Taibu exploded with thunder, splitting open the roof of Canglong Hall.
This is something he has always wanted to do, but he couldn't do it before. As long as the third elder Canglong investigates carefully, the first one will suspect him.
This time, Taifu succeeded because the third elder Canglong did not dare to investigate.
In the back garden of Canglong Hall, Liang Jixiong and Xu Zhiqiong were having a drink, and they bought a few side dishes to go with the wine.
Xu Zhiqiong had a big appetite. He ate a plate of deer tendons, a plate of bear paws, a plate of sea cucumbers, a plate of sparrow tongue, a bowl of crab roe, and drank a jar of Banlou's "Qiongbo" wine.
Liang Jixiong smiled and said: "The food and wine are simple, please be patient!"
Xu Zhiqiong wiped his mouth and said: "You're very polite. The home-cooked meal is good, but it's a little greasy. Some vegetarian dishes would be better. Thank you for the hospitality."
The second in charge...
Liang Jixiong smiled and said, "You don't seem to be familiar with Canglong Palace."
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said, "This is my first time here."
"The lantern-carrying man is also a capital official. Even if he has never been to Canglong Palace, he should know a thing or two about Canglong Palace. I am the holy and mighty elder of Canglong Palace. In terms of seniority, he can be regarded as the great-grandfather of the current majesty. You call me the second in charge. This is appropriate.
What?"
Xu Zhiqiong clasped his fists again: "It's called Shengfen, it's called Shengfen. I forgive Xu for being rude. Second brother, you are a generous person..."
"Presumptuous!" Liang Jixiong pounded the table, "Xu Zhiqiong, I have no intention of quarreling with you. I just want to ask you, is your resurrection from the dead related to the White Tiger True God?"
Xu Zhiqiong looked calm and said: "If I had told you, my life would have been lost!"
Liang Jixiong couldn't see any sign of lying, and he had a rough inference in his mind.
To be able to bring people back to life, even if they are not true gods, they must at least have a certain level of cultivation. Under the White Tiger is Chi You, and under Chi You are the Seven Stars of the West. These are not figures that ordinary people can mess with.
Thinking of this, Liang Jixiong came to a conclusion.
"Follow me to the main hall!"
During the heavy rain, the roof of the main hall cracked and there was deep water accumulation.
Liang Jixiong stepped on the water, and the water did not wet his shoes. He came to Liang Gongping's ear and whispered a few words.
Liang Gongping nodded and said to King Huai: "Xiankang, you go back first and let me make a decision after discussing with His Majesty."
King Huai said: "The evidence of the crime is solid, why do we still need to discuss it?"
"Xiankang must take into account the overall situation!"
"If you don't give me an explanation today, I will never leave Canglong Palace!"
Xu Zhiqiong stepped forward and said, "Okay, I'll give you an explanation."
After saying that, he stretched out his hands as if waiting for the shackles.
King Huai said with a cruel smile: "Okay, he's a bloody man. Come here and lock him up for me!"
The two guards took the shackles and were about to lock Xu Zhiqiong when they suddenly saw Xu Zhiqiong raise his right fist and hit King Huai's chin, and then swung his left fist and hit King Huai's face again.
King Huai wailed and fell to the ground immediately. Liang Gongping gritted his teeth and said, "This guy is too arrogant!"
Liang Jixiong shook his head repeatedly, indicating to Liang Gongping to be patient for the time being.
Xu Zhiqiong walked up to King Huai: "Your son colluded with the Gu sect and caused 20,000 lives. I only punched you twice to leave you a mark. I will have to settle this blood debt with you slowly in the future."
King Huai shouted: "Bastard, you still dare to trap me!"
"Your son was a worm when he died. If you are blind and can't see, then put your son's body together and look carefully!"
King Huai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up and left the Canglong Palace.
Liang Jixiong looked at Xu Zhiqiong and said, "Follow me to the palace to meet you."
Xu Zhiqiong turned around and clasped his fists: "I will obey Elder Shengwei's instructions."
In front of others, it is not good to call you second brother. You have to save face for the elders.
…
When they arrived at the palace, Liang Jixiong only told Emperor Zhaoxing one thing: "Xu Zhiqiong cannot be punished, only praised."
Emperor Zhaoxing glanced at Xu Zhiqiong, and a feeling of hatred surged into his heart.
But Emperor Zhaoxing would not show his hatred on his face. Instead, he gave Xu Zhiqiong a hopeful smile: "Xu Qing, please go to Longtuge and wait for a while."
Xu Zhiqiong withdrew, but Emperor Zhaoxing did not rush to make a decision. He sent Liang Jixiong away first, and then ordered someone to call the prince and the sixth princess to the secret pavilion.
"Do you know about Xu Zhiqiong's resurrection from the dead?"
The prince said: "My child knows."
Liang Yuyao said: "How can a dead person be resurrected? This matter is really ridiculous! I predict that this person must have cheated his death. Please let me investigate and deal with this matter!"
The prince is frank, but the sixth princess loves to show off.
One wanted to prove that he was not scheming, and the other wanted to prove that he was very scheming. Their attitudes were both within Emperor Zhaoxing's expectations.
"Now Canglong Palace has found out that Xu Zhiqiong has made meritorious service to the court and should be commended. Yuyang, in your opinion, how should he be rewarded?"
The prince thought about it and said: "Even if he has merit, he is still a sinner who killed the clan. Let him return to the lantern-carrying office and be a lantern-carrying man. His merits and demerits will be balanced. If he is not promoted, he will not be demoted. Just reward him with some silver coins."
"What does Yuyao mean?"
Liang Yuyao said: "If we let him return to the Deng Yamen, it's hard to say what trouble he will get into. Yuyao Palace lacks a guard, so let's recruit him into the palace as an errand. I will monitor him day and night."
Emperor Zhaoxing smiled and said, "Can you tolerate him?"
Liang Yuyao's heart tightened. It seemed that she had said the wrong thing just now.
My father hates Xu Zhiqiong. If I recruit him into the palace, it seems that I am going against my father.
She was thinking about how to respond when the prince urged her: "Father, I am asking you something. Xu Zhiqiong is quite big. Can you accommodate him?"
"Father!" Liang Yuyao said angrily, "The prince is insulting you again!"
The prince snorted and said, "I'm afraid something scandal will happen in your Yuyao Palace."
"Then castrate him and bring him back!"
"You want Xu Zhiqiong that much? What is your relationship with him?"
Liang Yuyao hurriedly said: "Father, my son and Xu Zhiqiong have no contact at all! How to deal with this guy, please follow your father's instructions."
Emperor Zhaoxing lowered his face and said: "I have heard you two arguing and making endless noises day and night, but I have never seen you come up with any serious ideas. Please go down!"
The prince and princess resigned, and Emperor Zhaoxing thought about how to arrange Xu Zhiqiong.
It is impossible to stay in the palace. Xu Zhiqiong acts cunningly and fiercely. Staying in the palace is equivalent to leaving an assassin behind.
It would not be appropriate to send him back to Zhang Deng Yamen. His foundation in Zhang Deng Yamen is too deep.
After much thought, Emperor Zhaoxing thought of a good place to go. It would be better to send him to the Ministry of War and let Sui Zhi take care of him.
At night, Emperor Zhaoxing called Sui Zhi and explained the matter.
Sui Zhi bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to say this, but this is inappropriate."
Emperor Zhaoxing frowned: "What's wrong?"
"Xu Zhiqiong has a disloyal heart. If he participates in military affairs, he is afraid of endless troubles."
Emperor Zhaoxing said: "You just put more restrictions on him and don't let him participate in military affairs."
Sui Zhi shook his head and said: "Excuse me, I am incompetent. This person may be hard to guard against. Your Majesty knows that King Huai chased Xu Zhiqiong last night from Baihu Mountain to the west city gate. The city gate captain Wu Shanxing closed the city gate on the grounds of preventing beggars from causing trouble.
, blocking King Huai outside the city, Xu Zhiqiong took the opportunity to escape back to Zhangdeng Yamen.
It can be seen from this that Xu Zhiqiong already has some foundation in the army. He is very good at managing connections. If he goes to the Ministry of War, within a few months, he will probably have a deeper foundation than in Zhang Deng Yamen!"
Emperor Zhaoxing nodded slightly and agreed with Sui Zhi's statement.
Chen Shuncai admired secretly from the side. No wonder Sui Zhi won the trust of His Majesty. His thoughtfulness was really different from ordinary people.
Emperor Zhaoxing said: "In your opinion, how should this person be placed?"
"In my humble opinion, this person should return to the Deng Yamen."
"You also know that he has a good foundation in Zhangdeng Yamen, but you are not afraid that he will cause trouble again?"
Sui Zhidao said: "There are only more than 300 lantern-carrying men in the lantern-carrying yamen, and there are only more than a hundred people in the same class as Xu Zhiqiong. Among them, the red lantern man Qiao Shungang has the highest cultivation level and can only reach the sixth grade.
Without Wu Xu, they are just a bunch of rabble, and now Shi Xun is in charge of Qianhu. As long as we take a little precaution, Xu Zhiqiong will definitely not be able to make waves, but we can't let him be Qing Denglang again in the future."
Emperor Zhaoxing nodded: "Since he wants to be rewarded, he naturally wants to be promoted, so let him be a seventh-grade lantern guard."
Sui Zhi shook his head and said, "That's inappropriate."
"Then let him be a green light man?"
"It's even more inappropriate."
Emperor Zhaoxing frowned: "Is it possible to let him be a member of a thousand households?"
Sui Zhidao: "Your Majesty, I don't want Xu Zhiqiong to be the Qing Deng Lang again, not out of praise for Xu Zhiqiong, but out of precaution against Zhong Shen."
"Zhong Shen? What does this matter have to do with him?"
"Your Majesty, Zhong Shen has the right to appoint and remove all positions in the Imperial City Department. Regardless of whether Xu Zhiqiong is appointed as a green lamp or a lamp guard, Zhong Shen will soon be promoted to a green lamp by Zhong Shen. Once he becomes a green lamp, there will be dozens of people under his command.
The lantern-carrying man listens to his orders, and he will build up a force in the lantern-carrying Yamen."
Emperor Zhaoxing smiled: "Your intention is for him to be a red light man and serve as deputy to thousands of households?"
"This is exactly what I mean. I once heard a saying called "Red Nobles and Green Powers", which refers to the position of being in charge of the lantern office. The red lantern man has a noble status, but the actual power is in the hands of the green lantern man, because the green lantern man directly accepts
The dispatch of thousands of households holding lamps,
Zhong Shen has no choice but to put Xu Zhiqiong in the position of red lantern man. Unless Shi Xun makes a big mistake, Xu Zhiqiong will not be promoted and can only stay in the position of red lantern man and hold an empty position."
Emperor Zhaoxing turned around and asked Chen Shuncai: "What do you think?"
Chen Shuncai asked: "Secretary of the Sui Dynasty, what would happen if Shi Xun really made a big mistake and was demoted by Zhong Shen?"
Sui Zhidao said: "Your Majesty can appoint another Qianhu."
Chen Shuncai asked again: "What if Zhong Shen deliberately made Xu Zhiqiong make mistakes and demoted him to green light man?"
Sui Zhidao: "If Xu Zhiqiong makes a mistake, as long as Zhong admits it, it will be an unforgivable mistake. A small mistake will result in him being dismissed from his post, and a big mistake will result in him being jailed."
Chen Shuncai said again: "If True God White Tiger takes the blame again, how should we deal with it?"
Sui Zhi smiled and said: "Chen Bingbi is too worried. How can the White Tiger True God have the mind to keep an eye on the mortal world? Even if the True God blames him, Xu Zhiqiong still lives. How to deal with it, Your Majesty will make a decision later.
After all, the Imperial City Department is under the control of His Majesty, so as long as Zhong Shen is not given any room, Zhong Shen will naturally not dare to make arbitrary decisions and offend His Majesty's authority."
Such wisdom, Chen Shuncai has nothing to say.
Emperor Zhaoxing nodded and said: "As for Xu Zhiqiong, I will follow what you said. As for Zhong Shen, I can't bear to punish him severely, but I have to teach him a lesson. Please give me some advice."
Sui Zhidao: "To be fair to your majesty, I have a very good personal relationship with Zhong Shen and I know his temperament well. Zhong Shen is loyal to your majesty. He made a big mistake this time and was deceived by his subordinates. Therefore, he should not be punished himself."
, Jiang Feili of Qingyi Pavilion, and Yu Shan of Wuwei Camp should be restricted in the future."
Chen Shuncai praised: "Every word of what the Minister of Sui Dynasty said is to the point."
Emperor Zhaoxing nodded: "I will leave this matter to Aiqing."
After saying that, Emperor Zhaoxing raised his hand slightly, and Chen Shun understood and quietly exited the secret pavilion.
Only Emperor Zhaoxing and Sui Zhi were left in the secret pavilion.
Emperor Zhaoxing lowered his voice: "How is the progress regarding the True God's outer body?"
Sui Zhidao: "I have something important to report to Your Majesty."
…
In the small courtyard, Ms. Yuan had just had dinner with her child, watching her child reading and doing knitting.
There was a sudden noise outside the yard. The child looked out the window and was pinched by Mrs. Yuan: "Pay more attention. If you can't memorize your homework today, I hope your husband won't beat you tomorrow!"
The child glanced at the book twice, then suddenly looked up at the door and shouted: "Mom, the lantern bearer is here."
"Who's carrying the lantern..." Yuan turned around and saw Xu Zhiqiong walking into the room.
"Ouch!"
Mrs. Yuan screamed, but it was like the sound of wild cats fighting. She hugged the child, rolled and crawled, and shrank into the corner: "Master Denglang, all the mistakes are the fault of the civilian women. Tomorrow the civilian women will give you something."
Burn some incense, candles, paper money, and spare the woman for once, and she will kowtow to you."
Xu Zhiqiong shouted: "What do you think you did wrong?"
"When the woman made the clothes for you, she took the wrong measurements. The hem was made longer and the shoulders were narrower. She thought you wouldn't wear it again, so she sent it to your grave. The woman knew she was wrong. You are so merciful.
Peace in the grave, great mercy and compassion, peace in the grave..."
This woman has learned bad things. She does too much business and even fools ghosts!
"It's good to know your mistake!" Xu Zhuiqiong snorted, took out a bag of silver and put it on the table, "Make me another robe, and I'll be promoted!"
…
In Sun Yang's shop, Xu Zhiqiong ordered a table of delicious food, invited the senior sister, Brother Tong, Qiao Shungang, Yu Shan, Han Chen, Wu Shanxing, and the brothers from the Yamen
They gathered together, drank happily, and even specially called Cai Shisan to sing beside them.
Xu Zhiqiong offered a special toast to Yu Shan. Yu Shan held the wine glass with mixed emotions on his face: "Not to mention how you came back from the dead, but you are said to have been promoted to the sixth rank and the rank of Qianhu Red Lantern Man?"
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said: "Senior Brother Yu, we brothers speak with conscience in mind. Has this made you mad to death?"
…
In Mingdengxuan, Shi Xun called his younger brother Shi Chuan.
"You clean a room next to the deep prison under the dungeon, let Xu Qianhu live there, and take care of the prisoners in the deep prison."
"Brother, it is against the rules to let Deputy Qianhu guard the prison. Besides, that female prisoner is too evil. It is said that when she was in the Criminal Department, anyone who dared to guard her would not survive the next morning."
"What do you care about? If Xu Zhiqiong dies, why are you still distressed?" Shi Xun smiled ferociously, "Who are we, Xu Hongdeng? We are not afraid of heaven and earth, but why are we afraid of a prisoner?"