Chapter 197: Protection

Wuqing Post has three courtyards, all of which are adjacent to each other. Cao Yong lived in the west, and the next yard was General Yan and General Wang.

These two men have always been foreign military officers and are rarely in the capital. Cao Yong and they met for the first time, let alone familiarity. What is the reason why they have rushed to remove a second-rank deputy general in this way? It would have been a ruthless move to avoid future troubles when they saw that general vengeful. That would be too ridiculous, let alone, whoever has no family power behind them may not take Zuo Shiyong seriously.

"Chen Hongdao! Chen Hongdao!" Cao Yong suddenly remembered him and asked Wei Hei: "If it was arson, it would inevitably reveal traces. Will this touch the Chen father and son?"

After thinking for a while, Wei Hei nodded: "This deputy general is from a second-rank high-ranking official. He died in the post station for some reason. Someone will come forward to investigate. If nothing is found at that time, the case of "retaliation and murder" for the person surnamed Chen is closed, and he will not be able to prepare!"

Cao Yong had no good feelings for Chen Hongdao, a corrupt scholar who was ignorant of flexibility and affected his family. Integrity is good, and such a virtuous family is also admirable. However, since a big man has become an official, he cannot even protect himself and his family. How can he be the "Master Qingtian" who decides for the people? But looking at those three children, Cao Yong could not stand by. However, it is early morning, and he will say anything he wants to do.

Cao Yong was about to return to his room when he heard someone calling someone outside. It was Admiral Zhang's personal soldiers who came to ask Cao Yong to make an idea.

Originally, such a disaster occurred at the post station, which had nothing to do with everyone, but the deputy general was too high and the post chief was too frightened, so he asked Admiral Zhang, the highest official position, to take the initiative. Although Admiral Zhang had a high official position, his status and title were not comparable to Cao Yong, so he did not dare to entrust him, so he sent his personal soldiers to ask Cao Yong to decide.

How could Cao Yong diligently help them worry about these things? Then he replied, "I asked Admiral Zhang to be the leader."

Immediately, in addition to sending people to the Beijing Infantry Commander's Office to report the case, Admiral Zhang was also notified by the yard, asking everyone to postpone their departure tomorrow. Everything is the official officers of the Infantry Office have arrived. There are more than a dozen officials living in this post station. Although there are also dissatisfied, why do you have to say a lot of words at this time to make suspicious?

The next day, after finishing the washing, Chu Yu wanted to change the medicine for Cao Yong's wound. How could Cao Yong show her the bloody cut that was several inches long? He seemed to be randomly distracted from the topic, talking about the little girl from the Chen family, who was eight or nine years old, and witnessed her relatives being humiliated to death with her own eyes. How much stimulation would she be?

Chu Yu looked at Cao Yong with a little worry and said, "What the prince said is, this little big child was scared. I don't know if I could sleep last night. Why don't we go over there and see her?"

Cao Yong nodded and said, "Okay, go and have a look! I don't know if her father is in a good condition. Fortunately, the two boys seem to be sensible, otherwise the old and young family members are really sad to see!"

Chu Yu sighed softly, paused and said, "Let's pick up one of the snacks brought by the capital to give it to her? The little girls like these snacks..."

Cao Yong knew that Chu Yu liked snacks, so he said so, so he held her hands tightly and the two smiled at each other.

In addition to preparing snacks for the little girl, Cao Yong and Chu Yu also found two fur coats for the two boys and sealed two bags of silver. Then they took a few people to Chen Hongdao's residence.

Because the fire broke out in the middle of the night, the deputy general was burned to death, and there were many discussions everywhere at the post station. Naturally, few people believed that they were "inadvertently leaving the water". After all, because someone heard the news of the incident in Akton, the suspicion gradually fell on the Chen family father and son. Everyone said everything, and there were many ugly words.

There are also many loyal and honest people who can't help but speak to defend Chen's father and son. - The third-class room at this inn is in a large yard, with several grade officials living in the big yard. If Chen Hongdao came out to commit crimes in the middle of the night, how could he have no movement? He is just a sick scholar. Although he has three children, the older one is only fourteen or five years old. The deputy general and his confidant followers are nowhere that his family can deal with!

*

Chen Hongdao's family was placed in the east wing of the slum here, with only two rooms. When Cao Yong and Chu Yu came, they were surrounding the table and staring at a few steamed buns in a daze. The second room of Chen Hongdao died last night. If it weren't for the fact that the father and son were unable to bear to eat cold steamed buns and went to the kitchen to cook food, they wouldn't have caused such a tragic incident for no reason.

Hearing the greeting outside the door, Chen Hongdao quickly stood up and asked Cao Yong and Chu Yu to come in.

Last night, he knew that Cao Yong was the princess, so he naturally guessed Chu Yu's identity and respectfully invited An. The two Chen brothers regarded him as a true hero and a real hero because of Cao Yong's life-saving grace. However, when they saw his father treating this person so respectfully, they knew that this was also a person in the officialdom. The expression he looked at Cao Yong was no longer so eager.

The little girl stood peacefully behind the two brothers, looking at Cao Yong and Chu Yu with a slightly curious and uneasy look.

Chen Hongdao invited the two to sit down. Cao Yong and Chu Yu looked at the cold steamed buns and boiled water on the table and looked at each other.

Chen Hongdao sorted out his sleeves and respectfully bowed to Cao Yong: "Chen was confused for a while, thank you Lord Cao for helping him! Chen is incompetent in repaying his life. If there is a next life, Chen is willing to make a fuss to repay his kindness!"

Cao Yong waved his hand: "But it's just a simple task, no need to be polite. I just ask you, is it necessary to go to the capital? It's cold and the road is 'hard and dangerous', you have to think about it for them more."

Chen Hongdao was stunned, and then heard Cao Yong's implicit voice, but he nodded firmly: "Thank you for your advice, but Chen's first wife's bones are still in the capital. No matter what, Chen cannot abandon her!"

Psychological! Cao Yong couldn't help but curse, "Die is important, or living is important." Even though he knew that there was danger, he still had to be so reckless. Did this person read the book in the dog's belly?" However, after the scolding, he couldn't help but admire him, and insisted on his own style of conduct so persistently.

Chu Yu had already taken the snack box from Xiyun, who came with him, placed it on the table, and then gently called the little girl. The little girl had been attracted by the sweet fragrance of the snack, but she was still standing behind her brother and looking at her father with inquiring eyes.

Along the way, the little girl was taken care of by her concubine's mother. Her hair was messy and her face was not clean, so she looked really pitiful. Chen Hongdao felt uncomfortable. He first thanked Chu Yu, and then nodded to his daughter.

The little girl hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't resist the temptation of snacks. She moved step by step to Chu Yu with her fingers.

Chu Yu has many younger brothers and sisters at home since childhood, and he is the best at coaxing children. With just a few words, the little girl gets close to her. Chu Yu wipes her hand with a handkerchief, and then pushes the snack box in front of her, asking her to choose the food she likes to take.

The little girl looked at Chu Yu, picked up the largest piece of walnut crisp, and then delivered it to Chen Hongdao with both hands: "Father, eat it!"

Chen Hongdao's nose felt sore, and he couldn't speak, but just shook his head and signaled his daughter to eat it himself.

The little girl didn't move, just looked at her father, and at some point the dark eyes were covered with a layer of mist: "Father, don't die!" Perhaps in her heart, she didn't know what death was, but because her mother disappeared and her second mother disappeared, she knew that "death" was no longer by her side.

Cao Yong could no longer bear it, so he stood up and said to Chen Hongdao: "Your son is very sensible and his daughter is so filial. Even if you don't think about yourself, don't think about the three of them?"

How could Chen Hongdao say anything? He tried to resist and prevent himself from losing his composure, but he still had no intention of changing his words.

At this moment, Cao Yong suddenly felt powerless, and he was confused that "the right way in the world is vicissitudes." In fact, what is wrong with Chen Hongdao? In order to save him, his wife helped him clear his grievances and was not afraid of life and death. How could he, a big man, abandon his wife's bones in a foreign land because he was afraid of the bumpy road ahead, so that the desperate people could not be buried in peace.

All this should be said, and what he should do is his own choice. Cao Yong was a little depressed and asked the brothers to help take the paper and pen, roughly wrote what he knew yesterday, and wrote the informed Admiral Zhang, General Yan, General Wang, and several inspectors who knew the name on it, and finally signed his own names. He deliberately listed these names, and knew that he should tell others not to close the case randomly and suppress the idea of ​​this matter, so as not to let the Chen father and son be scapegoats.

After writing it, he handed it over to Chen Hongdao, and then said, "Zuo Shiyong is in the flag. You are a Han Chinese. This case may be interrogated by the infantry commander's yamen or the Shuntian Prefecture yamen. The officials in these two places are okay, but there may be any mistakes. If the other party wants to force you to confess your guilt in order to close the case as soon as possible, then you can deliver this letter, perhaps you can protect you; if the other party is fair, you don't need to cause trouble!"

Chen Hongdao has been used to the warmth and warmth of human nature over the past year, and he was puzzled by Cao Yong's sudden enthusiasm, and he did not reach out to receive the letter for a while.

When Cao Yong saw this, he felt annoyed and couldn't help but laugh at himself. When did he become so kind and want to tear the letter, he saw the three brothers next to him, and he couldn't bear to throw it on the table.

Seeing his unhappiness, Chu Yu stood up and said goodbye to the Chen family and his son, and followed Cao Yong out.

In the yard, when they heard that the Chen family had a "noble man" visited, several low-level officials who were staying in the same yard were dressed neatly and were waiting at the door. Seeing that the young couple came out, they followed the maids, and they didn't know what to call them for a moment, so they avoided the road and dared not go forward.

Until the people left, Fang You thought of it with extraordinary insight and patted his thighs and said, "Hey, look at the fur cloaks on those two, that's not something that can be worn at ordinary levels. Whose little prince in the house is this?"

Someone else curled his lips: "Who are you scared? The prince from this royal palace is all wearing yellow belts. Although the young master was a little noble just now, he didn't look like a royal family. Which governor should have come to Beijing!"

Everyone guessed it and didn't know when the Chen family had such a noble relative, so they were a little worried and dared not talk nonsense anymore.

Cao Yong took this trip specifically for this reason. Although he was not speculative with Chen Hongdao, he was also acknowledging his original intention.

At noon, the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Infantry Commander's Office and several constables from Shuntian Prefecture arrived soon. Speaking of which, the military officer from this infantry office was still Cao Yong's acquaintance - Changling, son of Fu Ding, the infantry academy.

Although the two of them are not familiar with each other, they are their relatives' cousins. They have dealt with each other due to the epidemic. When they meet each other, they naturally have to have a greeting.

Before Cao Yong left Beijing, Fu Ding's family also passed by. Because he had just said goodbye in a hurry, he did not leave any food and did not meet Chang Ling. Afterwards, Fu Ding did not specifically mention Cao Yong's release to his son. Therefore, when he first met Cao Yong, Chang Ling was slightly surprised.

When he knew that he had already let the Taoist lie out and this time he took the princess back to his hometown to visit relatives, Chang Ling didn't know whether he should be jealous of his youth's pride or should he laugh at him. Finally, he lost his holy heart and was sent out of the capital.

Because of the water leaving in the early morning, everyone was in a hurry to put out the fire, making the fire scene messy, with dark footprints everywhere, and there was no sign of anything. The infantry yamen and the people from Shuntian Mansion looked at it several times, but they did not get any clues and evidence. However, a second-rank official could not die like this. Even if someone did not deliberately set fire, he had to find the source of the fire to report. But under the ruins, where could the source of the fire be found?

From Cao Yong to Yi Cheng, everyone went through simple inquiries. As expected, the most suspected father and son of the Chen family were still the ones.

The infantry yamen and Shuntian Mansion refused each other, and finally agreed that the Shuntian Mansion would escort the Chen family father and son, and the infantry yamen would transport Akden's body and the remains of Zuo Shiyong and others back to Beijing. As for how to judge, it was the affairs of the two prefectures, and it had nothing to do with them.

After a lot of trouble this morning, Cao Yong felt that the wound was itchy, so he went to Wei Hei and asked him to help him apply some medicine again.

After rebanding, Cao Yong felt that the medicine was much better. The medicine was not as exciting as yesterday, it was a little cool and very useful. But when I looked at Wei Hei's hands, it was still the bottle of yesterday, and there was no difference.

Wei Hei saw Cao Yong seemingly suspicious, laughed twice, put the bottle on the table, and asked Cao Yong mysteriously: "Young Master, guess which one brought this medicine?"

Cao Yong shook his head and said, "How can I know this? It's just that Brother Wei is so relieved. Anyone dares to use medicine on me..." Halfway through speaking, he seemed to have some insight and smiled bitterly: "This... Could this be sent by the princess?"

Wei Hei nodded and said with a little persuasion: "Young Master, it's not Lao Hei's saying it, but you're hiding everything from the princess like this is not that! If you don't want to say it, she doesn't want to go against your wishes, so you won't ask, but how can you not worry about it? If you send medicine to Lao Hei, don't say it was sent by her, for fear that you will worry she will know!"

Cao Yong felt a little warm and smiled and said, "It's not that he was deliberately hiding anything. He was afraid that she would worry about seeing her. Yesterday was so bloody again. Wait until the next day, let her see it!" After saying this, he glanced at Wei Hei and couldn't help but joke: "Brother Wei, when will you give us a sister-in-law? That vanilla is a good girl. If you don't hurry up, then when she gets engaged, you won't have time to regret it!"

When it comes to mentioning vanilla, Wei Hei's face brings something unnatural.

After Wei Bai and Fangcha left, Xiangcao had been entrusted by Fangcha and had helped Wei Hei to do needlework twice. Later, a wife in the mansion teased her for this, and in order to avoid suspicion, she stopped coming forward.

After Cao Yong and Mr. Zhuang learned about this, they both felt that Wei Hei should not give up this good opportunity and asked for marriage as soon as possible and married Vanilla. Such a good wife with a gentle personality and good looks is hard to find even with a lantern.

Wei Hei had no intention of getting married at first, but later he was a little moved by everyone, but he was in his teens and injured his eyes. He was afraid that Vanilla would be wronged, so he refused to let go. When he left Cao's mansion and left the capital, he felt a little empty, as if he was missing something.

Cao Yong looked at Wei Hei's stupid appearance and secretly thought in his heart that after the New Year and everyone met in Yizhou, the most important thing was to handle Wei Hei's marriage. Although Chen Hongdao's appearance was older, he seemed to be a few years older than Wei Hei. He is now the father of three children, and his eldest son is a half-year-old man.

Because of their homesickness, Cao Yong and others went south since the departure of Wuqing Post. Although it was the cold winter month, fortunately, the warmer the weather was, and it felt much better than when they first left Beijing. Despite this, the journey was exhausted, but if they were afraid that the road would be delayed, they would not be able to catch up with the Spring Festival, so they rarely stayed on the road and went south.
Chapter completed!