Fu Shifeng

Chapter 114 Depression and poverty
The prestige of Taoism makes this name sound quite resounding, but at best it can only govern local Taoist affairs and Taoist registries, and has no right to interfere in military affairs. It depends on the specific situation.

He is also an envoy of Taoism, Daoist Shang of the Anxi Protectorate Mansion can serve as a military counselor next to the Protector of Qi, and when dealing with the turmoil led by Anguti, Daoist Shang's words can often become the basis for the decision of the Protectorate of Qi.

"In the early years of the dynasty's opening of borders, in order to deal with the great shamans of the Tule tribes, Xuanwu Temple was built in Lingwu City, and Taoists who were proficient in magic were sent to garrison to assist the army in conquest." Pang Guanzhu said in detail, fearing that Zhang Fan would not understand. :
"However, most of Tule fell apart only in the reign of Taizu, and many shamans and great witches were scattered. It will not be a concern for many years to come, and the status of Xuanwu Temple will naturally not be taken seriously. Even if Tule was restored decades ago, it is still far away. It cannot be compared with previous years.

"Additionally, in the Shuofang area, the Taoist background is insufficient, manpower is scarce, and most of the local Hu people used to believe in Hutian Zoroastrianism..."

Zhang Fan was dumbfounded when he heard the words. Not long after his Majesty the current emperor ascended the throne, he issued an order to ban Zoroastrianism and destroy temples.The Zoroastrian fire temples in Shuofang Zhuzhou were either demolished or occupied by nobles.

Pang Guanzhu continued: "It's only been seven or eight years since I came to Shuofang to serve as a Daoist envoy, and I don't have a solid foundation here. It's a fantasy to expect me to protect you guys from Yang Jieshuai."

Zhang Fan did not give up: "Mrs. Liu personally asked Pang Guanzhu to come forward because of the evil spirit in Yanchi, which shows that she has a lot of trust in you."

Pang Guanzhu was not seduced by the compliment: "This is not a lot of trust. The strange things are just coming to find us cultivators."

Zhang Fan saw that Pang Guanzhu was not willing to enter, so he had to use his embroidered clothes messenger's specialty: "Pang Guanzhu, there is one thing I want to tell you-since Mrs. Liu is a secret agent of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she has clear records of her encounters and experiences. , She once left a dossier, mentioning that she went to Xuanwu Temple to visit Pang Guanzhu. If you look into it carefully, you are also suspected of killing the family."

Hearing this, Guanzhu Pang's eyes flashed with a strange look, and he sneered immediately: "If you want to threaten others by fabricating it out of thin air, I have seen the methods of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"This is not a threat, but a persuasion." Zhang Fan looked solemn: "Our Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to frame the blame, and there are endless methods. Not to mention anything else, directly claiming that the monster in Yanchi was caused by you, Guanzhu Pang, secretly driving the monster. Guess there will be What kind of consequences?"

There were blue veins throbbing on Pang Guanzhu's forehead. After thinking for a long time, he restrained his anger and said, "I see... what do you want me to do?"

"In addition to investigating the monster in Yanchi together, I also hope that Pang Guanzhu will come forward to clarify our identities." Zhang Fan said: "I know very well that Yang Jieshuai may not be able to accept it, but we just need to suspend the investigation and report the cause and effect to Chang'an, and the matter will be resolved. room for maneuver."

"Having said so much, it's all up to me to take the risk. You guys think too well." Pang Guanzhu was extremely reluctant.

"Pang Guanzhu just mentioned that he is not reused in Shuofangjie Town?" Zhang Fan said: "Perhaps our Ministry of Internal Affairs can make a little effort to transfer Pang Guanzhu to a more prosperous and stable county."

Hearing this, Pang Guanzhu's originally frowning brows relaxed slightly, but after a little thought, he questioned again: "It's just...you guys don't count what you say, right now there are so many promises, and it's uncertain whether they can be fulfilled in the future .”

It was the first time for Zhang Fan to see such an unspeakable object, he threatened and lured him, but he was still unmoved.Such a short-sighted person, who didn't take any action when he didn't see the actual benefits, it's no wonder that Pang Guanzhu, as a Daoist prestige envoy, has never been reused in the past, and can only do some humble work of drawing talismans for businessmen.

Seeing that Zhang Fan was speechless, Pang Guanzhu offered again: "Well, I was also going to investigate the monsters in Yanchi. Since you want to help, then go with me. But how to do it, please be a little restrained, don't be presumptuous. Advocate, so as not to disturb the monsters, so that all previous efforts will be wasted."

Zhang Fan's eyes lit up: "Guanzhu Pang has found the monster?"

"It's just some clues, and I dare not assert the trace of the monster." Pang Guanzhu thought for a while: "Also, if you want to work with me, it's best not to disclose the identity of the embroidered clothes envoy."

"It should be so!" Zhang Fan was overjoyed, if he could make some progress in the matter of Yanchi Yaoyao, then he would be able to explain the past to Eunuch Feng in the future.

After Zhang Fan left the main hall alone, he explained the current situation with several people in his company. After hearing this, Cheng Sanwu said indignantly: "This stinky bastard, how can there be such a big show?"

"Now that we are in trouble, Pang Guan mainly helps us, so it is not surprising that he is more cautious." Zhang Fan said.

"If you hadn't started killing people in Lingwu City, why would we be here?" Xu 23 started chattering: "Our Ministry of Internal Affairs used to run errands, how can we be as embarrassed as we are now? A mere Taoist envoy, what do you really think of yourself? Are you a relative of the emperor?"

"I think you guys are used to celebrating peacetime, and you always think that you can run rampant by relying on your status as an embroidered envoy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." Cheng Sanwu also refused to give in: "When it comes to the critical moment, it depends on whose fist is bigger. Even if Guanzhu Pang has magic power, he is still a person, and he is not worth mentioning in front of the Shuofang army."

Hu Yi reminded: "Don't forget, you are only one person."

"To deal with unreasonable guys like Yang Taichu, the only way to force him to sit down and talk properly is to kill them until they are terrified and sleepless at night." Cheng Sanwu completely behaved like a warrior: "If he If you have the ability, you will lead troops to chase and intercept them. As a result, no one is seen from the beginning to the end, and it seems that they are those who only know how to hide in the deep house and give orders. I despise this kind of people the most."

Xu 23 complained to Zhang Fan: "Sooner or later, he will drag us down to death."

He has already dragged us down——Zhang Fan did not say this clearly because of his face, and now Cheng Sanwu's tyrannical force is what they can rely on most, which is why Zhang Fan did not choose to abandon Cheng Sanwu .

After the battle in Lingwu City, if Yang Taichu still understands the gains and losses, he should know that if he continues to take revenge on Cheng Sanwu for personal grievances, he will only pay more unnecessary deaths and injuries.The lives of Shuofang soldiers cannot be squandered at will, and other officials of the Jiedu Mansion will also persuade Yang Taichu to judge the situation, and Zhang Fan and the others can take this opportunity to show their identities and prove their innocence.

Of course, Yang Taichu retreated despite difficulties, which is the most ideal situation.

"At present, we are still working with Pang Guanzhu to deal with the monsters in Yanchi first." Zhang Fan said: "Even if Yang Taichu's people are found, at least with the help of Pang Guanzhu, the tit-for-tat situation can be eased."

Hu Yi asked: "Will Yang Taichu believe our words?"

"The point is not whether to believe it, but to make him understand the current situation." Zhang Fan said in a low voice, "Actually, I suspect that Yang Taichu doesn't know the identity of Madam Liu's secret agent."

Cheng Sanwu said: "But you thought earlier that Mrs. Liu was killed by someone sent by Yang Taichu."

"I did think so, but after careful consideration, I felt that something was wrong." Zhang Fan thought for a while: "Madam Liu is a real spy, and has been investigating the military secrets of Shuofang Jiedushi. So why didn’t the body be destroyed? Even if you don’t know that there is a secret room to store files and documents, it’s not too difficult to burn down Liu’s house, right? This will cut off the follow-up investigation.”

"That's right." Cheng Sanwu suddenly realized: "Since he was a secret agent and died outside, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has no reason to trouble Yang Taichu, at least it cannot be used as a clear evidence of crime."

"And do you still remember the situation in Liu's house?" Zhang Fan reminded: "At the beginning, the snow in the courtyard seemed to have not been cleaned for many days, indicating that Mrs. Liu had been dead for several days, as if the real murderer did it on purpose. Leaving such a murder scene, we must plant the blame on others."

"Damn it, did we take the blame for someone else?" Cheng Sanwu scolded.

Xu 23 noticed something strange in it: "No matter how powerful the murderer is, it seems that we can't predict our arrival, right? Unless you can predict the foresight, you will definitely appear in Liu's house."

Hu Yi guessed: "So... the murderer's first target is not us, but probably Yang Taichu?"

"Wait, let me smooth it out." Cheng Sanwu rubbed his temples, as if he couldn't figure it out: "I still don't understand why the murderer wanted to kill Mrs. Liu?"

Zhang Fan said: "If it wasn't because of spying on Shuofang's military secrets, it was because of the investigation of the evil spirits in Yanchi, which led to his death."

Cheng Sanwu was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his eyes to look at the main hall: "So, isn't Guanzhu Pang also suspected of murder? Because Mrs. Liu was killed suddenly after seeing him."

"I threatened him in the same way." Zhang Fan shook his head and said, "But I don't think it's possible. Just now I noticed that Pang Guanzhu didn't have great martial arts skills. Besides, an unused majestic envoy, and Mrs. Liu There is no rancor.

"What's more, Mrs. Liu took the initiative to ask him to investigate the monster in Yanchi. Based on my temptation to Guanzhu Pang, this person should not be reconciled to the current situation... 23, how popular is the incense of Xuanwu Temple?"

"It's not that good. It's incomparable to those Taoist temples in Guanzhong." Xu 23 said casually, "And some houses have been in disrepair for a long time, with rotten doors and windows, and even the statue of Tianzun in the temple is covered with dust."

Hu Yi laughed and said: "Lack of people, lack of money, and even the repair of Taoist temples are difficult. What kind of dignity is there for such a dignified envoy?"

"Is this majestic envoy only concerned with making money?" Cheng Sanwu patted the hundred-refined sword on his waist, intending to show off: "The majestic envoy I met in the Western Regions, Mr. Shang, is very capable. I He forged the knife himself, not only can cut people, but also can deal with demons and ghosts."

Hu Yi didn't care too much, shook his shoulders, and signaled the iron mace on his back: "What's so special about this? Most of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Divine Works have similar methods."

"A Daoist envoy is like an official in a prefecture or county. Everyone hopes to take office in a wealthy place." Zhang Fan said, "I have already promised Pang Guanzhu, and I will ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help him and transfer him to another place, so as not to suffer from the wind and sand in Shuofang."

Xu 23 rolled his eyes: "Your words don't count, and Eunuch Feng may not be able to make things right for you."

Zhang Fan was a little annoyed: "Of course I understand! But what else can I do now?"

Several people present looked at each other and could only helplessly admit the current situation.

Not long after, Guanzhu Pang went out again, asked his disciples to load a pile of miscellaneous things into the donkey cart, and then said to Cheng Sanwu and the others: "I'm going to set up an altar in the north to attract monsters to show up. You also come together. In case If you really want to fight the monsters, you will do your best. If you can successfully kill the monsters that caused trouble, I will also report the situation to Yang Jieshuai conveniently."

"It's natural, please Pang Guanzhu lead the way."

Pang Guanzhu had only four disciples, and they were all Taoists in rough clothes, they looked no better than slave boys.The five people only have a donkey cart, not even a horse, which shows how shabby it is.

"By the way, what is the origin of this monster haunting Yanchi?" Cheng Sanwu took the initiative to ask in the middle of the walk.

Pang Guanzhu glanced at him, and replied: "Although I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I guess, it should not be the transformation of birds and beasts through psychic transformation."

Hu Yi took two steps forward: "Could it be a spirit that has accumulated over the years?"

Cheng Sanwu was puzzled: "Is there any difference?"

Pang Guanzhu didn't intend to explain, but Hu Yi said: "There are many theories after careful study. In short, monsters have flesh and blood, but spirits may not. The original bodies of some spirits may be ancient artifacts nourished by the sun's essence and moonlight for a long time."

"I understand!" Cheng Sanwu said bluntly: "As long as you find the original body of that monster and kick it to pieces, you can completely destroy it. Right?"

Hu Yi showed a wry smile, while Guanzhu Pang said disdainfully: "Where is the idiot? Not to mention that most of the original spirit monsters are hidden in secret places, and it is extremely difficult to find them. Even if they are found, the original spirit monsters must be located in a heavily guarded lair .Anyone who wants to go crazy and rush into this kind of place, don't come after me!"

Zhang Fan stepped forward and said: "Pang Guanzhu must have a strategy to defeat the enemy, so why not tell us in detail."

"Where is there any strategy to defeat the enemy, alas..." Pang Guanzhu sighed weakly, it seems that this Taoist has many unsatisfactory things in the past, and he may have done little to deal with evil spirits.I saw him cheer up a little, and replied:
"After investigating these days, I found that the monster in the salt pond didn't seem to have much interest in living creatures, and those who died after straying into the mist were not sucked away. Afterwards, after several comparisons, I roughly figured out the range of the monster's activities, so It is guessed that this monster should be bound by some kind of restraint, and cannot stay away from the vicinity of Baiyanchi."

Zhang Fan pondered for a moment, and then said: "To tell the truth, Guanzhu Pang, we also found traces of a monster in a small village in the south. The monster stirred up the wind and snow at night, and its intentions are unpredictable. I wonder if it has something to do with the monster in Yanchi?"

"South? How far is it?" Pang Guanzhu asked.

"It's about half a day's journey on horseback." Zhang Fan said, "I suspect that the two are related, so please pay more attention to Guanzhu Pang."

(End of this chapter)