Chapter 7: Underestimating the Ancients

  Contrary to Zheng Yanqing's expectations, Zheng Chang didn't seem too enthusiastic after coming back.

  He didn't rush to take over Zheng's affairs, spending most of his time chatting with Zheng Da Shi, occasionally going out but returning early, and rarely contacting outsiders. This was also in line with his current situation, having been dismissed from office and returned home, how could he be in a good mood, socializing with others every day? That would be truly abnormal.

  Watching day by day, but can't find Zheng Chang's weakness, Yan Qing felt a little anxious.

  Winter has arrived and a big snowfall has occurred. Soon it will be New Year's Day, and Yan Qing will follow Zheng Shi'an to Luoyang.

  Yan Qing hoped that before going to Luoyang, he could find an appropriate opportunity to remind Zheng Das.

  To know, being in the wrong team is a very terrible thing.

  Especially in ancient times, it was common for an entire family to be executed, and even aristocratic families could hardly escape...

  The most obvious example is that in the 20th year of Kaihuang, after Crown Prince Yang Yong was deposed, Taizi Sheren Cui Juncai was implicated and almost lost his life. If it weren't for Cui Juncai's marriage to a princess of the imperial clan, he might have ended up with his head chopped off.

  Even so, his property was confiscated and he was banished back to his hometown of Gongyang.

  Cui Jun'ai was a member of the Qinghe Cui clan's Zhengzhou House, also having a deep aristocratic background and being a member of the imperial family, yet ended up in such a state. When Cui Jun'ai returned to Xingyang, Zheng Shi'an had been ordered to pay his respects once, with Yanqing following him there. According to Zheng Shi'an, Cui Jun'ai's household properties were confiscated, slaves sold, and he could only rely on the charity of clan members for survival.

  With this example of the Cui family, Yan Qing was worried.

  If Zheng Chang causes trouble, it's okay if only the Zheng family is implicated, but if things go wrong, even Zheng Yanqing will be dragged in.

  He is now enjoying life in the Zheng family.

  Although his status is not high, he lives a carefree life and no one dares to make things difficult for him.

  If something happens to the Zheng family, his future days will be difficult!

  It's better to remind Zheng Dasu to have evidence.

  Zheng Chang stays at home all day and doesn't go out, how can Zheng Yanqing find evidence?

  Yan Qing felt somewhat annoyed at the thought of all this.

  "Little scholar, what are you sitting here staring at?"

  Duoduo walked in from outside the door and saw Yanqing sitting on the steps of the middle hall. She couldn't help but ask.

  "Oh, nothing!"

  Yan Qing raised his head and found that Duo Duo was not wearing her usual qipao today. She had on a white long shirt, over a dark-colored jacket. Her hair was tied up in two buns, and there was still a hint of a smile on her face. Very elegant, with an air of refinement about her.

  "Duo Duo, did you just go out?"

  Together they practiced martial arts for two years, and in intentionally or unintentionally, Xian Qing had already faded away the title of 'older sister'.

  After all, he has the soul of a 40-year-old, and it's really not comfortable for him to call a little girl "sister". Doudou wasn't very concerned either, directly calling Yanqing by his name without any dissatisfaction. When asked by Zheng Yanqing, Doudou hesitated for a moment before softly saying: "Mother asked me to accompany her to buy some things, I didn't think it was interesting, so I came back first."

  "Oh!"

  Xian Qing casually said: "Auntie Xu has been going out quite frequently these past two days."

  "Ah, these two days... things have been a bit much!"

  Zheng Yan raised his head in surprise, "I was just casually asking."

  "I'm just casually answering."

  Zheng Yaqing felt that Duoduo seemed a bit off today, but couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. Usually, Duoduo rarely explained himself, but today... everything just seemed a bit strange. However, Zheng Yaqing's mind was preoccupied with Zheng Chang's affairs at the moment, so he didn't pursue the matter further. He wrapped his arms around his legs, looking like he had a lot on his mind.

  "What's wrong with you today, young scholar?"

  "Duo Duo, after the New Year, we might have to leave this place."

  "Oh? Where are you going?"

  "Grandfather said that Second Master has returned and will take over his affairs. The Eldest Young Master will be appointed as the Magistrate of Luoyang East District after the New Year, so he needs people to assist him. So what Old Master means is that we should go to Luoyang to take care of the Eldest Young Master's family."

  "Luoyang?"

  Her body trembled slightly.

  In fact, Zheng Shisan and his grandson's trip to Luoyang was no longer a secret.

  Since Zheng Da Shi ordered Zheng Chang to take over the affairs of An Yuan Tang, the whereabouts of Zheng Shi An and his family have been clear.

  But as soon as Yan Qing spoke, Dudu's face changed color.

  She hastily lowered her head and said in a low voice: "Going to Luoyang is also good... This is a good thing, why do you look so worried?"

  "I just think that the old master has already announced that the second master will take over the household affairs."

  "Ke Er's grandfather has been back for so long, but he hasn't asked about anything. Grandpa is busy until very late every day, I'm worried about him..."

  "Xiao Xiuzai, you're really filial!"

  Everyone's praise made Yan Qing feel very embarrassed.

  Why didn't he just tell Doudou that he thought Zheng had a problem, so he was worried?

  If even a single word gets out, Zheng Chang will surely send someone to kill him tonight. With the warrior by his side, it would be easier than ever.

  "Ah, I saw Smiling Tiger today!"

  Seeing Zheng Yanqing didn't speak, Duo suddenly changed the subject and said something that interested Yanqing very much.

  The smiling tiger, that is the fat scholar Wang who came back with Zheng Chang. According to Zheng Chang, Wang's full name is Wang Jingwen, a native of Yangzhou, and was bought by Zheng Chang in Taiyuan as a steward. Wang Jingwen is plump and always has a smile on his face, like Maitreya Buddha, making people feel very close to him. However, Duoduo doesn't quite like this person and has privately said that Wang Jingwen has a bad aura.

  As for the physiognomy of ancient people, Qing didn't understand it.

  But he had decades of political experience in later generations, and he had a unique perspective on judging people.

  It seems that Wang Jingwen is not just Zheng Chang's steward... Although both Zheng Chang and Wang Jingwen have excellent acting skills, Zheng Chang will unconsciously show a humble attitude as an inferior. This is not only the case when facing Wang Jingwen, but also when facing that warrior named Pei An, Zheng Chang will show humility, which is absolutely abnormal.

  So, Yan Qing privately referred to Wang Jingwen as 'Smiling Tiger' and called Pei An 'Cold-Faced Ghost'.

  Tiantian suddenly mentioned Wang Jingwen, and Xingqing's heart moved, feeling that she had neglected something in the past period of time.

  "Where did you see him?" he asked subconsciously.

  "Guānguǎn Gé." Duōduō replied.

  Guanshui Pavilion is a hundred-year-old wine house in Xingyang, also the largest Jinzhong Cave in Xingyang City. Ordinary civilians are not entertained. Those who can enter and exit Guanshui Pavilion are either rich or noble, and it is considered a symbol of status.

  Zheng Yanqing had heard of Guanshui Pavilion but had never been inside.

  It's not that he didn't want to go, but rather he didn't have the qualifications to get in...

  Duo Duo continued: "Xiao Xiuzai, you must not guess that Wang Jingwen is with whom."

  "Who?"

  "Choi Kyung-mo and Choi Jun-hee!"

  "Huh?"

  Yan Qing was shocked.

  Cui Jingmao is the head of the Zhengzhou House of the Qinghe Cui clan and also the representative of the Qinghe Cui clan in the Central Plains region. The Qinghe Cui clan has a total of ten houses, three of which are located in the Central Plains region, with the Zhengzhou House being the most powerful among them.

  Although Cui Juncai has fallen, the Zhengzhou Cui family is still not to be underestimated.

  Chui Junxiao's brothers, Chui Junsu and Chui Junzhou, are still serving in the court. As the head of the Cui family, Cui Jingmao rarely shows his face and has always been low-key. However, he has come to Anyuan Hall a few times, so Duduo has also seen him.

  A noble family has the pride of a noble family.

  The sons of the gate generally disdain to associate with ordinary people, even if Zheng Shi'an represents An Yuantang, Cui Jingmao is also never hypocritical. Wang Jingwen is just Zheng Chang's steward, and he hasn't been in Xingyang for long, what qualifications does he have to let Cui Jingmao come out and host a banquet?

  "Duo Duo, you must be seeing things!"

  "Who says I'm wrong? The red mole on Cui Jingmao's brow is so obvious, how could I possibly mistake it?"

  "I'm saying, Laughing Tiger..."

  "That's even more impossible." Doudou seemed to be in a hurry, her small face flushed red with anger, her eyes wide open as she said: "Really, I didn't see it wrong. I saw Cui Jingmao get out of the car at the entrance of Guanshui Pavilion, accompanied by many people. Xiaomao came out from the side and squeezed in immediately. Then a servant from the Cui family blocked my line of sight, and Xiaomao disappeared."

  Hoarse

  Zheng Yanqing took a deep breath in, revealing a thoughtful expression.

  It's all my fault! I'm really careless!

  No matter what status or position Zheng Yankai holds now, he always has a sense of superiority as a so-called traverser in his heart.

  So many years of political experience, yet he didn't see through this simple trick of openly repairing the bridge while secretly crossing the river.

  Suddenly it dawned on him, Zheng Chang came back, but it was just a cover.

  The real mastermind is not Zheng Chang, but Wang Jingwen, and possibly that Pei An.

  But Xing Qing's attention had always been on Zheng Chang...

  Mistake, it's really a mistake!

  It can be certain that Zheng Chang's purpose for returning to Xiangyang this time is not simple. And that Wang Jingwen and Pei An, are probably not their real names. These two people, or rather Wang Jingwen, are the true representatives of Han King Yang Jue. With this analysis, the previous series of strange occurrences can also be explained clearly. Zheng Chang was not dismissed from office, but instead carried a secret mission.

  Xingzhou has always been known as the throat of the two capitals and the three Qins, with a very important geographical location.

  Yan Qing was familiar with the Central Plains province because of his previous life's work. The Zheng family was known as the first noble family in Xingyang, not only because they had produced numerous historical figures and talented individuals over the centuries, but also because they controlled the largest iron smelting workshop of their time. This iron smelting workshop was built during the Three Kingdoms period and was supervised by Zheng Hong, a famous minister of Cao Wei at that time.

  Later generations mentioned Zheng Hun, saying he was of humble origin and skilled in smelting.

  In fact, Zheng Hun was from the Xingyang Zheng family. He was proficient in smelting techniques and was also a master of internal affairs.

  The ironworks built by him became the greatest security of the Zheng family in the wars that followed for several hundred years.

  It is said that Bei Qi's famous forging master, Yu Mu Huaiwen, when forging the famous Suojian knife, also borrowed the technology of Zhengshi Ironworks.

  Thinking of this, the purpose of King Xiang of Han sending Zheng Chang back is also clear.

  Zheng's iron smelting workshop is an enterprise under the name of Anyuandang...

  "Little scholar, why aren't you speaking? What are you thinking?"

  Yan Qing didn't say a word for half a day, which made Duo Duo feel somewhat strange, so she pushed him.

  "Duo Duo, we're in trouble!"

  "What's wrong?"

  "I've always thought that Second Master's return this time is probably not with good intentions... If he causes trouble, we'll likely be in danger."

  Duo Duo's face changed color for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

  "Well, go tell the master then, and ask him to be more careful."

  "Speaking recklessly about one's superiors without solid evidence can lead to being beaten to death. Xian Qing shook his head, "It's better to be cautious."

  "What's your plan then?"

  "This..."

  Yan Qing hugged his legs, pondered for a moment, and then said in a low voice: "The most urgent task is to get evidence. With evidence, it's better to remind the master."

  "What evidence?"

  Duoduo looked embarrassed, "Where can we find evidence? The second master is always in the inner house, it's probably not easy to investigate."

  "It's hard to investigate on Second Master's side, perhaps we can find some clues from Smiling Tiger's side?"

  Yan Qing thought for a moment, his eyes rolled around, and he came up with a plan.

  "Duo Duo, dare you take the risk?"

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