Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 42

Chapter 42 Doubt And Help
In the backyard of the county government, in the wing room.

Cuimei blushed with excitement as he swung his club and said, “Young miss, I saw this with my own eyes. That Zheng Fu was really beaten dozens of times by my uncle. There were still many people around him who watched and knocked him unconscious in a moment. Today’s uncle was sitting there looking impressive!”

However, Chu Yunrong did not show any signs of being too happy. She only replied in a low voice, “I know. You said that this matter has happened at least five times. I will soon learn it by heart.”

‘”But … but uncle is really powerful today. I’m just afraid that you won’t believe me …” Cuimei said, raising his voice to imitate Lu Zhen’s tone. “Put him in jail … Miss, those people who used to be disobedient immediately dragged Zheng Fu out this time. He should really be imprisoned.”

Chu Yunrong replied again, and then said, “Alright, you’re not tired of talking. I’m tired of listening. Hurry up and prepare dinner, otherwise, my stomach will be hungry.”

“Oh” Cuimei suddenly remembered that she hadn’t done her business yet. She hurriedly stuck out her tongue and left in a hurry. However, looking at her swift appearance, it was obvious that her excitement hadn’t passed yet.

As soon as she left, Chu Yunrong’s two eyebrows gently clasped together, “He really is. He actually dares to cause such a big trouble. Isn’t he afraid that the forces behind Zheng Fu will harm him?” Although she had always stayed in the backyard, and even the trial in the lobby had only allowed Cuimei, this little girl, to see and repay her, she still had a good understanding of the situation in Guangling County.

Chu Yunrong still had some understanding of Zheng Fu’s status in the county government and in the county town. She also knew that he had an inexplicable relationship with the garrison in the city. But now, Lu Zhen had actually taken down such a fellow. I’m afraid that there will be even more trouble coming to his door in the future.

“What exactly is he thinking? He didn’t have the guts to do so in the past. Could it be that his disappearance a few days ago made him change his mind, or perhaps he found some kind of backer? But that’s not right!” The more she thought about it, the more Chu Yunrong felt that the situation was somewhat unreasonable. Then, she thought about the change in his attitude towards her during this period of time, which made her feel even more strange.

But until Cuimei brought dinner, Chu Yunrong did not come up with a conclusion, so she could only let it go. After all, she was only a woman. Even though she had some experience, she was unable to do anything and could not say anything. However, one thing she could guess was that this matter would definitely not be settled just like that.

Thinking of this, Chu Yunrong’s heart unconsciously turned cold. Looking at the pitch-black sky outside, she casually asked, “Has he returned to the Queen’s Office?” Because of the lumps in her heart, she always called Lu Zhen estranged.

“Uncle has already returned to the study. When I came over, I saw that there was a candle lit there.” Cuimei nodded and then looked at the young miss curiously. He didn’t know what kind of attitude she had. Could it be that she wanted to take the initiative to go over and greet her? Looks like young miss also feels aunt’s prestige, so she changed her previous attitude?

Unfortunately, Chu Yunrong only asked casually. She did not have any intention of going over. Cui Mei was somewhat disappointed.

@ @ @ @

As a small county in the border area, Guangling County was naturally not rich. As a result, the prison of the county government looked very dilapidated. Not only was the place narrow and cramped, there were also many damaged areas. As the north wind tightened, bone-piercing cold winds continuously poured in from those holes, causing the pitch-black place to be as cold as an ice cellar.

Such a harsh environment was too difficult for Zheng Fu, who was used to being well-fed. At this moment, he had already shrunk into a ball and was still trembling. However, he didn’t know if it was because of the pain on his buttocks or because of the cold.

At this time, a jailer had already brought over a quilt that emitted a pungent smell and said to Zheng Fu, who was hiding in his cell, “Fourth master, please feel wronged and make do with it.”

Zheng Fu almost spat out the sour smell. He hurriedly pushed the cup away and stared at the jailer in front of him. “Didn’t I ask you to go to my house to get the bedding? Do you take my words as a deaf ear?”

“Little one has wronged Fourth Master.” The jailer hurriedly cried out in grievance, “How dare the little one not listen to you? However … it’s just that there’s already someone guarding the outside of this prison, saying that no one is allowed to leave without permission. The little one has no choice.”

“What?” Hearing this, Zheng Fu’s body suddenly moved together, but because of this, he brought it to the wound, causing him to shout again. After a long time, he finally recovered, “This was also arranged by Lu Zhen, wasn’t it?”

“I think … I presume so.” The jailer replied softly, but his eyes did not dare to interact with the other party.

‘”Good, you Lu Zhen, you want to see me to death. There are also those traitors who crawl around and seek glory from their masters. They used to obey orders one by one, but now they immediately fall to him. Do you really think I’m dead?” As he spoke, Zheng Fu’s eyes were filled with hatred and resentment.

This appearance in the eyes of the jailer shocked him, but he didn’t know what to do. He could only lower his head and do nothing, pretending that he was air.

“Do you think you can rest easy just by looking at me to death? You are too arrogant! Very soon, you will know how big a mistake you made today!” As he said that, he suddenly laughed. However, his sorry appearance in the eyes of the jailer made him feel even more frightened. He only wanted to throw the blankets away and leave this terrifying fellow.

@ @ @ @

It was naturally useless to watch Zheng Fu die, because there were other people in the Zheng Clan.

After entering, the north wind became even tighter, and the whistling sound went straight into the ghost’s tears.

On such a cold night, there was no one in the small county, but a carriage was moving steadily towards the north. When it arrived in front of the garrison near the city wall, it slowly stopped.

Afterwards, the curtains of the carriage were lifted, and a middle-aged scholar jumped down first. Then, with the efforts of the carriage driver from the carriage shaft, he helped a white-haired old man to the ground.

When the three of them approached the antlers at the entrance of the barracks, a vigilant cry immediately sounded from inside, “Who is it? How dare you trespass on the barracks’s important land?” As he spoke, there were still a few flashes of cold light in the darkness, but he didn’t know if it was a saber, spear, or arrow.

The three old men hurriedly stood still before saying, “This old man, Zheng Hai, requests to see General Xiao Mo and Xiao. I hope that the Military Master will be dragged into this matter and inform him.” As he spoke, he winked at the scholar beside him again. The latter understood and hurriedly tossed over a money bag that he had with him.

The person inside opened his money bag and lit it up with a torch. Then, his tone softened slightly, “So it’s Old Master Zheng. Please wait here for a moment. We’ll go report it now.”

Zheng Hai thanked him and waited. However, the north wind was getting colder and colder, causing him to shiver in his old age. When the scholar saw this, he said, “Old Master, should we go back to the car first to avoid the cold?”

“It doesn’t matter.” However, Zheng Hai shook his head and said, “It shouldn’t take long. My Zheng Clan and Xiao Mo still have some friendship.”

Sure enough, after a while, a soldier came over and moved the antlers away, letting the old man and the scholar in, but the coachman was left outside. Zheng Hai couldn’t hold on to this either.

Accompanied by a soldier, they followed the path that was still covered in wet snow and cautiously continued forward until they finally arrived at a wooden barracks that occupied quite a large area. The soldier stood at the door and said, “Bring the chief here.”

“Come in, both of you.” The person inside casually said in a deep voice.

Zheng Hai coughed softly, then after the scholar lifted the curtain, he bent down slightly and walked into the room.

Although this room did not look very imposing, it was quite extraordinary inside. Not only were there many beast hides hanging on it, the floor was also covered with thick felt. In addition, there were a few charcoal furnaces. Compared to the outside, it was just like spring.

A big man in a single coat was sitting there nibbling on chicken drumsticks and drinking wine. “Elder Zheng, we haven’t seen each other for years, have we?”

“This old man has been in poor health these past few years. I have left everything to my useless son. I have come out less often. If there is any rudeness, I hope that the general does not want to see any monsters.” Zheng Hai smiled and cupped his hands.

This Xiao Mo was only a general, and he only had 500 subordinates. He was still 108,000 kilometers away from the real general. But now that he was called a general, he didn’t seem to dare to be unworthy. He only smiled faintly and said, “Tell me, why are you looking for me today?”

Hearing that, Zheng Hai immediately got up from his seat and knelt down, “I hope General Xiao can make the decision for our Zheng Clan.”

“You … what’s going on?” Xiao Mo was slightly stunned, but he did not intend to step forward to help him. He just sat there and asked. However, his broom-like eyebrows were slowly raised. He could tell that this matter should not be small.

After glancing at the other party, the scholar hurriedly stepped forward to help Zheng Hai up. The old man could not kneel down often, as long as he acted like that.

After Zheng Hai sat back down, he sighed and said, “Today, my useless son was convicted by county magistrate Lu Zhen. After a few dozen heavy beatings, he was thrown into prison. I, the Zheng family, will definitely be extremely grateful for General Xiao’s help!” As he spoke, he cupped his hands again.

This time, Xiao Mo’s expression really changed. “There’s actually such a thing?” It hadn’t been long since the incident had occurred, and their barracks were relatively independent, so it hadn’t spread yet. This surprised him. He knew Zheng Fu’s position in Guang Ling. He really couldn’t understand why he ended up like this.

However, he quickly lowered his eyes and said, “This matter is not easy to handle. I am only a soldier, but there is a yamen over there. No matter how much face I have, I can’t let the county magistrate pardon Zheng Fu, right?”