Chapter 38: Abandoning darkness for light!

Great Song, Chenzhou,

Bao Zheng, who arrived late, finally arrived.

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

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

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

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

"Waiter, may I ask, Chenzhou 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 now it seemed, Chenzhou 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 the word outside that Chenzhou was short of grain, with one dou of grain costing three taels of silver, and as a result, grain merchants from nearby prefectures all came!"

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

"Why do you say that?"

Looking at the waiter blankly, Bao Zheng was surprised.

"Because the Marquis of Anle said, you can come to Chenzhou to sell grain, but to leave Chenzhou, you have to pay a road toll of ten taels of silver per cart; wouldn't you say that’s wicked?"

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

Now Chenzhou didn't have much of anything, but it had many of these grain merchants.

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

Everyone now wanted to finish selling quickly and then run away; who knew what other ghost ideas the Marquis of Anle would come up with!

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 was 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 Grand Tutor Pang, the current father-in-law of the country, for a mere few tens of thousands of taels of silver; daring to do so wasn't being money-hungry, it was having water in their brains!

"Bao Xiangong, Zhan Zhao is here!"

Just as Bao Zheng was patrolling outside the city gate, Zhan Zhao also arrived late.

Looking at Zhan Zhao, Bao Zheng asked, "How is this Chenzhou different from what you said in your letter?"

"Zhang Xinzhi came to Chenzhou! In just half a month, he changed this place! Zhan Zhao also never imagined it!"

Hearing Bao Zheng’s words, Zhan Zhao also explained with shame.

"Zhang Xinzhi? Isn't he in Jiangnan? How could he come to Chenzhou?"

Looking at Zhan Zhao in surprise, Bao Zheng frowned.

Because many people knew about Imperial Son-in-Law Zhang Xinzhi going south; it was said he was doing business.

After all, in the Song Dynasty, the Imperial Son-in-Law was just a mascot; he couldn't be an official and couldn't lead troops.

And Zhang Cheng was very smart; he never participated in court politics or discussed major events, so as long as the civil and military officials who had been to the "Heavenly Realm" gave him face, they would be very respectful.

"I think it should be the Chai family!"

Carefully saying these two words, Zhan Zhao’s expression couldn't help but become grave.

"The Young Master of the Little Merchant King?"

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

Because there were three evils in the Kaifeng government, namely Imperial Son-in-Law Zhang Xinzhi, Marquis of Anle Pang Yu, and the Young Master of the Little Merchant King, Chai Wenyi.

Why were these three called the three evils? Because the appearance of the "Heavenly Realm" caused conflicts in many officials' homes, and Chai Wenyi and Pang Yu were even more dissolute children.

The two often gathered with the Imperial Son-in-Law, so everyone subconsciously thought that Zhang Cheng wasn't a good thing either!

But only Bao Zheng knew that Zhang Cheng was extremely good at sophistry and "lacking 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.

"They are opening up the river channel, planning to divert water in so they can irrigate the farmland in the future!"

Hearing Bao Zheng’s words, Zhan Zhao explained.

Because although the refugees could receive porridge for relief, if they wanted to earn money, they still had to come out to work; this was something the "Marquis of Anle" stipulated!

"You mean, these commoners have wages to take for digging ditches? Ten copper coins a day!"

Looking at Zhan Zhao in surprise, even Gongsun Ce beside him was dumbfounded.

"That’s right, Gongsun-Mr., I really never imagined that this was something the Marquis of Anle could do!"

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

Because the Marquis of Anle suddenly seemed to have his brain online; the things he did, although unimaginable, really left no handle for people 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 definitely couldn't have been done by Pang Yu, but by Zhang Cheng filling the pit behind him.

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

Looking at Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce, 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 still such a thing!"

Looking at Zhan Zhao in astonishment, Bao Zheng’s face revealed a grave expression.

Because in his eyes, Bao Zheng, such things as forcibly grabbing 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 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, Zhan Zhao was also helpless.

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

Pang Yu: You can eat food indiscriminately, but you can't speak indiscriminately; did I abduct them?

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

Xiong Jizong: ...

An hour later, at the Imperial Envoy’s mansion,

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

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

And what concept was this? It was like the notorious Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Hongwu Dynasty walking toward you with their hands on their blades!

Embroidered Uniform Guard: Jinyi blood slaughters ninety million, only because this life serves the Emperor!

Imperial Sword: Execute first, report later, imperial authority granted!

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

Hurriedly pulling Pang Yu to stand up, Zhang Cheng didn't know what the kid had committed, but he couldn't die; after all, Pang Yu had great use!

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

Looking at Pang Yu angrily, Bao Zheng roared.

"Me? Abducted common women?"

Pointing at himself, Pang Yu had a look of confusion, because hadn't all the people he grabbed been sent back?

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

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

Then what trouble was Bao Zheng looking for!

"Still stubborn to the end, you still won't admit it? Then explain, who are these three?"

Just as Bao Zheng finished roaring, Zhao Pan'er and the others, tied up like hemp flowers, appeared.

Widening his eyes in a daze, Pang Yu rubbed his head blankly: "No, who are they! How could they be in my mansion!"

"They?"

Looking at Zhao Pan'er before him, Zhang Cheng immediately pointed at Pang Yu and roared: "Good, Pang Yu, you actually did such a thing; Bao Xiangong, I am abandoning darkness for light..."

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