The small courtyard was very dilapidated, with the walls covered in black paint and covered with cracks like spider webs.
The only table in the house had only three legs and had to be propped up with a long wooden stick.
Zhang Gou was sitting on a long chair with uneven left and right sides. He looked around and asked, "Is this your home?"
"Humph, I know the environment is not very good, so you just have to make do with it for now." Wang Datou sat on the threshold, looking a little unhappy.
Zhang Gou turned to look at Xu Wenqing and said, "Junior Sister Xu, I don't think they will come after me. Let's go find His Highness King Zhou now."
Wang Datou immediately raised his big head and said happily: "This is the best!"
Xu Wenqing no longer had any objections. After she became blind, she had a sensitive and fragile heart. She was most worried about being regarded as a burden by Wu Chengsi, so she did not want to cause trouble to him as soon as she came.
At this moment, seeing that no one was chasing after him, he immediately said: "This strong man, thank you for saving us just now." He turned to Lu Wei and said, "I will give this strong man three hundred coins as a thank you gift."
Lu Wei hesitated for a moment, then pouted: "Is it necessary to give so much?" He still reached out and took out his purse, took out three copper coins worth one hundred yuan, and handed it over.
Wang Datou stood up in a hurry, rubbed his hands, and said with a smile: "Why is this so embarrassing?" After saying this, his hands quickly grabbed the money.
The three of them were about to go out. At this moment, there was a loud bang outside the house, as if someone was banging on the door.
Wang Datou's expression changed drastically and he said: "It's over, they're coming to the door!"
Xu Wenqing's master and servant were both shocked. Zhang Gou asked anxiously: "Is there a back door or something?"
"No, no." Wang Datou panicked.
Suddenly, he thought of something. He came to the only cabinet in the room and pulled it open. He saw a big hole in the wall behind the cabinet.
The hole is not very big and can only accommodate one person. It was originally prepared by Wang Datou for himself. The four people looked at each other with three pairs of eyes.
Xu Wenqing asked uneasily: "What's wrong?"
Zhang Gou looked at Reed and said solemnly: "You two are relatively petite, so you should be able to hide in it."
Xu Wenqing couldn't see the hole in the wall and asked uneasily: "Where to hide?"
Wang Datou's lips turned white. He wanted to hide in by himself, but the other three would never agree, and they would definitely expose him if he stayed outside.
At this moment, there was a "pop" sound outside the door, followed by a "clang" sound. It sounded as if the door had been kicked open completely.
Zhang Gou had already pushed Xu Wenqing's master and servant into the hole without any explanation, and said sternly: "Don't make a sound!" Then he pushed the cabinet back.
Wang Datou hesitated for a moment and was about to open the door. Suddenly, the whole door seemed to have been hit by a big hammer, flying towards the inside of the house and hitting Wang Datou hard.
Wang Datou fell to the ground at the sound.
There was a sound of footsteps, and two tower-like giants entered the house.
Immediately afterwards, the two people respectfully stepped aside, and a middle-aged scribe holding a folding fan slowly entered the house.
Next to the middle-aged scribe, the fat shopkeeper with brocades and a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes filed in. Behind them, four more giant men came in.
One of the giant men was dragging a beggar with his right hand. His huge palm was bigger than the beggar's head, and he held his head firmly in his hand.
After entering the house, the giant man threw the beggar to the ground. The beggar's face was covered with blood and he was motionless. He didn't know whether he was dead or alive.
The fat shopkeeper glanced around and said sullenly: "You really think you can hide after offending our 'Ten Brocades'? Where are those two little girls?"
Wang Datou didn't look at him. Ever since these people entered the room, his eyes had only been on one person.
The man with thick eyebrows and big eyes.
"Boss, why are you here?" Wang Datou hesitated.
Because Chang'an City is too huge, even though there are three yamen of Jingzhao Prefecture, Chang'an County and Wannian County, they still can't manage it.
These yamen mainly focus on the north of the city, so many gangs have spawned in large areas in the south of the city.
The man with thick eyebrows and big eyes is the boss of Wang Datou's gang, known as Boss Zhong.
They are a small gang with only a few dozen members. They make a living by opening underground casinos in the south of the city and collecting business protection fees.
The fat shopkeeper winked, and two men immediately entered the room to search. After a burst of sounds of suppression and destruction, the two men came out and said, "There is no one inside."
The fat shopkeeper glared at Wang Datou and said, "Where is he? Tell me quickly!"
Wang Datou looked at everyone uneasily, gritting his teeth and saying nothing.
Boss Zhong came to Wang Datou expressionlessly, pulled out a riding crop from his waist, and whipped him hard across his head and face.
"Ah...ah..."
Wang Datou was beaten so hard that he rolled around and screamed repeatedly.
Zhang Gou said angrily: "Stop!"
Boss Zhong turned around and kicked Zhang Gou away, hitting the wooden cabinet hard. Xu Wenqing and Lu Wei, who were hiding in the hole, let out a low cry of fear.
Fortunately, the sound of the impact suppressed their screams.
Boss Zhong looked at Wang Datou on the ground, kicked him hard in the abdomen, and said coldly: "I think you have taken the courage of a leopard. You even dare to touch the tiger beard of shopkeeper Geng. Today I will be useless."
about you."
After saying that, he kicked him again. Wang Datou was kicked directly into the corner and spit out a large mouthful of blood.
Zhang Gou saw the middle-aged scribe smiling and saying nothing. Apparently he had seen this kind of scene too many times, and he felt a chill in his heart.
These people gave Zhang Gou the feeling that they did not take human life seriously. If he continued to care about his face, he was afraid that all of them would die here.
"Stop, I belong to Her Royal Highness Princess Taiping!" Zhang Gou shouted loudly.
Upon hearing the words "Princess Taiping", the smile on the middle-aged scribe's face disappeared and he frowned: "What's going on?"
The fat shopkeeper said hurriedly: "Big shopkeeper, this guy is boasting nonsense, you don't need to take it to heart."
Wang Datou knew that this was his only chance of survival. Regardless of the pain in his body, he shouted: "No, what he said is true. I saw him talking to Her Royal Highness the Princess in Yongle Houfu!"
Just as the middle-aged scribe was about to speak, the fat shopkeeper snorted and said: "There must be a limit to nonsense. The Yongle Marquis Mansion has been raided. How can he talk to Her Royal Highness the Princess there?"
Zhang Gou said in a deep voice: "I met Her Royal Highness the Princess before she was captured in Yongle Houfu. A polo competition was being held there at that time!"
The middle-aged scribe was about to speak again, but the fat shopkeeper sneered and said: "Make it up, keep making it up!"
With a "pop" sound, the middle-aged scribe hit the fat shopkeeper on the head with his fan and said angrily: "Can you shut up!"
The fat shopkeeper held his head, laughed in apology, and stepped aside.
The middle-aged scribe waved his folding fan, looked down at Zhang Gou, and said calmly: "Boy, do you think I won't dare to touch you if you tell me your name as Princess Mansion?"
As he spoke, he walked to the chair where Zhang Gou had been sitting before, sat down slowly, crossed his legs and said, "I have been hanging out in Chang'an City for so many years, and I have made many friends with rich and powerful people, even the princess's mansion..."
When he said this, he suddenly found that his butt was sliding to one side, and before he could put down his legs in time, he sat down on the ground with a pop.
The expressions of everyone present changed instantly. Some people's faces turned red, and the muscles on their cheeks could not help beating, but they did not dare to laugh out loud.
The middle-aged scribe stood up with a gloomy face and said coldly: "Xiao Liao, go to the Princess Mansion to find Deacon Huang and tell him that someone is using the Princess Mansion's sign and invite him to come over."
The fat shopkeeper hurriedly responded and left the room with a big man.
The two of them each rode a horse, first heading east, and then all the way north. After walking for a long time, they arrived at Princess Taiping's Mansion.
The princess's mansion is magnificent, with four front doors alone. There are not many people in Chang'an who can enter the mansion through the vermilion door in the middle.
The two fat shopkeepers came to a door on the side. There were only two servants guarding the door.
The fat shopkeeper asked the big man to stay where he was, and walked forward alone, bowed respectfully, and said: "On the order of the shopkeeper, I would like to see Mr. Huang and let me know."
One of the servants looked at him and said calmly: "Waiting outside." After saying that, he went inside to report.
While waiting, the fat shopkeeper suddenly saw the second door of the princess mansion open, and a large luxury carriage pulled by four horses drove out from the door.
The carriage curtain was made of the finest yellow thick silk cloth, and was surrounded by dozens of horsemen for protection. The guards at each gate suddenly knelt down.
The fat shopkeeper knew that in the carriage was the current Princess Taiping, so he hurriedly bent his fat waist, cupped his hands, and did not dare to take another look.
It wasn't until the carriage convoy left that the fat shopkeeper dared to raise his head.
I don’t know if it was an illusion, but after Her Royal Highness the Princess, who is famous for her beauty, passed by, there seemed to be a sweet smell in the air.
The fat shopkeeper smiled and said: "I met Her Royal Highness the Princess on a trip. I am quite lucky today."
Another guard raised his nostrils and said, "You should be grateful to His Highness King Zhou for having such good luck!"
"Why is this?" the fat shopkeeper asked puzzledly.
The guard said: "His Royal Highness King Zhou was officially canonized as a prince the day before yesterday. In the past two days, the number of people who came to congratulate him was almost overwhelming the threshold of Prince Zhou's Mansion. In the past few days, Her Royal Highness the Princess has also been running to Prince Zhou's Mansion every two days."
The fat shopkeeper said with a smile: "I heard that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou was also conferred the title of "Marshal of the West" by His Majesty to prepare for the war against the Tubo people."
The guard raised his head and said, "Isn't that right? The Western Defense Camp is stationed on the Fenghe River in the west of the city. All the officers and soldiers of the Twelve Guards Department are at the discretion of His Highness the King of Zhou."
The voice was full of admiration.
The fat shopkeeper touched his fat chin and said with a smile: "So, let me tell you, those people who went to see His Highness the King of Zhou probably wanted to curry favor with him and arrange for their family members to enter the "Xitou Camp"."
The guard glared and said, "You mean, our Princess, is also going to curry favor with His Royal Highness the King of Zhou?"
The fat shopkeeper said hurriedly: "I have absolutely no intention of doing so. Her Royal Highness the Princess and His Royal Highness King Zhou have the best brother-sister relationship. Everyone in Chang'an City knows it. If Her Royal Highness the Princess has any request, His Royal Highness King Zhou will naturally agree without saying a word."
The guard snorted and said, "It's good that you know."
Pingkangfang.
Outside Wu Chengsi's residence, all kinds of officials, businessmen and scholars surrounded the residence. These people were divided into their own circles and talked with each other.
Although the guard told them that Wu Chengsi was not in the mansion, they still refused to leave.
The plaque on the gate of the mansion has been changed for the second time, from Duke Zhou’s Palace to Changping County Prince’s Palace to the current Zhou Prince’s Palace!
However, apart from the plaque, there are no other changes to the mansion.
Although it can be called a mansion, if compared with other prince's mansions in the city, it seems a bit inferior.
In the study room of the palace's back house, Wu Chengsi was walking back and forth with his hands behind his back.
There are four bad guys in front of him.
Except for Yang Xuan, the other three stood in a row with their heads held high, like soldiers being reviewed.
These three people are two women and one man. They are the three most powerful martial arts men under Yang Xuan. One of them will become Wu Chengsi's personal guard.
In Yang Xuan's view, in order to ensure Wu Chengsi's safety, in addition to his secret protection, one person also needs to follow Wu Chengsi for personal protection. Only in this way can there be no risk.
When Wu Chengsi learned that the martial arts of these three people were superior to Han Cheng's, he immediately agreed to Yang Xuan's proposal.
After making a decision for a long time, Wu Chengsi returned to the chair and sat down, rubbed his temples and said: "Which of the three of you has the best martial arts?"
Yang Xuan said: "Your Highness, the three of them have similar martial arts skills. The winner depends on their condition and luck."
Wu Chengsi glared at him and said: "There must be some differences, for example, who wins the most times after ten fights."
Yang Xuan was silent for a while and said: "Back to Your Highness, if we really want to break down the ranks, Feng Wu's martial arts is the best."
"Who is Feng Wu?"
The woman on the far right said coldly: "I am."
This woman has a beautiful appearance, but her expression is cold, and her face seems to be covered with a layer of ice.
Wu Chengsi took a look at her and saw that she was wearing black tights and tight pants, a long skirt that only reached her knees, and a pair of long and wide sleeves. He nodded and said: "From now on, you can stay with me and be the captain of the personal guard."
Feng Wu only nodded and said nothing.
Yang Xuan suddenly said: "Your Highness, I have sent people to keep an eye on Cai Yang for a few days. I have not found anything unusual about him so far. Do we need to take other measures?"
Wu Chengsi thought for a while, waved his hand and said: "Just keep an eye on it for now. If there are any problems, let Dali Temple come forward."
After saying that, he left the study.
After walking a few steps along the corridor, Wu Chengsi noticed that there was no movement behind him. He turned around and saw that Feng Wu was following him closely. He couldn't help but ask, "Don't you make any sound when you walk?"
Feng Wu tilted her head, seeming a little confused, as if asking: "Should there be any sound when walking?"
Wu Chengsi sighed and said: "Forget it, if there is no sound, there will be no sound."
At this moment, a personal guard came over, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, Lord Zhuge Temple is here, waiting in the side hall."
Wu Chengsi nodded, went straight to the side hall, asked Feng Wu to wait outside, and entered the hall alone.
"Your Highness, are you looking for me?" Zhuge Sanyuan said with a smile.
Wu Chengsi pulled him into the main room and lowered his voice: "Mr. Zhuge, there is something I want to ask you."
"Your Highness, please speak."
Wu Chengsi said in a deep voice: "I want to know whose order is the highest order in the bad guy organization. Can a bad commander command a bad deputy commander?"
Zhuge Sanyuan was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and replied: "No."
"Then can the emperor order a bad deputy commander?"
"No, as far as I know, the bad deputy commander is only driven by a mysterious token. Whoever owns that token, he will only listen to that person's orders."
Wu Chengsi thought to himself: "The token should be the black stone jade tablet." He then asked: "What about the situation like King Han? He was imprisoned by the emperor. What will the bad deputy commander do?"
Zhuge Sanyuan pondered: "If the owner of the token commits a serious crime that is detrimental to the country and is imprisoned, the bad deputy commander can choose to give the black stone jade tablet to the emperor and let the emperor appoint a new token holder."
After a pause, he added: "If the owner of the token is wronged, the bad deputy commander will do everything he can to clear his grievances."
Wu Chengsi nodded and said with a smile: "Thank you, Mr. Zhuge, for clarifying my doubts."
Zhuge Sanyuan smiled and said, "Your Highness, you don't have to be polite." He didn't ask any questions. Seeing that Wu Chengsi had no other instructions, he said goodbye and left.
The sky was blue, and the fallen leaves in the courtyard were dancing in the wind. The wind was very cold, and Wu Chengsi discovered that winter had arrived quietly.
Before we knew it, it was December again, and not long after that, it was the royal banquet and the coming of all nations.
However, given Li Zhi's health, it would be difficult for him to host these two grand events. This year's royal banquet may be the only time that the queen will host it.
Li Zhi fulfilled his promise. After returning to Beijing, he not only officially named him a prince, but also named him "Marshal of the West".
As long as he stays in this position for one day, his strength in the army will become stronger by the day.
It won't take long for his prestige to surpass that of Li Ji, Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui and become the most influential general in the army. By then, he will have the power to check and balance Wu Mei.
Just as I was lost in thought, a palace deacon suddenly came quickly and said with cupped hands: "Your Highness, the princess is here. She said she has something urgent to see you."
…
The wheels rolled on the road, but the people sitting in the carriage felt no tremors at all.
This was not Wu Chengsi’s first time making this carriage, but this time he couldn’t help but ask: “Who designed your carriage, and why is it so stable?”
Princess Taiping, who was staring at Feng Wu, turned around, smiled slightly, and said: "It was designed by Yang Wulian. He only built five such carriages in total. Apart from his father and mother, only Aunt Chengyang and Prince Lu
There is one."
Wu Chengsi nodded.
At this time, Princess Taiping pointed at Feng Wu casually and said: "Second cousin, who is she? Why haven't I seen her before?"
Wu Chengsi said: "She is one of my female personal guards."
Princess Taiping smiled half-heartedly and said: "With such a beautiful female guard, isn't the second cousin jealous?"
Wu Chengsi shook his head and said nothing.
Princess Taiping snorted, stared at Feng Wu, and said lightly: "Since you are a personal guard, you must have some martial arts skills?"
Feng Wu only nodded.
Princess Taiping hated other people being disrespectful to her, so she said coldly: "Well, you can compete with my guards and let me see what you are capable of, and let my second cousin take you with me!
"
Wu Chengsi frowned and said, "To achieve peace, you must not be rude."
Princess Taiping's mouth suddenly pouted, and she tilted her head to one side, and her hair almost hit Wu Chengsi's face.
Wu Chengsi was never used to Princess Taiping's unruly temper, so he said with a sullen face: "You pulled me out without saying a word, what's the matter?"
Princess Taiping pursed her lips and said nothing.
Wu Chengsi said: "If you are okay, then I will go back."
Princess Taiping bit her lips tightly, her eyes became moist, and big tears slipped from her long eyelashes, looking like she had been greatly wronged.
Wu Chengsi was not afraid of her losing her temper, but he was afraid of her crying. He immediately hugged her shoulders and patted her gently: "Okay, it was my brother's fault just now. Please stop crying."
Princess Taiping struggled slightly, her tears kept flowing like water from a bursting dam, and she sobbed loudly:
"I have been running around everywhere for you these days, but you are so cruel to me for a woman I don't know. I don't want you as my cousin anymore!"
Wu Chengsi said softly: "I should have told you before, don't use your status as a princess to bully others."
"How could anyone... bully her?" Princess Taiping sobbed softly.
Wu Chengsi said: "Then why are you so rude to her?"
"She is a princess after all, but she doesn't care when I talk to her. She was the one who was rude to me first!" Princess Taiping said, wiping her tears.
Wu Chengsi said seriously: "Taiping, she is my bodyguard. If you make her unhappy, what will happen if she stands aside and watches when I am assassinated?"
Feng Wu, who was watching coldly from the side, finally showed an expression on her face after hearing these words. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but finally closed it again.
Princess Taiping only thought that Wu Chengsi was teasing her, she laughed and said: "You are talking nonsense again, how can any guard dare not save his master!"
Wu Chengsi let go of her shoulders and said, "You just said you've been running around for me lately. What's going on?"
Princess Taiping blurted out: "Of course I am raising money for you."
"Raise money for me?" Wu Chengsi asked suspiciously.
Princess Taiping realized that she had let slip, she glanced at Feng Wu warily, and whispered: "I will tell you in detail when I go to my house later."
Wu Chengsi frowned and said, "You asked me to come to your house just to talk about this matter?"
Princess Taiping hesitated for a moment and hesitated: "It's not me who wants you to come here... Hey... just don't ask, you will know later!"