Two days later.
The weather is getting colder.
There were fewer and fewer people coming and going in the city, and a figure was running around the city.
When approaching the imperial city, the man spoke to the guarding soldiers, and soon the guards entered the palace. Not long after, a man wearing eunuch clothes appeared outside the imperial city.
Zhao Gao looked at Yan Le coldly and asked directly: "Xu Fu escaped?"
Yan Le looked a little impatient and said in a low voice: "Uncle, I have been keeping a close eye on Xu Fu these days, but Xu Fu didn't go out for two consecutive days. I'm worried that Xu Fu might be aware of his situation and secretly look for an opportunity to escape. went."
Hear the words.
Zhao Gao's face changed slightly and he said coldly: "Tell me everything you know."
Yan Le said: "Xu Fu has been staying at Fangshiju these days. Fangshiju is not far from the imperial city, but Fangshiju is also next to some civilian households. Xu Fu has not left the door these days and has been staying inside Fangshiju. You can still hear faint sounds of 'puff' refining medicine outside, but today there is no sound from inside the Alchemist's Residence."
"Quiet as death."
"I knew immediately something was wrong."
"Immediately take someone to ask the nearby households."
"They said that since last month, dull knocking sounds can be heard from time to time. I suspect that Xu Fu has made preparations for a long time. He may even have dug a tunnel directly to the nearby households. When these people go out to work, He took the opportunity to dig out of the tunnel, changed his clothes, and escaped."
"After I realized it, I immediately went to check the houses near Fangshiju. Sure enough, I found a tunnel in a house."
"Xu Fu escaped?!" Zhao Gao's eyes were extremely cold.
Yan Le lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Zhao Gao's eyes, and said timidly: "Ying should have escaped. I've actually discovered it. I just realized it too late. But don't worry, uncle, I just took someone to check." Well, the tunnel must have just been dug out not long ago, and it’s still daytime, so Xu Fuying can’t escape too far.”
Said.
Yan Le's voice became smaller and smaller.
Zhao Gao stared at Yan Le with cold eyes. How could he not understand the excuses Yan Le said?
Yan Le didn't care at all.
He was afraid that he only found out that Xu Fu dug a tunnel and escaped from the household registration.
"Uncle, what should we do now?" Yan Le whispered.
"What should I do?" Zhao Gao's eyes were extremely gloomy and he said angrily: "You still have the nerve to ask me? I entrusted you with such a good job just to put the blame in His Majesty's ears. Is this how you answered me?"
Yan Le lowered his head, very frightened.
Didn't he know that Xu Fu was so cunning?
Zhao Gao looked solemn and said in a serious voice: "How many people know the news of Xu Fu's escape now?"
"There shouldn't be many people there." Yan Le said uncertainly, but when he met Zhao Gao's indifferent gaze, he quickly added: "The household knows that. When I came to see my uncle, the household was already there. If you go to the government and report it, the government may know about it."
"How long have you been away today?" Zhao Gao asked.
Yan Le said: "Half an hour later, that family had something to do today. They came back not long after they left."
Zhao Gao's expression softened slightly and he frowned and said: "Half an hour is too long, but with Xu Fu's caution, he would not be in a hurry to leave after hearing that the residents were leaving. In addition, he still had to dig the last tunnel, so he should run It’s not far away, so go and keep an eye on the surrounding alleys right now.”
"If you find any trace, report it to the officials immediately!"
"I'll report it to Your Majesty."
Finished.
Zhao Gao rushed towards the palace in panic.
Yan Le bowed, his brows knitted together, and his heart was filled with confusion.
From beginning to end, he felt that it was a good thing that Xu Fu escaped, but for some reason Zhao Gao insisted on Xu Fu's death.
Yan Le didn't understand, but Zhao Gao's heart was clear.
Your Majesty has changed!
After Xia Wuji presented the prescription and His Majesty's health improved greatly, the situation has changed. His Majesty has slowed down. Although it is not obvious, he has noticed that in the past, His Majesty only wanted to promote the Qin New Deal to The world then made many concessions and chose to turn a blind eye to many things.
Now His Majesty has re-examined the world.
The killing of those dozen servants is the best proof.
This is also His Majesty’s warning.
In the past, His Majesty did not have the energy to reorganize the court, but now that His Majesty's health has improved, he has paid attention to the court again, and has directly given a harsh attitude to the outside world. If Xu Fu escaped at this time, I am afraid that he had recommended it in the first place. Officials who recommended, sponsored, and approved Xu Fu will be investigated and dealt with.
All are punished severely!
I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to escape from it.
During this period of time, he has been deliberately speaking ill of Xu Fu, and has also been deliberately distancing himself from his relationship, in order to avoid being affected. If Xu Fu is really allowed to escape, everything he has done will be in vain. Destined to be abandoned by the First Emperor.
He doesn't want to be His Majesty's 'chicken' to intimidate the courtiers!
soon.
Zhao Gao arrived at Xianyang Palace.
He immediately reported what Yan Le said to the First Emperor.
Ying Zheng said coldly: "Xu Fu escaped?"
Zhao Gao said: "Your Majesty, the place where the alchemist lives is always a secret, and I don't know the specific situation. But according to the household registers of nearby residents, Xu Fu has probably escaped, but he didn't escape for too long. If the whole city is searched, he will definitely be there." Xu Fu can be captured and brought back."
"Xu Fu's heart is to be killed!"
"I was deceived by traitors in the past and almost caused disaster."
"Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Gao knelt on the ground, feeling extremely uneasy.
His whole body was shaking.
Ying Zheng glanced at Zhao Gao a few times, thought for a moment, and said coldly: "Immediately inform Lang Zhongling that we will search the whole city. Even if we dig three feet into the ground, we must capture Xu Fu."
"promise."
"I sincerely request you to follow and arrest me," Zhao Gao said.
Ying Zheng glanced at Zhao Gao a few times, and finally nodded and said, "That's right."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Gao didn't dare to stop and walked away quickly.
soon.
There was a commotion in the city.
Zhao Gao followed Feng Jie to Fang Shiju.
When Zhao Gao and others entered it, there was no one inside. Zhao Gao glanced a few times and looked at the bronze tripod. The medicinal stones inside were gone, leaving only some residue. Zhao Gao said to Feng Jie: "Feng Jie Order of the Zhongche Mansion, when I came here last time, there were still a few pills in this bronze cauldron, and now there are only residues left. I suggest that this bronze cauldron be moved to the Imperial Physician's Mansion, and let the imperial physician from the Imperial Physician's Mansion examine the pills on it. The residue is tested.”
Feng Jie frowned. He went to the bronze tripod, stretched out his hand to wipe out some of the residue, and put it on the tip of his nose. He immediately smelled a pungent stench.
Feng Jie nodded and said, "Someone, please send this bronze tripod to the Imperial Physician's Mansion."
At this time.
A servant came to report.
A secret passage was discovered in Xu Fu's bedroom.
Feng Jie immediately turned around. After seeing the cold secret passage below, he said coldly: "Look at the entrance of this secret passage. Xu Fu has been digging this secret passage for a long time. I am afraid he has been arranging an escape method for a long time. These alchemists should It’s really heartbreaking.”
"Deserves to be killed!"
Zhao Gao smiled bitterly and said: "Now that Xu Fu has escaped, there is no use staying in Fang Shiju. We should conduct a strict search immediately."
"If Xu Fu escapes, something serious will happen."
"Xu Fu used to make medicine for His Majesty."
"I have even gone to sea for His Majesty several times. I have spent a lot of resources searching for immortals over the years. If I let him escape, I am afraid that he will be used by the remnants of the Six Nations, and there will probably be a lot of trouble. Please, please Dr. Feng ordered you to pay more attention during this period and not let him escape."
Zhao Gao said it very sincerely.
Feng Jie glanced at Zhao Gao and said coldly: "You don't need to say anything. I will search carefully on your Majesty's order."
"That's good." Zhao Gao said.
It's a little quiet indoors.
Zhao Gao noticed that Feng Jie was not happy with him.
So after hesitating for a while, he still chose to leave.
After leaving Fang Shiju, Zhao Gao did not stay, let alone go to Yan Le, and returned directly to the imperial city.
He knows it very well.
It is no longer suitable to be outside now.
If Yan Le was the first to discover Xu Fu's departure, he could still seize some opportunities and compete for some rights to speak. But now it is the people who sue the officials first. However, he was the one who recommended Xu Fu to His Majesty in the past. Yan Le is keeping an eye on things everywhere. , sooner or later it will fall into Feng Jie's ears, and he will get into a lot of trouble.
In a moment of thought.
Zhao Gao also criticized Yan Le.
He originally thought that Yan Le would do a good job in this matter, or at least get himself out of it.
Now not only is it bad, but it's also getting yourself into trouble.
He was quite angry.
The reason why close ministers like them are respected by others is not because they are powerful, but actually because of His Majesty. If one day he is not trusted by Your Majesty, it will be a nightmare for them. People in the palace are keeping an eye on their position. A lot. It’s just that I have served His Majesty for more than thirty years, and His Majesty is used to serving him, so he will give me a way out.
But His Majesty's patience has limits.
Once you have enough problems, His Majesty will become bored.
That's basically not far from death.
If he could achieve the position of Zhongche Mansion, he would offend many people in the palace. If he lost power, how would those eunuchs let him go? At that time, he will only intensify his revenge, and since he does not have His Majesty's trust, even if he dies, no one will notice him, and no one will take notice of him.
The palace was so cruel.
Think of this.
Zhao Gao became increasingly confused.
He knows that he cannot lose power and will never accept losing power.
finally.
He thought of Hu Hai.
Zhao Gao felt at ease, as long as Hu Hai was still close to him, he would be able to gain a foothold in the palace. Even if he was really disgusted by His Majesty, he would still be able to gain a foothold, at least he wouldn't be too miserable.
But Hu Hai is just a young man.
Even if you can protect yourself, how long can you protect yourself?
Sunset.
Ji Heng put away the dishes and chopsticks.
I heated myself a basin of hot water and soaked my feet comfortably.
A foot soak is always comfortable.
Just when Ji Heng pressed his feet into the hot water, there was a sudden sound of strings outside the house, and then the sound became louder and louder, as if he was experiencing a fight, but the noise did not last long. It soon became quiet.
Immediately afterwards.
Only a loud bang was heard, and the closed door panel fell.
What appeared in front of Ji Heng's eyes was Xiao Ke and others pressing down on a thin man. With the faint candlelight in the room, Ji Heng could only see clearly the man's clothes, which were ordinary coarse clothes and linen, with a headband wrapped around his head. Wearing black cloth symbolizing Guizhou.
The candlelight was too dim to see the face clearly.
Even though he was suppressed by Liao Ke and others, this person was still struggling.
After struggling for a while, he gradually lost strength and finally had no choice to struggle any longer.
Liao Ke asked the other attendants to hold him down and got up from the ground. He said apologetically: "Mr. Ji, I'm really sorry. During the fight just now, I lost control of my direction and broke the door. I'll do it later." Fix the door sir."
Ji Heng raised his forehead slightly, glanced at it a few times, and said calmly: "What's going on with this person?"
Liao Ke said: "I don't know. He was just sneaky and hiding in the dark. We just saw his suspicious behavior, so we took action to catch him."
Ji Heng nodded without much interest.
He also knew that he was being closely watched all around, and even if this person was innocent, he was destined to be unable to escape.
"Take this person to the official." Before he finished speaking, Ji Heng frowned and said, "Go and inform the eldest son and let him handle it. My identity does not allow me to go to the official."
"Then what to do with this person?" Liao Ke asked.
Ji Heng said: "Find a rope to tie it up and throw it into the pig pen behind."
Hear the words.
The man who was held down by the attendant became a little anxious and started to struggle again, but he couldn't move at all. Instead, he was kicked several times by Liao Ke and others. At this time, Ji Heng also noticed something strange. This man seemed to be afraid. say.
Qin's laws are very cruel.
After Shang Yang's reform, if a newborn is disabled, he will drown directly.
Therefore, apart from being tortured and disabled from fighting, it was basically impossible for Qin people to be disabled.
Especially mute.
Ji Heng glanced at this man for a few times, shook his head and said: "Don't make too many fearless struggles. I am in my twenties, young and strong, and I eat and drink well all day long. I can't escape. You are in your fifties or sixties." People, don’t think about escaping, there is no chance, save your strength, the weather is also cold, save your strength, you can resist the cold for a while.”
"If it's too cold at night."
"That's it."
"The imperial court will not speak out for you."
At this time.
The old man who was pinned to the ground finally spoke and asked: "Who are you?"
Ji Heng said: "It makes no sense."
"Why do you know the eldest son?" the man asked again.
Ji Heng smiled and shook his head.
"You said before that you wanted to escape. What did you mean? Who are you?!"
The man's eyes were fixed on Ji Heng, trying to discern some clues from Ji Heng's face. Ji Heng's expression remained normal and he was not affected in any way. He poured the foot-washing water into the courtyard and went straight back to the house.
Liao Ke kicked the man again and said coldly: "Get up, you old guy is really blind. You can't run anywhere, but you run here. Who are you, sir? That's what the eldest son wants." Is this respected existence something you can provoke?"
"It's because your husband has a special status and cannot see the official. Otherwise, you would have been taken to the government office by now."
Said.
Xiao Ke and others found some hemp rope, tied the man up tightly, and threw him into the pig pen behind.
After everything was done, Liao Ke frowned. He looked at the person in front of him suspiciously and said in a solemn voice: "I remember that the government seemed to be searching for an alchemist today. This person was sneaky and never dared to say anything. , why do I feel like there’s something wrong?”
Niao Ke took a few glances and said, "Send someone to the government to ask about the specific situation."
"If it is really the alchemist, we will have accomplished a great feat."
between words.
You can wrap some stones in a piece of coarse cloth to block the person's mouth.
Snow is falling in the sky again!
(End of chapter)
