Chapter 266: Clues

"Zhang Ji", Cui Huan recited the name and suddenly realized: "Did you write the poem last month (Night Mooring on Fengqiao)?"

Zhang Ji nodded and sighed: "It was written by the students that if the imperial examination failed, it was so depressed that it was hard to get rid of. It was the end of winter that I felt aroused."

Cui Huan looked eager and turned around and introduced to Li Qing: "My Lord, this son wrote a poem (night mooring on Fengqiao) last month, which can be called a seven-character quatrain."

He seemed to think of something, and he hurriedly took out a manual from his pocket, turned over a few pages, pointed to the poem above and handed it to Li Qing, "It's this, what a 'moon falls and crows crying and frost is everywhere in the sky', he is extraordinary!

Li Qing took it and smiled and said nothing. How could he not know? He had read this masterpiece before going to elementary school. This song seems to be the only one that has been passed down by Zhang Ji. However, this boy is now in a down-and-out way, so Li Qing smiled and said to Zhang Ji: "I am in a hurry to come to Suzhou, and there is a person who organizes documents around him. If you are willing, you might as well stay with me. How about it?"

If Li Qing said this sentence at a time, he would be despised by Zhang Ji and left. However, now his favor for Li Qing has increased slightly, and the scholars' aloofness is no longer necessary. In fact, it is indeed a shortcut to seek advancement by joining the powerful and wealthy as an aide. Li Qing has the financial power of the Tang Dynasty, and his former aide Gao Shi became Zuo Zangcheng. Although his position is not high, he has real power. Moreover, Zhang Ji is over thirty years old this year, and when the imperial examination failed and he was worried about his future, Li Qing's advice on how to remain unmoved.

But the words just now were too full, and at this moment, he seemed arrogant at first and respectful at the beginning. The contrast was too strong. Zhang Ji moved his thick lips and couldn't say a word.

Cui Huanji, who was next to him, admired Zhang Ji's talent and was embarrassed. Seeing that he was embarrassed, he immediately stood up to smooth things over for him and said, "Mr. Li is very quick to start, but things come suddenly. Why not let Zhang Ji think about it for one night and come back to reply to Mr. tomorrow. Wouldn't that be better?"

Li Qing also smiled with his hands behind his back, "No hurry! No hurry! This matter will be long."

A small storm passed like this. The boat continued to move forward. After turning, it was the shore. Along the moss-covered stone steps were walking ashore. A hundred steps away was the famous temple Hanshan Temple in the south of the Yangtze River. In a green bamboo forest, the yellow temple walls of Chu were particularly conspicuous, but Li Qing's eyes were not attracted by the famous temple. He stood in front of a broken wall with an extremely cold face. In front of him, a building covering an area of ​​100 acres had been burned to white ground, and several wild dogs were foraging in the ruins. The thick and charred main beam was inserted into the rubble and pointed at the sky diagonally, indicating the glory it once had.

"The fire began in the middle of the night. Most of the shopkeepers and the clerks inside died. Only a few people jumped into the well and escaped. More than one hundred people, only five people survived by chance." Cui Huan's voice became lower and lower, and his tone was heartbroken.

"Someone found a carriage transported more than a dozen large boxes away. After counting the warehouse, they found out that it was actually in stock official silver, which was a full 100,000 taels!"

Li Qing stood in front of the ruins without saying a word. His mind was blank, and only ferocious smiles kept appearing. Li Cong, Yang Guozhong and even Li Linfu shook back and forth in front of his eyes, and his fists gradually tightened. This was not a fire, but a signal to declare war on him.

At some point, the sky began to drizzle, as thin and dense as a needle, wet his hair and clothes, but he still didn't move, like a statue. Cui Huan wanted to order someone to take an umbrella to hide the rain several times, but he held back the words to his mouth. Li Qing stood tall and the murderous aura exuded on his body made everyone breathe.

Only Li Fei Shouyu was surprised. In a trance, Li Qing turned back to the governor of Shazhou who had been rushing thousands of miles away. The Kokang who cut off the decisive decisiveness, the coldness of killing people, and the Tang general who dared to cut off Tubo Zanpu's head with his own hands, was resurrected at this moment.

"go back!"

Li Qing's voice was hoarse, his voice was low and irresistible. When he went back, he naturally did not go back to Chang'an, but to his residence. Cui Huan was stunned and immediately ordered, "Go quickly! Get the office and give the minister a rest. The yamen runners next to him were in a hurry, calling a carriage, ringing a gong to open the way, and surrounding Li Qing to the front street in front of him.

Just as Li Qing left, a hundred steps away, a thin man flashed in the bamboo forest of Hanshan Temple. He stared at Li Qing with time, turned around, ran across Fengqiao, and entered an alley. About half an hour later, the thin man appeared in front of a mansion near Xumen. He did not walk through the main entrance, but knocked three times at the side door. The door opened, and the man flashed in and walked quickly towards the central hall. The central hall was the second entry of this courtyard, which was the main activity place for the owner to live and live. At this moment, a young man lay on the bed of the Arhat, squinted his eyes and admired the performances of several dancers. He was tall and tall, like a bamboo pole, with pale face without any blood, but his eyes were very black, and his eyes were obviously drooping. This was a typical manifestation of excessive indulgence. This person was naturally Li Qiu, the son of King Qing, the Prince of Xinping.

Li Qiu has been in Suzhou for half a month. Since Cui Huan knew him, he has been living in seclusion since he came to Suzhou and directed everything behind the scenes.

Since the Kaiyuan period, the Jiangnan area has gradually become the economic center of the Tang Dynasty. It transports a large amount of materials to Chang'an every year and maintains the operation of the empire. The land here is fertile and the commerce is developed, attracting a large number of royal relatives to buy property here. King Qing Li Cong is no exception. In addition to Yangzhou, there are also a large number of industries, farms and shops in Suzhou. The large mansion where Li Qiu lives is an industry of King Qing. There are many houses in the mansion and complex structure, and there are many people with high martial arts skills. When Li Qing was assassinated in Yangzhou, the assassin was sent from here. This house is actually the headquarters of Li Cong in Jiangnan.

At this time, a subordinate reported at the door: "Your Highness, B-3 is here and says there is important information."

"Let him come in!" Li Qi waved his hand and ordered the dancers to retreat first.

‘B-3’ is the code name of the thin man. He is one of the two assassins on the Bian River. He slid into the river and rushed back to report that Jiang Gan was colluding with Li Qing and King Yong. Unfortunately, he did not see the situation where his companion was caught. However, since Li Qingsheng appeared in Suzhou vigorously, it means that his companion failed.

"See Your Highness!"

"Stand up and talk!"

Li Qiu ordered him to calm down and said with a smile: "Last time you reported the information about Li Qing collusion with King Yong. The old prince has already approved it and rewarded us very much. There are many rewards. I will give you one tonight. Come! Tell me what is the important situation?"

"I saw Li Qing in Fengqiao, and was on extremely strict guard against Cui Huan."

Yi San was worried. Doesn’t Li Qing’s appearance prove their failure in assassination? Although he left early, perhaps it was because of his early departure that led to the failure of the mission, and he had a vague premonition of uneasiness. The collusion between Li Qing and King Yong seemed a bit hasty.

Li Qiu seemed to not care. After a failure in Yangzhou, he no longer dared to underestimate his opponent. Moreover, his father's latest instructions have changed the assassination of Li Qing to stump him in Suzhou. The change in strategy may mean that the possibility of his father entering the Eastern Palace is increasing. He does not want to have trouble at this time. If he ascends to the throne, are he still afraid that he will not be able to kill him?

Li Qiu was in a light mood. He was the only son of his father. If he could ascend to the great treasure, would it mean that he would one day put on a dragon robe? The shadow of his biological father Li Ying had gradually faded in his heart, and his ambition to embrace mountains and rivers quickly began to expand.

"What's the big fuss about this? He came for the matter of the cabinet. He will naturally show up there. He will use his brain in the future and don't always use chicken feathers as command arrows. What is important information? You have to think clearly before reporting!"

Li Qiu waved his hand and said impatiently: "Go! Continue to monitor his every move. Without my orders, you are not allowed to act rashly."

Seeing that the little prince did not study in depth, he felt a little relieved and did not dare to say anything more, so he quickly left the house.

Although Li Qiu was indifferent to his subordinates, Li Qing's sudden appearance still made him nervous. As soon as he came to Suzhou, he immediately went to inspect the burned cabinet, which showed the importance of this matter in his heart. Li Qiu walked a few steps behind his back, raised his head to think about the flaws left by the case.

"No, no signs that may appear can be left behind!" He made up his mind and immediately called someone, whispered in his ear: "........................................................................................................"

Li Qing sat alone in the room, staring at the drizzle outside the window, stunned. He has been thinking about his destination since he left Chang'an. Wang Zhongsi's arrest sounded a wake-up call in his heart. This loyal general who was guarding the border for the Tang Dynasty ended like this for the crime of "false". On the contrary, An Lushan has been promoted step by step, and there have been rumors of being named king recently.

Li Longji's myth in his heart gradually shattered. Are he confused? No! He is not confused at all, he is scheming and sets up a plan step by step, but his starting point is wrong. In the face of monarchy and national interests, Li Longji turned to the former without hesitation. This is the fate of history, and the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion is also related to this. Li Qing smiled faintly. What about himself? He defeated Tubo in Shazhou, seized Shibao City, and killed Tubo Zanpu without any hesitation, which may have touched a nerve deep in his heart. So he put a bridle on himself, took off the battle saddle, and kept it in his arms.

An, four years have passed in a flash, now it has been eight years of Tianbao, and there is still no effective measures to suppress An Lushan. Now it is not just the An Lushan Rebellion. How he survived the sinister court struggle is also a crisis that he had to face. In a salt tax reform, I don’t know how many royal family members and nobles want to eat his meat and sleep with his skin. No matter the new emperor ascended the throne, even if he enjoyed the wealth brought by his reform, he still had to attack him in exchange for the support of the royal family members and nobles. This is politics. Isn’t the death of Chao Cuo of the Western Han Dynasty a wonderful footnote?

Outside the window, a tree of red plum blossoms bloomed in the spring rain, and the fragrance of flowers drifted in the humid air, which made Li Qing feel energetic. Let the future be released in advance, and his thoughts returned to this arson case. As early as when he heard the news of the disappearance of 100,000 taels of official silver, he had a question in his mind, was he missing in advance or was robbed in the fire? Until he saw someone see the carriage transporting the silver box when the fire caught, he could confirm the strangeness.

Since the tax money theft occurred in Huichang County three years ago, he issued a strict order. The money from the cabinet shops in various places must be put into the warehouse on the same day. Therefore, it can be concluded that the 100,000 taels of silver must have been robbed from the warehouse, but the warehouse had no trace of fighting or death. This means that when the fire broke out, the warehouse door was closed and no one hid in to escape. The key could be found in the raging fire and calmly went in to get the silver. This was really strange.
Chapter completed!