The next morning, there were snowflakes in the sky.
The cold wind whizzed, quickly getting into people's necks, as if they were trying to avoid something.
The bustling streets of Chang'an City became deserted and empty, and the people quickly got into their houses, gathered around the stove, or a pot of wine or a pot of tea, cursing the damn weather, and chatting about the meager harvest of the year.
Gradually, he fell into the big and small gangs, and his spirits became inexplicably high.
Without gangs coming to my door to ask for gift money or extort money, my life would be much easier.
In a tavern, Qin Huaidao was drinking with his head down. There was a plate of peanuts and a plate of dried fruits. The rice wine brought from the south was warming on the small stove next to it, with some ginger shreds added to ward off the cold. The light fragrance made people intoxicated.
There was a person on the stage in front of him singing a song. I didn't understand a word of the lyrics, but it was full of charm. After discovering this tavern by chance, Qin Huaidao came over to have a few drinks whenever he had time and listen to the common people chatting.
"Did you hear about it? The Tiger Gang was exposed last night. Good guy, he actually hid a repeating crossbow and a strong bow. Those are controlled by the imperial court. There must be a big shot behind the Tiger Gang. No wonder he escapes easily every time he commits a crime." Next to him, a man
A slightly drunk man said.
The companion agreed: "I heard when I woke up one morning that if this cancerous tumor is removed, the life of those of us who are helpless and doing small business will be much easier, thanks to the King of Han."
"Yes, the Tiger Gang has been fighting against the Tang Dynasty since the founding of the country. It has been more than ten years. No one can shake it. If the King of Han had not taken action, those who were tortured to death by the Tiger Gang would never be able to redress."
"In just a few days, I heard that more than a dozen large gangs have been taken down. If we continue at this rate, it won't be long before all the gangs in Chang'an City are wiped out. Things will be better in the future. The King of Han is our common people.
His patron saint truly thinks about us people."
"Respect the King of Han."
"Honor the King of Han!"
Several people raised their glasses one after another, affectionately and solemnly, from the heart.
Qin Huaidao glanced at a few people calmly, and then his eyes fell on the singers on the stage again. They were listening to the music and drinking without any worries. The white snow was falling outside the window. In this situation, how many times in life is it rare to have leisure?
After a while, someone came in quietly, whispered a few words in Luo Wu's ear, opened the door curtain and left quietly, disappearing in the wind and snow, as if he had never been there.
Luo Wu came to Qin Huaidao and whispered: "Uncle, Fang Yiai is looking for you."
Qin Huaidao nodded, but did not get up immediately. He continued to listen to the music and sang softly along with the melody.
After one song is sung, one pot is drunk.
Throw down a handful of coins, get up and leave without leaving a trace behind.
A cold wind blew, carrying snowflakes flying all over the sky.
A carriage slowly came over and stopped at the door. After picking up the people, it slowly left and quickly merged into the flying snow in the sky. The deep axle marks were also filled up, as if nothing had happened just now.
Not long after, the carriage came to a stop at the gate of the Chang'an County Yamen. Qin Huaidao jumped out of the car and strode forward. Luo Wu signaled the accompanying guards to find a sheltered place to wait, and hurried to catch up.
After the public trial, all the officials knew the King of Han, and no one stopped him. Someone came up to guide him, and he led him to a study room. The stove in the room was burning brightly, and it was like a different world from the cold weather outside.
County magistrate Ma Zhouzheng was chatting with Fang Yiai when he saw Qin Huaidao coming in and quickly stood up to greet him.
After some pleasantries, Qin Huaidao sat down at the top and looked at Fang Yiai.
Fang Yiai quickly explained: "Brother Qin, we have found out that the boss of the Zhugan Gang is named Wu. He was also a rich farmer in the previous dynasty. He owned a small salt mine. He was robbed by the Wu family fifteen years ago by using their power and was charged with a crime.
Copy and slash, Boss Wu is the eldest son of Wu. He happened to be away from home due to something, so he escaped a disaster. Later, he made a living by helping people punt boats and transport goods. He recruited a large group of people to form the Bamboo Pole Gang, and often took revenge on the Wu family. The two
Home becomes a mortal enemy.”
"It's true that he killed someone with a borrowed knife." Qin Huaidao said coldly.
Fang Yiai nodded: "According to the investigation, apart from killing the Wu family, Mr. Wu only seeks wealth and does not kill anyone. He often helps poor people. According to the law, a crime does not lead to death. Mr. Ma and I can't make up our minds, so
Please come, do you want to be beheaded like other gang leaders, or?"
"It might be useful to keep them. Take them all to Hanzhou." Qin Huaidao decided that since this man has a grudge against the Wu family, he might be useful in the future.
Fang Yiai didn't think much and agreed.
"I don't know if the King of Han knows something. Wu Cai was secretly sent to Ganye Temple. If the official hadn't gone to Ganye Temple to play chess with an old friend, he might not have known about it." Ma Zhou suddenly said.
"Go to Ganye Temple?" Qin Huaidao really didn't know about this situation, and his intelligence network didn't pay attention to a woman who was demoted from the harem.
At this moment, Qin Huaidao felt that something was wrong. Wu Cairen deliberately asked Li Zhi to intercede, wanting to borrow a knife to kill people and kill the family's archenemy. With his scheming, he could surely have imagined the consequences of the matter being exposed, so why did he do it?
Unless it’s intentional!
A bright light flashed in my mind, dispersing the haze, and I suddenly became enlightened.
"That's it!" Qin Huaidao said with emotion.
"What's wrong?" Fang Yiai asked curiously.
Qin Huaidao had no explanation and could not say it out loud, but he was sure in his heart that the martial artist did it on purpose. It would be best if he could borrow a knife to kill someone successfully. If not, it doesn't matter. There are two real purposes. One is to make Li Zhi feel guilty, and the other is to make Li Zhi feel guilty.
Hiding for the future, because Li Er is dying.
According to etiquette, once Li Er died, his concubines would be buried with him.
Wu Cairen doesn't want to die. The best way is to be thrown into the cold palace or expelled from the palace. As long as Li Zhi feels guilty, there will be a day when he can return.
What a plan!
Qin Huaidao was a little impressed. She was indeed the empress of the ages. She was so sophisticated in her methods that she was hard to guard against. It was impossible not to accept it. However, since he had guessed it, of course he had to add some trouble to her and apply eye drops.
After chatting for a while, Qin Huaidao came out of the county office and went straight to the palace city.
Halfway through, a guard hurried over, stopped the carriage, and handed over a small piece of paper with a line of small characters on it - Duan Zan arrived at the end of the war, uninjured, with less than a hundred soldiers.
"Change the route to Baoguo Duke's Mansion!"
"Understood." Luo Wu agreed.
The carriage rumbled forward, leaving a long trail of snow.
In the car, Qin Huaidao looked at the note and was thoughtful. Judging from the information, Duan Zan was probably being hunted and had no way to escape. The accident happened at Qiemo. Fortunately, he was fine. However, there were less than a hundred people around him, so the danger was evident.
, I couldn’t help but think of the time we went to fight against Tibet together, and I felt emotional.
Unknowingly, the carriage arrived at Baoguo Duke's Mansion. The disciples did not recognize the carriage and came up to stop it. When they learned that it was the King of Han himself, they were shocked and hurried in to report it.
Not long after, the middle door of Duke Bao's mansion opened wide. This was the highest standard of greeting ceremony. Duan Zhixuan, Duke of Bao, came out with the support of his family and was about to salute. Qin Huaidao did not dare to support him, so he quickly went up to support him, took Duan Zhixuan's hand and said
: "Praise to the Duke is the elder. The younger generation cannot bear such a great gift, so let's pass."
"The King of Han doesn't come to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, but is there any news about my son?" Duan Zhixuan got straight to the point. Seeing Qin Huaidao nodding, he was overjoyed and shouted quickly: "Quick, go to the study to talk, pass the order down, boil the pot, make some wine, and bring some good dishes.
, I’m going to have a big drunken time with the King of Han today.”
"No, no, Duke Bao is ill. Just drink tea." Qin Huaidao said quickly.
"Look down on me? Back then, I fought side by side with your father and drank heavily. How happy it was." Duan Zhixuan said angrily, quite like I was going crazy as a teenager.
Qin Huaidao knew the character of these old generals and could not persuade them any more, so he followed them to the study.
Everyone sat down. Qin Huaidao glanced at the young man who helped Duan Zhixuan in and stayed there. He was fifteen or sixteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, and an extraordinary appearance. He looked a bit like Duan Zan. He couldn't help asking: "Praise to the Duke, this
The young man bowed solemnly: "Duan Huaijian has met the King of Han!"
"That's polite." When Qin Huaidao heard that he was Duan Zan's son, he immediately felt more favorable and said with a smile: "My father and I are on the same generation as each other. We are brothers in life and death. You have to call me uncle according to your seniority."
Duan Xuanzhi is an experienced man, and he knew there was something in the words as soon as he heard them. A flash of light flashed in his eyes, and he nodded calmly towards Duan Huaijian.
Duan Huaijian got the hint and bowed again: "Junior Huaijian has met Uncle Qin."
"Hahaha, my eldest brother has a good son." Qin Huaidao said with a smile,
"Uncle Qin's compliments are unworthy of me." Duan Huaijian said politely, sat down next to him, and stopped interrupting. He behaved generously and appropriately, advancing and retreating in a measured manner. He was a well-educated and sensible person.
"Tell me, how is my son?" Duan Zhixuan took the opportunity to ask.
"I just received a letter from Fei Ge." Qin Huaidao said and handed the note over.
Duan Zhixuan was also a veteran in the army. He could interpret a lot of information from simple words, but as long as the person was fine, he completely let go of the stone that was weighing on his heart. He breathed a long sigh of relief and solemnly said: "Thanks to the King of Han for being considerate, you can discuss friendship with my son."
, I have the audacity to ask you to call me my nephew. For this matter, the Duan family owes my nephew a huge favor."
"Shibo's words are serious, and this junior didn't say anything. I came here this time to report a message, and secondly to ask what Shibo meant. Do you want to send a message to inform Brother Duan to go home?"
How can Duan Zhixuan be a mediocre person if he can climb to the high position of the Duke? He knew the situation in the court and secretly weighed it. Although there were too many reasons for Tubo to be re-sentenced, as a soldier, he would have neglected his duty if he failed to protect Tubo. If he came back, he would not have done anything good.
If you have too much trouble, it will be difficult to be used again, and you will live a mediocre life.
But if he stayed in Qiemo, it would mean taking refuge with the King of Han. Is it worth it?
Gradually, Duan Zhixuan's eyes became firm and sharp.