I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 708 Chen Ronghua in tears
Ren Boan asked: "Shen Lingshi, let me ask you, in an average family's house, what kind of servants would be able to serve tea and fruit plates to the host and guests?"

Shen Wanxiang immediately replied: "They are all close servants."

He was from the Shen family in Ningbo, and was of the same clan as Shen Yiguan, but was a illegitimate child of a side branch. Later, he followed Yang Jinshui to make a fortune and became a wealthy man.

The rules of the wealthy families are very clear.

Ren Boan asked again: "Besides, the guest's status is special, and the host doesn't want outsiders to know about their relationship."

Shen Wanxiang's eyes lit up, "He must be a confidant, a very trusted servant, so he would let him serve tea and food."

"Since Chen Ronghua is Zhao Junhai's confidant, how could he know nothing?"

Shen Wanxiang said in a firm tone, "Impossible! Zhao Junhai can't do everything by himself, there must be important matters that he entrusted to his trusted confidants.

It’s impossible that Chen Ronghua doesn’t know anything.”

Yang Guian said: "This kid is very clever. Nine of his words are true and one is false, and the false part happens to be the most crucial part."

What a twist!
In this way, there is a chance to find a breakthrough.

Shen Wanxiang rubbed his hands excitedly, "Director Ren, Director Yang, how do you think we can pry Chen Ronghua's mouth open?"

Ren Boan replied: "We have to investigate Chen Ronghua and find his weaknesses to threaten him. Otherwise, it will be difficult to break through. We may even have to send people to Dangyang County to investigate his hometown."

Shen Wanxiang was a little disappointed. "Do we have to go to Hubei to check? It will take a long time to go back and forth."

Yang Guian narrowed his eyes and said, "Shen Lingshi, Ren Dushi, I have an idea."

Ren Boan asked, "Are you sure?"

"60% sure."

"Then give it a try."

"it is good."

Chen Ronghua was brought back into the room and sat on the stool that had been there before. Oil lamps were placed on both sides, and the clerk also sat down behind the table in the corner holding a lamp.

"Three masters, I have said everything I need to say. I really know nothing." Chen Ronghua looked helpless and miserable, and couldn't help yawning.

"Chen Ronghua, you said your cousin is in Bozhou? What's the exact place and his last name?"

Chen Ronghua's eyes flashed with panic, but he remained calm. "She is from Liuding Village, Zhenzhou Division, Bozhou. Her surname is Liang. She is the niece of the village chief of Liuding Village. That year, I went to their village for business and happened to encounter the March 3rd Festival.

On that day, both Miao men and women came out to sing folk songs, looking for someone they like and getting married. The younger one had traveled in southern Sichuan, Guizhou and western Hunan for many years, and could speak Miao language and had a good voice, so he could sing a few folk songs.

That year, he was in a good mood and sang a few songs. He fell in love with Liang Simei and they got married.

But I didn’t dare tell my family. Later, when my baby was born, I wanted to bring them back to their hometown, but I didn’t have the money to buy land and build a house for them to live in peace.
That year, my uncle and I decided to take a big chance and make more money so that we could take them back home. But... I haven't seen them for ten years, and I don't know if they are dead or alive."

Chen Ronghua covered his face and sobbed, tears streaming out from between his fingers.

Ren Boan, Yang Guian and Shen Wanxiang looked at each other.

It is nine true and one false. The relationship between the Miao girl and her son is true, and how they met is also true. Only the place and surname are false.

But when others see his true feelings, who would believe that there is a lie hidden in his words? And it is this lie that will prevent you from finding the goal you want in your whole life.

According to the information in the words, you can go to Liuding Village, Zhenzhou to look for Chen Ronghua's wife and children. There must be such a place and a family with the surname Liang, but there is definitely no such place as his wife and children.

Moreover, Bozhou had experienced a military incident, and Zhenzhou Division was just on the route of the First Division of Qianzhong Division. No one knew what happened when the troops passed by.

There is no evidence to prove the truth!
Shen Wanxiang was terrified. He never expected that Chen Ronghua could hide so deeply and be so cunning. If he were to interrogate him himself, he would definitely be fooled by him.

Fortunately, Prefect Pan knew that professional matters should be handled by professionals, so he specifically asked the Pacification Office for reinforcements.

Ren Bo'an and Yang Gui'an, the chief and deputy chief sent by Su Zhenfushi, looked ordinary. Unexpectedly, they saw through Chen Ronghua's disguise as soon as they confronted him.

Shen Wanxiang turned to look at Ren Boan and Yang Guian, eager to know how the two would expose Chen Ronghua's lies and force him to submit.

The smart Shen Wanxiang knew that even if Chen Ronghua’s lies were exposed, he would not confess honestly unless you got hold of his vital evidence.

Yang Guian continued to ask calmly, "Chen Ronghua, do you miss them mother and son very much?"

"For the past ten years, I have been thinking about them all the time. I just want to make enough money to go to Bozhou and bring them back."

Chen Ronghua answered affectionately with tears in his eyes.

The spirit of drama is possessed!
But he was indeed sincere. His longing for his wife and children was genuine and he did not hide anything. He just slightly changed the key information about his wife and children.

Shen Wanxiang couldn't help but curse in his heart again, the people in the martial arts world are really treacherous!
But isn’t it the same in the court?

It's just that his previous path was relatively smooth, and after entering the officialdom he had always followed the prefect and enjoyed his protection, so he had no chance to come into contact with the true evil of human nature.

There will always be a time when I can stand on my own, and I will encounter similar situations. Compared with those bureaucrats who have been playing tricks all their lives, Chen Ronghua seems very simple.

You need to refine your vision so that you can see through danger at a glance and deal with it calmly.

Shen Wanxiang glanced at Ren Boan and Yang Guian, two ready-made masters!

Yang Guian, one of the masters, continued to ask: "Go to Bozhou to pick them up?"

"Yes."

"Zhenzhousi Liuding Village?"

"Yes, Liuding Village."

"Why don't you go to Wengshui to appease Si Tianbang?"

Yang Guian's words were like a dagger piercing Chen Ronghua's heart. He, who had been calm just now, turned pale in an instant, and his forehead was covered with white sweat.

How did the officials on the other side know this?
Tian Meizi and Aguizi were in Wengshui to pacify Si Tianbangdun, and no one knew about it.

Before this, only my uncle knew about it. Later, he unfortunately passed away, and no one in the world knew about it. I never told anyone else.

Even my parents and brothers only vaguely knew that I had settled down in Bozhou Miao Village and had a wife and children, but I had never told them my surname or the specific place.

How did the officials on the other side know this?
Chen Ronghua still held onto a glimmer of hope and said awkwardly, "I don't know what the master means.

I have been to Wengshui Anfusi, but I just passed by Tianbangdun. It is on the bank of Wujiang River, and ships will pass by it when they go back and forth. But I did not stop there. "Seeing Chen Ronghua's expression, Yang Guian knew that he had caught the key point and pursued him.

"I want to ask you why you don't go to Wengshui to appease Si Tianbangtun and find your cousin Tian Simei and your son Tian Agui?"

Chen Ronghua could no longer bear it. His body went limp and he slid off the stool, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Master has magical powers. I dare not hide anything from you. I will tell you the truth!"

Yang Guian waited until Chen Ronghua's excitement calmed down a little, and continued, "Stand up and sit down to answer. This official does not have supernatural powers, but the heavens have their own arrangements in the dark.

The Bozhou Yang family was wiped out by the imperial court in one fell swoop. The emperor issued an edict to change the Bozhou Xuanwei Division to Zunyi County, which was under the jurisdiction of the Guizhou Provincial Administration Division. Do you know about this?"

“I don’t know, I have been locked up here, isolated from the outside world.

However, I have read a lot of news in the newspapers before, which talked about many things done by the Governor of Huguang, Mr. Wang, especially the policy of changing the native system to Han people in western Hunan. I am sure that Guizhou and southern Sichuan will not be settled well.

The Yang family of Bozhou and the An family of Shuixi were not law-abiding. Small merchants knew the situation, so they were worried that the imperial court would sooner or later send troops to attack Guizhou and southern Sichuan.

I was worried about the safety of my wife and children, and was anxious to save some money for my journey, so I took the risk and planned to find a rich man, buy 20 or 30 vendor signs, and make some money for myself.

The words from Chen Ronghua's mouth were like a flood that broke through the dam, pouring out continuously.

Ren Boan and Yang Guian heard several key pieces of information from Chen Ronghua's words, but they remained calm and continued to listen to Chen Ronghua.

Shen Wanxiang could hear the true love that Chen Ronghua showed towards his wife and children. Although he was not sure how Yang Guian knew the true information about Chen Ronghua's wife and children, it was now obvious that Yang Guian had a firm grasp on Chen Ronghua's weak spot, so it would not be a problem to pry open his mouth!
I couldn't help but feel secretly happy and even amazed.

These Jinyiwei people are really high-end talents!
In addition to being delighted and amazed, Shen Wanxiang was also a little anxious. He had already grasped Chen Ronghua's weakness and quickly took out all the stuff in his stomach!

Shen Wanxiang was anxious, but Ren Boan and Yang Guian were not anxious at all.

Yang Guian took over Chen Ronghua's words, "You are indeed insightful. You saw through the court's actions against southern Sichuan and Guizhou at a glance. In the battle of Jingping Bozhou, a division of the royal army of the court set out from Wulong, Chongqing, and rushed all the way to Bozhou Tusi City, passing by Zhenzhousi.

Another division of the royal army set out from Zhenyuan and swept across Huangping, Caotang, Wengshui and other counties.

Chen Ronghua kept swallowing his saliva, his Adam's apple shaking up and down, and he was very anxious.

Yang Guian noticed Chen Ronghua's expression, but remained calm, just like an experienced fisherman, reeling in the line neither hurriedly nor slowly.

"Both Ren Dushi and I participated in the battle of Bozhou. However, Ren Dushi and I were in Sinan City, following the king's division and dealing with the main force of Bozhou led by Yang Zhaolong.

As for the main force of Bozhou, Yang Yinglong mobilized all the elite troops under his command, including the Ma Zha soldiers from various divisions and camps. "

Chen Ronghua swallowed his saliva more frequently.

Ma Zha soldiers refer to the personal soldiers of the chieftains of each tribe and village.

Most of them are clansmen of the chieftains and are guaranteed to have enough food and clothing, so their physical fitness is better than that of the ordinary Miao people who lack food and clothing. They also have spare time to take time off from work to participate in military training.

Chen Ronghua's cousin Tian Simei was the niece of Tianbangtun Tusi, and she and her son Tian Agui were both considered Tusi's clan members. When Tian Agui grew up, he was naturally a Ma Zhabing.

Chen Ronghua knew all this, and he also understood the meaning of Yang Guian's words. Your son Tian Agui is in the local army led by Yang Yinglong.

Chen Ronghua suppressed the waves in his heart, trying his best not to be too happy or too sad, and continued to listen to Yang Guian's story.

"Don't worry, Tian Agui is fine under the city of Sinan. Yang Zhaolong knew that the royal army surrounded and attacked the Tusi city of Bozhou, so he withdrew his troops immediately, not wanting to be ambushed at Xiangshui Dam south of Meitan.

Xiangshui Dam, do you know it?"

On the surface, Chen Ronghua tried his best to remain calm, but his voice was a little tearful, "Master, I know Xiangshui Dam, but I have never been there."

"What a shame. You should visit there more often in the future."

Chen Ronghua couldn't bear it any longer, he fell to his knees again with a thud, and asked crying.

"Master, please tell me, what happened to my Agui?"

Yang Guian looked at Chen Ronghua for a long time without saying anything.

Shen Wanxiang turned to look at Yang Guian, also a little anxious.

What happened to Chen Ronghua’s son Tian Agui?
You better speak up quickly!

Ren Boan picked up the teacup, took two sips of tea, and suddenly said, "Well, this high-quality tea foam is much worse than the tea from Guizhou. Mu Ping, the tea you brought back from Meitan is much better than this."

Yang Guian laughed: "Brother Jingxiu, you are a connoisseur. Meitan is a place with beautiful scenery, especially Xiangshuiba. The dam at the foot of the mountain produces rice, and the mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist, which is rich in good tea."

Shen Wanxiang was stunned. Why are you suddenly talking about Meitan tea?
Chen Ronghua kowtowed on the ground, "My two masters, please don't torture me any longer. I have accepted my fate. Not only my wealth, but also the lives of my wife, children, and my whole family are in your hands.

"Whatever the two masters ask, if I conceal anything, God will punish me with five thunderbolts and my whole family will die miserably! Please tell me quickly, what happened to my Ah Gui!"

Looking at Chen Ronghua kneeling on the ground with tears and snot all over his face and a red forehead, Shen Wanxiang couldn't help swallowing his saliva.

It turned out that both Ren and Yang were trying to train Chen Ronghua and smash the last barrier in his heart.

terrible!

These minions of the Imperial Guards are so good at guessing people's minds that it's really scary!

I met a wise master!

Seeing that Chen Ronghua had completely given up resistance, Yang Guian and Ren Boan looked at each other and said directly: "Your son Tian Agui is fine. Sit up and listen to me tell you about his recent situation."

Chen Ronghua quickly stood up, sat back on the stool, wiped the snot and tears from his face with his sleeve, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Master Yang, thank you, Master Ren!"

"In the Battle of Xiangshui Dam, the Fourth Division of Wang's Division ambushed Yang Zhaolong's troops. I was in the Fourth Division and participated in the battle. Your son Tian Agui was smart. He hid in the ditch at first, but when he saw me, he immediately came out and raised his hands to surrender.

This boy has delicate features and looks only 30% like you. He probably looks more like his mother. He is tall and thin, as tall as my ears, and he has a sweet mouth. He calls me uncle as soon as we meet.

Chen Ronghua had tears in his eyes and kept nodding with a smile.

"He always told me that his father was from Dangyang County, Jingzhou, the place where Zhao Zilong had been in and out seven times. He said it was very far away. I told him that it was far away before, but not far away now.

By the way, there is a scar between his left eyebrow. It is said that when he was four years old, you were on a boat back to Huguang, and he stumbled after you and fell on the stone road at the dock."

Chen Ronghua couldn't hold back any longer. He lowered his head and covered his face in his hands, sobbing bitterly. Tears kept seeping out from between his fingers and dripped onto the ground like raindrops.

The sobbing and complaining sound lingered in the ears of Ren Boan and Yang Guian, like the sound of the Wujiang River rushing under the moonlight.

(End of this chapter)