In the eleventh year of the rising sun, the sixteenth day of the seventh month

The scorching heat of midsummer was briefly dispersed on this day, and the dark clouds covered the entire imperial capital, and the rain continued to be cloudy, which seemed to indicate that this day was unusual.

As soon as the curfew passed in the morning, Liu Xin, who was having breakfast in the side hall, received an urgent order from Jinyiwei.

Liu Xin hurriedly finished his meal, got on his horse and rushed to the hundred households.

Jinyiwei has an urgent order, and he must arrive as soon as possible.

From the bargain shop to the 100 households, it will take less than half an hour to arrive if you are fast, and at this time it is just past the curfew, and there are not many people on the street.

Riding a horse and galloping, this old Liu Baihu's cherished horse is actually not small, and the speed is no longer at its peak, so Liu Xin secretly thought in his heart that he could change horses, but he didn't know what the price of a treasure horse was, so he turned around and asked Senior Brother Cheng.

Galloping all the way, the fine small fish wet the fish and dragon suit, the back is dry, but the front is wet.

Beating the horse and coming to the front of the hundred households, Liu Xin turned over and dismounted, and immediately a lieutenant recognized Liu Xin, and quickly stepped forward to lead the horse.

Liu Xin strode into the 100 households, and the 100 households were already full of people, and most of the school captains had already arrived. Guo Yong, Liu Fu, Ding Mingfu, and Jiang Shixi have also been assembled.

"What is the order of the Thousand Households?" Liu Xin got straight to the point, and as soon as the person appeared, he had already opened his mouth to ask.

Guo Yong turned his head to see Liu Xin, and a complicated and resentful look appeared on his face, as if to say, you dead ghost has disappeared for several days, why did you come now, do you know how I lived before.

"Liu Baihu, you're here!" Guo Yong first said hello.

Liu Fu is an honest man, and when he saw Baihu asking, he followed Guo Yong and told him about a major incident that happened in Jinyiwei last night.

After listening to Liu Fu's narration, Liu Xin was shocked for the first time, because last night Jinyiwei actually died a thousand households, and it was in the imperial capital.

"Shao Shiwang is dead?" Liu Xin blurted out.

Guo Yong frowned slightly, he felt that Liu Baihu was a little too straightforward, and he was a thousand households, how could he call him a big name. But now is not the time to worry about this, so Guo Yong replied:

"Yes, Shao Qianhu died in Fangma Street in the outer city. According to this morning's investigation, Shao Qianhu was attacked on the way home from Mingyue Xiaolou. The commander personally ordered, and Kou Tongzhi personally inspected the scene, and found that there were only two killers, one of whom was good at attacking from a distance, and he used an iron bow of at least seven stones! One is good at close combat. Shao Qianhu's guards were all killed by bows and arrows, while the other person entangled Shao Qianhu. ”

"The two killers may be Dacheng Realm!" Guo Yong finally concluded.

Liu Xinwen smacked his tongue, the imperial capital is really mixed, any case is three Dacheng realms, Shao Shiwang, as a thousand households, is also a proper senior Dacheng realm, this is the hard standard for serving a thousand households!

Any Dacheng realm is enough to open a sect on the rivers and lakes!

Of course, this was before Emperor Wu City dominated the rivers and lakes, but it was still enough to become a powerful party and its reputation spread far and wide.

And in Guo Yong's words, there is one point that Liu Xin cares about, that is, the iron bow, at least seven stones!

If it weren't for the coincidence that there were two masters who were also good at making bows, then this person should be the same person who attacked and killed Jian Fangliang yesterday!

"And what are the preparations in the guard now?" Liu Xin wanted to know what Jin Yiwei was going to do next.

Guo Yong said in a deep voice: "The commander has already ordered the Jinyi Guard to strengthen the inspection of the inner city, as well as all outsiders in the imperial capital in the near future!" ”

"That's it?" Liu Xin frowned, a thousand households died, shouldn't he have searched for those two killers.

Guo Yong explained for Liu Xin: "That's the case, Shao Qianhu is not only a Jinyi Wei Qianhu, he is also a member of Xungui. His teacher went to the Commander early this morning, hoping that we would keep a low profile. ”

"Shao Shiwang's teacher?" Liu Xin was puzzled, in the information given to him by the secret investigation team, there was not much information from Shao Shiwang, after all, a thousand households, in the eyes of the secret investigation team, was just a small fish.

Guo Yong's voice couldn't help but be a little quieter, he took two steps forward, and said, "Shao Qianhu's teacher is Xia Yunhe, the Duke of Jiangyin, one of the five county dukes of the National Dynasty!" ”

It's him!

Liu Xin knew that this Duke of Jiangyin used to be Zhu Guangxiao's deputy, a fierce general in the world, but now he is in his old age, but he is still the real power faction among the nobles.

It's just that he seems to be a person in the same vein as Tuoba Yunhan now, and he is the kind of person who is willing to dedicate himself and act as a pawn for Tuoba Yunhan without complaint or regret.

"Shao Qianhu used to be in the army, and he followed the account of the Duke of Jiangyin to obey orders, and later the position of the Jinyi Wei Qianhu was also handled by the Duke of Jiangyin for him!" Guo Yong told everything he knew and heard over the years.

Liu Xin nodded, he knew that Tuoba Yunhan was now changing military power with Zhu Guangxiao. Although His Majesty the Emperor's will has not yet been made, several parties have reached a tacit understanding, Zhu Guangxiao is the current Zhengyang God of War, the first marshal, and most of the entire military is his disciples, protégés or fellow brothers.

Although Tuoba Yunhan's military exploits are not much lower than Zhu Guangxiao's, after all, the foundation is shallower than Zhu Guangxiao. When Zhu Guangxiao was in power, Tuoba Yunhan was still a noble second generation.

When Tuoba Yunhan rose, many people were already tied to Zhu Guangxiao.

Of course, everyone can call each other brothers when they are fine, but when it comes to the critical moment, when they need to stand in line, no one will care about their feelings on weekdays.

Since it is a transfer of rights, there are huge interests involved.

The veterans gave way to the juniors, so they must give some benefits, and not everyone is a military meritorious person like Tuoba Yunhan. When everyone is about the same, why should the old man's position be handed over to you, if you don't feed the old man and give enough benefits, what if the old man just doesn't move his ass?

And younger people, since they want to change teams, you can change them, and others are okay. Some people are waiting to divide the part of the cake left by Zhu Guangxiao.

In fact, Zhu Guangxiao and Tuoba Yunhan had a good relationship, but at this time, Zhu Guangxiao had to be silent for the benefit of the people who followed him.

In order to smoothly take over what Zhu Guangxiao left behind, Tuoba Yunhan is also carrying out a series of activities passively or actively. And the group of people who were already following him were naturally going all out at this time, as long as Tuoba Yunhan got more, the more they could get in the future.

One of the best is Jiangyin Gong.

The daughter of the Duke of Jiangyin is one of the two biggest underworld leaders in the imperial capital, and she has accumulated countless wealth, just to support Tuoba Yunhan's actions.

In fact, this matter is also silently promoted by the emperor behind the scenes, in the process of replacing the old and the new, the alternation of official positions is not the final say of the two officials themselves, but also with the consent of His Majesty the Emperor.

In other words, the emperor earns the difference in the process, which can also be said to be a handling fee.

At such a critical moment, a very important help of Jiangyin Gong died suddenly, and I don't know what is hidden behind it. Therefore, Jiangyin Gong will definitely investigate, but he must first suppress the matter, and then investigate secretly.

Liu Xin thought so, and it wasn't until Guo Yong opened his mouth that he interrupted Liu Xin's thoughts: "Now Liu Qianhu has asked us to allocate half of the manpower, and this part of the manpower will be supplemented to the inspection in the city, and it seems that it has been allocated to the Qianhu Office in the inner city." ”

"That's not..."Liu Xin stopped halfway through his words, and the Thousand Households in Inner City belonged directly to Wang Zhongjie, the commander of the Jinyi Guard.

It is said that he has never seen this Wang Zhongjie and Lord Wang until now, and he has only seen Kou Gang, the supreme leader of the Fusi Division in Beizhen.

Guo Yong seemed to see the meaning of Liu Xin's words, and nodded silently.

Liu Xinhui nodded tacitly.

In fact, regarding Shao Shiwang's matter, Jin Yiwei's urgent order meant to let everyone keep it secret and not spread it without authorization.

In fact, it was the commander who got the understanding of the Jiangyin Duke and prepared to check it in private. Don't make the city full of storms, the matter of the Imperial Horse Supervisor in front is not over yet, and there is another file in the back, if you listen to the heavens, maybe Your Majesty will be angry.

And now, although it is not hidden from the emperor, it is also said by a specific person in an understatement way, after all, a brocade guard Qianhu, an earl, in front of the emperor, can say nothing is nothing.

Shao Shiwang's matter is just a trivial matter for the Thousand Households in Inner East City, and the case of the Imperial Horse Supervisor is hanging on the head of the Thousand Households in Inner East City, which is the most important matter.

Cheng Guotao came to Wenxuanfang Baihu in person shortly after Liu Xin's order. Cheng Guotao first glanced at Liu Xin with strange eyes, and then he didn't hide it, and said straight to the point:

"Lord Qianhu said that there has been significant progress in the case of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, let me ask Liu Baihu."

Liu Xin also preferred this way of speaking, so he said the words that had been prepared a long time ago: "Don't worry, Lord Qianhu, I am lurking in Dongchang just to find out the news for us Jinyiwei!" ”

Cheng Guotao showed a look of surprise on his face and asked, "What can Liu Baihu inquire about?" ”

Liu Xin talked about Jian Fangliang's matter in general, and said that the possible evidence had been destroyed, and the one who destroyed the evidence was also a master with a big bow, at least with Yuan Dongxiang, he didn't dare to pursue it easily.

Cheng Guotao came here to test Liu Xin, Liu Xin said simply, so he didn't stay long, and Cheng Guotao hurriedly returned to Qianhu.

Tell Liu Licheng what Liu Xin said, Liu Licheng's face remained unchanged, and his fingers kept tapping on the table.

"Big brother, will what Liu Xin said be false, where is such a coincidence, the same person who destroyed the evidence they found and killed Shao Qianhu?"

Cheng Guotao questioned Liu Xin's words a little, but Liu Licheng shook his head and said, "It's not necessarily all lies. At least yesterday on West Chang'an Street, it was true that Yuan Dongxiang and a group of Dongchang people were attacked, and some people on the street did see someone shooting with a bow and crossbow, including a rocket, which burned something. And in the end, Yuan Dongxiang relied on a large number of Dongchang people to return to the imperial city, which also shows that Yuan Dongxiang is also very jealous of the archery man! ”

Stopping the action of tapping his fingers, Liu Licheng looked out of the door, his eyes were sharp, and said: "The same master with a bow, appearing in the imperial capital at the same time, is likely to be the same person!" It seems that we are going to get involved in Shao Shiwang's case. ”

Cheng Guotao was taken aback and said, "That's a case handled by the commander himself." ”

Liu Licheng said with a smile: "The investigation of this case is the joint efforts of the commander and the Duke of Jiangyin, we don't have to start with Jinyiwei." ”

Cheng Guotao said: "You mean, from the Duke of Jiangyin?" ”

Liu Licheng stroked his palm, feeling that he had never been so wise, he said slowly: "Shao Shiwang is dead, and there will be one less thousand households in the outer city, and Shao Shiwang and I have been operating before, letting one person enter the imperial capital Jinyiwei." And this person is Jiangyin Gong will definitely help, so we can find the master with the bow and find him, and we will be safe in the case of the Imperial Horse Supervisor. Even if we don't find the real culprit in the end, we are at least at fault. But at the same time, we are on good terms with Jiangyin, and even with the one behind him..."

In the end, Liu Licheng couldn't suppress the rise of the corners of his mouth.

Cheng Guotao was so happy to see his thousands of households for the first time during this time.

-----------------

Outside the imperial capital, Ao Changshen stood on the side of the official road in his usual clothes, watching a carriage slowly drive away from the imperial capital and head further north.

When the carriage disappeared at the end of the road, Ao Changshen got into his own carriage, and there was already a middle-aged man in the carriage who had been recuperating for a long time.

The middle-aged man was Qi Ji, he opened his eyes, looked at Ao Changshen lightly and said:

"What did Elder Billegr say to you?"

This statement is an obvious temptation.

Ao Changshen smiled and said, "What are you afraid of, Lord Qi, we will be our own people in the future." That Northern Barbarian Elder asked me to keep cooperating with you, and he was very satisfied with the way you brought me! ”

"Do you think I'll believe it?" Qi Ji sneered.

They came here half an hour ago, and there was no danger.

In a tea shed where all the Northern Barbarians were made, Ao Changshen, Qi Ji and the Northern Barbarian Wise Man Bileg drank tea together.

Ao Changshen just handed a note to Bileg, and after reading it, Bilegh was silent for almost a quarter of an hour. Then Qi Ji was invited into the carriage, and Bileg only said one word to Qi Ji:

"Continue to stay in the imperial capital, you will be fine, continue to play your role!"

Then in the next quarter of an hour, Qi Ji could only see through the car window from a distance that Ao Changshen and Bilege had been communicating with each other, almost without stopping.

But from the expressions of the two, Qi Ji couldn't see anything.

Then came the previous scene, and Bileg didn't even communicate anything with Qi Ji before leaving, which made Qi Ji feel faintly uneasy.

But he didn't have anything to do now, the Northern Barbarian warriors who were supposed to protect him all followed Billeg, and now there were only him and Ao Changshen here. If it weren't for the fact that he was accompanied by a guard he absolutely trusted, he almost wanted to escape.

But he didn't dare to bet, once he escaped, not to mention Ao Changshen, even the Northern Barbarians would not let him go.

Bilege said that let him continue to play his role, which means that the Northern Barbarians need him to continue to be his right squire in the army.

In silence, the carriage returned to the imperial capital.

When I left the city, I had just passed the curfew, and I went out of the city from Fuchengmen on the west side of the imperial capital, and the journey went smoothly.

When he entered the city, he encountered a carriage search, and Qi Ji could feel the anger on the person who searched the carriage, which was a very uncomfortable and familiar feeling for him.

Ao Changshen on the side said one sentence: "Jinyi Guard!" ”

At this time, Ao Changshen's face also sank, and he was no longer indifferent before.

Soon they arrived at their carriage, and a brocade-clothed guard in a changed costume lifted the curtain and let the two men out of the carriage, and then another scribe came over and questioned them carefully.

The scribe's questions were asked in great detail, and if they wanted to get through the tricks, it was really not easy for the two who were unprepared.

In the end, Qi Ji's performance was almost captured by the unscrupulous Jinyi Guard, and Ao Changshen, who had been watching here, scolded angrily in his heart, and then suddenly shouted loudly:

"What are you, you dare to interrogate me like this, find the commander of your city defense, the old man will not change his name or surname, Ao Changshen! I didn't bring anything to prove my identity, the old man's face is proof! ”

A momentum of the superior came out, and the interrogating scribe and the brocade guard suddenly did not dare to be arrogant, and the real guards at the city gate on the other side immediately trotted to invite someone.

As the guards of the city gate, they are actually quite knowledgeable, familiar with some of the big officials of the imperial court, and even the cars on the mansions of some high-ranking officials. In particular, Fuchengmen is close to Chengpingfang, and dignitaries and nobles come in and out a lot.

They are very familiar with the name Ao Changshen, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, that is a knife on the head of a hundred officials, this Ao Changshen is the fourth chair of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but the weight is not under the squire of the sixth department.

Soon the commander of the city gate guard arrived, and he naturally knew Ao Changshen, so he explained the situation here with a flattering smile, and quickly let Ao Changshen and Qi Ji's carriage pass.

Ao Changshen learned about Shao Shiwang's death and Jinyiwei's actions from this commander, but the clerk was not Jinyiwei's person.

Ao Changshen is not an ordinary person, as the fourth leader of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, in fact, he is expected to become the leader of the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the future, so he naturally has a few brushes. He thought of the Duke of Jiangyin, and quickly understood that the scribes at the gate of the city should be the handiwork of a group of nobles of the Qin Guogong faction headed by the Duke of Jiangyin.

Who killed Shao Shiwang without opening his eyes and stabbed the hornet's nest?

Ao Changshen has nothing to do with himself, and when he arrived at Chengpingfang, Ao Changshen politely arched his hand and got off the carriage and returned to the house by himself, and his mansion was naturally in Chengpingfang.

And Qi Ji opened the curtain and watched Ao Changshen walk away, but his eyes flickered, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

"Go home!" Qi Ji lowered the curtain and said coldly.

It didn't take long for Qi Ji, who had returned to Qi Mansion, to get out of the car, wave his hand, and follow the side of the carriage, and the silent young man with his back sword quickly followed Qi Ji.

This is a silent young man, tall and thin, unsmiling, silent on weekdays, standing aside, as if a transparent person.

But he is the source of Qi Ji's courage in the imperial capital, in fact, since he became a pawn of the Northern Barbarians, he has been trembling all the way. Especially when he still has to work hard in officialdom, he is always afraid that people will see through his identity as a traitor.

In fact, this is the common criminal psychology of those who commit adultery.

Everyone feels like they're doubting themselves and staring at themselves.

And this young man had been with him since five years earlier, and he had never doubted him from the beginning, and since he had been nominated to him by his only son.

Qi Ji didn't know much about this young man, only his name, and that he was his son's comrade-in-arms when he was in the border army, the two had experienced life and death together, and in the face of the iron cavalry of the Northern Barbarians, this young man saved his son's life!

When he came to the side hall, Qi Ji closed the door and said to the young man in a deep voice: "Xingjian!" Remember those old friends of mine, you go and contact them, assemble tonight, and tomorrow morning, we will leave the imperial capital! ”

The young man's name is You Xingjian.

You Xingjian nodded silently, was silent for a moment, and seeing that Qi Ji had no other instructions, he simply turned around, left the room, and left the Qi Mansion directly, walked south, and walked towards the outer city.

Qi Ji looked at the background of You Xingjian's departure, suddenly deflated, and sat down on the chair.