In the early morning of the tenth day of the Lunar New Year in the fourth year of Qi Tomorrow (1624 AD), not long after Ma Xiaoquan got up, he received an oral instruction from the emperor that he was going to court and asked all officials to go to Qianqing Palace to wait.
Ma Xiaoquan quickly packed up, went out immediately, and walked towards Bauhinia City. Halfway along the walk, he met an official who was walking on the same road. They greeted each other and walked together.
As we approached the gate, several small yellow gates suddenly appeared not far away. They were all energetic and high-spirited, as if someone was supporting them from behind.
Ma Xiaoquan snorted and asked an official next to him: "Master Huang, what are the backgrounds of these small Huangmen, and why do they look so arrogant?"
Mr. Huang smiled bitterly and said: "The deacon has really been away for a long time. Alas, I don't know something. These little Huangmen are all under Wei Zhongxian."
"Oh? Wei Zhongxian's men?" Ma Xiaoquan pondered for a moment and said, "I know a little bit about it, but... is there any way for the king to do this openly?"
"Hey, Mr. Deacon, Wei Zhongxian is now a popular person around the emperor. Just because you have been away for a long time, Wei Zhongxian took the opportunity to grab straws and rushed up..."
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and whispered: "Master Huang, just tell me this, but don't say it to anyone else. You also know that Wei Zhongxian is now a celebrity around the emperor, so you must be careful in everything." point"
"Well, thank you, Mr. Deacon, for reminding me to be careful."
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand: "Okay, it's getting late, let's go to the court quickly."
As the two of them were talking, they were about to enter the gate. The small yellow gates from before suddenly stepped in front of the gate and stopped in front of Ma Xiaoquan and Mr. Huang.
The path forward for "Wangwang" was blocked, and Mr. Huang showed displeasure and said, "What do you mean, you are blocking the way of the imperial official, don't you want to live?"
Several small Huangmen turned their heads to look at Mr. Huang, with disdainful smiles on their faces, and no one moved even a step.
"You guys..." Mr. Huang's face turned red with anger. He was a third-grade official, and even if he met the first-grade chief assistant, the other party would give him some thin noodles to give him face.
But today, early in the morning, a few small yellow gatekeepers blocked the road and showed such arrogant expressions. It was really intolerable.
Mr. Huang braided his sleeves and was about to go forward and hit the small yellow gates. Ma Xiaoquan quickly grabbed him, shook his head and whispered: "Sir Huang, please take a closer look at what they are wearing... ..."
Mr. Huang squinted his eyes and carefully looked at the servants on the little Huangmen. He couldn't help but froze, and whispered in a low voice: "Why do they have Shanhe cards hanging on their waists?"
"Shanhe card? What is it?"
Mr. Huang frowned and said: "This Shanhe sign is a sign Wei Zhongxian specially asked the emperor for. It is a unique sign of the Dongchang factory guard."
"What does unique business card mean?"
"Master Deacon, the Deacon's Order in your hand allows you to walk around the palace with weapons. You also have the right to kill first and then report later, right?"
Ma Xiaoquan touched the deacon order on his waist, nodded and said: "Yes, Mr. Huang, you are really well-informed. You even know that the emperor just changed the order for me?"
"Hey," Mr. Huang waved his hand, "Let's not talk about this for now. Mr. Deacon, what I want to say is that among the privileges that your deacon's token has, the Shanhe Order of Dongchang Factory Guard also has it."
"What?" Ma Xiaoquan pulled Mr. Huang aside, "Sir Huang, walking around the palace with a knife is no joke. How many small Huangmen have this right?"
"Um"
Ma Xiaoquan sighed and said helplessly: "It seems that I still underestimated the process of history."
"Master Deacon, what is the historical process?" Mr. Huang asked doubtfully.
"Oh, it's okay. I just feel that so many things have happened in the two or almost three years since I left. Well, Mr. Huang, since they all have the Mountain and River Order, we can just wait and it won't cost much. long time"
"Hey, even the deacon has said it, so I'll wait too."
While the two were talking, a voice suddenly came from behind: "Hey, aren't these Master Deacon and Master Huang? Why are you standing at the door if you don't go in?"
The two turned around and saw that it was Wei Zhongxian. Mr. Huang said angrily: "Wei Zhongxian, do you think we won't come in? It's not all because of you."
Wei Zhongxian laughed and took a step forward. Although there were several Huangmen guards with strong martial arts standing beside him, Wei Zhongxian was still afraid when facing Ma Xiaoquan.
"Oh, it turns out it's because of me. Mr. Huang, isn't there a deacon beside you? Why don't you follow him in?"
Wei Zhongxian's words were not unkind. Firstly, he got Ma Xiaoquan's acne, and secondly, he also hurt Mr. Huang.
Both Ma and Huang were involved in the imperial court, so they naturally understood that Wei Zhongxian was harming them. Ma Xiaoquan chose to remain silent, while Mr. Huang chose to explode.
"Wei Zhongxian, do you think you can do whatever you want just because you please the emperor? Let me tell you, I will go in later and I will read your book to the emperor."
Wei Zhongxian laughed and made a gesture of invitation: "Since Mr. Huang is so enthusiastic, I can't stop him no matter what. Mr. Huang, you can participate as you like, I will wait for you, I will definitely wait." After that, Wei Zhongxian held up his hand With a wave of his hand, all the small yellow doors that were previously blocking the door moved out of the way.
"You" Mr. Huang was so angry that he gritted his teeth, but was stopped by Ma Xiaoquan.
The two entered the palace, and Mr. Huang was dragged to a deserted place by Ma Xiaoquan.
Mr. Huang broke away from Ma Xiaoquan and said angrily: "Master Deacon, why are you holding me back? Wei Zhongxian's bullying is too much. Aren't you angry at all?"
Ma Xiaoquan raised his head and looked at Mr. Huang and said something, thinking that the other person just addressed him as "you", but now he has become "you" in a hurry, which shows that Wei Zhongxian has made Mr. Huang very angry.
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head and smiled: "Master Huang, I am not pulling you, but I want to remind you, okay, you said you want to read Wei Zhongxian's book in the court, but have you ever thought about whether the emperor will go to court? ?Well, if the Emperor goes to court occasionally, do you think your book can be handed over to the Emperor?"
Mr. Huang was stunned, and his face that was originally red with anger suddenly turned livid.
Ma Xiaoquan continued: "Master Huang, do you think I'm not angry? Do you think I can definitely swallow this breath? I, a deacon of Jinyiwei, and you, a third-grade official, were actually beaten by several The little yellow door is blocked, do you think I, Ma Xiaoquan, will be able to swallow this breath?"
"this......"
"Well, it's just that the time has not come. I just came back not long ago. There are many things that I need to investigate clearly. If Mr. Huang doesn't mind, we can become friends and take care of each other."
How could Mr. Huang not understand what Ma Xiaoquan meant, but now that he had just spoken harsh words in front of Wei Zhongxian, if there was no result, he might not be able to hold his head high in front of officials in the future.
"Okay, I will listen to the deacon from now on. Hum, Wei Zhongxian, just wait, I will definitely vent this bad breath."
Ma Xiaoquan nodded: "That's right. But Mr. Huang, this is the end of our affairs. Outsiders don't want to know about it."
"That's natural haha"
The two sides cupped their hands with each other, smiled slightly, and walked towards Qianqing Palace together.