Volume 3: Evil Ghosts Eat People Chapter 164 The Second Secret Order
From the very beginning, Xu Zun felt something was not right.
Since the Empress Dowager had issued the decree, why didn't she do it at the Shangyuan County Government Office, but instead asked Cai Kun to announce it at the inn where she was staying late at night?
If it was a secret decree and he didn't want to make it public, then why did he reward him with so many things and give him eight guards at once?
Even if he was worried that the remnants of the Xuanmen would harm him, there was no need to mobilize such a large force, right?
Xu Zun knew that although the Inner Guards had no rank, they regarded themselves very highly. It was very rare for the central government to send a local official to serve as a guard.
If you are really worried about your own safety, then just ask the state government to send more guards. There is no need to send internal guards as bodyguards.
For the above reasons, Xu Zun concluded that the matter was not that simple and that the Queen Mother must have other uses for him.
Xu Zun knew very well that the Queen Mother's reward to him was not necessarily a good thing.
As the saying goes, "If you eat the emperor's food, you have to share the emperor's worries." When working for the Queen Mother, you must be extra careful, otherwise the slightest negligence will lead to irreparable disaster.
Moreover, the situation in the court is unpredictable and the relationship between the empress dowager and the emperor is delicate. If not handled carefully, there will be trouble in the future.
These are not what Xu Zun is most worried about. From Cai Kun's words, Xu Zun vaguely feels that the Queen Mother does not seem to care about the remnants of Xuanmen.
Although the imperial edict praised his outstanding contributions, in fact, Cai Kun did not ask too much about the Xuanmen case, and even briefly mentioned the escaped Taoist Qinglan and Marquis Changping.
What on earth...what are you asking me to do?
With deep doubts, Xu Zun opened the second secret decree.
However, before he could read it carefully, Cai Kun spoke out the core of the secret order:
"The Queen Mother wants you to leave immediately and go to Yonghui to deal with the incident of evil spirits eating people!"
"ah?"
Xu Zun checked the secret decree and found that it indeed asked him to go to Yonghui to handle the case.
Yonghui, like Shangyuan, is also a county of Tangzhou, but it is located in a remote area, southwest of Tangzhou.
To the west it borders the wild Xia Province, and to the south it borders the mountainous Shu Province.
"Yonghui is also under the jurisdiction of Tangzhou," Cai Kun explained, "It is legitimate for you, the Tangzhou judge, to handle this case!"
"Evil ghosts eat people?" Xu Zun frowned, "What does this mean? Why have I never heard of it?"
"Yes," Cai Kun said, "Yonghui is located at the junction of three states. It is located in a remote area. What happens there can never be reported!"
"Are there really evil ghosts?" Xu Zun wondered.
"Is there a ghost or not? That's why I asked you to investigate! By the way," Cai Kun added, "Don't underestimate this case. It is said that the evil ghost has eaten the county magistrate!"
"What!?" Xu Zun almost flashed his eyes, and asked with wide eyes, "Master Cai, are you kidding? The governor of Tangzhou is in Shangyuan City. If the governor of Yonghui County was eaten by a ghost, how could he not know?"
After Xu Zun asked, Cai Kun did not answer, but a positive answer could be obtained from his playful eyes.
Depend on!
Xu Zun immediately realized the seriousness of the problem. If the county magistrate was murdered, how come even the governor of Tangzhou didn't know about it?
Did it happen suddenly, or is there something hidden behind it?
The point is, it makes sense that the county magistrate was assassinated, but how could he be eaten by evil spirits?
Are there ghosts in this world?
"Sir," Xu Zun asked, "If I leave now, what will happen to Shangyuan City? Also, I haven't officially taken office in Wude City yet!"
"Your official certificate has been issued, and the Queen Mother has recognized your position. What are you afraid of?" Cai Kun said with a smile, "Besides, the title of Tangzhou Chief Justice is just an empty title. If this case is handled well, you may even be promoted to a higher position in one step!"
“Sir, but…” Xu Zun was still a mess.
"You don't have to worry about Shangyuan City," Cai Kun said, "I will to explain the situation to Chen Taiji and others, and the rest of the matters will be left to Chen Taiji.
"Also," he added, "Li Yan is old and can't stand so many shocks! I'll ask him to write you a handwritten letter, asking you to act as the governor and have full authority to investigate the Yonghui case..."
"this……"
The more favorable the conditions were, the more uncertain Xu Zun felt.
"If the governor can't go, doesn't Tangzhou still have a chief secretary?" Xu Zun mentioned Dong Wanxing, meaning that he wanted to drag an official over to accompany him, who could also be used to take the blame at a critical moment.
However, Cai Kun decisively waved his hand: "You are so smart, you should understand that the higher-ups don't want too many people to intervene in this case, right?"
"This... okay! But what about Li Jinlou..." Xu Zun expressed another concern.
"Why do you care about such a coward?" Cai Kun said coldly, "He is so arrogant just because he is related to the queen. Many people want to kill him!"
Wow...
Xu Zun wiped his sweat again. He didn't expect that Li Jinlou was actually the Queen's relative. Fortunately, the Queen Mother was in charge now, and even the Emperor had to listen to her.
In this case, it would be better for me to just leave. I'm sure Li Jinlou will not have a good ending.
"Sir Cai, since this is the Queen Mother's secret order, I will do my best to serve you!" Xu Zun said with a bow, "But can I make a condition?"
"Oh?" Cai Kun was surprised. "What other conditions do you want?"
"That Timur Ani from Yuanzhou must come with me!" Xu Zun said, "This girl is beautiful, I must make her my personal maid."
"What? Haha..." Cai Kun laughed, "How dare you say that! She is a traitor to the Xuan Sect, and she is also an important witness in your false accusation against Li Jinlou!"
"What false accusation?" Xu Zun said seriously, "I am very observant, and heaven does not hide evil!"
"Haha..." Cai Kun laughed even harder, "Bringing a Xuanmen rebel with you, aren't you afraid that she will take the opportunity to kill you? Jiying, beauty is a disaster, you can't be tempted by that woman's pretty skin!"
"Sir," Xu Zun said seriously, "In fact, I took this woman with me for other purposes besides lusting after her body.
"She is not only a member of the Xuanmen rebel party, but also a senior figure in the rebel party. Taking her with me, maybe I can learn more secrets of the Xuanmen. The risk and reward are proportional!"
"Okay, since you are so sure, just take it with you!" Cai Kun agreed readily, "I will tell Chen Taiji, he won't dare to object.
"However, you must be sensible and don't get yourself into trouble! Xuanmen disappeared for a hundred years, and this time it has made a comeback. It should not be underestimated."
"clear!"
Xu Zun clasped his fists, but thought to himself: No matter how important it is, it doesn't seem as important as this trip to Yonghui.
"In that case," Xu Zun said again, "I will obey your order and set off immediately."
"Well... and..." Cai Kun remembered something and added mysteriously, "When you get to Yonghui, you have to pay more attention. The case is important, but there are some things that you have to be alert to!"
"You..." Xu Zun frowned, "What do you mean ? Is there something else going on with Yonghui?"
"Well..." Cai Kun made an expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Xu Zun is stupid, please explain clearly, sir!" Xu Zun thought to himself, if he doesn't get things clear, wouldn't he be at a loss when he goes?
"Huh... " Cai Kun took a deep breath and said, "Ji Ying, you are so smart, can't you guess it?"
"Oh?" Xu Zun frowned and thought seriously, then asked tentatively, "Could it be... still related to the iron coffin?"
Hearing this, Cai Kun gave a thumbs up and said, "At this point, you are considered one of us! I will..."
"Sir," Xu Zun asked anxiously, "what is in that iron coffin?"
"Yes..." Cai Kun looked at Xu Zun and said very seriously, "The one in the iron coffin is my Great Xuan State Master - Qiu Dingtian!!!"
