Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 524: Not Drunk! [Thank you! Goodbye!]

Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty
Rows of candles were lit in the hall.
Under the bright yellow candlelight,

The emperor walked back and forth on the carpet with his hands behind his back.

The emperor stopped and looked at the people in the hall and said:
"Zilong, this nun said that the Northern Liao Buddhist temple didn't know about this, but this nun already knew about the offering of the traitor's ashes. Did this Northern Liao spy make this up in order to save his life?"

"Besides, the bodies have all been burned to ashes. Is it possible to tell the difference?"

Zhao Zilong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is very difficult to distinguish the ashes! But the most important thing is not to distinguish the ashes, but the fact that there are ashes."

The emperor pondered for a moment, continued pacing, and said, "Go on."

Zhao Zilong bowed and said:

"Yes! When the Imperial City Bureau caught the traitors, they decided to deal with their bodies afterwards. They either performed a ritual to punish them, or exposed them somewhere else, or chopped them up and fed them to pigs and dogs. This was an extremely secret matter!"

"This Bei Liao spy mentioned ashes directly for no reason, which means he knows how the matter was handled."

The emperor nodded slightly, frowned, and sneered: "Oh, such a heinous person, there are people who help them collect their bodies and worship them in the temple. Good, good!"

Hearing this,

Zhao Zilong bowed his head in shame, and said, "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty!"

The emperor waved his hand, looked at Zhao Zilong, and said, "Have you found the person in charge of this matter in the Imperial City Office?"

Zhao Zilong, who had bowed his head, raised his head, looked at the emperor with shame, and said, "It has been many years since the incident happened. The old soldier in charge of this matter has died of old age, and his family has returned to their ancestral home in Yanzhou."

"Humph."

The emperor snorted coldly: "Will the sons of such an old soldier inherit his mantle and continue to serve in the Imperial City Department?"

"Your Majesty, yes!"

"So, what about the descendants? Have you sent anyone to capture them and interrogate them?"

Having said that, the emperor looked at Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong shook his head and was about to speak when the emperor angrily asked, "Why don't you send someone to arrest him and interrogate him? What are you waiting for?"

Zhao Meifeng on the side bowed and saluted.

The emperor raised his chin and said, "You go ahead."

Zhao Meifeng bowed quickly and said:

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, when the fifth son of the Xu family went to the former Yan Wang's fiefdom and caused a commotion, I found out that someone in the Yanzhou Imperial City Department was involved with the Ni Wang's family servants. I executed the Imperial City Department's family rules on the person who was caught."

"So, the descendants of that old soldier are dead?" the emperor asked in surprise.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will do it myself."

Zhao Meifeng finished speaking.
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief and said, "So, this was done by the traitor Prince Yan?"

These words were directed to Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty! But, the Northern Liao spy only mentioned one of them. There must be another batch of the traitor's ashes."

Looking at Zhao Zilong who was speaking, the emperor smiled slightly and said in a brisk tone: "Okay! It seems that you, Zilong, are not bothered by the trouble and put all the blame on King Ni."

"I dare not!"

"Is there any way to find this special portion of the traitor's ashes?"

"Your Majesty, the spy said that the porcelain urn containing the ashes was made by the Northern Liao Dynasty's Buddhist temple. She has a way to identify it when she sees it."

Hearing this, the emperor looked at Zhao Zilong in confusion: "Can't she tell if she can't see it? Is she planning to go outside the Imperial City Prison to look for it?"

Zhao Zilong nodded: "This nun has this intention."

Zhao Taifeng, who was standing by, bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, when I was in Bai Gao's time, I captured many spies from the Northern Liao Zhuangfotai, and there is indeed such a thing as a secret porcelain urn!"

"This kind of secret porcelain urn is mostly used to collect the ashes of Northern Liao spies after their death. Most of them are of higher status. Ordinary spies do not have this honor."

"If she wasn't a nun who was raised by Zhuang Fotai since she was a child, it would be difficult for others to identify her, and it would be easy to alert her."

The emperor asked, "Taifeng, when you were in Baigao, did you ever catch a nun like this?"

Zhao Taifeng shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, they have never been caught! The Buddhist nuns at the Northern Liao Zhuangfotai know a lot of secrets. If they are trapped in a dangerous situation, they should kill themselves!"

"This guy in the prison was also facing the great fear of life and death. For some reason he lost his courage and survived."

The emperor took a few steps toward the imperial desk, sat down on a chair, and said, "What do you think we should do about this?"

Zhao Zilong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, since this nun has been imprisoned in the Imperial City Prison, it is impossible for her to do whatever she wants. She cannot be led by the nose like a cow."

Zhao Taifeng nodded, glanced at his junior fellow apprentice Meifeng, and said, "Your Majesty, the nun who was dressing the Buddha platform was brought back to Bianjing alive. I believe that the news has already been reported to Northern Liao."

At that time, Xu Zaijing did not let He Guan shoot the nun. Many people in the south of Changyuan County saw it, so it was basically impossible to hide it.

"Most of the information this nun knows is worthless!"

"Why not order her to teach a girl who works as a clerk in the imperial city? If she can find a place to enshrine the ashes of the traitor, she will be allowed to live. If she can't find it, she will be allowed to live."

The emperor nodded in appreciation and said, "My patience is limited. If we don't see the real result within one year, no, two years, there is no need for this nun to live."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zilong and his two disciples bowed.

"Oh, right, first send the map of temples near the Jingwang territory to this nun, and see where the traitor's ashes can be enshrined! After teaching the girls in the Imperial City Department, send them to the Jingwang territory as soon as possible."

The three of them bowed in response.

After leaving the palace,

The master and his two disciples walked out of the palace.

Taifeng followed behind Zhao Zilong and said:
"Master, it would be great if we could keep one more of the Xu family members alive. It would also help to verify the confession of the Northern Liao nun."

"Xu's brother is still young, and he killed a few Northern Liao spies who could dig out a lot of intelligence."

Zhao Zilong was breathing out white air in front of him and said:

"Taifeng, I didn't tell you the details in my letter! Xu Jia Wulang went on a killing spree because he saw the corpses of several children from the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"If it weren't for the advice of an old soldier who had served under General Yao, you wouldn't have seen the one in the prison!"

When Zhao Meifeng heard this, a slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Tai Feng nodded: "I see! The Xu family brother is young and hot-tempered. He can't stand seeing innocent children die tragically. It's rare that he listens to advice."

Zhao Zilong, who was walking in front, hummed and said, "Taifeng, the trap you set up in Dengzhou is very good. You can actually catch a big fish like the Northern Liao Governor's Mansion!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Master."

While the two were talking, Zhao Meifeng gave his senior brother a thumbs up.

Subsequently,

Zhao Zilong, who was on duty tonight, stayed in the palace.

After Zhao Meifeng and the eldest senior brother who had concealed his figure left the palace, they took their respective subordinates and walked towards the Imperial City Investigation Office.

When entering the main gate of the Investigation Department, the clerk guarding the door bowed to Zhao Meifeng and said:
"Master, about an hour ago, the fifth son of the Xu family, the Marquis of Yongyi, sent someone to leave you a note! He said that he knew you had returned to the capital, and if you are free, you can bring your friends to visit him."

Zhao Meifeng took the note, nodded, and entered the yamen.

At 8pm, Yanglou,

In the private room on the third floor,
Gu Tingye raised his glass and said to Qi Heng:

"Yuan Ruo, what are you worried about? We came to Yanglou on a whim! No one knew that the teacher would let us go early today!"

"Let's tell Liu Lang and Jiu Lang in the evening. They may have other plans. It would be bad to call us here."

Xu Zaijing, who was sitting next to Qi Heng, nodded and said, "Yuan Ruo, Erlang is right!"

Zai Zhang smiled and said, "Yuan Ruo, you've been drinking and thinking too much."

After drinking, Qi Heng blushed slightly and nodded: "Yes, yes! Second uncle is really thoughtful! Come, let me toast to you again."

"it is good!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye clinked his wine cups with Qi Heng with a wicked smile.

Xu Zaijing patted Qi Heng on the shoulder and said, "Yuan Ruo, you drank a little too much tonight."

Hearing this, Qi Heng glared and shook his head, saying, "Brother Jing! You, why do you say that?! I... I'm not drunk. If I were drunk, I would have been like Chang Feng!"

As he spoke, Qi Heng pointed at Chang Feng, who was sitting not far away with a dazed look in his eyes and a silly grin.

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head, then continued, "Don't drink!"

Qi Heng also shook his head like Xu Zaijing: "I'm not drunk! I can still drink!"

At this time,

There was a sound of a door opening.
Qingyun came over from behind the screen covering the entrance to the private room, bowed to everyone, and then leaned close to Xu Zaijing's ear and said, "Sir, Brother Gao Yunqing came to tell me that Brother Zhao is here."

Xu Zaijing nodded and stood up, saying, "I'll be out for a minute! Erlang, don't compete with Yuan Ruo in drinking, he's drunk too much!"

"I'm not drunk!" Qi Heng waved his hand affirmatively.

Gu Tingye gave Xu Zaijing a look that said: "Look."

Xu Zaijing said, "You made Yuan Ruo vomit. Be careful or the princess will come to your house tomorrow. Your two families are close anyway."

Changbai, whose face was also slightly red due to drinking, smiled and took a bite of food at the table, nodding as he ate.

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing who stood up and walked out: "I"

Quyuan Street and Jiying Lane are farther away from Xingguofang than the other.

After leaving the private room,

The noise in Yang Building suddenly became louder.

In the lobby on the first floor,

The broth on the table gurgled and rolled.
The steaming white heat and the smell of charcoal fire floated in the building.

There are dancers dancing in front of the first floor.
Around the stage, guests who were dining in the lobby on the first floor were playing finger-guessing games and talking loudly, with occasional calls for the Tea and Wine Doctor to serve the dishes.

A lively scene.

The sounds of musical instruments could also be heard in the private rooms on the second and third floors.

After walking for a while with Gao Yunqing, Xu Zaijing entered the private room on the second floor.

The door of the private room is closed.

Also shut out the noise.

"Brother Zhao."

Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed.

Looking at Zhaotai Peak opposite Zhaomei Peak, Xu Zaijing said again: "Brother Zhao."

"Haha, Wulang, your way of addressing people is quite unique! Come, sit down!"

Zhao Meifeng said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing followed his instructions and sat down at the table. He picked up the teapot on the table and filled it with tea for both of them. He said:
"Brothers, did you just return to Bianjing this afternoon?"

"Yes! When you saw my junior brother, we had just entered the inner city."

The eldest brother looked at Xu Zaijing with a smile, nodded continuously, and continued:

"It's true that heroes emerge young! When I heard about Beizhou's situation in Qizhou before, I thought it would delay important matters!"

"I didn't expect that you guys could solve the problem in just two or three days!"

After Xu Zaijing poured himself a cup of tea, he put down the teapot and smiled: "I was lucky that the bandits didn't burn the military supplies immediately, otherwise I would have entered Beizhou City in vain."

"Wu Lang is too modest." The eldest brother smiled and said, "I heard from my junior brother that if you had gone half a day later, the military supplies in Beizhou City would have been reduced by more than half!"

Zhao Meifeng nodded with some fear and said, "Wulang, what is the reason you came to see me tonight?"

Xu Zaijing held his tea bowl and said, "When I saw Brother Zhao return to Beijing, I wanted to ask you when Brother Taifeng would come back, but..."

Hearing this, the three of them laughed together.

The eldest brother held up his tea bowl and moved forward, and the three of them clinked their glasses with tea instead of wine.

After each of them drank a sip, the eldest brother said, "Then why did Wu Lang ask me when I would be back? Could it be that the treasures and gold bricks that Mei Feng helped me pass on to you have depreciated in value?"

Xu Zaijing put the tea bowl on the table and smiled helplessly: "That's not the case. Those things have long been replaced with new gold bars and stored in the boy's warehouse. The price has increased by a little more than 10%."

"Oh my! It's only been a short time and the price has gone up!" Zhao Taifeng sighed with a smile.

"It is also because my brother's treasures are of outstanding quality." Xu Zaijing replied.

"Hahaha~ It seems Meifeng has found the right person!"

Watching the two of them talking and laughing, Zhao Meifeng could only chuckle helplessly.

After taking another sip of tea, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Taifeng and said:
"I asked Brother Zhao when you would be back. I heard from my maid that several of my classmates from Sheng's academy would gather at a restaurant in a couple of days."

"Xiao Tao will go too, if you are back in Beijing by then, brother."

After saying that, Zhao Meifeng's smile disappeared, and the eldest senior brother looked at Xu Zaijing with satisfaction and said, "Wu Lang, you are thoughtful."

"The boy is just talking."

The eldest brother smiled and picked up the tea bowl and said, "Here, I'll offer you another bowl."

The three of them clinked their teacups, took a sip each, and chatted for a few more words before Xu Zaijing stood up and said, "My two brothers, my classmates are still drinking in the private room, so I'll take my leave now."

Zhao Meifeng and the eldest senior brother also stood up.

The eldest brother said, "Well, then we won't keep you, Wulang. I heard from Meifeng that there is a dish in your house that is particularly delicious. I will try it when I get a chance."

Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed, "I am waiting for you two brothers."

After taking two steps toward the door and standing in front of the screen, Xu Zaijing said, "Brothers, please stay."

After a moment, watching Xu Zaijing disappear at the door, Zhao Meifeng nodded slightly and said, "Brother, how did Wu Lang hold back from asking about our mission?"

The eldest senior brother glanced at Zhao Meifeng and said, "He is the legitimate son of the Marquis's Mansion, and he has passed the imperial examination. He doesn't want to join the Imperial City Department. Why is he asking so many questions?"

"Too!"

"Going to taste the delicious food on Quyuan Street is not a joke with Wulang. If you go to Xu's house before the New Year, remember to call me."

(End of this chapter)