When the Imperial Guard of Qi returned to the city, the chaos in Quzhi City was quickly calmed down, and several of the religious leaders who led the rebellion were quickly captured and imprisoned.
"When you learned about Mu Xied's death, why didn't you immediately order the closure of the temple?"
In the yamen of the Protectorate, the Protector of Qi was sitting in the hall, taking off his armor. After having a general understanding of the recent situation in the city, he asked Wen Changshi in front of him.
"The lower official ordered people to strictly guard the gate of the square that night, but there was insufficient manpower to stop the angry congregation." Wen Changshi said tremblingly.
"Insufficient manpower?" Qi Zhiyi stood beside his father and pointed it out on the spot: "But you were not stingy when you surrounded Baochangfang. You even set up a reward privately, trying to use the three-year reward of a first-class guest to incite the soldiers."
The Great Xia Dynasty practiced martial arts, and there were clear rules and regulations regarding rewards and punishments for soldiers, as well as rewards and punishments for meritorious service during examinations. Attacking a city, breaking a formation, beheading a general, capturing a flag, etc. were divided into categories. They were also divided according to the strength of the enemy and ourselves.
The rankings will be recorded in the records by the military officials, and they will be read out in public when waiting for the squad.
The first thing that the Imperial Guard of Qi did when he returned to Quzhi City was to take the generals and generals to the outside of the Martial Arts Temple to capture the gains from the quelling the rebellion, capture prisoners, and kill or injure all the people. This approach can greatly boost morale.
It not only unites the morale of the military, but also serves as evidence of rewards and punishments, convincing all military departments.
Moreover, the number of rewards and honors corresponding to military exploits and whether or not to attack one's children must be reported in advance and canonized by the imperial court. It is definitely not something that the governor of the Protectorate can decide privately.
Although the Governor's Palace will also give specific financial rewards to soldiers with outstanding military exploits, these must be approved by the Governor himself and cannot be authorized to others indiscriminately.
To reward and punish without authorization is a serious crime and can even be called transgression. However, Wen Changshi was ordered by the Protector to guard Quzhi City. When the Protector himself led his troops out, he actually had the power to reward and punish.
It can't be completely wrong.
The Protector of Qi Dynasty, Dama Jindao, sat on a chair, his dark face slightly weathered by exposure to wind and sun all year round. There was no sign of joy or anger, and he pondered silently for a long time.
After a while, a military officer came to the hall, crossed his hands and said: "Inform the Protector, the two deputy lieutenants who were previously imprisoned are missing, and there is no record of life or death in the books."
As soon as these words came out, the hall fell into a strange silence. The Protector of Qi waved the soldiers to retreat and asked: "Wen Changshi, where are the two lieutenants? If they died of illness after eating dirty things, or committed suicide out of fear of crime.
If you hang yourself, it should be recorded."
Wen Changshi lowered his head and turned slightly pale. Qi Daduhu was not angry and leaned back on the chair: "You let those two people out and lent them to Maocai Society, right?"
"Yes." Faced with Qi Daduhu's clear insight, Wen Changshi knew that he could not hide it anymore, so he could only admit it obediently.
"The two lieutenants conspired to secretly use the prisoners as slaves and sell them to others, which was against the imperial court's laws and regulations." Qi Dadu defended his words: "Now the imperial court intends to reduce the redundant personnel in military towns in various prefectures and counties.
We, the four towns of Anxi, are recruiting a lot of people, so we are the first to bear the brunt. At this time, if someone catches someone for a small mistake, it will make a big fuss in the court. Killing with pen and ink is often more vicious than with swords and guns."
At this time, Wen Changshi was sweating profusely. Only then did he realize that he did not have the foresight of the Qi Protector, and thought that by uprooting Baochang Society, Prime Minister Lu would be unable to interfere in the affairs of the Western Regions.
"Reporting to the Protector, these two people have been killed by the Baochang Society." In order to protect himself, Wen Changshi tried his best to defend himself: "Two months ago, the Maocai Society learned that the Zoroastrian holy artifact Mani Pearl was about to pass through the Western Regions.
I intend to seize this thing and present it to His Majesty through the British Crown Prince, so that we can argue for the four towns of Anxi. At that time, the governor was leading the army outside, and there were insufficient soldiers and horses in Quzhi City. Therefore, the subordinate took it upon himself to take the two imprisoned lieutenants.
Leave it to the Maocai Society for deployment."
The Great Protector of Qi asked: "So, where is the Mani Pearl now?"
Wen Changshi continued: "The Maocai Society once won the Mani Pearl, but later Su Wangting of the Baochang Society incited the Zoroastrian believers in the city to make a lot of noise, forcing the Maocai Society to venture out of the city. Su Wangting had vicious intentions and lurked in the wild.
After killing Maocai She and seizing the Mani Pearl, he realized that it was difficult to defend it, so he handed it over to the Zoroastrian elder Mu Sid for safekeeping."
"But Mu Xide was suddenly killed that night." Qi Dadu defended his words: "And in order to appease the believers, you blamed Su Wangting for Mu Xide's death. Do you think you can justify this?"
"Su Wangting had ulterior motives, and Cheng Sanwu relied on violence to commit crimes. The evidence is conclusive. Even if Prime Minister Lu personally intervened, I would be sure to convict them." Wen Changshi leaned over and kowtowed.
The Protector-General of Qi did not speak, but Qi Zhiyi could not help but speak: "Changshi Wen, the people of Baochang Society have made great contributions to quelling the chaos. If you deal with it like this, who else will be willing to serve the Protector-General in the future? Besides, I
I would like to advise you, now it is my father who makes the decision in the Protectorate, not some British prince."
"Shut up." Qi Daduhu said calmly, and then said to Wen Changshi: "I understand what you are thinking, so please step aside for now."
After Wen Changshi left, the Protector-General of Qi said to Qi Zhiyi alone: "In the future, don't talk nonsense about the British Duke in front of outsiders."
Qi Zhiyi knew his temperament as a young man and said dissatisfied: "This Wen Changshi was obviously sent by the British government to restrain your father, and the children have seen it! This time he made his own decisions. Who knows what he will do next time?"
"It's not always the case if I make my own decision." The governor of Qi showed no emotion or anger: "The British Duke has already sent a letter to inform me about Mani Zhu. He understands that if I take action rashly, it will cause a lot of inconvenience, so he let me
A concubine comes here to do business, I just need to let him go as he pleases."
"But their Maocai Club didn't get the job done either." Qi Zhiyi directly showed his displeasure.
"Everything depends on man and God, and who can guarantee that everything will be a complete success?" Qi Dadu defended: "It's like marching to war, even if my father has made all kinds of calculations in advance, once the army sets off, it will still be full of mistakes. Just talk about treasures.
That Su Wangting from Changshe, he gave the Mani Pearl to Mu Xid for safekeeping. His intention was obvious, but the Mani Pearl was still lost."
"Then whose hands has the Mani Pearl fallen into now?" Qi Zhiyi was puzzled.
"This is the key." Qi Dadu summoned the guards: "Bring Su Wangting here, I will personally investigate."
…
Su Wangting did not come to the Protectorate alone. In addition to Cheng Sanwu, Afu and Mr. Changqing also came with him.
"Old Su, are you sure?" Cheng Sanwu's horizontal sword had been taken away outside the door of the mansion. He looked at the dense guards around him, like Lin Bingjia, and instinctively became vigilant in his heart.
"Duke Qi is not an unreasonable person, don't worry." Su Wangting looked calm: "And the first priority right now is to regain the star marrow and eliminate the conspiracy behind it. Protector Qi is more concerned about it than me."
The group of people followed the guards to the main hall. Only Su Wangting was allowed to enter, and the other three could only wait outside.
"Is that fellow Taoist Changqing from Songyue Fu Zang Palace?"
At this time, a middle-aged Taoist priest passed by with a medicine box in his hand. When he saw Mr. Changqing, he took the initiative to pay a visit. However, he found that he was blindfolded with black cloth and exclaimed: "Oh, Taoist friend Changqing, are you sick of your eyes?"
"Who are you?"
The Taoist replied: "Xie Zhihe, a poor Taoist, listened to Master Daguan's explanation of Liurenzang's art of war in Songyue Fuzang Palace in the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty. He was deeply inspired. At that time, he had several encounters with fellow Taoist Changqing."
Mr. Changqing recalled for a moment, nodded and said: "It turns out to be Brother Xie. I haven't seen you for several years, but you are also in the Western Region? Could it be that you are serving in the Protectorate?"
Xie Zhihe was a little shy: "Well, I am useless. I am just a third-class guest in the Duhu Mansion. I am responsible for preparing marching powder and military ration pills on weekdays. I also use the method to drive away snakes and insects when camping with the army. When fighting, I will fight back."
To treat injured soldiers."
Mr. Changqing responded softly. The magic to get rid of snakes and insects was not very clever. It was just a movement of qi and a curse, which was of some use in the army.
The brilliance of the ship.
With Xie Zhihe's Taoist cultivation, it is indeed difficult to win the favor of high-ranking officials in the Central Plains. The most sought after these days are still discussing mysteries and Taoism, pretending to be a hermit and an expert, followed by prolonging life and maintaining beauty.
The elixirs were then used as illusions to boost excitement and aphrodisiacs. Even the "fighting" between Buddhist and Taoist masters in front of the emperor involved illusions such as cutting paper and transforming into a dragon, and the goddess in the mirror.
Mr. Changqing just hates this kind of clinging to the powerful and hypocritical, so he refuses to go to Chang'an, the imperial capital where magicians from all over the world flock to.
"Thank you Taoist friends for your hard work in Taoism, and you will achieve great things in the future." Mr. Changqing said a rare flattery, and then asked: "I heard that Master Zhou Lian from Huangguan in Kongtong Mountain is also working in the Protectorate. I wonder where he is at the moment. Does he have time to spare?"
Xie Zhihe's expression changed slightly. When he saw someone else standing by, he stopped talking.
Although Mr. Changqing was blindfolded by a black cloth, he could predict the hesitation of the other party, so he walked aside and said, "Thank you, fellow Taoist, for speaking frankly."
Xie Zhihe came forward and sighed: "Master Zhou was seriously injured and his Taoist foundation was damaged. I'm afraid he will never be able to recover in this lifetime."
Mr. Changqing was shocked and asked quickly: "Is it because of the backlash of the spell?"
"How do you know?" Xie Zhihe looked at the other party blindfolded with black cloth at this moment, and suddenly understood: "Could it be that you, fellow Taoist Changqing..."
"Recently, there are differences in the Qi of the Western Region. Any spell that connects the Qi of heaven and earth will inevitably cause Qi chaos, which will backfire on itself." Mr. Changqing pointed the ground with his stick: "If I guessed correctly, Master Zhou should be trying to connect the Yin and Yang Qi of the four seasons.
, the twelve Taihuang bells were rung, and as a result, the qi machine and the bells resonated and reverberated, severely damaging Master Zhou's internal organs and meridians on the spot."
Xie Zhihe was extremely surprised: "That's right! Could it be that Fellow Daoist Changqing saw it with his own eyes?"
"I have suffered a great deal myself. If I compare myself to others, I can guess what happened to Master Zhou." Mr. Changqing said sadly: "The Twelve Yellow Bells are the treasure of the Zhonghuang Temple. Ringing them can shock the ghosts and gods.
The demon lays down on its head, and the evil spirit destroys the form, and the power is astonishing. However, once such a profound magic backfires, the body and mind will be shaken, and the soul will be devastated. Master Zhou can save his life, which is already a solid Taoist foundation."
"Master Zhou is still unconscious, and we are helpless. We can only send him back to Kongtong Mountain for recuperation later, and let the court give him more rewards to make up for it." Xie Zhihe said helplessly.
Mr. Changqing, however, snorted disdainfully: "So what if we get more rewards? If our foundation is damaged, we are destined to miss the path in this life, and it will be difficult to ascend to the Qing Dynasty."
Xie Zhihe opened his mouth slightly, marveling at the other party's unbridled words. He definitely didn't have such courage. It would be great if he could have a place in the Protector's Mansion. How could he dare to act like a superior?
"Uh... I wonder why Fellow Daoist Changqing came to the Protector's Mansion?" Xie Zhihe quickly changed the subject.
"I originally came to see Master Zhou. Firstly, I wanted to know about the current strange situation in the Western Region. Secondly, I also wanted to directly meet with the Qi Protector through him." Mr. Changqing sighed: "But maybe there is no need for it now."
At this time, the main hall door opened, and a guard walked out, asking Cheng Sanwu and three others to come in.
Cheng Sanwu was almost hungry when he stood in front of the door. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Protector Qi sitting upright. Their eyes met and they couldn't help but pause in their steps.
Qi Daduhu's eyes narrowed slightly. He is a tough guy who has experienced countless battles and battles. He has been polished inside and outside as hard as iron stone. Even if Mount Tai collapses before his eyes, his color will not change.
Even if a Hu Ji assassin stabbed her throat with a hairpin between the bedclothes a few years ago, Qi Daduhu could still easily block it and then break her neck with his free hand. But when he saw Cheng Sanwu for the first time, he still felt
Instinctively, a sense of caution arises.
This is not the fear of seeing tigers, leopards and wolves. To the Great Protector of Qi, those are just prey like cats and dogs, not worth mentioning at all. But Cheng Sanwu is like a big ferocious beast from ancient times.
The large shadow casts a chilling feeling.
The Protector of Qi was puzzled. He had seen many martial arts warriors, but none of them were similar to Cheng Sanwu. Moreover, upon closer inspection, Cheng Sanwu's outward temperament was nothing more than that of a martial artist. He was so talented just now.
This strange feeling is fleeting and can no longer be grasped.
On the other hand, Cheng Sanwu just sniffed, and he could see that Qi Daduhu was also a powerful person. This not only refers to his martial arts proficiency, but more to the brilliance of Lao Su's ability to do things.
Qi Zhiyi, who was standing beside his father, didn't notice. He just raised his eyebrows slightly towards Cheng Sanwu, as if to say that he had fulfilled his promise.
The three of them were about to salute, when Qi Daduhu waved his hands and said: "There is no need to be polite... I have a general understanding of the cause and effect from Director Su's office. The person who assassinated the Zoroastrian elder Mu Xide and stole the Mani Pearl a few days ago was shot by you.
retreat?"
Cheng Sanwu saw the Protector looking at him, so he crossed his hands and replied: "Exactly. But rather than repelling him, it was more like scaring him away."
"oh?"
"That guy's spells are very powerful. I only tried hard in the end before I could barely defeat his spells." Cheng Sanwu said bluntly: "In addition, the fighting became too loud, and the people around the Fire Worship Temple were all stunned.
After being awakened, the guy probably didn't dare to stay, so he ran away."
"If I want to ask you to deal with this person, do you dare to go?" Qi Dadu asked with a smile.
"Go, of course! Why don't you dare?" Cheng Sanwu didn't hesitate and asked by the way: "I just don't know how much the Governor will pay?"
"Cough cough cough!" Su Wangting coughed quickly and turned to look at Cheng Sanwu with a bitter expression.
"Oh, I'm used to it, I'm used to it." Cheng Sanwu reacted and waved his hands in panic: "Just think that I'm talking nonsense and make the governor laugh."