In the first year of Zhengde, the fifth day of October.

A group of people in civilian clothes carried three large boxes into the Dingguo Mansion.

These people are the eunuchs of the Needlework Bureau and the Hat Bureau. The box contains the queen's phoenix jewelry, wedding clothes, and phoenix crowns.

The news that Xia Dongyue is in the Dingguo Mansion must be kept secret. Emperor Zhengde, like the news of his wedding, must be kept secret. So these eunuchs are sneaky, and they say that they are tailor shops who enter the mansion to make winter robes for the people of the Xu family.

Immediately afterwards a carriage came to the door of the Duke's Palace.

Liu Xiaoyan, Chang Tian, Yan Jiao, and Mrs. Nine got out of the carriage and entered the house. The emperor's wedding is imminent, and they must join in the fun. Help Xia Dongyue to dress up, try on Zhai clothes and other emotional scenes must be done enough.

After all, Xia Dongyue is the Chang family's biggest backer in the harem in the future.

Zhengyangmen.

Zhang Heling and Liu Jian waited for the time when the Qintian superintendent surveyed the festival and left the capital.

More than seventy percent of the civil officials in Beijing came to Zhengyangmen to see them off. Naturally, the civil officials did not send Zhang Heling, the envoy of the festival, but the deputy envoy of the festival, their backer Liu Jian.

Chang Feng also appeared in the crowd. Walked straight to Zhang Heling and Liu Jian.

When Liu Jian saw Chang Feng, he said angrily: "Don't work for you to send it off." You've killed too many people, and you've got too much anger on you. It will collide with the joy after the festival. ”

Chang Feng didn't look at Liu Jian at all: "Shoufu is wrong, I'm not here to send you." I'm here to see off my uncle! ”

Liu Jian touched his nose and smoked. But he still managed to keep his expression calm.

Liu Jian comforted himself in his heart: in five days, the Eight Tigers and Changfeng will be chopping board fish. At that time, the first favorite of the Hongzhi Dynasty will become a prisoner of the rank and taste the taste of imprisonment.

Chang Feng arched his hand towards Zhang Heling: "Shou Ninghou, I wish you a smooth journey." ”

Zhang Heling said with a smile: "Don't worry, I will definitely take my nephew and daughter-in-law back to Beijing smoothly." ”

Zhang Heling's guy has no reason to be a minister. In front of others, he has always called Emperor Zhengde "my emperor's nephew".

Liu Jian doesn't like Zhang Heling. It should be said that no one in the government and the opposition, including Emperor Zhengde and Chang Feng, can look down on Zhang Heling. This guy is simply disgusted with dogs.

Liu Jian said: "Uncle Guo, please be cautious, please use honorific titles." ”

Zhang Heling glanced at Liu Jian: "What honorific title." Don't say that he is the emperor, he is considered to be the Jade Emperor, and he is also my nephew! That's the meat that fell from my sister's body! ”

Xiucai met Bing, and he couldn't explain it clearly. The same is true when Shousuke meets the rogue uncle.

The auspicious time has arrived, Zhang Heling and Liu Jian got on the sedan chair and headed south.

Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei. As soon as he saw Qian Ning's crying face, he knew that Xie Jian still hadn't shown up.

Qian Ning said: "Xie Gan, this guy is really ruthless and unjust!" His own child slipped the tire, and he didn't go to Xixiaojing Hutong to take a look. ”

Chang Feng asked: "Have you found anything in the eyes and ears of several counties in the suburbs of Beijing?" ”

Qian Ning shook his head slightly: "There are no clues of any tiger sin box." ”

Chang Feng sat on the chair and was silent.

Whatever you do, you have to prepare for the worst.

Emperor Zhengde's big wedding and pro-government can't be stopped by anyone.

It is possible that the Tiger Sin Box will not be found in the end. The civilian-bureaucratic clique will make public the evidence of the Eight Tigers. At that time, Emperor Zhengde, who had just become pro-government, would probably abandon the Eight Tigers in consideration of the turbulent public opinion.

If this is the case, the civilian clique must not be allowed to dominate the court and suppress the monarchy's power.

The best way to do this is to support one group of civil servants and compete with another.

Chang Feng made up his mind, once the Eight Tigers really lost power, he would give his full support to his father-in-law Li Dongyang and fight against Liu Jian and Xie Qian.

After so many years of ups and downs in the court, Chang Feng already has the old way of thinking about seeking a country.

Palace West Garden, Leopard Room.

Emperor Zhengde is practicing the use of a Western bird gun in the company of the fire man Yasan.

The so-called Western bird gun is actually the Spanish "Mushtec" arquebus.

The Eight Tigers stood aside, except for Zhang Yong, the rest of the Seven Tigers were all worried, and they were all in a lawsuit.

Emperor Zhengde glanced at them, and then began to practice.

"Bang"! Emperor Zhengde shot a gun impartially, and a winter melon was placed thirty paces away in the middle.

The Eight Tigers shouted in unison: "The Emperor Shoots!" The emperor is heroic! ”

Emperor Zhengde didn't pay attention to Liu Jin, but threw the bird gun to Jiang Bin: "Jiang Bin, what do you think of this bird gun?" ”

Jiang Bin shook his head slightly: "Your Majesty, compared with bows and arrows, the bird's gun has a short range, it is troublesome to load, and the accurate head is not as good as a bow and arrow." This thing is still playful, fighting. Embroidered pillows only. ”

Emperor Zhengde said: "In this matter, you are not as insightful as Chang Feng." I told him that a few days ago. He asked me three questions. ”

Jiang Bin asked: "Dare to ask the emperor, what three questions did Chang Shuai Ye ask?" ”

Emperor Zhengde said: "First question, how long does it take to train a skilled infantry archer?" ”

Jiang Bin replied: "If the trainee is tall and mighty, and his arms are strong. It takes three years. ”

Emperor Zhengde asked again: "The second question, how long does it take to train a skilled cavalry archer?" ”

Jiang Bin replied: "Three years of archery and two years of riding archery. It takes five years. ”

Emperor Zhengde asked: "The third question, how long does it take to train a skilled bird gunner?" ”

Jiang Bin looked at the bird gun in his hand: "I'm afraid it will only take two or three months." ”

Emperor Zhengde said: "During the Hongwu Dynasty, Muying, Marquis of Xiping, repeatedly quelled the rebellion of the natives in Yunnan. It's just firearms. He also pioneered the three-stage firearm combat method. ”

"During the Battle of Jingjing, the Yan army was also equipped with a large number of firearms. After Grandmaster Tai ascended the throne, he knew the utility of firearms. So the Divine Machine Battalion was created. ”

"It's a pity that after the change of the civil fort, the Shenji Battalion existed in name only. In terms of the border army, they also gradually abolished firearms and focused on bows, crossbows, knives and guns. ”

"In my opinion, the reuse of firearms by the Ming army is the trend of the times. The training of the bird hand is simple, even if a farmer has never used a knife or gun since childhood, he can train a useful bird hand in two or three months. ”

"When I am in power, the first thing I will do in armaments is to order the Ministry of Industry to imitate the Western bird."

Liu Jin on the side was busy patting his ass: "The emperor is really far-sighted." ”

Emperor Zhengde smiled slightly: "I look at the eight of you, except for Zhang Yong, all of them have sad faces. Are you worried that there is too much shit under your buttocks, and Chang Feng can't wipe it clean when he reaches out to help you wipe it, right? ”

Liu Jin was stunned.

Emperor Zhengde said: "I told you a long time ago, be restrained, don't be caught by the two gentlemen by the pigtails." You don't listen! ”

The seven evil tigers knelt down in unison and kowtowed uncontrollably: "The old slave is guilty." "Only Zhang Yong stands out from the crowd.

Emperor Zhengde pointed at Zhang Yong: "Liu Daban'er, you should learn from the strong man Zhang, not Wang Zhen when Yingzong was in time." ”

Liu Jin hurriedly said: "The emperor's teachings, the old slave keeps them in mind. Yes, it's time to learn from Zhang Gonggong. ”

Emperor Zhengde asked, "Mr. Liu is out of Beijing?" ”

Liu Jin replied: "Counting the time, you should have already left Beijing." ”

Emperor Zhengde said: "Okay." Or Chang Feng has a strategy. Let Mr. Liu go out of Beijing with the festival. Oh, Chang Feng is helping you delay time! Receive his affection. ”

Liu Jin promised: "Yes, yes." The old slave leads the love of the handsome man. ”

Let's say that Chang Feng was struggling to find Xie Gan, and he was depressed. simply got out of the Jinyi Guard, and walked around the streets of the Governor's Mansion of the Sixth Department and the Fifth Army.

Walking and walking, he entered the military department and went to the duty room of Wang Shouren, the military selection division.

Wang Shouren made tea for Chang Feng: "Why did you remember coming to me?" The sky in the capital is cloudy, and Chang Shuai should be so busy that his feet don't touch the ground. ”

Chang Feng raised the teacup: "You also smell the smell of the wind and rain?" ”

Wang Shouren said: "In the officialdom of the capital, everyone knows that Liu and Xie are the two elders and the Eight Tigers when it comes to deciding the winner and deciding life and death. ”

Chang Feng asked: "Who do you think wins and who loses?" ”

Wang Shouren smiled: "I'm not a fortune teller. But my Wang family, father and son, will not bet in this gamble. ”

"I advise you not to bet either."

Chang Feng smiled bitterly: "I'm already in a gambling game. It is impossible not to bet. ”

Wang Shouren restrained his smile: "I advise you not to help the Eight Tigers." If Liu and Xie are defeated, the Eight Tigers will gain power. They will definitely be meaner, more greedy, and more unscrupulous. ”

Chang Feng was silent.

Wang Shouren said: "Say something that doesn't matter. Although the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty are greedy, they understand this truth - greed is greedy, and trouble is trouble. But we must not kill Daming. ”

"As long as the big tree of Daming does not fall, they and their children and grandchildren will always be glorious and rich."

"Not so with the Eight Tigers. These people have no bottom line, let alone a sense of the overall situation. If they are in control of the court, they will do anything out of the ordinary. ”

Chang Feng sighed: "Alas. I've been in the same boat with the Eight Tigers for a long time, and it's too late to get out. ”

"This ship is the emperor's ship. The emperor asked me to protect the Eight Tigers, and as his pro-army commander, I could only do so. ”

"Say it selfishly. If the Eight Tigers lose power, Liu and Xie's next target is my Changfeng. For the sake of the safety of the Chang family, I can't be a spectator from the sidelines in this political struggle. ”

Wang Shouren said: "People are not saints, everyone has selfishness. I understand you. ”

(Note: The word "understanding" is not of modern origin.) Su Shi's "The Legend of Zhong Miaotang" in the Song Dynasty has clouds: the understanding of Ku Ding, and the nose of Yingren. ）

Chang Feng took a sip of tea and asked, "Brother Shouren." If you were to hide something hidden, where would you hide it? ”

Wang Shouren thought for a while and replied, "Hide in the most conspicuous place." This is called 'black under the lamp'. ”

Wang Shouren's words reminded Chang Feng.

Chang Feng put down the teacup and got up: "I still have something to do, let's go first." ”

Wang Shouren said: "I'll send you out." ”

Chang Feng said: "No need. Let your fellow civil servants see you walking side by side with the butcher of the Jinyi Guard, and maybe some gossip will come out. ”

Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei, convened a group of confidants, and told everyone what Wang Shouren said, "It is dark under the lamp".

Chang Feng said: "Tell me, which places may be 'dark under the lamp'?" ”

Qian Ning said: "Liu Jian and Xie Qian's mansion? That's not right. Liu and Xie have our eyes and ears in the house. According to Yan Xiaoqi, there are more than 200 tiger sinners alone. If so many people had entered their mansions, their eyes and ears would not have gone unnoticed. ”

Shi Wenyi said: "Could it be a prison of the Criminal Department?" ”

Chang Feng shook his head: "It shouldn't be." If he was in the prison of the Criminal Department, Yan Xiaoqi would not have been unaware. ”

Zhang Cai said: "All the officials in the capital have our eyes and ears. If the tiger crime box was in which official office, and more than 200 witnesses were so conspicuous, we would have already detected the rumors. ”

Chang Feng took out a map of Jingshi Kanyu and spread it on the table.

He pointed to Nancheng: "Could it be in Nancheng, where the peddlers and pawns gather?" Qian Ning, you immediately take 3,000 robes and go to Nancheng to conduct a big search. ”

Channing asked, "On what grounds?" ”

Chang Feng replied: "It's simple, let's just say that there are Tatar spies in Beijing." Search for Tatar agents. ”

Guarding against tartars is a panacea. In the past two years, Jin Yiwei has done anything out of the ordinary, and he has declared that he is "guarding against Tatars".

Qian Ning smiled: "Yes, it's time to let the unlucky Tatars carry the black pot again." ”

Chang Feng said: "You can't say that. The Tatars were the greatest enemy of the Ming Dynasty. Isn't it reasonable that if anything happened in the Ming Dynasty, it must have been done by the Tatars? ”

Wang Miaoxin said on the side: "The huge southern city, the search of the three thousand guards in the robe of the light is not complete, I am afraid that the search will not be completed in a few days." ”

Chang Feng said: "Qian Ning, you go to Zhang Yong's father-in-law, and borrow 7,000 regiments of battalions from him to assist Jinyi Wei in the search." ”

Zhang Yong is now not only the governor of Dongchang, but also the top boss of Jinyiwei. He is still in charge of the 12th regiment battalion. Emperor Zhengde trusted him beyond measure. This trust even made Liu Jin a little jealous.

Liu Jin also wants to manage the soldiers.

At the end of the day, 3,000 brocade guards and 7,000 regimental battalions marched into the southern city. The whole Nancheng suddenly jumped with chickens and dogs.

In the evening, Chang Feng returned home.

A subordinate reported: "Master, Mrs. said that she lived in the Dingguo Mansion with the county lord of Wanping and Aunt Jiu tonight and will not come back." ”

Chang Feng bowed slightly: "Well, I know." ”

After a while, another servant said: "Master, Grandpa Liu is visiting." ”

After a while, Liu Jin came to Chang Feng: "Little uncle, how is the investigation of the tiger crime box?" ”

Chang Feng replied: "I still haven't found any clues." ”

Liu Jin said: "Huh? My little uncle, you have never missed any errand in the past twenty years. This time life and death are at stake, don't stumble. ”

Chang Feng comforted Liu Jin: "There are still five days left before the date of 'eliminating the tiger' agreed by the civil officials." You have to keep your mind steady. Don't rush. The girls in Yihong Mansion have a saying, which is vulgar but reasonable--I can't eat hot in a hurry."

Liu Jin said: "When survival is in danger, how can I sit firmly in Diaoyutai? ”

Chang Feng asked: "I didn't find any clues over there in Xichang Gu Dayong?" ”

Liu Jin said: "The West Factory has just reopened. It's not as good as your brocade guards. I can't count on Gu Dayong, I'm afraid I can't count on it. I can only count on you. ”

Chang Feng persuaded Liu Jin: "This time, if the eight of you can win." In the future, you must be honest and honest. Your butts are too big for me to wipe your butts all the time. ”

Liu Jin hurriedly said: "After suffering this loss, we have a long memory." You're right, you still have to be honest and errand. ”

Chang Feng's words have already been spoken. As for whether Liu Jin is in the left ear and out of the right ear, only God knows.

Chang Feng stared at Liu Jin. He suddenly remembered what the old minister Huaien said to him before his death: "Things will change, power will change, friends will become enemies, and enemies will become friends." ”

At that time, Chang Feng was just a fledgling young man and couldn't understand these words.

Looking at it now, this is really a wise saying.

Eleven years ago, Chang Feng washed away the grievances of Li Dongyang and Xie Qian and helped the two of them enter the cabinet.

But now, Xie Qian has become Chang Feng's sworn enemy. In order to bring him down, Xie Qian did not hesitate to design to put Liu Xiaoyan on his back.

Will Liu Jin in front of him become the second Xie Qian?

Thinking of this, Chang Feng felt a chill on his body.

At this moment, he made up his mind: when he found the Tiger Sin Box, he must hold it in his hand as a tool to balance the Eight Tigers in the future.

(End of chapter)