Although deep down in his heart, Master Cao felt that being a secret agent was unworthy of being a scholar, but at the moment he could no longer care so much, because he also knew in his heart that if he missed this opportunity, he might regret it for the rest of his life.
Zhou Yiming was very satisfied with Chief Cao's statement.
In fact, before he decided to help Master Cao bookkeeper, he had already made plans to recruit him as his chess piece, because he knew very well that he wanted to be prosperous in the court in the future and climb below one person. For a position above ten thousand people, you must have your own strength.
And this strength is divided into two parts: light and dark. The strength displayed on the bright side must be able to give the enemy enough deterrence to act as a threat, but the strength under the bright side is the most critical. This A certain amount of shady strength, as long as it is strong enough and not discovered by the enemy, can often achieve surprising victory at critical moments.
Knowing this, for the sake of long-term planning, Zhou Ming began to make plans at this moment, letting Master Cao be his first chess piece. As for whether this chess piece could play a role in the future, he did not know at this moment.
"Okay, now that you understand what I mean, go back as soon as possible. I still have important things to do, so I won't keep you here." Zhou Ming sat back on the chair and put on a straight face again. Show a serious expression.
"Yes, Mr. Zhou, I'll take my leave first." Master Cao saluted, then turned around and planned to leave.
Zhou Yiming suddenly called him again: "Old Cao, please come back. I forgot to tell you something."
Chief Cao was stunned for a moment, then hurried back and stood respectfully in front of Yi Ming, waiting for his instructions.
"Today, except for what you know, what I know, and what God knows and what the earth knows, you'd better not tell anyone, otherwise the consequences will be very serious." Zhou Ming said with a cold expression.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zhou, I will keep my secret in my humble position." Chief Cao quickly expressed his position.
Zhou Yiming nodded and waved for him to go out: "You go out, and call Inspector Deng and Captain Xia in by the way."
"Yes." Chief Cao slowly retreated.
On the way out, Master Cao suppressed the joy in his heart and tried to keep a straight face, for fear that others would know the secret in his heart through the expression on his face.
After Deng Tong and Xia Dezhang were kicked out of the house by Zhou Ming, they had been standing reluctantly at the door. Both of them wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation in the house, but both of them had evil intentions but not courage. In the end, No one dared to take action.
While the two were complaining to each other and discussing when Cao would come out, Chief Cao walked out of the house with a blushing face and small steps.
After arriving in front of the two people, he said to them with joy: "Two adults, the matter between Master Zhou and I has been completed. Master Zhou asked you two to go back."
Seeing Chief Cao's proud look, Deng Tong and Xia Dezhang knew in their hearts that this old boy's goal must have succeeded, and Yi Ming must have agreed to help him, otherwise he would not be so happy.
Deng Tong was really angry, thinking that I had worked hard to get back the credit for this Northern spy case, but this old guy could get a share of the pie without any effort. How can I explain this?
And Mr. Zhou, why is he so confused? Isn't he afraid that someone will report this matter and make him miserable?
Although he had a lot of dissatisfaction in his heart, Deng Tong was not a fool. He also knew in his heart that the number one contributor to this case was Yi Ming. If he said that Director Cao had contributed to this case, no one would dare to In rebuttal, even if there were suspicions above, for the sake of Yi Ming, the superior Yamen would not send anyone to conduct a detailed investigation.
Deng Tong looked at Master Cao's book angrily and said angrily: "Old Cao, tell me, what are you asking Mr. Zhou to do?"
Xia Dezhang was stunned, wondering if Deng Tong was crazy? Zhou Yiming sent them out just now because he didn't want them to know the secret. But this boy was lucky. As soon as Master Cao came out, he kept asking questions. Wasn't this causing trouble for himself?
If Chief Cao told Yi Ming this detail later, he would definitely not be able to keep it in his head.
Although he knew that what Deng Tong did was inappropriate, Xia Dezhang did not come forward to stop him, because after all, the two of them were in a competitive relationship in front of Yi Ming. If something happened to Deng Tong, it would be too late for Xia Dezhang to be happy.
Seeing that Deng Tong asked him such a sensitive question, Chief Cao was worried and scared. He didn't know what to do for a moment. However, this panic only existed for a short time, and soon he Realizing that his identity has changed now, with Yi Ming supporting him behind him, who else is he afraid of?
After realizing this, Director Cao was neither humble nor overbearing, and said with a smile: "Inspector Deng, I'm sorry, what Mr. Zhou and I just discussed is of great importance and I have no right to disclose it to you.
If you really want to know, you might as well go inside and ask Mr. Zhou.
If Mr. Zhou asked me to bring it, I have already brought it. If I have something else to do, I won’t accompany you. "
After saying these words, Director Cao immediately turned around and walked away without waiting for Deng Tong to react.
Deng Tong was so angry that his nose was crooked. He really didn't expect that a small civil servant in his yamen would dare to be so arrogant in front of him. Is this a royal act?
In anger, he even lost his mind and wanted to rush over and beat Master Cao violently to satisfy his hatred.
After seeing his intention, Xia Dezhang hurriedly stopped him: "Inspector Deng, don't be impulsive. Can't you see the relationship between Lao Cao and Mr. Zhou?
When Mr. Zhou first came here, he was often taken care of by Lao Cao, and I heard that Lao Cao’s teacher was Mr. Zhou’s father-in-law. If you think about the relationship between the two of them, if you really touched Lao Cao, Is there any good fruit to eat? "
As soon as he heard this, Deng Tong wilted instantly. He put away his posture and sighed: "Oh, what a shame! What do you mean by this? A civilian official with no status, how do you treat me like this?" This top leader actually has this attitude?"
"Take it." Xia Dezhang sneered, "Now don't show off the inspection record. You also know in your heart that you are just a cover now. The real person in charge of our yamen is the one inside."
At this point, the two of them suddenly became speechless, as if their hearts were suddenly weighed down by a huge boulder.
The reason why Xia Dezhang stopped Deng Tong from doing stupid things was actually not out of friendship among his colleagues. He was just afraid that if Chief Cao was beaten and Yi Ming pursued him, he would be blamed.
Seeing Chief Cao's back walking further and further away, Deng Tong gritted his teeth and clenched his hands so loudly.
"Okay, sir, don't be lucky. Come into the house quickly, otherwise you and I can't afford to keep the person in the house waiting." Xia Dezhang reminded him and hurriedly walked into the house.
Deng Tong shook his head, followed him and walked in.
When Zhou Yiming saw the two of them coming in, he quickly said: "You two, hurry up and prepare the carriage. When the carriage is ready, we will set off immediately to the General Affairs Office."
"Yes." Xia Dezhang and Deng Tong looked at each other, and then said in unison.
After the two people finished speaking, they all turned around and planned to go out.
Zhou Yiming suddenly showed a strange smile and called them: "Wait a minute, you two have been waiting outside for so long. Don't you have any questions to ask after entering the house?"
Xia Dezhang and Deng Tong glanced at each other. They were both thinking, what is Lord Zhou's purpose in asking this question? Is he setting a trap for us? Or do you want to tell us some hidden secrets?
The two of them thought for a long time, but no one spoke.
"Why are you two so open to outsiders? We are all our own people. If you have anything you want to ask, you can say it openly and openly. Don't hide it." Zhou Ming continued to encourage.
Although he saw Zhou Ming's harmless expression, Xia Dezhang knew in his heart that all this was just a superficial phenomenon. Today's Zhou Ming is no longer the weak and incompetent little scholar. His every smile and every word he speaks now is Words have a purpose.
If you were in front of him and handled it slightly differently, you would definitely get yourself into trouble.
It is precisely because he is aware of this that no matter how much Zhou Ming encourages, Xia Dezhang remains unmoved and insists on keeping silent.
Deng Tong obviously did not have such good concentration. After hearing Yi Ming's last words of encouragement, he immediately said: "Mr. Zhou, since you have said everything here, I have a question. Please answer.”
"But it doesn't matter." Zhou Ming said quickly with a smile.
"That's right," Deng Tong took a few steps forward and said seriously, "Mr. Zhou, when Director Cao went out just now, his face was happy and arrogant. Xia Captou, I and him He would ignore any words spoken.
Based on his abnormal behavior, I would like to ask Mr. Zhou, what exactly did he say to you just now? "
Seeing Deng Tong talking eloquently, Xia Dezhang secretly muttered in his heart, Inspector Deng, you are really seeking death, do you still need to ask this question? Then the reason why Lao Cao dares to be bold and not give you face is because he has the support of Mr. Zhou behind him? You ask Mr. Zhou such a sensitive question in front of him, how do you want him to answer?
Alas, I think you are not far from being unlucky.
Zhou Yiming smiled slightly, crossed his legs, and said meaningfully: "Actually, it's nothing. If you don't ask, I was just about to tell you.
Lao Cao just asked me to put him on the list of meritorious personnel this time, and I agreed.
When I go to the government office later, I will also tell Mr. Han about this and ask him to add Lao Cao's name to the memorial to the emperor.
This matter cannot be brought to light, and if it is leaked, it may be the crime of deceiving the emperor, so I hope that you two will keep the secret for me and never let it out to the outside world. "
