Liu Biping didn't like to hear this. He got a headache when he heard what happened today.
Shen Chen is difficult to deal with. This is not something to be happy about. He looked at Madam Liu with a cold face and said, "Why do you keep asking about what's going on outside all day? Aren't the things at home enough for you to be busy with?"
Such cold words had never been heard before, and Mrs. Liu was stunned for a moment.
Liu Biping didn't even look at her. He got up and walked out the door directly. He said coldly that he was going to the study and let her rest by herself.
Mrs. Liu was shocked, and when she came to her senses, she felt sad from the bottom of her heart.
After being married for so many years, Liu Biping didn't give her the slightest bit of face today. He knew that her sister had just died and she was in a bad mood, and he completely forgot that today was her birthday.
She felt a little aggrieved, so she simply went to bed in a huff.
But at this time, there are also people who have not slept all night.
The posthouse in Rongcheng is very distinctive. It is built under a huge camphor tree. The camphor tree is so huge that even its branches are much thicker than the surrounding trunks. The exposed roots are as thick as a small tree. There are many squirrels building nests on the tree. They come out from the dense branches from time to time, and look at the brightly lit courtyard with their heads tilted curiously.
Because there are many trees and flowers, there are relatively many mosquitoes. The postmaster carefully delivered the insect repellent and reported to the imperial envoy first: "Everything is good here, but there are many islands, water and trees... so there are many mosquitoes. Please forgive me..."
Shen Chen smiled and said it was okay, and praised the tree for its good growth.
The postmaster heaved a sigh of relief and was able to let go of his hands and feet. Hearing Shen Chen praising the tree, he hurriedly said, "This tree has been there for many years. I heard that it has been there since my grandfather was not yet born. Over the years, it has been struck by thunder many times, but it is still fine. As a result, the government did not allow it to be cut down. When the posthouse was built, it was not moved. Many people come here to make wishes."
Shen Chen said with a smile, "That's really a place with outstanding people and beautiful scenery."
The postmaster rubbed his hands and smiled, wanting to leave.
Shen Chen stopped him and said softly, "Let's have a cup of tea together. You've been busy for so long and you've worked hard."
The postmaster was a little flattered. He looked at Shen Chen and didn't dare to move for a long time. To put it bluntly, those of them who served as postmasters and postmen were not up to par at all. Who would take them seriously
Even in a large post station, people had to bow their heads when they saw an official. But now, this great imperial envoy from the court, to whom even the ministers had to bow, was so approachable and even asked him to sit down and drink tea together. When he realized what was going on, he quickly waved his hands and said he dared not.
Shen Chen smiled and said gently, "Why should I be afraid? I just arrived here and don't know much about Rongcheng. Since you are a native of Rongcheng, I have something I want to ask you for advice."
The Imperial Envoy was so kind that the Postmaster did not dare to refuse, so he leaned forward and sat down a little closer to the stool. He stood up again, fidgeting and holding the teacup with his hand, and hurriedly said to Shen Chen: "If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, but don't embarrass me."
Shen Chen hummed, and asked him as soon as he opened his mouth: "I will just ask some questions that you can answer."
The postmaster was stunned, smiled unnaturally and scratched his head.
"I heard that there is a saying here that there are four great families?" Shen Chen seemed curious. He turned the cup and put it on the table again with a clatter. He looked at Yi Cheng casually as if he was chatting: "Are they all very powerful?"
Of course it is amazing.
The postmaster thought about it and felt that everyone knew these things and they could be told, so he nodded.
Shen Chen then asked: "Which four families are they? Can you tell me?"
It was easy to find out about this. The postmaster hummed and told him honestly: "We have this saying in our local area. They all say that Xu, Liu, Chen and Wang..."
He tilted his head and thought for a while, then told Shen Chen: "These four families all have boats, and they usually transport goods to the sea... Except for them, no one dares to transport goods to the sea ----- there are pirates everywhere, and these four families have a lot of people and a lot of money..."
Shen Chen said with a meaningful voice, "I see. Then why were there no people from these four families when we were offering sacrifices to Mazu today?"
Logically speaking, since they also made their fortune from shipping, they should also pay attention to the sea god.
The postmaster exclaimed, "It is the Chen family who is organizing the ceremony to worship Mazu this time... Every year here, we take turns to write silver in the homes of the wealthy families... Later, the wealthy families simply discussed and agreed that each family would be responsible for organizing all ceremonies within a year, and this year it happened to be the Chen family's turn."
The Chen family
Shen Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said thoughtfully, "But I didn't see anyone from the Chen family there."
The postmaster was a little embarrassed and didn't know what to say, so he could only laugh along.
Shen Chen raised his eyebrows, but then asked him: "Such a big thing happened. Since it was the Chen family who was in charge, the Chen family should have stepped up to deal with the aftermath, but they didn't make any move. After knowing that I wanted to investigate the case, no one came to find me. Isn't this too strange?"
The postmaster had to answer, but he didn't know what to say, so he said with a bitter face: "Perhaps... Perhaps the Chen family feels that this matter has not been officially tried yet, so they should wait until the trial begins before making a decision?"
Shen Chen hummed, and said with an ambiguous smile: "Maybe." He smiled again: "I'm tired after talking for so long. I haven't eaten for so long, so I won't bother you. Go and do your thing."
The postmaster waited so long for such a sentence, and stood up happily: "Yes, sir, you must have been tired on the long journey. Please have a meal and rest early. The postman will bring the food to you later."
Shen Chen nodded, and the postmaster left in a hurry.
As soon as the postmaster left, Xuesong and Hanbo couldn't help but say, "This Rongcheng should be full of Liu Biping's spies, but this postmaster looks honest."
honest
Maybe it's because I'm honest.
Shen Chen smiled and stood up: "Tell your subordinates to be careful. Although we are already in Rongcheng, they are capable of killing people in other provinces. Who knows if something more outrageous will happen? We have already reached their lair, don't let it fail at the last moment."
Xuesong and Hanbo looked at each other and responded with bated breath.
Shen Chen opened the door and went straight to the residence of Old Lady Wei and Wei An on the upper floor of the courtyard next door.
They lived on the second floor. There were flower trees outside the corridor. The purple and red colors mixed with the fragrance of flowers, coupled with the autumn evening breeze, it was very leisurely and comfortable. Shen Chen took a look and frowned, then glanced at Wen Xiu.