Chapter 38: Abandoning darkness for light!

Great Song, Chen Zhou.

Bao Zheng, who arrived late, finally arrived.

Entering the city, just when Bao Zheng thought there would be starving people everywhere, he discovered something shocking.

That was that there were no so-called "refugees" at all!

Thinking of this, Bao Zheng immediately ordered people to go find Watching Zhan Zhao.

But just as he passed a grain shop, he discovered that the price of grain here was even cheaper than in Bianliang.

"Waiter, dare I ask, Chen Zhou clearly suffered a disaster, why is the grain price so cheap?"

Asking in confusion, Bao Zheng's face at this moment was full of the "subway old man" expression.

Because he came here prepared to kill Pang Yu to warn others.

But looking at it now, Chen Zhou clearly had no problems!

If there really were problems, the grain price shouldn't be so cheap!

"This gentleman, it's not that we don't want to lower the price, but some wicked person spread rumors outside that Chen Zhou was short of grain, with one dou of grain costing three taels of silver. As a result, grain merchants from nearby states and counties all came!"

Saying this, the waiter sighed, "Coming is one thing, but as a result, they came fine, but they can't go back!"

"Why do you say that?"

Looking at the waiter blankly, Bao Zheng was surprised.

"Because the Marquis of Anle said, coming to Chen Zhou to sell grain is fine, but leaving Chen Zhou costs ten taels of silver in road tolls per cart of grain. Don't you think this is wicked?"

Thinking of this, the waiter was also full of melancholy.

Now Chen Zhou didn't have much of anything, but they had a lot of these grain merchants.

Under inflation, where could grain be sold for a price now!

Everyone now wants to sell off quickly and then run away; who knows what other ghost ideas the Marquis of Anle will come up with!

Just after the waiter's explanation, Bao Zheng's eyes flickered, because it seemed that this Marquis of Anle, Pang Yu, was not a stupid person!

Using news to trick grain in and then slaughter them, it's simply wicked!

And possessing the status of Marquis of Anle, even if these grain merchants had some ability behind them, they couldn't do anything to the other party.

After all, the people above wouldn't offend the current father-in-law, Grand Tutor Pang, for a mere few tens of thousands of taels of silver. Daring to do so isn't being money-hungry, it's having water in the brain!

"Prime Minister Bao, Watching Zhan Zhao is here!"

Just as Bao Zheng was patrolling outside the city gate, he saw Watching Zhan Zhao also arriving late.

Looking at Watching Zhan Zhao, Bao Zheng asked, "This Chen Zhou, why is it different from what you said in your letter?"

"Zhang Xinzhi came to Chen Zhou! In just half a month, he changed this place! Watching Zhan Zhao also never expected it!"

Hearing Bao Zheng's words, Watching Zhan Zhao also explained with a face full of shame.

"Zhang Xinzhi? Isn't he in the South? How could he come to Chen Zhou?"

Looking at Watching Zhan Zhao in surprise, Bao Zheng frowned.

Because many people knew about Prince Consort Zhang Xinzhi going south; it was said he was doing business.

After all, in the Song Dynasty, a Prince Consort is just a mascot; he cannot be an official, nor can he lead troops.

And Zhang Cheng is very smart in his conduct, never participating in court politics or discussing major events, so as long as civil and military officials who have been to the "Heavenly Realm" give him face, they will be very respectful.

"I think it should be the Chai family!"

Carefully saying these two words, Watching Zhan Zhao's complexion couldn't help but become solemn.

"The Young Prince of the Small Merchant King?"

Thinking of Chai Wenyi, Bao Zheng couldn't help but frown.

Because there are also three evils in Kaifeng Prefecture, namely Prince Consort Zhang Xinzhi, Marquis of Anle Pang Yu, and Young Prince of the Small Merchant King Chai Wenyi.

Why are these three called the three evils? It is because the appearance of the "Heavenly Realm" caused conflicts in many officials' homes, and Chai Wenyi and Pang Yu are even more playboys.

The two often gather with the Prince Consort, so everyone subconsciously thinks that Zhang Cheng is not a good thing either!

But only Bao Zheng knows that Zhang Cheng is extremely good at sophistry and "not following martial virtue"!

"What are those people doing?"

Looking at a group of commoners, holding hoes and various tools, digging in the distance, Bao Zheng asked.

"Opening up the river channel? Planning to divert water in, so it will be easy to irrigate the farmland in the future!"

Hearing Bao Zheng's words, Watching Zhan Zhao explained.

Because although the rogues can receive relief porridge, if they want to earn money, they still need to come out to work; this is what the "Marquis of Anle" stipulated!

"You mean, these commoners digging ditches also get wages? Ten copper coins a day!"

Looking at Watching Zhan Zhao in surprise, even Gongsun Ce on the side was dumbfounded.

"That's right, Mr. Gongsun, I really didn't expect this to be something the Marquis of Anle could do!"

Speaking with a face full of frustration, Watching Zhan Zhao couldn't help but cover his face.

Because who knew that the Marquis of Anle would suddenly get his act together; the things he did, although unbelievable, really didn't leave anyone a handle to grab!

"So, the Marquis of Anle also did many good deeds!"

Meaningfully revealing a smile, Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce beside him both laughed.

Because this kind of thing could never have been done by Pang Yu, but by Zhang Cheng filling the holes behind him.

"By the way, Prime Minister Bao, I have one thing, I don't know if I should say it or not!"

Looking at Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce, Watching Zhan Zhao hesitated for a moment and said, "Although the Marquis of Anle sent all the women back, I saw that three more were abducted!"

"What, there is such a thing!"

Looking at Watching Zhan Zhao in astonishment, a solemn look appeared on Bao Zheng's face.

Because in the eyes of Bao Zheng, such things as forcibly grabbing civilian women were absolutely not allowed to happen!

"Go back, change into official uniforms, I want to go see for myself!"

Turning back to the city, Bao Zheng was truly angry at this moment.

Looking at Watching Zhan Zhao, Gongsun Ce couldn't help but say, "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I just discovered it too!"

Hearing Gongsun Ce's words, Watching Zhan Zhao was also helpless.

Because who knew that Pang Yu had already sent dozens of people back, and then abducted three more!

Pang Yu: Food can be eaten randomly, but words cannot be spoken randomly; did I abduct them?

Zhang Cheng: If not you, could it be me?

Xiong Jizong:...

An hour later, at the Imperial Envoy's residence.

When Bao Zheng arrived wearing his official uniform, both Pang Yu and Zhang Cheng, who were eating hot pot, were dumbfounded.

Because Bao Zheng was holding the Shangfang Sword, which meant he wanted to kill someone!

And what concept is this? It's like the notorious Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Hongwu Dynasty walking towards you with their sabers pressed!

Embroidered Uniform Guard: The Jinyi blood slaughtered ninety million, just because this life serves the Imperial Heaven!

Shangfang Sword: Execute first, report later, imperial authorization!

"Prime Minister Bao, long time no see, you are... out for a stroll?"

Hurriedly pulling Pang Yu to stand up, Zhang Cheng didn't know what this kid had committed, but he couldn't die.

"Pang Yu, you privately abducted three civilian women, do you know your crime!"

Looking at Pang Yu in anger, Bao Zheng roared.

"Me? Abducted civilian women?"

Pointing at himself, Pang Yu had a bewildered expression, because didn't he send back all the people he grabbed?

And hearing Bao Zheng's words, Zhang Cheng was also astonished and said, "No, Prime Minister Bao, those women, we already sent them back; it was just a misunderstanding, and we even gave them 100 taels of silver!"

You must know that in the case where Pang Yu didn't mess around, those women hadn't reported to the officials!

Then what trouble was Bao Zheng looking for!

"Death is imminent, and you still won't admit it? Then explain, who are these three people!"

Just as Bao Zheng's roar ended, Zhao Paner'er and the others, tied up like hemp flowers, appeared.

Staring in a daze, Pang Yu rubbed his head blankly and said, "No, who are they! How could they be in my residence!"

"They?"

Looking at Zhao Paner'er, Song Yinzhang, and Sun Sanniang, Zhang Cheng immediately pointed at Pang Yu and roared, "Good, Pang Yu, you actually did such a thing, Prime Minister Bao, I abandon darkness for light..."

Saying this, Zhang Cheng hurriedly stood beside Bao Zheng, his silkiness even making everyone dumbfounded.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 39 =====