Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 161 What? Is someone giving you trouble?

The middle-aged man in brocade robe is named Ying Chong. As the second son of King Zhao, he is outstanding both in family background and personal ability.

Although he acted low-key in the Zhengyang County government, his connections and methods of doing things were beyond the imagination of outsiders.

If it weren't for the overall situation in Northern Yan, and if Prince Zhao's Palace had not been at a disadvantage in the battle between Prince Gu's Palace, he wouldn't have felt so trapped.

Prince Gu is about to enter the capital. The Prince Gu's Palace has been suppressing Prince Zhao's lineage in various ways in Zhengyang County. Prince Gu's son Ying Luo is recruiting retainers all over the city, and the prestige of Prince Zhao's Palace has been greatly damaged.

If they cannot revive the reputation of Prince Zhao's Mansion, their father will not be able to be reused, and their lineage will really be sunk in the frontier counties and will never return to the capital.

Looking at the scroll in front of him, Ying Chong's expression changed.

"I've been observing the streets and courtyards outside Tang for the past few days. This scroll should be the only clue."

The black-robed warrior bowing before him lowered his head and said, "Only after I revealed my identity did the framing shop owner give me the scroll to take back with me for an hour."

"The boss said that the person who painted this scroll must be a great scholar."

People who work in the mounting business naturally have some good eyesight.

The brushwork and strength of the brush on the scroll can be seen at a glance.

"The aura is vivid, and the form and spirit are both captured. Only those who have immersed themselves in this art for decades can achieve such skill." The middle-aged man in brocade robes turned his head and said in a deep voice, "Are you sure this scroll was painted by someone in the courtyard?"

The doorman said at the time that the man who came to look for Zhao Yu was very young.

How could such a person paint such a scene of spring mountains?

The black-robed warrior nodded and said, "This person went to buy paper, pens, and paint himself. The shop assistant said that he was using it for his own use."

Ying Chong frowned.

There is no signature on the scroll.

Among the rising Confucian and Taoist figures he was familiar with, he had never heard of anyone who could possess such skills.

"After searching around, you couldn't even find a trace of this person's identity?"

Ying Chong spoke lightly.

"Second Young Master, all information is cut off at the County Government. The previous owner of this house on Tangwai Street was a County Government official. He resigned and returned home a year ago, and the house was handed over to the County Government."

"There's no news of this house in the county government."

The black-robed warrior raised his head and whispered, "Either this person has no connection with the residence on Tangwai Street, or this person's identity cannot be verified."

"Identity cannot be verified?" Ying Chong narrowed his eyes.

That mysterious merchant selling bodhi seeds, the seemingly ordinary low-ranking military officer in the Northwest Army, the Spring Mountain Painting preserved in the Guo family, the mansion on Tangwai Street where only high-ranking officials in the county government could live, and also, such painting skills...

"The fourth girl is accompanying her aunt in her retreat at Yuntai Academy outside the city. When she returns, tell her about the visit from her old friend."

"I'll arrange for someone to go with me then."

Ying Chong took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.

"Also, stop staring over there, or you might upset them."

Although I know I shouldn't have any extravagant hopes, what if there is a chance to break the deadlock?
Someone who can paint such a scroll and lives in a house on Tangwai Street might really be able to bring unexpected surprises to Prince Zhao's Mansion.

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Zhengyang County City, Zuowei City.

Places like county towns are not only the political and economic centers of a county, but also the military centers.

No troops can be stationed in the city, and the several citadels outside the city are mainly used to station garrison troops.

Hu Tang and Hong Yang accompanied Zhang Yuan and stood outside the gate of Zuowei City, waiting for the soldiers' report.

Zhang Yuan came this time to meet Qian Mu.

Qian Mu, the military sergeant of Luyang Prefecture, was promoted due to his merits and was transferred to the county government as a sixth-rank supervisor, in charge of the transportation of grain and fodder.

That day, Zhang Yuan asked someone from the trading company to find out where Qian Mu was working. When Mr. Yao went to the mansion, he told him that Qian Mu had been stationed in Zuowei City recently.

The Chilin Army is about to fight a major battle with the Beiyan Zhenxi Army, so matters such as the transportation of food and fodder, and the supervision of the manufacture of military equipment are all critical.

"Brother Zhang, you too, why didn't you come earlier given such a close relationship?" Hu Tang said in a low voice, standing behind Zhang Yuan.

"That's right. Since you are an old superior, you should have asked for help from your connections when you came to the county city and come to pay a visit earlier." Hong Yang shook his head and said softly, "Alas, you are still young and think that face is important. You can't bring yourself to ask the old superior for help."

With a look of emotion on his face, Hong Yang sighed softly, "You will understand in the future that only an old brother who digs for food with a ladle can be considered a true friendship."

Zhang Yuan smiled and nodded, without replying, just looking at the figure running out of Zuowei City.

Qian Mu, wearing the robes of a sixth-rank military officer, looked thinner than when he was in Luyang Prefecture, and his face looked a little more haggard.

"Haha, I was wondering why you haven't come to the county government to report on your work yet."

"You kid, you've done something big again."

Qian Mu walked quickly to Zhang Yuan and patted him on the shoulder: "You have brought honor to our old guard."

Although Qian Mu had left Luyang Prefecture, people from there would still meet him and knew a lot of things.

He treated Zhang Yuan as his junior, and he was happy whether Zhang Yuan accumulated military merits or accomplished great things.

If it weren't for Zhang Yuan, how could he be doing this tough job now? Zhang Yuan introduced Hu Tang and Hong Yang. These two were originally lieutenants in command of thousands of troops in the Northwest Army. Now they could only bow respectfully to Qian Mu.

There is no way out. After retiring from the army, the original rank is still there, but there is no real job, and you are inferior to others everywhere you go.

Not to mention that if they fail to pass the martial arts test this time, they will really have no choice but to retire and become rich men who live off their wealth.

Since they came with Zhang Yuan, Qian Mu naturally gave them a warm welcome and led them to the city.

Hu Tang and Hong Yang have been in the Northwest Army for more than ten to twenty years, so they are of course very familiar with the military equipment and food supplies in the Acropolis.

Qian Mu led them forward, and the soldiers they met all saluted respectfully, which made Hu Tang and Hong Yang really envious.

"Brother Qian, Brother Zhang was trained by you. You have to take care of him when he comes to the county town." Hong Yang walked forward a few steps and spoke in a low voice.

Qian Mu was a smart man. He stopped and looked at Zhang Yuan: "What's wrong? Is someone giving you trouble?"

Make things difficult for yourself?

Zhang Yuan shook his head.

Maybe he caused trouble for others.

Seeing Zhang Yuan shaking his head, Hu Tang hurriedly said, "Brother Zhang, Brother Qian is one of us, let's be frank. As for that merchant named Yao, he may seem attentive, but I'm afraid he has no good intentions."

Merchant?

Qian Mu probably understood who Hu Tang and the others were talking about.

They should be the people from the Red Fox Caravan.

After hesitating for a moment, Qian Mu whispered, "I'm the governor of the county, and I deal mostly with merchants. These people are indeed difficult to deal with."

"It is a big taboo for officials to get entangled with merchants."

"Zhang Yuan, you are now on the rise. Some things should be let go."

When he was in Luyang Prefecture, he saw clearly that Zhang Yuan had been responsible for supporting the families of his comrades who died in the bloody battle in Fengtian County. This matter must come to an end.

Zhang Yuan cannot be trapped in Luyang Prefecture, he must let go.

"I understand." Zhang Yuan nodded.

If he wanted to make money from the Red Fox Caravan, then he could just keep running the caravan.

But he didn't need the caravan to gather wealth for him.

The Red Fox Caravan should indeed be let go and allowed to grow on its own, rather than becoming a vassal of Zhang Yuan.

Hu Tang opened his mouth to explain the situation at the mansion, but Hong Yang beside him shook his head.

Even though Qian Mu was Zhang Yuan's old superior, some things could only be mentioned briefly.

A penny can make a hero fall. Zhang Yuan is now living in that house and has no choice but to rely on merchants for support.

Just keep an eye on them and make sure Zhang Yuan doesn't suffer any serious loss.

Qian Mu took Zhang Yuan and the other two for a walk around Zuowei City. They agreed that when Qian Mu was free to rest, they would go to the county city to find Zhang Yuan, and then they would send the three of them out of the city.

Zuowei City is an important grain and fodder base. Allowing Zhang Yuan and others to come in was already Qian Mu's abuse of public power for personal gain.

"Sir, Captain Qin Pingliang of the garrison has arrived, and he is demanding military equipment again." Just as Zhang Yuan and the others were sent out of the city, a soldier ran up and reported in a low voice.

Qian Mu's face froze.

Ahead, a group of soldiers and cavalry were rushing over.

"Where is Qian Mu?"

"Damn it! If you don't deliver the weapons of my garrison today, I'll see if I recognize you with the whip in my hand."

Shouting sounds came from afar.

"Sir, please hide away quickly. Captain Qin has a bad temper. If you continue to defy him and refuse to give you weapons, you might really get whipped." The soldier said hurriedly.

Qian Mu covered his face and said to Zhang Yuan and Hu Tang, "Well, I'll send you off here. Being an official in the county is just like this. The big fish eat the small fish, and the small fish eat the shrimp. As a supervisor, I'm just a slacker."

As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the city.

Hu Tang and Hong Yang both came from the military and knew the intricacies of military logistics.

Weapons are never enough.

There is always a shortage of money and food.

Of course, those who have the ability and connections can get as much as they want.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any ability, you can only use your brothers’ lives to fight for wealth and fame.

"Qian Mu, I saw you. Today you—"

The galloping warhorse rushed to the city gate. Qin Pingliang, who was on the warhorse, glanced over and saw Zhang Yuan. His whole body trembled and the warhorse stood up.

"It's you?"

(End of this chapter)