Time flies.

Unconsciously, half a moon passed.

In the afternoon of this day, the light rain knocked on Chang'an City, disturbing the streets empty, the light rain has been falling for three consecutive days, the whole city was cleaned and renewed, a person and a horse came slowly, wearing a hat, plump and handsome, clear and powerful.

"Who's coming?" The guards shouted.

The drizzle was hazy like smoke, blocking the view, and when I got in, the guards guarding the city recognized the identity of the person, and hurriedly clasped their fists and shouted: "The little one has seen the Protector of the Country, but he has eyes and does not know Mount Tai, and he asks the Protector for forgiveness." ”

The person who came was Qin Huaidao, as for Xue Rengui and others, they didn't want to expose their hole cards, so they asked everyone to go back to Qinjiazhuang, handed over a handful of copper coins and said: "It's raining heavily, buy some wine to keep out the cold." ”

"Thank you for the public reward!" The soldiers defending the city were overjoyed and hurried out of the way.

Money is very important for the soldiers at the bottom of the city guard, but the face of the dignified protector is more important, one by one he watched one person and one horse leave, his eyes were grateful, and someone whispered: "It is rumored that the protector does not have the official authority of the high-ranking officials, and he is commensurate with ordinary soldiers as brothers, and he loves them. ”

"That's right, whoever of those aristocratic families is looking at us, not to mention rewarding silver, it's not bad if you don't smoke it."

"Straight lady thief, there are still people plotting against such good people as the protector of the country, it's really not a thing."

"God doesn't open his eyes, good people are bullied."

"Don't let Lao Tzu know who it is, and report it if you risk your life."

……

The drizzle was fluttering, the horse's hooves were fast, Qin Huaidao had already walked away, he couldn't hear it, he walked along the empty stone street for a distance, and unconsciously came to the mansion, and the guards guarding the door recognized it, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "See the young master!" ”

"Fortunately, it's raining heavily, wear more." Qin Huaidao said and handed the reins to one person, and instructed, "Help bring it in and feed it with high-grade essence." ”

Entering the gate, walking along the wind and rain corridor, the people I met along the way were overjoyed when they saw Qin Huaidao coming back, as if they had found the backbone of the heart all of a sudden, and they saluted and said hello one after another.

Qin Huaidao sensed that something was wrong, so he didn't ask too much and came directly to the backyard.

He'er hurried over when she heard the news, with tears in her eyes, and shouted when she entered the door: "Young master, you can come back." ”

"Is something wrong?"

"Well, if you don't come again, we don't know what to do."

"Slowly, the sky won't fall."

He'er came up and took off Qin Huaidao's coat while explaining the situation in detail, Qin Huaidao heard that someone was attacking the barbecue, and he was using a catapult, and the nameless fire in his heart rushed to the top of his head, but he held back, listened carefully, and asked a few details after He'er finished speaking.

After that, Qin Huaidao fell into deep thought, although he was angry, but he had more doubts, Wanhualou was just a Fengyue occasion, because it was reasonable to make some small moves in business competition, but he would never dare to use a big killing weapon like a catapult, I am afraid that there is something strange behind this.

He'er didn't dare to disturb Qin Huaidao's thinking, and said, "Young master, I'll go boil some water and let the kitchen prepare some food." ”

Qin Huaidao didn't stop it, he had been crazy in the mountains for half a month, his whole body smelled bad, it was very uncomfortable, he should wash it, he was thinking about Wanhualou in his mind, and he faintly grabbed something, but it was wrong when he thought about it carefully.

After waiting for a while, Qin Huaidao came to the bathroom, soaked in hot water and let He'er help scrub it, closed his eyes and enjoyed this rare relaxation, his brain became clear, he was much more active, closed his eyes and continued to think about things.

He'er knew Qin Huaidao's habits, didn't bother, scrubbed carefully, did this kind of thing since she was a child, and she had already regarded herself as Qin Huaidao's woman in her heart, and she didn't feel embarrassed, stroking her strong muscles, thinking of something, her face turned red, like a blooming red lotus.

After a while, Qin Huaidao suddenly asked, "Apart from this, is there anything else?" ”

He'er hurriedly suppressed the fantasy in his mind and replied: "No, everything else is going well, the sales of various goods in the house are also good, but the limited quantity, the silver comes less, I am afraid it will not be enough, the barbecue bar is renovated plus the cost of medicine and compensation, it costs seventy or eighty thousand, if it is not for the old man Song who sent 500,000 yuan, he can't hold it." ”

"Then the limit will be lifted, but the output needs to be higher." Qin Huaidao said solemnly, the matter of Wanhualou is too strange, and it is necessary to take precautions, but it cannot be broken, so as not to cause unnecessary panic.

"Is something going to happen?" He'er was inexplicably worried.

"Don't ask, everything is here, do you remember the hidden hole in the backyard?"

"Remember, the last time the young master showed it to He'er, it was indeed very hidden."

"Half of the money is earned and hid in the cave, and no one knows about it but you."

"Ah......h

He'er's face changed greatly, and she felt more and more that something was going to happen, but she didn't ask again, and promised: "He'er knows, hide it in person, and don't let people see it, but the account book must also be changed, otherwise, someone will find out." ”

"Our He'er is getting smarter and smarter." Qin Huaidao praised.

"Really?" He'er was overjoyed, as if he had been greatly praised.

"Did Mr. Song give the goods over there?"

"The pre-production has been given to him, just in supply, and a lot of production has been produced these days, let go of sales, can quickly return a sum of silver, He'er will do a good job, no matter what happens in the future, don't leave He'er, okay?" He'er's voice was a little heavy.

"Don't worry, this young master is used to you taking care of him, and he can't do it without you."

"That's good, thank you, young master." Haul smiled happily.

Qin Huaidao sighed a little, this little girl was too insecure and too dependent on herself, chatted a few words about the house, changed into official clothes, went to the kitchen to eat something, and hurried out with an umbrella.

Not long after, Qin Huaidao came to the official office of the Ministry of Communications.

The guard at the door recognized Qin Huaidao, and hurriedly saluted in surprise, Qin Huaidao bowed his head and explained: "Order, let Li Dejian, Fang Yiai, Li Yixie and Su Dingfang come over." ”

"Back to my lords, the three adults are in the yafang."

Qin Huaidao nodded, entered the gate, and came to his own yafang, just sat down, Li Dejian and the four of them hurriedly came over and saluted excitedly, Qin Huaidao made a request, and said while skillfully boiling water to make tea: "I know a rough idea about the barbecue, who will tell me the details." ”

"My lord, I'll come." Li Dejian hurriedly took over the topic: "My father confessed at the beginning that Uncle Cheng was responsible for tracking down public places such as Chang'an gangs, neighborhoods, inns, restaurants, etc., and I couldn't find some clues, and at the same time, I also created the illusion that the murderer was flustered and at a loss, and there was a lack of clues. ”

Speaking of this, Li Dejian paused, his face was full of guilt, he gritted his teeth, and continued: "It's a pity that the three-pronged approach has made no progress so far, and the saint is furious, and he fined Uncle Cheng and General Xu for half a year, stayed in his post to check, and said that he could not break the eucalyptus and dismiss him within three months." ”

Qin Huaidao saw that Li Er's attitude was quite resolute, and his anger in his heart was a little less, and he asked, "Such a big matter, there are no suspicious clues at all?" ”

"Back to my lord, there really isn't, the people in Wanhualou have checked it all over and interrogated a few rounds, but no one knows, the only shopkeeper who knows about it was killed, the murderer is suspected of being a guard, but so far there are no clues, the one who built the catapult has also been wiped out, and his subordinates are incompetent, and he is ashamed of his trust in adults." Li Dejian lowered his head in shame.

"Where's Uncle Cheng?"

Li Dejian hurriedly said: "I have arrested a lot of Jiangyang thieves and wanted criminals caught at sea, and a lot of suspense has been cracked, but none of them have anything to do with this incident, and the same is true for the Criminal Department." ”

With the temper of Cheng Biting Jin and Xu Shiji, such a major matter must be investigated with all its might, plus the Supervision Office is dispatched, it is only right that it cannot be investigated, unless there is a mistake in the thinking of handling the eucalyptus, Qin Huaidao asked: "What line of thought do you follow?" ”

"The saint said that there was a rebellion, and we will investigate it according to this line of thought."

It's not impossible to rebel, but Qin Huaidao always feels that something is wrong, what kind of rebellion does a Wanhualou make? If it's really a rebellion, there should be follow-up actions after so long, and it can't be silent for a while?

This doesn't make sense!

Qin Huaidao pondered, his gaze a little solemn.

The four waited patiently and did not dare to disturb.

At this time, the water boiled, Qin Huaidao made tea, shared a cup for the four of them, poured a cup for himself, took a sip of hot water, his body was a little warmer, and his thinking was much more active, and he said after a moment of silence: "Commander Su, you work hard to drive a carriage to the house, look for He'er, He'er knows your identity, let her ask the Fushang opera team who knows the Wanhualou shopkeeper guard, and take what she knows here." ”

"Obey!" Su Dingfang hurriedly went.

"My lord, but there is a way?" Li Dejian asked excitedly.

"Some ideas are not mature enough, and the idea of rebellion can't find clues, I'm afraid it's not right, so we have to change our thinking." Qin Huaidao said seriously.

"Your Excellency, you mean, revenge?"

"Why?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.

Li Dejian sat upright and said: "It's clear, Wanhualou and other Fengyue fields sell wine except for women, but with the barbecue of adults, who still goes to Wanhualou to drink?" Wanhualou's business plummeted, and it was inevitable to retaliate, according to what he said, the shopkeeper's public expression of revenge also confirmed this. ”

"In my opinion, retaliation is more likely." Fang Yiai agreed.

"But we have also checked along this line of thought, and there is no progress." Li Yixie reminded.

Qin Huaidao looked at Li Dejian, Li Dejian smiled bitterly and nodded, Qin Huaidao continued: "Let's show that there is a competitive relationship between Wanhualou and my barbecue bar, and the revenge is reasonable, Wanhualou spreads some rumors, saying how bad the barbecue bar is, and even the next three indiscriminate means are possible, but they will never dare to openly use catapults to retaliate, this is by no means simple, in addition to rebellion and revenge, there is also a possibility." ”

"What?" The three asked in surprise.

"Don't worry, since I'm back, I'll definitely find it out." Qin Huaidao said coldly, and asked for some details, and learned that the king of Wei had gone to the fief, and the crown prince also took the initiative to cooperate with the investigation, and even took the initiative to apply to search the East Palace to prove his innocence, which did not seem to have a motive.

But Qin Huaidao did not dispel his doubts, of course, he did not break it, and listened carefully to everyone's statements.

Not long after, Su Dingfang took Dong'er and a few other women over, the women were overjoyed when they saw Qin Huaidao, and they saluted one after another, Qin Huaidao found charcoal and white paper, and asked about the appearance of the guards, while making character sketches.

Li Dejian and the three of them had seen Qin Huaidao's painting methods, which was not surprising, Su Dingfang looked at it with great admiration, but he didn't say anything, and watched silently from the side.

Qin Huaidao quickly drew a person according to the description, and then let everyone see it, pointed out what was wrong and where it was insufficient, redrew a new one, looked at it again, and changed it again, and so on five times, a fresh person jumped on the paper, Dong'er and the others were sure that it was correct after reading it, and they were also admiring in their hearts, but they didn't expect Qin Huaidao to sing well, and this hand was not bad.

The person in the painting is very cold at first glance, holding a sword, with a Chinese face, small eyes, squinted into a slit, but the bridge of the nose is very high, with a little hook, thin lips, obvious features, easy to recognize.

Dong'er and the others grew up in Wanhualou since they were children, and they are certainly no strangers to the guards around the shopkeeper, and now they have taken refuge in the Protector's Mansion, and it is impossible to lie.

Qin Huaidao drew another pair of the same spare, handed one of them to Dong'er, and instructed: "Take this back to the house and hand it over to He'er, let He'er find someone in the house to carve it out, and print a thousand copies, quickly." ”

"Dong'er, remember!"

Qin Huaidao saw that the other party wanted to speak and stopped, and asked, "Do you have something to say?" Let's say, it's all my own people. ”

A sentence of his own people made Li Dejian's four hearts warm.

Dong'er didn't hide it, and said bluntly: "Some sisters in Wanhualou are ready to redeem themselves, and they have all been arrested when they come out of this file, and they don't know where they are, so I am afraid that they will not be able to come over and talk to the young master." ”

"Where's the man?" Qin Huaidao looked at Li Dejian.

Li Dejian hurriedly said: "The eucalyptus is set to be a rebellion, and all the people from the criminal department have brought us here, and there are a lot of them, all of them are good." ”

"You go back first, Commander Su, and arrange to send it back." Qin Huaidao looked at Su Dingfang.

As soon as Dong'er heard that he was in the Supervision Mansion, he was fine, he was relieved, and motioned for the sisters to follow Su Dingfang to leave, Qin Huaidao looked at Li Dejian: "What to do with Wanhualou?" ”

"It has been sealed and guarded by flying horses, but it has not moved inside, and the saint said that he will wait for you to deal with it."

Qin Huaidao nodded, looked at the hand-drawn drawings and groaned, Wanhualou is unlikely to rebel, at most use catapults to punish the crime of rebellion, and the possibility of retaliation is high, but it is by no means caused by commercial competition, will someone be in a maze and cover up a bigger conspiracy on the grounds of commercial competition?

Following this line of thought, the more Qin Huaidao thought about it, the more he felt that it was possible, which door would build a Wanhualou? They also dare not use catapults for commercial competition, unless there is a greater conspiracy behind them.

"Who is the owner behind Wanhua Tower?" Qin Huaidao suddenly asked.

Everyone shook their heads, Li Dejian said: "It has been traced, but the registration data of the county government shows that it is the shopkeeper, and it has also been searched, but no account book has been found. ”

"A shopkeeper can't support such a big Wanhua Building, there must be someone behind it." Qin Huaidao said.

The three of them nodded one after another, wanting to make their business bigger in Chang'an City, but no one behind them would definitely not work.

"My lord, what do you mean......" Li Dejian heard a little.

Qin Huaidao nodded: "You go, give me a secret investigation of Wanhualou since its opening, how the troubles encountered have been posed, whoever comes forward to pose for photos, follow this clue to check, I don't believe it can't be found." ”

"Understood, my lord is wise, and the next official will go." Li Dejian was thorough at one point and went in a hurry.

"I said, I still have to be an adult." Fang Yiai said with emotion.

Li Yixie also excitedly agreed: "That's right, there are so many civil and military forces in the Manchu Dynasty, one by one, no one thinks of this idea, the goose has been a voice, for so many years, Wanhualou can't be smooth sailing, and if you encounter something, you must find a way to solve it, as long as you check the bottom of it, there must be clues." ”

After chatting for a while, Su Dingfang hurriedly returned and waited beside him.

An hour later, Li Dejian hurriedly came back, with a depressed face: "My lord, I found a few things, ten years ago, the shopkeeper came to take down Wanhualou, and the Ministry of Rites Langzhong was looking for at that time, half a year later, the whole family of Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites was killed, and a fire was less clean, and the Criminal Department sentenced a burglary, and killed people after being exposed." ”

"Half a year later, indeed?" Qin Huaidao interrupted, the time span is neither long nor short, and people can't help but think about it.

"Sure, it's not wrong, I've already arranged for someone to go to the Criminal Department to review the file." Li Dejian affirmed.

"Go on!" Qin Huaidao had a hunch that what he had guessed was right, and he came to the spirit.

Li Dejian nodded: "Not long after the opening, some people made trouble in it and demanded compensation, and Wanhualou would be ruined and spared, but half a year later, the troublemakers died mysteriously and became a hanger. ”

"It's half a year again, and it's hanging again, it's not like there are big people behind them, big people will never do it themselves, the common means should be to suppress people with power, and those who are almost powerful will also sit down and laugh at enmity, there are weird things in this, investigate thoroughly." Qin Huaidao's spirits were greatly lifted.

"Xia Guan also feels that something is wrong, so I will tell you first, and then I will investigate." Li Dejian hurriedly went.

Fang Yiai looked puzzled: "My lord, what does the hanging eucalyptus have to do with Wanhualou?" In the early days of the Tang Dynasty, people died every day in Chang'an City. ”

Li Yixie and Su Dingfang also looked at Qin Huaidao curiously.

Qin Huaidao smiled and said nothing, drinking tea, thinking about things.

After another half an hour, Li Dejian came over with the relevant hanging file, Qin Huaidao opened it and took a closer look, and sure enough, as he guessed, the deceased were all killed with a sword, and the location was also in the throat.

The more top-level the master, the more he has his own habit of killing, and he doesn't even know it.

This habit became the biggest clue in Qin Huaidao's eyes.

Li Dejian and the four of them are not stupid, they can see through one point, looking at the file records, and then looking at the craftsmen who were killed in the courtyard, the size, position and cutting angle of the wounds recorded by Wu Zuo are almost exactly the same, needless to say that they are the same person.

"Your Excellency?" Li Dejian vaguely grasped something, but he was not sure and became excited.

Fang Yiai didn't react, and asked curiously: "My lord, even if it's the same person, what can it mean?" ”

Qin Huaidao didn't break it right away, and looked at Su Dingfang, wondering if this guy was as powerful as the legend.

Su Dingfang had already guessed, but he was not familiar with everyone, so he didn't dare to talk nonsense, seeing Qin Huaidao's encouraging gaze, he realized that this was an opportunity to prove himself, and immediately said: "My lord, the last general thinks that the person behind Wanhualou may not be a big man in Chang'an City. ”

"Tell me what you think." Qin Huaidao's eyes lit up and he refilled the other party's cup of tea.

Su Dingfang was encouraged, and he was much bolder, and continued: "Judging from the situation, there will be an inference in the end, and I don't know if it's right, so please correct me when I say it." ”

"Say!" Qin Huaidao urged.

The others also looked at Su Dingfang, showing curiosity, everyone didn't know much about Su Dingfang.

Su Dingfang nodded solemnly: "My lord, the general thinks that there may be a wind and rain building behind Wanhua Tower." ”

Qin Huaidao saw that he thought of it together, his eyes were full of appreciation, and he smiled: "Tell me the reason." ”

Su Dingfang was greatly encouraged, and continued: "Back to my lord, judging from the means of dealing with troubles in Wanhualou over the years, the killer organization is very likely, of course, it is not ruled out that there is a big man behind it, but this big man must not see the light, or he does not want to be exposed, and the second is that Fengyulou and adults have a grudge, on the surface, it looks like competition, but in fact, it is revenge, but the end will not figure it out, Wanhualou is worth a lot of money, why sacrifice Wanhualou to retaliate?" ”

"What about you?" Qin Huaidao looked at Li Dejian and the others.

The three of them shook their heads one after another, expressing their understanding of this question.

Wanhualou is worth hundreds of thousands of yuan, and it is not worth the loss.

Qin Huaidao smiled: "Wanhualou really can't take risks, after all, the loss of my barbecue bar is only 100,000 guan, but Wanhualou is worth hundreds of thousands, on the other hand, this is also the cleverness of Wanhualou." ”

"What my lord means is that Wanhualou is indeed taking revenge, once it is nailed, it will be used as an excuse to defend itself, but I didn't expect someone to report it, and after checking it so quickly, the people behind it have to stop talking and give up Wanhualou to protect themselves?"

Qin Huaidao shook his head: "On the surface, it seems like this, but one thing doesn't make sense, why is the person behind it so sure that someone will report it?" Even if you know that someone is high-secret, you don't have time to arrange the guards to extinguish the mouth, there is only one possibility, the mouth is in the plan, and it has been arranged in advance. ”

"It doesn't make sense, can the people behind it be willing to sell the gold cave of Wanhualou?" Li Dejian questioned.

"What if someone pays for it behind their backs?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.

Everyone was a little stunned when they heard this, but they quickly reacted, and their faces changed slightly.

Su Dingfang also reacted and said: "What the adults mean is that someone has given enough silver, and Fengyulou has a festival with the adult, so he has to do it even if he gives up Wanhualou, so who is this person?" That's hundreds of thousands, ordinary people can't take it, and they can't bear it, unless they ......"

"Fan Yang Lu's Clan?" Li Dejian, Fang Yiai and Li Yixie said in unison.

Qin Huaidao shook his head and said: "Not necessarily, Fan Yang Lu's family has a grudge with me, but Fan Yang Lu's family was raided by the saint in Chang'an, and he couldn't get the silver for a while, Fengyulou is a killer organization, although he has a grudge and wants to retaliate, but he pays more attention to interests, and he will never make a move without silver, not to mention giving up the cash cow of Fengyulou." ”

As soon as everyone heard that it made sense, they were silent.

After waiting for a while, Qin Huaidao continued: "Everyone, this matter is actually not difficult, think about who has the most motivation and strength, this official has recently had a holiday with the Fan Yang Lu clan, but they can't take out so much silver for a while, and the only ones who can take out the silver after the festival are Tubo and the Wa Kingdom." ”

"What do you mean?" The faces of several people changed greatly, and they thought about it along the way, and the more they thought about it, the more they felt that it was possible.

Li Dejian agreed: "My lord, I understand, Tubo is the most likely. ”

"Oh, tell me your judgment." Qin Huaidao saw that Li Dejian and himself thought together, and asked.

"It's very simple, Tubo sent 5,000 troops into the country, and he was also involved with a certain big man in the Tang Dynasty, this person didn't want to be exposed, so he gave Tubo a sum of silver, so that Tubo came forward to find Fengyulou, and the biggest motive for attacking the adult's barbecue bar was to attract the attention of the imperial court and the supervision office, so that they had more time to clean up the aftermath."

"Makes sense." Fang Yiai got up and said, "Then what are you waiting for, let's go to the Tibetan embassy." ”

"What about the evidence?" Li Yixie asked rhetorically.

"What evidence do you want? Don't move, leave it to me. Fang Yiai said nonchalantly.

"Sit down first, and wait for the adults to decide." Li Dejian sat down.

Qin Huaidao said with a smile: "Bereavement, your anxious temperament has to be changed, and the Tubo embassy will not run, Li Dejian's analysis just now is very correct, the Tubo embassy can't take out so much silver, but someone can take it out, and this person is afraid of finding him, so let Tubo come forward, or maybe he will come forward to find Fengyulou himself." ”

"Is that the Tibetan or the man?" Fang Yiai is in a hurry.

"It's possible for both, and it could be a combination of both." Li Dejian said.

Everyone looked at Qin Huaidao one after another, giving birth to a feeling of clearing the clouds and mist and seeing a sunny day, waiting for the order.

Qin Huaidao thought for a while and said, "Fang Yiai, Li Yixie." ”

"Here!" The two of them had glowing eyes and grinding their fists.

"After dark, you two pick some good hands, pretend to be righteous people in the rivers and lakes to go to the Tibetan embassy, and teach the people inside a hard lesson in the name of avenging me, to see if you can get some news, the people act spontaneously, and it will not involve the court, but don't get killed, let alone reveal your true identity, if you accidentally expose it, kill it."

"Understood." Both of them were bold lords and excitedly agreed.

Su Dingfang saw that Qin Huaidao actually used a yin trick, not only did he not feel inappropriate, but he became excited, not pedantic, such an adult was relieved, and his eyes became eager: "My lord, can you give the pro-army a little task, I have been here for so long, I haven't done anything, and the brothers are in a hurry." ”

"You pick some people to go to the Tibetan embassy, just like them, understand?"

"Understood, it's guaranteed to be completed, but there's a thousand cow guards outside?"

"Li Yixie, negotiate with the guards." Qin Huaidao looked at Li Yixie.

"No problem, it's all my own brothers, it's easy to say." Li Yixie agreed.

Qin Huaidao thought of something and asked, "What about compensation?" I remember that half a month ago, I proposed to them a compensation of 2 million guan, did the Tibetan and Japanese countries give it? ”

"No, we also sent a letter of state, saying that we don't pay attention to benevolence and righteousness, and we are blackmail and bullying small countries."

"Then bully hard and loot the embassy's valuable money, since you pretend to be a righteous man, of course you have to do a decent job, remember, you can't be exposed, this is the bottom line, Li Dejian, follow me to meet Lu Dongzan, locked up for more than half a month, what is happening now?" Qin Huaidao admonished.

Li Dejian hurriedly said: "It's all going crazy, but the adults have orders, and the brothers strictly enforce them, except for sending some food and drink, no one will say a word to him during the period, and they won't give him time for books and other plays, and in the past few days, he has been howling so much that he cries and laughs, and the brother of the guard says that he looks like a madman." ”

"That's pretty much it, let's go!" Qin Huaidao was overjoyed.

It seems simple to close the lockdown, but who knows the pain, even a well-trained agent can't bear it for ten days, let alone more than fifteen days, it's no wonder if it doesn't collapse.