Fletcher's Descent into the Abyss Chapter 8

The imperial guards were waiting for their turn, and they were all so cold that they curled up their hands and feet.

The Imperial Guards of the Capital City were originally the Eight City Guards, the iron wall of the Capital City Palace. According to the rules, they were not responsible for such trivial tasks. But later, the Eight Great Camps rose to power, and the responsibilities of the two sides were switched. The Imperial Guards became a burden to the Capital City, not only abolishing the military training, but also becoming the real chores of the Capital City. Today, they are all hereditary military households who have never seen real swords and guns and are just waiting to die.

Ge Qingqing was a centurion of the Jinyiwei, not a high-ranking official in the capital, but just right for the imperial guards who were in charge of guarding. Because everyone moved around in the capital on weekdays, they had to take care of each other, and they didn't dare to pay tribute to higher-ranking officials casually. Moreover, Ge Qingqing was particularly generous in dealing with people, so the imperial guards turned a blind eye and let Sylvester Ji take over the original errand of menial work.

Ge Qingqing greeted the Forbidden Army and shared the hot buns he had brought. Before Sylvester Ji came out, Xiaoqi saw that he was thoughtful and said, "If Brother Qing is anxious, go in and check for the brothers."

Ge Qingqing said: "How can this be in accordance with the rules?"

Xiaoqi bit his bun and waved his hand, signaling the imperial guards guarding the back door to make way, saying: "Brother Qing is not an outsider, and we have surrounded the Zhaozui Temple tightly, so no one can escape."

Ge Qingqing stopped refusing and turned to enter Zhaozui Temple.

Sylvester Ji was sitting under the eaves. When he saw Ge Qingqing coming, he stood up and said, "Has the time come?"

"It's okay. It's still dark. Uncle Ji can stay for a while." Ge Qingqing looked around the temple. "This place can't accommodate anyone. It's winter now. I'll bring some quilts in later."

Sylvester Ji saw that he seemed to be worried, so he asked: "What's wrong?"

Ge Qingqing hesitated and said, "It's not a big deal, I just met Mr. Xiao on the road."

Fletcher Shen raised his head and said, "That Xiao..."

"Casper Xiao." Ge Qingqing said, "The youngest son of the Libei King, the same person... last time. I saw that he was walking unsteadily and smelled heavily of alcohol. He must have been hungover from last night."

"It's fine if it's not Xiao Jiming." Sylvester Ji turned around and said to Taifu Qi, "Taifu has not been out for 20 years, I'm afraid he doesn't know the four famous generals of the Great Zhou. King Libei gave birth to a good son, and Xiao Jiming is very good!"

Fletcher Shen asked Ge Qingqing: "Brother Qing, what did he ask you?"

Ge Qingqing thought about it carefully and said: "He asked me where I was going, and I told him to take a shortcut to the station where he was on duty. He also said that this way didn't seem to lead to Shenwu Street, so I was perfunctory. I thought he was like this Princes and nobles will not investigate in person. "

"But it involves the Xiao family, so be careful. You still have to go to the palace later, and you have to mark your shift." Sylvester Ji rubbed his hands against the snow, "Chuan'er, it's time to punch."

"Wait a minute." Fletcher Shen's eyes were dark, "Since this is an alley in a residential area, what is he, a prince and nobleman, doing on this street in the early morning?"

Ge Qingqing was also stunned and said, "That's right... the places to have fun are all on Donglong Street, which is a bit far from the residential area. He was hungover and it was so cold, why did he come here!"

"Just wait and see." Master Qi turned over with his B*tt facing the outside, wrapped in the torn curtain, and said, "The matter of Marlon Shen is related to the Xiao family. From what I heard from his kick, it is clear that he wants to kill this kid. But he is alive and well now, how can he not be suspicious?"

"If he didn't mean it, he shouldn't have said the second sentence." Fletcher Shen was still frightened when he thought of that kick.

"Oh no." Ge Qingqing's face changed and she said, "It's my fault for being careless. What should I do? I'm afraid the person is already on the way!"

Fletcher Shen turned to Master Qi and said, "It's okay. Since you have guessed it, you must have a solution."

When Zhaohui arrived at the Jinyi Guard Office, the ministers who were traveling with him were at the same level as him, but they did not dare to take Qiao. He led Chao Hui all the way to the filing room and said, "What does General Chao want to check? This is the duty filing room for the twelve offices today."

Chaohui picked up the book and looked through it with a serious smile. He said, "How hard it is to patrol in the forbidden area. Dear brothers of Jinyiwei, I received help from a man named Ge Qingqing a few days ago. I came here today to reward you. Is he on duty today?"

"Twelve houses and hundreds of households are all inside." Qian Shi said and moved to the wall, where the duty list of the twelve houses was clearly hung.

But Chaohui cannot touch this thing, it is a taboo in the forbidden area.

The assistant asked, "General, do you know which school he is from?"

Zhaohui said: "I heard that those who can work the morning shift are nothing more than the Imperial Carriage Department, the Carriage Department, and the Elephant Training Department."

The assistant officer checked carefully according to the name of the station. After a while, he turned to Zhaohui and said, "General, this person is not on duty today. Can I look somewhere else for you?"

Chaohui gently closed the book in his hand and said, "No need, I'll go find him myself."

When Zhaohui left the stall room, the sky was getting bright. He returned along the road and strode out of the palace.

The snow had just been cleared on Shenwu Avenue, but the road was still slippery, so the sedan bearers who were escorting the dignitaries back and forth did not dare to act rashly and walked carefully, trying to be steady.

Zhao Hui passed by a sedan and saw the person carrying the sedan wearing a waist knife. Unexpectedly, just such a glance made him frown.

"Wait a minute." Zhao Hui stopped the sedan chair and said, "Is this the sedan chair for the commander?"

The people carrying the sedan chair were indeed Jinyiwei. The leader nodded and said, "You know who we are picking up, how dare you block our way? Get out of the way!"

Zhaohui raised his hand and revealed his Libei badge.

The Jinyiwei nodded and said, "I'm sorry, General!"

The sedan curtain moved, and a slender hand lifted the curtain. Her charming face glanced lazily at Zhao Hui, and said coquettishly to the people inside: "My lord, I'm looking for you!"

Ashton Ji also came home drunk. Sitting in the sedan with a golden sword, he said to Zhao Hui: "General Chao! Is there anything wrong?"

Chaohui just stared at the leading Jin Yiwei and said, "Nothing happened. I heard that the young master had wine with you last night, did you just come back?"

Ashton Ji smiled and said, "I was worried about the Second Young Master! When I opened my eyes this morning, the Young Master had returned home. Is the Prince looking for someone?"

"I am worried." Zhaohui bowed, "I am sorry to disturb you, sir."

"It's okay! I just came out." Ashton Ji waved his hand, "Who offended the general just now? Apologize to the general."

The leading Jin Yiwei knelt down on one knee and said to Zhao Hui: "Ge Qingqing, who is in a humble position, has blind eyes and cannot see Mount Tai. He has offended the general and is willing to be punished!"

Zhaohui read it right.

The waist tag hanging on the side of the knife really had Ge Qingqing's name written on it.

After Casper Xiao heard what Zhaohui said, he was still reading his storybook with his legs crossed.

Zhaohui said: "It seems that he didn't tell lies. He was sent to pick up Ashton Ji before he could enter the palace."

"Yes." Xiao Chi was absent-minded, "Qingjun Tower is close, so we can definitely make it in time."

"But I always feel it's subtle." Zhaohui rubbed the handle of the knife with his thumb.

Casper Xiao flipped through the pages and said, "You can't think of it?"

"I can't think of one."

"I'll tell you." He sat up suddenly, crossed his legs, and supported his knee with one hand. "You entered the capital with your elder brother, and the emperor personally welcomed you, followed closely by the twelve guards of the Jinyiwei. How come he doesn't recognize you now?"

"It's hard to say." Zhaohui said, "Maybe I didn't remember it."

"You didn't even change your robes, and you have a sword. Even if he didn't recognize you, he wouldn't dare to yell at you in the street with such disrespect if he used his brain a little." Casper Xiao said, "Besides, I think he has a good memory, and he can recognize me clearly."

"I just think it's such a coincidence." Zhaohui thought, "I just happened to meet him."

"What we need is luck." Casper Xiao threw away the storybook, "This Shen..."

"Fletcher Shen." Zhao Hui said.

"Let him enter Zhaosu Temple, it seems like he lost a move." Casper Xiao said with thought in his eyes.

Ge Qingqing took off her collar and wiped the sweat off her face.

Wu Caiquan, who was outside, ran in with his legs tucked together, saying repeatedly: "Thank you so much! Brother Qing, it's all thanks to you!"

Ge Qingqing said: "It's just a small matter, we are all brothers."

Wu Caiquan grinned, turned around and shouted to the person in the stall: "Old Xu! Today I remember Brother Qing, who carried the sedan for me. I caught a cold last night and felt dizzy this morning. Fortunately, Brother Qing helped me."

Ge Qingqing lowered her head and wiped the sweat, and said, "If you are cold, let's go to Xu's shop to drink mutton soup later."

Wu Caiquan said quickly: "Okay, Brother Qing is treating me! Lao Xu, do you hear me? Let's go together in a while!"

"Don't take it to heart." Ge Qingqing patted Wu Quancai on the back, "Take good care of yourself. If you feel uncomfortable next time, don't hold it in like this time. Just tell me."

Wu Caiquan nodded like a puppy, he was so greedy for the mutton soup that he didn't care about anything else.

Master Qi finally wrapped himself in a quilt at night. He sat opposite Fletcher Shen and said, "In half a month it will be the New Year's Day. The capital will hold a banquet for all officials. At that time, the governors and provincial governors from all over the country will come to the capital to congratulate. I don't know the current situation clearly. Tell me about it now."

Fletcher Shen was wearing a thin coat in the snow, holding the opening posture of Ji Family Fist, but sweat was dripping from his forehead. He said: "The King of Libei has been ill for many years, and the military affairs have been handled by the Crown Prince Xiao Jiming. I guess he won't come this time. The five counties of Qidong also have the merit of saving the emperor this time. The first one to be conferred is Lu Guangbai, one of the four generals. Marshal Qi should also arrive in the next few days. In this way, the two major military powers of the Great Zhou will temporarily be in..."

"Wait a minute." Master Qi took out a ruler from under the quilt and asked, "Who are the four generals?"

"The iron horse and the glacier are clear, the beacon fire is blowing the sand and the land is white, the wind is blowing the wild bamboos, and the thunder is falling on the jade platform for thousands of years!"

"I have only heard about Zuo Qianqiu. But I also know that Lu Guangbai is probably the son of Bianshabo Lu Pingyan. Although Lu Pingyan later guarded the desert of Bianjun, he was born in Libei in his early years, and was the same as Xiao Fangxu, the king of Libei. A good brother who has become a master. If this Lu Guangbai has a sister, he will definitely be the daughter-in-law of the Xiao family, right? "

"Yes." Fletcher Shen said with sweat dripping from his face, "Lu Guangbai's sister is the Libei prince's wife."

"Then where did the two major military powers come from?" Qi Taifu said, "With this relationship, the Lu family is like a nail in the five counties of Qidong from Libei, and it is muddy inside. Besides, there are eight major camps in Qudu, and among the eight major camps, There are also Imperial Guards below. Although the Eighth Battalion is not as numerous as Libei and Qidong, and its reputation is not as brave as theirs, you must remember that Qudu is the heart of the Zhou Dynasty, and they hold the emperor's life in their hands. "

Master Qi weighed the ruler, took the gourd, and took a few sips of wine to warm himself.

"You must also remember that although the Jinyiwei cannot be called 'soldiers', their speed of use is far beyond that of 'soldiers'. When the emperor uses troops, he must assist them with famous ministers and brave generals. When a general is away from the emperor, he may not obey the orders of the emperor. If you hold him too tightly, he may not be a useful person. If you let him go too loose, he may become a tiger. This scale is difficult to grasp. You must prescribe the right medicine and be flexible. However, the Jinyiwei are completely different. They are the fierce dogs under the emperor's seat. The chain is held by the emperor alone. Whether it is loose or tight, whether it is favored or abandoned, it all depends on the emperor's mood. If it were you, would you like such a knife and such a dog?"

Fletcher Shen held on for a moment and said, "If you like someone, you will indulge yourself! If you dote on him too much, it will definitely lead to disaster."

"Your brother has taught you a lot." Taifu Qi said, "Yes, remember it, you have to remember it! Too much favor and trust will lead to disaster. Although it is the way to be virtuous to stay close to the virtuous and far away from the necessities, Among them, black and white are intertwined, how can we always distinguish who is a virtuous person and who is a traitor? What's more, even a virtuous gentleman cannot do many things, but a traitor can do it, and a villain can do it. The emperor must know how to check and balance. Tao, listen to the voices of the ministers. You see, with Jinyiwei, there is Dongchang. With Libei, there is Qidong. "

Master Qi paused for a while and then said.

"When the water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes. Do you know why the Xiao family hates Marlon Shen this time? Not only is Libei no longer a vassal after this battle, but the fundamental reason is that if the Xiao family fights again, they will lose, and if they win, they will lose. They have reached the end."

Fletcher Shen said: "Win or lose?"

"Winning is also losing! When Xiao Jiming won the battle, didn't he immediately sacrifice his brother? Every time he wins a battle in the future, he will risk a point. This time he sacrificed his brother, next time it may be his wife, his father, or even himself."