Thousands of miles away in the city of Youzhou, Deng Xuanzhong, the minister of Wude and the governor of Youzhou, also staggered back to his bedchamber with the smell of alcohol and powder; then he lay down with his arms and legs spread out. At the same time as the cloud-screened bed was opened, the hidden compartment hidden under the bed board was also opened.
Immediately a dark iron box with a technical machine lock was revealed. After opening it with the key hanging close to his body, he immediately revealed a thick bundle of money notes, redemption slips, and deeds for real estate, fields and shops; then he took the newly received five hundred coins. Put the money ticket in.
Immediately afterwards, Deng Xuanzhong began to spit and wet his fingers, counting each item one by one, confirming the progress of accumulating his private property over and over again. His private pleasures were so unpretentious. At least compared to the gorgeous and extravagant items outside, these are what he relies on.
Wude Division has many standards for evaluating work performance, and it has developed a series of complicated and thorough processes over the years. But in the final analysis, there are only two key points, one is to gain power, and the other is to gain money; and as a place where Wude Secretary can openly carry out activities, there are two capitals and sixteen prefectures.
Some places are suitable for making money, such as the southeastern prefectures that are located in important areas of wealth. Some places are suitable for exercising power, such as the two capitals and Taiyuan and other areas with strong political ecology. There are also places where both money and power can be made; but there are more The place can only be used as a place to lie down and retire.
For example, Guangzhou is not far from Hainan Island. And Youzhou is undoubtedly at the bottom among the rankings of these prefectures and cities, only higher than the one or two prefectures at the bottom. Therefore, it is impossible to directly transfer him back to Beijing based on his qualifications. He can only seek to replace him with a wealthy manor.
The more money saved in these private pockets, the more the better, and there is never enough money. But fortunately, now that it has been controlled and monopolized for a long time, the gray businesses in the Lulong Mansion and the underground industry in the Yanshan Prince's Mansion have collapsed together with the young master, and many people have been implicated.
The remaining local officials and general families, wealthy businessmen, and wealthy families were also panic-stricken, fearing that disaster would fall from the sky. Therefore, by secretly inquiring about information and seeking help, Deng Xuanzhong was able to get a blessing in disguise by catching wind and shadow, and in a short time He quickly made a fortune.
After counting like this several times, Deng Xuanzhong sealed the box and the secret compartment with satisfaction. Under the influence of the remaining alcohol, he and Yiyi lay on their backs on the bed and fell asleep. At this moment, he dreamed that he had returned to the capital and was entrusted with an important task in Gongtai Province.
When he was enjoying his glory, even the noble lady from the royal family, whom he could not reach in the Wude Department, was favoring him under the influence of power; then, Deng Xuanzhong suffered from extreme thirst and heat. He woke up suddenly; he was just about to call his maid and concubine to serve tea.
But unexpectedly, he saw a figure sitting in the darkness, looking at him with twinkling eyes. In an instant, Deng Xuanzhong broke into a cold sweat, and the remaining effects of his dream and alcohol disappeared. As the custody officer of the Youzhou Wude Division, he is not an unprepared and vigilant person.
Not only are there at least a dozen subordinates and privately hired guards in this exclusive residence, but not far away is the county government office of Jixian County, as well as one of the left and right military patrol stations established by the Six Street Envoys of the Two Capitals. ; But the other party could easily touch his bed without any alarm;
Therefore, Deng Xuanzhong, who was thinking a lot at the next moment, closed his eyes and said: "This strong man, since you have the ability to come close to me, then I will accept your defeat; if there is anything you like or want in this pavilion, Just take it away, I won’t pursue it, and I’ve never seen you.”
"...Do you think I am a gentleman who came here to seek wealth? Don't worry, no one will disturb you." However, the other party sneered and walked to the window to push open the carved door leaf, letting in the clear moonlight. The light soaked into the room; it also illuminated Deng Xuanzhong's heart with chills.
Then, under the illumination of the moonlight, he could see the other person's face clearly. In an instant, he couldn't help but fell down again, but he was so frightened that his blood ran cold all over his body. Although he was just among the officials who came out to greet him and met him once as a routine, he still recognized him.
"I don't know... why Shang Xian is here." However, Deng Xuanzhong, who was full of turmoil, could only force himself to calm down and said in a low voice: "If there is anything I can do for you, I can send someone to send you a name card." Well, why do you need to work hard and come late at night?"
"There is no specific official business..." Jiang Tian then pulled out a piece of paper, sat in front of him again and wrote lightly: "I just happened to encounter a question recently, and I would like to ask the superintendent to clarify it. After all, Asi has been in Youzhou Wude Division for seven years?"
"Shang Xian, please tell me, as long as the lower officials know everything, they must know everything." When Deng Xuanzhong heard this, his heart rose to his throat again, and then he showed a little bitter smile and said: "I will not hide it from you, I am also being I just wandered around the capital and got this job."
"You are devaluing yourself too much, aren't you?" Jiang Tian was unmoved by his self-exposure of his ugliness and his figure in the feudal lord's palace, and said, "However, I just want to know, this time, the young master of the Yanshan Palace The true route of the secret escort to Beijing was leaked in advance."
"Look at what you said, I'm just a prison officer. I usually collect some gossip from the streets and alleys." Hearing this, Deng Xuanzhong couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart, but he quickly laughed and said: "How can I have such qualifications and abilities? How about getting involved in the bigger issues of right and wrong in this relationship?”
"To be honest, before I came to you, I had met at least five potential insiders of the secret escort route and formation." However, Jiang Tian didn't care about his excuse and said to himself: "Including The envoys of the Eastern Capital and the auditors of the three departments will conduct inspections."
"But they may have motives but not enough opportunities; or they may have opportunities but lack the corresponding motives. Or they may have both opportunities and motives, but they do not have the ability to act. Do you know?" At this point, Jiang "They have seen you and your people before," he said without warning.
"This... what kind of excuse is this? The lower official is just entrusted by others to work more diligently in private." After hearing this, Deng Xuanzhong showed aggrieved and dissatisfied, but also faintly fearful expression and said: "The imperial court has its own laws. If the Supreme Court feels something is wrong, you can..."
"So, I started to guess, when did you secretly seek refuge with Shaojun?" Jiang Tian still ignored it, but said on his own: "Then, I had people reorganize the things that Shaojun collected privately. The handle and evidence, but I found something interesting."
"In order to control and threaten everyone in Youzhou's government offices, Shaojun secretly forced them to cooperate or communicate with each other. It can be said that he went to the extreme. Even the local palace envoys tortured and beat them in private. The evidence for the murder of child servants and maids has been collected.”
"As my mother-in-law, the Governor of Youzhou also has flaws in his past mistakes; however, there is nothing related to the local Wude Division; it is as clean as if it does not exist? Why do you think this is? , is the local Wudesi so clean?"
"Is it because he really doesn't like it, thinks it's insignificant, and doesn't bother to deal with it? Or is it because he has already subdued him and accepted it as his confidant? So, you just wiped it clean by the way. All traces and potential for culpability.”
"In other words, there are many honest and upright officials in this world, and there are also capable ministers and officials who are dedicated to serving the country; but when it comes to you, the Wude Secretary, it is a bit too conspicuous. Obviously this is the key, and it has been ignored. Blind spots and darkness under the light, isn’t it?”
"If you continue to follow this line of thinking, you have done nothing on the surface, but secretly been driven by Shaojun's disciples; in disguise, you have mastered the news channels and spies network in Lulong Mansion, then there are many difficult and difficult problems before. , it can be completely explained.”
"This... is too far-fetched!" Hearing this, Deng Xuanzhong's expression turned pale, and his body trembled as if he was angry: "Even if you are the constitutional envoy of the imperial court, you cannot ignore the law and act wantonly. The frame-up and frame-up will be punished!"
"I...of course I can!" However, Jiang Tian just paused and smiled lightly: "In the face of people who associate with monsters and harm living beings, as a monster hunter and Xijing Zhiyuan, the Eastern Capital Headquarters Supervisor, I naturally have the necessary expediency and convenience to deal with the situation as needed."
"..." In an instant, Deng Xuazhong stooped down as if a balloon had been popped, as if the energy and spirit in his body had been emptied, leaving only a hollow shell-like murmur: "Can you believe it? I was also forced to do this. He is so powerful in the local area, how can I resist him?"
"Of course I don't believe it." Jiang Tian said categorically, while looking at the dumbfounded opponent: "If it was just others who were coerced into doing this, then after Shaojun's fall, he should have stood up long ago. Don’t tell me that you are afraid of the powerful eunuchs who collude with the DPRK and China?”
"Don't tell me that you don't even know the news that Governor Hou is not coming back? In other words, you should have used the illegal evidence you have to redeem yourself; but since you didn't do that, you tried to continue Conceal it. Does that mean you have a deeper relationship with Shaojun?"
"Or maybe it involves something more serious. You've done so many secret things in private that you can't turn back. You can only try your best to hide it? I heard that the envoys who seized the palace copied millions of coins. They have a lot of household items; but most of them are farm property and other businesses, and their wealth is limited."
"The auditors of the Third Division also found a large number of shortfalls and arrears in the various properties under the name of the royal family over the years, which were seriously inconsistent with the current book numbers, and were even mostly false reports. Many records of the money, use, and whereabouts , are all missing inexplicably?”
"I was wondering, how much do you know, and what role did you play in it?" At this point, Jiang Tian glanced at Deng Xuanzhong, who was dumbfounded, and said, "In other words, you still control the secrets of the palace. secret channels and hidden forces, and what do you want to use these to achieve?”
"Let me guess, it's a big shot in the court, in exchange for the corresponding way to get into the world? No, if that's the case, you should have let out some news, and then try to sell it for a price. I remember, you were You came to Lulong Mansion seven years ago, right? Did you come here with a mission?"
"Let me guess again. In addition to your deep cooperation with Shaojun, you are also responsible for guarding and monitoring a certain person and a certain secret purpose in Youzhou?" The next moment, Deng Shouzhong slowly raised his head. , describing the bleakness and saying in a difficult voice: "I... have nothing to say."
"Young Master has offended Shang Xian, it is really a great misfortune." At this moment, he seemed to be wearing an indescribable mask, and said numbly: "It's just that I really have ulterior motives. In fact, I was ordered Yu... stayed with Shaojun just to obtain enough certificates."
Then, he turned around and sat back on the bed with a dejected gesture, and took the initiative to open another hidden compartment at the head of the bed; but with the help of his body's cover, he instantly swallowed a pill that was like a shriveled walnut into his mouth; while swallowing it, he let out a cry. There was a shrill scream, and veins protruded from the blood vessels all over his head, face, and body.
Immediately afterwards, the lower jaw protruded and stretched forward, and the cheeks quickly cracked, revealing rows of bloody and proliferated canine teeth; the limbs also twisted and proliferated to form bone tips. However, Jiang Tian slapped him against the wall, making a loud snap, and then slid down like a twisted painting.
"What kind of self-confidence do you have that dares you to transform into a demon in front of me?" Jiang Tian looked at Deng Xuanzhong coldly, who was pinned to the ground and unable to move; "What I hate the most is you scum who always collude with monsters. , do you think you can be liberated if you become like this?"
Afterwards, Jiang Tian carried Deng Xuanzhong, who had been interrupted in the mutation process, and pushed out the door. He saw that in the courtyard with all the lights out and the moonlight shining like frost, there were already several well-dressed expert team members standing; and beside them, The inner courtyard guards and Wude Department personnel were still tied up and subdued.
"Don't think about turning into a monster. You can just seal it up yourself." Jiang Tian then said to the half-dead Deng Xuanzhong: "The versions you know are all outdated. Even if you become a monster, I will still have the opportunity to kill you." Come back and accept the torture..."
At this time, among the people who were subdued and kneeling, there was a woman with disheveled hair. Suddenly she looked at the inhuman Deng Shouzhong and laughed hoarsely: "Deng Gaoda, you have today too! Ever since you designed to harm my family, you took the opportunity to He took possession of my body and was counting on this moment.”
"I want to report him. He has a secret hiding place elsewhere. There are still people guarding the account books and book records..." After hearing this sentence, his limbs were originally broken, but under the torture of continuous self-healing, the pain Deng Xuanzhong, who was speechless, could not help but react with anger.
However, when Jiang Tian took advantage of the situation and returned to his temporary residence. But after being rescued, Yan Ting, who stayed with her temporarily as a maid in the hall, reported that a visitor who came to visit at starry night had been waiting for a long time.
(End of chapter)
