Chapter 52 Section VII

Time: At the beginning of the unitary hour, three quarters (according to today's time, it should be five forty-five in the evening). Location: Zichen Hall. At nightfall, it was already dark, and since Tie Tao had already been put to death, the Ministry of Punishment promptly canceled the curfew in the capital.In recent days, it was the first time that Hangzhou was so lively under the night sky.People walked out of their homes one after another to enjoy the peace and tranquility in the night.The most prosperous, richest and most beautiful city in the world today has finally regained its vitality and charm.

The third young master's eyes swept across the cheerful faces, and his heart became happy, but when he thought that Ning Xin'er was not by his side, he couldn't help feeling disappointed.He walked leisurely towards the palace.Right now, he is going to do an important matter, and this matter is related to the lives of countless people, and even the rise and fall of the entire country.He had to go all out, so he calmed down and focused his energy as much as possible. The third son came to the main gate of the palace, Lihua Gate.He has already been to the palace once.There was already a eunuch waiting at the gate of Lihua Gate.This eunuch has a fat head and big ears, with white face and red lips, and has the appearance of a woman. Although it is much cooler at night than in the daytime, and he stands at the door without moving much, his face is already shiny. From a distance, he looks like a greasy man. pig head.The eunuch's name is Gao Man, and people call him Eunuch Gao. He was born of a hybrid between a bearded woman and a Han Chinese during the war. The monk's teasing and teasing, and later by chance, he was able to enter the palace.Because he was good at observing appearance, flattering and flattering, he was very favored by Emperor Xiaozong, so he was able to rise all the way until he was promoted to the head of the eunuch. He was very powerful and domineering.With his status and status, he should not stand at the door as a reception envoy, but he must stand at the door to receive this guest, because this is what Xiaozong Jinkou ordered.It can be seen that the identity of this guest is not trivial.Therefore, even though he was full of reluctance, he could only stand obediently at the gate of the palace.

When Eunuch Gao saw the third young master, his eyes lit up, he hurried forward to meet him, and said, "Is this the third young master?" The third young master nodded.Eunuch Gao said respectfully: "Young Master, please follow me." The guards guarding the gate had already experienced the majesty of Young Master on the Su Causeway last time, so it was not surprising to see that Young Master Gao was very respectful to him. .Great people deserve such treatment. Under the diligent guidance of Eunuch Gao, the three sons came all the way to the most majestic and sacred place in the palace, which is also the place where the fate of the entire empire is ruled - Zichen Palace. Those who can enter this sacred and solemn Zichen Palace are all officials ordered by the court and important to the country. Members, and those who can be called into the Zichen Palace to discuss matters at night must be important ministers of the auxiliary country. It is afraid that there is no precedent for a commoner to receive this kind of courtesy since the opening of the Song Dynasty.On the other hand, the third son still had a casual expression, as if what he entered was not the core of the empire, but just an ordinary tavern by the side of the road.

Eunuch Gao went up to the palace lightly, bowed his waist, lowered his head and ran all the way to the emperor, and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the third son is here." Xiaozong sat high on the dragon chair, looking down at the emperor. The third young master standing at the door, the third young master looked at Xiaozong unceremoniously.The eyes of the two met, and the emperor suddenly smiled and said, "You are here." From his tone, it seemed that the two of them had known each other for a long time, so he didn't even care that the third son did not pay respects to him according to the etiquette of Mianjun.The third son also smiled and replied: "I'm here." The emperor said: "Give me a seat and wine."

Two young eunuchs added a table, put melon and fruit dishes, and served wine pots and cups.The third young master sat on the ground, casually looking at the Zichen Palace.The Zichen Hall tonight is really lively. On both sides of the Zichen Hall, there are two tables facing each other. The first table on the left is sitting on the old prime minister Tang Situi. He is staring at the third son with a strange face. Apparently, the arrival of the third son was beyond his expectation. Sitting beside him was the mysterious Mr. Jin.The right half of his face that was wounded by Taotie last night was covered with white plaster, making him look weird and terrifying.His body is still upright.For a master insider like him, a little injury is not a big deal.Mr. Jin was also looking at the third son, and his eyes were even weirder than Tang Situi's.

The main seat on the second table from the left is empty, as if it was specially reserved for someone.Bowen sat at the guest seat at the table.The eyes he cast on the third son were full of admiration and gratitude.It was this unfathomable young man who kept the great reputation and future that he had worked hard all his life while talking and laughing. Sitting at the first table on the right is Prince Qing Zhao Kai. He is sitting upright, without squinting, with a dignified and respectful attitude.It looks more like a modest scholar buried in the classics and history.Kneeling next to him was Taoist Thousand Faces, his gray hair was casually tied in a bun on the top of his head, and although his Taoist robe was old, it was extremely clean.The Taoist's eyes are slightly closed, and he is indifferent to the things around him, as if he is in a state of tranquility.

There is only one person sitting at the second table from the right, so it looks quite deserted.Sitting in front of this table was Prince Gong Zhao, his face was even paler than the last time the Third Young Master saw him, and there was no trace of blood in sight.He kept adjusting his sitting posture, looking nervous, as if he had a premonition that something ominous was about to happen to him.He sneaked a glance at the third young master, and suddenly found that the third young master was also looking at him, so he hurriedly looked away. He seemed to have some kind of fear towards the third young master.He picked up the wine glass and took a sip, trying to cover up his embarrassment just now, but the third young master clearly saw that his hand holding the wine glass was trembling violently.

The emperor sitting high on the dragon chair began to speak in his characteristic slow and majestic voice.The emperor said: "This gluttonous serial cannibalism case was finally solved in time within the time limit set by me, and the capital has returned to its former prosperity and tranquility. Come on, Tang Aiqing has made great contributions to our Great Song Dynasty this time, sharing our worries and solving our problems, which is really a blessing to my Great Song Dynasty. I will also reward the rest of the meritorious people heavily." After many years of experience in the officialdom, Tang Situi knew that one should not be greedy for credit, and said: "Your Majesty Qi Zuo, the veteran thought that the first credit for breaking this case should go to the Holy One. The Holy Dragon is furious, and the clowns are forced by the Holy Power. If you subdue the law, you will be executed." The situation is inevitable. Veteran ministers and colleagues in the Ministry of Punishment are only relying on His Majesty's great blessings, and dare not claim credit."

The emperor said: "Prime Minister Tang, you don't have to be too modest. Prime Minister Tang strategized and planned wisely in the battle of capturing gluttony, and he deserves credit for his success. Prime Minister Tang, I offer you a toast." Tang Situ hurriedly raised his glass and said, "I wish you the best of luck, old minister." The life of the sage is equal to the sky, and the country is eternal." After finishing speaking, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. The emperor sighed, and said again: "The ancients said that when the country is about to be in chaos, there must be evildoers. These days, my mind is in a state of uncertainty, and at night I will be terrified when I dream. That gluttony is an ancient evil beast. Legend has it that when the gluttony comes out, the world will be destroyed." There is a disaster. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, there have been no records of this monster appearing in the Central Plains. However, in the Song Dynasty, when I was in power, this glutton fell from the sky. Why? If you are not benevolent, you will offend the heavens, so why not send this evil beast to warn you?"

Tang Si retreated: "Since he came to the throne and came to the court, the Holy Majesty has loved the people with kindness and mercy. He has leniently imposed and reduced sentences. Please rest assured, although this matter is strange, it is nothing to worry about." Xiaozong said: "There must be a reason for the gluttony to come out. If it is true as Prime Minister Tang said, the crime is not my fault, then what is the evildoer? Could it be that someone coveted the great Song Dynasty and tried to seek the throne?" Tang Si retreated and knelt down and played: "Fang is in peace today, the country is peaceful and the people are safe. Besides, since the founding of the Taizu, the dynasty has enjoyed a hundred years, and the world is fine. In China, singing and dancing are peaceful and the weather is good. All the people of the Song Dynasty are deeply impressed. I am grateful for the grace and virtue of the Holy Spirit. How can someone bring himself to perish, dare to rebel, and become an enemy of the whole world?"

Xiaozong smiled and said: "Tang Aiqing is reasonable. It seems that I am a mediocre person. I should punish myself." Perhaps because of joy, today's Xiaozong drank alcohol very boldly. Will binge drink all by himself. Xiaozong said to the third prince, "I heard that Taotie was killed by your own hands." The third prince said, "Yes." Xiaozong said movedly, "I have seen the corpse of Taotie, which is huge and unusual. Tigers and lions are like small animals in front of it. Cats and puppies, you are indeed worthy of ancient beasts. I see that you are thin and thin, and you can actually kill them. You are really a warrior in the Song Dynasty. I respect you." After the two had finished drinking, Xiaozong said again: "Third Young Master, do you know why I summoned you to the Zichen Palace tonight?" The third son said: "I know a thing or two." Xiaozong nodded and smiled, and said, "Let's talk and listen." The third son said: "Since Your Majesty has seen the corpse of Taotie, have you ever noticed that its stomach has been cut open?" Xiaozong said: "It was also cut open by you?" "good." Xiaozong said: "Since Taotie is dead, why open its stomach?" "Because there's something hidden in its stomach." "What?" Xiaozong became interested. "The Pearl of the East China Sea." "I heard that the Pearl of the East China Sea is a rare treasure in the world, but unfortunately I have never been able to see it. So where is the Pearl of the East China Sea now?" "Sikong Kongkong is the number one stealer in Jianghu." Xiaozong stared at Tang Situi sternly, and said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Tang, when you reported this case to me just now, why did you skip this section and not mention it?" Tang Situi saw Xiaozong's complexion was not good, and he could never bear the crime of deceiving the emperor, so he hurriedly said: "Qizou Your Majesty, Taotie will be punished if he subdue the law, and the people of the city will pay more to celebrate, it is really a great joy For one thing, as for the loss of the East China Sea Night Pearl, it is just a harmless incident. The reason why the old minister did not report to His Majesty for the time being is because he did not want His Majesty to be distracted by such trivial matters. The minister has already posted circular orders all over the capital to arrest Sikong Kongkong, this daring thief, I believe that within a few days, Sikong Kongkong will be captured without a fight, and at that time, the veteran will naturally return this Eastern Sea Night Pearl to His Majesty." Xiaozong's complexion changed, and he said: "In my opinion, this Sikong Kongkong is also a courageous and good man. He easily stole this East China Sea Night Pearl in front of the forbidden army, which is even more amazing. If I have the chance, I would like to meet him." After a while, this genius of the rivers and lakes. Tang Aiqing, I don't want to hear you speak ill of him again." Then he said to the third son: "Third son, I have a few questions that I haven't figured out yet. .” The third young master said: "You know everything, and you can say everything." Xiaozong said: "In your opinion, what about Prime Minister Tang?" When Tang Situi heard Xiaozong's question, his face turned red first and then blue.The red is because of excessive surprise, thinking that I have been an official for more than 50 years, from the lowest official history to the prime minister of the court, who is deeply respected by the ruling and opposition parties, and has long been judged by the world.Xiaozong suddenly asked an unknown little person for his opinion, which was really unexpected; Qing felt that he had been greatly insulted because of anger, and he could bear Xiaozong's insult, but if someone in his twenties A young man with neither fame nor official position wantonly criticizes and speaks nonsense about himself in front of the Holy One, but it is tantamount to slapping him in the face.He suppressed the raging anger in his heart and tried not to attack it. The third son didn't care whether Tang Siti was insulted or not, he replied: "Your Majesty, I have only met Prime Minister Tang once, so I can't say I have a deep impression on him. It's just that some of his behaviors confuse me." Xiaozong laughed loudly and said: "Third son, since there is something puzzling, and Prime Minister Tang happens to be here, why don't you ask him to understand it face to face." The third son said: "Since your majesty ordered, dare not obey. Prime Minister Tang, today In the early morning, I wanted to kill Taotie, and you and that Taotie were neither related nor related, why did you keep speaking to stop it? What exactly are you trying to stop?" Tang Si retreated with a straight face, ignoring such rude questioning.He thought he had every right to ignore such direct and unreasonable cross-examination. Xiaozong said: "Prime Minister Tang, the third son is asking you a question. The question he asked is the same as my question. Why don't you answer?" As soon as Xiaozong opened his mouth, Tang Situi knew that it would be useless to put on airs.He snorted, and said: "I have already answered this question at that time. The reason why the old man objected is because the creation of heaven is not easy and should be cherished. Although Taotie is a ferocious beast, it is really rare in a hundred years. It would be a pity to lose one's life in the hands of men." The third son said: "That's a good reason, but a few days ago, all the arsenic in all the pharmacies in the capital was swept away by the mysterious person. Does the prime minister know about this matter, and what's your comment?" Tang Situi said: "It's really funny. As an important position in the imperial court, I take care of all kinds of affairs. For the sake of the country and the country, I think so hard that I can't sleep at night. I have neither the time nor the energy to ask about such trivial matters." The third son said: "You are in a high position, and I am a commoner, so of course I have no way of knowing what kind of big things you deal with every day. But if this thing is considered a small thing, I'm afraid there are not many big things left in this world." Tang Situi said, "How do you say that?" The third son said: "There are more than 300 large and small pharmacies in Hangzhou. The arsenic in their inventory is at least five or six hundred catties. Who needs so much arsenic at once? What is the use of buying it? Isn't it worth your money?" A veteran official of the three dynasties who is relied on by the government and the public should be vigilant? If these arsenic falls into the hands of treacherous people, it is unknown how many innocent lives will be sacrificed. Moreover, the pharmacy has always stipulated that arsenic is never sold to customers easily. Because if someone dies, the pharmacy will bear joint and several liabilities. How can anyone be so capable that so many pharmacies are willing to sell the arsenic?" Tang Situi said: "You are worrying too much. So far, there have been no reports of ordinary people losing their lives because of the arsenic that was bought." The third son said: "No common people died from the arsenic because the arsenic was bought for other purposes. The arsenic was deliberately thrown into the West Lake. None of the three major waters of the North West Lake, the Outer West Lake, and the Li West Lake were spared. In the early morning of the day before yesterday, West Lake Dead fish of all sizes floating on the surface of the water are all poisoned by this arsenic. However, the intention of the poisoner is not simply to poison a few fish, otherwise there is no need to take such painstaking efforts. The poisoner wants to Turn the entire West Lake into a poisonous lake, so as to achieve the goal of forcing Taotie out of the lake. There are many smart people in the world who can think that Taotie is the murderer, and it happens to be hiding in the West Lake. There was that mysterious man who bought arsenic. But the West Lake is too big, and although the arsenic is poisonous, once it is diluted and dissolved by the water of the huge West Lake, the toxicity is greatly weakened, so the gluttonous people can still hide at the bottom of the lake safe and sound, unaffected. Those innocent people have suffered, they cannot drink the poisonous West Lake water, and they have to rely on rainwater to live." Tang Situi said: "In my opinion, maybe this mysterious person also has good intentions, and is eager to make contributions to the country and the people. You are so capable, have you found out who the poisoner is?" The third son said: "This mysterious poisoner is you!" Tang Si was so angry that his face was shaking wildly, he opened his mouth, saliva flew, and angrily said: "Young man with a yellow mouth, you dare to slander the officials of the imperial court, and you should be punished for your crime." Then he knelt down and played to the emperor: "Your Majesty is wise, do Don't listen to his nonsense." The emperor seemed to stand firmly on the side of the third son, and said: "Prime Minister, don't get angry, and let the third son finish speaking. The clean will be clear, and the turbid will be turbid. I will judge impartially. " The third son said: "There is no impenetrable wall in the world. The person who went to buy arsenic was Rao Youde, the steward of the prime minister's mansion. If it wasn't for someone from the prime minister's mansion to come forward, who would buy five or six hundred catties of arsenic in just a short time?" Can you buy them all within two or three days?" Tang Si retreated: "There are nearly 500 people in the prime minister's mansion. The old man has always been busy with government affairs and rarely intervened in their private affairs. Therefore, the old man is not aware of what the butler Rao is doing." The third young master forced him to ask: "If it wasn't for your order, how could Rao Youde dare to buy five or six hundred catties of arsenic in one go?" Tang Situi suddenly burst into laughter, clapped his hands in congratulations, and said, "Third Young Master is really powerful. The old man's painstaking efforts have not been able to hide it from you. The old man did not want to announce this matter to the public, so as not to make people misunderstand that the old man is here. Thank you for your credit. That’s right, the old man has already expected that Taotie is the murderer, and he is hiding in the West Lake, but he has never been able to find out its exact location, so he has no choice but to use the method of throwing arsenic into the lake. There is a way to force it out. The fact that Housekeeper Rao went to buy arsenic was at the behest of the old man. The old man also knows that this plan is vicious and can easily arouse public anger. That's why the old man kept it secret all the time, but he didn't expect to be discovered by the third son. The old man was purely eager to solve the case, so as to make the Holy Majesty feel at ease as soon as possible, so he had to resort to this extraordinary method. Now that the case was solved, the old man wanted to keep the matter secret .I hope His Majesty will understand the selfishness of the old minister, and forgive the old minister for not reporting the crime." Xiaozong said: "Prime Minister Tang is also thinking about the country and the country, and he is innocent." The third son said: "Prime Minister Tang, since you admit that you bought the arsenic, let me ask you, where is the remaining three hundred catties of arsenic?" , but he replied stiffly: "All the arsenic has been poured into the West Lake, where is there any leftover?" The third young master said: "If more than 600 jin of arsenic were really poured into the West Lake, do you know what the consequences would be? I'm afraid that apart from that powerful gluttonous, the rest of the fish, shrimps, crabs and snakes, regardless of Everyone, big or small, will be poisoned and die. There will be many casualties, and even Taotie may not be spared. If Taotie is also poisoned to death in the West Lake, its body will also sink to the bottom of the lake. It will not take a year or a half. Surface, and this is obviously not what you want to see, so you only used a small amount of arsenic, just to force Taotie to land, so that you can capture it in one fell swoop. What you really want is to be swallowed by Taotie The night pearl of the East China Sea that went into the stomach." The emperor said: "Third Young Master, I'm sorry to interrupt, may I interject a sentence?" The third son said: "You are the emperor, this is your territory, you can interrupt if you want." So Xiaozong interjected contentedly: "Although the Donghai Yeming Pearl is precious, it is only a bright pearl after all. To go to such great lengths to obtain it is like making a big fuss over a molehill." The third son said: "The Donghai Yeming Pearl itself is already a priceless thing, and the Ye Mingzhu itself has a lot of mystery. For Prime Minister Tang, even if it takes ten times more trouble than this, as long as he can get it, he will be happy." would consider it well worth it.” The emperor asked: "What is the mystery of the night pearl itself?" The third son said: "Your Majesty may wish to wait and see what happens. I believe the answer to the mystery will be revealed soon." The emperor seemed to have great confidence in the third son beyond the norm, so he didn't continue to ask.The third son said: "Prime Minister Tang, let me ask again, where is the remaining arsenic?" Tang Situi said: "There is no arsenic left at all. In this Zichen Palace, in front of the Holy Majesty, if you give me ten more guts, I will not believe it. If you don't believe me, you can find someone to search for it in the Prime Minister's Mansion." , if there is really the so-called arsenic in the prime minister's mansion, then it will not be too late for the young master to ask the teacher for the crime." The third son said: "Otherwise, what I want to remind Prime Minister Tang is that if there are more than three hundred catties of arsenic left, if they are thrown into the well water that the people of the capital drink, countless innocent people will suffer If you die, the capital will fall into a state of more panic and chaos than before, and those with ulterior motives can rise up from it and incite the people to rebel. Or, if the arsenic is smuggled to the anti-golden battlefield ahead and mixed with the officers and soldiers In the daily diet, the officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty will be greatly reduced. The morale of the army is uncertain and the soldiers have no fighting spirit. How can we stop the cavalry of the Jin Dynasty from taking advantage of the opportunity? Tang Si retreated: "Your Majesty, this old minister thinks that the case is over and the real culprit has been brought to justice. It is really unnecessary to talk about the details of this case. If someone tries to turn black and white and make use of it, this old man will not forgive him lightly." The old voice sounded particularly majestic and powerful in the empty Zichen Hall, and his fat body made every word he uttered full of air. The emperor said: "Third son, there is no need to pursue the matter of arsenic. I believe what Prime Minister Tang said. Since Prime Minister Tang said that there is no arsenic left, then there really is no arsenic left." Tang Situi was protected by the emperor, with a smug smile on his face. The third son turned to Tang Situi and said, "If you don't talk about arsenic, let's talk about the Pearl of the East China Sea. Prime Minister Tang, you must like the Pearl of the East China Sea very much, right?" Tang Si retreated: "The East China Sea Night Pearl is a rare treasure. If the old man says he doesn't like it, he is deceiving himself and others. Not only the old man likes it, I'm afraid the young master also likes this East Sea Night Pearl very much." The third young master said: "Of course I like it, but I can only look forward to it and sigh. I am not like you, who has power over the government and overwhelms the Kyushu. It is not easy to get a mere night pearl in the East China Sea." Tang Situi said, "Young master, what do you say?" The third son said: "The Pearl of the East China Sea was originally owned by Bai Renshan, a giant jeweler in the Jianghuai River, and I don't know who it changed hands to. But this time, the escort that the Baisheng Escort Bureau bet on is the Pearl of the East China Sea, which has not been seen for many years. This escort is sent to They came from Hangzhou. However, the bodyguards were killed before they were sent to the ground, so it is not known who they will send this bodyguard to. People go to the empty building, as if the world has evaporated. Obviously, the reason why the people in the escort agency want to hide is that they are afraid of retaliation by the owner and receiver of the goods, because the owner of the goods and the receiver of the goods are both important and powerful. Fortunately , the chief escort of Baisheng Escort Bureau is waiting outside the hall at this moment, and he will tell everyone present where the escort was originally going to go." The three young masters clapped their hands, and a person walked in from the door. It was Yuan Xiyou, the head of the Baisheng Escort Bureau. Mr. Jin, who was sitting behind Tang Si, saw Yuan Xiyou, as if seeing a ghost, and hissed: "You are still alive?"