After returning to the government office, everyone began to go about their routine. After examining the body, they quickly concluded that the man had indeed died of suicide rather than suicide. After the coroner reported the situation to Zuo Gongming, Zuo Gongming sent the exhausted people back, leaving only a few government officials to guard the government office.
Everyone had been tense physically and mentally for several days. Now that the case had made significant progress, they felt more relieved. When Master Zuo asked everyone to go back and rest, they hurried away as if they had received an amnesty.
After everyone left, Zuo Gongming locked himself in the house. After making sure that there was no one else outside, he carefully took out the box in his arms.
The box was gently placed on the table motionless. The late autumn sky was already a bit chilly, but this small square box was extremely hot for Zuo Gongming. He still seemed a little worried, so he opened the box and checked it again. After making sure that the contents were still intact, he closed the lid again with peace of mind.
What to do?
The thief had been caught and even committed suicide out of fear of the crime. The dirt was now in his hands, but Zuo Gongming was not excited or relaxed at all. On the contrary, he felt a little depressed, so depressed that he could not breathe. There was such a commotion on the street just now. The neighbors must know that Jingzhao Mansion has caught a thief. People are naturally nosy. If they spread the word, it won't take long for the whole city to know. When the time comes, it may spread to the palace. What will become.
no! Need to get attention as soon as possible! He had no friends in Chang'an, and he was new to Jingzhao Mansion, so he didn't even have anyone to discuss with at the moment.
After thinking for a moment, Zuo Gongming suddenly stood up, opened the door and shouted outside: "Here comes - prepare the sedan chair -"
...
When the officers and soldiers acting as sedan bearers carried the sedan to the main entrance of Jiang Mansion with noisy sounds, Master Zuo in the sedan shouted at them to stop, and then asked them to carry the sedan to the back door of Jiang Mansion again.
The Jiang Mansion was so big that the officers and soldiers carried the sedan chair and walked more than half a circle around the courtyard wall before arriving. The sedan quietly stopped at the back door of Jiang Mansion. Zuo Gongming asked his men to look left and right first. After making sure there was no one around, he opened the sedan curtain and quickly walked into the mansion.
Why did Zuo Gongming come to Jiang Mansion again? Because he is really in trouble! As the saying goes, the authorities are confused. At this moment, he really wanted to find someone who had nothing to do with the matter and had extraordinary wisdom to discuss it.
Originally, Zuo Gongming didn't have many friends. In the huge Chang'an Zhonglian company, there were only one or two who could talk to each other intimately. But since he offended Wang Yanqing last time, even those one or two remaining friends have left him. Now that he is confused and in a dilemma, all he can think of is the old man of the Jiang family - only he reached out to save him when he was in desperate situation, only he reminded himself kindly when the storm was about to come, that the old man would use this in the future. Is it convenient to have a friendship? Maybe, but at least the friendship between the two parties at this time is 'pure', and it is precisely because of this that Zuo Gongming dares to come here at this juncture.
Zuo Gongming was thinking while walking. He was very familiar with Jiang Mansion, but today he was no longer a guest of Jiang Mansion. The difference in status had brought about psychological changes. He could no longer carry a pot with him as he did in the past. Xiaojiu ran directly to Mrs. Jiang's courtyard door and knocked on the door. He asked his servants to inform him, and he went straight to the reception hall to wait.
A burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and Jiang Bai's figure first appeared in Zuo Gongming's sight. Seeing Zuo Gongming taking the initiative to come to his house, Jiang Bai seemed very happy.
"Brother Shanshi! Why didn't you say anything when you came? I wanted the house to prepare wine and food."
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty once gave Zuo Gong the name "Shan Shi". Jiang Bai called him "Master Zuo" in the government office or when others were around. If it was in a private place with no outsiders, Jiang Bai would affectionately call him "Shan Shi". Brother'.
"Brother Bai, Brother Yu came here because something unexpected happened and he was not notified in advance. I still hope Haihan."
“Eh—Brother Shanshi is out of sight now!”
Jiang Bai was about to pull Zuo Gongming to say a few more words, but suddenly a servant came running in and said to Zuo Gongming: "Master Zuo, my old lady will be here soon, please wait a moment."
"Brother Shanshi, please wait a moment, my father will be here soon."
Although Jiang Bai looks gentle and elegant, he is actually a shrewd person in his heart. Judging the situation and observing the situation are his specialties. Zuo Gongming came to the house without any prior notice, which shows that the matter was urgent. Secondly, he only looked for his father and not himself. There was no need for him to join the conversation - Zuo Gongming liked to chat with his father, which was the case for everyone in the house. As everyone knows, there were times in the past where we even talked for a whole day and a night, and this year-end friendship was also passed down as a good story in the whole house.
Jiang Bai saw this very clearly, and he immediately found an excuse and said: "Brother Yu has something important to say, so I have to say goodbye beforehand. The reception is not good enough, and I hope Brother Shanshi Haihan will do it."
"Brother Bai, what are you talking about?"
While talking, Mrs. Jiang was already walking over on crutches. Seeing that his father had arrived, Jiang Bai stopped staying. He nodded to his father and left in a hurry. Before leaving, he also dismissed all the servants in the hall.
At this time, only Mrs. Jiang and Zuo Gongming were left in the hall.
Seeing Old Mrs. Jiang looking at him with a smile on his face, Zuo Gongming seemed to have returned to the carefree days he had spent at home. At that time, I could talk to the elder in front of me about everything, from astronomy and geography to folk customs, from national affairs to personal past events. Time flew by while talking and laughing, and we often talked for several hours. It was really a waste of sleep and food. But today, he came with such a thorny problem. Now his situation is like walking on a single-plank bridge, with an abyss on one side and a surging river on the other. If he doesn't handle it well, it will be doomed, and it may even harm others. Zuo Gongming is no longer the carefree and enthusiastic young man he once was. Nowadays, he always thinks twice about doing things. He cannot live up to the grace of God, cannot involve his friends, and cannot involve his family. It is precisely because of this that he will think twice and hesitate, so that at this moment Don't know how to speak.
Zuo Gongming thought for a while and said with some hesitation: "Old lady, Gongming has something unclear, so I came here to ask for advice."
"Oh? Is there anything in this world that can trouble you?" Old Mrs. Jiang said with a smile.
"Grandpa, don't make fun of me. I am already so annoyed by this matter that I don't even think about food or tea."
"Then you want to hear it from me?"
Zuo Gongming paused for a moment, and then said solemnly: "That's it. Now in the Chang Mansion theft case... everyone has recovered the stolen goods."
"Wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"A good thing? Grandpa doesn't know anything. This matter... involves a lot of things!" Zuo Gongming shook his head, his tone was extremely helpless.
The old man gradually put away his smile. He already understood the meaning of Zuo Gongming's words. Since Zuo Gongming had already said that it was 'extremely involved', it would definitely have an impact on the entire government and the public. If it was just a single It only involves a certain official, even if it is a high-ranking and powerful official like Wang Yanqing, Zuo Gongming will not blink an eye. Therefore, he guessed that if he presented the truth, it would definitely cause an uproar, and even the long-balanced balance of the entire court would be unbalanced.
The old man closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. In any case, it was not his businessman's turn to decide on court matters. However, Zuo Gongming was his best friend in the past, and he certainly could not turn a deaf ear to it in private. However, this matter was indeed of great importance. If one were not careful, , I am afraid that Zuo Gongming will face a devastating disaster.
The living room fell into silence. Both parties were well aware of the sensitivity of this conversation. Originally, neither party was willing to participate too much due to their intelligence, but now that the matter has reached this point, they cannot allow them to step back.
Zuo Gongming turned his head solemnly, as if he didn't want to look at the old man, for fear that the old man opposite would blame him. The old man closed his eyes tightly, looking like he was resting his mind.
After a long silence, the old lady suddenly spoke up and said, "Gong Ming, you are so smart but you are so confused."
Zuo Gongming turned to look at the old man, who frowned and showed confusion. Although the old man in front of him didn't open his eyes, he seemed to have seen through everything. Zuo Gongming asked eagerly: "The authorities are confused, I hope the old lady can give me some advice! What should Gongming do?"
The old man smiled slightly, then twirled his beard contentedly, and said: "I don't know what to do, but I have given you six words, which may help you clear up your confusion."
"Speaking!"
"Loyal to the king, loyal to the country, and loyal to oneself!"
Zuo Gongming was stunned. He didn't expect that when he ran over in a hurry, he got these six words. He once said these six words himself, but he didn't expect that today the old lady would return them intact, which made him feel puzzled.
The old man felt that there was no movement in front of him and slowly opened his eyes. He saw that Zuo Gongming's expression was even more confused than before, and even felt a little ridiculous. He continued unhurriedly: "Gongming, you are the most admired by the Holy Master. What is the important thing?"
"I…..."
Zuo Gongming is still somewhat confident in himself. He feels that he has many advantages, but at this time, he is a little embarrassed to say it himself.
"Are you honest and selfless? Or are you loyal and diligent?"
Zuo Gongming wanted to nod, but it seemed from the old lady's tone that he didn't mean that, so he resisted the urge.
Sure enough, the old lady continued: "None of them!"
"That…..."
"Are there still few people in the imperial court who can do things? Are there still few people in the imperial court who can do things? The Holy One can use you again and place you in such a key position regardless of past resentment. What values is your integrity and your loyalty! You can do things! Son, there are countless people who can manage the government, but you are the only one who can not fear the powerful and be loyal to the king and the country!"
Zuo Gongming's eyes gradually brightened, and he gradually understood the meaning of the old lady's words - loyalty to the king, loyalty to the country, and loyalty to oneself. These six words he said so impassionedly at that time, but how come he has forgotten them today? Original intention?
"You don't need to care about anything, and you don't need to take sides. You don't need to favor anyone. You only represent yourself! You only bring the Holy One with you! As for the rest, even if you poke a hole in the sky, the Holy One will naturally fix it."
Zuo Gongming suddenly understood. He said "Ashamed" several times in his heart, then stood up and said: "The old lady's words woke up the dreamer. Gongming has learned a lesson!"
"Haha - Gongming, you are being humble."
"Farewell!"
"Then I...won't keep you?"
Zuo Gongming nodded and walked out of the house.
...
Outside the back door, several officers and soldiers were taking advantage of this gap to rest. Suddenly, they saw Zuo Gongming walking out of the back door quickly. The four of them quickly got up and returned to the sedan. Zuo Gongming got into the sedan chair directly and dropped two words: "Get up the sedan chair——"
The four of them carried the sedan and set off again. After walking a few steps, the officers and soldiers standing at the front suddenly realized what they were doing, turned around and asked, "Sir, where are we going? Are we going back home?"
"Enter the palace!"
What? Enter the palace? The four officers and soldiers who temporarily acted as sedan bearers secretly complained in their hearts. The Tai Chi Palace was so far away. If they had to carry it over, half their lives would be lost.
"Why are you slowing down? Faster, faster, faster - faster!"
With three words of "quick" in a row, the four officers and soldiers had no choice but to swallow it down no matter how much pain they felt in their hearts, and walked and ran towards the palace.
