Chapter 154: A single heart, alone against the coolness
The sky is bright and the sun is not dry.
However, an explosive news spread like wildfire, and the whole Longtai City was abuzz for a while. However, the content of the news was added to by countless good people and adapted vividly, which was enough to create a drama that changed the color of the world.
There are rumors that bats became spirits during the time of Yan Wugui; there are rumors that Guan Yunchang was able to summon divine dragons to help in battles; there are also rumors that humans were killed by bats in the battle, and all the people were eaten by bats until no bones were left.
Although most of what was said was terrifying and shocking, from the eyes of ordinary people, there were really not many who were afraid. They were just joking and talking about it as conversation starters.
It's just that dozens of people died in the Shadow Division, but it was true. Dozens of corpses covered with white cloths were lying on the street in front of the Division's Yamen, and some of them were bleeding out. They looked extremely miserable.
Not only that, the red lacquer door of the Shadow Division also collapsed and fell into pieces.
There are various signs that the battle last night was very brutal.
The elite of the Shadow Division were almost completely destroyed.
The Shadow Division stayed quiet all night, with white curtains all hung up from the gate to the entire courtyard. Looking from a distance, it looked solemn and sad.
It's just that such a big thing happened, but there was no movement from the Holy Emperor, no one from the court came to express condolences, and no one from the Public Security Bureau went to investigate.
This is not the strangest thing. Lord Boning, the Commander-in-Chief of the Shadow Division, was seriously injured and expected to be bedridden for at least three months. However, Xiao Yuanche issued a commander-in-chief order, ordering Xiao Zizhen to temporarily take over the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Shadow Division.
We will make a decision after Bonin recovers from his injury.
Not only that, the Shadow Division was Sikong's arm, but what was abnormal was that Xiao Yuanche only ordered his second son Xiao Jianshu to condole with the injured and support the families of the deceased, but since the incident in the Shadow Division, he has never set foot in the Shadow Division.
It seems that the power of Sikong Mansion has changed greatly. This is a conclusion that many discerning people can draw.
This was all the news that Su Ling had received in the past three days. He had been suffering from his shoulder injury in the past three days, so he asked Du Heng to go out to inquire, and then summarized all the clues based on Du Heng's half-complete words.
Xiao Yuanche didn't even go to the Shadow Division once, nor did he order a thorough investigation into the matter.
This is too unusual.
Are you too lazy to even pretend? Su Ling kept sneering in her heart.
Just as he was thinking about it, Du Heng ran in and said, "Su Ling, Sikong is here and is right outside the door."
Su Ling's mind moved, she nodded, and then went out to greet him.
His right arm was still wrapped in a bandage, and when he walked away, the wound hurt.
As soon as they arrived in front of the door, they saw the carriages and horses of Sikong Mansion parked there. Guo Baiyi had already got out of the carriage and was helping Xiao Yuanche down.
Su Ling hurriedly wanted to hold his hand over, but the wound started to hurt again, and he couldn't help but grin.
Xiao Yuanche strode over, pointed at him as he left, and said, "You boy, you are not usually polite, but you are like this today? Your wound is on your shoulder, so you don't need to be polite."
Su Ling nodded and let Xiao Yuanche and Guo Baiyi into the back hall.
The three of them drank a few sips of tea, and then Xiao Yuanche said: "I have also heard about what happened that day. I never thought that those thieves could be so powerful. It's really pitiful for the dozens of good men in the Shadow Division, and you were injured.
You have not healed an old wound, but you have added a new one!"
Su Ling smiled lightly and said, "It was Su Ling's lack of thinking and underestimation of Yan Wugui's strength that led to the disaster."
Xiao Yuanche waved his hand and said: "Hey, how can I blame you? It's still Boning. If he had deployed control earlier and gathered all the people from the Shadow Division, it wouldn't be like this."
Su Ling said hurriedly: "Master Boning is also trying his best to protect me. Sikong should go and see him."
After he finished speaking, he saw Guo Baiyi's expression change and he pouted at him.
Su Ling pretended to drink tea, but did not see her.
When Xiao Yuanche heard this, there was a trace of anger in his eyes and said: "You still want me to see him? I think of his loyalty for many years, so I don't blame him. The Shadow Division Chief is almost beaten by Shadow."
Si Yasi can't be saved, what did he, the chief governor, do? He happened to be seriously injured, so let's take a good rest at his house. I have ordered Xiao Zizhen to temporarily take over his duties. This guy is really mature and prudent.
He is a capable person among the younger generation of the Xiao family. If Su Ling has something to do in the future, just go to him and he will definitely cooperate with you fully!"
The helpless look in Su Ling's eyes flashed away, and she nodded calmly.
Xiao Yuanche then looked normal and said in a deep voice: "I have also heard about the tea cargo ship. This water transport is in the hands of Jianshu, and it is a mess for me to manage. I have strictly warned him, Su Ling
Do you have any other opinions?"
Su Ling thought for a moment and didn't want to say anything at first. He knew that this must be an unsolved case, but he still didn't give up and said: "Master Jianshu is very busy with official duties, and the water transportation area is even more mixed. These things cannot be entirely blamed."
he......"
He paused and then added: "The management of water transportation has been in chaos for a long time. It cannot be reversed overnight. This matter should be discussed in the long run. The recent incidents of tea leaves being packaged into black/gunpowder must be related to something extremely important.
It's a major matter, so this matter needs to be investigated in detail. Sikong, please think about it, four batches of black powder, the amount is shocking."
Xiao Yuanche thoughtfully nodded and said: "Speaking of how to investigate, the Shadow Division and the Regret Heavenly Guard will fully cooperate with you."
Su Ling sighed and said: "Oh, it's a pity that Tan Jing is dead, otherwise what he knew behind the scenes would be shocking. What a pity!"
Su Ling's mind changed and he said quickly: "Sikong, have you sent anyone to search Tan Jing's house in the past three days? Although he is dead, there may be some clues about his house!"
Xiao Yuanche was stunned at first, then waved his hand and said: "The Shadow Division has been in chaos these past three days. Boning was seriously injured and the whole group was leaderless. I was pestered by the emperor to discuss various matters of the Longhuang Poetry Society and was not allowed to escape. Today, the emperor really
I just took office and haven’t started investigating yet!”
Su Ling said quickly: "Sikong, without further delay, we should send people to search immediately!"
He thought for a while and then said: "Also, although Tan Jing is dead, these illegal activities cannot be completed by him alone. There must be others to help. By the way, there are two deputy directors of water transportation."
Sikong should immediately control them, they must have a lot to do with these things!"
When Xiao Yuanche heard this, he was startled again. He suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "I'm also very angry. Today, the emperor just told me that the two deputy ministers and their families were sent to Banan to march to the army. Su Ling, you are so stupid."
As soon as I said that, I came to my senses. It seems that I have to send someone to chase them back and hand them over to you. Huitongzi will interrogate them strictly and must pry open their mouths."
Su Ling nodded and looked at Guo Baiyi calmly.
The three of them drank tea for a while, and Xiao Yuanche said with a smile: "It's just that our tea business has to wait a little longer. I have already sent people to Xinyang to purchase tea and then transport it back."
Su Ling nodded and said with a smile: "Good things come in hard times, and Sikong is fully supportive, so why should Su Ling be anxious?"
Xiao Yuanche nodded, looked at Su Ling with a smile and said: "Longhuang Poetry Club, what do you have in mind."
Su Ling smiled and said, "If you have any ideas, just memorize a few more poems and write them out."
Xiao Yuanche shook his head and said: "You, this matter is a top priority now. Talents from all over the world will gather together. Oh, by the way, I met the emperor today. The emperor said that three talents will be sent to the Bohai Sea. Not only that, the general Shen Jizhou also went to the poetry meeting in person, but also the governors and princes from all over the country. This has never happened in the past decades in the Jin Dynasty. Su Ling, you represent me, Xiao Yuan Che, when the time comes, we will definitely frustrate their spirit, especially that Shen Jizhou!"
Su Ling smiled and said: "Don't worry, Sikong, Su Ling will do his best."
Xiao Yuanche nodded and turned to Guo Baiyi: "How is the progress of the construction of Longhuang Terrace?"
Guo Baiyi smiled and said: "Well, Yang Shuzu is also interested. Now it is more than one storey high. I think it should be completed in one month."
Xiao Yuanche nodded and said: "Go and take a look when you have time. Not only is it about speed, but also about quality. Don't build a paper platform. Then there will be not only us but also various people on the platform." The princes, governors, and emperors are also here!"
Guo Baiyi nodded and said, "Of course Baiyi will pay more attention to this matter."
At this moment, a person suddenly walked in front of the door, looking a little panicked. It was Wei Changan.
He walked to the door of the main hall in two or three steps and poked his head into the hall.
Xiao Yuanche caught a glimpse of Wei Chang'an out of the corner of his eye, snorted and scolded: "Old man, what's wrong with you? Come in and talk!"
Wei Changan then walked in and whispered a few words in Xiao Yuanche's ear.
Look at the smile on Xiao Yuanche's expression gradually disappearing. By the time Wei Changan finished speaking, his face was as dark as water and he didn't say a word.
Su Ling and Guo Baiyi felt that something was wrong with Xiao Yuanche's expression, something must have happened, so they both asked: "What happened to Sikong (Lord)?"
Xiao Yuanche glanced at the two of them, and then said in a deep voice: "There is a fire in Tan Jing's house. The fire is so fierce that it has burned down several people's houses around it. Now that the fire has not been controlled, the guards and patrolmen have Already went to save him."
"What..." Su Ling and Guo Baiyi were stunned at the same time and stood up involuntarily.
Xiao Yuanche's face was as heavy as water, and he stood up and walked towards the outside of the courtyard. After leaving, he said in a deep voice: "Su Ling, Baiyi, you guys come with me and go there to take a look. Now there are some casualties among the people in that area, and the people's hearts are If you are panicking, how to comfort you next is also a tricky thing."
Su Ling and Guo Baiyi looked at each other and both said, "Here!"
Xiao Yuanche got on the first carriage, and Su Ling and Guo Baiyi shared the next carriage.
The wheels squeaked and he sped towards the place where his accident happened.
Along the way, Guo Baiyi sat opposite Su Ling, saying nothing, just looking at Su Ling with a faint smile.
There seemed to be deep meaning in his eyes.
Su Ling felt a little uncomfortable when he looked at her, so she said, "Brother in white, what's the matter? Why are you looking at me like this?"
Guo Baiyi lowered the car curtain, lowered his voice, and said as if giving instructions: "Su Ling, can't you really see that this series of things seems to be sudden, but in fact they are all secretly connected."
Su Ling was startled for a moment, then said frankly and honestly: "I can't hide anything from Big Brother in White, how can Su Ling not see it?"
Guo Baiyi raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, you should tell me about it."
Su Ling nodded and whispered: "First of all, when the Shadow Division suffered this disaster, Sikong not only did not make a thorough investigation, but instead removed Lord Boning from his post and replaced him with his nephew Xiao Zizhen. This is not in line with Sikong's temperament.
....”
Guo Baiyi nodded calmly.
"Secondly, we can all see that Tan Jing is very important in the water transportation matter. Why didn't he search his house immediately? It wasn't until I reminded him that he said it was due to hectic negligence. Who is Sikong? Then
He has never neglected a small thing regarding the blood edict, but how could he neglect such an obvious key thing?"
Su Ling did not hide his thoughts and spoke truthfully.
Guo Baiyi's face gradually became serious, and he said again: "Is there anything else?"
"Thirdly, those two deputy ministers should be controlled immediately according to common sense, but Sikong didn't even bother to arrange an inspection of Tan Jing's home, so he asked the emperor to convict the two families and send them to Banan. This is too unfair.
It’s in line with common sense.”
Guo Baiyi nodded and said: "That's true..."
Su Ling added: "Fourth, I just asked Sikong to inspect Tan Jing's house, and he came to report that there was a fire in Tan Jing's house. This is too much of a coincidence. The person who set the fire was definitely not a member of the Purple Clothes Sect.
, their vitality was severely damaged by the battle that night, and they don’t dare to take any action in the near future. This is so strange!"
Guo Baiyi said calmly: "What do you think Su Ling?"
Su Ling took a breath, looked at Guo Baiyi and said, "Brother Baiyi, can I trust you?"
Guo Baiyi smiled and said, "Do you think you can believe me?"
Su Ling nodded vigorously and said: "I think I can! Brother in white, according to the existing clues, the tea shipment was handled by Sikong's men personally, but those gangsters who transferred the contract dared to rob the Sikong cargo ship. Who gave them the courage, and the Sikong cargo ship
Confidential matters, who disclosed this information? Sikong didn't seem to care about the cargo ship being hijacked. And with all the things I just analyzed, Su Ling felt that there was only one possibility..."
Guo Baiyi's eyes were like lightning as he swept across Su Ling's face and said in a deep voice: "What?"
"Sikong must be aware of this, or maybe this is a good show performed by Sikong. As for the purpose, I can't guess!" Su Ling said firmly.
When Guo Baiyi heard this, his expression changed several times, he made a silent gesture, and then said in a very low voice: "Su Ling, aren't you afraid of losing your head? Do you dare to speculate about Sikong?"
Su Ling smiled faintly and said firmly: "Making unreasonable assumptions? With the intelligence of the big brother in white, can you really not see through it?"
Hearing this, Guo Baiyi suddenly sighed and said: "Su Ling, since you know everything, why did you just tell Sikong that you want to investigate thoroughly? I've been sweating for you, that is, you, if you were someone else,
Who else, I'm afraid I can't speak now."
Su Ling lowered his head and said nothing, then raised his head after a while, his eyes full of determination and stubbornness.
Guo Baiyi sighed and said: "Su Ling, why do you always insist on these things? In this world, if you live too clearly, you will not live long. It is better to be confused!"
Su Ling suddenly smiled faintly and said: "Brother in white, are you confused? There are dozens of lives in the Shadow Division, who is not a hot-blooded good man? Four times of hijacking ships, the one who was killed that time was not an unarmed hardworking boatman? No matter how confused Su Ling is, he can't
I'm afraid these innocent souls will cry and howl in Su Ling's dreams day and night!"
"You..." Guo Baiyi was furious for a moment.
Su Ling said sternly: "Su is a stranger in the mountains. I don't understand the truth. In today's troubled times, why are people so cold? Isn't it all because there is no hope? It makes the hero's blood grow cold! If Su Ling is also in the same trap, why should he come to Longtai?
You can hide in Liyou Mountain and spend your whole life, and you will be safe and content!"
"But... Sikong's heart is..." Guo Baiyi sighed.
"Sikong has his own reasons for doing things. I am not a superior, and I can't think about so much. To put it bluntly, I just don't care about this troubled world. Brother in white, have you ever thought about how once this countless black/gunpowder is used?
Will it be only the people of Longtai who suffer due to lawlessness? By then, you and I, and even Sikong, will really be safe and sound...!"
Guo Baiyi's eyes shrank, his face turned pale, and he was speechless for a while. He seemed to be struggling, and his chest was heaving.
After a long while, Guo Baiyi nodded solemnly and said: "Su Ling, you are right, this matter must be investigated clearly, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous. If you need me to do anything, Guo Baiyi will not hesitate to die!"
After he finished speaking, he half-leaned in front of the seat and whispered: "I don't have the ambition of the people like you. I am just plotting for Sikong. The black/gunpowder may be... Therefore, Guo Baiyi cannot control Sikong's safety."
No matter, Su Ling, do you understand?"
Su Ling sighed, nodded and said: "Su Ling understands..."