After a long journey, Zhang Ren and Qianmianren rushed back to Jinling City.
It was strange to say that they encountered several waves of interceptions along the way, even if Zhang Ren showed the Jin Yiwei token, it was not easy to use.
From Dengzhou to Yingtian, it can be regarded as the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty. Logically speaking, there should be no mountain bandits and horse thieves.
What's even more strange is that when these people faced Zhang Ren and the Thousand-faced Man, they didn't even try to kill them, but just cooperated to catch them.
The two of them also spent a lot of effort to break through the encirclement.
As soon as he arrived at the city gate, Zhang Ren was stopped by a man with a smile on his face, who bowed his hand towards Zhang Ren respectfully.
Zhang Ren then asked: "Why are you stopping in front of me? I have something urgent to do."
Perhaps he was tired from traveling these days and encountered many interceptions and killings, so Zhang Ren had a stern look on his eyebrows, as if he was keeping away from strangers.
However, this man still had a warm face and said, "I am the steward of Duke Liang's mansion. I have been waiting here for many days."
Duke Liang is Lan Yu.
Zhang Ren frowned slightly and asked, "Do you know me?"
The steward nodded and said: "Your Excellency was already famous in Jinling when he cracked the murder case of Li Gui. Later, he killed all nine sects in one fell swoop. He is truly a young hero praised by everyone. How can anyone in Jinling City not know you?"
Zhang Ren knows that these are just polite words. The stewards who welcome people to and from the Honorable House always talk like this and can praise people. If they take it seriously, they will definitely be led by the nose in subsequent conversations. .
Zhang Ren looked unfazed and asked, "What do you want from me?"
The steward was secretly frightened. Generally, young people would have their tails raised to the sky after receiving a few words of praise, but Zhang Ren still looked calm and calm. No wonder the wily Marquis Pingliang would fall into his hands.
Although he was thinking this in his heart, the steward still maintained a warm smile and said, "My father-in-law would like to invite you to come over and have a talk."
Lan Yu had framed Zhang Yu in the past, but fortunately Zhang Yu survived that crisis without any danger.
Now facing the steward of Lan Yu Mansion, how could Zhang Ren give a good look?
He directly passed over the steward, waved his hand and said, "I'm not familiar with Lan Yu, so I won't go over."
The steward persevered, followed Zhang Ren, and said: "Nowadays, honor is not easy to come by. If you want to protect those honorable children, maybe my father-in-law can help."
After hearing this, Zhang Ren couldn't help but stop. He failed to save Xie Wen'an at first, but now he wants to save other noble disciples. If he can really add Lan Yu's helping hand, the success rate will undoubtedly increase. many.
Zhang Ren raised his eyes and looked at the steward, then asked, "What else did your father-in-law say?"
Just now, he directly called him "Lanyu", but now he calls him "your father-in-law", which shows the change in Zhang Ren's heart.
The steward naturally noticed this, and the smile on his face became brighter and he said, "My father-in-law also said that there are no eternal friends and no eternal enemies in this world."
This principle is followed in the officialdom. As long as the goals are the same, enemies can form alliances and become friends.
Zhang Ren nodded and said, "Lead the way."
But the steward did not move. Instead, he looked at the Thousand-faced Man following Zhang Ren and said, "My father-in-law only invites you..."
….
Zhang Ren thought for a while and felt that there was nothing wrong with him. After all, the Thousand-faced Man was from Jinyiwei. Even if the two had a good relationship, there was no guarantee that they would not become enemies when it came to matters concerning nobles.
Zhang Ren didn't want to ruin the friendship between the two of them, so he turned to Qianmianren and said, "Senior Brother Qianmianren, I'm going to go to Duke Liang's Mansion first. If you'd like, please go to Jin Yiwei for me."
The Thousand-faced Man nodded in agreement, and before leaving, he did not forget to say, "Don't worry, I will not report your visit to Duke Liang's Mansion to the Governor."
Zhang Ren nodded and recorded this kindness in his heart.
Following the steward all the way to the Duke of Liang's Mansion, Lan Yu was drinking in the courtyard, and Zhu Yunxi was also here.
return
Before Zhang Ren came up to say hello, Lan Yu had already stood up and cupped her hands towards Zhang Ren and said, "Zhang Baihu, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you?"
Lan Yu said, not forgetting to kick the table next to him. Zhu Yunxi could only stand up reluctantly and symbolically arched his hands towards Zhang Ren.
This New Year's gift cannot be revoked. No matter how much he disliked Lan Yu and Zhu Yunxi, Zhang Ren still cupped his hands and said, "Wei Chen has met the Duke of Ruchang County, Duke Liang."
The last time they met, Lan Yu still had a stern look on his face, but now he has a smile on his face.
"Zhang Baihu, why should you be so polite? There were a lot of misunderstandings between us in the past, but we need to move around more in the future."
Zhang Ren did not continue to be polite, but asked directly: "There is no need for us to say those useless words. Now in Jinling City, the status of Duke Liang is the most stable, and his title is high enough. If something happens, I must save the noble sons of Jinling City. If Duke Liang is willing to help me, what price will I have to pay?"
As Zhang Ren spoke, he looked at Zhu Yunxi from the corner of his eye.
Lan Yu didn't expect Zhang Ren to be so straightforward. Now that the words had come to this point, he naturally had no need to hide them.
Lan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "I hope you can help Yunxi get that position."
Zhang Ren had already thought about this condition. He didn't rush to refuse or agree. Instead, he asked: "I am just a small household in Jinyiwei. Does Liang Guogong think I have that ability?"
Lan Yu nodded without thinking and said: "You may not be the only one, but you are Luo Kedi's disciple, and you have a good relationship with all the distinguished disciples of Jinling City, plus your reputation in the hearts of the people of Jinling City , Putting these together, you have such an ability, haven’t you discovered that His Majesty will definitely let you participate in any major decision-making of the imperial court?”
Zhang Ren thought for a moment and then asked: "Don't you know, Duke Liang, that I have a close relationship with His Highness Taisun?"
The corner of Lan Yu's mouth raised slightly and said: "Of course I know, but that boy Zhu Yunwen has too little foundation. In order to prevent us arrogant generals from rebelling, Your Majesty will definitely clear a way for Zhu Yunwen. I know that you and that boy Zhu Yunwen We have a good relationship, but you can’t bear to watch all the nobles from Jinling City being dragged out and beheaded?”
Zhang Ren naturally couldn't bear it, but now that he was in the middle of the game, he had to make a choice after all.
Seeing that Zhang Ren was silent, Lan Yu increased the stakes again. He said: "As long as Yunxi can get that position, you can choose the official position and title of the Ming Dynasty. But I can also promise you that after the matter is completed, you will never It will kill Zhu Yunwen."
….
Zhang Ren raised his eyes and asked in confusion: "I can choose the official position and title of the Ming Dynasty? Does Liang Guogong think too highly of me? I am not worth the price at all."
Lan Yu shook her head and said: "No, you are worth it. As long as you unite all the nobles, plus your identity as a royal guard, at the critical moment, you may be able to really poke a hole in the sky."
Zhang Ren closed his eyes and thought, and began to analyze his actions seriously in his mind.
Lan Yu didn't rush him, but just waited quietly. Zhu Yunxi was the only one at the scene who looked a little bored.
After about a cup of tea, Zhang Ren opened his eyes.
Lan Yu also couldn't wait to ask: "How is it? How are you thinking about it?"
Zhang Ren sighed and shook his head slightly. Although he did not speak, his meaning was expressed clearly enough.
Zhu Yunxi could not sit still anymore. He jumped up and pointed at Zhang Ren and said: "Zhang Ren, do you know that this is an opportunity that many people have been looking forward to? I came to you today because I think highly of you. ! Don’t be ignorant and show your shame!”
Lan Yu frowned and stopped directly in front of Zhu Yunxi. His voice was a little low and he said to Zhu Yunxi: "Zhang Baihu is a guest, how can you be so rude?"
Zhu Yunxi originally wanted to say a few more words, but looking at Lan Yu's unkind face, he finally swallowed the rest of his words.
Lan Yu looked at Zhang Ren again, lowered her head and cupped her hands, saying, "Yunxi is ignorant, I will apologize to Zhang Baihu on his behalf."
Lan Yuke
He is the Duke of the country, and to be able to do this is to have an extremely low profile.
But Zhang Ren still shook his head.
Lan Yu was puzzled and asked: "Why? Why didn't you agree?"
Zhang Ren pointed at Zhu Yunxi and said, "He is not a wise king."
After saying this, Zhang Ren turned around and left.
Zhu Yunxi was furious after hearing this.
Fortunately, Lan Yu gave Zhu Yunxi a hard look and made him calm down.
Looking at Zhang Ren's back that was neither humble nor arrogant, Lan Yu finally sighed and said, "Zhang Baihu, please wait a moment."
Zhang Ren turned his head and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Lan Yu fumbled around in his arms, took out a token, and threw it directly to Zhang Ren.
Zhang Ren took the token and looked at it carefully. It was a black token that looked very simple and simple in style. The most eye-catching thing about the token was the gold-lacquered text printed on it.
On one side of the token is written the word "order", and on the other side is the word "General's Mansion".
Zhang Ren played with it twice and asked, "What is the use of this token?"
Just listen to Lan Yu explain: "Zhang Baihu must also know that I am the general. This is the largest military position in the Ming Dynasty. Even the several major governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion are nominally under my control. Don't forget that Li Jinglong is so favored, but when he sees me, he doesn't have to shout "General". As long as you have this token in hand, all the troops under the Central Military Governor's Mansion can be mobilized at will."
This token is a treasure. Zhang Ren picked it up and looked at it carefully, and then asked Lan Yu: "Did Duke Liang just give me such an important thing?"
Lan Yu nodded: "Business cannot be done in a righteous way, so let me sell it to you. If I am beheaded by His Majesty in the future, I don't want to end up dead on the street. And I think you might be able to use it." Take this token, after all, there are quite a few noble disciples in Jinling City."
Night rivers and lakes.
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