sea

Chapter 53
Lu Jian was puzzled and asked: "Why are you two always fighting?" Gu Zhen said: "You housewife is very smart, she used to trick people, but she met me and was tricked by me instead, you say, she should Shouldn't you be angry?" Seeing that the ugly slave was about to get angry again, he said, "Remember what you swore, everyone will suffer if there is trouble."

The ugly slave could only swallow his anger.Lu Jian said, "Where are you going now?" Gu Zhen said, "Save Brother Qi." Lu Jian was startled, and said, "Go to the prison?"

"No." Gu Zhen shook his head, "Go to Hu Zongxian's place. General Qi refused to escape from prison, but Governor Hu changed his mind." He took out a document from his arms, "In this book, there are hundreds of generals. Compared with the occasional defeat of General Qi, the evidence of officials looting the people, lying about the military situation, and taking bribes can be described as ten more crimes. If Hu Zongxian wants to rectify the military law, he should use these scumbags for surgery. However, except for Yu Dayou, the southeast is famous Everyone has a share in the famous commanding generals. Hu Zongxian killed them all. Wouldn’t he become a naked governor? I just need to put this booklet on his desk. It's not General Qi's turn either."

Lu Jian was pleasantly surprised: "Where did this booklet come from?" Gu Zhen smiled and said, "Money can reach the gods, and even the sky." The ugly slave snorted, and said: "Sure enough, it was planned." Gu Zhen laughed : "Even if I planned it! But the governor's mansion is heavily guarded, if I don't design it, how can I get in? Besides, with my cat and dog style, even if I sneak in, it won't help. I still need the help of the Vajra Sect. The local masters open the way."

Lu Jian was surprised: "I'm a member of the Vajra Sect, so where are the masters of the Earth Department?" Just as he was about to ask, Ugly Nuer said coldly, "What if Qin Zhiwei poisoned the fish?"

Gu Zhen said: "Qin Zhiwei is a great master of cooking, how can he do such a poisonous act, if he can't charm you with the taste of fried fish, it's not a skill. Besides, he has a lot of friendship with me, no He will kill me with his own hands. If not, I didn't eat the fish at all, even if Qin Zhiwei wants to kill me, I can make a temporary change."

Ugly slave said: "No, you obviously ate fish." Gu Zhen smiled and said: "I wrapped a layer of paper on my tongue, as long as my tongue doesn't touch fish, the taste can't fascinate me." There was a hint of confusion in the one-eyed eyes: "So, what you said and what you did in the bamboo canopy are all acting?" Gu Zhen laughed again: "What do you guess?" The ugly slave couldn't figure it out, and said angrily: "You must be the reincarnation of a fox." Gu Zhen said: "Foxes are also divided into male and female. I am the male and you are the female."

Lu Jian only felt that the most important thing to do now was to rescue his brother-in-law, so he hurriedly said, "Don't bicker, it's important to find Governor Hu." Gu Zhen said, "I've seen the topographic map of the Governor's Mansion, this is the parking place, and the study should be over there." One refers to the southeast direction.

The three of them walked on tiptoe, bypassing the guards, and for a moment they could see the lights in the study room. As they approached, they saw two servants and a maid guarding the room.

Gu Zhen said in a low voice: "Hu Zongxian is still in the room, let's go around to the back of the room." The three of them sneaked into the back of the room, but there was a flower garden with a few stalks of bamboo dotted among the flowers and trees, and a round window was opened at the back of the room. It is thought that the people in the room left it for viewing flowers and bamboos.

Gu Zhen punctured the paper on the window, but saw that there were piles of files in the room. Under the lamp, an old man in his fifties, dressed in casual clothes, was sitting at his desk, reviewing official documents.

Gu Zhen guessed that this person was Hu Zongxian, and was trying to get his attention away, when suddenly he heard the sound of wheels, a maid came in through the curtain and said, "My lord, Mr. Shen is here."

The three people who watched were shocked, only to see a tall bead curtain, and a scribe in Tsing Yi pushing a wheelchair into the room.When Lu Jian saw this person, he almost screamed. The person who came was the crippled scribe he met in the tea pavilion outside the city. Unexpectedly, this person was the head of the Ministry of Heaven, Shen Zhouxu.

Hu Zongxian greeted him with a smile: "It's so late, what is Mr. Shen still doing in the study?" Shen Zhouxu also laughed: "It's so late, what are you still doing in the study?"

Hu Zongxian clapped his hands and laughed loudly, and ordered the servant to watch tea.Shen Zhouxu took out a volume of manuscript from his sleeve, and said: "I have already written Qing Ci for the Emperor Hun to offer sacrifices to the Eastern Emperor, and you can just copy it."

Hu Zongxian was so excited, he opened it and looked at it, and praised: "Good words, full of literary spirit, gorgeous and not vulgar." Then he showed a sad face, and sighed, "The sage does not care about the people's feelings, but he is devoted to Taoism. Not to mention sacrificing to the gods, and the ministers are required to write a poem to worship the gods every month, won't the Ming Dynasty become a Taoist temple if things go on like this?"

Shen Zhouxu smiled and said: "Your Excellency's old problem has been committed again." Hu Zongxian said with a wry smile: "Hu Mou has something in his heart, so he just said it casually. Ever since Mr. condescended to be my staff, Hu Mou never dared to commit that rigid disease again. sex."

Shen Zhouxu nodded and said: "When a man establishes a world, he should put the people of the world first. He will not be ashamed of the emperor, nor will he resign from a small official. He will advance in governance and chaos. Even though the emperor is absurd and promiscuous, and does not care about state affairs, as a subject, he will You should do things for the people of the world in a down-to-earth manner. However, as an official under the faint king, you must endure humiliation and do what you like, in order to gain power and perform good governance. Righteousness is of no benefit to the country or the family. But as Wei Zheng said, to be a good minister, the heart of a good minister is for the common people, so that the ruler can be bright and his ministers can be straight, and the ruler can be ignorant and his ministers can be crooked. That’s what’s truly amazing.”

Hu Zongxian clapped his hands and sighed: "Sir, what you said is that if there was no guidance from Mr. Hu, I'm afraid Hu is still a county magistrate." Go, it's time to soar into the sky. Just remember, my lord, don't get too close to Yan Song and his son."

Hu Zongxian wondered: "It was Mr. Shen's idea to attach to the Yan family back then, why has it changed now?" Shen Zhouxu sighed: "If there is a foolish king, there must be a courtier. This is an eternal truth. Although Yan Song is a great traitor Evil, but the power is in the hands of the government and the public. If the adults did not attach to him back then, they would definitely not be able to gain military power and guard the southeast. However, the times are different and the situation is different. The old thief is now old and his family is declining. A little wit, but not a big weapon. If I predict it is not bad, the Yan family will be defeated in a few years. Once the Yan family is defeated, the new favorite will come to power, and the Yan family will be wiped out in the future, will the adults still be able to avoid it?"

Hu Zongxian couldn't help being silent, and asked for a while: "How can I avoid disaster?" Shen Zhouxu said: "First, we must gradually alienate Yan's family; If you get implicated by the Yan family in the future, you won't lose your life; the third point is the most important, you must find the new favorite of Yan Yan in advance, and try your best to win him over."

Hu Zongxian frowned and said: "The first two are fine, but the third one is too difficult, like guessing things through a partition, or a blind man exploring the way." Shen Zhou looked at him empty-handedly and said with a smile: "My lord, I really don't know who that new favorite is?" Hu Zongxian said happily: "Could it be that Mr. Shen guessed it?"

Shen Zhouxu smiled, and said: "Two people walk together, Xing hides with me. His surname is hidden in these eight characters." Hu Zongxian murmured: "Two people walk together, and the two are next to each other, and Xing hides with me. Yu Ye, ah, could it be Xu..."

Shen Zhouxu smiled and said: "That's right, Xu Jie is the one who is strict, but this Xu Jie has more than enough scheming but not enough righteousness. After all, he is not a talent who will sweep away the waves and rejuvenate the Ming Dynasty." He took out a bag from his sleeve Zhang Zhi came, "This is the list of gifts for entering Beijing this time. That Hunjun likes auspiciousness, so I listed a pair of white deer and a white lion. Hunjun will be happy to see you. As for the gift from the old thief Yan Song, I will withhold four. If you secretly give it to Xu Jie, if he intends to harm you in the future, he will not kill you."

Hu Zongxian said dejectedly: "This officialdom is really bleak, and I don't know when he will lose his head." Shen Zhouxu said: "But if you can wipe out the Japanese pirates, stabilize the southeast, life and death, honor and disgrace, what's the point?" Hu Zongxian nodded and said : "Mr. is right, what is Hu's own honor and disgrace, and the enemy of the people in the southeast?"

Shen Zhouxu smiled, and said: "I have one more thing to do here." Hu Zongxian said: "Sir, please tell me." Shen Zhouxu said: "I heard that your lord wants to kill several generals to rectify the military law?" Hu Zongxian He got up, took a memorial and said: "I have drawn up a few people to play, and I wanted to discuss it with my husband tomorrow."

Shen Zhouxu glanced at the memorial, pushed the cart to the table, picked up Lang Hao, ticked off the memorial, and returned it to Hu Zongxian.Hu Zongxian took a look, frowned and said: "Qi Jiguang? Why did you hook this man alone?" Shen Zhouxu said coldly: "Even if you kill all the generals in command of the Jiangnan army, you can't kill this Qi Jiguang!"

"Why?" Hu Zongxian blurted out, "He is a defeated general..." Shen Zhouxu waved his hand and said, "His defeat is understandable. First, he led troops not long ago, and the soldiers he led were all The hereditary officers and soldiers in the guardhouse have been pampered for many years, and they are the most timid. Second, the enemy he encountered was Mao Haifeng. Among the four bandits, he was the most cunning and capable. Qi Jiguang's battle was like fighting a flock of sheep Tigers and wolves, how can they be invincible?"

Hu Zongxian said: "Why did he pursue the battle when he knew he was invincible?" Shen Zhouxu said with a smile: "If everyone ran into a strong bandit and dodged it with nothing, I'm afraid that the troops of the four bandits would have already entered Nanjing City. "

Hu Zongxian shook his head and said, "Mr. Shen overestimated him too much. Could he alone beat all the generals in Jiangnan? Even if he beat others, would he beat Yu Dayou?"

Shen Zhouxu said lightly: "A thousand troops are easy to get, but a general is hard to find. This man's talent is comparable to that of Bai Qi, Han Xin, and Li Weigong. If he succeeds, he will be an invincible general who always wins. Although Yu Dayou is used to fighting, he As he is getting old, he must be cautious when using troops, and he lacks the courage to be invincible. As everyone knows, the combination of using soldiers and odd soldiers can be invincible, and a general who makes good use of strange soldiers must have the courage to surpass the sky. This General Qi is more than just a general. Losing to Yu Dayou, he has the courage that old General Yu lacks, and when we meet in a narrow way, the brave will win."

Hu Zongxian was silent for a while, then glanced at Shen Zhouxu, frowned and said, "Sir, why didn't you say it earlier? If you knew this, there was no need to put him in prison." Suffer his mind first, and starve his body. This person is too sharp, and it is inevitable that people will hate him. Let him sit in prison for two days, and his spirit will be frustrated." After speaking, he laughed and pushed the wheelchair out of the house.

Seeing that Shen Zhouxu had gone, Gu Zhen dragged Lu Jian out of the study, and said in a low voice, "Cripple Shen knows people with eyes, and your elder brother's life is saved." Lu Jian was overjoyed, nodded and said: "That's right, This Mr. Shen is really a good man." Gu Zhen sneered and said, "You only know his good, but you don't know his evil." Then he whispered, "Now we have to follow Shen Zhouxu."

Lu Jian was surprised: "What are you doing?" Gu Zhen said: "Xu Hai." Lu Jian realized that he wanted to know Xu Hai's whereabouts, and it would be best to follow Shen Zhouxu.The three of them walked around the study, only to see Shen Zhouxu pushing the wheelchair forward slowly.

The three of them followed for more than [-] steps and came to a small courtyard. Suddenly they saw a person rushing towards him with a lantern, and said, "Father." Lu Jian realized that the person who came was Shen Xiu, so he was not surprised, and said to him in his heart After spending the night at Miaohua Nunnery, why did you come here again?Seeing his gentle, courteous and frugal appearance, I feel that this person is hypocritical.

Shen Zhouxu said coldly: "Let's talk in the study." Shen Xiu turned behind the car and pushed the cart carefully. The two entered the courtyard, but before entering the room, suddenly saw a lantern moving from the east, a soft and beautiful The voice said: "Zhou Xu."

When the cry came, Lu Jian felt that Gu Zhen's body trembled and his breathing became heavy.But Shen Zhouxu turned his head and smiled and said: "Qingying, you are back too?" The woman said: "You suddenly called Xiu'er back, I was afraid you would blame him again, so I followed you back." Shen Zhouxu smiled and said: "Why would I blame him? Did he do something bad?" The woman said: "That's not true. You punished him for no reason two days ago. I'm afraid you will lose your temper again." Shen Zhouxu smiled wryly and said: " This child has been spoiled by you."

"What's wrong with him?" the woman asked, "Today we met a pair of poor old people on the road, and he gave them 50 taels of silver. He has done a lot of things like this, but this child is humble and respectful." , I won’t tell you.” After a pause, he said again, “Zhou Xu, I made you a pot of Longjing tea, and some snacks.” After speaking, he took two steps forward and came to the bright place, where Lu Jian focused his eyes carefully. Look, the woman's clothes are simple and clean, gentle and beautiful. Although she is not young, her face is beautiful and extraordinary, faintly revealing the unparalleled charm of the past.

Looking at the woman, Lu Jian felt an indescribable warmth in his heart, and felt Gu Zhen's body trembling slightly, as if he couldn't restrain his excitement.

Just when it was strange, the woman said softly: "Don't talk to your father and son for too long, go to bed early. Zhouxu, you should be especially careful, don't get cold legs." Shen Zhouxu said with a smile: "I understand, you go to bed first Let's go." The woman said: "It's still early, I'll go to the Buddhist hall to recite sutras for a while."

Shen Zhou hummed, and the woman and maid went away with the lanterns.The Shen family's father and son entered the study, and Lu Jian and the three moved nearby. Suddenly, Shen Zhouxu said coldly: "I have already interrogated Chen Zidan. It is said that Xu Hai is hiding in Shenzhuang. It is really unexpected."

Shen Xiu smiled and said, "Why don't you take someone to capture him?" Shen Zhouxu said, "I can make my own decision on this matter, but Chen Zidan said that he and you were once married to Jinlan, and then I asked you to send him to Jinlan." I gave 10 taels of silver and various treasures to Governor Hu." Shen Xiu said: "It is true, if the boy is not like this, how can he get him to be hooked?" Shen Zhouxu said coldly: "Where are the silver and treasures?" Shen Xiu He hesitated and said: "The treasure is still there, but the money... I have spent all the money."

"Bastard." Shen Zhouxu said angrily, "Who asked you to spend it?" Shen Xiu smiled and said, "The money on the left and right is not clean, and it is not against the law to spend it. Besides, except for a big pirate, 10 taels of silver The pay is not too expensive."

After being silent for a while, Shen Zhouxu said slowly: "I heard that there is a nun named Fajing in Miaohua Nunnery, do you recognize it?" Shen Xiu seemed to be stunned for a moment, and then said with a smile: "I have accompanied my mother on incense a few times, it seems Remember there is such a person."

Shen Zhouxu sneered, and said: "You have to understand, I am tolerant of you in every way, but I am afraid of making Qingying sad. If she knows about your beastly deeds, she will die of sadness. Don't think that I don't say anything. Said, I don’t know about you in my heart, you are so clever, you can still lie to Qingying, but you are still far away from fooling me.” After speaking, he paused, and said coldly, “Before noon the next day, take the 10 Send me ten thousand taels of silver, if not, I will pay it with your head."

Shen Xiu said in surprise: "The money..." Shen Zhouxu said coldly: "You go back." After a while, Shen Xiu left the study resentfully, her face was gloomy, she lowered her head to think, and then walked away resentfully.At this moment, Shen Zhouxu sighed softly, and said: "Xue Er, did you hear clearly? How many mice are there outside the door?" A sharp voice suddenly said: "Three."

Lu Jian was shocked when he heard the words, but Shen Zhouxu said: "Catch them all, don't disturb Qingying." Lu Jian hurriedly pulled the ugly slave and jumped back, just now he jumped out of the yard, suddenly felt something was wrong, turned around and looked, Gu Zhen's shadow disappeared, and he couldn't help but wonder: "Ugly slave, where is Gu Zhen?"

"Who knows?" Ugly Nuer sneered, "He is a fox, he probably saw the situation was not going well and slipped away." Lu Jian was puzzled, only felt that Gu Zhen would not abandon his friend and run away, but this person had more scheming Change is unpredictable.

When he was at a loss, he was led by the sleeves of the ugly slave and ran wildly, about a hundred paces, when he heard a cold snort, a person came out from the dark, wearing a bamboo hat in sackcloth, and the light under the hat shone like lightning.

Lu Jian was surprised and said: "It's him." The ugly slave said strangely: "You know him?" Lu Jian nodded and said: "Be careful, he has strong feet." "Yan has not returned?"

The man in sackcloth said coldly, "It's Yan." The word "Yan" exited, and the person disappeared. When the word "XX" was spit out, his left foot reached Lu Jian's door.

Lu Jian tried his best to sweep back, avoiding his feet, but he couldn't avoid the sharp wind of his legs. He felt the gust of wind hit his face, his skin was about to split, and the surrounding sand rose violently, the flowers and leaves shattered, and they whirled around Yan Weigui's toes.

(End of this chapter)