As a building imitating a Western-style palace, the main building complex of Baiyu Tower has four high towers, of which the east and west towers are used to store water for fountains, while the north and south towers are claimed to be temporarily vacant, but are actually two watchtowers.
And it’s not just a watchtower. There is a row of two-story buildings under these two towers that are slightly shorter than the main building, with a total of about forty rooms. These two small buildings are also white marble buildings, but they are different from the light gold used in the main building.
Different from the special glazed tiles, these two small buildings use special glazed tiles that are dark gray and almost black, which is called "black roof" in the Jinghua Department.
It stands to reason that the "Black Roofs" are just two rows of inconspicuous small buildings next to the main building complex of Baiyu Building. At first glance, they may be thought to be two rows of utility rooms, but they actually have separate nicknames, which is obviously a bit strange.
But if someone knows that the "Black Top" is the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Jinghua, this strange feeling will immediately turn into a sudden realization - the supervision of tens of millions of Jinghua's huge assets is arranged and summarized from here.
In addition, Gao Pragmatic issued most of his orders to various industries in various parts of the Jinghua Department from here. Even the private letters he sent, as long as they were sent from the Jingshi, would be filed in the "Black Top" for future reference.
Private letters sent from other areas such as Xinzheng, Liaodong and other places will eventually have attachments left in the "black top" as records.
Under the two rows of small buildings with black roofs, there is even a basement that is larger than the buildings on the ground. Its purpose is even unknown to people inside Jinghua.
As the leader of the "black top", Gao Mo, the head of the Internal Affairs Department of Beijing, is in a "fighting state" today - in fact, it is not accurate to say this. It is more accurate to say that since Gao Pangshi sent an invitation to the Changchun Palace yesterday,
By that time, Gao Mo had already entered a fighting state and only slept for two hours that night.
At this moment, Gao Mo was on the south observation tower attached to the "Black Top", looking southward with the latest binoculars. Behind him, there were a total of seven subordinates, reporting the situation one by one.
"We specially arranged for people to stop Feng Jia at Xuanwu Gate and pretend to question him. This action was enough for those people to find out that Feng Jia had left the palace. Then we arranged a transfer at Di'anmen. During this process, Feng Jia needed to get off the train.
Car transfer, and Feng Jia only changed clothes and did not do any special makeup, so the other party will have enough time to make arrangements."
"That's right, supervisor, according to our calculations, the fastest time it will take for the other party to gather their troops and rush to Baiyu Tower is only one and a half hours. However, considering that their personnel are relatively complex, we think this fastest time does not have much reference value...
…We calculated the information about the people who may appear on today's 'visiting' list and the location where they live, and finally believed that they are most likely to arrive in three to four hours."
Gao Mo, who had been silent for the whole time, frowned slightly, but his movements of holding up the telescope for inspection did not change. He just asked: "In other words, it will be in the afternoon, and it will be shortly after lunch time?"
"From a time perspective, it should be."
"Have you considered that many of these people may not be willing to miss lunch?"
"Yes, I have considered it." The subordinate replied: "We remember our boss's teachings, 'In intelligence work, details determine success or failure.' But after our analysis, we agreed that these people should be very excited today, and they will ignore it for the time being.
Something as small as a lunch."
"Very good." Gao Mo nodded: "Next one."
"As we expected, Feng Jia was accompanied by 'Bai Yan'. She reported to us what happened last night and mentioned a doubtful point. Our office thinks it may be very important and requests a separate report."
When Gao Mo heard the words "report alone", he finally put down his telescope, turned to look at him, paused for a moment, and said, "Everyone else, please step aside first."
The remaining six people said nothing, bowed slightly, and filed down. Only Gao Mo and his thirty or so subordinates dressed as scribes were left on the observation platform at the top of the tower.
"Tell me, what's the doubt?"
The subordinate dressed as a scribe said: "Yes, supervisor, 'Bai Yan' mentioned that the person from the other party gave her a sachet the day before and told her very carefully that she should find a way to persuade Feng Jia to take the sachet with her.
She was by her side, and asked her to convince Feng Jia to open it when she was sure that only Feng Jia and our boss were present - opening meant that the contents of the sachet were wrapped in sealed oil paper.
, you need to tear the oil paper apart, and then the fragrance will come out.”
Gao Mo had already frowned and became nervous: "You should report this news in advance! What is inside, is it poisonous?"
The subordinate had a strange expression, and even hesitated for a moment when being criticized. Then he coughed slightly and said with some embarrassment: "This is precisely because... it should not be a poison that can cause physical harm, so the subordinate
That’s why I didn’t rush to report.”
With that, he also explained the function of the sachet mentioned by Wei Min and Princess Yongning.
Gao Mo has been in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for so long, and some things come naturally to him. He was slightly taken aback, and asked in disbelief: "Is it...a charm medicine?"
The scribe's subordinate said: "It's very possible that 'Bai Yan' is very courageous. After getting the sachet, she first checked the oil paper bag, then found the same oil paper, took out the contents and exchanged them.
A very small part was left from it... After my subordinate learned the news just now, he took it to the Department of Medicine and asked Mr. Li to take a look."
Gao Mo immediately asked: "What did Mr. Li say?"
The scribe's subordinate said: "Mr. Li said that those things were ground too finely. He could only distinguish the ones with larger dosages at the moment, including cantharis powder, deer blood ointment powder, umbilicus navel, and ambergris.
, musk, datura powder..."
Gao Mo waved his hand and interrupted: "I don't ask about this, I just want to know the function of these things!"
"Yes, supervisor." The scribe's subordinate clearly felt that Gao Mo's mood was not right and did not dare to delay any more. He hurriedly said: "Mr. Li said that it is probably a powerful charm drug and may have hallucinogenic effects."
Gao Mo's face was livid, and he suddenly cursed: "How dare you delay this kind of news! Don't you know who she...is?"
The scribe's subordinate was so shocked that he knelt down and defended: "I know, but I think...since Feng Jia himself also knows the function of the sachet, it must be...it won't be a problem."
"Fart!" Gao Mo turned around and rushed down the spiral staircase, saying, "I'll settle the score with you later!"
The remaining six subordinates who were discussing the details of today's arrangements under the tower suddenly saw their supervisor rushing down from the tower. They were all startled and hurried to follow. One of them asked: "Supervisor, what happened?"
How could Gao Mo explain? He could only run towards the main building and ordered with a cold face: "The situation has changed. Before I come down from the main building, you must ensure that the other party's people cannot enter the Baiyu Building, especially the boss's house."
That side of the dormitory, do you understand?"
"Understood...but the identity of the other party may be special, if they want to force their way in?"
Gao Mo suddenly stopped, turned around and stared at the subordinate, with a cold tone in his voice, and said slowly: "Baiyulou is not a vegetable market, and you want to break into Baiyulou? Yes, you can either take out the imperial edict, or... you let him go back first and bring you
Let’s talk after spending tens of thousands of people in Beijing!”
The subordinate felt solemn in his heart, clasped his fists and said: "Yes, supervisor, I understand, I will go and inform the Shinzai Campus."
The so-called school field is the so-called training ground in later generations. This is a referent. Contacting the school field is actually to mobilize troops.
Baiyu Tower is a newly expanded part of Jianxinzhai. Although it is in one direction, it is still an integral part of Jianxinzhai. Jianxinzhai has always been the base camp of Gao Jingshi in the capital. The escorts and cavalry in Beijing are divided every year.
Groups of people came to see Xinzhai stationed and trained.
Although Gao Pragmatic was always cautious and never stationed too many forces in the capital, the total number of foot soldiers and cavalry soldiers still exceeded three thousand.
These days, there may not be many families with more than 3,000 servants in the palace elsewhere, but it is not uncommon in the northern and southern capitals. For example, the top nobles such as the Chengguo Duke's Palace, the Dingguo Palace, and the British Duke's Palace in the capital are all in the capital.
The total number of servants in the capital and nearby residences, villas, and manors, no matter which one, is well over ten thousand. In the late Chongzhen Dynasty, someone had an idea, thinking that as long as the noble servants from each family were gathered,
A hundred thousand troops are at your fingertips.
Of course, although their servants are large in number, they are actually completely different from Gao Pragmatic's armed servants. They are just servants doing odd jobs, and are not useful at all in terms of fighting. As for Gao Pragmatic's group of serious foot soldiers and cavalry,
In fact, they were already "off-the-job soldiers", far more professional than the Ming Dynasty's regular army, the guardsmen. The two sides were completely different in terms of combat effectiveness.
Although Gao Mo said these words in anger, the meaning is still very clear: the previous plan must be changed immediately, and I want to ensure that they cannot enter the Baiyu Tower now. If they want to attack the Baiyu Tower, let alone come now
This group of people, even if they are from Jingying... Haha, based on Jingying's damn "professional level", not dispatching tens of thousands of people is simply a dream.
Gao Mo ran to the front steps of the main building. As soon as he got up the steps, the servants at the door stretched out their hands to stop him. One of them said: "Supervisor, according to the rules, only..."
Of course Gao Mo knew the rules. Before he could finish speaking, he turned around and ordered: "You guys wait here." Then he hurried into the main building. Of course no one stopped him this time.
And when he walked quickly through the long corridor and turned into Gao Pragmatic's dormitory, the maid beside the stairs was surprised, but she immediately stopped him and said: "Supervisor, Master and..."
"I know!"
These maids were sent to Gao Jingshi by Gao Mo's mother Zhang. In theory, they only obey Gao Jingshi's orders, so Gao Mo did not force her way in, but said quickly: "I came here just for this matter, but I can't help it."
I’ll explain to you, it’s very urgent anyway…”
"But the master may be...very busy right now."
Gao Mo's tone obviously increased: "I said, I know! I'm just afraid that the master will be 'busy'! Get out of the way. No matter what the responsibility is, I will be responsible for it myself!"
After all, Gao Mo had a special status, so the two maids looked at each other and got out of the way.
After running up to the fourth floor, Gao Mo looked around the corridor and saw that there were only two maids at the door of the lounge. He immediately walked over quickly.
Sure enough, the maid tried to stop him again, but this time Gao Mo didn't waste any time. He directly reached out and knocked on the door, knocking hard and urgently.
The two maids turned pale with fright: "Supervisor, what are you..."
Gao Mo shook his head slightly: "Don't be afraid, I will be responsible for anything that happens."
Before the maid could reply, a pragmatic voice came from behind the door: "What's the matter? Wait a minute."
The door was sealed and soundproofed very well, so Gao Mo's voice sounded a little quiet. However, Gao Mo was a martial arts practitioner, and the corridor was quiet enough, so he could still understand him.
As soon as he heard the words "Wait a moment", he broke into a cold sweat and said loudly: "Master, little Gao Mo, I have something urgent to report! It's urgent!"
Surprisingly, although Gao Wu said "wait a moment", he opened the door not too slowly. Within twenty breaths after saying that, the door to the lounge opened from the inside.
"Is it the 'guest' here?" Gao pragmatically opened the door and stepped out of the way, which naturally meant to let Gao Mo come in and talk.
But Gao Mo's feet were motionless as if they were nailed to death, and his eyes never glanced at the door. He just looked at his master's face, and saw that his face was slightly red, as if he had just jogged a few miles.
There is even a thin layer of fine beads of sweat.
Gao Mo's heart sank, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly smelled a faint scent. He immediately reached out and grabbed Gao Jingshi's left hand and pulled it out. He led Gao Jingshi back out and asked hurriedly: "Master..." Suddenly there was another
He stopped and said to the two maids: "You guys should step aside first and wait over there." He pointed to the entrance of the corridor.
Gao Mo did not have the authority to command them, so after hearing this, the two maids couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise, and then they both looked at Gao Jingshi.
Gao pragmatic seemed to be quite awake. Although his face was a little red, his expression was still calm. He nodded and said: "Go ahead."
The two women backed away reluctantly, and Gao Mo waited for them to walk some distance away, then immediately lowered his voice and asked hurriedly: "Did the master just... uh, with His Highness... um, uh
…”
Gao Mo felt a little embarrassed to mention this, especially since the other party was his master, so asking him seemed a bit too lenient.
Unexpectedly, Gao Pragmatic didn't feel embarrassed at all. Although his face was still red, he shook his head with a normal expression and said: "That's not the case."
Gao Mo did not doubt that his master was lying. He breathed a long sigh of relief after hearing this, and then asked: "Does the master smell anything special?" It seems that he did not think carefully about the four words "That's not true."
meaning.
This time Gao Pragmatic became alert and immediately asked: "What do you mean by this?"
Gao Mo immediately took out the small oil paper bag that the scribe pretended to be a subordinate had given him before, opened it carefully and showed it to Gao Pingshi, and explained the cause and effect of the matter.
Gao Pingshi's face suddenly became strange, and he subconsciously turned his head to look in the door. When Gao Mo saw it, he immediately turned his head and looked towards the corner, as if a flower suddenly grew there.
Gao Pingshi saw Princess Yongning turning sideways and sitting with her back to the door. She seemed to be sitting upright, but in fact her arms were moving slightly, as if she was arranging the buttons of her clothes.
"Ahem... It seems that something has changed slightly, but it's not a big problem." Gao Pragmatic reached out to touch the sweat on his forehead and said, "Go and revoke the temporary order just now and continue to follow the previous deployment.
But before that, let me go and talk to His Highness... Just arrange the people and the car. Oh, by the way, I'd better send this package to Mr. Binhu and ask him to carefully distinguish and confirm it.
Let’s take a look at the potency of the medicine.”
Although Gao Mo withdrew his gaze from studying the corner, he lowered his head and looked at his nose and heart: "Yes, I understand, little one."
"Go." Gao Pingshi turned his head, walked towards the lounge, and closed the door again with a bang.
Princess Yongning was frightened by the sound of closing the door. She shrank and couldn't move her hands to button her clothes.
Gao Pragmatic walked over and sat behind her with a smile, watching her panic-stricken state after she ran out of courage.
"Fourth Princess, you actually used poison on me?"
Princess Yongning's delicate body trembled, and she suddenly turned her face. The dimples that were red just now turned white instantly at a speed visible to the naked eye. She said in a trembling voice: "I didn't, how could I..."
Gao Pingshi pointed to the sachet on her waist with a smile: "I heard that this thing has some very magical effects." Then he said thoughtfully: "I just said something was wrong just now. If Gao Mo comes a little later... Four
Princess, you are playing with fire, do you know?"
Now Princess Yongning could see that Gao Jingshi was not angry and accusing her, and the color on her face slowly began to return. But she bit her red lips and suddenly said: "I know! But even if it burns to death, it doesn't matter, it's better than the walking dead."
Gao pragmatic was stunned for a moment, then laughed, but said nothing. After a while, he sighed again and said softly: "It is best to live well. If you die, you will lose everything, including... hope.
"
Princess Yongning said sadly: "How can there be any hope?"
"Your Highness, why don't you tell me first, what is your hope?"
"Me?" Princess Yongning's eyes were blank for a while, and after a while she shook her head: "I, I did that just now, you must look down on me, what hope do I have?"
Gao Pangshi was about to speak, but he saw her lowering her head again and continued quietly: "But at least you have hugged me and... kissed me. Even though I... should be content."
Gao Pingshi couldn't help but roll his eyes and thought: Where are you from? What does it matter?
But then I thought: No, it’s bad, there’s something wrong with this tone!
He immediately said: "Wait a minute, Your Highness only thinks about yourself and doesn't consider my thoughts at all?"
Princess Yongning was really startled, looked up at him, then lowered her head, and said sadly: "I'm sorry, I know I am an unlucky person, you... otherwise the school will not be built, I will use all the money to build a Buddhist temple, please
The eminent monks are here for you..."
"What's the use of this? That's not what I'm talking about. Besides, I don't believe in Buddhism." Gao Pragmatic interrupted directly: "I mean, what should I do if someone asks me to accuse him?"
"But... no one knows."
Gao pragmatically looked helpless and said: "Oh... Your Highness, if I say that someone is on the way to call for punishment and is about to arrive at Baiyu Tower, what do you think?"
Princess Yongning was shocked: "Is the royal brother here?"
Gao pragmatic rolled his eyes: "If he comes, I will invite him to have a meal or something..."
"Ah?" Princess Yongning was stunned. "You...you don't want to die!"
Gao Pragmatic asked with a half-smile: "Your Highness, do you think the emperor will not know what happened today?" He shook his head: "Why do you think the emperor gave you the palace ban of Kunning Palace instead of an oral edict, or simply
An imperial edict?"
Princess Yongning's political thinking was obviously not online. Although her face turned red, she still said: "I, I know that the emperor has... that intention, but how does he know that I must come to Baiyu Tower?"
Gao Jingshi said helplessly: "Give the palace ban badge to Kunning Palace. He will naturally know when you leave the palace, right?"
"this……"
Gao Jingshi added: "My dear sister left the palace with only one maid. If you were the emperor, would you be able to rest assured? Can you not send someone to secretly follow and protect her?"
When Princess Yongning heard this, she was immediately ashamed and anxious: "Did the Emperor do it on purpose?" When she thought that she came to see her lover as soon as she left the palace with the Queen's imperial badge, and her own brother actually knew everything, she
For a moment, I didn't know whether I was more shy, more moved, or more scared.
Gao pragmatically said, "It doesn't matter if the emperor knows it, because the bottom line is: the emperor will definitely not harm you." He paused for a moment, then strengthened his tone and said: "The problem is that there are other people who know about it and are planning to use it.
Come and harm me. Your Highness, if word of what happened today gets out, no matter what we do, the Emperor, the Queen, you, me, we will all be in big trouble, especially me, I guess... most of our lives will be lost."
Princess Yongning suddenly panicked, subconsciously grabbed Gao Pragmatic's hand, and asked nervously: "What should we do?"
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Thanks to book friends "Cao Mianzi" and "Ding Qi Zhao Bi Xin" for their reward support, thank you!
Thanks to book friend "Yue Xiaoyao" for your monthly ticket support, thank you!
ps: I found that the e key on my keyboard started to not work occasionally. I may have made some typos by mistake recently. I'm sorry...
