Granite is a kind of igneous rock formed by magma below the surface of the earth. It has a hard texture and is difficult to be weathered by acid, alkali and fire. It is a high-grade building material.
As the national treasury, in order to enhance the firmness of the treasury, except for the huge rocks of Dongshan used on the four walls, the ground is paved with granite, which has the momentum of being impenetrable by water and fire.
Xue Poye may not be regarded as a top-notch intelligent character, but his brain is focused on working, and he will not go to a dead end.
After inadvertently uttering the words "Going to the sky and entering the earth", his mind became more open, and he appeared more calm. He squatted down, looked at the solid granite ground, and tapped lightly, maybe it was the ground. The queen mother is thick and makes a low "thump" sound, not the hollow "thump" sound as expected.
Zhao Tianda was very puzzled, approached and said in a low voice: "My lord, could it be down here...!"
Xue Poye glanced at him, shook his head lightly, motioned him not to say more, stood up by himself, and said with a panicked look: "This... there is really a ghost here, right?"
Originally, everyone felt a little relieved after listening to Mr. Zongwei's consolation, but now even Mr. Zongwei suspected that there was a ghost, and couldn't help feeling a little frightened.
Although Zhao Tianda didn't understand Xue Poye's real intention, judging from Xue Poye's just gesture, it was obvious that he had other considerations.
Xue Poye didn't say much, waved his hands, and led a group of people out of the warehouse quickly. Once out of the bank, he immediately ordered: "Close the stone gate, and no one is allowed to enter...!" Glancing at the guards, Indifferently said: "There are some dirty things in this bank, you don't have to guard here for the time being...!" Frowning, he left without further words.
The Habayashi guards looked at each other in dismay, and were a little puzzled. Didn't Master Zongwei still comfort everyone just now, why now he said there were dirty things in it
It's just such doubts that no one dared to ask. Seeing Mr. Zongwei gradually going away, all the guards followed Mr. Zongwei's instructions and left this gloomy place one after another.
Xue Poye's footsteps were fast, and he stopped when he left the household department compound, glanced at Zhao Tianda beside him, and said in a low voice: "Arrange someone to monitor warehouse No. 23 from a distance, but not close... No movement, no need to panic, and no need to pass by.”
Zhao Tianda frowned, and asked cautiously: "My lord, you... you mean, there is really a ghost in there?"
"There are ghosts!" Xue Poye sneered, "But this 'ghost' is not that 'ghost', I'm afraid it won't be long before these 'ghosts' will show their faces."
Zhao Tianda saw Mr. Zongwei get into the carriage and go away, so he didn't understand what Mr. Zongwei said.
…
Xue Poye's carriage did not return home, but turned to the south. At this time, he needed some "ghosts", some "ghosts" that were more secretive than "ghosts".
Although the rebellion of the royal family wiped out the ghost agents of the Kyoto Prefecture and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, at least some remained, and the remaining group, after the shocking battle, will be even more terrifying , more calm.
Xue Poye's carriage stopped in front of the mansion of the governor of Kyoto, Wei Shantai.
Although it was the middle of the night, but knowing that the visitor was Master Xue, the servants still rushed to inform Wei Shantai.
Since the royal family's rebellion, the Kyoto Prefecture has been severely damaged. Now there are only one out of ten elites in purple clothes, and the power can be said to be completely exhausted.
As the head of the Kyoto Prefecture, Wei Shantai already understood what the late emperor meant at that moment, so he tactfully began to flatten the political stage where he was once extremely active, doing some seemingly boring public security work in Kyoto, and maintaining a stable position on the political stage. Low-key, in the daily court meeting, he is taciturn or even speechless, making people almost forget that such a person exists.
In the past, the mansion of the Governor of Kyoto was afraid to visit because of the deep awe of others, but now it is deserted and there are few cars and horses. For the Governor of Kyoto who has lost its brilliance and strength, everyone has no interest in paying attention up.
When Xue Poye saw Wei Shantai, Wei Shantai was wearing a black toga, although his expression looked a bit decadent, but in the hands of Emperor Deqing, the "Old Sword" that exuded infinite shocking power, the coldness in his bones was no matter what. He couldn't hide it either, that casual look would be fine in the eyes of ordinary people, but in Xue Poye's eyes, it was still sharp and domineering.
"Master Xue, please use tea!" Wei Shantai smiled strangely, staring at Xue Poye, and pointed to the hot tea that was just served.
Xue Poye smiled and said: "To disturb Mr. Wei tonight, there are two things that need to be troubled."
Wei Shantai sighed: "Master Xue, you are too polite... The officials are not what they used to be, so they may not be able to help you."
"Your Majesty Wei is being polite." Xue Poye's expression turned serious, and he cupped his hands, with a hint of respect in his voice: "Master Wei, Poye is a latecomer, and Your Excellency is a senior. You have worked hard for the Great Chu Dynasty for more than ten years. Po Ye has always admired him, and today he came here to ask his lord something... Perhaps Lord Wei may not know, but Lord Wei is a close minister of the late emperor, so he may know some clues, but it is unknown."
Feeling Xue Poye's seriousness, Wei Shantai frowned slightly, sat upright, and said softly: "Master Xue, although Wei is not as good as before, but as long as the Great Chu State needs Wei, Wei will definitely go all out. "
Xue Poye didn't talk too much about the scene, and asked directly: "Master Wei, how much do you know about the institutions of the Ministry of Household Bank?"
Wei Shantai was taken aback, he didn't expect Xue Poye to ask so directly, and this sentence, as long as there is a slight misunderstanding, it will cause ambiguity.
Wei Shantai is the head of the Kyoto Prefecture. According to common sense, it is absolutely impossible to understand the department of the household department. Once he understands, he will be suspected of stealing money. If ordinary people hear Xue Poye's question, even if he does not show it , must be extremely unhappy, but Wei Shantai knows that Xue Poye's intention is by no means to suspect that he has something to do with the theft of official silver. Judging from Xue Poye's expression, this is a sincere inquiry, which Xue Poye wanted from the bottom of his heart. Answered questions.
Wei Shantai rolled his eyes slightly, and said with a smile: "Master Xue is asking such a strange question... Master Hou should know more about the Ministry of Households than I do, right?"
Xue Poye touched his nose, and said softly: "Master Wei has been loyal to the late emperor for more than ten years, and it is reasonable to have some things that are not known to outsiders." From then on, it will be in a slump, but Po Ye doesn't think so... The ability of the Kyoto Prefecture is beyond doubt, Your Majesty... Hehe, Your Majesty has always had the heart to be promoted."
Wei Shantai's body shook, and his eyes flashed.
Deqing used the rebellion of the royal family to turn the capital from the most terrifying spy agency in Dachu into a mediocre Qingshui yamen in an instant. Disappearing in between, this makes Wei Shantai always have a feeling of loneliness in his heart.
Xue Poye's words seem to imply that the once frightening dark capital can rise again. This is... a huge temptation.
Both parties are smart people, and there is no need to explain many things too clearly.
"Master Xue, logically speaking, there are some things that I, Wei Shantai, can't say at will." Wei Shantai thought carefully, and said cautiously: "But since it is for the sake of Dachu, Wei Shantai has a taboo to speak out. The bank of the Ministry of Finance belongs to the organ city. Built by the Gongsun family, the traps are naturally all over it. The household department is familiar with the seven traps at the passage, and as for the interior, no one knows the mystery of it."
"Master Wei must know!" Xue Poye said with a smile.
"The Gongsun family built the organ city to repay Emperor Yangwu." Wei Shantai said thoughtfully: "However, the treasury of the household department has been an extremely secretive and sensitive topic in all dynasties. , It is also difficult to understand the mystery. The Bank of the Great Chu Household Department is also a mysterious building, which is unusual. Unfortunately, the mechanism control handed down from the time of Emperor Yangwu is only the Jumen mechanism and the seven organs of the inner way. In addition, although there are different opinions, other institutions in the library are lost."
Xue Poye rubbed his nose, and said thoughtfully: "Master Wei, what do you mean, there is indeed another institution in the bank?"
Now that this is the point, Wei Shantai also got rid of some of the characteristics of the fox, nodded and said: "There is no doubt about it, but... Hey, Master Xue, there are only you and me here. I hope you don't blame me...!"
Xue Poye said sternly: "Lord Wei, it's all right. Poye came here today to ask a senior for advice as a junior. As for the right and wrong of the court, let's put it aside for now."
Wei Shantai showed a look of appreciation, nodded his head and said: "According to rumors, the household bank built by the Gongsun family for Emperor Yangwu took into account a very serious but also disgusting issue."
"what is the problem?"
"Once there is turmoil in the capital, or in other words, when the capital is in danger, how will the official bank of the Ministry of Finance be disposed of?" Wei Shantai said solemnly: "The enemy must not be allowed to plunder these vain official bank."
Xue Poye was taken aback, this question was indeed serious, but it was indeed a taboo, which disgusted the court.
"Master Wei, you mean that the Gongsun family has tampered with the bank of the household department in order to solve this problem?" Xue Poye asked thoughtfully.
Wei Shantai looked stern: "Yes, a small number of people in the court knew about this matter at the time, but Emperor Yangwu did not record what he did, let alone hand it over to the Ministry of Household Affairs, so this became a crime. A secret that can never be solved." After a pause, he said with a wry smile: "Before the late emperor registered, Wei followed the late emperor, and the late emperor also heard about this matter at that time, so he took the opportunity to find out. What exactly is the mechanism in the library, and for this reason, many top experts from the Lu Gongying Camp were recruited...!"
Xue Poye looked at Wei Shantai nervously, hoping to get some useful clues from him.
Wei Shantai smiled wryly, stared at Xue Poye's eager eyes, shook his head and said: "No, although the late emperor has spent a lot of effort, he still hasn't found out the problem. The cage-like warehouse is tightly sealed on all sides, and no one can break through it. I can't find out where the so-called agency is at all."
Xue Poye sighed, his mind was running non-stop. He was almost certain that there must be another mechanism in that warehouse, but it was not easy to find out.
Wei Shantai suddenly asked: "Master Xue, could it be... Could it be that there is something going on at the bank?"
Xue Poye nodded, thought for a while, and said, "That's right, two powerful treasury officials disappeared in the bank vault, and the people who went in to search heard strange noises coming from inside... But when they arrived, everything went wrong again." It's all back to normal, and I can't find any clues."
Wei Shantai frowned and said: "Master Xue is suspicious...someone activated the mechanism inside?"
Xue Poye nodded and said: "Poye did have such suspicions, but in order not to startle the snake, Poye didn't reveal his thoughts, but just made everyone feel that there is really a ghost inside."
Xue Poye was silent, and after a long while, he stared at Xue Poye: "In this case, why did Hou Ye let me know about such a big event?"
Xue Poye smiled slightly, and said word by word: "The first emperor only weakened your strength but did not demote you. This proves that the first emperor was only afraid that your strength would pose a threat to the new emperor, but he did not doubt your loyalty... The first emperor trusted you." You, therefore, Po Ye also trusts Lord Wei!"
Wei Shantai's body shook, his eyes flickered strangely, he looked at Xue Poye, and after a while, his eyes slowly changed from surprise to gratitude.
Xue Poye's words were very truthful, Wei Shantai listened to it, as if he had found a bosom friend.
"Master Xue... do you think so?" Wei Shantai's voice was trembling.
Xue Poye sighed, and said: "Master Wei, you have followed the late emperor for more than ten years, and you have remained in the position of governor of the capital, which requires both talent and loyalty. The first emperor removed them one by one, either losing his life or deposing them, but Mr. Wei was still able to sit in the position of Fu Yin, which is enough to show Mr. Wei's loyal ministers. Po Ye believes that a courtier who can be loyal to the first emperor is a The new emperor will also be loyal, and the capital is a capable government office. It is a pity for the imperial court to be abandoned. Therefore, Poye will definitely go to the Holy One and ask the Holy One to issue a decree. Kyoto Prefecture!"
Wei Shantai no longer cared about his face, knelt down in front of Xue Poye, and said gratefully: "If we can revive the capital, Wei Shantai will relieve the court's worries and be loyal to the Holy One... Xuehou, Wei thank you here Great grace...!"
Xue Poye hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, looked at Wei Shantai's red eyes, and sighed secretly in his heart: "One day the emperor and one courtier, this spy chief wants to thank me today, it's really hard to explain the world's affairs clearly."
After taking his seat again, Wei Shantai immediately said: "Master Hou, according to Wei's humble opinion, if the mechanism in the Treasury of the Ministry of Household Affairs is really activated, then the other party must have a lot of background... It is very likely that the Gongsun clan has participated."
"A member of the Gongsun clan?"
"That's right." Wei Shantai said with certainty: "Just think about it, Lord Hou, the Gongsun family's mechanism technique is unrivaled in the world, and the settings are so precise that outsiders will never be able to solve it, unless the Gongsun family members come here in person."
Xue Poye's face turned cold, and he said in a cold voice: "So, the theft of Ku Yin is really related to the Gongsun family."
Wei Shantai didn't speak, but the expression on his face showed the certainty of the matter.
"Master Wei, I heard that your subordinates are all hidden masters. Sometimes even if they walk past you, you can just detect it, but you don't know if it is true or not?" Xue Poye asked with a smile.
Wei Shantai didn't understand why Xue Poye suddenly brought up such a topic, but he still smiled complacently: "This is a bit exaggerated. Although outsiders call the Ziyis ghosts, they still don't have that ability. But sometimes with the help of the surrounding In such an environment, he does have the ability to use cover-ups."
Xue Poye's face showed joy: "Blindfolding?"
Wei Shantai nodded and said: "That's right. It's like being in the woods, they can pretend to be the branches of the trees, or in the stone formation, maybe an inconspicuous stone is their disguise. These are the things they eat He is very proficient in his skills... Lord Hou, why do you ask this question?"
Xue Poye laughed, cupped his fists and said, "Master Wei, Poye is going to borrow troops from you."
"Borrow troops?"
Xue Poye rubbed his nose and smiled, "That's right, borrow soldiers, you ghosts who can deceive your eyes, borrow ten or eight, and I hope Master Wei will not be stingy."
Wei Shantai rolled his eyes, seemed to understand something, nodded and said with a smile: "It turns out that Lord Hou wants to catch a turtle in the urn!"
"Catching a turtle in an urn may not be successful!" Xue Poye said solemnly: "But you have to see what tricks those monsters and clowns are playing... Mr. Wei, you may not know that Poye's favorite thing to play in his life... is games!"
Wei Shantai laughed, and said: "Master Hou, although the vitality of the capital is seriously injured, there are still ten or eight purple clothes. You can use them anyway." After a pause, he said with a smile: "Master Hou is here , Borrowing soldiers is true, and interrogation is false, right?"
Xue Poye shook his head and said solemnly: "Lord Wei, don't misunderstand, Poye is here to sincerely ask Master Wei for advice."
Wei Shantai squinted his eyes and said with a smile: "I don't know how Master Hou would ask Wei what you want to know? Wei and the Ministry of Household Affairs have never had anything to do with each other."
"It's very simple." Xue Poye got up and smiled: "The household department of Dachu is a confidential matter. Except for the late emperor, there are not many people who know the details, but the few people trusted by the late emperor may know a little bit of details... You are trusted by the late emperor. Your loyal minister, so it is a wise choice to ask for some information from you... If you don’t even know, then it’s even less likely for others to know.”
His words were quite suspected of being flattering, which made Wei Shantai feel very comfortable listening.
That night, Wei Shantai secretly summoned ten first-class purple-clothed ghosts and ordered them to obey Xue Poye's dispatch.
After the Kyoto Prefecture was suppressed, the Ziyis lost their former prestige and just lived a peaceful and boring life. In their hearts, the future seemed to be bleak.
Once engaged in dark work for a long time, suddenly being indifferent by the court, the purple clothes will also feel a great emptiness.
Today, Xue Poye came to borrow troops, which made the Ziyis who had been in a daze suddenly burst out with extremely strong fighting spirit. They were indifferent to the court. Although this was a kind of political helplessness, they wanted to prove that they were still loyal to the Great Chu Kingdom. It is loyal, and it still has a huge effect.