Chapter 4 The Truth (Five)

Although the trip is extremely risky, Wu Liuqi did not regret it. It is said that "wealth and honor are sought in danger." The court has passed down the news that the craftsman was to be abolished, that is, people like them may never receive the salary, money and food allocated by the court in the future. Although the court will not kick them away directly, there will be some compensation for money, but the Wu family is now considered a great business for the top family. Can the little compensation be able to live? Then there is only one way out. As for where the way out, in Wu Liuqi's own opinion, one way to repay kindness and two way to seek wealth and honor, the remaining seven are a little helpless and forced to take this path.

For his own life and for his family, Wu Liuqi had no choice but to follow Xu Rongrong's order to infiltrate him, and as a captive officer, he made every effort to plan and execute this rescue operation code-named "Breaking the Cocoon".

Wu Liuqi is a very cautious person, and it can be said that he is very meticulous. He used his status as a referral officer to secretly concentrate the Wuwei scholars who were mixed into the craftsmen and his subordinates. He did this matter very secretly, and he was not discovered by the other five referral officers at all. The guards who supervised the craftsmen did not find that the seemingly normal transfers in and out of such craftsmen were very calm, the progress of the project was not slow at all, the quality of the project was impeccable, and everything was almost perfect.

The core of the rescue plan is "Li Dai Tao Zombie", which is similar to the "stolen pillar" used by Zhu Yinglong to rescue Xiong Tingbi from the Jinyiwei Fushi Prison, but the complexity of the rescue plan is far less than this time. Of course, the strictness of the First Prison in Beijing is different from the prison of Jinyiwei Fushi Prison. One is more harsh and not enough, and the other is very strict. Of course, it will not be ruthless when it should be harsh.

The rescue action plan was set on the night before the completion of the second phase of the project. This time seemed impossible to change, because the next day was the day when the craftsmen were released. Only by mixing among the thousands of craftsmen could they successfully take people out. This was the only opportunity. If they didn't succeed in one go, I'm afraid there would be no such opportunity again.

Due to the continuous rain, the second phase of the project, which could have been completed in three months, had to be delayed for three days, which also gave Wu Liuqi an opportunity to improve the deployment of the "Breaking the Cocoon" action plan. You should know that although he concentrated these Wuwei believers who participated in the rescue plan to his subordinates, there were not many opportunities to discuss and speak with them. Most of the time, they were replaced by eyes or obscure words, so the action was not very smooth, and the rainy weather was giving him a chance, an opportunity to quietly gather these people together to discuss major events.

In rainy weather, craftsmen could not go to work, so they could only stay in temporary sheds to rest. Because they restricted the freedom to go out at will, they relaxed indoor activities. The craftsmen could drink, chat, play chess, etc. in their respective workhouses. Wu Liuqi had already arranged several important figures under his command as a promotion official to live in the same workhouse. He had a little privilege and could patrol the workhouses of the craftsmen under his jurisdiction. Using this authority, he could enter the workhouses of his own craftsmen without any obstacles.

Xu Rongrong arranged four assistants for Wu Liuqi, one named Huang Yuantong. This man is good at making copper locks and is a lock unlocker. He has the unique skill of opening a copper wire to open the locks all over the world. Lan Lin's shackles were carefully created by Ma Jie. There are only two keys, one on Ma Jie himself. Of course, it doesn't matter whether this key is on him or not, because even if there is no life lock, he will definitely be able to open his own lock. Another one is in the hands of the emperor. This key is also extremely secret to collecting it.

In a secret library in the palace, everything hidden inside was put in by the emperor himself. Even Yu Fei Yanhong, who was serving by her side, didn't know where the key was stored in the secret library. Therefore, if you want to untie Lan Lin's hands, feet and collarbone, you only need a person who is proficient in unlocking the locks. Especially the locks on the pipa bones. Even if there is a sword and dagger that cuts iron like mud, you can't do anything and must be completely opened. Therefore, Huang Yuantong became one of the key figures in this "uncoon" operation.

The second is a painter who adheres to the design concept of Ma Jie and Zhu Yinglong. The prison should not be cold and dark, but also needs light and warmth. Especially for some senior political prisoners, these people may not stay in prison forever, so death is not necessarily their only choice. Since they do not need to die, the prison cannot be built so dark and gray, and it needs some bright and warm colors. Especially for the detention of some unarmed literati, there is no need to be iron walls and copper windows. It can be an independent small courtyard with higher walls and higher protective facilities on it, such as pulling some barbed wire mesh, and not worrying that these people will have the ability to escape from prison. This natural project requires some gardeners.

This is another project of the court, so the requirements should not be too low. This painter named Liu Jie was recruited. Of course, in addition to the craftsmen from the same place, few people knew that Liu Jie had a second profession, which was to put on makeup for dead people. Of course, this was just a little trick of carving and insects. His deepest ability was "disguise". This was also the reason why Lan Lin valued him at the time and made a generous gift to pull Liu Jie into the Wuwei Sect. His disguise skills may not even be too much in "Shadow" and "Eagle Guard". This time, he not only had to put on makeup for dead people, but also for living people. This was also the most critical step in "Li Dai Tao Zombie". If this step can be completed smoothly, the entire "breaking the cocoon" plan would be more than half successful.

Although the third assistant Lin Chun was unable to get on the table, he was a real thief. It may be that Lan Lin followed Mengchangjun from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and did not care about his background and snatched him under his command. Although this person was unbearable, he had some ideas and had endless ideas. He was the best commander to pull away the guards and prison guards during the operation. Therefore, his status was of great importance in this operation. If any loophole occurred in any link, it might lead to the death of the entire "uncoon" operation, and what awaited them would be a catastrophe.

The fourth person is, Wu Liuqi does not know him, and he contacted Wu Liuqi in a single line. However, according to Wu Liuqi's calculations, this person code-named "Zhilia" may be a prison guard with a not-low status. In addition to their support, it is almost the task of this "Zhilia". Of course, the role of "Zhilia" in the entire "Breaking the Cocoon" operation is the most critical. Without the cooperation of "Zhilia", even if Wu Liuqi is sufficiently prepared, it is impossible to rescue him. Wu Liuqi did not underestimate himself. Without the cooperation of his subordinates, "Zhilia" does not have the ability to send Lan Lin safely. Therefore, it is better to say that the mysterious inner person of this "Zhilia" is his assistant, but it is better to say that the two people are closely cooperating. Of course, both of them belong to the Wuwei Sect, otherwise they would not be able to work together.

Zhou Huaian was very quick to move. Within three days, he prepared silver, ships, artillery and ammunition and all items to return to the palace to pay the order.

Zhu Yinglong didn't ask, nor did he say anything to Zhou Huaian, and just ordered him to continue staring at Zhengyuan Escort Agency. He had a premonition that the Zhengyuan Escort Agency must have a difficult relationship with the Wuwei Sect, but since it was exposed, the Zhengyuan Escort Agency would definitely not be the last bargaining chip of Wuwei Sect, and there must be something hidden here. However, Zhu Yinglong didn't know what was connected here for a while, and whether it was used or thrown out the scapegoat? Or were neither of these?

This matter involves Zhang Yan, so he can only think independently of many things, especially not revealing any news to Zhang Yan. You must know that Zhang Yan has finally accepted his arrangement. Once the news is leaked, his reputation will be damaged. Can Zhang Yan, a woman, still face the eyes of the world calmly? It is really hard to imagine what the consequences would be. What is the reason to move Zhang Yan away? Isn’t this even more that there is no silver here? Although everyone knows it, he did not admit it directly. Therefore, he was just starting to make trouble. He could hide Zhang Yan and then push it all out. This is also a solution that there is no way to go when things are at the forefront.

However, Zhu Yinglong was very strange about how Xu Rongrong knew that he had prepared everything and delivered the money and ship when and where, because when the two met, he deliberately did not say it, and Xu Rongrong himself did not mention it.

"Your Majesty, the Tongzhengsi experience of Sun Rulie requesting Your Message!" Just as he was thinking about this question, he heard Xu Yingyuan's report in his ears.

"Oh, let him come in." Zhu Yinglong was stunned for a moment. Tongzhengsi was already a veritable petition department. The most lively yamen in the capital belonged to it. As Tongzhengsi, Sun Rulie was the second in command of the department. He could say that except for Chen Yangmei, who was a Tongzhengsi, the busiest thing was him. Of course, officials with a title like him naturally did not need to be cared about in trivial matters, but that's true. The second in command of Tongzhengsi was still busy, especially the court continued to implement a new system. The problems that emerged in various provinces, prefectures, prefectures, and counties were endless. Small matters could be handed over to the prefectures and counties by themselves. The bigger governor assisted in handling them. The bigger ones were handed over to the cabinet. Ten cabinet ministers could not handle them. Several cabinet masters in the cabinet discussed and even the cabinet could not handle them. Only then did they submit them to the emperor for personal consideration. Therefore, Sun Rulie rarely came to the Hall of Harmony alone except the Great Court.

Your opinion is that the old masters of the cabinet were afraid of seeing him, fearing that something would happen to him, so they gave him a nickname called "Sun Sanhui". One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the afternoon. They almost couldn't strike back and forth three times every day. When things were important, more than three times were stopped. Another time, Sun Rulie went to the cabinet to find Sun Shenxing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It happened that the old Mr. Sun was a little constipated and angry.

In the toilet, Sun Rulie thought that Sun Shenxing was deliberately hiding from him, and no one reminded him, so he wrote a memorial to Sun Shenxing on the next day, which made it known to everyone in the court and the public. Although the misunderstanding was later resolved, Sun Shenxing was still a little nervous about it and did not like Sun Rulie very much. However, both of them were good officials who were dedicated to the people, and quarrels were inevitable, but neither of them deliberately made things difficult or harmed each other. They were also a harmonious one.

When Zhu Yinglong remembered this anecdote, he couldn't help laughing. Both of them were officials of the court, but they actually argued about "constipation" in the court. All the elegant words and sentences that were spoken seriously from their mouths became jokes in the court.

"My minister Tongzheng Department experiences Sun Rulie bows to the emperor, long live..."

Before Sun Rulie could finish his kneeling down and finish speaking, Zhu Yinglong interrupted directly: "Let's just flat, it's a fool to be fooled. How could this century-old emperor have ever been there?"

"Report to the emperor, no." Sun Rulie stood up and answered.

"That's it. If I want to live to ten thousand years old, wouldn't I become an old monster? Haha." Zhu Yinglong smiled.

"If the emperor really wants to live to ten thousand years old, he will have become a god in the sky and will definitely not be an old monster." Sun Rulie bowed solemnly.

Zhu Yinglong smiled and then asked, "I know you, you have always been in the Three Treasures Hall for nothing. I am afraid that it is for your third son, Full Moon, to invite me to have a Full Moon Beverage?"

The monarch and ministers joked with each other, which sometimes was the supreme method of easing this solemn and suppressing atmosphere. Especially for the unusual ministers, a small joke brought the monarch and ministers closer together, and also showed a kind of trust and attention to the ministers. Often, it was just such a small detail that was indeed the loyalty that the ministers surrounded the most.

"I dare not, I am..." Sun Rulie was a little excited. He knew that this was just a polite word that the emperor had mentioned. With his official position and status, it was impossible for the emperor to drink any wine, but the emperor still remembered himself, which shows that he still had him in the emperor's heart. This is better than anything else, more excited than anything.

"Okay, I asked the queen to prepare a small gift, and then I will send someone to deliver it to you." Zhu Yinglong said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I dare not, I must not." This is a great favor, even greater than the promotion of his official position. Sun Rulie hurriedly knelt down again and refused.

"What, Sun Rulie, do you want to resist the order?"

"I don't dare." Sun Rulie had to accept it in the end.

It should be noted that the Tongzhengsi Department is only a third-rank yamen, which is at most a medium-sized and inferior among the many yamen in the capital. However, the importance of this yamen is not below the ten cabinet departments. The people's sentiments and public grievances in various places are the most direct reaction to the Tongzhengsi Department. It can be said that this imperial court has a window for dialogue and understanding the truth between the people, especially those places with high mountains and far away emperors. The Tongzhengsi Department's yamen can be said to be a clean yamen, or a fat and oily yamen. This definitely depends on the chief official of the yamen. Therefore, the appointment of officials of the Tongzhengsi Department is cautious and moral, and there is no sloppy talent. In Zhu Yinglong's hands, the Tongzhengsi Department seems to be able to compare with the second Censorate, one is the eyes of the official and the other is the eyes of the people. Neither of these two pairs of eyes can be ignored, and no one can dominate the superiority of anyone. This is the rule of the country and the people. Therefore, he valued so much for a diligent and good official like Sun Rulie.

"Oh, to you, what's the matter with me?" After saying gossip, Zhu Yinglong asked about the serious matter.

Speaking of serious matters, Sun Rulie suddenly thrust his waist, as if his whole body was full of strength. He quickly took out a folded piece of white paper from his sleeve and spread it out: "I just got a strange letter. There was nothing else in the letter, only this piece of white paper, but the white paper was covered with the jade seal of the late emperor. I was shocked and checked in detail and found that the seal was actually real. Therefore, I felt that this matter was of great importance, so I immediately went to the palace to see you!"

"Support it!" Zhu Yinglong knew in his mind that this matter must be what Xu Rongrong said, the jade seal and the imperial edict were necessary evidence for Xu Rongrong's comeback. How could he be handed over easily? But he didn't expect that she would use such a method to contact him. It was indeed a bold and urgent matter, and he could not help but admire him.

The white paper was presented, Zhu Yinglong took it to his eyes and looked at it, saying, "It was indeed the seal of the jade seal of the late emperor. When the city of Nanjing was broken, it was lost among the people among the chaos. Unexpectedly, it suddenly appeared more than a year later. As long as the person who presented the seal, he would be able to find the jade seal of the late emperor. Sun Aiqing, you have made great contributions this time!"

"I don't dare to do this. This is what I deserve. However, the loss of the jade seal is a secret. You must carefully investigate it to avoid falling into the hands of a rebel, and there will be big trouble." Sun Rulie said in his voice.

"Sun Aiqing is right. I will make people secretly investigate this matter. If you receive such an unknown letter again, don't take it apart and send it to me immediately." Zhu Yinglong nodded and said.

"I obey the order, I will take my leave!" Sun Rulie was not a naughty person. Although he was honest by nature, a clean and honest official, he was not a stubborn official. After several years of officialdom, he still knew the potential rules of the officialdom. However, he knew better that those who could be kicked away and those that could never be touched. There is one thing that was the first to be affected. It involves royal struggles and the secrets of the emperor. Otherwise, it would be not as simple as losing one's office and dismissing one's life.

Sure enough, Sun Rulie soon sent another unopened envelope in person, a piece of paper and a single ordinary copper coin, and a line of words was written on the paper: "Three days later, the Tianjin Wharf will be escorted by Zhengyuan Escort Agency."
Chapter completed!