At night, Fan Jun's room was still brightly lit, and four intelligence chiefs from Luoyang City were discussing with him how to complete the task assigned by Wang Yue within three days.
"Three days are really too tight."
One of the intelligence chiefs said with some embarrassment: "Since the last incident with Lord Changsun Wuji, the original intelligence network has basically been paralyzed. It has only been three or four months since we sneaked into Luoyang on the order of His Highness King Qin. How could we possibly infiltrate the Emperor's family?" city?"
"Yes, in addition to the residence of the Princess and the Empress, Xinhuafang also has many other captured court officials who are guarded by the Yulin Army. The defenses are extremely tight. Not to mention us, even the ordinary city defense forces are only allowed to Patrol outside the workshop." Another intelligence officer nodded in agreement with a troubled face.
"But we have no choice!"
Fan Jun stood up slowly, glanced at the four principals in front of him one by one, and said in a deep voice: "You should know what this matter means to His Highness King Qin, we cannot afford to delay it!"
These intelligence chiefs were all Li Shimin's soldiers and were loyal to Li Shimin. They all nodded when they heard this.
"I thought of a guy who might be able to help us."
After hearing this, several people in the room turned their attention to the speaker and found that the speaker was the person in charge of official intelligence in Luoyang City.
The chief officer said unhurriedly: "Recently I have been responsible for collecting information on old and new officials in Luoyang, and I found that there is a person who may be of use to us."
Fan Jun asked in a deep voice: "Who?"
"Yang Guozhong. This man was born in the side house of the Yang family in Hongnong. He was originally the Minister of Rites under Wang Shichong. After Wang Xuanying's rebellion failed, he was imprisoned by Meng Gong. Later, in order to survive, he dedicated all the treasures originally buried by Yang Xuangan in Mang Mountain. It’s Yang Gao.”
"It turns out it's him!"
Another intelligence officer said: "This person's ability is mediocre. Although he escaped from prison by offering treasures, his original minister of rites is gone. Now he can only follow Zeng Guofan, the prefect of Luoyang.
However, this man is unwilling to give in. I heard that he has been jumping up and down recently and seems to be planning to send his sister to the palace. "
"His surname is Yang, and Yang Gao is also surnamed Yang. People with the same surname are not allowed to intermarry. How could he send his sister to the palace?"
Fan Jun sneered disdainfully: "And with just one woman, can Yang Gao'er re-appoint him as the Minister of Rites? This guy is really stupid!"
"It's not very clear what the specific position is."
The intelligence chief who first proposed Yang Guozhong said in a low voice: "But since this person is an official from Luoyang, I think he should have a way to find out the news about the princess. I have dealt with this person several times before, and found out that this person He is greedy for money and lustful, and is easy to win over.”
Fan Jun nodded slowly and said: "Although this person is a complete idiot, it is precisely because of such an idiot that we can have a chance. Without further ado, since you know him, take me with you tomorrow. Meet this Yang Guozhong."
. . . . . . . . . .
After the war in Luoyang was settled, Yang Gao followed what Yang Guozhong said and unearthed Yang Xuangan's buried treasure from the depths of Mang Mountain, which was worth more than 20 million yuan. This greatly alleviated the imperial court's original financial dilemma caused by the war.
Yang Gao was immediately delighted. He immediately pardoned Yang Guozhong's previous crimes, arranged for him to work under Zeng Guofan, and also rewarded him with a large sum of property.
However, Yang Guozhong was obviously dissatisfied with this. He thought that he was a dignified minister of rites under Wang Shichong. Although Wang Shichong appointed him privately, he was not recognized by the court, and he was an idle official with nothing to do, but he was still an official at any rate. Officer, you look good even if you tell the truth.
But now, with Zeng Guofan, the prefect of Luoyang, busy all day long, although the officials all respectfully called him "sir", Yang Guozhong knew in his heart that he was no master. His Majesty the Emperor just arranged him to work under Zeng Guofan. He did not give himself an official position at all. To be honest, my status is not as good as those of the guards.
After all, Yang Guozhong was a prime minister in history. Although his ability was mediocre, he still had some insight.
Now Luoyang is newly settled, except for the prefect Zeng Guofan, other official positions such as Chang Shi Sima and the county magistrates below have not been appointed. Those who work with Zeng Guofan are all imperial examination scholars who have not been appointed to their actual duties. Yang Guozhong roughly guessed that they should be the successors. As for the specific appointment, it would probably depend on their political performance in the recent period.
If it were anyone else, they would definitely think this is a good opportunity. Luoyang is the imperial capital, and the political achievements made here are ten times more impressive than those in local states and counties. As long as you are willing to work hard, one step at a time, you will definitely be able to enter the court within ten years.
But Yang Guozhong was eager for quick success and instant benefits. He was not willing to wait for so long. He hoped to reach the sky in one step and spent the whole day thinking about how to find shortcuts. Especially after his sister Yang Yuhuan came to Luoyang from her hometown to join him, she saw that this country From then on, Se Tianxiang's younger sister jumped up and down even more, and spent a lot of money to open up many joints in an attempt to send her to the palace.
On this day, Yang Guozhong planned to go to the palace for activities as usual, but unexpectedly the concierge came to report that there was a visitor from outside and handed over a name card.
Yang Guozhong had dealt with the intelligence chief before and got some benefits from him. After seeing the name card, he ordered the concierge to invite the person in.
Fan Jun and the intelligence chief were invited in by the concierge. They introduced each other and greeted each other before taking their seats.
Yang Guozhong glanced at the two of them, waved his hands and said with a smile, "I wonder why you are looking for Yang?"
Fan Jun took out six cakes of gold each weighing fifty taels, put them on the table and pushed them in front of Yang Guozhong. He chuckled and said, "I have a small matter that I would like to ask Mr. Yang for help. A little thought is not disrespectful. I will have a big thank you after everything is done." .”
The yellow-orange gold immediately caught Yang Guozhong's eye. His breathing became rapid, he swallowed, and asked without looking away from the gold: "What does Shopkeeper Fan want me to do for you?"
Seeing Yang Guozhong's greedy look in front of him, Fan Jun's eyes flashed. This man was indeed a complete idiot. A mere three hundred taels of gold made him look so ugly in front of his guests. He was already 80% sure about this trip.
