Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Liangzhou.

Guzang County, Wuwei.

Xiaolianzi Alley.

Xiao Hei stood outside a courtyard, looking at the lush apricot tree with branches sticking out of the wall, showing nostalgia.

This is the former residence of Li Yan and Uncle Dumb, and also the place where she first grew up.

But ever since Li Yan solved the mysterious case in Liangzhou, joined the inner guard, and went to Chang'an, Uncle Dumb also left together.

The current situation is obviously taken care of by someone.

But at this time, there was no one in the courtyard.

Xiao Hei strolled in, walked around, sniffed lightly, and smelled a vague body fragrance.

It has been a long time, and the smell has faded to the extreme. If it weren't for her sense of smell, which is far superior to that of humans, she would definitely not be able to smell anything. Now Xiao Hei keeps this smell in her heart, and went to look for it under the apricot tree again. stand up.

"There is no cemetery."

If Uncle Dumb passed away, the coffin would most likely be buried here. After all, after he faked his death, he had put down his identity as the eldest grandson Wuji and was not planning to return to the ancestral grave of the eldest grandson's family.

But now there are people here to take care of it, but there is no cemetery for worship. That person may still be alive. With his martial arts and Buddhist attainments, it is not surprising that he is a hundred years old.

Xiao Hei felt that this was good news, and wiped the dust happily. After cleaning the house a little, he walked out of the courtyard and closed the wooden door.

A figure flashed behind him, and the inner guard Pu Ab Tuoli appeared, and said: "I have found out, the Honglu Temple Jia Zhong'an who greeted me at the border is from the Jia family in Wuwei."

Xiao Hei was indifferent.

Puab Tuoli added: "Jia Zhong'an claims to be Jia Sibo's nephew, but in fact he was given the surname by his family servants. After he got rid of his slave status, he became a Jinshi in high school and was awarded an official..."

Only then did Xiao Hei raise his eyebrows: "Really?"

Puab Tuoli said cautiously: "It's rumored in the city, Jia Shi didn't admit it, so I don't know if it's true or not."

"As long as this matter spreads among the people, it's a vote of honor!"

Xiao Hei said leisurely: "Jia Zhong'an has such a background, but he can also seek fame and fame. When he becomes an official, he uses talents eclecticly. Jia Sibo is undoubtedly a staunch supporter of the humble family."

Jia Sibo originally had evil thoughts because of the decline of his family power and the unfairness of the imperial examinations. He colluded with the "Zuo Ming" forces, and later made meritorious deeds and was exonerated.

Because Jia's Zhenlun family is indeed a standard noble family, dating back to the Han Dynasty, with a clear genealogy, which is more authoritative than many powerful and powerful families whose genealogy cannot stand the attention.

Its original defect was that it had not produced high-ranking officials for several generations. After Jia Sibo entered the court and was reused, he effectively made up for this point. Within three generations, he could actually become a member of the high-ranking noble family.

But now, he voluntarily withdraws, joins the poor family, and promotes the humble clansman. Is such a clear political inclination also the key support for him to come from behind and become the prime minister of a country after Di Renjie?

Xiao Hei followed Li Yan's side and was fascinated by what he saw and heard. From the background of an official of the Jia family, he could analyze too much content.

After all, Puab Tuoli is a big cannibal, and he doesn't understand this kind of political struggle. He only cares about the distinction between loyalty and traitor: "If Jia Zhong'an is also in the same group, then the news he conveys will definitely distort the facts..."

Xiao Hei came back to his senses: "The inner guard in Liangzhou, have you contacted him yet?"

Puyatuoli was betrayed once and became extremely cautious: "Liangzhou has no trustworthy internal guards, so I dare not go to the station. The dry food for the horses has been prepared and can go on the road at any time."

Xiao Hei nodded slightly: "What about the fake missions?"

Puab Tuoli said: "This posthouse has received [-] envoys from various countries, but none from the Great Food Kingdom. Maybe they haven't arrived yet. We can stay in Hexi."

A huge envoy with big food dancers and many musical instruments travels very slowly. It often takes several months to travel from Damascus to Chang'an if it is fast.

However, Xiao Hei and Yang Zaiwei left the real Dashi envoy without hesitation. The former took Puab Tuoli with him, and the latter took General Abu to chase after them.

Due to the small number of personnel, it is not impossible to catch up from behind all the way.

"There are hundreds of people in the Dashi envoy group. They are mighty, and there is a lot of movement. Although we have traveled through mountains and mountains, we are close to Hexi, and most of them are on official roads. We haven't found any traces..."

But Xiao Hei thought about it, but he didn't feel that he was ahead. On the contrary, he thought that the envoys had entered Chang'an in all likelihood and stayed in Liangzhou, which was wishful thinking and stupid behavior.

However, if you want to enter the Guanzhong, Liangzhou is the main road in the Hexi Corridor, and there are so many envoys that there is no reason to take the small road, so why is there no record of staying in the post house?

"Xuantian is above, protect the common people!"

While thinking about this question, the noise came from afar, drifting into a remote and deep alley.

Xiao Hei listened attentively, and disappeared without a trace.

After a few breaths, she had come to the side of the avenue, and saw the crowds on both sides, welcoming a group of Taoists.

Under the playing of musical instruments, an old Taoist priest with white beard and hair was walking in the middle, dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, with yin and yang on his chest, gossip on his back, accompanied by Taoist boys on both sides, surrounded by faint sounds of immortals, billowing haze, it looked a bit atmospheric , causing the people along the road to follow in awe, not daring to approach, but just kowtowed on the ground and prayed.

"My god, Xuantian, bless my Erzhou Examination High School!"

"Xuantian, bless my father from illness and misfortune!"

"Old Immortal of Zhenwuguan, I hope to give you talisman water, I hope you can give me talisman water!"

Xiao Hei didn't react at first, but soon narrowed his eyes dangerously.

When she heard the name of Xuantian, she didn't react for a while, but when the Zhenwu Temple came out, she immediately thought that Emperor Zhenwu was also called Xuantian God.

It's not surprising, she has seen Zhenwu belief in Dashi, and that religious country can occupy a place, and Datang is of course more prosperous.

However, Dashi's Zhenwu religion is in conflict with the local Islam and Christianity. If Yang Zaiwei hadn't intervened, Xiao Hei would have been ready to help.

But now she has the opposite attitude towards the Zhenwu Temple in the Tang Dynasty. She is quite disgusted by these ostentatious Taoist priests.

Because it reminds me of "Welcoming Buddha's Bone".

The ultimate manifestation of the prosperity of Buddhism is the Buddha bones in the late Tang Dynasty. Hundreds of officials, civil and military officials, and wealthy families competed for gold and silk. , just to express one's devotion to the Buddha.

As a result, there is no doubt that, as Han Yu said, "Serving the Buddha to seek blessings is even more disastrous."

It is a pity that at that time, folk beliefs had become a mighty trend, and it was difficult to reverse the direction of this trend, whether the ruler believed it or not.

After Li Yan decided to ascend, what he was most worried about was the Daoist sitting.

Taoism was originally the national religion of Li Tang. Although it was not as fanatical as Buddhism in history, the tide of alchemy in the Tang Dynasty was also brought about by Taoists. It was extremely popular among the rich and powerful, and attracted many well-known poets.

When religions prosper to a certain extent, the scourges are actually the same. The advantage of Taoism is that most of the time it does not deceive the poor, but because of the appearance of Li Yan, it is hard to say how Taoism will develop in this world.

After all, the former gods were just legends, but now there is a real ascension.

This situation seems to confirm all this.

Pu Yatuoli also rushed out, came behind Xiao Hei, looked at the mighty crowd, and was not surprised: "Tang people believe in Zhenwu, that is a god with great magic power."

Xiao Hei regained his composure. Seeing that the Taoist priest who had been ostentatious for a while had no intention of going back, he asked, "Where is the largest Zhenwu temple in Liangzhou?"

Pu Yatuoli didn't understand why he was looking for the envoys, so he suddenly transferred to Zhenwu Church, but the other party was the benefactor who rescued him, so he didn't dare to question: "I'll look for it."

"No, business matters!"

Xiao Hei was indeed on a whim. Fortunately, she was able to recover her original body and run on all fours. She simply said, "You go on the road as usual and rush to Chang'an. I will check the True Martial Sect, and I will catch up soon."

Puab Tuoli didn't know that his aura had been remembered, and thought that this person also had a group of powerful supporters, so he hurriedly responded and left quickly.

Xiao Hei stood together, looked around, opened his eyes, and discerned where the strongest popularity is.

"The imperial city was demolished?"

She walked through the streets and alleys, and within two cups of tea, she rushed to the destination, and found that it was the original Liangzhou Miyagi.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, when the heroes were fighting, Li Gui, king of Daliang, built his capital here. Later, when the Tang Dynasty was established, the palace city here was not demolished. When Qiu Ying first came here to investigate the spies of Tubo, he put the rebuilt inner guard base in the palace. within the city.

But now, the palace city here has finally been demolished and replaced by a Taoist temple.

True Martial Concept.

Looking outside at this time, a fasting ceremony is being held.

To be precise, the Zhaijiao is divided into the Qingjiao, which is to ward off disasters and pray for blessings, and the Youjiao, which is to save the dead. At this time, the two are parallel.

On the one hand, you can see that the dignitaries in the city passed away, and their family members wore sackcloth and filial piety, carried the coffin, and invited Taoist priests to perform secluded offerings, which even robbed the biggest business of Buddhism.

On the other side, countless believers fell to the ground and prayed devoutly to a statue of a god.

The statue was dressed in the robe of Lord Qingxuan and the crown of seven titles of Cangbi, dressed as an emperor, with a majestic face and extremely finely carved facial features.

This is the icon enshrined in Zhenwu Temple.

But it is obviously beyond the normal sacrifice of Emperor Zhenwu.

The normal Emperor Zhenwu, with hair and bare feet, was dressed in a black robe, a gold armor and a jade belt, and stepped on a tortoise and snake. Now this one has added a lot of elements, and he looks more solemn and majestic than the Jade Emperor of later generations.

Xiao Hei knew that Li Yan didn't like this kind of unnecessary pursuit, so she didn't like it either.

Just looking at such a frantic scene, thinking that Liangzhou is like this, Chang'an still doesn't know what it is like, and I have a headache.

This is not some kind of obscenity sacrifice in the countryside, offering sacrifices to boys and girls, or doing things that are harmful to nature, but it is easy to suppress. This is an orthodox Taoist belief, but everything is too much, how to get back on track?
correct……

Did these priests pay taxes?

Xiao Hei's eyes fell on the Taoist priest who presided over the fasting ceremony.

Although his face is a bit old, but his temperament is outstanding, and his Taoist robes are expensive, this person should...

"what?"

Looking at it, Xiao Hei suddenly felt a little familiar, and after a closer look, he recognized his identity: "Isn't this Ming Chongyan?"

Ming Chongyan is also Li Yan's direct descendant. Although he was born in the inner guard of Plum Blossoms and initially worked for Li Zhi, since the case of Yundan, he followed him faithfully and played a very important role. The future is bright.

Why is it so old to be a Taoist priest in Liangzhou now?
Xiao Hei's curiosity arose, his figure flashed, he entered the Zhenwu Temple, and continued to move towards the depths.

The outside is so lively, but the inside of the Taoist temple is relatively deserted. There are Taoist priests in twos and threes who are meditating, but they don't have the heart of practice at all, and they look outside with envious eyes from time to time.

Xiao Hei found someone who was alone, grabbed him with his hands, went to a temple, took out the token and shook it: "The inner guard is doing business!"

The Taoist priest soared through the clouds and the fog, his body froze with fright, and he didn't even look at the token carefully, he said tremblingly: "The poor...the poor..."

Xiao Hei asked directly: "The Taoist priest who presides over the sacrificial offering outside is your temple master? The layman's name is Ming Chongyan?"

Only then did the Taoist calm down a little bit, and said in a low voice: "It's my temple master... I don't know if the official is here, what's the matter?"

Xiao Hei snorted coldly: "I am here to investigate him, you may be able to make meritorious deeds by recruiting him for his bad deeds!"

The Taoist priest was stunned, his eyes were not surprised but joyful, obviously he wished that the Guanzhu would be unlucky, but for a while he could not completely believe the inexplicable inner guard, he couldn't help hesitating: "This... poor Taoist... I don't know... "

Xiao Hei said indifferently: "It seems that you want to cover up this thief, well, let's judge the crime together!"

"I said! I said!"

The Taoist was in a hurry, and immediately poured beans out of the bamboo tube, and Xiao Hei asked a few questions from time to time, and soon got a little understanding of the past.

The group of confidantes who followed Li Yan back then are all in high positions now, among them there are many governors and prime ministers of the state, and of course it is inevitable that there will be people who make mistakes.

The first one out was Ming Chongyan.

When Li Yan ascended to the throne in the name of the True Martial Sage, he was born with greed and ambition, ready to grab this huge and inestimable political resource, and then became Li Hong's number one confidant.

In all fairness, Ming Chongyan does have an advantage.

He was born in Taoism, and he was once a Plum Blossom inner defender. He controlled a most critical team, and he was the first to break out of the inner defender's limitation except Di Renjie. It can be said that he has a bright future.

But he was in a hurry after all.

The little Taoist priests of the Zhenwu temple didn't know about the specific struggle. As a result, Ming Chongyan built Zhenwu temples in various places, promoted sacrifices, and welcomed the holy will, which won Li Hong's trust. Although he did not enter the political affairs hall, he was one step ahead Possessing almost the power of the prime minister, but at the last moment of worshiping the prime minister, for some reason, he was demoted and left Beijing.

Xiao Hei feels a little regretful, but thinking about Ming Chongyan's choice now, he feels that he is not hopeless: "Leaving Chang'an and living in Liangzhou for a long time, it seems that I have finally let go of the struggle for power..."

The Taoist shook his head, unceremoniously exposing the old man: "The officials think highly of him. Ming Chongyan always wants to go back to Chang'an, but he can't go back!"

Xiao Hei wondered, "Why is that?"

"Don't the officials know the Lord Chang'an?"

The Taoist was also surprised, and said the name of that person in a tone of extreme reverence: "With Yuan Tiangang and Yuan Zhenren around, how can Ming Chongyan have the right to return to the capital?"