The eleventh year of Xuyang, July 16th
The scorching heat of midsummer was briefly dispelled on this day. Dark clouds covered the entire imperial capital, and the rain continued, which seemed to indicate that today was an unusual day.
As soon as the curfew passed in the morning, Liu Xin, who was having breakfast in the side hall, received an urgent order from Jin Yiwei.
Liu Xin finished his meal in a hurry, mounted his horse and rushed to Baihu's residence.
Jin Yiwei has an urgent order and must arrive as soon as possible.
It takes less than half an hour to get there from Biianfang to Baihusuo by horse. The curfew has just passed and there are not many people on the street.
Riding a horse and galloping, this horse that Liu Baihu cherished was actually quite old and its speed was no longer at its peak. Therefore, Liu Xin thought to himself that he could change the horse, but he didn't know the price of a precious colt. Go back and ask Senior Brother Cheng.
As we galloped along, the tiny fish wet the fish dragon suit. The back was dry, but the front was wet.
When the horse arrived in front of Baihu Station, Liu Xin turned over and dismounted. A school captain immediately recognized Liu Xin and quickly stepped forward to lead the horse away.
Liu Xin strode into the Baihu Institute. The Baihu Institute was already packed with people, and most of the school captains had already arrived. The four general bannermen, Guo Yong, Liu Fu, Ding Mingfu and Jiang Shixi, have also been equipped.
"What is the urgent order from Qianhu Office?" Liu Xin got straight to the point and asked as soon as the person appeared.
Guo Yong turned his head and saw Liu Xin, with a complex and resentful look on his face, as if he had been missing for several days, why are you here now? Do you know how I lived before?
"Liu Baihu, you're here!" Guo Yong said hello first.
Liu Fu was an honest man. When he saw hundreds of households asking questions, he followed Guo Yong and told him a major event that happened in Jinyiwei last night.
After listening to Liu Fu's narration, Liu Xin was shocked for the first time, because last night a thousand members of Jinyiwei died, and they were in the imperial capital.
"Shao Shiwang is dead?" Liu Xin blurted out.
Guo Yong frowned slightly. He felt that Liu Baihu's words were a bit too straightforward, and he was from Qianhu, so how could he call him by his first name. But now is not the time to care about this, so Guo Yong replied:
"Yes, Shao Qianhu died on Fangma Street in the outer city. According to the investigation this morning, Shao Qianhu was attacked on his way home from Mingyue Xiaolou. The commanding officer personally ordered it, and Kou Tongzhi personally inspected it. At the scene, it was discovered that there were only two killers. One was good at long-range attacks and used an iron bow of at least seven stones! The other was good at close combat. Shao Qianhu’s guards were all killed by bows and arrows, while the other entangled Shao Qianhu. .”
"The two killers may both be in the Dacheng realm!" Guo Yong finally concluded.
Liu Xinwen was speechless. The imperial capital was really a mixed bag. Any case would be three Dacheng realms. As a Qianhu, Shao Shiwang was also a senior Dacheng realm. This was the rigid standard for serving in Qianhu!
Anyone in the Dacheng realm is enough to establish a sect in the world!
Of course, this was before Emperor Wu City dominated the world, but it was still enough to become a powerful force and its reputation spread far and wide.
There is one point in Guo Yong's words that Liu Xin cares about very much, and that is Iron Gong, at least seven stones!
If it were not a coincidence that two masters who were equally good at using bows appeared, then this person should be the same person who attacked and killed Jian Fangliang yesterday!
"So what are the preparations in the guardhouse now?" Liu Xin wanted to know what Jinyiwei was going to do next.
Guo Yong said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty the Commander has given orders for the Jinyi Guards to strengthen inspections of the inner city, as well as all outsiders in the imperial capital in the near future!"
"That's it?" Liu Xin frowned. A thousand households were killed. Shouldn't there be a massive search for the two killers?
Guo Yong explained for Liu Xin: "It's like this. Shao Qianhu is not only a member of the Imperial Guard, but also a member of the Xungui. His teacher went to the commander early this morning and hoped that we would keep a low profile."
"Shao Shiwang's teacher?" Liu Xin was confused. The information given to him by the covert investigation team did not contain much information about Shao Shiwang. After all, a thousand households were just a small fish in the eyes of the covert investigation team.
Guo Yong's voice couldn't help but become softer. He took two steps forward and said, "Shao Qianhu's teacher is Jiangyin Gong Xia Yunhe, one of the five princes of the country!"
It's him!
Liu Xin knew that this Duke of Jiangyin was once Zhu Guangxiao's deputy and a fierce general in the world. Now he is very old, but he is still a powerful figure among the nobles.
It's just that he now seems to be a member of Tuoba Yunhan's lineage, and he is the kind of person who is willing to sacrifice himself and serve as a pawn for Tuoba Yunhan without any regrets.
"Shao Qianhu once joined the army and followed orders from Duke Jiangyin. Later, Duke Jiangyin took care of the position of Guard Qianhu for him!" Guo Yong told all the news he knew and heard over the years. out.
Liu Xin nodded, knowing that Tuoba Yunhan was currently alternating military power with Zhu Guangxiao. Although His Majesty the Emperor's decree has not yet been issued, several parties have reached a tacit understanding. As Zhu Guangxiao is the current Zhengyang God of War and First Marshal, most of the entire military are his disciples or brothers.
Although Tuoba Yunhan's military exploits were not much lower than Zhu Guangxiao's, his foundation was, after all, somewhat shallower than Zhu Guangxiao's. When Zhu Guangxiao rose to power, Tuoba Yunhan was still a second-generation nobleman.
When Tuoba Yunhan rose, many people were already tied to Zhu Guangxiao.
Of course we can call each other brothers when everything is fine, but at critical moments when we need to take sides, no one will take into account our usual friendship.
Since it is a transfer of power, it involves huge interests.
If the veterans give up their positions to the juniors, they must be given some benefits. Not everyone has outstanding military achievements like Tuoba Yunhan. When everyone is the same, why should I give my position to you? If you don't feed me and give me enough benefits, what will happen to you if I just don't move my butt?
As for younger people, since you want to change teams, you can do it, and so can others. There are many people waiting to carve up the portion of the pie left by Zhu Guangxiao.
In fact, Zhu Guangxiao and Tuoba Yunhan had a very good relationship, but at this time, Zhu Guangxiao had to remain silent for the benefit of those who followed him.
In order to successfully succeed what Zhu Guangxiao left behind, Tuoba Yunhan is also carrying out a series of activities, passively or actively. The group of people who were following him naturally went all out at this time. As long as Tuoba Yunhan got more, they would get more in the future.
The best among them is Jiangyin Gong.
Duke Jiangyin's daughter is one of the two biggest underworld leaders in the imperial capital, and she has made a lot of money just to support Tuoba Yunhan's actions.
In fact, this matter was quietly promoted by the emperor behind the scenes. In the process of the replacement of old and new officials, the change of official positions was not decided by the two officials themselves, but also required the consent of His Majesty the Emperor.
In other words, the emperor earned the price difference in this process, which can also be said to be a handling fee.
At this critical moment, a very important helper of Duke Jiangyin died suddenly. I don't know what was hidden behind this. Therefore, Mr. Jiangyin will definitely investigate, but he must suppress the matter first and then investigate in secret.
Liu Xin was thinking like this until Guo Yong spoke, interrupting Liu Xin's thoughts: "Now Liu Qianhu has asked us to allocate half of our manpower. This part of the manpower will be supplemented for inspections in the city. It seems that it will be allocated to the internal police." The Thousand Households in Zhongcheng are here.”
"That's not..." Liu Xin stopped mid-sentence. The Thousand Households Office in Inner City was directly under the command of Jinyiwei Commander Wang Zhongjie.
Speaking of which, he has never met Lord Wang Zhongjie until now. He has only met Kou Gang, the top leader of Beizhen Fusi.
Guo Yong seemed to see the meaning of Liu Xin's words and nodded silently.
Liu Xin nodded in agreement.
In fact, regarding Shao Shiwang's matter, Jin Yiwei issued an urgent order to let everyone keep it a secret and not to spread it outside without permission.
In fact, it was the commander who got Lord Jiangyin's understanding and prepared to investigate in private. Don't make the whole city a storm. The matter with the Royal Horse Supervisor is not over yet, and another incident comes up later. If it comes to Heaven, there is no telling how angry Your Majesty will be.
Now, although it is not hidden from the emperor, it is said in an understatement by a specific person. After all, a thousand households of royal guards and an earl can mean nothing in front of the emperor.
Shao Shiwang's matter is just a small matter to the Inner East City Thousand Households Office, while the case of Yuma Jian is on the head of the Inner East City Thousand Households Office. This is the most important matter.
Cheng Guotao personally came to the Wenxuanfang Hundred Household Office shortly after Liu Xin ordered Mao. Cheng Guotao first glanced at Liu Xin with a strange look, and then said straight to the point without hiding it:
"Master Qianhu said that the Yumajian case has made significant progress. Let me ask Liu Baihu."
Liu Xin also preferred this way of speaking, so he said the words he had prepared long ago: "Master Qianhu, don't be anxious, I am lurking in the East Factory just to detect news for our Jinyiwei!"
Cheng Guotao had a look of surprise on his face and asked, "What can Liu Baihu find out?"
Liu Xin gave an overview of Jian Fangliang's matter, saying that the possible evidence had been destroyed, and that the person who destroyed the evidence was also a master of using a big bow. At least Yuan Dongxiang did not dare to pursue easily.
Cheng Guotao came here just to test Liu Xin. Liu Xin said it simply, so he didn't stay long and Cheng Guotao hurried back to Qianhusuo.
After listening to what Liu Xin said to Liu Licheng, Liu Licheng's expression remained unchanged and his fingers kept tapping on the table.
"Brother, is what Liu Xin said false? What's the coincidence? The person who destroyed the evidence they found is the same person who killed Shao Qianhu?"
Cheng Guotao questioned Liu Xin's words, but Liu Licheng shook his head and said, "It's not necessarily all lies. At least it's true that Yuan Dongxiang and a group of Dongchang people were attacked on West Chang'an Street yesterday. Moreover, some people did see someone shooting with a crossbow on the street, and there was also a rocket burning something. In the end, Yuan Dongxiang only returned to the imperial city with the help of a large number of Dongchang people, which also shows that Yuan Dongxiang is also very afraid of that archery man!"
Liu Licheng stopped tapping his fingers and looked out the door with sharp eyes and said: "The same bow master appeared in the imperial capital at the same time. It is most likely the same person! It seems that we are going to get involved in Shao Shiwang's case. ”
Cheng Guotao was surprised and said, "That is a case handled by the commander himself."
Liu Licheng smiled and said: "The investigation of this case is a joint effort between the commander and Jiangyin. We don't necessarily have to start from the Jin Yiwei."
Cheng Guotao said: "You mean, from Mr. Jiangyin?"
Liu Licheng touched his palms and felt that he had never been so wise. He said slowly: "With Shao Shiwang's death, the outer city will lose one thousand households. Shao Shiwang and I have already been working on letting a person enter the imperial capital Jinyiwei. And this person is Mr. Jiangyin will definitely help. With this, we can find the master of using the bow. If we find him, we will be safe in the Yumajian case. Even if we don't find the real murderer in the end, we will at least have no fault. But at the same time, we have a close relationship with Jiangyin. The bus is good, even with the one behind him..."
At the end of his speech, Liu Licheng could no longer restrain the corners of his mouth from rising.
This was the first time in this period that Cheng Guotao was so happy to see his family's thousands of households.
------------------
Outside the imperial capital, Ao Changshen was dressed in regular clothes, standing on the side of the official road, watching a carriage slowly leave the imperial capital, heading further north.
When the carriage disappeared at the end of the road, Ao Changshen got on his carriage. There was already a middle-aged man in the carriage who had been relaxing for a long time.
The middle-aged man was Qi Ji. He opened his eyes, looked at Ao Changshen lightly and said:
"What did Elder Bileg tell you?"
This sentence is an obvious temptation.
Ao Changshen smiled and said: "What are you afraid of, Master Qi? We will be our own people in the future. The Northern Barbarian elder asked me to cooperate with you. He is very satisfied with your move to bring me here!"
"Do you think I will believe it?" Qi Ji sneered.
They arrived here half an hour ago, with no luck.
In a teahouse where all the Northern Barbarians were gathered, Ao Changshen and Qi Ji drank tea with the Northern Barbarian wise man Bileg.
Ao Changshen just handed a note to Bileg. After Bileg read it, he was silent for almost a quarter of an hour. Then Qi Ji was invited onto the carriage, and Bileg only said one sentence to Qi Ji:
"Continue to stay in the Imperial Capital, you will be fine, continue to play your role!"
Then for the next quarter of an hour, Qi Ji could only see Ao Changshen and Bileg communicating through the car window from a distance, almost without stopping.
But Qi Ji couldn't tell anything from their expressions.
Then came the previous scene. Bileg didn't even communicate with Qi Ji before leaving, which made Qi Ji feel faintly uneasy.
But now he has nothing to do. The northern barbarian warriors who were originally used to protect him have all followed Bileg. Now he and Ao Changshen are the only ones here. If it weren't for the fact that there was a guard he absolutely trusted following the carriage, he would have almost escaped.
But he didn't dare to bet that once he escaped, not even Ao Changshen, even the northern barbarians would let him go.
Bileg has said that he should continue to play his role, which means that the Northern Barbarians need him to continue to be his right minister in the Ministry of War.
In silence, the carriage returned to the Imperial City.
It was just after the curfew when we left the city. We left the city through Fucheng Gate on the west side of the imperial capital and had a smooth journey.
When he entered the city, he encountered a carriage search. Qi Ji could feel the hostility of the man who searched the carriage. It was a very uncomfortable and familiar feeling to him.
Ao Changshen on the side said: "Jinyiwei!"
At this time, Ao Changshen's expression also darkened, no longer as calm as before.
Soon they arrived at their carriage. A guard who had changed his attire opened the curtain and let the two of them get out of the carriage. Then another clerk came over to question the two of them carefully.
The clerk asked very detailed questions. It would be difficult for the two unprepared people to get through.
Qi Ji, who hesitated in the end, was almost caught by the Jin Yiwei who looked evil. Ao Changshen, who had been watching from the corner of his eye, cursed trash in his heart, and then suddenly shouted loudly:
"Who are you? How dare you question me like this? Come to the commander of your city defense. I won't change my name or surname, Ao Changshen! I don't have anything to prove my identity. My face is the proof!"
The aura of a superior came out, and the interrogating civil servants and the imperial guard suddenly did not dare to be arrogant. The real guard at the other side of the city gate immediately trotted to invite someone.
As city gate guards, they are actually quite knowledgeable. They are familiar with some high-ranking officials in the imperial court, and they are even familiar with the driving of some high-ranking officials. In particular, Fuchengmen is close to Taipingfang, and many dignitaries come and go.
They are very familiar with the name Ao Changshen. The Metropolitan Procuratorate is a knife on the heads of hundreds of officials. This Ao Changshen is the fourth highest ranking member of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but his weight is not among the ministers of the six departments. Down.
Soon the commander of the city gate guards arrived. He naturally knew Ao Changshen, so he explained the situation here with a flattering smile while quickly letting Ao Changshen and Qi Ji's carriage pass.
Ao Changshen learned about Shao Shiwang's death and Jin Yiwei's actions from the commander, but the civil servant was not from Jin Yiwei.
Ao Changshen is not an ordinary person. As the fourth highest ranking person in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he is actually expected to become the leader of the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the future, so he naturally has a few tricks up his sleeve. He thought of Duke Jiangyin, and quickly understood that the civil servants at the city gate should be the work of a group of nobles from the Duke of Qin faction headed by Duke Jiangyin.
Who killed Shao Shiwang without opening his eyes and stirred up a hornet's nest?
Ao Changshen ignored the matter and ignored it. When he arrived at Taipingfang, Ao Changshen bowed his hands politely and got out of the carriage, returning to his residence on his own. His residence was naturally also in Taipingfang.
Qi Ji opened the curtain and watched Ao Changshen go away, but his eyes flickered and he didn't know what he was thinking about.
"Go back home!" Qi Ji lowered the car curtain and said coldly.
Not long after, Qi Ji got out of the car after returning to Qi Mansion. He waved and followed the carriage. The silent young man carrying a sword quickly followed Qi Ji.
This is a silent young man, tall and thin, unsmiling, usually silent, standing aside, like a transparent person.
But he was the source of Qi Ji's courage in the imperial capital. In fact, ever since he became a pawn of the Northern Barbarians, he had been trembling with fear every step of the way. Especially since he has to work hard in the officialdom, he is always afraid of being discovered as a traitor.
This is actually the common criminal mentality of those who commit crimes.
Everyone seems to be doubting themselves and staring at themselves.
And this young man started following him five years ago. This man's origins were very clean, and the person who recommended him to him was his only son, so he never had any doubts about this man from the beginning.
Qi Ji didn't know much about this young man. He only knew his name and that he was his son's comrade in the frontier army. The two had experienced life and death together. Facing the Northern Barbarians' cavalry, this young man had saved his son's life. life!
Arriving at the side hall, Qi Ji closed the door and said to the young man in a deep voice: "Xing Jian! Remember my old friends. You go contact them and gather tonight. We will leave the imperial capital early tomorrow morning!"
The young man's name is You Xingjian.
You Xingjian nodded silently and was silent for a moment. Seeing that Qi Ji had no other instructions, he simply turned around and left the room. He left the Qi Mansion and walked south to the outer city.
Qi Ji looked at You Xingjian's departure and suddenly felt deflated and fell down on his chair.
