Cloud of the Qing Dynasty

The next day, Qin Wuqi hosted a banquet alone, and invited Mu Liuyun and Zhang Chi.

After the two parties sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries, Qin Wuqi said: "Brother Zhang Chi rejected my invitation and went back to work for the court. It is really regrettable. But people have their own ambitions, and you can't force them to come. , We can still seek cooperation in many aspects.”

Hearing what he said, Zhang Chi's curiosity was immediately aroused, and he temporarily put aside the question he was going to ask: "Oh? I don't know how Qin Zhuangzhu wants to cooperate?"

"We Ming people don't speak dark words. The imperial court wants to take back control of Liangjiang Salt Road and the mines under the name of Jinghong Mountain Villa. Everyone knows this well, but after all, the brothers in the village fought hard to win those. Brother Zhang Chi, you are also a person who has traveled through the rivers and lakes. You should understand the temperament of the people in the rivers and lakes. If the court wants us to hand over our own territory, even if I agree, the people below will probably rebel of."

Zhang Chi nodded: "That's true, so what is Master Qin planning?"

Qin Wuqi didn't answer immediately, but instead asked: "Brother Zhang Chi is resourceful and resourceful. If you were on my side, how do you think we should resolve this embarrassing situation?"

Zhang Chi froze for a moment, then shook his head: "I can't think of it."

Qin Wuqi smiled and said, "Is it really impossible to think about it? In my opinion, Brother Zhang Chi just doesn't want to think about that possibility."

Zhang Chi said helplessly: "With the identity and character of the owner of Qin Zhuang, I am afraid that he will not accept the imperial court's recruitment anyway. Please forgive me, I really can't think of other ways out."

"However, how much do you know about me?" Qin Wuqi said, "Qin still understands the reason that those who know the current affairs are heroes, and I also know that the situation in the court is gradually stabilizing, and the golden age of Jianghu people is over. And Standing in my position today, if I still want to have a good death, the only way out is to learn from Shangqing Palace, give up part of the power, and be a low-key person from now on. Apart from this, there is no other way."

Zhang Chi couldn't believe it: "Master Qin really thinks so? Then why didn't he speak like this last time?"

"Actually, this matter is no different from the battle for territory between Jianghu gangs. It's just that the gang that wants to compete with us for territory this time is too big. I know that Jinghong Villa's chances of winning are slim. If we can negotiate, it is better to choose negotiation. Really If we can’t reach an agreement, we can only fight to the death, and we can’t sit still.” Qin Wuqi sighed, “All the officials from the DPRK and China who have contacted us before have high-spirited eyes, and they don’t even bother to negotiate terms with what they see as reckless, okay? Yi Yi reached some consensus with Marquis Yongning, but he died suddenly again. I couldn’t see any other way out, so I had to prepare for the worst. But if Brother Zhang Chi can replace Marquis Yongning as the middleman, both sides can resolve this situation without bloodshed. If there is a contradiction, then why do I have to go on the road of life and death?"

What Qin Wuqi said made Zhang Chi feel a little guilty: "How can I be capable? How can I be the middleman between the owner of Qin Zhuang and the court?"

"Brother Zhang Chi, don't be overly modest. In the past few months, you have transformed from a precarious wanted criminal to a hot celebrity in front of the emperor. You have won the emperor's trust and reuse. This matter has long been a thing of the past, no matter in the world or in the court. It’s a secret, maybe Brother Zhang Chi’s current status is not very important, but with your wisdom and ability, I believe that within a few years, you will become the most influential person around the emperor. The emperor sits in the imperial city, you can If he is blind and deaf, what he thinks about the forces in Jianghu depends on what Brother Zhang Chi wants to tell him."

Zhang Chi glanced at Mu Liuyun, who was eating food in silence, and decided to probe Qin Wuqi's tone first before saying, "This... I wonder what Qin Zhuangzhu wants me to do?"

"I hope Brother Zhang Chi can facilitate the negotiations between the two parties and let them know that Jinghong Villa is willing to give up the territory that the imperial court wants, but there are conditions. Convinced money, compared to the benefits we gave up, I don't think this is an excessive request."

"Of course, what about the second?"

"Brothers have been running these venues for many years, and they already know everything. If the imperial court rashly sends someone to take over, I'm afraid it will be a mess. Manpower is needed to do things anyway. If you can provide positions for the brothers, they will continue to operate those outlets for the imperial court. , it must be a matter that is beneficial to both parties.”

Zhang Chi said hesitantly: "But...if all the people under Master Qin's subordinates go to serve in the court, not only the power of Jinghong Villa will not be as good as before, but the status of Master Qin himself in the world may also be in jeopardy."

"This is exactly the result I want. First, I hope that the brothers who have been with me for many years can have a good place to go. Second, I also have the intention of retiring. Now I have a lovely wife and beautiful family by my side. If there is Opportunity, I still hope that I can escape from this chaotic arena and live a stable life like my father and uncle."

What he said was well-founded and sincere. For a moment, Zhang Chi couldn't tell whether the other party was sincere or false. Anyway, he agreed first: "If the owner of Qin Zhuang really wants to, the two sides don't need to fight rashly. It will be a great blessing to the common people. I can’t say anything about this matter for the time being, but if I have the opportunity, I will definitely mediate for Master Qin.”

"With Brother Zhang Chi's words, I feel more at ease." Qin Wuqi smiled lightly, "There is no need to rush this matter, and I still need some time to appease my subordinates. By the way, I still don't know Brother Zhang Chi after talking for a long time. Why are you looking for me, could it be related to the Taoist priest's injury?"

Qin Wuqi looked at Mu Liuyun who had been silent all this time, but Mu Liuyun looked at Zhang Chi.

Zhang Chi coughed lightly and said, "Master Qin, this matter may involve some private information. I wonder if we can discuss it in private?"

Qin Wuqi looked at him in confusion for a while, and let the servants on the left and right go down first.

When only Qin Wuqi, Zhang Chi and Mu Liuyun were left in the dining room, Zhang Chi said, "I actually came here for the murder case of Marquis Yongning."

"What's going on, isn't the murder case of Marquis Yongning already solved? The murderer is also dead."

"In order to calm people's hearts, the imperial court naturally wanted to declare this to the outside world, but after some investigation, I found that there are still some doubts in this case. I just took this opportunity to come to Master Qin to answer the doubts in my heart."

While speaking, Zhang Chi was carefully observing Qin Wuqi's reaction, but there was nothing abnormal in Qin Wuqi's expression and tone: "Oh? I wonder if there are any doubts in the case?"

"For one thing, Marquis Yongning has practiced some fists and kicks anyway, so he shouldn't be killed by a sword strike by a drunken dude. Besides, on the day when Lord Hou was killed, the secret road was open, and Lord Hou will be surrounded by guards. All the transfers may be for the convenience of secretly interviewing someone, that is to say, when the murder happened, there was a third person present besides Yi Jiangliu."

"That is to say, your so-called suspicious point is just a guess of 'should not be', and the two coincidences that the secret passage is open and the guard is not present?"

"This matter is of great importance. Even if it's just rumors, I must investigate to the end." Zhang Chi said, "The owner of Qin Zhuang was also in the capital at that time, and I came here to confirm that the day when Lord Hou was killed , where is the owner of Qinzhuang, and what is he doing?"

Zhang Chi thought that it would be more suspicious if Qin Wuqi could come up with a solid alibi right away. What happened a few months ago, but I can’t remember exactly what was done on that day. Could it be that Brother Zhang Chi suspects that Qin was responsible for this murder?”

Zhang Chi thought about his words and said: "I just learned a piece of news recently. Earlier last year, when Lord Qin went to the capital, he was secretly arrested by Lord Hou for a few days. Later, your nanny Qingwan went to see Lord Hou. On the one hand, he let you go, what did Qingwan tell him that day, and why did he let you go?"

Qin Wuqi frowned upon hearing the words: "What does this have to do with the death of Marquis Yongning?"

"It is very likely that there is a major connection, and the owner of Qin Zhuang must tell the truth."

Qin Wuqi's tone was already a little displeased: "The reason for this is something about someone Qin, please forgive me for telling you, even if there is something hidden behind the death of Lord Hou, it has nothing to do with me, and now there is no evidence to prove that Mr Qin is As for the suspect, Brother Zhang Chi came to interrogate me based on some speculative information and groundless guesses, I'm afraid it's not appropriate."

Zhang Chigang said: "Master Qin, calm down..." Mu Liuyun, who had been listening silently, suddenly said, "Could it be that you are really the son of Marquis Yongning?"

Mu Liuyun never speaks according to the occasion. When he said this, even Qin Wuqi, who was used to seeing big wind and waves, lost his usual calmness. At that moment, the expression on his face was surprised and embarrassed, and he coughed lightly. It was only with a sound that he managed to regain his normal expression: "... I don't know why you said that?"

Zhang Chi explained: "Although Lord Hou never mentioned the past after he married the eldest princess, after many inquiries, I still know some of the past between him and Ling Tang, and Ling Tang Ben and Lord Hou had a marriage contract first. , and immediately married his senior brother after Lord Hou repented of the marriage, this matter is a bit strange. In addition, your wet nurse went to see Yongning Hou and said a few words, and he let you go. Such an unreasonable behavior will naturally make people think of whether there is any special relationship between you and him."

Mu Liuyun said: "No matter what the truth is, we will not spread it to the third person's ears, and please tell the truth to Master Qin."

Qin Wuqi was silent for a long time, and sighed: "If you don't explain clearly today, will you all treat me as the murderer who killed Yongninghou?"