Ke Zifan was secretly annoyed. He had many clever tricks and created difficulties many times, but Xiao Feng resolved them one by one.
Now that he has made plans to return without success, Xiao Feng actually wants him to fulfill his previous promise! Don't you know those promises are conditional?
Originally, I planned to come here to have a bowl of noodles for free, but then I told you that I exchanged the soup noodles for fried noodles. What did I pay? I didn’t eat the fried noodles. What should I pay for?
Now that you have seen through it, if you don't give me a free meal, I can just leave, but you actually asked me to pay for it! The problem is that I didn’t eat any noodles at all, neither soup noodles nor fried noodles. What should I pay for?
"Master Xiao, this time I came to request a reward from the imperial court on behalf of Miao Jiang, but I got nothing. I will be punished when I go back, so how can I dare to agree to other conditions?
Sir, please show your respect and see that we are still somewhat related, please stop being so aggressive, okay? "
Xiao Feng said in surprise: "How can you say you gained nothing? You rescued Niu San from a capital crime and kicked Hu Zongxian out of Miao territory. The chieftain will definitely reward you heavily."
Ke Zifan smiled bitterly. Indeed, if there were not even these two points, this mission would be a complete failure. But he still couldn't agree to Xiao Feng's request.
You must know that if the Ming Dynasty is allowed to enter the Miao territory to garrison troops, the independence of the Miao territory will be threatened. So this one is definitely not acceptable.
As for the thank you note, it doesn’t really matter. But the problem is that only half of the four requirements have been completed. Where can I thank you for this kindness?
After much deliberation, the only thing that made sense was to allow private schools to be opened. Anyway, those who entered were all weak scholars. If they dared to mess around, they would be killed with one knife.
So after thinking about it for a long time, Ke Zifan reluctantly agreed to open a private school and didn't talk about the rest.
I thought Xiao Feng would pester him endlessly, but unexpectedly Xiao Feng agreed happily.
The awkward negotiation between the two parties actually ended in an extremely simple and friendly ending, which is something no one could have imagined.
Niu San and Zhan Feiyun were released from prison at the same time. They looked at each other and sighed at each other. Then they were picked up by the Miao Ambassador and the servants of the Xiao Mansion.
Zhan Feiyun returned to Xiao Mansion dejectedly, but received a hero's welcome, which made Zhan Feiyun blush.
"Where's Miss Wang? Why aren't you in the house?"
Everyone looked at each other, and Qiaoqiao told him: "Sister Yingxiang said she was too embarrassed to live in the Xiao Mansion anymore. Sister Xueer sent a car to pick her up twice, but she refused to come."
Zhan Feiyun sighed. He knew what Wang Yingxiang was thinking, but he really couldn't blame her for this.
This girl looked at him several times in prison, but she didn't even mention that she no longer lived in the Xiao Mansion.
"Where is Mr. Xiao? Where has he gone? I want to thank him in person.
I know that in order to save me, he had to agree to Miao Jiang’s conditions and let Niu San go..."
Zhang Wuxin patted him on the shoulder, his eyes shining: "He went to the palace to do some business.
Brother Zhan, I haven’t seen you for a long time and I miss you very much. Let’s compare notes and see if there is any rust in the past few days in prison..."
Xiao Feng did enter the palace, but he did not go to Jiajing. Instead, in Tao Zhongwen's alchemy room, he carefully took out a pill and showed it to Tao Zhongwen.
The black pills sparkled with mysterious light, just like a black gem inlaid with countless extremely tiny stars.
Even though Tao Zhongwen had made countless elixirs, he had never seen such a beautiful elixir. He opened his mouth wide and said, "Did you make this?"
Xiao Feng nodded and waved the elixir in front of Tao Zhongwen's eyes, making Tao Zhongwen feel itchy.
"Good brother, tell me quickly, what kind of pill is this?"
Xiao Feng smiled: "If what I expected is right, this is the Divine Pill of Bliss."
Tao Zhongwen trembled and subconsciously took a step back.
"Elixir of Bliss? Is that the pill that tortured you to death last time? Where did it come from?"
Xiao Feng shook the pill in his hand: "After I came back to life last time, I was thinking about the difference between the Paradise Pill Xiao Qin gave me and the Paradise Pill sold outside.
Xiao Qin said at that time that there are red, pink, and yellow pills of bliss. The darker the color, the stronger the effect. The black pill of bliss is the strongest.
So I speculate that the higher the degree of purification of Bliss Pill, the stronger the effect and the darker the color. So I did some experiments.
In the process of eradicating the White Lotus Sect, I got a lot of yellow Paradise Pills, and occasionally pink and red ones.
I made a simple distillation and purification device to purify these elixirs over and over again. As I expected, the higher the purity of the elixir, the darker the color.
I spent fifty yellow Paradise Pills and a dozen pink and red Paradise Pills to finally get such a black pill. "
Tao Zhongwen took a closer look at the black pill: "Are you sure that this pill is the same as the one you took before?"
Xiao Feng shook his head: "I can't be sure because I can't test it. It looks the same.
I originally wanted to try using Wangcai, but then I thought about how easy it would be to take care of homes and homes, so I didn’t try. "
Tao Zhongwen swallowed his saliva: "Brother, that distillation and purification thing of yours must be in the World View. Give it to me. I will thank you very much."
Xiao Feng waved his hand grandly: "Whatever you have here, just give it to me, but you have to do me a favor."
Tao Zhongwen said to himself, I knew you wouldn't be so generous, but he was still smiling.
"We brothers can tell you whether we want to help or not."
"Brother, you have been studying alchemy for many years. Master Huo Xuan is by no means in vain. Can you help me turn this elixir yellow while the efficacy of the medicine remains unchanged?"
Tao Zhongwen frowned: "This estimate is very difficult, because anything with a yellow color has some medicinal properties in it. Once the ingredients of the elixir are mixed, the efficacy of the medicine may change dramatically."
Xiao Feng sighed: "I also know that this is not easy, but I have important uses for this elixir, so please take the trouble."
Tao Zhongwen thought about the equipment he had never seen before and gritted his teeth: "Okay, I'll give it a try!"
Xiao Feng nodded and said: "It can't take too long, it must be done within three days!"
Tao Zhongwen was stunned: "Three days, how is this possible?"
Xiao Feng suddenly remembered: "Yes, Taoist Taoist Pyrotechnics also knows some alchemy techniques. Maybe he can solve it. He has been in a daze looking at that thing for a long time..."
Tao Zhongwen grabbed Xiao Feng: "Three days, just three days! If I don't get it done within three days, you can go find whoever you like."
As soon as Xiao Feng came out of Tao Zhongwen's alchemy room, the young eunuch was waiting at the door and took Xiao Feng to Jiajing's monastery.
The third child was there, as was Yan Song. Jiajing had held a big court meeting all day, and he was obviously tired. He was leaning on the futon, with Huang Jin helping to hold his shoulders.
"Junior brother, you performed well in dealing with the Miao envoys at today's court meeting. Yan Song strongly advocated calling you back to deal with it, which is also a good idea."
When Yan Song saw that Long Live praised him, he hurriedly expressed humbly that this was Long Live the Holy Ming. The old minister was just a bald man who followed the moon and borrowed the light.
Xiao Feng smiled and nodded, not in a hurry to continue, because he knew that Jiajing was about to give up.
"But there are still a few questions left. I need to hear what you mean.
The first thing is Hu Zongxian, how do you plan to deal with it? After all, he has real evidence of corruption, although it is not much, it is related to the public morals. "
Xiao Feng smiled: "Senior brother, although Hu Zongxian's defense memorial has not arrived yet, I think there is something fishy about this matter.
Hu Zongxian served as a censor for many years. His rank was low but he was powerful. He may not be as clean as water.
But this man is very smart and has thousands of ways to ask for bribes. How could he use such a method that can't help but be investigated?
But the senior brother is right. Regardless of whether he was wronged or not, the evidence was obtained after all. Therefore, I promised Ke Zifan that it was imperative that he leave Miao territory. "
Jiajing nodded: "You said you asked him to serve in front of the army, are you planning to bring him back to the front line of Xuanda University and serve him under Qiu Luan's tent?"
Xiao Feng shook his head: "Senior brother, Hu Zongxian does have the talent to lead the army. It is better to transfer him from Huguang to the coast, and still serve as the censor to cooperate with Yu Dayou to suppress the Japanese pirates.
Although I am the governor of Jiangnan, I have to implement the conversion of rice into mulberry, eradicate the White Lotus Sect, break up the alliance between Miao and Xinjiang, and many other matters. It is indeed difficult to deal with the Japanese pirates with all my strength. "
Yan Song frowned. Hu Zongxian was well-rounded and had a good relationship with Yan Dang before Xiao Feng appeared. So he has no dissatisfaction with Hu Zongxian himself.
But now that Hu Zongxian and Xiao Feng are so close, the friend of the enemy is the enemy, and Yan Song cannot easily let Xiao Feng get his wish.
"Long live, I think, although what Xiao Feng said is reasonable, Hu Zongxian and Yu Dayou have been friends for many years, and both of them have the power to command troops along the coast, so there seems to be something wrong!"
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Shoufu Yan, this is wrong. When the first Fu recommended me to be the governor of Jiangnan, he listed several reasons.
One of the reasons is that Yu Dayou and I are Taoist masters and disciples, so we have a harmonious relationship and will not hinder each other.
Why is it that when it comes to Hu Zongxian and Yu Dayou, it seems inappropriate that they have been friends for many years and become joint military commanders?
Whether this close person is suitable for cooperation or not, what is the standard for the Chief Assistant? "
Yan Song forgot about this, and was suddenly unable to justify himself when Xiao Feng used his spear to attack his shield. However, he was old and cunning after all, so he immediately found an excuse.
"This and this, the two cannot be compared. How much does Long Live trust you? Can it be the same for Hu Zongxian?"
Xiao Feng smiled: "It is precisely because Long live trusts me that I have to take the initiative to avoid suspicion.
Now the whole world knows that Xiao Qin and I are brothers. I can be the governor of Jiangnan, but the military power must be divided.
Otherwise, even if Long Live doesn't doubt me, I'm afraid the ministers will have objections. Sir, are you right? "
Jiajing felt hot in his heart. This was originally a very sensitive matter. Although Xiao Feng's words above the court made him feel relieved.
But he is the emperor after all. To say that I don't have any grudges about this matter in my heart would be too abnormal.
Jiajing originally thought about how to deal with the matter tactfully, but unexpectedly Xiao Feng took the initiative to bring it up, which made Jiajing a little surprised and a little touched.
Junior brother is so sensible! Since I trust my junior brother, why shouldn’t I trust Hu Zongxian who was recommended by my junior brother?
What's more, Hu Zongxian had made great contributions when the Tatars attacked the city, and he was a man who had proven his talent!
“Junior brother’s words make sense, Hu Zongxian is indeed a talent and can be reused.
Fighting against Japanese pirates is hard work, and on the surface it can be regarded as punishment for taking bribes this time, giving Miao Jiang an explanation.
As for worries about Hu Zongxian and Yu Dayou supporting their own troops, there is no need to consider this. I trust my junior brother, he will naturally be able to grasp the situation appropriately. "
Yan Song stopped talking. In fact, he was just talking about supporting troops and respecting himself.
There are many infantry along the coast, and large-scale army operations are not needed to fight against Japanese pirates. With a total of tens of thousands of troops, it is impossible to rebel if they want to.
"That's it for Hu Zongxian. But after Hu Zongxian leaves, the court will definitely send another censor. Is there anyone in the cabinet?"
Although Yan Song held power, he was not incompetent. He had already thought of several candidates when he went to court, and now he informed Jiajing one by one.
Jiajing was noncommittal because he didn't know the abilities and personalities of these censors. Hu Zongxian couldn't do things well, how could they do them?
Naturally, Lu Bing and Huang Jin would not interfere in this kind of matter. In the end, Yan Song must have the final say. Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng suddenly laughed.
"Senior brother, I recommend a person. This person will definitely be able to take on this responsibility, and he will kill two birds with one stone."
Yan Song looked at Xiao Feng unhappily. Did you stretch your hand too long?
Hu Zongxian is your man. Isn’t it enough for you to have the final say? Do you want to continue to occupy the hole left by Hu Zongxian's move?
But Yan Song did not object and remained silent. This is not because he is elegant, but because he has a practical problem.
Miao territory has never been a good place to be an official. Not to mention being poor and remote, the environment is still bad.
Although we look at green mountains everywhere, in fact, the deep mountains and old forests are full of venomous snakes and beasts, as well as poisonous smoke and mist.
Many officials with weak bodies died in the line of duty within a few months of arriving in Miao territory, before they could adapt to the situation. Some county officials would rather resign than go to Miao territory.
It is better to be a censor because the job is highly mobile. After all, the Miao territory spans several provinces.
If the censor has no sense of responsibility and is unwilling to deal with the Miao border, he can go to stay in a city far away from the Miao border.
But even so, it was impossible to stay away from the Miao border. After all, the patrol censor had to report his duties to the court.
If the court reads your report and discovers that you have always been in the Fucheng sauna and never went to Miao territory to feed mosquitoes, that will also be bad luck.
Not to mention that the people in Miao border areas are quite barbaric. They often accuse local officials of favoring the Han people, and then dare to tear down the county government office at the top of their lungs. Who would want to be such an official?
Therefore, the officials selected by Yan Song were all those who had offended Party Yan, and he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to punish them.
However, there is also a drawback to this matter, that is, if the selected official fails, although he will be angry, it will also appear that Yan Song does not know the person, and it can only be regarded as a miserable victory, and there is nothing to be happy about.
So although Yan Song was dissatisfied with Commander Xiao Feng, in this matter, it would be a good thing if Xiao Feng could take over the pot for him.
"Oh? Can you kill two birds with one stone by recommending a censor? I want to hear how you can kill two birds with one stone."
"Senior brother, this time I met a local priest in Nanping, Fujian. His surname is Hai, his given name is Rui, and his subtitle is Gangfeng. It would be best for this person to serve as a patrol censor in Miao territory."
"Why is this? What's so special about him?"
“This man is stubborn, bold, honest, and loyal to the emperor.
Miao territory is located in a remote area, with mixed ethnic groups, complicated conflicts, and distrust of the government.
Only by being stubborn to the core can we be immune to all kinds of poisons, be fair and abide by the law, and let the people gradually develop the habit of approaching the government when they have disputes.
The environment in Miao territory is harsh, the people are fierce, and officials are in danger of dying at any time. Only those who are brave and not afraid of death can take on this responsibility.
The chieftains in the Miao territory treated the court officials both softly and hardly. If they were tough, they would be soft.
Therefore, only if you are extremely honest, you can be like an egg with no seams, giving no opportunity for flies to bite.
Since the White Lotus Sect has its roots in Miao territory and wants to turn Miao territory into a gathering point for various forces, the censor must be loyal to the emperor. Only then can we be relentless and never let go of suspicious things. "
Jiajing nodded repeatedly: "If this person is really like you said, he is really rare, I want to meet him.
Otherwise, let him come to Beijing to see you first, and then go to Miao territory to take up a post? "
Xiao Feng was startled and thought to himself that if you want to see him, he might just carry the coffin to the palace, so you can just kill him, so you should wait.
"Brother, Fujian is close to the Miao border. Hu Zongxian can no longer stay in the Miao border. He needs to hand over quickly to prevent chaos in the Miao border.
It's too far to come to the capital all the time. It's better to wait until the Miao territory has calmed down before returning to see you in the capital. "
Jiajing felt very regretful, and then turned around and thought about killing two birds with one stone.
"Of course it's good for this person to be the censor, but how can he kill two birds with one stone?"
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Miao Jiang agreed to let the imperial court open a private school. This person is a teacher and has the habits of a master.
The imperial court simply added the position of Professor Miao Jiang to him and asked him to deal with it.
As he holds two positions, he has much more leeway to act. If he becomes a king in Miao territory, he will be able to achieve faster results. "
Jiajing smiled and nodded: "What do Yan Aiqing think?"
Yan Song thought about it, Hai Rui had nothing to do with him, and he didn't even know who he was, so it would be a good idea to shoulder the blame, so he said it was no problem.
The first remaining issue was resolved, and Jiajing was in a good mood, so he raised the second remaining issue.
"Junior brother, Zhan Feiyun has committed a capital crime. I originally planned that if you begged for mercy, I would spare him from death and exile because he, like Hu Zongxian, had made meritorious deeds in the past.
But in the court, you took the opportunity to make excuses for Niu San's release and wiped out Zhan Feiyun's crime. Since the ministers did not object, I will do as you wish.
But I am a little worried about you and have to remind you. Judging from your past behavior, you are never merciful to people like Niu San.
Now that you have exchanged Niu San's life for Zhan Feiyun's, you should not kill Niu San again.
It's not that I'm pedantic enough to ask you to keep your word to such a person, but if you kill Niu San, no matter how secretly it is, Miao Jiang will know that it was you.
At that time, they will inevitably feel that the court has gone back on its word and given them an excuse to cause trouble.
It's not worth it to lose the advantage you have worked so hard for just for a mere bull. "
Jiajing rarely spoke at such length, and today he was really worried, so he reminded Xiao Feng specifically, with the intention of warning.
Zhan Feiyun's life was exchanged for Niu San's life. If you dare to have your own way, I may not hold Zhan Feiyun accountable!
Xiao Feng smiled and saluted: "Senior brother, don't worry, I won't kill Niu San.
A person like him has no conscience, and God will punish him! "
Some people died, but not completely...
