The appearance of Li Qingquan traveling in Taoist robes aroused a lot of discussion in Chang'an, but due to the court's deliberate suppression, it did not cause too much of a stir.
After all, the Li Tang royal family considered themselves descendants of Taoist ancestor Li Er, so advocating Taoism and wearing Taoist robes was not a big deal.
Soon, an imperial edict attracted people's attention——
The emperor granted marriage!
Princess Runan will be married to Du He, the second son of Lai Duke Du Ruhui, and they will get married in three years!
For a time, the streets and alleys were discussing the emperor's second daughter, Princess Runan, while the eldest daughter, Princess Xiangcheng, seemed to have disappeared into the dust and smoke, never to be mentioned again...
…
Xu Guogong Mansion.
Xue Rengui packed the package and knocked on Xu Fenglei's door.
With a creak, the door opened.
"Rengui..."
Xu Fenglei rubbed his eyes, took a bite of the cake brought by the maid, and said with a puzzled look on his face,
"What are you doing? Going on a long trip?"
Xue Rengui nodded.
"Brother, Master Li Jing said that it would be too much trouble for me to go to his house every day, so he asked me to go directly to his house to stay and practice the art of war."
he said.
Xu Fenglei couldn't help but smile when he heard this.
"It seems that your master Li Jing truly regards you as his disciple and wants to pass on all his secret knowledge to you."
He nodded, patted Xue Rengui on the shoulder, and praised,
"Good thing! Since ancient times, apprentices have also lived and ate at the master's house. Don't be restrained after you go, eat and drink with an open stomach! Eat and strengthen your body, otherwise Master Cheng, Master Yuchi, and Master Qin Qiong will arrive When the time comes to break your muscles and bones, you can’t bear it!”
Xue Rengui worshiped four masters in one breath. Naturally, they would not all come up to train his disciples at the same time.
But with his small body, those burly men would probably be useless if they just trained him for a few times, so... the three fierce generals held off on taking action for the time being and let him eat first!
When they are fat and strong, with big arms and round waist, it is time for them to go on stage and practice.
Therefore, at this stage, it is obviously the most efficient for Li Jing to teach the art of war while Hu is eating.
"yes, Sir!"
Xue Rengui smiled naively and said,
"My little brother knows how to do it! Even though my wife may hit me a few times because she thinks I eat too much, she still takes care of the food in the end and I can eat enough every time."
When Xu Fenglei heard this, he couldn't help but rolled his eyes.
This is in line with his imagination of Hong Fu Girl...
"Your master wife has such a bad temper, just let her beat you twice."
He waved his hand and warned,
"However, she has a sworn brother who is a big man with a beard. You have to be careful. If this guy beats you, you must avoid him! Don't suffer his beating in vain."
"Do you know?"
Hongfu Nu could only fall down after two beatings, but if the bearded man came up with a fist, he could really beat him to death!
"Brother, remember this!"
Xue Rengui was shocked and said cautiously.
"Go!"
Xu Fenglei smiled and waved,
"I boasted loudly in front of His Majesty, saying that you are the future mainstay of our Tang Dynasty military!"
"Now not only eldest brother, but also your four masters have expectations for you. Even His Majesty the Emperor has high hopes for you! You have to study hard and learn your true skills! It will not be in vain to serve the country in the future. Let’s do some cultivation.”
When Xue Rengui heard this, his expression became solemn and his legs moved together.
"Brother, I will definitely not let you down!"
He bowed deeply and said seriously,
"Don't worry!"
Having said that, Xue Rengui just turned around, left Xu Guogong's mansion, and embarked on the journey
——That was the invincible road paved for him by Xu Fenglei to become the future military god of the Tang Dynasty!
"call--"
Xiaolan on the side stuck out her head, patted her chest gently, and breathed a sigh of relief,
"This big loser has finally gone to bring trouble to other families. Sir, you don't know that with Rengui's presence, our family's food expenses have doubled!"
"It's terrible!"
This kid not only wants to eat, he also wants to eat meat!
While we are here, there is an unlimited supply of mutton and beef! It takes an average of three days to slaughter a live sheep!
An ordinary wealthy family would be left poor by him.
"You can't be neither big nor small."
Xu Fenglei glanced at her and scolded,
"Rengui is my sworn brother, so what does a little food mean?"
"You are not allowed to arrange things behind his back. Most people can't even imagine this appetite! If you can eat like this, how about I train you to be a female general?"
Being able to eat is also a talent! It is an indispensable talent for a fierce general!
Not to mention Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin, even a wise general like Li Jing has a big appetite!
Xiaolan stuck out her tongue.
"It's just talk..."
She laughed and said,
"Since you gave the order to replenish his health, our small stove has been working day and night, cooking various delicacies for him in various ways."
Suddenly, Xiao Lan sighed again and said somewhat sadly:
"Now that I'm gone, I don't know if he can get used to other people's food. I heard that Mrs. Hongfu thought he ate too much and wanted to beat him... Hey, poor Rengui, we don't have seven good sisters to take care of him. Yes, what should I do?"
Although they shouted like nothing, the seven of them took absolutely great care of Xue Rengui!
Now that I'm leaving, I'm obviously going to have to endure hardship...
Xu Fenglei's face darkened and he was about to speak when he heard an announcement from outside:
"Sir, Censor Dickson is here to pay his respects."
"Huh?" He looked serious and raised his hand, "Please come in!"
…
The back garden is quiet and deserted.
Di Zhisun took a sip of tea, took out a book from his arms, and handed it to Xu Fenglei's hand.
"Grand Master, based on Zhao Yi's confession and the list you provided, it was easy for me to investigate and I got a lot of information."
He said in a deep voice,
"This is the official's note, please take a look."
Xu Fenglei took the note and did not open it directly. Instead, he looked at Di Zhisun.
"Zhisun, you haven't had a good rest in the past two days, have you? The dark circles under your eyes are so heavy, and you have lost a lot of weight..."
He said softly,
"Are you exhausted from working on this first-hand information?"
Dickson rubbed his eyes.
"I'm a little tired, which makes the Grand Master laugh." He said with some embarrassment.
"Why are you laughing? Thank you for your hard work!"
Xu Fenglei patted his shoulder and warned,
"You don't have to work so hard, you know? Your baby has just been born. The most important thing is to hug the baby and spend time with your wife. This investigation... you can do it anytime!"
Di Zhisun looked moved and nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes... Master Xie is concerned. I will pay attention to it after I am dismissed."
After hearing this, Xu Fenglei opened the note.
Dense information jumped into his eyes...
It has to be said that Di Zhisun is indeed suitable to be a censor. He is rigorous and meticulous, and there is no fault in it.
In the notes, all the officials involved in the Hou Junji corruption case were listed. Di Zhisun also classified the corruption acts:
Embezzling public funds, soliciting bribes, and conveying benefits.
There are many names gathered under these three categories, and the following pages are detailed introductions and investigations of them.
"Time is running out, and this is all I can investigate."
Dixon cupped his hands and said,
"Zhao Yi's confession is basically true. These officials made a fortune following Hou Junji, and their household expenses are far beyond what their salary can support."
"The transfer of interests must exist, but the lower officials have no right to investigate further. Forcing the investigation to continue will only arouse Hou Junji's vigilance, which will ruin your important affairs, Grand Master."
Xu Fenglei nodded.
"You're right."
He praised,
"What I need is just evidence. You don't need to spend so much effort to investigate. That should be the work of Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment after the emperor filed the case of Hou Junji's corruption."
"What really plays a decisive role is Zhao Yi's testimony! Zhisun, do you know how the Zhenguan Law punishes corrupt officials?"
Di Zhisun looked stern.
"Of course I know!"
He said loudly,
"According to the "Zhenguan Law", the illegally stolen silk is worth a hundred sticks, one plus one, and fifteen cans of twists!"
"Those who do not violate the law and steal stolen silk will be punished with a one-foot-long staff of ninety and thirty horses plus a draft. Those who take the initiative to 'beg' for property will be punished by one more level!"
As a censor, he naturally knows the law well!
"right."
Xu Fenglei patted his shoulder, pointed at the notes in his hand, and said with a smile,
"With Zhao Yi's confession and this notebook of yours, if Hou Junji is not punished harshly, it will be intolerable under the law! It will be intolerable under the law of heaven!"
There was already a hint of coldness in the smile.
Hou Junji, you should never, never should, take your stolen goods to my head! Breaking ground on Tai Sui!
"...Grand Master, will your Majesty really sentence Hou Junji severely?"
Di Zhisun hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but ask.
Xu Fenglei snorted coldly.
"Ha! Just watch it!"
…
The next day, Chenshi.
There was a crowd of people in front of Xuanwu Gate, and officials lined up to enter the palace to attend the court meeting.
Ta-ta, tap-ta.
A horse came from the north, carrying a person and driving slowly.
The officials consciously made way for them, and they all said:
"I've met the Grand Master."
"I've met the Grand Master."
Apart from Xu Fenglei, the imperial master at that time, who else could ride a horse into the palace with such swagger? !
Xu Fenglei sat on the horse and looked down at the ministers. His eyes swept over the crowd, paused briefly on Hou Junji, and then looked forward.
"hiss--"
Hou Junji shuddered for no reason.
"Lao Hou, what's wrong? Are you weak?"
Yu Chigong, who was beside him, elbowed him and joked,
"It's already midsummer, why are you still shivering?"
Hou Junji elbowed him back.
"Go to hell!"
He laughed and cursed,
"You can't be vain even if I'm vain!"
The two of them quarreled for a while, until the supervising censor glanced over, and they shut their mouths.
Hou Junji's heart, which was slightly tense, relaxed again.
…
In front of Xuanwu Gate.
"I've met the Grand Master."
Li Junxian cupped his hands and said with a smile,
"You can enter the palace on horseback, but routine inspections must be carried out. After all, there will be a meeting... Please dismount."
Xu Fenglei nodded slightly, turned over and dismounted.
"You are on duty today."
He opened his arms and said casually,
"Where's Chang He?"
"Commander Chang is taking a rest today, so he has replaced the general."
Li Junxian stepped forward and groped for a while, pointed at the cloth bag in Xu Fenglei's arms, and asked with a smile,
"Master, what is this?"
"Tobacco leaves are a specialty of the Turks. His Majesty asked me to bring them to the court meeting the day before yesterday." Xu Fenglei showed the cloth bag and said, "Do you need to open it?"
Li Junxian shook his head repeatedly.
"no, I'm fine."
He stepped forward, squeezed the package, and said,
"No problem, please come into the palace and I will lead the horse for you."
Routine inspections were mostly to check whether they were carrying sharp weapons. This cloth bag was soft when pinched, so it was naturally not dangerous.
"No, I'll walk."
Xu Fenglei handed the reins to Li Junxian and suddenly said,
"General Li, do you have a nickname?"
Li Junxian was stunned.
"Uh...yes, Grand Master, how do you know?" he asked doubtfully.
Why are you asking this suddenly?
"What's your name?" Xu Fenglei stared at him and asked with a half-smile.
"Uh...why does the Grand Master ask this?" Li Junxian fell into silence, his expression...a bit coy.
Xu Fenglei curled his lips.
"It's just a nickname, please be more generous!"
Li Junxian led the horse and slowly walked into the palace wall. Seeing no one around, he leaned close to Xu Fenglei's ear and lowered his voice:
"It's not that the general refuses to say it, it's just that the general's nickname... is hard to tell!"
"But if the grand master wants to ask, I don't dare not tell the truth... I just ask the grand master not to tell anyone else. The junior general's nickname is... uh, he's called Fifth Girl..."
puff.
Although he was prepared in his heart, Xu Fenglei still laughed out loud when he heard this nickname.
This nickname... is invincible! I don’t know how many men are their most loyal companions when they are lonely at night...
"Master, you..." Li Junxian looked helpless.
He had already expected Xu Fenglei's attitude... the contrast was really too big.
A sturdy man with such a delicate nickname of "Fifth Girl" would make anyone laugh.
"Okay, okay, stop laughing, stop laughing, let's get down to business."
Xu Fenglei suppressed his smile and said seriously,
"You must take what I say next seriously into your heart."
"Although this nickname sounds delicate and gentle, it is actually very powerful! It can even kill you!"
"So, from now on, no matter who asks about your nickname, you can't tell it. If someone asks, you can just mention a big cow or a second cow, even if you call it a bull head and a horse face! You can never use this name again." Say the three words "Five Misses", otherwise you will be killed! Do you understand?"
Li Junxian was shocked!
He knew that the Grand Master was famous for being "iron-spoken"!
Coupled with the serious look on the other party's face, Li Junxian suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
"Even if the emperor asks, you can't tell, you know!"
Xu Fenglei patted his shoulder and warned him again,
"Trust me, I won't hurt you."
Li Junxian took a deep breath and bowed to Xu Fenglei.
"Thank you, Master, for your advice!"
He said in a serious tone,
"General, I understand that even if I'm beaten to death, I won't even say this nickname!"
Although he didn’t know the reason, Li Junxian chose to believe it!
"now it's right."
Xu Fenglei laughed and said,
"Keep this secret in your heart forever, and it will preserve your prosperity and wealth for the rest of your life."
"Let's go, Miss Five."
After saying that, he drifted away in the direction of Liangyi Palace.
Only Li Junxian was left looking at his back, messy in the wind...
