The leader of the hat man stepped forward and walked a few steps, looking around, around this remote stone platform, there were signs of inhabitation, but he was not there for a while.

Unhurried, the man continued to walk towards the stone platform, and behind a protruding boulder, there was a field.

The field was fenced off by a bamboo fence, and an old man was leaning over and patiently ploughing.

One of the hat-bearers, his body was stunned, as if he had seen some incredible scene, and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward and look at the old man.

After a moment's hesitation, the hat-bearer whispered, "Righteousness... Is that your father-in-law?"

It was this sentence that the busy old man's body was stunned, obviously a little touched, he turned his head, and a familiar face appeared.

This person is none other than Da Liang's predecessor Zaifu, Chu Xiong, who has returned to his hometown and returned to the countryside, the head of the famous Four Kingdoms.

Who knew that such a big man would appear here.

Seeing Chu Xiong, the hat man who opened his mouth took off the hat on his head, rushed up with an arrow step, and hugged Chu Xiong, his voice was excited.

"Father-in-law, the child has been looking for you for a long time, but there has been no news of you, why doesn't my father-in-law want to see me?"

Looking at Xie Cang, who was full of excitement, Chu Xiong patted him on the shoulder, relieved, put down the farm tools in his hand, looked at the last two people with hats, and said softly.

"Hehe, Dongshan Hou really has the ability, I haven't seen him for a few years, but you still found out, it seems that the old man and Wen Xuan didn't see the wrong person, they are a great character."

When Chu Xiong said this, Su Qi'an did not continue to cover it up, and took off the hat, and beside him, there was also the child war of Er'an who was silently protected.

Looking at Chu Xiong in front of him, Su Qi'an smiled and saluted, "Hehe, Chu Guogong said that he laughed, the younger generation doesn't have such great ability, if the elder has a heart, even if the junior has great strength, it will be difficult to find you."

Chu Xiong smiled on his face, waved his hand, and then motioned for a few people to leave the field, returned to the stone platform, and found a few stone chairs to sit down.

According to his age, Chu Xiong reached the age of Zhishi as early as a year ago, and according to the rules of the imperial court, he returned to Dongzhou to recuperate.

But with his identity, even if he returns to his hometown, he will have a beautiful scenery, Zhou Zibin and other high-level officials will not only have to meet him at the city gate, but also arrange him to live well in the state city.

But after Su Qi'an returned to Kyoto City, he understood that this was not the case, and Chu Xiong was warmly received by officials from all over the country on the way back to Dongzhou.

But until he was about to enter the territory of Dongzhou, the convoy of Chu Xiong's return to his hometown disappeared directly.

Even the people and cars were gone, which was a big deal for the locality, not only sent people to search around in Dongzhou, but also reported to the imperial court as soon as possible.

But the imperial court, which received the news, was quite calm, and issued an order, without the need for Dongzhou officials to search aggressively, everything was fine with the Duke of Chu, there was no need to be nervous, and the people and horses who searched each other could be withdrawn.

That attitude gave people a rather perfunctory attitude, and after receiving the letter, the officials in Dongzhou almost thought it was fake news, and after repeated confirmation, it was finally confirmed.

The statement of the imperial court is somewhat intriguing, Chu Xiong, the Duke of Chu, the former Zaifu of Da Liang, what kind of identity is that? has been in charge of Da Liang all his life, but in the end he got such obscurity, which is very unreasonable.

But Zhou Zibin is not an ordinary person, he keenly found the problem from it, and did not wait for him to ask the two highnesses through his own channels.

The news from the Kyoto Castle Prince's Mansion told some insiders.

Chu Xiong's life is indeed safe, but as for where, it is not for the Dongzhou officials to know, for Chu Xiong's return to his hometown, the Dongzhou officials have to keep silent again and again, and there is no such thing.

There is only one reason for the imperial court to give such an order, to protect Chu Xiong's personal safety, and more importantly, to surveillance.

Chu Xiong has been in the court for half his life, if he is left alone, it is conceivable how influential he will be when he returns to the local area.

After staying in the court for so long, I don't know how many people and things I have offended, and it is inevitable that someone will send someone to assassinate him on the way

The imperial court took action and silently protected him, and no one could find any trace of him.

And, of course, the most important point. Chu Xiong has been in Kyoto City for so long, and all the major affairs of the court, as well as the affairs of the royal family, are very clear, if such a person is not controlled, it is inevitable that there will be some accidents.

Therefore, Chu Xiong's sudden disappearance seems reasonable, this is the disadvantage of staying in the top position for a long time, on the one hand, he has the supreme right, and at the same time, he must accept the negativity brought by the right.

From a certain point of view, the ruthlessness of the emperor can also be seen.

With the two highnesses speaking, Zhou Zibin's matter of Chu Xiong, the retired prince, is regarded as non-existent, not only him, but also the entire court.

Su Qi'an didn't say anything about what happened to Chu Xiong, just silently accepted it, if he didn't come to Dongzhou, it would be okay, but when he came to Dongzhou, he couldn't say that he couldn't say that he wouldn't see this former Zaifu.

This local inspection, on the surface, is to raise grain and grass, and to travel around the place, but in fact, Su Qi'an is to meet Chu Xiong.

Chu Xiong was secretly protected by the imperial court, even if Su Qi'an had a heart, it would be difficult to find it, and it was thanks to the two people who were able to find Chu Xiong.

One is the clue provided by King Yu, and the other is Chu Xiong himself.

Chu Xiong was secretly protected, and although he lost contact with the outside world, it did not mean that the imperial court forbade him from contacting outsiders.

Su Xuanyong's so-called ruthlessness seems to be very ruthless, but Su Qi'an knows that in this way, he can better let Chu Xiong live in his old age.

Chu Xiong's personality, Su Qi'an understands, he is unwilling to deal with local officials, let alone like the limelight, and for power, he is just a tool for him to serve Da Liang.

Not to say that he is perfect, but for Da Liang, Chu Xiong really did it wholeheartedly, such a person, Su Xuanyong would not kill him.

But for more than ten years, he has offended a lot of people, and he can't prevent some people from making small moves behind his back.

Open guns are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are difficult to defend, rather than this, it is better for the court to come forward in person, putting on a look of treating Chu Xiong as a dispensable outcast, a ruthless emperor.

In fact, it was secretly protected and this place was chosen, and after understanding, Chu Xiong's opinion was completely respected.

In the eyes of outsiders, this place is nothing, for Chu Xiong, there are mountains and rivers, fresh air, and he has been intriguing with officialdom all his life, and now he has the opportunity to stay away from the hustle and bustle, isn't it beautiful.

In order to see Chu Xiong, Su Qi'an made a lot of effort, first held a banquet in Luyue County, and then asked Su Yong, the best stand-in, to play him, with Fang Jingzhi, Master Liu and other entourage, in the next 20 days, to visit the eight counties.

And he himself took Xie Cang and Tong Zhan, and according to the previous clues, little by little finally found Chu Xiong's retreat.

Even if this place is Su Qi'an, I have to say a good thing, don't look at this place surrounded by mountains, there is only one waterway in and out, but in this mountainside, it can completely overlook the small mountain village in front of you.

Any move could not escape Chu Xiong's gaze, and judging from Su Qi'an's thoughts, if the expectations were good, most of the dozen or so families living in the small mountain village in front of him were the forbidden army personnel sent by Su Xuanyong, and most of them were his personal dragon guards.

It can be said that as soon as Su Qi'an and the three of them arrived here, it is estimated that Chu Xiong on the mountainside received the news.

From the moment they entered the small mountain village through the waterway, their every move was monitored by the secret dragon guard.

If it weren't for Chu Xiong's acquiescence, even if Su Qi'an found here, he might not be able to see Chu Xiong.

Instead of worrying about Chu Xiong's safety, it was better to worry about Su Qi'an's own troubles.

Su Qi'an broke one by one, Chu Xiong smiled silently, he looked at Xie Cang, whose mood gradually returned to calm, and said softly.

"Cang'er, when it comes to understanding everything, if you have half of Qi An's thoughts, my father-in-law and I will be content, hehe, now it seems that the old man is really envious of Old Man Wen and accepted a disciple like you."

Xie Cang nodded slightly, when he understood the cause and effect of everything, Xie Cang admired Su Qi'an even more.

Before returning to Beijing

When he was in the capital, he learned that his father-in-law's whereabouts were unknown, Xie Cang was quite anxious and wanted to return to Dongzhou immediately, but was stopped by Su Qi'an.

He still remembered a few words Su Qi'an said to him, "Your Majesty has been with the elders of Chu for many years, even if you have murderous intentions, it is impossible to make such a trick."

"The sudden disappearance of Chu Guolao is likely to be a protective measure, and most of the leaders behind it are Chu Guolao, when we go to Dongzhou, everything will be revealed."

is these few sentences, and Su Qi'an's guess is basically eight or nine.

Not to mention that Chu Xiong admired Su Qi'an, even he himself had long admired Su Qi'an's five-body body.

Xie Cang said with a smile, "Hehe, knowing Brother Su and bringing Brother Su out of a ravine is the most right thing I have done in my life."

Su Qi'an hugged his fists and said, "Elder Guo, Brother Xie, don't compliment me here."

"Guo Lao, looking for you this time, the junior really encountered difficulties, just to listen to your ideas."

Chu Xiong nodded slightly, his smile retracted, and he said softly, "You dare to stir the muddy waters of Dongzhou, your kid's courage is really great."

"But your actions, the old man still appreciates it, Dongzhou's stall of water, stirring in the morning and stirring in the evening, since you are here this time, you must have made up your mind."

"The old man will help you, it depends on whether you have the ability or not."

"Please also ask the elder to teach me." Su Qi'an clenched his fists and looked respectful.

"This time you came to the Houjiu County, what you saw along the way, you should be prepared in your heart, if you want to solve the problem of the Houjiujun, the key is in those local families, and even the great Confucian."

"If you make up your mind and aren't afraid that you won't be able to control it, you can do this next..."