The return of the son-in-law

At noon the next day, news came from the person Guo Zhanan paid to find that according to the portrait provided by Guo Zhanan, the body of the coachman was found in Cangshan Mountain.

As the county magistrate, Guo Zhan'an had to return to Tonghua County as soon as possible. He could only temporarily store the driver's body in Yizhuang, and spent money to buy a lot of ice to put in the coffin to delay the decay of the body. The coachman's family came to let the coachman really rest in peace.

Huo Yu felt sorry for the coachman's misfortune, and felt that the coachman died because of Guo Zhan'an. He was worried that the soul of the coachman would seek Guo Zhan'an's life after his death, so he bought paper money and burned it to the coachman. There is no money in Huangquan, so don't go to Guo Zhan'an, just come to Huo Yu.

This was not enough, Huo Yu went to a local temple again, donated incense money, and worshiped Buddha statues and Bodhisattva statues for Guo Zhanan, just hoping that his brother could turn evil into good luck in the future.

After finishing all this, the two people got on the carriage again and rushed to Tonghua County.

When Mr. Sun heard that Huo Yu had returned, he was overjoyed. He personally took out Huo Yu's bedding to bask in the sun for a day, took it back to the room in the afternoon, and spread it carefully again.After cleaning his grandson's room, Mrs. Sun realized that Guo Zhan'an was not around during this time, and the ditches had cost a lot, so he went to find Guo Zhan'an with the account book.

Guo Zhanan is busy.Chen Xiehao's ditch work is about to be completed. According to the tradition of Tonghua County, when such a major event is completed, a braised pig's head should be placed to celebrate and auspicious. Guo Zhan'an is the biggest contributor to this matter. It would not be possible without him .

And Li Hu's side is even more important.The four traitors were still locked up, and during this period of time they caused trouble for Li Hu and Li Hu's brothers. Although they became more honest after being beaten up, they didn't stop for a few days, and they started to make trouble again.According to Li Hu's temper, if this kind of person is collaborating with the enemy and treason, he should be killed, but Guo Zhan'an had told Li Hu before leaving that no matter what else, the lives of these four people must be saved.Now that Guo Zhanan came back, Li Hu hurriedly offered this hot potato.

Therefore, Guo Zhan'an first promised Chen Xiehao that he would celebrate with everyone after the ditch was completed in two days, and then briefly read Sun Lao's account book, and then asked Jia Huan to withdraw 50 taels from the account room for Sun Lao.After dismissing these two people, Guo Zhan'an was free to deal with Li Hu's problem.

"You've worked hard these past few days, and in two more days, someone from the capital will come to interrogate these rebels." Guo Zhanan then asked, "Has anyone else come to inquire about the whereabouts of these people during this time?"

Li Hu thought about it seriously for a while, then shook his head and said: "No, during this period of time I was worried that someone would come and say something. My brothers didn't even go home, and they ate, drank, and messed with me at my house. My mother-in-law is in poor health and doesn't go out much. , my son won't let him go out to play these days, just because he's afraid that someone will make a fool of himself."

Guo Zhanan was a little surprised. Could it be that these four people were just abandoned?

He couldn't think of a reason, so he comforted Li Hu and said, "I've troubled you this time, just work hard for two more days."

Li Hu didn't care: "My lord is serious, these traitors fell into my hands. If you hadn't spoken before me, my lord, I would have to take their skin off!"

Guo Zhanan said with a light smile, "Don't worry, when people from the capital come, they'd rather let you skin them."

Li Hu laughed loudly: "Have a good time! Let go of your anger! My lord, since this is the case, I will go back first, lest these traitors play tricks again."

Guo Zhanan nodded and didn't do much to keep him.

After the beginning of spring, there were more and more affairs in Tonghua County, and Guo Zhan'an had gradually established his prestige among the people of Tonghua County.The common people like to ask Guo Zhan'an to deal with their usual affairs.

From their point of view, Guo Zhan'an was a foreigner, he would not favor anyone in the county, and he was naturally more just than Chen Xiehao in handling disputes.

This is what Guo Zhanan was happy to see, so even though it was just a trivial matter, he still dealt with it fairly and without complaint.

The days passed like this, and soon, three days later, the ditch was built.

According to the tradition of Tonghua County, for such a big event, all participants must wear red clothes.This coke ruined Granny Shen in the embroidery room. My young master is good at everything, but his personality is too cold, and he even likes to wear blue, white, and aqua blue in his daily clothes.It's not that these colors are not good, it's just that the young master wears them on his body, making his already cold appearance even more repulsive to others thousands of miles away.

Grandma Shen had heard about this custom a long time ago, and personally sewed a bright red coat for Guo Zhan'an. Wearing it on her body was very energetic, and made Guo Zhan'an's face even more warm.

Huo Yu watched from the side, and then looked down at the red clothes on his body, as if thinking of something, he couldn't help but blush.

Unfortunately, because of Huo Yu's injuries, Elder Sun's heart ached so much that he was restrained at home for the past two days, even on such a big day, Huo Yu was not allowed to go out.

Guo Zhan'an was already worried about Huo Yu's wound, thinking that the soil, stones, wood, and the pig's head all gathered together in the field would not be good for Huo Yu's wound.Therefore, he acquiesced to Elder Sun's behavior, and pretended not to see Huo Yu's hesitant eyes when he left.

On the ridge of the field, Chen Xiehao and his party were already there. The big pork head was burnt so shiny that it was wrapped with red cloth. It was placed on a red tray, and the tray was placed on a red table. .

When Guo Zhan'an saw him, he felt pain between his eyebrows. He looked down at the red clothes on his body, and then at the pig's head covered in red. He felt that the distance between people and pigs was so close.

Others didn't think so. Seeing Guo Zhanan coming, they rushed to welcome him to the edge of the table, allowing Guo Zhanan and Zhutou to have a close encounter.

According to the usual practice, Guo Zhan'an personally lit the thirteen cannons and cut off two pieces of pig's ears with his own hands. One was enshrined in the ancestral hall of Tonghua County, and the other was eaten by him.

Guo Zhan'an's face turned black, and at this moment, Jia Huan came, and rescued Guo Zhan'an from this predicament with one sentence: "Master, there are people from the capital, and they are waiting for you in the county government office."

Guo Zhan'an immediately handed the pork ear meat to Chen Xiehao: "The county magistrate has put his heart and soul into this matter, and he has put in a lot of effort. You should eat this piece of pork ear meat. I have important things to do, so I won't accompany you all." , I will have to trouble the county magistrate for many things to come."

Chen Xiehao was naturally happy, took the pork ear meat, said some polite words, and sent Guo Zhan'an away, then ate all the pork ear meat complacently.

In the county yamen, Yue An was sitting there tasting tea with a big horse and a golden sword. When he saw Guo Zhan'an coming, he made a show, and a few followers left quietly.

Guo Zhanan understood, turned to Jia Huan and said, "Go to the back and remind the second young master to change the medicine."

Jia Huan naturally understood, bowed down, and closed the door carefully before leaving.

Guo Zhan'an stepped forward to salute, and then asked, "Why did your lord come in person? Does your majesty know?"

Yue An put down his tea and said with a smile: "You don't have to worry. I came to Tonghua County with His Majesty's approval. Those four traitors are the only witnesses so far. No one should be careless. I'm worried that the night will be long and dreamy, so I'll go to see you." I plan to go to Tonghua County for the first trial now."

Guo Zhanan was relieved, and asked about the situation in Beijing: "I've been away from Beijing for a few days, can you make any progress?"

Yue An nodded and said: "Follow what Your Majesty said first, arrest and put those people on the list in prison. There are also people on the list in the northwest. I have already informed Your Majesty that the Northwest is the first line of defense against Tatars." The defense line cannot be short of people, so we have sent safe people there."

This was exactly Guo Zhan'an's purpose, and Yue An originally supported the third prince Li Shaojun, so he naturally knew of Li Shaojun's plight in the Northwest, so it was so easy to talk to smart people, without mentioning Li Shaojun in a few words, he wiped away Li Shaojun's worries.

Yue An also mentioned King Liang: "I received news yesterday that after King Liang returned to Beijing, he entered the palace and had a secret conversation with His Majesty for several hours. Afterwards, His Majesty became furious and issued an order to reprimand Liu Yuanheng. Yin caught it."

Guo Zhan'an sneered: "My lord, I'm afraid I don't know, but Liu Wenhua secretly sent someone to kill me, and also wanted to pretend that I was a bandit who killed and robbed me. Fortunately, my righteous brother Huo Yu sacrificed his life to save him, and he met King Liang again. I went to hell."

Yue An was really shocked: "Is this Liu Wenhua so courageous? Now that the Liu family is living under His Majesty's nose, he is still so arrogant? I heard that even the Liu concubines in the palace have lost their former arrogance, and there are concubines under the empress dowager At the behest of her, she deliberately suppressed Concubine Liu, so she could only hold back."

Guo Zhan settled down, and expressed his worries: "Liu Wenhua is used to being arrogant, so it's not unusual for him to send someone to kill me. However, it is suspicious to find letters signed by Liu Wenhua on those killers."

Then, Guo Zhan'an explained the cause and effect of the matter, and specifically mentioned Huo Yu's name, telling Yue An that Huo Yu was the first to suspect this matter.

After hearing what Guo Zhanan said, Yue An really became suspicious: "Your foster brother is right. Although Liu Wenhua is arrogant, he is not so courageous. So, someone deliberately framed this incident?"

Guo Zhan'an's opinion is different from Yue An's: "No matter which dynasty's law, disregarding human life is a serious crime of beheading, let alone a court official. If it weren't for bloody enmity, who would dare to kill an official? Right now, the Liu family has the deepest enmity with me. As for I can't think of anyone else."

After thinking about it, Yue An also found it reasonable: "Perhaps the mantis is catching the cicada, and the oriole is behind. Someone wants to use your hand to get rid of Liu Wenhua."

"It's not just Liu Wenhua," Guo Zhan'an shook his head and said, "Liu Wenhua has no official position, and that person's purpose is probably to get rid of the fact that the Liu family had a secret relationship with Tatar."

Yue An's eyes lit up: "If this is the case, then everything makes sense! Guo Zhan'an, I did not misunderstand you! The Third Prince has you as his right-hand man, so why not be able to make contributions!"

Guo Zhan'an waved his hand and said, "Your Excellency, it's absurd. This matter is thanks to my brother-in-law. If it weren't for his words, I wouldn't have thought of this level."

Yue An said: "You don't need to be humble, your brother-in-law is good, and you are also good. By the way, let me see where your brother-in-law is."

Guo Zhan'an raised his lips. Now, he has settled Huo Yu's name in the heart of the current prime minister. As long as he teaches carefully in the future, why would Huo Yu not be able to make a career?

Huo Yu was bored basking in the sun in the yard at this time, and when he heard Jia Huan say that a prime minister from the capital wanted to see him, he hurried back to the house and changed into clean new clothes, and asked Jia Huan to help fetch water, and took a piece of water for himself He wiped his face with a towel, for fear of embarrassing Guo Zhanan.

After tidying up, Huo Yu went to the study. He was in a lot of ups and downs along the way. He really didn't understand why a high official like the prime minister wanted to see him.

Yue An was chatting with Guo Zhanan in the study when he heard a child's voice outside the study: "Brother, I'm here."

Guo Zhan'an got up, personally went to the door to bring Huo Yu in, brought him to Yue An, and said: "This is the Prime Minister Yue Anyue from the capital."

Huo Yu understood, and bowed to Yue An: "Huo Yu has met Lord Yue."

Yue An seemed to have regained his composure, and called Huo Yu to come to him, looked at him carefully, and then said with a smile: "I heard that you disregarded your own safety and blocked the sword for your brother-in-law, which is really worthy of praise. "

But Huo Yu shook his head and said, "Huo Yu doesn't deserve your lord's praise, but my brother is hard-working, honest and loyal, but in the end he was chased and killed. I ask Lord Yue to be my brother's boss."

Huo Yu didn't know Yue An, didn't know the relationship between Yue An and Guo Zhan'an, and was afraid that Yue An wouldn't believe him, so he rolled up his sleeves and showed Yue An the wound: "Look, my lord, the wound hasn't healed for several days, I'm young Don't be afraid, it will heal quickly, if it hurts my brother, Tonghua County will lose a good official."

Guo Zhan'an couldn't laugh or cry in his heart, this kid is really stupid in reading, at this time, he didn't take the opportunity to gain some benefits for himself and please Yue An, but he only wanted to express his anger for him.Listen to this, what kind of hardworking and unrestrained people are, I am afraid that I have used all the words I learned when I was studying.

Yue An nodded in satisfaction, and comforted Huo Yu: "Don't worry, your brother is a good official, the emperor already knows all this, and will definitely give your brother justice."

Huo Yu was relieved now, put down his sleeves and said, "Thank you, Huo Yu."

Yue An asked some more about Huo Yu's studies, and knowing that he was taught by Guo Zhan'an, he nodded and said, "Your brother is Tanhua Lang, and his knowledge is also one of the best in the court. But your brother has a lot of business, and no one is watching him on weekdays." , you can't slack off yourself."

Huo Yu nodded: "Don't worry, my lord, I won't embarrass my brother!"

Seeing that he was clever and polite, Yue An praised Huo Yu a few words, and that was all.

When Huo Yu left the study, Yue An said: "This kid is a good guy, as long as you teach him carefully, he will surely achieve great things in the future."

Guo Zhan'an was having a headache about this matter: "I've thought about it for the past few days. Huo Yu is too obsessed with me. He puts me first in everything, even disregarding his own life. I'm afraid that if this continues, Huo Yu will Instead, my future will be ruined by me."

Yue An thought for a while and said, "It's not difficult. Send him to a private school. In the future, when you are promoted to the magistrate, you will be sent to a government school. He has a good personality, and he will definitely get along well with his classmates."

Guo Zhan'an felt that Yue An's words were reasonable, so he decided to send Huo Yu to the academy to study.He thought of Yue An's eyes before, and couldn't help asking: "I was a little dazed just now, but what's the matter?"

Yue An replied straightforwardly: "It's nothing, it's just that your righteous brother's profile looks a bit like the late emperor."

"The first emperor?"

When Guo Zhanan was born, the first emperor had passed away many years ago.At that time, Yue An was already an official in the court and had met the late emperor, so he said this.

Yue An added: "It's just that the profile looks a bit similar, but when viewed from the front, it's completely different."

This incident did not leave a deep impression on Guo Zhan'an, until he saw Huo Yu's jade pendant with his own eyes, he realized what Yue An said was true.