Chapter 38: Second Exploration of the Secret Path
Di Renjie informed Fang Qian. Zhao Ji, Li Yuanfang and others who had nothing else to do also followed him and reported the results of the search for Dushe.

Zhao Ji winked at Di Renjie, which was the signal they agreed on: "Sir, there is no trace of the poisonous snake for the time being."

Di Renjie got the secret signal and knew that Zhao Ji had already spread the news.

"What a powerful poisonous snake! It kills with one blow and disappears without a trace." Di Renjie said quietly.

"Well, let's put aside the matter of the venomous snake for now and talk about Master Fang."

Since entering the lobby, Hu Jinghui has been secretly paying attention to Di Renjie's expression. When he heard Di Renjie's wording and tone, he secretly thought that something was not good.

He thought he was familiar with Di Renjie's character and didn't believe that Di Renjie would let this matter go. Instead, he was certain that Di Renjie would secretly get to the bottom of the matter. He had already made a painful choice in his heart.

Di Renjie had finished threatening Hu Jinghui, and turned to look at Fang Qian, saying in a friendly manner: "Master Fang, don't be too restrained, relax a little."

Looking closely, it turned out that Fang Qian was sitting a little bit on the edge of the chair, with his back more than a foot away from the back of the chair, which looked very strange.

Fang Qian was startled, and quickly apologized with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, sir."

As he spoke, Fang Qian's expression and body relaxed a little, and he moved his buttocks backwards, but he still didn't dare to put his back against the chair.

Di Renjie noticed Fang Qian's actions and said, "Last night, I drafted a memorial and sent it to Chang'an over 600 miles to explain Lord Fang's experience to the court. After the Ministry of Personnel makes a judgment, it will be sent to the Secretariat for review. There will be a reply soon, and Lord Fang can be reinstated."

Fang Qian quickly stood up to express his gratitude: "Since I was rescued, you have taken great care of me. I really have no way to repay you."

Di Renjie extended his hand and said, "This is all as it should be. Lord Fang, don't worry about it. Youzhou has been out of control for a long time. Lord Fang, you should work hard for the king and treat the people well in the future."

Fang Qian stood up again and agreed, "Your Excellency is in charge of the country, your policies are clear and fair, and you are praised by the world. You are very capable in governing the country, let alone Youzhou. With you in charge of Youzhou, there is nothing to worry about. I just need to do my job well."

Di Renjie laughed when he heard this: "The word 'modest' in Lord Fang's name really lives up to his name, but he is too modest."

Fang Qian's expression turned serious, fearing that others would think he was trying to flatter him: "No, no, these are all my sincere words."

Zhao Ji was admiring Fang Qian's outstanding acting skills.

The fake Fang Qian can be said to be extremely arrogant and domineering, while the real Fang Qian is humble and polite, which is simply the other extreme.

That is to say, their positions are different, otherwise wouldn’t Fang Qian be Zeng Tai’s predecessor?
Di Gong's disciples are all over the world. This time, he, Li Yuanfang, Qiao Tai, etc. were involved in the Youzhou case, and this was when Hu Jinghui and Fang Qian defected.

With this efficiency in supporting students and juniors, it would be hard for the disciples to not be satisfied.

Di Renjie ignored Fang Qian's flattery and asked, "Sir Fang, a few days ago, the military officer of the Silver Department reported that more than one million taels of official silver in the treasury were missing. Have you heard about this?"

Fang Qian shook his head: "I have been recuperating in my room since I got out of the cage, and no one has informed me of this yet."

Di Renjie asked again: "Lord Fang mentioned before that you were imprisoned in the secret passage two and a half years ago, is that right?"

Fang Qian's expression froze, and he calculated the time he had made up: "Um, it was... two and a half years ago."

Di Renjie noticed his pause and asked with a smile, "During this period, did Lord Fang hear any movement in the secret passage?"

Fang Qian was a little confused, and blinked his eyes and asked, "Movement? What kind of movement?"

Di Renjie suggested: "For example, a large group of people are walking back and forth in the secret passage."

Faced with this question, Fang Qian fell into deep thought. He didn't know what Di Renjie's intention was.

After a moment, he stammered, "It seems... um... let me think about it carefully."

Fang Qian tried hard to recall the scene when he was discovered in the secret passage by Di Renjie and others.

He was locked up in the cell at the time, and he did hear the footsteps of Di Renjie, Zhao Ji and others, and even their conversation clearly.

Thinking of this, Fang Qian regained his composure and said affirmatively: "Yes, I did hear the noise."

Zhao Ji looked at Fang Qian in surprise and asked, "Does Lord Fang remember when this commotion started and when it ended?"

This question stumped Fang Qian again. It would be easy to tell whether he could hear the sound or not, but how would he know when the treasury was robbed?

Fang Qian looked around, lowered his head and raised it again, unable to make out what was going on.

After waiting for a long time, Fang Qian simply gave up and said, "Hiss... Well, it's been too long, I can't quite remember it."

Seeing Fang Qian evading the question, Zhao Ji pressed the issue, "Then Lord Fang, can you remember when the rebels were most active during the day? In the morning or in the afternoon? You should have some impression, right?"

Fang Qian was stunned again when he heard this, and said awkwardly: "Well, I really didn't pay attention to this matter when I was detained, and I have no impression of it." Di Renjie smiled when he heard Fang Qian's nonsense.

"It's okay. We are just asking casually. Millions of taels of government silver are missing. Everyone in the Governor's Office is anxious. If Lord Fang remembers anything, please tell me in time."

Fang Qian smiled and said, "Yes, if I remember it, I will inform you in time."

Fang Qian thought he had evaded the question, and his body relaxed a little, but his back was still kept away from the chair, which made him feel extremely awkward.

Zhao Ji looked at Fang Qian's funny appearance and deliberately said, "Master Fang, is there any injury on your back?"

Fang Qian was stunned when he heard this, and the smile on his face froze: "Injured...injured? What do you mean, General Zhao? I don't quite understand."

"I think Lord Fang is still too reserved in his sitting posture. He doesn't even dare to lean his back against the chair, so I said this to tease you." Zhao Ji said with a smile.

"Look at General Hu and General Li, they are much more relaxed." Zhao Ji pointed at Hu Jinghui and Li Yuanfang, and indeed, the two of them were sitting beside each other in a relaxed manner.

Fang Qian smiled on the surface, but cursed in his heart: "Haha, General Zhao is really a joker."

But since Zhao had already said this, it would seem strange if he continued to be tense.

Fang Qian made up his mind, leaned back in his chair as if nothing had happened, and a strange smile appeared on his face.

Di Renjie looked at Fang Qian's clenched fist and said with a smile, "That's right. This office is not some monstrous beast. Lord Fang can be more calm."

"Yes, yes." Li Yuanfang and Zhao Ji echoed from the side, and Fang Qian had no choice but to smile professionally with everyone again.
-
Fang Qian sat down for a while before claiming that he was feeling a little unwell and went downstairs to rest.

Di Renjie brought Zhao Ji, Hu Jinghui and Li Yuanfang to the secret passage of the governor's mansion again.

Several people prepared lanterns, opened the entrance to the secret passage in the second hall, went down the stairs, and came to the secret room where Fang Qian was imprisoned.

Di Renjie looked around the secret room again. It was exactly the same as before, empty with nothing but straw.

Li Yuanfang didn't understand Di Renjie's intention and asked, "Sir, what are we doing here again?"

Di Renjie and Zhao Ji exchanged glances and said, "Of course it's to verify what Fang Qian said in the lobby."

Hu Jinghui's expression changed, and he asked in surprise, "Your Excellency, what you mean is that Fang Qian's previous words were false?"

Di Renjie shook his head: "I didn't say that, I just came to verify it."

"Oh, Chengyuan, Yuanfang, go out and close the door of this secret room." Di Renjie ordered.

Li Yuanfang was a little puzzled and asked, "Close the door?"

"Yes, close the door. I have prepared a box for you and Chengyuan. You carry the box and go through the secret passage from the treasury to the exit of the second hall. It's better to talk a little more."

Li Yuanfang understood immediately, pressed the mechanism to close the door of the secret room, and he and Zhao Ji followed Di Renjie's instructions.

Di Renjie and Hu Jinghui were waiting in the secret room.

After a while, both of them heard the slightly messy footsteps of Zhao Ji and Li Yuanfang coming from a distance.

"Sir, what's in this box? It's quite heavy." Zhao Ji said.

"I don't know. Let's open it and see when we get upstairs." Li Yuanfang replied.

Then the footsteps of the two seemed to be getting farther and farther away.

Hu Jinghui heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the noises, and said with a look of joy, "Sir, I can hear it."

Di Renjie looked at Hu Jinghui and smiled: "Yes, it seems that Lord Fang is telling the truth. I am too worried."

"Your Excellency is very careful and dedicated to the public. After all, even a fake governor has appeared. You should be more careful."

Hu Jinghui felt that Fang Qian had not revealed any flaws, and he was completely relieved.

At this time, Zhao Ji and Li Yuanfang opened the door and came in, asking, "Sir, is it done?"

"Okay, very good, let's go out." Di Renjie had been paying attention to Hu Jinghui's expression and his smile became more and more bright.

(End of this chapter)