Chapter 862: The arrow is already on the string

On April 13th, just after Qingming Festival, five gunboats suddenly appeared on the sea outside Suzhou and Hangzhou in the drizzle. However, the gunboats did not dock at the port, nor did they put down the flat-bottomed sand boat. After removing the canvas, they only put down a two-person boat to report.

The officials on the dock, led by Zeng Sui'an, boarded the ship to pay homage. First, Zeng Sui'an stopped in Shen Ao's cabin for a moment, then Jiangnan East Road Censor, Transportation Commander and others, and then there were many merchants. One of the merchants stayed for the longest time. In the swaying cabin, Chen Ao held his hands with his hands on his back, listening to the merchant chattering and pacing in the cabin with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, the people are dead, are there still fewer such things in all dynasties? Now the emperor is critically ill, and all of us who are engaged in business are in danger. The most feared is this. The maritime government cannot be abolished, otherwise the Suzhou and Hangzhou will be full of misfortunes. It is not just us merchants who are affected? Can millions of young and strong laborers send them back to the fields? If this is the case, I am afraid that the people will have to be rebellious. I represent the chambers of commerce today. Today I hope that Your Highness will stand up and make the decision for us. As long as Your Highness is still here, we can have no worries about food and clothing and have a good meal."

The merchant spoke sincerely and his words were quite sensational. It was clearly for his own benefit, but he could extend the truth to his family and country.

But his words were not unreasonable. The maritime affairs have been going vigorously for so long, and there are more than tens of millions of people involved. The porters on the dock, sailors on the boat, craftsmen in the workshop, and female workers by the loom. These people have long been used to this colorful life from the fields to the city. Who would have to let them go back to the countryside?

However, once the maritime government is deposed, the overall situation will inevitably be affected, and these people will lose their jobs. Without work, it means that there is no food to eat. Without food, there will be rebellion.

Chen Ao had a calm face. Of course, he also understood that he had been forced into a corner now, and the meaning of these merchants was clear. They would rather defeat the enemy than end the maritime affairs.

Chen Ao is there and the maritime government is there. The merchants recommend this person to lobby to express their support for Chen Ao. The businessman's advantage lies in money and public opinion. The effect of public opinion has been revealed. Now, except for Bianjing, almost all weekly magazines in the world are constantly belittling the prince, and officials in various places are ambiguous in their attitudes, and they have become blind. As for the power of money, Chen Ao cannot use it for the time being. When it really needs to be used, it is time to make a big fight.

Chen Ao took a deep breath, stopped in the cabin, and said slowly: "I already know what you said. Let me tell you back and tell you that the maritime government will not be abolished. If I still have one breath, I will never be abolished."

"What does Your Highness mean?"

Chen Ao said lightly: "It's not interesting, don't guess randomly, just do it."

The gunboat did not stay in Suzhou and Hangzhou, but continued to head towards Quanzhou at an extremely fast speed.

Half a month later, the gunboat finally arrived in Quanzhou. When the gunboat was docking steadily, Wu Wencai had been waiting for a long time and quickly stepped onto the pier. When Chen Ao got off the boat, he immediately met. The two of them looked at each other for a moment, and then Chen Ao said, "What's wrong with Your Majesty?"

"It's almost impossible." Wu Wencai said worriedly: "I look forward to your highness coming back day and night."

Chen Aohe nodded and said, "What else is there?"

Wu Wencai said: "Mr. Wei has also arrived in Quanzhou and has seen His Majesty. Judging from his intentions, he seems to be worried about the safety of the Third Prince."

Chen Ao smiled bitterly and said, "I know that the prince is not a fool, how could he let the tiger return to the mountain?"

Wu Wencai continued: "In addition to this, an interesting person has been sent to Hongzhou."

Chen Ao said: "Who is it?"

Wu Wencai said: "Alchemy sorcerer."

Chen Ao's face had already cooled down, a trace of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he said, "Where is the person?"

"I have been secretly detained."

"Don't enter the palace first, take me to see it first."

Wu Wencai frowned and said, "I'm afraid it's inappropriate. Why not go to see His Majesty first and then talk about it."

Chen Ao said: "Don't worry about this moment..."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

In the dark house, several guards of Jinyiwei couldn't help but jump up in fear. The scene in front of him was really scary, making people feel urge to vomit.

The warlock was naked, almost against the wall, bleeding all over, and wailed. Standing in front of him was Chen Ao, who was holding a small dagger in his hand. The two lieutenants pressed the warlock tightly. Chen Ao smiled indifferently, squatted away, and flipped the dagger and cut off a piece of flesh from the warlock's forearm. The warlock was so painful that it was about to faint. He roared loudly, and saw the bloody forearm screaming in horror.

"Which knife was the first one?" Chen Ao's face was expressionless and gritted his teeth with resentment.

"Eleven Swords..."

Chen Ao stood up and gasped heavily. On top of his head, the lantern emitted a dark light, illuminating the face of Su Xihe in a terrifying way.

Chen Ao showed a hideous smile, put the dagger in his palm and played with it, and said lightly: "Can you say it? I have time. If I don't say it, I will cut a hundred knives until I cut you alive. Don't worry, I won't kill you easily. If you want to die, how can it be so easy?"

The warlock could not hear Jin Ao's words, and almost fainted from the pain. Every inch of her skin was covered with blood, twisting on the ground like an earthworm.

Chen Ao nodded to the captain next to him. The captain nodded, carried a bucket of sea water, and poured it on the sorcerer's head. The sea water was salty, and the wound was even more painful when it touched. The sorcerer let out another shrill wail, and his legs were stomping on the bricks and stones, and his calf had already been grinding out layers of white flesh.

The warlock was sent to Quanzhou and interrogated several times, but because he was afraid of killing the warlock, he did not dare to torture it. The warlock's voice was very tight and knew that the fact was too great, so of course he refused to say it. Until today, Chen Ao came to cut his flesh in person, and the final line of defense in his heart was destroyed.

"I...I said..."

Chen Ao waved his hand and someone brought him a chair. He sat down expressionlessly. A leader of the Jinyiwei next to him took paper and pen and started recording.

"The villain is actually not a warlock. He used to only tell fortunes in the countryside. Later, an Eunuch Liu came to Bianjing because he was a fellow villager with the villain..."

"Where is your hometown?"

"Hejian Mansion."

"What is that Eunuch Liu's full name?"

"Liu Wu."

"Check!" Chen Ao said frankly.

The Jinyiwei next to him went there quickly, and after two incense sticks before running back, he said, "There is a man named Liu Wu in the palace who is also from Hejian. I think there is nothing wrong with that."

"Where is Liu Wu doing things in the palace?"

The Jinyiwei lowered his head and looked out a volume of files and recited: "The palace he entered in the first year of Jianzhong Jingguo. He first worked in the Jiaofangsi, and then somehow he was transferred directly to the harem to be the eunuch in front of Queen Wang. After that, Queen Wang died of illness and returned to Jiaofangsi because no one in the palace."

"Empress Wang..." A hint of coldness flashed in Chen Ao's eyes. This Empress Wang is the biological mother of Prince Zhao Heng, but she had died of illness ten years ago.

Chen Ao's eyes fell back to the warlock and said, "You continue talking."

The sorcerer never thought that Chen Ao could find out everyone's details clearly, so he dared not talk nonsense. He continued: "Liu Wu, because he was a fellow villager with me, saw that I was in a down-and-out place, and said that there was a wealth and honor to give me. I was so confused by eating lard at that time, and I couldn't find any karma, so I agreed. Later, Liu Wu gave me 100 stale money, but did not ask me to do anything, but asked me to practice in a Taoist temple. After a full year, I came to find me again."

Chen Ao asked: "I have been practicing for a year, where did I practice? Which year is it?"

The sorcerer dared not say nonsense and said, "A small temple near Bianjing is called Qingshui Temple. That's the fourth year of Xuanhe."

Chen Ao raised his legs and recalled the temples near Bianjing. When he was in charge of the Honglu Temple, he knew some things about the Taoist temples. At least those monks and Taoists had to have certificates of sanctions, and they all had permission from the Honglu Temple. However, they did not have the Taoist temple in Qingshui Temple. I think this Taoist temple should not be a small temple recognized by the government, and the Taoists in it were not issued by the court for food and land. They should be supported by the wealthy households.

Chen Ao had no choice but to give up and continued, "What's next?"

The warlock said: "Then he asked the villain to preach everywhere..."

“Sermon?”

"Yes, I just give the villain some money and food a month to help some poor people near the capital. I occasionally get some medicine and some talisman water to treat people. From then on, it was said that villain is an immortal and has become more and more famous. Even some princes and princes began to invite villain to be guests of honor."

Chen Ao took a breath and sneered: "It seems that the person who made you do things has already planned it?"

The warlock did not dare to say yes or no, but the pain was severe, bleeding too much, and his face turned pale. Qiqi said ai: "Later, Liu Wu came again and asked the villain to meet a father-in-law. The father-in-law did not report his name. He just looked at me for a while, asked me a few words, and then went to discuss with Liu Wu for a while before he told the villain that there was a wealth of wealth to the villain and let the villain follow his arrangements."

The general context has been asked clearly, but the person behind the scenes has not yet surfaced. Fortunately, there are still clues. Chen Ao said to the Jinyiwei beside him: "Go and check Liu Wu."

The Jinyiwei held the file and said, "Liu Wu died of illness two months ago."

Chen Ao seemed not surprised. Such murders and silences were common, so he said to the sorcerer: "Do you still recognize the other father-in-law you are in contact with?"

The warlock said: "Recognize it."

Chen Ao said, "If I bring him to you next time, can you point it out?"

The warlock said: "Yes."

"This is easy to deal with." Chen Ao stood up and clapped his hands and said, "Healing his injuries, watching, I will go to see the emperor, and leave the rest to you."
Chapter completed!