Chapter 2676: Follow the clues and clear the mess


    Sometimes things suddenly become very strange, like a car accident. It may be that you bump into someone else, or someone else may bump into you. No matter how careful you are, when others lose control, they will take you with them.


    When things happen, there is always no choice.


    No matter how many plans I made, I still had no choice.


    Chengdu.


    Jinchuan City.


    When the sun rose, Zhang You slowly came out of his home and walked towards the bustling market area of ??the city.


    Today he was wearing a very inconspicuous gray Gebu robe, and like the surrounding Sichuan and Sichuan men, he loosened the collar and belt, and also lifted the hem of the robe and tied it at his waist. This makes it easier to walk and also ventilated.


    Gentleman, don’t you think so?


    After all, the weather is hot right now, and the mornings are somewhat better now. But if it’s close to noon, even in the shade, it’s still stuffy and hot, and there’s really nowhere to hide.


    Today Zhang Youmu is resting.


    As soon as he went out, he saw a few more soldiers at the inner square gate.


    That’s right, there are more.


    ??At the beginning of these two days, there were some weird rumors, saying that Xu Shu, Xu Huang and others were digging into the mountains to open roads, offending the gods and ghosts in the mountains, and many laborers died.


    Then there were more soldiers in the streets.


    This made Zhang You very surprised, and at the same time he admired the speed of action under the leadership of Hussar.


    Needless to say Jiangdong, even the original Han Dynasty Luoyang, the officials are too lazy to be like pigs. They will never stand if they can sit, they will never sit if they can lie down, and they will never move more if they can, even if things are going wrong On the head, they are also trying their best to push and drag whenever they can. For example, here in Chengdu, if there is a slight disturbance, the government''s response is to arrive immediately, which almost breaks Zhang You''s cognition.


    ? Sometimes Zhang You couldn''t help but think, if one day, he could return to Jiangdong, wouldn''t he be able to use these experiences and methods under the rule of Hussar?


    but…


    Zhang You sighed slightly.


    He likes money very much because he had no money when he was young.


    The poverty at home once left a deep mark on him.


    He remembered that when he was a child, he wanted something very much. He thought about it very much during the day and at night, but he did not dare to say anything or ask his parents for it, because he knew that his family was very poor and could not even eat. This is very problematic, so how can we spend any spare money?


    But when he grew up and actually got money, he forgot what he wanted so much when he was a child...


    From Jinguan City to this city, you have to pass through Zuo Bridge.


    When the Zuo Bridge was first built, it was said that it was a bridge built with bamboo, suspended above the water. Sometimes, when the water was strong, the bamboo bridge was submerged in the water and was often damaged.


    ?Of course, the current Zuo Bridge has been replaced by masonry deconstruction, with a long arch bridge spanning the water inspection.


    Chanshui, also known as Waijiang.


    Because the water inspection is outside the city of Chengdu, it separates the city of Chengdu, Cheguancheng and Jinguancheng.


    There is of course an inner river if there is an outer river. The other Pi River passes through the main city of Chengdu, flows into the north of the outer outline of the main city of Chengdu, bypasses Chengdu Shaocheng, and flows out in the southeast direction. Because this inner river crosses the city, water transportation is convenient, so a large market was formed based on this section of the inner city of the Pi River, called Nanshi.


    At the edge of Zuo Bridge, there were also soldiers on duty.


    ?When passing the Zuo Bridge, Zhang You seemed to feel that the soldiers were staring at him, but when he turned around to look at the soldiers on duty, it seemed that the soldiers were just patrolling the crowd normally, and there was nothing particularly abnormal.


    Today is the time that was agreed upon before, so Zhang You must go to the market.


    He had been feeling like someone was looking at him for the past two days, but when he looked back, it seemed like no one was there.


    ?Perhaps I’m just paranoid?


    Zhang You collected some information. If the information cannot be sent out in time, then after a period of time, the information may lose its effectiveness and become meaningless.


    ?For example, the rumors about ghosts and ghosts in the past two days...


    In fact, there are some things that people, even if they don’t say with their mouths, will inevitably mutter in their hearts. Just like the thing Zhang You wanted when he was a child, he never said it, but he could never forget it. Things that cannot be forgotten will also be blurred, just like an unforgettable first love. You may still remember such a person, but when you think of his or her appearance, it is blurred...


    So if you want to take advantage of this rumor, you have to move faster, and Zhang You doesn''t know if anyone else in Chengdu will report this matter. If someone else reports it, wouldn''t the bonus he gets be less? It might even be worthless.


    In addition to the recent labor incident, Zhang You also obtained some information through correspondence, which can also be exchanged for money.


    When he saves enough money, he will resign and go home.


    Buy a house, marry a wife, and have a child.


    Zhang You smiled slightly.


    ?Being a spy is of course risky, but risks can bring you more money.


    He likes money, and he also wants his children to be able to buy whatever they want and no longer suffer from poverty.


    ??Although Zhang You doesn''t even know where his wife is or what she looks like now, it doesn''t stop him from imagining it.


    Zhang You did not have many contacts with people from Li''s Trading Company, this was for safety reasons. Zhang You didn''t even let people from Li''s Trading Company know where he lived. After all, the most important thing for a spy is safety.


    ??Except for going to the restaurant once a week to pick up a task, he doesn’t recognize anyone else. Single line vertical operation, no horizontal contact will occur. This will reduce the efficiency of espionage, but it can ensure that when a spy is captured, it will not cause damage to other intelligence lines.


    He is very cautious.


    ?Zhang You passed through Zuoqiao Gate, entered the outer city of Chengdu, and then headed for Nanshi.


    ??Nanshi is distributed along the left and right sides of the Neijiang River. It has a long and narrow shape, with a canal on one side and shops on the other side. There were people coming and going, convoys of mules and horses, and it was very lively.


    During the Han Dynasty, the city of Chengdu was greatly expanded. During the Yuanding reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the city was built with eighteen city gates. It can be said that "one river leads to the city, and nine bridges lead its flow". The population of Chengdu even occupied the entire western Sichuan area. With 30% of the population, it is "the gathering place of shops and the abyss of all businesses". In addition, it has been away from the war and has the policy protection of Qiusi over the years. Now it is becoming more and more prosperous, and it has the potential to firmly rank as the second largest city in the world. .


    ?When Zhang You passed through Nanshi yesterday, he moved a stone in the corner in front of the second door of the south alley. Now the gray one among the stones in the corner has been turned over again, indicating that people from Li''s Trading Company have arrived.


    ?After walking two streets, Zhang You saw two more patrol inspectors standing on the side of the street, seeming to be chatting about something. Although the two of them were not wearing inspection robes, Zhang You could recognize them. Zhang You had seen them both. They were Ma Zhong''s men.


    ?Zhang You looked at the center of the street again. The watchtower was also guarded by patrol soldiers. The sentry tower has always been guarded, but today there seemed to be more guards than usual.


    ?One of the soldiers saw Zhang You and said hello to Zhang You, "Zhang Shuzuo, do you have a rest today?" 』


    Zhang You smiled and nodded.


    It seems to be the same as before.


    I don’t know why, but he began to feel a little uneasy. After a moment of hesitation, he continued walking towards the scheduled meeting point...


    After all, Li''s Trading Company is not far ahead, just a few steps away.


    ??The hawking sounds in Nanshi are still full of energy, and the vendors'' voices are long and full of charm.


    ?Zhang You slowly walked into Li''s Trading Company in a long tone.


    Li''s Trading Company is a medium-sized trading company in Nanshi, Chengdu. Because both Fei Qian and Xu Shu attached great importance to the development of commerce, there were many trading houses in Chengdu, either selling groceries or buying and selling high-end items. Anyway, everyone from common people to nobles could always find some business to do.


    ??It''s just that commercial shops are different from ordinary restaurants and restaurants. Generally, there are no shop signs or waiters shouting and soliciting outside the door, so when Zhang You came in, he walked directly in...


    The light inside the business store is slightly dim, and there are only two or three people standing or sitting. One person was facing the wall with his back to the door. He seemed to be holding something in his hand and looking at it.


    ?The other one looked like a clerk, flicking the dust on the shelves with a feather duster.


    The shopkeeper was sitting behind the counter, with his head lowered, as if he was taking a nap...


    ? Zhang You walked to the counter and was about to greet the shopkeeper, but found that the shopkeeper was not taking a nap. Instead, his face was pale, and sweat was rolling down his forehead and cheeks!


    Zhang You was suddenly startled, and the hair on his body stood on end!


    ?He turned back subconsciously and looked in the direction of the shopkeeper''s gaze. The blood all over his body suddenly froze completely at this moment...


    ?The person sitting in the corner turned around and it was Ma Heng. Ma Heng smiled and said, "Zhang Shuzuo, are you okay?" 』


    Sweat suddenly broke out on Zhang You''s forehead.


    He did not answer.


    At this moment, he lost the ability to speak.


    ?Two or three people came out of the trading house, and at the door of the trading house, there were also figures moving in, blocking all directions.


    The room was dark, and the only light came from the window...


    ?Ma Heng looked at Zhang You and did not immediately order the arrest.


    On the one hand, Ma Heng brought several good players, and he was not worried that Zhang You would rise up. On the other hand, Ma Heng was a member of the Wen Department who became a monk halfway, and he had never seen the kind of spy who would immediately commit suicide once exposed.


    ? Ma Heng had no experience as a spy, and Zhang You had no experience as a spy.


    In addition to the information he brought and some scattered items, Zhang You did not have any weapons, let alone poison.


    After all, in today''s Han Dynasty, poison is not something anyone can buy if he wants to.


    So Zhang You didn’t commit suicide, he didn’t do anything, his mind was blank…


    There was silence in the house.


    A burst of children''s laughter suddenly came in from the window.


    Zhang You turned around and saw a child holding a small bamboo dragonfly high, then smiling, running, and passed under the window. Then another child chased after the previous child, seeming to be saying something in his mouth. Let the previous child give him the bamboo dragonfly to play with for a while.


    At this moment, Zhang You suddenly remembered what he wanted most when he was a child...


    It’s that little bamboo dragonfly.


    It was once a simple bamboo dragonfly that flew up in the wind in the hands of a salesman, and once hovered up and down in the hands of other children.


    ?Ma Heng saw that Zhang You was motionless and did not speak, so he waved.


    Two people from Wensi came forward to tie up Zhang You.


    Zhang You suddenly burst into tears. What he loved the most was this. It was just this. It was not the property, the house, the beautiful lady, or the famous gourmet horse, as he had always thought. It was just a little girl. Yes, just a penny bamboo dragonfly...


    But why did he forget it?


    Why…


    …(*￣(エ)￣)…


    In the big city of Chengdu, within the government office.


    Xu Shu expressed his approval of Ma Heng’s work.


    When Ma Heng received the Jiangzhou Express, he did not arrest her with great fanfare. Instead, he used Li''s Trading Company to set up a trap to catch prey. He successfully caught Zhang You and obtained direct evidence of his crime from Zhang You. This series of events His behavior was somewhat like Wen Si''s.


    ? Xu Shu smiled and stroked his beard, watching Ma Heng describe the whole process with some excitement, nodding from time to time in affirmation.


    Youwen Division is not an inspection office, nor is it a city guard.


    ??If you only know how to fight and kill blindly, then you only need soldiers...


    ?This is why Xu Shu really felt that Ma Heng had grown up and praised him.


    "Jiangdong," Xu Shu patted Ma Heng''s report, "It''s really well thought out..."


    ?Ma Heng also nodded.


    ?? Xu Shu looked at the various items placed in front of the hall, especially the pile of flying money that was seized, and couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows, "These money are all hidden by the Zhang family?" 』


    Ma Heng nodded, "Exactly." Zhang''s son hid the money in the house, but it was also hidden. But…there are still some traces…』


    In the Youwen Division, there are some good scouts who have retired.


    ?Maybe the things Zhang You hid could hide from ordinary thieves, but they could not escape the inspection of scouts.


    "Zhang Shuzuo..." Xu Shu shook his head and said, "I still have some impression... Sichuan and Shu used trials to promote talents, and he even wrote a treatise on honest officials..."


    Ma Heng said: "If you look at his daily expenses, he is actually poor, but he never thought that this is the case..."


    "Hmm..." Xu Shu smiled and said, "I worked hard to save money, but unexpectedly, I made a wedding dress in one day... Have you ever confessed?" 』


    Ma Heng nodded and said, "I confess." Zhang''s son met Lu Zijing in Jingzhou in his early years. Later, Lu Zijing defected to Jiangdong and sent people to come for a secret meeting... In this way, he connected with Jiangdong..."


    Xu Shu nodded, and then asked: "Does this son have any grievances?" Or did he suffer some injustice in the officialdom? 』


    Ma Heng said: "This does not mean that... in my opinion, it is just for greed for money. 』


    “Covetous for money, haha, once you get money, you can’t use it...” Xu Shu stroked his beard, “Why? 』


    Ma Heng replied: "There is a saying... It is said that one day I can return to my hometown, buy property and a house, and become a wealthy and idle person..."


    Fields and houses, wealthy and idle people? ” Xu Shu pointed to the pile of flying money and said, “How many acres of land and houses are we going to buy?” 』


    Ma Heng looked at it and shook his head, "Maybe at first, it was really for the land and the house, and then...he just forgot about it?" 』


    Xu Shu sighed lightly, and after a while he said, "You said you found this Jiangdong spy stronghold just now after getting some tips from others?" What is going on? 』


    Ma Heng recounted what happened in Jiangzhou, and then said: "I feel ashamed to say that, although I am the head of the Wenwen Department, I don''t know how to investigate and deal with it at the moment..."


    Chang''an is very big, and Chengdu is not small either.


    There are many satellite cities around Chengdu, and there are also many officials. The data is complicated, and Ma Heng has no experience to speak of. Time is tight and the tasks are heavy. If his brother Ma Liang hadn''t given him an idea, Zhuge Liang would have found him in Jiangzhou. Ma Heng didn’t know how long he would have to search for clues...


    Regarding Zhuge Liang''s actions, Xu Shu just smiled and was not surprised. However, some of Ma Heng''s suggestions from his fourth brother actually made Xu Shu have some thoughts of loving talents, but Xu Shu did not. Say something on the spot, just write it down secretly, and then prepare to observe it again.


    Subsequently, Xu Shu and Ma Heng made some arrangements.


    Since there was not much movement when Ma Heng arrested Zhang You, both Xu Shu and Ma Heng thought they could keep Li''s Trading Company open to see what other prey would jump in.


    On the other hand, Ma Heng felt that the disease problem in Nanzhong laborers should have nothing to do with Jiangdong spies, because whether he was investigating from this point on, he was still investigating the Jiangdong spies who had been arrested, including people from Li''s Trading Company. , and the confessions from Zhang You’s interrogation all showed that these people were at most aware of the labor disease and rumors about ghosts and gods, but they were not involved.


    ??Jiangdong is obviously more concerned about military information.


    After Xu Shu thought for a moment, he said to Ma Heng, "Zhongchang, since the people from Jiangdong were not involved in this matter... then if someone is causing trouble, it can only be..."


    Maybe it’s Nanzhong. Ma Heng said in a deep voice, "The people are worried about food and clothing. The rumors of ghosts and gods...if there were no people behind the scenes, the rumors would not have spread so quickly." 』


    Xu Shu nodded and said, "In that case, I would like to ask Lao Zhong to go to Nanzhong often and check to see who is causing trouble there!" 』


    Wherever the road is built, it will naturally be more convenient.


    So it is convenient for some people, but it is naturally inconvenient for some people.


    Those who are convenient are happy, and those who are inconvenient are not happy.


    ??Zhuge Liang left Nanzhong. On the one hand, he needed to go to Jiangzhou to coordinate. On the other hand, he may not have wanted these people in Nanzhong to jump out...


    At first, Xu Shu was worried that many parties would get mixed up and cause trouble for each other, which would cause Sichuan and Shu to be in trouble. However, now that a connection between spies from Jiangdong has been revealed, it can be said that the threat from the east has been temporarily weakened. , all that’s left is one direction.


    Nanzhong.


    ? Or even Jiaozhi further south.


    ??But neither Xu Shu nor Ma Heng expected that a new situation had occurred, and it was something unexpected. It was like it looked like a mess, but ended up unraveling it with a hand...


    (End of this chapter)