Zhu Li came back, but just as he arrived at the governor's mansion, he was greeted by an acquaintance, or rather, an acquaintance rushed towards him.
This person was Zhao Jing, the grandfather of Zhao Kuangyin in history.
"General, you must do the decision for me. I really haven't done it." In front of the governor's mansion, Zhu Li had just jumped off his horse. Before he could go to help Yuchi Jin off the horse, Zhao Jing came from the side and pounced at Zhu Li's feet like a vicious dog pouncing on its prey, crying to Zhu Li with snot and tears.
And behind Zhao Jing, there seemed to be a group of people gathered around him, each of them holding a stick and with a ferocious look on their faces. They looked as if they were going to cut Zhao Jing into pieces.
However, intimidated by Zhu Li's mighty power, these people stood still and did not dare to move.
This sudden scene not only shocked Zhu Li, but also made Yuchi Jin look ugly. On the first day after returning, he encountered such a thing before even entering the house. Yuchi Jin frowned.
Zhu Li stretched out his hands and quickly helped Zhao Jing up. He glanced coldly at the big men holding sticks and comforted Zhao Jing: "What's the matter? Just tell me. I'm here. I don't see who dares to touch you."
Zhao Jing was an official, but he was chased so badly by a group of thugs. How could Zhu Li not be angry
At this moment, Yuchi Jin had already dismounted and came to Zhu Li's side. He asked Zhao Jing with a serious face, "You are a dignified official in the general's mansion, but you were forced into this state by a bunch of hooligans. It really makes your general lose face."
Zhao Jing didn't know Yuchi Jin, but that didn't stop him from making guesses. Yuchi Jin and Zhu Li stood side by side, in no particular order, and questioned him in that tone, but Zhu Li didn't feel surprised at all, which made him have initial suspicions.
Zhu Linan attacked Hedong, not only to capture Taiyuan, but also to bring back the legendary lady. Although the person in front of him was dressed as a scholar, there was always a faint fragrance emanating from her body, which made Zhao Jing know her identity immediately.
Once he confirmed the other party's identity, Zhao Jing did not dare to neglect it, and hurriedly bowed and said: "Madam, please forgive me, I, I have no choice but to do this."
"Humph." Yuchi Jin snorted coldly upon hearing this, glanced unkindly at the fierce men, and said solemnly: "Doesn't Shuozhou have a government office? Can't the county magistrate of Shanyang control a group of hooligans?"
But before she could finish her words, a man suddenly hurried out from the crowd. He was about fifty years old, looked elegant, and the county magistrate's clothes on his body revealed his identity.
Speak of the devil, it seems this man is the county magistrate of Shanyang.
The man walked up to Zhu Li and Yuchi Jin, bowed and said, "I am Song Yun, the magistrate of Shanyang County. I am honored to meet the general and the lady."
"Mr. Song, there is no need to be so polite. Tell me what's going on. Since you are nearby, why does Zhao Jing ask me for help?" Zhu Li frowned slightly and looked at Song Yun and Zhao Jing in confusion.
Facing Zhu Li's question, Zhao Jing glanced at Song Yun. Song Yun understood and did not dare to neglect him. He looked back at Zhao Jing with pity and then said, "General, just three days ago, Lady Shen from the Crossbow Workshop Office came to report that several female craftsmen under her command disappeared while they were returning home to visit their relatives."
"After receiving the report, I did not dare to delay and immediately started an investigation. Unexpectedly, through analysis of clues, the finger of blame was pointed at a woman in the Zhao Mansion. When I found Zhao Shuzuo, he said that the woman was given to him by Madam Shang." Having said this, Song Yun glanced at Zhao Jing.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing first apologized to Song Yun, and then quickly explained to Zhu Li: "General, at the end of the year, when I visited my colleagues in Shuozhou and stayed at the Shang Mansion, Madam Shang did give me a maid as a gift."
"It's just that the new law of Shuozhou stipulates that officials without meritorious service cannot take concubines privately. I dare not do that illegal thing. Although I brought the maid into the mansion, I rarely summoned her. Who would have thought that she would be related to the disappearance of the craftsman."
"I felt really wronged, so I went to Madam Shang to seek an explanation. Who would have thought that Madam Shang would ignore me completely and directly sent out the servants and guards in the mansion to drive me out. She also sent these people to chase me along the streets. It was obvious that she wanted to put me to death." Zhao Jing said this and wiped away his tears sadly.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Li's expression turned ugly. The craftsmen in the Crossbow Workshop were skilled hands specially trained by Shen Qinniang to make repeating crossbows. The intention of these people attacking the craftsmen was self-evident.
Zhu Li moved the Crossbow Office from the grassland back to Shuozhou for safety reasons. After all, Shuozhou was Zhu Li's old nest, and it would be easier to protect the Crossbow Office here. But now someone actually dared to touch the craftsmen of the Crossbow Office under his nose. How brave he was.
"Shang Mansion?" When Yuchi Jin saw Zhu Li's ugly expression, he knew that the situation seemed very serious, and he couldn't help but show a questioning look to Song Yun.
"Your Highness, madam, the Shang Mansion is the residence of Shang Rang, the General of the Central Army of Guide. General Shang has been commanding troops outside, and the one in charge of the mansion is Madam Shang Liu." Song Yun did not dare to hide anything in response to the lady's question and told her the truth immediately.
When Zhu Li heard this, he remembered that there was such a person in Shanyang City, but he had overlooked it.
According to historical records, Liu was a beautiful woman who was found by Shang Rang during a chaotic army. Shang Rang was killed by Shi Pu, and Liu became a prostitute. Later, she was found by Shi Pu and became his wife.
When Zhu Wen destroyed Shi Pu, he took Liu for himself and later conferred the title of "Lady of the State" on her.
At that time, there was a wise minister named Jingxiang who helped Zhu Wen a lot. In order to win Jingxiang's loyalty, Zhu Wen reluctantly gave Liu to Jingxiang. However, this Mrs. Liu still went in and out of Zhu Wen's inner room at will, which seemed to be a huge cuckold for Jingxiang.
Not only that, Liu secretly appointed minions and servants, secretly communicated with generals in the vassal states, and was extremely licentious, making it impossible for Jingxiang to raise his head in front of his colleagues.
Now this playboy was actually involved in Zhu Li's military and political affairs, and Zhu Li couldn't help but be angry.
"Okay, Zhao Jing, you can stay in my house for a few days. If you really have nothing to do with this matter, I will naturally clear your name. Are you willing?" Zhu Li turned to look at Zhao Jing and asked seriously.
"I am willing, of course I am willing. Please, General, clear my name." Zhao Jing was overjoyed when he heard this.
He went to ask Liu for an explanation, but not only did he get nothing out of his question, Liu ordered his servants and guards to chase him from the Shang Mansion to the County Government Office, and then to the gate of the General's Mansion. This kind of experience was enough for him to experience once, and he didn't want to go through it a second time.
Liu was not only a military dependent, but also the general's wife. Even after she beat him, he did not dare to fight back. The protection of military dependents in Shuozhou was extremely strict. Even the law had provisions. If the same crime involved a military dependent, the crime would be aggravated. Who would dare to ignore it
So when Liu was chasing him, he had no choice but to run. Even the county magistrate Song Yun couldn't save him, so he had no choice but to come to Zhu Li, which led to the previous scene.
Zhu Li settled Zhao Jing and turned to Song Yun and said, "Song Gong, I will send someone to help you investigate this matter. I also want to see who is so arrogant that he dared to touch the craftsmen of my crossbow workshop."
"Yes, as the general orders, I will investigate it thoroughly and will never let you down." Song Yun hurriedly bowed and promised.
Zhu Li had just conquered the five states of Hedong and had no time to celebrate when someone here came up with the idea of using a repeating crossbow. This made Zhu Li very angry.
As soon as he entered the governor's mansion, Jing Ming was summoned to see him.
Jing Ming did not dare to neglect Zhu Li's urgent move. In less than a cup of tea, he arrived at the main hall of the general's mansion. Zhu Li said in a deep voice with a gloomy face: "Someone is planning to use the crossbow. Do you know?"
Although Zhu Li only asked a random question, Jing Ming immediately knew what he was referring to and quickly said, "Of course I know about this matter, and the Ghost Guards are also investigating it."
"Hmm" Zhu Li immediately perked up after hearing this, "Any clues?"
Upon hearing this, Jing Ming looked up at Zhu Li and said cautiously, "There are currently three clues, all of which are worthy of suspicion."
"Three clues?" Zhu Li was a little unhappy. If the perpetrator was identified, there should be only one clue. Now there are three. It is obvious that there is still no clue.
Jing Ming did not dare to complain about Zhu Li's dissatisfaction, and quickly explained: "The first clue is Cuiwei Pavilion. We have already determined that this is the power of the court. Because the general has not given any instructions, the brothers have not touched them."
Zhu Li nodded upon hearing this. After all, he was still a general of the Tang court. If he touched Cuiwei Pavilion, it would obviously be a slap in the face of the Tang court. If he followed his temper, he would definitely destroy the Cuiwei Pavilion. But he was not alone after all. He also had to consider the people around him. Now was not the best time to touch the Cuiwei Pavilion.
"As for the second clue, it is the emerging underground force in Shanyang, Chiwu Fort. I can be sure that this is Zhu Wen's force." Jing Ming said affirmatively.
"Chiwu Fort?" This name was very unfamiliar to Zhu Li. When did such a force appear in the underground world of Shanyang? If Jing Ming hadn't mentioned it, he, the lord of Shuozhou, would really not know about it.
"Chiwu Fort was originally a manor near Youyu City. A year ago, this manor was bought by a big businessman from Henan, who built it into a walled fortress. If my guess is correct, all the rangers in the fortress are Chiliang Guards from Bianzhou." Jing Ming told the truth.
"Humph, Zhu Wen actually dared to insert himself into my territory. He really has a long-term plan." Zhu Li looked indignant, and the meaning was hard to understand. "What about the third clue?"
"The third force that may take action is the Khitans." Jing Ming reported solemnly.
"Khitan?"
"Yes, General." Jing Ming hastily confirmed, "Since you conquered Fengzhou and captured two Khitan women alive, I have placed them in the General's Square according to the rules. Unexpectedly, a group of Khitan people appeared in Shanyang recently. They are living in the city under the pretext of horse trading, but they are secretly trying to get close to the residences of Yanmujin and Yuelixin with ulterior motives."