After finishing all the chores, it was already evening. Zhao Shui returned to Huaiying Hall's residence in Yanze City. It was a large mansion owned by a local wealthy gentleman. Zhao Shui noticed something strange outside the courtyard.
"What's wrong?" Luo Xixian saw Zhao Minchu standing outside the door, walking back and forth along the wall.
"This courtyard doesn't belong to ordinary people, does it?" Zhao Shu noticed a mysterious aura that clearly divided the inside and outside of the house, similar to a forbidden formation, or simply a barrier.
Luo Xixian crossed his arms in front of his chest: "I also found out. I heard Wang Juncheng say that this house was once a shrine of some kind in the Tianxia Dynasty, but it was destroyed in the war, leaving only the courtyard wall and the foundation largely intact. Later, it was rebuilt here
A house was built on top of it. I've looked at it, and there's nothing dirty."
"Tian Xia Dynasty left a lot of good things." Zhao Shu took out his Qingxuan pen and squatted beside the wall to draw.
Luo Xixian shook his head and said: "Master Zhao, can you show some respect? Stop squatting on the roadside. I still have something I need your help with."
"What's the matter?"
"Those dozens of women brought from Tangpen Mountain refused to stay at the inn, kowtowed and cried, and insisted on following us to Yanze City." Luo Xixian looked embarrassed: "I will bring them here now.
Okay, what should we do next?”
Zhao Shu was staring at the barrier intently and said casually: "Who told you to be a hero? Just leave them as servants. Anyway, let them do some chores."
"Also, Boss Wu also came with us." Luo Xixian said: "He didn't mention it with his mouth, but his eyes could almost speak."
Zhao Shu took out a sealed official document from his arms and said: "The Yanze City County Government cannot afford a few thousand taels of silver right now, so you should deal with it first."
Luo Xixian took the official document and glanced at it: "Is it this kind of official document again? Isn't it unfair? You don't give him any cash?"
Zhao Shu raised his pen and pointed at Luo Xixian: "If you hadn't been so arrogant at the wine table, how would I be dealing with Boss Wu like this now?"
Luo Xixian stared at Zhao Mi for a while: "Do you have any other ideas?"
"I'm mainly thinking about why Chiyundu wants these dragon blood fats." Zhao Shu pinched his brows: "Ding Maocai said that Mr. Yangliu colluded with the monsters in Panlong Mountain to mine glowstones to forge magic weapons. I always feel that
A little uneasy."
Luo Xixian smiled and said: "I think you just think too much. If the dragon's blood fat is really so important to Chiyun, they should send experts to snatch the dragon's blood fat after we raided Tangpen Mountain."
"I think the main thing is to capture Ding Maocai." Zhao Shu took out the triangular flag from the bamboo basket: "I have been studying the magical use of this thing along the way. Although I am not completely sure yet, I estimate the true purpose of this flag.
It’s not about summoning ghost soldiers and soldiers, but it’s about resonating with the Yinquan Yunjin from the same batch.”
"What do you mean?" Luo Xixian didn't understand.
Zhao Shu reminded: "What is the use of flags in the army?"
"Showing the army's affiliation, distinguishing between ourselves and the enemy, and marking the soldiers' array positions and marching directions." Luo Xixian suddenly realized: "The other is to wave various flags to give orders. Could this flag be used to convey messages like paper cranes?"
Zhao Shu nodded and said: "So monks like Ding Maocai do not simply serve as backers for bandits, but deliver messages when necessary. They are like scouts scattered all over the place. Fortunately, you and I acted quickly enough, otherwise he would have been killed.
Send the news back to Chief Yunyan, and maybe some experts will come after you."
Luo Xixian broke out in a cold sweat: "If there is a similar magical flag, from Panlong Mountain in the north to Cangwu Ridge in the south, and every Chiyundu monk has one in his hand, wouldn't they be far better informed and faster than the imperial court?
Ma Youyi? Even paper cranes can't compare to them!"
"There is no need to worry so much." Zhao Shu stroked the black and bright command flag: "This kind of command flag should not be too complicated to convey messages to the outside world. It can only be summarized in a few words, and the distance will not be too far.
.As for the story of Panlong Mountain and Cangwu Ridge coming back and forth in an instant, it is a bit exaggerated. If Chiyundu can really do this, you and I might as well surrender to them early, and maybe we can get a share of the merits of following the dragon in the future.
.”
"This is reasonable." Luo Xixian sighed: "Chi Yundu can actually come up with such a thing. I really underestimated them before."
Zhao Shu also felt that Chiyundu's power was extraordinary. He could have so many monks and masters under his command, and he could even obtain treasures of heaven and earth that were difficult for casual cultivators to access. This was no worse than the pavilions set up by the imperial court.
Zhao Shu stood up. He couldn't figure out the barrier left at the base of the wall for a while. He took back the official document in Luo Xixian's hand and said, "Forget it, I'll go discuss it with Boss Wu and see how to solve it."
Luo Xixian followed Zhao Shu to find Mr. Wu in the side yard. The three of them found a secluded room. Zhao Shu also cast a door-sealing charm to block out any sound.
"I'll tell you the truth." Zhao Shu handed the receipt to Boss Wu: "Currently, the county government can't come up with 7,000 taels of silver to purchase your batch of dragon blood lipids. What are your plans?"
Boss Wu looked at Zhao and Luo, and said frankly: "Actually, the number seven thousand taels is used by me to scare people. I got the goods on the border between the two countries, but in fact I didn't use cash at all. If there is no money locally,
If you have enough cash, you can exchange it for a batch of goods of similar price. I remember that Xingluo County is rich in furs, especially fine mink and fox furs."
Luo Xixian said helplessly: "With the current situation in Xingluo County, Yanze City may not be able to produce these things."
Zhao Shuze said: "Actually, I have a better way, which is to send the dragon blood fat to Huaiying Hall. I sent a message to the teacher and asked him to buy it over there. For several thousand taels of silver, Huaiying Hall still paid for it.
If you can afford it, dragon blood fat is also needed in the prescription."
Boss Wu looked troubled: "But if I don't follow you, I won't dare to leave Yanze City with a car of dragon blood fat."
Luo Xixian said: "I can send some people to escort."
Zhao Shui could tell that after what happened in Tangpen Mountain, Boss Wu still hoped to exchange dragon blood fat for real money as soon as possible. He was also afraid that after going to Huaiying Pavilion, the other party would withhold the goods again without paying.
.This can’t be blamed on people who are eager for quick success and quick profit. Business is all about profit.
"I'm confused about something." Boss Wu asked: "Can dragon blood lipids only be purchased by the county government?"
Luo Xixian explained: "Definitely not. Originally, dragon blood fat is used by all our restaurants..."
"Wait a minute." Zhao Shu had an idea and signaled to Boss Wu: "What do you think? Just say it."
"I, this..." Boss Wu hesitated: "I got this car of dragon blood lipids. I heard that this thing can be used as that, that... aphrodisiac."
Luo Xixian laughed out loud, but saw Zhao Shu thinking seriously: "Hey, are you really planning to make dragon blood fat into an aphrodisiac? Who needs it?"
Zhao Shu turned his head and said, "There are really people who can use it."
Boss Wu's words reminded Zhao Shu that the unrefined dragon blood fat itself is a kind of spice. The smoke after burning can make the qi and blood strong. This is where the so-called aphrodisiac comes from. But if it is really used as an aphrodisiac,
That's too crude. Using Zhao Miao's method, the spices prepared are more subtle.
Luo Xixian asked: "Are you talking about the rich families in Yanze City? Even if they can use aphrodisiacs, they can't consume so much at one time."
"The point is not aphrodisiacs." Zhao Shu explained: "I can prepare a batch of spices and sell them to local wealthy people through the county government in the name of suppressing bandits and quelling chaos. In order to collect money, the county government will take a portion of it. Boss Wu also
You can make money."
Luo Xixian thought: "Isn't this a disguised form of levying additional taxes on local wealthy households?"
"Xingluo County is at this time. If the rich are not allowed to take money, are they going to impose additional taxes on the common people?" Zhao Shu said: "And I don't take it for free. They don't need the spices prepared by dragon blood fat, and they can sell it afterwards.
Give it to others. The price of spices is stable and it is also circulated in private business travel, so there is no need to worry about having no way to sell it."
Luo Xixian pondered for a moment: "I can go and tell Wang Juncheng that if they can share some of the profits, they would probably be willing to do it, but the premise is that you can really make spices."
Zhao Shu showed a confident smile: "Have you forgotten? When I came back to Xingluo County, I brought the alchemy furnace with me."
Luo Xixian had nothing to say now. He had previously thought that Zhao Shu was preparing to move as if he was moving, but he didn't expect that the several cars of miscellaneous things would really come into use now.
"Everything else is fine, but if we do this openly in Yanze City, what will other houses think of us?" Luo Xixian was a little serious: "In any case, I am the envoy appointed by Chief Zhang. If this move harms the Huaiying Hall,
Reputation, I won’t agree to that.”
Zhao Shu said bluntly: "Does the reputation of Huaiying Hall depend on the kindness of other halls? If you want to say that, you might as well wait for the people from Chongxuan Hall to arrive in two days and go and kowtow to them in person.
"
Hearing this, Luo Xixian's face was gloomy and he didn't say a word. Boss Wu next to him was so nervous that he didn't dare to move. Zhao Shu continued: "I have inquired at the county government before. I came to the four restaurants in Yanze City.
They don’t put much thought into suppressing bandits at all. There are some things they don’t want to do, so let us do it. No matter you succeed or not, they may not look good on Huaiying Pavilion.”
Luo Xixian came to Xingluo County this time, intending to start his official career here, and to establish a foothold in Xingluo County and gain local power.
After the monks from the other temples finished suppressing the bandits and demons, they naturally went back and forth from wherever they came. But Luo Xixian couldn't do that. He didn't want his actions to hinder his ability to control power in the future. The so-called views of other temples, based on Luo Xixian's character, were inherently
Don't pay much attention to it.
After thinking about this, Luo Xixian stood up: "Then prepare a batch of spices as soon as possible. I will discuss it with Wang Juncheng tomorrow."
…
Master Fang was full of wine and food, and walked to his study humming a tune. At this time, the housekeeper hurried over, holding a wooden box in his hand: "Master! The 'Qingyunlong Smoke' prepared by Huaiying Hall has been delivered!
"
"Oh?" Mr. Fang twirled his short beard and watched the butler open the lid of the wooden box. Inside, an ocher red brick was wrapped in silk and satin. When he got closer and smelled it, a fragrant aroma penetrated into the heart, making people feel refreshed.
, even the drunkenness was mostly gone.
"As expected of the Immortal Chief of Huaiying Pavilion, even before the incense is lit, I feel that my hands and feet are much stronger." Master Fang sighed.
The housekeeper said: "Zhao Xianchang from the Huaiying Pavilion said that you have contributed a lot to Xingluo County's suppression of banditry, and you have given up your home for the Huaiying Pavilion to stay. You should be the first to get this Qingyunlong incense."
"It's all for the sake of stabilizing the situation." Mr. Fang asked the butler to put the spices in the study, and he sat there alone in silence for a long time.
When silence fell inside and outside the study, Mr. Fang took out a charm from the book at hand and stuck it on the door. Then he turned a jade sculpture on the bookcase. The secret door on the ground quietly opened at his feet. Mr. Fang walked down the secret door holding the wooden box of spices.
.
After walking along the dark tunnel for a while, Mr. Fang opened the door of the secret room. There was enough light inside, and a bead hung in the air and bloomed with light.
Under the pearl light, a person wearing a leaf-green brocade robe stood with his hands behind his back, his back facing Master Fang.
"See Mr. Yangliu." Mr. Fang picked up the wooden box and said: "Report to Mr. Yangliu that the batch of dragon blood fat that was intercepted on the way has been mixed into fragrant medicine by the monks of the Huaiying Hall. I bought it in my humble position and asked Mr. Yangliu to take a look.
"
Yang Liujun turned around. This man was wearing a wooden mask, and even the pupils of his eyes could not be seen clearly under the shadow. He raised his hand to caress the spices pressed into square brick shapes in the wooden box, rubbed his fingertips and said:
"Use the water method to extract and filter out impurities, then boil it into an ointment with a Danding furnace to refine the toxicity, and finally dry it in the shade and compact it. The fire is mature, pure and free of impurities, which saves me the effort. The person who prepared this fragrance
He worked hard and I want to thank him."
Mr. Fang said: "I have inquired about this. The person who prepared the incense is Zhao Shui, the Fu Li of Huaiying Hall."
"Fu official?" Yang Liujun was slightly startled: "With such ability, he is just a Fu official? Is the Huaiying Hall so stupid?"
"Although he is a Fu official, Zhao Shui is the deputy envoy of Huaiying Pavilion and his party." Mr. Fang continued: "In addition, I learned that Huaiying Pavilion took the lead in raiding our troops before they came to Yanze City.
A rebel army, Taoist friend Ding Maocai and a general were captured by them and are currently imprisoned in the county jail."
"Huh? Interesting." Yang Liujun was not angry when he heard this: "Is this Zhao Shu also involved?"
"Yes." Master Fang said: "According to the county clerk, Zhao Shui also reactivated the Tianxiajing Prison, which had been abandoned for many years, to detain Daoyou Ding."
"Does he still have such ability? This is not something that those noble officials in the hall who are so pampered and don't even bother to study and analyze techniques can do." There was a hint of appreciation in Yang Liujun's tone.
"Does your humble duty require you to rescue Daoyou Ding and the two of you?" Master Fang asked.
"No, this is just a way of alerting the enemy." Yang Liujun said, "The people from the Huaiying Hall are arranged in the Tiegong Temple?"
"Yes." Mr. Fang said: "I have been maintaining the barrier over the years. As long as Mr. Yangliu gives an order, it can be activated."
"This matter must not be impatient. Please listen to my orders." Yang Liujun took the wooden box and said, "In addition, I have discovered that Chongxuan Hall is following the imperial troops into Xingluo County and their various actions in Yanze City.
, you also need to find out clearly."
"I humble my duty and obey my orders."
Yangliujun raised his hand and threw out a spell, creating a spiraling crack in the stone wall, like a portal, with blurred light inside. Mr. Fang lowered his head and did not dare to look too much. Yangliujun raised his feet and stepped into it, and the cracks followed.
disappeared, and the secret room fell into darkness again.