Chapter 59: foursome

Chapter 59: foursome

    Wen Chi took a closer look and was stunned.

    Isn't this the stone he saw before with the gentle neck? Actually ran to General Lin here...

    No wonder General Lin behaved so strangely at the peach blossom banquet, and even did everything Wen Liang should do.

    Maybe this stone is in the middle.

    Wen Chi was in a complicated mood and didn't know what to do for a while. He raised his eyes and saw General Lin's carefree expression. He seemed to like this stone quite a bit. After a while of silence, he said, "I don't know General Lin. Did you find the culprit?"

    "Naturally I found it." General Lin scratched his head, "I ordered the guards to ask all the people at the peach blossom banquet, and I didn't find the owner. Later, I planned to take this stone. I handed it over to the eldest princess for safekeeping, but the eldest princess said it was worthless and let me catch it, and maybe one day it would be seen by the owner."

    Wen Chi: “…”

    He remembered that Wen Liang was kicked out of the peach blossom banquet by His Royal Highness's people that day. Of course, General Lin couldn't find Wen Liang.

    "But it's strange, since I picked up this stone, I seem to have started to transport it." Tucked into the collar, he said superstitiously, "Maybe I am destined to pick up this stone, this stone is my lucky stone."

    Wen Chi secretly thought about it, after all, this is not an ordinary stone, but a stone with a system.

    It's just that this stone seems to be placed on Wenliang to start the system.

    Originally, Wen Chi was a little hesitant to tell General Lin that the owner of this stone was gentle, but seeing that General Lin was in love with this stone, he really couldn't say those words.

    Most importantly—

    If Wenliang finds this stone, won't everything be back on track, and Wenliang also has a fair reason to kill him?

    Thinking of this, Wen Chi suddenly felt a little fortunate that he didn't say those words just now.

    Our Lady of the Heart attack is literally killing herself.

    As the biggest cannon fodder in the novel, he should stay quietly and not interfere in any affairs of the protagonist.

    So next, even if General Lin took the initiative to talk about the stone, Wen Chi was as quiet as a chicken.

    The group came outside the mansion, and the guards had already prepared the carriage for them.

    After getting into the carriage, Wen Chi found that Shi Jin's face was still very pale, and he seemed to reject General Lin's approach. The general distanced himself.

    Wen Chi thought of the stone that General Lin was hanging around his neck, and suddenly had some vague guesses: "King Xuan."

    Shi Jin was closing his eyes and resting. Hearing the sound, he opened his eyes tiredly and looked at Wen Chi.

    Wen Chi said: "You look very uncomfortable, why don't you go back to Zhoufu to rest first, I will go with them."

     King Xuan shook his head: "No, I have to take you to see it myself."

    Wen Chi paused, then said, "Have you seen a doctor?"

    "After the peach blossom banquet, I found a few doctors, but unfortunately they couldn't tell the reason." Shi Jin sighed, he thought this matter had hurt his brain, "Maybe it's due to overwork. When this matter comes to an end, I will propose to the emperor to recuperate for a period of time."

    Wen Chi said, "That's fine."

    At this time, General Lin, who had been listening by the side, said: "King Xuan, I have led troops to fight for so many years, and I have seen many strange diseases in the frontier. Tell me about the disease, maybe I know how to solve it."

    After speaking, General Lin stared straight at Shi Jin, waiting for Shi Jin's answer.

    How could she know that Shi Jin just turned her head and glanced at him faintly, then said nothing and turned her head back again.

    General Lin: "…"

    He felt targeted.

    It took more than an hour for the carriage to reach its destination.

    Shi Jin couldn't wait to get out of the car first, and the other three followed behind him.

    They seem to have come to the outskirts of the city, which is even more dilapidated than the city. Looking around, there are all shacks built at will, and farmland in the east and the west.

    People in the shed heard the movement outside and ran out to watch the fun.

      follow them.

    Rao Shi Wenchi was mentally prepared before he came, but after seeing this scene with his own eyes, he still felt very uncomfortable.

    Shi Jin and the others who walked in front seemed to have the same feeling as Wen Chi, a strange silence spread between them, and even General Lin, who likes to talk, fell silent.

    Only Zhou Zhifu, who got off from another carriage, was already accustomed to this kind of sight, and while ordering the guards to disperse the crowd, he whispered to them: "If someone asks you for money later, don't worry about it. Don't give them money just because they are pitiful, everyone is poor and scared, as long as someone gives money, others will swarm around."

    Shi Jin nodded, his voice difficult: "How long has this situation lasted?"

    Zhou Zhifu sighed: "Since the locusts raged, the people's life has been worse than the day, and now there is no food, most people have reached the point where they can't eat enough, but there are so many Open your mouth, we can't always rely on us to help."

    And Jinju is located in the south, with a suitable climate and fertile soil, which is a good place to grow food. Most Jinju people face the loess and turn their backs to the sky. Farmers have made a living by farming for generations.

    Nowadays, there is a locust plague, both women, children and merchants are waiting at home hungry, and there are not so many errands in the city to feed them. As a result, not only the country's grain reserves are also consumed A waste of labor.

    If this disaster is not resolved sooner, I am afraid that the extremely hungry people will rise up, and the situation will only get worse and even lead to large-scale turmoil.

    Zhou Zhifu went all the way.

    Finally, they came to a large area of ​​farmland.

    It can be seen that this farmland was full of food before, but unfortunately, after the plague of locusts, the grown food was gnawed to the point where there was not much left.

     Zhou Zhifu could do nothing about it. After introducing the situation of this land in detail, he stepped aside and planned to leave this matter to Shi Jin and others.

    Shi Jin half squatted on the ground, and after checking it for a while, got up and looked at Wen Chi: "Look at it."

    Wenchi picked up a little soil, put it on his fingertips and shoved: "locusts like to lay their eggs in such moist soil."

    Shi Jin smiled bitterly: "That's why Jinzhou is plagued by locusts every year."

    When Wenchi was still in the capital, Shijin suggested on paper to organize the people to build new water conservancy, plant trees, etc. Although doing so will take a long time, it will also have great Effect.

    But now that he came to Jinju, Wen Chi realized how naive he was when he said those methods.

    Not to mention that his methods take years or even decades to see results, just look at the living conditions of the people, and how can they use the strength to do it when they can't eat enough? those things?

    I am afraid that the locust plague will not be cured by then, and the people will starve to death.

    Even if the state distributes food, it will not be possible to feed so many people in the coming years and decades.

    They still have to come up with a way to effectively control the locusts in a short time, at least to ensure the food and clothing of the people first.

    Wen Chi and Shi Jin followed the Zhou Zhifu to look at several fields of farmland, and time passed unknowingly during their discussions.

    It was evening.

    The sun sets in the west, and the gorgeous fire clouds are like beautiful patterns, covering half of the sky.

    "King Xuan, let's go back first, and come to see tomorrow." Zhou Zhifu said to Shi Jin, "This is different from the capital, and it is not very safe at night."

    Shi Jin remembered what he saw all the way, and nodded solemnly: "Alright."

    When he was about to leave, Wen Chi suddenly found that Hanako, who had followed them before, had disappeared.

    He hurriedly asked Zhou Zhifu, only to learn from Zhou Zhifu's entourage that Hanako was hiding in the shed where the people lived to see a little girl.

    Hanako has been traveling abroad for many years. He is not only proficient in medicine, but also understands many intractable diseases that are only spread among the people. He was invited by General Lin to Jinzhou not to contribute to the control of the locust plague, but also heard that Jinzhou The people were troubled by disease, so they decided to come and have a look.

     Before the group reached the sheds, they heard a loud noise from a distance.

    There appears to be a conflict.

    General Lin and Shi Jin looked at each other, Shi Jin nodded, General Lin would lead the guards behind him to stride forward, and his hand was unconsciously touching to the scabbard.

    Wen Chi and Shi Jin followed.

    When I got close, I saw that the crowded crowd had been dispersed by General Lin and the guards, and in the middle were the ugly Hanako Zang and hiding behind him, crying out of breath Women, Hanako Zang also held a little girl who was also crying in her arms.

    Hanako took out a handkerchief to wipe the little girl's tears and comforted the little girl softly.

    General Lin, who was guarding in front of Hanakozo, had a fierce look, and withdrew the long knife from his waist. Come on, don't blame me for not having long eyes with a knife."

    The middle-aged man was frightened by General Lin, and he begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I dare not, my lord, forgive me!"

    "General Lin." Shi Jin frowned and walked over, "What's going on?"

    General Lin sneered disdainfully, glanced at the middle-aged man who was about to urinate, and mocked: "This man is going to sell his little daughter to an old man in his sixties for filling. Fang, he has sold three daughters before, and his youngest daughter is only eight years old."

     Hearing this, Shi Jin's brows were almost twisted into a knot: "This kind of thing happened in Jinzhou..."

    The voice fell, and he cast his gloomy eyes to Zhou Zhifu behind him.

    Zhou Zhifu felt that his legs were weak and trembling, he finally stood up straight, and said repeatedly: "It's my mismanagement, and I expect King Xuan to punish."

    After all, Zhou Zhifu hurriedly called the guards to arrest the middle-aged man.

    The middle-aged man desperately begged for mercy, and was kicked a few times by the guards, making a wailing sound like a pig.

    This little episode is over.

    However, everyone's mood was heavier than before, so that on the return journey, almost no one spoke.

    Back to Zhou Fang's house, Shi Jin asked them to go back to change clothes and rest first, and then they gathered again when Shi Jin's entourage informed him to have dinner.

    But this time Wen Chi only saw Shi Jin, General Lin and Hanako Zang, but he didn't see Zhou Zhifu who followed them all afternoon.

    When eating, Shi Jin mentioned the locust plague again.

      I don't know what the hungry people will do."

    Others naturally support Shi Jin's decision.

    After a meal, it is time to break up.

    Shi Jin did not forget to remind them: "The Zhou Zhifu specially told me that today's Jinzhou is not as good as before. In our eyes, not only do we not have any deterrent power from the capital, but we are also very likely to be lambs to be slaughtered. It is always good to be careful, and remember not to act alone."

    After he finished speaking, he looked straight at Wen Chi: "Especially you, Young Master Wen, no matter where you are, you have to bring a bodyguard, if there is an accident, I can't tell the emperor explain."

    Suddenly, the cue Wen Chi nodded awkwardly.

    As soon as he nodded, he noticed a strange gaze.

    Wen Chi subconsciously turned his head to look, just in time to meet Hanakozo who couldn't take his eyes back.

      , he struggled a few times.

    Until the back, his fair and clean face was visibly red.

    Wen Chi touched his nose suspiciously: "Playboy?"

    How could he know that his voice was as if he had pressed a switch on Hanako's body, Hanako's body suddenly stood up, and walked out very stiffly.

    Wen Chi: “…”

    He turned to look at General Lin again, but saw that General Lin was also puzzled, and shrugged his shoulders at him.

    But Hanakozo did not leave directly, but stood in the open space outside waiting for them.

    Now that summer has come, even the wind at night has become hot.

    Hanakozo was like a soulless puppet, standing in the open space, looking up at the bright moon in the sky.

    Wen Chi and General Lin came out and saw such a picture, both of them were speechless.

    General Lin glanced at Shi Jin, who was slipping fast, with thick eyebrows and big eyes full of doubts: "Master Wen, do you think they are so strange today."

    Wen Chi said: "I found it."

    General Lin asked: "Can you guess the reason?"

    Wen Chi shook his head.

    If he was so smart, he would have already thought about Prince Dog's mind, why would he hide so far?

    Wen Chi called him, he answered, and walked over, walking back with Wen Chi and General Lin.

    The courtyard where Wen Chi lived was close to the courtyard where General Lin lived, and the courtyard where Hanako Zang lived was not far from them.

    On the way, General Lin talked about the snacks that Wenchi sent.

    "Your maid is really handy, my sisters can't make such delicious desserts." General Lin praised in words, "It's a pity that it is packed in such a small box, I have a big appetite. The mouth is finished, and it is not enough for the gap between the teeth."

    Wen Chi heard General Lin's implication, and said with a smile: "I still have a lot, and it happens that I can't finish it all by myself. I will send some to you later."

    General Lin smiled happily: "Then I will laugh."

    Wen Chi smiled, looked at Hanakozo who was walking on the other side of General Lin and kept silent, and asked, "Huaboy, how do you think the dim sum tastes?"

    Hanako: "…"

    In this dimly lit environment, Wen Chi actually saw Hanako Zang's expression full of embarrassment.

    Wen Chi thought he was looking at Hanako, blinked his eyes, and looked at him again - he was right, Hanako Zang had turned his head and looked at him very strangely.

    Wen Chi couldn't help touching his face: "What's wrong?"

    Hanako Kuroko saw that Wen Chi was still ignorant and ignorant. For a while, he didn’t know whether Wen Chi was pretending too much or he was thinking too much. It took a lot of time for him to get back his voice: "I have received the kindness of Young Master Wen, and I don't want the dessert. Since General Lin likes it, then leave it to General Lin."

    General Lin nodded his head like garlic: "Yes, yes, the **** won't eat me, just give me the playboy's share."

    Hanako: "…"

    After returning to the courtyard, Wen Chi asked Ruofang to pack the rest of the snack box, and asked the guard to deliver it to General Lin.

     Ruofang handed the packaged things to the guard and returned to the room, only to see Wen Chi already resting on a chair.

      "

    Wen Chi was thinking about the locust plague when he heard the words and opened his eyes: "What wooden box?"

    "It's the wooden box that His Royal Highness gave you, the one that was wrapped with silk for several times." Ruofang couldn't find the wooden box, and her tone became anxious. Chi said, "The slave also brought the wooden box to the carriage, why did it disappear after a while?"

    After Ruofang said this, Wen Chi remembered.

    Before he came back from the saint, he heard Ruofang say that His Royal Highness the Prince ordered Xiao Shuanzi to bring him a wooden box.

    At that time, he was full of entanglements about whether to come to Jinzhou, so he asked Ruofang to put the wooden box away, until the day of departure, when Ruofang took out the wooden box again, he asked Ruofang to put the wooden box together Get the carriage.

     Ruofang valued that wooden box very much, and even when she was staying at the inn, she brought the wooden box to Wenchi's room, but the wooden box was taken by Wenchi as a gift and sent out.

    It seems to have been given to Hanakozo.

    In this moment, everything makes sense.

    No wonder Hanakozo is acting so strange today...

    No wonder Hanakozo looked at him so strangely…

    No wonder Hanakozo keeps talking to him...

    Wen Chi was suddenly curious about what was in the wooden box, which made Hanako Zang seem like a different person.

    Wen Chi told Ruofang about it.

    The more she listened, the more anxious Ruofang became, she turned around twice, clenched her palms tightly, and said worriedly: "My lord, that is something that His Royal Highness gave you, if we didn't take good care of it, maybe His Royal Highness will be convicted."

    Wen Chi also thought of this, he was no less afraid of Shi Ye than Ruofang.

    "I'd better go and get that wooden box back." Wen Chi wanted to say, "Hanakozang should return the wooden box to me."

    Ruofang asked: "Are you going to ask for it now?"

    Wen Chi glanced at the sky outside, thought about it, and said, "It's better to wait for tomorrow, just as we have to go out together, then I will find a chance to talk to him about it. ."

    Ruofang nodded: "Young master must remember this."

    Originally, Wenchi planned to go to Hanakozang the next day to get the wooden box back, but he didn't know that the plan could not keep up with the changes.

    The next morning, Shi Jin suddenly made a decision to divide the four of them into two groups - Shi Jin and Hanako Zang, Wen Chi and General Lin.

    General Lin immediately objected: "No!"

    Wen Chi also hesitated and said, "This is not good..."

    Shi Jin and Hanako Zang have already stood aside, like a pair of brothers who can't be separated.

    Shi Jin said: "I have made up my mind, no need to persuade."

    Hanako Zang also said: "I agree with King Xuan's statement, we will inevitably attract attention when we walk together, it is better to act separately, and Wen Gongzi claimed to be the fourth brother of General Lin, naturally Walk with General Lin."

    General Lin said to Shi Jin: "I am under the emperor's order to protect you..."

    "Don't worry, there are many people around me and they will protect me." Shi Jin interrupted General Lin directly, "Besides, I am not helpless."

    General Lin wanted to say something, but when he saw Shi Jin waved his hand resolutely, he turned around and left with Hanako Zang and a few guards.

    Only Wen Chi and General Lin stayed where they were, looking at each other, speechless for a long time.

    General Lin scratched his head: "They seem to be avoiding us."

    Wen Chi glanced at the figures of Shi Jin and Hanako Zang running fast, and said to General Lin, "Be confident and remove the 'seem'."

    General Lin: "…"

    However, this point is divided into five days.

    In the past five days, Wen Chi not only could not see Hanazizang from morning till night, but also was turned away when he went to Hanazizang courtyard to find him.

    Wenchi felt that Hanako was hiding and deliberately avoiding him, because of the wooden box he sent out to avoid him.

    Although Wen Chi didn't know what was in the wooden box, the ominous premonition in his heart became stronger and stronger.

    That night, after Wenchi finished his dinner, he decided to try his luck in the courtyard where Hanako Zang lived - he had to get the wooden box back.