Impermanence means changing and recurring.
In traditional culture, impermanence is usually associated with black and white, becoming the messenger of the underworld, that is, life and death.
The Jin Yiwei supervises hundreds of officials, wearing flying fish clothes, embroidered spring swords, and holding a book of impermanence.
This group of mad dogs, hated by all civil and military officials, also need reasons for their actions, and the words and deeds of all officials need to be recorded at all times.
It was obviously impossible to rely on memory alone, so a secret text came into being.
The Impermanence Book is a small booklet used by Jinyiwei to record the words and deeds of officials. It is only the size of a palm.
Generally speaking, spies from all over the Jinyiwei record the words and deeds of officials in the Impermanence Book. After verification by the superior officer, if the official has indeed committed a crime, a driving notice will be issued to apprehend the criminal.
Therefore, although the Jin Yiwei is biting everywhere, they do not have driving posts, and they cannot arrest people at will, so their power is limited.
It's just that in the early Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongwu was very suspicious, so he handed out the driving notice as if he didn't need money. When all the officials saw the driving notice, it was like meeting the king of hell, and they could just tell the funeral affairs directly.
What was placed on Mao Xiang's desk was the impermanence book of the Jinyiwei spy who was responsible for monitoring Liang Guogong's mansion.
He reached out and took it. There were not many words in the Book of Impermanence, but it concerned Duke Liang, and he took it very seriously.
The things recorded in the Impermanence Book are relatively simple: Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang Kingdom, was drinking in the back garden, and there were many words of resentment in his words.
There is only one record on the first page. The specific words of resentment are not stated, but there is a small note at the back. At that time, Lan Yu waved back to the left and right, and from a long distance, only a few words could be heard.
The things recorded in the Impermanence Book are very subjective, and the meaning of the words may be completely different if the words are slightly broken. Therefore, many times, Jin Yiwei only hears a few words, and then combines the tone and demeanor of the speaker to make a conclusion.
This is also the reason why all the officials hate and fear the Jin Yiwei. Since the establishment of the Jin Yiwei, all civil and military officials have been in a state of panic. They have no idea whether there are spies from the Jin Yiwei at home. They even have to be careful about what they say, for fear of angering the emperor.
As the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Mao Xiang naturally knew the secrets involved. He only skimmed the first page and quickly turned it over.
There is even less content on the second page: Lan Yu drank more than half and discussed with her adopted son Lan Yuan, but her words are unknown.
Useless nonsense, Mao Xiang turned over another page, feeling a little angry in his heart. If this book of impermanence was full of these useless things, then there would be no need for the spy to live.
On the third page, Mao Xiang finally saw something valuable: Halfway through the discussion, Liang Guogong Lan Yu became furious, scolded his adopted son Lan Yuan, smashed a wine bottle and several wine glasses, and left with a wave of sleeves.
The record in the Impermanence Book ended here. Mao Xiang then put it aside and recalled Lan Yuan's identity in his mind.
According to his investigation, Lan Yuan was the adopted son of Lan Yu, Duke of Liang State, in the 16th year of Hongwu. He followed Lan Yu in the wars in the north and south, and worked hard and made great achievements.
And this Lan Yuan, unlike Lan Yu's other adopted sons, has a clear mind, knows the pros and cons, and has warned Lan Yu many times. He has won Lan Yu's trust and can be said to be Lan Yu's confidant.
Although Lan Yu was a rough man and had a bad temper, the father and son never had any quarrels, let alone such severe scoldings.
As the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Mao Xiang has always adhered to the principle of preferring to kill the wrongdoer rather than letting go. In the Hu Weiyong case, many people were arrested and imprisoned under his instructions and became Hu Party members.
Therefore, this abnormal situation between Lan Yu and Lan Yuan immediately attracted his attention.
"This spy is quite good, and he is meticulous in his actions. If it were other Jin Yiwei, he would probably treat it as a normal situation and not report it in such a timely manner."
Lan Yu's reputation was astonishing even among the Jinyi Guards. Who in Yingtian City didn't know that Duke Liang Lan Yu had a bad temper and acted impulsively without regard for the consequences. Quarrels that don't happen often in the eyes of ordinary people are commonplace for Lan Yu.
"Of the sixteen spies sent to monitor Lan Yu, he was the only one who was keenly aware of something wrong. Apparently he had done a lot of research."
Mao Xiang picked up the Book of Impermanence again, looked at the name on the cover, and read out softly: "Jiang Gu, the name is quite difficult to pronounce, but he is a very malleable talent."
After writing down the name, Mao Xiang thought for a moment and decided to report the matter to His Majesty.
In his position, he needs to maintain a keen sense of smell. The slightest disturbance may involve countless heads behind it.
The previous case of Hu Weiyong was widely implicated, and there were many voices of resentment among the ministers. They could not bear to bear His Majesty's grudges, and all the hostility was given to Mao Xiang.
He is acting very cautiously now, lest he make any mistakes and be caught by the ministers, who will use this to take his head off.
At the moment, he didn't know what Lan Yu and Lan Yuan said, but with that caution, Mao Xiang immediately decided to go to the palace to meet the saint, and report anything first before talking about it, so as not to delay the opportunity.
The sky at dusk seemed to be covered with a thin layer of red mist.
Mao Xiang walked quickly, and there was a lot of wind and fire. Occasionally, when he saw courtiers on the road, he avoided them like snakes and scorpions, as if he saw a scourge.
Entering the imperial city, you can only see the patrolling imperial army in the empty imperial city. Going forward, you can see a man walking like a dragon and a tiger, followed by several guards.
Mao Xiang was startled. He was still far away, and he was already kneeling on the ground and said: "Mao Xiang, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, kneels down to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhu Di heard the sound, took a look, walked over quickly and said, "Master Mao, please get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As soon as Mao Xiang stood up, Zhu Di couldn't wait to ask: "Master Mao, are you going to meet your father?"
"As for your Majesty, I am about to go to see His Majesty to report back."
The thoughts in Zhu Di's mind were beating, and he couldn't help but be curious. As the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Mao Xiang had many secrets in his hands. Now that he went to see his father, he might have caught the handle of an official, and this official must at least be Otherwise, there would be no need to come so late for a person of the rank of Minister of the Sixth Ministry.
He has a lively mind and has identified a few possible characters. At present, he has little foundation in Yingtian. Although he has been appointed as the prince, many things are far less convenient than in Peiping. As the commander of the Jinyiwei, Mao Xiang is a worthy person. Object to strive for.
If we could borrow the energy of this huge secret service agency, many things would be much easier to do. However, the Imperial Guard has always been directly subordinate to the emperor, and Zhu Di did not dare to act rashly. If he offended his father, it might not be as simple as punishment.
He thought for a moment and then said with a smile: "This is a coincidence. I also want to see my father. How about you and I go together, Mr. Mao?"
Mao Xiang was stunned for a moment, then said: "I am honored to be honored."
Soon, Zhu Di and Mao Xiang came to the back garden. By the pond, Zhu Yuanzhang was fishing there with a fishing rod in his hand, and a fish basket at his feet.
After the guards made the announcement, Zhu Di and Mao Xiang approached, knelt down and said, "I, my minister (wei minister), kowtow to your majesty."
"Everyone, get up and keep your voice down. Don't disturb the fish."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhu Di stood up, took a step forward, stood next to Zhu Yuanzhang, and took a furtive glance at the fish basket. There was nothing in it. Apparently his father had not been able to catch the fish yet.
Mao Xiang didn't dare to look at it like this. He stood respectfully behind and explained everything that happened in Liang Guogong's mansion today.
There is no need to add fuel to the fire. There is really nothing to add to what happened today, but Mao Xiang still expressed his thoughts.
In this regard, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was still thinking about fishing, naturally did not want to waste his energy thinking about it, so he said: "Fourth, what do you think?"
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