Wu Xu agreed to Taibu's request and asked Xu Zhiqiong to go to the palace.
As long as Wu Xu's protection is available, it is not impossible to go to the palace, but Xu Zhiqiong must understand two things:
First, what exactly is "The Record of Angry Ancestors"?
Second, why can the lantern holder enter the palace?
Returning to Mingdengxuan, Wu Xuxian explained "The Record of the Wrathful Ancestor".
"You must have heard of the Nufu Cult, right?"
Sure enough, it is related to Nufu Cult.
"When I was taking a rest, I was visiting Xiji. I saw a group of people gathered together on the roadside and listened to a man's story. The group of people said that they were from the Nufu Cult. I have never heard of the Nufu Cult before.
."
Wu Xu murmured: "There is also a Nufu Sect in Xiji..."
Xu Zhiqiong asked: "What does the Nufu Sect do? Is it the storyteller's teaching?"
Wu Xu shook his head and smiled: "They are not telling stories, they are preaching. In the early years, the Nufu Sect had almost no followers in the capital. Only a group of Confucian scholars in the east of the city established the Nufu Society, but it disappeared not long after.
In the past two years, for some unknown reason, the Nufu Cult has gradually become popular in the east of the city, and all of its members are married men. You are unmarried, and you live by the Wang'an River. You have never heard of the Nufu Cult, which makes sense."
Xu Zhiqiong scratched his scalp: "You live by the Wang'an River, why haven't you heard of the Nufu Sect?"
Wu Xudao: "The capital is the enlightened place of Daxuan. Wang'an River is the enlightened place of the capital. The Nufu Sect is the most stupid and ignorant religion. How can we tolerate stubborn people by the Wang'an River?"
Foolish man?"
Xu Zhiqiong nodded, then shook his head: "I understand, but I don't understand."
"How?"
"The most stupid and ignorant religion is definitely an evil religion. Since it is an evil religion, why not eradicate it, but still allow him to preach in public?"
Wu Xu smiled and said: "It is an evil cult, who do you want to eradicate it?"
Xu Zhiqiong said in surprise: "Of course it was the imperial court, and the emperor ordered them to be eradicated."
"Why does the court want to take care of it? Why does the emperor give the order? It is the wish of Liang Daguan to be stupid and ignorant."
That's right, stupid people are better managed. Although Daxuan is more civilized and enlightened, the emperor's wish remains unchanged after all.
Wu Xu added: "The Nufu Sect and I have a long history. The founder of the Nufu Sect, Nujun Tianxing, was a brother-in-law with Emperor Taizu. They conquered the country together with Emperor Taizu. Emperor Taizu once established
I swear, Daxuan Guo Zuo is still there, and Nufu’s incense continues, which means that Daxuan cannot ban Nufu Cult.
The Nufu Sect once received strong support from the imperial court and was very prosperous for a while. However, due to too many believers, it was repeatedly suppressed. Now the imperial court’s attitude towards it is not to support it, nor to prohibit it, but to allow it to fend for itself.”
"What are the teachings of Nufu Cult?"
Wu Xu sighed: "There are a lot of bits and pieces of teachings. In fact, there are only two things. One is that the father is heaven, and the other is that the husband is heaven. If you are interested, you can listen to their sermons, but I'm afraid it won't happen.
Three sentences will make you nauseous."
Xu Zhiqiong has learned that it doesn't take three sentences, just two sentences can make Xu Zhiqiong vomit.
Xu Zhiqiong said: "What is recorded in "The Record of Nuzu" is the teachings of Nufu Sect?"
"No," Wu Xu shook his head and said, ""The Record of Nu Fu" is a collection of quotations that records the words and deeds of Nu Jun Tianxing. This collection has been lost for many years. It is said that the cultivation method of Nu Fu's lineage is hidden in it."
A lineage of angry husband?
Xu Zhiqiong was shocked: "Nu Fu also has his own lineage? Then Nu Jun Tianxing is..."
"Some people say it's a star official, some even say it's a star. "The Record of Nuzu" is the lifeblood of Nufu Sect. If this book is in the hands of the prince, you should know the consequences."
Wu Xu's expression became extremely serious.
Xu Zhiqiong also understood the key points.
The Nufu Sect has a large number of followers in China, and now it has penetrated into the capital, proving that this sect is becoming more and more powerful.
If the prince gets the lifeblood of Nufu Sect, he can cause trouble and make earth-shaking things happen.
This is the main reason why Taibu asked Xu Zhiqiong to investigate the prince.
But why didn't he check it himself?
Taibu's explanation was that Onmyoji was unable to enter the palace.
"Then why can we, who are in charge of the lamp office, go to the palace?"
Wu Xu said: "Do you know who is responsible for guarding the palace?"
This one naturally knows: "It's the Forbidden Army."
"What should the Imperial Guard do if they are disobedient?"
This is a bit special.
According to the history of the previous life, if the imperial army caused trouble, they could only call in external troops to put it down.
But if external troops are brought to the capital, this dynasty will most likely go into decline.
But Daxuan has another mechanism.
This mechanism comes from eunuchs.
Eunuchs have a unique training system, and their combat prowess is incredible. They can also cooperate with their masters to exert great power.
Although eunuchs have low defense and are not good at team fights, they will not be able to gain any advantage in a head-on conflict with the Forbidden Army.
But they don't need to confront the Imperial Guards head-on, they just need to kill restless officers.
The palace's eunuch organization, the Genggu Division, has cultivated a group of top assassins who are feared in the palace.
But what should we do if the eunuchs collude with the imperial army?
Is there such a chance?
Yes! And it actually happened, more than once!
The most recent one was five years ago, in the 23rd year of Zhaoxing, when Ji Guofu, the eunuch in charge of Genggu, colluded with Hu Zhenwei, the commander of the Forbidden Army, to conspire against him and almost killed Emperor Zhaoxing. This was known as the "Ji-Hu Rebellion" in history. At that time, Genggu
Eunuch Si Jinshu made great contributions by killing Ji Guofu and Hu Zhenwei, and then letting General Wuweiying lead troops into the palace, thus saving the emperor's life.
This eunuch is now Chen Shuncai, eunuch Da Bingbi, the eunuch in charge of rituals.
The general of Wuwei camp at that time was none other than Zhong Shen.
Although the chance of collusion between eunuchs and the imperial army is low, once this happens, it will be a nightmare within a nightmare for the emperor.
In order to prevent eunuchs from colluding with the imperial army, there was a special agency in the imperial city called Bingjingwu.
What does ice well service do?
The Ice Well Service is one of the agencies of the Imperial City Department. It was originally responsible for taking care of the ice cellars for the imperial palace.
But after the "Jihu Rebellion", Bingjingwu had an additional function and became the secret agency of the Lantern Man in the palace, monitoring the interactions between the eunuchs and the imperial army.
This job originally belonged to Qingyi Pavilion, which was secretive and good at tasks such as exploration, surveillance, and assassination.
Before the "Jihu Rebellion", Qingyi Pavilion had been sending Qingyi to monitor the eunuchs and the imperial army as a palace maid.
After the "Jihu Rebellion", serious problems were exposed in Qingyi Pavilion and it was replaced by Zhang Deng Yamen for two reasons.
First, eunuchs know the palace and women very well. If Qing Yi pretends to be a palace maid, he will be found out soon. The eunuchs have seen too many fights in the palace and never underestimate the ruthlessness of women. During the "Ji Hu Rebellion",
The seven Qingyi people who were placed in the palace all died at the hands of the eunuchs.
Second, Qingyi Pavilion does not have judicial power. Although it can be executed first and then reported, sufficient evidence must be collected. In the palace, some evidence is not easy to collect. In this regard, it is much easier for the Lantern Yamen to handle it.
The Deng Yamen has judicial power and does not need evidence. If you say black is black, if you say white is white, if you encounter any signs, kill them first.
The Lantern Man has been stationed at Bingjingwu for five years. Can they hide their identity?
Can't hide it!
In the palace, nothing can be hidden from the eyes of the eunuch.
I can't hide it anymore, so I won't hide it anymore. The Ice Well Service is originally an agency of the Imperial City Division. As for whether it is in charge of ice or people, the eunuchs can also come and check. If he is not afraid of losing his head in the middle of the night, he can just check.
Already.
Identity is not an issue, what about the working environment?
not too good.
There is an ice cellar outside the East Palace, and there is a row of huts above the ice cellar. Xu Zhiqiong works in the first hut.
His current identity is the Supervisor of Hyoujing Wudong Palace, and he has twenty people under his command.
Ling Ren is the worker responsible for collecting ice, storing ice, and cleaning the ice room.
Are these Lingren all lantern-carrying men?
of course not.
How can you handle so many lantern lanterns coming into the palace?
They are all chambermaids and have no roots.
Among the chamberlains, the chamberlains of Bingjingwu were considered to be hard-working. They were busy all day long, and at night, everyone went to bed early. Xu Zhiqiong did not have the habit of going to bed early, and he took the "Hua Gu Scroll" to answer questions.
He really wasn't in the mood to do the questions on weekdays. He had to check the boxes to improve his cultivation. What was the use of doing the questions?
Now there are no check boxes, no dancers, and no more Miss Lin’s cute face. I can only pass the time by reading this exercise book.
Before entering the palace, Wu Xu told Xu Zhiqiong three things:
First, you are not allowed to wander around when entering the palace. There are too many masters in the palace.
Second, you are not allowed to have contact with any women. Everyone knows this.
Third, come back and report immediately after seeing "The Record of the Furious Ancestors". Don't do unnecessary things. Even if you don't see the "The Record of the Furious Ancestors", you must come back within ten days. This is considered as your best effort.
It's not yet Haishi, so let's wait until the night gets deeper, catch a mouse and go to the prince's bedroom to have a look.
However, he had to be very careful when he went there. Xu Zhiqiong still felt cold all over when he thought of the terrifying appearance of the prince in Anshu Courtyard that day.
Xu Zhiqiong was patiently calculating with his piece of paper when he suddenly heard someone calling the door outside.
Gu 乨
"Is the supervisor here?"
Who is it? It’s late at night.
Xu Zhiqiong put on his clothes and opened the door, only to see a chamberlain standing at the door.
The chamberlain was about seven feet tall, fair and delicate, with a layer of powder on his face and bright red lips, as if he had applied lipstick.
A eunuch wears such heavy makeup, what kind of hobby is this?
The chamberlain looked Xu Zhiqiong up and down, gave him a flirtatious look, and said softly: "Are you the supervisor? Why haven't I seen you before?"
Xu Zhiqiong smiled naively: "I'm new here."
The waiter covered his face and smiled: "You're quite handsome. I'm here to get some ice."
Xu Zhiqiong said: "I wonder which room uses ice?"
The chamberlain snorted and said, "What do you want me to do? Just get it."
"That's not possible! Ice service is no small matter."
The ice service is indeed no small matter. The ice saved in the cold winter is stored in the ice cellar for use throughout the year. If it is not used excessively, I am afraid that the ice will be used up before summer.
Not everyone is qualified to use ice. This is the ice cellar of the East Palace. It is easy for the prince to use ice. Others must get permission from the prince to use ice.
The chamberlain spat: "Little one, the prince wants some ice, why don't you give it to me?"
Xu Zhiqiong said solemnly: "Is there a fish charm?"
"Of course I have, can our family still lie to you?"
The waiter took out a piece of fish charm.
The fish talisman is an iron fish, three inches long and one inch wide. After the craftsman casts it, he cuts it into two halves, the left and right, with mortise and tenon joints in the middle.
The half in the waiter's hand was the right talisman. Xu Zhiqiong took out the left talisman from the box. The two halves were a pair and they matched perfectly, proving that the fish talisman was real.
Needless to say, Xu Zhiqiong returned the fish charm to the chamberlain and went out to find Ling Ren to get ice. The chamberlain stayed in Xu Zhiqiong's room to wait.
Ling Ren rubbed his sleepy eyes and complained: "It's only April, it's so late at night, how can I get some ice?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "I let you take what you want. If you talk too much, do you deserve a beating?"
The so-called ice well is the entrance of the ice cellar, vertically downward from the ground, just like the mouth of a well.
Going down the well was hard work, so Ling Ren took the ice, put it in an ice box, and delivered it to Xu Zhiqiong.
The Royal Ice Box is very sophisticated. It is divided into three layers. The upper layer is used to freeze fruits and drinks, and the middle layer is used to store ice. When the ice melts, it flows along the grid to the lower layer.
Xu Zhiqiong handed the ice to the waiter, and the waiter snorted again: "Be smarter from now on. You are young, how crazy are you? Are you more mature than ours?"
Xu Zhiqiong imitated the voice of the chamberlain and said, "Don't they have more external kidneys than you?"
"Bah!" the chamberlain spat, twisted his waist and disappeared into the night.
It seems that the prince hasn't fallen asleep yet, so he wants to use ice at this time to play some tricks with the concubines.
What tricks can you play?
Shouldn't he eat the concubines alive?
Xu Zhiqiong went back to his room and continued reading. Not long after, he heard someone calling the door again.
"Is the supervisor here?"
What a rough voice.
Xu Zhiqiong pushed the door open and saw a man standing at the door, more than seven feet tall, wearing armor and with a full beard.
"Lieutenant of the Right Military Command of the Forbidden Army, come here to get ice."
The Imperial Guard also came to get ice?
Xu Zhiqiong frowned and said, "I didn't receive the order to let the Imperial Army use ice."
"Look at your face, do you look down on others? It was the prince who gave us ice because he saw our hard work."
The Crown Prince and the Forbidden Army... do they need ice?
What tricks can they play?
"Is there a fish charm?"
The captain took out the fish talisman from his pocket and gave it to Xu Zhiqiong. Xu Zhiqiong checked that it was correct and ordered Ling Ren to get the ice.
The lieutenant took the ice away and said with a snort: "Zuilian, a small supervisor, how many are there?"
"I really just..."
Forget it, the Forbidden Army has a foundation, and everyone has the same number.
Why did the prince give ice to the imperial army?
To win people's hearts?
This isn't ice weather either.
Are they planning to do something big?
They all have a foundation, what big things can they do?
While he was thinking about it, someone called the door again. Xu Zhiqiong frowned and said, "Who is it again?"
"Your Highness's maid, Xiaoyu."
Maid?
What is your maid doing here?
The Ice Well Supervisor is a man, a complete man.
Everyone knows this.
A complete man cannot have contact with women in the palace. Doesn't she understand this rule?
Xu Zhiqiong did not open the door, but responded: "Please come back, I have already gone to bed."
"I came to get ice on the order of the prince."
Come to get ice again?
Is the prince going crazy?
Xu Zhiqiong said: "You can find a place to take shelter temporarily, and I will get ice for you."
"Why do you want me to stay away temporarily?"
Asking knowingly!
"It's not convenient for me to see you, please find a place to avoid..."
"I'm not going anywhere."
While he was talking, the woman opened the door and walked in.
What is this for?
How come she doesn't understand the rules?
Xu Zhiqiong quickly put on his clothes and turned his back.
"Get out quickly, this is not the place you should enter."
The woman said: "His Royal Highness was afraid that the young master would be lonely at night, so he specially asked me to serve on the pillow mat. This concubine came as ordered. Why did the young master refuse to stay thousands of miles away?"
Did the prince ask her to come?
Serve pillow mat?
The woman said again: "This concubine is carrying the prince's fish charm."
And a fish charm?
wrong!
The prince deliberately set a trap to harm me. I have to leave this place of trouble quickly.
Xu Zhiqiong lowered his head and left. The woman stepped forward and held him in her arms: "Master, where are you going?"
"You stay away from me!"
Xu Zhiqiong wanted to push the woman away, but while he was rubbing her, he discovered a problem.
flat.
So peaceful.
Xu Zhiqiong raised his head and glanced at the woman.
The woman also stared at Xu Zhiqiong.
Between his four eyes, Xu Zhiqiong saw a pair of blood-red pupils.