Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Defang turned around and saw Baili's expression and pinched his nose, "Look at you, you look like a piggy just waking up."

"My lord, this carriage really stinks. It would be bad if you go home with the smell all over your body."

"That's right, let's go." Defang and Baili quickened their pace and walked past the carriage. Defang stopped suddenly and Baili almost bumped into him. He quickly stabilized the tray and asked, "My lord, what's wrong with you?"

Defang turned to look at the carriage, "Baili, did you hear anything?"

Baili listened carefully, "My lord, I didn't hear anything."

The imperial guards at the palace gate saw a small sign and wanted to let the carriage go after a brief inspection. Defang suddenly walked over and shouted, "Wait!"

The imperial guards hurriedly saluted, "The lowly ranks kowtow to the eight virtuous kings, the prince is a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

"get up"

"Thank you, my lord." The imperial guard stood up, and a small officer bowed and asked, "My lord, what instructions do you have?"

Defang pointed to the carriage, "Do these three people often enter the palace?"

"Returning to your lord, yes, these three are brothers. Their parents have been responsible for transporting Ye Xiang out of the palace more than 20 years ago. The old couple died of illness the year before. This job, so let them come."

Defang looked at the three of them, "Where do you live? Who is there at home?"

The three of them knelt on the ground with their heads lowered, and replied with trembling voices, "Return to the lord. The little brother lives in Jiaomenzi. There are wives and children at home."

"Why do you want to do the job of transporting Ye Xiang?"

"Because both father and mother do it, the little one doesn't know anything else."

"How much money does the palace give you every month?"

"Three taels per person, and some rice and cloth."

"Seeing that the three of you brothers are strong and strong, it is not a problem to be a forbidden soldier. Even if you are doing a small job, you can all do this, and your wife agrees?"

"The little ones live without worrying about food and clothing, which is very good, and the young ones are very contented."

Defang nodded, "That's right, what is there to ask for if you can eat enough and dress warmly? Those who are content are always happy."

"Yes, my lord"

"Is this carriage yours too?"

"Yes, my lord"

"Is this the same car every day?"

"Yes."

Just as Defang was about to approach the horse, a servant came trotting over from behind the Imperial Army, "Baili!"

Baili looked back very surprised, "Li Ji!"

The servant named Li Ji came to Baili, "Baili, long time no see, why are you here?"

"Yeah, I remember the last time we met was four years ago. I entered the palace with the prince today. Isn't this" Baili moved the tray "a lot of ministers' notes."

"Eight Wise Kings?" Li Ji saw Defang now, and hurriedly knelt down, "Young one kowtows to Eight Wise Kings, my lord is a thousand years old!"

Defang nodded, "Well, get up."

"Thank you Lord"

"Baili" Defang asked, "Who is he? Do you know him?"

"Yes, my lord." Baili nodded, "His name is Li Ji, and he entered the palace in the same year as the younger one. We were the same age, and we worked together in the utility room."

"I entered the palace with you? So you have known each other for more than 40 years?"

"Yeah, 44 years"

Defang looked at Li Ji, "Then which palace are you working in now?"

Li Ji bowed and replied, "Go back to the lord, the young one is now in Wan'an Palace, just... a servant in charge of sundries. No, no grade, not in charge."