When the four of them were talking upstairs and gradually became speechless, at this time, the shopkeeper put the dishes on another table, Lu Zheng inadvertently looked back, and there was an old man sitting on the table, who seemed to be born in a family of brocade clothes and jade food, needless to say, with gorgeous clothes and very educated behavior. Lu Zheng pushed Xue Ne and Qi Huan, but the two were startled, this person was none other than Yang Siqiao, the chief eunuch in the palace.

At this time, Qi Huan and Xue Ne got up and said to him: "Hello Gonggong Yang, I don't know why you are here?" ”

Yang Siqiao smiled and said: "It's not a few people who are going to Beijing on an errand, how can the old man not send it." There is a disaster in Henan, thieves are swarming, how can I not care about such a big thing. Besides, they are all the emperor's favorite ministers, Qi Sheren and Lu Changshi belong to the new ministers, and General Xue is a veteran, which His Majesty did not give high hopes. ”

There seemed to be some cynicism in Yang Siqiao's words, and Shao Yin hurriedly said: "It's still reasonable for Gonggong Yang to say this." ”

And Lu Zheng stepped forward and said: "What Gonggong Yang said really tormented us, doing things for His Majesty and doing his best for the court is a matter of course." ”

Yang Siqiao said again at this time: "Lu Changshi's words are true, but when inspecting one side, I think I must also be upright, unlike some officials who were sent out to do things, all of them spent a lot of money in order to fill their own pockets. ”

Yang Siqiao's words were a little malicious, and Lu Zheng couldn't help it at this time, so he replied: "Please don't use this to slander people, since we are personally elected by Your Majesty, we must be responsible for Your Majesty, and Yang Gonggong's words are really difficult for us to accept." ”

Yang Siqiao laughed, and the expressions on the faces of these four people were frozen, looking at Yang Siqiao and feeling a little embarrassed, waiting for him to laugh, Xue Ne said: "No matter what, we don't have to argue, don't hurt the harmony." ”

At this time, Yang Siqiao stood up, walked to the table of Lu Zheng and the others, and said: "What Xue Jungong said is very true, but I still have to stick to my opinion just now, after all, I have seen a lot, I just want to remind you." Whether you listen or not is up to you. ”

The scene was even more embarrassing in an instant, Xue Ne stood up and sent Yang Siqiao downstairs, before he came up and sat down again and said: "Lu Zheng, why do you have to fight with Yang Gonggong like this, this person is not an ordinary person, it is best not to provoke." ”

Lu Zheng hurriedly said: "This person's words are obviously aimed at us everywhere, how can I let this person be arrogant if I don't say it?" ”

"You are wrong, Yang Siqiao is now receiving grace, even I have to give up three points, this person not only has power in the palace, I am afraid that the power outside the palace will not fall, you are undoubtedly the enemy of this person by doing this."

Qi Huan saw that the two had some disputes, so he said: "Don't shout, you two, what Yang Siqiao just meant was just making things difficult, and there were no other bad intentions, even if he had power, he couldn't call for wind and rain in the eastern capital of Henan." ”

Shao Yin also said: "Yes, yes, let's not discuss this matter anymore, if you want me to say that this Yang Siqiao is a hand and eye to the sky, he is just a close minister by His Majesty's side, and it is only by His Majesty's majesty that he is favored for a while." We do ours, as long as we don't leave the handle. ”

After the four of them went downstairs after they were full of wine and food, and after walking out of the restaurant, Qi Huan said: "In my opinion, it is better to go out of the city earlier, although His Majesty said that it will be three days later, but he hopes that we can find a strategy in advance, and now that we are all united, this strategy must have been conceived in your hearts." ”

Lu Zheng also knew that he couldn't delay time, and Shao Yin Cai hoped to get to Luoyang quickly, Xue Ne looked at the situation and said: "Qi Huan is right, you can do business early after you arrive early, don't delay too much." ”

At this time, Xue Ne called him aside, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Your trip will be full of dangers, and I am also ready to play Your Majesty to the side, and don't forget to go to the mansion again on the day of returning to Chang'an." ”

Xue Ne's words were very heavy, and Lu Zheng heard that this was the last parting words, so he said: "Actually, I am still a little reluctant to Xue Jungong, and I want to stay away today, and I also have something to say." After the county prince arrived at the Anbei Metropolitan Protectorate, by the way, I would like to tell Wang Dadu that I, Lu Zheng, will not be ashamed of his kindness to me. And one day we'll see you again. ”

Shao Yin and Qi Huan watched the two of them grinding from a distance, and Shao Yin said, "These two people can't seem to finish talking." ”

Qi Huan said with a smile: "You don't know, these two have known each other for a long time, in the battle of Longyou, Xue Jungong as the commander broke the enemy army, and Lu Zheng has made a lot of contributions in it." ”

"So that's the case, both serve in the army, the commander leads the overall situation and his subordinates use their lives, and the two complement each other well."

Qi Huan pulled Shao Yin at this time and said, "Let's go first, it is estimated that they will have to talk for a while, and we will wait for Lu Zheng outside the city." ”

Qi Huan Shaoyin waited outside the city, and after a while, watching Lu Zheng come out, Qi Huan went up and asked, "Lu Changshi finished speaking." ”

Lu Zheng sighed: "The parting words don't mean much, just take care, I believe there is a time to say goodbye." ”

At this time, Lu Zheng and Qi Huan boarded the carriage and drove towards the east, and on the carriage, Lu Zheng said to Shaoyin: "At this time, can you say something about the disaster in Henan." ”

Shao Yin said with a smile: "Now before I go to Henan, I really want to say that the disaster in Henan could have been smoothed out, but there were many things, such as the money for this relief was deducted by many people, and even robbed by thieves, anyway, it was strange and strange." When we have arrived, don't make your own decisions, but first get acquainted with the officials, and then we will go our separate ways. ”

Lu Zheng and Qi Huan were also full of doubts when they heard this, and Lu Zheng said: "Shao Yin said this, Qi She and I can understand, we are not handling a case at the same time, how to act and listen to Shao Yin's arrangement." ”

At this time, the carriage on the official road is galloping, and there are some bald trees sparsely sparse between the mountains on both sides, and the official road from Chang'an to the east is smooth and unimpeded, and the post stations everywhere are also well received, so it is almost all the way to it. After driving for about dozens of miles, Lu Zheng looked at the dead trees on both sides and said, "There are some disrepairs on this official road, it seems that the officials in this vicinity are a little derelict in their duties." ”

Shao Yin said: "We can't control the dereliction of duty of the officials here, if we let Your Majesty take a look during the inspection, you will definitely be furious, not to mention the general county order, even a big member, Your Majesty will definitely do it." ”

At this time, Qi Huan said: "Your Majesty has some heavenly authority, but before the problem is clarified, it is not wise to make judgments, which Your Majesty will also think about carefully." ”

Lu Zheng and Shao Yin nodded, and suddenly the carriage shook violently, causing the three of them to tilt their bodies instantly, and hit their heads on the wall of the car again, Qi Huan shouted outward, and the coachman said: "A few officials, the road ahead is not good, but you have to sit firm." ”

Qi Huan said: "The officials here should be investigated and punished, the official road has not been repaired for a long time, where does the annual funds of this imperial court go?" ”

Just when several people were angry, there was already a post station in front, although it was built with a straw hut, but it was also formal, at this time, the post officer saw the carriage slowly stopping in front of him, and shouted inside: "How many nobles do you want to rest?" ”

Lu Zheng poked his head out and said, "Are you an official post?" ”

"Exactly, I receive a lot of dignitaries and dignitaries from all over the world, and most of the nobles who pass by every day are from Chang'an, and I have received for more than ten years, and no one has ever said that there is a bad place, and if there is anything you need, I will arrange it myself."

Lu Zheng and the three of them had already gotten out of the carriage, no matter how the little official bragged, they sat under the greenhouse, even if they were about to settle, the little official came over and served the hot tea, and said, "I don't know where a few people are going?" ”

Lu Zheng said: "Luoyang." ”

"Oh, those few must be important ministers of the imperial court, is this going to Luoyang to take office or run an errand?"

Qi Huan replied: "It's to run an errand, now that the situation in Henan is special, haven't you heard of it?" ”

"Yes, yes, I have heard that many people say that the disaster in Henan is a bit serious, but I want to ask which year it is not like this, and in which year there is no famine."

Lu Zheng explained: "But you don't know what's behind this, where did so much imperial court relief go, and it must have something to do with many officials." ”

In fact, Lu Zheng shouldn't have said so much, but in a hurry, Lu Zheng still said it, and the little official nodded and understood what Lu Zheng meant, so he sighed: "Yes, the official is right, the officials at all levels cover each other, and naturally they are also tired." ”

Shao Yin pushed Lu Zheng and signaled him not to say any more, these things should not be known at this time, although he is a post official, he may not have anything to do with the local officials. At this time, it should be silent, and it should not be so high-profile.

Lu Zheng knew what it meant, so he waved his hand and motioned for him to retreat, and the little official naturally retreated with interest. At this time, Lu Zheng said to Shao Yin: "When do you think we will leave?" ”

Shao Yin said: "Naturally, it is advisable to leave early, after all, you can start your errand early if you arrive early." ”

But Qi Huan said: "In my opinion, you can't set off early, it's close to noon now, and the departure at this time must be after night, and you can't reach Luoyang." It will be dangerous for us not to be at the post station after dark. ”

Shao Yin said: "It's still the Qishe people who have experience and noticed this, but I have also walked this road, and there is no risk, and besides, we can take turns to keep vigil, so that the thieves have no chance to take advantage of it." ”

At this time, Lu Zheng said conclusively: "Let's be here today, wait until tomorrow and we will set off and drive straight to Luoyang." I think this little official talks a little more, but in the end it is more reliable, so we don't have to worry. Tomorrow I will ask the coachman to feed the horse, and I don't think it will be a problem to travel 100 miles a day. ”

So Lu Zheng and Shao Yin went to rest first, and after Qi Huan took care of other things, he slept in a simple wooden house. It is very quiet under the afterglow of the West Mountain, the sky and the earth merge into one in the twilight, the sassy wind blows from all directions, and the decayed grass and trees shake slightly, making a rustling sound.