Zhao Rang read the secret edict iron plate in his hand several times.
This was his first time seeing this thing, so of course he couldn't tell the authenticity. So reading it over and over again won’t help, it just makes me feel better.
It was expected that Aunt Shu was not bold enough to forge a secret decree, so Zhao Rang did not have too many doubts about the authenticity of the iron plate.
On the other hand, during this trip to the Western Regions, he got to know the seventh prince Yuan Mingkong after all.
Although he is not as popular as his two brothers in the royal family, he is still the emperor's biological flesh and blood after all. Blood is thicker than water, so we are always closer than outsiders, right? What's more, he still holds the important position of Deputy Commander of the Shadow Guards of the Investigation Department. He has made great achievements in the Western Regions this time, and it is reasonable for his status to rise after returning.
If he had whispered something to his father, even mentioned Zhao Rang in just a few words, the iron seal of the secret decree would not have come out of nowhere.
What Zhao Rang is worried about now is the content on the secret sticker.
The emperor asked him to go to the river.
Of course, the river is the Taishang River that divides Dawei into two parts, becoming the northern and southern areas.
Apart from this, there is no other river in Dawei that deserves to be singled out for discussion.
For ordinary Dawei people, the riverside is a somewhat taboo place.
Even though the north bank of the Taishang River belongs to Beijing, what kind of good place can it be that is only a river distance away from the rebellion in the south?
Zhao Rang knew that those in the north who often went to the river were all major business houses, including of course the Ximen family where Ximen Dazhuang was located.
Every quarter, the Ximen family organizes people to go to the river to purchase goods.
After the division of the north and the south, trade was officially not allowed, but this did not stop businessmen who wanted to get rich overnight.
This policy not only makes the specialty products of the north and the south more expensive, but also allows the exchange of goods.
Over time, it has fattened the water bill on the river.
The reason why the Dragon Sail Association has grown so big is largely due to the Chamber of Commerce in the South and the North.
Anyone who feeds them will be in peace, otherwise it will end in death and capsizing. Day after day, he accumulated immeasurable wealth.
Although the secret decree could not be refused, Zhao Rang did not agree immediately.
He wanted to make a request.
I'm thinking about whether this request is too outrageous.
If you go too far, you will be rejected if you speak out, so there is no need to speak up.
Aunt Shu sat down opposite Xiao Ji and did not disturb Zhao Rang.
She knew it wouldn't be easy.
This difficulty not only refers to what is stated on the secret edict, but also refers to the difficulty for Zhao Rang to make up his mind and agree.
There is a ray of wind in the world, but he is restrained by his family and country.
This kind of difficult decision can only be understood by Zhao Rang, who is considering it.
"If you need anything, just ask."
As Aunt Shu said, she took out another secret edict iron tablet and placed it on the table.
Zhao Rang immediately closed his eyes and covered his eyes with both hands in an extremely exaggerated manner.
"what do you mean?"
Zhao Rang said:
"It means wanting to survive."
"I haven't drunk Xiyu Chun yet, and I haven't fallen in love with girls yet. I'm not even married yet! Why do you want to harm me like this?!"
Although Zhao Rang closed his eyes, he did not close his mouth.
He questioned Aunt Shu fiercely, which made Aunt Shu feel at a loss for a while.
"When did I want to hurt you? If you want to drink, I will get it for you now. You can drink as much as you want. If you want to play with girls, I can also get it for you. You can get whatever you want. I’m afraid you won’t be able to play!”
Zhao Ran still did not let go of his hands covering his eyes and continued:
"I've already read the secret edict that should be shown to me, and you showed me another iron plate of secret edict. If that wasn't to harm me, what would it be?"
Aunt Shu burst out laughing.
"You little guy, you are not old, but you are very clever!"
Zhao Rang retorted:
"It's impossible to come back from the Western Region if you don't have a sharp mind. Even if you come back, it probably won't be complete."
There was a rustling sound, and Aunt Shu said:
"Okay, I'll put it away."
Zhao Rang asked reluctantly:
"really?"
Aunt Shu became a little angry and said:
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Zhao Rang put down his hands, opened his eyes, and said:
"You never told me the truth!"
Aunt Shu knew that Zhao Rang was talking about her past few years in Changchun Garden.
Regarding this, Aunt Shu felt that she was in the wrong. She had neither the choice nor the desire to explain, so she quickly turned her attention to another secret edict iron plate just now, and said:
"The secret sticker at the back is mine. What I'm showing you is that the superior allows me to meet all your requirements. The premise is that I can do it."
"Higher position?"
Zhao Rang was very curious about this title.
"He is the current emperor!"
Zhao Rang nodded.
This should be the investigation department's code word for the word "emperor".
It has to be said that the person who compiled this set of code words is also very skilled, and it is extremely appropriate to use this word to refer to the emperor.
"If you don't say that last sentence, I do have a request."
Zhao Rang said boredly.
"What do you want to ask for?"
Zhao Rang shook his head and said:
"Forget it, it's useless to say it."
Aunt Shu frowned slightly and asked:
"How do you know I can't do it if you don't tell me?"
Zhao Rang said:
"I want Ximen Dazhuang to go to the river with me, is that okay?"
Aunt Shu happily agreed:
"What's wrong with this!"
Before she finished speaking, she took out a new sea fishing document from somewhere and put it on the table.
The portrait above is none other than Ximen Dazhuang.
The crime was exactly the same as Zhao Rang's, but the reward was lower.
"You have been prepared for a long time..."
Aunt Shu showed a sly smile.
When she was in Changchun Garden, what she was best at was playing with the big money players.
There are many people who are interested in her, but Aunt Shu always makes it visible to those people and out of their reach.
Only in this way can they be hooked and hung up, allowing them to "persevere" and win the slightest opportunity that is actually impossible.
Seeing Zhao Rang's frustrated look at this moment, Aunt Shu felt very happy.
"But you have to go to Baihe Mountain first, and then go from Baihe Mountain to the river. Ximen Dazhuang will be waiting for you by the river."
Zhao Rang asked in confusion:
"Why should I go to Baihe Mountain? It's not written in the secret decree at all!"
Aunt Shu raised her chin slightly and said:
"Things that can be written down are not considered the most secret. Did you know that there is also a kind of imperial edict called an oral edict?"
Zhao Rang was speechless.
I had no right to speak in this game of chess.
Now he was thinking that when he saw Yuan Mingkong again, he would drink him to death several times, and then use the scabbard to swell his buttocks again and again, so that he would have to sleep only for at least a month. I can lie down!
"The master of Baihe Mountain has come to Suluo City, and Mr. Zhao from Suluo City is going to Baihe Mountain. It's really good."
Zhao Rang sighed.
Aunt Shu leaned forward a little, and Zhao Rang forced himself to raise his head, not to look at her open neckline.
"The silver that Baiheshan brought with him when he went to the Western Regions to purchase last time was probably not robbed."
Zhao Rang immediately became energetic after hearing this.
Previously, he and Taoist Master Bai Hezi felt sorry for Xuan Lingzi's death.
Taoist Master Bai Hezi couldn't fake the hatred in this junior disciple's tone.
"With Bai Hezi here, they won't show their heads. But it's hard to say now. Places with many people will not be monolithic."
"So you asked me to be an embroidery needle, even if it's an iron plate, I have to get into it to see what's going on?"
Zhao Rang continued.
Aunt Shu nodded.
"But now that I'm a murderer, how can I come and go freely? I'm afraid if I step out, my head will be chopped off in exchange for money."
Zhao Rang's worries are unfounded.
Since the Inspector wants to play chess, he has the confidence to set up the chessboard.
The secret edict was not written on the iron plate, and it was not mentioned in the oral instructions passed down by Aunt Shu, but Zhao Rang knew that the ultimate purpose for him to go to the river was the Longfan Society.
If he were still a dignified son of the Zhao family, he would be respected wherever he went, and would be greeted and supported by others. Naturally, all the people he would come into contact with would be good people, and all he would see would be kindness. Only when you become a drowned dog will those people reveal their fangs and claws.
Aunt Shu led Zhao Rang out of the corner door on the first floor.
Standing at the door was a black car with a roof made of thick velvet.
Fortunately, the sun is still rising and the air is cool, otherwise this sedan chair could suffocate people to death!
"This is where to go..."
"Don't ask, I can just sit here and sell you."
Zhao Rang joked:
"Don't be afraid if you sell me! The late emperor was wise and abolished the eunuchs. It doesn't matter where I am sold."
Aunt Shu stopped talking to him, put her hand on his shoulder, and stuffed him into the sedan.
It was time to lower the thick sedan curtain, and four bearers lifted the sedan.
Zhao Rang rarely rides in a sedan chair.
The North is not like the South. Even wealthy men with some martial arts training are not willing to sit in an alley and be carried, unless they are old or have inconvenient legs and feet.
Zhao Rang originally kept a mental note of which direction the sedan chair was heading, and turned a few corners. Unexpectedly, the bearer of the sedan chair would deliberately turn the sedan chair in a circle every time he reached a corner.
I couldn't tell the difference between north, south, east, and west, so I could barely remember the right and left directions.
Only this time, it was just a pot of paste, so I simply put it aside.
The sedan was dark and not breathable.
Zhao Rang was feeling depressed when he suddenly kicked a box below.
There seemed to be something in the box, and when the heel touched it, it was not empty, but rather dull.
Bending down and reaching out to wipe it off, Zhao Rang quickly found the lock of the box.
The lock was open and there were two bottles inside.
Zhao Rang knew that these two bottles were wine without taking them out.
Because when he opened the box, he smelled the aroma of wine.
Licking his lips, Zhao Rang happened to be thirsty. There is no better way to pass the time than drinking, especially in a dull and dark sedan.
He brought it up to his nose and smelled it, but Zhao Rang couldn't tell what kind of wine it was.
This kind of wine was much more fragrant than any other wine he had ever drunk, but when he drank it, it was very smooth and did not feel intense.
Suddenly, Zhao Rang's alcohol addiction was aroused and he drank the entire bottle. I thought I still had a bottle anyway, so I could enjoy it first, and then taste it more slowly.
As a result, when I just reached into the box to take out another bottle, I felt light-headed and dizzy, and then fell into a deep sleep...
