Still following the old rules, a welcoming banquet was held at the branch of the Taiping Inn by the Penglai Pool in Haosheng Southeast Square.
Qi Xuansu remembered that the last time he hosted the reception banquet was also the chief deputy palace master Zhou Jiaoxian. From this, it seemed that the three main senior officials of the Imperial Palace had a clear division of labor.
At the reception banquet, the five-person group plus Qi Xuansu and Zhou Jiaoxian were at the same table.
The arrangements at the round table are arranged with the front door at the top and the right at the top. As the local master, Zhou Jiaoxian is also the person with the highest rank and highest position among the Taoist priests present. Naturally, he takes his seat at the main seat. On his left and right are Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu.
Qi Xuansu sat with his back to the door, facing Zhou Jiaoxian.
Zhou Jiaoxian first said a few words to welcome the five-person group to the Imperial Capital. On behalf of the Imperial Capital Taoist Office, he would fully cooperate with them.
No one would take such a scene seriously. When the seven-member group went to Jinling Mansion, Bai Yingqiong and Li Tianlan also made similar remarks on behalf of Jiangnan Daofu. But what was the result? The Zhenwu Temple was burned down.
Zhang Yuelu said with emotion: "The last time I came to the Imperial Capital was ten years ago. At that time, the Imperial Imperial Palace was said to be unpleasant and smoky. In every assessment, the Imperial Imperial Palace always ranked last among many local governments. But I heard
It is said that the current Imperial Palace has been greatly changed."
Zhou Jiaoxian said with a smile: "Relying on Jinque's wise decision, such as the virtue of heaven, and the sincere efforts of everyone in the imperial palace, Palace Master Li and Deputy Palace Master Shi also work hard at night and day, and spend all their time."
It took a lot of hard work to achieve the new atmosphere we have today.”
At this moment, Yao Pei slowly said: "Deputy Palace Master Zhou, before I came to the Imperial Capital, I did hear many different voices."
"Really?" The smile on Zhou Jiaoxian's face froze, and then returned to its original state, "What Fu Li Yao said is true. After all, the past many years have been hard to recover from, and now there are still many areas in the Imperial Palace that need to be strengthened and improved. The five-person team came this time
, it means that Jinque cares and pays attention to our Imperial Palace, we must, under the supervision of the five-person team, find out the deficiencies and make immediate changes, so that Jinque can rest assured and satisfy Jinque."
Zhang Yuelu smiled: "We came to the Imperial Palace with only one purpose, which is to make the Imperial Palace better, eliminate old shortcomings, establish new practices, and focus on solving those key points and difficulties. In short, we can't just satisfy Jin Que.
What’s more, we want to satisfy the people of the world, we want the people of the world to see the new look and new atmosphere of Imperial Capital, which will make people feel refreshed.”
Qi Xuansu said nothing and watched the two women perform.
Only now did he know that Zhang Yuelu would also say these words in a scene, but if he thought about it carefully, it made sense. Zhang Yuelu was not a fool. He had been exposed to and listened to Yujing all day long, so it would be strange if he didn't.
Li Changge didn't speak, he just twirled the wine with two fingers.
Cup, smiling, acting as a bystander.
Of course, Qi Xuansu didn't say anything either. To put it mildly, he is now suspended from work for self-reflection. To put it harshly, he is now half-guilty. What can he say?
But Qi Xuansu didn't even bother holding the wine glass, and just looked at Zhang Yuelu.
While Zhang Yuelu was toasting, he gave Qi Xuansu a warning look out of the corner of his eye - don't flirt with her in formal occasions.
Qi Xuansu naturally followed the good example and withdrew his gaze, looking at the dishes in front of him.
Zhou Jiaoxian's voice still reached Qi Xuansu's ears clearly: "Deputy Hall Master Zhang is a woman, and Tiangang Hall is no better than other halls. It's very difficult. He broke through the shadow of swords and swords."
"Deputy Palace Master Zhou appreciates the award." Zhang Yuelu said, "In the next month, we will work together to complete all the things arranged by Jinque."
Zhou Jiaoxian expressed his position again: "On behalf of the Imperial Palace, I will fully cooperate and give Jinque a satisfactory explanation."
Yao put the wine glass in his hand on the table and said calmly: "The wine is good. Thank you, Deputy Palace Master Zhou, for the hospitality."
Qi Xuansu understood somewhat.
There is indeed a division of labor between Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei. One is a good person and the other is a bad person.
On the Taoist side, in addition to the conflicts between the three Taoisms, there is also the contradiction between the Yujing Golden Tower and the local Taoist government. Of course, this is not the crux of the Taoist family. From ancient times to the present, in all dynasties, it has been a problem that cannot be solved. If it is good, it will be easy to form a separatist trend of vassal towns, and the tail will not be lost.
Local governments always hope to gain greater autonomy, while Jinque hopes to have deeper control over local governments. Both parties have consistent interests and inconsistent interests, which makes the situation extremely complicated.
In the Imperial Palace, on certain matters, Li Ruoshui, Zhou Jiaoxian, and Shi Bingyun respectively represent the positions of Taiping Dao, Quanzhen Dao, and Zhengyi Dao. They are incompatible with each other. On certain matters, the three of them represent the Imperial Dao. The government's position requires tacit cooperation to safeguard their common interests.
What is a good boss? In the eyes of subordinates, a boss who knows how to fight for the interests of his or her family is a good boss. Since they are in this position, they cannot help themselves with many things, otherwise they will not be able to secure this position.
The people below are not unarmed ordinary people, but a large number of people who have been entrenched in the Imperial Palace for a long time.
The chiefs, deacons, spiritual officials, and Taoist priests have both force and power, as well as intricate connections. They have to rely on them to do anything. They must rely on them to implement the government orders of Jinque and the Taoist government, and the stability of the Taoist government must also depend on them. It's up to them to maintain it. Although they come from different orthodox traditions, they don't care much about the orthodox disputes at the top. They care more about their own practical interests and their "public opinion" cannot be ignored. If they start a fight together, the superiors will It’s not a matter of killing the real person in charge of the palace and the deputy palace masters, or not killing them. They can’t care about the inside or the outside. It’s easy to compromise their future and have to make compromises. It doesn’t mean that as the palace master, everything can be done according to one’s own will. , what is said is not that simple.
The measures involved need to be carefully weighed and grasped, especially when the dispute over orthodoxy conflicts with the local dispute over Yujing, it is difficult to say clearly how to choose.
Therefore, just because Zhou Jiaoxian is a Quanzhen Taoist, we cannot think that he must be on the side of Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei, nor can we think that just because Li Ruoshui is a Taiping Taoist, she must be of the same mind as Li Changge. Maybe under the general trend There won’t be too many deviations in terms of details, but there will inevitably be differences in details.
This requires specific analysis and specific treatment of specific matters.
When the banquet came to an end, Zhang Yuelu suddenly said: "The case of Chief Qi was based on a note from the Daolu Division and a report from a Buddhist monk. It was directly verified by Jin Que and promoted to the next level of jurisdiction. Therefore, Assistant Manager Yao, you have a heavy responsibility."
"Yes, Deputy Hall Master Zhang." Yao Pei responded expressionlessly, and then looked at Qi Xuansu.
Because Zhang Yuelu was the convener of the five-person group, she was the nominal boss of Li Changge and Yao Pei during this period, with greater say and weight.
Qi Xuansu coughed lightly and finally said: "I will fully cooperate with Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Assistant Hall Master Yao. I also believe that Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Assistant Hall Master Yao will restore my innocence."
Yao Pei said calmly: "Master Qi, you don't believe in me and Deputy Hall Master Zhang, but in Dao Sect and Jin Que."
Qi Xuansu said seriously: "Yes, I believe in Daomen and Jinque."
When other people saw this scene, they couldn't help but curse in their hearts.
What are you pretending to be? Who doesn't know that your chief Qi has a close relationship with these two people? One is an old boss and lover, and the other is a classmate and friend who went to the palace. They are related to each other. Can you not believe it?
You, Chief Qi, naturally believe them. Why don't you express your trust in Deputy Hall Master Li?
It seems that I can't believe it.
After the banquet, Zhang Yuelu and others stayed here - they would go to the Jade Palace, but they would not stay in the Jade Palace.
The land was temporarily acquired as their residence for the next month. After all, it is the Taoist family's own property, and there are no other guests on weekdays. It is perfect for arranging a group of five people and an entourage.
Qi Xuansu was supposed to return to the Jade Palace with Zhou Jiaoxian, but when he reached the door, he was stopped by Yao Pei.
Yao Pei said: "Since Chief Qi is the main person involved in this case, let him stay here so that we can summon him at any time."
Zhou Jiaoxian was startled, but he didn't say yes or no, he just said: "Isn't it appropriate?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." Yao Pei's tone was cold and unkind, "After we arrive, we will take over the case. How to arrange the arrangements for Chief Qi is our business, and it is all arranged by the Imperial Palace.
Officer, is Deputy Palace Master Zhou still afraid that Chief Qi will run away? That would be too underestimated for us. Or does Deputy Palace Master Zhou think that Deputy Hall Master Zhang and I allowed Chief Qi to escape secretly?"
"I didn't mean that." Zhou Jiaoxian naturally denied it, "In that case, Master Qi, you stay here and follow the arrangements of Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Assistant Manager Yao."
"Here." Qi Xuansu, who was following Zhou Jiaoxian, responded immediately.
Zhou Jiaoxian said: "After I return, I will explain this matter to Palace Master Li and Deputy Palace Master Shi. In addition, I will also send someone to deliver some of Chief Qi's personal belongings."
Qi Xuansu thanked him: "Then I will ask Deputy Palace Master Lao Zhou."
"It doesn't matter." Zhou Jiaoxian waved his hand and walked out alone.
After Qi Xuansu and Yao Pei were left alone, Yao Pei looked Qi Xuansu up and down with an expressionless face, which made Qi Xuansu feel a little weak.
"What is Yao Fuli looking at?" Qi Xuansu asked.
Yao Pei said: "This time, you have fallen into my hands. I want you to die, and I'm afraid you won't survive."
Qi Xuansu became more and more uneasy: "Su Yi, we didn't celebrate the festival, did we? Although we are not close relatives and friends, we have been classmates for three months. Facing Zhang Wuhen by the Xingye Lake, we can be regarded as sharing weal and woe. In your 'Di Zi Gong'
, at least I have one-third of the credit."
Yao Pei didn't smile, but turned around and walked inside: "Follow me, our deputy chief Zhang wants to see you. It's really fun for a female boss to interrogate old subordinates late at night."
Qi Xuansu discovered for the first time that Yao Pei's mouth was so poisonous.
This is Yao Pei who was influenced by the "Tai Shang Wang Qing Jing". Now Qi Xuansu suspects that Taiping Dao has influenced the entire Taoism. However, it is understandable. Who makes Xuan Sheng himself come from Taiping Dao? It's good to know,