Wei Jing once placed spies in Prince Ji's mansion, not many, only three or two, and allowed them to develop freely after that. There was one who was doing quite well, and this time when Prince Ji went north, he followed him.
He took a tour around Prince Ji's mansion and found it quiet as expected. Prince Ji had not returned from the palace after his audience, so he went straight to the carriage stables.
Hiding in the stable, he observed for a while but found nothing unusual. However, Wei Jing did not believe it easily. He had to test it out before making any contact.
…
Shi Liang came to Prince Ji's Palace five years ago. He was originally a cleaner and later worked in the coach and stables. He was diligent and had a keen eye. He became a minor manager in his early twenties and was favored by the head of the stables. He was also appointed to go to the capital this time.
After Shi Liang got to his current position, he is no longer required to do any heavy work. After starting his shift, he inspects the work of his subordinates and then returns to the innermost duty room to sit.
He was the only one on duty. His smile immediately disappeared after he entered. He ran to the desk under the window frame, bent down and touched the gap in the middle.
Empty.
Shi Liangben was feeling a little nervous and expectant, but unfortunately he was disappointed again. Sighing, he frowned, opened the window, and brought back a knot made of grass stems from the windowsill.
This thing seemed to have been thrown away casually out of boredom, but he had deliberately thrown it here yesterday. For almost a year, he has been sending out contact messages every day from his residence and duty room, but unfortunately there has been no response.
Master, what happened to his master?
Shi Liang was anxious and worried, and paced around the room for a long time. He clenched his fists to suppress his uneasy emotions, pulled out a new grass stem, tied a knot neatly, placed it on the windowsill again, and closed the window.
No matter what, he believed that his master was still alive, so he had to hide well according to his master's previous arrangements.
Taking a deep breath, he dragged over the account book and started writing and drawing.
He kept accounts and inspected the stables until evening, when Shi Liang was off duty.
When he returned to his room, he closed the door as usual and repeated the same actions as he did when he was on duty during the day.
He was still expecting and expecting disappointment, but this time, when Shi Liang touched it, he found a piece of paper two fingers wide and long.
It took him three seconds to react, then he was ecstatic, then cautious. He picked up the piece of paper, checked the doors and windows again before looking down at it carefully.
There were no words on the paper, only some scribbled symbols that looked like a child's scribbles. Shi Liang carefully translated and wrote it down according to his memory. His heart was beating wildly as he wrote. Finally, he received a reply from above, this time asking him to do something.
He was told to first go to the small garden to get something, and then try to put it down in several designated wells in Prince Ji's Mansion. The master is still alive and well, and this time he has a new plan, and Shi Liang's action is one of it.
well?
Are you going to poison me?
Are we going to put the blame on the person sitting on the throne?
Shi Liang didn't know the details, but he knew that it would be very difficult to execute, and that a man from the stable had found ways to get close to several key water wells before the incident, so he was highly suspicious. The Prince Ji's Mansion is heavily guarded and one cannot get out without a badge. If he carries out this mission, even if he succeeds, he will lose his life.
But Shi Liang went without hesitation.
His life was given to him by His Highness, and he will serve His Highness loyally without hesitation.
Shi Liang passed the test. After learning that Wei Jing was not dead, he showed no signs of leaking the information. Instead, he carefully swallowed both notes. Knowing that he was doomed to die, he went without hesitation.
So, when he was waiting to die with a smile on his face, he did not wait for the soldiers to arrest him, but for a black figure.
"Your Highness!"
Shi Liang was stunned for a few moments, then he knelt down heavily with a bang and burst into tears of joy.
Let's not talk about how surprised the master and servant were when they met again. After Wei Jing woke them up, he told them the new way of contact. From now on, they would communicate through a single line and the previous methods would be abandoned.
Shi Liang wiped his face and nodded repeatedly, saying "I'll take note of it."
Finally, Wei Jing asked, "How many advisers does Prince Ji have now? What is Chu Zhu's background?" After a pause, he continued, "And Yang Shu?"
Speaking of Yang Shu, the other person's handsome face flashed before his eyes, and he couldn't help but frowned slightly.
"My Lord, there are nine counselors in Prince Ji's Mansion, and four of them are accompanying us this time."
Shi Liang's position was not high, but he was smart and had a lot of information. "This Chu Zhu came to the palace four years ago. It is said that he is from Bingzhou and served as the chief minister. At first, he was just mediocre, so he was not highly regarded by Prince Ji. But half a year ago, for some reason, he suddenly won the favor of Prince Ji and became the chief counselor."
Half a year ago?
Wei Jing's eyes flickered slightly, just when the imperial decree to restrain water and attack Sand was issued.
"...As for Yang Shu, he just entered the palace at the beginning of this year. I heard that he is quite talented and steady. Although he is young and has only been in the palace for a short time, he has already found a place in the palace."
Early in the year?
That was after the palace coup.
Wei Jing thought for a moment and did not stay long. He told Shi Liang to remain hidden and to be extra careful when delivering messages in the future, and then he left.
After successfully contacting Shi Liang, he did not leave Prince Ji's Mansion immediately, but tiptoed and approached the front hall in the twilight.
Prince Ji has returned.
Wei Jing silently peeked through the air window, only to see his half-brother gritting his teeth, his handsome face twisted.
Wei Qin's eyes were about to spit fire. He grabbed a blue and white porcelain vase beside him and threw it with hatred: "Hateful..."
"Your Highness!"
There were two other people in the room. Yang Shu shouted loudly to interrupt Prince Ji's words, and at the same time flew over and hugged the beauty before the goblet fell to the ground.
Wei Qin threw the ball with great force and in the other direction. He caught it in a very dangerous way. He fell to the ground and supported himself with his elbows, and the beauty goblet was saved. Yang Shu rolled over on the ground and shouted briefly, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words!"
Although the guards outside the study are all trusted men, this is the capital city, so it is never too cautious.
Some words cannot be said.
Wei Qin stopped himself from saying that half sentence, his anger filled with rage that he could not vent, and he finally managed to squeeze out a few words through his teeth.
"He insulted me so much!"
The voice was very low, but each word was pronounced with great emphasis, and it was as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Chu Zhu took the opportunity to step forward and said, "Your Highness, this opportunity will never come again. Don't miss it!"
"That's right."
After Wei Qin's fury, his face was unusually calm. He nodded slowly, "Sir, you are right."
"Your Highness, Your Highness is wise!"
Chu Zhu was delighted and immediately knelt down: "I will do my best to help Your Highness accomplish this great task!"
As this man echoed enthusiastically, Wei Jingwei raised his eyebrows outside the air window. Well, it is certain that Prince Ji intends to take advantage of the situation to raise an army.
Jining and Yizhou are located in the east and west, respectively, thousands of miles apart. The other side cannot affect him for the time being. On the contrary, the more chaotic the Central Plains is, the better. As for whether the two will become hostile in the future, it depends on whether Prince Ji has the ability to hold on to the end.
Even though Prince Ji was not there, there were other people. Wei Jing did not take it too seriously. He glanced at Yang Shu who was slowly getting up.
As he had said before, the other party did not comment on Prince Ji's opinion. Chu Zhu's face was flushed, but he just held the beauty cup quietly, got up and brushed his sleeves.
Wei Jing glanced at the other party indifferently and snorted secretly. With such skills, how could he be qualified as a swordsman?
I really don’t know how he deceived his daughter A-Qing in the past?
snort!
…
Prince Ji waited for most of the day, holding his temper, kneeling, bowing, and listening to lectures, all in public. He didn't even have lunch, and after he made up his mind, he felt very anxious. Wei Jing waited for a while, and the people in the outer study room dispersed.
Chu Zhu and Yang Shu withdrew, and the two walked together for a while, then entered two different courtyards.
Wei Jing followed Chu Zhu.
Chu Zhu has a master behind him. Now that the great event has been accomplished, it’s time to pass on the message.
Chu Zhu was very patient. He had dinner leisurely, picked at the dishes, took a bath and washed himself, and then became very interested and went to the study to paint.
If I wasn't satisfied with a painting, I would tear it up; if I was satisfied with it, I would keep it. Everything went smoothly, as if there was nothing unusual.
But Wei Jing had a sharp eye. He noticed that when Chu Zhu tore one of the small calligraphy works, a corner was torn off after a few tears. When it was thrown to the ground, the corner fell into the trash can.
After having fun, Chu Zhu returned to his room to rest. When the servant came to clean up the mess, he quickly hid the corner in his arms.
A trip to the toilet turned the paper into a wax ball.
After he had packed up, he left his post. The servant's home was in the back street behind the palace. He returned and handed the wax ball to his father.
His father went out quietly under the cover of night.
Wei Jing has been following him, and if everything goes well, he will soon find out who the master behind Chu Zhu is. But he had a hunch that it wouldn't be so easy. The person behind the scenes was not simple, and the channel for delivering the message must be hidden and tortuous.
But no matter what, following the wax ball is the quickest way. Now all the powerful people in the world have gathered in the capital, and this person should be no exception.
The curfew in Da Chu was late, and the market town was still bustling in the night. The servant father walked around in it, and finally felt that there was no problem, so he went straight to his destination.
Wei Jing never thought that he would follow him to the Dongping Marquis Mansion.
That’s right, it’s his wife’s family home.
The servant father flashed into the gatehouse, and soon a middle-aged man in a brown robe with wide sleeves came out hurriedly. The two men did not talk to each other. The man in the brown robe stretched out his hand, and the servant father handed the wax ball to the other man, and then the two sides separated.
The man in brown robe then hurried out to the study.
Judging from the way this man is dressed, he should be an aide to Shao He, Marquis of Dongping.
Wei Jing frowned slightly. The Shao family had no soldiers or food, and their generations had been scholars without any knowledge of military affairs. Moreover, the whole family was under the emperor's nose. He did not think that the other party would incite Prince Ji to rebel.
After all, there is no way to make a profit.
Then Shao He should have another master above him.
This person is the person behind Chu Zhu.
Wei Jing continued to follow.
…
In the outer study, a middle-aged man in an ochre brocade robe was pacing back and forth. He had a broad stature and a serious face. This man was Shao He, Marquis of Dongping.
When Shao He saw the man in brown robe, he immediately asked, "Does His Highness have any orders?"
Upon hearing the word "Your Highness", Wei Jing, who was hiding outside, raised his eyebrows. Which imperial uncle is this? Or his half-brother?
If it is uncles, the scope is larger, but for half-brothers, then there is only Prince An left.
Wei Jing concentrated and listened carefully to the conversation inside.
Unexpectedly, what Shao He said next was completely irrelevant.
Shao He took the wax ball, pinched it open, took out the note, and unfolded it: "His Highness ordered us to fully cooperate with Marquis Ding to take down the position of Grand Coachman."
Marquis Ding is Ding Hua, Marquis of Wu'an; His Highness is Prince An.
Shao He's eldest daughter was personally chosen by Empress Fu to be the principal wife of the Prince of Qi. In the shocking change at the beginning of the year, the Dongping Marquis's Mansion was almost affected. Fortunately, he acted decisively to sever ties with his daughter, and in time used his connections to get close to Prince An, the new emperor's confidant. This way he narrowly avoided the crisis and was able to save the city.
Although they are all the new emperor's people, they are also divided into factions. There was a fierce competition between the new emperor's former followers, led by Prince An Ding Hua, and the forces handed over to the present by the previous emperor, led by Qi Tian, Marquis of Leyin.
Now, the goal of Prince An’s faction is to seize the position of Taifu, one of the Nine Ministers.
This is very reasonable. Shao He has ordered all his staff to come and discuss the matter overnight.
In Shao He's eyes, everything was normal, but in Wei Jing's eyes, everything was abnormal.
In other words, from the moment Shao He broke open the wax ball, he knew something was wrong.
The small piece of paper in Shao He's hand was cut into a square, while the corner that Chu Zhu tore off was irregular in shape.
The wax balls have been swapped!
servant? Servant father? Or is it the man in brown robe in front of him?
Wei Jing followed the whole process and was very sure that the wax pill had not been handed over. The problem must be in the hands of these three people, and someone must have switched the pill when taking over.
There is also a King An involved.
Was it that someone took advantage of Prince An's communication channel and used it to transfer the risk of exposure?
Or is the person behind the scenes actually Prince An, and he is just using Shao He to transfer the risk?
unknown.
Wei Jing glanced calmly at the man in brown robe, who was discussing with Shao He how to suppress Qi Tian's party.
However, there is a one-third chance that the real wax pill is still on this person.
If it were any other time, he would definitely stay and continue following. It would be great to find the real wax pill, but if he couldn't find it, he would have eliminated a suspect.
But today is not the right day.
The second watch gong sounded faintly, it was already 11:00 p.m. He had promised Shao Qing that he would go back at 11:00 p.m.
The current priority is to ensure that Chao He is safe. Han Xi's disguise is the top priority, and all other matters must be put back on track.
Wei Jing did not hesitate. When he heard the sound of the bangzi, he glanced at the man in the brown robe, tiptoed, and left silently.
…
"What? You mean the Dongping Marquis' Mansion?"
Shao Qing had already packed her makeup and other things, and even carried a small bag on her back. She didn't have to wait for Wei Jing, who came back on time.
It was only the beginning of the night, so time was not too tight. While Wei Jing was changing his clothes, she asked casually.
But who would have thought that she would receive such a shocking news.
The original body's maiden family, well, now it is still her maiden family, was actually involved in inciting Prince Ji to rebel.
Shao Qing paused and frowned: "What's going on?"
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