A month passed in the blink of an eye, and everyone had already returned to their busy work. After all, officials like Zhou Zhilu didn't have much annual leave.
And he no longer needed Ling Qingxue to lead the case. After all, it was difficult to tell who was leading whom. Of course, he certainly didn't dare say this in front of Ling Qingxue.
But people could sense something, and in a fit of anger, he ran out to handle the case right after the New Year.
Because Zhou Zhilu had the reputation of being the nemesis of the powerful, Tu Qing was afraid that someone would target him, so he did not send him out again, thinking of waiting until the storm had passed.
Fortunately, Zhou Zhilu's idea of storytelling was quite effective.
At first, when the people talked about this nemesis of the powerful, they just wanted to watch the fun and make a joke.
After all, no one knows what you did specifically. They only know that you dismissed three officials, one of whom was a fourth-rank official.
But now that they understand the cause and effect, even the old man in the teahouse couldn't help but give a thumbs up and say good after listening to the storyteller.
Zhou Zhilu, who stayed in the capital, was also busy. He made full use of Yun Li and Wu An's knowledge. No matter whether it was gossip or secrets, as long as it could be told, it was all recorded in the "Book of Boundaries".
Now six more acupoints have been strengthened, leaving only eighteen.
You have to know that he just broke through to the third level two months ago, but now he has already completed most of the process. At least among the Fu Yewei of the same period, no one is faster than him.
During this period, Zhou Zhilu also tried to copy historical books, but the historical records that could be written down for people to read could no longer be called secrets. Although he still collected the "Book of the Realm", the feedback it gave was not as good as that from his own meditation.
Besides...if something can be written into history books, does it necessarily have to be true?
After all, other historical books will not automatically screen out wrong answers like the "Book of Worlds".
For example, history books say that the last emperor of the previous dynasty, Yong Tang, was a lovesick man who loved his concubine wholeheartedly and could not forget her until his death.
Zhou Zhilu copied from the "Book of Boundaries" and his face turned pale instantly. Yun Li saw this and tactfully advised him not to go to brothels all the time, as it was a waste of money and harmful to his health.
However, peaceful days are always short-lived.
…
In the house of Xiao Wenlan, the head of the Fuyesi Demon Inspection Department.
"What?!"
Tu Qingteng stood up from his chair.
"Three officials from Jiangkang Prefecture were murdered in succession? Were they all the work of the demon tribe?"
Xiao Wenlan said with a serious expression, "We're not quite sure yet. The first two officials who were killed died in accidents, and we couldn't find many traces at the scene."
"Then how can we be sure that they didn't die accidentally?"
Xiao Wenlan said with a strange expression: "The way these two people died... is exactly the same. They both fell to the ground while walking up the stairs and were killed by a flower pot falling from above.
"The key is... one of them fell on the steps of the square, and there was sky above him! Where did the flowerpot come from?!"
Tu Qing's mouth twitched: "This... is really bizarre. What about the other one?"
Xiao Wenlan glanced at Tu Qing and said slowly, "The other one died from the Illusionary Heart Silkworm."
Tu Qing's eyes suddenly widened: "How did he die? What was the situation at the scene?"
"It's the same case you encountered before, except this official has fewer family members, so not as many people died as last time."
Tu Qing's face was solemn, and he nodded: "I understand, I will check it out."
After saying that, he stood up and was about to leave, but Xiao Wenlan quickly spoke up to stop him.
"stop!"
Seeing Tu Qing's puzzled look, Xiao Wenlan sighed and said, "You can't investigate this case. Every year at this time, the demon tribe in the north will come to raid.
"The soldiers at the border have to defend the fortress and eliminate those who have slipped through the net in the rear. They simply don't have enough manpower. You must lead your men to support the northern border."
"What about Jiangkang Mansion?" Tu Qing asked in surprise.
Xiao Wenlan rubbed his brows with a headache and said, "Such a major case has long been reported to the emperor. Today, the court decided to let Zhou Zhilu investigate the case."
"Zhi Lu?!" Tu Qing suddenly walked back and asked loudly.
"Don't you know how risky this case is? There are three officials involved. If he fails to investigate properly, he will definitely be dragged out to take the blame!"
Then, he suddenly realized, "Those noble officials? I don't understand. He's just a small seventh-rank night guard. Why is he so obsessed with him?"
Since the business of the Fuye Division is more specialized, unlike other court departments, generally only the ministers of the six ministries and the director of the Fuye Division will participate, so there is a lot of information that Tu Qing cannot know.
Xiao Wenlan explained, "If it was just one Fu Yewei investigating the case, then naturally it wouldn't be that serious. However, whether it's the county magistrate of Wanghai County or the county magistrate of Yancheng County, as well as Fan Quan, they are all civil servants. Naturally, these things will be regarded by the civil servants as an attack by the military generals. Now it's just their counterattack.
"And the reason they gave is a good one. Zhilu has also come into contact with this Illusionary Silkworm. He was the first to discover the clues. Now that he has gained some reputation, it would be most appropriate to send him there."
Tu Qing said angrily, "These guys are really calculating. If Zhilu doesn't handle the case well, they'll counterattack successfully. If he does, they'll recommend him for merit, right?!"
Xiao Wenlan sighed, "That's how it is. The military commanders are no match for the civil officials. In the end, they were so angry that they were willing to let Zhilu go, hoping that he could solve the case and take the spotlight off the civil officials. And the emperor... after all, is just a seventh-rank night guard. If he can solve the case, that's great. If he fails, he can be dragged out to take the blame. Anything is fine."
Tu Qing was silent after hearing this. In this officialdom, if one wants to be in the spotlight without any background, he can only be careful of the evil clutches of others.
Xiao Wenlan comforted him, "We can only give him more support and help him get through this difficult time. Once he does, he'll truly be qualified to attract investment."
…
"Holy Doctor's Day?"
In order to celebrate Yun Li's breakthrough to the third level, Zhou Zhilu brought Yun Li to another brothel to drink tea, chat and visit his sister. Unconsciously, they talked about this second largest festival after the Spring Festival.
"Brother Zhou, you don't even know about Saint Doctor's Day?" Yun Li asked in surprise.
"Uh... I'm from a small place and haven't seen any festivals." Zhou Zhilu covered up.
Yun Li scratched his head and couldn't help but say, "You are too young..."
Immediately noticing Zhou Zhilu's dangerous look, he quickly changed the subject to explain, "This Saint Doctor's Day is a major festival in Jiangkang Prefecture, passed down from the previous dynasty."
"Previous dynasty? Yong Tang Dynasty?" Zhou Zhilu asked curiously.
Yun Li nodded and said, "That's right. This festival was established to commemorate the Holy Doctor Consort of the Yong Tang Dynasty, and this Jiangkang Prefecture is the hometown of this Consort."
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