On a morning a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, just after the hour, someone came to the back door of Meng's mansion and knocked on the door, saying that there was something important to look for Meng Hao.

The little maid saw that the person was very anxious, so he went to find the housekeeper Fubo.

"Fauber, a suspicious stranger came to the back door, saying that he was in a hurry to find the master. The man was dressed in a strong suit, and he must have come in a hurry. I'm a little unsure, so I'm going to ask you to take a look. The little guy looked anxious.

"Okay, I'll go check it out. Fauber nodded.

At the back door, a middle-aged man with a square face stood outside the door and waited.

"May I ask the visitor, what is the important matter of looking for my master?" Fu Bo arched his hand.

"You just need to tell your master that I'm from Hangzhou. Remember not to keep your voice out and not let anyone else know about it. The visitor looked around cautiously.

"Okay, please wait, I'll go and tell the master. Fauber arched his hand again, and closed the back door.

Walking through the courtyard to the door of the study, Fauber knocked softly.

"Knock knock..."

Meng Hao, who was reading a book, was awakened by a sudden knock on the door, "Who?"

"Sir, it's me. ”

"Oh, Fauber. Come on in. ”

With a "squeak", the door was pushed open from the outside.

Meng Hao put down the book and looked up at the person who came, "Fu Bo, is there something wrong?"

Fauber took a few steps and stopped only two feet from his desk. He said: "Master, there is a guest at the back door who claims to be from Hangzhou Mansion, saying that he is looking for you in an urgent matter, and warned me not to make a noise about it. Would you like to meet this person?"

Meng Hao frowned, lowered his head and pondered, "Bring him here." Be careful along the way and don't let too many people see it. ”

Fauber said yes and turned to go out.

On the way to the back door, Fauber drove all the servants and maids who were still in the courtyard into the room, leaving only an empty corridor.

After about half a cup of tea, Fauber took the man to the study.

The man entered the study, and Meng Hao recognized him at a glance as Shi Feng, the catcher of the state capital's yamen. Shi Feng saluted Meng Hao from a distance, and Meng Hao immediately returned the salute.

After the ceremony, the two sat down politely.

"I don't know what is the important matter for Shi Zhu to come to Lin'an soon?" Meng Hao asked softly.

Shi Feng didn't answer directly, but swept it with his eyes.

Meng Hao understood, and coughed lightly, "Fu Bo, you can retreat first, you don't need help here." Also, find someone to watch at the door and don't let anyone in. ”

Fauber then stepped back and stood guard at the door of the study.

Shi Feng cleared his throat at this time, "Lord Meng, Mansion Venerable invites you to go, there are some things I want to talk to you face-to-face." ”

Meng Hao was a little incomprehensible, just to go to Hangzhou by himself, how could he be so careful.

Na Shi Feng continued: "Please Lord Meng, don't leak the itinerary, just pretend to be a pastime in the mansion, and don't let other people in the Meng Mansion find out." ”

Meng Hao frowned, "When are you leaving?"

"Today is the best. ”

"Okay, I'll take care of it. ”

Meng Hao stood up and walked out of the study, "Fu Bo, there is something important now that you need to handle." ”

Fu Bo bowed, "Please command, master." ”

"Let the kitchen stock up on some food and drink and bring it to the study. Then get me a carriage, and I'll be out in a minute. Don't let anyone else know, understand?" Meng Hao was very serious.

"Okay, please sir, I'll tell you when it's done. Fauber replied respectfully.

After a while, the kitchen began to deliver wine and food one after another, and Meng Hao showed up to take those wine and food, and then made a look of wanting to drink and get drunk.

About the time of a pillar of incense, Fauber came again to report, "Master, everything is ready, the carriage is waiting at the back door, and the coachman is a reliable man." ”

"Fauber, come back as soon as you send me to the back door. If asked, they say I've drunk too much. If I haven't come back at night, you can tell my wife that I'm going to Hangzhou and let her cover up the matter. Meng Hao was a little melancholy.

Fauber nodded.

In the back street of Mengfu, after Meng Hao and Shi Feng got into the carriage, Fu Bo closed the back door, and the carriage also moved at this time.

"Driver, go out of the alley in front and turn right, my horse is tied there. Shi Feng said to the coachman.

"Yes, sir. An answer came from the wheels.

"I'll wait a while to get the horse, and then I'll go out of the city first, and wait for you at the Sanli Pavilion outside the city. Shi Feng saluted Meng Hao.

After Shi Feng got out of the car and fetched his horse, he galloped out of the city, fearing that he would meet an acquaintance in Lin'an City.

Meng Hao Shi Shiran sat in the carriage, leisurely.

After Meng Hao and Shi Feng converged, they got on the road together and rushed to Hangzhou.

After more than half an hour of trekking, I finally saw the outline of Hangzhou City. I saw that on the horizon in the distance, a blue-black city wall appeared abruptly in front of me, although it was not very high, but on this plain, it was particularly conspicuous.

Under the huge city gate, many black dots flowed endlessly, and when you got closer, it turned out to be a crowded crowd of people entering and leaving the city gate, and the mottled city walls were full of flags.

Meng Hao lifted the curtain and looked up at the city wall, his gaze seemed to pass through the void, looking at everything in the city. After a while, a sincere smile appeared on his face, he had been in Lin'an for many years, and today it was rare to come back, back to this city that once left a good memory for him.

Shi Feng manipulated his mount to approach the carriage and whispered, "Lord Meng, I'll go to the adult's mansion first, and you will come later." I'll be waiting for you at the back door. By the way, remember to put down the curtains when you enter the city, so that no one will find out about your itinerary. ”

After saying that, he gently pinched the horse's belly with his legs, and went into the city alone.

Meng Hao also showed the way to the groom, and then followed him into the city.

When the carriage came to a silent alley, Meng Hao shouted to stop, walked out of the carriage, and told the coachman to wait here and make his own arrangements later.

Meng Hao walked a few steps quickly and came to a small door. At this time, the door was opened from the inside, and Shi Feng walked out of the door, first looked around, and then pulled Meng Hao into the door. Immediately, the door slammed shut.

"Master Meng, I'm offended. Please. Shi Feng smiled apologetically at Meng Hao.

"It doesn't matter. Meng Hao shook his head, indicating that he didn't care.

Shi Feng led Meng Hao through the uninhabited corridor and came to the depths of a courtyard, where all kinds of flowers were blooming. Not far away, under the gazebo, a medium-sized figure was drinking.

Shi Feng took Meng Hao and walked a few steps to the pavilion, and the two of them saluted the figure under the pavilion at the same time.

"My lord, the little one has invited Master Meng here. Shi Feng said respectfully.

The man turned around and looked up at the two of them, "Okay, you go down first." Don't let people into this backyard. ”

"Yes. Shi Feng turned and left.

Meng Hao smiled at the man and greeted, "Lord Prefect, I haven't seen you for a long time. ”

The man pointed to the stone bench next to him, "Sit down, I have to call you from afar, not for you to stand." ”

Meng Hao sat down as he said, looking like he was sitting upright.

The man showed a funny expression and teased: "Meng Hao, now that you are no longer in Lin'an Zhi County, you don't have to be restrained." Just as a visitor to meet friends, there is no need to be restricted. ”

Meng Hao's expression froze, "Don't dare." ”

The man stroked his beard under his chin and asked, "Okay then." As long as you're not tired, you can sit like this. Do you know what I'm seeing you for?"

Meng Hao said honestly, "I'm stupid, I don't know what adults think." ”

"You are indeed stupid. In front of the public, he even criticized the emperor and questioned the princes of the court. Do you think your head is different from anyone else's?" the man said with a hint of annoyance.

Meng Hao grinned, "My lord said and laughed, no matter how different the head is, it will be the same when it is cut off." ”

The man nodded, "You know." I'm afraid that you don't know how to advance or retreat, and you will get into trouble, and then you will affect the whole family. ”

Meng Hao's expression was a little frozen, and then he let out a long sigh.

"What's the matter? Now you regret it? Are you scared? No longer look like no one is afraid? Tell me about you, how many years have you been since you entered the Shiji and the first? You are still nesting in Lin'an County as a magistrate. Now, he has become so bold that he dares to openly criticize the government. After so many years of official career, you didn't learn to be sleek, and you lost your intelligence, leaving only pedantry. The man was so angry that he crushed the glass in his hand.

"Uncle Zhao Shi, don't be angry, everything is bad for the little nephew, and the little nephew is to blame. I only ask Uncle Shi to come forward to save the lives of my mother and children. Meng Hao looked sincere.

"Okay, what are you doing with that woman's posture? If you are in a catastrophe, how can you get out of Lin'an City? It's just that you won't have a good time in the future. If those people gently expose this matter, you will be just going to return home, and if they hold on to it, you will inevitably go to jail. Governor Zhao shook his head at Meng Hao, looking like he hated iron but not steel.

Meng Hao breathed a sigh of relief, "That's okay. As long as it doesn't bother my family, I'm at ease. A manly man, one person does things and one person does everything, even if there is a prison sentence, I am not afraid. ”

Governor Zhao just glared at Meng Hao hatefully, and said seriously: "In life, there is nothing to bow your head and admit defeat for a while. What I'm afraid of is that I don't know the current affairs, not to mention my own future, and I will also affect others. ”

Meng Hao was silent.

"Do you know who your deputy is County Cheng Du Liang?" asked Zhao Zhifu lightly.

"My nephew doesn't know, please explain my doubts. Meng Hao was very respectful.

"At the beginning of his tenure, the surnamed Du must have been arrogant, and you must have been cold to him. Governor Zhao asked leisurely.

"Uncle Shi, how do you know? You can't have an ear and eye in the county office, right?" Meng Hao asked hesitantly.

"Do I need eyes and ears? When the man surnamed Du reported you, he sent me a letter. The letter said that he was a son of the Du clan in the capital and had come to Jiangnan to practice. With the temperament of their children in the capital, how could they not be arrogant and domineering? With your character, how could you not treat him coldly?"

"No wonder this is the case, I will say how can a county man dare to be so arrogant. Meng Hao suddenly realized.

"And that's not all. The current Imperial Doctor is your deputy's cousin. You know how much trouble you're getting into now, right?"

Meng Hao screamed for a while.