"So it's one of our own!"

Zhao Cheng was startled, then quickly gripped Li Lu's hand again, saying, "This title of 'brother' is right, it is right!"

Li Lu smiled and said, "Accompanying you on a trip to Yanchuan will also allow me to visit my cousin. If... there's an opportunity, I can even pay a visit to the Right Chancellor."

"Sure, sure." Zhao Cheng gave him a knowing look.

Seeing Zhao Cheng holding Li Lu's hand tightly, Xu Qingshan felt inexplicably uncomfortable and subconsciously glanced at the hem of his clothes.

Not long ago, she was clinging tightly to my clothes, but in the blink of an eye, she was grabbing someone else's hand.

Do people change that quickly?

"What am I thinking? Let him arrest whoever he wants!"

Xu Qingshan mentally criticized his own inexplicable thoughts, and said aloud, "In that case, I'll take my leave."

"Master Xu!" Zhao Cheng suddenly turned around and called out.

Xu Qingshan opened his folding fan and gently waved it, waiting for Zhao Cheng to continue.

He knew that Zhao Cheng was just putting on an act, saying some nice things in front of everyone.

He listened patiently, hoping to put on another show with Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng took two steps closer to Xu Qingshan and said, "The verdant green mountains have stood solemnly for thousands of years, like the proud bones of a hero and the humble heart of a benevolent person. Great Hero Xu has a fine name that stands proudly between heaven and earth. I hope you can also have a fine character that stands proudly between heaven and earth!"

After speaking, Zhao Cheng bent down and bowed deeply.

Xu Qingshan's gentle waving of his folding fan suddenly froze, deeply shocked by Zhao Cheng's words.

He thought Zhao Cheng was just saying some nice things, but he never expected that his words would touch his heartstrings!

The lush green mountains have stood solemnly for millennia.

Like the proud spirit of a valiant warrior!

Like a benevolent person with a humble heart!

A good name is important, but so is a good character!

Isn't this just an insult, implying that I'm unworthy of my reputation and lack integrity in serving the Left Prime Minister's office?

Goodness...

On the eve of parting, you still wanted to destroy my spirit!

Although Xu Qingshan was dressed as a scholar, he was not a talented man. He had been studying hard while practicing martial arts, but failed the imperial examination and then devoted himself to swordsmanship.

Although he became a renowned swordsman, his inability to become a true scholar was perhaps his lifelong regret, so he always presented himself as a scholar.

He wanted to respond to Zhao Cheng with words of equal caliber, but after thinking for a long time, he still couldn't come up with anything. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Until we meet again."

Watching Xu Qingshan disappear into the vast crowd, Zhao Cheng turned around, put on a smile, and asked, "Brother Li, when shall we set off?"

...

Jing Palace.

The Imperial Study.

"Lord Dong, thirty Southern Zhou spies have suddenly appeared in the capital. Do you think you are competent as the Director of the Court of Justice?"

Sitting on the dragon table, Yuan Xiu placed one foot on the edge of the table and pointed at Dong Xiao in front of him.

Dong Xiao, in his thirties with a fierce appearance, immediately knelt down upon hearing this and said solemnly, "I have failed in my duty and am willing to accept punishment!"

He was a ruthless man who served as the Director of the Court of Justice, a third-rank official, and was in charge of the Imperial Prison and the secret service of the Great Jing Dynasty. He was a master of intelligence, counter-espionage, and internal supervision, and was known as the "Living Yama".

Yuan Xiu said, "Is this the attitude of admitting and making mistakes that I need? Touch your official robes, do they feel hot? If you can't do your job well, just say so. Considering the great contributions you made to the Great Jing, I can forgive you and let you go home to live a peaceful life. You will then personally hand this official robe to Zhao Cheng!"

"Are you willing?"

Are you willing to accept this?

When news of Zhao Cheng's elimination of spies in Shangyang County came back, Yuan Xiu didn't quite believe it, thinking it was Zhou Jinghuan's private troops brought from Southern Zhou. So he immediately arranged for Dong Xiao to investigate.

But the survey results surprised him greatly.

Apart from Chen Chong, all those who ambushed Zhao Cheng were Southern Zhou spies who had been lurking in Changsui City for many years, including a top-notch expert!

This was something Yuan Xiu could not tolerate.

Changsui City, the capital, right under the emperor's nose!

Not only did they hide so many Southern Zhou spies, but they also had a top-notch expert!

That's fucking dangerous!

A fierce light flashed in Dong Xiao's eyes as he shouted, "I am not reconciled!"

With that, Dong Xiao kowtowed to Yuan Xiu and said, "Your subject guarantees that within ten days, all spies in Changsui City will be wiped out. Not just those from Southern Zhou, but all of them!"

"Good! This is exactly what I wanted to see!"

Yuan Xiu raised his hand and said, "Get up. You have one month to eliminate all spies!"

"yes!"

"Give them dates first, then the corn; after the state banquet, it's time for bloodshed in the capital!"

Yuan Xiu's murderous intent was fully revealed, and Dong Xiao, Wen Tai, Lu Zhao, and Chen Changyun, who were standing in front of the dragon table, all felt a chill.

Lu Lu and Wei You, behind the dragon case, both lowered their heads, looking down at their noses and contemplating their own thoughts.

"Hahahaha, Zhao Cheng is really strange. Is he going after the Southern Zhou spies?"

Yuan Xiu suddenly burst into laughter again, and the officials in the room immediately joined in, clearly having become accustomed to his unpredictable temper.

Anyone who didn't know better would think the whole room was full of lunatics.

Yuan Xiu laughed, "Southern Spy Killer... that name is truly fitting! He only came to Changsui and conveniently took care of the Southern Zhou spies there. Lord Dong, I suggest you take the opportunity to find Zhao Cheng and ask him for advice on dealing with Southern Zhou spies!"

Dong Xiao felt somewhat embarrassed.

"You know, those Southern Zhou spies, of all people to mess with, why did they have to provoke our Great Jing's Southern spy fiend?"

"Hahahaha..."

Listening to Yuan Xiu's incessant praise, Chen Changyun chimed in, "Our Prince Consort of Dajing does have some skills!"

Yuan Xiu rolled his eyes at Chen Changyun and said, "You used to look down on Zhao Cheng the most, and even spread rumors that he wasn't the Right Chancellor's biological son. Now that he's about to become the emperor's son-in-law, you're starting to fawn over him?"

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