"What do you mean?"
Hearing the old man address himself, Li Yan frowned.
"This... this, wasn't it you who asked me to go?"
The old man became anxious, made gestures with his hands, and told what happened.
It's interesting to say.
This old man's name is Sun Datong. He was originally a servant who worked as a cook. He worked hard in the temple for many years. With the help of the old man, he became a Daoist. This can be regarded as a guarantee for the future.
He is an honest man, quick at work, and his only hobby is the food in the cup.
A few days ago, the old Miao Zhu left and never came back. He went to the Yamen to report the case but there was no news. No one was in charge of the rituals in the temple. The temple, which was not popular at first, is now even more deserted.
Sun Datong Firstly, he was worried about the old temple blessing, and secondly, he was afraid that the temple would be robbed. He scratched his head anxiously, but there was nothing he could do, so he drank a few more drinks.
Li Yan just happened to rescue him. The old man was in a daze and fell all over. Then he dreamed of Five Paths General and asked him to stay at the entrance of the temple and settle down in the future.
The old man was dubious, but when he saw that the ice on the ground had not dispersed and that the clay statue in the temple was half broken, he was not sure and waited outside the temple uneasily.
Then, there was a strong wind around. After the wind stopped, Li Yan appeared outside the temple.
"That's it..."
Li Yan nodded, his expression a bit ugly.
The soul is seduced and the body is moved at will, both of which are taboos.
Even if the other party is a god, he is not happy in his heart.
We must be on guard against this kind of thing in the future.
He has a lot of protective treasures, but facing these Great Luo Dharma Realm gods, I'm afraid he has to find another way.
Of course, these are all things for later.
Five Paths General also took advantage of a loophole this time, taking the opportunity to capture the demonic energy to create a situation to meet him.
It seems that as Human Path changes, Great Luo Dharma Realm oscillates, and <Heavenly Laws> must be loosened.
Those people behind Jianmu can be unscrupulous, so naturally others will not be stupid...
In this meeting, Five Paths General has two requests.
One is to help him stabilize the incense.
This matter is not difficult to explain. He has friendships with many big guys in the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect. He can ask for help to deal with those Excessive Sacrifice Daoists who slandered Five Paths General.
But if you want to make it more popular, you need to use some brains.
Erlang Zhenjun, Five Paths General, may be his future support in the Great Luo Dharma Realm. In this turbulent era, there is no one above him, and he will fall into passivity many times.
The other one is Mount Tai.
Five Paths General was in a hurry to leave just now, and there were some things that he didn't explain clearly.
Li Yan only knows that Mount Tai is important to both him and Erlang Zhenjun.
It seems that I will look for an opportunity to go to Mount Tai in the future...
Thinking of this, Li Yan looked at the uneasy Sun Datong opposite, and said in a deep voice, "Heavenly Secret Don't leak it. It's okay to know some things in your heart. If you go out and talk nonsense, you will definitely cause disaster!"
"Yes yes yes!"
Sun Datong was so frightened that his legs softened and he knelt directly on the ground, his body like chaff.
Li Yan stood up, helped him up, and said in a slower voice, "You don't need to be afraid. As long as you don't talk nonsense, you will have a good life in the future. Let me ask you, did the old temple say anything when he left?"
Zhao Qingxu This monster has far-sighted plans. During the Song Dynasty, he used Jiaozi to cause turmoil in the country.
And unlike the others in Jianmu, this guy prefers to hide behind the scenes.
Allowing demonic energy to parasitize the statue of Five Paths General is certainly not without purpose.
"This..."
Sun Datong frowned and thought carefully, "I remember that a few days ago, Miao Zhu went out and said he was getting together with old friends. When he came back, something was wrong. Sometimes he talked to himself, sometimes he laughed, but he didn't say anything when asked what happened."
"The evening before yesterday, a beggar sent a letter. After receiving it, the temple minister hurriedly left. There has been no news since then."
"Oh?"
Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Do you know who his friend is?"
Sun Datong shook his head and said, "Five Paths General The temple is not very popular, and the temple has not many friends in the capital. I only know that there is a person from the Ministry of Industry Lu Xun Lord Lu who often comes to drink tea with him."
"Ministry of Industry..."
Li Yan thought deeply and remembered the name.
He thought for a moment, then took out a hundred taels of silver notes from his arms, and said in a deep voice, "This place is being spied on by evil things. I'm afraid it's not peaceful recently. Take the money, close the temple and take refuge in the countryside. We'll come back when I notify you."
After that, he quickly stood up and left.
Looking at the retreating figure, Sun Datong looked at the banknote in his hand again, as if he was in a dream...
Early the next morning, Mystic Sacrificial Official.
"That's just the way it is..."
Li Yan told what happened last night.
The defense system of the capital is no joke. In addition to patrols by soldiers, there are also joint surveillance by major temples, Daoist temples, land, and City God Temple.
If Gangsha Two Qi moves slightly, City God Temple can detect it.
There was such a big movement last night, even though Five Paths General was covering it up, it still alarmed Enforcement Hall.
It has to do with Zhao Qingxu and demonic energy, Li Yan naturally needs to explain.
Of course, I dare not disclose the matter of Five Paths General to anyone.
"Zhao Qingxu didn't show up?"
Luo MingZi's eyes were obviously disappointed.
"No."
Li Yan said thoughtfully, "Nowadays, Qiankun Academy's matter is making a big fuss. It is obviously impossible for him to sneak in. There must be other plans. If you follow this line, you may be able to find out."
Luo MingZi didn't waste any time, stood up directly and said, "Come, follow me to the Ministry of Industry!"
The rain-washed stone roads in the capital shone with moisture. Li Yan and his group bypassed the bustling market and arrived at the central government office area to the southeast outside Chengtian Gate.
This is where Three Ministries and Six Departments is located, and people in the capital call it "Heavenly Street" or "Thousand Step Corridor".
Different from the imperial palace with red walls and green tiles, the Ministry of Industry has green tiles and gray walls, which is grand and solemn in scale.
Outside the main entrance, a majestic and weather-beaten stone lion stands on each side. The lion's body is moss-spotted, and the curls of its mane are covered with raindrops from the previous day. A huge plaque hangs above the red lacquer door, with the two characters "Ministry of Industry" inscribed in strong regular script.
"My lords, please follow me."
Not to mention that Mo Sect, the biggest force in the Ministry of Industry, has a good relationship with Li Yan. With only Luo MingZi's waist card, no one dared to speak in an official tone. Soon a clerk came out to welcome them in.
After crossing the high threshold and entering the main courtyard, the first thing that catches the eye is the spacious Yimen courtyard.
The square bricks on the floor were soaked and turned black by the rain.
Under the long Wing Room corridors on the east and west sides are where the various cleaning officials work.
Under the corridors on both sides of the foyer, there are hills of newly made model components and drawings and files, almost blocking the passage. Small groups of small officials and officials walked in a hurry, holding thick documents or carrying wooden trays filled with materials as they walked through the courtyards and corridors, with anxious looks on their faces.
The air was filled with the mixed smell of ink, tung oil, new felling wood and sweat stains.
Most of the doors of various government offices were open, with figures swaying inside and urging voices coming and going:
"Quick! Has the material list requested by the Farming Division been delivered to Bureau of Parks and Buildings? Supervisor Yan has urged us for the third time!"
"Who in charge signed and deposited the drawings of Dr. Zhang of the Camp Repair Department? Urgent!"
"When will the batch of waterproof linoleum from the Department of Water Resources arrive in Xishan?"
"We can't wait for the river to be dredged. The rainy season is here!"
In particular, the restaurants in the Restoration Department and Bureau of Parks and Buildings were overcrowded.
Li Yan and others passed by the window of the Camping and Maintenance Department and heard a loud debate inside.
A manager with a goatee was taking pictures of a huge construction plan. "No! The beams of the auditorium are too overhanging! The soil in the academy is newly filled and cannot bear it!"
A younger official on the opposite side said anxiously, "This is the imperial design! It takes a long time and uses a lot of materials, but the opening ceremony of the academy is coming soon, and the artifact display stand and the viewing platform must be completed at the same time! This is the only way to design it!"
"With the addition of auxiliary support, the cost will increase sharply. Where will the money and food be allocated? Do I have to go to the accounting clerks in the Ministry of Accounts?"
"I don't care about that much! Even if I squeeze my head, I still have to make sure the artifact appears in front of people!" The young official's voice was decisive.
Not far away, an official from Bureau of Parks and Buildings was checking the list, his voice urgent:
"Charcoal, refined iron, tung oil, sulfur... Divine Mechanism Camp and the academy's supply of materials must be foolproof. Especially those required for the 'artifact' drill are marked as top priority!"
Dian Bo, who was leading the way, had a look of exhaustion on his face, "My lords, don't be surprised. The academy is about to open, and the emperor has temporarily issued an order to display the artifact. Many plans have to be revised. I have been busy since yesterday."
"It doesn't matter."
Luo MingZi looked around and whispered, "Where is Mr. Lu?"
Once you have a name, your identity is easy to check.
This Lu Xun is an official Principal Fifth Rank, a doctor in the Qing Li Division of Du Shui.
The core officials of the Ministry of Industry are naturally the minister and the left and right ministers.
Within the yamen, there are four major Qing officials.
Among them, the "Camping and Repairing Officials Division" is in charge of the construction of palaces, mausoleums, government offices, and city walls. "Bureau of Parks and Buildings" is in charge of mountain harvesting, weapons manufacturing, and standards of weights and measures. The "Dushui Cleaning Officials Division" is in charge of water conservancy projects and bridge and road construction. The "Tuntian Cleaning Officials Division" is nominally in charge of farmland reclamation, but is actually in charge of the construction of emperors' tombs and the purchase of timber.
The doctor in each department is the supervisor.
Na Dianbo led everyone into the tea room, cupped his hands and said, "My lords, wait a moment, I will go and invite Mr. Lu to come."
After saying that, he hurried out.
Li Yan and others are not in a hurry, they are just here to inquire this time.
Five Paths General Miaozhu's disappearance may not necessarily be related to Dr. Lu.
While the two were drinking tea, Captain Commandery Commandant Office next to them also secretly handed over a note.
Commandery Commandant Office is also responsible for supervising hundreds of officials, so he naturally knows the details of officials in various ministries.
Luo MingZi glanced at it, frowned slightly, and handed it to Li Yan.
Li Yan looked at it carefully and then became thoughtful.
This Lu Xun Lord Lu is indeed not a fuel-efficient lamp.
The opponent is an old official of the former Minister of the Ministry of Works faction.
The previous Minister of the Ministry of Works fell due to the "Yellow River Burst Corruption Case". Although Lu Xun himself was not implicated, after the Mo Sect Grand Master Han Mo took office as minister, he began to reform the Ministry of Industry, promoted the "Mo Art Governance", and reused hard-working officials with a background of craftsmen.
Lu Xun These people have naturally become marginalized figures.
I'm afraid that it won't be long before the position of the chief official of Dushui Qing Dynasty will not be saved.
Therefore, this Lord Lu has been very active since the beginning of the year, walking around...
"I'm afraid there's something wrong."
Li Yan whispered to Luo MingZi.
This kind of person is most susceptible to the temptation of Zhao Qingxu.
"It's not good! Lord Lu hanged himself!"
While they were talking, there was sudden noise in the courtyard.
Li Yan and Luo MingZi ran out without saying a word.
Following the sound of people, I quickly found Wing Room on the left side of the middle courtyard, but I saw a commotion inside, and many petty officials gathered outside to watch the fun.
"Commandery Commandant Office investigate the case, get out of the way!"
The following Captain Commandery Commandant Office shouted angrily and separated them.
Li Yan and Luo MingZi entered the room and saw an old man lying on the ground, wearing a beam crown, a green robe, and a white pheasant (xián) embroidered on the patch. He had a thin face and gray beard and hair. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were dull.
"What's going on?" Luo MingZi asked coldly.
"This..."
Na Dianbo's face was full of bitterness and he said, "The official came to invite Dr. Lu. He closed the door and said that he would sort out the book. The official heard that something was wrong in the voice. When he entered, he found that the master was hanging himself."
"Lu Xun!"
Luo MingZi yelled angrily, "You committed a crime, do you think you can just die?"
This sentence is pure bluffing.
But Lu Xun obviously had something up his sleeve, and his face turned pale when he heard this.
At this moment, another loud shout came from the distance, "Master Shangshu is here!"
But it was Minister of the Ministry of Works Han Mo who was busy when he heard the news and came over.
Li Yan looked up, but saw that the person was about fifty years old, with a body shape like an old pine knot, and bones as jagged as an iron frame. His temples were soaked in frost and snow, but there was no sign of decline. He was wearing a crimson Peacock Mandarin Square official robe, which was loosely wrapped around his body, and his face was stern.
The most attractive thing is the other party's hands:
The knuckles are as rough as jujube tree knots, and the tiger's mouth is covered with thick calluses and fresh burn marks.
This is an extremely impressive display of skill.
Li Yan was not surprised when he saw it.
This Han Mo is not only Minister of the Ministry of Works, but also Mo Sect Ju Zi.
To be able to hold this position, whether it is kung fu skills or craftsmanship, Mo Sect is top notch.
The opponent's ability to take the lead is precisely related to New Style Firearm.
"Seen Minister Han."
Li Yan and Luo MingZi surrendered one after another.
"Well, no gifts."
Han Mo nodded, glanced around, and a cold light burst out from his eyes, "Are you all quite free?"
With a low shout, the surrounding officials immediately dispersed, each busy with their own business.
After dismissing the rest of the crowd, he looked at Luo MingZi, "What happened?"
He almost lost his life, so he couldn't hide it.
After Luo MingZi told the story, Han Mo was thoughtful and said coldly to the ground, "Take it to the backyard first. Tell us clearly what you have done, and then let the emperor decide!"
Soon, everyone brought Lu Xun to the main hall in the backyard.
Seeing Lu Xun kneeling on the ground in a daze, Han Mo said impatiently, "If you wanted to die, you would have wiped your neck a long time ago. If you have committed any crime, please tell me immediately. I can still intercede for you, so as not to injure the whole family."
He was so busy that he obviously didn't want to waste time on this matter.
If it weren't for the Ministry of Industry, I'm afraid I wouldn't even show my face.
Hearing the news from the family, Lu Xun was finally frightened and hurriedly kowtowed. "The official said, the official said everything. Please plead for me."
"A few days ago, Xiaguan did meet Zhou Miaozhu. He also held a banquet at 'Su Estate' and invited General Manager Prince Yan's Mansion and Iron Anchor Society President Luo Gongsheng. However, I really didn't know about Zhou Miaozhu's death!"
Su Estate, Prince Yan's Mansion, Luo Gongsheng...
Upon hearing these names, everyone present frowned.
Now in the capital, no one wants to get involved in the matter of the crown prince's throne.
Li Yan, however, keenly noticed something was wrong and sneered, "If this is an ordinary banquet, why are you panicking? There are Zhou Miaozhu, so what qualifications do you have to be invited to your banquet?"
"You are so anxious to seek death, what are you afraid of?"
As he spoke, his voice became majestic and cold, like a god.
This is a clever trick I learned from Sword Immortal Cheng to increase your momentum and overwhelm others.
Han Mo next to him saw this and looked at Li Yan in surprise.
Of course he has heard of the name Li Yan. Tian Fengchang has been praised by many people. Now it seems that it is indeed extraordinary.
At such a young age, I have already figured out the secret of Firm Strength.
While he was thinking, Lu Xun, whose psychological defense was broken, finally spoke:
"Xiaoguan, I accidentally learned something. His Majesty wants to use that artifact to make Iron Ox Cart..."
"What did you say!"
Han Mo's face changed drastically and he stood up suddenly.
Li Yan also looked shocked.
Iron Ox Cart,
I'm not talking about steam cars...