The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 127: Capture
With the sound of horses' hooves, the guards, who were visiting the capital for the first time, asked curiously, "Sir, who were those people just now? They seemed ready to draw their swords at us if anything went wrong. Are all the people in the capital this fierce?"

He was puzzled. "Isn't it said that the area within a radius of 300 li (approximately 150 kilometers) of the capital is a particularly safe zone?"

He could understand that there were people on their border who could draw their swords at any moment, but they were almost at the capital.

"It's a safe area, but you also need to consider what time it is now."

Walking at night.

The old man being asked said, "We were walking quickly just now, did any of you see the emblem on the carriage?"

"It seems... to be a Jia!"

贾？
The old man couldn't help but exchange a glance with the boy walking beside him who hadn't said a word. Could it be such a coincidence?

"He really is a Jia!"

The young man spoke, his voice sounding like a girl's, "But there must be quite a few people with the surname Jia in the capital, right?"

"Not many."

The old man sighed inwardly, "Those guards who were wary of us, if there are no surprises, should be the guards of the Ning and Rong mansions. No matter how capable the other servants of the Jia family are, they could not possibly have that kind of imposing manner."

I haven't been back to the capital for many years. I thought the Jia family was long gone, but I never expected...

"We should send someone to investigate the Jia family later!"

"..."

The boy fell silent, and the guards who were with them also kept quiet.

Some things are fine to joke about, but some things... are absolutely off-limits.

As the moonlight escorted them all the way to the capital, it also escorted Jia She as he walked away.

At this time, except for some special places, the hustle and bustle of the capital had gradually subsided, all the city gates were closed, and the soldiers of the Five City Garrison were patrolling the streets.

As they passed Ning and Rong streets, they walked past without looking to either side. But a moment later, a young man rushed across the street, knocked on the side door, and darted inside. "Master Jiao!"

Jiao Da had been waiting for a while. "You found out?"

"I found it."

The boy looked excited, picked up the paper and pen that had been laid out on the table, and said while drawing: "Isn't there a small alley behind the God of Wealth Gambling House? The second house is diagonally opposite on the left, and the same is true on the right. There is also a tunnel there, also the second house."

As expected, a cunning rabbit has three burrows.

"In addition, the one on the right has a secret passage that leads directly to two alleys, to the Taibai Tavern on Baishui Street, which specializes in selling alcohol."

Luckily, I was cautious; otherwise, I would have been fooled.

Jiao Da looked at the line he had drawn and was very satisfied. "Well done!"

Both the Prince of Jin and that Western God of Wealth, Lu Kun, harbored deep malice towards the Jia family.

"Whether you deal with them or not, Xiao Wu, you've done a great service," Jiao Da encouraged the boy. "I'll personally report to the master tomorrow."

"...Thank you very much, Master Jiao!"

Xiao Wu was overjoyed. "Master Jiao, should we continue to keep an eye on that place?"

"No need for the moment."

Jiao Da said solemnly, "If you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your feet wet. People aren't stupid. It wouldn't be good if they noticed you."

"Yes!"

Xiao Wu was willing to come back, but he hesitated for a moment. "Master Jiao, I saw someone today who said he looked like a child, but wasn't a child. He seemed like Xie Zhenghu, the dwarf assassin who tried to kill our master."

what?
Jiao Da's eyes sharpened, and his entire demeanor changed. "Where did you find him?"

"It's this Taibai Tavern."

"Has Xie Zhenghu seen you?"

"I didn't see it. He was being carried in the arms of a big man. It looked like a father and son buying wine together. But when the tavern owner saw them, his face stiffened for a moment, and then he smiled and reached out to hug him, saying something like, 'Your aunt has some good food. I'll take you to the back to find your aunt.'"

Xiao Wu described the situation at the time: "But before that, I clearly saw the proprietress leave the store with her mentally challenged son not long before."

"and after?"

"Didn't you say that if we see someone who resembles Xie Zhenghu, we must not alert him?"

Xiao Wu said, "Later I kept my distance and observed, but I didn't see the big man and the 'child' come out until I left Baishui Street and came back."

"Being cautious is the right thing to do!"

I was planning to submit it tomorrow, but now...

Jiao Da couldn't help but turn around in the small doorway. "Here's what we'll do: go to the kitchen and get something to eat, and I'll tell Grandpa."

Xie Zhenghu appeared, and he even had some connection with the Prince of Jin.

That's not right!

Isn't Xie Zhenghu somewhat connected to the remnants of the previous dynasty?
Jiao Da knew that underworld figures like him could be easily bribed with money, but while anyone could buy him with money, Prince Jin's status was different; he couldn't!

If the Prince of Jin's pursuit of that chair is related to the remnants of the previous dynasty, then...

The old man left in a hurry.

Before long, Jia Zhen followed him to Shen Ning's courtyard.

"Mother!"

Jia Zhen's expression was very solemn. "We can't just let Xie Zhenghu go like this, can we?"

But if we touch that Taibai Tavern, Prince Jin will definitely become suspicious; they've been watching us for a long time.

They probably want to get rid of the Jia family even more.

There's also Lu Kun, the God of Wealth. During the Ming Dynasty, merchants in Shanxi cooperated with the Jurchens outside the Great Wall. If the Jia family were to take one of the three gambling dens of his God of Wealth, they certainly wouldn't let it go easily.

But to just watch Xie Zhenghu get away...

Jia Zhen couldn't swallow this insult.

"...Of course not!"

That day, she almost lost both her baby and her life.

If Hao Da'er dies too, then only Madam You and Rong Ge'er will be left in the Ningguo Mansion.

This family was essentially given away for free to Jia Zheng and Wang Shi of the West Mansion.

It's hard to say whether Rong-ge'er will be able to grow up by then.

Shen Ning twirled the sandalwood prayer beads she had snatched from Jia Jing, "Zhen'er, what do you think is most abundant in gambling dens?"

What is the most?
That's silver, of course.

Jia Zhen's heart pounded.

He suddenly realized that his mother not only wanted to mess with Xie Zhenghu, but also with Prince Jin and Lu Kun, the God of Wealth.

"The most money."

Jia Zhen stared nervously at his mother, and Jiao Da stared nervously at Shen Ning.

“The Prince of Jin already disliked the Jia family, and with money, he can do even more things.”

Shen Ning knew why her eldest son dared not touch the enemy who killed him: "When things rise and fall, and you are forced to act, you will be the fish on the chopping block."

This?
Jia Zhen and Jiao Da exchanged a glance. "Mother, what do you think we should do?"

Shen Ning put away the beads in her hand. "Jiao Da, send someone to keep an eye on Taibai Tavern right now. As long as Xie Zhenghu is there, do everything you can to take him down."

At this point, she turned to Jia Zhen and said, "Zhen'er, you are in charge of contacting the Five Cities Garrison. Tell them that they have discovered someone who looks like Xie Zhenghu. Even if Xiao Wu is wrong, it doesn't matter. As long as we find the tunnel and follow the clues to the God of Wealth Gambling House, if we can't take down Prince Jin, we can take down the God of Wealth Gambling House... can't we?"

At that time, will the Prince of Jin dare to step forward?

The emperor was just waiting to find fault with him.

As soon as he stands out, even if someone claims that his son was stabbed to death in the street, he can easily pin the blame on him.

At that point, it's hard to say whether he has cooperated with the remnants of the previous dynasty or not.

"This matter should be addressed sooner rather than later, you..."

Shen Ning was about to say, "You should do it now," when she suddenly remembered something. "At this point, Xie Zhenghu is secondary. How about this, you all wait until it's almost dawn and the capital is bustling with activity before you do it."

In this way, it will be impossible for Prince Jin to suppress Lu Kun anymore. "Remember, you have never known the relationship between Prince Jin and the God of Wealth Gambling House, nor do you know the relationship between Taibai Tavern and the God of Wealth Gambling House. You only heard that someone who looked like Xie Zhenghu entered the tavern, and that's why you were afraid that you didn't have enough manpower and asked the Five Cities Garrison to arrest him together."

"Mother, let's invite people from Shuntian Prefecture as well!"

Old Dong is a formidable man.

He was able to find out the connection between the God of Wealth Gambling House and the Prince of Jin.

Even if the Prince of Jin is angry and resentful, he won't dare to do anything to their family for the time being. All his attention will be focused on dealing with Lord Dong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.

"……Can!"

Shen Ning nodded, "But you also need to be wary of the Prince of Jin and Lu Caishen's people in the Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture."

Their family had connections with both sides, not to mention the Prince of Jin.

And then there's Lu Caishen. Since he dared to open a gambling den and a money exchange in Beijing, he must have taken care of all sorts of people.

"My son knows."

Jia Zhen nodded and said fiercely, "My son will plan the timing carefully and get both families to come out together."

"...Go!"

Shen Ning waved her hand, watched them leave, and then wrapped the sandalwood prayer beads around her wrist three times.

Whether things will work out or not depends on tomorrow morning.

"Madam, won't you rest for a while?"

Once she was sure that the old man and Jiao Da had left, Qingzhu came in to serve them.

As her personal maid, she knew whether she should look away from her mistress with just a glance.

She just avoided it.

"It's still early before dawn."

"Hmm~"

Shen Ning stood up. "I probably won't be able to sleep for a while. Bring me the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, let me take a look!"

"Let me read it to you!"

Qingzhu took the book and said, "Please come into the tent and lie down."

It's so late at night; if the lady gets eye strain from looking at this, that would be her fault.

"...Since you're going to read it to me, then turn up the lamp."

Shen Ningyuan was worried about her sleep, which is why she decided to read it herself.

But Qingzhu is so thoughtful...

Shen Ning smiled and got up. "Read two chapters, then just go to sleep."

When the time comes, she can think about the story and perhaps fall asleep.

"Yes!"

Qingzhu indeed picked up the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, "Chapter 5, Cao Cao issues a false edict, the various garrisons respond to him, the three heroes break through the pass and fight Lü Bu..."

Shen Ning lay down and listened to her story. As she listened, she drifted off into a hazy daze without even realizing it.

But she clearly didn't sleep very well that night.

In his dream, there was the clash of swords; outside the dream, Jia Zhen knocked on the gates of Shuntian Prefecture in the dead of night.

Dong Xiaoquan felt a little embarrassed that he hadn't managed to catch Xie Zhenghu, the dwarf killer.

After all, he was the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and he subconsciously felt guilty in the face of Jia Zhen, the aggrieved party.

Upon hearing that the Jia family had spotted someone resembling Xie Zhenghu, they naturally dispatched their most skilled team of constables.

No one dared to make a big fuss; they simply followed the guards from the Jia family who were leading the way.

Even on Baishui Street, they still didn't know which house Xie Zhenghu was hiding in.

Just then, as the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, some diligent people were getting up.

"on!"

Jiao Da gave a low shout and led the guards to take the lead, directing the people from the Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture.

At this time, the Taibai Tavern was not yet open, but the neighbors on both sides were startled when they saw the yamen runners.

Before they could even scream, they heard the sounds of fighting coming from the Taibai Tavern.

The clanging of weapons clashing, the thud of heavy objects hitting the ground, and the clatter of porcelain filled the air.

"Xie Zhenghu, where do you think you're going!"

When enemies meet, their eyes are filled with hatred. Jiao Da and a group of guards didn't even need reinforcements to make a move. However, they had all been instructed by Jia Zhen to give Xie Zhenghu time and space to escape through the tunnel. Sure enough, Xie Zhenghu had no other choice but to jump down into the tunnel and run for his life.

"Chase!"

Jiao Dayi waved his hand, and most of the guards jumped down. "My lords!" He said to the leaders who also wanted to chase after Xie Zhenghu, "Please stay behind and keep watch around. I don't believe this tunnel can lead outside the city."

This?
The officers and yamen runners of the Five Cities Military Command exchanged glances and, without the slightest hesitation, each sought out the highest point. Before long, they had all climbed onto the rooftops.

Jiao Da was the same; he seemed to have no idea where Xie Zhenghu could eventually escape to, and he was also searching everywhere.

When the surrounding villagers saw their appearance, they all became very obedient, fearing that they would be caught in the crossfire.

"there!"

When the constables heard the fighting again, they rushed toward the sound. Jiao Da also ran with them, stepping on the rooftops of various houses.

However, it was clear that Xie Zhenghu really had some connection with the God of Wealth Gambling House, which is why he risked his life to jump out from this side, made a few feints, and then rushed into the tunnel on the other side.

It was already daylight, and it was no longer a good place to hide.

However, the God of Wealth's Shop is a mixed bag, so perhaps one can escape with their life there.

"Chase!"

The Jia family's guards were still in the lead.

At the same time, the other two patrol teams that Jia Zhen had mobilized were also on their way.

From afar, as he rode his horse, he saw everyone heading towards the God of Wealth Gambling House, and he knew that things had gone well.

"Quick!"

He shouted, "Xie Zhenghu has run away to the God of Wealth Gambling House!"

Jiao Da has drawn his knife, which means it really is Xie Zhenghu.

Jia Zhen gritted his teeth, "Regardless of whether it's an arm or a leg, I'll add another hundred taels of silver as a reward."

He doesn't want to live.

As long as it's dead.

Although Xie Zhenghu is alive, he might uncover some other secrets, but he is not in a position to interfere in politics.

Jia Zhen didn't want to bring all the people behind Xie Zhenghu to the Jia family.

Therefore, the dead are the best.

He had already instructed Jiao Da on this point.

At this moment, at the other end of the long street, a group of people who had traveled to the capital overnight saw the yamen runners and the people of the Five City Garrison cooperate to surround the God of Wealth Gambling House.

Even on the roof of the God of Wealth Gambling House, there were people standing.

Oh dear, this must be a big case!
The people around were also very curious.

After gambling all night, the gamblers, their eyes already bloodshot, couldn't help but try to take advantage of the chaos in the gambling den.

The bolder ones even managed to snatch a few banknotes.

"Don't move, don't move."

The gambling den owner was terrified. "My lords, where is this...?"

"go away."

Jia Zhen, who had rushed over, kicked him away.