Section 24 Selfishness

Outside the palace gate, Yu Ban did not leave the palace immediately. Instead, he stood in a hidden place outside the palace gate, as if enjoying the scenery in the palace. After a while, the chief eunuch Wei Dong walked over quickly.

Wei Tong came to Yu Ban's side, looked around, and said politely, "Xiangye, I've kept you waiting." ”

Yu Ban's eyes were still looking at the flowers and plants in the distance, as if he was talking to himself, and asked, "Chief Wei, I don't know how Your Majesty has been living recently?" Yu Ban's voice was not loud, but it exuded a majesty.

Wei Dong's heart tightened, and Yu Ban's questioning was a bit overstepping. Wei Dong hesitated for a moment, and said cautiously, "Lord Xiangguo, Your Majesty's food has been halved in the past few days, I'm afraid it has something to do with labor."

"Oh, what is Your Majesty doing?"

"Lord Xiangguo, the emperor's scheming is not something that the old slave can figure out. But it seems that His Majesty wants to ~ support that Shangguan Heavenly Master to set up another mountain. ”

Yu Ban nodded with a dark face, and said with a sigh, "The emperor has always wanted the court to be dominant, and the old minister just wants to share more for His Majesty over the years, not these rights." I really didn't expect that the minister's kindness would be jealous of His Majesty. In fact, there is no need for this at all, the minister risked his life to assist His Majesty to ascend the throne, and his loyalty ~ can be learned from the sky. ”

"Lord Xiangguo, I think you~ should accept that Shangguan Heavenly Master."

Yu Ban shook his head, "This person is not acceptable, and His Majesty will not allow him to get too close to me." Looking at Your Majesty's body and bones, it's time to consider the matter of the prince. ”

"The old slave is worried that Shangguan Heavenly Master will ruin Lord Xiangguo's prince plan."

"Humph!" Yu Ban snorted coldly, "Do you know why I promoted him to appease Qincha?" Because Fan Lining, the chief soldier of the Beiming Border Pass, is my person, he may not be able to come back alive. ”

Wei Dong was shocked in his heart, "My lord, if something happens to Shangguan Heavenly Master, I'm afraid Your Majesty will be angry." ”

"Don't worry, the two countries fought and died at the hands of the enemy, which is nothing more than a battle with the small country of the Northern Ming Dynasty. Over the years, Daxia has been too comfortable, and only war can let His Majesty know the important role of these old ministers. Yu Ban said, his eyes revealing a gleam.

Wei Dong couldn't help but shudder in his heart, he didn't expect Yu Ban to start a war in order not to lose his power. As Yu Ban said, in the war, His Majesty can only rely on them, who hold great power.

In the Heavenly Master Palace, Shangguan Heavenly Master, who was full of interest, looked around and didn't find Duan Lang's figure. At this time, Duan Lang was in Zhou Guangji's small courtyard, talking about the assassination last night.

"Uncle Zhou, you sent the three of you later?" Duan Lang asked.

Zhou Guangji shook his head, "Ah San Zhou Zhu was indeed nearby at that time, but those three people were not our people. If the old man guessed correctly, it should be the spies of the Investigation Division next to the emperor. Duan Lang, the killer is likely to have been sent by Yu Ban Na Lao'er, you must be careful when you live there. ”

Duan Lang nodded, "If it's daytime, the killer will definitely not be able to escape Da Fei's tracking." Now that the Heavenly Master Hall is heavily guarded, it seems that Zhang ~ that Shangguan Heavenly Master is quite favored by His Majesty, and even the palace guards have been dispatched. ”

Duan Langyi was so excited that he almost told Zhang Ruming's true identity. Don't look at Duan Lang trusting Zhou Guangji very much, but Zhang Ruming's identity is too sensitive, and he doesn't want more people to know. Even Fang Yan, Duan Lang had warned not to tell anyone.

Zhou Guangji thought for a while, "No matter how favored this Shangguan Heavenly Master is, he is just an idler outside the imperial system. Duan Lang, there are still two days before the seventeenth ceremony of Yuning's enthronement. At the ceremony, young men from all state capitals will show their talents and compete. I want you to do your best and show it in front of the courtiers. ”

"Uncle Zhou? Don't forget that I participated in the celebration as the Marquis of Xining, and even if I won the ranking, it would only add luster to the Marquis of Xining. ”

"You don't understand the mystery here, it is said that it is a competition between various state capitals, but in fact, it is also Emperor Yuning's selection of talents. According to the custom of previous years, the title of Imperial Guard will be added. Don't look at the Imperial Cavalry Guard as just an honor, but if you enter the court system in this capacity, you will be promoted quickly. You are still young, and the road has to go slowly. Zhou Guangxi said comfortingly.

Duan Lang also understood that now was not the time for revenge, the opponent was too strong, and they could only strengthen themselves step by step in order to accumulate the strength to fight back.

As the two were talking, Ah Zhouwu hurriedly walked in, "Master, son, I just got the news that Emperor Yuning canonized Shangguan Tianshi as the Heavenly Patrol Supervisor, patrolling on behalf of the heavens, worshipping the three products, and receiving five hundred black armor guards. ”

Zhou Guangji was stunned for a moment, and asked in surprise, "Is this news accurate?" ”

"The news delivered by Lord Wu's retainers should be reliable." Ah Si hurriedly said.

"You go and investigate again right away, if that's the case, this Shangguan Heavenly Master can make good use of it."

"Uncle Zhou, don't be so troublesome, I'll just go back to the Heavenly Master Hall and ask. If it is true, it is estimated that the officials will soon announce it to the world. Duan Lang said.

"Okay, you go back immediately, if you are really canonized as a Sky Survey Supervisor, then this big fish can't be spared." Zhou Guangji said happily.

Duan Lang didn't drag the mud and water, agreed, and immediately left Zhou Guangji's courtyard.

Outside the gate of the Heavenly Master Palace, Duan Lang didn't expect so many people to come. The sedan chair and carriage lined up for a long street. Outside the courtyard gate, Duan Lang almost didn't squeeze in. Entering the courtyard gate, on the platform outside the Heavenly Master's Palace, five hundred black-armored guards stood in two columns, holding the hilt of their swords solemnly and silently. The Black Armor Guard is the elite of the forbidden army, and it can be seen from the momentum that it has undergone strict training.

Duan Lang scratched his head, and when he saw this posture, he knew that the rumors were true, and Zhang Ruming, this kid, was really out of shit luck. I didn't expect such a big effort, and the black armor guards all arrived at the Heavenly Master Palace.

In the Heavenly Master Palace, Shangguan Xuanwu was sitting on a wide Zen chair, reprimanding a group of white-clothed Heavenly Masters and miscellaneous servants of the Heavenly Master Palace. Now that their identities are different, Shangguan Heavenly Master has also added a few precepts to these people.

Seeing Duan Lang appear, Zhang Ruming waved his hand, "You all remember that from now on, not everyone can come, and you must donate to the gods when you enter the door." If it is less than fifty taels, you can only thank the gods for their blessings outside the courtyard. Let's go down. ”

A group of white-clothed celestial masters and handymen retreated, no matter what, their own adults ascended to the sky in one step, and they could also receive a lot of silver every month, and everyone was very happy.

Seeing that everyone had retreated, Zhang Ruming stepped off the Zen chair and ran over.

Zhang Ruming stretched out his arms and looked at Duan Lang proudly, "Poor boy, come, dedicate your sincerity, bow down to me, the gods are with you." ”

"You're crazy, do you know who you are. Look at the bear-like look you had last night, did you forget to get beaten? ”

"Hehe, Brother Duan Lang, although you are unkind to me, you can't be unjust to you as a brother. Do you see those black-armored guards outside, for my brother's sake, for the sake of your protection of this Heavenly Master yesterday, I have already made your Majesty known and named you the Great Commander of the Heavenly Master Palace. From now on, those Black Armor guards will be your people. How about it, why don't you hurry up and thank this Heavenly Master. Zhang Ruming shook his head proudly, as if waiting for Duan Lang's crying gratitude.

Duan Lang scratched his head, and said in his heart whether what this guy said was true. However, looking at Zhang Ruming's sassy appearance, Duan Lang always felt that he was a little underbeaten.

"I said Zhang~!"

"Shut up." Zhang Ruming cautiously glanced at the outside of the hall, "In the future, I must call this official Shangguan Heavenly Master, or Lord Tianxuan." Now that the Heavenly Master Hall has a black armor guard entering, you dare to talk nonsense again, be careful that I let people take you. Zhang Ruming immediately interrupted and reprimanded angrily.

Duan Lang smiled, "Okay, Shangguan Heavenly Master, are you talking about the real thing or are you confused, you can't rely on what you say, I will become the boss of the forbidden army, right?" ”

"It's not the boss of the forbidden army, but the commander of my Heavenly Master Palace's Black Armor Guardian. From now on, you are Lao Tzu's subordinate. Of course, we brothers have something to discuss. Hey, let's go, go see your brothers. ”

Zhang Ruming walked a few steps upside down and took Duan Lang's hand enthusiastically. Duan Lang felt a chill in his heart, and he really wanted to give him two mouths to be sober and sober.

Coming to the courtyard, Zhang Ruming looked at his subordinates excitedly. The black armor guard has a distinct armor, Zhang Ruming said in his heart to see who dares to provoke Lao Tzu, and there is no need to be afraid of group fights now. Besides, Lao Tzu still has Shang Fang's sword in his hand.

"Brothers~!"

Zhang Ruming greeted, and just as he was about to speak, he saw the black-armored guards kneeling on one knee and shouting loudly.

"Black Armor Guard, see Lord Sky Surveyor."

Zhang Ruming was so frightened that he didn't know where to put his excited little fat hands.

"Brothers, get up. From now on, we will be a family, and whoever dares to bully you will not give me face as Shangguan Tianshi. See no, I have Shang Fang's sword on my waist, whoever provokes our Heavenly Master Palace, Lao Tzu will use it to click him. ”

The five hundred black-armored guards stood up and shouted in unison, "Swear to defend Lord Heaven Surveyor!" ”

Zhang Ruming's smile was as bright as a flower, and he waved his hand kindly, "You don't have to be polite, tonight this Heavenly Master will hold a banquet to congratulate the Black Armor Guard on staying in my Heavenly Master Palace." By the way, from now on, Duan Lang will be your commander. What's that~ You guys also meet the Grand Commander. ”

After Zhang Ruming finished speaking, five hundred black-armored guards looked at Duan Lang in unison. Under everyone's eyes, Duan Lang was really a little weak-hearted. After all, it was the first time I had experienced this kind of formation since I was a child.

Duan Lang hugged his fists, "Hello brothers! ”

The five hundred black-armored guards stood motionless, as if they hadn't heard, but each of them had disdainful disdain in their eyes. They were the spoils of the forbidden army, a hairy boy to be their commander, and of course these proud black-armored guards were unwilling. At the very least, Duan Lang hadn't been recognized by them yet.

Zhang Ruming also felt that the atmosphere was wrong, and said embarrassedly, "What, just get to know it, don't stand." Someone, take the black armor guard to the room. From now on, this will be your home. ”

Zhang Ruming resolved the embarrassment, Duan Lang could only smile bitterly and shake his head. In any case, the Heavenly Master Hall is not what it used to be, and the white-clothed prayer masters and miscellaneous servants are elated one by one, as if they are celebrating a big festival.

In contrast, it is a different scene in Xiangguo's mansion. Feng Zhun, the squire of the military department, had a bitter face, what Lord Xiangguo did do to make him scratch his head today, he had to come and ask clearly.

After listening to Yu Ban's arrangement, Feng Zhun couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He didn't expect Yu Ban to dare to risk the world's condemnation and cause the two countries to fight each other. Although that is for him, the soldier of the military department, it is beneficial and harmless. However, the two countries fought against each other, and it was the people of Bactria who were harmed.

Feng Zhun left the Xiangguo Mansion in a hurry, and as a squire of the military department, he almost fell off his horse. At the entrance of the road, Feng Zhun looked at the palace from afar, not knowing whether to go to the secret music for His Majesty.

After thinking about it, Feng Zhun gritted his teeth, since this matter is beneficial to him and harmless, then follow Yu Ban to gamble. As for that Shangguan Heavenly Master, let them and their gang become sacrifices in the war.