In this world, there were no officials who were not greedy. The only thing that mattered was whether one was greedy or greedy. The court was full of vermin, and the only thing that mattered was whether the vermin was fat or thin. If it wasn't so, why would there suddenly be a strange department called the Overwatch Council in the Qing court?
Just as Fan Xian had discovered during the rectification in the First Bureau, the Overwatch Council was also made up of people. Where there were people, there would be officialdom. It was impossible for the Overwatch Council to remain so cold and strict for the rest of its life.
Furthermore, the Overwatch Council was not an immortal. It could not control anything above the third level. If the Emperor did not issue an edict, it could not control military matters. Even if Chen Pingping and Fan Xian worked together, the Overwatch Council would not be able to change much of the current situation. In the end, the Overwatch Council was not investigating corrupt officials. It was only following the Emperor's wishes to clean up the government from time to time, quell the people's anger, and make some space to maintain its rule.
If it really wanted to investigate, how long would it take for the beauties in Chen Pingping's garden and the money Fan Xian had scooped up in the palace treasury to spit out … let alone the Emperor sitting in the Royal Palace.
The Emperor did not need to be greedy. He was the most greedy person in the world. If he was greedy for the entire world, what could the Overwatch Council do?
…
…
It was precisely because everyone was greedy that when the Overwatch Council wanted to do something because of Fan Xian's madness, it seemed to come naturally and naturally. In this dark night, the entire First Bureau of the Overwatch Council moved out and headed toward the mansions in the alleys and street corners. They captured countless lower-level officials who had close ties to the Second Prince and Xinyang.
Naturally, they could not touch anyone above the third level, but these lower-level officials were the ones the court truly needed to rely on. Everyone in Baoyue Brothel already knew of the Overwatch Council's earlier actions. They had also received Fan Xian's personal confirmation. They couldn't help but show shocked expressions on their faces.
The deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Qu Xiangdong, fell silent. He looked deeply at Fan Xian and didn't say anything more. Although the news tonight was not clear, it could be seen that the Overwatch Council's first target was still Xinyang and the Second Prince's faction. They did not have deep connections with the military.
Although he didn't understand why Fan Xian would suddenly use such a low-level method, the Overwatch Council's actions and Fan Xian's ruthlessness already made him feel a glimmer of fear.
The beauty in the building was in his arms, killing and arresting people outside the building. Even if there was snow, how could it completely cover up the smell of blood?
Not everyone sank into silence because of this sudden news. After the five reporting officials carefully retreated behind the screen, the Great Prince looked at Fan Xian with a heavy expression and asked, "Why?"
The conflict between the Overwatch Council and the Xinyang faction had been going on for a long time. It began six years ago with the dispute over the palace treasury. It was buried in the Second Prince's attempt to assassinate Fan Xian on Niulan Street under the pretext of a banquet. It was also because of the story of that autumn in the Baoyue Brothel where everyone was sitting.
That autumn, Fan Xian took over the Bao Yue house, killed Xie Bi 'an, and plotted against the capital government. He ruined the reputation of the second prince and Li Hongcheng, the son of King Jing. He also made the Cui family in the north look like traitors.
In the year after autumn, Fan Xian went to the Ming family in Jiangnan, collected the palace treasury, and killed Chang Kun in Jiaozhou.
In everyone's eyes, Fan Xian's revenge against the Second Prince and the Xinyang faction was already severe enough, and he had reaped enough benefits. There was no reason for him to act so tyrannically again tonight.
Fan Xian was silent for a moment and then calmly said, "Why? Because I am under orders to investigate the governance of officials. "
The banquet was silent. The Crown Prince sat high up and did not look at Fan Xian. Instead, he looked at the Second Prince's expression with a difficult to read expression. The Great Prince shook his head and sighed. "There is no peace in Jingdou for more than two days. Why can't you all calm down a bit?"
Fan Xian knew the Great Prince was speaking from the bottom of his heart. This current Commander of the Imperial Army had been on good terms with the Second Prince since childhood. Because of Lady Ning and Wan'er, he was now standing on his side. Placed in this situation, it was difficult to avoid being in a difficult position. Hearing these words, he couldn't resist sighing. "Peace? I haven't returned to the capital for a year. It looks like Jingdou has been peaceful for a whole year. Perhaps I am truly a star of misfortune … no wonder no one was willing to let me have peace in the valley outside Jingdou. "
The banquet was silent again. All the important figures faintly understood that this was Fan Xian finding a scene for the valley matter. However, this scene was a bit too big and absurd.
"There are many things in this world that are absurd." Fan Xian seemed to know what these important figures were thinking and said self-mockingly, "Just like the matter of me being assassinated in the valley. The court has been investigating, but because there is no evidence, they have never been able to come up with an explanation."
He slowly said, "Who will pay attention to my subordinate? As I said before, when my coachman was shot by the first arrow, I wanted to snatch him back into the carriage, but he stood up and blocked the arrow for me … I often ask myself, if I can't find any evidence, what can I do for him? "
The Jiangnan governor, Xue Qing, glanced meaningfully at Fan Xian.
The Crown Prince slowly said, "Naturally, the court will investigate." This was the third time he had said these words tonight.
Fan Xian nodded and smiled. "It is this matter that suddenly made me think of a story I heard a long time ago."
…
…
"Once upon a time in the forest, there was a little white rabbit. It happily left the door early in the morning. Then, it met a big, bad wolf. The big, bad wolf grabbed the little white rabbit and slapped it twice. Slap! Slap! Slap! I told you not to wear a hat! "
Everyone looked at each other. They didn't know why Fan Xian would suddenly tell such a childish story. They only heard Fan Xian continue, "The next day, the little white rabbit put on a hat and went out again. As it walked, it met the big, bad wolf again. The big, bad wolf grabbed the little white rabbit again. Slap! Slap! I told you to wear a hat! "
"The little white rabbit was very depressed and ran to the tiger to complain about the big, bad wolf. The tiger listened to the little white rabbit's complaint and said painfully, 'Don't worry, I will uphold justice for you.' Then, the tiger found the big, bad wolf and said, 'Old wolf, this morning, the little white rabbit came to complain about you. It says you keep bullying it. See if you can find another reason to beat it. For example, you can say,' Rabbit, go find me a piece of meat. '"
"If it finds a fat one, you can say you want a thin one. If it finds a thin one, you can say you want a fat one. That way, you can beat it again. Otherwise, you can have it help you find a female rabbit. If it finds a plump one, you can say you like a slim one. If it finds a slim one, you can say you like a plump one. "
Fan Xian told the story very seriously, but the words he used were childish and absurd. However, everyone at the table revealed thoughtful expressions, including the Crown Prince and Xue Qing. They faintly understood who the tiger was referring to, but no one dared to show their expressions.
Fan Xian drank a mouthful of wine and said seriously, "After the old wolf heard this, he was very happy and repeatedly praised the tiger for being smart. However, their conversation was heard by the little white rabbit weeding outside the house. "
"Very coincidental? However, stories cannot be written without coincidences. Continue … "Fan Xian smiled coldly." On the third day, the little white rabbit went out again and met the big, bad wolf again. The big, bad wolf said, 'Rabbit, go find me a piece of meat.' "
"The little white rabbit said, 'Do you want a fat one or a thin one?'"
The big, bad wolf furrowed his brows and smiled. In his heart, he thought, fortunately, there is a second move. 'Never mind, I don't want meat. Go find me a female rabbit.' "
"The little white rabbit said, 'Do you like a plump one or a slim one?'"
…
…
Fan Xian furrowed his brows tightly and shook his head. "Meeting such a cunning rabbit, what do you think we should do?"
Everyone at the table also began to wonder what the big, bad wolf would do next. They couldn't help but be curious as to what Fan Xian would say next. Fan Xian pressed his slightly dry lips together and smiled.
"The big, bad wolf paused for a moment. He slapped the little white rabbit twice and scolded … I told you not to wear a hat!"
…
…
I told you not to wear a hat!
The most unreasonable, shameless, senseless, and nonsensical reason in the world was the most adequate reason. In other words, there was no need for a reason. What mattered was whose fist was bigger.
Fan Xian finally said seriously, "I don't want to continue being a little white rabbit. I want to be a big, bad wolf."
This was a joke he had heard in his previous life. Speaking of it tonight, it was heavy. Everyone at the table should have roared with laughter, but at this moment, no one laughed.
Everyone sighed in their hearts. The matter of the attack on Fan Xian in the valley would probably never be investigated clearly. Tonight, the Overwatch Council assassinating the eight generals, in a situation where there was no evidence and Fan Xian did not admit to it, would never be investigated clearly. The matters of the world were like this. Since they could not find sufficient reasons for their natural enmity, then what need was there to find reasons? The field of power was like a wild mountain, where wolves chased rabbits and tigers watched from the side. It was natural.
… …
Although the banquet was not broken, these major figures had long lost the will to continue. The officialdom of Jingdou had already been unable to calm down. Tonight, it was even more embarrassing. Although the Overwatch Council was using the night to act and presumably would not disturb too many Jingdou people, these major figures still rushed back to their manors and yamens to deal with the aftermath. At the same time, they were mentally and officially preparing to welcome the new situation.
Fan Xian walked Xue Qing to the door. Before Xue Qing left, he turned his head and smiled warmly. "Wolves are social animals. Don't turn yourself into a lone wolf. That is always dangerous."
Fan Xian's heart warmed slightly. He bowed in thanks.
Xue Qing was silent for a moment. He then said, "Although the Emperor has nodded his head, you still have to watch your limits, particularly the court's face.
Fan Xian once again agreed.
After the carriages of the few important figures slowly left the Bao Yue Brothel, the Crown Prince stretched lazily and walked down with the beauty in his arms. There were already servants by his side who draped the expensive fur coat over his body. The Crown Prince glanced at Fan Xian and smiled. "Tonight's show was quite entertaining."
The Crown Prince sent away the woman beside him and the idlers around them. Looking at Fan Xian calmly, he said, "Speaking of which, that autumn a year ago, when I saw the first half of the show you and second brother acted out, I also thought it was entertaining. Thinking about it carefully, there was nothing between you and me."
Fan Xian froze slightly. He didn't know what this Crown Prince, who was acting very differently than usual, meant.
"There has never been a problem between you and me," the Crown Prince closed his eyes slightly and slowly said. "If there is a problem, it is a problem from back then. It should not become a problem between you and me. I hope you remember this."
Fan Xian understood that he and the Crown Prince had actually always maintained a kind of peace. However, because of the matter the empress had participated in, they had become natural enemies. He didn't understand what the Crown Prince was planning to do by saying this. However, Fan Xian believed that the Crown Prince would not watch as he killed his mother in order to fight for his support.
Thus, he was just saying it.
— — —
No one had left, but the seat was empty. Strangely, the Second Prince stayed behind. He watched Fan Xian walk up from downstairs and smiled slightly. Slowly placing his left hand on the table, he did his best to suppress the absurd feeling in the depths of his heart. Using two fingers, he picked up a green fruit from the South and slowly chewed on it.
Fan Xian sat across from him and picked up the wine pot. He began to pour and drink by himself. Suddenly, he finished 10 cups.
The Great Prince hugged the wine pot and drank heartily to the side. It was as if he wanted to get drunk.
Fan Xian put down his wine cup and clapped his hands. The Third Prince obediently walked out from behind the curtain. He glanced at his big brother and second brother with some difficulty and then sat beside his teacher.
The Great Prince glanced at Fan Xian disapprovingly. His eyes seemed to be saying, "Why drag me into the affairs of adults?"
In the Flower Hall on the third floor of Baoyue Brothel, there were three princes and Fan Xian. If one did not count the Crown Prince who had left earlier, the Qing Emperor's bloodline in this world could be considered complete.
The earlier banquet at Hongmen had become a family banquet with a strange atmosphere.
"You're afraid."
The Second Prince put down the half-eaten green fruit and stared into Fan Xian's eyes as he spoke in a gentle voice.
Fan Xian's hand holding the wine cup froze. He slowly replied, "What am I afraid of?"
"If you're not afraid, why did you make such a big move tonight?" The Second Prince smiled slightly and gently said, "Only someone with fear in their heart would act recklessly like you did tonight. You killed my general and captured my trusted aide. Does that have any effect on the big picture?"
Fan Xian took a deep breath. His expression calmed. "There are no outsiders here, so there is no harm in speaking frankly. Your subordinates have been cleaned out by me today, but … you have no evidence. Just as I said earlier, I also have no evidence regarding the attack in the valley, but you still did it."
"I did not know about the attack in the valley. I did not participate," the Second Prince stared into Fan Xian's eyes and said seriously.
Fan Xian shook his head. "What about the Niulan Street matter? Little White has been slapped in the face too many times … I admit that I still don't know who did it in the valley, but that doesn't stop me from taking action. "
He lowered his head and said, "There were enemies on all sides. Since I didn't know which enemy did it, of course, I had to release random arrows. If I occasionally hit the person in question, it would be an advantage for me. If I hit someone else, I would not lose out. It would be an advantage."
"Niulan Street …" A glimmer of bitterness flashed through the smile on the Second Prince's thin lips. "An incident from a few years ago. Thinking about it, it was just this one incident, yet you still remember it to this day."
Fan Xian raised his head and calmly said, "I am a very vengeful person. As you know, this matter has little to do with vengeance. As long as you don't stop, I will continue to do it without rest."
There were no officials present or the Crown Prince present. Fan Xian and the Second Prince, a pair of young nobles with similar temperaments, spoke in a very direct and straightforward manner. They were both meticulous people and knew that there was no need for too many words to hide between them.
The Second Prince glanced deeply at the Third Prince beside Fan Xian and suddenly said, "Sometimes, I feel that life is not fair. Putting aside the Cui family and the Ming family matters, just in this Palace, my beloved sister has married you as your wife, and my two brothers, who have been friendly with me since childhood, are now standing on your side."
The Second Prince raised his head. There was a glimmer of hidden anger on his handsome face. "If my ability is not as good as yours, then so be it. However, this is only because of some absurd reasons and stories from a previous life that created the current situation. If father was willing to give the Overwatch Council to me, would I do worse than you? If father was willing to give the palace treasury to me, would I not have the ability to make the treasury more abundant? Neither you nor I know how to repair the dikes. You and I can only pay silver. An Zhi, An Zhi, don't you think this is very unfair? After all, I am the true prince. "
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He knew that his strange and varied life in the Qing Kingdom and the abnormal power he was able to obtain now were all because of that woman's legacy. Of course, that woman had also brought him countless troubles and dangers. What the Second Prince said was not completely without reason. If he and Fan Xian had switched places, he might not have done better. It was not that the Second Prince did not have the ability. It was that he had never had the stage to display his ability.
He slowly said, "There is no such thing as' if 'in this world."
"Correct. That is why you now have the Overwatch Council in your left hand and the palace treasury in your right," the Second Prince said with slight mockery. "Presumably, only your mother once had such great power. So, you are now beginning to be afraid."
Fan Xian's expression froze again.
The Second Prince calmly said, "Have you thought about the future? Who exactly are you working hard for today? " His gaze shifted slightly and glanced at the Third Prince. He smiled and said, "None of the sons of the royal family are easy to deal with. You yourself are one of them. Of course, you understand this."
The Third Prince lowered his head, not daring to interrupt. Fan Xian knew that the Second Prince was not speaking alarmist words. He just had his own plans and plans.
The Second Prince faintly said, "You are truly afraid. Think about it. Right now, you are walking down the path of a lonely official. Regardless of who ascends the throne in the future, how can the Qing Kingdom tolerate you? How can the Overwatch Council be tolerated? "
Fan Xian listened calmly. The Second Prince continued, "The reason you are afraid is because you are a smart person. You know that although your power is monstrous, it is only a floating cloud. It is not even as sturdy as a thin piece of paper."
The Second Prince sighed. "Because all the power in your hands was given to you by father. With only one edict, you can be banished to the mortal world and never be able to rise again. Although father dotes on you, it is not as if he did not guard against you. These years, he has allowed you to do whatever you want, but he will not let you touch the military. I think I do not need to remind you of the deeper meaning behind this."
In the end, the Second Prince concluded, "It is because you are afraid that you want to … reduce your own power!"
…
…
The Great Prince drank a mouthful of wine and looked coldly at his two brothers talking like two fighting cocks.
Fan Xian was silent for a long time and did not respond to the Second Prince's words. He only quietly said, "Power has always been a floating cloud. When has there ever been an undefeated general or an undestroyed clan? Your Highness is a prince. Your heart is with the world, but I am only an official. I have to protect myself and the well-being of my clan … "
The Second Prince cut off his words and coldly said, "I know that you, as a dignified immortal of poetry, have never been proud of the royal bloodline. On the contrary, you purposely avoided this point. Ask yourself honestly. If it were not for the royal bloodline that you loathe, how could you have lived until today and lived so gloriously?"
Two of the four brothers were silent. Two faced each other.
"Let go," the Second Prince said sincerely. The Second Prince said sincerely, "Your power is actually all illusory. You don't dare to kill me, so you can only watch as each day passes while you are in greater danger each day. Since you have already sensed this, why don't you just let go more completely? Given your reputation in the world, you are Wan 'er's husband, you are father's son, you are an honored guest of Northern Qi … who would make things difficult for you? Who would dare to take unnecessary risks to make things difficult for you? Ling 'er has said that you love to travel the world, so why are you still limited to this dangerous Jingdou and unable to free yourself? "
Fan Xian's brows gradually furrowed. His fingers slowly gripped the wine cup and said, "Your Highness, I said earlier … my thoughts are the same as yours."
He raised his head. His expression brightened. Looking at the Second Prince, he calmly said, "A year ago in the tea shop outside this brothel, if you don't let go, I will beat you until you let go. Reality has proven that the present me has this power … you can no longer see the eight generals in the tea shop. This is sufficient proof."
Hearing the words "tea shop," the Second Prince's expression immediately froze. He thought of the conversation he had with Fan Xian in the tea shop outside Baoyue Brothel a year ago in the autumn. At that time, the conversation had taken place between a prince and an official. After a year had passed, Fan Xian's power had expanded like a balloon. Most importantly, the two people's true identities had gradually become the same.
"Why should I let go?" The Second Prince asked somewhat nervously and self-mockingly.
"Your Highness has been poisoned by the Eldest Princess. I will help you cure it." Fan Xian did not retreat. Coldly, he said, "My words from before still stand. When Your Highness maintains a distance from the Eldest Princess and truly lets go, I promise you … a lifetime of peace."
"Based on what?" The Second Prince looked seriously into Fan Xian's eyes. "Just based on the Overwatch Council and silver?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "Not based on what. It is just that I owe the imperial concubine a favor and Wan 'er a promise. Your Highness should know what happened tonight. I am going to empty Your Highness's personal power and beat you out of this pool of rotten water."
Once the Second Prince thought of the great loss he had suffered tonight, he finally could no longer suppress the chill in his heart. Sinisterly, he said, "Why me? I am not father's only son. You too! "
"I don't have a glimmer of ambition. I am just an official," Fan Xian said. "In another two days, Your Highness will know my sincerity. As for the other Princes, one is my student. I will beat him more obedient. The Great Prince likes to drink. I will ignore the Crown Prince, so I can only target you. You are right, this bloodline is worthy of some respect, so I will do everything I can to stop that terrifying thing from happening."
The Second Prince's heart went cold. There was a gap in the screen that was not blocked properly. The winter wind began to drift slowly inside Baoyue Brothel. Fan Xian finally said, "Please remember this, Your Highness. The Emperor is in his prime and does not wish to see such a thing happen."
…
…
When Fan Xian and the Emperor spoke in the palace, the Emperor nodded. Perhaps no one noticed, but the storm in Jingdou was a controllable wave. Fan Xian used the opportunity of the Emperor's nod to cause a stir and take advantage of it. If one said that being stupid was a kind of attitude toward life and pretending to be stupid was a kind of performance art, then being awesome was a kind of power that was backed by a mountain. Although Fan Xian's power was only a piece of paper, as long as the Emperor was in his prime, this paper could cut throats. The Spring and Autumn of the Banquet at Hongmen had finally covered the topic. Originally, I was going to talk about political correctness, friendship, and progress in history, but I could not write it out. The problem of ability, the problem of ability … There was still a storm outside the Bao Yue house. Fan Xian had written four strokes, and inside the house, there were two. I had to write more carefully and try to write better. Today, this chapter seems to have added too many words. It is over a thousand. I am too lazy to fix it. Sorry, I will make it up tomorrow.) If you want to know what happens next, please go to WWW. QIDIAN. COM. There are more chapters. I support the author and support the original reading!
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