Xiao An continued, "Find some monks and Taoist priests later to perform rituals by the river to dispel this evil aura, and the rumors will naturally fade."
After finishing this matter, Xiao An saw that Xiao Jingyun had no intention of leaving and asked in a deep voice, "Jingyun, do you have anything else?"
Xiao Jingyun cupped his fists in a salute, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing, and I don't know how to bring it up."
"Good, just speak your mind."
Xiao Jingyun suddenly lifted his clothes and knelt down respectfully.
Seeing this, Xiao An was a little stunned. He asked in surprise, "Jingyun, just say what you need to say. What is this all about?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Your Majesty, I implore you to spare the old Prime Minister. Even if he erred, it was to seek justice for Lord Liu and to right the wrongs for Feng Pengju, but his crime does not warrant death. Why did you..."
Hearing this, Xiao An's face sank, "My son, I've told you long ago that I am doing this to help you ascend the throne."
Xiao Jingyun cupped his fists again, "But, Your Majesty, even if you want to help me ascend the throne, it would be enough to let Old Minister Fang retire. There would be no need to abduct him."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun glared, "Nonsense, when did I abduct him?"
After saying this, he suddenly came to his senses and looked at Xiao Jingyun with surprise, "What did you say? He was abducted."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, looking at his father, and said solemnly, "News came this morning that the old Prime Minister was abducted at a ferry crossing a hundred miles away yesterday morning. Fang Jun and the little girl searched for a whole day without any progress, so they returned to report. I have already sent Zhou Quan to go there."
Hearing this, Xiao An's expression changed slightly.
"Strange, this is truly strange."
"I did not send anyone to do anything else to him!"
After speaking, he glanced at Bai Han beside him. Bai Han cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, your subordinate did not arrange for anyone to track the old Prime Minister."
Xiao Jingyun believed his father and Bai Han, believing they were telling the truth. Thinking of this, he apologized again with a bow, "Your Majesty, your son dares to ask you to issue an edict to notify the prefectures and counties along the way to search carefully and find the whereabouts of the old Prime Minister."
Xiao An nodded, "That is only natural. Let alone Old Minister Fang, even if an ordinary citizen suddenly disappeared, I would have to order a thorough investigation."
Xiao Jingyun then stood up and took his leave. Watching him go, Xiao An sighed deeply, "This matter is very peculiar. It seems more than one group is working against us."
His words made Bai Han quite confused, "Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"
"It's simple. The trick of hiding books in fish bellies outside the city was actually to rescue Liu Xiangnan."
"But it is said that Fang Zheng holds crucial evidence for Feng Pengju's rehabilitation. Then abducting him would mean someone does not want Feng Pengju to be rehabilitated."
"One is pushing forward, the other is blocking. These are naturally two different groups."
"Looking at it this way, it becomes interesting. Both groups are exerting their force almost simultaneously. Yesterday, Fang Zheng was abducted, and today, the 'fish belly hiding books' incident occurred."
After speaking, he looked up at Bai Han, "Go down and prepare. Throw the things into the moat tonight, spread the rumors tomorrow, and then immediately find a Taoist priest to perform rituals."
...
All day today, Chen Xiaobei was immersed in a state of joy.
Even Feng Xiaoyue, who was eager to save her father, felt much better upon hearing that Liu Rumei might be rescued. In the evening, she even joined Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying to drink with Raldo.
But happiness was temporary. The next morning, the tide turned.
The next morning, Chen Xiaobei, along with Feng Xiaoyue, Huang Ying, and the Lotus Sect Leader, still went to the nearby noodle shop for breakfast. Before they had finished their noodles, they heard several newcomers chatting.
"It's uncanny. Yesterday, the big fish wouldn't leave, and today the river is full of dead chickens and ducks."
"Yes, I even heard the older generation say it's a water ghost sighting."
"Yes, yes. Look at all those fish yesterday, swimming on the surface and not running away. This is simply abnormal."
Hearing these discussions, Chen Xiaobei's heart tightened.
Why did public opinion suddenly change? Something felt wrong. Without finishing his meal, Chen Xiaobei threw down his chopsticks and ran towards the west gate. When he arrived outside the west gate, he saw a crowd gathered by the moat. The river was filled with dead chickens, ducks, fish, and even two dead sheep and a dead donkey.
Fortunately, it was the beginning of winter, and the temperature was very low. Otherwise, so many dead things together would have already stank.
"Oh, this is truly sinful. Why have so many died?"
"Look, what is that over there?"
Among the dead things was an old turtle, as large as a washbasin. A deep character "Liu" was carved on its back, and a large red cross was painted on it.
"Oh, heaven has sent down a sign again. This 'Liu' character has been judged with a red cross. This means beheading!"
"Yes, heaven has manifested. Hurry, hurry, kowtow."
"Oh, what are you waiting for? Quickly kowtow to the water ghost a few times and ask him to leave, so he doesn't harm everyone here."
With someone leading, others followed. A large number of onlookers knelt down and kowtowed towards the river. Some even rushed home to get paper boxes to burn.
Watching the bustling crowd, Chen Xiaobei felt a chill.
He and Yang Zhi had worked hard for so long, and finally generated some momentum, but it was quickly drowned out by this grand spectacle. He had to admit that the other party was also a master and was willing to pay a heavy price. Buying so many chickens, ducks, and fish must have cost a lot of silver.
Seeing the common people fearfully beginning to burn incense and kowtow, Chen Xiaobei left in dejection.
It was clear that his plan had been targeted. The momentum he had painstakingly built up was instantly drowned out. At this point, who still cared if Liu Xiangnan was wronged?
And this was exactly the result Xiao An wanted. Listening to the guard's report, Xiao An nodded with satisfaction.
He turned to Bai Han and said, "Prepare to build an altar by the river tomorrow. Hurry and invite a Taoist priest to perform rituals."
"Remember to make it grand. Let the people know that these moats have always been haunted by water monsters."
While Xiao An was pleased, Xiao Jingyun could not be happy.
Zhou Quan had returned.
After two days and two nights of searching, there was still no clue about Fang Zheng. Apart from the carriage he had abandoned, no trace of Fang Zheng could be found.
If it were a kidnapping for ransom, the kidnappers would have made their demands by now, but there was no news. This meant it was not for money.
Xiao Jingyun's mood became heavy. Kidnapping could only be for two reasons: money or murder.
But the old Prime Minister had lived a straightforward life. Who would he have offended?
Xiao Jingyun couldn't figure it out. The same was true for Zhu Ziming, the Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, who was also depressed.
He had personally promised Feng Xiaoyue that he would help her father clear his name, but he never expected Fang Zheng to disappear at such a critical moment.