Xue Poye sat quietly for a moment, touched his nose, and finally said: "It has been so many years since the founding of the Chu Kingdom. It is difficult to shake the foundation just by imagination. What's more, the situation is still unclear, and the border troops haven't rebelled yet? If the Ministry of Punishment and the Kyoto Prefecture investigate early,
Once we find out the whereabouts of the missing silver, things will turn around. Before that, we'd better not act rashly."
The green lady looked at Xue Poye, with a strange look in her eyes, but she didn't say anything in the end. Instead, she said clearly: "Amitabha, even if we can't get the lost silver, as long as the court can't get it, we can still sit on the mountain.
Watching a tiger fight."
Xue Poye stood up, tidied his armor, and said: "I'll go first. I'll take the time to come back and tell you when there's news. Remember, don't act rashly without my words, otherwise...!" His face turned cold.
: "Otherwise, don't blame me for falling out."
Green Lady and Mingxu whispered: "Yes."
“***.”
"Cousin." Mingxu called out cautiously.
Xue Poye said impatiently: "What? If you want something to eat, just ask the Green Lady. My good sister, just give him a few plates of tofu at noon."
Mingxu said hurriedly: "No, no, I just want to ask my cousin, do you know the origin of the Hubu Bank? Do you know who built the Hubu Bank?"
Xue Poye's heart trembled, and he turned around and said, "You know?"
Mingxu nodded.
Xue Poye said hurriedly: "Sister, go to the kitchen and ask for some big bowls of fish at noon. Yes, the lion's head and lotus leaf chicken are also good. Two portions of the same, go ahead."
The green lady gave Xue Poye a rollicking look, spat at him, but still got up and left.
Xue Poye took Mingxu's hand and said cordially: "Cousin, come, sit down and talk."
Mingxu was so flattered that he sat down next to the chair and said with emotion: "Cousin, you are so enthusiastic, you are so enthusiastic."
Xue Poye urged: "Cousin, you seem to know the situation of the Hubu Bank? Come on, tell me. I really don't understand anything there. Please give me some advice."
"Cousin, let me make it clear to you first. Although I know the origin of the household bank, the batch of lost silver has nothing to do with me. You must not think that it has anything to do with me, otherwise I would not dare
That's what I said." Mingxu said cautiously.
Xue Poye said hurriedly: "No, no, tell me quickly, I'm all ears." He smiled secretly in his heart: "Even if this matter has something to do with you, I don't believe it. Tens of millions of official coins have disappeared, you have this ability
?"
Mingxu thought for a while and said slowly: "According to what I know, the Hubu Bank of Dachu has been built for more than sixty years. Compared with the long history, this amount of time is almost a blink of an eye."
time, but for each of us secular people, it is a very long time."
"Don't recite poems." Xue Poye frowned.
Mingxu chuckled and then said: "The Hubu Bank was built by the Gongsun family in Gongsun City."
"Gongsun family?"
"That's right." Mingxu said sternly: "When it comes to building cities, treasuries, and institutions, the Gongsun family claims that they are second in rank, but no one dares to say that they are first. Their family has been studying the art of mechanism since the Warring States Period. At that time
The Mohists also developed the art of mechanism. During the Qin Dynasty, when both sides were in Qin, the art of mechanism had reached its peak. It is said that there is no room for discussion in one mountain. At that time, the two families began to become rivals, each their own master, and they fought over the art of mechanism."
"Each one is his own master?"
Mingxu nodded and said: "During the Qin Dynasty, the six kingdoms were destroyed and attempted restoration. The Mohist organization assisted the successors of the six kingdoms, and the Gongsun family supported the Qin Dynasty. Both sides were their own masters, and they fought to the death. In this struggle, the organization skills
It’s all about improvement. Originally, both sides were evenly matched in the beginning, but later, the Gongsun family produced an extraordinary genius named Gongsun Bai.”
"Gongsun Bai?" Xue Poye tried his best to find out this person's name from the knowledge in his mind, but unfortunately there was a blank. In other words, Gongsun Bai was not recorded in the history books.
"Before him, both sides were just mechanical carpentry mechanisms. Although they were extremely powerful, they were not earth-shattering. But Gongsun Bai was able to use mountains and rivers as mechanisms. The gurgling rivers and misty clouds and mountains could all become
A tool of his machine arts." Mingxu's face already showed a look of great admiration: "It is no exaggeration to say that he has vast experience in the world and is an unparalleled genius. Back then, 20,000 rebels from the Six Nations were trapped alive in Jiuwei Mountain. When they came out,
, there are less than a thousand people left, and the rest were killed by the mountain mechanism."
Xue Poye was surprised: "Is this...so powerful? Twenty thousand people were...just wiped out by the agency?"
Mingxu nodded: "Yes, after this battle, the Gongsun family's mechanism skills are unparalleled in the world. When the Qin Dynasty destroyed the country, they had defeated the Mo family. From then on, the Gongsun family's mechanism skills have dominated the world."
"What happened next?" Xue Poye was quite interested in this story.
Ming Xu pondered for a moment, then said with some sadness: "After all, Gongsun Bai committed too many crimes. After the Qin Dynasty was destroyed, the Gongsun family had no one to rely on. Enemies came one after another, and the Gongsun family was almost destroyed. With no choice but to lead the remnant, Gongsun Bai
The tribesmen who came down went to Kunlun in the northwest and built Gongsun City in Kunlun Mountain."
Xue Poye had heard the name of Gongsun City and knew that it was a strange city. He was even more curious: "After Gongsun City was built, no one would take revenge?"
Mingxu shook his head and said: "No, Gongsun Bai took his family to hide in the Kunlun Mountains in the northwest and built Gongsun City. This matter was soon known by the enemies. Groups of enemies flocked to Gongsun City, and even some officials
Everyone is screaming for revenge. Now that I think about it, I am afraid that many people want to get the Gongsun family's secret art. This is the most mysterious art in the world, and everyone is flocking to it. In the name of revenge, seizing the art is the most important thing."
Xue Poye sighed: "This is the human heart." He pondered for a moment and suddenly smiled: "But I think that Gongsun Bai has the talent to know the world, and he chose to build Gongsun City on the edge of Kunlun Mountain, which can be regarded as the last retreat. If he wants to
If we break through it, I'm afraid it will be difficult to reach the sky."
Mingxu said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that's it. Dozens of people want to capture Gongsun Bai, force out the art of mechanism from him, or search Gongsun City for "The Essential Art of Organ" compiled by Gongsun Bai.
, but people were killed by the mechanisms on the road before they stepped into Gongsun City. Legend has it that with so many people and horses, no one could reach the gate of Gongsun City. From then on, no one dared to use their brains on Gongsun City, and the Gongsun family relied on
The institutions surrounding Gongsun City have been passed down from generation to generation, and to this day, Gongsun City is still one of the most mysterious and dangerous places in the world."
"In this case, why did the Gongsun family come to the court to build the household bank?" Xue Poye asked puzzledly: "Aren't they a family isolated from the world?"
Mingxu sighed and said: "Speaking of which, there are quite a few people who know about this matter. It is said that Emperor Yangwu of the Chu State liked to travel around the world. He had a heroic personality and was a rare wise king in the Chu Kingdom. He treated the people generously and the world prospered.
When he was young, he liked to dress up and walk among the people, and he also had martial arts skills. It is said that when he was twenty years old, he had reached the level of a five-path warrior, and he can be said to be a versatile man in both civil and military arts."
Xue Poye was startled. He knew very little about the history of Da Chu. He only knew that the founding emperor was the Marquis of Chu in the northwest. As for Emperor Yangwu, he had never heard of it. He felt ashamed in his heart. He had never understood it seriously.
This empire, it seems, needs to review its history.
"Then what is the relationship between Emperor Yangwu and the Gongsun family?" Xue Poye asked curiously.
Mingxu sighed: "They are really related. There is a young descendant of the Gongsun family who traveled around the world, but he didn't know how his identity was discovered... According to my subordinates, I am afraid that he accidentally exposed his agency skills and was discovered by others.
Seeing this, this was a good time. He was followed immediately, naturally to force him to reveal the secret of the mechanism technique. It is said that at that time, there were hundreds of people chasing this young descendant of the Gongsun family, and there were many good ones among them. The descendant saw that it was difficult to escape.
, but it was Emperor Yangwu who saved this junior in the moment of danger, so he must repay his kindness and repay Emperor Yangwu's kindness."
"Repaying a favor is what a gentleman does." Xue Poye nodded and said: "It's just that Emperor Yangwu is a man, so I guess he won't let him repay the favor?"
Although Mingxu was a member of Qinglianzhao and had the responsibility of rebelling against Chu and restoring Shu, he seemed to have great respect and admiration for this Mingjun of Chu: "That's natural. Emperor Yangwu naturally refused to accept it. The so-called
Showing kindness without intending to repay it. If you save others and accept repayment, wouldn't it be against justice? When the back of the Gongsun family saw this situation, they did not insist and left a message. Sooner or later, this life-saving grace must be repaid, and there is no way to hide.
Can't hide."
"Emperor Yangwu is righteous, but this descendant of the Gongsun family is also a person of noble character." Xue Poye praised.
Mingxu took a sip of tea, maybe it was because the tea was cold, he clicked his tongue, and then slowly said: "This happened many years ago, until Emperor Yangwu came to the throne and wanted to rebuild the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance. At this time,
The junior member of the Gongsun family appeared again, and I don’t know how he knew that the savior was Emperor Yangwu. He insisted on repaying the favor and asked Emperor Yangwu to allow him to plan and build the Hubu Bank."
"Should the emperor agree this time?" Xue Poye asked with wide eyes.
Mingxu nodded and said: "Firstly, the younger generation is determined, and secondly, he also considers that the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance is an important place for the country and cannot be careless. The Gongsun family's mechanism skills are world-famous. Someone from the Gongsun family came to build the bank and set up a trap."
The institution, the bank was impregnable. His Majesty the Emperor agreed to the junior's request and gave him the responsibility for the project of the Bank of the Ministry of Revenue. The junior stayed there for three years, and when the bank was completed, he drifted away, and then
No trace can be found."
Xue Poye sighed with emotion: "They come and go without a trace, just like gods. These people from the Gongsun family really have the magnanimity of a worldly master." He paused, frowned and said: "This matter is even more strange, in that case.
, the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance is so impregnable, how could tens of millions of taels of official silver disappear out of thin air?"
Mingxu joined his hands and said: "Amitabha, or the way of heaven, it is time for Dachuhe to perish."
Xue Poye frowned, rubbed his nose and pondered for a long time, and then whispered: "Cousin, I want to ask you, is it really important for Da Chu to destroy the country?"
Mingxu was stunned for a moment, then quickly said: "After Chu is destroyed, Shu can be revived. Duo... Cousin, why do you ask like this?"
Xue Poye said calmly: "The country of Hou Shu is just a place in the middle of Sichuan. If Chu is destroyed, the world will be in chaos. Qinglianzhao may really be able to restore the country in the middle of Sichuan, but many people will always die in this world.
Yes, you are a disciple of Buddhism, can you bear to watch people in the world die under the fire of swords and destroy all living beings?"
He is not pretending to be righteous. Think about the rise and fall of empires that you have seen on TV and movies, and all of them have brought disaster to the common people. The common people in the world were easily slaughtered like cunning rabbits and lackeys. Wherever the smoke and smoke passed, there were corpses everywhere.
He had never seen a real killing war scene, but just thinking about the compatriots who were killed and injured in the Wenchuan earthquake before traveling through time, he felt the pain of death.
Perhaps what the common people want most is a peaceful life, and dynasty change is just a game played by politicians, and the pawns in the game are innocent people all over the world.
Seeing Mingxu's dumbfounded face, Xue Poye smiled bitterly and said: "Maybe you haven't thought about it. The Central Plains are in chaos. The Khitan, the Tubo, even Goryeo, and our biggest enemy Beihu in Da Chu, how could they
If we just sit back and watch, when the time comes, they will definitely take advantage of the chaos and come down, and then our country of Chu will be in real danger."
Mingxu was stunned for a moment, and his honest-looking face was full of confusion. After a long while, he said: "Then...is it wrong for us to rebel against Chu and restore Shu?"
Xue Poye sighed: "What is wrong? What is right? It is always right to let everyone live well, and it is always wrong to let everyone live in peace. You come from Buddhism, so you must know these ideals better than me."
"Live in peace?" Mingxu said to himself, with a confused look on his face, as if he was thinking about something: "People in the world should live well, isn't this what I, the Buddha, mean? But...our teachings, then
They want to rebel against Chu and Shu...I...eh...I'm really confused, I...am I always wrong?"
Xue Poye stood up and walked slowly towards the door. He suddenly stopped and said calmly: "You can tell the chief helmsman or the military advisor about my words."
Mingxu was stunned, then suddenly shook his head and said: "I am your subordinate, and I only listen to your orders. What you say to me will only reach my ears, and...cousin, I think what you said is not unreasonable.
"
A smile appeared at the corner of Xue Poye's mouth, and he said warmly: "With your wisdom, you can understand the truth behind it."
People from the Punishment Department were patrolling around secretly, hoping to find even a hint of clues. Unfortunately, the money seemed to have been stolen by ghosts. Many experts in the Punishment Department failed to find any clues, and they spent a lot of manpower and material resources to arrange the case in Kyoto.
This dragnet not only frightened the people of Kyoto, but even the members of the Ministry of Punishments themselves were choked to the point of being choked.
His Majesty the Emperor summoned Mo Yi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, and Wei Shantai, the Governor of Kyoto, and ordered them without objection that they must retrieve the treasure as quickly as possible, otherwise... His Majesty the Emperor did not tell the consequences, but both of them learned from His Majesty the Emperor's instructions.
There was murderous intention in his expression, and even Wei Shantai, the dark leader whom His Majesty trusted so much, felt unprecedented panic.
Wei Shantai understood that His Majesty the Emperor must be extremely shocked and anxious, but as a noble, he could not show panic in front of his ministers.
Luo Wuyan was beheaded, which showed His Majesty the Emperor's anger. No one could tell whether he would be next.
Xue Poye personally took charge of the Hubu Bank and led the Yulin Guards to guard the place. Although tens of millions of official silver was lost, the Hubu Bank was still quiet and solemn.
Prince Yin was really heartbroken.
For two days in a row, he stood in the courtyard of the bank, with a look of despair that had never appeared on his face. He almost fainted before being forcibly sent back to the palace by Xue Poye.
Seeing Prince Yin's appearance, Xue Poye felt even more the cruelty of the power struggle.
Just imagine that not long ago, Prince Yin was still very high-spirited, with a lot of trump cards in his hands, and huge power. However, in less than two months, he was reduced to what he is today. Not only did his power almost disappear, but he himself was also stolen because of the treasury silver.
Incidents, there is always the risk of being convicted.
Although I haven't seen Prince Fu over there, I'm afraid his life won't be too easy.
When the clouds were overcast in Kyoto, Emperor Deqing was walking on the smooth marble floor under the protection of his eunuchs. Everywhere he saw were plum blossoms and chrysanthemums that only appeared in winter. Not far away, there was a bamboo forest.
It is full of snow and looks very comfortable.
This is Cining Palace. The mother of Emperor Deqing and the Empress Dowager are admiring the flowers in the palace with the support of the palace maids.
"Huan'er, look at it. As soon as the heavy snow fell, all the flowers in the world hid, but these plum blossoms bloomed so beautifully, accompanying me through this long winter." The Queen Mother looked at the plum blossoms on the branches with a smile.
Smiling kindly.
The Queen Mother has always been amiable to the maids in the palace, so in the hearts of many palace maids, the Queen Mother is just a kind old man.
"Queen Mother, look, the plum blossoms this year seem to be particularly beautiful." The maid supporting the Queen Mother pointed to the plum blossoms on the branches.
The Queen Mother was accompanied by four or five maids, all of whom were young and beautiful, like a group of cute little orioles.
The Queen Mother smiled kindly and said softly: "There are many flowers, but it is better to be simple and elegant." A strange look flashed through her eyes that did not look old, and she said softly: "Like a woman, it is better to be simple and clean.
, if it is too beautiful, it will look coquettish. If you are born in an ordinary family, you will be a loser, and if you are born in an emperor's palace, you will be a loser."
The Queen Mother's words naturally have profound meaning. Unfortunately, these innocent palace maids have not been too contaminated by the palace's conspiracies and conspiracies. They do not think there is anything wrong with this sentence, and it is impossible to understand the meaning of the Queen Mother's words.
Chilling to the core.
"Your Majesty, it's very cold outside, so you should go back and rest." The maid next to you advised.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be thinking about something and did not hear clearly. She just looked at the plum blossoms on the branches, stunned. Seeing this scene, the maids did not dare to disturb them, so they had to gather around to shield the Empress Dowager from the cold wind, and they did not dare to go out.
The sound probably startled her.
An eunuch hurried over and said respectfully: "Queen Mother, your Majesty is waiting in the back pavilion!"
The empress dowager came back to her senses from deep thought, frowned lightly, and said calmly: "Is he here?" The only one who remained silent said softly: "Go back to the house." Surrounded by the maids, she walked back slowly.
Inside the house, with the support of the palace maid, he slowly arrived at the back pavilion of the palace.
The stove was burning here and it was very warm. Emperor Deqing was standing by the window, staring at the snowy scene outside the window.
Hearing the sound of footsteps behind him, Emperor Deqing turned around and saw the Empress Dowager walking into the pavilion. He quickly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please give your regards to the Empress Dowager."
"That's all." The Empress Dowager said calmly, and with the support of the palace maid, she sat on the warm chair and stared at Emperor Deqing.
Emperor Deqing sat down on a warm chair nearby, stared at the Empress Dowager, and asked softly: "How is the Empress Dowager?"
The Empress Dowager sighed and said: "The Emperor is busy with everything, but it turns out he still remembers me. I thought the Emperor had long forgotten me, an old woman."
Emperor Deqing hurriedly said: "The emperor is guilty, please punish the queen mother."
The Empress Dowager shook her head, looked at Emperor Deqing's tired face, and finally showed a soft look on his face, and said softly: "Emperor, although the state affairs are important, you still have to pay attention to your health and don't work too hard."
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your care!" Emperor Deqing forced a smile, looked around, and said, "Didn't Qiong'er come over?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "That girl has too many things to do, but compared to you, we can only see you once in two or three days." After a pause, she looked at Emperor Deqing's hair and sighed: "Emperor, your white
More...!"
Emperor Deqing smiled bitterly and said, "Are you white again? I haven't looked in the mirror for a long time."
"You have worked too hard these days. I'm afraid you have put a lot of effort into clearing out your son's influence?" The Empress Dowager stared at Emperor Deqing and said calmly: "Are you doing this because you are afraid that they will threaten the prince, or are you afraid that they will threaten the prince?
What other reason?"
A cold light flashed in Emperor Deqing's eyes, and he said calmly: "Party fighting in the court is the most taboo thing for the emperor. I have shown mercy by not expelling those two traitors."
The Empress Dowager smiled coldly and said: "Is there still no clue about the matter of the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance?"
Emperor Deqing shook his head and frowned: "Mother, this matter has never happened before in the hundreds of years of history of our country. The emperor still can't figure out how that impregnable bank could be like that.
The huge official silver disappeared." At this point, Emperor Deqing suddenly coughed violently, heartbreaking. After a long while, he took out the yellow scarf from his arms and wiped the corners of his mouth. On the yellow scarf, there were red bloodshot eyes.
.
The Empress Dowager looked stern and said: "You...!"
Seeing no one around, Emperor Deqing smiled bitterly and said: "The emperor has been feeling more and more unwell recently, coughing up blood every night...!" The Empress Dowager shuddered, looked at Emperor Deqing, and said in a trembling voice: "You
……come here……!"
Emperor Deqing stood up and walked slowly to the Empress Dowager, sat down, stared at his mother, and said softly: "The emperor always thinks that maybe... maybe my days are numbered...!"
The Empress Dowager was extremely shocked. She put her trembling hand on Emperor Deqing's shoulder with a sad look on her face. She stroked Emperor Deqing's face with her other hand, very softly, and her voice was choked with sobs: "You...you can...
Can’t…can’t…can’t…!”
Emperor Deqing put his head on the Empress Dowager's shoulder and said softly: "Life and death are determined by fate. Although the emperor is the emperor, he cannot...but he cannot control his own life and death...!"
The Empress Dowager burst into tears and hugged Emperor Deqing tightly in her arms. Her love for having a baby completely replaced the struggle for power.dd