Chapter 498. Conspiracy and Round-up (Part I).

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Where there are people, classes arise, and in feudal societies the gulf between different classes is especially obvious.

Characters of different classes, their status and living standards are too different, so they are naturally reluctant to live in the same area, so there is a saying in the capital that "the east is rich and the west is expensive, and the poor are poor and the north is cheap".

Just as the meaning of this slang phrase is, the northern part of the capital is home to a large number of low-status residents and professionals, including beggars who make a living by begging, coolies who behave rudely and sweaty, prostitutes and rabbits who sell their bodies, thieves and thieves who can't see the light, and even some wanted criminals hiding here.

But even in the northern part of the capital, Eunuch Lane is the most chaotic and dangerous place, making it impossible for everyone to avoid.

The reason for the formation of Eunuch Alley, as mentioned above, gathered here a large number of "self-palace people" who could not enter the palace to become eunuchs, they were despised by the world, but also self-abandonment, psychological darkness, despicable behavior, in order to survive, but also to wait for the next eunuch selection, most of them are uncompromising means, exhausted all legal or illegal means, there are begging, there are those who are public, there are those who are abducted, and there are those who are abducted, and their miasma is not to be mentioned.

After Zhang Wei gave up the assassination of Zhao Junchen, although he received a promise that Zhao Junchen would not be held accountable, he still did not dare to be careless, and immediately found his cousin Zhang Zhantang and prepared to flee the capital with Zhang Zhantang.

Unfortunately, because the impact of Zhao Junchen's assassination was too bad, the major yamen in the capital showed an extremely rare rapid response, and soon blocked the city gates and martial law in the major areas of the capital, completely blocking the escape of Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang.

In desperation, Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang came to hide near Echinen Alley, hoping to escape the capture of the imperial court by taking advantage of the chaotic situation in Echinen Alley.

At the beginning, because of Zhao Junchen's secret delay and deliberate non-cooperation, the major yamen did not know Zhang Wei's physical characteristics at all, and the arrest operation was tantamount to looking for a needle in the sea.

Under the relaxation, Zhang Wei's vigilance also decreased slightly, but he didn't know that Zhao Junchen had secretly notified Xichang of his physical characteristics, and Xichang soon discovered Zhang Wei's traces through a certain channel.

Just when Zhao Junchen had just returned to Zhao's mansion, Wei Huai had already personally led a group of Xichang cronies to the area around where Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang were hiding, secretly controlled the situation nearby, monitored Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang, and was ready to arrest him at any time.

*

Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang's hiding place is in an inconspicuous old house near Eunuch Lane, this old house is not large in area and dilapidated, but it is better to have a wide field of vision, you can find the surrounding situation at the first time, and there are many dark alleys nearby, which can allow Zhang Wei to escape from pursuit when he escapes.

The owner of this old house, named Jiang Qing, is also a self-palace person, but he is a good mixer in Eunuch Alley, not only serving as a turtle in a secret prostitution hall. Gong, and often personally part-time work as a rabbit master, so he has some spare money in his hands and can have a dilapidated old house to live alone.

In addition, Jiang Qing and Zhang Zhantang also have a friendship, they are dog meat friends, when Zhang Zhantang took Zhang Wei to avoid the Yamen search, he immediately thought of Jiang Qing, and Jiang Qing's performance did not disappoint Zhang Zhantang, not only immediately took Zhang Zhantang and Zhang Wei in, but also helped the two to cover their whereabouts and find out the news.

At this time, Zhang Wei was standing in front of the window observing the situation around the old house, with a faint hint of solemnity in his expression.

For some reason, there were gradually more strangers around the old house, which made Zhang Wei secretly a little vigilant.

Just when Zhang Wei was thinking about whether to temporarily change the hiding place, someone suddenly pushed the door in.

After hearing the sound, Zhang Wei first turned around sharply and looked nervously, and when he found out that the person who entered the door was Jiang Qing, his expression relaxed slightly.

On the side, Zhang Zhantang, who was also nervous, hurriedly got up and asked, "Brother Jiang, what's the situation outside?" Is there any news from the government? ”

Before today, Zhang Zhantang was not so polite to Jiang Qing, because of Jiang Qing's eunuch status, Zhang Zhantang would inevitably have some contempt in his heart, and always called him by his name, but now that he is protected by Jiang Qing, he has quietly been much more respectful, and his title to Jiang Qing has also become "Brother Jiang", with some flattering taste.

At the same time, after hearing Zhang Zhantang's inquiry, Zhang Wei also showed a look of concern.

And Jiang Qing naturally understood what Zhang Zhantang was most worried about, so he hurriedly relieved: "Don't worry, two Brother Zhang, although the government is still arresting people everywhere, they still have no specific information, obviously they don't know who to arrest, and they don't know about the two Brother Zhang, they are like headless flies running around, so as long as the two Zhang brothers don't expose their traces, they will never be in trouble!" ”

After hearing Jiang Qing's words, Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang both breathed a sigh of relief - the thing they are most worried about now is that the government already knows their details, in that case, they are trapped in the capital, and no matter how much they hide, they will only survive, but as long as the government does not know their details, then after this turmoil is over, they can leave the capital openly, and they no longer need to worry about anything.

A hint of relief flashed in Zhang Wei's eyes, and he muttered to himself in a low voice: "Fortunately, it seems that that person has kept his promise after all, and has not leaked the news, and the government can only touch the mouse blindly, and after the rumor passes, it will be completely safe." ”

After speaking, Zhang Wei also squeezed out a smile on his face, and said to Jiang Qing: "Thank you Brother Jiang, you are willing to take us in, it means that you are a man who values righteousness, and we will be friends from now on!" Please also rest assured Brother Jiang, our brother will not let you take risks in vain, and when this turmoil is over, my cousin and I will definitely have another thanks! ”

When he spoke, Zhang Wei was quite confident, after all, when he chased and killed Zhao Junchen, he got a lot of silver tickets deliberately spilled by Zhao Junchen, adding up to several thousand taels of silver, for Zhang Wei, this silver is enough for him to squander for a long time, and now for his own safety, it is acceptable to give Jiang Qing a part.

Before, in order to make Jiang Qing willing to take the risk of taking them in, Zhang Wei had already given Jiang Qing two hundred taels of silver tickets, and agreed to give Jiang Qing another three hundred taels afterwards.

As Zhang Wei's words fell, a trace of pain flashed on Zhang Zhantang's face, but he also said in a loud voice: "That is, Brother Jiang's righteousness, my cousin and I both see it, and we will never treat Brother Jiang badly in the future, my cousin has made a big deal this time, we will have difficulties today and happiness in the future!" ”

On the other side, Jiang Qing's eyes were full of greed, and he said with a smile: "Thank you Brother Zhang, you are worthy of being a hero who does great things, and you are generous, please rest assured, Brother Zhang, as long as you hide here with peace of mind, the government guarantees that you will not find out!" ”

After hearing Jiang Qing's assurance, Zhang Wei suddenly remembered what was going on, but hurriedly pulled Jiang Qing to the window, pointed out the window and asked, "Brother Jiang, why do I see that there are suddenly so many strangers around?" Are these people often seen around? It won't be weird, right? ”

Jiang Qing glanced out the window, and then said disapprenorovingly: "Brother Zhang don't have to be nervous, these people are not strangers from outside, you look at the few green skins at the corner of the street, they live nearby, they often wander around to collect protection money, and occasionally find trouble with outsiders, but they are all my acquaintances, there is nothing to worry about; There are also the two beggars opposite, after they go out to beg, they will return here every night to settle down, after all, there are several abandoned houses nearby, which can shelter from the wind and rain; As for the man over there, he is a butcher who sells meat nearby, fooling people with dead pork all day long, and hunting wild dogs everywhere to sell for money, and the place where he lives is diagonally opposite us......"

After hearing Jiang Qing's detailed explanation, Zhang Wei was relieved to see that the strangers who suddenly appeared around him were all familiar to Jiang Qing.

Thinking about it again, Zhang Wei also felt that he was nervous, if these strangers were really disguised by people in the government, then it meant that the government had discovered his traces and had already forcibly arrested him, so why hide mysteriously around?

In this way, the last trace of doubt in Zhang Wei's heart suddenly dissipated.

After Jiang Qing informed Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang of the latest news, he said that he would prepare food for them, and soon left again.

Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang had already initially trusted Jiang Qing, and they had no doubts about it, but they were discussing their future plans in the old house, and their mood was quite optimistic, after all, they got a windfall from Zhao Junchen, and the government didn't know their details at all.

At least, that's what Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang think.

However, Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang didn't know that after Jiang Qing left the old house, he didn't go to prepare food for them, but turned around and entered another old house on the corner.

*

This old house is larger than Jiang Qing's old house, and there are several men with majestic faces and strong bodies who have been waiting for him for a long time.

However, although these men are all powerful, and they look like the big men who hold the power of life and death on weekdays, they are respectful and even faintly afraid of a disabled middle-aged man in a wheelchair.

This middle-aged man with a disability is thin, sickly-looking, and dressed in gray linen, and does not look too unusual, but his eyes are extremely gloomy, like poisonous snakes, which makes people dare not look directly.

This disabled man is none other than Zhao Junchen's cronies, the head of the West Factory, and the thousands of households in Jinyi - Wei Huai!

After seeing Wei Huai, Jiang Qing showed a very humble and flattering look, and knelt down and said: "Lord Wei, the villain has already gone back to find out just now according to your instructions, Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang are still in the villain's room, as long as you give an order, those two can be captured immediately!" ”

Wei Huai's expression was indifferent, and his expression didn't change much, he just asked: "That Zhang Wei is born as a horse thief, and he has always been vigilant and suspicious, what does he suspect?" ”

Jiang Qing shook his head again and again, and invited credit: "They don't know the news outside at all now, under the deliberate concealment of the villain, they still think that the government still doesn't know their details, so they don't have too much vigilance, that Zhang Wei saw the spies around the house, he was also a little vigilant and suspicious, but they were all perfunctory by the villain, when the villain left, Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang also discussed that they would go to Jiangnan to have a good time after the rumors passed, and there was no doubt at all!" ”

Wei Huai nodded and said slowly: "Very good, you took the initiative to inform the West Factory of the news, so that the West Factory found the whereabouts of these two murderers, and also helped the West Factory stabilize them, it can be described as a great achievement, and after this matter is over, there will be a heavy reward!" Xichang is now about to return to the inner court, and maybe you can be arranged to enter the palace at that time! ”

Hearing Wei Huai's promise, Jiang Qing was overjoyed and kowtowed again and again to thank him.

However, Jiang Qing was overjoyed, but he didn't notice the killing intent flashing in Wei Huai's eyes.

Xichang's operation this time is quite secretive, and it is not just to arrest Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhantang, there are more goals, and Jiang Qing knows too many things......

Xichang's action this time was Zhao Junchen's secret order, and the people in Xichang led by Wei Huai were also Zhao Junchen's hardcore cronies.

So, after listening to Jiang Qing's report, a foreman of the West Factory beside Wei Huai immediately suggested: "Lord Wei, those two murderers are now unguarded, should we arrest them immediately?" ”

A cold smile flashed on Wei Huai's face, and he said slowly: "Don't worry, those two murderers are just bait, the big fish hasn't appeared yet, we don't have to startle the snake, wait patiently for a while...... Tell me to go down and let the fans continue to monitor the movements around them, and report to me as soon as they find something. ”

After speaking, Wei Huai's pair of gloomy eyes looked at Jiang Qing again and asked, "You, are you willing to do one more thing for Xichang?" ”

Jiang Qing hurriedly said: "Please also ask the adults to command, the villain will go up the knife mountain and go down to the sea of fire, and he will not hesitate!" ”

The smile on Wei Huai's face became more and more gloomy, and he said, "I don't need you to go up the Sword Mountain and go down to the Sea of Fire, just want you to report the whereabouts of those two murderers to another group of people." ”

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…… (To be continued.) )