Chapter 30: A Dagger in the Back

  After saying a few words with Bao Zheng, he said he was tired and Bao Zheng understood the hint and quickly left.

  After leaving Zhang Gong's room, Bao Zheng asked the county government's chief clerk, Bai Bu Tong, to explain all the affairs of the county government to him. Hua Lang and Wen Meng accompanied him, but when Bai Bu Tong was speaking, Hua Lang and Wen Meng felt extremely bored.

  Just as Bai Butong was discussing official business, Zhou Siping quietly came to find Zhang Gonggong. After seeing Zhang Gonggong, Zhou Siping immediately knelt down and said: "Zhang Gonggong, now that the imperial edict has come down from the court, I will be nothing at all! What should I do, Zhang Gonggong?"

  Zhang Gonggong put a grape in his mouth and sucked on it, saying: "You think I'm not anxious? This package was already a useless thing when Da Li Ping Shi was in office. He's very straightforward, what can I get from him? But that's an imperial decree, what can I do?"

  On Thursday, Ping heard Zhang Gonggong say this, and his heart suddenly chilled. However, at this time, Zhang Gonggong suddenly smiled strangely and said: "But you can rest assured that your daughter's appearance is not bad, and it's no problem to select her into the palace as a beauty or something like that. At that time, you will also be a royal relative, so why bother with a small county order?"

  Zhang Gong said that, and Zhou Ping was slightly better off on Thursday. However, even so, he was still not very willing to accept it, and he also had some hidden worries. If Hua Lang spoke too much, would his daughter still be able to enter the palace?

  Thinking of this, Zhou Ping hurriedly said: "Zhang Gonggong, about the matter of Wen Fang entering the palace, what do you think should be done?"

  Director Zhang naturally didn't know what Zhou Ping was thinking, and casually said: "What else can be done? Selecting a consort for the Emperor is something that cannot be taken lightly. If Wen Mengruo really has a good appearance, she will be summoned to the palace."

  On Thursday, Ping saw this and hurriedly smiled: "I think it's better to let Bao Zheng handle this matter. He is a clean official for the court, now he has to select a concubine for the emperor, he will certainly not be able to decline."

  Director Zhang nodded and said, "Alright, let Bao Zheng handle this matter. Anyway, I don't want to deal with people from the jianghu either."

  Having achieved his goal, Zhou Ping hastily retreated.

  Bao Zheng, on the other hand, was furious after listening to Bai Wutong's confession. This small place in Tianchang County had over a hundred prisoners locked up in the big prison, which was unacceptable. After briefly reviewing the case files, Bao Zheng found that many of them had doubtful points, making him wonder how many innocent people were being held in the prison.

  After Bao Zheng's anger passed, he ordered Bai Tongdao: "You sort out all the case files of Tianchang County for the past few years. I want to re-examine these cases."

  Bai Bao didn't dare to disobey and could only hastily agree.

  Seeing Bao Zheng like this, Hua Lang is also very pleased. Since Bao Zheng is willing to do things for the people, it's naturally a very good thing.

  After Bai Tong left, Bao Gong realized that Hua Lang and Wen Meng were still sitting here bored. He stood up with some embarrassment and said: "Just arrived at the county government office, busy with affairs, didn't have time to entertain you two, sorry for the neglect."

  Hualang smiled faintly and said, "Brother Bao works hard for the people, how can it be considered neglecting us two? Be polite!"

  Originally, it was very boring here and the weather was hot. Wen Meng had wanted to leave early, but Hua Lang insisted on staying because he felt that Zhou Ping would not give up easily and must be looking for trouble with Wen Meng. If so, why not wait for him at the county government office?

  As expected, a eunuch came to invite Bao Gong immediately after he finished speaking, saying that Zhang Gonggong wanted to see him. Bao Gong had no choice but to leave with Hua Lang and Wen Meng first.

  After Bao Zheng left, Wen Meng looked at Hualang and asked: "What did you say Zhang Gonggong wanted to do with Big Brother Bao?"

  Hualang picked up a cup of iced tea and drank it all in one gulp, saying: "Of course, it's about sending you into the palace."

  Wen Meng was startled and hastily asked: "Do you think Zhang Gonggong will hand this matter over to Bao Dage?"

  Hualang nodded slightly, and although Zhang Gonggong couldn't think of this point, Zhou Ping wouldn't give up easily and would naturally use this trick.

  The living room was quiet for a moment, and soon Bao Gong walked out from outside with an angry face. His face was originally very dark, and when he got angry, it became even darker, making people feel quite frightened.

  Bao Zheng sat down in the living room and angrily said: "This Zhang Gonggong is really detestable, actually wanting to send Wen Meng into the palace, how despicable."

  Things turned out as expected by Hua Lang, so after hearing Bao Gong's words, the two of them were not very surprised. Hua Lang only asked: "Then how does Brother Bao plan to deal with this matter?"

  Bao Zheng took a sip of tea and said: "You two may not be married yet, but you are also loving each other, how can I separate you?"

  Hualang nodded at Bao Zheng and said: "Brother Bao can think this way, we are very grateful, but isn't this making things difficult for Brother Bao?"

  Bao Zheng shook his head and said, "What's difficult about it? Since Wen Meng has acknowledged me as her elder brother, I must ensure her happiness. I've already told Zhang Gonggong that it's absolutely impossible for Wen Meng to enter the palace."

  Hualang smiled faintly and said, "Brother Bao, a moment of anger can't solve the problem. Even if you tell Zhang Gonggong, it's useless. If Wenmeng is not allowed to enter the palace, there must be a certain reason for it."

  At this time, Bao Gong's anger had dissipated by more than half. After careful consideration, he suddenly realized a problem - was he falling into the trap set by Hua Lang and Wen Meng?

  The two of them made friends with themselves and followed themselves into the county government office. Is it that they want to refuse Zhang Gonggong's protection for Wen Meng?

  It's possible that Bao Gong thought it over carefully and felt that it wasn't very likely, the things that happened in the inn weren't premeditated, and he wanted to make friends with them himself, so how could he blame Hua Lang and Wen Meng?

  Bao Gong thought for a moment and then said: "Elder brother Hua is right, but how can I say this to Grand Councilor Zhang?"

  Hua Lang glanced outside and said, "To be honest, I have some past grievances with Zhou Si Ping, so he wants to let Wen Meng enter the palace to break us up. I think that eunuch Zhang must have been misled by Zhou Si Ping. Brother Bao, go see Eunuch Zhang again and tell him that Wen Meng is a Jianghu girl, entering the palace would be a threat to the Emperor's safety. Also, tell Eunuch Zhang that Wen Meng and I are already in a relationship, so it's unlikely the Emperor would want her anymore."

  Bao Zheng listened and was shocked, pointing at Hua Lang and Wen Meng: "You... you two really... uncooked rice..."

  Wen Meng's face suddenly turned red, and she couldn't help but slap Hua Lang, who quickly explained: "Of course not, but if I don't say so, how can Zhang Gonggong give up?"