Chapter 61 Obtaining New Intelligence
The same night.
Jin Jian was like a ghost, patrolling over the capital city. Her clothes were translucent, and no one noticed her presence along the way.
Under the cover of night, the Tianshi Mansion is brightly lit, with buildings radiating in a circle around the iconic bell tower.
At the deepest part, there is a quiet courtyard that is rarely disturbed.
A lush banyan tree swayed with green strips, and a faint glow was cast.
Jin Jian walked through the courtyard gate and looked up at the rocking chair placed under the tree.
Lying leisurely on the rocking chair was the old Taoist priest, one of the few most powerful people in the world.
He was tall and straight, with a long beard and eyebrows, narrow eyes, a gentle face, and a black priest robe hanging softly.
"Are you back?" Zhang Yan asked lazily.
Jin Jian was overjoyed and bowed in disciple's greeting:
"The problem that has troubled my disciples for a long time has been solved."
"oh?"
"If one's spirit is naturally strong enough, then it's possible to resist the spell. Such people are extremely rare, but they do exist."
"Really... that Zhao Duan is such a weirdo?"
Jin Jian was shocked: "Master, how did you know that the question I'm curious about is about him?"
Zhang Yanyi smiled and said:
"Otherwise, how can I be your teacher and take charge of the Tianshi Mansion?"
"Yes..." Jin Jian was convinced.
She had heard about the power of Zhang Tianshi when she was very young, but even today, she still feels that her master's magic power is like the deep ocean, with no end in sight.
"Master, what are you looking at? Don't you feel bored lying here all the time?" Jin Jian asked curiously like a baby.
"Observe the sky." Zhang Yanyi said.
Jin Jian looked up at the deep starry sky with the Milky Way hanging overhead, wondering:
"But there's nothing in the sky."
Zhang Yanyi said in a gentle voice, "Jin Jian'er, do you still remember the source of your cultivation power?"
Jin Jian said as if endorsing something:
"The opening chapter of the introductory text states that the beginning of spiritual practice did not begin with the worship of gods by our ancestors in the age of ignorance, but with the first sage gazing at the starry sky."
After saying this, the girl suddenly realized:
"Master, are you imitating the ancient sages? But your magical power has already surpassed countless of them."
"Learning never ends, don't underestimate our ancestors." Zhang Yanyi said.
Jin Jian said "Oh", not quite understanding.
She majored in the deities of the stars and moon, and was very familiar with the night sky, but she really couldn't see any tricks.
After Jin Jian left, the banyan tree swayed, and a mysterious face appeared on the treetop:
"It's too early to tell her this."
Some words require reaching a certain level to be understood. The theory of cultivation has developed to perfection.
Zhang Yanyi said:
"Great Ancestor Dayu highly praised the ancient cultivation methods. I didn't agree with them in the past, but in recent years I have come to believe that they have their merits."
The big banyan tree did not respond, but said:
"So is Zhao Duan really just a strong innate soul?"
"It's hard to say." Zhang Yan showed hesitation, which was very rare.
The banyan tree face was surprised.
I wondered what kind of things in this world could be so confusing that even Zhang Tianshi couldn't see clearly?
The old Taoist priest with long beard and long eyebrows and narrow eyes relaxed his brows and suddenly said:
"We must take a closer look."
Jin Jianer was right. It was indeed a bit boring to sit here all day. So... let's go and see that strange little guy.
…
Government office, prison.
In a clean, separate cell.
Yunxi bent her legs, hugged her knees, sat on the wooden bed, and looked up at the only three "品"-shaped ventilation holes on the wall.
Moonlight like a veil fell in through the hole, illuminating her pretty face.
The girl recalled her experiences of the day. After taking a walk around, she was taken back to the cage and had no idea what happened to Lu Liang afterwards.
The more you endure, the angrier you will be; the more you take a step back, the more you will lose.
Yunxi suddenly got up, walked to the railing, and slapped it frantically:
"Someone come here!"
A jailer was startled and came over, frowning: "What are you shouting?"
Yun Xi stared at him: "I want to see Zhao Duan!"
The jailer sneered, "Empress Zhao is such a distinguished figure, and you think you can see him whenever you want?"
Yun Xi choked, thought for a moment, and said:
"It's okay if he doesn't want to come. Give me a pen and paper, and I'll write him a letter about the clues in the case."
Clues to the case... The jailer was shocked and dared not neglect it.
Knowing that this female thief was involved with the Kuangfu Society, and thinking of the opportunity to please Zhao Duan, he immediately nodded and went to find paper, pen and sealing wax.
He didn't dare to pry into the contents of such deadly information.
…
…
The next morning, Baima Prison.
When Zhao Duan arrived at the yamen, his colleagues welcomed him warmly. Everyone had a smile on their face and congratulated him.
The news of the Zhang family's downfall spread throughout the official circles of the capital yesterday, and attracted much attention because it involved "firearms."
Although on the surface, it was the imperial court that solved the case.
But if someone were to investigate a little, they would find out that Zhao Duan was also involved.
Of course, the vast majority are based on stereotypes.
I just thought that Zhao Duan was lucky enough to get a clue and get a share of the pie.
Little did they know that he was also the one who led the process of solving the case.
Zhao Duan was happy to see this trend of public opinion.
"The fame belongs to you, and the benefits belong to me." This was the signal Zhao Duan conveyed to Ma Yan.
Ma Yan readily agreed.
At the same time, Zhou Cang privately revealed to Zhao Duan that in order to thank the envoy for his generosity, he would give special "care" to the Zhang brothers in the imperial prison.
If nothing unexpected happens, he will be tortured to death in prison before being executed or exiled.
In addition, according to gossip, Privy Councilor Xue Shence entered the palace yesterday.
After he came out, he immediately began to reorganize the Privy Council, including the Ministry of War, and there was a panic for a while.
"Your Excellency doesn't look well. Could it be that you were too exhausted from handling the case yesterday? You should rest at home. If you have any instructions, please let me know."
Just entered the duty room.
Zhu Kui, an old official with a face full of flesh, dark complexion and rough appearance, came forward with a flattering smile.
As an ordinary person, Lao Zhu was unable to participate in yesterday's action.
He almost had his job as the "horse stirrup puller" snatched away by Zhou Cang, and he suddenly felt a sense of crisis and became doubly diligent.
"How dare I complain of being tired of sharing His Majesty's worries?"
Zhao Duan sat down in the hall, looking righteous.
Crazy complaints in my heart:
Last night I crossed the desert in the Martial God Map, and when I woke up, I felt exhausted.
After Taizu said the word "observe the sky", no matter how he tried, he ignored him.
Instead, after imitating the other person's meditation and gazing at the sky, he vaguely felt his spirit stirring, but because he had only practiced for one day, the effect was not yet obvious.
"I wonder how long I'll have to walk in the desert... before I can learn a second martial art."
Zhao Duan pondered:
"Too much is as bad as too little; biting off more than you can chew is not enough. The radiance is still far from covering the entire body; diligent practice is needed...
If Great Yu Taizu could truly communicate, perhaps establishing a conversation with him and obtaining information would be the greatest value of the Martial God Diagram."
Shaking his head and putting the matter aside, Zhao Duan asked:
"I'm not in this section, what do you have to report?"
He wanted to absorb more information and find inspiration to deal with Minister Pei.
"some!"
Zhu Kui was shocked and began to report his work.
It was all just odds and ends. Finally, he took out a letter:
"Last night, the warden of the government jail brought me a letter, saying it was from the female thief. It involves details of the case, so I dare not open it lightly. Please take a look, Your Excellency."
The clue sent by Yunxi?
Zhao Duan was stunned.
The first thought was, could it be that the female thief was rescued by me yesterday, and she was reformed and enlightened, and decided to turn over a new leaf and sell out the clues about the "Kuangfu Society".
Immediately, it was dismissed.
He was dreaming... With doubt in his heart, he took the wax-sealed envelope, and Zhu Kui left sensibly.
"Sizzle—"
Zhao Duan lowered his eyes and read, his expression becoming strange.
The letter did not contain any information related to the Kuangfu Society, but rather a piece of black material about the censor "Lü Liang":
Lu Liang was born in the south of the Yangtze River. He had great talent since childhood, but he failed in the exams many times.
When he was disheartened, he realized that it was because he was favored by the fourth daughter of Minister Pei, but he refused with righteous words, which offended Mrs. Pei. That was why he was suppressed by the imperial examiners and failed the exam.
Pei's fourth wife still did not give up on Lu Liang, and sent someone to tell him that as long as he "nods", she will help him rise to the top.
Otherwise, you will never pass the exam even if you study hard until you are old.
Failing the imperial examinations several times had bent the ambitious Lu Liang's backbone. On a rainy night, the once talented man from the south of the Yangtze River climbed the gate of the Pei family mansion alone with an umbrella.
Not long after, Lu Liang got engaged to Pei Jia Si Niang, and then the imperial examination results were announced, and he ranked third.
From then on, Lu Liang rose to prominence and became the Iron-mouthed Censor he is today.
The story is not over yet.
According to Yunxi, although Lu Liang was humble and submissive, he felt extremely disgusted with his wife in his heart.
On the surface, he is a "henpecked husband" and has no status at home since he got married.
He had been holding onto resentment for a long time, and one day he indulged himself in lust and enjoyed a weak woman "presented" by someone else. However, because he was too violent, he strangled the woman to death on the bed.
Later, Pei Si Niang knew about this matter.
This famous "fierce wife" in the capital was furious and went to find her father, Minister Pei, and asked for a divorce.
But at that time, Lu Liang had already established a status and was useful to Minister Pei, so he was cruelly rejected.
At the same time, Lu Liang was also beaten by his father-in-law.
From then on, the Luliang couple, who were considered "loving" by outsiders, became completely estranged in spirit.
…
In the duty room.
After reading the entire information, Zhao Duan exclaimed in his heart, "Wow!", and his gossipy heart was greatly satisfied.
I am 80% sure about the authenticity of the letter.
The intelligence system of Kuangfu Society must be quite good. Yunxi was paraded through the streets by Lu Liang yesterday, and it makes sense for her to want to take revenge on him.
"If you're sleepy, someone will bring you a pillow." Zhao Duan flicked the letter paper with his fingers, a gleam in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
After biting open the golden body of Minister Pei, they found it.
(End of this chapter)
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