The night has sunk. The gong of the curfew resounded in every street of the city.

However, on West Chang Street, the husband yawned and shouted "Be careful of the candles", and a thin black shadow burrowed into the alley in the blink of an eye. Subsequently, a group of ten patrol battalions patrolling the city passed neatly.

The thin black shadow turned from the mouth of the alley and entered an extremely secret secret passage under the cover of the moonlight, but no one could have imagined that the secret passage actually led to the mansion of Zheng Zhi, the right minister of the current power and opposition.

The mansion of the right prime minister, the study of the right prime minister Zheng Zhi is still lit with bright candles even at this time. From the outside, you can see Zheng Zhi's figure holding a pen and reading, with a slightly stiff back, which is a proof left by years of hard work. Occasionally, a few subordinates went in to bring in tea, and after listening to the master's orders, they came out to carry it out.

In the study, there was a thick stack of papers on the upper right corner of the desk, and Zheng Zhi was writing the folds to be presented to King Chen tomorrow when he heard an inaudible sound from the inner layer of the bookcase behind him. Three long and two short, seem to have a special meaning.

Zheng Zhi put down the pen in his hand, and the excessive exertion made the old man who was over seventy years old cough, he was silent for a while, and then turned the inkstone on the corner of the table slightly, "squeak", the bookcase slowly opened from the middle to both sides, and a thin young man wearing a black hood flashed behind the bookcase.

The man had already taken off his face scarf, flashed up, leaned over and bowed his head, knelt down on one knee and reported: "My lord, my subordinates have heard a piece of information!" ”

"Say it." Zheng Zhi turned around and sat on the hardwood armchair, picked up the tea that had been cooled, and took a sip.

"The Lizhou Decree called by Lord Si Zhuo before, has entered the royal capital today."

"Oh?" The corners of Zheng Zhi's mouth raised slightly, with an expression that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, as if he was interested, and put down the teacup.

"According to the instructions of the lord, the subordinates probed the details of the little official, who was a lay disciple from the Chengyin Temple, and had a close relationship with the Chengyin School Palace. The most important thing is that Xiao Xiaohou seems to know him. ”

Zheng Zhiduan sat up, his old hands rubbing the teacup, his brows furrowed, thinking about something.

Chengyin Temple? Lay disciples? Speaking of which, Xiao He used to worship Buddha in Chengyin Temple for three years, but that was seven years ago, at that time, the old marquis was still accompanied by wine every day, ignoring his only son, so, did it start at that time? What's in the shadows?

Zheng Zhi read "Chen Zhaowen Wang Benji", that turbulent era at the beginning of the world, after the collapse of King Longwu Yu, Yao succeeded to the throne at the age of twelve. The queen's official clan listens to the government. If the official of Shizhen State is power-bearing, Xu Zi'an, the Duke of Xingguo, and Qin Luo, the Duke of Dingguo, are their wings. Xiao Xiaoyan, Duke of Anguo, Wang Xian, Duke of Ningguo, Zheng Qianluo, Duke of Pingguo, and Xu Ling, Duke of Shengguo, are the arms of the king. However, each of them brought his cronies, causing the government to be dark. Yao Kunyou four years, regent, cut the titles of Duke of Xingguo and Duke Shengguo, exempted the Duke of Ningguo, Duke Anguo, and Duke Zhenguo from military power, and made the Duke of Zhenguo move to Ningzhou, which was far away from the royal capital. The founding of the Seven Kingdoms only left the Duke of Dingguo and the Duke of Pingguo, which caused turmoil in the government and the opposition, and it ended in ten years.

In the fourth year of Zhaowen Wang Kunyou, after the earth-shattering case, two of the original seven founding princes were cut into concubines, although the Xiao family of Anguo Gong was exempted from this difficulty, but only the title and Yulu remained, all rights were deprived, and even freedom was taken away. In order to strictly monitor their every move, all those who inherit the title must not leave the royal capital unless Prince Chen agrees, the old marquis died of illness a year ago, this Xiao He has only inherited the title for a year, at this time, what does this young man want to do?

Zheng Zhi's mind was racing, he could serve the three dynasties of the Son of Heaven, since twenty years ago, he was the head of the hundred officials, and he had been in the position of the right minister for a long time, and there were naturally few enemies in the city government, but suddenly, he felt that he seemed to be caught in a huge conspiracy layout.

"Go down and keep watching." Zheng Zhi's brows tightened, not knowing what to think. For more than 40 years, there have been too many broken bureaus in his hands, and he has just ordered a Lizhou line, whether he has too many concerns. He stretched out his hand and shook it hard, as if he wanted to grasp something, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, sir." The little man turned and entered the secret passage and disappeared into the long darkness. The bookcase closed quietly.

…………………

At midnight, it was already curfew time in the royal city. Only the remaining brightly lit restaurants are still singing and dancing, and the flow of people is like weaving. The wealthy businessmen and the children of the nobles who spent their money were like dirt, and the jade beauties smiled lightly. Between the staggered cups, the pearls and jade sway, drunk and golden.

Among them, it is natural that Yan Yulou on Kaixuan Street in Xifang, Nanshi City is the most extravagant and prosperous. From the bottom up, as many as five floors have been repaired. You must know that the Zixiao Hall of the Royal Palace is only seven floors. The first floor of Yan Yulou is close to the people, and people with some money can enter. But above it, it is difficult for those who are not rich to enter. To the fourth floor, they are already non-princes and grandsons, and the famous families in Zhongzhou cannot trespass.

The fourth floor of Yan Yulou is the most extravagant gambling place that everyone knows, the most bizarre treasures are sold in this building, and the occasional beauty of the Allure City is also sold here, which often attracts everyone to covet, and the noisy sound intensifies on the three floors of the building tonight. About 30 people gathered in a circle and surrounded the huge booth. These more than 30 people, all dressed in brocade clothes, rich and powerful, but think about it, the one who can come to the third floor of this Yan Yulou is not the prince of Wang Sun, a wealthy businessman.

"Shopkeeper Song, why don't you start yet." A middle-aged man with a jade belt and a green robe and a splendid shoulder wrap couldn't stop his boredom, and stretched out his hand to push away the dice cup in front of him, "Lao Tzu is not here to gamble today." ”

"Boss Li, don't urge, Song is here." Out of the screen behind the platform came a smiling man, although there were many wrinkles on his face, his long black hair really didn't tell the person's age.

"Shopkeeper Song is really appetizing, I've been waiting for so long, I'm about to win Lao Li's silver ticket, haha." The one who spoke was a fat man with a fat head and big ears standing opposite Boss Li, with a smile written on his oily face, and it seemed that he had indeed won a lot. At this moment, he was putting away the silver ticket of Boss Li, who was slightly annoyed.

"Sun Fatzi, it's too early to win Lao Tzu, today Lao Tzu is here to buy beauties, not to play dice with you." Boss Li no longer cares about Sun Fatzi. Turn around and talk to the person next to you.

"Shopkeeper Song, hurry up and start, we've been waiting for so long." There was a lot of heckling around.

Shopkeeper Song waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then said: "Ladies and gentlemen, Song will not let everyone wait for a long time, but there is a distinguished guest tonight, so it is late, and now the conference will begin." ”

Everyone in the audience muttered silently in their hearts, although Yan Yulou respects money in everything, no matter what kind of rich businessman, he still has to give the nobles some face. Of course, Yan Yulou dares to fly so high in the divine capital, so naturally he has his rules, that is, princes and grandsons, and they must also show some affection for each other.

Shopkeeper Song looked at the quiet crowd, glanced at the mysterious guests in the secret room behind the booth out of the corner of his eyes, and motioned to his subordinates to invite tonight's highlight to the stage.

With everyone's eyes, a young girl moved the lotus step lightly, and Shi Shiran walked up to the stage and sat next to the harp that had already been prepared. Looking at the girl carefully, on her white and tender face like jade, a pair of pear vortices were slightly flushed between her cheeks, and she was lightly smeared with rouge, so that the cheeks were polished like a newly opened Qiong flower, white and red. Clusters of black and long eyebrows, not like a painting, a pair of eyes that flow forward to life, the seductive eyes, black and white, rippling with intoxicating charm, wearing a plain brocade shirt, covered with aqua blue light yarn, three thousand green silk is pulled into a simple blue bun, and an elegant plum blossom hairpin is worn, like a fairy in the painting.

The people who were originally quiet are now even quieter, and they seem to be at a loss.

The shopkeeper Song, who was standing sideways on the side of the stage, looked at the expected situation, leaked a grin, and signaled to the woman on the stage.

The girl understood, and lightly opened her lips, like a pleasant sound of flowing water spit out from the girl's mouth.

"The little girl's family lives in Zhucheng, Xuzhou, her surname is Ke, because of her family's downfall, she is willing to sell her art as an artist today. The little girl is not talented, and I will present you with a song "Nanshan Youtai". ”

The girl sat down slowly and played the antique harp.

The light voice is accompanied by a pleasant tune, like a drizzle flowing in the spring light of March, and like the first snow falling in the cold winter.

"There is a platform in the south mountain, and there is a lai in the north mountain. Happy only gentleman, the foundation of the state. Happy only gentleman, long life indefinite.

There is mulberry in the south mountain, and there is yang in the north mountain. Happy only gentleman, the light of the state. Happy only gentleman, longevity without borders.

There are berries in the south mountain, and there are plums in the north mountain. Happy only gentleman, the parents of the people. Music is only a gentleman, and the sound of virtue is endless.

There is a tree in the south mountain, and there is a tree in the north mountain. Happy only gentleman, not longevity. Music is only a gentleman, and the sound of virtue is Mao.

There is a wolf in the south mountain, and there is a wolf in the north mountain. Happy only gentleman, not yellow. Le only gentleman, after Bao Er. ”

At the end of the song, everyone was still immersed in the graceful sound of the piano.

Shopkeeper Song clapped his hands lightly, and everyone came to their senses and applauded. The girl raised her hand to salute, causing a commotion among the crowd.

"Boss Song, make a price." A handsome boy dressed in a moon-white brocade suit said loudly.

Looking at the handsome appearance of this young man, the shopkeeper Song accompanied the smiling face, and secretly said in his heart, it is a pity that this good skin is born in the right door, but what he wants to do is all dirty things, but he said: "Shen Gongzi misunderstood, today is different from the past, the money obtained today belongs to Miss Ke herself, this building is just a convenience, and Miss Ke only plays the piano, if someone violates Miss Ke in the future, this building has the right to take back Miss Ke." ”

Shen Xiaogongzi's face was red and white, and he muttered in his heart, a stinky artist, what's the big deal, it's not Lao Tzu's decision to buy it back, but he said, "What the shopkeeper Song said is that Fang Cai is more presumptuous, and I hope that Miss Ke will include it." Shen Gongzi bowed to the girl. The girl looked at the young man's elegant demeanor and returned the salute.

"In that case, the starting price is one thousand taels of gold." Shopkeeper Song said.

"I am willing to give 5,000 taels to play against Miss Ke under the moon, I don't know what the girl wants." Shen Xiaogongzi maintained an elegant posture and took the lead in speaking.

"Lao Tzu is out of seven thousand taels, let's go with Lao Tzu." Boss Li shook the folding fan in his hand and pretended to be a gesture, but his mouth was still rude.

"Haha, I'll give 10,000, Lao Li, you better rest." Sun Fatzi squeezed Boss Li, and seemed to like to see Boss Li's angry appearance more than the girl on the stage.

In the private room at the back of the stage, the mysterious guest seemed not interested in all this, and he took up the cloak that covered his entire head, and turned to go downstairs, followed by a vigorous young man.

Shopkeeper Song caught a glimpse of the people in the secret room leaving, and let out a long sigh of relief. Instead, focus on dealing with these wealthy high rollers.

In the starry night, a dark sedan chair is rushing south along Kaixuan Street. There were only four people carrying the sedan chair. However, it was impossible to see their appearance in the night, only hidden in the deepest alleys, and the withered man was watching them disappear into the ink-splashed night.

The ragged man hid himself in the deepest alley of Kaixuan Street, and tried to light the cigarette pouch in his hand, but several times he failed to do so, so he gently tapped the wall with the intention of knocking out the thick residue of the cigarette pouch. Then he looked at Yan Yulou, who was almost out of reach on the opposite side, as if he was waiting for something.

Luckily, I didn't wait too long. At the end of the alley, a figure in a cloak turned around, and he had already arrived in front of the man.

The man took off the cloak on his head, and then the faint moonlight and the light of the cigarette pouch in his hand, the man looked at the silver-haired old man opposite and was still in good spirits.

"You see the king's sedan chair." Zheng Zhi sat on the ground like a man.

"See, the army in front of the palace is escorting." The man took a sharp puff of his cigarette pouch.

"You won't still give up, just because of you, you won't even see the king's face." Zheng Zhi waved his hand, trying to shake the choking smoke away.

"What's the use of sarcastically mocking me, you're not as good as me, at least I don't have to flatter King Dog Chen every day." The downcast man sneered and extinguished the spark of the cigarette pouch.

"Yes, the authority of the Great Commander of Wu back then was full of kings, and there was no second person except the king." Zheng Zhi reached out and grabbed the cuff of the man's right shirt, and then lifted it, but there was nothing except the empty sleeve, "If it weren't for the old man, you would have lost more than just this arm." ”

In the face of such a straightforward ridicule, the down-and-out man surprisingly did not refute anything. Seeing such a reaction, Zheng Zhi also felt bored, but restrained his sneer.

"I know that you have a grudge, and I also know that you know everything about Zixiao Palace, don't worry, the opportunity is coming." Zheng straightened up and put his cloak on, "I'm going back, don't act rashly without my orders." lest King Chen be alert. ”

The man waved his remaining left hand, indicating that he understood, and did not answer.

Zheng Zhi didn't care about him anymore, fastened his hood, and left.

The inky night covered the entire city. Watching Zheng Zhi disappear into the street with a cloak, the down-and-out man finally got up, patted the dust on his body, sighed, jumped lightly, and actually climbed over the wall and disappeared in the alley.