Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 661: The Chirping of Insects [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 37k more]

When Zhao Fang was punished in the palace,
On the way back to Quyuan Street,
Xu Zaijing was riding a horse, looking at Zhao Meifeng with a worried look.

After exchanging a glance with Xu Zaijing, Zhao Meifeng smiled and said, "Wulang, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Brother Zhao, has the company been very busy recently? You have bags under your eyes and look haggard."

Zhao Meifeng touched his cheek and nodded, "Now that Master is getting older, I have to take charge of many things in the company."

Glancing at Xu Zaijing, Zhao Meifeng sighed, "Staying in the capital for so long has made those Gao family members really ignorant of the seriousness of the situation! They actually dared to agree privately to take His Highness out of the palace!"

"Thank God, nothing serious happened, otherwise I don't know how many people would have died."

"Brother Zhao is right." As he spoke, Xu Zaijing looked around the street vigilantly.

"If Gao Yunqing hadn't spotted the monk with a strange look around, I believe many people would think that you, Wulang, were making a fuss out of nothing," Zhao Meifeng said.

Xu Zaijing kept scanning the area and nodded, saying, "It's better to make a fuss than for His Highness to get into trouble! Brother Zhao, the department has also caught many big fish among the Northern Liao spies. Can you identify the identity of the monk?"

"Let's give it a try!" As he said that, Zhao Meifeng turned his head and stared at Xu Zaijing.

Noticing the gaze, Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Brother Zhao, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Wulang, when you saw His Highness this morning, you immediately had the windows closed. Did you think of something?"

"Yeah." Xu Zaijing nodded and continued, "Brother Zhao, I was downstairs in Fan Building, and I felt a little uncomfortable for a moment."

"After discovering that His Highness was in the building, the first thing I thought of was to block the sight of any possible enemies so that they would not know what was happening in the private room."

Zhao Meifeng smiled and said, "This can also be considered as Jing'er's previous scouting experience on the battlefield."

"Brother Zhao is right."

Zhao Meifeng breathed a sigh of relief and said in a bad tone, "Your Highness was sitting right in the middle of the private room! There was only a screen between him and the window. Thinking back on it now, my hands and feet are sweating."

As he spoke, Zhao Meifeng stretched out his hand and let Xu Zaijing look at his palm.

Seeing this, Xu Zaijing nodded slightly. He understood why Zhao Meifeng was so scared: as the head of the secret service, Zhao Meifeng knew too well what to do at this moment.

"If the Gao family hadn't kept their mouths shut, or if you, Wulang, hadn't gone to Fanlou today, I estimate that we only need to wait another hour, around noon, and something would have happened to His Highness."

"Well, what Brother Zhao said makes sense. I think the real killer move may not be in Fanlou. Fanlou is indoors, surrounded by walls, doors and windows, so many tricks cannot be used."

Seeing Zhao Meifeng's admiring eyes, Xu Zaijing continued, "When we got outside, Gao Jing didn't have many guards with him, so he was stretched to the limit..."

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "By the way, after this incident, I think you guys will be busy again in the future, Brother Zhao."

Zhao Meifeng beside him smiled helplessly: "Wu Lang, it's not just our government! Kaifeng Prefecture, the Divine Guards, and the Dragon Guards are not much easier either."

Xu Zaijing, looking at the bustling street scene, said: "Brother Zhao, it seems that the spies in the capital are like leeks, which are harvested one after another."

"Haha, what Wulang said is right! In fact, in big cities like Bei Liao, Xi Jing, and Nanjing, our Great Zhou's spies are also like this!"

"The difference is that, thanks to Wu Lang, the sharpest blade that Bei Liao had against spies is now in the prison of the Imperial City Division."

"Brother Zhao, you are too kind. It was just a coincidence that day."

Talking
Everyone turned and arrived at Quyuan Street.

In front of the gate of the mansion,
Beside the stone lion,

Xu Zaijing, Zhao Meifeng and others got off their horses together.

Seeing everyone, the Xu family's doorman hurried forward and bowed.

After Xu Zaijing nodded in greeting, he walked into the gate side by side with Zhao Meifeng while talking.

"Wulang, what do you mean? The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are the former dynasty's territories, and most of the people there are Han people. How could they help Zhou to commit atrocities and attack the royal army of our dynasty?" Zhao Meifeng looked at Xu Zaijing with confusion.

"Brother Zhao, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun have been incorporated into the territory of Northern Liao for many years. Isn't this possible?" Xu Zaijing asked back.

Seeing Zhao Meifeng shaking his head with a disagreeing expression, Xu Zaijing continued, "Brother Zhao, you should understand that the taxation system for the people in Northern Liao and our dynasty is different, right?"

"Of course I understand."

"So which one is more important?"

Zhao Meifeng pondered for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, my dynasty is heavier, but the military service and corvée labor in Northern Liao are heavy. After comparing the two, my dynasty is more relaxed."

After saying that, Zhao Meifeng looked at the smiling Xu Zaijing and said, "Why, Wulang, do you disagree with what I said?"

"No, Brother Zhao, I agree with you. But will ordinary people under the rule of Northern Liao calculate this as carefully as you do?" Xu Zaijing asked back.

Looking at Zhao Meifeng's frown, Xu Zaijing said, "Maybe, even someone like me in Bianjing can't say for sure. Why don't you ask Brother Zhao to find someone to go to the border between the two countries and ask more questions?"

Zhao Meifeng's eyes kept moving, and he was obviously thinking rapidly.

After taking two more steps, Zhao Meifeng stopped and frowned: "Wulang, the department has always agreed that when we attack, the Han people in Yanyun will welcome the royal army with food and drink. Now that you say so."

"No, I have to go back quickly." Zhao Meifeng said and was about to turn around and leave.

Looking at Xu Zaijing who was holding onto his sleeve, Zhao Meifeng said, "Wulang, let go quickly."

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "Brother Zhao, what I said cannot be concluded so quickly in a day or a night."

Zhao Meifeng was stunned for a moment, and Xu Zaijing continued: "Besides, our dynasty is now strong and powerful, and we have the power to recover the old territory of Baigao. We also defeated the Northern Liao in Fengzhou before! It's been a long time since we last met, let's catch up with each other, brothers!"

Zhao Meifeng: "Wulang, you..."

Xu Zaijing continued, "By the way, Brother Zhao, could you explain to me the relationship and conflicts between the major families in the Northern Liao and Yan regions, and the Northern Liao royal family and the Mongolian tribes?"

When Zhao Meifeng heard this, he smiled and said helplessly, "Okay, today I will grant your wish."

Knowing the grievances and conflicts within Northern Liao, one can naturally take steps to instigate and catalyze a life-and-death struggle within Northern Liao.

While Xu Zaijing and Zhao Meifeng were reminiscing about the past, officials from the Imperial City Administration would still come to report on the situation from time to time.

unfortunately,

Today is Dragon Boat Festival,
Common people in the capital would often hold banquets and drink at home, with frequent coming and going of people, which greatly increased the difficulty of the Imperial City Bureau's investigation.

Apart from the capture of a few roving bandits in the outer city temples due to martial law imposed by the imperial guards, there was no other progress.

After the Dragon Boat Festival,

Jiying Lane,
Sheng family,

Morning break time,

Xiaotao came over with a cup of tea. Minglan took it sideways and took a look at Xu Zaijing's wrist while drinking tea.

Seeing that Xu Zaijing still had the exquisite silk rope tied around his wrist, Minglan smiled, retracted her gaze, and began to concentrate on drinking her tea.

Chang Feng, who was standing beside Ming Lan, tugged at Qi Heng's clothes with great interest and said, "Young Master, you and Brother Jing were both in Fanlou yesterday, right?"

"It is rumored in the capital that Miss Shishi, who works for Mother Ruan, is extremely beautiful and has great poetic talent. Even His Royal Highness the Prince has come to visit her because of her reputation?"

Qi Heng and Xu Zaijing looked at each other and said, "Is that what people outside are saying?"

"Yes! Our servants and maids heard about it in the afternoon." Chang Feng nodded and continued, "Young Master, have you and Brother Jing seen Miss Shishi? Is she really that pretty?"

Listening to the conversation on the side, Rulan curled her lips in disgust.

Qi Heng shook his head, looked at Chang Feng who was full of expectation and said, "I didn't see it."

Chang Feng nodded with a hint of regret, and after exchanging a glance with Gu Tingye, he said, "What a pity!"

Xu Zaijing, who was standing aside, looked at the 'go and take a look when you have time' look in Chang Feng and Gu Tingye's eyes and shook his head helplessly.

Gu Tingye had not been married before, but he had seen Miss Shishi, but she was wearing a veil at that time.

After resting for a while, Zhuang Xuejiu continued his class.

Before lunch break, the servant of the Sheng family came in with an envelope. After bowing, he said, "Scholar, there is a letter at the door saying that it is from Lord Gu, the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture." "Hmm!"

Seeing the scholar nodding, the servant hurriedly handed over the letter.

After opening the envelope and reading ten lines at a glance, Zhuang Xuejiu smiled.

Then Zhuang Xuejiu handed the letter to Changbai and said with a smile, "Changbai, pass it around among your classmates."

Looking at Changbai who also smiled after reading the letter, Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye and others behind him all showed curious expressions on their faces.

So, after Zai Zhang and Chang Qiang finished reading it and handed it to Gu Tingye, Xu Zai Jing leaned forward to look at it, and Qi Heng and Chang Feng also came over.

"Wow, Rongxian actually made a contribution." Gu Tingye said with a smile as he watched.

After reading it, Gu Tingye did not continue laughing, but said with a little envy: "Rong Xian is really lucky."

Chang Feng, who had also finished reading, took the letter, glanced at it, and handed it to Minglan on his left. Chang Feng looked at Gu Tingye and said, "Second Brother Gu, this should be called God's blessing!"

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing also smiled.

In fact, it’s no wonder that Gu Tingye is envious. Rong Xian is really lucky.

The reason was that, according to the official report, during a battle between the Great Zhou soldiers and the Nong and Jiaozhi peoples in the middle of last month, the weather suddenly changed and strong winds blew.

Amidst the thunder and lightning, hailstones as big as eggs rained down on the enemy.

In just a dozen breaths, countless Nong and Jiaozhi people were injured.

On the side of the Great Zhou soldiers, there were only strong winds and heavy rains. Apart from a few people injured by the wind and rain, there were no other losses.

The Great Zhou army pursued the enemy after the hailstorm and captured countless prisoners.

The official report also said that after this battle, many of the surrounding barbarian tribes also learned of this matter, and regarded the Great Zhou army as heavenly soldiers and took the initiative to surrender.

Of course, the person who made the greatest contribution in this battle was Viscount Xie, as he led the main force of the imperial guards.

Kang Anbo Xiong Yan's name is also on the merit book.

in the afternoon,

When everyone was leaving school, the sun was still hanging in the west.

After saying "Thank you for your teachings", everyone left the school one after another.

When they left the yard and walked towards the stable, Qi Heng tugged at Xu Zaijing's sleeve, and the two of them fell behind.

Seeing that there was no one around, Xu Zaijing lowered his voice and asked in confusion: "Yuan Ruo, what's wrong?"

"Brother Jing, how did the story about yesterday become that His Highness went there because of his admiration for her?"

"Isn't this using the royal family's reputation to promote Miss Shishi? How dare Mother Ruan do that?"

"And the Gao family's name didn't even appear in the rumors."

Qi Heng asked a few questions in a low and urgent voice like a machine gun.

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye and Zai Zhang in front of him and whispered, "I think it might be that His Highness or the Queen wants to protect the reputation of the Gao family. Stories like this are rare in vernacular novels, so the people are naturally happy to talk about them."

Qi Heng was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Brother Jing, you are right! If the ministers knew that the Gao family was so reckless and put the heir to the throne in danger, I'm afraid the memorials would be like snowflakes."

"What about Mother Ruan and Fan Lou?" Qi Heng asked again.

Xu Zaijing smiled and whispered, "Yuan Ruo, you have to figure this out yourself."

mid-may,

At 4:00 am,

The night sky is like ink,

The full moon hangs in the western sky.

Under the moonlight,
Around the Xu family racecourse, lurking insects chirped from time to time, making the racecourse even quieter.

There was a bright yellow lantern light in front of the wooden house, and sporadic flying insects were flying around the light, occasionally hitting the lantern.

As if they had sensed the footsteps, the insects near the aisle suddenly became quiet.

After the footsteps faded away, the insects continued to chirp.

Now Qingyun, Alan and Xunshu have all started their own families. Only Yin Bo lives in the wooden house permanently, while Alan and Xunshu take turns to live in the wooden house on duty.

The morning dew was quite heavy at this time. After Xu Zaijing put on his armor and exercised, both he and his horse were wet by the dew and covered with a lot of dust.

After training, when Xu Zaijing went to take a shower, his armor would usually be carefully cleaned and maintained by Alan or Xunshu before being put back.

On the way to Sheng’s house,

The temperature was pleasant in the morning and there were many more people walking on the streets than before.

When Xu Zaijing entered the school, he no longer needed to light a candle and could read in the morning light.

Looking at Chang Jue, who was yawning and reading with a naive look, Xu Zaijing's mouth corners would always rise unconsciously.

Morning exercise, go to school, and go home.

The weather became hotter and hotter as we went back and forth between the two points day after day.

The cicadas' chirping began to become more frequent, from morning to night, making people feel annoyed.

In Sheng Family School, the most popular things became watermelons and other fruits soaked in well water.

The Sheng family has used ice cubes to chill fruits before.

But one day, after Chang Feng had eaten some iced fruit and changed his clothes more than a dozen times in the afternoon, he stopped using ice and only used well water.

By June,

The weather is getting hotter.
Many of the things that the people of Beijing offer as offerings in front of Cui Fujun Temple have to be cleared out within a day or two, otherwise they will go bad and change their taste.

this day,

Kwong Fook Square,
In the yard rented by Chai Zhengzheng,
A cool breeze blew under the dense shade of the emerald green trees, and the cool stream water drawn from the royal garden flowed in the stream in the courtyard, bringing a lot of cool air.

The pavilion on the stream is also under the shade of the trees, with gauze hanging around it, and the sound of insect-repellent incense and beautiful pipa floating in the air.

Around the pavilion,

From time to time, maids would walk towards this side along the corridor with fruit plates in their hands.

In the pavilion,
There were ice jars filled with ice cubes at the four corners, and there was shade from trees and cool water. The ladies sitting inside could feel the cool breeze on their faces just by gently waving their fans.

"This yard is really nice. I can't find such a nice pavilion in my home." Tingyi, who had her hair in a bun, smiled while waving a round fan.

Zhang Jia Wu Niang, holding a piece of ripe watermelon in her hand, said with a smile: "Then go ask Brother Xu Wu if he wants to sell it, and then just buy it."

Chai Zhengzheng seemed not to hear his friend mention someone. He just looked at Rong Feiyan beside him with concern and said, "Miss Feiyan, you don't look very well. Are you feeling unwell?"

Rong Feiyan, whose face was slightly yellow, smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, I just feel a little bit miserable in summer. I have been bored at home for so long, and I finally got the invitation, so I have to come over no matter what."

"Empress Rong has finished her confinement. Have you visited the palace?" Chai Zhengzheng asked.

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan's face had a different look. She glanced at Chai Zhengzheng and nodded, "Yes, I went to see them. My sister and the little prince are both fine."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "Well! It's not so bad when it's cold, just turn on the floor heating and wear something thicker. But this hot weather is unbearable."

Rong Feiyan looked at Chai Zhengzheng, who was smiling like a flower, pursed her lips, suppressed the question she wanted to ask, and changed it to: "Zhengzheng, do you have any secret to not being bitter in summer?"

(End of this chapter)