The restaurant that Shi Zhixian is looking for is actually not far from Zuixianlou, and they are both located in the prosperous section of Pingliang City. Due to the sudden fire at the prefect's yamen, many diners ran to the prefect's yamen to put out the fire or watch the excitement, and the customers in the restaurant sat on several tables of eight immortals in twos and threes.

Shizhi County found a quieter private room and shop good wine and food. Governor Liu and the other four people were there, because Governor Liu was not in a good mood, his face was not very good-looking, and the atmosphere in the private room was a little depressing.

Shi Zhixian and Qin Zhixian tried their best to pick some lighter topics and wanted to liven up the atmosphere, but Shi Zhixian told two particularly funny jokes, and everyone else was amused, only Governor Liu still had a black face.

Shi Zhixian sat down, and after a while, Shi Zhixian got up and said, "Why hasn't the food come up yet?" I'll take a look. With that, he opened the door of the private room and walked out.

Governor Liu was indifferent, Master Lu and Qin Zhixian glanced at each other, and they both slandered that this Shizhi County must have escaped under the pretext of an excuse!

The two of them stared at each other and sat cautiously, hoping that the wine and food would be served quickly, so as to end this oppressive and embarrassing atmosphere.

There was a noise outside the private room, and a few well-fed customers walked past the door of the private room with their shoulders crossed.

"Wowhaha, Captain Sha, we'll be working in the same city from now on! If you look down and don't see what you look up, we can be close and close. A bold and rugged voice shouted.

"Of course." The person who was called Captain Sha burped and said, "Little brother, I have been in the capital for most of my life, and it is rare to meet such a bold person as Brother Long here, and I have a meal today." It was the eldest brother who invited our brother, another day. Little brother me, uh. Be the east, let's take a good look at the whole table......"

"Captain, let's invite General Long, that can be a little higher-level, and we can't let General Long underestimate the officers and soldiers of our Beijing camp." Someone next to him shouted with a smile.

Captain Sha laughed, "I've inquired, the most upscale restaurant in Pingliang City is the Drunken Immortal Building, next time, let's go to the Drunken Immortal Building!" ”

Right now. Governor Liu and Master Lu came out of the private room with gloomy faces, and happened to block in front of Captain Sha's group.

"Captain Sha!" Governor Liu stared at the group of people in front of him and didn't speak, but Master Lu glared at the Captain Sha and shouted through gritted teeth.

"Lord Liu? Lv, Master Lu? Captain Sha and Pingliang guerrilla deputy general Long Feng walked in the front, and Captain Sha recognized at a glance that the two people in front of him were Liu Zhilun and Master Lu, the governor of Shaanxi.

A group of pro-soldiers behind him also recognized Governor Liu at this time. They all stood up straight, and saluted Governor Liu in fear. It's just that this group of people obviously drank too much, stood staggered, and screamed.

"Brother Sha. Who is this? "On the day of Governor Liu's arrival, Long Feng, the deputy general of the Pingliang guerrillas, was not qualified to go out of the city to greet him, and he did not know the new governor of Shaanxi and the prefect of Pingliang. He asked hesitantly.

Captain Sha cried with a sad face and whispered: "This is Lord Liu, the governor of Shaanxi." ”

Vice Admiral Long was taken aback. Hurriedly bowed his hand and said: "The last general, Pingliang guerrilla deputy general Long Feng, see Lord Zhongcheng." ”

Governor Liu glanced at Vice General Long lightly and ignored him. Asked Captain Sha directly: "This official ordered you to wait for you to be stationed in the prefect's yamen, but you took your subordinates out to spend all day drinking!" ”

Captain Sha's face was red, and he explained in a snort: "Your Excellency, General Long said that it was not easy for his subordinates and others to come from the capital and leave their hometowns, so he specially invited the brothers to come out for a few drinks...... The subordinates saw that the lord and Master Lu had already left the yamen, and there was nothing to do, and General Long was very gracious, so he accepted it......"

The guerrilla deputy general Long Feng also bowed his hand and said: "Yes, Lord Zhongcheng, it was a little caution of the last general to invite Captain Sha out for a drink, and Captain Sha refused to come out at first, but it was the last general cough cough cough and warm invitation, and Captain Sha agreed to come out." If Lord Zhongcheng wants to blame, blame it on the last general. ”

Governor Liu glanced at Vice General Long, frowned, and said, "This matter has nothing to do with General Long. Then he said in a deep voice to Captain Sha: "The prefect's yamen is on fire, almost burning down the entire prefect's yamen!" The fire is so bright that almost the people of the whole city know about it, and you, as the captain of the officer's own army, are still drunk and drunk here! What are you guilty of? ”

Captain Sha said blankly: "What, there is a fire in the mansion?" Subordinate...... The subordinates don't know ......"

Governor Liu snorted coldly, glanced at the group of soldiers behind Captain Sha, and said in a deep voice: "After you go back, go to Master Lu to receive the punishment!" Don't be embarrassed here, get out! With that, Governor Liu returned to the private room with a calm face, and the door of the private room slammed shut.

When the soldiers heard this, they hurried away with shame on their faces.

Governor Liu returned to the private room, his chest rose and fell sharply, obviously angry.

Master Lu carefully comforted: "Zhongcheng, the soldiers followed us to Shaanxi, and the conditions are very different from those in the capital. When the soldiers first arrived, it was inevitable that when they made mistakes, they would be punished a little, and they would not be angry about it. ”

"Bastard!" Governor Liu scolded, "The prefect's yamen is on fire, and even the captains of the personal soldiers under this official are eating and drinking outside!" How can this official have the face to ask others to do their duty? ”

Master Lu was silent for a while, and said cautiously: "Zhongcheng, this matter, it's no wonder that Captain Sha is scheming. ”

"Huh?" Governor Liu looked at Master Lu.

Master Lu said: "As soon as Captain Sha came out to drink, a fire broke out in the yamen, how can there be such a coincidental thing in the world." ”

"Hmm!" Governor Liu groaned and nodded slowly.

In the private room, Qin Zhixian stared at two confused eyes, not understanding what was going on.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

"Lord Liu? Master Lu? Shi Zhixian outside the door was calling: "Are you still inside?" How do you tie the door? The dish is coming......"

……

The next day, martial law was imposed in the prefect's yamen, and the servants and miscellaneous servants on duty were confined outside the prefect's yamen. More than a dozen scribes working in the prefect's yamen wanted to enter the prefect's yamen, but they were also stopped by Governor Liu's personal soldiers.

In the backyard of the prefect's yamen, Governor Liu took Master Lu with him. Lu Tongzhi, Huang Tuiguan and others walked around the open space in the backyard. Look at the pavilions that have been burned to the point where only a few black wooden bars are left as empty shelves. The anger in Governor Liu's heart rose slowly.

It's a garden-like backyard. It was burned by an inexplicable fire!

Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan stayed behind him and said nothing.

Governor Liu gritted his teeth and secretly made a decision.

Several people came to the main hall of the prefect's yamen, and after sitting down in turn, Governor Liu said in a deep voice: "The cause of the fire in the yamen this time, this official will order the people from the inspection department to come and investigate. But the investigation is an investigation, and this fire also shows that the defense force of the prefect's yamen is too weak! This official has decided to start today. All the guards and guards of the prefect's yamen are served by the official's personal barracks. The original servants, miscellaneous servants, were all resettled. Lu Tongzhi, I'll leave this matter to you! ”

Lu Tongzhi's eyes widened, and he said in surprise: "Lord Zhongcheng, what do you mean by other placements?" Dismiss? ”

Governor Liu said faintly: "How to do it, Lu Tongzhi will look at it." This official trusts Lu Tongzhi very much. ”

“…… Be. Lu Tongzhi was helpless. I had to take on this thankless errand.

"The prefect's yamen chief cattle catcher, have you come back?" Governor Liu asked again.

"Back to your lordship," Lu Tong knew: "I heard that the yamen was on fire, and the cow catcher rushed back at dawn today." ”

"Huh. It had been a long time since the fire had been extinguished, and he knew that he had rushed back! Don't catch your head like this! Governor Liu sneered. Sen Ran's eyes looked at Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan. Said: "From now on, Niu Auxiliary Machinery will be demoted to ordinary fast fishing!" ”

Lu Jizhi and Huang Tuiguan both looked at Governor Liu in amazement.

Huang Tuiguan coughed lightly. Facing Governor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, he said softly: "Lord Zhongcheng wants to remove a yamen to catch the head, that is also a matter of Lord Zhongcheng's words, and the lower officials and others have no opinion." It's just that Xia Guan remembered that Niu Fuji was originally just a small catcher in Xi'an Mansion, and he was able to be transferred to Pingliang City to be the chief catcher, and I heard that it was because of some unclear relationship with Wu Zhiwang, the governor of the three sides. Lord Zhongcheng said a word, and removed the head of the cow, I don't know if there will be any objections from Governor Wu's side. ”

Governor Liu and Master Lu were stunned when they heard this.

The Hope of the Trilateral Governor Wu? How can a small head catcher of the Pingliang Prefect's Yamen still have a relationship with the second-class members of the court and the governors of the three sides?

Governor Liu came to Shaanxi with great ambition to be the governor, and in Shaanxi, there was only one trilateral governor Wu Zhiwang who could manage him. Although Governor Wu is an outdated governor in the eyes of the ministers of the court, as long as the court has not removed him for a day, he will still be the governor of the three sides and the official of the territory!

For the sake of a small head catcher, offending the top boss, this business is extremely not cost-effective.

Governor Liu choked for a long time, and said in a deep voice: "Master Lu, you will check again in a while, how is the appearance of the cow catcher on weekdays." ”

After Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan went out, Governor Liu and Master Lu came to Governor Liu's signing room, ordered his soldiers to guard outside, and the two locked up in the room to talk secretly.

The house is the signing room of Zhang Fengqi, the original prefect of Pingliang. Governor Liu just came, and before he had time to adjust the room, the desk, desk, coffee table, chair and other objects used were all left by Zhang Fengqi.

Governor Liu and Master Lu sat casually, looking like they had been good friends for many years. However, the things we talk about are very unusual.

"The relationship between Niu Zhutou and Governor Wu, you can find out for me." Governor Liu said, and then shook his head again and said: "Forget it, I am going to Guyuan Prefecture to visit Governor Wu in two days, and I will personally ask Master Wu then." ”

Master Lu nodded, put aside the report frame, took out a large file from his arms, and arched his hand towards Governor Liu: "My lord, you asked your subordinates to verify the matter of the Pingliang Mansion officials' investigation, and the subordinates have already found out." ”

"Oh?" Governor Liu said happily: "Master Lu is fast!" How about it, can Shi Junsheng and Qin Feng's evaluations be revoked? ”

Master Lu sighed, shook his head and said: "Judging from the file, the stains cited in the evaluation are complete with human and material evidence, and it is in line with the rules to evaluate Shizhi County as imprudent and Qin Zhixian as inaction. Moreover, on the inspection report, there are not only the signatures of the officials of the Yamen of Pingliang Prefecture, but also the signatures of the officials of the Shaanxi Political Envoy Department, and the Governor Wu has also approved the submission to the Ministry of Officials. ”

Governor Liu scolded with hatred: "This Pingliang Mansion is simply Xu Liang's one-handed covering!" They dare to ignore the orders of their own officials, they really deserve to be killed! ”

Master Lu was silent, slapped the file with his left hand, and said with a wry smile: "Lord Zhongcheng, even so, we have nothing to do with him except for idle Xu Liang." This son is young, but he is very old. Take this inspection file as an example, the subordinates inquired about the insiders in the prefect's yamen, and when your order was conveyed by Jinyiwei to the prefect's yamen, it was February 17, however, this file showed that the date of the evaluation was February 16, just before your order arrived. In this way, even if Xu Liang wants to work against adults, we can't get the slightest fault from him. ”

"Damn!" Governor Liu scolded, but he also understood that Master Lu was reasonable. Although Xu Liang is young, he is extremely cunning in doing things for others, so that you know that it is his ghost, but there is nothing you can do about him. Several things happened to Governor Liu one after another, the assassination of the black-clothed man on the way to office, the fire in the backyard of the prefect's yamen, and the hurried inspection of officials, Governor Liu could be sure from his heart that this qiē was all done by Xu Liang, but there was no evidence.

Governor Liu stroked his forehead and felt a sense of powerlessness. Finger tapped the dossier and said, "The purpose of this official's visit to Shaanxi is to quell the rebellion of the people's army in Hanzhong Mansion, and second, to stabilize the situation of Pingliang and break the situation of Xu Liang's single-handedness. Now it seems that the vast majority of officials under the rule of Pingliang Mansion have been gathered together by Xu Liang, but Xu Liang's horse is the first to look forward to it, and he regards the decrees and laws of the court as nothing. If we want to break the deadlock, we can only break down the division and break each one. Shi Junsheng, the former magistrate of this town, and Qin Feng, the former magistrate of Chongxin County, no matter what their evaluation results are, these two people must be protected. This official just wants to show the officials at all levels in Pingliang Mansion, follow this official, no matter how big a mistake they make, this official can protect them! As long as this head is opened, the official believes that more and more officials will break away from Xu Liang and return to the court. When the time comes, you can take down Xu Liang in one go! ”

Master Lu nodded slowly and said, "But, my lord, the file has already been submitted to the Ministry of Officials." ”

Governor Liu immediately pointed at Master Lu and shouted: "Immediately send a letter to the old man Cao Ge in the capital, asking him to keep these two people no matter what!" ”

When Master Lu heard this, he got up neatly, found a pen and paper in the room, and wrote a letter to Cao Yubian, a scholar of the cabinet of the dynasty and the imperial historian of the left capital. After the letter was written, it was presented to Governor Liu, who took a look, took the brush, wrote his name at the check-in place, and smiled at Master Lu: "Master Lu's handwriting is becoming more and more like an official!" ”

Master Lu said modestly: "My lord has won the prize!" ”

Judging from the handwriting on the paper, the text and the signature of the letter seem to have been written by the same person, and there is nothing unusual about it.

Master Lu dried the ink and put the letter in the envelope. Suddenly, I heard a soldier outside the door whispering, "My lord, there is a Liu member outside who asks to see you." (To be continued......)