Section 3, Handgun

The wanted notice features my portrait

Then there was no sound.

The music is pleasant, but it is merely a reflection of the moon in the water. Why don't we go and take a look? I heard that Young Master Wang fell ill with lovesickness after just one glance at Miss Miaochun. Alas, beauty is a source of trouble.

At this moment, calling for help would be too late; as soon as he shouted, that woman would likely pounce over. Zhang Wen's heart tightened, and he slowly stood up. His pupils contracted as he sensed a threat to his life, and he could no longer afford to feign ignorance. He glanced at the flute girl beside him and coldly whispered, "Watch out for that servant at the door"

Zhang Wen hurriedly said: "I have never held an official position in this place, and there are some things I do not understand. I kindly ask Mr. Huang for guidance. Otherwise, if I were to be dismissed from my post, you would have no place to collect your money, would you?"

Di Gu's eyes revealed a hint of a smile, and Zhang Wen continued to speak frivolously and recklessly: "I enjoy being with those who laugh, but when this person who doesn't laugh finally smiles..."

At this moment, amidst the sound of the wind and waves, a melody from a zither began to play. Zhang Wen listened closely; the sound was crisp and melodious, exceedingly pleasant, evoking the image of a delicate figure in white seated behind a guzheng.

Zhang had long guessed the reason, but he was astonished at how far their reach extended, even obtaining information about the internal secrets of the Zhejiang Party. He thought for a moment and then feigned a sudden realization, nervously looking at the female hero Di Gu standing at the door, and asked: "Can she manage? What if she is killed first? I don't know martial arts, but does Mr. Huang?"

Sigh, I can only leave it to fate," Zhang sighed and said, feigning helplessness.

"Look at you, really taking it seriously, huh? I guess we are just worrying for no reason," Zhang said, but he still went in to change into a robe, after all, what the flute girl said was not without reason

Zhang Wen exchanged a glance with Di Gu and said, "You wouldn't be trying to lure me out to carry out an assassination, would you?"

Di Gu, instead of being angry at Zhang Wen's frivolous remarks, responded with amusement, saying: "If Bao Si were to laugh often, her laughter would not be worth the high price of the beacon fire that entertained the lords."

Zhang Wen said: "Lai Fu, do not cause trouble, go down there."

Di Gu said: "There is no need for you to explain, my lord. At this moment, you must be somewhat reassured knowing that I am a wanted criminal, right?"

Lai Fu walked to the door, pointed at the man's nose, and scolded, "You are quite something, daring to hit me."

Zhang Wen changed his clothes and asked again: "Why don't you let people see your face?"

Go take a look at what the person playing the piano looks like, and come back to tell me

Di Gu finally lazily uttered another sentence: "Do you really want to know, my lord?"

After a while, Zhang, looking anxious, stood up, paced a few steps, and called out: "Lai Fu, Lai Fu..."

Why don't you let people see your face

Zhang Wenxin said: It seems that this person has some skills.

Lord Zhang, please take care of matters here as soon as possible so that you can set off for your appointment. Rest assured, I will not interfere with how you govern; as long as you remember to repay the money once you have it.

Huang Renzhi appeared unperturbed, speaking in a calm and measured tone: "As you know, this year during the Ding Si examination in the capital, the Zhejiang faction is determined to completely eliminate the Eastern Forest officials from the court, and the two sides are irreconcilable. If Lord Zhang were to be assassinated, the primary suspects would undoubtedly be the Eastern Forest. They would certainly be suspected of attempting to eliminate traitors by assassinating court officials. At that time, the Zhejiang faction would seize the opportunity to attack and discredit the Eastern Forest. Do you understand, Lord Zhang?" If Lord Zhang were to be assassinated, the primary suspects would undoubtedly be the Eastern Forest. They would certainly be suspected of attempting to eliminate traitors by assassinating court officials. At that time, the Zhejiang faction would seize the opportunity to attack and discredit the Eastern Forest. Do you understand, Lord Zhang?"

The wooden cabin is elegantly furnished, with bamboo curtains hanging in front of the carved window, and an antique wooden table and chairs in front of the window, all of which impart a sense of subtle elegance

At this moment, Di Gu finally spoke: "Please, my lord, do not wear official robes; change into your regular clothes"

Di Gu glanced at Zhang Wen, her expression devoid of any emotion; if it were not for her exceptionally bright eyes, she would certainly give off a sense of emptiness

"Enough, enough!" Zhang asked, "If you didn't see it, then forget it. Do you think I care about it?"

Huang Renzhi spoke calmly and confidently, "Lord Zhang, rest assured, they are attempting to assassinate the court officials... such as yourself, Lord Zhang... there are only a few people involved, they certainly wouldn't mobilize a whole troop to encircle you, would they"

Zhang Wen glanced at Di Gu beside him again. Di Gu had returned to her previous languid state, comfortably seated in the chair, seemingly in a daze while her eyes wandered around, completely indifferent to whatever Zhang Wen was doing

At that moment, a woman holding a tea tray suddenly walked to the door. Zhang Wen looked up and felt a sudden tightening in his heart. The woman was quite peculiar, wearing a short jacket with a cross collar, but the sash was not tied, and the garment hung loosely on her body. She wore nothing underneath, and a pair of dough-like breasts were faintly visible, swaying up and down like jelly with her steps

"Stop! Who sent you to deliver the tea?" Zhang asked sternly

Di Gu leaned comfortably in her chair, appearing very relaxed. If it weren't for the two holes in her mask through which her open eyes were visible, one might even think she had fallen asleep in that position.

Oh, that window is open. Let's go quickly; if it closes, there will be no chance.

Zhang Wen smiled and said: "Haha, Di Gu is truly intelligent... Wait, when did I say you were just showy and ineffective?"

This official ship is a large vessel from the Ming Dynasty, measuring nine zhang in length, with two masts, a full load displacement of four hundred liiao, and featuring a grand cabin. Zhang Wenda is an official appointed by the court, residing in the cabin on the upper deck.

Laifu hurried in, saying: "Master, Master, do you have any instructions for me?"

"I said, heroine... that flute girl, why do you always cover your face with such things?" Zhang asked with a frivolous and roguish smile.

Zhang Wen took a breath and said: "What do I have to do with you being wanted... By the way, I am an official appointed by the court, that..."

Zhang Wen glanced at the hand of the woman dragging the tea tray; it was her right hand. Typically, when carrying a tea tray, one would support the bottom of the tray with the left hand, allowing the right hand to easily handle the teacups. However, she was supporting the tray with her right hand. Could it be that her left hand was hidden underneath, gripping a weapon?

"The little one is going now." Laifu ran out.

After a while, he ran back with Banfu, his face filled with sorrow.

Di Gu did not speak

He smiled and said, "That's easy to say, easy to say."

Di Gu slowly took out a black "short gun" from her bosom, and carefully attached a black iron tube to the front of the gun. With a "click," she adjusted something at the back of the gun.

"You finally spoke; I thought you were mute," Zhang Wenda said irritably

Throughout the journey, the adult was not constantly worried that I would only rely on superficial skills. How could someone who only possesses superficial skills evade capture when they are wanted?

At that moment, Laifu turned around and saw a short-clothed servant sweeping the corridor at the entrance, and immediately pointed at the servant saying: "It is him!"

Another voice said: "Tsk tsk, it sounds really damn good"

The woman's footsteps did not cease, as she continued to approach slowly, step by step

Laifudao: "All the doors and windows were closed. The young one dipped a finger in saliva to moisten the window paper. Little did he know that the servant sweeping the corridor, without asking for clarification, slapped him. The young one cursed, 'What business is it of yours?' As a result, that servant..."

Huang Renzhi nodded slightly: "This is only natural; as long as it is something I know, I will certainly speak without reservation."

Zhang Wen sat next to the female hero Digu, who had already removed her bamboo hat. She wore a hard cloth mask on her face and said nothing, which made Zhang Wen somewhat curious as to why this person did not reveal her true face

This is utterly thoughtless, it has completely tarnished my reputation, Zhang muttered discontentedly

Di Gu's eyes revealed a languid expression, glancing here and there with a sense of boredom, much like a neglected mistress. However, when Zhang engaged her in conversation and shared books to alleviate her ennui, she appeared as if she had not heard a word.

I know you are a criminal, so why do you still feel at ease

A voice said: "It must be Miss Miaochun playing the piano"

The matchlock gun lacked a match cord and appeared peculiar, but Zhang Wen no longer cared about how it fired. He focused on the approaching tea-serving woman and reached for the teacup on the table

Because Zhang understood clearly, Di Gu's current relaxation was to conserve strength and energy during safe moments

Di Gu still ignored him, while Zhang Wen continued to smile and said: "At this ship's speed, we will be staying here for a while; it will be at least half a month, if not a month. Since everyone is gathered together, what harm is there in chatting?"

"Yes, master." Laifu glared fiercely at the servant before walking out.

The voice is very gentle, soft and seemingly lacking in strength

What happened? Did you not see it?

Because they were going to Zhejiang, where the Grand Canal is located, they traveled by water. A group of six boarded a merchant ship, with all expenses charged to the government. Zhang Wen was going to take up his official post, which was indeed a legitimate official duty.

Di Gu lazily said, "I am merely reminding you, my lord, feel free to do as you wish"

"What?" Zhang shifted his buttocks slightly, "You... you are a notorious thief?"

Di Gu shook her head: "It is best if you do not speak of this, for if you do, I have my ways to escape. If I run away, it is likely that you will be in some danger."

There are people talking outside the door

Zhang Wen then said: "You are indeed a cold beauty... but with that layer covering your face, no matter how cold you are, others won't know whether you are a beauty or not"