In the hall of the county guard's mansion, everyone dispersed, leaving only Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong.

"Who is that...?" Han Yunong hesitated for a moment, and finally asked softly.

Du Hongsheng took two steps closer and said softly: "I came from Beijing, the sage wants to find Tianyue, you already know." ”

"Yes." Han Yunong's expression was solemn: "It's someone from the palace?" ”

Du Hongsheng bowed slightly, frowned, and said in a low voice: "The Zhen Hou Mansion is really getting more and more disagreeable now, Zhen Yujiang has long stopped taking the imperial court in his eyes, and if it goes on like this, something will happen sooner or later." ”

Han Yunong said softly: "Zhen Yujiang has been pressing on the Duwei Mansion step by step for a while, I wonder why he has such courage, doesn't he care that the imperial court will be dissatisfied?" The Marquis of Changxin hadn't been seen for a long time. ”

"I haven't seen Marquis Changxin for a long time." Du Hongsheng thought thoughtfully: "The old man came from Beijing, although he didn't go to the Zhenhou Mansion, but with the scheming of the Marquis of Changxin, he must have guessed that the old man might be in Turtle City, and it stands to reason that he should at least send someone over to inquire about the situation, but he didn't make any moves." He raised his hand and stroked the long beard under his chin, and said suspiciously: "Zhen Yujiang ran over to spread the wild today, don't you know that the old man is here?" ”

Han Yunong also locked his eyebrows, was silent for a moment, and then said: "Two days ago, Meng Zimo was trapped in the Zhenhou Mansion, and he brought people to go there in person, and I never saw the Marquis of Changxin in the mansion. These elder Xinhou acted very low-key, even if Zhen Yujiang acted arrogantly, he had always been suppressed by Changxinhou, and he was not as arrogant as he is now. ”

"I know about your trip to the Zhenhou Mansion." Du Hongsheng bowed his head and said: "I was also surprised by that incident. Marquis Changxin should know very well in his heart that the Duwei Mansion is in Guicheng, which is to restrain the Zhenhou Mansion and represent the existence of the imperial court. ”

Han Yunong nodded and said, "Actually, I am also very confused about what Zhen Yujiang did. If it weren't for the permission of the Marquis of Changxin, he should not dare to make an argument to the Governor's Mansion, but if it was really the Marquis of Changxin who asked him to do this, where would the Marquis of Changxin have the confidence to embarrass the imperial court? ”

There was a slight doubt between the eyebrows of both of them.

After the Wutuo Rebellion, the three counties of Sanhou Town, the Changxin Hou Zhen family sat in Zhen County, and the imperial court fulfilled its promise to the Xiling Gate Valve, and almost handed over Xiling to the control of the Xiling Three Gate Valves.

However, both sides also knew in their hearts that the Tang Empire needed everyone in the world to consider Xiling to be the territory of the empire, and the Xiling Gate Lords needed to control Xiling to ensure the glory, wealth and status of the family.

On this basis, the Xiling Gate Valve will inevitably bow down to the empire in exchange for practical benefits.

Xiling is an important place in the western part of the empire, although the Vedas were forced to retreat, but never admit that they were defeated by the empire, in the face of the large territory of the Xiling Corridor, the increasingly expanding power of the Vedic Khanate will certainly not give up easily, and the empire naturally does not allow Xiling to fall into the hands of the Vedic Khanate.

If Xiling is controlled by the Vedic Khanate, then the threat of the Khanate will be directly faced outside the Jiayu Pass, and for the ambitious Khanate, attacking the Jiayu Pass will also become their inevitable next choice.

The empire has not recovered from the civil strife of the year, at least the empire does not want to have another war with the Vedic Khanate at this time, but Xiling is a buffer zone, and the empire will naturally pay close attention to the movements in this land.

The empire allowed the gate lords to occupy Xiling's resources, but they never allowed the Xiling gate lords to have a grudge against the empire.

The existence of the Xiling Metropolitan Protectorate and its subordinate three county governors is to let the Xiling Gate Valve understand the attitude of the Empire in this land, so that these eyes can keep an eye on the movement of the Gate Valve, as long as the Gate Valve has a disobedient heart to the Empire, the Empire will certainly not turn a blind eye.

So for a long time, the Xiling Gate Valve has been exploiting the people of Xiling, and the court has just turned a blind eye, and the Xiling Gate Valve also knows that as long as they maintain their awe of the court on the bright side, they can ensure their status in Xiling.

Although the Zhenhou Mansion will not have a good impression of the Duwei Mansion, and even regard it as a thorn in the flesh, the two sides have always been regarded as well water and river water.

However, in recent days, the Marquis Mansion of Zhen has obviously begun to launch a provocation against the Governor's Mansion, and today it is even more uncharacteristically directly going to use a knife with the Governor's Mansion, which really surprised Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong.

Du Hongsheng is an official sent by the imperial court and does not have much real power, but he belongs to the same camp as the Governor's Mansion and represents the interests of the imperial court, which Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong know very well, so if something really happens, the County Shoufu and the Governor's Mansion must stand on the same front.

"I'll find a chance to go to Zhenhou Mansion to have a look." Du Hongsheng was silent for a moment before he said softly: "Why Changxinhou hasn't moved for a long time, you can only know when you see him." ”

Han Yunong thought for a moment before he said: "Today's swordsman made a move, at least let the Marquis Zhen Mansion understand that Xiling is still the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and there are some things that they can't do arbitrarily." ”

"The imperial court does not want turmoil in Xiling." Du Hongsheng lowered his voice and said: "You also know that when the saint ascended the throne, Murong in the south immediately rebelled, and the Tusun people in the north also took advantage of the situation, although they were suppressed, but the empire has not fully recovered its vitality until now, compared to the Wutuo people, the imperial court first has to solve the Murong in the south, so before pacifying the southern Xinjiang, the imperial court only wants to see everything in Xiling as usual, and these gate valve families can keep to themselves." ”

Han Yunong said softly: "I understand my humble position, and because of this, the Zhenhou Mansion is aggressive, and we all try our best to tolerate it." ”

"Bear with me." Du Hongsheng patted Han Yunong's arm and said with a wry smile: "I, the county guard, eat fasting and chant Buddha every day, I just hope that everything is peaceful. Suddenly, he thought of something, frowned, and said, "But over there in the Governor's Mansion, you really have to be careful." Lu Hong, as a fast catcher, secretly colluded with the Golden Hook Gambling House, and you didn't even know it in advance. ”

Han Yunong's expression was solemn, and he arched his hand: "Dereliction of duty." ”

"If I really want to talk about it, I don't want to blame you." Du Hongsheng sighed: "The imperial court reached an agreement with the Xiling Gate Valve back then, and the salaries of the officials of the various yamen in Xiling were pulled out by the Xiling Gate Valve from the taxes for distribution, and the salaries were not high, and they often found excuses to procrastinate, no wonder some people were dissatisfied." He shook his head and said with a wry smile: "I was like a fold in the court two years ago, and I hope that the court can broadcast a part of the silver from the treasury every year, increase the salary of Xiling officials, and eat the food of the court to read the court." ”

Han Yunong said: "The court didn't agree? ”

"The treasury is empty, and I will send it away after a little wait, and I have not mentioned it again." Du Hongsheng said helplessly: "Your Duwei Mansion is not bad, under your control, at least you still think about the imperial court, and if you are like other yamen, hehe.....!" Leaning close to Han Yunong's ear, he whispered: "People die for money, birds die for food, before being loyal to the imperial court, many people have to live first, although silver may not be able to buy everyone's hearts, but most people can bend their waists for silver, and the Governor's Mansion must be clean." ”

Han Yunong's expression was grim and he bowed slightly.

When the two of them were whispering in the lobby, in the east wing of the county guard's mansion, the old man from Beijing was leaning back on a chair, holding a scroll in his hand, and Xiahou Chengcheng was standing in front of him with restraint and anxiety, like a child who had made a mistake.

"Boss.....!" As soon as Uncle Dou Liwen spoke, the old man had already interrupted: "Xitai, you don't have to intercede for her anymore, when did you change what I said?" ”

Xiahou Chengcheng raised his head and said, "Grandpa Tan, you forgive me this time, I promise that I will never do it again next time." From now on, I will obey absolutely everything you say, and if you ask me to go east, I will never go west. ”

"Girl, when you left Beijing, what you said was more sincere than now." The old man said angrily: "Your father loves you too much, and I will also take you out to see the world for his sake." At that time, you repeatedly promised me in front of him that after you came out, you would follow my instructions in everything you said and did, but you didn't need me to say more about what you did along the way, right? Sitting up, hating iron is not steel, and said: "You didn't cause trouble on the road, and when you arrived in Turtle City, I repeatedly told you to be cautious in Xiling, and you must not act willfully, but ......!" ”

"But I didn't cause any serious trouble." Xiahou Chengcheng was a little unconvinced, and pouted.

The old man's eyes widened, and he blew his beard and said, "Didn't you get into a big disaster? Sneaking out of the house and eating a bully meal in a noodle restaurant, it's okay, today I hid and eavesdropped on Du Hongsheng's trial, and I even dared to rush out to meddle in the case. You..... You're mad at the old man.....! ”

"Those people in the Zhenhou Mansion are bullying people and dare to draw a knife in the county guard mansion, Grandpa Tan, don't you see it, they are arrogant, if I don't stand up, they will kill people and set fire." Xiahou Chengcheng was unconvinced: "If you don't believe it, ask Uncle Wen, do they not take the imperial court in their eyes at all?" ”

The old man gave him a blank look, "Then what does it all have to do with you?" Xiang Dou Li, Wen Xitai, said: "Xitai, you arrange it, recruit what I just said, personally send her back to Beijing, and hand her over to her father completely, just say that she is the reincarnation of the demon king, and I am not her opponent." What she did after she left Beijing, you should truthfully explain everything to her father, and you must not omit anything. ”

Wen Xitai arched his hand and said, "Obey!" ”

Xiahou Chengcheng suddenly panicked, stepped forward to hug the old man's arm, and said pitifully: "Grandpa Tan, if you really tell my father about this, kill me now, otherwise you will be killed by him when you go back." I'd rather die here than have to go all the way back to Kyoto and have him killed. ”

"Now you know you're scared?" The old man said angrily: "When you were angry, you didn't think about the consequences?" ”

"I'll listen to you in the future, as long as you don't complain to my father." Xiahou Chengcheng said aggrievedly: "I finally came out once, and I couldn't do anything, just like being locked in a cage." ”

The old man snorted coldly and said, "If I don't sue, it's okay, you hurry up and clean up, and as soon as it dawns tomorrow, I will follow you back to Beijing." Without waiting for Xiahou Chengcheng to speak, he immediately said: "If you say one more word, I promise to tell your father everything you have done." ”

Xiahou Chengcheng bit his lip, looking aggrieved, and wanted to speak, but he didn't dare to speak.

"Allure, you go clean up first." Wen Xitai said: "You know the temper of the boss, and his words are like a mountain, if you want to say more, the boss is really welcome." ”

Xiahou Chengcheng stood up, stomped his feet, turned around and ran out.

The old man looked at Xiahou Allure's back, sighed, and said, "This kid is pure by nature, and he is too well protected by his father, but he doesn't know that people's hearts are sinister. ”

"Boss, do you arrange for someone else to send her back?" Wen Xitai frowned and said, "If I leave, ..... you here?" ”

"Her father treats her as a baby bump, if there is really a little omission, my two lives and you are not enough to pay." The old man smiled and said: "You don't have to worry about me, I can handle the rest of the things myself, and it is a great achievement for you to escort her back to Beijing safely." ”