Chapter 1305: Duan Yu: Benchu, long time no see! [2] (Thanks: v Buwen)

In the reception hall, Yuan Shao, dressed in official robes, sat in the main seat, placed the teacup he was holding on the side table, and then looked at Zhen Jian, who was standing not far away.

"My lord." Zhen Jian, with a smile on his face, bowed to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao nodded slightly, acknowledging him.

"What is the Zhen Clan Head here for?"

Yuan Shao asked straight to the point.

Given the Zhen clan's current situation, if it weren't for Duan Yu's sake, it wouldn't have been so easy for Zhen Jian to see Yuan Shao.

Since Zhen Yi, the Zhen clan no longer had anyone serving as an official in the imperial court.

And the next generation of the Zhen clan, Zhen Yi's two sons, had only just been recommended as *Xiaolian*.

Coupled with Duan Yu's previous suppression, the Zhen clan had been hit hard in their trade routes, and it was no exaggeration to say they were on the decline.

Look at Yuan Shao.

Since the Huang Jin Rebellion, the power of the Inspector had been expanded to be comparable to a Provincial Governor.

Except for not being able to directly appoint officials in commanderies and counties, his power was almost on par with a Provincial Governor.

The Yuan clan was now at its peak; Yuan Kui was the Emperor's teacher, and Yuan Shao, as a member of the Yuan clan, was the Jizhou Inspector. The Zhen clan and Yuan Shao were worlds apart.

"My lord, I have come mainly because there is something I want to inform you of."

Zhen Jian, with a respectful demeanor and a hunched back, said: "I have just discovered something."

"What is it?" Yuan Shao frowned slightly and said: "Just say it directly, no need to hide it."

"Yes."

Zhen Jian secretly looked up at the slightly impatient Yuan Shao and said: "It is like this, my lord. I seem to have just discovered two imperial fugitives..."

Imperial fugitives?

Yuan Shao was truly impatient this time.

Did he need to find him for this kind of thing?

However, before Yuan Shao could say anything else, Zhen Jian immediately added.

"My lord, I seem to have just seen the imperial fugitives, the He sisters."

*Hmm? *

Yuan Shao's expression changed, his eyes widened as he looked at Zhen Jian, and he raised his voice: "Who did you say?"

"He Lingsi, He Lingman." Zhen Jian bowed and said: "The two imperial fugitives I mentioned are He Lingsi and He Lingman."

*Hiss! *

Yuan Shao gasped.

He Lingsi!

He Lingman!

This... they really were imperial fugitives!

"Where are they? Where did you discover their tracks, and where are they now?" Yuan Shao asked in succession.

"Reporting to my lord, I discovered them at the back door of the residence of Jia Dong, the Chief Manager of the Liangzhou Merchant Firm," Zhen Jian bowed and replied: "I discovered it by accident."

Liangzhou Merchant Firm?

Jia Dong?

Isn't that Duan Yu's man?

Duan Yu's subordinates are hiding He Lingsi and He Lingman?

This...

"Are you sure you saw clearly?" Yuan Shao looked at Zhen Jian and asked: "Are you sure it is He Lingsi and He Lingman?"

Zhen Jian hurriedly shook his head and said: "Reporting to my lord, I dare not lie. I only watched from afar and am not entirely sure. Plus, the portraits posted in the city are blurry."

Although Zhen Jian said he was not sure, Yuan Shao was not stupid.

Saying he was not sure was just in case.

If he really didn't have any certainty, would Zhen Jian dare to come to the Inspector's Mansion and dare to see him?

This matter should be 90% true.

It's just...

This matter is somewhat tricky.

If the He sisters are really with Jia Dong, Duan Yu cannot be unaware.

If he goes to arrest the He sisters, where will that put Duan Yu?

But if he doesn't go, or even ignores it, Zhen Jian already knows about this. Will he report it to the imperial court?

How should he explain it to his uncle?

After thinking about it, Yuan Shao decided to find someone to discuss it with.

"This official knows. You did well. Go back first. If those two are really the He clan members, this official will have a reward later," Yuan Shao waved his hand at Zhen Jian.

Zhen Jian bowed and took his leave.

After Zhen Jian left, Yuan Shao sent someone to find Xu You.

Not long after, Xu You came into the hall.

"Ziyuan, just now the Zhen Clan Head Zhen Jian came to find this official, saying he saw He Lingsi and He Lingman in the backyard of the residence of Jia Dong, the Chief Manager of the Liangzhou Merchant Firm."

Yuan Shao repeated what Zhen Jian had just said to Xu You.

"What do you think this official should do?"

Yuan Shao looked at Xu You, waiting for him to come up with an idea.

"My lord... this matter... is somewhat tricky."

Xu You, dressed in a gray robe and pinching his chin with one hand, pondered for a while, then frowned and said: "My lord has a deep relationship with the Marquis of Jizhou. If this matter is true, and my lord intercepts the He sisters, it would be equivalent to falling out with Jizhou."

"But if my lord ignores this matter, even if Zhen Jian was mistaken, if the Empress Dowager and the Grand Tutor find out about this, my lord might be punished..."

"Difficult... difficult... difficult indeed."

Xu You said "difficult" several times in one breath.

It was enough to prove that this matter was indeed tricky.

"And I think what Zhen Jian saw is very likely true," Xu You said in a deep voice: "He Jin is now dead, and the He clan has been defeated."

"Who would be willing to take the risk to help the He clan at such a time?"

"Unless there is an extraordinary relationship. At that time, when He Lingsi was trapped in the imperial palace, He Jin did not dare to enter the city. If it weren't for the Marquis of Jizhou going to Luoyang to relieve He Jin, He Jin would have been killed long ago."

"The Marquis of Jizhou has a deep relationship with the He clan, and at such a time, the only one who dares to help the He clan and can help the He clan is probably the Marquis of Jizhou."

"It is very likely that the He clan has been hidden here for so long without being caught."

Xu You's analysis was well-founded.

Yuan Shao nodded repeatedly as he listened.

"If it really doesn't work... my lord might as well take the troops out for a stroll, just treat it as acting. Regardless of whether it's true or not, just say it's fake, or that you didn't see anything," Xu You spread his hands.

"Good!"

Yuan Shao smiled and said: "This method is also not bad."

No sooner said than done.

Before long, Yuan Shao had gathered his troops and, taking his most trusted Yan Liang and Wen Chou, left the city.

Outside Ye County.

The carriage carrying He Lingsi and He Lingman was not moving fast, heading in the direction of going north.

With Jia Dong, the famous Chief Manager of the Liangzhou Merchant Firm in Jizhou, coming forward, the carriage leaving the city naturally did not need to be inspected.

Going north from Yecheng, passing through Zhao State and entering Changshan Commandery, one could go from Shang'ai to Taiyuan Commandery.

This was also the route of the million Yellow Turbans migrating last year.

Jia Dong sat outside the carriage, acting as a coachman once again.

And Liu Baituo was riding a horse beside them.

Besides that, there were over a dozen guards with swords at their waists around the carriage. ===== CHAPTER 1307 =====