Chapter 12 Chapter 28: The Wisdom of Nanwu

It was mid-December when the snake man named Lang Mo recovered enough to be interrogated.During this period of time, Yang Yi and I, the five commanders, practiced riding horses every day, and we dare not neglect.On December 17th, there was a snowfall and the weather was very cold. When I was about to have sex with others, the long-awaited order finally came. The representative of Marquis Wen assisted the presiding judge, and the two presiding judges of the Republican Army were Ding Henry and Zheng Zhao. The trial was held in an ancient building called Shilang Temple in the west of the city.Shilang Temple is very secluded because there is a white pagoda inside, commonly known as Baita Temple. Originally, temple fairs were held every five and six months every month. During the temple fairs, small vendors gathered here, but because Lang Mo was to be interrogated, the temple fair was naturally closed .

When I arrived at Shilang Temple with Feng Qi and three other messengers, Wei Zongzheng was waiting at the gate.It was so cold that even though he was wearing a fur cloak, he was still so cold that he stomped on the spot to keep warm.I am now a partial general, the governor of the local army, but Wei Zongzheng has a title, one level higher than me.When I came to him, I bowed and said, "Master Wei, the young general Chu Xiuhong has met." Wei Zongzheng was known as the "iron-faced censor" when he was the censor of the Inspectorate, and he is still serious.A sheet of snow had already accumulated at the gate of Shilang Temple, and the gate was closed tightly. With his cold face, it was suitable.It's just that when he saw me salute, he also returned the salute, saying: "Hello, General Chu. General Chu is a young hero, with this great gift, I will kill the old man."

Although his face was cold, his words were not cold at all. I could even hear the flattery in his words, and I couldn't help being disappointed.During the struggle between the crown prince and the second prince, he was a bit biased towards the second prince, but he still enforced the law impartially when interrogating me. Wei Zongzheng, who is upright and upright, may have become an absolute legend.Just thinking about it, it's no wonder that after the Second Prince's struggle for the throne failed, Marquis Wen was extremely strict with the Second Prince's party. Many officials were beaten into chaotic parties and killed by Marquis Wen just because they were a little close to the Second Prince.It's no wonder that Wei Zongzheng, who is known to be close to the second prince, escaped a catastrophe, and became so tactful afterwards.It's just that Wei Zongzheng in my impression has always been the one who even dared to expel the second prince and Marquis Wen from the interrogation scene. Now this impression has collapsed, and I am even more disappointed.

I saluted again and said, "Master Wei, it's so cold outside, why don't you go in first?" Wei Zongzheng said: "The two people from Wuyang City have not yet arrived. I agreed with them to go in together to prevent fraud. If you go in first, is it not a promise? If you want to correct others, first correct yourself, and then go in after they come together. I can stand it." Hearing what he said, I couldn't help admiring him a lot.Although he was quite dissatisfied with him becoming tactful, what he said was the stern Wei Zongzheng back then.I was about to say a few words on the scene, but I heard someone shouted: "The two masters of Wuyang City are here." I turned my head to look, but saw two large cars stop, and the people who got out of the car were Ding Henry and Zheng Zhao .Wei Zongzheng went up to meet them, and I followed him. When we arrived in front of them, Ding Henry and Zheng Zhao saluted first, saying: "Master Wei, General Chu, I have met you." Ding Henry also smiled and said: "So Zhen Hou Ou felt cold and couldn't come, so General Chu will take his place."

I thought they would be stunned when they found out that the original Marquis Wen didn't show up and I replaced him, but they didn't show any abnormality on their faces, as if they had expected it long ago.Marquis Wen's strategy has always been successful, but this time it seems that they have taken precautions, which makes me have a bad feeling.I saluted and said: "Master Wei has been waiting for you for a long time, General Ding, Mr. Zheng, you are late." Knowing that Zheng Zhao's mind-reading skills can read what I'm thinking, I was always very embarrassed in front of him, but now I feel confident and fearless.Zheng Zhao's face remained the same, and he just smiled and said, "General Chu, after a few years of separation, the general is as handsome as before." In the past few years, there have been several wrinkles on his face. I remember that he should be a few years older than me, I don't know. Why is there an old friend.Back then when Bai Wei talked about her marriage with Zheng Zhao in Wuyang City, Bai Wei hesitated to speak, maybe her relationship with Zheng Zhao was not very good.It's just that when I think of Bai Wei, I feel a little guilty, even though I know that Zheng Zhao can't use mind reading skills on me.

Henry Ding said: "Lord Wei, General Chu, let's go in first, it's very cold outside." In fact, as a military commander, although he was not dressed very much, he didn't show any signs of chilling at all. Zongzheng looked like he was afraid of the cold, so he said that.Sure enough, Wei Zongzheng said with relief, "Please." He turned his head and said to the soldiers guarding the gate, "Open the door." The mountain gate of Shilang Temple is very large. Two soldiers in padded jackets pushed open the gate, and the four of us walked in side by side, with our attendants following behind us.As soon as he entered the door, he saw two rows of soldiers neatly lined up inside. On the left was the Forbidden Army of the Imperial Capital, and on the right were the soldiers brought by Henry Ding, all of whom were about a hundred people.After being restructured by Marquis Wen, the Imperial Guard's combat effectiveness has been greatly improved. It is no longer the young army of the past. The army is neat and not inferior to Ding Henry's Wuyang City soldiers.

This is also to prevent fraud. Marquis Wen is also thoughtful, but these measures also explain the delicate relationship between the Imperial Army and the Republican Army from the side. They neither trust each other, but also cooperate. After entering the door, the two doormen closed the door again.The presiding judge is in the main hall, and the main hall has also been renovated. When we entered, the inside was already steaming.As soon as he entered the door, Wei Zongzheng let out a long breath and said, "Sit down, everyone sit down." He was old and had spent a long time outside in the snow, so he was much more comfortable here.As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Zhao also let out a long breath.

As soon as we sat down, the servants brought hot fruit tea.In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the fruits are picked in autumn and stored in the cellar. Although they have been stored for several months, they still look very fresh.Wei Zongzheng sat down, rubbed his hands first, and said, "Bring the snake man Lang Mo up." He and Henry Ding sat on the first seat, and Zheng Zhao and I sat on the outside of each other, turning into a half circle, and Zheng Zhao and I were facing each other.I saw Zheng Zhao eagerly picked up the teacup and took a sip, and his ashen face eased a lot.Seeing his situation, Feng Qi, who was sitting behind me, whispered, "General Chu, that Republican soldier seems to be very afraid of the cold."

At this time, several soldiers came out carrying a big cage.They put the cage on the ground, saluted and retreated.This cage reminds me of the cage I lived in when the second prince escorted me back to the imperial capital.It's just that living in a cage still feels big, but Lang Mo's inside seems to be full.It was coiled into a pile, motionless as if asleep. Wei Zongzheng slapped the gavel and shouted: "The one below is the snake man Lang Mo?" He is used to interrogating people, this is the first sentence in the interrogation, to confirm his identity, he also used it on the snake man.I saw the person in the cage move, raised his upper body, and said, "It's me."

Its voice was very vague, it was probably injured and couldn't even speak clearly. Wei Zongzheng didn't think it was strange, and shouted: "Lang Mo, you really recruited. Where is your lair? How is the troop setup?" Lang Mo looked at Wei Zongzheng and remained silent for a while.If it is a human being, then it is belittling the court.It's surprising that Lang Mo is so arrogant.Wei Zongzheng's face sank, obviously he hadn't expected it.When interrogating people, there is also extreme arrogance, and the servants who are tortured still refuse to confess, but Wei Zongzheng has his own way, and he will always confess in the end.But to deal with snake people, I don't know if the criminal law is effective or not.

Wei Zongzheng looked at me, and seeing that I had no intention of refuting, he slapped his hand on the table and said, "Put it to death." "Criminal law is useless?" Marquis Wen took a sip of tea, a sly sarcasm flashed in his eyes.I was a little frustrated and said: "Yes, Master Wei has used several kinds, but they are all useless. Those snake people don't seem to care at all, and they don't even say a word." Wei Zongzheng hit Lang Mo with a stick first.The sticks are called "sandalwood boots" in the slang of those outlaws, because most of the sticks are made of sandalwood, and most of them are clamped on the legs.The horror of the pinching stick is that it is tightened little by little, and even a round stick keeps getting closer. Few people can bear the pain that almost breaks the bones.Punishment such as stick punishment will beat people to pieces, and it looks bloody and bloody, but in the eyes of the tortured, there is a saying that "it is better to be beaten with a stick than to sit in the water".Clamping, water, and sitting are not corporal punishments. There is no blood in the torture. Clamping is a stick, and water is a wet cloth mask, which is torn off in time when the person is about to faint. Sitting is sitting in a cage. People who don’t know the details will I don't think it's a big deal, but I only know how unbearable this criminal law is after I have experienced it.When beating with sticks, the first few sticks feel pain, but the flesh after the beating is numb. It is only the flesh that is injured, but it is not difficult to bear.Only these three punishments, on the surface, do not hurt people's skin, and sitting in a cage does not even touch people's skin, but they can make people unable to survive or die.Because snake people look different from humans, their bodies are much thinner, and their bodies are covered with scales. For them, sitting in a cage is nothing more than an ordinary cage, and they can hold their breath. Waterboarding is not very effective for them. It is reasonable to say that it is the most suitable It's the pinch stick.But during the day, the criminal officials kept tightening the clamp to the limit. If it was a human being, the bones would probably be cracked, but Lang Mo didn't seem to feel it. Marquis Wen smiled, put the teacup on the table, and said: "Snake people are clad in scales and armor, and their bodies are tough. It is indeed difficult for ordinary criminal law to be effective. However, snake people are similar to humans. I have asked the Ministry of Industry to do it for Zongzheng." I made a 'revealing the scales', and I couldn't bear to see it." I hesitated for a moment, and said, "My lord, what I'm worried about is that Zheng Zhao told me at the beginning that he couldn't read the snake man's mind, but I don't know if he can read it now." Marquis Wen smiled and said, "He can't read it." I couldn't read it at the beginning, and I may not be able to read it now.I wanted to say this, but looking at what Marquis Wen meant, he didn't want to say it at all, maybe he had other ideas, and it's not good for me to talk too much, so I didn't say it again. The next day, the interrogation continued. To my surprise, only Henry Ding came.Ding Henry said that Zheng Zhao went back yesterday with a cold and fever, and he couldn't get up today, so he took a day off.When I saw Zheng Zhao's expression yesterday, something was wrong, but I didn't expect to be really sick today.Today's interrogation of Wei Zongzheng came up with Jielinchao.The so-called "exposing the scales" is actually a shelf specially made for the snake man. Lang Mo is tied to the shelf, and then the scales on Lang Mo's body are hooked off with some small hooks, and one end is fixed on the shelf. After being fixed on the shelf, he couldn't move at all.The snake man's expression was very simple, but I finally saw Lang Mo's serious expression of pain. More than a dozen scales were pulled off Lang Mo's body, and half of his body was covered in blood. Although he twisted his body from time to time, he still did not confess.It didn't say "I don't know" or anything like that, it simply didn't say a word.I was a little terrified watching it from the sidelines. When I was interrogated by Wei Zongzheng, I also tasted the torture of the Sanfa Division.At that time, thanks to Zhen Yining's request for a pardon for me, Wei Zongzheng was not allowed to use physical punishment, so I was able to make it through.If at that time Wei Zongzheng also used torture such as pinching sticks on me, I think I would have persisted for a day at most, and I would definitely make any confession I wanted the next day, let alone "exposing the scales". this type of punishment.I sneaked a look at Henry Ding, and he looked a little unbearable. After a long time of torture, Wei Zongzheng ordered to use it again, Henry Ding stood up suddenly, and said: "Master Wei, this torture is useless. This snake man knows a lot of important things, you must keep it life." Wei Zongzheng said: "Of course the officer knows. Don't worry, General Ding, he won't take its life. The official law is like a furnace, even if it is a piece of iron, when it comes to the Sanju Department, there is always a way to make it speak." Ding Henry said: "Blindly using torture like this is not the answer. I think it is better to use both soft and hard methods to pry its mouth open." Wei Zongzheng nodded in agreement, but he said again: "Although it is a good way to use both soft and hard measures, it cannot be seen immediately. Lord Wenhou has issued an order, and must be interrogated before the end of the year. Today is eighteen, but there are only twelve left." Day, I can't delay." I think what Wei Zongzheng said is also reasonable, now is not the time to be kind.If Lang Mo really knew the secret of the snake man, even if he skinned it alive, he would let him tell.What surprised me was that Henry Ding was impatient to interrogate him, but now he felt compassion for the snake man and insisted on letting him rest for half a day and try again tomorrow.Wei Zongzheng had no choice but to agree. Because there will be no interrogation in the afternoon, I will report to Marquis Wen as soon as I leave Shilang Temple.When I arrived at Wenhou's mansion, I just wanted Si Yan to pass it in, but Si Yan said that Wenhou didn't see any guests or anyone in the afternoon.I was startled, and said, "Has your lord gone out?" Nasi Yan said: "Your Excellency is not feeling well. You are recuperating in your room. You can only see guests at night. General Chu, please come at night." I don't know what kind of strange disease Marquis Wen had, but he recovered after lying down for half a day.But having said that, I have nothing to say.Leaving Marquis Wen's mansion, I rode my horse and walked towards the camp, but doubts abounded in my heart.Zheng Zhao and Marquis Wen fell ill at the same time. Could it be that there is a sudden epidemic in the imperial capital?But now that the world of ice and snow is in the sky, it doesn't seem like the plague will spread.No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't figure it out, and without knowing it, I returned to the camp. As soon as they entered the camp, they could hear shouts and shouts inside, but it was Cao Wendao and Qian Wenyi who were fighting Chen Zhongbu.Chen Zhong's strength is greater than the two of them combined, but Cao Wendao and Qian Wenyi cooperated very well. They fought against Chen Zhong on the horse and did not let him take advantage of it. Horsepower is a bit stretched.However, he guarded the door very tightly, even though Cao Wendao and Qian Wenyi were flying up and down with their sticks, Chen Zhong still tried his best to stop them.On the other side, Yang Yi was practicing exercises, while Lian Baice led a team to practice archery.Seeing me and Feng Qi coming in, they all stopped, and they all came over to salute me, Cao Wendao shouted: "Tongzhi, why are you so early today?" I said: "This afternoon is off, what are you practicing?" Cao Wendao was already sweating profusely, and said, "We'll train old Chen's hands and feet. Although he has great strength, he's not fast enough. Controlling, do you want to play with both hands?" I got off my horse and said, "Okay, Qian Wenyi, go and help Chen Zhong, Cao Wendao and I always attack you." If we were three against one, Chen Zhong would definitely not be an opponent.Qian Wenyi agreed, and Cao Wendao returned to me with a stick, saying, "Come on, try." Although the stick method is not very useful in the army, it is indeed an excellent tool for training.The spear and stick are integrated, except for the smashing method which is a bit different from the spear method, everything else is similar to the marksmanship.I picked up the stick, made a gesture, and said, "Come on, come on." This road stick is very popular in the army, known as the "historian stick", and it is said that it was passed down by Shi Jide, one of the twelve famous generals at the time.Shi Jide also used a gun, but the gun used for training had no tip, it was just a stick, so he simply made up this stick method.After practicing the cudgel all the way, I felt that my body was getting hot, and my underwear was soaked with sweat. Looking at the sky, it was almost noon, so I said, "Let's go, go take a bath, and eat soon." The bathhouse of the Land Legion is very distinctive.Soldiers often have to train and sweat, and bathing is a common practice.This may seem trivial, but the neat appearance of the army is also very helpful to morale.I still remember when I first took over the Qianfeng Battalion, the first thing I did was to renovate the bathhouse in the army. I was also made fun of by the friendly army.But after the review, the army of the ground army was the most orderly, and the training was quite effective. Marquis Wen praised me greatly.In fact, the training of the local army is not much more than that of the friendly army. I just ask people to pay more attention to such small things as bathing, eating, and even defecating.Although the soldiers of the Land Legion did not necessarily train more than others, they rested better than others, and naturally the training effect was much higher.These are all stated in "Victory Strategy", I just follow suit.I was skeptical at first, but in practice, the effect is really obvious.After Wenhou praised him, other armies paid more attention to these matters. We went into the officer's bathroom to wash off the smelly sweat.Cao Wendao poured a bucket of water on his body, and said, "Tongzhi, have you asked anything in the past two days?" I said: "Oh, that snake man refused to say anything, let you use any torture, and then he just kept silent." Cao Wendao said: "So cruel? He shouldn't have bitten off his tongue." At the same time, Chen Zhong said, "It's still alive where the tongue is bitten off, even if it's a snake man." I also don't believe snake people bite off their tongues.The snake man's teeth are different from ours, there are only a few fangs, if Lang Mo really wants to bite, he can at most poke a few small holes in his tongue.I said: "I didn't expect the snake man to be so strong. Henry Ding said he would use both soft and hard methods, so he will suspend this afternoon. I think he can't stand that kind of torture anymore." As soon as I finished speaking, Qian Wenyi suddenly put down the ladle pouring water on his body and said, "Ding Henry is so soft-hearted? It doesn't look like that. I went to Wuyang City that time. I chatted with the people in Wuyang City, saying that Ding Henry should not He looks elegant, but he is usually polite. He is very cruel when fighting." In fact, Henry Ding's heart is relatively soft.At that time, although he suggested to He Congjing to keep me in Wuyang City, if I refused, he would kill me, but in the end he let me come back.It’s just right to think about it this way. If Henry Ding was really soft-hearted, he wouldn’t have made such a suggestion. I just can’t figure out what kind of person Henry Ding is. After taking a shower, it's time for dinner.Just as I was about to go back to my barracks, Cao Wendao grabbed me and said, "Guanzhi, wait a minute, I'm treating guests today, let's have a drink together." I said, "Why are you so leisurely treating guests?" Cao Wendao chuckled, and said, "Today is my birthday, hey, but the Chinese New Year is only thirty-one, so it's time to celebrate my birthday." Cao Wendao is four years older than me.He loves to be big, to put it bluntly.I am already twenty-six years old, and after the new year, I will be twenty-seven.I couldn't help being startled, and murmured: "It's so fast." Seventeen joined the army, and ten years passed without knowing it.In the past ten years, I have stumbled and fought all the way from a soldier to become the commander of the first army. When I first joined the army, I really couldn't even dream of it.I couldn't help but smile bitterly to myself, if it wasn't for the war, I definitely wouldn't be able to rise so fast.Possibly even end his life as a centurion.I don't like war, and I always look forward to the early end of the war, but this official position was brought to me by the war.It's ironic when you think about it. I said, "Old Cao, aren't you married?" Cao Wendao chuckled and said, "Forget it. By the way, Tong Zhi, I forgot to tell you that Xue Shilang came here this morning, but you were not there. He waited for a while before leaving." Xue Wen also came?I was startled.After Xue Wenyi was promoted to be a servant, he was very busy, and he could only sit in a wheelchair. It was very inconvenient to move around, and he was rarely seen again.When he thought of Xue Wenyi, he thought of the four people who escaped from Gaojiu City together.Zhang Longyou has already broken up with me, Wu Wanling is now in the Fire Army Corps and rarely sees each other, only Xue Wenyi is the only one who can often meet, but because we are all very busy, we also meet men once, whether it is friends or enemies. One by one, they gradually became distant. I said, "What is he here for?" "It seems that Lian Baice has something to do with him. It seems to be making some special arrows." Cao Wendao said, looked at it, and said loudly, "Lian Baice! Lian Baice!" Lian Baice ranked above him in the Wude Camp, but Cao Wendao is the oldest, and he is also very familiar with Lian Baice. : "Old Cao, what's the matter?" He saluted naked and looked indescribably funny.I suppressed a smile and said, "Brother Lian, did Minister Xue come this morning?" Lian Baice nodded and said, "I asked him to make some special carving bows for me." I was surprised: "Shooting the Condor Bow?" Lian Baice said: "Yes. The arrows of this kind of bow are also specially made, with a range of up to 500 paces. At the end, the general wants to select 50 archers from the battalion to shoot the enemy generals." Although the range of the thunder crossbow is much longer, but the thunder crossbow is inconvenient to move, so Lian Baice should use that kind of eagle shooting bow.I also feel a little terrified when I think of fifty sharp archers who specially plot against the enemy's chief general in the enemy's rear during the battle.Snake people seldom have archers, and they can't fight back after being tricked like this.But it seems that if there is a war with the Republican Army in the future, Henry Ding will deal with me like this, what should I do?I said: "Your method is too vicious." Lian Baice shook his head and said: "This method is actually only useful against snake people. If we are far away, the speed of the arrow will not be too fast, and the snake people can't see far. If we see the arrow coming, we will not be able to hide." In time, even the snake man may not be able to shoot, the last general just wants to use this to make the leader of the snake man have no time to command." I can't help but feel relieved.Indeed, from ancient times to the present, there have been countless wars, and this method is not new. Others have naturally thought of it, but there are very few successful cases of assassinating the enemy's general.I said: "That's true. Otherwise, there is no need to fight, just shoot the enemy's general to death with an arrow, haha." Lian Baice also chuckled, and said: "By the way, General Chu, the captured snake man named Lang Mo has very good eyesight. It's just that it doesn't seem to have learned how to shoot arrows, otherwise the arrows it shoots would be difficult to deal with." .” I said casually: "Yes." But my heart seemed to be touched by something.Lian Baice's words reminded me of something, but I couldn't remember it for a while. After taking a shower, just in time for dinner.Because the training tasks were aggravated, Cao Wendao couldn't go out of the camp at will, so Cao Wendao paid for the kitchen to buy food and drinks for the guests.Although Cao Wendao didn't get along with Yang Yi, he still called Yang Yi, talking and laughing, this birthday was really lively.I drank a few cups, but for some reason, I always felt that something was wrong. Just as I was thinking about it, Cao Wendao said loudly, "Tong Zhi, what are you thinking, the food is cold." I raised my head, smiled and said, "Congratulations on your birthday." Cao Wendao chuckled, and said, "By the way, when is your birthday? I haven't seen you celebrate a birthday. It's a pity that His Highness went home and forgot to tell him." He and the little prince also hit it off very much, He often took the little prince to practice guns on horseback.The little prince has returned to the palace these days.An Le Wang is not in good health.I also visited Anle Wang's mansion. Anle Wang was old and obese. Seeing me reminded me of the princess. The doctor asked me to visit Anle Wang less, and I was not happy to go. I said, "Is it my birthday..." Before I finished speaking, I suddenly trembled all over my body. By the way, it is "see you"!Lang Mo's eyesight is very good, and he can project a spear from a long distance.But the snake-man in Shilang Temple was similar to ordinary snake-man, only when Xing Ju brought it before its eyes did it feel afraid.I escorted Lang Mo back to the imperial capital, and I watched him all the way. When I gave him food, he could always reach out and get it, which was very different from the one in Shi Langmiao. Isn't the snake man in Shi Lang's temple Lang Mo?I was stunned by my own thoughts.The snake man that Wei Zongzheng was interrogating also had a very long body and a scar on his body, but in my opinion, most of the snake men were similar in appearance and color. The more I thought about it, the more startled I became, and the more I felt it made sense.Yesterday I reported the interrogation situation to Marquis Wen, and I didn’t care too much about whether there was anything in the interrogation. What he asked was more about the reactions of Zheng Zhao and Ding Henry, and that the snake man’s speech was very poor, but I heard Lang Mo speaks, Lang Mo speaks very fluently.It seems that it is very likely that Marquis Wen has already dropped Lang Mo.He found a snake man similar to Lang Mo and asked him to stand trial instead of Lang Mo. Marquis Wen really did something wrong again! Although there is no evidence, my guess is close to ten.When he first came back, he blamed me for not taking advantage of the chaos on the way to interrogate me, and then silenced Lang Mo. It turned out that he still had such an idea.If the Republican Army finds out, the alliance will be broken immediately.I was so anxious that I just wanted to go and persuade Marquis Wen right away, not to lose the big because of small things.Now that the Snakeman is still gaining momentum and turning against the Republican Army, our hard-won advantages may be lost overnight. I stood up abruptly, ready to remonstrate with Marquis Wen desperately.Cao Wendao was taken aback and said, "Tongzhi, what's wrong with you?" Only then did I realize that I had lost my composure, and said, "It's nothing." But my heart was moved, the five of them are all reliable people, and now there is no one else, one is counting on the short, and the two are on the long side, if you have anything to discuss with them, It was much better, I looked at the door, and Lian Baice was very funny, he left his seat and closed the door, came over and whispered: "General Chu, do you have anything to say?" I thought about it for a while and said, "It's like this..." When I finished my conjecture, Cao Wendao took a deep breath and said, "Lord Wenhou is still thinking about it, aren't you afraid that the Republican Army will turn angry immediately?" Yang Yidao: "No. What kind of person is Lord Wenhou, he must be counted as something that the Republican Army can't guess." I smiled wryly.Zheng Zhao didn't come today, Henry Ding asked Wei Zongzheng to stop using torture strangely, I'm afraid they already knew, it's okay for Marquis Wen to hide it from others, but it's very difficult to hide it from Zheng Zhao.It's no wonder that Marquis Wen wanted Wei Zongzheng to use torture. After the torture, the difference between the two snake people became less and less obvious.It's just that I don't know how Zheng Zhao saw the flaw, even I was deceived, Zheng Zhao has never met Lang Mo before, how could he know? Lian Baice hesitated for a moment, and said, "General Chu, how are Ding Henry and Zheng Zhao doing today? Who suggested the afternoon rest?" I said: "Zheng Zhao said he was sick and didn't come, Henry Ding suggested to rest." Lian Baice frowned, but Yang Yi said in shock: "No, they found out!" I said: "What I'm curious about is, since they found out about your lord's plan, why didn't they make any changes, but instead helped him lie? Sigh, are they going to sneak into Marquis Wen's mansion to see what's going on?" It is impossible to sneak into Wenhou's mansion.Marquis Wen's mansion guards are extremely strict, and if Marquis Wen really used this strategy, Lang Mo would have been hidden by him long ago, even if they were asked to look for it swaggeringly, they might not be able to find it. Cao Wendao suddenly raised his head and said, "That's fine too. You use the report as an excuse to go to see the lord, and then face to face..." He suddenly closed his mouth, probably feeling that his idea was a bit bad.This idea is both right and left. If we guess wrong, Marquis Wen will treat me with contempt, and if we guess right, Marquis Wen will be even more furious. I said: "I can't, I can't even get in the gate, Si Yan blocks the drive, saying it's an adult feeling cold." Chen Zhong interjected again: "What about the people from the Republican Army? Can't you ask them?" I was startled, but Lian Baice suddenly stood up and said, "Brother Chen, what a plan!" It was probably the first time for Chen Zhong to be praised like this, he smiled and said, "Really?" Lian Baice said: "Peeping on Mr. Wenhou is regarded as treason, and Mr. Wenhou must have done a good job of keeping secrets, and he can't hear it even if he wants to. Dante Henry and the others will definitely not be so defensive, go and see What they do is much easier, and we will know how Ding Henry and the others respond." I nodded and said, "That's right, but I still can't figure out how Zheng Zhao could see through your lord's plan." Lian Baice said: "Didn't you say that Zheng Zhao can read minds and capture minds? He controls one of Marquis Wen's personal followers, and by letting him be by his side, he can know what Lord Wen has said and done. .” I shook my head and said, "No, in your lord's mansion, even the people who serve tea and water don't go out these days. No matter how powerful Zheng Zhao is, he can't use the mind-bending technique from far away." Lian Baice thought for a while and said, "General Chu, can he control the birds?" I laughed and said, "Brother Lian, you are a smart person, but a smart person just thinks too much. If Zheng Zhao's mind control skills reach this level, then I will admit it. He can even control birds and beasts." , is really the most capable person in the world." Lian Baice smiled sarcastically, probably also felt that he was thinking too much, and said: "Yes, I will end up thinking too much." I said, "Never mind what method Zheng Zhao used, we'll just keep an eye on him anyway." Cao Wendao interjected, "Tong Zhi, what method do you want to use?" I said: "The law is not passed on to the six ears. The fewer people who know it, the better. You should intensify your training here for the past two days, and don't go out if you have nothing to do." Zheng Zhao's mind-reading and mind-stimulating skills are almost flawless. To follow him, probably only myself can do it.But I have to accompany Wei Zongzheng to interrogate the fake Lang Mo in Shilang Temple during the day, and I am only free at night.However, Marquis Wen has to go to court to discuss matters during the day, so I don't think he is free during the day. If he is interrogating Lang Mo, it must be at night.Whether Zheng Zhao has found out the clue or not, if he follows him, the truth will come to light. When it was getting dark, I took Feng Qi and the others to Wenhou Mansion. Before I arrived, I secretly told Feng Qi to pay attention to whether there were strange people around. Can't be too far away.I suspect he will be among the carriages parked nearby. After seeing Marquis Wen, he explained today's situation. Marquis Wen was a little surprised when he heard that Zheng Zhao was not here today, but there was still nothing unusual.I tried to persuade Marquis Wen to be more careful several times, but I swallowed the words.I don’t know if Marquis Wen knows that I have seen through his strategy, whether he appreciates me or is angry, the more people like to guess other people’s minds, the more they are afraid of others guessing their own minds, I have known Marquis Wen for so many years, I think he is angry most likely. After going out, Feng Qi and several others greeted him.I got on the horse, and after leaving Wenhou Mansion for a while, I whispered: "Do you see anything unusual around you?" Feng Qi said: "There are quite a few people coming and going, but we went around and didn't find any carriages parked outside the wall." Suddenly there was a commotion in front of me, I was stunned and said, "Feng Qi, let's see what's going on." Feng Qi agreed, rode his horse over, and came back immediately, saying, "It's the King's Regiment parading, General Chu." The Zunwang Group is a non-governmental organization that recently emerged in the imperial capital.I heard that there are all kinds of people in this organization.I don't know who the leader is. With the purpose of respecting the king and serving the country, from time to time, we organize activities such as collecting donations for soldiers or parading for a victory in a battle.The emperor forbids civilians to form associations and parades, but the royal group has such a high-sounding purpose, so naturally it strongly supports it.I have also heard about the various activities of the Royal Respect Group in the imperial capital. Although they are helpful in boosting morale by raising donations and parades for the army, I heard that they use phrases such as "serving the king is an honor for the subjects" to force businesses to donate , it is a little uncomfortable.I don't like this kind of contemptuous behavior, even if the reason is just as good.I said: "Let's make way, don't run into them." The Royal Respect Group was also very domineering when they paraded, asking for donations whenever they saw anyone.Fortunately, they are quite transparent about the management of donations.How much is donated every day and where it is used, there is an account that is open and clear.What I can't stand the most is that these members of the Royal Respect Group are all full of great truths, and they always want to sacrifice their lives for the country.I have seen a few representatives of the Royal Legion who came to the local legion. At that time, my ears were full of noise. I heard what they meant, as if we were disloyal to the emperor and the country when we came back alive from the battlefield. Death on the battlefield is worthy of payment.We were all dressed in casual clothes, and if we ran into them, we would probably lose our money, so we simply let them go. That's exactly what this group of people is doing now.Still far away, I heard such slogans as "die for the country, die what you deserve", "a good man would rather die in battle than live in the world", and several red flags were also waving in the wind. .Although they don't have military uniforms, their clothes are uniform and should be custom-made, with a big word "loyalty" on the front.Cao Wendao and the others also heard about Feng Baozhang's impeachment of my Wude camp for not setting up a loyalty camp.After they left that time, Cao Wendao gritted his teeth and said that since they wanted to die so much, they should be formed into a loyal battalion and they would all be sent to the front line to serve as rations for the snake people in the next battle.Even Qian Wenyi, who didn't want to talk and laugh, said something sarcastic, saying that he was afraid that the snake man would think that this batch of rations only had hard mouths, but the flesh on his body was too soft. If the group of respected kings who came over now were used as rations, they would be excellent.All are tall and strong.They carried a few banners in their ranks, and the first man on horseback waved his arm and shouted: "One life forever", and the people behind him shouted: "Swear to be loyal to the emperor!" The louder it got, the more it actually turned towards Wenhou's mansion.Along the way, there were quite a few spectators, some of whom were infected by them, and waved their arms and shouted, adding to their momentum.After they passed by, I greeted Feng Qi and said, "Feng Qi, let's go." Feng Qi looked at the back of the team and let out a long breath.Said: "No wonder, no wonder General Lu will fail." Seeing this posture, he probably thought that what the people wanted was all about the current emperor and the old prince.He didn't expect that the second crown prince won the time he joined, and he would also form such a group of honoring the king, and would also say that he would swear allegiance to the emperor to the death. Although the crown prince is much more diligent than his father, he is not respected by all the people Mingjun. Just as we were about to go out, a guard suddenly whispered: "Captain, look at that man!" 他说得很轻，我顺着他指的方向看去，远处一个转弯处，有一辆马车停下来，从车中走下一个人来，隔得远了，看不清那人的相貌，只看见那人戴了一个大帽子，帽子刚被风吹歪了，露出下面的一头金发。 是丁亨利！It should be him! 他进了一家叫得意居的九楼。丁亨利上楼并不奇怪，但让我生疑的是他到了这个并不如何高档的酒楼来。他们住的地方边上就有一家很豪华的酒楼，难道，他来这里就是为这酒楼在文侯府边吗？ 我暗叫侥幸。丁亨利也算小心，但人算不如天算，他的样子实在太显眼，一下就漏了破绽。 丁亨利很快地进了酒楼。我跳下马，道：“冯奇，你跟我走一趟，让兄弟们先回去。” 冯奇不明所以，也跳下马。我把马缰绳交给其他随从，和冯奇向酒楼走去。见我们进来，一个跑堂的迎上来道：“两位爷，是堂吃，雅座，还是打包么？” 我扫了一眼，大堂里有十几张桌子，生意倒也不错，大半坐满了。但丁亨利并不在这里。我道：“包间吧，你们这儿有几个包间？” 跑堂的道：“回爷台，敝店有五个包间，今天您运气好，还剩三个。平常这时候，全都让人定了。” 我心头一动，道：“那给我临街的包间吧。” 跑堂的一犹豫，道：“对不住爷台了，临街那间，还有边上那间都有人了。” 我略为失望，本来觉得郑昭想用读心术的话，肯定是临街那间，因为离文侯府最近，我想定下边上那间，没想到那间却已经有人了。我道：“那给我第三间吧。” 那跑堂的答应一声，领着我上楼。进包间坐下后，我怕被丁亨利认出我的声音，便让冯奇点了几个菜，我也胡乱指了几个，又要了一壶酒。冯奇有点莫名其妙，道：“将……” 我不等他把话说完，小声道：“别说话，先吃吧。” 这时门拍了拍，却是那跑堂的送菜来了，等他放下酒菜，我道：“店家，隔壁好像没人啊。门都锁着的。” 他“啊”了一声，道：“那也是那几个客人包下来的，说是要等人。他们连钱都付了，我们开店的当然不好回绝。别说要空出个房间，就算人家要买下得意居，只要有钱，那也一样不好回绝，爷台您说是吧？” 那跑堂的一走开，我走到冯奇跟前，小声说：“你吃吧，声音不妨大一点。” 冯奇点点头。我掩上门，拉开了窗。这窗子对着一条小巷子，巷子里已经十分阴暗。我身手道隔壁窗下，小心推了窗子，那窗子竟然被我一下推开了。因为小巷很窄，这窗子是移动式的，居然没有在里面上窗闩，从这儿可以看到里面空无一人。我小心地从窗子里钻出去，抓住隔壁的窗框。轻轻一用力，人已钻了进去。要进去并不太难，难的是不能发出声音，好在每天例行的练拳打坐让我的行动十分轻捷，敢说隔了一间房，他们肯定察觉不到了。 一进去我便轻轻拉上窗子，这间包间便又重新堕入阴暗之中。我把耳朵贴在墙上听了听，桌上正放了一些碗筷，我拿起一个空碗贴在墙上，再将耳朵贴到碗底。这是薛文亦跟我说的“虚能纳声”之理，当初我被三法司会审，薛文亦就坐了两个筒让外面的陈忠和我传话。碗虽然没有那个传声筒效果好，但比我直接用耳朵要好得多。 耳朵刚贴上去，变听得有个人道：“怎么样了？” 这声音压得很低，但一听这声音，我就觉得浑身一颤。这声音，正是丁亨利。只过了一小会，我听得有个人在道：“今天还是问不出来，郎莫不肯说。” 这声音正是郑昭。我只觉心头如翻江倒海一般，一时不知是什么滋味。文侯果然对我也瞒在鼓里，可是他没料到被郑昭看破了。可怕的是，文侯自己却不知道自己这计策被人破解，大概还觉得丁亨利被他瞒过了。文侯的计策算是相当高明，他用一个和郎莫很相似的蛇人来顶替，我也被他骗过，但郑昭居然能够识破文侯的计策，反倒来个将计就计，更是高明。对郑昭，我虽然很佩服他的奇术，但对他的智谋倒也不如何心折，可是现在看来，我比他是在差得很远。现在必须马上向文侯报告，我刚要转身从窗子里钻出去，忽听得一个沉稳的声音道：“楚休红这人如何？” 这声音很陌生，并不是郑昭或是丁亨利的声音，我呆了呆，不知这人为什么会提到我。静了静，丁亨利道：“禀公子，他不曾怀疑。” “不要小看他。”这人顿了顿，冷冷地哼了一声，道：“连海老都十分看中的人，绝对不是易与之辈，亨利，你千万要小心他，别被他骗过了。” 丁亨利道：“在石郎庙中，我也暗中观察过他，没发现他有什么异样，而且这人性子很急，说到做到，那一路上他就没有暗中审问。” 这人又是哼了一声。道：“路上真没审问过么？” 丁亨利道：“在南安城外，末将就已命人将那'天遁音'撞到关郎莫的笼子里了，他们毫无察觉。一路上我每时每刻都派人监听，从不曾见他私人神问过。楚休红虽然冥顽不灵，但这人言出必践，不搞当面一套，背后一套的事。” 丁亨利说我冥顽不灵，指的就是我几次拒绝投向共和军吧。不过他说我言出必践，倒也不是坏话。我不由暗自得意，心中却也感激丁亨利对我的评价。只是隔壁这个人的身份是在令我生疑，丁亨利和郑昭都是共和军中首屈一指的人物，我认识的五羊城人物，大概只有何从景有这个身份能让他们如此恭敬，可是这人明明不是何从景，何从景也必不会轻身北上帝都的，这人是谁？ 这时又听得丁亨利道：“公子，你这般担心楚休红么？”再次听到他说“公子”二字，我心中突然一闪，响起了一个人。 南武！苍月的儿子南武！我曾听丁亨利说起过这个人，他对南武极为推崇，我还记得他说南武是“人中龙凤”，说共和军之帜虽是苍月公举出来的，但能把共和付诸现实的只有南武公子。当时听了大不以为然，我见过的何从景、文侯都是一世之雄，是在不相信这个名不见经传的南武公子能和这两人匹敌。但他能够得到郑昭和丁亨利两人的效命，定是不凡之人。 这人又沉吟了一下，道：“甄励之以诈术权谋驭人，纵然得势与一时，终究不是长久之计。这楚休红能够转到我们这一方么？” 丁亨利这回倒也没有犹豫，道：“很难，但此人对帝国却也并不如何忠诚，只求世无战乱，这一点倒与我们暗合，应该可算同路之人。” 我有点哭笑不得。我自认是忠于帝国的，可是在丁亨利看来，我倒是和共和军靠的更近，真不知他是怎么想的。这人又沉吟了一下，道：“既然如此，那就尽量争取他。甄励之瞒过我们，但迟早都会告诉他的，到时就看他有没有共患难之心了。” 他的话中大有哀叹之意，如果不是身在这个地方，我都要哀叹一声。这时他忽然大声道：“店家，结账了！” 他喊得很响，楼板上踢踢踏踏地一阵响动，想必是那跑堂的过来了。我连忙将碗往桌上一放，闪身翻窗而出，回到自己房里，顺手将窗子关上了，关好窗，还听得那跑堂的在大声说着：“几位爷没等到朋友么？下回再来”之类的话。 我坐回位子上时，冯奇正在吃着肉片，他也听到外面的声音，用疑惑的目光看着我。我没说什么，等外面的声音静下来，才小声说：“冯奇，结账吧。” 结完帐，我刚走出门，便闻到外面一股烧焦了的臭味。我吃了一惊，只道身上被烧坏了，但我的衣服是棉布的，这却是烧丝绸的味道。我道：“冯奇，你身上是不是被火烧着了。” 那正在收拾桌子的跑堂闻言抬起头道：“两位爷，这是方才的那客官烧了一块帕子，扔在这垃圾筒里了。” 我呆了呆，那跑堂的手上拿了个垃圾筒，正把桌子上的肉骨头之类抹进去，里面有一团嘿黑的东西，只有丝绸点着后才会缩成一团。我道：“他们做什么要点这块帕子？” 跑堂的笑了笑，道：“多半是嫌帕子脏了，那几位客官出手可大方得很。”言外之意，大概在旁敲侧击我的小费给的不多。我没理他，和冯奇下了楼，走出门去。 马匹早已带回去了，我让冯奇先回去，自己快步向文侯府走去，天已黑下来了，文侯府这边一直不算热闹，街上也冷冷清清。我刚走到文侯府门口，正要让司阍通报求见文侯，还没开口，迎面正有一个人出来，一见我，便叫道：“楚将军！”