Gu Yun frowned and recalled carefully for a moment: "It sounds familiar, I've heard of it... It seems to be a god in the north?"

"He is the leader of the four evil gods worshipped by the eighteen tribes." Chen Qingxu said, "Legend has it that he has four legs, four arms, two heads and two hearts. He is in charge of wind disasters and famine. Wuergu is greedy by nature. When he descends, the sky and the earth change color and all living things will be devoured by him. He is the most feared god in the Northern Barbarian Land."

Gu Yun hummed, a little confused.

"I have been deep in the grassland for half a year, but I have only had a brief understanding of the voodoo techniques of the eighteen tribes. Their sophistication and long history are beyond the imagination of foreigners like us. Many voodoo techniques are related to their strange legends of evil gods. The most vicious one is 'Urgu'." Chen Qingxu paused for a moment, "'Four legs, four arms, two heads, two hearts'. From the literal meaning, what does it sound like to you, Lord?"

Gu Yun hesitated and said, "It sounds like two people are glued together."

Chen Qingxu: "Yes, the evil god Wuergu devoured his brother when he was born, and from then on he gained double the divine power. There is an ancient witchcraft in the Eighteen Tribes that combines two brothers who are connected by blood not long after they are born. The monster...human that is cultivated can obtain the power of the evil god, also known as 'Wuergu'."

After hearing this, Gu Yun was silent for a while, then gently pressed his ribs. Although there was a steel plate to protect him, for some reason, he still felt a needle-like pain in his ribs.

Chen Qingxu hurriedly said: "My Lord, your injury..."

"It's okay," Gu Yun waved his hand. He licked his lips slightly and asked in a slow tone, "Miss Chen, I don't quite understand what you mean by 'combining two people into one'?"

Chen Qingxu was a little hesitant.

"It doesn't matter," Gu Yun said, "Just tell me."

"I just heard it from someone, so I'm afraid it's not accurate," Chen Qingxu said in a low voice, "It's about putting a pair of infants under one year old in a sealed place, and not giving them light, water, or food...anything. One of the two will suffocate first, and then take out the dead baby and refine it with a secret method."

For a moment, Gu Yun thought that the effect of the medicine on him had worn off and his ears were no longer working, so he asked with difficulty: "...What?"

"Refine it." Chen Qingxu bit the words lightly, "Then use the secret medicine of the barbarian witch as a guide, and give it to his surviving brothers little by little."

Gu Yun lost his voice and asked, "Can the child still survive?"

"The commander underestimated the 18 thousand-year-old voodoo arts," Chen Qingxu sighed. "In the lost voodoo arts, there are even records of turning the dead into zombies that can run and move, not to mention using living people to refine weapons. They believe that the people refined in this way... or called 'Urgu', will have great strength or extraordinary intelligence since childhood, because 'he' is actually two people, with four legs and two heads, who can invite the power of evil gods."

Gu Yun hesitated and said, "Forgive me for my ignorance. I don't have any opinion on this kind of...thing, Miss Chen. I think this sounds like nonsense circulated among uncivilized fools."

Chen Qingxu said, "Based on our own experience, the Marquis can regard Wuergu as a poison that destroys the mind. Some madmen are indeed much stronger than ordinary people, and their perspectives on things are often different from those of ordinary people. It is not uncommon for them to appear unusually intelligent when they have not completely lost their minds."

Gu Yun: "...There are things that we cannot understand with our inherent knowledge."

Chen Qingxu said, "General, to be honest, I sneaked into the Eighteen Tribes to search for voodoo, not only for your ears and eyes, but also to trace the Wuergu. However, there are very few records related to the barbarians. There is only a rumor about an ancient barbarian general. That person's name is 'Wuergu'. This person is cruel and bloodthirsty, but he has won every battle. He laid the foundation for the current unification of the Eighteen Tribes. He lived to the age of thirty-two and remained unmarried for life because he was 'neither alive nor dead, neither male nor female'."

Gu Yun got goosebumps when he heard this.

Chen Qingxu: "I checked her birth and death history and found out that her mother gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, but there was no record of the girl afterwards, nor did it say that she died... There are two explanations for this, either the girl got lost after the family fell into decline, or..."

This pair of twins, a boy and a girl, were refined into Ul bones. The dead and the living became one, and the boy and the girl grew together, so they were "neither alive nor dead, neither male nor female."

Gu Yun tightened his hand on his ribs, and Chen Qingxu asked nervously, "My Lord, is the steel plate loose?"

Gu Yun bent down, took a breath after a while, and whispered: "Why would someone do such a thing?"

Chen Qingxu helped him sit aside. "Normally, this kind of cruel act will only be done when the country is destroyed, the family is ruined, and the whole family is in danger. The blood is used as a sacrifice to offer to the evil god for revenge. Whenever a person named Wuergu is born, it will cause turmoil and bloodshed."

Gu Yun: "You just said that it was like a poison that could harm people's minds. Please explain this part more clearly."

Chen Qingxu said: "Wulgu will go crazy. At first, he will be haunted by nightmares. Over time, he will become sensitive and suspicious. If he is not controlled, he will gradually develop hallucinations. In the end..."

"So..." Gu Yun only said two words before his voice became hoarse and cracked. He had to clear his throat hard before he could continue, "So you prescribed tranquilizing powder for him."

Chen Qingxu: “…”

Of course she knew who Gu Yun was referring to, and she was speechless and had to agree.

Gu Yun closed his eyes slightly - thinking back, Chang Geng had casually mentioned to him more than once that excessive liver fire can cause poor sleep, but he never took it to heart. He just thought that this child had a medical disorder following the Chen family, and he made himself like an old man talking about health preservation all day long, but it turned out... there were so many difficulties.

Gu Yun: "How far has Chang Geng come?"

Chen Qingxu remained silent for a while.

Gu Yun: "You said, no matter what, I can accept it. As long as I live one day, I will not care whether he is crazy or stupid."

Chen Qingxu said, "Your Highness...Your Highness has a strong will and a peaceful state of mind. Over the years, the Urgu in his body has not flared up much. He knows it well and is more restrained than ordinary people. It's just that a while ago... um... I have suppressed it with needles, so Your Majesty doesn't need to worry."

Although her words were vague, Gu Yun could hear it - she had always been in a peaceful state of mind and had not had any outbursts, except for a while ago.

"It's because of me." He thought blankly, and stood up almost like a corpse. He staggered for a moment, and his face looked as if he had just been stabbed.

Then he let go of Chen Qingxu's hand that wanted to support him, and walked away in a daze. The stiff steel plate supported him, making him look like an iron puppet with purple gold that was about to burn dry.

Chen Qingxu stood there for a moment, her pale face looking very solemn. She couldn't help but look back in the direction of the capital city - the wooden bird released a few days ago should have arrived in Beijing, but... was the decision she wrote in the letter really correct?

The sky in the capital was gloomy. When the wooden bird flew by, its tiny figure completely blended into the oppressive black clouds and became almost invisible.

Zhang Fenghan got out of a carriage, bowed to the people in the carriage and thanked them, saying, "Your Majesty, please take the time to send me here."

Chang Geng lifted the carriage curtain and said with a smile, "I have been staying at the Military Affairs Office for a few days. It is time for me to go back to the Marquis' Mansion to get some clothes to change. It's just on the way. You don't have to be polite. But didn't the Lingshu Court prepare a carriage for you?"

Zhang Fenghan didn't care much: "I used all the money to run errands for the people below. I don't leave the capital. I'm old and I should exercise. There are wars everywhere now, and the court is spending money everywhere. Let's save a little. If we can't turn the tide, can't we at least do our best?"

Chang Geng smiled and said, "That's right, young man, please learn from me."

Zhang Fenghan hurriedly said "I dare not", but Chang Geng stopped him and said, "Mr. Fenghan, please stay."

As he spoke, he took out Zhang Fenghan's memorial that shamelessly requested the emperor to lift the ban on the purple gold among the people, handed it over with both hands and said, "Please forgive me, Lord Fenghan. I intercepted this memorial without authorization and did not send it up. There are no outsiders here. I have to tell you something that is heartbreaking. The purple gold among the people has always been a sore spot for the emperor. Since Emperor Wu, he has never relaxed his control for a single day. Put yourself in his shoes. For the emperor, the purple gold is no different from the imperial seal. If you were the emperor, would you allow the people to privately sell the radish-carved jade seal for fun?"

Zhang Fenghan knew that the memorial he submitted would be of no use. It would either be rejected by the Grand Council or make Emperor Long'an angry again. However, he had some literary spirit and always felt that "whether you want to listen or not, I have to say what I should say." Who knew that His Royal Highness Prince Yan would actually condescend to come to him in person to explain the matter, and spoke so frankly.

Zhang Fenghan's old face turned red at his frankness and he sighed, "Your Highness... Alas, Your Highness is right. I am old and confused for a moment and have caused trouble for Your Highness."

"I know that Lord Fenghan has a sincere heart for the country and the people, and he is the backbone of Lingshu Academy. Daliang has had a hard time in recent years, and the steel armor and combat readiness all depend on you," Chang Geng waved his hand and said, "We are too busy protecting you, how can there be any trouble?"

Zhang Fenghan was a little at a loss, but Prince Yan looked extremely sincere and his tone was not corny. He didn't know how to respond for a moment and could only say "I'm ashamed" repeatedly.

"My childhood friend Ge Chen has been whispering about Master Feng Han to me since he entered Lingshuyuan," Chang Geng said jokingly, "He wishes he could learn from you that you like to drink Houkui and eat pickled radish. I think he's just short of buying a white hair hat to wear every day."

Zhang Fenghan's old face turned really red this time. He wished he could call his new apprentice Ge Chen over and give him a slap in the face. He poured out all the trivial matters into King Yan's ears.

"Ge Chen and I grew up together in Yanhui City. When I was a child, the barbarians invaded and there were not many people left in his family. He has been following me all these years..." Chang Geng paused slightly and looked at Zhang Fenghan with some embarrassment. "I won't talk nonsense. Let me get straight to the point. Ge Chen wants me to tell Lord Fenghan a favor. He has always admired Lord Fenghan's character and wants to recognize you... Well, as an elder. I don't ask for anything else. I just want you to serve me often in the future. This can be regarded as fulfilling his wish. What do you think?"

Zhang Fenghan's breathing suddenly became rapid.

After Ge Chen followed Shen Yi to the capital, he stayed in the capital and entered Lingshu Academy. He was diligent, smart, and talented, and he got along particularly well with Zhang Fenghan. Within a few days, he was accepted as a personal disciple by the old man.

But he was not without self-awareness. Zhang Fenghan had been clean-handed and powerless in his life. He would be disliked all day long. What benefit could he bring to others? Could he protect anyone? Even if he was left alone in his old age, except for a few old dogs at home, who would be willing to care for him?

Chang Geng looked at his expression and said, "Alas, I have already told him that Lord Feng Han likes quietness the most and doesn't like noisy people like him. You don't have to make things difficult for me. I will scold him for you later. Don't worry, he has been heartless since he was a child and won't take it to heart."

Zhang Fenghan hurriedly said, "Your Highness, wait a minute! Your Highness! I... this... this old man..."

He got anxious, his tongue got tied, and his forehead was covered with sweat. Chang Geng did not say anything, but smiled at him leisurely. His smile was free of gloom, as bright as a teenager, with a little bit of mischief that was just right.

It was rare for Zhang Fenghan to see him not being mature and dignified. He came to his senses and said with a helpless smile: "Your Highness is really..."

"Then I'll go talk to him. I'll turn the corner and go home. Please do as you please," Chang Geng said cheerfully. "I'll ask Xiao Ge to find a good time to kowtow to you. By the way, it's going to rain. Please get an umbrella from me in case of emergency."

Zhang Fenghan, the old thorn who had stung Li Feng so much that his head was covered with lumps, said goodbye to him with a smile and watched King Yan's car go away with a kind look.

As soon as Chang Geng left, the sky turned into a drizzle just as he had said.

Lord Fenghan held up the umbrella that Chang Geng had left for him, feeling a little emotional for a moment. For the past six months, there had been wars and chaos, and even though there was no peace, as long as he looked at these young people, he felt that the huge pillar that stood tall on the Daliang Golden Palace had not collapsed yet, as it was still held up by those few people.

There are so many smart and talented people in the world. However, if a person is too smart, he will always lack some passion and be more inclined to protect himself. It takes a truly wise and brave person to step forward and take up the responsibility to bring them together.

Those who walk in the front are destined to work hard and may not have a good ending. It is not worth it... But if there were no such stones, wouldn't the vast sand have been washed away by thousands of years?

Mr. Fenghan turned around and saw a snow-white monk's robe flash by at the corner of the alley. He put away the smile on his face and walked over quickly.

The restaurant in the alley was not as majestic and dignified as the Qiyuanlou in the past. It was more like a casual little teahouse. A poor man like Feng Han would not look out of place if he walked in. He put away his folding umbrella and shook off the rain. He heard a few light knocks on the wooden stairs. When he looked up, he saw Master Ran taking off his wet hat and nodding slightly at him from the second floor. Feng Han understood and walked up quickly.

The two men walked into the innermost private room one after the other. There was already a middle-aged man waiting inside. The man was about 40 or 50 years old, with an ordinary appearance and simple clothes. But he looked very friendly, as if his eyes and eyebrows were round. However, if there were any officials from the Ministry of Revenue here, they would probably be very surprised - this man was Du Wanquan, the richest man in Jiangnan.

Du Wanquan made his fortune in the south of the Yangtze River. He once personally organized a merchant caravan to sail to the West. He was the only wealthy businessman in the Liang Dynasty who had personally traveled to the West since Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty opened up sea transportation. He escaped many dangers and made huge profits. After returning, he was called "Du God of Wealth".

Later he moved to the northwest and was elected president of the Ancient Silk Road Central Plains Chamber of Commerce.

Long before the Marquis of Anding was ordered to cut his salary and reflect on his actions in the capital for unknown reasons and had not yet returned, this big businessman with a keen sense of smell took the lead in gathering the members of the Chamber of Commerce to begin evacuating in batches. After that, the turbulent situation in the Western Region did not harm too many innocent people. It can be said that this weather vane of the God of Wealth led the way in time.

No one knows how much money Du Wanquan has. Everyone says he is rich enough to rival a country - of course, considering Daliang's current poverty, being rich enough to rival a country is nothing special.

Such a God of Wealth is now gathering in a rather shabby tavern with the monks from the Huguo Temple and the old troublemaker from the Lingshu Temple.

Upon seeing Zhang Fenghan, Du Wanquan stood up politely and asked him to sit in the upper seat, bowing and saying, "Please come in, please come in. I haven't seen you for more than ten years. Now it seems that you haven't changed at all, and you are even more charming than before."

Zhang Fenghan declined while saying, "No, I'm old."

Du Wanquan bowed his hands and said solemnly, "Before I went to Beijing, my wife and children dissuaded me from coming, fearing that the situation in Beijing was not stable. I am leaving my old bones here. I told them that Mr. Fenghan was older and more talented than me. He was unarmed and fearless when the enemy was at the gates. I am a small businessman, and although I cannot compare with such an unparalleled national hero, if I dare not even come to pay a visit afterwards, what will become of me?"

Du Caishen has been in the business world for a long time. He makes money by being friendly and friendly. His way of speaking is similar to that of His Royal Highness Prince Yan. Both of them say a few words that can make people blush and make them feel useful. Zhang Fenghan realized that if he continued to be polite with him, they might not be able to talk about business before dark, so he had to sit in the first seat.

Monk Liaoran put his hands together and gestured, "Mr. Du has a large family and a lot of things to do every day. Mr. Fenghan will have to rush back to Lingshuyuan soon, so let's not talk too much. It's presumptuous of the young man to bring up this topic."

As he spoke, he took out the Buddhist beads in his arms, and with a gentle pull, the beads spread out. He then broke open the largest separator bead and took out an old hollow piece of wood. The outer shell was simple, and inside, countless delicate gears were quietly displayed.

Feng Han Gong and Du Wanquan looked at each other and stopped being polite. They each took out a similar hollow wooden block from their arms. The three hollow wood pieces were placed together, attracted to each other, and slid on the table by themselves. The gears inside bit into each other, and in the blink of an eye they were tightly fitted together, forming the upper part of a wooden sign with the word "Lin" on it.

"The last time this plaque was put together was more than two hundred years ago," Du Wanquan sighed. "The last time our ancestors entrusted this to Emperor Taizu, they made the right choice, which resulted in two hundred years of peace and prosperity. Now it has been passed to our generation, and I hope we can make the right choice again this time... Today, Master Liaoran summoned Linyuan, so I believe someone must have been chosen."

Liao Ran gestured and said, "Mr. Zhong and the Chen family are all at the front line, so they can't come. Mr. Zhong asked someone to bring his opinions and the wooden sign a few days ago. Miss Chen's place is in chaos, and she is a little far away, so she hasn't been seen yet. But I estimate that it will be a matter of a day or two."

Du Wanquan glanced at the wooden sign of Linyuan on the table, sat upright and said solemnly: "Master, please speak."

"Amitabha," Liaoran clasped his hands together and lowered his head, "There was a man who, since the beginning of the war, used the wooden bird of Linyuan Pavilion to send a message, leaving a chess piece for the besieged capital. He accepted the order in times of crisis, killed the traitor, and personally defended the city, defying the order and accepting the throne—"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fenghan immediately agreed, "I agree with what the master said about this person. I have the most contact with His Royal Highness Prince Yan in the court. Although he is young, he is both virtuous and talented. I am willing to entrust this wooden sign to him. To be honest, I have been eating idle meals for many years. At the critical moment, I was useless. I was stunned when I heard the battle report from the front line. I didn't expect the Western army to really besiege the capital, nor did I think of using wooden birds to send messages... Mr. Du, what do you think?"

The two people at the table looked at Du Wanquan at the same time. Du Wanquan thought about it and did not respond for a while. He said tactfully: "His Royal Highness Prince Yan is of noble status. I have never met him, but I heard that his Royal Highness was once a student of Mr. Zhong and is also friends with the Chen family. Those two must know more about him. Why don't we wait for them?"

Liaoran took out a wooden bird from his arms. There was a very thin seal on the belly of the wooden bird, which was intact.

"This is from Mr. Zhong," Liao Ran said, "I haven't opened it yet. Please."

Du Wanquan rubbed his hands and said rather embarrassedly: "You're welcome, Mr. Du."

After he finished speaking, he carefully removed the seal, opened the bird's belly, and took out the fourth wooden tablet.

After putting this piece together, most of the word "Yuan" is spelled out, with only one corner left. Under the wooden sign is a piece of sea-patterned paper from Zhong Chan.

Zhang Fenghan said: "Mr. Zhong taught His Royal Highness Prince Yan how to deploy troops and how to ride and shoot. What a favor that is. It's impossible that he wouldn't..."

He suddenly paused, and saw Du Wanquan spread General Zhong Chan's sea-patterned paper on the table. The note read: "This boy has the talent to bring peace to the world, but his childhood was too rough. Although he was kind and benevolent when he was young, he may not be faithful after middle age. There is also the hidden danger of 'Urgu'. I hope you will be careful."