The main door of Li Chu's study was closed tightly, and his confidants led Li Xin'an and Li Chu'an in quietly through the secret door behind the study.
There are seven secret doors in Li Chu's study, and Li Xin'an only knows one.
Entering the study through the secret door, you will see a bookshelf with dusty classics and vases on it.
Through the bookshelf, you can vaguely hear the man's hearty laughter.
The laughter couldn't be heard clearly, so Li Xin'an simply left here, and Murong Bai followed him out of the narrow space.
There was a sudden muffled sound in the passage behind him. When he looked back, there was already a wooden wall behind him. Where was the shadow of the secret door?
"The Mo family's methods..." Murong Bai sighed secretly.
Over the years, the Mohist family gradually moved closer to the imperial court and built mechanisms for many high-ranking officials. Those mechanism techniques that were regarded as treasures by the ancestors of the Mohist family were given away by the current Mohist disciples for free, and the Mohist family was scolded as a gangster.
shame.
Among the five lackeys of the imperial court in Jianghu, the Mohist family, Chuncaotang, Hefengshan, Yanhuitang and Baima Academy, the Mohist family bore the brunt.
Murong Bai didn't think there was anything wrong with the Mohist family joining the imperial court. Today's arena is no longer the era of the Mohists' glorious period. Swords are king in the arena now. No matter how exquisite and exquisite the Mohist's machine skills are, they can't save the Mohist family from decadence.
trend.
It was difficult for Murong Bai to say anything accusatory for choosing another path in order to survive.
Li Xin'an slowly moved behind a screen. This was the side room of Li Chu's study, where he used to rest.
On the other side of the screen were Li Chu and Gao Zhengming, the minister of household affairs.
Li Xin'an leaned on the edge of the table and listened quietly.
Gao Zhengming’s hearty laughter came:
"Your Highness, don't worry, no matter who Zhang Ying and the others died for or why, the murderer will not bring his ideas to my side."
"I, Gao Zhengming, have an upright spirit, a clean sleeve, and an open and honest official career. Although I usually speak a bit harshly and make quite a few enemies in the officialdom, I admit that I have never had a personal feud!"
"Although I have a good relationship with Zhang Ying and others, I am deeply saddened by their deaths. But I believe that nothing will happen to me."
"His Highness cares so much about me. Even if I am really embarrassed, I can't repay Your Highness's kindness..."
There was a rustling sound, and Li Xin'an estimated that it was Gao Zhengming who was saluting His Highness.
Li Chu sighed and said, "Master Gao, take precautions in case of unexpected events. In my opinion, you'd better ask for troops from the saint."
"Is it possible that His Highness can't believe me?"
Gao Zhengming said angrily: "If the minister really asked the saint to send troops to protect him, wouldn't it mean that I, Gao Zhengming, had done something wrong and really had an affair with Zhang Ying and the others? If I keep my name clean for the rest of my life, wouldn't it mean that I would be ruined?
Once in a while!"
"Your Highness, please forgive Gao Zhengming for not being able to do this even if he dies!"
Li Chu apologized and said: "Master Gao is right, it was Li Chu who thought poorly. He almost damaged your reputation. Don't blame me, Master Gao."
"What are you talking about, Your Highness? Your Highness cares about me. It's too late for me to be happy."
"In this case, if Mr. Gao doesn't want to ask the saint to mobilize the troops, why not come into my house. Wouldn't it be nice for you and I to have a long talk?"
Gao Zhengming shook his head, "I understand His Highness's kindness. As I said before, as the Minister of Household Affairs, I, Gao Zhengming, am honest and upright in both my life and my official life. I don't believe anyone will kill me! Someone dares to kill me!"
"Besides, if a minor minister enters His Highness's house, wouldn't it be a discredit to His Highness and give those treacherous people an excuse?"
"Your Highness is walking on thin ice with this matter. If you don't pay attention, you will fall into the abyss. If something goes wrong at this juncture, the life of the humble minister is not important, but the world of the Tang Dynasty is important!"
Li Chu bowed deeply and said, "Master Gao taught me a lesson, and Li Chu has learned a lesson."
"Haha, it's noon. If Wei Chen goes back late, I will twist my ears and make me kneel down again. Your Highness, take care of yourself. Wei Chen will leave first."
"How can a tall, seven-foot man be afraid of women?" Li Chu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"You cannot bear the wife of chaff. Your Highness, I will take my leave."
Li Chu nodded slightly, "If you come, I'll see Mr. Gao off."
"Your Highness, stay."
"Master Gao, walk slowly."
Li Chu sent Gao Zhengming out with a smile. Seeing Gao Zhengming's back walking away, he reluctantly closed the door.
"Come out.
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"Li Chu said calmly.
Li Xin'an turned out of the screen and saw Li Chu sitting tiredly on a chair, squeezing his eyebrows with his right hand.
"Your Highness."
"When did you arrive?"
"Just arrived."
"Did you hear everything we said?"
"Only half."
"What do you think of Gao Zhengming?"
Li Xin'an smiled and said: "If I didn't have conclusive evidence, I would almost think that he is really a good official with strong bones and cool sleeves."
"Yes, if I hadn't believed in your investigation, I would have been deceived by him."
Li Chu sighed: "What do you think is a good official?"
Li Xin'an hesitated for a moment. He didn't expect that Li Chu would suddenly ask such a question without any clue.
"Um... think about the people, be loyal to the country, and don't be greedy or fight..."
"That's what Gao Zhengming is."
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Li Chu's lips, "Gao Zhengming was a Jinshi in the 19th year of Kaiyuan, and he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Chuzhou in the 20th year of Kaiyuan. That year, there was a heavy rain in Chuzhou, and victims were everywhere. Gao Zhengming personally went to the dam to supervise the flood control, and it rained continuously for a month.
, Gao Zhengming did not leave the front line for a month. After the disaster, he became seriously ill and returned home to recuperate for more than a year."
"In the twenty-eighth year of Kaiyuan, due to his outstanding political achievements and wide reputation, he entered Chang'an and served as the director of the Ministry of Justice. Three years later, he was changed to the director of the Ministry of Work. In another year, he was appointed as the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture. In another three years, he was moved to the Ministry of Affairs.
, all have political achievements. And when they were in office, as you said, they were generous to the people, did not fight or rob, were loyal to the emperor and patriotic, were not greedy and did not commit adultery. Due to their merits, they were promoted to Minister of Household Affairs."
"Can Gao Zhengming be called a good official?"
After a long time, Li Xin'an shook his head gently.
"Because he killed a... prostitute?"
"Because he killed a prostitute!"
Li Chu sneered and said, "Have peace of mind, our status is different, and our perspectives on things are also different. You are a knight errant, and you only think about pleasure and revenge. If Gao Zhengming kills someone, he must get the punishment he deserves."
.”
"But I'm different. I don't want him to die. His value is far beyond that of a prostitute. To the people of Chuzhou back then, to the place under his rule, and to more people, Gao Zhengming was a great person.
A truly good official."
"Although he is a beast secretly who takes pleasure in torturing prostitutes, he is not a corrupt official, a treacherous minister, or an incompetent person who only eats nothing. He is an official who has really done practical things over the years!"
"In the court under Yang Guozhong, how valuable was Gao Zhengming?"
Li Chu licked his already dry lips and sighed: "In this case, do you still want him to die?"
Li Xin'an said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, you are wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"I... didn't intend to let Gao Zhengming die."
Li Xin'an smiled mockingly, "Although at first, when I heard about the tragic experience of that girl Naning, I wanted to kill all the beasts who tortured him, but after all, I am not a Jianghu person in the world.
When I do something, I have to consider the consequences."
"I know that Gao Zhengming belongs to your Highness, so I will keep him."
Li Chu nodded, "You have your heart."
"But I still want to ask Your Highness to give him a beating, after all..."
"How can a prostitute's life not be her life?"
"I will!" Li Chu nodded solemnly.
He changed his tone and asked, "Has the investigation of the murderer concluded?"
Li Xin'an said: "It has been found out that it was the killer organization Tushenglou in the world. I have sent people to encircle and suppress Tushenglou's hidden stakes in Chang'an. It is only a matter of time before we follow the clues to find out the real culprit behind it."
"Tu Sheng Lou? I heard you mentioned that it is the second Blood Clothes Hall rumored in the world?"
"yes."
"It's great to find out that they did it... Since that person was avenging Miss Naning, forget about the four people who died. I can not pursue the case. But... Qi Yanglong, what are you going to do?
"
"Commander Qi has nothing to do with Gao Zhengming and others from beginning to end. His death was not caused by the real murderer behind the scenes. I will use Tushenglou to give an explanation to Yaksha's brothers."
"In this case, I will just find a death row inmate from the prison and send him to the prison."
Li Chu sighed and said:
"But just in case
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, why can’t you catch the people from Tushenglou?”
"What if they continue to kill people?"
Li Xin'an looked directly into Li Chu's eyes, "I'm afraid, His Highness called me here today just for this matter."
"I can't hide it from you."
Li Chu smiled and said: "I want you to protect Gao Zhengming."
"Is it possible?"
Murong Bai, who had been hiding behind the screen without showing up, heard this and couldn't help but turn around.
"No, Your Highness!"
"Master Murong?"
Li Chu glanced at Murong Bai faintly, and then his eyes returned to Li Xin'an.
"I'm talking to Commander Li. Master Murong just listen."
"How can you protect Gao Zhengming, a man with a human face and a beast's heart, if Your Highness doesn't kill him!" Murong Bai said indignantly, regardless of Li Chu's coldness.
"Baitou!" Li Xin'an shouted, "Shut up!"
Murong Bai glared at Li Xin'an fiercely. His originally cold face seemed to be covered with a layer of ice that would not melt for thousands of years. There was a faint murderous intent in his eyes when he looked at Li Chu and the two of them.
"You go out first."
Li Xin'an said in a weak and inaudible voice: "I have my own way."
Murong Bai immediately turned around, pushed open the door and walked out. He didn't want to stay here any longer.
Silence returned to the room. Li Chu stared straight into Li Xin'an's eyes and said in a plain voice full of royal majesty:
"What... do you think?"
Li Xin'an knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists and said respectfully:
"I obey my orders!"
…
When Li Xin'an came out of Li Chu's study, he found no trace of Murong Bai outside.
"White wood?" Li Xin'an opened his hands to his mouth and shouted loudly:
"Murong Bai!"
Still no response.
In the distance, a man wearing white clothes and carrying a long sword at his waist was walking slowly from outside the courtyard.
Li Xin'an originally thought it was Murong Bai, but suddenly remembered that Murong Bai was wearing white clothes today, not a white robe, and he didn't carry a sword.
"Mr. Zhong."
Li Xin'an greeted him with a smile on his face. He was none other than Li Chu's new swordsmanship teacher, Water Dragon Sword Immortal Zhong Nanxun.
"Long time no see, I feel at ease." Zhong Nanxun said with a smile.
"Peace of mind, did you have a quarrel with Mr. Murong?"
After a brief exchange of greetings, Zhong Nanxun said.
Li Xin'an said in surprise: "Have you seen him?"
"I saw Master Murong coming out of His Highness's study in a hurry, so I went over to talk. Master Murong has already told me everything."
Zhong Nanxun said sternly: "As for Gao Zhengming's matter, from His Highness's point of view, there is no problem in not moving. But I feel at ease. After all, you are not a real member of the imperial court. You are the master of the Blood Clothes Hall. The path you are taking
, I will part ways with His Highness in the future."
"So when you look at the problem, more of it should be in the future, and you have to plan for the future."
"It's not worthwhile to break up with Mr. Murong because of Gao Zhengming."
"But Gao Zhengming is one of the most powerful supporters of His Royal Highness in the Ministry of Household Affairs. If he is moved, once the Ministry of Household Affairs loses power, the status of the Prince and His Highness will be in jeopardy."
Li Xin'an said in a deep voice: "I may not care about myself, the Blood Clothes Hall, or Murong Bai, but I cannot care about the situation of the Tang Dynasty, and I cannot care whether the future of the Tang Dynasty is left to His Highness or to Yang Guozhong's nephew in the future."
"So, I must protect Gao Zhengming no matter what!"
Hearing what Li Xin'an said, Zhong Nanxun knew that he had made up his mind. He didn't know anything about Li Xin'an. He said he wanted to leave the Li Mansion, but he ran out with his luggage overnight. For such a person, as long as he makes up his mind,
, even ten horses can’t pull it back!
"Silly boy, think more about yourself."
Zhong Nanxun helplessly patted Li Xin'an on the shoulder, walked around him, and went to find Li Chu.
Li Xin'an bowed towards Zhong Nanxun's back, and then walked straight out of Huangsun Mansion.
Murong Bai seems to have left here, and Li Xin'an doesn't know where he will go.
From this point of view, the task of protecting Gao Zhengming was left to me alone.