He strode back to the palace and went straight to the Zichen Palace. After entering the palace, Wu Mei raised her head and said, "Why are you back again?"
Wu Chengsi smiled and said, "My nephew wants to have a meal with you."
Wu Meifeng looked at him for a while and said: "Whatever you want to eat, tell the palace maid yourself and let the Food Bureau make it."
After saying that, he lowered his head and concentrated on writing calligraphy.
Wu Chengsi stood aside and watched. When he saw that there were many scraps of paper on the ground, his heart moved and he folded them neatly and put them in his sleeves.
Wu Mei smiled and said, "What did you do with those waste papers?"
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "Take it back and watch it."
The cook at Wu Chengsi's house had retired from Shangshi Bureau. When eating, he felt that it was not much different from what he cooked at home.
In the back hall, the aunt and nephew sat at the same table opposite each other. They only had six dishes in total, three dishes for Wu Chengsi and three dishes for Wu Mei.
Wu Chengsi asked the imperial chef to cook only meat dishes, which were extremely greasy.
Not only did Wu Mei not touch it, she also asked Wu Chengsi to carry the three dishes far away, as if she couldn't even stand the taste.
Her meals are all carefully developed by the medical ladies. At the beginning of each month, the entire monthly diet is decided.
Wu Chengsi had never seen any of the three vegetarian dishes. After tasting them with chopsticks, he only felt a bitter taste and stopped using his chopsticks.
After finishing the meal, Wu Chengsi said goodbye and left, asking someone to pack the leftovers before leaving.
Wu Mei smiled and said: "If you like palace cuisine, just come over and eat it next time. Why bother?"
Wu Chengsi said: "Although I am full, my personal guards are still hungry and waiting for me outside."
A smile appeared in Wu Mei's eyes, and she praised: "If you love your soldiers like a son, victory is guaranteed. No wonder others now say that you are the most beloved general of the Tang army."
After leaving the Zichen Palace, he went out of the palace and shared the leftovers with the guards. Feng Wu refused all comers, and even Wu Mei's remaining vegetarian dishes were eaten by her.
On the street outside the palace, a carriage driver saw Wu Chengsi coming out. He shouted and drove the carriage towards the street.
Not long after, the carriage arrived at a music hall called "Nine Songs". The driver entered the music hall and went straight to a private room.
Knocking on the door and entering, he saw two people sitting opposite each other in the room, it was Song Guogong Xiao Kai and Xu Guogong Wei Xuanzhen.
Both of them closed their eyes and listened to an old man playing the piano.
The sound of the piano is peaceful and makes people feel calm after listening to it.
The coachman bowed and whispered to Xiao Kai: "My lord, after you left, the king of Zhou entered the palace and stayed in the palace for an hour, and did not come out until noon."
Xiao Kai's eyes were still closed, he just raised his hand and waved, and the coachman retreated.
Not long after, a guard entered the room and said to Wei Xuanzhen: "Master, there is news from Your Highness Concubine Shu. After the King of Zhou entered the palace, he entered the Zichen Palace and stayed for an hour before coming out."
Wei Xuanzhen hummed and opened his eyes.
As he spoke, the old man who played the piano stopped playing the piano, said goodbye, and left the room.
Wei Xuanzhen sighed and said: "Brother Xiao, you still have the ability to persuade Wu Chengsi."
Xiao Kai said calmly: "What Wu Chengsi likes most is his Xitu camp. He has taken great pains to deal with us because he wants the money of the three of us to maintain his military camp."
Wei Xuanzhen snorted coldly and said, "He must be very proud when he hears that we dedicated the money to him."
Xiao Kai narrowed his eyes and said: "Now that he has been stabilized by my words, he will not attack us before tomorrow night. We can take action."
Wei Xuanzhen hesitated slightly and said: "Brother Xiao, since Wu Chengsi was persuaded by you, he must have neglected to take precautions. Do you think it is possible to transport some of my family's belongings out of the city? I really don't want to dedicate so much money to the emperor.
Be willing to do so!"
Xiao Kai's face sank and he said: "I have promised to give you half of our Xiao family's money. Don't you believe me?"
Wei Xuanzhen smiled bitterly and said: "Of course I believe you, but I still feel it is a pity."
"What's the pity? You need to understand that our hope for a comeback in the future lies entirely with the new emperor. By donating the money to the emperor this time, not only will your daughter be favored, but the new emperor will also have a greater chance of defeating the Wu family!"
The muscles on Wei Xuanzhen's cheeks couldn't help but beat.
He understood the truth, but it was hard to accept the thought of losing all the wealth he had accumulated for nearly ten years.
Xiao Kai walked up to him, put his hand on his shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Brother Wei, you must put the survival of the family first!"
Wei Xuanzhen took a deep breath, slapped the table and said, "That's fine, I'll just listen to you."
Xiao Kai said coldly: "Han Fang!"
A man in black in the corner of the room took two steps forward and said, "My subordinate is here."
Xiao Kai said: "Go and invite the heads of the eight families to meet at the Chicken House opposite."
Wei Xuanzhen suddenly said: "Brother Xiao, are you only inviting eight families?"
Xiao Kai said in a deep voice: "This matter must not be leaked at all. The fewer people involved, the better. Let's save the eight families first."
Wei Xuanzhen said: "It should be credible that the Yu family participated in the affairs of Furong Garden. Moreover, Yu Long is the prison guard's lieutenant general. He will be very useful both in and out of the city in the future."
Xiao Kai thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "Then add their family, but no more. If the secret is leaked, no one can escape."
The big man in black received the order and left the house.
Xiao Kai asked another man in black: "Are the people from the Jinwu Guard still watching outside?"
The subordinate nodded and said: "There are six people watching. As long as you give the order, we can kill them without anyone noticing."
Xiao Kai said calmly: "Now is not the time, let's take the secret path this time." Then he walked out of the house.
Wei Xuanzhen followed him, took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth and nose and said: "I always feel that the secret passage smells like shit."
Xiao Kai said: "Be patient."
The two came to a remote room in the music hall and ordered someone to drag open a cabinet and turn the mechanism in the corner.
There was a buzzing sound, and the floor under the cabinet slid inwards, revealing a secret passage going downwards.
A stench suddenly came out of the secret passage.
A man in black held a torch and opened the way. Xiao Kai and Wei Xuanzhen followed one after another. After walking in the secret passage for a while, a row of upward stone steps appeared.
The man holding the torch went up to the top of the stone steps and pressed the switch on the wall. There was a buzzing sound and a rectangular exit appeared above.
Xiao Kai and Wei Xuanzhen walked out of the secret passage. Outside was a room similar to the entrance of the secret passage.
Pushing open the door, a burst of noisy voices came from outside, and the voices were mixed with the high-pitched crowing of cocks.
After the nurse in the courtyard saw the two of them, he hurriedly came over, bowed respectfully, and led them to a private room in the west.
Not long after, the heads of various families arrived one after another. Some of the heads asked about the reason for the summons, but Xiao Kai did not explain and just asked them to wait.
After a long time, the heads of the eight families have arrived, but the head of the last family, the Linghu family, has not come yet. Both Xiao Kai and Wei Xuanzhen looked a little ugly.
The Linghu family is the Beidou in the academic field. The current head of the family and the previous head of the family were both forbidden to drink in the Imperial College, and they had a high prestige among the officials.
This is a force that must be won over. If you want to return to the court in the future, their family's role will be crucial.
After a long while, the man in black who was sent by Xiao Kai came back, came to Xiao Kai's side, and said in a low voice: "Master, the head of the Linghu family said that the old family leader has an order not to let him come."
Xiao Kai slapped the table and cursed secretly: "Old man, you know how to protect yourself wisely."
However, this was not the time to vent his emotions. Looking around, all the heads of the families were paying attention.
Xiao Kai stood up and said with a stern face: "Dear brothers, I and Xu Guogong called everyone here today for only one reason. The Wu family is going to attack us!"
Yu Wenqiao said with a pale face: "Brother Xiao, I have always been looking out for you. I wonder if you have a way to resolve the crisis."
Xiao Kai said: "With the death of the late emperor, the Wu family will no longer have any scruples. In a head-on confrontation, we are no match for the Wu family. For now, we can only retreat temporarily."
One of the family heads said with a livid face: "Brother Xiao, you said at the beginning that the Wu family wanted to liquidate everyone, and that only by uniting to resist could we save the family. Now you want us to retreat. Everyone has been rooted in Chang'an for many years, where else can we retreat?"
Dugu De said coldly: "Ma Liang, everyone has seen what happened these days. In order to fight with the Wu family, the Xue family has been thrown into prison. Brother Xiao and Brother Wei have also tried their best. I will just listen to his arrangements.
.”
Yu Wenqiao said: "What I'm saying is that if it weren't for Brother Xiao's help over the years, many of our families would have declined long ago. How would we be here today?"
The other heads of families all nodded in agreement.
The head of the Yu family's eyes flashed slightly and said: "Brother Xiao, we can trust your words, but we don't know where we will retreat to and how we will settle down in the future?"
Wei Xuanzhen said: "Three years ago, Brother Xiao secretly established a "Southeast Trading Company" in Dengzhou. Everyone is temporarily living in the trading company. After stability, Xu Tu will make a comeback."
Dugu De nodded and said: "It's good to go to Dengzhou. It faces the sea to the east. If something happens, you can escape to Baekje or Japan."
Yu Wenqiao frowned and said: "I remember that Lu Jiumin, the governor of Dengzhou, was born in a poor family and was always suppressed by Brother Xiao. He was demoted to Dengzhou after being impeached by Brother Xiao. Is it appropriate for us to go there?"
Xiao Kai said lightly: "Lu Jiumin belongs to me."
Everyone nodded and felt relieved.
Only the head of the Ma family said: "Brother Xiao, how can we make a comeback after we arrive in Dengzhou? If not, our family that has existed for hundreds of years will exist in name only. How can we explain to our ancestors?"
Dugu De said coldly: "That's better than killing everyone in the family. Have you forgotten the great purge ten years ago? What happened to the eldest son's family who was so prominent back then?"
The head of the Ma family was silent.
Xiao Kai said solemnly: "I can understand Brother Ma's concerns. When we arrive in Dengzhou, we will set up an organization together to support Concubine Wei Shu at all costs to become the queen. At that time, Empress Wei will assist the emperor and kill the Wu family.
I can return to Chang'an soon!"
The head of the Yu family asked: "What if the emperor cannot defeat the Wu family?"
Xiao Kai narrowed his eyes and said: "At that time, we will recruit private soldiers, issue a counter-attack, and call on the heroes of the world to fight against the Wu family!"
Dugu De, Yu Wenqiao and other family heads looked at each other, and they all raised their hands and said, "Everything will be subject to Brother Xiao's arrangements."
Xiao Kai stretched out his hand and pressed it softly, saying: "After you return home, immediately leave the city in batches, take the important things with you, and be sure to arrive at the "Hanshan Ferry" before tomorrow night. I have prepared three large ships there, which can go directly to the boarding port.
state."
Yu Wenqiao said: "Brother Xiao, each of our families has many children serving as officials in the court. Do we need to leave a joint resignation letter before we leave, so that others will know that we were forced to leave by the Wu family!"
Wei Xuanzhen snorted and said:
"No need, Brother Xiao has already made arrangements. In half a month, everyone in the world will know that the imperial treasury is empty and there is no money to fight. In order to maintain the Western Expedition Camp, Wu Chengsi forced all the noble families to donate money. We can't bear the pressure
, and then fled Chang'an."
Dugu De said coldly: "As soon as this news comes out, why don't some small families follow suit and flee Chang'an? Then the world will be in chaos. Let's see how the Wu family will deal with it!"
The plan was decided, and the heads of each family left the Chicken House at intervals.
After the head of the Yu family returned to the house, he told his daughter all about Xiao Kai's plan.
Miss Yu's face changed drastically and she said: "Father, King Zhou promised not to reveal anything about our family, but later he kept his promise and is more trustworthy than Xiao Kai. Don't follow Xiao Kai and abandon your ancestral property!"
The head of the Yu family glared and said: "As a father, I am not stupid, so I will naturally not follow Xiao Kai anymore."
After a pause, he sneered: "Daughter, do you think this is a great opportunity to make meritorious deeds?"
"You mean..."
Yu Long's eyes were shining and he said: "If my father tells His Royal Highness the King of Zhou about Xiao Kai's plan, do you think he will reuse my father from now on?"
Miss Yu frowned and thought for a while, her face also shone, and she said happily:
"I heard from people in the Poetry Society that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou was a great general who led troops, and he was very clear about rewards and punishments. No one who followed him at the beginning did not follow the prominent ones. My daughter thinks it's feasible!"
Yu Long jumped up from his chair and said, "I'm going to Prince Zhou's Mansion right now." When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped again.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Miss Yu followed over.
Yu Long narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Kai is an old fox. Are you so relieved that he told us such an important thing?"
Miss Yu was startled and looked towards the door.
"Go and call Guard Xin over," Yu Long ordered.
Miss Yu nodded and hurried to the backyard. Not long after, she came back with a man in black.
"Master, you are looking for me." The man in black cupped his hands.
"Take a group of people and go around the house to see if anyone is staring at our house."
Guard Xin agreed and went out with his two servants.
After a long while, he came back from the side door and said solemnly: "Master, there are eyes watching outside the front door and the side door."
Miss Yu's family exclaimed, "Dad, what should I do?"
Yu Long was silent for a long time, and glanced at Guard Xin, wanting him to report the news, but he couldn't believe him.
His eyes finally rested on the young lady and said: "Daughter, you are the only one who can take a trip for your father."
Miss Yu's family worried: "If my daughter goes out, I'm afraid she will be stared at."
"Of course my father will go out first and lead them away. Then you go out. Why can't your mind turn around?"
Miss Yu's face turned red and she said, "I know."
…
Unity hour is approaching, the afterglow of the setting sun is shining on the street, and many vendors begin to tidy up their stalls and end their business for the day.
Some vendors whose business is not doing well continue to shout loudly, hoping to sell a few more orders with fewer competitors.
A vendor selling fake calligraphy and paintings squatted outside the gate of Linghu's house.
According to his observation, most of the people who come in and out of this mansion are interested in calligraphy and painting.
Occasionally, he can meet one or two idiots who are not very smart. They can make a few months' worth of money by placing an order, so he likes to squat outside the door of this mansion.
Suddenly, I saw an old man in his fifties wearing rich clothes coming out of the gate.
The vendor hurried up, held up a painting and calligraphy, and said with a smile on his face: "Sir, there is an authentic painting of "Spring Dawn in the Han Palace" here. Are you interested?"
The old man kept walking without even looking at him. The guards around him stopped him one foot away.
The merchant was not discouraged and shouted again: "This stuff came out of the Hedong Marquis' Mansion. Does the Hedong Marquis know? It's the Xue family in Hedong. Their house was ransacked and a lot of things came out. They are completely authentic and only cost five
I’ll give you the money.”
The old man suddenly stopped.
The merchant cheered up and said again: "This thing was stolen by the servants of Hedong Hou Mansion, and I bought it at a high price. If I hadn't been in a hurry for money recently, I would never sell it at such a low price. You can make a profit if you buy it!"
The old man waved his hand and said: "Boom away."
The two guards each took an arm of the merchant and dragged him away.
"Hey! If you don't want to buy it, don't buy it. Why are you doing anything? Believe it or not, I will go to Wannian County to sue you. Let it go! Let it go quickly! Someone is coming! Someone is killing someone -"
The noisy voices of the vendors gradually faded away. The old man took another step and entered the carriage. After one last glance at the Linghu Mansion, he said, "Let's go."
The wheels rolled forward and returned to the Song Dynasty Duke's Mansion.
This old man was Xiao Kai, Duke of Song Dynasty. He was not willing to give up the Linghu family easily and came to persuade him personally. Unfortunately, he was still rejected by the Linghu family.
The current head of the Linghu family has actually been persuaded by him, but the previous head, Linghu Defen, remains stubborn.
He always seemed to feel that as long as the Linghu family kept a distance from the Xiaowei family, they would be able to avoid being implicated.
If Xiao Kai had had a whip at that time, he would have really wanted to whip that old man to death.
If the aristocratic families cannot unite as one, they will only be defeated by each one and become meat on the chopping board.
Fortunately, he had always thought that Linghu Defen had some knowledge, so he didn't want to live longer and go back.
Halfway through the carriage, a guard suddenly came to the carriage and said: "My lord, the secret guard has come to report that the head of the family wants to go to Prince Zhou's Mansion to report."
Xiao Kai's face sank and he said: "Who is it?"
"Ma Liang."
"Where is the person?"
"The secret guard captured him and took him to Jiuqu Music Hall."
"Change to the Jiuqu Music Hall!"
Arriving at the music hall, Xiao Kai saw Ma Liang, the head of the Ma family, in a woodshed. He was tied up all over and had a piece of cloth stuffed in his mouth.
Xiao Kai leaned down, took out the cloth from his mouth, and sighed: "Brother Ma, our families have known each other for more than a hundred years. We have supported each other for so many years. Why do you do this?"
Ma Liang turned his head and said nothing.
Xiao Kai said: "I know that you are reluctant to part with such a big business and the power that the Ma family now has, but how can I be willing to let it go? If you don't let it go, you will just be like the Xue family and be doomed."
Ma Liang snorted and said, "Xiao Kai, I know your style. Since you've caught me, why are you so nagging? Just take action."
Xiao Kai stood up and sighed: "I don't want to do this, why do you have to force me?"
Ma Liang said coldly: "There's no need to be hypocritical. I only regret it now. When Brother Du persuaded me, I didn't believe him, but I believed you."
Xiao Kai shook his head and slowly walked out of the woodshed. A guard walked in with his sword drawn and soon came out dragging Ma Liang's body.
Xiao Kai glanced at it and said: "Chop it into pieces and feed it to the chickens." After saying that, he left the backyard and walked towards the gate of the music hall.