Fu Shifeng

Chapter 20
After Qi Dadu's class guard returned to the city, the chaos in Quzhi City was quickly subsided, and several congregants who led the rebellion were quickly arrested and imprisoned.

"When you heard the news of Musid's death, why didn't you immediately order the Zoroaster to be closed?"

In the yamen of the Duhu Mansion, Qi Dahu, who had taken off his armor, sat in the hall. After he had a general understanding of the recent situation in the city, he asked Wen Changshi in front of him.

"The lower official ordered people to strictly guard the gate of the workshop that night, but the lack of manpower could not stop the violent congregation." Wen Changshi said tremblingly.

"Insufficient manpower?" Qi Zhiyi stood beside his father, pointing it out on the spot: "But you were not stingy when besieging Baochangfang, and even set rewards privately, trying to use the three-year reward of the first-class staff to drum up soldiers."

Great Xia Shangwu has clear rules and regulations for the rewards and punishments of soldiers, and the rewards and rewards of school examinations. Siege cities and villages, jump and break through formations, behead generals and capture flags, etc., will be classified according to the strength of the enemy and the enemy. The number of times will be recorded by the military officials of Bing Cao, and it will be read out in public when the class is in charge.

The first thing Qi Dahu returned to Quzhi City was to take the generals and schools outside the Wumiao, and advertise the captures, captives, casualties, etc. of the quelling chaos, which can greatly boost morale. Gather the morale of the army, and at the same time serve as evidence for rewards and punishments, so that all departments in the army will be convinced.

Moreover, how many times the military exploits have been rewarded, and whether or not he has attacked his children, they all have to be reported first, and the imperial court canonize it, which is definitely not something that the Chief of the Protectorate can decide in private.

Although the Duhufu will also have specific financial rewards for soldiers with outstanding military exploits, it must be personally approved by the Duhufu, and it is impossible to grant random authorization to others.

Rewarding and punishing this kind of thing without authorization is a big crime, and it can even be called arrogance.However, Wen Changshi was ordered to guard Quzhi City by the Duhu. When the Duhu himself led the troops out, he actually had the right to reward and punish him, so it cannot be completely wrong.

Sitting on the Hu chair, Qi Dadu guarded Da Ma Jindao, his dark face was a little bit vicissitudes due to the wind and sun all year round in the wild, and there was no expression of joy or anger, and he was silent for a long time.

A moment later, a military official came to the hall, crossed his hands and said, "I will report to the Chief Protector that the two deputy lieutenants who were imprisoned earlier have disappeared, and there is no record of life and death in the book."

As soon as this remark came out, the hall fell into a weird silence. The chief guard of Qi waved his hand to let the military officials back, and asked, "Wen Changshi, where did the two lieutenants go? If they ate dirty things and died of illness, or committed suicide in fear of crime If he hanged himself, it should be recorded.”

Wen Changshi lowered his head, his face turned slightly pale, and Qi Dahu was not angry, he leaned back in his chair: "You let those two people out and lent them to the Maocai Club, right?"

"Yes." Facing the scrutiny of Qi Daduhu, Wen Changshi knew that he couldn't hide it, so he could only admit it obediently.

"The two lieutenants previously conspired to privately sell the captives as slaves and sell them to others, which violated the imperial court's customs and city laws." Qi Dadu defended: "Now the imperial court intends to cut down the miscellaneous and redundant personnel in the military towns of various states and counties. We in the four towns of Anxi have recruited a lot of people, so it can be said that we bear the brunt of it. At this time, if a small mistake is caught, it can make a big fuss in the court. Writing and ink kills people more viciously than swords and guns."

At this time, Wen Changshi was sweating profusely, and he realized that he did not have the foresight of Qi Dahu, thinking that pulling out Baochang Society would prevent Lu Xiang from interfering in Western Region affairs.

"Reporting to the Governor, these two people have been killed by the Baochang Society." Wen Changshi tried his best to defend himself: "Two months ago, the Maocai Society learned that the sacred Zoroastrian Mani beads were about to pass through the Western Regions. I intend to seize this thing and present it to His Majesty through the British Duke, so that I can fight for my reason in the four towns of Anxi. At that time, most of the guards were away, and the soldiers and horses in Quzhi City were short of manpower. Hand it over to Maocai Club to dispatch."

Qi Dahu asked: "So, where is the Mani Pearl now?"

Wen Changshi continued: "The Maocai Society once won the Mani Pearl, but later, Su Wangting of the Baochang Society incited the Zoroastrians in the city to make a lot of noise, forcing the Maocai Society to venture out of the city. After killing the Maocai Society and winning the Mani Pearl, he knew it was difficult to defend, so he handed it over to the Zoroastrian Elder Mu Xid for safekeeping."

"But Mu Xid was killed suddenly that night." Qi Dadu defended his words: "And you blamed Su Wangting for the cause of Mu Xid's death in order to appease the congregation. Do you think you can justify the truth in this?"

"Su Wangting has ulterior motives, and Cheng Sanwu's violent crimes can be said to be conclusive evidence. Even if Lu Xiang personally intervened, the lower officials are sure to convict them." Wen Changshi bowed and kowtowed.

The Chief Protector of Qi didn't speak, and Qi Zhiyi couldn't help but said: "Wen Changshi, the Baochang Society's personnel have done a lot to put down the chaos. If you deal with it like this, who else will be willing to work for the Protectorate's Mansion in the future? And I I would like to advise you, now the Protectorate is in charge of my father, not some British Duke."

"Shut up." Qi Dahu stopped lightly, and then said to Wen Changshi: "I have understood your thoughts, so I will step back for now."

After Wen Changshi left, the Chief Protector of Qi said to Qi Zhiyi alone: ​​"From now on, in front of outsiders, don't make nonsense about the Duke of England."

Qi Zhiyi was dissatisfied with his young heart, "This Wen Changshi was clearly sent by the British government to contain you, father, the child can see it! This time he made his own decisions, who knows what he will do next time?"

"It's not always true to make up your own mind." Qi Dahu's expression was indifferent: "The British Duke sent a letter to inform me about the Manizhu matter. He understands that it will be very inconvenient if I act rashly, so I let it go." A concubine came to work, I just need to let it go."

"But their Maocai Club didn't get things done." Qi Zhiyi directly showed his displeasure.

"It's up to people to make things happen, and who can guarantee that everything will be a complete success?" Qi Dadu defended, "It's like marching and fighting, even if you plan everything in advance for your father, once the army is deployed, there will still be many problems. Let's say treasure That Su Wangting in Changshe, he handed over the Mani beads to Mu Sid to take care of them, why the intention is so obvious, but the Mani beads are still lost."

"Then who is the Mani Pearl in now?" Qi Zhiyi was puzzled.

"This is the key." Qi Dadu summoned the guards: "Bring Su Wangting, and the government will personally intervene."

……

Su Wangting did not come to Duhu Mansion alone, besides Cheng Sanwu, Afu and Mr. Changqing also came with him.

"Old Su, are you sure?" Cheng Sanwu's horizontal knife had been taken away outside the gate of the mansion. He looked at the surrounding guards, like a forest of soldiers, and instinctively became vigilant.

"Chief Protector Qi is not an unreasonable person, so don't worry." Su Wangting said with a calm expression, "And the most important thing right now is to regain the Star Essence and eliminate the conspiracy behind it. Chief Protector Qi is more concerned than me."

A group of people followed the guards to the main hall, only Su Wangting was allowed to enter, and the other three could only wait outside.

"Is that fellow Evergreen Taoist from Songyue Fuzang Palace?"

At this time, a middle-aged Taoist passed by with a medicine box in his hand. Seeing Mr. Changqing approaching him to pay a visit, he found that he was blindfolded with a black cloth, and exclaimed: "Oh, fellow Taoist Changqing's eyes are sick?"

"you are?"

The Taoist replied: "Poverty Daoist Xie Zhihe. In the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty, I was deeply inspired by Daguan Daoist Master Daguan's explanation of Liurenzang's art of war in the Songyue Fuzang Palace. At that time, I had several relationships with fellow Taoist Changqing."

Mr. Changqing recalled a little bit, nodded and said: "It turns out to be Daoist Xie. I haven't seen you for a few years, but you are also in the Western Region? Could it be that you are working in the Protectorate's Mansion?"

Xie Zhihe was a little shy: "Well, being poor is useless, that is, being a third-class servant in the Duhu Mansion, who is responsible for preparing marching powder and ration pills on weekdays. To treat the wounded soldiers."

Mr. Changqing replied lightly, the spell of exorcising snakes and insects is not very good, it is nothing more than a qi-moving curse, which is somewhat useful in the army.Xie Zhihe's Taoism is shallow, obviously he doesn't have the brilliant ability to stop the flow of rivers and turn leaves into boats.

With Xie Zhihe's Taoist cultivation base, it is indeed difficult to win the favor of dignitaries in the Central Plains.The most sought-after ones these days are still talking about metaphysics and pretending to be a hermit, followed by elixir that prolongs life and keeps the face beautifying, and the next is the illusion method of boosting the mood, and even the two masters of Buddhism and Taoism. The "fighting skills" of people in front of the emperor are also illusions such as paper-cutting dragons and celestial maidens in the mirror.

Mr. Changqing hates this set of clinging to the powerful and hypocritical pretentiousness, that's why he refuses to go to Chang'an, the imperial capital where sorcerers from all over the world flock to.

"Thank you Daoyou for your hard work in cultivating Taoism, and you will achieve immeasurable achievements in the future." Mr. Changqing rarely flattered him, and then asked: "I heard that Master Zhou Lian of Huangguan in Kongtong Mountain is also working in the Duhu Mansion. I don't know where he is now. Is he free?"

Xie Zhihe's face changed slightly, seeing someone else was around, he hesitated to speak.

Although Mr. Changqing was blindfolded with a black cloth, he could expect the other party's hesitation, so he walked aside and said, "Friend Daoist Xie said it right."

Xie Zhihe stepped forward and sighed, "Master Zhou Lian was seriously injured, and the Dao foundation is damaged. I'm afraid I won't be able to repair it in this life."

Mr. Changqing was startled, and quickly asked: "Could it be caused by the backlash of magic?"

"How do you know?" Xie Zhihe looked at the other party's black cloth blindfolded eyes at this moment, and suddenly understood: "Could it be that you, fellow Taoist Changqing..."

"Recently, the number of qi in the Western Regions is different, but any spell that connects the qi of heaven and earth will definitely cause the qi mechanism to become disordered, and thus counterattack itself." Mr. Changqing leaned on the ground with his stick: "If I guessed correctly, Master Zhou Lian should be trying to connect the yin and yang qi of the four seasons , rang the twelve Taihuang bells, and as a result, the qi mechanism resonated with the bells, severely injuring Zhou Lianshi's viscera and meridians on the spot."

Xie Zhihe was extremely surprised: "Exactly! Could it be that Fellow Daoist Changqing saw it with his own eyes?"

"I have suffered a lot myself, and if I treat myself like others, I can more or less guess what happened to Master Zhou Lian." Mr. Changqing said in a sad tone: "The Twelve Taihuang Bells are the treasures of Zhonghuang Temple. When they are ringing and activated, ghosts and gods will be shocked. The power of demons bowing their heads and destroying evil spirits is astonishing. However, once such a profound spell is counterattacked, the body and spirit will be shocked, and the soul will be devastated. Zhou Lianshi's ability to save his life is already a solid foundation."

"Master Zhou Lian is still in a coma, and there is nothing we can do. We can only send him back to Kongtong Mountain for recuperation later, and let the court reward him more to make up for it." Xie Zhihe said helplessly.

Mr. Changqing snorted coldly with disdain: "What if there are more rewards? The Dao foundation is damaged, and this life is doomed to miss the Dao, and it is difficult to ascend to the Qing Dynasty."

Xie Zhihe opened his mouth slightly, marveling at the other party's unscrupulous words, he definitely didn't have such courage, it would be good for him to have a place in the Protectorate's Mansion, how dare he play a superior temper?
"Uh... I don't know what is the purpose of Fellow Daoist Changqing to come to Duhu Mansion?" Xie Zhihe quickly changed the subject.

"I came here to find Master Zhou Lian. Firstly, I understand the current strange situation in the Western Regions, and secondly, I also want to directly meet the Chief Protector of Qi through him." Mr. Changqing sighed: "But maybe it is not necessary now."

At this moment, the main hall door opened, and a guard came out, inviting Cheng Sanwu and three others to enter.

Standing in front of the door, Cheng Sanwu was almost hungry. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw the Chief Protector Qi sitting upright. Their eyes met, and their steps stopped involuntarily.

Qi Daduhu's eyes were slightly focused. He is a tough guy who has experienced countless battles. He has been polished inside and out like a hard stone, and his face will not change when Mount Tai collapses before his eyes.

Even a few years ago, an orchid assassin stabbed her throat with a hairpin between the beds, but the chief guard of Qi could still easily block it, and then twisted her neck casually.But when he saw Cheng Sanwu for the first time, he instinctively felt vigilant.

This is not the fear of seeing tigers, leopards and wolves. To the Chief Protector of Qi, those are just prey like cats and dogs, and are not worth mentioning at all.But Cheng Sanwu is like a big ferocious beast from the ancient prehistoric times, casting a large shadow, making people shudder.

Qi Daduhu was puzzled, he had seen many martial arts heroes, and he had never seen anyone similar to Cheng Sanwu.And if you take a closer look, Cheng Sanwu's exuded temperament is nothing more than a warrior and a brash idiot, the strange feeling just now is fleeting, and he can no longer grasp it.

On the other hand, Cheng Sanwu just sniffled, he could tell that Chief Protector Qi was also a formidable figure, this not only refers to his proficiency in martial arts, but more like Lao Su's brilliance in dealing with things.

But Qi Zhiyi, who stood by his father's side, didn't notice, he just raised his eyebrows slightly at Cheng Sanwu, as if saying that he had fulfilled his promise.

The three of them were about to salute, when the chief guard of Qi waved his hands and said: "There is no need to be polite... The mansion has a general understanding of the cause and effect from Su's office. The person who assassinated the Zoroastrian elder Mu Xid and stole the mani beads was killed by you." retreat?"

Cheng Sanwu saw that Da Duhu was looking at him, so he crossed his hands and replied, "Exactly. But it's more like scaring him away than repelling him."

"Oh?"

"That guy's spells are very powerful, and I fought hard at the end to barely beat his spells." Cheng Sanwu said bluntly: "Additionally, the fights became louder, and the people around the Fire Worship Temple Being awakened, that guy probably didn't dare to stay, so he ran away."

"If the government wants you to deal with this person, would you dare to go?" Qi Dadu asked with a smile.

"Go, of course! Why don't you dare?" Cheng Sanwu didn't hesitate, and asked by the way: "I just don't know how much the guardian will pay?"

"Cough, cough, cough!" Su Wangting hurriedly coughed dryly, turning his head to look at Cheng Sanwu with a bitter expression.

"Oh, I'm used to it, I'm used to it." Cheng Sanwu came to his senses and waved his hands in a panic: "Just treat me as nonsense and make the Governor laugh."

(End of this chapter)