The mountains and rivers are quiet and broad

The sky was still foggy, Zhou Zhou vaguely heard the movement, stretched out his hand to fish it out, and then woke up.

Chen Mao has already got up and is changing clothes.

Standing half up, Zhou Zhou looked at Chen Mao, following the movements of the palace servants, his eyes fell on every part of Chen Mao's body, from hair to neck, from chest to waist, from legs to feet.

Turning around, Chen Mao stared at Zhou Zhou unscrupulously. He had long been used to it, so he didn't care. "Please wake up the national teacher, it's time to go to court."

"Alas." Standing up lazily, Zhou Zhou walked up to Chen Ke, took the waist ornament from the palace man and put it on for Chen Mao: "Your Majesty has a beautiful spring evening, can you not go to court early?"

"Change clothes for the national teacher." Chen Mao calmly ordered.

The palace people agreed, surrounded Zhou Zhou to wash up, while Chen Mao left the Hall of Harmony, got on a chariot, and staggered to the morning court.

When I arrived at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, I sat on the dragon chair. Just at dawn, the morning bell rang, and the five gates opened wide. All civil and military officials lined up to enter, kneeling once and knocking three times.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live—"

The uniform voice echoed, and the rest of the sound disappeared, and Chen Mao said as usual: "Everyone loves you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty—"

Chen Mao glanced at the hundreds of officials below, civil left and military right, the important ministers standing in the first and second row, the lower the official position, Chen Mao still looked at each one, corresponding to everyone's name and face in his heart.

Eunuch Kang raised his voice and shouted: "Let's play if there is something to do—retire if there is nothing to do—"

After waiting quietly for two seconds, Li Kecheng, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, took a step forward: "Report to the emperor, the Kexiduo tribe of the western Fan clan is requesting marriage."

The Kexiduo tribe is a relatively large tribe outside the Great Wall, and their relationship with the imperial court has been tepid recently, and their prayer for marriage is just to strengthen the relationship, but how can there be any candidates for marriage now?

"Reconsideration."

"Yes, Wei Chen's decree."

Li Kecheng withdrew, and Prime Minister Yan Keqing stood up: "Report to the emperor, I have something to do."

"Play..."

"Reporting to the emperor, my minister has learned that on April 24th and April 26th, the Jianghu Demon Sect twice attacked the Wushan Temple in Chuzhou, and on April 28th and 29th, all the beggars in Chuzhou City and surrounding towns died suddenly. .In just a few days, a large-scale murder occurred in Chuzhou City. As far as Weichen knows, nearly 200 people were killed or injured."

"I have learned about this matter, does Yan Aiqing have any countermeasures?"

"Returning to the emperor, I believe that the issue of the Demon Cult cannot be ignored and is imminent. It must be eradicated immediately!"

"Oh?" Chen Mao looked interested, leaned forward slightly, and listened to what Yan Keqing had to say.

Yan Keqing, only 32 years old, has been an official to the prime minister, and he has only been prime minister for three years, but he has made remarkable achievements.

Compared with his rising official career and iron-blooded skills, Yan Keqing's appearance is more talked about, he is a real handsome man, and his demeanor is unmatched by ordinary people.

Over the past few years, Keqing has been strict in handling the administrative issues of the household department, and at the same time paying attention to taxation.

Now that Prime Minister Yan no longer mentions the rectification of official style, but mentions the "Demon Cult", the other officials also pricked up their ears curiously.

"According to Weichen's investigation, this wave of Demonic Cultists has been walking around the rivers and lakes for several years. From south to north, they are full of bad deeds, ruthless, and cruel to the people. There have been 27 evil deeds under Weichen's investigation, of which 50 caused [-] Casualties of more than one person." Yan Keqing said and presented the memorial, and Eunuch Kang hurried down the steps to take it, and then handed it to Chen Mao.

Opening the memorial, it listed in detail the time, place, event process, personnel involved and final disposal of the 27 crimes committed by members of the Demon Cult.

The time span of these 27 cases is not large. The earliest was three years ago, and the latest is the Wushan Temple case in Chuzhou.

Yan Keqing said in a loud voice: "These 27 cases are shocking. These demon cultists have flowed into the Central Plains from outside the western region, and have fled all over the country. The governors of various places have sent people to arrest them, but with little effect. I think that a special department or appointment is needed. A special person was selected to investigate the case.”

"Is there anyone for Yan Aiqing?"

"Not yet."

"What do you guys think?"

"Reporting to the emperor, I believe that Guan Hanzhong, the Shaoqing of Dali Temple, is the right candidate." Wang Jinyi, Minister of the Household Department, stepped forward and said, "The case of Songjiang Town that Mr. Guan has recently investigated is related to the Demon Sect. I think it is most appropriate to appoint Mr. Guan."

"Yang Aiqing, what do you think?" Chen Mao nodded, and then looked at Dali Temple Minister Yang Zhuowen.

Yang Zhuowen stepped forward and bowed to salute, "I think it's not appropriate."

"Oh?"

Yang Zhuowen is over half a century old, and his voice is still loud and powerful: "Master Guan is still in Songjiang Town. There seems to be something hidden behind this case. It will take some time. Now it is at a critical moment. I am afraid that he will not be able to get away. Besides, Dali Temple has always been in charge of punishment." This matter should be handed over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice for investigation."

Since Sun Jin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, was named, he stepped forward and said, "I am willing to investigate this case."

Nodding, Chen Mao subconsciously patted his knee, and was about to make a conclusion when Yan Keqing, who had been watching silently, suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I suddenly have a suitable candidate."

"Oh? Who fell into Yan Aiqing's eyes?"

Yan Keqing said loudly: "King Ren is recuperating in the Wushan Mountain now, why don't you ask Ren Wang to investigate the case in charge."

As soon as these words came out, there was a low gasp in the hall, and after a few seconds of silence, there was a discussion in a low voice.

Chen Mao didn't speak, his expression was expressionless, and he couldn't see whether he agreed or disagreed.

Yan Keqing didn't mind, and continued: "Being in Chuzhou, King Ren must know this matter best. Now that the investigation is underway, King Ren can act the fastest. I think it is most appropriate for King Ren to be in charge and the Ministry of Criminal Affairs to assist."

Chen Ke?Chen Mao had no other thoughts, remembering that just after his father passed away, Chen Ke couldn't wait to go to Wushan to recuperate from his illness, his thoughts went back and forth, and finally he said:

"Quite... to pass on my will, King Ren is thoughtful, quick-witted, and takes on a great responsibility. Today, King Ren is specially appointed to investigate the matter of the demon sect alien race, and the Ministry of Criminal Affairs will assist him. From now on, let's do it."

"Your majesty is wise! Long live my emperor, long live, long live——"

After retiring from the court, all the officials ate the breakfast food given by the imperial court outside the palace gate, and then went to their daily work after eating.Yang Zhuowen, Minister of Dali Temple, happened to come across Sun Jin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment.

"Master Sun..."

"Master Yang." Sun Jin cupped his hands and bowed in return. "When will Lord Guan return to court?"

"I'm afraid it will take some time." Yang Zhuowen looked tired, "That case is more complicated than imagined."

Sun Jin was thoughtful when he heard the words, lowered his voice and said: "I'm afraid the emperor has noticed something?"

Yang Zhuowen looked around and nodded calmly.

"Where is Lord Yan?" Sun Jin scanned around, but did not see Keqing Yan.

"I'm afraid it's at the emperor's place." Yang Zhuowen looked in the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Sun Jin twitched the corners of his mouth, let out a "heh", and the mustache on his face also trembled.

"Let's go." Yang Zhuowen made a "please" gesture: "A lot of cases are still backlogged. It just so happens that I have an old case that I need to discuss with you."

"Oh? What case?"

"Come with me."

The two talked in a low voice and went to Dali Temple.

And what Yang Zhuowen said was right, at this time Chen Mao was sitting at the head of the Taihe Hall, and the person kneeling in front of the desk was Yan Keqing.

"Speak directly, Yan Aiqing."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I know this is inappropriate, but..."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Yes. Your Majesty, this time the Wushan Temple case, King Ren was clearly present, but he failed to prevent the catastrophe. I am worried that there is something hidden in it."

"What's the secret?"

"I dare not speculate."

"Then we'll discuss it with solid evidence." Chen Mao was a little impatient.

"Yes." Yan Keqing didn't care, took out a memorial from her body, and presented it to Eunuch Kang, "To the emperor, this is the result of the previous investigation on the tax case of the Ministry of Households."

Chen Mao took it, and opened the memorial, which contained Yan Keqing's usual specific and detailed report materials.Chen Mao glanced at ten lines, while reading and listening to Yan Keqing's continued report.

"The general results are already available, but the final number does not match the one in the treasury."

"Aren't you right?" Chen Mao felt a headache. The tax deficit should have been made up by now. If it's not right, it means re-checking. Chen Mao is clear about the huge amount of work involved.

"Then open the treasury and check again."

"The minister leads the order."

After discussing some other matters, Yan Keqing was sent away, and Li Kecheng, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was sent away. He finally sent Li Kecheng away, and dealt with government affairs all morning. Chen Mao was dizzy, and Eunuch Kang hurried forward to give Chen Mao a massage. scalp.

Slowly relaxing his body, Chen Mao sighed comfortably, "Where is the national teacher?"

Eunuch Kang paused, and said respectfully: "Someone from Tianqi Tower called the national teacher away."

Go to Tianqi Tower again?

"Understood." Chen Mao waved his hand, indicating that there is no need to massage, "You go to the Tianqi Building to guard, and bring the national teacher back."

"The slave obeys the order."