Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 394 Hanguan Zhuang Emperor’s Residence (3)

On the Double Ninth Festival, because Zhao Xingde had no relatives in Chang'an, Chen Qianli invited him to his home for the festival at noon, and then went to the military camp together to drink and eat meat with the soldiers who couldn't go home.Chen Qianli said that his family has ancestral training, no matter what, he must take good care of his subordinates.Zhao Xingde deeply thinks so.

Five-color chrysanthemum cakes are stacked neatly in layers to form a pagoda, surrounded by bright red dogwood branches. This is called the nine-story pagoda flower cake, and a candle is lit on the top of the cake.Eating cakes on the Double Ninth Festival is a favorite thing for children.The four children Chen Si, Chen Jie, Zhao Zhuo and Zhao Yong were all excited, but they didn't dare to move.Mrs. Zhang gently pasted the flower cake on the child's forehead, muttering words in her mouth, praying for her children to be successful in everything.Li Ruoxue 'inserted' cornel branches and chrysanthemums on the children's buns, and said with a soft smile, "It's so good-looking, just like the boys in the painting." Moral, and children do not have to say.

Zhao Xingde, Chen Qianli and Zhang Bocheng set up pine branches in the courtyard. It is a custom in Kansai to roast a whole lamb on the Double Ninth Festival, which is a homonym for "Chongyang".Roasting whole sheep is a sergeant's special skill, and the three of them smeared oil and spices on the sheep while turning the wooden sticks.Chen Qianli taught Zhao Xingde some precautions in the Huguo Mansion.

"Although the captains of Longya and Chengying have a respectable status, it is best to listen less and listen more in the Huguo Mansion. Because these two captains are not recommended by sergeants, but appointed by the General's Mansion, so if you offend too many people, On the contrary, the military mansion is in a dilemma... If you have any suggestions, it is best to discuss it with the school captain you are familiar with. Only when you have four or five school lieutenants who are on the same side as you can you propose it in the Huguo mansion, so as not to be embarrassing when discussing matters. Shan Ligu, who seems reckless and reckless, makes people look down upon... You ask Cui Changshi for a list of captains of the Huguofu, this list is only ranked according to seniority, even if you have something to say, don't rush to the senior captain The head of the captain. Although there is no explicit regulation on this, respecting the elders is the rule in the Huguo Mansion. It is absolutely not allowed to overstep without authorization, and it is easy to be excluded... The first seat is recommended by the school captains. The current first seat is Yang Ren. Normally, the first seat is just Maintain the order of the discussion. If he wants to participate in the discussion, he has to hand over the responsibility of maintaining order that day to Cui Changshi, or invite His Majesty to be present. Choose the first seat... When the new captain comes to the mansion, there will definitely be many people who will make friends with you. It's still the same sentence, listen more and talk less, don't cause people to misunderstand... Don't be arrogant, those who protect the country for 15 years The old captain above, as well as Kang Deming, Yu Zangyun and Yang Ren, you have to take the initiative to pay a visit, lest others think you are arrogant..."

Zhao Xingde listened to Chen Qianli's heart-to-heart exhortations, and nodded in agreement.Thinking back to the first time I went to the Huguo Mansion to discuss matters, I rushed to speak in front of Yu Zangyun, and confronted him tit for tat, I couldn't help feeling a little ashamed.Chen Qianli was sitting next to him at the time, seeing his sob face at this moment, smiled slightly, and turned the roast lamb around.

"When discussing matters, the most taboo thing is to speculate out of thin air. Don't say things that have no basis, especially don't slander the motives of other captains. This will not only form a life-and-death enemy, but also leave you alone and helpless in the Protectorate Mansion,'' Never say things like traitors, traitors... Do not interrupt others when discussing matters, and do not interrupt the captain who is older than you under any circumstances. However, in normal discussions, everyone should The taboo is to go off topic. At this time, the senior captain will interrupt you, which is in accordance with the rules... When the captains disagree, the captain who agrees and disagrees will take turns to speak. At this time, if it is the turn On your side, you can speak first than the senior captain on the other side. This is no problem. You have at least one chance to speak on every issue in the Huguo Mansion, but whether you support or oppose it, you must think carefully Reason, so as not to be ugly when being questioned... The captain of the Dragon Tooth Army is appointed by the General's Mansion, and the corpse will be impeached by other captains, and the military mansion will be embarrassed..."

Not long after, the two sheep were roasted to a golden color. One sheep was carried to the center of the Eight Immortals table in the flower hall, and the other sheep was carried to the small table where the children ate.The aroma of rosin and meat permeates the forefinger.Five adults sat around a large table, and four children sat at another small table.Because he was afraid that the smoke from the roasted lamb would spoil the chrysanthemums, before entering the table, Li Ruoxue put two chrysanthemums on both sides of Zhao Xingde's gauze hat with a smile.Although Zhao Xingde was not used to the custom of hairpins, he could only smile wryly and listen to her.At this time, the meal sharing system prevailed. On the big table, Li Ruoxue and Zhang Shi divided the dishes into the bowls and plates in front of everyone, and filled the wine glasses in front of everyone, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums and wine was overflowing.On the small table, Zhao Zhuo shared meals for the four children like an adult.

After the meal was divided, Chen Qianli raised his wine glass and said with a smile: "It's rare in this world to smile, and the chrysanthemum must be 'inserted' to return. Come, let's drink this glass to the brim." Zhao Xingde and Zhang Bo raised their glasses to the brim. Shi and Li Ruoxue just touched their lips.Li Ruoxue said inwardly: "Yao know that brother climbed to a high place, there is only one person who 'planted' dogwood all over the place. I don't know if my parents are safe at home." Seeing a trace of sadness in her eyes, Zhao Xingde gently shook her hand under the table .He was waiting for the next toast, but there was a door call from outside the courtyard: "Is Brother Chen there? Director Li is here to visit."

Director Li put the Double Ninth Cake wrapped in yellow paper on the child's table, looked at the delicious food on the table, and said with a smile: "Today is such a coincidence.

"" In the afternoon, I will go to the camp with Zhao Xiaowei, so I will celebrate the festival at home first. "Chen Qianli explained with a smile, moved a chair for Director Li to sit down. Usually breakfast and dinner are formal meals, and usually only some soup, tea and pastries are served at noon.

"If you come, you will be safe, then I will not be polite." Director Li was slightly surprised, and cupped his hands at Zhao Xingde.Although Zhao Xingde is not a high-ranking person in Kansai, but Li Dao thought in his mind that those who can get close to Chen Qianli will naturally show favors to win over, Zhao Xingde's own official position and title are second.In this small courtyard, Liu Yi sat next to Chen Xuan.

Dunhuang Linquan Palace, the gate of the palace is "planted" with dogwood, and the atmosphere of the Double Ninth Festival is also strong.However, the gate of the Hanguang Palace was closed tightly, and the guards of the Dragon Tooth Army guarded the gate, and no one could approach it.There were only Chen Xuan, Liu Yi and Wu Ting in the hall, and both Chen Xuan and Liu Yi had grim expressions.Liu Yi asked Wu Ting, "Xianchen, you said that the assassination of Zhong Shimin could not have been instigated by Cao Di, do you have evidence?"

Xia Guo and Song Guo took Hangu Pass as the boundary, and Song Guo's Hangu Pass guard was assassinated.After Zhong Shimin was killed, Cao Di immediately appointed Li Ji as the guard of Hangu, and the Xijing camp was on full alert, showing a domineering attitude.Although there is no real evidence, no matter the Song Dynasty or the Xia Dynasty, it is certain that the assassin Pan Huanyin was instructed by Cao Di.But Wu Ting approached Liu Yi and said that the matter was probably not caused by Cao Di's envoy, but more likely aimed at the dynasty.The matter is so important that Liu Yicai and Wu Ting came to see Chen Xuan together.

"Because," Wu Ting's expression turned ugly, "Pan Huanyin is actually one of us."

"What?" Both Chen Xuan and Liu Yi were taken aback.He had just assassinated the guard general of Hangu Xiguan in the Song Dynasty. Pan Huanyin himself was also a transfer judge of Hangu Xiguan, a fourth-rank military general, and his position was so important that he was actually a hidden stake of the Military Intelligence Department.It was impossible to doubt that these words came from Wu Ting's mouth.

"Eleven years ago, Pan Huanyin was one of our people before he took up his official position. On the surface, he was corrupt and mediocre, but in fact he was like the light, and no one knew his true colors. Cao Di even introduced him as a private person. Whether it is Cao Di or The superior next to him instructed that before Pan Huanyin assassinated Zhong Shimin, it was impossible not to report to us. He did such a big thing without telling us, someone must be targeting me, and it is definitely not as simple as accusing him of murder." Wu Ting was so embarrassed. A look of worry appeared, "Although I don't know what the other party's intentions are, but there must be a big conspiracy. I suspect that there is a traitor, and it is not limited to the Military Intelligence Department."

"But," Liu Yi doubted, "so far Pan Huanyin has only insisted that it is his personal revenge, and he has not said anything about blaming us."

"That's because he has no evidence," Wu Ting sighed, "Only we have evidence to prove that he belongs to us. If it was really the military intelligence department who ordered him to assassinate Zhong Shimin, how could he easily confess. The other party The calculation is very clear, Zhong Shimin was assassinated, and the water in this pond has been completely muddied. I think Pan Huanyin must have waited until the last moment before admitting that I was a hidden stake in the dynasty. Letter." He paused, and then said, "But I also suspect that Cao Di may have discovered something, thinking that I was planning to plot the Kanto. That's why he hastily appointed the general of Hangu West Gate, so that the Xijing camp can be as fast as possible." He is on guard like facing a big enemy. However, he probably has no real evidence in his hand, let alone offend our court because of it, and has always been arrogant and domineering, so he didn't make it clear on the table."

Chen Xuan frowned, fell silent for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, this matter will be revealed."

"Abiding by the order." Wu Ting bowed slightly, and asked again: "Do you want to inform the Commander of the March and the Commander of the Anton Army, and be on guard in Guanzhong, just in case?"

"No need." Chen Xuan shook his head, and said coldly: "Spirits and monsters, keep calm."

"Your Majesty said that," Liu Yi also nodded, and said in a deep voice, "If the enemy is in the dark, we are clear. If you make a hasty move, you may end up in the hands of the mastermind behind the scenes. After the Yunzhou war, the defenses in Guanzhong have been very tight. , There is no need to deliberately publicize the matter. The Military Intelligence Department secretly investigates and finds out the 'spoiler' first. Anyone who knows Pan Huanyin's identity must be screened one by one."

Liu Yi thought it over clearly, the opponent easily used Pan Huanyin's pawn, which might be a flaw.Even Chen Xuan and he didn't know Pan Huanyin's identity, and there should be only a handful of people in the Military Intelligence Department who knew about it.No matter how secretive the people behind the scenes are, there will always be some clues to follow. With the capabilities of Wu Ting and the Military Intelligence Department, under careful investigation, sooner or later, there will always be a result.