Chang'an City
calm as always
Regardless of whether this big city has experienced war or not, it seems that it is difficult to break its long-established atmosphere. If this great city has a soul of its own, it must be a very dull soul. There are more and more pedestrians on the street, and the war in the Central Plains is almost over, so whether it is Chang'an City or other Taoism, order is gradually being restored.
When the first batch of merchants entered the gate of Chang'an City, the people who stood on both sides of the road to welcome them burst into cheers. This startled the merchants, they thought they were followed by some great personage, but after looking left, right, front and back, they were sure that they were being greeted.
Such courteous treatment is unique to low-status merchants.
Perhaps, when they grow old, they will not forget what happened to them that day.
The people in Chang'an City finally brought some vitality to this big city.
When Dugu Wenxiu returned home from the court, it was already dark. In less than half an hour, the main streets of Chang'an City will be lit with lights. This is the time that Chang'an City has set since it proclaimed itself the capital of the Great Sui Emperor, and it will never be shaken. Even when Chang'an City was besieged with the most scarce supplies, the lights on the streets were not completely extinguished.
For some reason, Dugu Wenxiu did not choose to take the carriage.
He walks home.
Walking on the street, looking at the soft light emanating from the still-closed shop, Dugu Wenxiu smiled, and the pain and depression in her heart also eased a little. In the past, he never imagined that he could climb to the current height. This big city, which symbolizes the center of power, is now under his control.
These people benefited from his maintenance of the stability of the imperial court.
The food and cloth used by the people in the city came from a large number of merchants who poured into Chang'an City. And these businessmen were organized by the state capitals he ordered. He needs this big city to return to life as soon as possible, and the people in the city need to stabilize as soon as possible.
He walked down the street, feeling his accomplishment.
Dozens of guards kept a certain distance from him and followed unhurriedly. Although the street scene in Chang'an City looks the same, it is precisely this sameness that makes countless people want to conquer and control this place. Walking on such a street always gives people an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
Dugu Wenxiu walked very slowly, as if he wanted to pay attention to every detail.
Qianhu Yichong, who was specially assigned to Xiaoqi School by his side.
This man who pretended to be a snack seller in Chang'an City for many years, even he himself didn't remember how many years, has completely withdrawn from his past experience at this time. At this moment, the brocade clothes on his body are telling others that he is one of the most powerful yamen in this big city... one of the rulers of Xiaoqi School.
"My lord, let's hurry up."
Yi Chong walked to Dugu Wenxiu and lowered his voice to remind him, "Xiao Riding School got the news that Chang'an city is not peaceful recently."
"good."
Dugu Wenxiu was not stubborn or put on airs, but nodded: "Then let's get in the car."
The carriage came soon, Dugu Wenxiu got into the carriage and asked Yi Chong to follow.
"What is Xiaoqi School looking for recently?"
Dugu Wenxiu asked.
Yi Chong shook his head subconsciously: "I don't know, I haven't returned to the yamen for a long time. Since my lord assigned me to protect the safety of adults, I no longer participate in other things. I just received Xiaoqi School Yamen The reminder sent by someone specially told me that there have been many people of unknown origin in Chang'an City recently."
"oh."
This might be the answer Dugu Wenxiu expected, so he let out an emotionless oh, neither disappointed nor dissatisfied.
"I heard that you sold snacks in Chang'an City for many years before you entered Xiao Xiao Riding School?"
"yes."
"How is the craftsmanship?"
"It's okay, at least no diners have slapped the table and scolded mother."
Yi Chong's answer made Dugu Wenxiu laugh, and she seemed to feel a little more relaxed. But Yi Chong could tell that Dugu Wenxiu had something on his mind, very heavy. And this kind of worry belongs to the type that no one can tell, it can only be kept in Dugu Wenxiu's heart.
Although Yi Chong wanted to know what these worries were, he knew that he must not ask.
"When you get back, cook me a bowl of hot noodle soup."
Dugu Wenxiu said.
Up to now, Dugu Wenxiu has not married a wife. With his current status, no matter which famous family's daughter he wants to marry, it's probably not a difficult task. Even, since he entered Chang'an City, countless people wanted to betroth their most outstanding woman to him.
Because, he is the head of the civil servants of the Black Banner Army.
Now, he is the most powerful person in the court.
Although those arrangements were somewhat difficult to figure out when Fang Jie left Chang'an City, but Fang Jie did not move Dugu Wenxiu's position, which showed that he was still trusted. Before Fang Jie left, he emphasized the separation of the military and the government. Cui Zhongzhen led the army and could not interfere with the government, while Dugu Wenxiu was in charge of the government but had no military power.
Once upon a time, some people thought that Dugu Wenxiu was about to lose power.
But such doubts gradually disappeared after Dugu Wenxiu was still firmly seated in the court.
"yes."
Yi Chong nodded.
He knew that when Dugu Wenxiu let him get into the carriage, he definitely didn't just want him to make him a bowl of hot noodle soup.
"Does your lord have any orders?"
After being silent for a while, Yi Chong chose to ask directly. He can't ask Dugu Wenxiu what's on his mind, but he can ask what is his request.
"No."
Dugu Wenxiu shook her head: "There's nothing you need to do, just commute every day, I've always been in this carriage, and it's just me when I get home, so sometimes I feel a little too deserted... you sit on my Opposite, there is no need to say anything, just sitting there is enough."
Yi Chong was taken aback, he really couldn't figure out how much pressure this powerful man was under, and where did this pressure come from? Who gave it to him
…
…
General's Mansion
Cui Zhongzhen put down the book in his hand and rubbed the sore corners of his brows.
He seemed to have nothing to do, except for his daily inspections in the camp, he would stay in the study and read all day. Back then, he was a nerd, and when he entered Chang'an City with Fang Jie, he never thought that one day he would reach his current position.
The Cui family in Longyou, because of such an important person as him, their status has become higher and higher. His father, the father who was extremely disappointed in him, now whenever he mentions his son, the pride in the corners of his mouth and eyes is so obvious. The Cui family is not considered a big family in Longyou, but now, every move of the Cui family can affect the movements of other families in Longyou.
This is the achievement of a person, and this is the benefit of status.
"Recently, Chang'an City doesn't seem to be peaceful?"
He said something like he was talking to himself.
The person who answered him stood behind him.
The window was open, and the speaker had just entered.
This window has never been closed since Fang Jie left Chang'an City. No one knows the purpose of this window, but it is actually just a passage. However, this channel is too important.
"It's really not peaceful. There are a lot of people from outside. These quacks are all new faces. When the lord held the martial arts conference, on the surface it seemed that he wanted to integrate the Dao sect and gain the support of the Jianghu forces. But the lord The purpose is actually to let those hidden people show up. What a great opportunity is such a martial arts conference? Those people should not give up. As long as they send people to participate, they can break into the Black Banner Army... It's a pity , these people are far from that simple, they give up."
The person who answered Cui Zhongzhen came out of the darkness.
It was Chen Xiaoru.
"Dutong, the dignified riding school, can't walk in the light now."
Cui Zhongzhen shook his head: "Actually, how many people walk in the light but harbor darkness in their hearts?"
"What's going on here?"
Chen Xiaoru sat down: "Is there really any resentment?"
Cui Zhongzhen rolled his eyes at him: "I know my lord better than you."
Chen Xiaoru laughed, thinking of the first two people who followed the lord into Chang'an. One is Cui Zhongzhen, who experienced ups and downs later, but eventually became one of the cores of the Black Banner Army power group. One is Xiang Qingniu. The status of the Taoist priest lies not in power, but in his relationship with the lord.
"It seems that I really can't sit still."
Chen Xiaoru said: "They have been patient, they have been waiting."
"They need an timing, and the right person."
Cui Zhongzhen said.
Chen Xiaoru nodded, picked up Cui Zhongzhen's teacup to drink water, Cui Zhongzhen frowned slightly: "Aren't you afraid that I'm sick?"
After Chen Xiaoru finished drinking, he wiped the cup clean and put it in his cuff.
Cui Zhongzhen immediately understood what he meant.
"If nothing else happens, their first move is not in Chang'an City. Although they found the right time and the right person, they need to clear up the hidden dangers first. Don't think that their first step is to kill you, although You are extremely important."
Chen Xiaoru got up and was about to leave: "The first one to face danger is Wei Xiting."
Cui Zhongzhen was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Dugu...I don't want Wei Xiting to come back."
Chen Xiaoru hummed, and wanted to say something, but finally endured it.
"Call it."
Chen Xiaoru rushed out from the window.
"Come on!"
Cui Zhongzhen yelled loudly, and then several Xiaoqi schools rushed in from outside, and a minute later, several nursing homes in the mansion also rushed over.
"I lost a cup."
Cui Zhongzhen furiously said: "There is actually a cup missing in my study! This shows that someone can easily enter the mansion and enter the study. What if the person who comes wants to kill me? You have been telling me that the mansion is heavily guarded , so who will tell me, did the cup fly away by itself?"
The Xiaoqi school and the guards in the mansion looked at each other, neither of them dared to speak.
"no."
Cui Zhongzhen said angrily: "You guys go back to the Xiao Riding School and tell the person in charge that a cup has been lost in my house!"
"Here!"
Xiaoqi School, who entered first, nodded immediately: "Don't worry, general, we will go back and report to Master Qianhu, and the Lord will immediately dispatch elite personnel to supplement it. Xiaoqi School has an unshirkable responsibility for this matter."
"Go! Go!"
Cui Zhongzhen was furious, and the veins on his forehead tensed up.
…
…
Chen Xiaoru threw aside the quilt in his hand, and looked at Ma Lilian who became more and more calm.
This is the university
Very deserted University Scholars House.
"I need a reason, otherwise I can't send more guards around Cui Zhongzhen at will. If those people want to do something, the first thing they want to do is to kill Wei Xiting, who was transferred back from the Yunnan Road, and the second is Cui Zhongzhen. They are afraid that Wei Xiting will come back to replace Dugu Wenxiu, I don't want the military power to remain in Cui Zhongzhen's hands forever."
"So you stole a cup?"
Ma Lilian smiled: "That's a bad excuse."
Chen Xiaoru also laughed: "Although the excuse is bad, those people will panic. They must be wondering, who would steal a cup from Cui Zhongzhen's study in their spare time? If it were you, what would you think?"
"If you think about it in a simple way, it's Cui Zhongzhen playing tricks."
Ma Lilian said: "Thinking deeper, they will think that someone wants to remind Cui Zhongzhen of something. So they will suspect that there is an inner ghost among their own people."
Chen Xiaoru laughed more and more freely: "All I need is a cup."