Wei Zhou City was not very big, and the streets were even more messy. Even the main streets were occupied by vendors, and the originally spacious roads were now cramped and difficult to walk on. Merchants and travelers, as well as horses, cows, sheep, and all kinds of vehicles, filled the roads to the brim.
Other than the bailiffs and bailiffs who would clear the path ahead of time for important officials to pass by and clear the path after the street was filled with chaos, it was useless at other times. No matter how loud one's roar was, the common people would just leisurely walk their own path and not pay any attention to them.
Yang Fan was not in a hurry. He squeezed into the crowd with Gu Yuan and Yuan Huan and slowly walked forward. He even bought some snacks for the gluttonous little fellow and comforted Gu Yuan, "Don't worry, I'll take you to a high-ranking official's house to stay. Once you get there, you won't have to hide all day."
Gu Yuan said, "Yes! Uncle Yang, we can stay anywhere. I'm just worried about Mom and Dad. Are they alright? "
Yang Fan said, "After I settle you down, I'll go settle this matter. It won't be long before you can reunite with your families, I promise!"
Perhaps it was because of their similar fates and childhood, and especially because they were also siblings, Yang Fan was very close to them. He had probably transferred his longing for his sister to this pair of siblings. Yang Fan was unusually patient with this pair of siblings whom he had never met before.
At this time, Liu Junfan, who was carrying a basket in the crook of his arm, had a scarf on his head, and had a moustache stuck to his chin. He was dressed like an old farmer from the countryside. The two public servants were doing their best to clear the way, and Yang Fan was walking behind them with the Gu siblings. Liu Junfan suddenly dodged sideways, as if he had been hit by someone, and cut right in between them.
This situation was very normal. It was very common to see people jostling and bumping along the way, so Yang Fan did not pay it any mind. Liu Junfan nervously looked behind Yang Fan, and Sima Buyi, who was behind Yang Fan, glared at him. Liu Junfan secretly gritted his teeth and subconsciously grabbed the basket and suddenly threw it at Yang Fan.
"Uncle!"
A cloud of lime flew out, but in her hurry, Liu Junfan did not have time to remove the cloth covering the basket. The cloth also flew out, blocking a part of the lime. Only a small part of Gu Yuan's body was sprinkled with lime, but her face was not affected at all.
Yang Fan was talking to Gu Huan with his head lowered, so he didn't notice Liu Junfan's actions. However, Gu Huan saw it and shouted in surprise. Yang Fan suddenly looked up and saw a white mist in front of him. He subconsciously closed his eyes and reached out to block Gu Huan.
Liu Junfan hurriedly threw the lime out of the basket, and Yang Fan saw his actions the moment he closed his eyes. His empty left hand hurriedly pushed outwards and blocked most of the lime. A ball of lime bounced back and hit Liu Junfan's face. Liu Junfan's eyes were wide open, and the lime hit his head and face. His eyes were completely filled with lime, and Liu Junfan immediately let out a scream.
Sima Buyi saw that Liu Junfan had succeeded and quickly took out a sharp knife from his sleeves. He stepped forward and twisted his waist, stabbing towards Yang Fan's back. Yang Fan had one hand protecting Gu Huan and the other pushing away the lime. His body very naturally leaned to the side, and Sima Buyi's knife was not solid enough. The knife grazed past Yang Fan's shoulder blade.
Yang Fan felt a sharp pain in his body, and even though his eyes were closed, his reaction was still extremely fast. His body fell forward, and his right leg bounced back. He heard a muffled grunt from behind him, and this kick landed on Sima Buyi's chest. However, in his haste, he did not use all his strength. Even so, he still managed to kick Sima Buyi into the crowd, knocking down a bunch of people.
The two bailiffs in front heard the noise, and when they saw this scene, they couldn't help but be shocked and angry. They immediately roared and pounced towards Sima Buyi. Sima Buyi spat out a mouthful of blood, and struggled to get up. He clutched his chest and staggered away. The street was extremely crowded, and Sima Buyi weaved in and out of the crowd and actually managed to escape!
… …
In the Provincial Governor's manor, Zhang Jianzhi had his hands behind his back, and his expression was gloomy as he paced back and forth in the hall.
The unlucky Liu Junfan had been caught, and Zhang Jianzhi had already asked him about the origins of the assassin. Knowing that it was not another assassin sent by the imperial envoy, the anger and nervousness in Zhang Jianzhi's heart had lessened somewhat. However, Yang Fan was currently receiving treatment, and he didn't know if his eyes would be burnt blind, which still made him very worried.
Luo Shudao still did not know that the imperial envoy had met with danger. If he knew, he would definitely fly into a rage at this moment. An imperial envoy had met with an accident in his territory, and this was a responsibility he could not bear. Of course, at this moment, Yang Fan was Zhang Jianzhi's guest, so Zhang Jianzhi had to bear even more responsibility.
After a long time, the doctor finally came out from the inner room, and behind him was his little disciple, who was carrying a medicine box on his back. Zhang Jianzhi hurriedly went forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Mister Wen, how is this old man's nephew's injury?"
Because this matter was of great importance, Zhang Jianzhi did not reveal Yang Fan's identity to the doctor, and only said that he was his nephew.
Mister Wen was younger than Zhang Jianzhi by more than twenty years, nearing the age of fifty. His appearance was even younger, appearing to be in his early forties. Hearing the Provincial Governor's question, the scholarly physician hastily bowed to return the courtesy, and replied, "Mister Wen need not worry. Your nephew's eyes were not splashed with too much lime. I have already washed them with vegetable oil and applied some herbal medicine. Presumably, his eyes will not have any serious problems. However, his eyes are currently burnt, red and swollen, temporarily unable to see anything."
Zhang Jianzhi heard this, and immediately heaved a sigh of relief. The scholarly physician continued, "The injury on his back is also not serious. It did not injure any vital parts, and has already been bandaged. As for the younger child, the lime splashed on his eyes was even less than Mister Wen's. He will be fine after washing his eyes and resting for a while. "
Zhang Jianzhi cheerfully said, "Someone, come quickly and fetch two silver cakes. This is Mister Wen's medical fee."
Mister Wen hastily said, "Mister Wen must not. This medical fee is too heavy."
Zhang Jianzhi said, "Hey, Mister Wen was able to preserve my nephew's eyes. Two silver cakes are nothing in comparison."
The steward fetched the silver cakes. Zhang Jianzhi said, "Steward, help me escort Mister Wen out. Mister Wen, this old man wants to see my nephew's condition. I won't be escorting you out. "
"Stay, stay!"
Mister Wen repeatedly cupped his hands and followed the steward out.
In the inner room, Yang Fan's face was wrapped in several circles of bandages. He was using his hands to feel the furniture and slowly moving his body. Suddenly he heard footsteps and turned around. Zhang Jianzhi quickly stepped forward and supported his hand, saying, "Yuanfang, don't worry. Mister Wen is a famous doctor in this area. He said that your eyes will be fine. You will be fine after two days of rest."
Yang Fan calmly nodded his head and said, "Junior has heard Mister Wen's words. Don't worry, Master Zhang. I can feel it myself. The injury shouldn't be serious. It's just a bit of a burn. "
Yang Fan was still young. He was only in his early twenties but he was already a Justice Department official. Compared to this sixty-three year old Zhang Jianzhi who was squatting in the yamen as a second-in-command, Yang Fan's future prospects were boundless. If Yang Fan's eyes were suddenly blinded, everything would be for naught. No one would be able to withstand this kind of stimulation.
When Yang Mingsheng's eyes were suddenly blinded, his intense reaction and twisted mentality were normal reactions. Zhang Jianzhi couldn't help but secretly admire Yang Fan's calmness.
Yang Fan asked, "Did you catch the culprit?"
Zhang Jianzhi said, "Yuan Fang's attack was able to deflect the lime thrown by the assassin, but his own eyes were also hit by the lime, so he had no choice but to surrender. Just now the old man has already interrogated him. This man said that he is called Liu Junfan, and that he and Yuan Fang are old acquaintances, and that there was a grudge between them in Luoyang?"
"Liu Junfan?"
Yang Fan tilted his head and thought for a moment. He said with some surprise, "It's him? I didn't expect to run into him here! No wonder … "
Zhang Jianzhi said, "Just now, one of the scholar's disciples helped him wash his eyes with vegetable oil. However, there was too much lime splashed into his eyes. This person … is already blind."
Yang Fan was silent for a moment. He asked, "How does Master Zhang intend to deal with him?"
Zhang Jianzhi said, "Killing an official is equivalent to rebellion. He should be executed! However, when he tried to assassinate you, he didn't know your identity. Moreover, the assassination attempt failed. He should be sentenced to exile. "
Zhang Jianzhi laughed bitterly. He said, "But … this place is already a remote province. Where else can he be exiled to? Now he can only be locked up in prison. "
Yang Fan said, "That's fine! Otherwise, with his eyes already blinded, I'm afraid he'll starve to death outside. "
Yang Fan thought for a moment. He asked, "He seems to have an accomplice?"
Zhang Jianzhi said, "That's right! According to Liu Junfan, after he was exiled to this place, he stayed here and joined a group that specializes in selling banned goods between our dynasty and Tubo. Their leader is called Sima Buyi. Sima Buyi has already escaped. I've sent people to capture him. "
Yang Fan nodded. "Thank you, Master Zhang!"
Zhang Jianzhi said, "You should rest first. Now that something like this has happened … should we postpone the discussion with Imperial Censor Huang about the rebellion until your eyes have recovered?"
Yang Fan said, "There's no need! It's only his eyes that are injured, not his mouth! We can't give him time to play tricks. Master Zhang, it's better to arrange it according to the original schedule. "
Zhang Jianzhi sighed. "Alright. This old man will arrange it immediately. You should rest first!"
Zhang Jianzhi came out of Yang Fan's room and went to the front hall. He beckoned for the steward and asked in a low voice, "Have you found Sima Buyi's whereabouts?"
The steward was a family member he brought with him when he took office. He was his trusted aide who had taken care of him since he was young. He quickly replied, "Wei Province is only this big. Where else can Sima Buyi run to? We've already found his whereabouts. "
Zhang Jianzhi was surprised. "So fast? I didn't expect the prefectural magistrate to have some tricks up his sleeve. "
The steward chuckled. "Ah Lang, you've removed five county magistrates in a row. Your name has spread throughout Wei Province. The petty officials have the best eyes and ears. They've already heard about Ah Lang's return. They're now trembling with fear, afraid that Ah Lang will cause trouble for them. How can they not work hard? Moreover, Yang Fan is the Imperial Envoy. If the Imperial Envoy is assassinated here, the Emperor will be furious and investigate. At worst, Ah Lang will be relieved of his official post and go home, but they will certainly be beheaded. These local bullies usually do nothing, but once they do something, nothing can escape their eyes. "
Zhang Jianzhi nodded. "This is why I want to subdue them and not remove them. If they're useless and only listen to orders, how can they help me govern? Tell them to keep an eye on Sima Buyi but don't arrest him. "
The steward felt strange and asked, "This person actually dared to assassinate the imperial envoy. This is a heinous crime. Why didn't Ah Lang arrest him? Could it be … he has accomplices?"
Zhang Jianzhi shook his head. "If he has accomplices, he wouldn't be so desperate. I have another use for him. Remember, don't kill him or arrest him! "
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
