Chapter 149: Dig it up! Dig it all up!

The Patrol Guard Division is Lao Zhao's eyes and ears.

Once there, every move one makes is equivalent to being right under Lao Zhao's nose.

Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Princess Guangning chose to head directly to the Patrol Guard Division.

Not only could it lower Lao Zhao's suspicions, but once she was there, she could leave whenever she wanted.

As long as her cooperation with the Zhao Family had not completely broken down, even in the Patrol Guard Division, no one would dare to stop her!

Conversely, if Wen Gu brought people to the Junzhu Mansion, there was no telling how long he might linger!

Moreover, she was worried that Wen Gu, being a newly appointed official, might use her, a royal princess, to establish his authority; if it were at the Patrol Guard Division, under Lao Zhao's nose, he certainly wouldn't be allowed to act recklessly.

Of two evils, choose the lesser.

Thus, Princess Guangning wrote a reply, set a time for the next day, and went to the Patrol Guard Division in person.

On the other side, at the Patrol Guard Division's office.

Just as Yu He was delivering the reply, the person assigned by Pei Jun also arrived.

Ming Tiao, son of a former military officer in Xinzhou.

Although he was also a Commander of the Xinzhou City Guard, Ming Tiao's starting line was higher than Yu He's.

When standing before Wen Gu, the Commander appeared respectful in every detail, yet in subtle ways, he still revealed his naturally arrogant and self-reliant character.

Ming Tiao lowered his eyes, bowed to apologize, and expressed regret for his late arrival.

However, he had not intended to be late; rather, he had suddenly received notice before coming, had gone to the outer city, and then brought a letter from Chief Pei to Wen Gu.

In front of Wen Gu, he had already tried his best to appear respectful.

Chief Pei had told them that while recovering from his injuries, they, as subordinates, could do their best to cooperate with Deputy Envoy Wen in his work.

In other words, for the next period of time, they would be working under Wen Gu and could afford to be a bit more proactive.

Ming Tiao also wanted to be proactive, but he had to see what kind of person Wen Gu was first.

He had heard many rumors on the street, and the Patrol Guard Division had received plenty of information, but what Wen Gu's actual capabilities were could only be known after truly interacting with him.

He didn't mean the convoluted ways of scholars; what Ming Tiao wanted to see was whether this person could bring everyone tangible benefits!

Outsiders might not know it, but for Commanders like them in the Patrol Guard Division, the pressure was also very high!

Especially after Cheng Xu made a mistake and was forced to leave, the mental pressure had become even greater.

People like them, who were from Xinzhou, mostly benefited from the advantage of being "early."

At that time, the Patrol Guard Division had just been formed and was in desperate need of manpower; they were all part of the Zhao Family's core lineage and were selected to join.

But as time went on, the organization expanded and personnel increased; they held more power, but the pressure was also greater.

Now, elites from the South were constantly moving North.

Damn it, no one told them before that those book-reading types were also very good at fighting!

Not only were they capable in both civil and military affairs, but they were also very good at competing!

Too competitive!

Calling out the Zhu Family!

You guys are the most competitive, damn it!

It even triggered a chain reaction, dragging everyone else into the competition.

Now, in these chaotic times, personnel changes are frequent.

The capable rise, the mediocre fall, and the inferior are weeded out.

Let alone making mistakes; even just occupying a position without doing work, holding a post while doing nothing, would get one kicked out.

Therefore, one must find work for oneself even when there is none!

Yu He ran over eagerly to await orders, and Ming Tiao also forced himself to put on a respectful appearance; it was truly forced by the situation!

Wen Gu was actually quite satisfied with the atmosphere here.

The Patrol Guard Division did not keep idlers; everyone was exercising their subjective initiative.

Very good, very good.

He took the letter written by Pei Jun and read it.

The letter said that after Pei Jun carefully examined the blueprint Wen Gu had left behind, he immediately had someone check the warehouse, and indeed, no similar object was found.

Also, Ming Tiao could fully assist him in investigating the Gao Family, without needing to have too many reservations.

In short, the person is yours, use him as you please!

After reading it, Wen Gu put the letter away.

The person sent over certainly couldn't be left idle, so he said to Ming Tiao, "First, go see Sun, the wife of Gao Lao Er."

The Gao Family members were kept in several different cells, and Sun was held in a cell by herself. However, compared to the crowded and dark cells where the others were kept, this cell, while not wide, had a window, was much brighter, and was cleaner.

Sun's complexion was somewhat pale, her brows revealed sorrow, and her spirit was not good, but she was not weak.

Unlike the shrewish, sharp-tongued woman who fought with Gao Lao Er in the street that Pang Baba described, the Sun currently locked in the cell was calm and dignified.

From her sitting posture and demeanor, one could tell she had a very good background.

Hearing the movement, Sun stood up and looked over.

Having been locked in the Patrol Guard Division for so long, she already had a certain understanding of the few important figures and positions that frequently appeared.

She recognized Commander Ming, who had previously appeared often with Chief Pei Jun.

At this moment, a young new face had suddenly replaced him; she wondered who this was?

When Pei Jun investigated the Gao Family, it was Sun who provided the most information, so although Ming Tiao was not exactly polite to her, he did not use harsh words either.

Seeing Sun look at Wen Gu with hesitation, Ming Tiao introduced, "This is our Patrol Guard Division's Deputy Envoy Wen. Chief Pei is out on official business; now Deputy Envoy Wen has some questions, answer whatever he asks."

Sun already knew what rank "Deputy Envoy" was in the Patrol Guard Division, and looking at Wen Gu's age, she became even more cautious in her heart.

To be able to hold great power at such a young age, and with no other officials appearing dissatisfied, this kind of person was extremely difficult to deal with, and she dared not be perfunctory, answering repeatedly.

Before Wen Gu arrived, he already knew what information Pei Jun and the others had obtained from Sun.

Gao Lao Er probably never imagined in his wildest dreams that Sun, whom he treated as a mere tool, had been acting against him all these years!

In the Gao Family, which hid many secrets, one wrong step for Sun would mean death. Yet, years later, not only was she still alive and occupying the position of the legitimate wife of the Gao Family's second branch, but she was also able to protect her young children.

Why else would they say that few people from official families are simple!

Even if the family fortune declines, the upbringing and environment of one's childhood will influence one's entire life.

It wasn't that Gao Lao Er didn't guard against Sun, but he usually underestimated her too much, allowing Sun to discover many of his secrets.

It was just that Sun didn't know exactly what the Gao Family was doing at the time, so she could only observe in secret, and if she found an opportunity, she would keep physical evidence in her hands.

It was precisely the evidence she provided that played a major role when Pei Jun was investigating.

Zhao Shaozhu of Shuo City was attacked. Assassinating a powerful figure on a warlord's territory, regardless of success or failure, is highly likely to result in the entire family being executed and their property confiscated!

And since Gao Lao Er decided to participate in such a matter, he certainly arranged an escape route, but that escape route was not left for his wife and children at the Gao Family Old Residence.

He had no shortage of women or children outside; those left at home were merely sacrificial pawns to deceive others.

Now, Sun is trying every possible way to trade for more paths of survival for herself and her children.

Pei Jun agreed.

Now that a new superior has arrived, Sun is naturally willing to cooperate as well.

At this moment, Wen Gu took out a piece of paper with a literary blade and patterns drawn on it and showed it to her: "Have you ever seen any objects with similar patterns? Or, are there any patterns or styles you cannot be sure of, but think might exceed regulations?"

Sun looked at it carefully and said hesitantly, "I seem to have seen them before."

Wen Gu asked, "How many years ago? What kind of objects were they?"

Sun recalled and shook her head: "I can't remember clearly, but there should have been things like tea cups and Glazed Ware bottles, and more than one. I saw them about five or six years ago."

Having experienced too many things over these years, some details were indeed hard to remember clearly.

However, she remembered another matter and, looking slightly agitated, she turned to Ming Tiao: "That attendant! Those things that Gao Lao Er treasured and wouldn't let others touch easily—except for himself, only that attendant by his side could touch them!"

Ming Tiao whispered a few words of explanation to Wen Gu.

That attendant used to be by Gao Lao Er's side, but during the time the Gao Family was hiding in the Cellar, the attendant did not stay with them the whole time, but left halfway through.

Pei Jun investigated that attendant based on the information provided by Sun.

Following the clues, they tracked him all the way to a hideout and raided it directly.

What about the tea cups and Glazed Ware bottles that Sun mentioned earlier?

Wen Gu looked at Ming Tiao.

Ming Tiao shook his head slightly.

They did not see them during the raid.

The room suddenly became quiet.

After a moment, Wen Gu suddenly asked, "Does Gao Lao Er believe in any religion?"

Ming Tiao was surprised.

Huh?

This is indeed an angle I have never thought about in detail!

Generally speaking, it would just be the mainstream Buddhism or Daoism.

Could there be others?

————That's not right, there really are!

But he couldn't answer, so he looked at Sun.

Sun was also stunned, lowering her eyes to recall carefully.

She didn't have a good memory, but if she thought about a matter carefully, she could slowly remember some things.

Wen Gu waited patiently.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Sun seemed to suddenly remember something terrible, her tone hurried: "I remember! I once saw Gao Lao Er carrying a folded talisman with him, acting all mysterious, so I found an opportunity to sneak a look."

Sun explained: "What kind of talisman one carries can show what worries a person has recently, so at the time I wanted to see what Gao Lao Er was worried about."

When she was still in her maiden home, she had followed her parents to temples and Danguan, and had seen Buddhist and Daoist talismans; she couldn't call herself an expert, but she had some knowledge.

"The talisman Gao Lao Er had, the runes on it were very strange; I had never seen them before, and I was worried it was ———— a demonic cult."

She had heard some rumors about demonic cults at the time, so she suspected Gao Lao Er worshipped a demonic cult.

Coming from an official family, she knew very well that the imperial court strictly prohibited such sects, and violators would all be treated as traitors!

"I was so scared at the time, so I ———— drew a fake one, folded it back, and put it there, and I buried the real one."

Ming Tiao asked, "Gao Lao Er didn't notice?"

Sun said, "I drew it by copying it, with some changes. At first glance, it looked sixty or seventy percent similar, but I added Daoist incantations to the brushwork. Later, when he went out to fool around with his mistress, the talisman paper got wet, and he replaced it with a new one, but he didn't carry it with him after that, and he was more cautious in his daily life."

Wen Gu looked at Ming Tiao.

Ming Tiao shook his head again.

When they raided the Gao Family, they didn't find such talismans on the Gao Family or Gao Lao Er. There were only very ordinary Buddhist or Daoist peace talismans, Warding Evil Talismans, and the like. All had been appraised, and no abnormalities were found.

Wen Gu then asked Sun, "Did you bury that talisman directly?"

Sun realized she could earn another chance at survival, so her tone became even more hurried: "I put it in a small jar and buried it under the peach tree in the backyard! At the time, I specifically found a high monk and paid a high price to ask for two evil-suppressing seals to seal the jar!"

Ming Tiao questioned, "Why not just burn it?"

Sun showed fear; she believed in these things: "Some talismans cannot be burned at will! Not knowing the details, I naturally didn't dare to burn it randomly!"

She said, "Gao Lao Er was often not at home, and I was in charge of the backyard. As long as I didn't leave the backyard, no one would watch me. To prevent it from being discovered, I pretended to want to take care of the garden myself and buried it deeper!"

After that, Sun put this worrying matter down, and as the years passed, she threw it to the back of her mind. Only when Wen Gu mentioned it today did she recall it. Wen Gu asked clearly about the location and approximate depth of the burial and noted them down one by one.

He asked again, "Have you ever heard Gao Lao Er and his trusted followers mention places related to religion when chatting? Names of places or buildings like mountain villages, small towns, temples, Danguan, forests, small courtyards, etc.?"

Sun frowned and thought for a while, but didn't make a sound.

Wen Gu continued: "Or, did the servant mention related topics while chatting with others?"

Sun quickly recalled one thing: "It was that same servant! I remember now, four or five years ago on the Buddha's Birthday, I inadvertently heard the servant chatting with a manservant about God and Buddha, and they mentioned some kind of Heavenly Venerable?"

Sun remembered that she was surprised at the time, as the Heavenly Venerable the servant mentioned was different from any Taoist Heavenly Venerable she knew.

Wen Gu asked slowly: "Was there any mention of where this Heavenly Venerable was?"

Sun racked her brain.

She had indeed heard it at the time, what was it called again?

"It seemed to be some kind of wild creature? Not very big—"

Seeing the look of disgust she had just shown, Wen Gu said: "Insect or snake? A toad?"

Sun blurted out: "Toad—Jinchan! Jinchan Hu or somewhere—"

Ming Tiao spoke up at this moment: "Jinchan Hu?"

"Yes, yes, yes! It seems that is the place!" Sun nodded repeatedly.

She remembered it!

"Gao Lao Er also had a gold three-legged toad ornament!"

The Jinchan symbolizes wealth and good fortune. But Sun had always kept her distance from divine objects with such an appearance.

Wen Gu looked at Ming Tiao again, and again, and again.

Ming Tiao shook his head again, and again, and again.

When they raided the house, they truly did not confiscate this item!

An object made of gold—they couldn't possibly have missed it, no matter how blind they were!

"It is not at the Gao Family Old Residence either," Wen Gu said.

After asking a few more small questions, Wen Gu and Ming Tiao left the prison.

Ming Tiao was curious: "Deputy Envoy Wen, why did you suddenly ask what religion Gao Lao Er believed in?"

Wen Gu said: "I was just a little curious."

A man who held illegal business channels, privately engaged in a large amount of illegal activity, and usually did not do any good deeds—his persona as a scoundrel was firmly established.

People of this era are very superstitious.

Some who have committed many sins usually go to temples and Danguan to add incense oil and donate money to repair buildings.

What about Gao Lao Er?

Was his character really strong enough to ignore these things?

Once asked, a new clue was indeed found.

"What kind of Heavenly Venerable is at Jinchan Hu?" Wen Gu asked.

Hu, meaning a mountain covered in grass and trees, sounds very full of vitality.

Ming Tiao, a local of Xinzhou, was relatively knowledgeable and said: "There used to be a demonic Daoist there who self-proclaimed as the Cangming Heavenly Venerable. At the beginning of the chaotic times, he shook people's hearts, engaged in a cult, and took the opportunity to swindle food, but he was cleared out."

Wen Gu understood.

Oh, so he had already been finished off by Lao Zhao.

He asked: "Are there any records of talismans or such from the Danguan at Jinchan Hu?"

Ming Tiao lacked confidence: "Uh—it was very chaotic everywhere at that time—"

It was chaotic in every way back then, even people's hearts were in disarray; there were demonic cults everywhere, this True Lord or that Heavenly Venerable. When Lao Zhao took Xinzhou, he cleared them out, killing those who spread demonic words to confuse the public directly; who would have thought to record any talismans or incantations.

Wen Gu did not count on this side anymore.

He would send a secret letter to Shuo City later and have Xiao Zhao take people to dig!

Dig out that talisman Sun hid.

It might not be possible to discover anything from the talisman, but everything suspicious must be screened.

After this trip to the prison, Ming Tiao's perception of Wen Gu had completely changed.

This Deputy Envoy really had some substance!

He asked Wen Gu again: "Do you want to go and see the prison cell where Gao Lao Er is being held?"

Wen Gu thought about it and did not go.

A person like Gao Lao Er would not open his mouth without substantial evidence; Pei Jun and the others had so many methods and still didn't make Gao Lao Er talk, so Wen Gu did not think he could make Gao Lao Er change his mind empty-handed right now.

For a person like Gao Lao Er, one must strike the vital point!

Wen Gu walked outward and said to Ming Tiao: "The Gao Family handled matters for a noble, and also participated in embezzling military provisions and reselling military equipment, but until now, the whereabouts of those military supplies have still not been found."

Ming Tiao replied: "Yes, Chief Pei also said that those military supplies are very likely still hidden in Xinzhou."

Wen Gu continued: "The noble behind the scenes has operated for many years, and it may not only be the Gao Family working for him. The missing military supplies may not be in one place either. But!"

They had already reached the exit of the prison, and Wen Gu raised his eyes to look at the distant sky.

"The goods handled by the Gao Family must also be of an extremely large quantity. We will first focus on investigating this line of the Gao Family; as long as we find this large warehouse, we can make up for the food shortage in Xinzhou!"

Don't look at how the nobles are usually free from worry about food and clothing; the vast majority of people in Xinzhou are still short of food, including Commander Ming Tiao and his peers in the Patrol Guard Division.

Although their salaries are high and they can receive rewards from time to time, the rewards are not necessarily all food, but could be other daily necessities.

As more and more people flee here, who doesn't have a few relatives or friends to support?

Those salaries and rewards received each month just pass through their hands before being distributed to subsidize various parties.

Clothes can be mended and worn old, and other material conditions don't need to be too high, but one cannot go without food!

Why are these Commanders particularly looking forward to raiding wealthy households?

They can all get a share of the confiscated food as a reward!

The more food they confiscate, the more they get to share!

Following Wen Gu's words, Ming Tiao began to imagine: "At Jinchan Hu, there might also be a large Cellar hidden!"

Wen Gu replied: "It's possible. The Gao Family has a Storage Cellar in Shuo City. We should check it when we return to see if we can find any case files related to Jinchan Hu."

Ming Tiao continued to imagine: "The warehouse that Gao Lao Er has hidden away outside must be even bigger than the Storage Cellar at his family home!"

Wen Gu agreed: "Xinzhou used to be vast and sparsely populated, so no one would have noticed if a large Cellar were dug. Now that we have new leads, if we keep digging deeper, we might make some discoveries."

Ming Tiao was unable to contain his excitement: "Dig it up! Dig it all up!"

Yu He returned after delivering the invitation to the Junzhu Mansion and learned that Ming Tiao had already arrived and gone to the prison area with Deputy Envoy Wen.

The Commanders each had their own duties; he could not enter the prison where the Gao Family relatives were held, so he could only wait outside.

He pricked up his ears outside, and before long, he heard Ming Tiao's squawking and shouting.

Yu He was both curious and dissatisfied—what did Deputy Envoy Wen say?

Ming Tiao, are you really that excited? And what's with the "amazing, amazing"?

Flatterer!

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