In the early morning of the second day, the group got into their respective carriages, Shen Zhiyun and Jiang Yujin were still in the same carriage, and the people driving were changed from soldiers to Bai Bian.

After entering Qingcheng, the magistrate of Qingcheng greeted him at the city gate, but Deng Changchun just said hello and continued to walk, without doing extra greetings.

Zhen Ye asked if he needed to let the team take a break.

After noon, I rested for a moment in a shady place outside the city.

It didn't take long for Deng Changchun to ask everyone to get dressed up and continue on the road, and he had to rush to Yicheng at night.

Zhen Ye came to persuade him, saying that it would be late at night when he arrived in Yicheng, and everyone couldn't bear it along the way, so it was better to travel in two days.

Deng Changchun refused, saying that it was difficult to get a lot of clouds today, the weather was cool, and it was okay to hurry.

At this time, the people driving outside Shen Zhiyun's carriage became soldiers again, and when he was resting, Zhen Ye said that it was stuffy in the carriage, and he had been resting outside the carriage, and when he saw the adults get into the carriage again, he returned to the carriage, and the team began to march again.

As everyone knows, the two people who got into Shen Zhiyun's carriage were Bai Bian and Jiang Yujin's entourage.

Taking advantage of the convenience, the two took ten soldiers in disguise and returned to the previous city, and Shen Zhiyun asked people to go and buy some horses and clothes.

Shen Zhiyun and Jiang Yujin complained, "When I left Beijing, the housekeeper prepared a few boxes of things for me and left them all in the car. ”

The group divided into two roads and rushed to Huaxian.

There are only three people who follow Shen Zhiyun and Jiang Yujin.

They all rode on horses, and rode fast horses, much faster than horse-drawn carriages.

Before it was dark, I rushed to the outside of Huaxian.

"Let's go into the county separately first, otherwise there will be more conspicuous people." Shen Zhiyun said.

Jiang Yujin nodded, "Okay." ”

The three entourages and Jiang Yujin's advanced Huaxian saw that they all entered smoothly, and Shen Zhiyun waited for a while before entering.

After several people rendezvous, but the other eight retinues have not yet met.

Shen Zhiyun followed the address left by Fang Yu and found him.

The group lived in a temporary courtyard again.

Shen Zhiyun sent an entourage to the gate of the city to keep an eye on it, and if the eight people entered the city, they would bring people here.

Everyone rested in the courtyard first, waiting for Shen Zhiyun's arrangement.

Shen Zhiyun introduced Xia Yu to Jiang Yujin, "This is my person, let him come to Huaxian County in advance to see the situation." ”

The three of them planned the focus of the investigation in the house.

Shen Zhiyun asked Fang Yu to talk about what he had heard in Hua County these days.

"The academy in Huaxian County is just a decoration." Fang Yu sighed.

"The money for building the academy was embezzled? Or was the academy not built at all? Shen Zhiyun frowned and asked.

"It's not." Fang Yu continued, "The academy was built on a piece of land in an orderly manner, but there were very few students who came to study, and gradually no one came. ”

"How could it be, when the academy was first divided, the small counties around Huaxian were scattered, and there were large and small villages, so there should have been a lot of people who wanted to study." Jiang Yujin questioned.

Fang Yu sighed, "Poor." When you go back and forth to Huaxian, the rations on the road and the time spent are all exchanged for money. When I have that time to go back and forth, I can help my parents chop some firewood at home, and I can exchange it for a few copper coins. ”

"What about the big families?" Shen Zhiyun asked.

Huaxian is not a small county, and there should be a few merchants. Sheng Guo does not prohibit the children of businessmen from taking the entrance examination, so there are not a few people who want to rely on their sons to get in touch with the government.

"No, the academy is now in a state of half-ruin, and the master who lectures can't be seen." Fang Yu replied.

Shen Zhiyun looked at Jiang Yujin, "I'll go there myself tomorrow." ”

Jiang Yujin let out a "hmm".

Shen Zhiyun asked Fang Yu for the address of the academy, and then asked Jiang Yujin, "According to this situation, no one is studying, so where should the money for Xuetian be distributed?" ”

"According to the law of Dasheng, if there is a surplus of cashiers in the public land, it shall be reported to the state government and shall not be used for private purposes." Jiang Yujin replied, "But Xuetian's situation is special, and the state government has to report it to the central government." ”

"There are orders in the capital, which have always been conveyed from the top down, and fed back from the bottom up. Shen Zhiyun said.

"It's all for their own black hats." Jiang Yujin said.

"I'll take a look around now and see how Huaxian is going." Shen Zhiyun stood up and was about to go out, Fang Yu also stood up, Shen Zhiyun stopped, "No, I'll go and see for myself." Those soldiers who are following us outside, you go and prepare some dinner for them and Master Jiang. ”

"Yes, Childe." Fang Yu responded.

I didn't feel it for a moment when I sat in the room, but it was getting dark outside.

Shen Zhiyun went out and walked around the streets of Huaxian County.

This time is close to the Xianhui Festival, and some hawkers and stalls sell clay sculptures, but it is getting dark and the stalls are being closed.

There are few people on the streets of Huaxian at night, which is far worse than the capital, and the streets are narrow, and the houses on both sides of the road are closed.

Passing by a few large mansions, you can hear the movement inside.

Shen Zhiyun probably figured out the location of the academy and the county magistrate's mansion, there were few pedestrians at night, and there were government soldiers patrolling, she walked on the street too obviously, and went back after a circle.

But a lot of time was wasted in one lap.

When he was about to return to the yard, he was caught around the corner by a patrolman, "Who?" ”

The patrol pointed a sword at her, and Shen Zhiyun hurriedly explained, "I'm going to Yicheng, passing through Huaxian, and coming to rest for a night, if I'm not familiar with here, I'll come out and wander around casually." ”

"Outlander?" The patrolman asked.

"Yes, yes, yes." Shen Zhiyun hurriedly replied, with a sincere attitude.

The patrol scolded, "There is a curfew in Huaxian!" Hurry back! ”

Only then did Shen Zhiyun know that the curfew in Huaxian County was so early, and she thought that there were few people here, and there was no prosperity in the main city, so no one came out at night.

"Okay, okay, let's go back to the residence." Shen Zhiyun said.

The patrol man let him go.

Shen Zhiyun complained in her heart, this guard is too lax, and she doesn't ask her to ask for the identity document, she can believe whatever she says.

It wasn't until the night that Deng Changchun and his entourage came to Yicheng.

Zhishou Si Bingchun greeted him at the gate of the city, scolding in his heart, this official of the imperial court, he couldn't watch the time of the sun, and he had to hurry at night, so he had to stand in the wind and wait for the night.

Zhen Ye got out of the car and waved his hand to Si Bingchun, "Lord Qincha said, wait until you enter the official mansion, it's too ugly to be blocked at the city gate at night." ”

Si Bingchun ordered the other officials at the gate to get out of the way and let Lord Qincha enter the city.

I scolded and scolded in my heart, do you know that blocking the city gate at night is not good-looking, so you can't come back tomorrow morning?

When the carriage stopped at the gate of the official mansion, Deng Changchun and Luo Zengwen got off, and Bai Bian and another person in the carriage also got off and stood at the end of the line.

Zhen Yezheng and Si Bingchun greeted Deng Changchun with a smile, and he glanced at it and was shocked, "What about the two adults?" ”

Si Bingchun didn't know who he was asking, but he only heard that there were two adults missing, and his heart tightened.

Deng Changchun glanced at Bai Bian and the two of them who were standing at the back of the line, and said indifferently, "They got off halfway." ”

Si Bingchun and Zhen Ye's faces froze, and Zhen Ye asked with a smile and flattery, "Why don't you join you, adults?" We have prepared a lot of things to entertain you. ”

"This investigation is already divided into two ways, how can I still inform you in advance?" Deng Changchun glanced at Zhen Ye, raised his legs and went up the steps first, "Let's go, Master Si?" Everyone is tired from the journey, let everyone rest tonight, and discuss the investigation tomorrow. ”

Zhen Ye's face couldn't hold back, Si Bingchun hurriedly followed Deng Changchun, "Lord Deng, please ......"

The carriage was pulled from the small gate into the idle yard.

After Si Bingchun dealt with Deng Changchun, he called Zhen Ye to the house to ask for the guilt.

"What's going on?" Si Bingchun asked.

Zhen Ye said 1510, "I kept staring on the road to Xiaguan, but I didn't expect that the two people who got on and off the carriage on the road were not the two adults who left at all......"

"What are you going to do?" Si Bingchun pressed his voice and asked.

Zhen Ye knew that he was at a loss, "It's the dereliction of duty of the lower officials, who didn't prevent the adults from the capital." ”

"If we can't deal with them, you and I will wait to lose our heads!" Si Bingchun was angry, why did he let go of the two big officials.

Si Bingchun paced back and forth, "You didn't take much of Xuetian's money, and you couldn't delay it if you were discovered!" ”

Zhen Ye lowered his head and admitted his mistake, and assured Si Bingchun vigorously, "Don't worry, my lord, there will be nothing wrong with the academy." ”

"Let people go and see where the other two courtiers have gone!" Si Bingchun said.

"Someone has been sent." Zhen Ye said.

Someone knocked on the door, "Lord Zhishou." ”

"Enter." Si Bingchun said again in the house.

It's not a subordinate, it's a government soldier, "Lord Zhishou, Lord Zhen, the two adults from the capital have gone to the treasury." ”

Si Bingchun's heart tightened, and then relaxed, they were going to count the appropriations shipped from the capital, and he didn't do anything with that batch of silver, so they counted it casually.

Si Bingchun was afraid that Deng Changchun would blame him for not knowing etiquette, so he wanted to go to the warehouse to accompany him to count, so he called Zhen Ye to go to the warehouse again.

I continued to scold and scold in my heart, what kind of big official from the dog capital, so that people can't live in peace, and they are not afraid of being blind when they light oil lamps and count silver at night.

actually saw Deng Changchun and Luo Zengwen, and laughed again, "The two adults have worked hard." ”

The next morning, Shen Zhiyun went to the academy.

The academy is very depressed, there are no people, there is a sweeper.

Shen Zhiyun asked, "Is there anyone in charge of the academy?" ”

The man continued to sweep the floor without looking up.

Shen Zhiyun was also literate, but the man still ignored her.

Shen Zhiyun threw the bag of money over, and the man took it and turned it upside down, without much weight, and put it away on his waist, glanced at Shen Zhiyun, and asked impatiently, "What is there to do, who are you?" ”

Shen Zhiyun smiled gently, "I am from Liangxian next door, my younger brother is of school age, Liangxian is a small place, there is no gentleman who can teach, I heard that the academy in Huaxian County has been built for almost half a year, so I came to inquire." ”

The man who swept the floor glanced at Shen Zhiyun a few times, seeing that he was neatly dressed, weak in his appearance, and had a good temperament, he doubted in his heart, "What about the liar, there are a few rich people in Liangxian who can still come here to study." ”

Shen Zhiyun pretended to hesitate, "It's true, how can you not believe it?" ”

The sweeper stopped, put his broom on his arm, crossed one foot on the other, and asked disdainfully, "How old is your brother?" ”

Shen Zhiyun said, "Thirteen." ”

"What is the zodiac?"

"Huh? What? Shen Zhiyun pretended not to hear clearly.

The sweeper scoffed, "You make it up again!" I don't even match the age and zodiac, and your brother doesn't look like a person in that poor county. ”

Shen Zhiyun's face was embarrassed, "It's still seen by you, little brother." ”

"Tell me, who are you? What are you doing here? This is not a private school, it is a government academy! The man was triumphant, his chin raised.

"Actually, I'm a businessman from Yicheng, and I want to come to Huaxian to do some business, little brother, you know, if you can do business with the government, it's a lot of money." Shen Zhiyun explained.

This time, the sweeper did not doubt him, believed Shen Zhiyun's words, and said sarcastically, "Do you come to ask blindly and just say it, make up something about my brother's study, it's very fake!" ”

This sweeping man was proud because he exposed Shen Zhiyun's first lie, so he was convinced of Shen Zhiyun's second identity.

Shen Zhiyun's purpose was achieved, and she pretended to show her feet, so that this person's guard mind was put down.

"Come in, it's a matter of fate for the steward to come today or not, I'll take you to his house to see if anyone is coming."

"Thank you, what do you call the little brother?" Shen Zhiyun thanked him.

"Luo Feng."

Luo Feng looked at his age, maybe because he swept the floor every day, his skin was tanned, and he could also be born dark.

"Little Brother Luo......" Before Shen Zhiyun could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Luo Feng.

"What little brother Luo, is it uncomfortable to say? You don't feel bad when you say it, but it's still uncomfortable when you listen to it. Luo Feng said irritably.

Shen Zhiyun smiled, then what do you call her, be kind, call someone Xiaofeng? Cheerful and called people Fengzi?

Isn't that the same as "madman"?

"Just call me Brother Luo!" Luo Feng said happily.

Shen Zhiyun choked and snorted silently, "You're only fourteen or fifteen years old." "I'm in my twenties.

"What do you know, no matter how big or small, you can call it brother, is this just a title, understand? What's your last name? Luo Feng asked.

"Shen."

"Then I'll call you Brother Shen! You don't feel like you're at a loss, do you? Luo Feng himself felt very satisfied.

Shen Zhiyun frowned, what kind of messy title, she didn't want to mention this title anymore, and asked Luo Feng, "Do you know why I came to Huaxian to do some business?" ”

"Why?" Luo Feng asked, "This academy is like an empty house, do you come here to sell books?" What can it sell? ”

Shen Zhiyun said, "It's because it's empty, and no one comes to study in this academy, so it's better for me to use this good place and rent it from the government." ”

Luo Feng glanced at Shen Zhiyun, "Finally, the imperial court has built academies in various places, and you people are trying to make money, so that the academy was built in vain, and poor students still can't afford to study." ”

Shen Zhiyun heard the key thing, and said, "I am using waste here, if the academy can be used, why did I come to rent this land." ”

Luo Feng was about to go back, but Shen Zhiyun pretended to be puzzled and asked, "By the way, I only thought that the academy in Huaxian County was not used, what is the reason for this?" No students will die here! ”

Shen Zhiyun was shocked, "We are businessmen, but we pay the most attention to these, if we commit a taboo, we would rather not do business." ”