Xue Shao decided not to enter the palace first, and now collecting intelligence has become the first priority. He returned to the Zhao Guogong Mansion and came to his "mobile office" - the big painting boat.

Although he accompanied Princess Taiping and her family for half a month, Luoyang has always been the key intelligence control point for Xue Shao. Not long after he sent out the summoning signal, Zhao Qi, the master of the Hongmen Hall, came to see him.

The four people that Xue Shao left in Hongmen were all members of the Three Knife Brigade.

Zhao Qi is one of them, a veteran scout on the same level as Guo An. He came from a humble background but read a lot of books before joining the army, but unfortunately the road to the imperial examination has not been smooth, and later he angrily threw himself into the pen. After the end of the Northern Expedition that year, Zhao Qi was honored but did not get an official, returned to his hometown to receive the land rewarded by the imperial court, and then set up his own school and became a rural teacher. Later, Xue Shao took over the mantle of Pei Gong and took charge of the army, and Guo An personally went to invite him, so he returned to Xue Shao and made a scout minion.

Xue Shao felt that Zhao Qi was talented and flexible, so he sent him to Helian Guchuan's side to play the role of "political commissar" and military advisor. Zhao Qi really did not disappoint Xue Shao, in just a few years, he assisted Helian Guchuan to achieve a hegemony in the rivers and lakes, and always ensured that the "general direction" of Hongmen did not deviate. In a sense, Zhao Qi is Xue Shao's direct spokesperson in Hongmen, and he is also the real helmsman of the big ship Hongmen. His appearance is neither like a martial artist nor a chivalrous man, but a white and elegant scholar, with a bit of Wei and Jin demeanor. Therefore, the people in Hongmen called him "Jade Face Zhuge ".

When he saw Xue Shao, he saluted first, and then asked the master what he commanded?

Xue Shao said that there is one thing that is not easy to do through formal channels, so you can only find a way.

Zhao Qi asked what's the matter?

Xue said: "Late last night, Jin Wuwei arrested a night guest who was traveling with a curfew, he was Zhang Siming, the lieutenant of Luoyang. Now that he is being secretly held by Wu Yizong, the general of Zuojin Wuwei, I must know where he is being held, as well as the details of Wu Yizong's interrogation of him. Can you do it? ”

"Yes." Zhao Qi bowed his hand, "Before dawn tomorrow, I will give an answer to the master." ”

Xue Shao nodded with great satisfaction, "This task is not simple. How could you answer so simply? ”

Zhao Qi bowed again, "Don't worry, master, although his subordinates are no longer in the army, they dare not forget the iron law of 'no jokes in the army' until death." Sunrise tomorrow morning at the latest, subordinates will be rewarded! ”

"Okay, you're going to get busy!" Xue Shao didn't ask any more. It's their freedom to do what their men do. You don't have to be clear, you can get the result!

Less than half an hour after Zhao Qi left, another hall master, Fan Zhen, also came.

Somewhat similar to Zhao Qi, Fan Zhen is also a young man with a rich aristocratic atmosphere. Moreover, he is indeed a son of a military family with strong roots, and his father was a five-rank commander in the capital, but he was demoted because he was involved in political turmoil in his early years, which led to the decline of the family. He had read books but never thought about the imperial examination, because his greatest specialty was a good kung fu for killing. He once aspired to be a fierce general who dominates the field, but he has never had the opportunity to play. Later, he accidentally joined the Three Blades Brigade to follow Xue Shao to participate in the surprise attack on Heisha, and since then he has become Xue Shao's diehard "brainless fan".

Don't be deceived by Fan Zhen's elegant appearance, this guy is the most ruthless and murderous of all Xue Shao's trilogy. The ruthlessness of his shots sometimes made Xue Shao's hairs stand on end. His role in Hongmen was also that of the feared "Master of the Punishment Hall", specializing in punishing lawless disciples within him. His iron-faced and selfless law enforcement methods are quite a bit of Xue Shao's early style of governing the army, and even Helian Guchuan respects him three points, so he has a very high prestige within Hongmen.

Because Fan Zhen always had a kind smile on his face, the people in Hongmen called him the smiling butcher in fear and awe behind his back!

The Smiling Butcher's waist is always straight, giving the impression that an iron spear is gliding on the horizon. But when he arrived in front of Xue Shao, he was like a well-trained hound, well-behaved and tame bent down to worship, "Subordinate Fan Zhen, I have seen the master." ”

"Sit." Xue Shao was fishing, called him to sit next to him, and said to him, "How many people are you bringing with you now?" ”

Fan Zhen replied: "Including his subordinates, there are eight in total. ”

Xue Shao narrowed his eyes, "How big of a thing can you do?" ”

Fan Zhen smiled slightly and said softly: "It depends on how big the master needs to do." ”

Xue Shao smiled, "Can you let an army of 10,000 people collapse overnight?" ”

"Then it only takes one person to make a move." Fan Zhen smiled and said, "The master has taught you to behead the action!" ”

"Good." Xue Shao nodded, "From today onwards, you will be divided into teams of two and go to keep an eye on four people for me." But unless you have to, you must not act rashly, nor can you startle the other party in any way. For example, if you put a quick knife against the tip of the opponent's throat, he won't notice it at all. Can you do it? ”

"Yes." Fan Zhen replied simply and asked again. "I just don't know, what kind of situation will this 'last resort' that the master said?"

Xue Shao smiled slightly, "When you are about to lose your master." ”

"Understood!" Pan Zhen solemnly clenched his fists, "Master, please command, which four people?" ”

"Wu Chengsi, Wu Sansi, Wu Youning, Wu Yizong!"

"Understood!"

Fan Zhen is also gone.

Xue Shao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said to himself: If Fan Zhen really makes a move, then the country will also fall into chaos. I hope this day never comes. But in order to protect my family, my lover and the people who love me, in order to pursue the justice in my heart, and in order to pursue my ideal country, I don't mind being a "blood wolf" in my previous life.

I don't mind future generations scolding me for being a hero, or even a traitor.

If I can't live for a hundred years, then let me stink for 10,000 years!

In the evening, Shangguan Wan'er, who had been out on patrol for a day, returned to the Zhao State Mansion.

Not seen for a day, such as every other three autumns.

The first thing Shangguan Wan'er did when she saw Xue Shao was to throw herself into his arms, and then threw him down on the big bed in the bedroom of the painting boat.

"Do you know how much I miss you?" Her eyes were watery, staring at Xue Shao with confusion and fiery.

"I know." Xue Shao gently stroked the hair on her forehead and said, "Because I think of you like the same thing." ”

Shangguan Wan'er closed her eyes and kissed her.

She kissed urgently, and her throat murmured with tenderness, and soon she wore off her clothes. Then she began to hurriedly take off Xue Shao's embroidered clothes.

Xue Shao felt a little surprised and funny, she hadn't seen her for a day, how could she become like a wolf?

"Your Huadian embroidered clothes are too tight and too difficult to take off!" Shangguan Wan'er bit her red lip lightly, and said shyly and anxiously, "You move, come by yourself!" ”

"Why are you so anxious?" Xue Shao laughed as he got up and undressed.

"Are you laughing at me?" Shangguan Wan'er's face turned even redder, and she pressed him down and pressed her whole body tightly, and whispered in his ear, "I'm going back to the palace to give orders." I don't know when we will meet next time......"

"If you want me, hurry up!"

"Hit me hard! Xue Lang! ”

When the moon went up to the West Tower, Shangguan Wan'er got into a carriage, glanced at Xue Shao through the window, and left quietly.

Xue Shao didn't mention to her what Junchen said, let alone tell her about his private control. There are some things she doesn't know, because she is on an errand by Wu Zetian's side, and Wu Zetian's eyes can simply see through people's internal organs. Knowing too much will be more dangerous for her.

In the middle of the night, Xue Shao held a lamp in his hand and read in the study of Zhao Guogong's mansion.

Zhao Qi came, and Xue Shao asked him how the situation was?

Zhao Qi said that Wu Yizong actually locked Zhang Siming in his own mansion and was taken care of by his henchmen and slaves, and he didn't even give it to Yu Shi Taiyun to ask for someone. His interrogation methods were more frightening than those of the cool officials, not to mention the torture, and he also induced Zhang Siming to implicate some court ministers in order to "atone for his crimes". At present, Zhang Siming has framed Wei Yuanzhong in Luoyang, and he is also implicated in Cheng Ge Yuanfu in the Imperial History, Wenchang Zuo Cheng and Feng Ge Luantai Pingzhang Zhang Guangfu.

Wu Yizong had already entered the palace to see the empress. But the details of the palace, Zhao Qi couldn't find out.

"I have another way to do things in the palace. You've worked hard, go back and rest. Xue Shao said, "Wu Yizong's side will continue to follow up, but if there is news, report to me immediately." ”

"Yes. The subordinate stepped back first! ”

After Zhao Qi left, Xue Shao fell into a long period of contemplation. After careful analysis, he found that Zhang Siming's framing was only a small prelude.

Because the three people framed by Zhang Siming are very representative.

Among them, Wei Yuanzhong is his top boss, and the two often have contact. Zhang Siming's confession to him as a member of the party seems to be very convincing.

Chengge Yuanfu in the Imperial History, was an important official of the Suzheng Observatory (御史台), he was one of Li Tang's former ministers, and he was also a representative figure who opposed Wu Chenghe's establishment of the prince.

Zhang Guangfu was the prime minister who sat in the political center of the court, and he was not only a former minister of Li Tang, but also participated in the suppression of the rebellion of the Li Tang imperial family. can be regarded as the "confidant and important minister" of the new Wu Zhou Dynasty.

The three people confessed by Zhang Siming are like three "breakthrough points", directly pointing to three sides: Zhang Siming's close colleagues, the highest supervisory body of the imperial court, Yushitai, and the political center of the imperial court. If this framing target continues to expand from point to point, it can weave an amazing net covering the entire court.

Among them, what puzzled Xue Shao the most was that the relationship between Zhang Guangfu and Wu Chengsi had always been relatively close, how could he also be on the road?

After thinking about it carefully, Xue Shao seemed to understand: although Zhang Guangfu was once Wu Chenghe's "horse boy", he quickly rose to prominence after participating in the pacification of the Li Tang royal family's rebellion, and he also became the prime minister.

Zhang Guangfu used to be Xue Shao's deputy, Xia Guan Shilang, and he had always been against Xue Shao during his tenure as Shilang. This man has always had a very high opinion of himself, is quite arrogant, and is very ignorant of current affairs. With his character, it is not difficult to imagine that Zhang Guangfu will not be submissive to Wu Chenghei like a clothed slave when he arrives in the political affairs hall. Because he was able to become the prime minister, it was not the credit of Wu Chenghei, but his own military merits and being promoted by the empress himself. Therefore, between the empress and Wu Chenghei, Zhang Guangfu must know whose thighs to hug.

However, the relationship between the empress and Wu Chenghei will definitely not be 100% harmonious. Once there is a contradiction, Zhang Guangfu's position will definitely be biased in favor of the empress. So Wu Chengsi will definitely be angry, his "horse boy" has jumped to the top branches, wants to be on an equal footing with himself, and even does it right with himself!

Such a "second and five boys" are the most hated, and Wu Chengsi is a person who will be repaid.

Thinking of this, Xue Shao couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

Above the court, because of the battle for the storage position, it is already inextricably fighting. However, within the "Wu Group", it is precisely because of the word interests that they bite each other, causing trouble and making chickens and dogs jump and ghosts cry wolves.

In such a chaotic situation, who can still be loyal to their duties and govern the country with peace of mind?

In the long run, what will happen to the world that I am good at shaking?

Are you really trying to force me?