"Ten thousand taels! Do you know how much a month's profit is from all the gambling houses combined? Could it be that you just made a great contribution yesterday, and today I removed you as the shopkeeper! But the death penalty can be avoided, but the living penalty cannot be escaped! This You have to find a way to earn me back ten thousand taels. In two months, there will be a martial arts competition in the imperial capital, and the Duke of Qin will return to the imperial capital. If this money is short by then, I won't be able to protect you!" Shao Shiwang left an angry sentence and slammed the door. He left, quickly left this villa and got on the carriage.
Gui Wanqiu fell to the ground with a sad face, bloodshot eyes oozing from the corners of her mouth, and her charming face was bright red.
She couldn't hide the fact that she spent 10,000 taels of silver to hire a killer. There was Shao Shiwang's spy inside the gambling house. She didn't know who this spy was, but he spent 10,000 taels of silver yesterday. As soon as the curfew passed this morning, Shao Shiwang came to set up an attack. Asked for guilt.
Fortunately, Liu Xin left early, otherwise Shao Shiwang might have drawn his sword and killed someone if he had found a man spending the night with his mistress in his villa.
Waving her sleeves and wiping her face, Gui Wanqiu stood up holding the table beside her. The sadness on her face had disappeared, and turned into an extremely cold face. Her eyes looking out the door were filled with murderous intent.
She insisted not to tell the use of the money, otherwise Shao Shiwang would not just be angry.
Contacting the Demon Killer Organization is a capital crime!
She was about to go back to her room and change her clothes, which were already covered in dust and blood. At this moment, a hen-like laughter came from the rafters, and Gui Wanqiu took two steps back and looked up with a look of horror.
The tall female killer of the Dog Slaughter Clan jumped down and landed lightly.
Unexpectedly, the rabbit had been hiding on the beam, but Shao Shiwang was a member of Qianhu Jinyiwei, and his own strength was a real Dacheng state, so the latter could not find the rabbit.
The killers of the Dog Slaughter Sect really have some skills.
But they just reached an agreement last night, why did they come back so soon?
"Why are you here?" Gui Wanqiu pretended to be calm.
Tujiao laughed and said: "Don't be so fierce, you are wondering why I came back so fast, right? It's nothing strange. Of course I have to come back to you after completing the task. The boss said that time is money!" "
"It's done!" Gui Wanqiu looked in disbelief. How many hours had it passed?
The smile on Tu's face faded a little, and he said: "We in the Dog Slaughtering Sect always charge money to do things, treat people with trust, and will not make false claims. If you find it, you have found it, here."
After saying that, Tu took out a note from his arms and handed it to Gui Wanqiu.
Gui Wanqiu took the note with a surprised look on her face. There was only an address and the name of a caravan on the note.
Rabbit then said: "The boss also said, let us increase revenue and reduce expenditure. The task of finding people has been completed, so please settle the balance, and then I need to introduce to you our next business. Now that the person has been found, do you need us? Help you kill him, or assist from the side. Kindly remind us that when our people were investigating this group of northern barbarians, they found that they were well hidden at first, but now they suddenly showed their flaws and seemed to be very eager to leave the imperial capital. This is why we got the results of the investigation so quickly, but at the same time, if you want to do something to them, time is tight. We also know something about you, but the Northern Barbarians are not ordinary gangsters, otherwise we will offer a price It won’t be that high.”
After saying that, Tu found a chair and sat down, waiting for Gui Wanqiu to think about it.
Gui Wanqiu's expression changed. If she followed what Tu said, she would have had no time to arrange the arrangements, and Shao Shiwang had already discovered that she had misappropriated ten thousand taels. If she wanted to mobilize people in the future, she would probably encounter obstacles.
"If, if I want you to kill someone for me, what's the price?" Gui Wanqiu asked tentatively.
Rabbit chuckled, with a shrewd look on his face, like a shrewd businessman. In fact, she is indeed a businessman. The Dog Slaughter Sect is currently conducting an assessment. The boss requires each of the twelve zodiac killers to find their own business channels and eventually re-rank. She didn't want to be at the bottom, especially not being close to pigs.
"The person you are looking for is very strong. I can't handle it on my own, but as long as I accept the job, I will definitely complete the task. Don't worry about that."
"So, the price will be high?" Gui Wanqiu is also a senior shopkeeper. For such a superficial thing, it is easy to hear that the price is increased.
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Rabbit's face, but she quickly recovered. As a killer, she is quite thick-skinned. She chuckled and said, "Actually, it's not bad. The person you want to kill may be in the Dacheng realm." For experts, we all charge one hundred thousand taels, but since you are doing this business in a row, we will give you a discount. Ninety thousand taels! You will save the money you spent on searching for someone before!"
"Ninety thousand taels!" Gui Wanqiu showed hesitation on her face. She definitely didn't have the money herself, but the gambling shop did! The turnover of the gambling house is more than 200,000 taels of cash. But it all belonged to Shao Shiwang, and all the previous withdrawals of 10,000 taels were discovered. If I withdraw another 90,000 taels, I'm afraid I will be stabbed by Shao Shiwang without saying a word.
"I know you don't have money, but the one who left just now does." Tu Jiao smiled and said in a seductive manner: "Shao Shiwang, Jin Yiwei Qianhu. Although he is an official, the price we pay to kill him is not high."
"He is also in the Dacheng state!" Gui Wanqiu kindly reminded her. Before she realized it, she had followed Rabbit's train of thought. In fact, she shouldn't have been like this, but the sachet around Rabbit's waist exuded... The lingering fragrance made Gui Wanqiu's thoughts wander, making her appear more radical than usual.
This is a special aromatherapy that stimulates emotions. It is Rabbit's secret skill. It is used to stimulate oneself on weekdays and during practice. But stimulating the brain and making people more excited can also have miraculous effects when used in business negotiations.
Rabbit waved his hand and said with some magnanimity: "Killing one is killing, killing two is discounted in half! Fifty thousand taels! Kill him, and you can use the gambling house's money at will. Fifty thousand taels, it's not casual. Take it!”
"But..." Gui Wanqiu is still a little hesitant. She wants revenge, but after all, she has been in the underground gangster of the shopping mall for so long. She is very rational. Although she is now affected, she still maintains this rationality.
"After taking revenge, it shouldn't be difficult for you to take the remaining money from the gambling house, leave this sad place of the Imperial Capital, and make a comeback elsewhere!" Tu's last words broke Gui Wanqiu's last psychological defense.
Next, Tu took out the contract, signed it with Gui Wanqiu, and then left quietly, taking only the balance of the first task, five thousand taels in silver notes.
Gui Wanqiu watched the rabbit disappear into the pavilion with a determined look on her face as she paused for a long time.
As time went by, the influence of the rabbit's fragrance gradually disappeared, but the determined look on Gui Wanqiu's face remained unchanged without any change.
——
In a restaurant somewhere in the inner city, Shao Shi looked down at the carriage and hurried upstairs. In a private room, he saw Liu Licheng, who had been waiting for a long time.
"Shao Qianhu, I've been waiting for you for half an hour!" Liu Licheng's tone was a little impatient.
Shao Shiwang apologized and cupped his hands and said, "Some things have been delayed. What's going on? Liu Qianhu seems a little impatient today!"
Liu Licheng did not fight with Shao Shiwang, and said straight to the point: "This kid Liu Xin has defected to Dongchang!"
Shao Shiwang frowned: "This kid is quite capable, and he has climbed to another level so quickly! Then it will not be easy for you to deal with him next!"
Liu Licheng waved his hands tiredly and said, "If that's all, then I'll just transfer all the people from his 100 households. How much attention does he think he can get in Dongchang by himself?"
Shao Shiwang nodded, that is true, without the Jin Yiwei under his command, he would be just a rude warrior with no strength.
"But" Liu Licheng changed the subject and said: "But in the early morning recently, there have been frequent movements in the East Factory. Just half an hour ago, most of the people were organized and entered Taipingfang!"
"Taipingfang!" Shao Shiwang frowned even more. It was the place where princes, nobles and top ministers lived. Whether it was a large house or a small courtyard, only minor officials could live there.
"Dare to deploy manpower in that place, it means that Dongchang has found the key clues and key suspects, but there is no news at all in Jinyiwei!" Liu Licheng had obvious anxiety on his face.
"Then what does this have to do with me?" Shao Shiwang frowned. His cooperative relationship with Liu Licheng originated from the adopted son of Tuoba Yunhan. At the same time, Shao Shiwang also hoped to establish a relationship with Liu Licheng, which was also beneficial to himself. If the two parties cooperate, they can gain a greater say within Jinyiwei.
Liu Licheng smiled bitterly and said: "My network of contacts is not as wide as that of Brother Shao. The main purpose of my meeting with Brother Shao this time is to discuss cooperation with you on behalf of Emperor Wu City!"
"Wudi City!" Shao Shi looked at it with his eyes focused.
Liu Licheng smiled and said: "I know that behind Brother Shao is Duke Xin, and behind Duke Xin is Duke Qin. In fact, our goals are the same."
Shao Shiwang nodded silently. Many people in the imperial capital knew about his background, but everyone knew it but did not say it out loud.
Liu Licheng continued: "Brother, my current situation is not good. I was already alone in Jinyiwei, and now I can't even handle the people below. The sect must be very disappointed with me. But little brother, I don't want to sit still and wait for death. This time The case is a key, if I can solve this case, I can continue to stay in Jinyiwei."
After a pause, seeing that Shao Shiwang didn't say anything, Liu Licheng had to put all his conditions on the table: "Brother Shao, you have a lot of energy in the honor circle. I think there is a way to find out what the investigation situation is like in Dongchang." In return, I will definitely bring Qin Guogong’s adopted son to the imperial capital, and at the same time, I will fully support Brother Shao and compete for the position of commanding Tongzhi!"
"Kou Gang? He is not easy to deal with!"
Liu Licheng smiled mysteriously and said: "We have no way to drag him down, but there is a way to make him rise!"
"How to say it!" Shao Shiwang finally showed an excited expression.
Liu Licheng said: "The commander on the right side of Yanshan has a recurrence of his old illness and has been bedridden for half a month. We have a way to upgrade the commander Kou Gang to the right side of Yanshan to serve as the commander!"
"How could you possibly do it!" Shao Shiwang couldn't believe it, because Kou Gang was the representative of civil servants and the nail planted by civil servants in Jinyiwei. How could the civil servant group easily let people pull out the nails they planted.
Liu Licheng smiled and said, "Wudi City has its own solution for this!"
Shao Shiwang was silent for a long time, and looked at Liu Licheng silently. Finally, Shao Shiwang nodded, and Liu Licheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief, showing a relaxed expression.
——
Dongshi, Dong Nuan Pavilion backyard
Bu He stood beside a carriage, his tall body hidden in a heavy raincoat.
In the carriage sat Bileg, the second wisest man on the grassland.
"Buhe, we are leaving today, and you need to stay behind here."
"Yes, elder!" Bu He replied respectfully, but asked with a puzzled tone: "Why do we have to evacuate in such a hurry? We haven't got all the methods to raise horses yet!"
There was silence in the carriage for a long time, and Bileg sighed and said: "I claim to be the second smartest in the grassland, but it is still not enough in the Central Plains. We grassland people are still weaker than the cunning Central Plains people in terms of resourcefulness, and only the arrogant fox Only that guy can compete with the people from the Central Plains in a battle of tricks!"
After a pause, Bileg continued to speak. He knew that Yibuhe's simple mind did not realize what they had encountered.
"Buhe, do you still remember the few times you took action?"
Bu He nodded and said, "I made a mistake once. I'm sorry, elder!"
Bileg took a long breath and said: "Actually, you missed twice! We also missed the time when we killed the eunuch!"
Bu He was confused, he obviously killed the eunuch!
Bileg seemed to be talking to himself, because Buhe was now full of confusion and was trapped. I obviously killed someone, why did the elder say that I missed it? What does it mean!
"Our plan went smoothly at the beginning, but from the moment the first eunuch suddenly wanted to report us, we seemed to have fallen into a trap. We were forced to kill people, and were forced to reveal hidden secrets to ensure that the previous The plan will not fail. We have successively obtained most of the secrets of raising horses, but just before the last core content was obtained, the eunuch named Gui Qinchen actually showed his cultivation in the Dacheng realm and escaped from the imperial city. At that time I thought Bu and you could save the matter by killing people. But in fact, this was all the plan of the man behind the scenes. You killed people, and combined with the previous attacks, we were completely exposed to Jin Yiwei and In front of Dongchang. I asked you to kill Gui Qinchen and his sister, but you failed. This is tangible evidence of that person's existence! I lost, and I must leave quickly. Jian Fangliang was also exposed, and everything about us was exposed. This The plan of more than ten years has come to nothing! I even feel that the person behind the scenes has been watching our actions for more than ten years. It’s terrifying to think about it! It’s terrifying!”
"Elder, Bu He doesn't understand what you are talking about!" Bu He said angrily.
Bileg fell into self-denial again. After being silent for a long time, he quietly said: "I will take a step first, and you will stay here. In two hours, I should have left the city. At that time, you can find a direction and leave here. It’s very dangerous here!”
Although Bu He didn't understand the elder's words, he could still understand the word "leave", so he nodded.
After burning the incense, the carriage slowly left Nuandong Pavilion.
Two hours later, the carriage drove away from the imperial capital city gate, walked onto the official road, and headed north.
Not long after the carriage left the city gate, more than ten riders left the city gate and chased after the carriage.
Yuan Dongxiang straightened his back and sat on the horse. Although the horse was galloping rapidly, his figure remained upright. Liu Xin was one horse's length behind Yuan Dongxiang, and behind him were more than a dozen good players from Dongchang, at least at Xiaoqi level.
They received the news that when they found Dongnuan Pavilion, there was no one there. Then according to the information from Dongchang spies, they learned that the people in Dongnuan Pavilion got on the carriage and were on their way out of the city, so Yuan Dongxiang asked someone to bring the horses. , chased all the way, and finally caught up with the carriage after leaving the city.
But soon, the faces of Yuan Dongxiang and Liu Xin became gloomy.
Because there was no one in the carriage except for a deaf-mute coachman, no news could be found out for the time being.
"Tune the tiger away from the mountain!" Liu Xin's first reaction was this.
When Yuan Dongxiang heard the words "Tiao Hu Li Shan", his gloomy expression suddenly changed. He turned his horse's head, looked towards the imperial capital, and said in a deep voice: "Jian Fangliang!"
Liu Xin immediately realized that the Northern Barbarians might have sent the tiger away from the mountain just to save Jian Fangliang, or to kill someone and silence him!
Turning the horse's head, Yuan Dongxiang no longer cared about his own image, and galloped wildly, even faster than when he came. Liu Xin also immediately galloped to catch up.
When they arrived in the city, they went directly to Zhengyang Street. Only this street allowed the two of them to rush to the inner city as quickly as possible.
Along the way, Yuan Dongxiang gathered his inner strength, held up the Dongchang waistband with one hand, and kept shouting: "Donchang is handling the case, and idlers should stay away!"
The journey was indeed smooth.
At this time, in the east of the imperial capital city, there was an old man sitting on the back of an ox at the city gate, and two middle-aged men who seemed to be his sons were following him. The three of them were all dressed as old farmers, and they left the city swaying. door without encountering any obstacles.
The old man on the back of the cow turned his body and glanced at the Imperial City, the light in his eyes flashed away. He murmured: "Buhe, don't be reckless, come back alive!"
——
Inner City, Qi Mansion
Qi Ji, the right minister of the Ministry of War, did not go to court today, but reported illness at home.
The Qi government is relatively deserted. Qi Ji's wife died young and he has only one son, who is now the magistrate of Hanzhong. He was alone in the imperial capital. On weekdays, apart from going to court and working, he would write and practice calligraphy at home.
In addition, he is good at charity and most of his servants are beggars. After there were enough servants at home, he would send the rescued people to their hometown to work in the fields.
In short, in the imperial capital, Master Qi Ji is well-known for his good name.
In Qi Mansion's study, Qi Ji looked calm, but the wolf hair in his hand was trembling slightly, and his heart was very uneasy.
Just an hour and a half ago, a northern barbarian old man came to the door from the backyard and startled him.
The news that followed frightened him even more.
Jian Fangliang is his protégé, and if Jian Fangliang is investigated, he may be next.
But he was not too panicked at this time. After all, this old man of the Northern Barbarians was known as the second wisest man of the Northern Barbarians. He was a very wise man. In the past ten years, he had arranged everything by his own hand, and Qi Ji had been able to grow from a young boy to a young man. The small chief of the Ministry of War was promoted to the current right minister of the Ministry of War.
At the beginning of the year, he learned about the secrets of raising horses through Cui Wenxiu, the head of the Royal Horse Supervisor, and then got in touch with these eunuchs through his disciple, Jian Fangliang, the bachelor's student. Then he used helping them leave the imperial city as a condition to trick them into handing over the secret technique of raising horses.
This secret technique is indeed very important at the overall level, but at the lower level, many people don't care too much.
He also successfully gained the trust of several eunuchs, but at this moment, one of them suddenly showed signs of betrayal. Under Bileg's arrangement, the team successfully solved this person.
It was quiet for a while, but not long ago, these eunuchs died one after another, but he clearly remembered that he did not take action, and Bileg should not take action either, because it was not in their interests.
To the Northern Barbarians, the secret of raising horses was important, but his traitor was also very important.
After a series of events happened, Qi Ji found that he and the Northern Barbarians were forced into an extremely dangerous situation. But this situation seems impossible to break, as if there is a pair of invisible hands behind them manipulating them.
During this period of time, he had been planning and trying to win back the situation, but in the end it was to no avail. He received the news early in the morning that the man he arranged to be at the city gate was missing, and the two remaining eunuchs in the imperial city were also dead. This made Qi Ji feel guilty, but he didn't know if Bileg was responsible for this.
It wasn't until Bileg came to the door that he knew that he had already stepped into death with one foot.
Bileg came to the door just to tell him to leave here as soon as possible. Bileg arranged a backup plan, so that at least within one day, Qi Ji would be safe.
Qi Ji can only choose to believe.
At this time, although Qi Ji was flustered, he was not confused yet, because he had long expected that he might have this day, so many back-ups had been arranged, and he was confident that he could leave safely.
Until one person visits.
"This is the first time I have seen Mr. Qi's name. He is indeed well-deserved!"
A middle-aged man's voice came from one side. Qi Ji's hand shook, and each word immediately turned into a ball of black ink. He raised his head, looked at the middle-aged man, and said bitterly:
"Master Ao, what exactly do you want to do?"
