Gu Qing was waiting for news from Chang'an in the inn in Shangzhou.

I don't know why, Li Twelve Niang, a folk chivalrous woman, actually has incredible information channels. She knows clearly many things that even the court officials don't know.

Gu Qing is actually a bit greedy for her information channel, but the channel is originally someone else's thing, and Gu Qing is embarrassed to ask for it. Even if it is a relative, some things are too precious and it is better not to open his mouth. Gu Qing is afraid of ruining the relationship between his relatives.

He was not idle waiting for the news from Chang'an. In the afternoon, the personal guards sent out returned to the inn one after another.

They were sent by Gu Qing to inquire about Xing Shen's official reputation in Shangzhou City.

This matter is also very important, as it relates to Gu Qing's subsequent attitude towards Xing Shen and how tough his methods will be.

Things in the world are not black and white, and so are people. Since ancient times, the common people have actually been very tolerant of officials. In fact, the people don't really mind if officials are greedy for money while in office.

The important thing is that after being greedy for money, you do some practical things for the people, build bridges, pave roads, mend embankments, and run schools. If you help the old lady cross the road, you are considered a good person, provided that the old lady really intends to cross the road.

The news reported by the personal guards was very mixed, and there was not much about Xing Shen. Unfortunately, all the topics about Xing Shen were not good.

Xing Shen was originally a weak scholar from Hedong Road, and his family background was considered to be of average. He was quite talented. Even when he was middle-aged, he looked like an immortal with fluttering clothes. He also studied diligently, otherwise he would not be able to pass the Jinshi examination.

In the twenty-sixth year of Kaiyuan, after Xing Shen was admitted to Jinshi, I don’t know whose path he took, he was immediately released as the county magistrate. After serving as the county magistrate for a few years, he was promoted to the governor’s office, and then he was promoted to the governor.

In ten years, he was promoted from Jinshi to governor, and the speed of promotion was extremely fast.

The smoke coming out of the Xing family's ancestral tomb was more than just smoke. It was as if someone had placed a flying monkey under the coffin in his ancestral tomb. When a fire was lit, it skyrocketed ninety thousand miles away.

I was promoted quickly enough, but my moral character did not keep up.

Gu Qing didn't know what reputation he had as a county magistrate in the past, but in Shangzhou City, neither the common people nor the scholars and merchants had a good word to say about him.

Since Xing Shen took office as governor, Shangzhou's taxes have been increased by one-third, and corvee labor is also the heaviest. Obviously, Shangzhou's geographical location is only more than 200 miles away from Chang'an, and it is within reach of Luoyang, the eastern capital.

However, Xing Shen insisted on mobilizing corvee labor to build a palace in Shangzhou, saying that it was to prepare for the emperor's visit. Such a confusing operation was reported to the court, and the three provinces actually agreed.

Summarizing the information obtained by the guards, Gu Qing had only one comment about Xing Shen, "Insatiable and greedy, he is very happy with his achievements."

In the evening, the personal guards sent to Chang'an finally returned.

Li Twelve Niang did not disappoint him. Xing Shen's backer found out. Gu Qing was so shocked when his bodyguard said her name that he remained silent for a long time.

The backing is indeed strong enough.

Yang Guifei's third sister, Mrs. Guo Guo.

This lady is very famous in today's Tang Dynasty, but it is not a good reputation. Like Yang Guozhong, Mrs. Guo Guo became famous because of Yang Guifei. Perhaps she was too poor back then. After becoming famous, Mrs. Guo Guo's life was very corrupt.

Luxurious and often bully others.

The last time Concubine Yang was driven back to her parents' home in anger by Li Longji, it was because Mrs. Guo Guo rode a horse in the Forbidden Palace as if she were in a deserted area, and whipped the guards. She was still like this in the palace, which shows how domineering she is.

Not only that, Mrs. Guo Guo's private life was also extremely chaotic. She never avoided interacting with men. It is said that there was also some ambiguity between her and Li Longji.

This is not a rumor. Later generations have a poem that says, "The lady of Guo State accepted the Lord's favor and rode into the palace gate in the morning. However, she disliked the makeup and the color, so she lightly raised her eyebrows towards the Supreme Lord."

The three words "inherit the Lord's grace" can be said to have profound meaning.

If this is not enough, it is said that the relationship between Mrs. Guo Guo and Yang Guozhong is also a little bit different. Yang Guozhong often stayed up all night at Mrs. Guo Guo's house, and often rode in the same carriage when traveling, never avoiding suspicion.

"All lovers in the world will eventually become brothers and sisters." These two people can be regarded as fulfilling the curse of countless singles on Valentine's Day night after thousands of years.

Why the "Dirty Tang Dynasty" was called the Dirty Tang Dynasty? Historians are still very clear-eyed.

Gu Qing's mood became very heavy.

If Xing Shen's backer is Mrs. Guo Guo, this matter will be very difficult. It has to be said that Gu Qing cannot compare with her in terms of holy relatives. After all, there is only one person in Gu Qing, but behind Mrs. Guo Guo, there is the entire Yang family.

Including Yang Guifei, who treated him very kindly, and Yang Guozhong, whose relationship was still in the honeymoon stage.

If he wants to bring down Xing Shen, the price Gu Qing has to pay is too high. This is not the last time he dealt with King Ji. King Ji was just an unpopular prince and had no political power, but the Yang family was different.

Political power is at its peak. Even if Xing Shen is brought down, there is no telling what kind of consequences will be waiting for him in the future.

Reason told Gu Qing that Xing Shen could not move.

However, the brother of the bodyguard had to save him.

Gu Qing, whose expression was changing, thought for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said: "Brother Han, send a few people to Chang'an to withdraw three thousand... no, five thousand taels of silver cake from my house's warehouse, go and come back quickly!

"

Han Jie responded to the order, walked to Gu Qing with a pale face, and said softly: "Master Hou, let's drop this matter. I didn't expect that Xing Shen's backer is actually Mrs. Guo Guo. No wonder he dares to be so confident..."

Gu Qing nodded and smiled bitterly: "My title is not high enough, and my official position is not high enough. I really can't afford to offend Mrs. Guo... But I still have to work hard. This time I brought the money to talk to Xing Shen.

Let’s talk about buying a person’s life for five thousand taels of silver cake. With Xing Shen’s money-grubbing temperament, he should agree…”

Gu Qing sighed with a disappointed expression, and said: "How did Xing Shen get involved with the Yang family? And she is also the wife of Guo Guo. I really can't figure it out. What kind of bad fate is it..."

Han Jie hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "When I was in Zuowei, I heard about the reputation of Mrs. Guo Guo. It is said that Mrs. Guo Guo has a good temperament and an unruly temperament. She has a good impression of men with good looks and extraordinary demeanor.

, I wanted to lure him to the palace when I met him. The governor of Xing has a good appearance and a good demeanor. Could it be..."

Gu Qing was stunned, and then glanced sideways at Han Jie: "I didn't expect you, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, to be so gossipy..."

Deep resentment welled up in his heart. Xing Shen turned out to be a soft-boiled person, so why did he pretend to be aloof and aloof?

Then Gu Qing was stunned, why was the word "ye" used so expressively just now? Could it be that he also...

Thinking about the history of his own fortune, it seems that it is inseparable from Concubine Yang.

Immediately, Gu Qing severely denied this idea of ​​hurting his self-esteem.

What a soft meal, she didn't get me at all.

In the courtyard of the inn, Zheng Xiang sat at the stone table with his old mother. The mother and son looked uneasy and sad.

Gu Qing walked up to the two of them and said softly: "Aunt, Zheng Xiang, to tell you the truth, Governor Xing has a lot of background. The method I originally planned to use may not work, but I have ordered people to transfer money from Chang'an, no matter what How to get Zheng Jian out of prison first, negotiate with Governor Xing for five thousand taels of silver cake, and maybe get a certain percentage..."

The mother and son stood up and saluted Gu Qing gratefully. The old woman sobbed: "My son is blessed to be with your loving and righteous master. The old woman will die without regrets. Mr. Hou has done his best for our Zheng family." , regardless of success or failure, the old woman will set up a longevity tablet for the Marquis at home, chant sutras every day and pray for God to bless the Marquis..."

Gu Qing said in a serious tone: "Auntie, you're welcome. I'm not brave enough. I'm in the court and worry too much..."

The old woman shook her head hurriedly: "That's enough, that's enough. Don't hurt the old woman, Lord Marquis. To be treated so righteously by Lord Marquis, even if my eldest son has something..."

Before he finished speaking, there was the sound of panicked and hasty footsteps outside the yard.

For some reason, Gu Qing felt something bad when he heard the footsteps, and an ominous premonition suddenly arose.

As if telepathically, everyone in the yard looked towards the door.

A bodyguard appeared outside the door panting heavily, looking shocked and angry. When he saw Gu Qing in the yard, the bodyguard couldn't help shouting: "Master Marquis, it's not good! Zheng Jian committed suicide in the prison of Shangzhou Governor's Mansion!"

It was like a sudden thunderbolt on a sunny day, shaking everyone in the yard without making a sound for a long time.

The old woman's eyes were filled with tears. She stood up suddenly, then her legs went weak and she fell down involuntarily. Zheng Xiang, who was beside him, quickly helped her with his eyes.

Gu Qing's eyes quickly became bloodshot and red. He ran to the guards in a few steps and asked with a ferocious expression: "Is Zheng Jian still alive?"

The guard was frightened by Gu Qing's expression. He looked at Zheng Xiang and his son next to him, lowered his head and muttered: "Zheng Jian... is dead. Just now, the officers of the Governor's Office carried Zheng Jian's body out of the house. Our Brother, it has been tested and Zheng Jian’s life is gone!”

Zheng Xiang supported his mother's body and cried loudly: "How could my brother commit suicide? It must be Xing Shen's fault!"

The guard lowered his head and said sadly: "Brother Zheng, I'm just telling you the truth. This is what the officers of the governor's office said when they took out the body. The officers said it even worse, saying...'suicide out of fear of crime.'"

"Fuck!" Gu Qing couldn't help but cursed, and the fists in his sleeves were clenched tightly.

"Xing Shen, I will fight you till death!" Zheng Xiang roared in tears.

Gu Qing slumped down on the stone bench weakly and said: "First place Zheng Jian's body properly, Han Jie, order his bodyguard to go to the longevity store to buy a good coffin and some funeral supplies, and then send people to the nearby Taoist temple Ask the Taoist priest to do the ritual... After doing the ritual, let's rest in peace."

His mind was in confusion and his ears were ringing. Gu Qing found that he had underestimated human nature. Human nature is not the worst, only worse. He originally thought that Xing Shen was an official figure and everything would be done according to the rules of the officialdom, but he did not expect that an official figure would do things completely. There is no bottom line. Gu Qing, a county prince, is still staring at the gate of the Governor's Mansion, but Xing Shen dares to kill him inside.

From an objective standpoint, killing Zheng Jian is indeed a solution. With Zheng Jian dead, all the troubles have been solved. As for enmity with Gu Qing, with Mrs. Guo Guo as his backer, how could Xing Shen be afraid of him?

Soon, Zheng Jian's body was carried into the inn yard by the guards, and lay quietly on the ground in the yard, covered with a layer of white cloth. Gu Qing looked at the stranger in front of him, and felt infinite guilt in his heart.

It was his own misjudgment that killed him, and this incident was a bloody lesson for him.

Han Jie stepped forward and knelt down to examine Zheng Jian's wounds carefully.

After checking for a long time, Han Jie stood up and said softly: "Master Hou, there are many scars on Zheng Jian's body. They are probably caused by torture after being taken to the prison. There is only one fatal wound on him, which is at the heart. The murder weapon was sharpened.

The wood looks like a piece of wood broken off from the bars of a large prison, sharpened and inserted into the heart..."

Gu Qing closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calmed down his emotions, and said: "The appearance is good, it looks like he committed suicide, and it makes sense in the document. I underestimated Xing Shen in this matter, and it is my fault..."

"Master Hou..."

Gu Qing's face suddenly showed a ferocious look, his eyes were cold and he said: "I underestimated Xing Shen, but Xing Shen also underestimated me. He doesn't know what kind of person I am!"

In the silence, as if there was a thunder on the ground, Gu Qing shouted sharply: "Han Jie!"

Han Jie bowed and clasped his fists: "The general is here!"

"All guards assemble!"

"yes!"

The guards quickly gathered, and a team of one hundred people stood densely packed in the courtyard. Everyone looked at Gu Qing silently with a cold and forbidding expression.

Gu Qing looked gloomy, looking at the faces of the guards, but suddenly grinned.

"Zheng Xiang is your brother Paoze, and he is also my brother Paoze. His brother was murdered. Now I am going to do a lawless thing to avenge his brother. Are you willing to go with me?"

The guards shouted in unison: "I wish to go!"
To be continued...