Li Junxian has been very confused recently. It has been more than half a year since the strange phenomenon appeared in the sky on New Year's Eve. He finally found the clues because many people bought saltpeter in the previous summer, so the investigation was also a mess.
The alchemist was found from the previous saltpeter clue.
At this moment, he was listening to Taoist Priest Yuan Tiangang's story, "According to the general's request, there are more than 150 alchemists in Chang'an City, and more than 30 of them died last year."
Li Junxian smiled bitterly and said, "How did they all die?"
Yuan Tiangang held the fly whisk, "The old Taoist has long said that pills are harmful to people. Most of them died after taking pills, and some were beaten to death after being caught seeking money and killing people.
Some were captured and taken to Dali Temple and died in the dungeon."
Qintian Prison is very quiet, because Yuan Tiangang was crazy about researching eggs before, which caused many eunuchs to have a psychological shadow on this place, and would avoid it even if they were passing by.
Li Junxian asked again: "Has anyone purchased saltpeter before this summer?"
Yuan Tiangang recalled again, "Yes, there is. It's not buying saltpeter. Someone went to an alchemist's house and started searching. It was just like robbing. This was when the old Taoist went to inquire, and he heard from people nearby that it was robbing.
A lot of things were taken away, and they were all taken away in a full cart."
Hope lit up in Li Junxian's eyes, "Which alchemist is it?"
"What a pity." Yuan Tiangang sighed: "The Taoist priest passed away at the beginning of the year, and he also died after taking the elixir."
Li Junxian slapped him and said, "These damn alchemists."
"General, don't be too anxious."
Li Junxian stood up and saluted in the direction of Tai Chi Hall, "Even now, I still haven't achieved anything. It's my fault!"
"General, don't be too discouraged. Some people bought saltpeter this summer to get upset. Now there are few people buying it. You might as well keep an eye on those who have saltpeter in their hands to see if anyone wants to buy it or if someone wants to sell it."
"What Taoist Yuan said makes sense, I will keep an eye on you right now."
The hot summer is over, and when the autumn wind blows, Chang'an City becomes lively again.
Zhang Yang took Xiao Wu and his wife home and stopped by the Dong Market to buy some meat and vegetables.
"Boy Zhang, whose family does this pretty little girl like you belong to?"
Zhang Yang scratched his head in embarrassment and explained: "This is the disciple my wife accepted, and she keeps her with her."
Walking on the lively streets of Dongshi, the uncles and aunts on both sides of the street had kind smiles on their faces. Xiao Wu also smiled when he heard every joke.
This is the first time I see her smile.
When he was about to leave Dongshi, Zhang Yang caught a glimpse of a sundry stall and was attracted by something on the stall. It was a yellow spherical object with many holes on it.
Zhang Yang held it in his hand. Isn't this a sponge? It's also a natural sponge.
There are people from all over the world in Chang'an. People come to Chang'an City from all over the country. Some are traders, and some want to come to Chang'an City to find opportunities to get ahead.
Zhang Yang asked: "Where did this thing come from?"
The stall owner sat lazily against the wall, "I bought it from someone else."
"How much money, I want."
"Shiwen."
Zhang Yang took out his small purse, which contained a daily quota of 30 cents.
After paying ten cents, Zhang Yang took the sponge the size of a human head and left.
Li Yue was a little curious about what this thing was and took a second look.
Back home, Li Yue began to teach Xiao Wu, starting with the simplest counting.
Xiao Wu listened carefully.
The surface of the sponge is quite dirty, but the inside is relatively clean.
Spread it out and wrap it in a piece of cloth.
Li Yue taught patiently, "Eleven, twelve, thirteen..."
Xiao Wu also chanted, "Eleven, twelve, thirteen."
Feeling her husband holding her back, Li Yue looked back curiously.
Zhang Yang put the cushion on her back, "Now lean down and try."
Li Yue tried to lean her back and felt the cushion supporting her waist.
"Are you feeling more comfortable now?"
"It's really comfortable." Li Yue leaned back again and felt the cushion.
She usually spends a lot of time reading. In the past, sitting cross-legged would be very tiring. Now that she has a chair, it is much better. But she still feels tired after sitting for a long time. Having a cushion can at least relieve her.
Cut off the inner core of the sponge, wash it, and let it sit in the sun.
I gave Xiao Wu a half-hour lesson, and then left it to her to learn numbers on her own.
"How was it today at the Riseijeon Hall?"
"It's good. The queen mother still likes Xiao Wu very much, but Xiao Wu and the children in the palace don't seem to be able to play together." Li Yue ate raisins.
"Then play more games, and the children will naturally blend in."
She looked at Xiao Wu and said, "Actually, it's good for her to be quiet like this."
Now Xiao Wu was clumsily holding a brush and writing on a piece of paper. After writing a word, she stopped and closed her eyes as if to remember the word.
Li Lizhi has a foundation, at least there will be no shortage of teachers in the palace.
But Xiao Wu is different. To Li Yue, Xiao Wu is a very clean piece of white paper.
The weather in autumn is very good. Zhang Yang got up early and Li Yue combed Xiao Wu's hair. It seemed that she enjoyed the process of raising children.
"Construction is starting in the village today, let's go take a look." Li Yue's words came from the room, "And we should take Xiao Wu to meet her parents so that Duke Ying Guo can rest assured."
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "Let the aunts prepare, I will go to the East Palace to ask for leave."
"We are waiting for my husband at home."
Hurrying towards the palace, Zhang Yang ate a piece of cake as breakfast. After finishing the piece of cake, he arrived at the Zhuque Gate.
After saying hello to Li Daoyan in front of the door, Zhang Yang walked towards the East Palace.
I was just thinking about how to ask for leave from Li Chengqian today. Not long after he took office, I had to ask for leave again. I didn't know if the prince would be easy to talk to.
As soon as he reached the entrance of the East Palace, he bumped into Changsun Chong who was coming with a group of people.
"So Master Zhang." Changsun Chong bowed slightly, and then walked into the East Palace feeling very good about himself.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Wait a minute!" Zhang Yang stopped him, "Master Changsun, what are you doing in the East Palace?"
These words made Changsun Chong smile. He smiled and looked at the person behind him, "With my friendship with His Royal Highness, why do I need your permission to come to the East Palace?"
As he spoke, Changsun Chong continued to lead the people towards the East Palace.
"Li Anyan!" Zhang Yang suddenly shouted.
"The general is here!" Li Anyan was about to cross the horizontal sword, "Master Zhang, what are your orders?"
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "I am in charge of the internal and external affairs of the East Palace. Can I decide whether such idle people can enter the East Palace?"
Li Anyan put a hand on the horizontal knife at his waist, "That's natural."
"Okay!" Zhang Yang ordered: "Stop this group of people outside the East Palace. Anyone who dares to enter will be captured and thrown into Zhuque Street."
"Here!" Li Anyan shouted: "Someone, stop them outside the East Palace!"
A group of East Palace guards stepped forward. Changsun Chong was so angry that he laughed, and could only step back step by step, "Who do you think is a bastard?"
Zhang Yang carefully touched the mud between his nails, "Isn't it Mr. Changsun?"
"Of course not." Changsun Chong was pushed by the guard and took a big step back.
"Then tell me, who are you?"
Changsun Chong looked behind him again. The group of people who came with him lost their confidence on the spot when facing the guards of the East Palace. He could only take a step forward by himself, "I heard that His Majesty changed Chongwen Palace into Chongwen Hall, but I didn't know that Chongwen Hall is now Chongwen Hall."
Very empty."
"Empty? No." Zhang Yang looked back at Zhang Da'an, "There is Da'an in Chongwen Hall."
"Zhang Da'an?" Changsun Chong smiled again, "Is it him? I think Master Zhang is also a studious and knowledgeable person, so don't say it is a joke right now."
"Da'an, why can't you do it? Even though he is taciturn, he is actually very thoughtful."
"Zhang Yang, why are you embarrassing me?" Changsun Chong pointed to the people behind him, "They are all educated, rich and carless people. They entered the Chongwen Hall for the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Da'an, did you get permission from the Crown Prince to bring people to the East Palace?" Zhang Yang asked leisurely, leaning against the outer wall of the East Palace.
"I've never heard of the prince talking about it." Zhang Daan said with a straight face.
"Have you heard, Mr. Changsun? The prince has never mentioned this matter. Since you don't have the prince's permission to make your own decisions, aren't you afraid that the prince will be unhappy?"
Changsun shouted: "Don't try to stir up trouble!"
Zhang Yang said slowly: "Or do you think you are the son of Duke Zhao, and even the prince wants to give you some thin noodles?"
"Zhang Yang! First you used Zhang Da'an to humiliate us and make trouble, and now you use these words to blackmail us. We always think about the prince. What are your intentions?"
"Let's do this." Zhang Yang stood up straight, "Since Mr. Changsun said that these people are extremely knowledgeable, I will ask two questions. As long as you can answer them, how about I let you enter the Chongwen Hall?"
"Okay!" Someone immediately started cheering behind Changsun Chong. They were also made angry by Zhang Yang's words and deeds.
Asking Zhang Daan to bring pen and ink, Zhang Yang first wrote down the first question and posted it on the outer wall.
Looking at the question, Sun Chong thought out loud, "Which came first in the world, the chicken or the egg?"
"Of course the egg comes first." someone immediately replied.
"Hahaha." Zhang Yang smiled instead, "How can eggs come from without chickens?"
"this……"
Everyone was silent again.
Zhang Yang said melancholy: "I don't have much education, so I can't understand these questions. I wonder if you, all of you who are very knowledgeable, can answer them."
There was another moment of silence.
Zhang Yang wrote down the second question: When thunder strikes in the distance, why do you see the thunder first and hear the sound instead of hearing it at the same time?
Changsun Chong's face turned dark immediately, "Of course..."
"Wait a minute, Mr. Changsun, think about it carefully. Have you ever encountered such a situation? What is the reason for this situation?"
More than ten people following Chang Sun Chong were whispering and discussing.
"As long as you can solve one of the questions, I will let you enter the Chongwen Hall."
After Zhang Yang finished speaking, he gave them a very cool look on his back, then walked to Li Anyan, "General Li, watch out, don't let them in."
"The last general takes orders." Li Anyan replied solemnly.
After taking two steps, Zhang Yang came back and asked in a low voice: "General Li, why don't we break their legs? I'm afraid they will retaliate against me."
Li Anyan hesitated for a while and said: "Master Zhang, I have never offended you. If I really want to break the legs of the eldest son of the grandson, it is better not to be a guard of the East Palace and save my life."
"I'm joking, don't take it seriously. Don't let these idlers enter the East Palace if you are careful with them."
Li Anyan: "Here!"
At this moment, Wei Zheng was still giving lectures to the prince.
"Mr. Zheng, long time no see." Zhang Yang saluted.
"Well, I and the prince know what happened outside. You did the right thing." Wei Zheng nodded, "If it were someone else, maybe I would have given Changsun a way to enter the East Palace."
Li Chengqian said helplessly: "This eldest son Chong is really ignorant."
"Your Highness, I'm here to ask for leave."
"Asking for leave? Asking for leave, right?"
"It almost means the same thing." Zhang Yang took out a note, "This is my request for leave. I have to go to the fiefdom today and I'm afraid I won't be able to study with the prince."
"Something happened to the fief? Is there anything I need to do?"
"No need, the factories in our fiefdom are just starting to work. It's said to be a good start. I'm going to check on the situation."
Wei Zheng picked up the scroll and said, "Today's class ends here. I will take my leave now."
Li Chengqian stood up to see him off, "Mr. Zheng, go slowly."
After bidding farewell to Wei Zheng, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I haven't gone out to see it for a long time. Why don't I go see it with you? Maybe we can learn something."
"That's fine, we will definitely welcome His Highness the Crown Prince." Zhang Yang smiled and said, "Da'an, you can go too."
"Here." Zhang Daan nodded.
The three of them walked out of the East Palace, while Chang Sun Chong and his party were still standing outside the East Palace.
Seeing that it was Li Chengqian coming out, Changsun Chong immediately shouted: "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Li Chengqian continued walking with a straight face and did not respond.
Walking all the way to Zhuque Street, Li Chengqian couldn't help but wonder, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"If I had known about it, I wouldn't have asked them. These people claim to be knowledgeable and wealthy. It's better to leave such a difficult question to them. Let's not think about it."
"Yes." Li Chengqian asked again; "What's going on with the thunder?"
Zhang Yang scratched the stubble on his chin, "This matter is complicated."
"Don't worry, walk and talk at the same time."
"Let's go home first and then go out together."
Zhang Daan saluted and said: "I will go and prepare the car first."
Li Chengqian nodded, "That's fine."
When they returned home, they called Li Yue and Xiao Wu, and the family and Li Chengqian walked to the gate of the city. Zhang Daan had already prepared the escort team and the driver.
Li Yue and Xiaowu were sitting in the carriage at the back, and Zhang Yang was sitting in the prince's carriage and talking about thunder and lightning.
"Light travels faster than sound? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."
"This is all my guess."
"When I first heard the sound of drums, I experienced the transmission of this sound in an open school field. What you said is not unreasonable."
"There are many magical things in this world."
"Is there anything magical that I don't know about? Please enlighten me."
"For example, the land under our feet is round and we are all standing on a ball. This ball rotates and revolves around the sun, so there are day and night, a year and four seasons."
】
"Hahaha, you just love to joke." Li Chengqian smiled heartily, "How could such a thing happen?"