Not long after Rong Shu left Pingnan Street, Gu Changjin received news from the garrison commander that there was progress on General Liang's side.

When they arrived at the garrison capital, Liang Xiao handed a secret letter to Gu Changjin and said: "The secret letter I received three hours ago clearly lists the aliases that the Water Dragon King used when he came to Dayin in the past two years. And the place where Dajian lived."

The previous informant letter only stated that Shuilong Wang and Liao Rao had been colluding five years ago, but they knew nothing about the time and place of the meeting between the two.

The current sealed letter clearly explained in one breath the pseudonyms the Water Dragon King used when he came to Yangzhou in the past two years and the places he visited. By following these clues, we can probably find out the time and place where Liao Rao and the Water Dragon King met.

Gu Changjin looked back and forth between this secret letter and the previous ones, and said, "I'm afraid the person who sent the secret letter this time is not the same person as the one who sent the previous letters."

Liang Xiao raised his eyebrows and said, "Master Gu and Master Liu are quite familiar with each other ."

Same . I am a warrior and I don't see any difference in these secret letters. As long as Master and Master Liu think so, I will take it as two groups of people who want to use our hands to bring down Liao Rao." Yuan took a sip of tea slowly and said with a smile: "Interesting."

He had always borrowed other people's hands to make knives, but this was the first time that he was used by someone.

He raised his eyes and looked at Gu Changjin and asked, "Do you think these secret letters are trustworthy, Mr. Gu?"

Gu Changjin said, "General Liang and I have discussed that the reason why the secret letters of the previous five years were unclear is probably because they were written The person who wrote the letter is not in Dayin, so I can't tell the time and place where the Water Dragon King met with Liao Rao. I guess the letter writer is most likely someone close to the Water Dragon King."

Liang Xiao took over the conversation and asked: " Mr. Gu suspected that the letters in the past were written by Jiao Feng, so why was this secret letter not written by Jiao Feng? "

The handwriting is different, and the paper and ink used are also different. The most important thing is that this person can combine these two." The pseudonym used by the Nian Water Dragon King and his destination are very clear. It is more likely that he is in the territory of Dayin. As long as the Water Dragon King comes, he can be found in time. "

Gu Changjin kept staring at these secret letters, "Liang. "General, can you find out who sent the letter today?"

"I can't find out. This letter just seemed to appear out of thin air in the garrison." Liang Xiao said, "No wonder the two adults said that this person is not the same person as Jiao Feng." The letter was sent in without anyone noticing. I think that person knows the garrison department and even the entire Yangzhou very well. Jiao Feng really doesn't have such ability."

Gu Changjin put down the secret letter and said slowly, "Yes or no. , You will know when you see Jiao Feng. If the pirates from Sifang Island come again, Jiao Feng will definitely show up, and I will take Pan Xueliang to see her in person."

Liang Xiao said solemnly: "Don't worry, Mr. Gu. Arrangements have been made, and once the Zhongyuan Festival is over, all the soldiers in the guard station will do their jobs and guard the coast."

When he said this, he couldn't help but sigh: "We, the people of Dayin, attach great importance to Zhongyuan. On this day, I don’t know how many death lanterns are put out every year. On this day, the garrison department has to send people to keep an eye on these people.”

In previous years, as soon as the New Year was celebrated, local government offices had to be very energetic.

Especially during the New Year's Eve, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Shangyuan, there are countless accidents every year. This year, the Yangzhou magistrate had arranged a loan with him early, for fear of a serious accident and the black gauze hat on his head.

Liang Xiao sighed on the other side, but Liu Yuan didn't know what he was thinking of on the other side. He glanced at Gu Changjin, smiled, and said, "What is Mr. Gu busy with on the Ghost Festival?"

Gu Changjin looked at him. He glanced back at Liu Yuan indifferently and pursed his thin lips.

Liang Xiao didn't know the agility in Liu Yuan's words, and thought that Gu Changjin really had something to do, so he said considerately: "If Mr. Gu has something to do, just go busy that day."

Gu Changjin slowly sipped his tea.

Thinking of the confusion and confusion in the girl's eyes when he asked him how to celebrate her birthday today, she couldn't help but feel a knot in her throat.

She even asked him if he had anything he wanted her to do for him.

When a man asks a girl how she wants to celebrate her birthday, it is naturally because he likes her and wants to celebrate her birthday.

She doesn't seem to think so.

Hearing him say it was nothing, he seemed relieved.

That's right. Who asked him to tell her that he didn't like Wenxi and would not marry Wenxi.

It is understandable that the girl misunderstood him.

Gu Changjin finally realized what it means to shoot oneself in the foot.

At that time, he thought that he would never see her again after Heli, and that his fondness for her would slowly dissipate.

Therefore, it doesn't matter whether it is explained or not.

How could he have known that he would have tricked himself into this situation?

Tea foam was floating in the indigo tea cup. Gu Changjin stared at the cup and felt that it was not just the tea foam that was floating in the bitter tea.

He had to find a chance to tell her clearly that he liked her. he thinks.

Time flew by and it was the Hungry Ghost Festival. Gu Changjin arrived at the garrison capital early that morning.

Liang Xiaozheng held a map and ordered the soldiers below to keep an eye on various rivers, especially the prosperous waterways at the Wu Family Brick Bridge in the inner city.

"Don't let the common people trample us again this year," the general in his prime said sternly in a rich voice: "We should also keep a close eye on those personal kidnappers, thieves, and rangers who don't do serious business."

The deputy general below raised his hands and said: "General, take your orders."

As soon as they left, Gu Changjin asked: "Has General Liang sent someone to guard the other side of the Huaihe River in Xiaoqin?"

"Of course there are people guarding that place. When night comes, people are everywhere, how can we not observe it? Oh, you say it is such a noisy ghost festival, even if those death lanterns can float to the underworld, the Lord of Hell will probably "

Liang Xiao is a military general, and he was very good at arranging troops in the past, but against those people who don't abide by discipline and like to run around, no matter how powerful he is, he won't use it. It's just a terrible headache.

Gu Changjin listened to Liang Xiao's complaints, but what he remembered in his ears was the girl's repeated reminders to be careful of raids by pirates, so he picked up the map and the coastal defense layout and looked at it.

It has to be said that Liang Xiao is truly gifted as a general in the formation of troops, and he is indeed a rare good general.

The general who just passed by was specially sent by Emperor Jiayou to Yangzhou to guard the waters in this area.

When he first came to garrison the capital, all the soldiers here did not listen to his orders. The morale of the soldiers was disorganized and military discipline was ignored. Liang Xiao had to go to the private sector and personally recruit a group of miners to serve as new recruits.

It took less than three months to create a team of well-trained and brave soldiers. Liang Xiao took this group of new soldiers back to the garrison capital and beat the unruly veterans into submission.

Five years have passed, and the veterans and recruits have now become the famous "Liang Family Army" in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Gu Changjin probably understood why the old minister dared to touch Liao Rao at this time.

Probably because of Liang Xiao's presence, the coastal defenses in Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas and the pirates on Sifang Island could not be defeated.

After reading the defense map, Gu Changjin's eyes fell on an inner harbor marked with the Xiao Qinhuai River, and he stared for a moment before slowly moving away.

At four o'clock in the hour, the genius was about to fade away, and a gorgeous painting boat moored quietly on the bank of the Xiao Qinhuai River.

Rong Shu held up the train of her skirt and boarded the boat. Zhang's mother followed behind her and warned her softly: "Girl, don't walk too fast, and be careful where you step."

"Mom, you can't talk about me today. It's best to indulge me in everything." Rong Shu looked back and smiled and said, "Today is my birthday."

After hearing her childish words, Zhang's mother smiled helplessly and said, "Sure." , The old slave didn’t say a word about girl today.”

Rong Shu walked in happily.

This painting boat was the one Shen used to use in the past. After she married into the Marquis of Cheng'an Mansion, she gave this painting boat to Guo Jiuniang, saying that she would use it for the girls of Chunyue Tower.

How could Guo Jiuniang be willing to give up?

She always felt that her young lady would come back, so she had kept the boat for so many years, and it was only when Rong Shu came that she got into the water.

The people who came to the boat today are all acquaintances, Guo Jiuniang and Lu Shiyi are both there.

Zhang's mother came to the Shen family after Rong Shu was born, so she was not familiar with Guo Jiuniang.

However, Guo Jiuniang is accustomed to being friendly with everyone she meets. When she saw Zhang's mother, she immediately brought two glasses of water and wine and said, "Thanks to my mother for taking care of Zhaozhao all these years. I'd like to toast you with this glass of wine.

" Without saying a word, he put a glass of wine into Zhang's mother's hand.

Zhang’s mother hurriedly declined, saying that Guo Jiuniang was the best bustard in the Wu family’s Brick Bridge. Even if the Lord of Hell came today, he would have to have a few glasses of wine before leaving.

After Zhang’s mother drank three glasses of wine in a row, Guo Jiuniang slowly shook her fan and said with a smile: “Mother Zhang is a good drinker, but I haven’t found anyone to drink with me for a long time. Don’t look at Lu Baotou, who keeps shouting all day long. I have a good capacity for drinking. In fact, I was so drunk that I passed out after just two jars of wine. We will continue after eating longevity noodles with Zhaozhao."

Mother Zhang thought Guo Jiuniang was just saying this, but Rong Shu was surprised. Not long after finishing the bowl of longevity noodles, Guo Jiuniang came looking for her again with wine in hand.

The maids and ladies serving in the painting are all from Chunyuelou, and they are very quick when pouring wine.

Mother Zhang had never been drunk like this before

and she subconsciously excused herself: "I still have to serve the girl, but I can't drink anymore." As she spoke, her eyes searched everywhere, but she couldn't see Rong Shu at all. She couldn't help but wonder, "Where did the girl go?"

"Every time Zhao Zhao was born, he would put river lanterns and paper boats for her grandfather, maternal grandfather, and uncle. I just had people drag a wooden boat over and let her and Luo Yan go down and be busy. That's it." Guo Jiuniang smiled and poured wine for Zhang's mother, "When Zhao Zhao came down, I told you not to worry about it. You can just eat wine here for a while. Mother Zhang doesn't have to worry about that girl. Let's have a drink."

The jug tipped slowly, and another glass of strong wine was filled.

As one of the eight major New Year festivals in Dayin, the Ghost Festival is no less lively than other New Year festivals. Putting out river lanterns, performing dances, and going on boat rides at night are simply a joy for the living to offer sacrifices to the deceased.

At this time, the Xiao Qinhuai River is very spectacular.

Painted boats with white flags hung on them, accompanied by countless small wooden boats and endless river lanterns, floated majestically in the river.

Luoyan had never seen such a spectacular scene in Datong. Even the children on the shore were river lanterns made of lotus pods or melon peels.

It really corresponds to the saying "The green servant girl's light moves to see how many people there are."

Rong Shu put the lotus lanterns and white paper boats on the wooden boat into the river one by one. He didn't blink when he saw the falling smoke, so he picked up the wood pulp put aside and rocked the boat to the shore.

"The Hungry Ghost Festival in Yangzhou is more lively than that in Beijing. I took my sister ashore to have a look."

Luo Yan asked doubtfully: "Isn't the girl going back to the painting boat?"

"Not back." Rong Shu said with a smile: "The left and right are in the painting boat. There is nothing much to do, so why not come down and join in the fun? A stage will be set up in the inner city for the people to perform "Mulian Saves His Mother".

She can't stay in Huafang. As long as she is here, Mother Zhang can find excuses not to drink. .

Aunt Guo is an expert at persuading people to drink, and Uncle Shiyi is also a good questioner.

She brought Zhang's mother out of Shenyuan today because she wanted to take advantage of her birthday to make Aunt Guo and Uncle Shi Yi have a good conversation.

She has always had this kind of temperament. Once she becomes suspicious of someone, she must find out everything before she can put her mind at ease.

The two moored the canoe on the shore and walked hand in hand through the dense crowd.

When they landed, a boat decorated with white flags also docked, and seven or eight men in moon-white brocade robes stepped out.

The leader had a goatee, very high cheekbones, and a black mole on his cheek.

Rong Shu introduced the unique river lanterns of Yangzhou Prefecture to Luo Yan. He walked naturally slowly. When the goatee passed by her, Rong Shu's nose curled up and he subconsciously looked at that person.

At this glance, he was stunned.

She had seen this face before.

No, it should be said that she had seen it in her previous life, through a small portrait painted by Gu Changjin.

This person is a pirate leader on Sifang Island, named Uzhida, and he is a Diluo. She had heard Gu Changjin mention before that it was this man and the Water Dragon King who had been fighting for the right to speak about Sifang Island.

This man was the leader of the pirate rebellion in Yangzhou in his previous life. The battle was so brutal that even Liao Rao and Wu Zhida died together.

When this person passed by her just now, Rong Shu could smell a hint of saltpeter.

Perhaps aware of her prying eyes, Wu Zhida looked in her direction. Rong Shu hurriedly looked down at the lotus lantern in his hand, almost burying half of his face in it.

Seeing that she was a delicate little girl, Wu Zhida thought that the moment of spying was just an illusion, so she looked away without caring.

The group of people calmly turned into an alley and filed into an inn, leaving only two followers standing guard outside the inn.

Rong Shu quietly glanced at the alley.

Because it was the Hungry Ghost Festival, all the shops inside hung up lanterns under their eaves, lighting up the alley.

Rong Shu quickly glanced at the wine table floating outside the inn and whispered in Luoyan's ear: "Sister Luoyan, please go to Pingnan Street to inform Mr. Gu that the pirate Wurida from Sifang Island is now here." It's in an inn called Jinxiu Pavilion. He smells of saltpeter, so he must have brought a firearm!"

After that, she hurried to the shore.

She wanted to go back to the boat as soon as possible and let Uncle Shiyi think of a way to evacuate the people here to a safe place!