At the west gate of Liangzhou City, after a whole night of fighting last night, nothing seemed to be left. The streets with people coming and going were as lively as ever. The blood and broken arms and limbs on the ground were covered in a matter of hours. The city lord's palace wiped all traces clean.
"Sir, what is hidden in that box?"
After leaving Liangzhou, Zhuang Xiuyu had asked this question countless times along the way.
Chang An always smiled and avoided her. When he was annoyed by her questions, he would just say
"Anyone who kills so many people can't be a good person."
But Zhuang Xiuyu refused to give up, and then asked
"That's who shot that box down."
Chang An raised his eyebrows
"How do you know you were shot down?"
Zhuang Xiuyu raised her head and proudly touched the red bow behind her
"I am a bow wielder, and the hole where the rope broke appears to have been shot down by someone, but..."
"Nothing."
"That archery man is too good. To say he can pierce a tree at a hundred steps is to underestimate him."
Chang An smiled slightly
"It's really awesome."
As he spoke, he looked at the west with a worried look on his face and murmured:
"It's time for them to hit the road."
Qingzhou, in an inn in the east of the city.
Early in the morning, people in the inn discovered that all the state officers and soldiers outside had disappeared.
"Finally gone."
In the lobby, the guards around Wang Huan breathed a long sigh of relief, and Wang Huan's face also relaxed a lot.
Bu Qingwen walked down the stairs and saw Wang Huan and others having breakfast, so she walked forward with a smile.
When Wang Huan saw Bu Qingwen, he stood up and smiled.
"Thank you, little sir, for delivering the letter for me last night."
Bu Qingwen waved his hand
"It's easy, don't worry about it."
Then, he said to Wang Huan
"There's nothing to do here, I'm leaving now."
Wang Huandao
"With your talent, you should take part in this year's imperial examination."
"I am going to take the imperial examination."
Wang Huan was secretly happy, if such a person was used by the imperial court, His Majesty would be even more powerful.
His face was expressionless.
"Wang's business here is over. In that case, why not Mr. Bu and Wang go into the imperial capital together."
When Bu Qingwen heard the words, he lowered his head slightly and thought deeply for a moment.
"That's fine, but I'll bother you all along the way."
Wang Huan is overjoyed
"Where are you? Sir, please take a seat. We will return to the imperial capital immediately after breakfast."
April 21st, early morning.
In the Changfu compound.
Mother Lin was holding Chang Sheng with an angry look on her face.
"You're not allowed to go anywhere! What's the deal with a girl like you running around all day? Do you want to get married?"
Chang Sheng also hugged Mother Lin, a trace of helplessness flashed across her beautiful face, and she patted Mother Lin's back with her green and jade fingers.
"Mom, this matter is very important to brother."
Mother Lin looked arrogant, but at this moment, she looked like a daughter
"That's not OK!"
Chang Sheng had no choice but to wink at Chang Fu. Chang Fu glared at Chang Sheng dotingly and shook his head.
"Madam, the young master and the young lady have grown up. Let them do whatever they like. Besides, the young master will not harm the young lady."
Mother Lin didn't speak, but hugged Chang Sheng tightly. Chang Sheng felt a little damp on her sleeves, and she saw that Mother Lin's face was full of tears.
"mother"
Chang Sheng called Mother Lin softly.
Mother Lin pushed Chang Sheng away, turned her face away, and wiped away the tears behind her back.
"Yan Sihai, if you hurt my daughter even a hair, I will ask An'er to skin you!"
Mother Lin did not dare to turn around, but turned her back to Chang Sheng and said viciously.
"Hahaha, Mrs. Lin, I saved Shengwazi. I couldn't bear to let her suffer."
Although Yan Sihai was not in the courtyard, his voice sounded in the courtyard at the right time.
"Shengwazi, it's time to go."
Chang Sheng glanced at Mother Lin's back, bowed slightly, and said softly:
"Mom, brother and I will be back soon."
…………
Taiyang City, Qiankun Hall.
At this moment, the human emperor and the civil and military officials are attending the morning court.
The Human Emperor is high above the main hall, his majesty is as unpredictable as the sky, he is wearing a dragon robe, and he seems to grasp the general trend of the world and the world in panic. His sword eyebrows are raised slightly on his temples, and it is as threatening as a long sword unsheathed.
At this moment, he opened his eyes angrily and slapped his palm on the dragon chair. His majesty was so majestic that all the officials in His Highness were frightened.
"Hmph! The dignified commander of the Imperial Guard was actually killed by people in the world."
The deep voice echoed in the hall, and all the officials of His Highness were trembling and did not dare to speak.
In front of all the officials and under the Human Emperor, there was a man standing on one side with a calm expression, as if everything in this palace had nothing to do with him.
"Prince Xiang, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
The Human Emperor glanced at the man standing on one side, who was none other than the Prime Minister, and asked.
The Prime Minister was dressed in a four-clawed golden dragon and yellow robe, with an extraordinary bearing. He turned around and bowed slightly towards the Human Emperor.
"I feel that Jianghu matters should be left to Jianghu."
Your Highness, Li Qingshu, the Minister of Punishment, looked up at the Prime Minister and angrily said
"Nonsense! How can the affairs of the imperial court be compared with those of a gangster?"
"Hahahahaha, you are a fool? Li Qingshu, are you, the Minister of Punishment, the enemy of Guo Chang'an, can you kill the Sword God, or can you compete with Commander Qu?"
The Prime Minister turned around and sneered.
"If your so-called charlatan hadn't killed the Sword God, wouldn't we, the nobles in the court, just be the meat on the Sword God's chopping board?"
Li Qingshu's face turned blue and white, but he couldn't speak. Next to him, Fu Pingsheng, Minister of the Ministry of War, took over the words.
"Prince Xiang, our army has millions of soldiers and strong horses. Why do we want to increase the morale of the world and destroy the prestige of the court?"
The Prime Minister sneered
"But if the millions of people who pay the minister really want to fight, they can't even touch a hair of those masters, what's the use? For many years, the court and Jianghu have been in peace, why do you have to break the peace."
"enough!"
The sound of panic echoed through the hall, and the Human Emperor said slightly angrily.
Suddenly, the hall became calm again.
"What should we do according to King Yixiang's wishes?"
"Sage, since this matter involves both the Jianghu and the court, it's better to ask the Jianghu people to solve this problem. Fu Rushui, the suspect who killed Commander Qu, has been executed, and the rift between the Jianghu and the court has arisen."
The Human Emperor lowered his head and thought, and the Prime Minister continued.
"Of course Commander Qu's death involves the world, but in the final analysis it is closely related to the murder of the Gu family a year ago. The Gu family has an excellent reputation in the world, and even Prince Gu himself is the quasi-emperor appointed by the saint. If not for this change, he would have been killed. He was supposed to be the next saint, but now the world is very concerned about the Gu family, and now there is an orphan Gu Yuanwu, this matter is no longer a simple case of family extermination. "
"In this matter, Jianghu and the imperial court have been entangled for a long time. There is currently a case of a missing boy in the imperial capital. There are also boys missing from the homes of hundreds of civil and military officials. If the imperial capital and Jianghu can work together to solve the case, That’s the best reputation.”
The Human Emperor nodded slightly and looked at the Prime Minister with a smile in his eyes.
"Who does the Prime Minister want to ask to solve this case?"
Li Qingshu said coldly
A hint of cunning flashed in the Prime Minister's eyes. Naturally, he had already planned this matter.
"Miss Chang Sheng of the Chang family is the sister of Chang An, the number one master in the world, and the reincarnation of the legendary goddess. She has a high reputation in the world, and it is said that she is as smart as her brother. She is naturally the best candidate."
Yuan Chong, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stood up
"Sage, since you want to invite Miss Chang to handle the case, do you want to give her a title?"
Next to them, Li Qingshu and Fu Pingsheng looked at Yuan Chong with disgust, and secretly cursed, they are both ministers, how come they are not as familiar with the situation as Yuan Chong.
The Human Emperor thought for a moment, nodded and said
"It's time to give her an honor and commend the court's determination. It is said that Chang Sheng holds a pot of red flowers all day long, so she will be awarded the Lord of Red Flower City. All officials will regard her as the Lord of Taiyang City and give her the City Lord's Mansion."
Li Qingshu and Fu Pingsheng looked gloomy. When did Taiyang City have a city lord? It was already the imperial capital, so there was no need for a city lord. Just a letter from the Taiyang City lord was equivalent to being above all officials. In addition to the human emperor, there was one more person. Even important officials like them are inevitably inferior to others.
But they thought so in their hearts, but could not say anything with their mouths.
"Respect the emperor's decree!"
All the officials knelt down and worshiped Shan Hu.
Another person among the officials stood up
"This year's imperial examination is approaching, please ask the saint to appoint the examiner."
The old man in purple official robe is Liu Zhongting, the bachelor of Qingyage.
sage way
"In previous years, you were the examiner in the atrium, and this year it will be the same as usual."
But Fu Pingsheng stood up again
"Sage, Mr. Liu is old and tired, so I'd better choose someone."
The Emperor nodded. Liu Zhongting was nearly seventy years old and was indeed unable to do what he wanted. Moreover, the imperial examination was a major national event for selecting talents, so he should be cautious.
"Pingsheng, who do you recommend?"
Fu Pingsheng leaned over and sneered slightly
"I believe that Mr. Yuan Chong, who is in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is a suitable candidate. Mr. Yuan has been in charge of the promotion and scheduling of officials. Now it is natural for him to be qualified for the imperial examination selection."
Yuan Chong looked horrified. He naturally knew what Fu Ping Sheng'an was thinking. He really wanted him to be the examiner. He was clearly trying to test the saint.
"Ahem!"
He coughed violently
"Sage, I have been feeling unwell recently and I am afraid I am not qualified for this matter."
Fu Pingsheng and Li Qingshu sneered, obviously anticipating this guy's reaction.
The Human Emperor frowned slightly, obviously a little displeased, but glanced at the Prime Minister beside him, and his eyes suddenly lit up. Originally, he really wanted Yuan Chong to take over this matter. Li Qingshu and Fu Pingsheng were in charge of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War. The relationship between the two Very good, he was quite afraid, and wanted to support Yuan Chong, who was not able to deal with them, to fight against each other.
But today, the Prime Minister, who had always been the peacemaker in the court, went out of his way and actually argued with Li Fu in court. The two parties fought, which allowed him to insert Chang Sheng into this whirlpool of power.
Thinking about this, the Human Emperor nodded and said
"In this case, the Prime Minister will be the examiner this time."
The Prime Minister looked at the Human Emperor in astonishment, and he pointed at himself
"I?"
The Human Emperor nodded, signaling for him to accept the order.
The Prime Minister's face looked slightly bitter, so he had no choice but to step forward to receive the order.
"Respect the emperor's decree!"
…………
Half an hour later, all the officials went down to court
In the Shangshu's Mansion of the Ministry of Punishment, several officials were gathering at Li Qingshu's home, drinking and talking.
"Two adults, why did you so easily agree to the saint today and let the little girl from the Chang family become the lord of Taiyang City? This makes me very puzzled."
During the dinner, a petty official asked
Li Qingshu and Fu Pingsheng looked at each other and saw the smile in each other's eyes. Fu Pingsheng looked at everyone and said
"What is being discussed in court today is just two things. One is the case of the missing boy, and the other is the imperial examination."
Li Qingshu took the words and continued:
"The saint wants the world to live in peace with the court. He wants to invite the Chang family lady to the imperial capital and make him the lord of Taiyang City. He will overpower me and others. This is the emperor's balancing act. In this case, we naturally have to sell the saint's face. , in this matter, naturally we cannot disobey the saint."
The junior official wanted to ask again, but was stopped by Fu Pingsheng.
"Hey, don't be anxious, everyone. Don't forget that the saint has two things to do today. The second thing is the imperial examination. Liu Zhongting is old and is no longer suitable to be the examiner. It's just that the saint is suffering from not being able to find a suitable replacement. The selection has been put on hold, and today, the saint instructed Liu Zhongting to speak out about it in court, so he naturally had an idea in mind."
"Li Shangshu and I are in charge of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War. Yuan Chong is in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The remaining Rites, Music, and Works Departments have no real power. It seems that the only ones who can compete with us are those in charge of official promotion and scheduling. Li Bu Yuan Chong, the saint naturally wanted to support him, so I deliberately recommended him."
Seeing the confused expressions of the officials around him, Li Qingshu took over Fu Pingsheng's words and continued.
"Yuan Chong is a sensible person. Of course he can see the stakes involved, and he will definitely not dare to take this job. Of course, the saint also sees the way in it. These two things are a deal. We agreed to the saint's agreement. The first thing, then this second thing requires the saint to take a step back."
"Since Yuan Chong does not dare to accept it, and the saint is determined not to leave this matter to us, then the King Xiang, who was arguing with us in the court today, is the saint's only candidate."
"Although the Prime Minister is in court, everyone knows that he is just an idle prince. He does not belong to any faction and cannot be controlled by anyone. If this matter is left to him, the second thing of the saint is equivalent to failure, and that It is still unknown whether the Chang family girl can enter the imperial capital safely. The saint has accomplished this first thing, but it can be said that it has not yet been accomplished. This is our balancing act."
The officer suddenly realized
"Oh! So, both of the saint's things were only half done. The two adults took a step back on the first thing, and the saint also took a step back on the second thing. As a result, neither was accomplished. , Hahahahaha, wonderful!”
Li Qingshu said with a sinister smile
"That's natural. Although we accepted the position of city lord, we still have to be alive to ascend the throne, right? The people on the twelfth floor are already on their way. As long as they take action, there is no reason to miss."
But I saw Fu Pingsheng slapping the table and saying,
"When you talk about the twelfth floor, I get angry. Those people are really greedy. They don't want silver but only bronze. Bronze is much rarer than silver."
