Zhao Junchen sent Qin Wei away, firstly to test Wei Huai, who was not sure whether he was really crazy or fake, to see if he could add another useful talent to his sect; secondly, because Qin Wei was new here after all, and Shang I don’t know the root cause, but there are some things that I can’t safely let him know.
After Qin Wei left, Zhao Junchen went to Wudewei, Longxiangwei, Baotaowei, Feixiongwei, Weiwuwei and other pro-military yamen in Beijing with secret orders. These military yamen and the Jinyiwei yamen are all affiliated to the Forbidden Army in Beijing, and are collectively known as the Twenty-six Guards of the Pro-Army. They are also composed of carefully selected and tough sergeants, but their power and reputation are not as great as that of the Jinyiwei.
When Zhao Junchen was preparing to build the West Factory, he also recruited manpower from these military offices. With Emperor Deqing's secret plan in hand, everything went smoothly.
Coupled with the capable personnel that Li Lide was recruiting for Zhao Junchen from the Three Law Departments of the Outer Dynasty, the composition of the personnel of the West Factory was finally known.
In this way, Zhao Junchen ran around Beijing for a whole day. When he finished his work and returned to Zhao Mansion, it was already approaching evening.
………
In front of the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen had just stepped off the carriage when he saw a concierge from the Zhao Mansion rushing towards him and said respectfully: "Master, you are back. This afternoon someone took your token and claimed to be the master." The newly recruited chief attendant outside is called Qin Wei. I don’t know whether it’s true or not, but I don’t dare to neglect him, so I can only leave him in the house to take good care of him. Now that man has been waiting for you, sir, for several hours.”
"That person is indeed my new long-term attendant. Then give him a name tag from the mansion and inform everyone in the mansion." Zhao Junchen replied after a few words. Then he asked quietly: "By the way, he came alone?"
"Oh, no. He also brought a middle-aged man with a disabled leg. He seemed to be named Wei Huai. But Wei Huai was not only disabled, but his skin was pale as if he hadn't seen the light of day for many years. He was as thin as skin and bones. It’s really scary.”
Zhao Junchen looked at Xu Qingyan next to him and half-smiled. He walked towards Zhao's mansion and asked as he walked: "Where are those two people?"
"Mrs. Ruyi has just returned home. I heard that Qin Wei is your new senior officer. She said she wanted to investigate, and is now questioning them in the main hall."
Ever since Zhao Junchen handed over the affairs of Yuerongfang and Jingzhong Intelligence Network to Fang Ru, Fang Ru has no more leisure time than Zhao Junchen these days. She is a smart and capable strong woman. Now he wants to prove his existence value in front of Zhao Junchen. He is extremely attentive to his work.
Hearing the steward's answer, Zhao Junchen didn't care, but Xu Qingyan frowned and snorted: "This woman is too lenient. If the young master recruits a personal entourage, why should she bother?"
As a long-term follower, Fang Ru's actions made Xu Qingyan feel that his dignity was offended.
only. In the Zhao Mansion, except Zhao Junchen. Fang Ru, the concubine, and Xu Qingyan, the long-term follower, had the highest status, and their temperaments had never been confrontational. Zhao Junchen didn't care when he heard what Xu Qingyan said, but the steward laughed and didn't dare to talk.
"Fang Ru has such a temper. Now that I have another long-term follower beside you, it is a big deal for Fang Ru. If she doesn't find out more, I will find it incredible."
With that said, it didn't take long before Zhao Junchen, supported by all the servants of the Zhao Mansion, arrived outside the main hall of the Zhao Mansion.
After Fang Ru received the news, she quickly came forward to greet him, and behind Fang Ru, Qin Wei was also following.
However, at this time, Qin Wei was pushing a wheelchair. Sitting on the wheelchair was a thin, pale middle-aged man, who was obviously the former Nanzhen Fusi envoy Wei Huai that Qin Wei mentioned. .
Perhaps because there were outsiders present, Fang Ru seemed to be quite well-behaved. She came to Zhao Junchen and saluted Zhao Junchen like an ordinary concubine. She said softly and concernedly: "Master, you are finally back. You have been running here and there all day." Yes, it’s really hard work.”
However, after the salute, when Fang Ru came to Zhao Junchen's side, she whispered in Zhao Junchen's ear: "Master, that lame man in the wheelchair, I just tried a few words, it is really not simple, and it seems that He looks like a gloomy person, so you must be careful when dealing with him."
Zhao Junchen nodded slightly and looked up at Wei Huai.
However, Wei Huai was also looking at Zhao Junchen at this time, but his appearance was not as heroic as Qin Wei described. On the contrary, as the previous Zhao Mansion manager said, his skin was as pale as if he had not seen the sun for many years, and his bones were very thin. Big, but as skinny as skin and bones, with a gloomy expression and cold eyes, like a poisonous snake that is about to choose someone to eat, which makes people feel chilly in their hearts.
Although Wei Huai's hair and beard looked neat now, and he had obviously freshened up before coming to Zhao's house, when Zhao Junchen saw Wei Huai at this time, it was not difficult for Zhao Junchen to imagine Wei Huai's disheveled appearance when he was pretending to be crazy.
Looking at Wei Huai's appearance and temperament, Zhao Junchen couldn't help frowning secretly, thinking: "Qin Wei said that Wei Huai used to be a hero with a strong personality but resourcefulness, but looking at his current appearance, It's not like that, but rather he looks a bit sinister and cruel. I'm afraid that after the changes in the past few years, his character has changed drastically."
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen's expression did not change at all. Instead, he smiled, walked quickly to Wei Huai, and said with a smile: "I think this is the former envoy of Fusi of Jinyiweinan Town. Mr. Wei Huai Wei."
"I have seen Mr. Zhao. He is inconvenienced and cannot stand up to salute. I hope Mr. Zhao will not blame you." Wei Huai bowed to Zhao Junchen on the chair and saluted. His attitude was quite respectful, but his voice was extremely hoarse. You need to listen carefully. , you can hear what he is saying: "Now that I am a commoner, I dare not bear the name Master Zhao calls me."
"Then let me call you Mr. Wei." Zhao Junchen didn't care. He just raised his hand and said, "The spring cold has not receded and it is windy outside. Let's go to the main hall to talk in detail."
While talking, Zhao Junchen entered the main hall first.
After the two parties sat down, knowing that Zhao Junchen didn't want too many people to know about Zhao Junchen's next conversation, Fang Ru stood up and said with a smile: "Master, you have been running around for a day, and you are hungry after all. I will prepare dinner right now."
While talking, at Fang Ru's signal, all the servants of the Zhao family who were waiting around them left one after another with Fang Ru. Qin Wei hesitated for a moment, but then also left under the glare of Xu Qingyan.
For a moment, only Zhao Junchen, Wei Huai, and Xu Qingyan were left in the living room.
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Zhao Junchen looked at Wei Huai carefully, and Wei Huai also looked at Zhao Junchen carefully.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Junchen suddenly smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated Mr. Wei yet. Seeing Mr. Wei's current appearance, I think the original illness has been cured."
Wei Huai also smiled, but showed a pair of white teeth, which looked even more charming: "I have to thank Mr. Zhao for this. I asked Qin Wei to give me a good medicine today, otherwise I am afraid I will die." I don’t dare to recover from my illness.”
"Oh? How do you interpret Mr. Wei's words?"
Wei Huai said slowly in his unique hoarse voice: "Mr. Zhao, you instructed Qin Wei to come to see me today, and asked him to tell me everything he saw and heard today. I know that this is a fool's errand." His little trick must have been seen through by the adults. In that case, why should the adults ask knowingly?"
After a pause, he seemed to feel that he was too sharp, and Wei Huai added: "Now some people in the factory guards hate me to the core. I only escaped from the Jinyiwei Prison by pretending to be crazy, but even though I escaped. I died, but I also lost my authority because of it. In the past two years, if I didn't continue to pretend to be crazy and act stupid, and bring humiliation to myself, I'm afraid I would have been tortured to death by those people. But I have no other way. However, your Excellency asked Qin Wei to come and see today Although I haven't said it clearly, I understand what you mean. If I follow you and have your protection, I will no longer be afraid of revenge, and this madness will naturally be cured. In this way, Isn’t it you, sir, who cured my illness?”
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded: "I really admire Mr. Wei's tenacity and intelligence."
At this point, Zhao Junchen changed the topic and asked: "Since Mr. Wei is so smart, do you know why I invited you here?"
Wei Huai's eyes flashed and he asked slowly: "But for the reconstruction of the West Factory?"
"Oh? How did Mr. Wei know?"
"Although I have pretended to be crazy in the past two years, I have never missed the news from Jin Yiwei. The case of the extermination of the old master He Ming and the information about the factory guards were mysteriously lost. How could I not know about such a big thing? With His Majesty today, With his temperament, when encountering such a situation, he will definitely respond, either by rectifying and cleaning the factory guards, or by building a new West Factory for checks and balances. Considering that the factory guard personnel have not changed these days, and Mr. Zhao has changed again today After a mysterious visit to the Jinyiwei Yamen, the answer will be revealed."
After hearing Wei Huai's answer, Zhao Junchen nodded secretly. After these years of changes, although Wei Huai's character has changed somewhat, his mind has not retreated but advanced.
This kind of person is exactly what Zhao Junchen is in short supply now.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, stared at Wei Huai in front of him, and said slowly: "Mr. Wei is smart, and his guess is not bad at all. I just wonder if Mr. Wei is willing to help me?"
Wei Huai did not hesitate, looked at Zhao Junchen with his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "If you treat me as an ordinary person, I will repay you as an ordinary person. If you treat me as a national soldier, I will repay you as a national soldier."
"Oh?" Zhao Junchen was very interested and asked slowly: "But I don't know, what is a national scholar? What is an ordinary person?"
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Second update. (To be continued. Please read.)
