Dali Temple is located inside the Zhuque Gate of New Chang'an City.

The government office has a strict atmosphere and is extremely solemn. It is the place where the world's criminals and prisons are in charge, and it is also the lifeblood of the judiciary of the Wei Empire.[]

When Cao Peng came to visit Dali Temple, he happened to meet Feng Chao at his door.

This Feng Chao was also an old retainer around Deng Ji! His father was originally the magistrate of Haixi County, but was later killed by pirates. Feng Chao led a group of patrolmen, and in order to avoid being chased, he had to work as a bandit in the mountains. Later,

It was Deng Ji who went to Haixi to serve as an official and conquered Feng Chao. With his superb shooting skills, he quickly gained a foothold. He followed Deng Ji all the way north from Haixi and made countless achievements in Bingzhou.

Most of those who followed Deng Ji and Cao Peng together with Feng Chao have become famous.

Even Hu Ban became the governor of Hexi.

Originally, when Deng Ji returned to Chang'an, he intended to make proper arrangements for Feng Chao. With Feng Chao's merits and Deng Ji's status, even if he arranged for an important position in the Fifth Army Protectorate, it would not be a big problem.

But Feng Chao was unwilling and finally chose to come to Chang'an with Deng Ji.

Today, Feng Chao serves as the Secretary of the Dali Temple and is an inconspicuous minor official. But the entire Dali Temple knows that no one in the Dali Temple, from the top ministers to the left and right, to the subordinates, can offend Feng Chao. That is Deng Ji's

Confidant! If he wasn't illiterate and didn't know the criminal law, he wouldn't be holding the position of a young minister.

Feng Chao's salary was not much, but the rewards given to him by Deng Ji were countless.

Therefore, he also bought a house in Chang'an, which was considered a small fortune. Even some officials would not dare to offend Feng Chao on weekdays.

"Prince, why are you here so late at night?"

Feng Chao quickly greeted Cao Peng.

Cao Peng smiled and said, "My eldest brother is still handling official business?"

"Yes, today Dongdu sent a prison sentence, and the implication is very wide.

The master is checking things out in the palace. I just persuaded him to go back, but he was scolded. The prince came just in time, and the master has worked too hard these days. It would be better if you take him back and let him have a good rest."

In the entire Hou family, I am afraid that only Feng Chao dared to speak like this.

Cao Peng nodded and asked Feng Chao to take him to the public room. The lights in the room were dim and Deng Ji was leaning on the desk, reading official documents. When he heard someone coming in, Deng Ji immediately shouted impatiently: "I told you not to disturb me."

, why are you still... Huh? Ah Fu, why are you here? Did your sister file a complaint again?"

Deng Ji said, got up and walked around the desk to welcome Cao Peng into the room.

Feng Chao brightened the lights a lot, and then went out with Wang Shuang to guard.

It has been a year since he returned to Chang'an... Deng Ji looked even more haggard and thinner than when he was in Bingzhou.

Cao Peng said dissatisfied: "Brother-in-law, you can't do this.

The right way is to combine work and rest, with relaxation and relaxation. Do you think that if you work so hard every day, you want my sister to become a widow?

If you don't pay attention again, I will inform His Majesty and ask him to terminate your position as Minister of Dali Temple."

"Just about to go back, just about to go back."

Deng Ji couldn't help but laugh.

He is very concerned about this position... You must know that Deng Ji first studied criminal law. Later, by chance, he became a local official. But in his heart, the place he most wanted to go to was the predecessor of Dali Temple, Tingwei.

Unfortunately, he has a disability and has never been able to do what he wanted.

After finally arriving at his favorite place, he naturally spent all his time working and forgetting to eat and sleep.

But he also knew that Cao Peng was thinking about him.

After bringing a glass of honey water to Cao Peng, Deng Ji sat down and patted his head gently, "It's not that I don't want to go back, it's just that there are too many criminal cases...many criminal cases have to be re-processed, so I am a little busy.

By the way, why are you here tonight?"

Cao Peng did not answer immediately, but after thinking twice, he asked: "Brother-in-law, what do you think of Wang Shuang?"

"Wang Shuang? Of course not bad."

Deng Ji looked at Cao Peng in confusion, not quite understanding.

But Cao Peng took out a directory from his arms and handed it to Deng Ji.

There were three people at the beginning of the directory, namely Wang Shuang, Shi A and Zhu Dao. On the cover of the directory, there was the word "dark" written on it.

Deng Ji said: "What is this?"

"There are currently 873 secret warriors under my command, and their names are all listed above.

These people are loyal and only obey my orders. Now the secret agents are divided into two groups. One is in Xingyang, and they are all raw melons and eggs, which are of no use. The other group is the people on the roster in hand.

I have secretly placed them at the foot of Jiming Mountain, with Shi A in charge of training...

Today, this secret agent will be handed over to my brother."

Deng Ji was so excited that he shivered.

"Afu, did something happen?"

Cao Peng shook his head, stood up, took off a gold and jade dragon pendant from his waist, and placed it in front of Deng Ji.

"I'm ready to leave Chang'an."

"What?"

"I remember that when I left Goguryeo, a friend once said something to me: When the water is full, it will overflow, and if it is too much, it will overflow.

It is precisely for this reason that I refused to fight bravely to take the lead in the battle of Yizhou.

The late emperor left me idle, and I have no resentment, but secret gratitude. But now, I have the first sword of Tiangang, and I am the sole and important minister entrusted by the late emperor. I worship the general and hold the world's soldiers and horses. Even Xun Wenruo is handling it.

When it comes to government affairs, you also need to discuss with me. It can be said that one person is inferior to ten thousand people...

But it’s not cold at high places.

I'm a little afraid... I'm afraid that if I have too much power, it will bring trouble to our family. If I stay in Chang'an, I will be like a bird in a cage. So after thinking about it, I can only bring prosperity to my family by leaving.

But since I left, my brother-in-law has to worry a lot.

Xiao Rui is not happy in the palace, and is attracting attention from all around. This is not what I want... But I adopted him to Your Majesty, and I want to take it back, but it is impossible. I leave the secret agent to my brother-in-law, please

Protect Xiao Rui well. Xiao Di is married and will return to Chang'an soon. I will try to get him to serve as the captain of Fengche and move around the palace. Bo Yue and Bo Long have grown up and can protect Xiao Rui secretly.

In short, before I leave, I will try my best to plan for Xiao Rui.

But after I leave, I will leave it to you, brother-in-law, to take care of everything and protect Xiaorui."

After saying that, Cao Peng stood up and bowed deeply to Deng Ji...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the early summer of the second year of Taiping, reports came from northern Xinjiang that Kebi Neng colluded with Dingling and Hujie people to cause chaos at the Lingzhou frontier fortress.

Xincheng County was attacked by the Xianbei people.

Two villages and towns were destroyed, with as many as a thousand casualties...

Cao Hong, the governor of Bingzhou, immediately sent troops to rescue, but the Xianbei people fled without a trace.

In a rage, Cao Hong led his troops around the West Sea and forcibly crossed the Ganwei River in an attempt to attack Kebineng. However, just as he was about to launch a decisive battle, the Hujie people suddenly appeared from behind and attacked Xianbei front and back, defeating Cao's army.

Fortunately, Hu Ban, the governor of Hexi County, and Wang Suli of Xianbei sent troops to rescue Cao Hong.

However, this battle made Cao Hong lose all courage and led his troops back to Bingzhou, not daring to interfere with Lingzhou affairs anymore.

It was early autumn.

The Jiangdong War also saw wonderful changes.

Pang De Zhou Cang Yang Xi, after the initial run-in, launched another attack on Jiangdong.

At the same time, Hefei Cao Zhen also commanded his troops and fought a bloody battle with the Soochow army at Ruxukou. He killed several Soochow generals and won a complete victory.

Gan Ning and Du Ji assembled a naval force of 50,000 people and more than a thousand large and small boats at the mouth of Sanjiang River to confront the Jiangdong navy.

Cao Zhang, who was supervising the battle in Jiangxia, was also shocked when he learned the news of Cao Hong's defeat.

"Who is ordered to fight?"

Huang Quan and Zheng Du looked at each other, stepped forward and said: "If we are to fight against Ke Bineng, no one but a great general can win."

"You mean..."

Cao Zhang hesitated.

Zheng Du mustered up his courage and took a step forward again, "In fact, it is beneficial for both Your Majesty and the General to send the General to the expedition. I also know that Your Majesty and the General are very close... However, Your Majesty is no longer the prince, but the prince."

It is God's destiny. The general's merits are outstanding and unparalleled. If he stays in Chang'an, he will be in trouble sooner or later. It is better to let him go to Lingzhou. Firstly, the situation can be stabilized. Secondly, the friendship between Your Majesty and the general will last forever. In short,

It would be better if one day in the future, Your Majesty and the General turn against each other."

"You bastard, how dare you talk like that."

Cao Zhang was furious and drew his sword to kill Zheng Du.

Fortunately, Huang Quan, Zhang Ren and others persuaded Cao Zhang. However, in the end, Zheng Du was kicked out of the palace.

"How could Bonian be so careless in what he said today?"

Zhang Ren was responsible for driving Zheng Du away. He couldn't help but say outside the palace: "You know that His Majesty and the General are close, but you said such things. Isn't it intentional to offend the General? If the General knows about it in the future, you..."
To be continued...