The Lord who use immortals as food

A huge scroll of Shenjing City.

Hanging on an empty wall, even with such a long length, many details are still hidden. The hundred squares are divided into huge grids, each of which outlines the basic terrain and buildings.

But it is enough.

Di Jiu stared at the city map with a cinnabar pen, and there were many red circles on it. Li Zhao read behind him: "Please set up a winter prison, with a specification of 15 meters from north to south and 19 meters from east to west, 80 cells, and 300 prisoners."

Such a private prison cannot be built anywhere in Shenjing.

Yang Juhu was a newcomer nine years ago, and none of the Jinwu Guards was his confidant. He proposed to set up a winter prison at this time, but he was not worried that he would not be able to control it.

Because Shenjing already has people he trusts.

Qiu Tianyu, who came to Beijing three years ago, has already formed a team of Cao Gang. As long as the power of the government is in place, they can rise with the same wind. They are comrades-in-arms for many years, and they also come from the same place, and even for the same purpose.

Although this private prison is under the name of Jinwu Guard, it is actually a convenient place given by Yang Juhu to Taiping Cao Gang.

No matter how you look at it, this is the most reasonable model. Jinwu Guard can ignore and cover it, but cannot do these dirty things personally. Similarly, Taiping Cao Gang, which handles the entire process personally, will not send people to Jinwu Guard’s prison in batches.

So this "Winter Prison" is certainly not under the control of Jinwu Guard but under the hands of Taiping Cao Gang.

How many territories does Taiping Cao Gang have that can hide "15 meters north and south, 19 meters east and west" private prisons?

Once you know what you are looking for, such work is a step-by-step approach to the end for the two of them.

Li Zhao stood behind them, and the two of them eliminated many seemingly plausible places bit by bit. Finally, Di Jiu took a deep breath, picked up the pen and heavily ticked an area on the left.

Li Zhao looked at it in amazement, and then gradually solemnized his expression.

There is no industry there, or rather, it is the largest industry of the Cao Gang.

That is the back of the West Pond of Shenjing, where the 30-zhang Cao Canal loops. The largest wharf in the city of Shenjing is built there. The Taiping Cao Gang has controlled this area for nine years.

"Goods come and go, people flow in a mixed stream, and no one recognizes each other among the unfamiliar faces." Di Jiu said, "No one knows that cargo ships are loading and unloading things privately when they are getting on and off."

"This area is called an important place for water transport. It is blocked behind the Feijing Tower in the West Pond. It has always been close to the private land of the water transport gang. People are usually not allowed to approach, and it is very difficult to even see it."

"That's it." Di Jiu put down his pen and said, "It's not a king or a public official, what private land - grind ink, submit a search document."

Li Zhao went to the table and spread out the paper. Di Jiu picked up the pen and said, "Have you contacted the gate guard?"

"It's settled. Zhonglang Jiang Hong Xingping is my fellow villager. Tomorrow, the official document will be delivered to the South Court. He will immediately take people to seal Taiping Wharf."

"Okay."

As everyone saw, the three officials who investigated the case were isolated outside the South Court, and the fourth-rank Lord Di had no soldiers under his command. When it came to the use of personnel, the guards of the capital had to be transferred from the South Court.

However, how could the Jinwu Guard investigate itself?

Even though the three courts had been established and the case had been filed, the Jinwu Guard should have cooperated when the three courts requested to seal or arrest, but since the execution was done by human beings, there were always ways to refuse and disobey.

Therefore, Di Jiu sent Li Zhao to contact the staff in advance, and did not give the Southern Court time to react. The official document was handed over, and the gate guards were immediately sent to cooperate with the search, and everything was in compliance.

"The Dali Temple should also transfer some people."

"I have told you, I will go to collect it myself tomorrow."

"Okay."

Di Jiu lowered his head and wrote this perfunctory official document in a few strokes, raised his head and let out a light breath, put down his pen and leaned back in the chair.

The two of them sat and stood in silence in the quiet room. Di Jiu poured a cup of tea and said tiredly: "Then, we should guess who we are facing."

Li Zhao said nothing. Their action of retrieving the archives of the Ministry of War last night could not be hidden from those who were interested. Although Yang Juhu has now reached a high position, he is definitely not the supporter behind the Taiping Cao Gang.

Because it is very simple, Yang Juhu was promoted to Jinwu General in the ninth year, and he must have relied on someone in the court.

Shenjing is a water area occupied by whale sharks and dragons. Yang Juhu, Qiu Tianyu and the two of them have just arrived. It is impossible for them to occupy such a large and rich area.

Now that their investigation progress has indeed been threatened, it is normal for this dominant water beast to be unable to sit still.

"What if it is that prince?" Li Zhao whispered.

"The one from the Prince of Yan's Mansion?"

"These two were originally from the Northern Army."

Di Jiu was silent for a moment: "You mean the one from the north came to Shenjing to compete for these rotten meats?"

"."

"Aren't the thousands of miles north borders more willing to take advantage of him?"

".But aren't these two people instructed by the Prince of Yan's Mansion?"

Di Jiu was silent for a while, shook his head: "There is no reason to guess. Anyway, sending two deputy generals from thousands of miles away is probably not to seize the gold and silver of Shenjing."

".Then there is someone else?"

"It must be a local snake." Di Jiu sighed lightly.

At this moment, a series of hurried footsteps sounded in front of the door, and a clerk pushed the door open with sweat: "Di, Lord Di, a large carriage drove into the government office and stopped at the main gate. The person inside specifically wants to see you."

The two were silent for a while, Di Jiu lowered his head to drink the tea in the cup, stood up and gathered his clothes: "Look, here they come."

"Who is it?" Li Zhao asked the clerk.

"No, I don't know, he didn't show up, but he brought a team of armored soldiers from the palace."

Li Zhao pursed his lower lip. Di Jiu had already strode to the vestibule, and he hurriedly followed.

It was only a few steps in total, Di Jiu stepped through the garden gate, and his eyes were immediately filled with brocade clothes and canopies. Armored soldiers with shining silver scales stood solemnly and majestically at the entrances and exits. Waiters and ladies lined up at the foot of the steps. Six majestic and gorgeous carriages and horses were parked neatly in the courtyard. The horses driving the horses had golden manes and sharp The eyes are surrounded by fine scales.

And in the dark and tall main hall, there was a person sitting vaguely.

Di Jiu raised his lapel and climbed up the steps. When he reached the first level, Li Zhao was already stopped behind him.

Di Jiu nodded to him and walked up. The dazzling sunlight was left behind. Di Jiu stepped into the main hall and raised his head. A noble man with a futou robe and purple clothes was leaning on the Zhaoyin throne. His face is like an old fox, his eyes are deep and narrow, his cheeks the color of his eyes have become wrinkled with age, but his face is still smooth and smooth, revealing the precious care taken, and his white hair is meticulously tied back on his head.

A piece of exquisitely polished strange purple gold is embedded in the left cheek, as if the owner's brocade and golden wreaths are not enough, and the body and bones are also exuding an unparalleled nobility.

He was indeed possessed of unfathomable cultivation. When Di Jiu stepped into the hall, he felt that the sky seemed to have darkened, and a cold gloom enveloped his body.

At this moment, he was lazily looking at the scarlet robe in the hall, as if the color representing the fourth grade only made him tired. He lightly knocked on the table, but his mouth was as sharp as a snake's hiss: "Di. Sir, I heard that you are loyal to the emperor and love the people, so I think we have to come and settle things in person."

Di Jiu took a deep breath and held his breath as he stared at this famous official in the imperial capital. His body was inevitably cold at this moment.

Yu Sicheng.

If the saint is the heaven of the Tang Dynasty, then the person in front of him is at least the dark cloud covering Shenjing.

He has been a member of the Huangmen since he was a child, and climbed up to the top step by step in the palace where life was like a piece of cake. Many years ago, he supervised the military appearance, led troops to defeat the enemy during the war in Northern Xinjiang, and was awarded the title of Duke for his merits. At that time, he was already the saint's most accustomed assistant, while Di Jiu was still wearing light blue Jiupin clothes and earning a meager salary, wandering around in minor positions outside the capital.

Now he called out "Lord Di", Di Jiu gently stroked the officer's sleeve and bowed: "Mr. Yu is in good health. I don't know why you came to my place."

Yu Sicheng unhurriedly scalded the tea cup and sighed hoarsely: "Master Di, there are so many sycophants, jesters, and slanderers in this court today. They are only interested in flattery, but they don't know how to do their own things well. , is true loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Under a wise king, is there any reason not to promote talents? "

Di Jiu nodded: "What Mr. Yu said is true."

"So when I see a minister like Master Di, I am happy for the Holy Master." Yu Sicheng poured the hot water into the water, causing the tea petals to spin. "I remember when we first led the army, our family had a heavy trust, how dare we I use people at will, and I feel anxious day and night. The Holy Master warned me: 'A jade sheath with beads in it is not as good as a bright blade.'"

The powerful eunuch sighed softly and looked out of the court indifferently, as if he had returned to that time. He lowered his head but said nothing. He covered a pot of tea and poured tea into the white porcelain cup.

"This is the only golden saying of the Holy Master. Later, after reading it for a long time in our court, we realized the truth." Yu Sicheng put down the teapot and smiled softly at Di Jiu, "Lord Di, you might as well add two more words first. sentence?"

"How dare you."

"It doesn't matter."

"Then the official continued, 'Pearls and jade are passed down from generation to generation, and bright blades are easily broken.'"

Yu Sicheng laughed loudly when he heard this, and even stood up from the big chair. After suppressing his laughter, he calmly straightened his sleeves, but suddenly he looked at Di Jiu expressionlessly: "If a bright blade has no handle, the fierceness will hurt first." "

Di Jiu remained silent.

"Lord Di," Yu Sicheng said softly, "unruly ministers are easy to drive away, and swords that hurt oneself are easy to throw away. Lord Di's heart is loyal to the emperor, and the sword must be used brightly."

"."

"Water transportation is a major event in our Shenjing, and the water gang is an indispensable part. If Mr. Di continues to mess with it now, once the water transportation is disordered and the water workers fail to do their jobs, no one will be able to afford the chaos." Yu Sicheng sighed lightly. He said, "Master Di has put a lot of effort into this matter. Since there is evidence of being a trafficker, I will make the decision for Master Di today. Qiu Tianyu, who dared to give a banquet to the imperial officials and show off his power, will be put into prison immediately and dealt with according to the law." Caobang, Master Di doesn’t need to move.”

"."

Yu Sicheng looked at the red robe who stood silently in front of him, smiled suddenly for a long time, took a cup with both hands and handed it to Di Jiu: "We haven't poured tea for a long time, and we are a bit unfamiliar. Now I can serve it to a worthy minister like Master Di! "

There was silence in the hall, and the cup of tea stood steadily in the air. Di Jiu was silent for a moment, then stepped forward to salute and took it with both hands. However, the next moment his hands shook as if he could not hold it firmly, and the cup of tea fell to the ground. The broken porcelain fills the room crisply.

Di Jiu bowed his head and saluted: "I'm sorry, Di has no cultivation. This tea is too hot."

"."

Yu Sicheng looked at him quietly.

Di Jiu raised his head and looked back quietly.

Yu Sicheng smiled lowly and changed his tone indifferently: "I don't know whether to live or die."

After saying this, he no longer looked at Di Jiu, as if the scarlet robe had indeed turned into an insect that could be easily crushed to death. He walked out of the yamen indifferently, and the entire team surrounded the purple robe in order and solemnity. .

At this time, Li Zhao immediately came to Di Jiu, held his wrist and channeled his Qi into him, facing the cultivator's unabashed pressure. Di Jiu's face was indeed pale at this time, and his lips were colorless.

Li Zhao helped Di Jiu sit down, with a worried look on his face: "How come this lieutenant-general came in person? I don't know what means he has behind him. Do you want to ask Mr. Tong for help?"

Di Jiu poured himself a cup of tea, his thick eyebrows knitted together, but he shook his head: "We are in the officialdom, how can we expect Mount Tai to block the huge waves?"

"."

"If people had such power in Nanya, we wouldn't be needed for this case." Di Jiu sighed, "You have to take the responsibility yourself."

He slowly drank three cups of tea before his body gradually warmed up. He looked at the sky under the eaves and murmured: "If the bright blade had a handle, wouldn't it be that the sword in your hand would rise to the throne immediately?"

".What?"

"Immediately, send an order to Shenjing, and the Jingzhao Mansion will decide the case. Anyone who has been bullied by the Taiping Cao Gang can file a lawsuit."

Early the next morning, Taichang Qing's residence.

Changsun Jue dressed up very carefully today.

It's not about exquisite makeup and unique clothes. In fact, the girl is not good at those. Her whole morning thinking was just to choose a "suitable" outfit.

Because I had agreed with Sister Cui a long time ago that I would take her with me when I go to the Sword Xiu Academy to watch swordsmanship this year.

Entering such a holy place, the scholar's uniform must be too intrusive, and the ordinary silk shirt, long skirt and jacket seems a bit unserious. It is best to choose something decent enough that no one will pay much attention to.

Finally, she remembered that she had seen those elegant sword uniforms worn by swordsmen as dark as gray, so she chose a similar light color, tied her hair up in a bun, looked at the mirror with her head held high, and turned around, finally satisfied. stand up.

It was the third time that the carriages and horses outside the mansion came to urge him. Changsun Jue responded and hurriedly left the mansion. A noble carriage and horses stopped in front of the door. Changsunjue was a little embarrassed to lift the curtain and board the carriage. He politely said: "Cui Sister, I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

"What have I been waiting for? It's just Miss Changsun's sword-playing maid." The person in the car raised his head lazily, as if he had just woken up, and looked up and down the girl's outfit with a pair of glassy eyes, ".This is Which country’s festival did you just attend?”

Changsun Jue sat upright in the car, ignoring her joking, reaching out to pick up the books on the table and flipping through them: "What are these?"

"Look through the list of swordsmen this year that I got a few days ago. I'll point it out to you later."

Changsun Jue's eyes were slightly bright, and he looked through the pages as if they were treasures. However, after browsing through them, he frowned slightly: "Isn't this incomplete?"

".?"