and stopped at the right time. Chen Heng had a smile on his face, but he also left himself a way out. No matter what Shi Ding said next, he didn't leave any room for him in his previous words. The other party was about to make a fuss and insisted that Chen Heng fully cooperate, and he also had a way to get out of it.

Shi Ding nodded calmly. He knew that his unannounced visit would look like a military expedition. Shi Ding knew that he would be treated so cautiously. But he didn't learn the chat style of scholars. He just lowered his voice silently, picked up the tea brought by the servant, and drank it slowly.

The imperial envoy didn't speak, and Chen Heng was even more happy to pretend to be deaf and dumb. When you are in the officialdom, it is absolutely right to be careful when speaking. The two drank a cup in tacit understanding, and Shi Ding finally spoke: "Lord Chen, do you know why I was ordered to leave Beijing?"

"I have heard a little bit. I don't know what the imperial envoy wants to ask, and I will tell you everything I know."

Shi Ding's special surname makes it difficult for Chen Heng to call him "Lord Shi" directly. Some tricks in officialdom don't need to be taught by others. If you need someone to remind you, it can only prove that you are not good enough.

Seeing that Chen Heng is willing to take the initiative to talk, Shi Ding couldn't help but nodded. As long as he starts with this sentence, he can say anything. Sure enough, after thinking for a moment, Shi Ding said directly: "I heard that at the gate of Jinling that day, Lord Chen took out the token of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

It seems that Shi Ding didn't ask anything, but he asked everything. Let's not talk about the facts of Chen Heng that day, just from this sentence. Shi Ding is asking about the facts on the surface, but he clearly wants an explanation in secret.

How to judge the identity of the Marquis Zhongjing? Is he one of us? Or does he have ulterior motives? The imperial envoy asked this question cleverly, and Chen Heng's reaction was also quick. In just a blink of an eye, he had already replied: "My wife was frightened that day. I love my wife so much that I am afraid that she will be disturbed, so I showed the token of Your Highness to ask for a break."

The words were well-reasoned and there was nothing wrong with them. The superiors were willing to give the token, and it was naturally up to Chen Heng to use it or not. After using it, how to explain it to the crown prince Li Xian was also up to Chen Heng.

It was completely different from the plot in the storybook. What kind of imperial sword is in hand, you can use it however you want. If it really comes to reality, every time you use it, you must write down the reasons and process one by one, and report to the superiors immediately. This is just a privilege to act conveniently, but it does not mean that you can act recklessly.

Such a reply should be enough for both parties to save face. Who knew that Shi Ding suddenly chuckled and said unclearly: "They said so too."

This "they" is interesting, who is it? Was it the deputy commander at the city gate that day? Or was it Ma Dayin who lost his only son? Chen Heng didn't care, he just smiled and said: "I told your majesty the same thing."

After these two sentences, everyone knew what was going on. Shi Ding suspected that Chen Heng was making a fuss and was quite suspicious. But Chen Heng had already countered with the same words, no matter what was going on inside, I have already submitted it to your majesty.

"That's good." Shi Ding smiled, "I hope Lord Chen doesn't mind. The murderer disappeared from the city for no reason. I will naturally ask the person who left the city that day."

Even if there was a question in his heart, Chen Heng knew that there was no need to explain to Shi Ding. The other party had the power to report to the emperor, and he also had the privilege of secret orders. The words just now revealed this news to the other party.

Shi Ding thought about it, and then said: "I have heard that Lord Chen is a god in solving cases, and he has the talent of Bao Gong. There are a few things about the case of Zhen Mansion that I don't understand, and I want to discuss it with Lord Chen."

Case? Chen Heng noticed the details of this word. What kind of job did His Majesty assign to Shi Ding? Thinking this in his heart, Chen Heng quickly said, "It's all rumors. My Lord, just ask. I am not very knowledgeable and am willing to do my best."

While talking, Shi Ding kept his eyes fixed on Chen Heng. He was someone who had survived the battlefield, and staring at the other person without saying a word made people feel a bit stressed. In addition, this Shi Ding is quite majestic in appearance and has a short beard, making it even more difficult for people to see his thoughts.

"Master Chen, do you really think that Mao Daqing got into the Zhen Mansion through the pawnshop owner's favor?"

Chen Heng had long had doubts about Shi Ding's problem. When a wealthy family hosts a banquet to entertain guests, the concierge is the most important person. A stranger like Mao Daqing got into the house through someone else's invitation. Not to mention that the head of the Zhen Mansion was not paying attention, the concierge also wanted to report to the steward.

The things involved are strange if you think about it carefully. But if you really want to think about it, you can deal with it by coincidence. This kind of analogy is even more puzzling. Chen Heng paid attention and said, "What do you mean, sir?"

"I suspect that what happened to Mao Daqing was by no means a temporary act. It was someone who deliberately instigated it. It is more likely that he was the person who secretly helped him escape."

After finishing his words, Shi Ding was still staring at Chen Heng intently. The latter showed some contemplation and answered quickly, "If we want to find out this matter, we should start with the concierge and the shopkeeper."

Seeing nothing strange, Shi Ding asked with great interest: "Why?"

"They say how you came here will lead to your departure. If there is really a problem, these two locations will definitely be suspicious." Chen Heng was cautious and bold.

"What if Mao Daqing really stole the shopkeeper's invitation by coincidence?"

Chen Heng smiled. He could see that Shi Ding's questioning was because he had some evidence on hand. He replied directly: "When you come, you come, and when you go, you go. If you look at the two things together, they are all coincidences."

Shi Ding understood. He paused for a moment, and finally said with a smile: "Master Chen is indeed good at judging cases."

"I wonder what the reason for your compliment is." Chen Heng showed a bit of curiosity.

"When I first arrived in Jinling, I arrested the shopkeeper and the concierge and interrogated them for seven days." Shi Ding showed a rather terrifying smile. He didn't know what the two people in question had experienced at his hands before he got an answer. .

"On the day of the Zhen Mansion's banquet, people like the shopkeeper should not have entered. One day, the shopkeeper was drinking with his friends and boasted that he had a good relationship with the Zhen family. He was worried that his friends would expose him, so he secretly used the money. I bribed the steward of Zhen Mansion and got an invitation."

Chen Heng listened silently, only to hear Shi Ding continue: "In the end, when I got the invitation, it was originally kept in a brocade box. When the day of the banquet started, he went to remake it in the box, and it was gone."

"Mr. Chen, what do you think is suspicious about these remarks?"

"How did Mao Daqing know?" Chen Heng immediately caught the important point and added with a frown, "Then why does the pawnshop owner insist on going to Zhen's Mansion? Who is his friend?"

"That's right. Mr. Chen is really smart." Shi Ding praised him, then nodded and said solemnly, "I interrogated the shopkeeper over and over again for seven or eight days, and he was tortured several times. He didn't even have an explanation. I think he really didn't know. Affection."

"When I went to track down the shopkeeper's friend afterwards, he had already disappeared." Shi Ding showed an incomprehensible smile and explained, "What's even more bizarre is that the concierge of the Zhen Mansion committed suicide in prison that night. ”

"Dead?" At this time, even Chen Heng was about to exclaim.

"Yeah." Shi Ding sneered and couldn't help but raise his hand to touch the tiger's beard. "If the person behind the scenes does this, I can't even think about it. Afterwards, I will offer a reward to the whole city to trace everything related to Mao Daqing. The news. Unexpectedly, someone reported to me that one night, he saw two strangers walking with him by the Qinhuai River. "

Chen Heng knew that he could not escape from this matter, and said bluntly: "The people who met him that night were me and the guard Liu Xianglian." He then explained what happened, and Shi Ding was silent for a long time.

After the silence between each other, Shi Ding suddenly smiled and said: "What a coincidence."

"Yes, what a coincidence." Chen Heng nodded calmly. The two of them looked at each other silently, one intent on exploring, the other not shying away. After being so frank, Shi Ding finally looked back and said with a smile: "It seems like a coincidence."

"It's true." Chen Heng was also troubled and couldn't tell. The two times he met Mao Daqing were both coincidences. What else can be said except that I feel unlucky.

Shi Ding picked up the teacup again and said in a leisurely tone: "Master Chen, do you think this Mao Daqing is a murderer or a traitor?"

Chen Heng suddenly trembled, and he said that it was weird that Shi Ding called the Zhen Mansion based on the circumstances of the case, and that was the original problem. Previously he was still burdened with self-defense, but when asked this question, Chen Heng completely put down his guard and said bluntly: "With such a plan, I think the other party is well prepared and has a strong background."

"Yeah." Shi Ding responded with a smile, and he didn't know what he was laughing at. Just looking at his expression, he looked like an old hunter who was happy to see his favorite prey.

The two were about to continue their fight when they suddenly heard reports from outside that the prefect Liu Yanzhang came to the door. The two of them didn't dare to hesitate and hurriedly got up and went to greet him outside the hall. Shi Ding and Liu Yanzhang were both high-ranking officials, so they met each other, and Liu Yanzhang always had good things to say.

The three of them walked into the hall together, and Liu Yanzhang couldn't help but ask why Shi Ding came to Songjiang and went straight to the Huating County government office. Who knows, Shi Ding said with a smile: "I don't know what the mansion is about. The elders in my family have been friends with Rongguo Mansion for generations. In the early years, I and Lin Yushi also worked for His Majesty. When I came here today, I didn't want to meet the Lin family first. Son-in-law, I'm afraid Lin Yushi will talk about me when I return to Beijing."

Liu Yanzhang believed it most of the time, thinking that it was his father-in-law who was at work. He asked Shi Ding why he came to Songjiang. The latter said, "A month ago, there were bandits who robbed military rations in Ping'an Prefecture. This time, I went south to find out about the Zhen family. Secondly, I wanted to suppress the bandits in accordance with the order of His Majesty. This matter still requires the full support of the prefectures in Jiangnan."

After hearing the emperor's intention, Liu Yanzhang did not dare to delay. He made a decision on the spot, indicating that the Songjiang Prefecture would definitely help. Chen Heng only then learned the real purpose of Shi Ding's visit.

Now that the foreign war has started, do we still need to raise troops to fight the bandits? Chen Heng always felt that it was not good. Fighting on two fronts has always been a troublesome matter. His Majesty knows military affairs, why would he attack Ping'an Prefecture at this time?

Shi Ding and Liu Yanzhang used the Huating County Office as a prefecture office. They discussed the matter of suppressing the bandits on the spot. After talking for a long time, Liu Yanzhang directly booked a banquet for the next day and arranged a meeting between Shi Ding and the commander of Songjiang Guard.

Old Liu was still impeccable in doing things. Shi Ding stood up and thanked him, then said to Chen Heng: "Come and accompany me when the time comes."

I am a civil official, why should I interfere in the affairs of your military generals? Chen Heng was a little caught off guard, but he responded first.

Seeing that the words were almost said, Liu Yanzhang hurriedly asked Shi Ding to leave and arranged for him to rest in the government office.

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At night, Daiyu returned home. Hearing about Shi Ding's purpose, she couldn't help but feel a little worried. She knew that she and her husband were forced by the situation to let Mao Daqing go out of the city privately, and she couldn't get rid of the relationship and suspicion.

Chen Heng comforted her a few words, and saw that the lady was still worried. He hurriedly pulled her into the study quietly and took out the secret letter from His Majesty for her to see. What Xiao Ping read that day was only part of the secret letter. There was another half, which was suppressed by Chen Heng and not taken out.

Daiyu took the letter and saw that Li Zhi mentioned in the letter: I already know about this matter, and it is a good thing that you are fine. She put down her hanging heart, and couldn't help asking her husband when he did this.

Chen Heng smiled and said, "Otherwise, how do you think you got this fate? As soon as Lord Liu's request for merit is submitted, I will report this matter together with the port and the commercial street."

Chen Heng hesitated about this matter. Is it necessary to tell Li Zhi? Or should I inform my father-in-law first? Or should I keep it secret and make it invisible.

But when I thought about it, I met Mao Daqing by the Qinhuai River. Chen Heng felt that concealing it was a bad strategy and really put himself in a passive position.

In this way, he can only make a judgment between the first two options. He hesitated for a long time between Li Zhi and Lin Ruhai. In the end, he relied on his own judgment and chose to apologize directly to Li Zhi.

This matter can be big or small, if he discusses it with his father-in-law first. When Li Zhi inquired about it later, his father-in-law's reaction would inevitably be exposed. Now that he has been sent out as an official, the deep feelings between father-in-law and son-in-law are not to be discussed for the time being.

As the king of a country, Li Zhi must not want to see Chen Heng discuss everything with Lin Ruhai first. This is not to disregard human feelings, but the sense of propriety that a minister should have.

The relationship of handling here can only be understood, not expressed in words. However, from the time Daiyu got the fate of Hao to now, there has been no letter from her father-in-law's family. Chen Heng judged that his move was absolutely right.

Lin Ruhai was telling himself in this way. No news is good news. It's not that the father doesn't care about his daughter's good things, but that the matter has been settled. It's best to have fewer letters in the melon field and plum field.

Now that Shi Ding has come forward in person to ask, he can start writing a letter to his father-in-law to explain the reason. Chen Heng made a plan in his mind and coaxed Daiyu a few more words. The latter smiled and said, "Sir, tell me about this."

Chen Heng would not refuse the beauty's request. It's not just the father and son who are on the battlefield, there are also birds in the same forest. Chen Heng smiled and explained his treatment and original intention clearly.

A man should still find a smart one.

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"Have you heard about it?" Xue Pan pulled Baoyu and rushed into Jia Lian's room excitedly.

"Are you talking about the news that the third uncle of the Shi family came to Songjiang?" Jia Lian guessed Xue Pan's joy at the moment.

"Is it?!" Xue Pan rubbed his hands eagerly, his face full of excitement, "Before, these gangsters in Songjiang treated our family as a decoration. Now that the third uncle of the Shi family is here, it's just right for them to see what the real Buddha is."

Jia Lian also sighed when he heard this, Baoyu's luck is really good. It's the first time to experience things, don't worry about anything. Whenever there is a difficulty, there is a chance to turn danger into fortune.

It's really... It really makes people sigh that God has mercy on him.

Baoyu couldn't understand Jia Lian's expression, and he was still standing there stupidly. At the moment, he could only think that he would start boring social activities again. He didn't know what the third uncle of the Shi family would say about him when he met him this time.

Oh, it's really distressing.

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After being busy in the government office for half a night, Shi Ding finally returned to his room to rest. When he was away from home, his food, clothing, housing and transportation were all arranged by his entourage. Just after helping the master to wash and dress, an ordinary-looking attendant came forward and asked, "Sir, do you want to send someone to the Huating County Office tonight to keep an eye on him?"

Shi Ding shook his head and said softly, "No need, since he has already told His Majesty. Even if he is really guilty, it is not our turn to secretly monitor him. We can report these things later and present them to His Majesty."

"Yes, sir."

"What is the origin of the commander of Songjiang Guard?"

Seeing Shi Ding suddenly ask a question, the follower immediately replied: "He was a general of the Wei family in his early years. He followed the head of the Wei family to the border, but there have been fewer contacts in recent years. I don't know how the relationship is now..."

"Stupid, if the relationship is not good. Can this commander still be done?" Shi Ding cursed, then waved his hand to let the follower retreat.

Still working overtime, post it first, and polish it slowly later, in case you can't wait