hall
Looking up at the gray sky, Ma Shunde felt uneasy and wandered in the corridor for a long time, sighing: "The heroes will not be free if they are shipped away!"
I think back then, even though I was young and young, I could climb up the palace ladder, reach the position of Prime Minister in thirty years, and control the Imperial City Department. But now, everything is difficult and deteriorating.
"We have to be afraid of fate. Does Zhao Pifu feel the same way?"
"No, I will not accept my fate. Feng Shui can change my fate."
Ma Shunde originally didn't believe in Feng Shui. Wei Shizu once said that life depends on people, not the place, let alone Feng Shui. But when people are exhausted, who doesn't look for other hope?
Just then I thought, someone hurried over from the office. He hadn't slept all night, his eyes were bloodshot, and he knelt down to report: "Gong Du, there is no official with the name of 'Huo Lianqi' above the fifth rank!"
No?
How could it not be!
Ma Shunde was startled, narrowed his eyes, and asked gloomily: "Have all civil servants and military officers been investigated?"
Fanzi kowtows: "I'm reporting to the Governor. We've checked everything. Civil and military officials, none of whom are above the fifth rank, have this name. Now they are checking those below the fifth rank."
Although the search has not been completed, I think it is also known that Ma Shunde is unlikely to remember the name of an officer below the fifth rank.
Those who can leave an impression on Ma Shunde are basically officials of fifth rank or above.
Ma Shunde's face darkened. Being able to rise up in the court was certainly something special. He didn't believe that he had remembered it wrong. How could he not find out?
Could it be that these people didn't try their best and missed something?
Ma Shunde suddenly became angry when he thought about it. He stared gloomily and was about to get angry. In an instant, the sound of rapid footsteps was heard. Someone walked in quickly and said hurriedly: "Eunuch Hu has brought people in!"
Hu Huaian is here? !
Ma Shunde knew very well what this meant. Someone came from the palace, and the emperor sent someone to ask questions!
However, even if it is an angel, it is really rude to break in without reporting. Ma Shunde was shocked again and hurriedly walked out when he saw Hu Huaian coming in with someone.
"Ma Shunde, listen to the instructions!" Hu Huaian stood expressionless.
"My slave Ma Shunde is here!" Ma Shunde hurriedly came up to greet her, knelt down heavily and lay on the ground.
Hu Huaian stood there, not showing any emotion at all, and asked coldly: "You said that the King of Qi accumulated armor and soldiers, is there any evidence?"
This is Hu Huaian, who is the imperial envoy, repeating the emperor's question.
These words were not well-intentioned. Ma Shunde's heart skipped a beat and he kowtowed hurriedly: "This slave has been reported by Gong Qianhu. Someone has been sent to verify it and the people involved have been recorded!"
After saying this, he also explained all the evidence obtained from the informant.
Hu Huaian said coldly: "Quickly investigate and report!"
"Yes! My slave, Ma Shunde, must find out this matter as soon as possible!" Ma Shunde responded immediately.
After Hu Huaian asked, his original expression changed. He was no longer cold as before, but returned to a smiling face. He took two steps forward and quickly helped Ma Shunde, who was kneeling.
"Eunuch Ma, it's cold on the ground. Get up quickly! Our family doesn't mean to embarrass you. It's really our sacred duty!"
"The Emperor was furious after hearing the news reported by the Imperial City Division. This is no small matter. You must investigate this matter quickly and provide conclusive evidence. Otherwise, it will be difficult for our family to do business!"
"We understand..." Ma Shunde sighed. He stood there tremblingly, his waist suddenly bent.
Ma Shunde even felt sad. This emotion made him almost shed tears, but if he shed tears at this time, he would be seeking death.
He tried hard to suppress this emotion, and quickly straightened his expression. He turned around and faced Gong Qianhu and others who were also walking over, and ordered: "Except those below the fifth rank, quickly check those who have retired from office and are guilty." Officials of fifth rank and above cannot be omitted!"
"yes!"
Seeing Hu Huaian coming, Gong Qianhu also knew that if he didn't find out, the people below him would be angry. But he, Qianhu, would definitely not be left behind.
"I will check it out in person right away!" Gong Qianhu felt that the atmosphere here was really depressing, so he took his people to look for files.
Ma Shunde stood in front, shivering all over as the rain fell.
Hu Huaian was actually caught in the rain, but he seemed to be in a good mood and comforted him: "My father-in-law has been well-known in our family for his erudition and strong memory. I believe he will not make any mistakes, and we will have good news soon!"
This was said beautifully, and Ma Shunde nodded in his mind: "I think our family will remember it correctly."
Huh, do you think it's your turn to take the lead now that you've failed?
The person who abandoned you has already hated Zhao Xunzhong. As long as the emperor's sacred scroll fades, it will be your death.
What makes Ma Shunde sad is not this person. He has seen many such people, and they all disappeared quickly, but he is not willing to conflict directly, let alone stand here and wait.
"Since the Holy One has orders, how can we just sit back and wait? We are here to supervise and see if these people are checking carefully!" Ma Shunde handed over his hand and led the people away.
The rain has slowed down a lot now, and there is only a pattering sound. When I walked to the stall, I saw everyone busy under the candles.
But it was quieter than before. After a while, Ma Shunde subconsciously turned his head to look to the east, and there was a faint light.
It will be dawn soon.
"Eunuch Hu, let's go to the front hall and wait first!" Ma Shunde said.
Hu Huaian could wait anywhere, so he naturally smiled and nodded while looking around.
The Imperial City Department can be said to be the outstretched hand of the inner court, or even the only one. Any eunuch would be proud to be in charge of this department. Otherwise, even if he has the title of great eunuch, he is just a It’s all appearance.
"Hmph, although this person is in charge, he is incompetent. If it were me, I would certainly not disappoint the emperor." Hu Huaian looked at the busy Fanzi who was standing respectfully and smiled.
After sitting in the front hall for a while, Ma Shunde suppressed his anxiety, while Hu Huaian drank tea slowly. Not long after, he heard the first cock crow from a distance.
Hu Huaian put the tea bowl in his hand on the table, stood up, and said to Ma Shunde: "My father-in-law Ma understands that our family cannot wait any longer. We must go back now and report the truth to the emperor."
Seeing that this person was about to leave, Ma Shunde's vision went dark and he almost fell to the ground. He held on to the chair and clasped his fingers tightly, and then he got over the tension.
He opened his eyes wide and looked at the figure turning around. Suddenly, he seemed to see a similar scene.
In that scene, the person with the same character as Hu Huaian, isn't he his former self?
Ma Shunde found that he started to reminisce again.
Obviously he is not very old yet, but recently he can't help but recall the days when he and Zhao Bingzhong competed.
He remembered again that day, he looked at Zhao Bingzhong condescendingly like this.
Was Zhao Bingzhong in the same mood and situation at that time?
Just then, someone came in in a hurry.
Reported to Ma Shunde: "Duke, found it!"
found it? !
This sound made Hu Huaian's steps stop.
Ma Shunde was surprised and happy. Of course, surprise is naturally greater than happiness. At this point, there is happiness, but how much can it be?
He immediately took the document handed to him. Ma Shunde was really shocked this time.
What surprised him was that although this was indeed Huo Lianqi's profile, it only had the official position and profile of Qianhu, but no information about the guard to which he belonged.
Strange, could it be that the person who did the file leaked?
Ma Shunde frowned. This person who acted as a scapegoat really should have been slapped fifty times!
Wouldn't this cause him trouble? !
But finding this file is better than finding nothing at all.
Now that he has this document, he has reason to go with him to see the emperor.
As long as you see the emperor and adapt to the situation before the emperor, you may be able to avoid this disaster.
With this in mind, he stuffed the document into his sleeve and said to Hu Huaian: "We will enter the palace with you and report to the emperor."
