The guard called Lao Xi by Zhu Tingfang was a middle-aged man in his early 40s, thin, plain-looking, and even with some gray hair. If he were seen on the street, most people would think he was an ordinary person from a poor family. However, if someone saw him smiling and being smooth in dealing with people, they would definitely not think so.
However, at this moment, Lao Xi put away the flattering smile that he had shown to everyone in the past few days, and stood beside Zhu Tingfang with a serious face. He and Zhu Tingfang were standing in a dark alley, and at the end of the alley, a low house was vaguely visible.
It is one of the areas where laborers gather in Cangzhou City, but there are also many unemployed idlers who make a living by illegal means. It is a mixed crowd and it is dirty and messy. Even the dark alleys in front of you are filled with various strange smells.
However, Zhu Tingfang, who was standing in the middle, did not show any strange expression. He knew that his two guards were watching at the other end of the alley. Even if someone wanted to take a shortcut here, they would have to take a detour because of the two "drunkards" fighting. At this moment, he squinted his eyes and said thoughtfully: "It's only been a few days since we arrived in Cangzhou. You did a good job."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir. Actually, many things are just coincidences... So even though I sent you the letter secretly, I'm still unsure. After all, time is too tight. Even though the clues all point to that place, I'm only 70% sure at best."
Lao Xi had been dealing with all kinds of people in Cangzhou these days, but now he had lost all his skills. Not only was he a little uneasy, but he also felt unspeakably worried. "Even if this is really the hiding place of the guy who claims to be the eldest prince's aide, wouldn't it be better to just send out the three squads of officials from the county government... No, wouldn't it be better to just send out the Sharp Cavalry Battalion to capture him?"
Seeing that Zhu Tingfang did not make a decision, he quickly suggested: "At least, it won't be too late to go over after the others come and join us."
"No need." Zhu Tingfang sneered, "Since we are here, if we don't go meet this guy who hides his head and shows his tail, wouldn't it be a waste of this trip? Moreover, it would be a waste of his painstaking efforts to lure the tiger away from the mountain and cause trouble in the county government. Tell the two of them to guard the back door over there to prevent him from escaping. It's enough for you to follow me!"
Seeing that Lao Xi was full of disapproval, he did not dare to persuade him anymore. After paying his respects, he hurried over to call for help. Zhu Tingfang then touched the sword at his waist, and the relief on his face had disappeared. When Lao Xi came back, he took the lead and walked forward.
When the two of them came out of the dark alley one after the other, they saw that the road in front of them had completely lost its straightness and was twisted to the extreme, as if only a path for people to walk on was left when the house was built in every possible way.
There were all kinds of stinking garbage everywhere on the roadside, and no one knew how long it would take to clean it up. The low houses were either built with wooden boards or with waste bricks and stones, and there were also many low thatched huts. Some of them were already rotten and looked like they could be blown down by a gust of wind.
It was afternoon now, but there were not many people around. There were no strong men, only a few old and weak people. Zhu Tingfang knew that, just like on the grassland, strong men were warriors, and the old and weak did odd jobs. If one day they were too old and weak to do odd jobs, they would die. In the heart of the Ming Dynasty, it seemed peaceful and prosperous, but the real bottom was still so cruel.