A messenger from the Prefect's mansion!
Su Mu brought the junior clerk before Fang Er and bowed, reporting.
Fang Er was leaning against the pillar of the construction shed, watching Zhao Gang and the others work. Hearing this, he looked at the junior clerk with confusion.
Is there something?
The junior clerk had to repeat the purpose of his visit.
Hearing that three groups of merchants had gone to Fuyu and not returned, Fang Er raised an eyebrow.
Let's go! Su Mu, prepare the carriage, we're going to the Prefect's mansion!
Yes, my lord!
As they left the building, the junior clerk obsequiously asked Fang Er, "My lord, what about me?"
The fellow's eyes were glancing towards the back of the truck.
Alright, get in, we'll give you a ride back.
Fang Er nodded, opened the car door, and got into the passenger seat.
The junior clerk's face lit up with joy. An opportunity to ride in a pickup truck, he could brag about it for at least a year!
He didn't dare to sit in the back seat and instead jumped into the truck bed by stepping on the tires.
Su Mu heard the sound from behind and knew he had gotten into the car.
After starting up, the pickup truck drove straight towards the Prefect's mansion along the cement road.
When Fang Er arrived, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Prefect's mansion was very oppressive.
My lord is here, please have a seat!
Liu Dacheng stood up to greet Fang Er when he saw him, and offered him the seat of honor.
Fang Er did not stand on ceremony. After taking his seat, he looked at the people standing below.
Are these your merchant caravans that have not returned?
How many people in total, when did they depart? When should they have returned?
Replying to my lord, I am the owner of the Wujia Mountain Goods store. My humble name is Wu Guliang.
The one named Wu Guliang stepped forward, bowed, and continued.
My lord, my merchant caravan departed from Shenyang two months ago. There were seventy people in total, heading to Fuyu to purchase mountain goods.
Normally, even if they couldn't collect enough mountain goods, they should have returned half a month ago, but there has been no news since.
Fang Er nodded, then looked at the other two. And you?
My lord, I am the owner of the Zheng family's medicine store. My humble name is Zheng Zaihao.
Hearing his name, Fang Er raised an eyebrow. What is your relationship with the Zheng family of Xingyang?
Zheng Zaihao was startled and quickly waved his hands to explain. My lord, you misunderstand, my lord, you misunderstand!
I have no connection whatsoever with the Zheng family of Xingyang!
My ancestors are from Liuhe County!
Fang Er cast a questioning glance at Liu Dacheng.
Liu Dacheng said, My lord, what Zheng Zaihao said is true. He is indeed from Liuhe County.
Having received his confirmation, Fang Er turned his gaze back to Zheng Zaihao. Continue!
Yes, my lord. My merchant caravan departed ten days after Wu's caravan, with one hundred people. They should have returned by now.
The remaining person, before Fang Er could ask, spoke up on his own initiative.
My lord, I am the owner of the Xiaojia Mountain Goods store, Xiao Jianren.
To be honest, my lord, the Xiao family and the Wu family have always been rivals. Therefore, after the owner of the Wu family sent people out, I had my merchant caravan depart the next day.
Furthermore, in order to compete with the Wu family for goods, I specifically sent over a hundred and thirty people.
Fang Er frowned.
Three merchant caravans, totaling nearly three hundred people, have all disappeared without a trace.
If the Wu and Xiao families had a conflict over the source of goods, it wouldn't explain why even Zheng Zaihao's people are missing.
Prefect Liu, what do you think of this matter? Fang Er looked at Liu Dacheng.
Liu Dacheng cupped his hands. My lord, something must have happened in Fuyu City. The county magistrates of Liaodong should report their performance and the local populace's livelihood once a month.
Then, after I compile the reports, I will submit them to the Emperor.
However, since last month, there has been no news from Fuyu City. I originally thought that the magistrate of Fuyu was unwell, but now that I think about it carefully, I fear something has happened.
Otherwise, when combined with the disappearance of the merchant caravans, this is definitely not a coincidence.
How many garrison troops are there in Fuyu City?
Replying to my lord, two thousand infantrymen!
This made Fang Er restless.
With two thousand men defending the city, it was too unusual that they could cut off contact with Shenyang so silently.
My lord, I presume to ask you to send your Heavenly Fire Army to investigate the situation.
Liu Dacheng finished speaking and bowed deeply.
We implore my lord to send people to investigate!
Wu Guliang, Zheng Zaihao, and Xiao Jianren all bowed in unison.
Since that is the case, then tomorrow morning. You three wait at the north of the city!
I will return to prepare my subordinates.
Fang Er got up and walked towards the door.
We respectfully escort my lord!
The voices of Liu Dacheng and the three men came from behind him.
The pickup truck did not return to the mansion but went directly to the encampment where the Heavenly Fire Army was stationed.
Zhu Zi's First Regiment and Ma Chao's Second Regiment were responsible for the new district north of the city.
Wu Yong was again assigned a mission to return to Chang'an.
Therefore, only Liu Meng, Zhang Tian, and Tie Lao Ba's three regiments remained in the camp.
The soldiers were undergoing their usual training. Seeing Fang Er enter, they merely turned their heads and smiled before continuing with their drills.
Liu Meng, Zhang Tian, and Tie Lao Ba, the three of them were gathered together playing Dou Dizhu (a card game).
The matters of training were being handled by their respective deputies.
Seeing Fang Er approach, Tie Lao Ba quickly stuffed the cards in his hand into his pocket and stood up to salute properly.
Artillery Regiment Tie Lao Ba, greets my lord, please instruct!
Liu Meng and Zhang Tian, who had their backs to Fang Er, quickly turned to look at him.
Discovering that Tie Lao Ba was not joking, they hastily stood up and saluted.
Third Regiment Liu Meng, greets my lord!
Fifth Regiment Zhang Tian, greets my lord!
Stop hiding, what's the point?
Fang Er's eyes were fixed on Tie Lao Ba, speaking coldly.
Heh heh, my lord, I was wrong, there won't be a next time!
Tie Lao Ba quickly took the cards out of his pocket and placed his hands back on the table.
What's the fun in playing cards! If we're going to fight, let's fight people, shall we?
Free sparring, let's begin, I'll be your referee!
Pulling over the stool Tie Lao Ba had just vacated, Fang Er sat down and leisurely lit a cigarette.
The three men did not dare to retort.
Clearing away the table and the extra two stools, they began to fight in front of Fang Er.
Zhang Tian and Liu Meng's attacks were still normal.
But when Tie Lao Ba made his move, Fang Er almost choked on his cigarette.
This guy is too despicable!
He was fine, but when he attacked, he kept aiming for the lower regions of Zhang Tian and Liu Meng!
It was June, and it was already very hot, so everyone was wearing shorts.
Seeing Liu Meng and Zhang Tian grappling, Tie Lao Ba took advantage of the situation and reached his right hand into Zhang Tian's wide pant leg.
Then, with a lewd grin, he abruptly pulled his right hand back.
Ah! Ah!
What the hell! Liu Meng, let go! Wait until I finish this scoundrel Lao Ba!
Zhang Tian's face contorted in pain. He pushed Liu Meng away and turned to punch Tie Lao Ba in the face.
Liu Meng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly saw a lock of black hair in Tie Lao Ba's hand.
Pfft~~! Hahahaha!
Go Lao Ba, brother will help you!
Liu Meng roared with laughter and lunged at Zhang Tian again.
Zhang Tian was truly angered. This was too much bullying, two against one, and pulling hair? What kind of move is this!
Liu Meng, get the hell away from me!
Hahaha, this is what my lord called free sparring!
Come, let's have a good time together!
Liu Meng reached out and grabbed one of Zhang Tian's arms, then went to grab the other.
As a result, Zhang Tian suddenly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot, looking at Liu Meng. He raised his knee and rammed it into Liu Meng's lower abdomen.
Whoa~~!
Caught off guard, Liu Meng was hit and started spitting sour water.
Zhang Tian didn't stop. He ignored Tie Lao Ba and reached out with his right hand. Damn it Meng Zi, today your Grandpa Tian will let you taste that feeling too!
Saying that, he directly pressed Liu Meng to the ground, reached in, and yanked it out.
Hiss~~!
Being attacked like this by Liu Meng, the latter instantly clamped his legs together, his brow furrowed, his mouth forming an 'o' shape, and he let out a painful cry.
O~~~~!
Seeing the three of them fighting more and more obscenely, Fang Er couldn't stand it anymore.
Tie Lao Ba, stop!
Liu Meng and Zhang Tian, you two fight one-on-one!
The winner will accompany me on a trip tomorrow with their subordinates.
After saying that, he left the encampment without looking back.
ps: I am truly sorry, I received the COVID-19 vaccine yesterday and had some minor reactions, feeling dizzy and having a sore throat. I will update less for these two days and will make up for it once I recover. Please understand!