Time goes back to when Xiao Feng sent Yan Song away. At this time, Xiao Feng no longer cares about Yan Song's future and no longer has any hatred.
The Yan Party has been wiped out, but the officials of the Yan Party are still there. It is not that Yan Shifan died or Yan Song left, these people have been reborn.
They will change their identity and rejoin a new party. Maybe it was himself, maybe Xu Jie, maybe Gao Gong, or even Hu Zongxian or Qiu Luan.
There are too many things to do, and we can only do them from urgent to slow. The most important thing at the moment is undoubtedly the imminent Miao rebellion. No matter how low-key the court is now, this is inevitable.
Xiao Feng first went to the World View. As expected, the old man was tied into a stick, lying straight on the bed, with a piece of cloth gagged in his mouth, whining.
Xiao Feng untied him, and the old Taoist took out the rag, threw it on the ground angrily, and sighed twice.
"I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed. Since I debuted, I've prided myself on being smart and smart, and I've never been attacked by anyone. I didn't expect that I was stabbed in the back by Xiaodong!"
Xiao Feng said leisurely: "Since I knew the date when Yan Song was leaving the city, I told you to keep an eye on Xiaodong. I didn't expect you to be so useless."
The old Taoist's face turned red: "I am ashamed of myself. Xiaodong got the medicine from somewhere and mixed it into the tea for me. After drinking it, I fell asleep.
Normally, I can detect ordinary medicines by licking the tip of my tongue, but the tea is very fragrant, and it was given to me by King Yu last time..."
The old man stopped talking and stared at the cup of tea angrily. He thought he already knew where the medicine came from, but he didn't dare to curse.
At this moment, Xiaodong walked in from the outside with his head hanging down. Before Xiao Feng and Lao Dao could say anything, he knelt on the ground with a plop.
The old Taoist's anger disappeared immediately: "It's okay if you know you were wrong. Get up, the ground is cold!"
Xiao Feng said coldly: "Kneel down, kneel down and burn three sticks of incense before you get up. Think about it for yourself, what will happen if I don't stop you.
The first time I burned the incense, I thought about me. How much effort I put into saving you and how much risk I took. There is a whole family behind me!
The second time I burned the incense, I thought about him. How did the dean come here all these years to save you? You even learned how to administer medicine. Who taught you?
On the third incense stick, think about your family. Did your family send you out to avenge them? They want you to live well!
If you really assassinated Yan Song, it would be equivalent to admitting that you and Yan Song had a grudge. Do you think Long Live is so stupid? He lets you go, but you slap him in the face!
At that time, not only you, but also Dean, Zeng Zaoban, me, and the entire Xiao Mansion behind me will have to be buried with you! "
Xiaodong remained silent, bowing his head and kneeling, tears falling down, wetting his clothes and the ground.
The old Taoist couldn't see this and looked at Xiao Feng with bared teeth. He wanted to beg for mercy but didn't dare. He twirled his hands in circles beside him.
Xiao Feng saw King Yu who was looking into the room in the distance and strode out. King Yu didn't expect Xiao Feng to be there too, so he was startled and turned around to run away.
How could he outrun Xiao Feng? Xiao Feng caught up with him, grabbed the collar of the back of his neck, and lifted his feet off the ground.
King Yu Xuankong turned around and looked at Xiao Feng awkwardly, with a flattering smile on his face.
"Master, why are you free to come here today? Well, I'm here to see how to divide the fairy vines in the World View. Don't you often teach me how to know about farming?"
Xiao Feng put him back on the ground: "Did you give Xiaodong the high-grade sweat medicine? Where did you get it? What is it used for?"
King Yu saw Xiao Feng's stern face and knew that he couldn't be fooled, so he avoided the important things with a playful smile.
"Xiaodong asked for it from me, I didn't give it to her on my own initiative. She said that the dean had not been sleeping well recently and asked me if I had any medicine to help me sleep.
I asked Master Tao for a pill. Master Tao said that this medicine has no harm, except for sleeping. He developed it based on the incense of the Flower Picker Thief. "
Xiao Feng nodded: "I'll go find Tao Zhongwen right away. From now on, this kind of elixirs will be prescription drugs. If anyone wants them, they must have an order from Long live and me!"
Xiao Feng returned to the cabinet and met Zhang Juzheng sitting in the lobby.
The office space of the cabinet is Wenyuan Pavilion. There are actually partitions in the pavilion and it is a semi-open apartment.
The first and second assistants can sit in cubicles and work, but the newcomer with the lowest status in the cabinet often has to sit in the lobby and be on duty.
When Yan Song was here before, this position belonged to Gao Gong. Now that Zhang Juzheng has become a newcomer, Gao Gong can enter the compartment.
So Zhang Juzheng is now equivalent to the front desk girl of the Cabinet Office. When he saw Xiao Feng coming in, he immediately stood up and greeted him warmly.
"Brother Xiao, I heard that you went to see Yan Song off? You really have the style of an ancient gentleman, I admire you."
Xiao Feng smiled: "Taiyue, is there any news from Hu Zongxian? The cabinet issued a document asking him to kill Luo Wenlong and leave Xu Hai behind. Did he reply?"
Zhang Juzheng hesitated for a moment and said softly: "Not yet, Brother Xiao, Hu Zongxian is the governor of Jiangnan and holds the power of life and death. He won't wait for the cabinet documents and kill Xu Hai first, right?"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly and did not answer. He just patted Zhang Juzheng on the shoulder.
"I still have something to do with the Ministry of Industry. If something happens to the cabinet, just send someone to call me."
After Xiao Feng left, Xu Jie and Gao Gong poked their heads out of the compartment respectively, looking at Xiao Feng's back, and Zhang Juzheng, who was looking at Xiao Feng's back.
The two looked at each other, saying nothing, and then retreated into the compartment.
Hu Zongxian had indeed received the Kuai Ma letter from the cabinet, but he was hesitant. Yu Dayou was still on his way back, and Xu Wei was the only one beside him.
Xu Wei saw Hu Zongxian's hesitation, but he said nothing because he knew that this choice was extremely important and Hu Zongxian had to make it himself.
The Ming Dynasty's cabinet documents were not imperial edicts, but were similar to the suggestions of the imperial court. If Hu Zongxian did not act in accordance with the cabinet's ideas, it would not be considered a rebellion. Because he was the governor of Jiangnan, he had the power to make decisions on the fly.
He could kill Xu Hai and report it to the court, and find a good reason to show that the situation was urgent and Xu Hai had to be killed, and the court would generally not blame him for it.
Hu Zongxian has been repeatedly weighing how to deal with Xu Hai since he wrote a letter to impeach Yan Shifan according to Xiao Feng's plan.
Xiao Feng's plan was for him to finally let Xu Hai and Wang Cuiqiao go and kill Luo Wenlong. The cabinet text at this time also represented Xiao Feng's meaning.
But Hu Zongxian felt that it would be more beneficial to him to kill Xu Hai for three reasons.
First, in any case, Xu Hai had participated in Luo Wenlong's rebellious actions, even if it was passive or assistive, he was still a participant. Killing him was justified and there would be no future consequences.
Although when Xu Hai returned to surrender, he had declared that all his past crimes would not be investigated, but the court had been dishonest many times, and this time was no different!
What's more, if Xu Hai really rebels again in the future, today's success in recruiting surrender will become the crime of indulging the enemy. It is better to take profits now!
Second, after killing Xu Hai, Xu Wei and his own talents will be enough to directly control the fleet. Although his strength is inferior to Wang Zhi's fleet, he is the governor of Jiangnan, and the coastal areas are under his jurisdiction after all.
As long as he focuses on training and is more biased in weapons and supplies, Xu Hai's fleet can soon be expanded and strengthened, and eventually it will be enough to compete with Wang Zhi's fleet!
Third, and most importantly, Hu Zongxian felt that killing Xu Hai did not constitute betrayal of Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng was the most awe-inspiring person Hu Zongxian had ever seen in his life, and he was unwilling to fall out with Xiao Feng.
But Xiao Feng is too particular. In the words of Yan Shifan and Xiao Qin, a woman's kindness can hardly achieve great things, and Hu Zongxian also feels the same way.
Xiao Feng's not wanting to kill Xu Hai may not be because he doesn't want to, but maybe he just doesn't want to betray his promise? He was unhappy for a moment when he killed Xu Hai for him, but he might understand later.
This is also the psychological comfort Hu Zongxian seeks for himself. After all, isn't Xiao Feng also worried that Wang Zhi's family will dominate? If he directly controls the fleet, isn't he more trustworthy than Xu Hai?
Hu Zongxian found these three reasons for himself. With his character, he would have already taken action, but he hesitated again and again.
He once asked Xu Wei: "Sir, my killing Xu Hai does not count as betraying Xiao Feng. No one can say that these three reasons are unreasonable, right?"
Xu Wei just looked at him indifferently: "Hu Weng, if that's the case, then why are you still hesitating? I'm afraid you need to convince your own heart before convincing anyone, right?"
Hu Zongxian gritted his teeth: "Sir, you and I are sincerely in love with each other and have the ambition to live and die together. Please tell me clearly what exactly you think, sir."
Xu Wei shook his head: "I was invited by you. As a counselor, I should be your master. No matter what choice you make, it is actually for the Ming Dynasty. There is no right or wrong.
So I can't help you choose on this matter. In life, the most critical steps must be chosen by yourself. Even your parents and relatives can't help you, let alone me. "
Xu Wei knew very well that what Hu Zongxian really couldn't pass was actually his subconscious wish to kill Xu Hailiwei so that other officials could see that Hu Zongxian was not just Xiao Feng's man, he was the big guy!
Late at night, Hu Zongxian walked into Xu Hai's cell, and Xu Hai looked at him hopefully. Hu Zongxian ignored him and just walked around alone.
"Governor Hu, I heard that Luo Wenlong has been beheaded! When can I be released?"
Hu Zongxian turned a deaf ear and turned to leave, leaving a confused Xu Hai behind. Then Hu Zongxian walked to Wang Cuiqiao's door again.
The lights were still on in Xu Cuiqiao's room, and the little maids had fallen asleep. Through the crack in the window, Hu Zongxian could see Wang Cuiqiao's beautiful and haggard face.
"Uuuuuuu, Brother Hai, it was me who harmed you. I shouldn't have advised you to believe in Xu Wei or Hu Zongxian. Brother Hai, I regret it. I don't want to go ashore.
As long as I follow you, I can stay at sea for the rest of my life. If Hu Zongxian kills you, I will never follow anyone. I will jump into the sea to find you. "
Hu Zongxian's face turned cold, he snorted softly, turned around and left. Wang Cuiqiao, who was crying sadly in the room, didn't notice.
Hu Zongxian walked back to the front hall of the Governor's Mansion. While he was meditating, Xu Wei led Yu Dayou in. Hu Zongxian couldn't help but be stunned.
"Dayou? How come you arrived so quickly? I thought it would take two days."
Yu Dayou opened his eyes and looked around, and finally found the wine jar placed in the corner. He picked it up, opened the mud seal, and took a big sip.
"I'm going to work harder! I haven't even stayed in many stores along the way, let alone drank. Wait until I have another drink to satisfy my cravings."
Hu Zongxian looked at Yu Dayou with a smile and drank half a jar of wine before speaking: "Tell me, do you have any orders from Brother Xiao to run back in such a hurry?"
Yu Dayou took out a small cloth bag from his arms and said, "Master asked me to bring it to you. Other than that, I didn't say a word. I asked several times, but Master just said to leave it to you."
Hu Zongxian took it over doubtfully and opened the cloth bag. Inside was an ingot of silver, fifty taels.
Hu Zongxian became even more confused. He looked at the ingot of silver repeatedly and leaned closer to the light to see if there were any words engraved on it, but there was nothing.
It is just an ordinary piece of silver, with the pattern of the foundry bureau engraved on the bottom. It is an official piece of silver, of very good quality.
Xu Wei looked at Yu Dayou without knowing why: "Did Mr. Xiao really not say a word?"
Yu Dayou nodded affirmatively: "I didn't say a word."
Hu Zongxian held the ingot of silver and looked at it suspiciously for a long time. Suddenly, his face turned pale as paper, and the hand holding the silver trembled.
He left Xu Wei and Yu Dayou behind, turned around and left. Yu Dayou strangely wanted to call him, but was stopped by Xu Wei.
"Dayou, let him figure it out for himself. You've been working hard all the way. Come on, come to my room. I'm drinking. The food and wine are all ready for you to catch the wind!"
Hu Zongxian strode all the way, wanting to run, and went straight to the master bedroom in the back hall of the Governor's Palace, scaring the maids on night watch on the roadside to give way.
As soon as they entered the room, the painting girl was pretending to embroider under the lamp, yawning constantly. When she saw Hu Zongxian coming back, she threw away the cloth in her hand.
"Master, why is it so late today? I almost fell asleep."
Hu Zongxian held the ingot of silver tightly in his hand, and his voice trembled slightly: "After you left me, how much did you ask someone to give Xiao Feng for a calligraphy test?"
The painting girl was stunned, why did she think of this thing about Chen Sesame and Rotten Millet now?
"His handwriting test was twenty taels of silver at that time. I asked Xiao Shui to give him five taels of silver and asked Xiao Shui to thank him for me and let me find a good master!"
The painting girl stood up as she spoke, coquettishly placing her proudest piece of Chengzhu on Hu Zongxian's body, and began to fumble up and down dishonestly with her little hands.
Hu Zongxian really wasn't in the mood at this time, and he didn't react at all. His voice was trembling, trying to confirm his guess.
"Did you tell others what I told you that night?"
The painting girl groped perseveringly, not believing that Hu Zongxian suddenly gave up. When Hu Zongxian asked, she couldn't help but giggle.
"Master, you didn't ask me to keep it a secret either. Are you angry? I didn't tell anyone, I just boasted to Yan Niang once before I left.
Master, don't be angry, aren't they happy? Yan Niang is very kind to me. I really treat her as half my mother. I only dare to talk to her about happy things. "
"How did you tell her?"
The painting girl felt that Hu Zongxian might be really angry, so she retracted her hand in fright, but Chengzhu pushed harder. This trick always worked every time Hu Zongxian got angry.
"Master, isn't that what you said to me? Don't you remember?"
The painting girl had tears in her eyes and looked like she had been greatly wronged. I felt pity for her. Hu Zongxian, however, did not care about pity and just kept asking questions.
"Repeat it to me word for word, without missing a word! Just treat me as Yan Niang and say it!"
The painting girl finally got scared, looked at Hu Zongxian timidly, and repeated in a trembling voice.
"My surname is not Gu, my surname is Hu, and my name is Hu Zongxian. He is the censor. He promised to help me redeem my life.
No, don’t worry, Mom, he won’t lie to me. He swore to me: If I fail you, I will die without a burial place! "
Hu Zongxian sat down on the bed, his face extremely ugly, and the painting girl took a step back in fright.
Hu Zongxian stretched out his hand to pull the painting girl over, held her in his arms, gently kissed her thick black hair, and was filled with emotion.
"Hua'er, I must have accumulated virtues and done good deeds in my previous life. Only God allowed me to meet you.
Last time, you allowed me to get acquainted with Xiao Feng, and from then on I showed my ambition. This time, you saved my life. "
Hua'er was held in Hu Zongxian's arms. Listening to his words, she felt confused, but knowing that he was not angry with her, she immediately became happy. Taking advantage of the posture of being held in his arms, he began to tease Hu Zongxian again.
"Master, I don't understand, why did I just save your life?"
Hu Zongxian had already made a decision in his heart. When a stone fell to the ground, his whole body relaxed and some parts returned to normal.
"Xiao Feng must have heard what Yan Niang told you. He sent me five taels of silver to tell me that his friendship with me began with your five taels of silver.
He took money from you in the first place because he made accurate calculations and found a good person for you. But now that he has returned the money to you, do you know what it means? "
The painting girl stopped her hand, thought seriously for a long time, and then shook her head: "I don't know."
Hu Zongxian sighed: "He is telling me that if I do something I shouldn't do, I will die without a burial place, as I said myself.
You are my concubine. If I die without a burial place, your fate will not be good either. When he helped you test your words and help you become a good person, he harmed you.
Since he hurt you by testing your calligraphy, he shouldn't have accepted the five taels of silver, so he will return the money to you. "
The painting girl was frightened and huddled up. She has known Yan Niang since she was a child. Yan Niang is a young lady from an official family. Her family was convicted and implicated in the Jiaofang Division.
She finally came out. If Hu Zongxian is really convicted, her end will definitely be miserable. Not all brothels in the world have a mother as good as Chunyan Tower.
Hu Zongxian put his hand into the painting girl's lapel and kneaded it gently. The painting girl hummed twice, relaxed and rolled her eyes at him.
"Master Xiao wants to warn you. Why do you have to go around in such a big circle and just say no? What if you can't guess it? Wouldn't it kill me?"
Hu Zongxian gasped and threw the painting girl on the bed: "You know nothing, if I can't even understand this matter, is it worth Xiao Feng's trouble to warn?
There are few people in the world today who deserve such attention from Xiao Feng. You and I are one of them. Do you accept it? "
The painting girl smiled sweetly: "If you don't accept it, if you can, just let me scream for mercy!"
A few days later, Xiao Feng received two ingots and fifty taels of silver from someone sent by Hu Zongxian. He smiled slightly and handed it to Liu Xueer.
Liu Xueer looked puzzled: "Brother Feng, you gave Mr. Hu one ingot of silver, and he gave you two ingots of silver. What does this mean?"
Xiao Feng smiled calmly: "One ingot is the painting girl's life, and one ingot is his life. He gave them both to me, so keep them well."
