treacherous world

In winter, the weather is getting colder and colder. Just after the winter solstice, it snowed heavily, and the whole Kaifeng was covered with snow.The residents of Kaifeng city put on thick winter clothes one after another, and those who could not go out tried their best not to go out.

On this day, before dawn, Bao Zheng got up, put on a thick cotton robe, and prepared to go to court.

Just opened the door, a shock.

Don't think that dark skin doesn't make you afraid of the cold. The moment Mr. Bao stepped out of the threshold, he retreated again. He had the urge to curse. For the first time in his life, he envied Grand Master Pang's fat body, which was probably warmer than the cotton robe.

Bao Zheng took a deep breath. The cold wind after the snow made his lungs ache. He shook his head. The only consolation is that Zhao Zhen is diligent and caring for the people. In such a cold day, the morning court will not be delayed even a day.

Stepping out of the door, the cold wind began to blow from all directions.

Bao Zheng went out, closed the door with his backhand, and made a "creak".The door was damaged by rock-scissors before, and it was just replaced with a new one, which was a little tight.

Putting on official boots, Bao Zheng stepped into the snow and walked out of the courtyard. Just two steps away, the door of the next room opened.Bao Yan put on a blanket and rushed out in his underwear, he didn't know what he was holding in his arms.

Bao Zheng frowned, "Run out without proper clothes, how old are you!"

"Father!" Bao Yan shook off the big bag in his hand, and saw a thick black leather cloak with fluff inside.

Bao Zheng put on the cloak as he wanted, feeling very warm instantly.

"The other day I went hunting with the Ninth Prince and the others. I hunted a black bear and made you a robe. This is warm and perfect to wear when you go to court." After Bao Yan finished speaking, he rubbed his hands and went back to the house tremblingly, while instructing Bao Walk slowly on the road.

Watching him get into the room and close the door, Bao Zheng probably got under the covers immediately, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.Putting on the cloak, Bao Zheng stepped out of the courtyard, feeling warmer than ever before, what is the cold weather?I have a son!

At the door, Wang Chao Mahan saw Bao Zheng swaying, wearing a black bear cloak, put it on and off, and then walked into the snow, the words "send charcoal in the snow" popped out inexplicably in everyone's head, and quickly shook their heads.

Bao Zheng passed by the gate of the second well yard, and saw Xiao Liang was practicing. The snow around him had been swept away. He was wearing a short suit and was practicing vigorously.

Bao Zheng frowned, "Xiao Liangzi, be careful of catching a cold!"

Xiao Liang stopped, wiped his sweat, "It's so early, my lord, I'm not cold."

Bao Zheng looked at the sweat on Xiao Liang's body, and looked up at the sky—as expected, youth is capital.

"Remember to take a hot bath after training." Bao Zheng reminded him.

"Yeah." Xiao Liang nodded, continued to practice, Bao Zheng continued to walk, looked at the third courtyard gate, Zhan Zhao's courtyard.

The yard is still quiet, and the thick snow has not been swept away.After Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang got engaged, Bao Zheng gave him a two-month vacation, and everyone went back to Xingkong Island together.Counting the days, I guess I should be back today.In the past, Kaifeng Mansion was full of people, and it looked very lively, but now all the people have left suddenly, and it looks empty.Bao Zheng didn't know if he was getting old, and he missed everyone, especially Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.

After what happened last time, the clues to trace the mirage were broken. Bao Zheng was always worried about the safety of Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, always feeling that there was some conspiracy going on around him.

The sedan chair walked slowly all the way, and opened the sedan chair curtain at the gate of the palace, and the guard at the gate came up and said, "Master Bao, the emperor has ordered that it is cold outside, so you don't have to get out of the sedan chair, just carry it into the palace."

Bao Zheng secretly praised the emperor for being considerate and considerate of his subordinates, nodded his thanks, and sat in a sedan chair all the way to the gate of the Golden Palace.

There were many sedan chairs parked in front of the Golden Palace, Bao Zheng got off the sedan chair and was about to go up the steps, when he met Pang Ji who was wearing a fur on the opposite side.

When Pang Ji saw Bao Zheng from afar, he was stunned for a moment, and then he burst out laughing, "Hahaha...Little Baozi, why are you acting like a bear."

Bao Zheng's eyelids trembled, he narrowed his eyes to look at Pang Ji, and said to himself, you fat man, if you don't look at yourself, you are dressed like a fat fox.

But still the same sentence, Mr. Bao is in a good mood today, because Bao Yan is filial, and Zhan Zhao Bai Yutang is coming back, so he is too lazy to argue with Pang Ji, and walks slowly up the steps.

"Ah." Pang Ji was finished, and he caught up with his stomach, and asked Bao Zheng in a low voice, "Have you heard the wind?"

"What?" Bao Zheng looked at him in bewilderment, as if something was wrong with his expression.

"Tsk." Pang Ji curled his lips and said in a low voice, "Do you know something happened in Sichuan?"

Bao Zheng was taken aback, then frowned at him, "What happened?"

"One month ago, people came from Sichuan." Pang Ji said succinctly, "County magistrates and local generals in Zizhou, Maozhou, and Yazhou, a total of twelve local officials, jointly named Yin Hezheng of Chengdu Prefecture Participated."

Bao Zheng frowned. He Zheng was in the same period as himself, had a good relationship with many officials in the court and was very capable.He has been the prefect of Chengdu for almost ten years, and the weather in central Sichuan has always been smooth, so why did so many officials join him?

"Join him for what?" Bao Zheng wondered.

"Amazing." Pang Ji shook his head, "colluding with Tubo, conniving with bandits, embezzling taxes, and cooperating with several generals of the southern army to withhold military pay... And among the twelve officials who came together, eleven of them died. They were intercepted and killed halfway."

Bao Zheng raised his eyebrows when he heard this, "Can't you just say that he is heinous?"

Pang Ji shrugged, and stretched out his hand to pat Bao Zheng, "The emperor kept it secret, and was afraid of framing Zhongliang, so he probably dealt with it coldly. He must have sent a secret agent to check it out. It's almost time to come back today. I entered yesterday. The palace looks at Xiangxiang, the emperor's complexion is not good."

Bao Zheng frowned, "Could it be that these accusations are true?"

Pang Ji smiled, "Old Bao, if it's true, do you know what it means?"

"Nonsense." Bao Zheng frowned, "Chengdu Mansion is adjacent to Tubo and Dali, the geographical location is very delicate, if something goes wrong, it will be serious."

"He Zheng has a solid foundation. The emperor trusts him very much. It must be a big move to investigate." Pang Ji rubbed Bao Zheng with his arm, "How long has it been since you went on tour?"

Bao Zheng frowned, "No way..."

"Why not." Pang Ji tutted and waved his hands twice, "I think you probably have to go to Shuzhong this time, have the Zhan guards come back? It is said that He Zheng himself is also a military general Congwen, and his subordinates are like a cloud of masters."

Bao Zheng had a worried look on his face. If it was true, it might really take some effort.

When he went to court, Zhao Zhen's expression was as usual.

Recently, Guotai Minan has been the same as before. Except that it is colder and needs to distribute cotton coats and open more porridge shops, there is nothing special about it.After Zhao Zhen retired from the court, he called Bao Zheng alone, and went to the study to talk in detail.

Bao Zheng looked at Pang Ji, and Pang Ji gave him a "look" expression, and cheerfully invited Prime Minister Wang and the Eighth Prince to drink tea and gossip.

Bao Zheng followed Zhao Zhen to the study, and saw Zhao Puzheng sitting there holding the fourth son, the queen mother and Zhao Yuan were also there, as if they were talking about family matters, and Zhao Yuan peeled peanuts for the fourth son to eat.

Zhao Pu looked up and saw that Bao Zheng was brought by Zhao Zhen, he was slightly stunned, and realized... no wonder he was suddenly called into the palace today, and he was specially asked to go to the study, it seems that it is not as simple as talking about family routine.

Zhao Zhen entered the door, picked up the fourth son and teased him a few words, Zhao Yuan and the empress dowager took the fourth son to play with Concubine Pang, and took a look at Xiangxiang by the way.Xiangxiang can already walk, and can still call the fourth son "brother".

After everyone left, Zhao Zhen told Chen Banban to close the door, sat down and looked at the two of them.

Zhao Pu looked at Bao Zheng and signaled with his eyes—what happened?

Bao Zheng slightly raised his eyebrows—hmm!event.

Zhao Pu understood, and waited for Zhao Zhen to speak.

Zhao Zhen asked Bao Zheng, "Bao Qing, are Zhan Huwei and Bai Shaoxia back?"

Bao Zheng nodded, "According to the plan, I should be able to come back today."

"Okay." Zhao Zhen didn't continue talking, looking preoccupied.

Zhao Pu and Bao Zheng looked at each other and asked, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Zhao Zhen took a deep breath, stood up, picked up a thick stack of memorials from the desk, threw it on the table, and cursed, "It's against him!"

It was rare for Zhao Pu and Bao Zheng to see the always gentle Zhao Zhen lose such a temper. They picked up the memorial and opened it to read. The more they read, the more they frowned.

Bao Zheng asked Zhao Zhen, "Your Majesty, these memorials..."

"I sent the shadow guards to investigate, and it's absolutely true!" Zhao Zhen suppressed his anger, "Thanks to me trusting him so much, he made a prosperous Sichuan, causing people's resentment to boil. Now there are bandits all over the mountain, it is said People in several counties starved to death.”

Zhao Pu closed the memorial, "Secondly, he corrupted the law and misgoverned the government. The main thing is, what is he going to do with so much tax money and military pay?"

Bao Zheng also nodded, "Indeed, Tubo has been eyeing it all the time. Recently, it is said that the new prince's succession to the throne must be ambitious."

Zhao Zhen looked at the two of them, "There must be his eyeliner in the court, Uncle Huang, Bao Qing, this trip to Shuzhong..."

Zhao Pu accepted the booklet, "Let's take a trip."

Bao Zheng also nodded, "However, it's not advisable to make a public announcement, it's better to wear a small dress."

Zhao Zhen took the accompanying sword from the wall and put it on the table, "If He Zheng doesn't cooperate, you can kill him first and play later. This trip is dangerous, so be careful."

Bao Zheng took Shang Fang's sword and said in his heart, He Zheng is the second grade Zheng, he has been governor of Chengdu for so long, he can be regarded as the overlord of one party, it is not easy to kill him.Maybe the army will be dispatched at that time... It seems that this winter will not be peaceful again.

Thinking of this, Bao Zheng coughed, "Your Majesty, Grand Master Pang has nothing to do recently, right?"

Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, "What does Bao Qing mean, bring the Grand Master along?"

Bao Zheng smiled, waved his hand lightly, "No."

"Huh?" Zhao Zhen was puzzled.

Zhao Pu smiled and looked at Bao Zheng, "Bao Xiang, do you want to use the grand master as bait to distract He Zheng?"

Bao Zheng smiled and nodded.

How smart Zhao Zhen is, he immediately understood and nodded, "That's right, He Zheng must know that those officials came to visit him in Kaifeng, and he will definitely be wary of someone who goes undercover to investigate. If he makes preparations early and stays put, it will be difficult for you to do things." Yes, so... You go quietly first, and when you are almost in the middle of Sichuan, I will issue an order to order the grand master to go on a tour on behalf of the sky. If He Zheng has ghosts in his heart, he must destroy the evidence or act first, so you can check .

Bao Zheng nodded, "The emperor is wise."

Outside the palace, Grand Master Pang sighed while drinking tea with the Eighth Prince.

"What's the matter, old Pang?" the Eighth Prince asked him, "I'm listless."

"My lord, don't you have some great masters in your house, can you lend me two?" Pang Ji asked with a sad face.

The Eighth Prince smiled, reached out and nodded, "I've already prepared it for you." After speaking, he clapped his hands, and the four masters from the Eighth Prince's Mansion all came.

"The four of them will be responsible for protecting you when the time comes. When you arrive in the middle of Shu, He Zheng should not touch you unless it is absolutely necessary. Besides, with Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang and Ze Lan around, you should be fine."

"I'm not afraid of losing my life, but I'm afraid that the sunspot will torment me sincerely." Pang Ji shook his head and sighed, cursing that He Zhengzhen would cause trouble for him.

After Zhao Pu and Bao Zheng discussed the westward plan with Zhao Zhenxin, they left the palace.Zhao Pu went to the military camp on horseback first, this time he needed Ouyang's cooperation, and He Yihang needed to send troops from the west to help, there were many things to discuss.

The fourth son said goodbye to Concubine Pang and the Queen Mother, sat in Bao Zheng's sedan chair, and went back to Kaifeng together.

Bao Zheng has been sitting and thinking.

Little Sizi wore a white rabbit fur cloak, a little rabbit hat on his head, and a pair of deerskin boots dangling on his feet, looking out the window from time to time.

Seeing his anxious look, Bao Zheng smiled and said, "Don't look, if you go back to the mansion, Guard Zhan and Shaoxia Bai must have already returned.

"Really?" The fourth son blushed, "I really miss Miaomiao and Baibai!"

Bao Zheng smiled and patted his head, "It's a pity that Guard Zhan has just returned and is about to go to Sichuan."

"Are we going to play in Sichuan?" the fourth son was happy.

"I'm not going to play this time." Bao Zheng sighed, "Going to catch a bad guy."

While talking, he heard Dynasty outside shouting, "Lord Zhan!"

The fourth son was overjoyed, and opened the sedan chair curtain to look out. He saw Zhan Zhao riding Zao Duoduo, who seemed to have just entered the city and was leisurely heading towards Kaifeng Mansion.Hearing Wang Chao call him, when he turned his head, Zhan Zhao also smiled, and quickly turned his horse to come over.

As soon as the sedan chair stopped, the fourth son rushed out, Zhan Zhao got off the horse, caught the fourth son who rushed over like a snowball, and hugged him, "Your fourth son, do you miss me?"

"Think!" The fourth son put his arms around Zhan Zhao and kissed him, while Zao Duoduo also came over to rub the fourth son's cheek.

"Huh?" The fourth son looked back, "Where's Bai Bai? Didn't come back with you."

"Oh, there are still some things to do on the empty island, Yutang will be delayed for a few days before coming." Zhan Zhao patted him, "I'll hurry back first."

Bao Zheng also came out, "What to do in such a hurry, it won't be too late to come back with Bai Shaoxia."

"Hey, is it time, my lord, how is Kaifeng mansion doing? I'm not here, is there nothing wrong?" Zhan Zhao has always been concerned about the situation of Kaifeng mansion.

"Of course it's fine." Bao Zheng asked with a smile, "Where are the others?"

"Well, both parents have gone back. Tang Shitou and Yue Yang let Tianzun and Yin Hou take them away to learn Kung Fu, saying that they will be released after three years, and then they will go to Kaifeng Mansion to help. They are still young."

Bao Zheng nodded, "Very good, very good!"

Zhan Zhao led the horse, held the fourth son in his arms, and walked back with Bao Zheng.

The fourth son pinched Zhan Zhao and found that he was neither fat nor thin, but he seemed to have gotten a little whiter, and his complexion was rosy, and he knew that he must be very happy in the past two months, and his mood has also improved. The only regret is that he has to wait for nothing. Been back for a few days.

After returning to Kaifeng Mansion, Gongsun ran out cheerfully, and Ziying Zheying and others gathered around a large table to greet Zhan Zhao.

Pang Yu rushed over, and Bao Zheng asked everyone to go to Taibaiju to have a good meal. He deliberately didn't talk about the trip, and asked Zhan Zhao to rest for two days.

On the morning of the third day, Zhan Zhao also regained his strength. He always felt that Bao Zheng was preoccupied these few days, so he took a moment to ask in Bao Zheng's study.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Bao Zheng told him about his trip to the south.

"He Zheng?" Zhan Zhao frowned, "He Zheng spent his early years in the rivers and lakes. He was known as a leopard, and he was very popular in Sichuan. In addition, the terrain in Central Sichuan is complex, with many mountains and villages."

"Zhan Huwei, are you familiar with the martial arts people in Sichuan?" Bao Zheng asked.

Zhan Zhao shook his head and clapped his hands, "Yutang will be back in a few days. He is very familiar with the other side of Shuzhong! The Tang Sect in Shuzhong is all his friends, and the village owners on several hilltops also have friendship with Xingkong Island."

"Young Xia Bai won't be back for a few days." Bao Zheng frowned, "But we're leaving the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Zhan Zhao thought for a while, "It's okay, let's leave a message and go first, he probably can catch up to us before we reach the middle of Sichuan."

Bao Zheng nodded, "That's the best. This trip must be dangerous, so we must proceed with caution."

Zhan Zhao nodded, ready to go.

The next day, everyone quietly left Kaifeng mansion in the dark and drove on the road.

There were a lot of people on this trip, Bao Zheng, Gongsun, Xiao Sizi, Bao Yan and Pang Yu, these people took the car.The shadow guards drove and rode horses, Zhao Pu and Zhan Zhao also rode in front.

A group of people took the official road and traveled day and night to Chengdu Mansion. The first stop was the easternmost town of Chengdu Mansion, which is also the only place to pass through when entering Chengdu—Jincoffin Town.

The author has something to say: baa, Xindi case.Someone asked, why do we need to write a special episode for the engagement, two reasons, one is that I want to write in detail, so I can't guarantee a chapter a day, but we don't want to wait for the article, right?The second is to intersperse a lot of past events. If you look at the case together, it may be very confusing.I will try my best to finish the extra episode as quickly and well as possible ==+