Chapter Three Invitation

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  "Zong Ze?!" Gao Jiang was shocked upon hearing this, could it be that this is the same Zong who later during the Jingkang era served as the defender of Dongjing and before his death repeatedly shouted "Cross the river!" three times? However, at present he can't recall where this future anti-Jin general was hiding in some corner during the Chongning era. Although Zong Ze died at over 70 years old, at this time he should be around 40 years old, if he were to serve as a local official it wouldn't be strange.

  After inquiring about the names of those few people who had registered on the guest book, and after checking in they never came out of their rooms again. Gao Qiang then told Zhang San and Li Si to each go to the accounting room to collect one string of cash, which was equivalent to doubling the original reward. The two were overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, not even daring to turn their bodies around as they backed out, and were led away by the servants from the palace.

  On this side, Gao Qiang was lost in thought, his chin sunk: The names of those few people have been investigated, the young man's name is Fang Tianding, the robust big man's name is Shi Bao, and the woman and the monk have no leads. Only the appearance and names of these two are indeed identical to the eldest son of Fang La in the book and General Quan, adding that the monk's image is particularly unusual, several times considering the factors together, it can be almost 70-80% confirmed that these people are Fang La's trusted followers - on the premise that Shi Dage didn't misjudge anyone.

  It's unlikely that these few people traveled thousands of miles all the way to Bianliang City just for sightseeing.

  With a strong sense of helplessness, I muttered to myself, but there's too little information available, and it's really impossible to judge what the situation is all about. I have no idea how those protagonists who traveled back in time managed to know everything big and small, down to the smallest detail. Why am I so inferior? In vain, I've read the Song Dynasty history several times, but I still don't know what the famous general Zong Ze did before his uprising, or what Fang La's subordinates were up to before they rebelled. It seems that the saying "the History of the Song Dynasty compiled by Toqto'a is rough and careless" is indeed true. Alas, people are envious of others, why didn't I travel back in time to the Three Kingdoms or the Qing Dynasty instead...

  He stood up and said: "Shi Sanlang, I see that you are quite skilled at handling these rascals. Would you please take control of these people and report their every move to me, no matter how big or small? Just use the official expenses account to cover your costs." Shi Xiu was born in a city and was intelligent and resourceful, making him perfectly suited for this task.

  Shi Xiu readily agreed, having grown up in the lower levels of society and being well-versed in its ways. Doing this small favor was naturally a piece of cake for him. Gao Qiang continued, "Tomorrow I will return home to report to my father and have San Lang's name added to the list of candidates for this season's martial officer selection. However, I must trouble San Lang to stay by my side for a while longer."

  Shi Xiu was overjoyed, thanking him profusely and guaranteeing that as long as he could make a contribution to the yamen, he wouldn't care about fame or fortune. What did a mere military position matter? Gao Qiang smiled in response, thinking to himself that Shi Xiu's words sounded good, but since he had brought him all the way from Beijing, he would have to give him some benefits if he wanted to keep him. If he had a future in the military, serving under Commander Gao would naturally be a golden opportunity.

  Gao Qiang turned to Yan Qing, who hadn't spoken yet, and smiled: "Yan Qing is just a humble servant, willing to be by your side in the yamen as an errand boy. As for officialdom, I have no interest." Since that night when he killed Li Guo, Yan Qing had regained his usual carefree and elegant demeanor, laughing and chatting with ease every day, without any hint of sorrow or melancholy. Along the way, he was almost always the one to take the lead in asking questions and gathering information.

  Gao nodded strongly, thinking to himself that this was probably the case of "the sea changing into mulberry fields" after all. How many people could see that his heart had already been shattered? He followed them to another place for a stroll, took a look around and said a few words of idle chatter before returning to his room to rest with Xiao Huan.

  The next morning, Gao Qiu accompanied Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen to practice martial arts. As they were leaving the training ground, a soldier came to say that the commander was waiting for them in his study, asking the prefect to go over and have a chat.

  Gao Qiang washed his face, changed his clothes and came to see Old Master Gao. As soon as he entered the study, he saw Gao and Ye Mengde chatting idly. He couldn't help but secretly curse his bad luck, thinking that these days he had been having a streak of misfortune. He quickly went forward to pay respects to his father and uncle, both of whom were calm and composed, except for Ye who pretended to support him, laughing and saying: "Noble nephew, your loyalty is as high as the sky! You escorted your sworn brother to be exiled in Beijing, this is a sensation among the young people here. Brother Gao is truly blessed with good fortune."

  After finishing speaking, he burst out laughing, Gao Yun repeatedly modestly said don't spoil the child, Gao Qiang also didn't have a share of words, could only accompany him with a silly smile.

  Yue Mengde said, "Xian nephew, this trip will send Liang Liuzhu's boxes and luggage, on the way tired, just right after tomorrow is sixty birthday, want to invite Xian nephew to the government to drink a cup of longevity wine, foolish uncle today is come to give Gao brother and Xian nephew down post came."

  Gao's eyes scanned the table and saw two invitation cards, one with "Hanlin Jingzi" for Gao Zuo, and the other with "Mingfu Cai" for himself. He was puzzled when Gao Zuo laughed and said: "Your Excellency is too kind, but I'm afraid I won't be able to attend, as I have an important duty at the Imperial Guard's roll-call on that day."

  Gao was taken aback, still unclear why Gao had so readily declined the invitation. Meanwhile, Ye Mengde's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this response: "Brother Gao is upright and forgets personal matters, diligently attending to official duties is the right path, and it must be that you are being overly cautious. However, Brother Gao's wife has always been fond of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Liang, who was married off to Beijing. This time, your nephew will bring back various items for Brother Gao's wife from his trip to guard the imperial tomb. The old lady is overjoyed at the thought of her daughter and has specially sent an invitation to ask you to visit our residence. You should be able to understand this old lady's deep maternal love." He smiled, stroking his beard.

  It suddenly dawned on Gao that the invitation to his father was just a pretext, and the real purpose was to invite himself. It's also reasonable to think that the current court situation is subtle, with a loose exterior and a tight interior, and undercurrents surging. Although Zhao Ting's party, who claims to be a new nobleman, has abolished Cai Jing's various policies one by one in the name of following the previous emperor's laws, Cai Jing has been through so many years of officialdom, with his disciples and old friends all over the court, and his potential cannot be eliminated overnight. The position of Zhao's party is not stable, so the attitude of middle-of-the-road figures like Zhang Kangguo, the head of the Imperial Guard, and Gao Hu, the commander of the Imperial Army, becomes especially important.

  Everyone is a veteran of the political arena, even if they have a private understanding, they must still pretend to be impartial on the surface. Therefore, although Gao Huan has already privately expressed his support for Cai Jing's side, he will definitely not attend this banquet. Cai Jing's side also understands this and has sent two invitations, one in Cai Jing's name inviting Gao Huan, and the other in Madame Cai's name inviting Gao Qiang, with the main purpose being to win over Gao Qiang.

  These thoughts flashed through their minds, and everyone tacitly understood. High Strong nodded in agreement, saying "as you wish", and promised to attend the celebration on time the next day. Ye Mengde's goal had been achieved, so he chatted for a few more sentences before taking his leave. High Guang and his son saw him off, bowing their hands as they bid farewell at the gate.

  Gao Liang accompanied his father to lunch, and as soon as he came out of the study door, he saw Shi Xiu waiting by the roadside: "Report to the official, those few people have made a move."

  Gao was overjoyed and hastily ordered the detailed report to be brought. It turned out that the three men had left early in the morning, went straight to the residence of Zhao Ting, the Right Vice-Premier, and submitted a memorial using the name of Zong Ze, the Military Governor of Longyou. However, as the family members of the Prime Minister were seventh-grade officials, these people did not have access to the inner court, and before they could even pass the gatehouse, they were chased out. The monk was furious and was about to use his staff when he was stopped by Shi Bao, the big man, and Fang Tian Ding, the young man, who restrained him as he left in a huff.

  Gao heard it and was stunned; the relationship inside is getting more and more complicated. Fang's people arrived in the capital, using Zong Ze's name to find Zhao Tingzhi, which is inexplicable. Firstly, it's strange that Manicheans would cooperate with local officials, secondly, if they can cooperate with local officials, what can't be done through normal channels, why do they need to come to the capital to report to the prime minister? Furthermore, these people are obviously ignorant of official rules and regulations, how can they accomplish anything by recklessly coming to the capital? Zong Ze is a famous general in later generations, how could he not know the inside story?

  For a moment he was at a loss, and then suddenly remembered something: "Third Brother, you just mentioned those three men, but why didn't you mention that young girl?"

  Shi Xiu smiled and said: "The yamen remembers it so clearly, this woman is indeed born with a beautiful appearance, no wonder the yamen misses her."

  With an unchanged expression: "The saint said: 'Food and sex are human nature.' Tell me quickly, what's going on with that woman?"

  "It was reported to the authorities that this woman went out with three others at dawn, and then walked alone to the Tianhanzhou Bridge. She spent the morning walking back and forth on the street from Tianhanzhou Bridge to Zhuque Gate, but despite the numerous vendors calling out their wares, she didn't buy a single thing. She only bought two rice cakes from the old shopkeeper Ma's place for lunch, spending eight cents. Afterwards, she headed towards the East Gate, and should now be near the Imperial Academy."

  Gao Jian pondered for a moment, these men's move was not working out, they must have another plan, just wait and see. This woman strolled along the street without buying anything, probably related to the Manichean doctrine of poverty, but what did she want to do by going to Taixue again?

  It's useless to think wildly here, and since these people want to follow Zhao Tingzhi's path, they must have something important to report. It's better to find a way to contact them and understand more. As soon as this thought occurred, Gao Qiang asked: "Third Brother, are Xiao Yi and Guan Zhong at home?"

  Shi Xiu replied that Yan Qing had gone out with a family member to stroll in the market early on and had not returned yet. Xu Guanzhong, on the other hand, was at home and hadn't left, so the two of them went to find him and together headed towards the East Gate's Tai Xue. In his subconscious mind, he always felt that it would be more pleasant to have more contact with this beauty than with those three men.

  Among the three, he was most familiar with the high-end route. Along the way, he shook a white paper fan to point out the scenery to the two outsiders, such as Lao Mei's family's sauce duck and dried rabbit, Lao Lu's family's steamed fish buns, Fengliangju's vegetarian skewers and sugar, and lotus green bean soup. As they walked and ate along the way, they were already bloated with their eyes turning white before reaching the East Gate.

  All the way, every time he turned a street corner, there was a rogue who came to report to Shi Xiu. The girl had left the East Gate, the girl had arrived at Tai Xue, the girl had picked a willow branch by Jinming Pond... everything seemed as if he had seen it himself. Gao Qiang listened to Shi Xiu's report with one ear and secretly rejoiced that his subordinate was capable. In just one night, Shi Sanlang had turned these rogues into eyes and ears all over the capital city. This was only the beginning. Once Shi Xiu took root in the alleys of this capital city, wouldn't it become Gao Qiang's domain? Heh heh, it feels like a spy organization!

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