The cold wind howled at the gate of Suzhou, sweeping down the ground with dead leaves, which fluttered and floated in the air like flying paper money...
The gates of Suzhou were wide open, with soldiers and officials on duty on both sides of the gates, checking people entering and leaving the gates.
Recently, the Japanese pirates have been threatening the surrounding areas. In order to prevent the Japanese pirates from sneaking into Suzhou City to carry out espionage, sabotage and other activities, the soldiers on duty at the Suzhou city gates during this period will check people entering and leaving the city, requiring them to take off their hats and check their hairstyles. They will also check pedestrians' bags and vehicles to prevent anyone from smuggling weapons into the city.
Many people were queuing outside the city to enter the city. In addition to local people who came to visit relatives and do business, there were also many people who were old and young, dusty and miserable. Most of them fled to Suzhou from Songjiang Prefecture. The Japanese pirates of Xu Hai, who were entrenched in Songjiang Prefecture's Tuolin and other places, had become more and more arrogant recently, and frequently attacked and plundered, causing many people in Songjiang Prefecture and nearby to flee to Suzhou with their families.
The Japanese pirates were rampant and the common people suffered the most. Countless people lost their homes and relatives.
My uncle Zhu Shouren, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang were also queuing up. Among the fleeing people, they were not so conspicuous.
"Alas, you are all poor people. The Lord of the Mansion has pity on you and has waived all entrance fees. Of course, merchants are excluded."
The gatekeeper immediately conveyed the good order from the Suzhou prefect.
"Thank you, Lord Qingtian."
"Thank you, Lord Qingtian, God bless you..."
The fleeing people were suddenly excited and shouted "Justice, Lord" repeatedly. Some elderly men and women were even moved to tears.
They were so excited not only because they were exempted from the entrance fee of a few copper coins, but also because they had experienced the misery and coldness of the world after the Japanese invasion and fled all the way. They felt the love and warmth they had not felt for a long time. There were still people who cared for them and loved them...
"That's great. I was just worried about how I could get into the city without the entrance fee. Haha, this is free entry. It's like a pillow for a sleepy person."
When Xia Qiang heard the news that he could enter the city for free, he couldn't help but feel happy.
"Great, a good start, this is a good sign." Hu Wei couldn't help but pump his fist excitedly.
"Even the Lord of the Mansion has given us a helping hand, so it will be hard for things not to go smoothly this time." Uncle Zhu Shouren also showed a confident smile.
The three of them entered Suzhou city smoothly.
After entering Suzhou City, Uncle Zhu Shouren looked at the prosperous Suzhou City and couldn't help but stop on the street. He was inspired to write poetry, "It's so prosperous, it's worthy of being Suzhou City. This reminds me of a poem."
Hu Wei and Xia Qiang couldn't help but frown. Why did this guy's old problem come back again
"Brother Zhu, let's quickly find out where your nephew's family's mansion in Suzhou is." Hu Wei and Xia Qiang urged.
"Ahem, wait till I finish reciting this poem and then leave. Um, 'My old friend bids farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower, and goes to Yangzhou in the fireworks of March'..."
When urged, my uncle Zhu Shouren said reluctantly that after reciting a line of poetry, there was still some meaning unfinished.
Hu Wei rolled his eyes and couldn't help but say, "Brother Zhu, the poem you recited was about Yangzhou, and we are in Suzhou. Moreover, that was March, and we are in the twelfth lunar month..."
The corner of Uncle Zhu Shouren's mouth twitched, and then he coughed and tried to save his dignity, "Poetic meaning, I mean the poetic meaning behind this poem. The poem is about Yangzhou, and the reason why the poetic meaning is so appealing is that it is applicable everywhere."
"Yes, I am superficial. I only saw the surface words and ignored the poetic meaning behind them. Brother Zhu sees more deeply."
Hu Wei took a deep breath, forced a smile on his face, and echoed Zhu Shouren's compliment.
The reason for this is that he is about to meet Lord Zhu Ping'an, and he still needs to rely on Zhu Shouren's introduction, so he still needs to coax him.
Uncle Zhu Shouren felt better.
"Brother Zhu, it's important for us to do our business." Xia Qiang reminded.
"Yes, yes, let's go, let's split up and ask around, and then gather here." Uncle Zhu Shouren nodded.
When they heard about splitting up to investigate, Xia Qiang and Hu Wei shook their heads at the same time. They were worried about Zhu Shouren. If Zhu Shouren was allowed to act alone, they didn't know if he would cause any more trouble.
"Brother Zhu, please go with Brother Xia. Brother Xia is not good at socializing or speaking, so please take care of him." Hu Wei winked at Xia Qiang, then said to Zhu Shouren.
"Yes, it is true. Brother Xia is not good at dealing with people, especially when he meets a young lady. He is often at a loss and can be easily misunderstood as a scoundrel with bad intentions, which is not conducive to getting information. Well, let me take Brother Xia with me."
Uncle Zhu Shouren nodded and said seriously.
Who is at a loss when meeting a young lady? !
I'm at a loss, but it's better than you taking action, right?!
I was misunderstood as a scoundrel with bad intentions?! You really confuse right and wrong! Why was I called a scoundrel? Don’t you have any idea?! It’s because of you. When you meet a young lady, you want to get your eyes into her clothes, and you always talk nonsense and try to take advantage of her... ...
When Xia Qiang heard what his uncle Zhu Shouren said, he was almost furious, but fortunately he caught Hu Wei's eye.
Be patient!
I'm about to go and pay a visit to Lord Zhu Ping'an, and I still have to rely on this bastard's introduction. I have to be patient.
"Ahem, then I'll trouble Brother Zhu to take care of me."
Xia Qiang coughed, adjusted his angry mood, forced a smile, bowed and said to Zhu Shouren.
"Haha, that's for sure. Brother Xia, just follow me. I can find out in less than a cup of tea."
Uncle Zhu Shouren said to Xia Qiang with confidence, then turned around and said to Hu Wei with the same confidence, "Brother Hu, then we will split up into two groups, each to get information separately, and meet here half an hour later."
"Okay, Brother Zhu, then we'll meet here within half an hour, regardless of whether we have heard the news or not."
Hu Wei emphasized.
"Okay, it's a deal."
Uncle Zhu Shouren nodded confidently.
"Brother Xia, follow Brother Zhu closely and learn more from him." Hu Wei said to Xia Qiang with a double meaning, emphasizing the word "follow closely".
"Don't worry." Xia Qiang nodded vigorously. He would definitely follow Zhu Shouren closely and would never let him make trouble again.
Half an hour later.
Hu Wei arrived at the meeting place first, but did not see Xia Qiang and Zhu Shouren. He frowned, worried that Zhu Shouren had gotten into trouble again.
The next second, two figures fleeing in a panic appeared before him, one of them was limping.
The two men had a pile of rotten vegetable leaves on their heads and their bodies were wet. A strong smell of urine could be smelled from a distance.
It was Zhu Shouren and Xia Qiang.
Hu Wei was wondering where the two were running, and the next second he saw a big barking dog appear behind them.
Then, the two people running wildly became three people...