The unknown sidekick, Wang Qinian, pushed open a crack and flashed in. The 40-year-old old man was as nimble as a 14-year-old child. His attitude was humble, but the wandering gaze that occasionally flashed through his eyes betrayed the fear in his heart. Fan Xian had been incomparably happy to see him, but when he thought about how this guy had brought Sizhe back to the Qing Kingdom behind his back and hadn't even secretly reported it, he felt a sliver of anger in his heart.
He turned his head and continued to frown at Fan Sizhe. "Presumably, the news of you in Shangjing couldn't be hidden from anyone. There was Wei Hua's Brocade Guard there to protect you. Yet, after returning home, you have to be even more careful about your personal safety. You have to be cautious. Like today, you took your attendants out on the streets. Although you were disguised, you, little tyrant, know many people in the capital. Then there are your attendants. I know you hired a group of Northern Qi aces, but …"
He was a bit angry at his brother's carelessness. "You still had those curved knives hanging from your waist. Only a blind person would not be able to tell they were Northern Qi people … I say, your talent for business is something that even the shopkeepers of Qingyu Hall admire greatly. How could you be so careless with these little things?"
To the side, Wang Qinian wanted to interrupt, but he didn't dare to speak. Fan Sizhe glanced at the little old man with sympathy and carefully explained, "I used the identity of a Northern Qi merchant group …"
Fan Xian didn't pay attention to his explanation and coldly said, "In any case, coming back without permission is your problem."
Looking at his brother's back, Fan Sizhe rolled his eyes and came up with a plan. He chuckled and said, "If we're talking about acting on your own … Big Brother, I heard that you were injured quite badly in that valley. I think Father would definitely not allow you to go out and wander around … Why did you see me on the street?"
Fan Xian stopped and didn't know what to say. He huffed coldly and let it go. Shortly after, he said evenly, "Let's not talk about that. It's good that you're back. I haven't seen you for over a year. I really do miss you."
Fan Sizhe sighed and sat by Fan Xian's side. Hugging his arm, he complained, "I've been taking care of business for the second half of the year. Although it's annoying to argue with those Northern Qi people and split profits, I've always been doing what I like … you don't know about the first few months …"
The scene of a snowy night, a stone mill, a donkey, and beans seemed to appear before the young man's eyes. He said with a trembling voice, "That's not a life for humans …"
Fan Xian suddenly realized that Haitang had long since returned to Shangjing. He couldn't help but laugh. "Are you in a hurry to run away now that she's back in Shangjing? How can you be so timid? "
Feeling wronged, Fan Sizhe said, "Brother, not all men in this world are as good as you. You can deceive any kind of girl … I don't want to look at a tigress like Haitang."
Fan Xian laughed heartily and asked a few more questions about his brother's life in the north. As for official business, the two of them had talked about it countless times in the letters they had exchanged. He was too lazy to ask again. He just listened to his brother talk about his life in Shangjing and how he, at such a young age, came and went in and out of Shangjing's manors and nobility.
Especially when he heard that Fan Sizhe had become a frequent guest of the Marquis of Chang Ninghou's house and often competed with Wei Hua's father in drinking, Fan Xian couldn't help but laugh. He thought that the old man's body might not be able to withstand the drinking battle between the two of them.
Thinking of the old man in Shangjing, his gaze fell on the unusually quiet old man beside him.
Fan Xian's mood had been good for a long time. He looked at Wang Qinian with a warm smile. His thin lips opened slightly and he said quietly, "Sir Wang, I trust you have been well …"
…
…
Anyone who had interacted with Fan Xian knew that when Sir Fan junior's smile was at its warmest, it was when the evil fire in his heart burned brightly. At such a time, no one wanted to provoke this good-looking young man.
As Fan Xian's confidant, Wang Qinian knew his temper well. Seeing the smile at the corner of his lips, his heart trembled. With a pained expression, he said, "Sir, spare me …
"When did you get here?" Fan Xian picked up the teacup next to him and took two sips to moisten his throat. He noticed that the teacup had the fragrance of rouge, and only then did he realize that it had been drunk by Si Qing 'er. He frowned slightly and switched to his brother's cup. But then he thought of something else. He tilted his head and asked, "Where is your woman?"
These two questions were directed at two different people.
Fan Sizhe laughed and said, "She's in Shangjing, tied up all day. It's a bit boring."
Wang Qinian said honestly, "I really did get here yesterday. I already went to the Council to report to Sir Yan, but the Council said that you weren't feeling well after your injury, and told me not to rush into the manor."
Fan Xian glared at his brother, thinking that this kid was going to be sixteen this year. Why did he sound like a middle-aged married man? But then he thought about how Fan Sizhe had started a brothel at such a young age, and how he had taken advantage of it at such a young age. It would be difficult for him to know what it meant to cherish women.
He frowned and asked Wang Qinian, "You should know the arrangements for your return."
Wang Qinian straightened his body and laughed. "I heard that you want me to take over your position in the First Bureau … I won't do it."
Fan Xian was startled and opened his mouth to scold him. "Even the Director guessed that you would say that. That is the only brothel out of the eight bureaus. If you don't take over such a good position, how can I rest assured? You've been in Northern Qi for a year and a half. Your seniority and experience are all here. If I don't let you go, the others in the Council will probably think otherwise. "
Wang Qinian thought for a moment and then said seriously, "Sir Mu is good in the First Bureau. As for me …" He shook his head and sighed. "I'm an old man with a wife and daughter at home. I thought I would slowly spend the rest of my life in the Council yamen until I died of old age. I didn't expect you to bring me out. These few years have been stressful and exciting, but I still feel that it is more comfortable working by your side."
"Always by my side …" Fan Xian muttered to himself. He also liked the fact that the Qinian Unit by his side was managed by Lao Wang. During these two years, the Qinian Unit was first given to Deng Zi Yue and then to Su Wenmao. In the last half year, it was basically Hong Changqing who was in charge. These three people were all very observant and sensitive people, and there was no problem with their loyalty to him. However … Fan Xian always felt that it was not as happy as when he first entered the capital.
He gazed at Wang Qinian and said with a slight smile, "It won't always be calm. In the valley, many people have died."
The room immediately fell silent. After a long time, Wang Qinian said seriously, "Because of this, I still feel that you should let me handle the matters around you. At least my nose is sharper and I run faster. Although the swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau are capable, I have more confidence in myself when it comes to taking precautions."
Fan Xian lowered his head. His fingers twirled around the little teacup as he calculated his future plans. He couldn't help but furrow his brows. Wang Qinian appeared comical, but when he did things, he was watertight. During this year in Northern Qi, Fan Xian didn't have to spend much effort to successfully build a good relationship with the Northern Qi royal family and the Brocade Guard yamen. Furthermore, he had the Northern Qi spy network of the Sixth Bureau, which had become a pool of dead water because of Yan Bingyun's accidental exposure, successfully become active again.
The smuggling of the Jiangnan palace treasury to Northern Qi and Fan Xian's understanding of Northern Qi's movements all relied on this wizened old man in front of him.
These matters all proved Wang Qinian's abilities. This quiet but powerful Overwatch Council official was a treasure Fan Xian had picked up after entering the capital. Fan Xian wanted him to take over the First Bureau in hopes that he could secretly spy on the Jingdou officials for him. When turbulent waves arrived in Jingdou, he would have a trusted aide who could control the overall situation.
If Wang Qinian only returned to his side and became the head of the Qinian Unit, in Fan Xian's opinion, it would be a waste. However, Wang Qinian was very insistent. Fan Xian was in a difficult position.
He furrowed his brows and said, "We'll discuss this again. However, at the end of the year, hand over the affairs in the North to Ziyue. Be more careful. He has no experience operating outside the borders. Teach him more."
Wang Qinian knew that the Commissioner had tacitly agreed to his request and couldn't resist smiling.
Fan Sizhe watched as his brother began to deal with Overwatch Council affairs. He felt that it was inappropriate for him to continue sitting there. He stood and prepared to leave.
The Baoyue Brothel has already opened six branches in the world, and the branch in Shangjing in Northern Qi is about to open as well. You have to pay attention to all the intelligence gathering. I will leave the South to Sang Wen, and I will leave the North to you. Since you are now an unofficial member of the Council, there is no harm in you listening to the things that have happened today. In a bit, when Deng Zi Yue comes over, you have to get close to him. Although he is my subordinate, in the coming year in Northern Qi, the two of you have to work together. You cannot be too self-conscious. How about that? "
You can't be too self-conscious. How about that? "This was Fan Xian's most pressing thought after the attack in the valley. He had to build up his own intelligence system. This system didn't need to be too big. It needed to absorb nutrients from the big tree that was the Overwatch Council. Otherwise, once the Overwatch Council became mute and closed itself off, Fan Xian was worried that it would be like the valley and he would once again become blind.
As he spoke, there was a knock on the door. The person who came was using the Overwatch Council's standard method of reporting to a superior.
Fan Xian smiled and made a sound of acknowledgment.
Deng Zi Yue, dressed in a black robe, pushed open the door and entered. He knelt on one knee in greeting to Fan Xian. After he rose, he looked at Wang Qinian to Fan Xian's side and said excitedly, "Sir Wang, you've returned to the capital?"
Back when Fan Xian had formed the Qinian Unit, he had only picked Wang Qinian. The subordinates after that had all been personally picked by Wang Qinian. Deng Zi Yue was the first person Wang Qinian had picked into the group, so he had always viewed Wang Qinian as a teacher and a superior. Suddenly seeing him today, he couldn't help but be happy.
"Alright." Fan Xian smiled. "There's no need to talk about parting in this building today. We'll talk about the arrangements after they've settled."
He paused and then asked, "How many more days until Wan 'er and the others arrive?"
"Three more days," Deng Zi Yue replied calmly. "There are Tiger Guard swordsmen accompanying them all the way. Additionally, after hearing that you were assassinated, the various provinces are on alert and have strengthened their defenses. There shouldn't be any problems."
Fan Xian nodded. He was actually not very worried. Assassinations always had to have benefits. For those people, killing him was too tempting, but assassinating other members of the royal family had no benefit at all.
The room was silent. Fan Xian was the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. The other two were high-ranking officials of the same level as the heads of the eight bureaus. It was the first time Fan Sizhe had participated in a Council meeting of this level. He felt that the atmosphere was very different from when he was gathering merchants in the North to pick up girls and calculate money. He couldn't help feeling nervous and unconsciously played with his thick and clumsy fingers.
However, Fan Xian remained silent.
After a long silence, Wang Qinian opened his mouth and asked, "Sir, is someone else coming?"
Fan Xian nodded and furrowed his brows slightly. "He should be coming."
Wang Qinian scratched his head and said, "I arranged to meet with the second young master here. Zi Yue was notified by you … who else?"
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Right now, all the powers in Jingdou know that the Baoyue Brothel is my territory. I don't know how many eyes are watching this place. What we are talking about here, I'm afraid it will soon spread to the various manors. That kid will not relax his watch on this place."
He slowly lowered his head and said, "Since he knows I am here, why won't he come?"
Wang Qinian sensed a glimmer of something else in these words.
…
…
After a long time, a steady knocking sound rang out for the third time that day on that quiet wooden door.
A young man pushed open the door and entered. His clothes were whiter than snow. His brows were cold and frosty, and the coldness of his entire body suppressed the fluttering snow outside Baoyue Brothel.
Fan Xian sighed in his heart. The gloominess between his brows was swept away. His face broke into a smile. "You came quickly."
The white-clothed man didn't want to joke with him and coldly said, "Sir, as the Commissioner with full power of the Overwatch Council, you should know that your life is not just your business alone."
At this moment, everyone in the room quickly rose and bowed. Greeting, they said, "Greetings, Sir Yan."
The person who came was Fan Xian's brain, the always icy Yan Bingyun. The five people in the room were all powerful figures of the Overwatch Council's new generation. Strangely, these five people were also the key figures who had clashed head-on with the Second Prince a year ago because of the Baoyue Brothel matter. On the night Fan Xian chased Fan Sizhe out of Jingdou, these five people had all been together.
Other than the Black Knight Jing Ge who was far away in the camp outside the capital, Su Wenmao who stayed in Jiangnan to deal with palace treasury matters, and the Mu uncle and nephew outside the room, as well as Hong Changqing who was keeping records in the Council, this room was all of Fan Xian's direct subordinates in the Overwatch Council.
Everyone sat down. Fan Xian gazed at Yan Bingyun with a not-quite-there smile. Using his index finger to rub between his brows, he said, "Three things."
Everyone listened quietly. Even Yan Bingyun clasped his hands together slightly.
"First, the Emperor has summoned 14 young officials into the Palace," Fan Xian said calmly. "The court wants to change a batch of blood, but I don't know how much of a commotion it will cause. By tomorrow, send the files and information of these 14 people to me. Those who can be controlled, immediately begin to control them. For those who cannot be controlled, find out the illegal things they did when they were still wearing open pants. We also have to think of a way to control them."
Wearing open pants … naturally, they had to dig deep into the deepest parts of the officials' souls.
Everyone in the room was silent. They felt slightly uneasy. When the court selected officials, it did sometimes require the Overwatch Council to first examine their past official experiences. However, for the Commissioner to order them like this, it was clear that they were not working for the court, but …
Fan Xian knew that his trusted aides had all understood and didn't explain much. Because of his assassination attempt, the Emperor would certainly take the opportunity to do something. For him, this was a rare opportunity. Other than a few people, these young officials did not have any obvious factions. Because they were clean and had no powerful backers, it gave Fan Xian a chance to secretly interfere in court politics.
Yan Bingyun suddenly shook his head and said, "Even mine have to be given?"
Among the 14 young officials, Yan Bingyun's name was also on the list. This had only happened a few hours ago. Yan Bingyun had left the Palace and knew that Fan Xian had come to Baoyue Brothel, so he had hurried over. He also knew that there were not many things in Jingdou that could be hidden from Fan Xian's eyes and ears.
"If it's fake, then write one," Fan Xian said without good humor. "There's no need for Qin Heng. The Council's files are clear. The main point is He Zongwei. This person … looks like the Emperor admires him."
He immediately smiled coldly and said, "But … I don't admire him."
…
…
"The second matter," Fan Xian said quietly. "There is a spy in the Council. After Zhu Ge died, the internal disputes seem to have weakened. Drag him out. I don't want any more problems in the future."
Yan Bingyun smiled and didn't say anything. Fan Xian did not smile and glared at him.
"The third matter," he looked at Yan Bingyun and said. "Prepare some paper and prepare to wipe the Council's mess. I'm going to kill a few people."
"Kill who?" Yan Bingyun met Fan Xian's forceful gaze and calmly asked, "If it is a high-ranking official, I object. After the assassination this time, the Emperor can no longer tolerate it. If you act rashly, it will not help matters."
Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. His palm unconsciously rubbed the head of his brother beside him. Raising his head, he said, "Killing is not the goal. It is also not a method to obtain some kind of benefit. It is only a kind of warning and provocation. Presumably, you know a little about Director Chen's intentions. You should know that adding a little more fuel to the fire at this time is good for the bigger picture."
The other people didn't understand and didn't know what Director Chen meant by the bigger picture. However, Yan Bingyun felt bitterness in his mouth. He forced a smile and said, "If you want to mess around, then mess around. It's just very childish revenge and venting anger. Don't tie it to the bigger picture."
"I want revenge," Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said, "You are all my people. The people who died in the valley are also my people. Since my people have died, their people must also die."
In the end, he gave orders to his most trusted subordinates. "The day before Wan 'er returns to the capital, I will hold a banquet in Baoyue Brothel. I have invited the Crown Prince, the Great Prince, the Second Prince, Qin Heng, and the two Deputies of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Prepare."
"Governor Yan?" Wang Qinian noticed that Fan Xian had left out an important figure in the Eldest Princess's faction and reminded him. (To be continued, if you want to know what happened afterwards, please log on to WWW. QIDIAN. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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