Chu Feng County City.
After collecting the entrance fee, Wu Ming's ox cart entered the city without any obstructions.
It was peaceful along the way, and there were no bandits. This was enough to show Wu Zhi's methods of governance.
However, Wu Ming knew very well that no matter how good his reputation was, when it came to this year's harvest and his entire family's livelihood, the officials and citizens of Chu Feng County would abandon him without hesitation!
"Young master, may I know where to go next?"
Old Luo really liked this young customer. He was a man of few words and had no unreasonable requests. Of course, the most important thing was that he was straightforward with his money!
The moment he entered the city, he paid for the cart. Since it was only a few steps away, he might even be able to ask for a few more rewards after he arrived!
The cart would still have to be split with the ox and horse merchants, so the rewards would be his. Thus, his face was filled with eagerness and some sincerity.
"Oh?"
Wu Ming had a playful smile on his face.
"It's only a few steps away, I have to send you there safely!"
Old Luo smiled, and his crisscrossed face seemed to be fawning as well.
"Alright then … Let's go to the provincial governor's residence, you'll be rewarded handsomely …"
Wu Ming said leisurely.
However, these words caused Old Luo's steel-like arm to tremble, and he almost let the ox cart rush to the side of the road.
'Oh my … Could this young master be a small official in the provincial governor's residence?'
Old Luo's heart trembled, but he didn't dare to say anything else. He drove the ox cart towards the center of the city.
As the center of power in Chu Feng County, the provincial governor's residence was naturally a landmark. There were two huge stone lions standing at the entrance, showing off their majesty.
On the street, there was a row of luxurious carriages, all of which were officials seeking to meet Wu Zhi.
Many luxurious and plain carriages of all shapes and sizes blocked the road. Seeing this, Old Luo didn't dare to go forward and could only stop at the side. He smiled apologetically, "Small official … I can't go forward!"
In this world, there was a clear hierarchy. He didn't even dare to walk beside a carriage, so how would he dare to go forward?
"Alright then!"
Wu Ming casually tossed out a few coins and walked towards the entrance of the Regional Commander Residence.
Old Luotou did not leave. On the contrary, he looked at Wu Ming's back with a pair of expectant eyes. He really wanted to know what this minor official's position was in the Jiedu Office.
If it was a real noble … he felt that he would have the capital to brag to other customers in the future.
In front of the Jiedu Manor, there were even more guests waiting. All of them had name cards in their hands as they lined up one by one.
However, Wu Ming ignored them and walked straight into the Regional Governor's Residence.
Such a brazen act of cutting the queue immediately made him feel the focus of a large group of gazes behind him, and many of them seemed to be waiting to watch a good show. However, no one immediately jumped out, as if they wanted to see him smash his head against the military commanders until it bled profusely.
But …
"Young master?!"
The Fire Phoenix Camp personal guard who was originally guarding the place let out a cry of surprise and immediately bowed, welcoming Wu Ming in.
"Young … Young master?!"
The officials in the queue behind him were flustered. At this moment, some of the more experienced officials came forward to give him advice. After a round of whispering, they looked at Wu Ming's back with jealousy …
"Oh my god …"
Old Luotou's mouth was wide open like a statue. However, he was clear that he would definitely not be lacking in bragging rights in the future.
…
On the other side, Wu Ming did not care about the flies behind him.
What made him feel slightly regretful was that he did not jump out of the idiotic second generation and give him a slap in the face in front of everyone.
It seemed like there were still very few idiots in this world.
"However … if I really want to be calculative, I am the eldest second generation in Chu Feng and Nan Feng County, right? No! I should be the first generation … "
Wu Ming put away his evil thoughts and went to the backyard of the Regional Governor's Residence.
It was obvious that Wu Zhi had been staying in the Regional Governor's Residence for a period of time. He even brought along his personal belongings.
"Where is your young mistress?"
"Young mistress is still inspecting the drought outside the city, as well as the layout of the water dragon carriages … I'm afraid she will only be back very late …"
The person who led the way was Wu Zhi's former personal servant girl. She seemed to be called a servant knife or something else. At this moment, she did not have the arrogant and bossy attitude of someone in the front yard. She softly led Wu Ming to Wu Zhi's bedroom and helped him take off his robe and change his boots. Only then did she ask, "We have already sent news of your arrival to young mistress. Young mistress must be tired from the journey. Do you need to eat?"
Her words unconsciously carried a hint of flirtatiousness as she thought of the young mistress's promise.
The people in her camp were actually Teng Qie's dowry. Speaking of which, Wu Ming was also her husband. Naturally, she was more attentive when serving him.
"That's fine too …"
Wu Ming agreed. He could clearly feel the pleasantly surprised expression on the servant girl's face. He could not help but smile. Having a beauty accompany him to eat was originally a pleasure for the scholarly officials. Why should he refuse?
…
Night fell.
In Chu Feng County City, the sky was dark and a row of lamps were lit.
In a secret room of the Square Inn, which was quite famous in the city and had a golden signboard for decades, a conversation was going on.
"This is the news you reported today …"
In the secret room, an oil lamp flickered. It was dim and mysterious.
Under the light, there was a huge table. The manager of the Square Inn, who was originally a man with a kind face, had a frosty expression on his face. He glanced at a beggar in ragged clothes in front of him.
"Reporting to my lord … all the news in the city today is here!"
This beggar was extremely old and seemed to have experienced many hardships. However, in front of this lord, he did not dare to be negligent.
"Then why is there only a single stroke for this person?"
The shopkeeper pointed at Wu Ming's dossier!
"This person?"
The old beggar was stunned. "This person was originally from a big family in the county. At most, he has a sister with cultivation … If not for his status as the provincial governor's husband, I'm afraid that even Wu Tiehu would be more valuable …"
"Fool!"
The shopkeeper's face was cold. "I won't say much … Within three days, I want to know everything about this Wu Ming. From when he was young to now, all the troubles he has caused, all the girls he has flirted with. Don't let go of a single detail!"
As a secret agent, one had to be meticulous.
From his point of view, even if it was only his status as the provincial governor's husband, it was already worth it. Moreover, the other party seemed to be a little mysterious …
He glanced at the old beggar and said gently, "I also know that it is not easy for you … Back then, the thirty of us were ordered to stay here for twenty years … Some of us died immediately, some of us couldn't take it and left. Some of us were passed down for generations, but our descendants had already forgotten our mission … We were only activated recently. Do you have any complaints?"
"This subordinate does not dare!"
The old beggar smiled bitterly. This was because he understood the situation of this superior. Otherwise, how would a subordinate dare to admit that he had any complaints? He would just have to wait for the day where he could not get out!
"I also know that it has been hard for you!"
The shopkeeper was also a person who had been dormant for tens of years, so his way of doing things was much gentler. "Recently, the provincial governor's residence has been refurbishing the appearance of the county. Your days have been difficult. Later, bring back a few taels of silver … It is not that there is no more, but if there is more, it will easily attract attention!"
"I know!"
The old beggar smiled bitterly. "Boss! If not for you, the brothers would have long dispersed! "
In his heart, he still admired this leader very much. He could not help but use his old name.
"Yes, the higher-ups have already promised that after this, all previous matters will be written off. The brothers can all take off the shackles and live openly!"
After the old beggar left, the leader remained silent under the candlelight for a long time before clapping his hands again.
"Sir!"
The black shadow in the corner squirmed and turned into a young man dressed like a servant. With a cold expression, he knelt on one knee.
"Although everyone is loyal, after so many years, it is hard to guarantee that he does not have any thoughts …"
The words of the leader, who looked like the shopkeeper, carried a chill. "Go and follow him. If everything is normal, then so be it. If he wants to snitch … you know what to do!"
"Please rest assured, sir. I will definitely make him disappear without a trace!"
The young man quickly retreated.
Seeing this scene, the shopkeeper let out a long sigh.
It was not that he did not trust his subordinates. It was just that ever since Marquis Ding's intelligence network was uprooted, there had been many sweeps in Chu Feng County, and the spies of the various families had all suffered heavy losses.
If not for this, who knew how many years it would have taken for them to be remembered again?
"It is not that I have let my brothers down … but loyalty and filial piety cannot be both!"
The shopkeeper said coldly, the corners of his eyes turning red.
Dazhou had raised the people for 300 years, and there were still loyal and courageous people who would die for righteousness!
Thinking of this, he opened the wooden table and took out a secret order.
"At all costs, we must ensure the rule of the court and prevent Wu Zhi from unifying Dingzhou …"
The leader murmured and put the secret order on the oil lamp, allowing the flame to swallow the paper.
He closed his eyes and opened them after a long time. His eyes were cold and sharp, and the previous bit of pity had completely disappeared.
"God is helping me!"
"The drought in Chu Feng and Nanfeng Counties is heaven's will!"
"As long as the spring ploughing is delayed, there will be disaster next year. Wu Zhi will not have the opportunity and will not be able to gather troops. Who knows, it might even attract Marquis Ding's troops to attack …"
"At that time, the scholarly officials' families and large families in the counties that I have connections with can all rise up in revolt. With the cooperation from the inside and outside, we will be able to exhaust her. It would be best if the court's army destroys this woman and sweeps through the other two military towns. That would be a great achievement!"
Although he knew this matter was difficult, he would not regret it. He had to do it.
This was his responsibility and his loyalty!
Otherwise, these decades of hiding, hiding, and a large number of brothers dying and injured, and a large number of brothers going into seclusion and sadness, would it not all be in vain?
If Dazhou was gone, who would recognize the achievements of these people?
This was the sorrow of insignificant people and the pain of spies!
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