Mountains and rivers pray for peace

"For sir, it doesn't matter who I am, why I came to you, or what my purpose is. What matters is that I am the one who can hand him the ladder."

Huo Qi's body is as thin as a thin bamboo tail, but his words are extremely powerful. The scene she describes is so good, even if it is just a mirage, it makes people want to believe her and follow her.

The same is true for Feng Qing.

But in the end he retained some sanity.

"The girl doesn't want to say more, so Feng certainly won't ask any more questions. But if I guess correctly, the girl wants to go against those officials, right?"

Seeing that Huo Qi was silent, he said bitterly: "Don't blame Feng for talking too much. The Order of Talent Promotion has been implemented for many years, but it is difficult for Confucian scholars from poor families to get a piece of the pie from the powerful gentry. Going against those officials is tantamount to A fly shaking a tree will not end well."

These words he spoke to Huo Qi were also addressed to himself. He has been telling himself this for more than ten years.

Huo Qi stared at Feng Qing's right hand. His index finger had developed a hard callus, which was worn out by years of holding pens.

After a long moment of silence, she slowly spoke: "If it weren't for the insects to shake the tree, people like Wang Ji would have no choice but to embark on a road destined to be hopeless, and their descendants would be endless. And on the path I took for Mr. On the road of planning, once you step over the thorns and clear the clouds to see the sun, you will wait until the day when you will shine on the lintel and be named on the gold list."

"Two roads are in front of us. It depends on what you choose, sir."

Feng Qing looked shocked.

He lowered his eyebrows and touched his cheek, as if he had touched the foot Li Wencai stepped on. What comes to mind is the black faces and curses of the policemen under Qiubang.

Every word she spoke spoke to his deepest fears and desires.

Yes, even if he is willing to live here and be a storyteller, what about his descendants? Do we have to make the same mistakes again and live a life where we can see the end at a glance?

He raised his head again, his eyes changed: "Why did the girl make Feng believe that you have the ability to pass the ladder?"

Huo Qi took off the jade pendant from his waist and pushed it over: "Ning Guo Gongfu, I wonder if this bargaining chip can make your heart beat?"

Feng Qing was stunned.

With the dim oil lamps in the four corners of the tea stall, he could see the jade pendant clearly. It was a piece of fine Hetian jade, as white as cut fat and as fine as condensed fat. The character "Huo" is engraved on it in small seal script.

The Huo family of Duke Ning Guo is known to all the Confucian scholars in the world.

He looked at Huo Qi carefully. Judging from this girl's age and demeanor, could she be the daughter of the Huo family?

It's not impossible.

The day before yesterday, some officials came to socialize, and he was sent by the shopkeeper to a private room to tell stories. During this period, the shopkeeper specifically told him that the two leading adults in front of the crowd, Liao Tuiguan from the prefect's Yamen and Mr. Jing from the Record Office, must be treated carefully.

After drinking for three rounds, Liao Tuiguan's eyes were blurred, and a hint of crimson appeared on his dark face. Without even caring about his presence, he patted Mr. Jing on the shoulder and said cheerfully: "Your Majesty is going to welcome Princess De'an back to the capital. I heard that he has sent two people. One is the eldest son of Zhenyuan Houfu, and the other is... Haha, it seems to be the young lady from Duke Ning’s mansion. The prefect will be able to handle it this time."

Hearing this, Master Jing showed an ambiguous smile: "This prince is not easy to please. However, that Miss Huo is so beautiful and beautiful. If I can win her favor, it will be a good thing, haha!"

Feng Qing felt horrified in his heart.

Suddenly, Huo Qi's voice sounded from the opposite side again: "The opportunity is fleeting. If you miss this time, you will never have a chance to turn around again. Mr. Feng must think about it."

At the same time, the tea seller's warm urging came from behind her ears: "Girl, sir - it's almost time to close the stall. If you have anything to say, please say it quickly!" The lights flickered, the woman's smile faded, and she drank the last bit of the tea bowl. A sip of tea soup.

Feng Qing clasped her hands tightly and said, "Can the girl really make the decision on behalf of Duke Ning Guo?"

"I can."

Feng Qing gritted his teeth: "Okay - I believe it. What does the girl want me to do?"

"Don't worry, let's talk about the ugly things first. If Mr. Feng agrees to do things for me, his life may be in danger. Even so, will Mr. Feng agree?"

Huo Qi wants to find Wang Shouli as soon as possible and bring down the Nie family. But she was not willing to blind Feng Qing with her bright future and let him sacrifice himself without hesitation for the so-called official position. Ignorance and recklessness are not virtues.

Feng Qing immediately understood her intention, took a deep breath, and said: "Feng understands that there is no free lunch in this world. Since the girl paved a Yangguan Road for me, I should also pay the corresponding price. I have figured it out. , instead of being confused, it’s better to give it a try.”

Huo Qi looked at Feng Qing quietly for a while.

This time, she might have really found the right person.

She no longer beat around the bush: "I want to find Wang Shouli, who is an insider. I heard that he has probably fled back to Jiangyang. I can't escape now, and I am not familiar with Jiangyang's life and place. Therefore, you are the most suitable one. candidate."

Feng Qing thought for a while and said: "Wang Xiandi was framed in a gambling house at that time. He must have known the inside story and was targeted. After this incident, he fled back from the capital. Perhaps he sensed some danger..."

Huo Qi nodded: "You are right."

Wang Shouli still had ten taels of silver on hand at that time. Even if the capital paid Gui Mi Zhu, if he saved more, it would be enough to survive for another two or three months. How could he suddenly return to his hometown in a hurry?

Huo Qi quickly calculated in his mind and said: "The search for Wang Shouli's whereabouts must not be discovered. When he returns to Jiangyang this time, he will first find a safe place to hide. He may not go home, but since you and him are Old acquaintances must know his whereabouts better than those people."

Feng Qing went over the matter and nodded heavily: "Leave this matter to me, girl, you can rest assured. Tomorrow, I will resign with the shopkeeper."

Huo Qi said: "Okay. Also, remember not to act rashly. By then, I will find a way to meet you in Jiangyang."

Feng Qing nodded, thought for a while, and then said: "Five miles west of Jiangyang City, there is a blacksmith shop called Wangji Iron Shop. The owner is a brother I trust, so why not meet here. If the girl arrives, we will meet you. My boss said he wants to get a Long Yuan sword, and he will pass the news to me."

"Okay, it's a deal."

Huo Qi handed him a tip bag.

"If I don't show up within two months, and you happen to find Wang Shouli, open the bag and follow the instructions above."

She took off the gold and jade bead bracelet on her wrist.

"If you don't find Wang Shouli, then you will pretend you have never seen me. You pawned this bracelet, it is worth five hundred taels of silver, so you can use it as my thank you gift."

"The worst case scenario is...you are kidnapped. At that time, you can save your life for me without any scruples."

Feng Qing stared blankly at the bracelet for a moment. Slowly, a smile brewed at the corner of his mouth, and his eyebrows became vivid and determined.

He pushed the bracelet over and said, "Girl, the ten taels of silver from before are enough."