The contact points of the Investigation Department located in various places are called station buildings.
The station building may not be a building, but a teahouse, a wine shop, or even a gambling house with a pawn shop.
Of course, this is what ordinary people think.
They feel that the less noticeable the place, the safer it is.
The Investigation Department, especially the shadow guards assigned to various places, can tell what kind of place these people are just by looking at their names.
But the Investigation Department Station Building in Suluo City did exactly the opposite.
It is located in the best part of the city, in the busiest streets and alleys, not far from Luoyue Tower and Changchun Garden.
Similarly, it is not far from the Zhao family and Ximen family.
With such a unique location, it is difficult for people not to notice him, but he is built right here.
This building has no signboard and is connected to a wide courtyard outside.
If Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang went to a place today, it was a place that second-generation ancestors like them would like to play. The station building of Chajisi is where their old man likes to come.
Those who can enter this building are the real first-class people in Suluo City!
So this building is also called "the first floor".
There is a path from the bookstore to the first floor.
If Zhao lets him go, he can take this route, which will be much faster.
But with Ximen Dazhuang, it won't work.
There was a stone pier in the middle of the path, which blocked more than half of the already narrow path.
Even Zhao Rang had to turn sideways to pass, but Ximen Dazhuang couldn't get through no matter what.
The night breeze is blowing tonight, and the stars are dotted in the sky, echoing the lively lights of the street market.
It's a pity that Zhao Rang didn't have time to enjoy such a cool and relaxing night. He was already standing at the door of the first floor with Ximen Dazhuang.
The courtyard door on the first floor is always closed.
But the buildings in the courtyard are all brightly lit from top to bottom.
Zhao Rang stood in front of the door, motionless, as if waiting for someone to open the door for him.
"Brother Rang, if you don't knock on the door, how will others know there is someone at the door?"
Ximen Dazhuang asked puzzledly.
Zhao Rang did not explain and continued to stand and wait.
After a while, the courtyard door opened with a creak.
A girl who looked somewhat similar to Yu Xi bowed to Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang and said:
"You two young masters, please come in!"
Zhao Rang returned the greeting politely and walked in with Ximen Dazhuang. By the way, he took out the jade pendant that Yuan Mingkong gave him and handed it over, preparing to explain his purpose.
The girl said:
"I know Master Zhao, and I also know Master Ximen. Please come with me, both of you!"
The girl did not take the jade token handed over by Zhao Rang, but turned around and led the two of them towards the back of the building.
They had followed the old man into the courtyard on the first floor, but they didn't know there was such a quiet place behind the building.
Under the dim light, Zhao Rang saw that the stone steps in front of the house were already overgrown with weeds. They must have not been cleaned up for a long time.
"The master is inside, please!"
As soon as the girl finished speaking, the lights suddenly turned on in the dilapidated house.
Zhao Rang hesitated for a moment, then stepped onto the steps and walked in.
There is no trace of dilapidation in the house, but it is decorated with great solemnity and solemnity.
Rather than saying this is a house, it is better to say this is an ancestral hall.
There is a wooden statue enshrined in the middle. It is not an immortal official or a Bodhisattva, but an old friend.
Zhao Rang knew this person, his name was Li Xiu.
Li Xiu was the founding prime minister of Dawei, and was regarded as the humerus by the founding king of Dawei. He was excellent in everything he did to govern the country. During his term of office, he did three major things for Dawei, making Dawei worthy of the word "big" and "wei" in the country's title.
"Prime Minister Li made a plan to conquer the Western Regions, and that's why Yangguan became what it is today. Then he made plans for An Shizi to bring scholars all over the world to join him. Finally, he single-handedly created the Investigation Department to investigate the world."
A strong voice came from the side.
Zhao Rang turned around and saw a shy middle-aged man.
Zhao Rang couldn't tell the texture of the clothes he was wearing. But the eight pieces of jade hanging around his waist and the jade rings on the thumbs of his left and right hands all reflect his identity and status.
At first glance, others would definitely think that this middle-aged man is a rich man. But only by looking at him carefully can you notice the sharpness in his eyes.
"I've met the commander!"
Zhao Rang bowed respectfully, and Ximen Dazhuang beside him also followed suit.
The middle-aged man raised his right hand slightly, preventing Zhao Rang from bowing down.
There is a foot of space between the two of them.
At such a distance, the commander actually used his strength to hold up Zhao Rang's arms. His martial arts skills were definitely not low, far above Zhao Rang's.
"Young Master Zhao, there is no need to be polite. We are all friends of the Seventh Prince, that is, we are all one of our own. Just call me Zhang Zong."
Zhao Rang's heart suddenly shrank.
Suddenly I don’t know whether it is right or wrong to come to the first floor today...
His original intention was to talk about the situation of the Longfan Society, but Zhang Zong's words just now seemed to mean that he had been waiting for Zhao Rang to come.
The seventh prince is one of his own.
If such words were released, and people with bad intentions could catch them and take advantage of them, it would be a crime that could kill one's head.
Emperor Dawei now listens most to which minister has a good reputation and which prince is powerful. With the lessons of the rebellion in the South, the emperor has become frightened. In order to cover up the fragility in his heart, he could only keep raising the butcher knife in his hand.
When a country is on the sword and in a pool of blood, the rebels on the other side of the Taishang River may soon become orthodox!
"I was just lucky enough to get to know the Seventh Prince in the Western Regions, and we worked together for a while. I have no merit and cannot be worthy of Commander Zhang's praise!"
Zhang Zong smiled and said nothing more.
The shirk in Zhao Rang's words was extremely obvious, and any further attempts to win over him with words would only be counterproductive.
Interacting with people is a very long-term thing and cannot be rushed.
We just met for the first time today. It’s not good to talk too much or talk too much.
"Young Master Zhao has been working hard all the way from the Western Regions. I am also half a native of Suluo City. I will prepare a little wine tonight, and I will trust you with my power. I will do my best as a landlord, and I will take over!"
After Zhang Zong said this, he waved his hand, and the girl who had not come in just now appeared out of nowhere, opened the curtain on the side, and revealed a banquet table.
There were not many dishes on the table, only six items. There wasn't much wine, just two bottles per person.
But whether it’s the food, the wine, or the presentation, everything is extremely exquisite!
Zhao Rang has never seen any restaurant in Suluo City with such craftsmanship!
It must be the cook Zhang Zong brought from the imperial city to entertain distinguished guests on the first floor.
"Thank you, Commander Zhang! But I just finished eating and drank a lot, but I can't eat or drink anymore!"
Zhao Rang politely refused.
Zhang Zong had already sat down and said to Zhao Rang with a smile:
"The Western Spring in Changchun Garden is too beautiful, not pure enough, and you will get tired if you drink too much. Xiao An's hot pot tastes good, but Mr. Zhao ate too quickly. After listening to the book for a while, he came here again, and added At this time, it’s considered a late night snack, right?”
Zhao Rang was shocked and speechless.
Commander Zhang knew exactly where he had been and what he had seen. This shows what?
It shows that since Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang came out of Zhao's house, shadow guards have been following the two of them and reporting their situation to the first floor at all times.
"General Zhang is really concerned about me!"
Zhao Rang had to sit down at the table. www.
What Zhang Zong said later was considered a threat, but there was nothing he could do. Facing the Investigation Department and Shadow Guards, what can I do?
When he thought that no matter where he was or what he was doing in the future, there would be more than one pair of eyes staring at him, Zhao Rang felt uncomfortable... as if he had ten thousand lice, crawling around non-stop... …
"No, no, this is what His Highness the Seventh Prince told me to protect the safety of you two. Mr. Zhao, don't think too much about it!"
Zhao Rang sneered in his heart, knowing that he would push it on Yuan Mingkong and then block his mouth. After all, no one would refuse a friend's kindness.
"Commander Zhang is worrying too much. I won't think too much about it. Especially after I came back, I found that the city is not so peaceful."
Zhao Rang said politely, but intentionally or unintentionally steered the topic towards the Nujiang Gang and Longfanhui.
Since Zhang Zong knew his day in such detail, Zhao Rang didn't believe that he didn't know that he had bad luck with the Nujiang Gang as soon as he left home today.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Zhang Zong not only did not follow suit, but instead told him the same thing:
"Master Zhao, does he know why there is a statue of Prime Minister Li here?"
Zhao Rang replied:
"This looks like it should be an ancestral hall for Prime Minister Li. But this is the first time I know that there is one preserved in Suluo City."
Li Xiu's great power has changed from a hero to a taboo.
In fact, he did more than three major things. The other one was that he founded Dawei's premier counselor chart. Most of its members were radical people from various schools. Because of their cunning plans, they were called "Cunning Foxes". .
After Li Xiu died, the Cunning Fox tribe considered themselves their disciples and still controlled the center. It wasn't until later that the Southern Territory was in chaos and was divided and ruled from the Northern Territory. Only then did everyone realize that there was a shadow of the cunning fox behind everything.
As a result, the cunning fox was completely wiped out. The person who took action was none other than the Investigation Division Shadow Guards established by Li Xiu back then.
The founding prime minister was also implicated and was classified as a sycophant. None of his descendants were spared. They were all sent to a bitter and cold place and left to fend for themselves.
"Could it be that the commander is..."
"I am not a member of the Sly Fox tribe."
Zhang Zong shook his head and said.
"But I am a descendant of Li Xiu!"
Zhao Rang never expected that the fat-headed shadow guard commander in front of him would have such a prominent background.
"sorry!"
Zhao Rang stood up and saluted.
Dawei people have their own judgment on Li Xiu.
When the cunning fox caused trouble, Li Xiu had been dead for decades. How could decades of planning be blamed on a man who was already buried? Even if he is very wise and close to a demon, he must not be considered behind his back. What the court did was just using the blood of the Li family to protect its own face.
"So Mr. Zhao understands what I mean?"
Zhao Rang frowned and thought for a moment, then said:
"Could it be that the recent troubles in the city are related to this group of foxes? Aren't they all dead a long time ago, and even their dens were destroyed?"
