After Xia Kui killed someone, the prefect Zhu Wei sent people to seal Fuyuntang. The next morning, the old man personally led people to search. Something unexpected happened, and Fuyuntang was unprepared. The account books were all packed and coded, and the clerks took out big cloth bags.
Come to install it. There are more than thirty large password cabinets for Dajia wax products in the arcade next to the yard. The yamen servants tried their best but could not open them, so Zhu Wei asked them to carry them all to the prefect's yamen.
They were all piled on the horse-drawn carriages, and the government officials shouted gongs to give way, and they marched through the city in a majestic manner. In the blink of an eye, the entire city of Chang'an knew that a casino called Fuyuntang on Tongling Street had been raided.
Now that he knew that all the thugs in golden clothes were the disciples of the generals, Zhu Wei asked the painter to draw shadows and graphics for them one by one and plaster them all over the streets. The notice read: There are several thugs from the underground casino Fuyuntang guarding the hospital, and they refuse to tell them.
Name, place of origin. If anyone recognizes him, please come to the Yamen and inform him of his identity. The government will reward you greatly.
As soon as the notice was posted, Zhu Wei went to the Qin Palace to ask for an audience with the King of Qin. The King of Qin was in a bad mood today and was lying in a daze in the room. When he heard that it was Zhu Wei who came, he sighed and asked him to come in.
Zhu Wei saluted, but hesitated for a long time without speaking. King Qin supported his head with his right hand and said, "Zhu Aiqing can say whatever he wants."
Zhu Wei bowed his head and responded, then thought for a moment and said: "When Wei Chen's nephew Zhu Tong first came back, Wei Chen argued with him all night until dawn - which is more important, love or law. Wei Chen thought that both were important.
We cannot generalize. My nephew said that the world can be governed by small ministers, but the way of the world today must be based on the law."
King Qin thought he was going to talk about the Fuyuntang case, but the old man talked about a lot of other things and he was confused. "Of course both love and law are important."
Zhu Wei said: "If love and law are inconsistent, may I ask the prince which one is more important?"
King Qin unconsciously sat upright and looked straight at Zhu Wei: "What does Zhu Aiqing mean?"
Zhu Wei cupped his hands and said, "Weichen argued with my nephew all night, and Weichen convinced him. Law is more important than love."
After a long while, King Qin asked softly: "Who is behind Fuyuntang."
"It hasn't been found out yet," Zhu Wei said, "but now half of the imperial court has been involved, from civil servants and military generals to the inner court princes. And there are many interrogators among them, and there will be more if we dig deeper. If the prince can only use a light warning but not a heavy hand.
, after a year and a half, the limelight will pass, and it will gradually return to its original state." He sighed, "Wei Chen has been an official for many years, and he has already understood it. If the prince doesn't believe it... follow Wei Chen to the Yamen and wait."
King Qin's face changed several colors: "Waiting for...what?"
Zhu Wei sighed again and shook his head: "You will know when the prince goes."
King Qin then nodded. Zhu Wei specially brought him clean clothes. King Qin was wearing a small yamen servant who was undersized. The maid and eunuch looked at it and laughed unconsciously. King Qin then mixed with the people Zhu Wei led back to the prefect's yamen.
As soon as I got to the door and jumped off my horse, the doorman came to greet me: "The master is back! Two adults have been waiting for a long time."
Zhu Wei asked: "Where are you now?"
"Master Li asked them to wait in the study."
"Okay, I'll go there right away." Zhu Wei handed the reins to his subordinates and called a confidant to come over and give him some instructions. King Qin then left with his confidant.
Zhu Wei slowly walked into the outer study room, cupped his hands and said, "Oh, I happened to be out on official business. I have to thank you for waiting." The two men quickly stood up and returned the courtesy.
Before he could speak, someone came in from outside and said, "Sir, General Si Heyun is here." This man was the leader of the military generals of the Qin State. He was honest and upright and won the hearts of the army. Zhu Wei hurried out to greet him.
Not long after, He Yun was welcomed into the study, and the four of them exchanged pleasantries. Zhu Wei said seriously: "I have roughly guessed what you are here for." He cupped his hands, "It's not that I am an unreasonable old man, it's really this
The case is extremely important and there is no way to accommodate it."
The expressions of the guests changed drastically and they looked at each other in confusion. After a long time, an official said: "May I ask Mr. Zhu, what did you find out?"
Zhu Wei said: "Everything in the casino has been found."
The official immediately knelt down in front of Zhu Wei and cried loudly: "I was just confused for a moment, please forgive me this time..."
Other officials also knelt down and complained: "Xiaguan has no idea at all. It was Xiaguan's nephew who did it without telling him..."
Zhu Wei's expression did not change and he let them cry for a long time. He looked up and saw He Yun sitting on the chair, extremely embarrassed. He said sadly: "I have always thought that General He is an upright man."
He Yun smiled bitterly and said: "The general has seen the portraits posted by the Lord, and one of them looks like the useless son of the general."
The study room was extremely lively. Behind the cubicle next to it, King Qin had a gloomy face and didn't know what to think. Beside him was Zhu Wei's master, who whispered: "Your Majesty, those people are like this. Those who are greedy give money, no
He is so greedy that he attacks his nephew. Who can guarantee that every child is good? Something happened..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard another voice from outside: "Master, the Marquis of Ping'an has arrived."
Everyone in the room immediately stood up. Marquis Ping'an was the younger brother of the Empress Dowager Qin and had no actual position. However, the King of Qin respected his grandmother very much, loved the house and crows, and also respected Marquis Ping'an very much. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Marquis Ping'an entered with his hands behind his back.
.Zhu Wei hurriedly led several guests to bow down: "The old Marquis didn't let anyone announce it, and the lower officials couldn't greet him in time."
When it was safe, he waved his hands and said, "I didn't allow the announcement." He glanced at the room and smiled, "Zhu Wei, your place is quite lively."
Zhu Wei said seriously: "It's just a visit from my colleagues."
When it was safe, he went straight to the top and sat down. He looked at Zhu Wei and said, "I want to discuss something with you. How about I investigate the case on Tongling Street?"
Zhu Wei was stunned: "Master Hou, you..."
Marquis Ping'an said: "I have nothing to do. I spend my days fighting cocks and running horses. I don't really worry about the prince. I have heard about that case, which is very difficult. Mr. Zhu, who is neither high nor low in rank, is like getting a hot potato.
Why don't you hand over this case to me. I am the prince's uncle, so everything will be easier. Mr. Zhu, just pretend to be sick. When I come to visit you, you will ask me to take over the case. How about that?"
Zhu Wei bowed and said: "Master Hou, I don't dare to deceive the prince."
Ping Anshi waved his hands and said: "This is not bullying. You are not young anymore, and it is cold now. You just work hard day and night. If you don't pay attention, it is common for you to have a headache and a fever. That's it. You will do it now
You must be sick."
Zhu Wei said: "Xia Guanwei is really not sick."
Ping An Hou sneered twice, pointed at him and said: "Who do you think you are? You are my nephew's grandson's dog! If I say you are sick, you will be sick."
Zhu Wei lowered his eyes and said, "The official is not sick."
When he was safe, he lowered his face and said, "Are you really not sick?"
"The official is not sick."
When he was safe, he drank: "Here comes someone, slap your mouth!"
A burly man flashed past him, walked up to Zhu Wei in two steps, slapped his hands, and slapped him. The government servants in the room and the King of Qin next door couldn't help but exclaimed - At Zhu Wei's age, it would be terrible if he was beaten like this.
It’s not stubborn. As soon as he said it, a figure rushed in from outside the door, shaking his hands, grabbing the big man’s wrist and twisting it. The big man said “Ouch”. Before he finished speaking, the man hooked his right foot and kicked him from behind.
The big man fell to the ground with a "thump".
When he was safe, he slapped the case and yelled: "What's wrong!" Several guards who followed him in took off their muskets and aimed at Zhu Wei and the man. The man immediately blocked Zhu Wei. When King Qin saw it, it was him.
Liu Shu. Ping'an Hou sneered, "How brave! Someone dares to climb on my head. Do you know who I am?"
Liu Shu raised his head and said, "I don't care who you are. I'm not from Qin."
Ping An Hou hummed: "Zhu Wei, do you know your sin?"
Zhu Wei steadfastly hid behind Liu Shu: "I don't know, I don't know."
Ping An Hou sneered: "What's your crime for having an affair with a spy from another country? What benefits have you gained from another country? You haven't gotten it from the truth!"
Liu Shu was stunned: "Your Qin country is actually like this? My brother-in-law would be better off defecting to another country."
The King of Qin couldn't bear it anymore and walked out from the back of the cubicle. He didn't notice a young yamen servant coming out next to him, and he said openly: "Kill this spy to me!"
King Qin drank: "Who dares!"
General He Yun had sharp eyes and was so frightened that he quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty!" The other two men knelt down immediately.
When it was safe, he quickly stood up and trembled: "My lord, lord...why are you here?"
The King of Qin said coldly: "If the lonely king were not here, Lord Zhu Wei would probably be spilled with blood today?"
When he was safe, he looked at Zhu Wei and gritted his teeth and said: "No wonder this old man looks so upright. It turns out that the prince is eavesdropping! Prince, he is just pretending! If it weren't for you, he would have agreed long ago."
The King of Qin sneered and said: "I don't know if he is pretending to be a lonely king, but you are definitely not pretending, Lord Marquis." When Ping An saw his nephew's face was as cold as ice, he suddenly felt a chill running down his spine and fell to his knees.
King Qin looked down at him for a long time, sighed and was about to speak, when the disciple came again: "Go back to me, sir——"
Zhu Wei whispered: "We'll talk about it later!"
King Qin said: "Say! Let the lonely king hear who is coming again!"
Menzi said: "Master Hong Sansheng, a great scholar, is asking for an audience outside the Yamen."
King Qin said: "Call him to come in." The door opened in response. The room was solemn. King Qin found a chair by the window and sat down, and said leisurely: "You just think that the lonely king is an ordinary servant, there is no need to kneel and worship.
The lonely king will wait here slowly to see if he can gather a whole court group."
Before Hong Sansheng came in, another doorman said feebly: "Go back to the master, Grandpa Sun Youtian is outside asking for an audience."
Zhu Wei smiled bitterly; King Qin laughed angrily: "No wonder Zhu Tong said Liu Feng was stronger than him. He gave the Lu State an advantage."
Liu Shu coughed twice: "Your Majesty, please save some face for me..."
On the other side, Zhu Tong and others took the Fuyuntang account book and tabulated the data to calculate how much tax the casino owed the court. They were so busy that someone came in and replied: "Uncle Tong, there is a woman outside the door asking to see you.
" Then he handed over a piece of paper. There was no writing on the paper, only a white orchid drawn in white.
Zhu Tong said: "Invite her in."
Not long after, a woman came in from the outside, wrapped in a crane cloak made of emerald green curly brocade brocade and fox fur. Underneath she was wearing a fine white satin mink fur jacket, with a moon-white skirt tied around her waist.
She is wearing a beautiful girl. But she is not wearing any jewelry from head to toe. Looking at her appearance, she deserves the words "a shy flower and a closed moon". This woman stands tall and graceful, giving birth to a bookish air for no reason. Zhu Tong and Liu
Jing looked at each other and thought: It's not in vain to call them Bai Lan, they look like an oiran.
The woman stepped forward and looked very happy. After the guests and hosts took their seats, Zhu Tong cupped his hands and said, "May I ask who the girl is..."
The woman smiled and said, "Didn't you guess it, sir? The slave is Bai Lan."
Zhu Tong said: "There is a white orchid parked in the prefect's Yamen morgue."
The woman said: "Sister Mei has already told me. That one is also called Bai Lan, not Bai Lan from Baihualou."
Zhu Tong glanced at her: "Are you familiar with Miss Mei?"
The woman said: "We have exchanged letters a lot, and today we meet for the first time."
It turned out that she went out to worship Buddha early this morning, and saw a notice posted by the government office on the roadside, asking people who knew Bai Lan, the courtesan of Xianyang, to go to the government office to identify the body. There was also a portrait of "Bai Lan" painted on the notice. She was puzzled, and thought about it.
Chang'an didn't recognize anyone else, didn't burn the incense, and went straight to Chunfeng Tower to find Miss Mei. When Miss Mei heard that she was a "Xianyang believer", she immediately guessed the reason for inviting her in to talk. Although Bai Lan had never met her, she
They recognized each other's poetry and writing, and casually wrote a short poem to prove their identity. After the two talked for half a day, Miss Mei wrote a letter to vouch for her, urging her to come to Zhu Mansion to find Zhu Tong.
Zhu Tong opened the letter and took a look. It was exactly what she said. He nodded and said, "I believe you are really Bai Lan." Then he asked her what was going on.
Bai Lan thought for a moment and said, "I escaped."
"oh?"
Bai Lan smiled sweetly.
Half a year ago, she made a private marriage with a sweetheart who often came to Baihualou. The sweetheart was from Chang'an, with a good family background, a clean net worth, a virtuous wife, and she was very affectionate with Bailan. However, Bailan was the treasure trove of Baihualou, and there had been businessmen from other places.
He offered her one hundred thousand taels of silver to redeem her life, but the old madam refused to sell her. If Bai Lan wanted to leave, she had no choice but to escape. So she first secretly took her savings out of the building and hid them, and then pretended to pick up a foreigner.
The guests went out. Xianghao prepared a carriage to meet them, and the two fled to Chang'an overnight. Fortunately, the gates of Chang'an and Xianyang had long been closed, and everything was safe. She had been an aunt in someone else's house for almost three months now.
Zhu Tong thought: "As far as I know, Baihualou has never said that Miss Bailan disappeared or escaped."
Bai Lan tilted her head: "I probably know the reason for the idea. To be honest, if I hadn't read the notice today and gone to see Sister Mei, I probably wouldn't have come to Mr. Zhu and would have found someone else to help."
Zhu Tong blinked: "Why?"
Bai Lan sighed softly: "The human heart is so insufficient! In the past, I just thought that living in such a dirty place would be useless. As long as I could get out of the pit of fire, I would be a slave. I never thought that if I entered a decent family, I would actually
It's more difficult than in Baihualou." She chuckled and said, "Our grandma is really virtuous. I am defeated by her in this skill, and I am convinced. Mr. Zhu, Sister Mei said that you are the smartest in the entire Qin Kingdom. You may be able to show the way for the slave family.
?”
Zhu Tong's brows moved: "Miss Mei said, I am the wisest in the entire Qin Kingdom?"