In the lobby of the Sheriff's Mansion, everyone dispersed, leaving only Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong.
"Who was that just now...?" Han Yunong hesitated for a moment and finally asked softly.
Du Hongsheng took two steps closer and said softly: "I came from Beijing. The saint is looking for Tianyue. You already know it."
"Yes." Han Yunong looked solemn: "Is he from the palace?"
Du Hongsheng nodded slightly, frowned, and said in a low voice: "The Zhenhou Mansion is getting more and more outrageous now. Zhen Yujiang has already stopped paying attention to the court. If this continues, sooner or later something will happen."
Han Yunong said softly: "Zhen Yujiang has been pressing the Duwei Mansion step by step these days. I wonder why he has such courage. Doesn't he care that the court will be dissatisfied? That Changxinhou has not shown up for a long time."
"I haven't seen Marquis Changxin for a long time." Du Hongsheng said thoughtfully: "The old master came from Beijing. Although he did not go to Zhenhou Mansion, with Changxinhou's scheming, he must have guessed that the old master might be in Guizhou.
City, it stands to reason that he should at least send someone over to ask about the situation, but he made no move." He raised his hand and stroked his long beard under his chin, and asked doubtfully: "Zhen Yujiang came here to act wild today, doesn't he know that the boss is here?
"
Han Yunong also frowned, silent for a moment, and then said: "Meng Zimo was trapped in Zhenhou Mansion two days ago. He took someone to go there in person because of his humble position. He never saw Chang Xinhou in the mansion. These years, the elder Xinhou has been keeping a low profile.
Even though Zhen Yujiang acted arrogantly, he was always suppressed by Marquis Changxin, and he was not as arrogant as he is now."
"I know about your visit to Zhenhou's Mansion." Du Hongsheng nodded and said: "I was also surprised by that incident. Chang Xinhou should know very well that the Duwei's Mansion is in Turtle City to constrain Zhenhou's Mansion.
As a representative of the imperial court, unless it is absolutely necessary, the Zhenhou Mansion should not compete head-on with your Duwei Mansion, as this will not do them any good."
Han Yunong nodded and said: "Actually, I am also very confused about Zhen Yujiang's actions. Without the permission of Marquis Changxin, he should not dare to make an independent decision and attack the Duwei Mansion. But if Marquis Changxin really asked him to do this,
How can Marquis Changxin find the confidence to antagonize the imperial court?"
Both of them had a slight doubt between their eyebrows.
After the Wutuo Rebellion, the three princes controlled three counties, and the Zhen family of Changxin Hou sat in Zhen County. The court fulfilled its promise to the Xiling clan and almost handed Xiling over to the control of the three clans of Xiling.
However, both sides also knew that the Tang Empire needed everyone in the world to think that Xiling was the territory of the empire, and the Xiling clan needed to control Xiling to ensure the family's prosperity, wealth and status.
On this basis, the Xiling clan must bow to the empire in exchange for actual benefits.
Xiling is an important place in the western part of the empire. Although the Wutuo people had to retreat, they never admitted that they were defeated by the empire. Facing the large territory of the Xiling Corridor, the increasingly expanding Wutuo Khanate would not give up easily, and the empire would naturally
Xiling was not allowed to fall into the hands of the Wutuo Khanate.
If the Utuo Khanate takes control of Xiling, then Jiayuguan Pass will directly face the threat of the Khanate. For the ambitious Khanate, attacking Jiayuguan Pass will also be their next inevitable choice.
The empire has not recovered from the civil strife that year. At least the empire does not want to have another war with the Wutuo Khanate now. However, as Xiling serves as a buffer zone, the empire will naturally pay close attention to the movements on this land.
The empire allowed the clans to occupy the resources of Xiling, but it never allowed the clans of Xiling to have any dissatisfaction with the empire.
The existence of the Xiling Protector's Mansion and the three subordinate Commandery's Mansion is to let the Xiling clan know the empire's attitude on this land, so that these eyes can keep an eye on the clan's movements. As long as the clan has a disloyal heart towards the empire,
Of course the Empire would not turn a blind eye.
Therefore, the Xiling clan has always exploited the people of Xiling, and the imperial court has just turned a blind eye. The Xiling clan also knows that as long as they maintain respect for the court on the surface, they can ensure their status in Xiling.
Although the Zhenhou Mansion does not have a good impression of the Duwei Mansion, and even regards it as a thorn in the flesh, the two sides have always been on good terms.
However, in recent days, the Zhenhou Mansion has obviously begun to provoke the Duwei Mansion, and today it was uncharacteristically directly going to start a fight with the Duwei Mansion, which really surprised Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong.
Du Hongsheng is an official sent by the imperial court and does not have much real power, but he belongs to the same camp as the Duwei Mansion and represents the interests of the imperial court. Du Hongsheng and Han Yunong know this very well, so what is really going to happen?
We must be on the same front as the Duwei Mansion.
"I'll find an opportunity to go to Zhenhou's Mansion and take a look." Du Hongsheng was silent for a moment and then said softly: "Why has Marquis Changxin been silent for a long time? Only when we see him can we know."
Han Yunong thought for a moment and then said: "The swordsman's attack today at least made the Zhenhou Mansion understand that Xiling is still the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and there are some things that they cannot do whatever they want."
"The imperial court does not want turmoil in Xiling." Du Hongsheng lowered his voice and said: "You also know that when the saint ascended the throne, Murong in southern Xinjiang immediately rebelled, and the Tusun people in the north also took advantage of it. Although they suppressed them, the empire has not been able to do so until now.
Before they have fully recovered their strength, the imperial court wants to deal with Murong in the south first before the Wutuo people, so before the southern Xinjiang is pacified, the imperial court just wants to see that everything in Xiling is as usual, and that all these powerful families can stay in peace."
Han Yunong said softly: "I understand the humble position. It is precisely because of this that the Zhenhou Mansion is aggressive, and we all try our best to be patient."
"Just bear with it." Du Hongsheng patted Han Yunong's arm lightly and said with a wry smile: "As a county governor, I eat fast and chant Buddha's name every day. I just hope that everything will be peaceful. When I am in office, I must not make any mistakes." Suddenly
Thinking of something, he frowned and said, "But you really have to be careful with the Duwei Mansion. Lu Hong, as a Bu Kuai arrester, secretly colluded with the Golden Gou Gambling House, and you didn't know anything about it beforehand."
Han Yunong looked solemn, cupped his hands and said, "This is a dereliction of duty."
"Really speaking, I can't blame you." Du Hongsheng sighed: "The imperial court reached an agreement with the Xiling Clan back then. The Xiling Clan would use a portion of the salaries of the officials in Xiling's yamen to pay out the salaries.
It’s not high in the first place, and they often find excuses to procrastinate. No wonder some people are dissatisfied.” He shook his head and smiled bitterly: “I made a statement to the court two years ago, and I hope the court can broadcast it from the treasury every year.
Give some money to increase the salary of Xiling officials, and eat the food of the imperial court, so that you can think of the imperial court."
Han Yunong said: "The court didn't agree?"
"The treasury is empty, so I'll wait a little longer and dismiss it. I haven't mentioned it again so far." Du Hongsheng said helplessly: "Your Captain's Mansion is pretty good. Under your control, at least it still cares about the imperial court.
If there are other yamen, hehe...!" He leaned close to Han Yunong and whispered in his ear: "Man will die for money, and birds will die for food. Before being loyal to the court, many people have to survive first, although money may not be able to buy everyone.
People's hearts are open to people, but most people can bend their backs for money, and the captain's mansion must be clean."
Han Yunong looked grim and nodded slightly.
While the two were whispering in the lobby, in the east wing of the governor's house, the old man from Beijing was leaning on a chair with a book in his hand, while Xiahou Qingcheng stood in front of him nervously.
, like a child who made a mistake.
"Sir...!" Uncle Wen, the man in the bamboo hat, had just started to speak, but the boss had already interrupted: "Xitai, there is no need to intercede for her anymore. When did I change what I said?" Xiahou Qingcheng looked up.
Said: "Grandpa Tan, please forgive me this time. I promise I will never do it again next time. From now on, I will absolutely obey every word you say. If you ask me to go east, I will never go west."
.”
"Girl, when you left Beijing, you were more sincere than you are now." The old man said angrily: "Your father loves you too much, and I took you out to see the world for his sake. At that time, you
But in front of him, I promised you again and again that after you come out, you will obey my instructions in every word and deed. But what did you do along the way, I don’t need to say more?" He sat up and said, "I hate that iron cannot make steel."
You got into trouble a lot on the way, and when you arrived at Turtle City, I told you again and again to be careful in Xiling and never act arbitrarily, but...!"
"But I didn't cause any big trouble." Xiahou Qingcheng was a little unconvinced and pouted.
The old man widened his eyes and blew his beard and said: "You didn't cause any big trouble? Sneaking out of the house and eating a king's meal in a noodle shop is fine. Today, you are hiding and eavesdropping on Du Hongsheng's trial, but you dare to rush out and intervene in the case.
Qingcheng, Qingcheng, are you saying that you have to kill people and set fires to cause trouble? You...you are so mad at me...!"
"Those people in the Zhenhou Mansion bullied others and dared to draw swords at the Sheriff's Mansion. Grandpa Tan, you didn't see it. They are so arrogant. If I don't stand up, they will kill people and set fire to it." Xiahou Qingcheng said unconvinced:
"If you don't believe me, ask Uncle Wen if they don't take the imperial court seriously at all?"
The old man rolled his eyes at him, "What does all that have to do with you?" He said to Wen Xitai, the man in the bamboo hat: "Xitai, please make arrangements. As I just said, I will personally send her back to Beijing and hand her over completely.
To her father, tell her that she is the reincarnation of the Demon King and that I am no match for her. You must truthfully report to her father everything she did after leaving the capital, and there must be no omissions."
Wen Xitai cupped his hands and said: "Follow the order!"
Xiahou Qingcheng suddenly panicked, went forward and hugged the old man's arm, and said pitifully: "Grandpa Tan, if you really tell my father this, just kill me now, otherwise you will be beaten by him when you go back.
Die. I would rather die here than have to go all the way back to Kyoto to be beaten to death by him."
"You know you're afraid now?" The old man said angrily: "When you acted out of anger, didn't you think about the consequences?"
"I will listen to you from now on, as long as you don't complain to my father." Xiahou Qingcheng said aggrievedly: "I finally came out once, and I can't do anything. It's like being locked in a cage."
The old man snorted coldly and said: "It's okay if I don't complain. You hurry up and pack up. I will follow you back to the capital at dawn tomorrow." Before Xiahou Qingcheng could speak, he immediately said: "If you say one more thing
, I promise to tell your father everything you do."
Xiahou Qingcheng bit her lip, looking aggrieved. She wanted to speak, but she didn't dare.
"Qingcheng, you go and clean up first." Wen Xitai said: "You know the boss's temper. He speaks loudly. If you continue to talk more, the boss will be really rude."
Xiahou Qingcheng stood up, stamped her feet, turned and ran out.
The old man looked at Xiahou Qingcheng's back, sighed, and said: "This child has a pure nature and is so well protected by his father that he doesn't know that people's hearts are sinister."
"Sir, would you like to arrange for someone to take her back?" Wen Xitai frowned and said, "If I leave, what will happen to you...?"
"Her father regards her as a precious child. If there is any oversight, the two lives of mine and yours combined won't be enough to compensate." The old man said with a smile: "You don't have to worry about me, I can handle the rest of the matter myself.
, you have done a great job by escorting her back to Beijing safely..."