Chapter 411: Lord, how about we join forces for the second time?

Chapter 411: Lord, how about we join forces for the second time?

Chapter 411: Lord, how about we join forces for the second time? (5k)

I am the truth… When Duke Tang said this, his tone was understated, but to Zhao Duan's ears, it revealed the domineering majesty of a frontier official, a "grand duke" who had been tempered on the battlefield.

So fierce? Don't you give any respect to Cao Mao, who is also a Duke?
Could it be that the two of them had a grudge against each other? Zhao Duan was stunned.

Of course, he would not be so arrogant as to think that a dignified Duke would try to please him at the cost of offending another Duke to death just because of the conflict between his daughter and himself...

Therefore, we can only say that the two of them probably had a grudge against each other.

"Duke Tang..." Cao Kedi's face changed, but this time he didn't dare to get angry at all, and his hand on the hilt of the knife had already dropped down.

Zhao Duan's personality is arrogant and domineering. He doesn't care about verbally offending the Duke. He just follows the route of a "lone minister".

But Cao Ke Di did not have the courage to confront Tang Guogong openly.

"Envoy Zhao, haha, you go in to visit the prison first. I want to see who dares to disregard the law and stop us." Duke Tang, who looked like a wealthy man, said calmly.

There was strong confidence in his tone.

Zhao Duan hesitated for a moment, but nodded, picked up the wine and meat, and walked into the prison.

This time Cao Ke Di was silent as a stone and did not try to stop him.

……

Zhao Duan was no stranger to the Ministry of Justice Prison, and he was a regular customer who had come there several times.

After entering, the prison boss immediately came to greet us and led the way with a smile.

"My lord please."

Lang Shiba, as a serious criminal, was held in solitary confinement deep inside. When Zhao Duan walked through the dark corridor and arrived outside a secluded cell.

With the help of the pale light coming in through the cell's vents, he saw a disheveled figure sitting cross-legged on the cold ground, staring at the wall in silence.

Hearing the footsteps, Lang Shiba came back to his senses and turned his head stiffly. Under his messy black hair, his weathered face looked numb and lifeless.

After seeing who it was, his pupils lit up, and he was extremely surprised: "Master Zhao?"

"Open the cell, I want to talk to him alone." Zhao Duan said calmly.

The jailer responded without daring to refuse. He quickly unlocked the cell and left after bowing.

Even though this action violated the law, no one cared.

After the others left, Zhao Duan carried the wine jar and the oil paper bag into the cell. He looked around and found that there was no bed, so he simply sat on the floor.

The cell was very cold in the dead of winter, especially without any light, and the cold was damp.

Fortunately, the physique of the Shenzhang realm is strong enough to withstand this biting cold.

"Jiyue came to the yamen to see me and told me that you were arrested."

Zhao Duan put down the wine jar, raised his hand and knocked open the mud seal. The mist he exhaled condensed into a wisp of white air:
"This damn place is not suitable for human beings. It's too cold. Want to warm up?"

The drunkard Lang Shiba's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he lifted up the jar of wine with his hands restrained by special magic-proof shackles, raised his head and took a big gulp, and then a comfortable groan rolled out of his throat:

"Good wine."

Zhao Duan opened the oil paper bag and said:

"I went to inquire and found out that you were detained in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, so I stopped by to see you and understand the situation."

Lang Shiba, who looked ten years older than his actual age, sat cross-legged with the wine jar in his hand, looking very calm.

He grabbed a piece of half-cold meat with his hands, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it hard, as if smiling:
"I have committed some crimes in the past, and now they are exposed. I didn't expect that you would come and bring wine and meat. I am very grateful."

He was very calm and just briefly mentioned what he had done wrong without any intention of explaining in detail.

There is no such thing as someone falling into despair and trying to grasp at straws and beg for help.

He didn't even show the slightest sign of asking for help, as if he had known this day would come many years ago.

Or they may have accepted their fate and felt that begging was futile.

However, Zhao Duan inexplicably felt that perhaps the most fundamental reason was that the swordsman in front of him had already decided to die.

Zhao Duan remained silent, watching Lang Shiba eating with one hand and drinking with the other.

After a long while, he suddenly said:
"I heard that the one who arrested you was Cao Mao, the Duke of Anguo, and he accused you of killing many of your fellow soldiers in the past. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Lang Shiba's hand that was grabbing the meat again suddenly paused, and then the movement returned to normal:

"He's right."

Zhao Duan frowned and said:

"If that's the case, given what you've done, there's absolutely no hope of escaping. The only outcome is immediate execution."

Lang Shiba remained calm and even smiled:
"With this farewell wine sent by the adults, I will have no regrets when I die."

Zhao Duan pursed his lips and said:
"I heard that Duke Cao has been looking for you for many years. This time he is willing to kill you even if it means angering His Majesty. It's because you rebelled in the army that year, and Duke Cao's son arrested you. Not only did you resist, you also killed him. A dignified Duke who guards the border has suffered the pain of losing his son..."

"Bang!" The smile on Lang Shiba's face suddenly disappeared, and the jar of wine in his hand was pressed heavily to the ground.

At this moment, the Northern Swordsman's breathing suddenly became heavy, veins on his neck bulged, his eyes turned red, and he spit out two streams of alcohol: "He deserves to die!!"

The reaction was so intense that it caught us off guard.

"Why?" Zhao Duan stared at him. "What's wrong with the son of a duke enforcing the law impartially?"

At this moment, Lang Eighteen seemed to have recalled some forgotten memories from the past. He sneered excitedly:

"Enforce the law impartially? Arrest me? Bullshit! It was me who broke into his military tent and chopped off his dog head! That old dog Cao Mao sent troops to kill me, but now he has cleared the name on me!"

Zhao Duan's heart moved, and he said:

"I heard that you were killed because your wife was…"

Lang Shiba stared at the wine jar without saying a word. He suddenly covered his weathered face with his chained hands, sat on the ground with his back hunched.

A dignified warrior of the secular realm, a former lieutenant general in the army, covered his face weakly with his shoulders shaking slightly.

After a long while, he raised his head little by little and regained his composure:

"Yes, it was Cao Mao's son who did it."

Zhao Duan was stunned!
So, the one who defiled Lang Shiba’s wife was Cao Mao’s descendant?
So, Lang Shiba killed Cao in anger and rebelled against the military camp, and that's why Duke Cao sent troops to hunt him down frantically?

"Don't talk nonsense. Do you have evidence?" Zhao Duan stared at him.

Lang Shiba regained his composure and smiled sarcastically:

"A lot of people know, but they all pretend not to know."

Zhao Duan shook his head and said, "No, if you really had a mortal enemy with Cao Mao, why did the prince save you in the first place?"

Lang Shiba probably felt that he was going to die, so he simply stopped trying to hide the truth, picked up the wine jar again, and said:
"Lord Zhao has only been an official for a short time, so he doesn't know many old events, but if you ask someone, you will know that the crown prince was already dissatisfied with Cao Mao.

The prince was willing to save me and raise me secretly, simply because he hoped that after he ascended the throne, when the time was right, he would have me come out and identify Cao Mao.

Haha, Cao Mao has been entrenched in Jubei City for many years, and his subordinates have done countless dirty things. Indulging his descendants is just one of the insignificant things. When I was in the army, I knew more.

But even so, the prince still did me a favor, but unfortunately I have not been able to repay him."

Identify Cao Mao?

That's right... As the saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers, and the crown prince's ascension to the throne must represent a change in bureaucracy...

If the prince intended to weaken Cao, then it would make sense... However, things are unpredictable, and no one could have imagined that the prince would be stabbed in the back by his brother before he could ascend the throne...

In just a few years, the situation has changed dramatically... Of course, the premise is that what this guy said is true, but this is not difficult to verify, and it is a lie that can be easily exposed.

Cao Mao, on the other hand, relied on his status as a duke to falsify the facts, and the entire court was willing to turn a blind eye and pretend not to know...

Again, he is just a dead soldier. Compared with a powerful duke, even a three-year-old child can tell the difference.

silence.

The cell fell into silence, with only the sound of Lang Shiba eating and drinking.

Duke Tang was still waiting outside, and Zhao Duan didn't want to stay any longer. After knowing the whole story, he stood up, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Lang Eighteen seemed to understand what he wanted to say and smiled:
"My Lord, please leave immediately. This matter has nothing to do with you. Don't let this drinking provoke Cao Mao's anger."

No... I've already done it... Zhao Duan said:

"Is there anything you want me to take out?"

Lang Shiba was stunned for a moment and shook his head.

He had long lost all his relatives and friends. If he had to talk about acquaintances, there was only one person, Ji Yue, but the two of them were at most cellmates and did not have any deep friendship.

If that’s the case, after the beheading, there won’t even be anyone to collect the body.

Zhao Duan sighed, called the jailer in to close the door, then turned and walked out.

……

When he walked back to the ground, he saw Minister Huang looking forward to it.

"Master Zhao, have you finished your work?" Minister Huang smiled.

Zhao Duan nodded: "Where is the Duke?"

Huang Shilang said, "Duke Tang said he was waiting for you outside. Deputy General Cao has already left. I'm afraid he went to report to Duke Cao."

Zhao Duan nodded and didn't care.

He has long been a lone minister, and is not burdened by debts.

Given his status, it was just a rant. No matter how unhappy Cao Mao was, he would not go to war with him over this matter. What's more, this is the capital, his, Zhao Yanwang's, territory.

Cao Mao, who has troops under his command, is a duke, but he has no troops under his command, so Zhao Duan doesn't bother to pay attention to him.

"Master Zhao..." Seeing that he didn't care at all, Huang Shilang hesitated to speak, and finally said:
"You and I are officials in the same court. Logically, we should avoid talking too much. But I still want to remind you, Lord Zhao. Even if you are not afraid of Duke Cao, there is no need to make things too awkward."

Zhao Duan said calmly:

"Lang Eighteen was once my bodyguard. According to the rules of the army, if my subordinates are arrested, I must ask for the truth. Otherwise, if the news gets out, how can I convince the people if I can't even protect my own subordinates?"

"This..." Huang Shilang choked and held it in for a long time before finally saying:

"Just a guard."

Obviously, this assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice also knew some inside information.

In his eyes, why bother about a mere assassin who has no status and cannot be seen in public?
Not to mention that your Lord Zhao and this Lang Eighteen were just a "fleeting romance", even Your Majesty, who took this man from the Crown Prince and raised him as a palace assassin, didn't you say anything?

Why bother.

Zhao Duan smiled and said:

"I know that you, Lord Minister, mean well. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Minister Huang then smiled. He was a member of the imperial party and was in the same camp as Zhao Duan. He was interested in building a good relationship with him.

After bidding farewell to Minister Huang, Zhao Duan walked out of the main gate of the prison and saw a carriage parked on the side of the road.

The curtain of the carriage was opened, and Duke Tang, who looked like a wealthy man, said with a smile:
"Is the matter settled?"

Zhao Duan walked over and thanked him solemnly. Duke Tang said lightly:
"It's a small matter. Cao Mao and I have never gotten along. We just don't like each other, so I just did it casually. Haha, but from the looks of you, do you have something else to do? I won't keep you any longer."

Zhao Duan said ashamedly: "After I finish the things at hand, I will come to visit you in person."

Duke Tang laughed loudly: "That's great. I'll be waiting for you at home."

The two men said goodbye, and Zhao Duan stood there holding the horse, watching Duke Tang's carriage go away in the cold wind until it disappeared.

In the departing carriage, Duke Tang changed the position of his lame leg, leaned on the cushion and thought about something, and suddenly said:

"Send someone to find out what Cao Mao is doing later."

"Yes." The driver responded.

"Let's focus on investigating Cao Ke Di. I've heard that Cao Mao raised a powerful adopted son. It's really interesting."

"Yes." The driver hesitated and asked, "What about the prisoners in the prison?"

"do not mind."

"it is good."

From the beginning to the end, those who could catch the eyes of a big figure like Duke Tang were not unknown people like Lang Shiba.

……

Cao Ke Di rode his horse out of the Ministry of Justice prison and headed straight for Duke Cao's mansion.

He left in a rage, as if he was eager to report the matter.

But after leaving the sight of everyone in the government office, Cao Kedi slowed down and began to walk back slowly.

The previous anger on his face, as well as the resentment of being suppressed by Zhao Duan and Duke Tang, all disappeared.

Cao Ke Di was riding on a horse, walking towards the pale sunlight. He held the reins, and his pair of extremely thick and dense eyebrows were as straight as a line.

It is also like a sword, a straight sword that can be hard or soft.

There was a thoughtful look in his eyes. Suddenly, when he turned the corner, a child riding an ice sled in the alley bumped into him and startled his horse.

"Sorry..."

The warhorse neighed and raised its hooves. Cao Ke Di frowned and used his superb riding skills to force the warhorse, which was powerful enough to kick a child to death with one kick, into submission.

When they looked back, the child who had caused the trouble had run away in fear, leaving behind only a handmade ice sled.

"Kid~" Cao Kedi shouted, and when he saw that the person had disappeared, he shook his head, got off his horse, picked up the ice sled, shook off the snow on it, stood it up, and placed it at the entrance of the alley.

Then he rode away on horseback.

After a long time, the reckless boy walked out of the alley carefully, picked up his sled in surprise, and breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at the direction where Cao Ke Di left, thinking to himself that he was very lucky to have met a military commander with a good temper.

……

……

When Zhao Duan returned to the yamen, Ma Yan was still waiting for him.

"So, the identity of Lang Shiba was exposed? He was thrown into prison by Duke Cao? He will be executed soon?"

After hearing what happened, Ma Yan was also surprised.

Zhao Duan took off his coat, swept the mud off his boots, and sat down immediately:
"It shouldn't be that fast. There's always a trial process to go through. But if Cao Mao is determined to push it, I'm afraid he can be sentenced to death before the end of the year. This Duke will not allow Lang Shiba to live until next year."

In the corner, Ji Yue sat on a small chair with her legs together, her hands on her thighs, holding a cup of hot water, her ears drooping, and her cheeks puffed up to blow gently.

She felt some indescribable emotions in her heart about Lang Shiba's death. Well, maybe it's like the fox mourns the death of the rabbit?

The two had little communication in Houhu, and for a time they checked and balanced each other. If there was any affection between them, there really was none.

But after all, we were companions who had been locked up together in the same place for a long time. It would be a lie to say that I wasn't sad.

If Lang Shiba died, she would be even more lonely.

Ma Yan frowned and asked, "What are you going to do?"

Zhao Duan smiled cynically:
"What can I do? This has nothing to do with me."

Ji Yue glanced at him, then lowered her head and continued to blow air into the cup.

Ma Yan nodded: "It's good that you think so."

No... Am I that unreliable? Huang Shilang reminded me, and you, Senior Brother, also reminded me... It seems that you all think I will mess up...

Zhao Duan secretly complained.

After the matter was settled, Ma Yan left to go back to work with peace of mind. After Ji Yue learned that there was nothing for her to do, she also quietly slipped away.

Zhao Duan also returned to Lihua Hall and looked through the official documents presented to him by Qian Kerou.

I just can't calm down.

On this day, first Tang Zhao came to challenge, and then Lang Shiba was imprisoned. All the things happened at the same time.

"My Lord, are you worried?"

The round-faced secretary held the documents and looked at him cautiously.

Zhao Duan, who was leaning back in a high-back chair and holding a document, threw the notebook in his hand on the table and suddenly said:
"Ke Rou, if you look at all the civil and military officials in the court, do you think they are all evil-hearted?"

Qian Kerou was stunned for a moment. The secretary was stunned by this question. She tried to guess what the adults were thinking and asked tentatively:
"No, there are always many good officials, such as..."

She was stuck, and after a while she said, "For example, the Lu Zhi from the Dali Temple?"

"But if you have a dark heart, you will get promoted faster," Zhao Duan said.

"Isn't there a saying that goes, 'Everyone should take care of the snow in front of their own door, and not worry about the frost on other people's roofs?'"

The secretary was a little confused and didn't understand what this proverb had to do with being black or white.

The adults are acting weird today.

Zhao Duan smiled and said, "Just think I'm talking nonsense. Yawn, it's getting late, it's time to leave the court."

As he said this, he stretched his waist, took a step and walked out.

Shen Juan and Hou Renmeng in the duty room next to them looked envious:
"When will I be able to be like an adult, not to go to the government office if I don't want to, and to leave whenever I want."

Zheng Laojiu, who was holding a teacup next to him, curled his lips:
"Don't think too much. It's the end of the year and there are a lot of paperwork in the hall. None of you can leave tonight. You can leave when you finish your work."

……

Zhao Duan left the government office and rode home on horseback.

It gets dark early in winter. It was still light when I went out, but it became dark after walking for a while.

When Zhao Duan walked to an intersection, he was suddenly stopped by a low-key and luxurious carriage in front of him.

He was stunned for a moment and recognized this extremely spacious carriage that he had ridden in before.

"Sir Zhao, my master wants you to come over and talk." The coachman came over and said calmly.

Zhao Duan dismounted, threw the reins to the other party, stepped forward skillfully, lifted the curtain, and got into the spacious carriage that was large enough to accommodate several people having sex.

The carriage was furnished as usual, except that it was covered with a thick layer of cotton.

On the low table was a spherical stove with scarlet charcoal burning inside, which was extremely exquisite.

"Mr. Yuan, what a coincidence." Zhao Duan sat down and looked at the woman in blue clothes opposite him with a smile.

The stove illuminates the entire carriage in orange, giving people an atmosphere of warming themselves around a campfire on a dark winter night.

Yuan Li, the Imperial Censor, who had a handsome face and deep eyes, was wearing a double-breasted official gown with a large collar and holding a jade ruyi, and was sitting inside.

He smiled and said, "Are you leaving the yamen and going home?"

Zhao Duan nodded and said self-deprecatingly:

"There are a lot of things to do today. Even though I am so lazy, I have been busy until now."

Yuan Li looked at him deeply and said:

"I also heard that there was a misunderstanding with Duke Tang?"

Zhao Duan smiled and said, "It has been solved."

"That's good," Yuan Li said, "but I also heard that you went to the Ministry of Justice jail today."

Zhao Duan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Mr. Yuan is so well-informed. Nothing I do escapes your scrutiny."

Yuan Li stared at him and said, "Lang Shiba, the man that Duke Cao arrested this time, has been to Huting with you before, right?"

Zhao Duan sighed softly and said:

"Mr. Yuan is here to remind me to stay out of things that have nothing to do with me and to make fewer enemies? Don't worry, I know the importance of this."

Yuan Li said: "But I heard that you had a conflict with the adopted son of Duke Cao's mansion."

Zhao Duan felt inexplicably angry and said in annoyance:

"It's just a little quarrel. I know what I am doing. Mr. Yuan is thoughtful. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

Having said that, he wanted to leave.

He was really annoyed by being reminded by everyone all day long to mind his own business.

Yuan Li remained silent, holding the jade ruyi in his hand. Seeing Zhao Duan stand up and lift the thick curtain, preparing to get off, he suddenly said:

"Do you still remember the first time we met in this carriage?"

Zhao Duan paused.

Yuan Li said softly:
"That time, I talked with the envoy about Pei Kaizhi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. I remember that I told you that if you want to make achievements, why not be bolder and bite a big fish? Do something big?"

Zhao Duan’s breathing tightened.

Under the firelight, Yuan Li's eyes were deep, half of his face was hidden in the darkness, and he said faintly:
"Lord, are you interested in us joining forces again to do something big and bring someone down?"

Zhao Duan suddenly turned his head and stared at Yuan Li: "Who?"

"Duke Anguo, Cao Mao."

(End of this chapter)