Xie San and Chang'an talked to Zhao Lichang and nearby villagers respectively as a passing merchant traveler, and they soon learned that there was no guard post near Lingcheng at all, and the nearest garrison was far away in Zhenjiang Mansion and belonged to the guard of Caoyun Yamen.

When Xie San learned about this, he wanted to swear words. Just last year, the emperor privately complained to him that the military expenditure in Jiangnan was huge, especially the military system of the local guards, but this was the system set by the former emperor Chrysostom, and as a son, he did not dare to change the system.

At this moment, Xie San finally knew that the emperor tightened his belt and saved military expenses, but he was afraid that they would be greedy, which also explained why the thieves who made the people gnash their teeth, but the emperor thought that those were just bandits who could not become the climate, and they were exterminated by their own guards.

On the side, Chang'an saw that Xie San was really angry, and cautiously persuaded: "Third master, now that you know the truth, let's go back and tell the emperor, and the emperor will send someone to investigate." Right now, it's better to let the little fast horse rush to Zhenjiang Mansion......"

"Even if you rush to Zhenjiang Mansion, you won't be able to invite a single soldier." Xie San interrupted Chang'an and looked up in the direction of Jizhou. At the moment, what he is worried about is not that there is something wrong with Lingcheng, but the whole embezzlement of military funds.

It took about 16 years for the emperor to restore the military system of the guards, and the emperor ascended the throne for five years, a full twenty-one years, and the officials involved have long formed a huge spider web, which is an unshakable interest group.

In addition, although Shen Jinglun ten years ago only studied with the emperor's grandson in the Prince's Mansion, it was impossible for him not to know the military system of the Lu Daowei Station. Not to mention his other connections with the capital, he sent a gift to the Yong'an Marquis Mansion every year, but he did not mention that the guard station had long existed in name only. Uncle Shen, who is praised by everyone, is in the same stream. Or do you stay out of it?

Chang'an followed Xie San's gaze towards Jizhou. blurted out: "Third master." If you're worried about Miss He, you might as well ......"

"What nonsense!" Xie San scolded and ordered: "You go back to Jizhou immediately, secretly go to Lin Zhutou, and say that I suspect that the thief is hiding in Lingcheng and has kidnapped Lingcheng County, and ask him to come to help as an ordinary person." After that, he told Chang'an again. Always proceed with caution.

Although Chang'an wholeheartedly hoped that Xie San would return to Beijing as soon as possible, he knew that the master of the Dao was talking about the right thing, so he solemnly responded and went to Jizhou.

Xie Sanmu sent Chang'an away. Although he felt that Lin Zhutou's words and deeds were sometimes a little strange, he believed that it was a matter of thieves, and Chang'an would definitely be able to invite Lin Zhutou, but even with Lin Zhutou's help, the current matter was also very dangerous.

Seeing that Chang'an rode away, Xie San went to arrange the follow-up. More than an hour later, Lin Zhutou took five of his subordinates. Coming lightly, accompanied by Chang'an and Xie San's three subordinates who had left in Jizhou earlier. Except for Chang'an. The remaining ten people will all do martial arts.

Xie San looked at the time, didn't bother to greet him, and said bluntly to Lin Zhutou: "Lin Zhutou, it's not a secret, I don't know the specific situation of Lingcheng, and it is roughly estimated that there are at least thirty people in the city who are trained soldiers, and many of them are strong in martial arts. They guarded the south gate and the west gate respectively, and five or six people monitored the movements inside and outside the yamen. In contrast, the people guarding the east gate are just ordinary yacha, but I left the east gate before, and there was a lot of noise, and I am not sure whether the east gate has been strengthened at this time. ”

Lin Zhutou listened, frowning deeply. Don't say that the gate of the mausoleum is closed, even if the gate is wide open, with the strength of ten of them, it is difficult to resist more than 30 people with high martial arts. He asked in a deep voice: "What does Third Master Xie mean, these thirty people are pretending to be thieves, and they want to seize the mausoleum?" ”

"I don't know what to do." Xie San shook his head, "In my estimation, this is unlikely, after all, there is a imperial court garrison in Zhenjiang Mansion, and it will only take three days to go back and forth." It was too dangerous for the thieves to penetrate into the town. ”

"Then Third Master Xie called me to come ......"

"Lin Zhutou, I think Chang'an has already told you about my subordinates being intercepted and killed. I'm not sure what the bandits wanted to do, but one thing is certain: they caught the strong men in Wangjiazhuang, which means that they must have robbed a lot of property in the neighborhood and had to be transported back to their lair by labor. Xie San glanced at Lingcheng, "Since the bandits have already robbed the property, why did they make the gate of Lingcheng closed?" He was talking about "bandits," not "thieves."

"Maybe Li Xiancheng doesn't want to make a big deal out of it." Lin Zhutou tactfully expressed that Li Xiancheng did not want to be charged with dereliction of duty and affect his performance evaluation, so he closed the city gate.

Xie San shook his head and said, "It is very likely that Li Xiancheng's son was poisoned, and someone intended to trap him in the county office. ”

Lin Zhutou looked up at the mausoleum city in the sun, and then looked at the woods in the distance, and he asked, "What does Third Master Xie want me to do?" ”

"No matter what the other party wants to do, let's control Lingcheng first, at least we can disrupt the other party's plan, and then we can act when the opportunity comes." After speaking, Xie San narrated his plan to everyone.

Rao is Chang'an 100% believed in Xie San's judgment, after listening to his arrangement, he was instantly frightened, and shook his head again and again to persuade: "Third master, this method is too dangerous, in case it ......" He shook his head like a rattle, and said in a wailing voice: "It's better to ask Lin Zhutou to go to Zhenjiang Mansion to move the rescue troops quickly, otherwise go back to Jizhou and call more people...... By the way, Uncle Shen, I heard that he organized a lot of people outside Jizhou City, ready to resist the thieves at any time...... We can ask Uncle Shen to help! ”

Xie San ignored Chang'an and stared straight at Lin Zhutou.

Lin Zhutou also looked at Xie San. He was not afraid of death, he didn't expect that Xie San was also not afraid of death. He said in a deep voice: "Third Master Xie, your plan is easy to say, but I am afraid that there will be many variables when it comes to implementation, even the pass at the city gate, I am afraid that it will ......."

"If we are found out at the city gate, there is only one trick, capture the thief and capture the king first. I think that with the strength of ten of us, we can definitely capture the person who is the leader and take him hostage all the way to the county office. ”

Seeing Xie San's firm eyes when he spoke, Lin Zhutou was secretly surprised. Although he thought that Xie San was also somewhat capable, at least his martial arts were good, he felt that he was still a gentleman in essence, but at this moment he suddenly realized that he was by no means a twenty-year-old hairy young man, he was a soldier.

Lin Zhutou put away the disdain in his heart, took the street map of Lingcheng drawn by Xie San earlier, and said: "Since Xie Sanye has made up his mind, then he will give up his life to accompany the gentleman, but before acting, we need to consider all kinds of possible emergencies carefully." In addition, even if everything goes well, what kind of reaction will Li Xiancheng have, whether his son's poisoning will affect his decision, and so on, we should all think of countermeasures. ”

"It's nature." Xie San nodded, pointed to the south gate on the map and said: "This place is the most heavily guarded, and the first problem we encounter when we enter the mausoleum city from here is to be recognized......

Chang'an listened to Xie San and Lin Zhutou discuss every detail of the operation, and he suddenly felt that they had returned to the Northwest Battlefield, and he saw the master who was focused again.

That's right, the emperor gave the master a military position and ordered him to lead the troops to fight, in order to "send" him for military exploits, to justifiably reward him and promote him, but while others are envious, where do they know that the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and the master does not like to hide behind people, there is no real material, but he is afraid that he will die hundreds of times. Those people in the capital only saw the master's high-ranking officials Houlu, who knew that all this was exchanged for the scars on their bodies.

Thinking of this, Chang'an suddenly wanted to cry. The current matter is no longer a private matter of the Yong'an Marquis Mansion, nor is it a trivial matter of children's love, but a major matter related to the court and the people of Liming.

Hearing that Xie San and Lin Zhutou were almost talking, Chang'an knelt down with a "poof" and said loudly: "Third Master, you have made very proper arrangements, why don't you let Lin Zhutou take us into the city this time, and you will answer outside the city." With that, he looked around.

Three of Xie San's subordinates received Chang'an's hint and knelt down as well, begging Xie San to stay outside the city in unison. Before the words of several people fell, Lin Zhutou echoed: "Yes, Third Master Xie, you have entered the city before, and the people at the city gate may know you, so it is better for you to stay outside the city to answer." ”

Xie San turned his head to look at Lin Zhutou. Lin Zhutou smiled and said: "Regarding manpower, Xie Sanye rest assured, although the guards are deserted, the military households are still there, I am also familiar with this area, you give me half an hour, I should be able to gather dozens of people." When we have ascertained the situation in the city according to your plan, you will lead these men into the city to meet us. ”

Hearing this, Xie San smiled and said, "Before, I was still wondering why Lin Zhutou only brought five people, but he had already prepared. ”

Lin Zhutou smiled "hehe" and replied: "Xie Sanye, don't misunderstand, you want Brother Chang'an to pass the word, be cautious, I naturally don't dare to bring a large number of brothers to come." ”

Xie San smiled and said, "It's still Lin Zhutou who thinks about it carefully." He turned to look at the four people who were kneeling on the ground, and said to two of them: "Even you, like Chang'an, want me to stay outside the city?" His tone was faint, with a hint of disappointment.

The two on the ground glanced at each other and slowly stood up.

Xie San took a step forward, patted them on the shoulder wordlessly, and then lowered his head to the third person on the ground, and said, "Chen Wu, you are the fast catcher of the six doors, and you are only responsible for investigating the case, there is no need to follow me into danger." ”

"Third Master, Xie Zhutou left me behind to protect your safety. Wherever you go, you can go next. Chen Wu said sonorously.

On the side, Lin Zhutou recognized him as Xie Zhenghui's subordinate, his eyes flashed, and he said to Xie San: "Since Xie Sanye insists on entering the door, it is better to ask this Chen Wu to answer outside the city." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie San didn't have time to respond, and Chen Wu reiterated again: "Where Xie San Ye is, he will be there." ”

Seeing his resolute attitude, Xie San didn't speak again, but just asked Lin Zhutou to take them to prepare first, leaving Chang'an alone in the house. (To be continued......)