Chapter 154 Chapter 154 is the only genuine version...
Chen Xu was instructing Sheng Jiang to bring all the prostitutes in the capital to the East Factory.
Hearing this, he held the broken abacus in his hand and glanced at her coldly: "Changfeng?"
Gu Zhizhuo reminded him, "The one at the Meridian Gate before."
Sheng Jiang said from the side: "You asked your subordinates to check it."
Shen Xu nodded: "You say."
Sheng Jiang bowed and said, "Master Changfeng is the abbot of Shangxu Temple. He is a Zhengyi Master, highly respected, and skilled in talismans and hexagrams. People from Western Xinjiang, even those several cities away, always make a special trip to Shangxu Temple to ask for talismans and fortune sticks. Even when the Liang people used to love looting at the border, Shangxu Temple still enjoyed a strong following. People from Western Xinjiang regard Shangxu Temple as a 'holy place' and make pilgrimages there at least twice a year."
"At the age of thirty, Changfeng left the monastery to practice cultivation and travel the world. In the twenty-first year of Taiyuan, at the age of thirty-eight, he returned to Shangxu Monastery. After that, he remained in seclusion for ten years, never leaving the temple again. People in Western Xinjiang said that he was in seclusion to pray for blessings for the region. Everyone respected him."
"In July, he arrived in the capital at the invitation of the King of Jin."
"After arriving in the capital, he only traveled around and lectured at surrounding Taoist temples, and did nothing wrong."
"After eight months, he moved into the Prince of Jin's Mansion."
Other details are also recorded.
Sheng Jiang glanced at Gu Zhizhuo calmly.
After Daqi established its own country, Emperor Taizu supported Taoism with the whole country's strength. As a result, 60% to 70% of the people in Daqi believed in Taoism.
Taoist temples and Taoists have a transcendent status in Daqi.
Especially since he was certified by the Daoist Records Bureau as the "Master of a Temple" and "Master Zhengyi," even the emperor had to show respect when he met him. Since the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, there had never been a precedent for the arrest of Taoist priests.
Only this Miss Gu can arrest anyone she wants, accusing them of "falsely conveying the imperial edict" and "framing someone up". Look at what she said, do these words sound like human language?! Ah!
Shen Xu's tone was light: "Catch him?"
He was waiting for her to give him an explanation.
Gu Zhizhuo glanced back and saw that Prince Li and the Minister of Rites were both in the main hall, and it was unclear what they were talking about. Gu Zhizhuo simply said, "I'll see you out."
Chen Xu was a suspicious and fickle person, so he couldn't be more clear-headed. As they exited the hanging flower gate, Gu Zhizhuo bluntly stated, "Shui|Lei Tun is indeed an extremely ominous hexagram, but you still remember it, right?" She tossed the counting sticks in her hand and said with a smile, "I asked Chen the cat who was the most unlucky, and it chose you."
"Isn't that right, Cat?"
I don't know if it understood or not, but it cooperated very well and called out, "Meow~" and rubbed against the corner of Shen Xu's robe.
Shen Xu raised the corner of his mouth sarcastically and ignored her.
"Water represents a marsh, and thunder represents destruction. This hexagram is connected to the idea of thunder and water dissolving, and also implies that one can survive after being thrown into a desperate situation."
"Sister Yin still has a glimmer of hope."
Shen Xu's expression softened slightly: "Continue."
"The hexagram shows that the elder sister of the Yin family is willing to die. She would rather be reduced to prostitution and survive. Why is she so determined to die now?"
Just now when Gu Zhizhuo saw the hatred in Gu Yan's eyes, he suddenly remembered.
Live because of hatred.
Die of hatred.
Shen Xu pinched the abacus, his palm bleeding profusely, but he didn't care at all, letting the abacus slowly turn bright red.
"Meow."
Cat Shen seemed to be able to sense his mood and clung to him obediently.
"I... understand."
He is alive and his sister is alive too.
No matter how hard his life is, his sister's life will naturally be just as hard.
"There is only one way to make my sister willing to die."
"I am being too picky."
Shen Xu let go and the counting chips fell to the ground.
There was a sinister light in his eyes, like a wild beast hiding in the darkness, silently baring its fangs.
Gu Zhizhuo acted as if he hadn't noticed and continued, "Prince Jin can only separate a person's head and body, not their soul."
"Unless someone from the Dao Sect gets involved."
"Long wind."
Regarding the matter of Yin's sister, she had cast several hexagrams in succession, but each hexagram was vague and the hexagram images kept changing.
Even the compass needle kept moving, which meant that "the hexagrams and the lines were not accepted". The way of heaven was blinding her eyes and was unwilling to let her glimpse the secrets of heaven.
The Heavenly Dao was particularly partial only when it came to Ji Nan Ke. The death of the Yin family's elder sister must have been specially prepared by the Heavenly Dao for Ji Nan Ke.
It is destiny.
All will die.
Therefore, even if Shen Xu used all the power of the Jinyiwei, he would not be able to find her. Even if he really gathered all the courtesans in the capital, there would definitely be various interferences, and his efforts would fail and his opportunity would be wasted.
After a brief explanation, she asked, "Master, if you are willing to believe me, please take this gamble on your chance of survival."
"Take away the firewood from under the cauldron."
Gu Zhizhuo put his five fingers together and swung them down like a sharp sword.
The corners of her lips curled up, with a confident calmness.
Ever since her rebirth, she has been fighting against the Heavenly Dao until now, and has also vaguely glimpsed some of the tricks.
Chen Xu's carriage was parked at the ceremonial gate.
He stepped onto the carriage, looked back and said, "Okay."
Gu Zhizhuo smiled and said, "Give me the cat first."
Shen Xu picked up the cat by the scruff of its neck and threw it out of the car window.
"Walk."
Sheng Jiang got on the carriage. As soon as it left the Zhenguo Mansion, Chen Xu ordered a young eunuch accompanying the carriage to go back to the East Factory to mobilize people, and said, "Send Wu Shang to prepare an imperial edict."
"Go to Prince Jin's Mansion."
The carriage started moving quickly and headed straight for Prince Jin's Mansion.
But the factory guards were faster. By the time Chen Xu arrived at Prince Jin's Mansion, hundreds of Dongchang guards wearing small pointed hats and Jinyiwei in flying fish uniforms were already waiting.
"Master Governor."
Salute in unison.
They had done so much house-raiding work that when they arrived they would block the road first, and no outsiders were allowed to enter or leave.
"Master Governor."
Wu Shang walked to the carriage and handed a bright yellow imperial edict to Shen Xu.
"This is the drafted imperial edict."
Shen Xu threw it on the coffee table: "Knock on the door."
At a command, Wu Shang knocked on the door of the Prince of Jin's mansion. Seeing this scene, the gatekeeper knew it was clearly written "unfriendly" and dared not open the door. However, if they just waited for the other party to open the door before entering, it would not be the style of the East Factory.
Wu Shang kowtowed three times politely, took a step back, and said with a stern face, "Smash it."
Boom!
Several burly factory guards rushed towards the vermilion gate together.
Boom!
The gate of the prince's mansion was thicker than those of ordinary nobles' houses, but no matter how thick it was, it could not withstand such continuous collisions. After a few hits, the gate finally collapsed and was on the verge of collapse.
The gatekeeper was terrified and said in a panic, "Quick, go and report to the prince!"
"The prince is not in the palace."
"My Lord!"
"The prince is ill."
"Princess, Second Master, Third Master, anyone will do... Hurry up."
The Prince of Jin's Mansion had been wealthy for a long time and had never seen such a scene.
Even when the Prince of Zhenguo brought people to attack last time, they were just a group of half-grown boys.
The steward was shouting and yelling hysterically, and the servants and maids were scattered in a mess.
Boom!
With another impact, the door collapsed.
A group of factory guards rushed in in neat formation, blocking off the servants who came to stop them, and followed closely by a luxurious black lacquered carriage.
"Take it."
A feminine voice sounded from the carriage.
Shen Xu didn't even show up, and the well-trained factory guards scattered in all directions.
The East Factory was used to the task of searching and confiscating property. Wu Shang made a few arrangements and in a short while, all the idlers around were under control.
"Master, the doorman said that Changfeng has not been out recently."
Wu Shang asked the gatekeeper and just came over to report a few words when the guards from the palace rushed over.
The guards of the prince's palace were different from those of ordinary noble families. They were all from the imperial guards and had ranks. According to the law, the prince could have 300 guards, who were allowed to carry swords and use bows and crossbows. Once the guards surrounded them, all the bows and arrows were aimed at them.
The head guard said with a fierce look, "This is the Prince of Jin's residence. Even the East Factory is not worthy of being so presumptuous here."
"When my prince returns, I will ask the East Factory for an explanation."
"Anyone who trespasses without reason will be killed without mercy."
As he spoke, he looked at the carriage warily, secretly wondering who was inside.
Chen Xu leaned against a large pillow, his fingertips slowly stroking the small jade pendant on his wrist.
The corners of his eyes were slightly raised, bloodshot, and his peach blossom eyes, with their unparalleled beauty, were less watery and sparkling, replaced by a brutality stained with blood.
Even the calming talisman on the small jade token could hardly suppress this violent energy.
He opened his lips, a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.
"Kill without mercy."
His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it was loud enough for Wu Shang outside to hear clearly. Wu Shang raised his right hand while agreeing.
Sheng Jiang stood beside the carriage, snorting in disdain in his heart. The governor had been a little gentler in his methods in the past few months, and some people were taking advantage of it and thinking that the factory guards were all vegetarians.
What kind of noble mansion have they not plundered? Well, it seems they haven’t plundered the royal palace, but it doesn’t matter.
Everything has to have a beginning.
whoosh!
With the hum of the sky rocket, the guards standing at the outermost edge holding longbows had their throats cut at the same time. The knife moved up and down quickly and fiercely without any delay.
Blood splattered everywhere.
The maids and servants screamed and ran away
Ten bandits stepped over the corpses and stood behind the guards, their swords just sheathed.
The guards had never seen such a bloody scene before. Without even saying hello, they just started attacking and killing people.
This is Prince Jin’s Mansion!
The captain of the guards was a little better. He took a deep breath and ordered, "Go..."
As he raised his hand, a long arrow shot out from behind and pierced his palm. Immediately afterwards, another arrow pierced his throat.
His eyes widened and he fell straight down, with the unfinished words fading in his throat.
The guards had just raised their weapons, but their movements froze in mid-air, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.
"Disarm."
Wu Shang counted coldly: "One, two..."
Before the word "three" came out, bang, the first guard put down his sword, and then all the swords were thrown to the ground.
Wu Shang made a gesture, and a group of factory guards quickly tied up the guards, while the others were not disturbed at all and continued to do what they were supposed to do.
Less than a cup of tea.
Those who should be arrested were arrested, and those who should be locked up were locked up. The factory guards split into several groups and drove the servants in the front yard of the palace into the waterside pavilion one by one, leaving three or five people behind to guard them.
There were sounds of running, screaming, and chaos.
Chen Xu sat there feeling somewhat bored. The blood on his palms had long since dried up, leaving only a few deep nail marks. Even the white jade plaque was stained with a little blood.
He took out a handkerchief and wiped it slowly, ignoring the chaos around him.
"Master," Wu Shang whispered from outside, "I found out that Master Changfeng is in the courtyard in the southeast corner."
With the methods of the Eastern Depot, they could arrest a manager, interrogate him casually for a few sentences, and get to know everything they wanted to know.
Shen Xu threw the handkerchief away.
He lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage. His wide sleeves hung down, and the embroidery patterns outlined with gold threads shimmered with deep and light luster in the sunlight.
"lead the way.
Wu Shang picked up a manager and pushed him forward.
The steward wiped the sweat from his forehead nervously.
Everyone has always heard of the East Factory's vicious reputation. Stories like which house the East Factory raided, which family was skinned and bones pulled out, and which family was going to be chopped off at Caishikou were all the subject of gossip and laughter. Who would have thought that these vicious East Factory men would one day dare to break into the palace?
The prince has done nothing wrong, right?
No, no.
The prince was neither tried nor arrested, and he did his job well. Yesterday, he even brought His Royal Highness the Third Prince back for dinner.
You should never provoke the East Factory.
The steward led the way with his head lowered and his eyebrows lowered.
"Right, right here."
The steward said in a trembling voice, "The Master wants to make an elixir, and the prince has arranged for him to be in the most remote courtyard, to avoid being disturbed."
"The real person rarely comes out on weekdays."
Chen Xu walked slowly, his sleeves fluttering.
Wu Shang was one step ahead of him and pushed open the door.
Although the courtyard is small, it is extremely elegant and obviously has been carefully arranged.
"Kneel down quickly."
The steward warned the maids in the yard. They were so frightened that their legs trembled and they all knelt down.
Wu Shang asked, "Who else?"
A maid hurriedly said, "The master has no maids here. Apart from us, he only brought two Taoist children."
Shen Xu walked into the yard, and the eunuch carrying a throne placed the chair behind him.
Chen Xu lifted his robe and sat down. He leaned on the armrest with one hand, stroking the small jade token, and said, "Catch it out."
"yes."
Wu Shang bowed and agreed.
The door of the wing room was kicked open, and Wu Shang personally led a few people in rushing in. After kicking several doors in succession, the door of the innermost room suddenly opened.
Standing in front of the door was a middle-aged Taoist priest in yellow robes, holding a whisk and with a look of shock on his face.
There were three cushions in the room, and a copy of the Daoist Canon on the floor. Incense was curling in the corner, as if someone was meditating and lecturing.
Changfeng looked at them in astonishment: "Who are you?"
"Your name is Changfeng?"
"My name is Changfeng."
Wu Shang stared at him up and down for a while and said, "Take him away."
Upon hearing this, two guards came over to arrest the man.
"Real person!"
The little Taoist boy opened his arms and stood in front of him. Changfeng was knocked back a step, raised his whisk and pointed at them, and said in surprise: "Who gave you the courage to come here?"
There was an unconcealable emotional fluctuation in his voice, which was far from his usual detached composure, and lacked some of the sage-like aura he displayed in front of others.
Wu Shang waved the imperial edict at him and said casually, "The emperor has ordered that Changfeng, a Taoist priest from Shangxu Temple, possess a certificate of ordination and engage in theft and fraud. He is suspected to be a fake Taoist priest. The East Factory is ordered to arrest him and investigate."
Changfeng: ???
No, that's all nonsense!
Are these words reasonable? Just because he has a certificate of ordination, does that mean he's a fake Taoist?
Chang Feng laughed angrily and flicked his sleeves, causing his wide Taoist robe to flutter.
"You are falsely conveying the imperial decree."
Changfeng stared at the imperial edict intently. He was sure that the edict was blank.
"Let me see the imperial edict."
Wu Shang handed the imperial edict over. Chang Feng raised his hand to take it, but Wu Shang retracted his hand. Chang Feng missed it and almost lost his balance.
Wu Shang's eyelids were very thick, and when he lowered his eyes, he looked exceptionally cold and merciless.
He made a gesture, and the guards pushed the little Taoist boy away, held Changfeng's shoulders on the left and right, and dragged him out. He scratched the ground with his feet desperately, but could not stop him at all.
"Your Majesty, I have been practicing Taoism for over forty years and have received the Zhengyi talisman. Not even the Emperor has the right to arrest me."
"Is the East Factory trying to destroy Taoism?"
"Let me go."
Wu Shang did as he wished and pushed him hard from behind. Chang Feng staggered and fell down, directly at Shen Xu's feet.
He slowly raised his head and met Shen Xu's violent eyes.
Shen Xu stepped on his face, the tip of his boot touching his cheek.
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