"How does Eunuch Feng plan to deal with Cheng Sanwu?" Afu knew very well that Eunuch Feng was not Chu Zhongcheng and would not act without scruples in order to serve His Majesty the Emperor.
"This kind of person cannot be allowed to stay in Chang'an forever, for fear of unexpected changes." Eunuch Feng shook his head: "I heard from Chu Zhongcheng that Mr. Shang Zhang intends to stay with Cheng Sanwu and monitor him nearby?"
"Yes." Afu's lips curved into a smile: "I plan to invite him to Sanqu Place in Pingkangfang tonight."
The place of Sanqu in Pingkangfang is a famous place for beauty in Chang'an City. It was a bit offensive to say such words in front of a eunuch and eunuch, but Eunuch Feng only nodded slightly to express his approval of Afu's method.
"Does Eunuch Feng want to include Cheng Sanwu in the Ministry of Internal Affairs?" Afu asked.
Eunuch Feng looked at Cheng Sanwu's silhouette and thought for a moment: "Prime Minister Lu has known for a long time that Cheng Sanwu was the murderer of the Heyang murder case, but there has been no movement in the past ten years. Now that he has returned to the Central Plains, I am afraid that he will
It has caused a bloody storm. Mr. Shang Zhang, do you think Prime Minister Lu can control Cheng Sanwu’s every move?”
"If we talk about a spell that confuses the mind and issues orders at will, it should be impossible." Afu said: "I have tried several times before and found that Cheng Sanwu's mind is like a stubborn stone, which is difficult to disturb. But the feeling he gave me was also
It’s not like those Buddhist and Taoist masters who have been practicing for many years.”
"So Cheng Sanwu acted entirely based on his own will?" Eunuch Feng thought quickly in his mind: "This person cannot fall under the control of Prime Minister Lu. It would be best if he could be won over and appeased."
Afu then asked: "What happened in the Heyang murder case back then? Did the murderer just let it go without catching it?"
"When Sun Shaoren was the general of the Youwu Guard, it happened that the Zhenguo Princess's party was plotting rebellion. After he got the decree, he acted slowly and sat on the sidelines for a while." Eunuch Feng's face was as gloomy as water: "But your Majesty, at that time, nearly half of the civil and military personnel in the court were sitting on the sidelines.
The situation changed, and the law did not blame everyone. It only dismissed Sun Shaoren and did not pursue it too deeply.
"During the investigation after the Heyang murder case, a batch of letters were found from the Sun family's residence, including Sun Shaoren's false comments about His Majesty. Prime Minister Lu believed that the matter should not be publicized, so he petitioned Your Majesty to suspend the investigation, and the matter was settled.
There should be corresponding files in the criminal record library. If Mr. Shang Zhang is interested, you can check it out on your own."
Afu took the iron token handed over by Eunuch Feng, with which she could retrieve the documents of the Ministry of Punishments. She played with the token and pondered without saying a word. Before and after His Majesty the Emperor ascended the throne, the imperial palace went through several turmoils, and finally sat down.
Stabilize the country.
But this does not mean that everything will be peaceful from now on, not to mention the harassment by foreign tribes in the border areas, the chaos caused by bandits in the country, the worldly bureaucrats headed by the Prime Minister in the court, and the British Duke's group of border town generals who fought openly and secretly. Previously, the two sides had fought in the Western Regions.
The fight over the Star Essence is just a microcosm of this kind of struggle, and can only be regarded as a small fight.
"When I was in the Western Regions, I met Eunuch Wei's men." Afu then said: "His name is Peng Ning, and he was placed in Prime Minister Lu's Baima Society caravan. The Star Essence was once in this person."
The fact that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is only loyal to the emperor does not mean that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a monolithic unit. Even Chu Zhongcheng, who helped manage the Gongchen Guard, after learning about the Star Essence and the method of immortality, he had the idea to bypass Feng
Father-in-law, I want to express my kindness to the emperor alone.
And just like Afu has a group of personally selected subordinates such as Qin Wangshu, Chu Zhongcheng and Wei Eunuch, they will also cultivate their own power and manpower, and even regard them as adopted sons and send them to work in various places. Those who are more greedy will In the name of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they demanded bribes and expropriated it.
Since the outside world knows very little about the specific situation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is not in the public eye like other imperial offices, the battles in the Ministry of Internal Affairs are often deeper, more vicious, and more difficult to prevent.
Even Afu, who is one of the ten Taisui of Gongchen Guard, still has to face overt or covert means from other colleagues. In comparison, Afu feels that Eunuch Feng is much easier to get along with - even if he is a minister of internal affairs. The secret fight was probably the result of his deliberate connivance.
"Nonsense." Eunuch Feng frowned: "Just let others fight over the matter of Xingmui. Why did Wei Qi get involved? I have heard about Peng Ning before. He is a disciple of Huiyun Tower in Lantian. His father once When the Tubo invaded the border, they stopped advancing, which delayed the opportunity for fighting and caused the enemy troops to penetrate deep into Helong, almost causing a catastrophe.
"After his father was imprisoned, he hanged himself. The Peng family was deprived of their official titles, their property was confiscated, and their female relatives were thrown into the Jiaofangsi. All the disciples were expelled and exiled to Lingnan... I originally thought that Peng Ning also went to Lingnan, but I didn't expect that Wei Qi would He was placed in a trading company in the Western Regions."
Afu was not moved when she heard this. With all the years she had experienced in the world, she had witnessed and heard so much of this kind of thing that it was not worthy of her concern at all.
But she could guess to some extent that Eunuch Wei must have made many promises to Peng Ning, claiming that as long as he got things done, he would use the methods of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to rescue the Peng family members and return them to their original places.
This may explain why, when Peng Ning was about to die, he still cared about the so-called "Buddha's bone relics" and pinned his hopes on Cheng Sanwu.
In fact, judging from Peng Ning's experience, he may have been in despair. If there was no way out, he would not have been in a hurry to seek medical treatment and believe in the Cheng Sanwu he had just met.
Peng Ning was lucky and unlucky. Fortunately, in the situation at that time, except for Cheng Sanwu, it was estimated that not many people would still be working on an empty promise after his death. Unfortunately, in the end, the family that Peng Ning wanted to save , still sinking into the sea of misery.
Afu was silent in thought, and Eunuch Feng also turned his attention back to the drawings on the case. After uncovering Cheng Sanwu and Su Wangting, when Eunuch Feng saw Changqing's face, he couldn't help but stare at it.
"Shang Zhangjun said that this person is the illegitimate son of Prime Minister Lu?" Eunuch Feng mentioned the picture of Changqing.
Afu replied: "I once overheard the conversation between him and Su Wangting. Su Wangting's words may not be fully believed, but Chang Qing can't hide his temperament. I think it is true."
Eunuch Feng put down the paper, still staring at Chang Qing's face, and asked: "Is he also at the Wang family's guest house in Chongrenfang?"
"Yes." Afu secretly laughed inwardly. Could it be that Eunuch Feng was planning to use this child, Chang Qing, to blackmail Prime Minister Lu? What insidious methods did Prime Minister Lu not use all the way to high positions? How many political enemies did he make? How can the concubine and concubine who were abandoned in his early years shake the ambition of the powerful land minister?
Eunuch Feng's face was expressionless, but there was an opaque depth in his eyes. He turned over the drawings as if nothing had happened, and then said to Afu: "In this case, Cheng Sanwu will be able to thank Zhang Jun for his attention."
…
"Brother Fu is going to meet Wang Yuanbao tomorrow?"
In Kungang Courtyard of Chongrenfang, Chang Qing asked Su Wangting, who had just sent away the guest house manager.
"That's right." Su Wangting said with a smile on his face: "When I used to preside over Baochang Society, I often had business dealings with Baoquan Society and Caijuan Society under Wang Yuanbao's name, or entrusted goods to me, Baochang Society
Touting, or asking us to escort him... Lao Cheng also contributed a lot."
Cheng Sanwu was currently making moves in the open space in the courtyard, working hard. He was not opening and closing at the moment, but his movements were much slower. He often made half of the moves, then withdrew his strength, as if he was dismantling in confusion.
moves.
Changqing looked back, ignored Cheng Sanwu, and asked in confusion: "Wang Yuanbao is known as the richest man in Chang'an, why does the trading company under his name still entrust the goods to you?"
"Going west from Quzhi City, the road becomes more and more difficult." Su Wangting said: "In fact, no one does business in the Western Regions from beginning to end. Starting from Chang'an, passing through Longliang Hexi, and crossing the vast sandbank,
When we arrived at the foot of Quzhi City, even if there were no accidents along the way, it would still be a tough day, and there was no guarantee that all the camels and horses would survive.
"And the further west you go, the more complicated the customs and languages are, and the more thieves, bandits and monsters there are. Therefore, when doing business in the Western Regions, they usually take over one after another, sending goods to distant places. As for Wang Yuanbao, in fact, most of his business is in the Central Plains area
, especially the land and water boats, trucks, warehouses and banks on both sides of the Yongji Canal, that is the big business that makes a lot of money every day."
"The canal is more convenient after all." Changqing had to admit.
Su Wangting noticed that Changqing was hesitant to speak, and asked in a low voice: "Do you have something to ask Wang Yuanbao?"
Chang Qing used to have a high self-esteem as a Taoist, and it was difficult to say it for a moment, hesitating and hesitating: "It's not...not really anything. I went to Xuandu Temple to submit a letter, and planned to participate in the Taoist examination next year. Senior in the temple
Tell me, if you want to succeed in the Taoist examination, it is best to spend the last few months in the Gyeonggi area to interact with wealthy and powerful people to accumulate fame."
"I understand." Su Wangting was not surprised. Not to mention the civil service examinations, even if it was a normal imperial examination, there would be many scholars who submitted ultimatums to high-ranking officials and magistrates of prefectures and counties to recommend themselves in order to gain entry into the civil service.
Chang Qing Ao, it is indeed not easy for him to cling to the powerful and make friends. Su Wangting then said: "Then I will take you with me tomorrow to visit Wang Yuanbao together. He must be willing to make friends with a magician with such powerful magic like you.
Maybe there are still some troubles that I need you to solve."
Changqing's nervousness eased slightly. It was really not easy to ask others for help... except maybe Cheng Sanwu.
"Lao Cheng, you are coming together tomorrow." Su Wangting raised his head and shouted.
Cheng Sanwu paused and was about to agree when the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from outside. The three people in the courtyard were all ordinary people and they all noticed that someone was coming to the door of Kunggang courtyard.
"I didn't commit any crime!" Cheng Sanwu saw the two people looking at him and took the initiative to defend himself.
"Usually it's people who have done something wrong who say that."
Afu's voice came from outside the courtyard. Even though it was separated by the courtyard wall, the voice was still clear to the ears. It seemed that the dominatrix covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed softly in her mind.
Cheng Sanwu relaxed his shoulders, stepped forward and opened the courtyard door, and saw Afu riding on a horse. She was now dressed in men's clothing, wearing an ocher red round-neck brocade robe, embroidered with dark patterns, and her feet were raised.
He wears leather boots, a girdle around his waist, a brocade pouch, a jade pendant and a horse-head dagger. He does not wear a futou on his head, but uses a gold crown inlaid with agate to tie up his hair. He is full of the style of a young man from an aristocratic family going out for fun.
As for Afu, next to her was Qin Wangshu, who was also dressed in men's clothing. She also changed out of her previous military attache uniform and wore a navy blue arrow-sleeved outfit with a horizontal sword hanging from her waist, just like a guard servant next to a young master from an aristocratic family.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Cheng Sanwu leaned against the door and crossed his arms, looking at the two of them with interest.
"I'll invite you to Pingkangfang, are you coming?" Ah Fu held a riding whip and pointed to the side.
Pingkangfang is just south of Chongrenfang, across the street, and Afu is obviously referring to the place where brothels and brothels gather in Sanqu.
Cheng Sanwu's eyes lit up and he suddenly became energetic. He rubbed his palms and asked, "Are you treating me?"
Afu smiled and said: "I have made an appointment at Nanqu Tianxiang Pavilion. There will be good wine and good food, and silk and bamboo will be used to entertain you. I guarantee you will like it."
"This is you!" Cheng Sanwu immediately gave a thumbs up, then turned back and shouted to the two people in the courtyard: "Do you want to come together?"
Ah Fu smiled and said nothing, but Qin Wangshu showed an annoyed look on his face, knowing that he was the only one invited by Master Ming Fu. No one could ask for such a supreme honor, but Cheng Sanwu was better off, as he was naturally generous to others.
He even called other men.
When Su Wangting and Chang Qing came over, Cheng Sanwu looked like he was asking for credit and said, "Look, I didn't lie to you. I said I would invite you to Pingkangfang, and I will definitely do it!"
Changqing couldn't help but rolled his eyes, but Su Wangting smiled bitterly and said: "Old Cheng, it's Miss Afu who's treating us now, so you can't count."
"If she invites me, then I invite her." Cheng Sanwu pointed back with his thumb, then quickly turned around and asked, "You think so, right?"
"Cheng Sanwu, don't be ignorant of good and evil!" Qin Wangshu couldn't help but scolded: "Envoy Fu invites you to be a guest, just obey my orders!"
"As you said, my wife and I have a life-long friendship!" Cheng Sanwu pretended to be a villain, and said, "She and I are very intimate!"
Qin Wangshu gritted his teeth, flared his nostrils, inhaled angrily, and his body even trembled slightly. Su Wangting and Changqing couldn't listen anymore, and each of them tugged on Cheng Sanwu's sleeve.
"Old Cheng, that's enough, don't go too far!" Su Wangting reminded in a low voice.
"Aren't you afraid of implicating us if you are so aggressive?" Changqing is also serious this time. Even if the dominatrix doesn't care, it can protect the internal servants from what other people will think.
On the other hand, Ah Fu, with a faint smile on her face as usual, was quite interested, as if she wanted to see how unrestrained Cheng Sanwu could be.
"Oh, okay." Cheng Sanwu waved to Qin Wangshu: "I'm a mean-mouthed person, please bear with me."
Qin Wangshu resisted the urge to draw his sword and kill, but Cheng Sanwu turned around and asked, "You two really aren't coming?"
"Miss Afu just wants to treat you alone, so I won't bother you." Su Wangting smiled bitterly. He knew that Afu was trying his best to win over Cheng Sanwu, and he couldn't stop it by force.
"What about you?" Cheng Sanwu looked at Changqing: "I heard you were talking very eloquently before, so you don't want to eat meat?"
Changqing immediately refused: "I will go to the Taoist examination next year. I can't get involved in drinking and sex during this period. Besides, I don't like that kind of place."
"That's so boring!" Cheng Sanwu didn't force it, and then whistled.
The big bay-red horse heard the sound and came from the stable in the backyard. It walked briskly and its snorting sound seemed a bit teasing.
"Let's go! Go to Pingkangfang!" Cheng Sanwu got on his horse and was in high spirits.