Hu Yuanli and Ma Qiao asked at the same time, leaving Sun Yuxuan dumbfounded. He replied in astonishment, "You … you already know?"
"Haha!"
Maqiao clapped his hands and laughed. "Censor Hu, I win! This banquet, you're treating for sure! "
Hu Yuanli shook his head and sighed. "Brother Sun, oh Brother Sun! You really surprised me. Why are you not as mature as a young man when you are middle-aged? "
Sun Yuxuan was puzzled. "Have you already sent someone to Jingzhou? Otherwise, how would you know that Miss Hu is with me? "
Yang Fan whipped his horse and smiled. "Brother Sun, you don't need to pay attention to them. They are bored and used you as a wager. Why would Brother Sun travel so far to welcome us? Aren't you being too polite? "
Yang Fan looked behind Sun Yuxuan. There was a lush green hill with a few people and a few mule carts on the official road. There was not even a shadow of Jingzhou.
Sun Yuxuan's face tightened when he heard Yang Fan's question. He hurriedly said, "Doctor Yang, guess who I saw in Jingzhou?"
Yang Fan, Hu Yuanli, and Maqiao looked at each other. "Who did you see?"
Sun Yuxuan said word by word, "Wang … Hong … yi!"
"Wang Hongyi?"
Hu Yuanli cried out. "How is that possible? Are you sure you saw the wrong person? Wasn't Wang Hongyi banished to Jiaozhi? "
Sun Yuxuan said, "I can't be wrong! Because of this, I have my suspicions. Yang Langzhong, have you received the imperial bulletin about Wang Hongyi's pardon? "
Yang Fan shook his head with a serious expression.
By this time Hu Yuanli had figured out the crux of the matter; his countenance changed as he said, "The Censorate toppled Su Weiwei and the other two Prime Ministers. The Political Affairs Hall retaliated by executing Hou Sizhi and exiling Wang Hongyi. Wang Hongyi has been pardoned … Could it be that something happened in the imperial court? Could it be that Prime Minister Li … "
Yang Fan believed that if something happened to Li Zhaode, or if the Emperor was inclined to put the Imperial Censor in an important position due to some unforeseen event, he would definitely receive the news. Right now, he had connections with various factions: Princess Taiping, Liang Wangwu Sansi, Li Zhaode and the Ministry of Justice of the Prime Minister Faction, Xue Huaiyi's White Horse Monastery, and Shen Mu's Hidden Sect.
If such a major event had happened in the court, at least one of the factions would have told him the news. But in reality, he had come here with the grandeur of an imperial envoy, so it was not difficult to find him. However, he had never heard of any major changes happening in the court.
Maqiao also knew a thing or two about Wang Hongyi's matter. Seeing the three of them change their expressions and their suspicious expressions, he couldn't help but ask doubtfully, "If there were no changes in the court, would Wang Hongyi not be pardoned?"
Yang Fan said, "Of course! Otherwise, how could Prime Minister Li agree to pardon Wang Hongyi? How could all the civil and military officials in the imperial court agree? "
Maqiao said, "Then maybe he is unwilling to leave and is staying in Jingzhou, unwilling to go south."
Yang Fan, Hu Yuanli, and Sun Yuxuan looked at him as if they were looking at an idiot. Maqiao raised his eyebrows and said, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Yang Fan said, "When he is sent to Jiaozhi, there will be bailiffs escorting him from prefecture to prefecture. One prefecture will escort the criminal to the next prefecture, and the next prefecture will send officials to continue the delivery. If the criminal is not delivered, the official business will not be completed. If he wants to stay in Jingzhou and not leave, how is that possible? He is just a prisoner, how can he make his own decisions? "
Sun Yuxuan added, "Not only is he enjoying himself in Jingzhou, but the Provincial Governor of Jingzhou, Fan Guang, is treating him like an honored guest."
Maqiao said, "This is strange. You all said that it is impossible for him to be pardoned, and it is impossible for him to stay because he wants to. Then how can he be enjoying himself in Jingzhou, and even be treated with such courtesy by the Provincial Governor? Unless he forged an imperial edict and pardoned himself. "
Maqiao's words were getting more and more ridiculous. Hu Yuanli and Sun Yuxuan no longer looked at him like he was an idiot and pretended not to hear him. Yang Fan shook his head and said to Sun Yuxuan, "I really don't know anything about Wang Hongyi. You don't have to be anxious. If something really happened, it has already happened. There is no point in being anxious. Let's talk about it when we reach Jingzhou! "
Sun Yuxuan had no other ideas and could only agree. The group continued north. An hour later, Shili Pavilion was in sight. Under the pavilion, they could faintly see a group of officials dressed in red and green robes waiting there.
Yang Fan saw from afar and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He blurted out, "Do you think … Wang Hongyi will be among the welcoming officials?"
Hu Yuanli and Sun Yuxuan looked at each other. Sun Yuxuan hesitated and said, "Wang Hongyi has never been on good terms with us. I'm afraid he won't come to welcome us, right?"
Yang Fan shook his head and said with a smile, "Not necessarily! If this person has really been pardoned, even if he has not been reinstated, since he knows I am coming, he will definitely come to Shili Pavilion to see me! "
Hu Yuanli had worked in the Censorate for a long time and knew Wang Hongyi's character. With Yang Fan's words, he also reacted and blushed, "That's right! If this person is Wang Hongyi … "
Sun Yuxuan cut him off, "There is no if. It is him!"
Hu Yuanli said, "Then, if he has really been pardoned, he will definitely come to welcome us."
Maqiao stared with a pair of ox eyes and said, "Why? Could it be that he has learned his lesson after suffering such a big loss? "
Sun Yuxuan also understood at this time. His eyes flashed as he said, "That's right! If his presence in Jingzhou is an honorable matter, he will definitely come today! "
Maqiao was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks. He shouted, "What are the three of you trying to do? Can't you say it more clearly?"
Hu Yuanli and Sun Yuxuan looked at him as if they were looking at an idiot, but they did not explain.
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Brother Qiao, you don't understand this person and naturally don't understand the reason. The reason is actually very simple. The people on the left of the Censorate are all ruffians that Lai Junchen gathered. These people are all people who can't hide anything in a dog's stomach. If he has really been pardoned and returned, even if he has not been reinstated, it would be a great victory for him. It would be strange if he didn't come to Shili Pavilion to show off! "
Only now did Maqiao understand.
Provincial Governor Fan was resting in the pavilion when he suddenly saw the banners fluttering in the distance and the orderly procession. He unconsciously stood up. The messenger that had been sent to the front to keep watch hurriedly rushed back and reported to him that the imperial envoy had indeed arrived. Provincial Governor Fan hurriedly tidied up his attire and slowly walked to the side of the road to wait. The civil and military officials of Jingzhou also lined up behind him according to their ranks.
When the Longwu Guards reached Shili Pavilion, they slowed down. Under the guidance of the Duke of Jingzhou, they split into two groups and circled around Shili Pavilion. Yang Fan, Hu Yuanli, and Sun Yuxuan arrived side by side. Provincial Governor Fan glanced at the imperial envoy banners erected high behind the three of them and cupped his hands in greeting. In a clear voice, he said, "The Jing Province's Provincial Governor Fan Guang has led the civil and military officials of the prefecture to welcome the three imperial envoys!"
Yang Fan and the other two dismounted from their horses and quickly walked forward to welcome them. They cupped their hands in greeting and said with a smile, "The envoy is too courteous. My colleagues are too courteous. We have troubled you all to wait for so long. Forgive us, forgive us!"
The three of them cupped their hands in greeting as they looked around. Provincial Governor Fan was standing right in front of them, but he saw the three of them cupping their hands in greeting while looking behind him. He couldn't help asking in curiosity, "Er … are the three imperial envoys looking for something?"
"Ah? Haha, it's nothing, it's nothing. We are just passing by a treasured land and have troubled so many of our colleagues from Jingzhou to welcome us. We really feel bad for mobilizing such a large force! "
Yang Fan retracted his gaze and answered perfunctorily. Provincial Governor Fan could tell that he wasn't being sincere. However, he only wanted to do his best as a host and welcome the imperial envoys according to the etiquette of the imperial court. He wasn't concerned about what this passer-by was thinking. Therefore, he only smiled slightly and respectfully said, "This Fan has already prepared a banquet to welcome the three imperial envoys. Please!"
"Please!"
Yang Fan and the other two politely returned the greeting. They took this opportunity to exchange a glance with each other, their eyes revealing the same meaning. There's no Wang Hongyi!
Without Wang Hongyi, there would be a huge problem with this matter.
Under the accompaniment of Provincial Governor Fan and the others, Yang Fan's group headed for the city of Jingzhou. Looking at the back view of Maqiao, who was striding proudly in front of the Dragon Martial Guards, a strange thought suddenly flashed through Yang Fan's mind. It can't be that Brother Qiao 'er was right and that Wang Hongyi had actually forged an imperial edict and pardoned himself, right?
As soon as this thought surfaced in his mind, Yang Fan laughed involuntarily. "How is that possible? Who would have such guts? Who would do something so stupid that it would be easily exposed? Who would actually dare to show off in Jing Province?"
Fan Guang asked with a smile, "Why is Yang Langzhong laughing?"
Yang Fan replied calmly, "Oh! Looking at this majestic city gate, simple and unadorned, I suddenly thought of the story of Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou and Guan Gong losing it. I couldn't help but laugh. "
Hearing him talk about the story of his province, Fan Guang stroked his beard with some satisfaction and said, "Since ancient times, Jingzhou has always been a battleground for military strategists. As a result, there are many historical sites left behind, such as Generals Calling Platform, Horse Pao Spring, Cao Cao Stockade, Wulin Spring, Zilonggang Hill, Huarong Path, Madame Sun Town, etc. If Yang Langzhong can stay in Jingzhou for a few more days, I can accompany the imperial envoy on a sightseeing tour."
Yang Fan replied, "I couldn't ask for more, but I'm tied up with official business."
Fan Guang smiled slightly and pointed his horsewhip forward, saying, "Today, we will hold a banquet to welcome the imperial envoy. It will be held at this Binyang Restaurant."
Yang Fan raised his head and saw that on the city platform of Yinbin Gate, there was a majestic city tower with double eaves resting on the top of a mountain. The tower was three stories high and had green-grey roof tiles. Large pillars and winding corridors, the roof ridges and corners were decorated with beasts. It was an antique and exceptionally solemn sight.
Fan Guang clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Among the heroes of the three states, there was more than one person who had come to this place to drink and entertain guests. When Guan Yuchang was stationed in Jingzhou, he had held many grand banquets here. Since I am holding a banquet here, not only can we enjoy the scenery from a high vantage point, we can also savor the charm of the ancients. Killing two birds with one stone, haha … "
Provincial Governor Fan had made ample preparations. Not only was there a banquet upstairs, there was singing and dancing, there was also wine and beauties, as well as all sorts of toiletries. The so-called welcoming banquet wasn't just empty words. After a long and arduous journey, weathering the wind and rain, it was inevitable that one's face would be covered in greasy sweat. And at that time, the roads were mostly dirt roads, so this' wind and dust 'was a common occurrence. At this moment, Yang Fan and the others were really covered in dust. It was impossible for them to sit and enjoy the banquet in their current state. Therefore, they had to wash up, bathe, and change their clothes.
While they were washing up, Provincial Governor Fan and the other officials were either sitting idly in the building or leaning on the railings to look into the distance, admiring the scenery outside and inside the city.
There was a wooden house with a few levels of partitions. In each level, there was a bathtub, towel, and toiletries. Yang Fan raised a bucket of water and washed away the bubbles from the honey locust beans on his body. He then wrapped himself in a towel and picked up a toothbrush, dipping it in fine green salt to brush his teeth.
Hu Yuanli and Sun Yuxuan saw that Yang Fan had a dark expression ever since he entered the city, so they thought that he already had a plan in mind. Therefore, they had been enduring and not asking. However, even now, they didn't see Yang Fan say anything about this matter. It was as if he had completely forgotten about it, yet he still had the leisure to tease Maqiao.
After brushing a mouthful of bubbles, Yang Fan was actually beaming with joy as he praised the quality of the toothbrush. He even advised Maqiao, who was bathing at the side, to go to the city to ask around and learn a thing or two from other people so that he could be filial to his mother when he returned. After saying a lot of idle talk, the two of them couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Wang Hongyi wasn't among the welcoming officials!"
"Therefore, not only is there no reason for him to appear here, there's definitely something fishy going on."
After the two of them finished speaking, they asked at the same time, "What wise opinion does Yang Langzhong have?"
Yang Fan cracked open his foam-covered mouth and smiled, "I don't have any wise opinion, but I do have a humble opinion. If he doesn't come to see us, we'll just look for him. Isn't he an esteemed guest of Provincial Governor Fan? In a while, I'll directly ask him! "
Hu Yuanli hesitated, "Wouldn't this … be too abrupt?"
Yang Fan replied, "Why be so wishy-washy? So what if it's abrupt? Someone has to be the villain, and I'll just do it! "
…
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