The fire in Jiyi Building became a topic of conversation among the people of the capital after dinner.

The fire burned wickedly! That's what everyone who sees it says. Suddenly, the fire crackled and burned, spitting out a dark red tongue of fire, which was reflected red, and the smoke seemed to be burning with bamboo knots, and from time to time there was a loud sound, and the sparks rushed straight out, rising two or three feet high. Patches of ash swirled like crows above the flames, flying and falling.

Shen Lian and his party who escaped from the secret passage were also watching the fire from a distance. Su Wan stared at the firelight, recalling the scene where she was in the middle of the fire just now, relying on the secret passage to escape, as if she was in a different world, and she couldn't help but feel like she was in a hurry. On the other hand, Shen Lian still looks relaxed, as if he is accustomed to such a scene.

The flames were blazing, as if burning Lu Qixiang's heart, and he remembered how many people and businessmen he had received in Jiyi Tower in the city! Even Xiao Zhi, the king of Qi who has no master's posture, has invited friends to feast and drink poetry here many times, seeing that he has carefully managed the climate, and he has been burned clean by this fire! He felt his throat dry and his chest was swollen, and he wanted to cry but couldn't. Holding on to the stone wall, he watched in a daze as the fire devoured his estate, his heart's work. Rong Xuan, who came to answer him, also felt sad when he saw him like this, and came over to caress his shoulder and comforted: "Shopkeeper, after all, it is our fault that has affected you." Don't be sad, when this matter is over, I will definitely ask the king to ask him to rebuild Jiyi Tower! ”

"It's something that has been expected for a long time, so there's no need to worry." Shen Lian calmly persuaded, "Rashomon still has a mansion in the suburbs, let's go where to avoid it for the time being." ”

"Not necessarily." Rong Xuan said, "Thanks to this matter, the king has made up his mind, please go to Sima Mansion to avoid the limelight for a while and wait for the opportunity." He said to Su Wan again, "The king said, Miss Su Wan will also go with her, so you don't have to go back to the palace for a while, and then you will have a place to get you." ”

Su Wan and Shen Lian glanced at each other, "Got it." ”

The fire burned all night, and the light of the fire was like a sharp blade, tearing through the dark night, and sporadic red light could be seen even within the palace walls. It was not until the next day that the patrol yamen sent additional manpower that it was completely extinguished.

People also have different opinions about the cause of the fire, some say that a group of enlightened people tried to rebel and were discovered, and they all died together. It is said that Ji Yilou has nothing to do with General Cao Ze, so he was driven out and killed. It is said that the soul of the royal family of the previous dynasty appeared and came back to take revenge.

Either way, one thing is universally recognized: this inexplicable fire, which burned overnight, was an unwarranted disaster and an ominous omen.

Cao Ze also thinks so, or rather, the ominous person is himself. Seeing his younger brother Cao Shuang returning to the house with a group of soldiers in embarrassment, and coming back with an unconscious and unknown man, he knew that the fire in Jiyilou was inseparable from him.

That night, he was drinking and talking with Xiao Yan in the hall, and when he saw Cao Shuang looking embarrassed by the smoke and fire, he was stunned, and immediately thought of the fire in Jiyi Building, and immediately understood a little, anxious and annoyed, and couldn't help but slap him, "Bastard!" It's such a big disaster outside again, even I can't help you this time, you go to the prison of the criminal department to confess your guilt! ”

Cao Ze had great strength, and this slap made him very strong. Cao Shuang was slapped firmly, half of his face was crooked, knowing that he was not doing well, he only covered his face, but he dared to be angry but didn't dare to speak, only said, "Big brother, don't be angry, I'm doing this for your good." ”

"Good for me? Is it for my good to kill people and set fires in the capital? ”

"The general misunderstood, this time Brother Cao Shuang is really thinking about the general." Xiao Yan lost no time in persuading, and then took out a stack of paper from his arms - it was the original manuscript of "On the Corruption of Officials and the Chaos of the Country" written by Guo Zhang! "General, look at this."

It turned out that since Xiao Zhi's private interview with Weifu, Xiao Yan began to secretly investigate people who were close to Xiao Zhi's personal relationship, and Shen Lian's identity was very hidden, and nothing was found. And Guo Zhang is a fresh candidate, and he is Guo Zhaozhi's nephew, his identity is on the surface, the article used to replace it is too mediocre, Xiao Yan doesn't believe that Xiao Zhi will have a close relationship with such a talented candidate with an ordinary background. Taking advantage of Xue Bilong's exile, he investigated carefully, and sure enough, he found this article that was really from Guo Zhang's hand.

Cao Ze read the article carefully, and his face was a little uncomfortable.

This is exactly what Xiao Yan wants, no, it should be said that everything is under his control. Xiao Yan had expected that Cao Shuang's reckless temperament would inevitably fail to capture the hidden Shen Lian, and he fanned the flames on the side, and when the matter reached the point where it could not be ended, Cao Ze had to rebel!

This article "On the Corruption of Officials and the Chaos of the Country" writes about the harm of corrupt officials enclosing land, and also clarifies that they must be severely punished - it clearly shows Xiao Zhen's attitude towards them, and he will not tolerate them, which is the finishing touch.

Born to die, that's it, because there is no way back, you have to fight against the water!

"The person who was arrested is called Guo Zhang, and this article "On the Corruption of Officials and the Chaos of the Country" is from him." Xiao Yan stopped at the point, "When Wang Shangweifu visited, he admired this Guo Zhang very much, and often sat with him in Jiyi Building. ”

Cao Ze looked at Xiao Yan who was bowing his head on the side, and looked at Cao Shuang, who was covering his face and didn't dare to squeak, and roughly understood the cause and effect, and sighed, "Eh, after all, we still have to take this step." ”

"This is the will of heaven and the desire of the people." Xiao Yan went one step further and pointed to the article, "You have also seen that the second child is unwilling to let us go, and if this stalemate continues, the Qi country will be in danger!" The general is also doing this to protect my Great Qi foundation! ”

"That's right! Right! Cao Shuang hurriedly said, "Big brother, either we die or he Xiao Shu dies!" ”

"Okay!" Cao Ze finally made up his mind and said, "What are you going to do?" ”

"Those three things have been prepared for us. Now the nine gates of the capital and the patrol yamen are under our control. Xiao Yan said slowly, "Then, the general will mobilize the available military horses near the capital and the Dao Attainers gathered in the palace, and when the time comes, the inside and the outside should be combined, and it will be successful!" ”

"The Taihe Hall also has more than a dozen masters that we have placed in the Great Interior. Changping, Juyongguan, Mentougou, Fengtai, Tongzhou, Shunyi's garrisons, and Qianzong have all changed our own people - this arrangement is seamless, what do you think? Xiao Yan added.

Cao Ze was speechless in shock, his body was already covered in cold sweat, and he only looked at Xiao Yan fixedly.

The layout is thorough and proper, and it can be seen that it is not an overnight effort. It can be said that since Xiao Zhi ascended the throne, no, it may have been secretly preparing earlier.

Talking to myself again and again is just to induce myself to finally make up my mind, or rather, I have to make up my mind.

Xiao Yan in front of him was still smiling and asking for his opinion, like a spider who had been lurking in the dark, secretly weaving his own web, and by the time he found out, he had already fallen into it and couldn't extricate himself.

The same is true for Xiao Zhen, who is already difficult to fly.

"You arrange it yourself, it's natural and safe." Cao Ze froze and said, "It seems that you already have this intention?" ”

"Princes and generals, rather have a kind." Xiao Yan smiled nonchalantly, "What's more, father-in-law, you are a general, and I am also a prince, that position, what can't be touched!" ”

"Look at the fire, it's so fierce!" In the Taihe Palace, Song Qinglian looked at the fire in the distance, as if discussing tomorrow's weather, and said leisurely drinking tea.

"Why aren't you in a hurry? Old man. Xiao Zhi said while looking at the border map of the capital, "Now the contradiction between me and Cao Ze is on the surface, the guards are all their people, and even the nearby garrisons are also their henchmen!" ”

"If it goes on like this, I'll die before I can do anything!" Xiao Zhi was a little annoyed, and the border map was also thrown aside.

"It's not a bad thing to die early, die early and be born early!" The candlelight was dim, and the expression on Song Qinglian's face was not very clear, "In this world, most people are worse than dead." ”

"What nonsense, don't you live a good life like a shriveled old man, and people who drink tea leisurely in the palace have no position to say such depressing words!" Xiao Zhi became rare and serious, "Old man, I may still be a newcomer who doesn't understand anything in this world, but in my previous life, I was an experienced thief, and I have seen all kinds of winds and waves." ”

"People, no matter what happens, whether good or bad, you have to work hard to live, and only by living can you have a chance, and you can live until the day you should die." Xiao Zhi cheered up, looked at the border map of the capital again, and slowly studied it.

"If you know the truth, you won't be ashamed to say such things." Song Qinglian said softly, "Are the young people of your era so confident? Or do you not know how thick the sky is? ”

"This is not called not knowing the height of the sky, this is called self-encouragement, chicken soup quotations for the soul!" Xiao Zhi smiled, "I can only encourage myself so much now, I can't say I'm dead!" He put down the border map in his hand, looked at Song Qinglian and said, "Old man, since you reveal your identity to me and want to join forces with me, you must have your purpose." Then even if it is for your purposes, you must find a way for me to solve the current border defense problem! ”

This sentence said to Song Qinglian's heart, "Okay, I'll believe you once." ”

"Your Taoism can only deal with Cao Ze alone, but there are his henchmen inside and outside this city, even you can't deal with it!" Xiao Zhen pouted.

"Cao Ze Xiaoyan made careful arrangements and took almost everything into account, it could have been done, but it's a pity that it's ......," Song Qinglian said with a smile, "It's a pity that we are not people of this era, or the biggest variable, and they will never know this." ”

"I have a way to handle the border defense matter, you can rest assured!" Song Qinglian waved his hand, which was a farewell, "The rest will be done according to the plan." ”

"Got it, got it." Xiao Zhi smiled, "I know you have a way, please, old man." ”