In Ji Xiaotang's impression, Qi Younian is always sensible, and he is the most secure in speaking and doing things. It was the first time she knew that Qi Younian also had such a side.

If she could, Ji Xiaotang would definitely stop Qi Younian from doing so. However, Qi Younian had already made a military order, and Cheng Dazhong would bring a reply from the Empress Dowager Han and Emperor Longqing when he returned to Shuzhong this time, and they generously agreed to Qi Younian's request, and took out a sum of gold and silver from the inner treasury as a reward for Qi Younian's army.

There is no room for redemption in this matter. The so-called opening of the bow has no turning back, whether it is Qi Younian or her, they can only move forward firmly. And only success, not failure.

Qi Younian wants to take Shuzhong within three months, so she will help him.

Ji Xiaotang took the letter in his hand, pondered for a long time, then picked up the pen and wrote a reply to Qi Younian.

While she was pondering, an intimate embroiderer had already ground the ink for her and prepared the paper.

Like Qi Younian, Ji Xiaotang's reply was also very brief, there were almost no extra words, she only told Qi Younian one thing. Qi Younian wants to fight a quick battle with the anti-thieves in Shuzhong, but at the same time, he should not completely give up Zhao'an.

These days, although Ji Xiaotang is in the capital and has to face many things every day, half of her heart is tied to the battle situation in Shuzhong and Qi Younian's body.

Ji Xiaotang has been trying to recall, trying to find as many clues as possible from the memories of her previous life, hoping to help Qi Younian.

The hard work paid off, and finally made her think about it.

In the rebellion in Shu in the previous life, the imperial court sent troops several times to return in vain. However, the rebellion in Shuzhong was finally put down, not because of the officers and soldiers of the imperial court, but because there were internal problems in Shuzhong.

An anti-thief general named Han Kerang. rebelled against the army of thieves, and finally won the court's commendation and gift for killing the leader of the thieves with his own hands.

Ji Xiaotang remembered that he had listened to the discussion of refugees who had escaped from the nearby prefectures and counties in Shuzhong, saying that Han Kerang's family was originally a squire, and he was also a scholar, and he was still a lifter. However, when Longqing entered Beijing to participate in the examination in the early years of Longqing, he was innocently involved in the case of fraud in the scientific examination, and not only lost his qualification to participate in the scientific examination. and the fame of the exalted people was also removed.

Because of this incident, Han Kerang's father died of depression, and Han Ke made himself seriously ill, and since then he has been in love with the landscape. has become a famous man in Shu.

However. Han Kerang's heart has never completely let go.

Han Kerang finally turned back, on the one hand, because he did not agree with the concept of the anti-thief leader, and on the other hand, he was not ashamed of being wronged and cheated.

It's just that he didn't end well.

When he entered the court and wanted to overturn the case for the scientific research fraud case of that year, he was accused of still harboring a disobedient heart, and secretly took in the remnants of the anti-thieves in Shuzhong, and was finally pushed to the noon gate to be beheaded, and the family also gave their lives.

The fraud case in the early years of Longqing. There are too many involved, and the people behind it are too powerful.

These. Or on the way to escape, she heard Ji Er occasionally mention it. Second Master Ji's words were vague at that time, and he seemed to be very afraid of this matter, either he didn't know much, or even if he knew something, he didn't dare to say more.

Ji Xiaotang told Qi Younian that he could think of contacting Han Kerang, and if he thought that Han Kerang's conditions for redressing the unjust case were bait, Han Kerang would surrender to Qi Younian nine times out of ten.

And with Han Kerang inside the anti-thief and Qi Younian inside and outside, it will no longer be such an impossible task to take Shuzhong within three months.

As for what happened after Qi Younian's triumphant return, Ji Xiaotang didn't say anything. She only briefly mentioned it at the end of the letter, telling Qi Younian about Princess Changning's misunderstanding.

Princess Changning's misunderstanding is obviously not her alone. Empress Dowager Han and Emperor Longqing should have the same idea.

In this matter, Ji Xiaotang told Qi Younian that he would only wait for him to return to the capital after his victory, and then make plans.

As for how to care, Ji Xiaotang already had a plan in his heart, but he didn't mention it in the letter. At this time, Qi Younian shouldn't be distracted.

Ji Xiaotang wrote the letter here and sealed it with fire paint. Cheng Dazhong has eaten and drunk enough, just waiting for Ji Xiaotang's letter.

Ji Xiaotang handed the letter to Cheng Dazhong.

"This letter is very important, it contains the key to victory, you have to go back as soon as possible and hand it to Ayo." Ji Xiaotang instructed Cheng Dazhong.

Cheng Dazhong showed a surprised expression on his face, and immediately assured Ji Xiaotang: "...... The fate is in the faith. "The correspondence between Ji Xiaotang and Qi Younian was originally the most confidential thing, and now this letter has the key to winning the battle in Shuzhong, and Cheng Dazhong certainly understands the weight of this letter.

Qi Younian has won several victories, and Ji Xiaotang's role in it may not be known to others, but Cheng Dazhong knows it clearly. In the army, he was the most trusted person around Qi Younian, and Qi Younian did not hide it from him.

Because of this, Cheng Dazhong has an almost superstitious trust in Ji Xiaotang.

Ji Xiaotang said that it was the key to victory, and that was the key to victory.

After sending Cheng Dazhong away, Mrs. Ji sent herbs over and gave Ji Xiaotang a cup of bird's nest. Ji Xiaotang knew that Second Master Ji and Second Mrs. Ji knew that Cheng Dazhong was coming, and they didn't come to disturb her, until the person left, so they sent someone over.

Sending bird's nest is secondary, mainly to inquire about her.

Ji Xiaotang also happened to have something to ask Ji Er, and took the bird's nest at the moment, but she didn't eat it, only let Xiu'er put it on the stove to warm it, and she herself wore a big coat and asked the little girl to make a lantern to Jinghuatang.

Second Master Ji and Second Mrs. Ji really haven't stopped yet, the two of them saw that Ji Xiaotang was coming, and their faces looked good, and before they opened their mouths to ask, they had already relaxed a little.

sent out all the people who served, and then Ji Er asked Ji Xiaotang about it.

Ji Xiaotang said the matter in general, she did not mention Han Kerang.

Of course, she wasn't worried that Second Master Ji would leak the news, but the fewer people who knew about such a thing, the better.

"I have one thing to ask Daddy." Ji Xiaotang said.

"What's the matter?"

"Daddy, do you still remember the scientific research fraud case in the early years of Longqing?"

"Then how can you not remember!" Second Master Ji said immediately. The scientific research fraud case in the early years of Longqing. It is the most serious case of scientific research fraud after the founding of Great Qin, and it is also after the founding of Great Qin. The only case of fraud that occurred at the entrance examination.

This case not only caused a sensation in Rulin, but also shocked the whole country.

At that time, Master Ji Er was not in Beijing, but in a foreign office, and he was also quite concerned about this case.

"Xiaotang, why did you suddenly ask about this?" Second Master Ji asked Ji Xiaotang.

"I'm not mature yet, and I can't tell my dad for the time being. But. This is a very important matter. I seem to have heard my dad mention a sentence or two before, but I don't remember much. Daddy knows something about this case, can you tell me in detail? ”

"I wasn't in Kyochung at that time. I don't know much about this case, and most of it is rumor......" Second Master Ji thought about it carefully, and told Ji Xiaotang everything he knew.

"Xiaotang, you won't pay attention to this matter for no reason. It's in this case. What's the oddity? "After that. Second Master Ji asked Ji Xiaotang again.

Ji Xiaotang thought about it and nodded.

Second Master Ji stood up and paced a few steps in the room uneasily.

"I also have some questions about this." Ji Er was serving in Qinzhou at that time, and in the early years of Longqing, some of his subordinates went to Beijing to take the exam, and they were involved in the scientific examination fraud case. That move is not as good as Han Kerang, and he has no chance to return to his hometown at all. In Beijing, he couldn't stand the blow and committed suicide.

The family, who raised his son, was just an ordinary farmer, and he worked hard to provide for his son. I didn't expect it to end like this. The father of the son had no way, and all he could think of was to go to the county government to file a complaint. Master Ji Er took the pleadings, but he couldn't do anything, all he could do was to write another document and submit the pleadings, hoping to deliver them to Tianting.

However, the papers and documents sent up were like stone oxen into the sea, and later, the second master Ji was specially summoned by Shangguan to admonish and teach him openly and secretly.

In the end, it was the second master Ji who funded the farmer's family to go to the capital to pick up the coffin of the lifter.

However, when the farmer arrived in the capital, the body of the man had already been cremated by the yamen, and the farmer only brought back a handful of ashes from his son.

"Liang Xingxiao, this is the name of the lifter. You were young at the time, so you probably don't remember. Before he went to Beijing to take the exam, he once came to the county government to look for me. Master Ji Er told Ji Xiaotang while reminiscing.

A gentleman, no matter which county he is in, is a good guest on the seat, not to mention that Liang Xingxiao has studied hard for ten years, and he is very talented and learned, and Ji Er is still a person who loves talents.

Ji Er and Liang Xingxiao have a close relationship, Liang Xingxiao treats Ji Er like a father and a brother, and Ji Er also cherishes and tries his best to cultivate Liang Xingxiao.

For Liang Xingxiao to be involved in the scientific research fraud case and commit suicide, Master Ji Er deplored very much.

"In my opinion, he would never be involved in a fraud case. I had long suspected that he had been wronged, or that there was some misunderstanding in it. However...... "However, Liang Xingxiao committed suicide and died, and did not leave a word.

As for Liang Xingxiao's suicide, Master Ji Er is also puzzled.

"He was a very filial child, and his parents had only one son under their knees. Even if he fails the scientific examination, he should know that he can save his life and return to his hometown and support his parents for the rest of his life. ”

The choice of suicide is an irresponsible choice for an only son like Liang Xingxiao. And Master Ji Er thinks that Liang Xingxiao used to be difficult and has a tough personality, and he is not like a person who would choose to commit suicide.

However, all his suspicions are based on the identification of Liang Xingxiao's character, and there is no real evidence.

"Later, I wrote to your uncle and asked him to help me investigate carefully."

"I remember." Ji Xiaotang heard Ji Er say this, and also recalled some things, "I remember that time ago, my father received a letter from my uncle in Beijing, and he was very unhappy, and he sighed all day long. ”

"Yes." Second Master Ji nodded.

"I also asked my father at the time, what was written in my uncle's letter that made my father unhappy?"

"You asked." Second Master Ji nodded again, "Then Xiaotang, do you remember what your father told you at that time?" ”

"Daddy didn't say anything." Ji Xiaotang said.

This kind of situation is very rare for Ji Er, so although Ji Xiaotang is young. But I still remembered.

"Your uncle warned me in his letter, saying that the dust has settled on the case, and the evidence is ironclad. Let me never touch that case. "If you accidentally touch it, I'm afraid it will be doomed.

Master Ji's warning to Second Master Ji was very serious.

"At that time, I was even more suspicious that there was only a shady scene behind this scientific research fraud case." And those who can create such a shady curtain and clean it up neatly are by no means ordinary people.

"It's been a few years, but it's still the same. Or maybe it's even more sinister. "Second Master Ji told Ji Xiaotang that the scientific examination fraud case must not be touched.

If this old case is turned up. The court is only afraid that it is not just the sea waves, but the landslides and earth cracks.

Ji Xiaotang nodded, she didn't need to be reminded by Second Master Ji, she also knew the truth in this.

"But I can dig up this old case. Not only can those innocent people be wronged. At the same time, it is also a matter of immeasurable merit to be able to dig out the huge gambling worms that endanger the imperial court and poison the Confucian forest. Ji Xiaotang said slowly, looking at Second Master Ji.

"Xiaotang, what do you mean......" He told Ji Xiaotang everything he knew about the past, and with Ji Xiaotang's intelligence, he should be able to guess who might be involved in this scientific research fraud case......

"Yes." Ji Xiaotang nodded simply. "Maybe there are others among them, but I doubt it. The main thing is ...... He did the hands and feet. ”

"It's not something you and I can do alone, even if you add the prince. There is no 100% certainty. "And, once they get involved in this case, there is no way back, except life or death.

"I think it's an opportunity. Of course, it's too early to tell. Ji Xiaotang said slowly, she had to think of seeing Qin Zhen again as soon as possible, such a thing had to be discussed and deployed as soon as possible.

By the time Ji Xiaotang came out of Jinghua Hall, it was already nearly three watches.

At the beginning of the night, a gust of wind blew, and although it was colder, it blew away all the clouds in the sky, leaving only a clear sky. Ji Xiaotang breathed in the cold air, and as soon as he looked up, he could see a bright moon and a faint Milky Way.

Such a broad sky and such a deep night make people suddenly feel empty and far away in their hearts.

Ji Xiaotang recalled the night hunt when they entered Beijing and went outside Ren'an City.

The night was just right, Ji Xiaotang was not sleepy at the moment, so he was not in a hurry to return to Yanhua Hall, but only walked slowly on the bluestone road.

Jin'er and Xiu'er accompanied her, and Shen Yao led the way in front, all three of them carried lanterns in their hands, Jin'er and Xiu'er carried small glass palace lanterns, and only Shen Yao carried a big red air death lantern, which illuminated the road ahead very brightly.

"Yao'er, why are you wearing so little?" Ji Xiaotang glanced at Shen Yao and saw that she was not wearing a coat, but only a cotton vest with a long autumn fragrance color over the close-fitting jacket.

"Girl, the maid is not cold." When Yao'er heard Ji Xiaotang ask her, she turned around and replied with a smile.

"Girl, you don't know, Yao'er, this girl is cold." Jin'er smiled on the side, "Sister Fang Cai and Sister Xiu'er are waiting for the girl in the small tearoom, knowing that the girl will not go back for a while, and the small tearoom is narrow, so I sent Yao'er and this girl back to Yanhua Hall first." The girl didn't go back, saying that if the girl came out, what could she do without her lighting the lantern, so she waited outside under the porch for half a day, and refused to listen to her no matter how much she was persuaded to do so. ”

"There is such a thing!" Ji Xiaotang looked at Shen Yao again.

It was not clear in the night, and Shen Yao's face was already a little red, after all, it was still a cold winter weather.

"Sister Xiu'er found her a big coat, and she didn't want it, saying that it was too light to wear, so it was better to be so light." Jin'er said again.

"The servant is not naturally afraid of the cold, but is a little afraid of the heat." Shen Yao explained with a smile, "The maid is under the porch, walking around non-stop, and she doesn't feel cold at all. ”

Perhaps because she is grateful to Ji Xiaotang and has a deep admiration for Ji Xiaotang, Shen Yao has been very diligent since she came to Ji Xiaotang. Even if Ji Xiaotang doesn't need her, she will still think of coming to Ji Xiaotang's side and be willing to do anything.

Shen Yao has read books, and she is ingenious, she has done everything that is given to her very well, and she never picks and chooses, nor is she afraid of the serious.

The people who served in Ji Xiaotang's house, including Mama Cheng, all liked Shen Yao very much because of this.

"Silly girl." Ji Xiaotang looked at Shen Yao and smiled, "You just rely on your young age, you don't feel anything at the moment." You will not be allowed to do this again. ”

Saying this, Ji Xiaotang instructed Xiu'er again to find another big wool dress for Shen Yao after she went back.

"The identity of a servant can't be worn." Shen Yao hurriedly said.

"What's not to wear, Sister Xiu'er and I still wear it, I have one, and the second wife gave it to me." Jin'er smiled.

"Yao'er, if you have any difficulties, just tell me." Ji Xiaotang said, "Is it your brother's place that is lacking, or is it your grandfather's place?" ”

"Nope." Shen Yao heard Ji Xiaotang ask her family, and she was busy and said no. "Qi'er follows the second master, she doesn't lack anything, and she can still study. Grandfather's side ......, although the servant was a little worried, but that was his grandfather's choice. As long as there is no war, my grandmother should be fine. ”

Ji Xiaotang still heard that Shen Yao was worried about Shen Lao after all.

When the Ji family entered Beijing, they once asked Shen Lao if he wanted to follow. Shen Lao didn't want to be raised by the Ji family in vain, but he was literate and hyphenated, and it was enough to do errands such as an account office in the front yard.

However, Shen Lao was unwilling to follow Ji Xiaotang and them into Beijing.

"Although Shen Lao has no officials, he is worried about the country and the people. In this world, there are still many people like Shen Lao, although they are not in high positions, they are doing things that benefit the country and the people. Ji Xiaotang sighed.

"Grandfather ......" Shen Yao wanted to speak and stopped, turned her head to continue leading the way, her eyes drooped, covering the darkness in her eyes that was thicker than the night around her. (To be continued......)