It started to rain lightly, and the rainwater dripped down the eaves and pattered on the leaves in front of the window. Chang Yu turned over, sat up and stretched, looking at the rain outside the window, feeling a little surprised.
"My lord, wake up." Chen Wangting called out from outside, and Chang Yu responded: "Master Chen, go and have a rest." Ever since he was assassinated after leaving seclusion a few months ago, Chang Yu had a habit of having someone on duty in the room outside his bedroom when he slept at night.
Fang San came in with a basin of water and helped Chang Yu comb his hair and wash himself.
"Did Chunxiang just go to bed or just wake up?"
"Eunuch Chun just went to bed this morning," Fang San quickly replied. Chang Yu asked again, "Was it peaceful in Beijing last night?"
"When I was chatting with Eunuch Chun this morning, I learned that there were fights last night, but there were a lot less of them, just a few."
At this time, a spy came in and reported: "Yesterday, Wu Sangui went to meet Zhou Yuji and others for a while, and then met alone with Tang Tong and Ma Ke. They stayed behind closed doors until dawn."
Chang Yu raised his lips slightly.
A bowl of porridge, a portion of pickle dumplings, a plate of fried steamed bun slices, and two eggs. Outsiders would never imagine that the breakfast of the powerful eunuch of Dongchang, who is so powerful in both the government and the public, is so simple. But even this is beyond the reach of many ordinary people.
Got it
Although the food was simple, Fang San carefully cooked it to Chang Yu's taste. He chewed slowly and slurped his tongue. Jiang Quan bowed behind him and said, "The thief has become more cautious and has not noticed any clues."
Last night, Chang Yu used the pretext of sending Wu Sangui to visit a friend and take a walk out of the Yamen. In fact, he used himself as bait to lure the snake out of its hole. Jiang Quan deployed his men to follow him secretly, preparing to follow him.
Unexpectedly, after working all night, no clues were found.
"After the factory owner left the yamen, he found no one following him, and no one visited the yamen or the Prince Consort's residence," Jiang Quan said in a low voice with a deep breath.
"It seems that the thief is more cautious and sophisticated than the governor expected. He can adapt to the situation and quickly set up a trap, and even if he misses a hit, he will be wiped out. This opponent is not easy." Chang Yu put down the bowl and chopsticks and wiped his mouth: "Continue to investigate.
The Governor is patient, but they cannot hold their breath."
"I don't know my humble position, so I'd like to ask the factory boss for some advice." Jiang Quan was a little confused and bowed and asked.
Chang Yu stood up and glanced out the window: "Although the war in the north is calm now, the south is in chaos. The imperial court has been busy with military parades recently. It seems that there is no time for the south, but in fact, the south has been preparing secretly. And almost everyone can guess that the war in the south will be calmed down.
I must go to supervise the battle..."
"If the factory owner goes south and is in the army, he will definitely go to heaven if he wants to assassinate him, so the thieves must do it before the factory owner goes south, which is in the next few days!" Jiang Quan finally understood, and his eyes became hot.
"That's right." Chang Yu walked under the eaves, looked outside the courtyard and whispered to Feifei: "These days are the most leisurely moments for our family, but they are also lurking murderous intentions."
"I'm a humble employee. Let's go and investigate. I will give an explanation to the factory boss within three days." Jiang Quan kowtowed and left. Chang Yu shook his head gently and looked at his back: "If it were so easy, the case would have been solved long ago. How could it be another turn?"
It’s up to you to take the credit.”
Chang Yu was right about one thing. The past few days since Ban Shi returned to Beijing have been the most leisurely time for him. Emperor Chongzhen seemed to reward him by almost not looking for him when he had nothing to do.
Under the eaves of the east wing, Jiang Fa was instructing Song Luoyu in martial arts. Wuzhong was lying on a chair and watching with disdain, curling his lips from time to time.
"In the world of martial arts, speed is the only thing that can't be broken, and strength is the only thing that can't be broken. Your trick is slow, soft and soft, like you are drawing a ghost charm. How powerful can it be?"
Jiang Fa was not angry: "No, it's just painting ghost talismans. This skill specializes in subduing all kinds of monsters and ghosts."
Wuzhong snorted coldly: "Luo Yumo wants to learn how to draw ghost talismans. When I recover from my injury, I will teach you Bazi Fist..."
"It's not suitable for women to learn your fierce way. Luo Yu is more suitable for my Tai Chi, which can both strengthen the body and maintain health." Jiang Fa smiled. He had been admiring Wuzhong for a long time when he traveled around the world in his early years. He is a colleague and has a good relationship.
More and more intimate.
Moreover, Wu Zhong rolled his eyes and was about to retort, but he saw Chang Yu standing beside him at some point. He was about to salute, but Chang Yu held him down and sat down gently: "We are asking you.
,Why is this martial skill called Kung Fu?"
"How can you achieve superb martial arts skills without hard work and hard work over time and months?" As Wuzhong spoke, he raised his energy and struck with a palm. The long solid wood stool next to him broke in response: "This palm requires thirty years of hard work. Do you have it, sir?"
Chang Yu sighed and shook his head slightly: "No" and stood up: "Do you have any money?"
Ah, Wu Zhong looked confused.
"Ten taels of silver as compensation and fine for damaging public property," Chang Yu said calmly. Wuzhong immediately jumped up and said, "This is too dark," making Jiang Fa and Song Luoyu laugh.
"You three are the only ones in the yamen. So where did Li Muxian go?" Chang Yu suddenly asked after the joke.
Jiang Fa shook his head: "Taoist priest Fang disappeared the next day after returning to Beijing."
"That Niubi is not a good person. He will end up drunk in some gentle village." Song Luoyu said with disdain.
"Don't talk nonsense. How can a person who takes a Taoist boy with him when he leaves go to look for flowers and ask willows? Besides, he is a monk..." Chang Yu scolded lightly.
Hey, Song Luoyu rolled his eyes: "He is not a serious monk. I happened to see him going in and out of the flower house when I was in my humble position. I thought no one knew about it..."
Jiang Fa and Wuzhong lowered their heads and laughed. Chang Yu didn't know what to say and casually said: "Our family is going out to relax, could you please Master Jiang?"
"Your Majesty, I'll take the order." Jiang Fa clasped his hands and hurried back to his room to change his clothes to prepare. Song Luoyu came over and said, "Sir, Master Jiang is very small in manpower, so I'm willing to go with him in this humble position."
Chang Yu nodded, and Wu Zhong shouted from the side: "Just in case, it's better to bring more people, why not call in the personal guards..."
Chang Yu shook his head: "Thieves are not that arrogant in broad daylight. Besides, going for a walk and making such a big scene would be too ostentatious."
It was dusk and rainy, and there were only a few people walking on the street in the early morning. Chang Yu walked out of the yamen holding an oilcloth umbrella, raised his head and looked around, and walked towards the alley. He was accompanied by Jiang Fa and Song Luoyu, who were dressed in smart clothes and carried swords.
After exiting the alley, Chang Yu looked around again, looked up at the towering imperial city wall in front of him, and then walked slowly north.
If you ask Chang Yu where he is going, even he doesn't know. He just wants to walk and enjoy this rare leisure. There is no military affairs, no worries about government affairs, no need to deal with complicated interpersonal relationships, and no need to scheming with anyone.
With an oilcloth umbrella, he walked aimlessly through the streets and alleys. The victory of the Ming army had excited the people of the capital for many days. Now they finally calmed down a little and faced the cruel reality of life.
After months of war, not only the people outside the city were having a hard time, but the lives of the people in the capital were also in dire straits. Just a rise in prices made it unbearable for many people.
In front of a grain and oil store, Chang Yu held an umbrella and looked closely at the gloomy faces of the people buying rice. He also looked at a few beggars kneeling under the eaves holding broken bowls not far away. He wanted to take out some broken silver and throw it away.
I went there and sighed when I found that I didn't have it with me.
I am used to seeing the rich and powerful families in the capital spending money like water, and seeing the feasting and feasting outside the front door. The tens of thousands of soldiers who came to the capital to pay homage to the imperial capital also lamented the prosperity of the capital, but they did not know that this emperor had another side, dark and real.
The plague is still raging all over the city, refugees who came due to the war and beggars are everywhere.
The famine caused by the wars in the past few months has caused many people to starve to death! Chang Yu's heart felt like a huge stone weighing on him. He held an umbrella and walked slowly, until he reached a remote alley.
It seemed to be a dead end. Chang Yu frowned and turned around, and saw a faceless man in black wearing a bamboo hat at the entrance of the alley slowly pulled out his sword: "I know you are leading us out, and you also know that there is a narrow escape from death, but we have to take the risk." Just a moment."