Chapter 690 Flood and the Giant Buddha? [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
Ouyang Rong arrived at the main hall of Jiangzhou, handed the letter to his confidant, and went to the main hall.
Yan Liulang was waiting in the main hall. When he saw Ouyang Rong, he immediately stepped forward and gave a report.
It was about the matter that Ouyang Rong had asked him to investigate last time. Ouyang Rong listened for a while and roughly understood the information: the team of female officials left in the city by the procuratorate. The results showed that there was indeed such a team of female officials.
However, during Ouyang Rong's operation to eliminate Master Yizhi and the Fang sisters, this group of female officials was blocked.
It was blocked by Yan Liulang and Qin Yi's men.
Someone was assigned to keep an eye on them.
Even if Ouyang Rong didn't give the order, Yan Liulang and the others were doing these things.
As for what happened next, whether the female officials who stayed behind to investigate the virgin Yue went to supervise the secluded courtyard remains unknown.
Furthermore, none of the informants who were arrested were interrogated by the prosecutor's office.
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly.
He fell into deep thought.
It seems the lady of the house wasn't telling the whole truth.
Just then, a minor official reported that Ouyang Rong was taken aback when he heard who was requesting an audience.
Upon going outside, they indeed saw Wang Caozhi and a female official quietly waiting in a side hall.
"What's up?"
"Brother-in-law, there's a letter from Sister Rong. Also, Sister Rong asked me to ask you if you remember that special idea she mentioned to you last time."
Wang Caozhi took a secret letter from Rongzhen from the female official and handed it to Ouyang Rong.
"The one from last time?"
Ouyang Rong unfolded the letter.
The letter contained few words, but was concise and to the point.
But his expression gradually turned serious.
After reading the letter, he stood up and paced back and forth in the lobby.
Yan Liulang, Wang Caozhi, and the others either lowered their eyes or stared at him.
Ouyang Rong turned his head, and everyone saw that his expression was calm and composed. They then began to give instructions one by one:
"Cao Zhi, take the female official back to report. Tell her that I will arrive on time before they blockade Twin Peaks tomorrow morning."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
"Sixth Brother, go find Chief Clerk Yuan and tell him to come immediately. I have matters to arrange that will affect the livelihoods of the people of Xunyang in the short term, and I need his intervention to appease them. I may not be in the city..."
"good."
Wang Caozhi hurriedly left with the female official.
Before long, Yan Liulang brought Yuan Huaimin with him.
The latter looked at Ouyang Rong curiously, and Ouyang Rong presented a flood control plan that he had prepared in advance but had not used for a long time.
Half an hour later.
Yuan Huaimin walked out of the lobby, his expression turning serious, and immediately got to work.
Looking at the squinting Ouyang Rong, Yan Liulang asked calmly:
"Minister, where are we going now? Xunyang Grottoes?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"Go to the mansion in Huaiye Lane... wait, let's go to the Prince of Xunyang's Mansion first!"
"yes."
Not long after.
The atmosphere was quiet on the carriage heading to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, with Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang sitting opposite each other.
Ouyang Rong suddenly opened his eyes and said:
"When I enter the Prince's mansion later, go and call Pei Shisan Niang here. I want to see her as soon as I leave the mansion."
"yes."
Ouyang Rong closed his eyes again.
Because of a secret letter from Rongzhen of Xunyang Grottoes, everyone had been busy for a long time and finally took a break.
At this moment, Yan Liulang asked in a low voice:
"Your Excellency, what is the matter that is so urgent?"
Ouyang Rong pondered for a long time before saying:
"It's about to land."
Yan Liulang asked instinctively, "What's about to land?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at him, then gently pointed to the distant river and said:
"The flood, the flood of Xunyang City, the plum rain season is here, it's coming, it won't be absent."
Yan Liulang was taken aback: "Huh? A flood?"
He scratched his head curiously:
“But I remember that the flooding of Xunyang City has been completely cured. There have been no floods for a long time, and there are hardly any signs of it. Ever since the Magistrate built Shuangfengjian and successfully discharged the floodwaters, even during the plum rain season, no floods have been able to endanger the main urban area of Xunyang…”
The young man in the scholar's robe, who had his eyes closed, suddenly interrupted:
"Yes, that's right, because it's about to land."
Yan Liulang's expression grew increasingly puzzled.
...
"It's rare for the Great Queen to come and visit me."
Why would I bother you for no reason?
"Indeed, then what brings Your Majesty the Great today? I thought Your Majesty would keep me imprisoned forever."
"Stop rambling and come out."
"good."
On the border between Yizhou and Jiangzhou, there is an isolated island in Jiangzhou called Xieshan. The island is also a mountain, and the mountain is also an island. On the top of the mountain, there is an unnamed Taoist temple.
Shoe Mountain is not high, but it stands tall in the middle of the river, attracting much attention.
In particular, it boasts the sunset red maple, which is known as one of the ten scenic spots in Jiangnan. Every autumn evening, tourists flock to Xieshan Mountain to admire the maple leaves.
However, it was springtime, and the maple leaves had not yet turned red.
Yizhou is located southeast of Jiangzhou, separated from the front line of Hongzhou by Jiangzhou, but it was still affected by the war on the southwestern front.
In the past, there might have been a few travelers who would have come ashore to admire the maple leaves on Xieshan Mountain before they turned red.
Right now, the Yangtze River is filled with either southwestern scholars and commoners rushing south to Yangzhou for refuge, or with grain and supplies being transported westward by canal boats carrying provisions from the rich southeastern regions. The latter are supplies prepared by the southeastern states to support the southwest, and will be transferred in Jiangzhou before being transported to the front lines.
As a result, Shoe Mountain, located in the middle of the Yangtze River and suitable for watching the sunset over the river, has become deserted. However, Shoe Mountain is not far from Xunyang City in Jiangzhou.
Zhang Shixiu, a direct descendant of the Taoist priests of Longhu Mountain known as the "Nobleman of Yellow and Purple," was not quite sure how long he had lived in his hermitage on Xieshan Mountain.
Since leaving Snowwood Manor, the approachable Second Lady has never been seen again. After being brought here and disembarked by those cold-faced Yue women, she has not left the house for a long time.
Only occasionally, when looking down at the boats on the river from the cliff, would he catch a glimpse of the blonde queen walking among the mountains and forests below.
However, this eldest female ruler usually paid little attention to him. After moving to Xieshan, she never came back. She only sent a few Yue women to guard his hermitage.
Zhang Shixiu was neither annoyed nor lonely.
He just missed the carp pond at the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, surrounded by flowers and inscribed with the words "Thunder Pond". In the past, he would pass by the pond twice a day, at dawn and dusk, and the whole pond of carp would greet him. Over time, he had grown fond of them, and if he didn't throw some crumbs of food into the pond to feed them, he would feel that something was missing...
Today, the thatched hut is no longer his solitary figure. The elusive and powerful female ruler suddenly arrives, utters a single word, and departs indifferently.
Zhang Shixiu dusted himself off, slung a peach wood sword over his shoulder, left the thatched hut, and followed the golden-haired Hu woman's figure on the mountain path ahead.
Before descending the mountain, he turned and glanced southwest.
The river stretched as far as the eye could see, with only ships coming and going like tiny black dots.
That's in the direction of Xunyang City in Jiangzhou.
Zhang Shixiu sighed softly and hurried down the mountain.
After an incense stick has burned.
Zhang Shixiu looked at Xue Zhongzhu, who was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, and asked:
"I heard that Her Highness the Second Lady has returned?"
"Who told you that?"
“Yesterday evening, some noises came from the foot of the mountain, and the figures of the two ladies could be vaguely seen on the path.”
The candle in the snow did not answer. After walking for a while, it asked slowly:
"Is Master Zhang a direct descendant of the Celestial Master's Mansion?"
"I guess so."
"Everyone on the mountain says that the thunder magic of Taiqing Longhu Mountain is unparalleled in the world, and there is also a treasure called thunder talisman, which is both offensive and defensive, and those who are skilled in it are invincible. I wonder if Taoist Zhang has brought it with him. It would be great if I could see it."
Zhang Shixiu suddenly asked:
"Does Your Majesty the Great Queen and your sect need to resort to underhanded tactics to obstruct the Great Buddha's actions?"
"Need not."
"Why does Your Majesty ask this question?"
"Oh, there is something I need your help with. Would you like to go, Master Zhang?"
"What is it?" After a pause, Zhang Shixiu, who had just received the Yunmeng Token, tentatively asked, "Could you tell me first?"
"Go and kill the governor of Jiangzhou and destroy the Xunyang Prince's Mansion."
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you ask me? If I tell you the truth, will you go?"
"Your Majesty, you flatter me too much. This is not something I could accomplish by myself, and besides..."
Snow Candle interrupted:
"Moreover, Longhu Mountain, where you are, has been flirting with the Xunyang Prince's Mansion for a long time, but couldn't bring itself to do it, right?"
Zhang Shixiu observed his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose.
Snow Candle, however, showed no mercy, sneering:
"Last time you came with your junior brother Lu, he left first. Before he left, did you tell him to take my words back with him?"
Zhang Shixiu frowned slightly.
Snow Candle pursed its lips:
"Do you know that after you delivered the message, the Xunyang Prince's Mansion still went its own way? Even the Chief Secretary of Jiangzhou, who was close to them, took the lead in issuing a decree restricting women from crossing the border. All people and things related to our Yunmeng Sword Marsh must be investigated and dealt with."
Zhang Shixiu remained silent.
A mocking smile appeared on Xuezhongzhu's lips:
"It seems they don't care about your safety at all."
Zhang Shixiu shook his head:
"My path is short and insignificant."
"Then why the hell did you accept the Yunmeng Order?"
“When Xiaodao receives an order, he will do his best.”
Xuezhongzhu chuckled softly, neither confirming nor denying.
Zhang Shixiu remained silent for a while before following her down the mountain.
He didn't ask why he was going down the mountain.
A short while later, he discovered that the eldest queen had led him to a maple forest.
We walked deeper into the maple forest.
At this moment, Zhang Shixiu suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, have you ever considered the matter of face versus substance?"
“We’ve even used the Yunmeng Token. Even if we win and successfully stop the Great Zhou Dynasty from building the Donglin Buddha, will Her Majesty the Empress in Luoyang bow down?”
"This not only makes this saint lose face, but also tarnishes the reputation of Yunmeng. After all, they used their trump card."
"If this continues, not only will the Great Zhou court be dissatisfied and retaliate again, but the dispute over the Great Buddha will continue and escalate. We will also continue to obstruct it, wasting time and energy with the court, round after round."
"Your Majesty, do you think it is wise to use the southern region to fight against the entire ten circuits of the Great Zhou?"
"In the end, one side loses face but gains substance. But if face is lost, can substance last? Those in a high position should be more concerned about maintaining face. Even if they win a Pyrrhic victory, where will Yunmeng's face be placed?"
"The imperial court will not give up until a giant Buddha statue is completed. This is almost a dead end. Neither the winner nor the loser is finished. Even if we stop it this time, what about next time?"
Zhang Shixiu spoke earnestly.
The candle in the snow walked quietly forward, then suddenly said:
"Are you finished speaking?"
"Um."
The candle in the snow, which had seemed to be searching for a way, suddenly came to its senses and waved its hand:
"Let's go, it's just ahead. Didn't you say you'd help if you accepted the Cloud Dream Token? Let's go then."
Zhang Shixiu was stunned.
I couldn't help but glance a few more times at the candle's silhouette in the snow.
In fact, when Zhang Shixiu said those words, he was already prepared to be beaten by the Empress Dowager.
After all, this female ruler was known for her explosive temper.
The candle in the snow walked silently ahead.
His expression was calm.
The words my second junior sister said when she returned yesterday echoed in my ears again.
Xuezhongzhu thought she was right.
There's no harm in telling some things; Yunmeng Jianze doesn't care.
Moreover, the Palace of the Female Ruler allows dissenting voices in the Jianghu of the Southern Regions, such as the Three Pure Ones Daoist Sect.
Right now, the most important thing to do is to gather all available resources, rather than focus on and amplify internal conflicts.
Even a piece of toilet paper has its uses.
The same principle applies to Zhang Shixiu, who was physically in Cao Cao's camp but his heart was with Liu Bei.
Zhang Shixiu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Just then, the snow candle in front stopped:
"arrive."
Zhang Shixiu looked up and saw a cluster of buildings in front of him. The houses were classical, with carved dragons and painted beams, built deep in the maple forest.
Xuezhongzhu led Zhang Shixiu to a courtyard.
In the courtyard, an old Taoist priest sat with his eyes closed, a bowl of soup noodles in front of him. The noodles were finished, leaving only the broth. After Xue Zhongzhu and Zhang Shixiu arrived, the old Taoist priest opened his eyes and asked, "Would you like a bowl?" Xue Zhongzhu shook his head indifferently, and the old Taoist priest nodded slightly to signal them to pass.
Zhang Shixiu passed by and glanced at the old Taoist's gray robe. He roughly recognized the man's identity. He seemed to be a keeper of the unnamed Taoist temple on Shoe Mountain. He wondered about the man's background and his connection with Yunmeng Sword Marsh.
However, before Zhang Shixiu could think further, he saw several figures in the lobby ahead.
His gaze sharpened slightly, then quickly returned to its normal intensity.
"Your Majesty, who is this young Taoist priest?"
Inside the hall, Wei Shaoqi and Du Shuqing took their seats. In front of them was a huge sand table with a landscape painting that was very realistic.
Zhang Shixiu had never seen such a detailed sand table map before.
At this moment, Wei Shaoqi's gaze fell directly on the young Taoist priest brought in by Xue Zhongzhu, and he asked a question.
Xuezhongzhu's expression was indifferent, as if he didn't intend to offer much explanation:
"Zhang Shixiu, Taiqing Longhu Mountain."
Wei Shaoqi nodded thoughtfully.
Another question:
"Where is Lady Er Nu? Didn't she return last night?"
"He left this morning."
Wei Shaoqi asked curiously, "You just got back, why are you leaving again?"
The candle in the snow squinted and remained silent.
Du Shuqing stared at the sand table and spoke softly:
"I heard there's been quite a commotion in Xunyang City. It seems the Jiangzhou government has arrested a lot of your Jianze people."
The candle in the snow was expressionless and silent.
The second junior sister was originally going to find the youngest junior sister, but halfway there, a significant incident occurred in Xunyang City. All the informants they had been in contact with disappeared without a trace. For a time, Xunyang City was like a black box. It wasn't until several days later that they learned some bad news through an official announcement...
Wei Shaoqi asked earnestly:
"Will this affect our next steps?"
Xuezhongzhu shook his head: "That important person is fine. As for the others, they won't affect us for now."
Du Shuqing immediately asked, "Is there an important person in the city? Who is it?"
Xuezhongzhu remained silent, her expression subtly unpleasant.
(End of this chapter)
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