Chapter 279: Blocking the Way

Suxin and Sulan happily helped Dou Zhao to rest, and then each took a quilt and rested on the big kang next to the window.

Song Mo rushed all the way to the Duke of Ying's Mansion.

The crisp sound of horse hooves not only broke the tranquility of the early morning in Kyoto, but also attracted the attention of the princes and ministers who were attending the court, wondering what had happened.

Soon, the news of the fire and theft in the Duke of Ying's mansion spread throughout Kyoto.

"Where did these thieves come from?" Liang Jifen, the chief minister of the inner cabinet, frowned as he waited in the duty room for the morning court. "After all these achievements, they are not only unlearned, but also do nothing all day long. They dare to ride fast in the inner city of Kyoto. What if they hit someone?"

He came from a poor family and looked down on those second-generation rich people.

Yao Shizhong, who was known as the "President of Planning", was the exact opposite of Liang Jifen. Not only did he come from a famous family, but his wife's family and mother's family were both famous and prominent families with generations of officials. He did not like those poor children who claimed to be "arrogant". He always felt that Liang Jifen was just sour grapes, so he smiled and asked He Wendao, who was also from a noble family: "Does Wen Daogong still raise katydids now? I got a bowl a few days ago, which looked like gold and iron. I don't know what era it was from. The katydid raised in it made a very loud cry, like the sound of gold and stone hitting each other, or like waves hitting the shore. It is very rare. If Wen Daogong is free one day, can you help me appreciate it?"

He Wendao was a shrewd man, and he knew that Yao Shizhong was making fun of Liang Jifen. But Liang Jifen, although he was the Prime Minister, was stubborn and self-righteous, and did not know how to be tactful. He was more straightforward than tactful, and had no courage. He only knew how to use the emperor to pressure others. Not to mention that the scheming Yao Shizhong and the smooth-talking Dai Jian did not take him seriously, even He Wendao did not serve him very much, so that the cabinet was still a mess today. It was not like when Zeng Yifen was the Prime Minister, his words were final and no one dared to argue; nor was it like when Ye Shipei was the Prime Minister, he was worldly and smooth, and could get along with everyone. He Wendao didn't think much of him, and since Yao Shizhong was a domineering person, He Wendao didn't want to offend him, so he smiled and said "OK," and said, "Then take a day off next time? I don't have anything to do."

Yao Shizhong then asked He Yu: "...You did well in this year's provincial examination. Will you take the next spring examination?"

He Yu passed the imperial examination in August.

When talking about his youngest son, He Wendao's expression softened a lot.

He stroked his chest-length beard and said with a smile, "He should study for a few more years! This kid has a bit of a wild temper."

"Smart children are wild in nature, unlike some people who only know how to study. When they really become officials, they are ignorant of the ways of the world... The imperial examinations today are really worrying!"

Liang Jifen's face looked a little unhappy.

The tall and strong Dai Jian and the handsome and elegant Dou Shishu walked in.

"... We have already sent people to the Duke of Ying's mansion to ask." The usually gentle and refined Dou Shishu's face was not looking good at this time. "There have been thieves making troubles this time and again. I don't know if it was caused by thieves or people. I can only go and check it out in person after I get off the government office."

He knew that Dai Jian and Wang Yuan were good friends, and that Wang Yuan was the emperor's confidant, so he complained in front of Dai Jian.

Dai Jian smiled and said, "Brother Yuanji, don't worry too much. When the emperor found out, he was furious and gave the 'Yi Ri Sword' to the prince of Yingguo. I believe the truth will be revealed in the near future. However, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture and the Wucheng Military Command are both in charge. I'm afraid they will have to change people this time."

After he heard that something happened at the Duke of Ying's Mansion, he deliberately slowed down his pace in order to wait for Dou Shishu.

Among the seven people in the inner cabinet, Yao Shizhong and he are incompatible. Dou Shishu's two younger brothers are both students of He Wendao, and the two families have always been on good terms. Dou Shishu and Ji Song, the Minister of Works, are also relatives. Last time the Ji family repaired the water conservancy in Yixing, they received Mu Chuan's support. And through this incident, Dou Shishu seemed to have reached some kind of agreement with Mu Chuan. The two of them advance and retreat together on many things, and they have a bit of an alliance flavor.

He had his eyes on the post of Shuntian prefect. If he could get Dou Shishu's help and the votes of He Wendao and Muchuan, Yao Shizhong would have to watch... Liang Jifen, and he would not have to worry about him. Now that Dou Shishu was complaining, he naturally had to give something in return: "After the court, I will go with you to take a look. We are all to blame for what happened in Kyoto!" He looked distressed.

Liang Jifen's face had already turned slightly blue.

He is the Prime Minister and is responsible for whatever happens. Dai Jian is clearly accusing him of dereliction of duty.

Dou Shishu had a vague idea of ​​what Dai Jian was up to, but he had no intention of being used as a pawn by Dai Jian.

He pretended to be surprised and smiled, "It's just a small matter, why bother Brother Liren? If something like this happens, the emperor will most likely bring it up at the court meeting later. Let's see what the emperor means first, and then we can discuss it later."

Dai Jian was somewhat unhappy after being tactfully rejected, but Dou Shishu was a cunning man who could keep his intentions to himself. He stepped on Wang Yousheng, whom Zeng Yifen liked, and yet he looked like a bright and cheerful person. He was still somewhat wary of Dou Shishu, and it was not easy for him to show his resentment. He still chatted with Dou Shishu enthusiastically for a few words. Then Mu Chuan came over.

Dai Jian greeted Mu Chuan with a smile.

Dou Shishu sat on the armchair next to Liang Jifen.

"Sir Liang, I will probably have to leave the yamen early later." He smiled, "Something happened at home, I want to go check it out."

Liang Jifen responded with a lukewarm "hmm" and said nothing.

Dou Shishu couldn't help but frown.

He asked for leave from Liang Jifen in front of everyone to give Liang Jifen face and to actively show his goodwill to Liang Jifen. Even if Liang Jifen was not interested in the post of Shuntian prefect, he should have comforted him so that he would not join forces with Dai Jian. However, Liang Jifen seemed to be unaware of the undercurrent in front of her.

Dou Shishu knew that everyone looked down on Liang Jifen, but he always felt that it was easier to add icing on the bonsai than to provide timely assistance. The more it was at this time, the more he had to be on good terms with Liang Jifen. Once Liang Jifen retired, the candidate recommended by Liang Jifen would have a very high chance of taking over as Prime Minister.

He recalled how his advances a few days ago had been rejected by Liang Jifen in the same way.

Does Leung Chi-fen have any negative opinion of herself?

Where did this all start?

Dou Shishu was puzzled.

He was just thinking about whether he should visit Liang's house one day to test Liang Jifen's mood when a eunuch came in and said, "My Lords, it's time for the morning court."

Dou Shishu put his thoughts aside and went to the Golden Palace with everyone.

※※※※※

When people from Wucheng Bingmasi and Shuntianfu heard that the Duke of Ying's Mansion was not only robbed but also had a thief, they all knew that this matter would not end well. Especially Shuntianfu, when the Duke of Ying's Mansion reported the case, they did not immediately allocate personnel to help put out the fire... The commander of Wucheng Bingmasi immediately dispatched troops from two guards to the Duke of Ying's Mansion, and the prefect of Shuntianfu simply went to the scene in person and commanded the catching of the thief together with Tao Qizhong.

The British Mansion began to impose martial law at the entrance of the alley.

Therefore, Song Mo had no intention of slowing down. When he rushed towards the alley of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, the people he knocked down were not the common people of Kyoto, but the soldiers of the Five Cities Bingmasi and the yamen runners of Shuntian Prefecture.

But no one dared to say anything.

After this happened, their heads were now hanging on their belts, and their life or death might depend on a word from the British prince.

Song Mo jumped off the horse and headed straight for Yizhitang.

It was already daylight.

Song Mo's eyes were clear and his expression was calm, but his tightly pursed lips revealed a kind of ruthless coldness, which frightened the maids so much that their calves trembled. They stood against the wall with their heads lowered and their eyes submissively kept at a distance, for fear that they would fall into Song Mo's sight.

Hearing that Song Mo had returned, Lu Zheng and two servants chased after him breathlessly.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" He stopped Song Mo and said, "Please stay. The prefect of Shuntian is drinking tea with Mr. Tao in the flower hall. Would you like to go and say hello..."

Before he could finish his words, Song Mo whipped him in the face with a horsewhip.

Lu Zheng covered his face with a cry of "Ouch!" and then felt the burning pain on his face.

The servant behind him could see clearly that the right side of Lu Zheng's face was swollen, and there was a whip mark running diagonally from his right eye to the corner of his mouth. The skin was torn and bloody, and it looked very hideous.

Not only was he whipped, but his face was also disfigured.

The two servants were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they fell to their knees on the ground with a thud.

"Kneel down!" Song Mo said coldly, his clear eyes flashing with coldness.

Song Mo never orders people around Song Yichun around.

Lu Zheng was surprised, and showed some hesitation.

Song Mo's whip hit his shoulder again.

He grimaced in pain, not daring to be negligent any longer, and quickly knelt down.

Song Mo kicked away Lu Zheng who was blocking his way and walked straight towards Yizhitang.

Only then did Lu Zheng feel the pain in his heart.

Song Mo has entered Yizhi Hall.

"My Lord!"

"My Lord!"

The guards of Yizhitang saluted Song Mo, but still stood guard at their original positions diligently.

Only then did Song Mo feel better.

He didn't care that these people were just Yizhitang's guards, and asked anxiously, "Where is the madam?"

"Madam has gone to bed!" A guard laughed, "She said she would go to the Duke of England's mansion in the morning to gather the maids to have a few words. Mr. Yan asked us to accompany Madam there later."

Song Mo took a deep breath and realized that his palms were full of sweat.

A guard couldn't help but say, "My Lord, it's a pity that you were not at home and didn't see it. Madam is really as brave as any man! She only brought a few servants and a group of women from the inner courtyard with her, and she guarded the place strictly and didn't let those thieves break into the Chuihua Gate..."

Song Mo's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "What's going on?"

Several guards started talking at once.

Things like setting fire to warn people, scalding people with boiling water... everyone was talking about it with great excitement.

They also felt proud to have such a clever wife.

A happy smile slowly appeared on Song Mo's face, which was so brilliant that it made the morning glow that had just risen in the sky pale in comparison.

The guards had never seen Song Mo like this before. They were all stunned and spoke incoherently.

Yan Chaoqing, who received the news, came out from the study next door.

"Prince!" He saluted Song Mo.

Song Mo smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, sir." He glanced behind him and said in a deep voice, "Is there anyone else?"

Yan Chao said, "Xia Lian took your name card to Shuntian Prefecture to see if he could find out anything from the government office. Zhu Yicheng and his men searched nearby to ensure the safety of Yizhitang. I was afraid that Jing'an Temple Hutong might get worried after hearing the news, so I sent Wuyi to report to Master Dou Qi that he was safe... Du Wei and Lu Ming are waiting for you to come back."

Du Ming was responsible for collecting intelligence, while Lu Ming was responsible for training Yizhitang's death squad.