Chapter 314: The Shangshu blocked the way, checked the files, and the origin of the female sorcerer

Chapter 314: The Shangshu blocked the way, checked the files, and the origin of the female sorcerer

Chapter 314: The Shangshu blocked the way, checked the files, and the origin of the female sorcerer
Zhao Duan was startled: "That's it...wait."

He suddenly realized something, and his expression became a little subtle:
"Brother, what did you encounter when you practiced the Six Chapters Sutra? Or... generally speaking, what did you see?"

Ma Yan looked at him calmly with his thin, long donkey face, and seemed to have guessed something, and said slowly:
“The so-called Six Chapters Sutra is a scroll in which Emperor Taizu drew some powerful figures. Later generations who practice martial arts can enter it, learn from them, or even become their apprentice.

Don't look at me like that. Emperor Taizu was able to create a legacy by combining the strengths of many schools. Moreover, Emperor Taizu was very open-minded, so he naturally wouldn't mind these false titles...

As far as I know, this second picture does depict more than one powerful person who really existed in history, but normally, after you enter, you will first encounter a battlefield general, appear on a battlefield, fight with him, and learn from him.

If you are smart enough, you can learn some tricks from it.

Well... you can only meet other people after you defeat this general. For example, I know that there are monks, Taoist priests, and even martial artists among them... However, you don’t have to meet all of them once to advance.

When I was training in the palace, I was taught that it is much better to learn the abilities of a person in a painting thoroughly than to bite off more than you can chew... As for the red-robed sorceress you described, I have never heard of her."

Ah, this... what's with the feeling of opening a hidden copy... Zhao Duan was surprised: "Is this... like this?"

Ma Yan looked at him deeply and said meaningfully:

"At least that's what I know. You can also ask the Sea Worshiper to see if there is such a person."

As the empress's knife, the cold and stern eunuch guessed that Zhao Duan had some secrets after the battle between Buddhism and Taoism, although he did not know that Zhao Duan possessed the "Dragon Soul".

When adults socialize, it’s all about knowing when to stop.

"...I understand." Zhao Duan looked thoughtful and bowed to say goodbye.

After taking a few steps, Ma Yanwang reminded me from behind:
"By the way, the further back in Taizu's paintings go, the more spiritual the characters in the paintings become. Unlike the first painting of the God of War, the ancients in the second painting of the Six Chapters Sutra, although they are painted, can still communicate to a certain extent. It's very strange.

Therefore, it is not necessary to fight. If you can get their recognition, the benefits may be greater... I have heard that there were people who were favored by the characters in the scrolls and imagined them appearing in the mortal world when they were in danger... Of course, this is just a rumor, and I have never seen it."

……

Pear Blossom Hall.

Zhao Duan returned to the hall, feeling more excited than nervous.

He suspected that if the strong men described in the Six Chapters were arranged from low to high, then the woman with a golden mask he met would be one of the last.

"This also explains why he is so much stronger than me and has no resistance at all... When I was killed in one second, it means that the difference in level between the two sides is too big, and I can't learn anything at all..."

Zhao Duan thought about it and prepared to go to the palace in the afternoon to start with the armored female shadow guards to get information.

However, he did not have much leisure time for a group of uninvited guests came outside the hall.

"Sir Zhao, we are ordered to verify the details of the Gao Lian case." An unfamiliar official from the Ministry of Justice walked into Lihua Hall and said, holding a document.

"Hasn't the prisoner been transferred?" Zhao Duan said casually.

The official from the Ministry of Justice said calmly, "After all, you are the chief officer, so..."

"Okay, go ahead and ask." Zhao Duan waved his hand and answered the questions from the officials of the Ministry of Justice one by one.

Finally, he asked curiously, "How long will it take for Gao Lian to be convicted?"

The official from the Ministry of Justice hesitated and said, "We will make a decision after we have thoroughly investigated it."

It's the same as not saying anything...Okay, I won't make things difficult for you... Zhao Duan felt bored.

When the people from the Ministry of Justice left, people from the Dali Temple followed closely and also came to inquire about the case.

Because of the dispute with the Dali Temple, this group of people were particularly nervous and were much more polite than the Ministry of Justice. Zhao Duan did not get tired of it and cooperated once again.

When asked the same question, the latter's answer was still very official.

"It's quite interesting." Zhao Duan stroked his chin, tasting something from the ambiguous attitudes of the two groups of people.

Fortunately, Chen Hong was in the Censorate and did not send anyone to disturb him.

……

noon.

Zhao Duan invited Haitang and other colleagues to go to a restaurant in the city to eat and drink.

——The food in the imperial court was unpopular among the people, so those who could afford it ate out.

During the dinner, several people could hear a lot of discussions about the Gao Lian case in the restaurant through the screen and bamboo curtain.

Obviously, the Taicang Silver Mine case has spread.

The guests were not very concerned about corruption, but were extremely interested in the life and death of a governor, the power game behind it, and the undercurrents in the court.

Each of them gave clear and logical analysis.

"How come news spreads so quickly? Why are people already talking about it?" Haitang was stunned and muttered in confusion.

Zhao Duan held the wine glass and said meaningfully, "I'm afraid someone is fanning the flames."

"You mean..." Haitang was stunned. The female detective was an expert at solving cases, but she was a little immature when it came to higher-level struggles and games.

Zhao Duan shook his head without further explanation. Even in this feudal era, many games still rely on public opinion to exert pressure and guide the direction of the situation.

"Public opinion" can play a miraculous role at certain junctures of a game.

The people in Taicang Prefecture all know how to incite the people to petition for their lives and put pressure on themselves. It is natural that these adults in the capital will not give up this method.

After dinner, Zhao Duan asked his colleagues to return to the yamen first, and he walked alone in the streets and alleys, secretly listening to the winds from the lower levels.

Sure enough, unlike the distinguished guests in the restaurant, the people in the capital were talking about Gao Lian’s crimes of rape and robbery, and his frame-up and murder of innocent people for his own selfish reasons.

The common people were filled with righteous indignation and cursed the corrupt officials for being executed.

Hmm... If nothing unexpected happens, this should be the rumor spread by Yuan Li or the imperial party... Zhao Duan was thinking about it when suddenly a man who looked like a servant came over and said respectfully:

"Sir, my master would like to have a chat with you."

"Which family are you from?" Zhao Duan asked puzzledly.

The servant raised his hand and pointed to a quiet street entrance in the distance, where a carriage was parked on the street.

At this moment, the car curtain was lifted, revealing a somewhat familiar face.

Minister of Rites!

Zhao Duan was surprised. He didn't have much interaction with this important official who was in charge of one of the six ministries.

The person who made the deepest impression on me was his son, Wang You, who was one of the scholars in Xiuwenguan.

We met several times later, mostly in public places, and we were on good terms.

Why did he look for me? Did he meet me by chance? Or did he look for me specifically?

Zhao Duan quickly recalled this man's position in his mind. The Wang family was one of the aristocratic families in Dayu, but not a Jiangnan family.

This person is not a member of the "Li Party" or the "Qingliu Party". He can be considered as a member of the "Royal Party", but he is not a core member, but a party that has been wooed.

"Minister Wang, what a coincidence! What do you want to talk to me about?" Zhao Duan walked to the carriage and bowed.

The Minister of Rites had been a noble son since childhood. Although he was already middle-aged, he still had the bearing of a noble from a large family. He smiled and said, "Lord Zhao, why don't you get in the car and have a chat?"

"Haha, no need for that. I still have something to do. Let's just stand here and talk." Zhao Duan declined.

joke.

Can anyone get on this car?
Shangshu Wang's eyes flickered, and he did not try to persuade him. After several servants walked away sensibly, he sighed:
"Nothing happened, but I heard that Envoy Zhao had arrested Gao Lian and brought him back to the capital. The whole court was very surprised..."

Zhao Duan smiled and said, "Sir Wang, I like to get straight to the point. Just say what you want to say directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."

Minister Wang gave a bitter smile and said, "I am indeed too long-winded. In that case... well!"

He said with a serious expression: "I wonder what the envoy thinks about the treatment of Gao Lian. As for me, I don't have much interaction with Governor Gao, but I have heard that he has always been magnanimous and upright. It is hard to imagine that he would do such a thing. I can't help but wonder..."

Zhao Duan smiled and said, "Lord Wang, are you criticizing me and wrongly accusing a loyal minister?"

"Eh! That's not the case," Shangshu Wang waved his hand and said:

"Who among the civil and military officials in the court does not know the ability of the envoy? However, even a saint cannot avoid being deceived by a villain. In my opinion, the envoy may have been deceived by Wang Chusheng or someone else.

What I mean is that this involves a provincial governor, who is considered to be a high-ranking official. We must not be careless. Moreover, even if we take a step back and Gao Lian is indeed guilty, but... at this moment, the rebel party is still rampant and the government is not stable.

Gao Lian is nothing, but if his severe punishment leads to alienation among the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River, it will probably do more harm than good to our Great Yu Dynasty. The same is true for you, the envoy.

These words are not to be said outside, just consider them as my private reminder. Publicly, Gao Lian's case should be carefully investigated. Privately, your Excellency has already made great contributions, so there is no need to take things to the extreme. "

Zhao Duan stared at the other party quietly and said calmly:

"Lord Wang came to me today and said these words. Who are you representing? Or are you delivering a message for someone else?"

Minister Wang denied it flatly, with awe-inspiring righteousness:

"Your Excellency has misunderstood. I am dedicated to the public, the court, and His Majesty. If I am asked to represent someone, it is only the court and His Majesty. If I am asked to convey a message for someone, it is only for the people and the country."

What a man who speaks for the people of Liming... Zhao Duan cursed inwardly, and said calmly:
"Lord Wang is dedicated to the public good, and I admire him. However, I have returned to Beijing and am no longer an imperial envoy. The follow-up of this case has nothing to do with me. Now it is the three courts that are trying the case together. Lord Wang's words should be told to them. I have other things to do, so I will leave first."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

"Envoy Zhao? Lord Zhao?"

Wang Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites shouted twice, but when he saw that his shouting did not work, he sighed dejectedly and finally shouted:
"Some things, if you do them now, are a favor. If you don't do them, people can still solve them. Then the favor will become an grudge. Think about it carefully."

After saying this, Minister Wang retreated into the carriage as if he had accomplished a mission, and urged the driver to leave.

Zhao Duan stopped, turned his head and watched the other person disappear into the crowd, as if thinking about something.

……

in the afternoon.

Zhao Duan went to the palace again, but not to see the empress. Instead, he used the "offering" badge to enter the palace and headed towards the armory.

We found the gate of the yamen where the royal family was worshipping.

The last time he came here was when he received his offering badge. When he arrived, he first asked where Eunuch Hai was, and got the reply:
"My father-in-law is resting and won't see outsiders."

Rest? Are you still sleeping? Zhao Duan complained in his heart, isn't it said that people get less sleep when they get old?

The eunuch on duty in the yamen knew that Zhao Duan had a special status, so he said cautiously:

"If you have something important to report, you can also go and report it."

"No need," Zhao Duan waved his hand and said:
"I want to check the Shadow Guard's information. Where can I find it? Or, can I access it with my authority?"

The young eunuch smiled and pointed to the opposite side of the yamen:
"In that archive, the basic information of the Shadow Guards is all there. You can check it out yourself. Only a small amount of top-secret information is not here."

It would be best if I could check it myself... Zhao Duan nodded, went out to the document library, showed his badge, and entered smoothly.

And successfully found the file of "Temporarily Conferred Gold Medal Shadow Guard" on a bookshelf in the document library.

"This is it!"

Zhao Duan picked up a dusty copy of the book and opened it. The portrait on the first page was indeed the woman wearing the bronze mask.

"Hongye? Her name is Hongye?" Zhao Duan finally learned the other party's name.

The members of the Shadow Guard are generally composed of three types of people. One type is inherited from generation to generation, that is, when an old Shadow Guard retires or dies, he can recommend his descendants to replace him.

One is the transfer of soldiers from the army, often the outstanding "scouts in the army" who are selected and transferred in.

Another way is to recruit from the outside world, such as some people from the underworld, or even businessmen, who will be recruited to become members of the Shadow Guard.

However, this type of people are often on the periphery, responsible for collecting intelligence and providing some help.

The information shows that this shadow guard named "Hongye" was inherited from the inside and is good at assassination and tracking.

As for the inheritance that he possessed, it did not have a name, but was passed down from one person to another.

It is a unique martial art that combines "Kendo" and "Great Mother Goddess Magic".

"Eh, she also practices both martial arts and magic? Hmm... but this doesn't seem to be the same as the inheritance of the Martial God...

The God of War merged the two into one, but this Hongye simply practiced martial arts swordsmanship based on the sorcerer's practice method... Well, if I have to make an analogy, it's like the Buddhist monk Tianhai, right?"

Zhao Duan tried to understand.

"So, she is still a sorcerer in essence, but her fighting style is more like a warrior...hiss, it reminds me of a magician who wields a magic wand to perform physical attacks..."

"The Great Mother Goddess? One of the true gods. Only women can worship this god. However, she is not on the list of gods that Tianshi Mansion and Shenlong Temple mainly worship...

It was quite active a thousand years ago, but because this god’s magic was weak and tended to be auxiliary… it gradually declined… Well, I understand why she wanted to practice martial arts as well…”

Zhao Duan looked through the contents of the file and suddenly realized.

He continued to flip through the pages and saw that the paper was filled with information about Hongye's battle record.

After a quick glance, I found a description of the origin of this inheritance at the end:

“To practice this inheritance, one must cover the face with a mask to gather magical power. When faced with a life-or-death crisis, one can lift the mask to receive a blessing… This inheritance can be traced back to about six hundred years ago, to Pei Niannu, the number one female sorcerer in the Jianghu during the time of Emperor Taizu.

According to historical records, he once fought with Taizu, but the result was inconclusive. Later, in a battle with his enemy, he took off his mask, stepped into the realm of false heaven and man, chased the powerful enemy for 3,000 miles, and died of exhaustion.

"Note: According to "Taizu Handwritten Notes, Volume 6, Family Letters", Pei Niannu often lingered in teahouses and listened to storytellers telling stories. He was always obsessed and fascinated, unable to extricate himself. Whenever he interrupted a chapter, he would use a secret method to imprison him and would not release him until he finished the story."

……

I'm not in good shape, so I'll update once today and try to write more tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)