The First Lackey Under The Empress

Outside the main gate of the Baima Supervisory Office.

Zhao Du'an got out of the carriage and walked straight into the yamen, attracting many surprised glances.

“Lord Envoy? Why are you back?”

In his office, Zhu Kui, an old clerk with dark skin and a face full of horizontal wrinkles, stood up with a smile.

Zhao Du'an ignored him, first picked up the teapot on the table, and gulped down a few mouthfuls to relieve his dry mouth.

Then he threw himself into the mahogany armchair, squinted his eyes, and said with a smile and a scold:

“What nonsense, isn't it natural for me to return to my own yamen?”

Zhu Kui flatteringly picked up a cattail fan to drive away the summer heat for him, explaining:

“Mainly because today is the day you go to the Zhao Yamen to take office.”

Zhao Du'an exhaled, enjoying the cool breeze, and sighed:

“There's a pile of troubles over there. Although a sharp knife can cut through tangled hemp, the knife also needs to rest.”

Only by holding two positions at the same time can the contrast be clear and distinct.

The days in the Baima Supervisory Office were too comfortable in the past, with nothing to do all day long. Today, he suddenly increased the intensity, and he immediately missed his old nest.

Compared to those few thorny centurions, even looking at Old Zhu's ugly face was much more pleasing.

“Alright, I'm back for something. Has the document regarding the Jinyi of the Zhao Yamen been sent?” he cut to the chase.

Zhu Kui hurriedly took out a thick stack of documents sealed in a kraft paper bag:

“It's been sent. It's sealed up nicely.”

Zhao Du'an sat up straight and opened it, preparing to read.

That day, on the Tianzi Tower, Xu Zhenguan promoted him, but also explained the hidden task of investigating the “internal ghost”.

But contrary to expectations, he didn't directly contact Ma Yan.

The “internal ghost” case was bypassed by the Zhao Yamen and directly handed over to him by the Empress through Sun Lianying in the form of “Baima Envoy undertaking the mission”.

To put it more bluntly, the Empress secretly ordered him to investigate this matter.

Ma Yan only thought that the Empress sent Zhao Du'an to solve the malpractices within the Zhao Yamen and clean up that group of thorny people.

But he didn't know that Zhao Du'an was also burdened with this task.

“Why this arrangement? Is it because she doesn't trust Ma Yan? But the Empress clearly said that she trusts him… Well, perhaps it's to avoid suspicion and prevent leaks? After all, in theory, Ma Yan is indeed a suspect.”

Zhao Du'an pondered, tearing open the kraft paper bag.

He opened that thick stack of investigation files on the “suspects” of the internal ghost in the Zhao Yamen — obviously, it was Ma Yan's self-screening before submitting it to Xu Zhenguan, who then handed it over to him.

After a cursory reading, there were dozens of documents in total.

They described in detail many details of the Zhuang Xiaocheng case.

For example, how the Zhao Yamen initially learned of Zhuang Xiaocheng's whereabouts, which relevant personnel at all levels of the intelligence chain were involved, who knew about it, and so on.

The paper was also circled and marked with Zhu's pen, highlighting key suspects.

“Well, according to the file description, Zhuang Xiaocheng's whereabouts were immediately classified as top secret after being reported, with the highest level of confidentiality. Only Ma Yan and a few Jisi knew about it and were responsible for tracking the case.”

“The reason for not arresting him immediately was to verify the source of information and to follow the clues to catch the rebels network lurking in the capital in one fell swoop.”

“After the Empress ordered Ma Yan to investigate himself, all the personnel involved were screened once, and the focus of the investigation was the source of the information, but all relevant clues were cut off.”

“So, we can only use a clumsy method to identify all those who knew about it. After all, to cooperate with the Kuangfu Society's trap, the internal ghost must be able to grasp the arrest movements at all times… Some have been eliminated, but there are still dozens of suspects left.”

Zhao Du'an's head ached when he saw the number of suspects, and he complained wildly in his heart:

The security work is too poor!

But after reading carefully, he realized that the truth was not so.

The reason why there were so many suspects was that even the subordinates around the key suspects who might indirectly obtain information were included.

As for the key suspects, there were three in total, namely:

Zhang Han, Jisi of the Peony Hall

Tie Chi Guan, Jisi of the Pomegranate Hall

Haitang (female), Jisi of the Narcissus Hall

… Well, they are all “Hall Officials” of the same rank as me… Zhao Du'an continued to read the information and found that the remaining scattered suspects were spread across various halls.

Only the “Pear Blossom Hall” was missing.

“My subordinates are so clean.” Zhao Du'an was extremely surprised.

Then he realized that yes, the Pear Blossom Hall didn't even have a superior, it was just a group of officials who had been relegated to the cold palace, and they couldn't get in touch with major cases at all.

Isn't that the cleanest?

So, the Empress's demotion of herself to the Pear Blossom Hall may have another meaning.

That is, the people of the Pear Blossom Hall are the least suspicious, and he can use them with confidence to prevent the internal ghost from noticing the action.

“Old Zhu, do you know anything about these three people?”

Zhao Du'an flipped through it for a while, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and suddenly asked.

As he spoke, he pulled out the brief files of the three people and spread them on the table.

There was no sensitive content on the paper, only a rough introduction of the characters.

Zhu Kui guarded the door, and when he heard the words, he walked back, glanced at it cautiously, and said with a smile:

“Is the lord learning about the relationships in the Zhao Yamen?”

In his opinion, it was extremely normal for Zhao Du'an, as a new official, to ask Sun Lianying for information in order to quickly grasp the depth of the new yamen.

“Stop talking nonsense, don't inquire about things you shouldn't.” Zhao Du'an said with a smile and a scold.

Old Zhu had been mixed up in the bottom layer for many years and knew the gods of the major yamen in the capital like the back of his hand.

He wanted to learn more from his treasure subordinate.

Zhu Kui pondered for a moment and said:

“This humble official doesn't know much about them either. I only know that they are the top three in terms of strength and merit among the nine halls, and they are also the three Jisi who are most valued.”

He pointed to the top “Zhang Han” with his thick black fingers and said:

“This one is the strongest, known as the number one person under the Supervising Duke. Whether it is martial arts cultivation, handling ability, or the level of the hall, they are leading by a wide margin.

He is good at using a seven-foot sword and is a master of swordsmanship. He has an iron-faced and selfless personality and governs with both rigidity and softness.

By the way, according to the new word you usually hang on your lips, he is a 'king of involution', very crazy, and even the Jinyi centurions of the Peony Hall are very crazy.”

Damn it… I hate the king of involution the most… By the way, Hou Renmeng was originally from the Peony Hall, and his temperament is probably deeply influenced by Zhang Han… Zhao Du'an nodded:

“Continue.”

Zhu Kui picked up the second copy again and said:

“This Tie Chi Guan, born in the military, is extremely strict in his governance. He has an explosive personality like fire and is good at using hammers.

It is said that in his early years in the army, when he went out to suppress bandits, he often attacked the village alone and made great achievements. Xue Shence of the Privy Council once commented that this person is a fierce general.”

Fierce Zhang Fei? How strict is strict governance… Zhao Du'an muttered, not having a good impression of this kind of leader who doesn't know how to care for his subordinates, unlike himself…

Zhu Kui smiled and said:

“The last female Jisi is amazing. People in the Jianghu call her Yidianhong, because she is good at using flying knives, and she never misses. Often, as soon as the enemy sees red on their body, they lose their lives. Although she is a woman, she is a heroine, and she is also very beautiful…

By the way, it is rumored that she has always wanted to change the Narcissus Hall to 'Haitang Hall' named after her. Supervising Duke Ma dislikes the name being too weak and said that when she surpasses Zhang Han and reaches the top of the nine halls, he will allow her to change it.”

Haitang Hall… Reduplicated words, disgusting… Good at using flying knives?

Coincidentally, this official is also good at it… Let's learn from each other another day to see how beautiful she is… Zhao Du'an fantasized.

He had a preliminary impression of the three.

Unfortunately, combined with the files, he couldn't really tell who the internal ghost was.

“Yes, Ma Yan spent a lot of effort and didn't find it out. I'm a newcomer, and I wasn't a great detective in my previous life. I don't understand criminal investigation skills at all. If I can find it out based on the file information, there would be a ghost. I'm afraid this matter can't be rushed.”

Zhao Du'an pondered.

Knowing that catching internal ghosts is not easy, he must be patient.

Especially since he has just taken office, and many people are staring at him. If he goes to investigate at this time, it will easily arouse the internal ghost's vigilance.

The best way is to first lower the internal ghost's guard against him. The so-called “repair the plank road in the open while secretly crossing Chencang”, Zhao Du'an pondered, he still has to use routines.

He doesn't understand criminal investigation, so if he wants to find out the internal ghost, he must take an unconventional route.

“Huff, there's no need to put too much pressure on myself. It's not like I have to catch the ghost. My purpose is to make contributions and earn performance. As long as I earn enough performance, it's fine.”

Zhao Du'an decided to do both, one openly and one secretly, so that even if he doesn't complete the Empress's mission, he won't lose out.

Rolling up the files and putting them back into the file bag.

Zhao Du'an put his work behind him and chatted casually with Zhu Kui to relax:

“Old Zhu, I see that you are also quite difficult. Usually when I'm in the prison, you have to guard it. When I'm not there, you also have to be on duty. There's no need.”

He enjoyed the cool breeze and squinted his eyes:

“For the next period of time, I will focus on the Zhao Yamen. There's nothing to do here. You can also go out and mingle more to relax.”

Zhu Kui waved the fan vigorously, sending coolness, and said with a smile:

“Thank you for your kindness, my lord, but this humble official is old and can't play anymore.”

“Then go home and spend more time with your wife and children, too. Don't be too focused on official business. The matter belongs to the yamen, and the body belongs to yourself.” Zhao Du'an said with emotion.

In his previous life, he died of overwork for the public, and now he regrets it.

Zhu Kui smiled:

“The children are studying in their hometown, and there is only an ignorant woman in the family. We are an old couple.”

Zhao Du'an then remembered that Zhu Kui had a pair of children, but they were still young and were fostered in their hometown with their parents.

It was said to allow the grandchildren to spend more time with the old folks, and after the enlightenment stage, they would be brought back to the capital to study, as the educational conditions were better there.

The original owner didn't think much of it, but after all, it was a subordinate's private matter, and he was too lazy to interfere.

Zhao Du'an felt a surge of sleepiness, yawned, picked up the file bag, and walked towards the cubicle:

"I'm going to sleep for a while."

Zhu Kui lowered his eyes and respectfully watched Zhao Du'an's back as he left.

The smile on the face of this seasoned old official gradually disappeared, replaced by solemnity and contemplation.

… …

… …

That day, the news of Li Lang's imprisonment spread like a whirlwind throughout the entire Zhao Yamen.

The officials and constables of the various halls discussed it, with varying reactions to the Empress's gigolo's style of doing things.

But one thing was consistent: everyone was waiting to see the show, wanting to know how long the arrogant and domineering Empress's gigolo would slack off.

After all, Pear Blossom Hall was recognized as difficult to manage, and no matter how great the prestige, it couldn't withstand the subordinates' passive resistance.

And Supervisor Ma Yan's attitude towards this was silence, which was quite intriguing.

For a time, countless gazes focused, anticipating the follow-up.

However, Zhao Du'an, the protagonist in the eye of the storm, was leisurely and carefree, and did not appear again that day.

In the evening.

Zhao Du'an, along with his stepmother and younger sister, ate dinner around the round table as usual.

You Jinhua kept putting food into his bowl:

"D郎, eat more meat, you must be tired on your first day on the job. I thought you would have a drink with your colleagues, so I prepared less food… …"

Her concern was earnest, with guilt in her eyes, as if she had done something wrong.

She was not tall, and in her youth, she had a delicate figure. When serving food, she kept standing up, her plump body leaning forward, her arm suspended over the soup bowl.

The reflection of the lake in the bowl revealed proud mountain peaks.

Zhao Du'an took a few bites and was full.

Zhao Pan, with a calm and thin face, sat between her mother and older brother, holding chopsticks, and finally couldn't help but say:

"Mother, you're blocking me from picking up food."

She felt a little aggrieved, her mother kept adding food to that beast's bowl, a big pile.

She had nothing, the difference in treatment was huge.

You Jinhua's gentle eyes showed apology, and just as she was about to speak, Zhao Du'an put down his chopsticks, got up, and yawned:

"I can't eat anymore."

He then looked at Zhao Pan, who was slender and thin due to being in puberty, and casually threw his bowl in front of her, smiling:

"Younger sister is growing, it's time to eat more meat."

Zhao Pan pursed her pretty little face, not eating charity food, lowered her eyes, and buried her head in eating plain white rice.

Her long eyelashes caught the light under the lamp.

"Tsk, quite proud, but the white rice you're eating is also mine.

I don't know how many common people in the world can't afford fine white rice in their entire lives. You don't eat meat, anyway, I'm not the one who loses out." Zhao Du'an chuckled and walked out.

"郎, Pan'er is ignorant, don't be angry with her… …"

You Jinhua hurriedly chased after him, as careful and humble as ever.

I don't know how much of the world's coldness and warmth the noble lady, who was once said to be from a large family, had seen to be like this.

Inside the dining hall.

Zhao Pan was stunned for a moment, slowly raised her clear and lotus-like face, with rice grains stuck to her cheeks.

She stared at the bowl of rich food placed in front of her by Zhao Du'an, bit her lip, picked it up, and swallowed it in large gulps.

… …

… …

The next day, early in the morning.

Zhao Du'an arrived at the hall again, and after passing the lush pear tree in the courtyard, he was gratified to see the four subordinates in the hall sitting neatly.

"Your subordinate greets you, sir!"

The four of them stood up and saluted, somewhat perfunctorily.

Zhao Du'an didn't care, and leisurely sat down in the main seat, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally landed on the "confidential female secretary."

Qian Kerou changed her hairstyle today. Although she was still in uniform, her black hair was tied behind her head and slightly coiled up.

Trying to imitate the court ladies' hairstyles in a clumsy way, the little secretary felt that this image was more in line with the new identity.

But invisibly, she gained some essence of the workplace OL.

Well… … It's a pity it's ancient costume. If I change to black stockings and skirt, white shirt, red-soled high heels, and wear a pair of frameless glasses… … It would be perfect… … Zhao Du'an was a little distracted.

Then he casually asked:

"After I left yesterday, did anyone come looking for trouble?"

Qian Kerou shook her head and said honestly:

"No, Supervisor Zhao summoned the arrest department in the yamen to discuss matters, but you were not there, so I don't know what it was about."

Discussing matters? Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows, suppressed his doubts, and asked:

"What about Li Lang?"

"He's still locked up in Zhao Prison, but… … I heard that a royal physician was let in." The confidential secretary said cautiously.

Heh, the big ice lump is quite obedient… … Zhao Du'an smiled and asked:

"Didn't anyone from the Prince Consort's mansion come to question us?"

"No."

Tsk, that's a bit interesting… … Logically speaking, after my son was humiliated in public, Princess Yunyang should have come to question me, if not in a great rage.

But a day has passed, and there is no movement.

Is it indifference? Or is it that the Empress is shielding me from the wind and rain? Zhao Du'an was not sure.

"Sir, according to your instructions, the documents in the hall that need your review are all here." Qian Kerou pointed to a stack on the table and said.

"Very good," Zhao Du'an happily flipped through it, very quickly, but gradually, his face sank:

"Is this all?"

In addition to the basic personnel files and daily official documents, there was very little content about "performance", that is, the cases under his hand, almost zero.

Qian Kerou hurriedly said: "Because the hall has never had a chief officer, everyone has nothing to do except these things."

The work of the nine halls can be roughly divided into two categories.

One category is daily official duties. As a member of the Forbidden Army, Zhao Yamen also has tasks such as patrolling the city defense and accompanying the emperor on inspections.

The second category is the tasks issued by the Empress.

Here, it is further subdivided into two types, namely "long-term tasks" and "short-term tasks."

For example, the case of the missing firearms craftsman belongs to a short-term task. After the case occurred, the Empress assigned Ma Yan to investigate.

Supervisor Ma will hand over the case to one or several of the nine halls.

Another example is "tracking down rebellious parties", which is a long-term task that all halls shoulder, but it cannot be completed overnight.

The nature of Pear Blossom Hall is almost "cold palace". Ma Yan never expected them to do anything, as long as they don't cause trouble, it's good to keep them.

If you are gilding and muddling through, you may be happy to see it happen.

But Zhao Du'an wants to earn merit, and if he doesn't have a serious task under his hand, wouldn't he be sitting on wax?

"Is it feasible to apply to the supervisor for a case?" He frowned and asked.

Old Zheng, who was about to retire, said slowly:

"Reporting to your lord, the good and valuable cases in the yamen are snatched away by other halls as soon as they come out. Our Pear Blossom Hall is not fully staffed, and you are newly appointed. I'm afraid if you ask for it, you can only get some sporadic small cases, such as patrol defense."

"Hehe, if I take what others don't want, wouldn't I be eating charity food? Not even as good as my younger sister?" Zhao Du'an sneered:

"They swallowed too much, so they should spit it out. You go to the eight halls separately and pass on my message.

Just say that in the past, Pear Blossom Hall was empty, and the share that should have been given to us was distributed to them. Now that Pear Blossom Hall is rebuilt, spit out what you ate from me."

"This… …" The few people looked at each other.

"Is it difficult?" Zhao Du'an asked.

The four of them remembered the flying knife in the hall yesterday, and felt a slight chill on their necks, and hurriedly responded to do it.

The distance between the halls was not far, and Zhao Du'an sat alone in the hall waiting.

After a while, the four returned one after another, but they were all empty-handed and covered in dust:

"Reporting to your lord, we visited the eight halls in turn and conveyed your message."

Zhao Du'an folded his hands on his abdomen, unmoved:

"How is it?"

Qian Kerou's face was not good, and she said somewhat indignantly:

"Seven halls and eight halls both claimed that the arrest department was not there, but they were obviously lying."

Shen Juan drooped his eyebrows and said dejectedly:

"Five halls and six halls said that the cases in hand were too tight and they couldn't spare any, and promised to give them next month. Heh, empty words, fooling ghosts."

Old Zheng looked like he was used to it:

"Three halls and four halls said that in the past, we didn't have the ability to take it, and they helped to share it, and there is no reason to pay back debts."

Hou Renmeng hugged his arms and looked at his superior with a slightly playful look, and said:

"I went to ask the first hall and the second hall, which are Peony and Pomegranate. The former closed the door to thank guests, even if I was originally from Peony Hall, I am not allowed to enter now, Zhang Han is too lazy to pay attention to us at all."

After a pause, he pursed his lips and said with three points of anger:

"As for Pomegranate Hall, I did see it."

Zhao Du'an said calmly: "What did they say?"

Hou Renmeng grinned and said:

"Tie Chi Guan asked me to convey a word to you, sir: Get lost!"

Instant silence.

A breeze passed through the hall, and the thin documents on the table fluttered.

Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth slowly raised, with a smile, and praised:

"What a group of gentle and easy-going good people."

Thank you to Chi Tong for the 1000 point coin character reward!