A few days later, when the sun was warm and the plum blossoms were blooming on the branches, Jiang Dan, freshly bathed and well-dressed, also ushered in the day of his release from prison: and without any surprise, he boarded a carriage with silk curtains.
And in his ears, he was still counting Fan Shizi who sent him out, and his rough voice full of envy, jealousy and hatred:
"Mr. Lang, you are so lucky. You are guilty of slander. Even after the Spring Judgment, you will be sentenced to at least a few years of exile!"
"But your Dongweng family has exerted great efforts and actually asked the nobles in the palace to speak out about this matter, included you in the Eight Discussions, and even offered your redemption. !”
"In addition, this time coincides with the birth of the Holy Lord (the Queen Mother), so this pardon was issued by the way; otherwise, I'm afraid you will have to wait for more than half a year for the autumn trial to reach an agreement. !”
(Eight discussions: Chinese feudal criminal law stipulates that crimes against eight kinds of people must be handed over to the emperor for judgment or the punishment can be reduced according to the law. The first discussion is about relatives, the second is about the past, the third is about the virtuous, the fourth is about ability, the fifth is about merit, and the sixth is about Noble, seven talks about diligence, eight talks about guests.)
Therefore, this carriage came specially to take him to Ambassador Liang's residence to express his thanks and greetings accordingly.
However, on the turret outside Tailao, Guo Chongtao, the censor of the city patrol, who had watched him go away, turned respectfully to an elderly man next to him who was dressed in regular clothes but had a very dignified manner and said:
"Master Zhou, could it be possible to let him go so easily... Now this matter involves a lot of things, and there are many hidden things behind this kid..."
"That's why we have to lend a helping hand and let him out! Do you think that in this prison, we can completely dig out his behind-the-scenes connections..."
The left inspector Zhou Bangyan, who had gray hair and a dignified appearance, said calmly:
"The matter he exposed was superficially related to the Jingzhao family, but privately it was already a big deal, involving the past of countless families; even the Holy Lord of the West Palace asked about it; "
"Then...are you afraid?"
Guo Chongtao couldn't help but doubt after hearing this:
"Don't be too troublesome. Since the story of Princess Zhenzhu has come before, is there anyone who dares to torture him now? Aren't they afraid that their own future and wealth will also be involved?"
However, Zhou Bangyan gently stroked his beard and said:
"Since everything about him is so entangled, and extraordinary measures cannot be used, what's the use of staying in this prison anymore? It's better to let him out, so that those who are interested can take advantage of more opportunities. ?”
"Zhou Shi Ruiming, presumably after this incident, Ambassador Liang no longer has a reason to protect him, right?"
Guo Chongtao couldn't help but suddenly realized, and he was sincerely convinced: This must be a comprehensive strategy to lure the snake out of its hole.
The carriage carrying Jiang Tian drove for who knows how long, then stopped and passed through the small side door on the side of the high wall.
In the courtyard of Liang Mansion's back house where the plum branches were blooming and the fragrance spread; Jiang Tian also saw the dirty-faced lolita that his predecessor had been obsessed with and desperately wanted to save.
Now she looks like a girl with skin as soft as frost, a round face, some baby fat on her hands and feet, and a girl as delicate as a doll;
She was seen wearing a green and red pomegranate colored pleated skirt. Although she was only about eleven years old, she had a simple side bun tied with three-color silk polyester;
If you observe carefully, you will find that her big eyes, which are somewhat two-dimensional in style, still have the same different shades of pupils as a Persian cat.
The moment she saw Jiang Tian, the girl was like a long-lost cat full of grievances. Regardless of the screams of the maids on the left and right, she just fell headlong into his arms.
However, although her voice was still not fully recovered, she could just lean against Jiang Tian and make some gestures as if she was very satisfied and at ease.
Jiang Tian was also happy to be quiet, and he felt the girl as he went along, venting some of his overly intimate emotions, and only responded with a nod and a smile. Because this may also be the last farewell to see her.
Because while accepting the host's thanks again in the vestibule, the meaning behind the words was also made very clear. After this matter, the grudges between each other were settled, and there was no longer any relationship.
At the same time, at the moment of contact, Jiang Tian also saw a green text prompt in his field of vision: "Guidance mission "Redemption", completion rate (150%), energy collection... (0.98 units) is approaching the transition point..."
It turns out that coming to see him like this actually has such benefits? However, Jiang Tian quickly ignored this unexpected surprise. After observing Sakon again and making sure no one was prying, he smiled at the girl and said:
"Let me do a trick for you..."
In the bright and bright sunshine in the morning, following Jiang Tian's thought, a crystal fruit ball suddenly jumped up on the dessert tray, and then bounced a little naughtily into the air, flying into the girl's stunned eyes. Big in small mouth.
"Woooooooo..."
Then, another white fruit ball started to move in the tray. In front of the starry-eyed girl who was inexplicably surprised, it began to be flattened, rounded and stretched by invisible force, and finally turned into a rough and vague shape. Visible villain.
Then, the other two fruit balls began to knead together on their own, and turned into a larger villain. He danced and danced, and under Jiang Tian's dubbing, he began to perform stories for the girls.
At least Jiang Tian has confirmed through repeated attempts that this level of subtle manipulation of the close-up "guidance" ability no longer consumes much energy and strength; it can be used as a magic trick anytime and anywhere, and can be played all day long.
However, the time for gatherings always passes quickly, and in a blink of an eye it is almost noon. Then the maid came to announce that the banquet had been prepared, but the time came to say goodbye.
At the same time, in a Wuhou shop near Liang's residence. Around Guo Chongtao, who has returned to his true nature as an inspection censor, some people couldn't help but asked in disbelief:
"He didn't take the opportunity to escape, but just came back by car?"
"The opportunities I gave him before and after were wasted."
"I wanted to see how much this guy could be involved in?"
"Okay, that being the case, there's no need to add any more extraneous details."
Guo Chongtao interrupted them and said:
Because Shangguan was ordered to continue to pursue the follow-up relationship of the case, he was able to gather this temporary group and team; that is, the people he dispatched from the Yushi Palace and the yamen elsewhere to follow and obey orders.
"From the line of the opera in front of Kaiming Temple on Yuanyuan night, I have already discovered something by following it."
Then, another employee hurried in from outside the door and gasped:
"The people sent over have found suspected traces of the Five Immortals Sect and are searching for further connections."
"Why are you such a heretic again? Are you sure you are not the God of Five Powers, but the Thief of Five Immortals?"
Another observer asked rhetorically:
"It is indeed an object of the Five Immortals Sect. It will be handed over later."
The visitor explained:
However, this result and answer did not satisfy Guo Chongtao.
Another obscene worship group that was once part of the common people came from the local fertility worship in Liangling and Fujian. However, it later spread back to the capital with the families of many ministers, officials and family members who were exiled to the local areas and almost built temples in public; The Wutong God who was banned and suppressed was different.
This Five Immortals Sect originated from the fear and worship of the various ethnic groups in the southwestern frontier and the mixed Han and Yi tribes towards the rampant poisonous insect miasma in the local area. Later, as Liang Pingping destroyed the barbarians in the southwestern part of Nanzhao and Weifu, he turned the banner's homeland into the governor's palace of Nanping;
A large number of Nanzhao kings, nobles, subjects and aristocratic families were sent as prisoners and brought to the capital; they became one of the many obscene priests that developed underground. If this were the case, Gyeonggi, as a gathering place for the three religions and nine streams at home and abroad, would not be an exception.
However, due to its tradition of worshiping and habitually using poisons, it quickly changed its taste during the underground spread; especially after combining with some local forces, it began to develop a style of poisoning for money and killing, and paying murderers to kill people. So it was quickly wiped out and extinct for a while.
Therefore, it is different from the Wutong God who has been linked to seeking children and fertility and the art of sexual intercourse, and has always been secretly worshiped by foolish men and women, which has led to the emergence of the Wutong God from time to time; the Five Immortals Sect is active and has no trace of its existence, but it has not been seen for many years. .
Then, Guo Chongtao, who felt a little worried and troubled, turned to ask a few other people:
"Chang'an is so big now, I'm afraid we've already mobilized people to explore the places we should be looking for, right?"
"Not quite?"
Suddenly someone said: It was an aide who once belonged to Jinwu Street Envoy.
"how do I say this?"
Guo Chongtao couldn't help but frown and said:
"Inspector, did you forget Ping Kangli?"
The assistant hesitated and spoke softly:
Speaking of Pingkangli, everyone's expressions became a little subtle; after all, as a member of the small and medium-sized famous Beijing officials in Chang'an City, how could they not have heard of (experienced personally) the "beautiful scenery" that Chang'an City has long been famous for? "Woolen cloth?
However, due to certain historical issues left over from the previous generation, Pingkang Sanli, which is currently located on the northwest side of Dongda City, is actually under the jurisdiction of Wannian County in Jingzhao Prefecture. It has a relatively subtle identity and status.
Among them, Pingkangnanli is relatively simple, except for the common middle- and lower-class brothels and theaters; it is mainly a place where the kept officials' wives and businesswomen gather together. Others are no different from anywhere else.
In Pingkang Zhongli, in addition to large and small museums and courtyards, it is famous for its peripheral practitioners who control the Jiaofang Division, as well as many part-time Lehu, advocates, and actors.
As for the most high-end Pingkang Beili, it is the best and the essence of it; but also because of a certain established practice, dozens of large and small associations headed by Yiyinglou have been formed to manage their own daily life.
Because, even as the most selfless Taichung censor, there is no guarantee that one day he will not be able to use the possibility of information exchange, trading, and hiring places headed by Yiyinglou.
"This matter is not difficult. As long as we ask Zuo Du to come forward, I believe that Yi Yinglou and downstairs will naturally give an explanation and excuse."
Therefore, Guo Chongtao quickly came to his senses and said:
"Actually... there is also the ghost market."
The man then stopped talking and said:
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere and expressions of the people present were immediately stagnant. Because of the existence of this Chang'an ghost market, prosecutors like them are the first to bear the brunt of it. They usually need to keep it secret, but they have to face it occasionally.
Because according to legend, the ghost market, which is active in the underground space and extends in all directions, is actually a representative of the gray shadow of Chang'an, and it is also the master of the dark side of people's hearts under the materialistic desires;
Therefore, it not only contains many shady entities and transactions of unknown origin; it may even involve the secret activities of ministers in the court, wealthy families, and nobles...
Therefore, even if the Jingzhao Mansion in the past dynasties has always vowed to crack down and inspect it again and again; but after a long or short period of time, the new ghost market with a new face can always resurrect in other corners.
