Zhao Rang and the others sailed all the way north from Zhenhai City, and arrived at the passenger ship dock on the outskirts of the Imperial City in just three days.

It was just dawn.

Today's winter solstice.

The winter solstice is a big solar term for the north.

"It's so cold in here......"

As soon as he got out of the cabin, Liu Feng said while rubbing his hands.

Having lived by the river for generations, I didn't think he was a landlubber!

Not only is it impassable, but it can also be seasick......

These three days, according to Liu Feng's words, are not much better than the dark days in the city lord's mansion of Zhenhai City.

Especially if there is a surge in the stomach?

I vomited so violently that I almost vomited out my brain......

Although it was cold outside at the moment, the cold wind was blowing, which could suppress his nausea a few points and make his mind rarely clear.

"Liu Gongzi's first time in the north?"

When Zhao Rang opened his mouth, he would spit out a strong white gas.

Especially on the winter solstice, the night is the longest, and the sun rises the latest.

"Zhao Gongzi said that he was laughing, he was originally from the north!"

Zhao Rang was stunned, as if he hadn't reacted yet.

Qingqing interjected beside her:

"Although Zhenhai City is by the river, it is also our northern territory. After all, it is separated from the other side by a Taishang River! ”

With such an explanation, Zhao Rang reacted.

Looking back on this long trip, it feels like a world away. Compared with the previous time, he slapped his head, and Yuan Mingkong took the lead in righteousness, and it was not far behind to go to the Western Regions.

"Yes, yes, I didn't say it right. Originally, they were all from the north, but the north was too big, separated by thousands of miles, and the customs were very different. ”

Liu Feng laughed a little embarrassed.

He knew in his heart that Zhao Rang didn't count himself as his own person at all.

Maybe in his heart, there are no good things in the entire Zhenhai City, let alone himself, a person who was coerced and lured and half-joined.

Thinking about his status in Zhao Rang's heart, it is better to help the old man Yuyin handle the ingredients in the cabin every day and stew seafood noodles in the morning!

That guy is a rare good person in Zhenhai City in Zhao Rang's heart, and he is also a poor person who is honest and has nothing to hate.

When I walked, I thought about the waterway for many days, and I felt that my mouth was dull.

The old man of Yuyin does have some ways of making fish, but three meals a day, eating fish every day, except for the people at the water's edge, I am afraid that no one can stand it...... Even if he is a chef who started making noodles, he is also well-versed in cooking, which is much stronger than the other three people!

Liu Feng's gaze was a little confused as he looked at the rising sun in the distance.

Although the sun rises late on the winter solstice, once it jumps out of the horizon, the light is extraordinarily dazzling, able to dispel all the cold and haze in the world.

"Zhao Gongzi, are we on the outskirts of the Imperial City?"

Liu Feng's voice trembled a little, not only because of the cold, but also because of the deep anxiety in his heart.

Zhao Rang nodded, with a bit of solemnity in his eyes:

"That's right, this is already the outskirts of the Imperial City."

Liu Feng thought that if he left Zhenhai City, he would be able to stay away from right and wrong, but he didn't expect to be swept into a deeper whirlpool.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse to be taken to the imperial city, he himself couldn't tell.

"Zhao Gongzi, can you tell me why you brought it to this imperial city?"

Liu Feng still couldn't help but ask the doubts in his heart.

Zhao Rang glanced at Liu Feng, and was silent for a moment before speaking:

"Young Master Liu, we brought you to the Imperial City, and there is no malice."

Liu Feng smiled bitterly.

No malice?

So why does he feel like he's been pushed to the cusp of the storm, and he could be crushed at any moment?

A cold wind blew, and Liu Feng couldn't help but shiver.

His clothes were already thin, and his body was extremely weak due to seasickness and vomiting for several days.

"Young Master Liu, you're wearing too thin!"

Qingqing said a lot.

Liu Feng was still wearing the gauze silk of the Southland.

Even if the yarn is very fine, but ten layers are not worth one layer of cotton, and no matter how good the yarn is, it can't withstand the winter wind in the north.

"No, no, no, don't get in the way, don't worry about the young girl!"

"Young Master Liu, let's go buy some clothes first."

Zhao Rang broke the silence and said.

Liu Feng nodded, followed behind Zhao Rang and Qingqing, and left the cabin.

The largest bazaar on the outskirts of the Imperial City is bustling with activity, and it seems to bring together the prosperity of the entire northern border.

The stalls are densely arranged, from east to west, and there is no end in sight.

The stall owners have their own talents, some shouting loudly, some whispering, and some beating gongs and drums with a unique rhythm, attracting the attention of passers-by.

The stalls selling winter coats are crowded with people selling everything from thick cotton clothes to delicate leather jackets. Not only is the texture excellent, but also the design is novel, attracting many customers to stop and choose.

Zhao Rang squeezed into the crowd with Liu Feng and Qingqing, pointed to a row of cotton clothes that were full of hanging, and said to Liu Feng:

"Young Master Liu, let's see which one you like?"

There was a bit of enthusiasm in his tone, as if he was introducing his baby to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng seemed a little absent-minded.

His eyes hurriedly swept over those cotton clothes, and there was not the slightest joy on his face.

Although these cotton clothes look good, in Liu Feng's eyes, they all look too ordinary and can't match his taste at all.

It's a pity that the chill on his body made Liu Feng have to make a compromise...... frowned, with a bit of helplessness in his tone, he casually pointed to a dark blue cotton coat and said:

"That's it."

Zhao Rang sensed Liu Feng's dissatisfaction, but he didn't think much about it, turned to the stall owner and asked:

"How much does this padded coat cost?"

The stall owner was a middle-aged man, slightly chubby, with a mercenary smile on his face.

He glanced at Zhao Rang and immediately recognized them as people from other places, a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

"This son has a good eye!"

The stall owner said with a smile.

"This cotton garment is made of fine cotton and satin, which is warm and comfortable. For the sake of the son's goodness, I will calculate a preferential price for you: ten taels of silver! ”

Ten taels of silver!

This padded coat is not worth the price at all!

It's obviously the stall owner who is blackmailing!

Qingqing glared at the stall owner and said unceremoniously:

"Boss, your price is too outrageous!"

The stall owner shook his head disapprovingly and said:

"Girl, you don't understand this. The prices we have here are not comparable to those in other places. Besides, my cotton coat is unique, if you miss it, it will be gone! ”

"Unique?"

Qingqing sneered.

"Boss, don't think that we are outsiders and are easy to bully. This cotton garment is sold everywhere, how can it be unique? ”

The stall owner choked on Qingqing's words, but he quickly regained his composure.

With a roll of his eyes, he changed his face and said:

"Girl, since you say so, then I'll give you a discount, how about eight taels of silver?"

"Eight taels?"

Qingqing pouted and said:

"Boss, your discount is too insincere! I don't think this cotton coat is worth more than a tael of silver. ”

When the stall owner heard this, he was anxious:

"One or two? Girl, you're kidding! How can my cotton coat be worth only one silver? ”

Qingqing was unmoved:

"Boss, listen carefully! I'm talking about less than a tael! But if you don't think it's appropriate, forget it. Anyway, the thing is yours, but the legs are on us, let's go, let's go to another house! ”

As he spoke, he pulled Zhao Rang and Liu Feng to turn around and leave.

When the stall owner saw this posture, he hurriedly shouted:

"Girl, please stay! One or two for one or two! I'll sell it to you at a loss! ”

Qingqing pretended to hesitate and said:

"Boss, I just let you hear clearly, I'm talking less than one or two! Besides, you asked for ten taels in front of you, saying that this winter coat is unique, even if it is sold to us for one tael, you will lose a lot of money, no, no, we can't ask for it! ”

The stall owner was already riding a tiger at this time, so he could only bite the bullet and say:

"No loss, no loss! Girl, don't worry! ”

As he spoke, he quickly wrapped up the cotton clothes and handed them to Qingqing. I'm afraid she will regret it.

She smiled at the stall owner and said:

"Thank you, boss!" Then he pulled Zhao Rang and Liu Feng away.

The laughter of a beautiful woman can always resolve all grudges.

The stall owner looked at their distant backs and secretly calculated that this business not only did not make money, but lost three big dollars...... But he could only consider himself unlucky, shook his head and sighed, and then continued to shout and solicit business.

The three of them shuttled through the crowd, stopping from time to time to watch the various goods on the stalls. Although the three of them are all from the north, Zhao Rang and Liu Feng are still curious about it when they come to the imperial city for the first time, even if it is just a market in the suburbs.

Especially the snacks at the bazaar.

Compared with Zhenhai City, it is very different, the taste is heavy, but it has a different flavor.

Liu Feng was a little uncomfortable at first, but gradually he also liked this unique taste.

While wandering around, Zhao Rang suddenly noticed that something was wrong.

His gaze swept over the crowd and then fixed on a tall man.

This man has a deep face, and at first glance he is from the Western Regions.

Zhao Rang quietly pulled Qingqing's sleeve, and then pointed at the man from the Western Regions.

Qingqing looked in the direction of Zhao Rang's finger, and a trace of vigilance flashed in her eyes.

Liu Feng did not notice the abnormality of Zhao Rang and Qingqing, and was still immersed in the customs of the north.

But Zhao Rang and Qingqing had no intention of shopping anymore, and their eyes kept following the man from the Western Regions.

The man from the Western Regions didn't seem to notice Zhao Rang and Qingqing's tracking, and took a few people to wander leisurely around the market, stopping from time to time to talk to the stall owner.

Their northern dialect is extremely authentic, and if you don't look at their faces, you can't tell that they are from the Western Regions.

The more Zhao Rang and Qingqing looked at it, the more they felt that something was wrong......

These people from the Western Regions not only speak well in the northern region, but also behave elegantly and politely, which is very different from ordinary people in the Western Regions.

What's more, what they buy is the daily things that the Western Regions need but don't have.

"What are these people from the Western Regions doing in the Imperial City?"

Zhao Rang asked in a low voice.

Qingqing was also confused, shook her head and said:

"I can't figure it out either...... People who come to the Western Regions from the Imperial City have to go through strict approval, and there are fixed solar terms and days every year. But if you look at them, they don't look like merchants from the Western Regions who came to do business. ”

Zhao Rang and Qingqing's observations became more and more detailed, and they found that the proportion of iron tools among the items purchased by these people from the Western Regions was surprisingly high.

Whether it's an iron bowl, an iron kettle, an iron basin, or an iron bucket, they buy it in large quantities!

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration flashed in Qingqing's mind, and she whispered:

"Zhao Rang, do you think these iron tools are used to make weapons?"

There is a shortage of iron in the Western Regions.

Zhao Rang once destroyed the underground arrow field of the Admiralty Dart Bureau together with Yuan Mingkong in the Western Regions Business Alliance, and he knows more about this!

Although these iron tools may seem ordinary, if they are used to make weapons, they are simply the best materials!

There has always been a delicate balance between the Northern Frontier and the Western Regions, and once this balance is broken, it will inevitably lead to a bloody storm.

"Zhao Gongzi, Qingqing girl, have you bought winter clothes?"

The old man said with a smile.

Zhao Rang and Qingqing couldn't laugh, and after briefly telling the old man Yuyin what they had just discovered, he also fell silent.

"Where should you three dolls go with this news, and I, the old man, will do the rest!

Qingqing said a little anxiously when she heard this:

"Senior Yuyin, you are old, how can you let you go on an adventure!"

The old man Yuyin shook his head:

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm a little older, but I'm quite flexible. And I also know the people of the Western Regions very well, so it's easier to find out their details. ”

Zhao Rang and Qingqing still wanted to argue, but they were stopped by the old man Yuyin waving his hand.

"Okay Yuyin senior, you must be careful!"

Zhao Rang and Qingqing admonished together.

The old man smiled at the three juniors, and his figure quickly disappeared into the crowd.

The walls of the imperial city shining in the sun shine brightly, showing the majesty and dignity of the royal city.

Inside the city walls, the watchtower is more than a few feet high, and the wooden structure is still strong after the wind and rain, and the black lacquer color adds a bit of mystery. Scattered in the city, condescending, you can see the movement of the entire imperial city.

Zhao Rang and Qingqing, since they entered the imperial city, have been under the close surveillance of the Investigation Division.

This is not an individual surveillance, but the overall control of the security of the Imperial City by the Investigation Division.

In the northeast corner of the Imperial City, there is a huge mansion, which is the headquarters of the entire Northern Investigation Division.

Zhao Rang still remembers the summary of the main building that he saw in the first floor:

In the imperial city, the towering tower, like a dragon soaring into the sky, majestic and pressing the clouds. The building is divided into five layers, each performing its own duties, such as the intersection of five fingers, to defend the tranquility and discipline of the imperial city. The structure is so amazing that the viewer is amazed.

The first place is the place where the welcome interrogation is held, and the atmosphere is solemn and unfathomable. All outsiders, regardless of dignity and humility, must step forward slowly, respectfully record their names, and make their identities clear. If a suspect prisoner is captured, he will be held in strict custody and subjected to the first cross-examination and hearing. The official eunuch in the hall sat upright, his expression was solemn, and his eyes were as sharp as a blade, which was daunting. The officials were busy in front of the hall and behind the hall, or recording prisoners' speeches, or passing on brief books, in an orderly manner.

The majesty of the tower, not only in the appearance of the tower, but also in its strict regulations. Heavy troops are stationed on all floors, with armor on their bodies, sharp blades in their hands, eyes like torches, and strict security to ensure that the building is safe. The officials in the building are all carefully selected talents, excellent in character and learning, loyal and trustworthy, and worthy of this position. They work tirelessly, scrupulously abide by their duties, and take the prosperity of the society and the peace of the people as their own responsibility. Like an invisible blade hanging high on the top of the imperial city, its majesty is sacred and cannot be desecrated. Shocked the traitors of the Quartet, so that they could not move forward, only looking up at the towers and sighing.

Ascend the double again, it is the treasury of classic information, which is hidden in the pavilion such as a forest, and the dossier is full of sweat cows, all of which are hidden according to the class, and they are not chaotic. The official of the key guards day and night to prevent the leakage of secrets. or read the old compilation, as a lesson for future events; Or log in to the new newspaper in case you need to forget. All the military and civil affairs are gathered here and become the eyes and ears and memories of the main building. The officials scrupulously fulfilled their duties and did not dare to slack off in order to ensure the integrity of the classics and the authenticity of the information. This treasury is an important place for the main building, which is related to the safety of the country, and must not be careless.

Above the triple level, it is the office of the officials of the Investigation Division. The officials of this generation are all shrewd and capable, and they are in charge of inspection and arrest. They either planned operations or commanded servants to track down the wicked. The interior furnishings are simple and functional, and the walls are hung with maps and decrees to show the importance of the duty.

The fourfold secret realm is particularly secluded, and it is also the cultivation place of secret agents. Among them, all kinds of equipment and obstacles are displayed, as if they are facing the enemy, to test the skills and resourcefulness of the scouts. The selection of the head of the sect is very strict, and those who are not brave and vigorous and witty are not allowed to enter the door. The students are determined to work hard, practicing day and night, or studying martial arts to strengthen their bodies, or practicing hiding to hide their whereabouts, or practicing the method of transmitting information to communicate information. After his art is completed, he will go deep into the tiger's den and brave the danger to defend the security of the country and ensure the stability of the society. The hidden sword of the imperial city of Cheng is also the solid barrier of the country.

As for the fivefold secret realm, it is unfathomable, and it is the hidden cultivation place of the owner of the main building and the core strategist. At the top of the heavy is mysterious. This is the secluded residence of the owner of the main building and the decision-making center. The interior is elegant and solemn, and there is a famous Danqing ink treasure hanging on the wall to highlight the charm of elegance. The interior furnishings are elegant and solemn, and the famous ink is hung on the wall to highlight the charm of elegance. The landlord and the think-tank, or sit and discuss, or meditate alone, strategize, win thousands of miles away, plan the country's grand plan The landlord and the think-tank, or sit and discuss, or meditate alone, plan the country's plan, and adjudicate the general affairs of the building. and the general affairs in the building. In the midst of their strategic planning, they won thousands of miles away, and their impact was far-reaching and unusual.

The fivefold land, each performing its own duties, such as the five organs of the human body, such as the five elements of mutual restraint, all are indispensable. The wisdom of the landlord and the wisdom of the think tank are the treasures of the main building and the pillars of the country. The reason why the main building can settle the imperial city and set order depends on the fact that each of these five-fold places performs its own duties.

When Zhao Rang really stood in front of the main building, there seemed to be an indescribable awe in his heart.

Each layer here represents the different functions of the Investigation Division.

From the welcome interrogation to the classic information, to the official office, every place is rigorous and orderly, like a precision machine, maintaining the peace of the imperial city.