At dusk, Wu Xu asked Xu Zhiqiong to put on casual clothes, without a lantern or a knife, and go on night patrol with him.
The plan has changed. Instead of going to the courtyard tonight, they are going to a restaurant.
How many restaurants are there in Wanganjing? There is no way to verify this. Someone once said that if all the restaurants in the world were added together, the restaurants in Wanganjing would account for half.
This is not an exaggeration. In the capital, there are 72 official breweries approved by the imperial court with the right to brew wine.
The so-called Zhengdian can make its own wine and sell it by itself, and it also has its own signature wine. For example, Fenglelou’s Meishou wine, Xinlelou’s Xianjiu, Sunyang Zhengdian’s Xiangjiu, Jiangzhaiyuanzi Zhengdian
Lamb, these famous wines can only be brewed and sold by designated restaurants. Other hotels that do not have the right to brew wine can only go to the main store to wholesale wine.
These hotels that do not have the right to make wine are called foot shops. They are everywhere and the number is hard to count. Today they are going to a foot shop called Wu Anfu Old Wine.
Wu Xu asked Xu Zhiqiong to keep an eye on Liang Yuming's whereabouts in this restaurant.
Most people don’t know Wu Anfu Old Wine, but Xu Zhiqiong knows that it is a wine shop in Beiyuan.
This kind of wine shop seems inappropriate for the status of Prince Huai Liang Yuming.
But this is easy to understand. In this low-end wine shop, few people can recognize Liang Yuming, which is suitable for some secretive activities.
Wu Xu gave Xu Zhiqiong five taels of silver and asked him to order a table of wine and food in the corner of the first floor, where he could eat and drink while watching the guests coming and going.
If he sees Liang Yuming, Xu Zhiqiong only needs to do one thing, send a signal to Wu Xu.
Wu Xu gave him a candle: "This is a yin and yang twin candle. I give you one. I still have one in my hand. When you see Liang Yuming appear, you light the candle and my candle will light up. When Liang Yuming leaves,
If you blow out the candle, my candle will be blown out as well. Once you have done this, leave the wine shop immediately."
It turned out to be surveillance.
It sounds easy, but Wu Xu is a little worried: "You just came to the Yamen not long ago. You shouldn't be allowed to do this kind of thing alone, but I really lack people. You must remember to light a candle when you see someone."
Just don't eavesdrop on what Liang Yuming is saying, let alone follow him. Liang Yuming is extremely smart and cruel. A man with a lantern lantern died in his hands while he was watching, so be careful."
When Wu Xu said this, Xu Zhiqiong became a little nervous: "Liang Yuming recognizes me, and Wu Anfu also recognizes me."
Wu Anfu is the shopkeeper of Wu Anfu Wine Shop.
Wu Xu said: "The lights in this kind of small shop are dim at night. As long as you don't show off, Liang Yuming will never see you. As for Wu Anfu, he is an honest man. As long as he doesn't want to lose this business, he will definitely not dare to tell you."
You must remember your identity, just follow me and don’t do anything unnecessary."
When they reached a fork in the road, the two went their separate ways. Xu Zhiqiong went to Wu Anfu's wine shop.
Although he was wearing casual clothes, Wu Anfu, the shopkeeper, recognized Xu Zhiqiong at a glance and hurried forward to greet him.
Before Wu Anfu could speak, Xu Zhiqiong waved his hands repeatedly to signal him not to talk nonsense. Wu Anfu had been in business for many years, so naturally he had some eyesight, so he quickly changed his tone: "Sir, what do you want to eat?"
"Find some delicious food to serve on a few plates, and have a glass of wine."
Xu Zhiqiong sat at a table behind the stairs. Wu Anfu came forward and said, "Sir, please sit by the window. It's bright and bright."
Xu Zhiqiong waved his hand and said: "It's a good place here, so you don't have to worry about it."
A waiter in the distance looked at Xu Zhiqiong and asked in a low voice: "Who is this person? Why is the shopkeeper so polite to him?"
Another waiter said: "You have just arrived and haven't seen him yet. This is our Beiyuan Lantern Master."
"Lampman?"
"Keep your voice down, don't let him hear you."
"Why doesn't he have a light?"
"Who knows, I must take a nap today. Anyway, just be careful and don't hit him."
…
Not long after, the food and wine were served. Xu Zhiqiong ate and drank slowly, his eyes always staring at the door.
At half past midnight (around eight o'clock), three men came in. One of them said his surname was Ma and asked for a single room upstairs.
There was nothing special about these three people. They were the first guests to ask for a private room tonight. Xu Zhiqiong paid a little attention to them.
After a while, two more people walked in outside the door, both wearing casual clothes, dressed like civilians.
One person said to the shopkeeper: "Let's go up to the second floor, and a customer named Ma has reserved a table."
Xu Zhiqiong quickly lowered his head to drink. One of the two people was Liang Yuming.
Although he was wearing civilian clothes and had a beard on his face, the judge had keen observation skills and Xu Zhiqiong recognized him at a glance.
The two men followed the shopkeeper upstairs. The position behind the stairs was hidden, and Liang Yuming didn't notice Xu Zhiqiong at all.
Xu Zhiqiong waved and summoned a waiter.
The new waiter who was closest to Xu Zhiqiong hurriedly came forward and said, "Sir, what do you want to order?"
"Bring me a lamp." Xu Zhiqiong lit a candle.
"Okay, please wait a moment." The clerk went to the counter to get an oil lamp, put it on Xu Zhiqiong's table, turned to leave, but was stopped by Xu Zhiqiong.
"May I have your name?"
The waiter smiled and said: "The villain's name is Hao Quan, you can just call me Xiao Quan."
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said with a smile: "Xiao Quan, are you new here?"
Hao Quan nodded and said, "I just came here the day before yesterday. Sir, please take good care of me in the future."
"You cut up the chicken and some mutton for me."
Hao Quan smiled and said: "Sir, you ordered such a large table of dishes, I'm afraid you won't be able to finish them all, right?"
Xu Zhiqiong frowned and said, "Why do you talk so much? I'm in a good mood today, just serve the food."
"Okay, just wait a moment!"
Hao Quan turned around and walked away. Xu Zhiqiong stared at his back for a long time, and the hairs all over his body stood up.
This man has no horns on his head.
…
The candle in Wu Xu's hand was lit. He took Qu Jinshan and twenty-two lantern men, dressed in casual clothes, quietly left the city and ambush in the woods near the official road.
Wu Xu's target was not Liang Yuming, but the three people who met Liang Yuming, three rare strong men.
Wu Xu knew the origins of the three of them and also knew where they were going.
After receiving the news, Wu Xu originally planned to take action at the wine shop, but how to deal with Liang Yuming became a problem. Before there was definite evidence of the crime, he injured Prince Huai. Not only Wu Xu himself was in danger, but the entire Yamen in charge of the lamp was in danger of collapse.
Liang Yuming had eyes and ears throughout the capital. In desperation, Wu Xu chose to ambush outside the city.
According to the Great Xuan Law, the lantern-bearing men could not leave the capital without the emperor's order. Wu Xu risked death to bring them out, and they must be brought back before dawn.
If Liang Yuming did not show up at the wine shop, it would prove that the person he met had not entered the city, and Wu Xu would not let the lantern holder venture out of the city.
The news about Xu Zhiqiong is very important. When the lights are on, it proves that the three people are in the city. When the lights go out, it proves that the three people are about to leave the city.
And this road is the only way for them to pass.
…
Hao Quan did not add food to Xu Zhiqiong first, but went upstairs and entered the private room with a pot of wine.
In the private room, Liang Yuming was discussing business with guests.
The guest surnamed Ma said: "Shopkeeper Liang, the day is getting closer and closer. Have you prepared all the goods?"
Liang Yuming smiled and said: "It's still a bit short. Please tell my boss that the goods will be ready in a month at most."
"I have something to remind you. My boss is thinking about this matter day and night. You know his temper well."
Liang Yuming nodded and said: "Shopkeeper Ma, could you please tell me a little more to my boss so that he can relax. This business..."
Before he finished speaking, Hao Quan walked in with a wine bottle. Shopkeeper Ma glared at him: "Do you have any rules? Don't you know how to knock on the door?"
Hao Quan looked embarrassed: "Here, this is the wine ordered by the guest officer."
Shopkeeper Ma said angrily: "When did I order the wine? I haven't finished the wine yet!"
Hao Quan scratched his scalp and did not dare to speak. Liang Yuming smiled and said: "Let me see what kind of good wine it is. It smells quite fragrant. Come and pour me a glass."
Hao Quan poured a glass for Liang Yuming: "Try it."
While pouring the wine, the waiter opened his palm and gave Liang Yuming a look. There were three words written on it: "Lantern Man."
Liang Yuming picked up the wine glass, took a sip, nodded and said: "Good wine, I want this pot of wine, charge it to my account."
After speaking, he drew a circle on Hao Quan's hand.
This circle means, kill him.
Hao Quan put down the wine bottle, left the private room, went straight to the kitchen, and brought a plate of chicken to Xu Zhiqiong.
He was holding the chicken in his left hand, and there was a short knife hidden in the sleeve of his right hand.
When he came to Xu Zhiqiong's seat, he found that Xu Zhiqiong was missing.
He turned around and asked another waiter: "Where is the guest officer?"
"I paid and left, saying there was something urgent."
…
Hao Quan gritted his teeth, carried the chicken and went up to the second floor, entered the private room and said: "Sir, this is the chicken you ordered."
Shopkeeper Ma said angrily: "When did I order chicken again?"
Liang Yuming smiled and said: "I ordered the chicken. You guys can try it."
Hao Quan put the chicken on the table and looked at the palm of his hand to Liang Yuming. There was a word written on it: "Let's go."
The lantern man left.
Liang Yuming nodded and said: "This chicken is good, you can go down."
After Hao Quan left, Liang Yuming said to Shopkeeper Ma: "You three, don't leave the city tonight. I'll find you a place to stay."
Shopkeeper Ma frowned and said: "My boss has told us that we cannot live in the capital. If we come and leave on the same day, our lives will be in danger if we stay for a moment longer."
Liang Yuming said: "You must trust me and stay in the capital tonight. I will keep you safe. If you leave the capital, you will definitely die."
Not long after, the five of them went downstairs together. Liang Yuming paid the bill, and Hao Quan quickly came up to greet him: "Sir, please go slowly."
Liang Yuming nodded and said with a smile: "You are very clever, and this is a reward for you."
After speaking, Liang Yuming stuffed a handful of copper coins into Hao Quan.
The copper coin contained a piece of paper, which said: Ask the lantern holder for his name and kill him.
Hao Quan collected the note and copper coins, turned around and asked another waiter, who was the lantern man who came to eat just now?
The waiter replied: "Xu Zhiqiong, Xu Denglang! You must remember that we must never offend the lantern holder."
Hao Quan nodded and said, "I'll remember it."
Liang Yuming and his party got on the carriage. A mouse looked up, turned around and ran away. He ran to the tile market across the street, got into the peach blossom shed, and went up to the private room on the second floor.
Xu Zhiqiong returned to his soul and blew out the yin and yang twin candles on the table.
…
Outside the city, the candle in Wu Xu's hand went out.
"They are coming soon, let the brothers prepare for battle."
Qu Jinshan blew a whistle, and twenty-two lantern men on both sides of the road prepared for battle.
Wu Xu said to Qu Jinshan: "Two Lingxiu fourth-grade and one Suzaku fifth-grade, we still have to catch them alive. Can you handle it?"
Qu Jinshan smiled and said: "You have to carry it even if you can't carry it. I'm afraid I'll have to stay here tonight with my old bones."