Chapter 207: Rotten People

Emperor Yuan Jing looked at Wei Yuan and nodded, “What is it?”

Wei Yuan asked, “In the folders that came back from the Qingzhou Prefecture Prefectural Government Department, is it clear that this poem was composed by Prefectural Government Minister Yang Gong?”

…. What does he mean by that? Officialdom veterans savored the clues.

Emperor Yuan Jing did not answer, but asked in return, “What’s the problem?”

The folders did not explicitly say that the poem was written by Yang Gong, and the wording was as follows: Yang Gong ordered the hundred officials of Qingzhou to set up a monument of warning and carve an inscription to warn the world.

This was a very clever wording, neither explicitly nor giving a denial. In Emperor Yuan Jing’s view, this was acquiescence.

“This poem was not written by Yang Gong, but by someone else. I feel that once this poem is circulated, it will be famous all over the world, and for an individual, it is a rare opportunity to become famous. It should not be monopolized by Yang Gong.” Wei Yuan said.

“Oh? When did Qingzhou produce such a great talent?” Emperor Yuan Jing laughed and came to be interested, staring at Wei Yuan, “However, how did you know about it.”

Not by Yang Gong, but by someone else. …. Qingzhou does produce a lot of talented people, it is a big state for the imperial examinations …. The princes thought in their hearts and turned their eyes to Wei Yuan as Emperor Yuan Jing asked the question.

All were wondering how Wei Yuan knew that the poem was not written by Yang Gong.

“Nor are they from Qingzhou.” Wei Yuan shook his head.

Emperor Yuan Jing gave a questioning “hmm”.

“Moreover, I also know that this poem was not made in Qingzhou, and that it came out more than a month ago. Nor was it written by someone from Qingzhou.” Wei Yuan added.

Now, the ministers gave a puzzled “hmmm”, and the minister who said, “This is the poetry of Daewong,” questioned:

“Duke Wei can’t sell out in front of His Majesty.”

Old spewer, opening his mouth and wearing a hat.

It was introduced more than a month ago…and it was not made by the people of Qingzhou…the sharp-minded official’s heart stirred with a guess.

For a while, the faces of the princes were odd.

Wei Yuan looked at the Yuan Jing Emperor whose face sank violently, his tone was calm: “This poem is made by the night watchman Yamen, gong Xu Qi’an, and the original work is still on display in the Yamen, hehe, if all of you adults are viewing it, this official can borrow it.”

Sure enough it was him …. Whispered murmurs resounded again:

“This son is a great talent, it’s a shame that he doesn’t study.”

“Hmph, that Xu Pingzhi is a vulgar martial artist with a rat’s eye.”

“This son, Xu Qi’an, if he could enter the Imperial College, how wonderful!”

By this time, even the courtiers who disliked Xu Qi’an could not help but sigh with regret, this kind of poetic talent if it was a scholar, of course, provided that it was a scholar of the State Prince’s Prison, how good it would be.

No one questioned Wei Yuan for lying, even his political opponents. Wei Yuan couldn’t and didn’t need to lie about this matter, dropping the ball for nothing.

The giver looked embarrassed, hung his head and kept a low profile.

Emperor Yuan Jing let out a “Heh”, “What do you mean by talking about this?”

Wei Yuan smiled and said, “Naturally, I am helping my subordinates make a name for themselves.”

Emperor Yuan Jing snorted coldly, but did not say anything.

Although he disliked Xu Qi’an, but as the Nine to Five, he did not hold on to a small gong. Besides, there are many people in the courtroom that Emperor Yuan Jing dislikes.

Of course, it’s another thing when the little brass makes a mistake or pisses him off.

….

Clear Cloud Mountain, Cloud Deer Academy.

A cloud goose flew from the sky, lifting its wings and swooping straight to Qing Yun Mountain, skimming over a courtyard and a pavilion, and was easily grabbed by a hand in the second-floor lookout hall inside an exquisite pavilion at the edge of the cliff.

In the distortion of the clear light, the cloud goose transformed into an exquisitely cut paper goose that was exquisite.

“Yang Ziqian sent a letter back.” Li Mubai smiled and turned his head, informing the two great scholars, two stinky chess players, who were talking hand to hand in the room.

Zhang Shen and Chen Tai were killing soundly, and without lifting their heads, they casually asked, “What was written?”

Li Mubai unfolded the letter paper and read it with a smile on his face, and before long, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and then his face gradually became hideous.

“Shameless, simply shameless!” Li Mubai suddenly yanked the letter paper into his hands and growled:

“The old thief Yang Gong, brazen and shameless, is a scholar in vain. I, Li Mubai, am ashamed of him, ashamed of him.”

The sudden roar startled the two great scholars, Zhang Shen and Chen Tai.

“What’s wrong with that? A letter from Ziqian can cause you to be this angry?” Zhang Shen shook his head helplessly and scoffed:

“Pure Jing ah, you are just a little bit worse at heart, irritable and easy to anger, that’s why you lost to Wei Yuan back then. Look at Wei Yuan, he has a quiet chest and doesn’t move like a mountain.”

Chen Tai, the great Confucian, shook his head, “Pure Jing’s character is indeed a bit impatient, let me see the letter.”

Li Mubai was out of his mind with anger, his heart filled with the color of lemons, and with an angry grunt, he flung the letter paper onto the chessboard.

Zhang Shen reached out to pick it up and read it intently, Yang Gong Yang Ziqian said in the letter that he received the governor’s team in Qingzhou and met Xu Qi’an.

Yang Gong greatly praised Xu Qi’an, calling him the first poetic talent of 500 years in Dafeng, and as he praised him, Zhang Shen felt that something was wrong, looking a bit showy and eating people’s mouths.

Further down, a poem:

The people’s fat and the people’s wealth. It’s easy to abuse the people, but hard to deceive the heavens – Xu Qi’an (Master Yang Gong)

The letter also said that it was topped off from the tablet.

Rumble …. The cliff wall shook violently, rubble rolled, Qing Qi shook out of the pavilion, and the roars of Zhang Shen and Chen Tai resounded throughout the Cloud Deer Academy.

“The old thief Yang Gong is not worthy of being a teacher, I suggest that this thief be kicked out of the Cloud Deer Academy.”

“A send-off poem is just a poem, but this one goes to him too? I’m not convinced!!!”

“Pissed off, pissed off, and he writes letters to show off…”

….

After having a Yunzhou-style lunch at the post, Xu Qi’an soaked in a cold bath and was refreshed.

Returning to the room in his white lining, he uncapped the pot, and curls of smoke floated up, transforming into a dumpy beauty with puffed cheeks:

“Stinking man!”

Xu Qi’an said helplessly, “I wanted to let you go, but now I’ve changed my mind.”

Su Su immediately changed her attitude and pouted daintily, “Master~”

Xu Qi’an narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her.

“Master, what are you looking at.” Su Su blinked her eyes and obediently made the seductive movements of any gentleman.

“I’m wondering how Ning Caixian operates.” Xu Qi’an spoke bluntly.

“Who is Ning Caixin?”

“It’s a scholar, and he’s also in love with a charm.”

“That chimera must be craving his essence.” Su Su huffed.

“Why?”

“Because I am Phantom, and I just crave the essence of men.”

“How did you crave it?” Xu Qi’an narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, “Give me an honest answer, and I’ll have to consider whether or not to release you based on the severity of your sins.”

“Use your mouth to suck.” Su Su made a young girl innocent look, “The people sucking are all the ten evil bandits, not indiscriminately killing innocents.”

“Suck where? Well, I’m just curious about Phantom’s tactics.”

“Suckhead.”

“Which head?” Xu Qi’an’s eyes shot out a harsh, refined light.

Su Su looked a little confused, but still answered with a five to one, her slender finger poking her brow, “Here.”

The essence light in Xu Qi’an’s eyes swirled out, and he said in a deep voice, “I’ve thought about it, you’ve done a lot of evil, I can’t let you go easily, go back.”

Bang!

Cover the jug.

“Waste of time…” muttered Xu Qi’an as she got up, left the room, and knocked on Song Tingfeng’s door.

“What is it?” Song Tingfeng had planned to sleep and recuperate, his pants were off, but Xu Qi’an came knocking on the door.

“The governor is away, but we can’t be slack, I’m going to try to decipher the cryptic signals left by Zhou Min, you and Guangxiao are both experienced night watchmen, your opinions, I believe, can play a role in my reasoning.”

Song Tingfeng was honored and ashamed when he heard the famous detective Xu Ningyan say so, after all, the most that an established night watchman can do is still the output of violence, not reasoning.

“Ning Yan, I’m…not really good at solving crimes.”

“Have you heard of a saying?” Xu Qi’an said seriously.

Song Tingfeng shook his head.

Xu Qi’an said, “Some rambling talk unraveled my doubts, and an inexplicable impulse kept me pursuing. Your every move, however, I have been doubly attentive.”

Song Tingfeng was wary, “Why are you watching my every move? What are you trying to do.”

“No, in passing ….”

Xu Qi’an sidetracked, “By the way, what are your thoughts on the matter of Miss Su Su.”

As he spoke, he stared at Song Tingfeng furiously, expecting to see his shameful appearance as he covered his face and fled.

Song Tingfeng’s heart ached when he heard of Miss Su Su, and he said in a deep voice, “Not being able to find her in this life will be a lifelong regret for Song.”

She’s in my room …. This guy still hasn’t reacted? This doesn’t make sense ah, as soon as he’s paired with Zhu Guangxiao, Su Su’s operation is exposed…they’re hiding it from each other? Why ah.

Is it because I’m more trustworthy? Xu Qi’an was instantly somewhat moved.

“By the way, about Su Su, Ning Banquet, don’t tell anyone else, including Guangxiao.” Song Tingfeng cautioned.

“Don’t worry, I’m very tight lipped.” Xu Qi’an revealed a bright smile and said, “By the way, is it because I’m more trustworthy than Guangxiao?”

“No ah, why would you have such an illusion?” Song Tingfeng scrutinized him strangely, “Because you have even less of a bottom line when it comes to matters of men and women, so you’re not afraid of being known. It can’t be any more rotten than you anyway.”

“…We all went together to the Department of Education, why should I have even less of a bottom line, just because I slept with Floating Fragrance and you slept with an average posture?” Xu Qi’an was unconvinced, thinking that I neither refine copper nor fetishize my mother, so how is it that I have no bottom line.

“Every time I talk to the other colleagues about how you sleep floozy night after night and don’t pay your silver, everyone swears together: motherfucker, lousy man!”

“….”

The two of them knocked on Zhu Guangxiao’s door together, Song Tingfeng frowned, “What’s wrong with you, wilting, I felt something was wrong just now.”

Zhu Guangxiao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, and finally looked at Xu Qi’an.

What are you looking at me for, do you fucking think I’m rotten too? Xu Qi’an rolled his eyes in anger.

The three of them came to the room where Zhou Min’s relics were stored in company, and after scrutinizing them for a long time, Song Tingfeng was deflated, “We’ve gone over and over these things countless times.”

Zhu Guangxiao looked at Xu Qi’an, “Ning Yan is thinking that there are clues in the relics related to the code word?”

“Remember my thought process for cracking the anagram and finding the code word?” Xu Qi’an paced around the relics, carefully imparting knowledge:

“Thinking differently is an indispensable part of reasoning, Zhou Min’s case, is different from Sang Po’s case, Sang Po at least has a trail to follow.

“But there are absolutely no other clues in this case, and the only clue is to decipher the code word left by Zhou Min.”

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao nodded slightly in thought.

Having had the experience of the Sangpo case, they have some insight into solving the case, but they are still at the stage of drawing from a gourd, and then there is a case similar to the Sangpo case, the two of them can imitate Xu Qi’an’s approach and try to solve the case.

But once the entry point of the case changed, they couldn’t figure it out.

In martial arts novels, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao are still at the stage of practicing their swordsmanship, while Xu Qi’an has no moves to win, and has a sword in his heart without a sword in his hand.

“Don’t just nod your heads, tell us what you think.”

Song Tingfeng wasn’t too sure, “Leaving a secret code is for us to decipher, so the clue is actually in a very conspicuous and easy to find place, it’s up to us to find it?”

“Very good, Blind Monk you found Wah Point.” Xu Qi’an teased.

Then he unfolded the note, looked at the two sets of code words, and said, “These are two sets of numbers, the numbers are in the form of code words, which must correspond to a certain code book, and by finding the code book, we will be able to solve the puzzle.”

Because a mere string or strings of numbers are meaningless, the meaning is not in the numbers themselves, but in the information they refer to.

Inevitably, a codebook exists in it.

“Except for the word “silent”, all the others are numbers, the clues surely won’t be put in the geomancy map in the same old way, so what place possesses a large number of numbers?” Zhu Guangxiao wondered.

“There are so many clues to the existence of numbers, aren’t there numbers in the book.” Sung Ting Fung said.

“Good, very good guess.” Xu Qi’an’s eyes lit up, “Let’s assume that these two sets of code words exist in a certain book, and following our previous train of thought, what book is the easiest for us to obtain?”

Song Tingfeng felt that his suggestion had been accepted and analyzed it with a fighting spirit, “Three Character Classic, Da Bonghui Canon, and Yunzhou Zhi?”

These are all books that can be found in Yunzhou, the Three Character Classic is a primer, the Da Feng Hui Duan has a copy in every government office in every state, and the Yunzhou Zhi is the “history book” of Yunzhou, which is also very common in government offices, and is found in all post stations.

The three men first had the stagecoach find the books, and did not immediately rummage through them, for there was another question before them.

Zhu Guangxiao asked, “So what does the word count represent and how do I find it?”

“Men’s brains are briefly bad after losing a lot of protein.” Xu Qi’an looked at him and said seriously, “At this time, one needs to rest, or take a tonic.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that the word counts either represent the number of pages or allude to the first word. This is the simplest reasoning.” Xu Qi’an replied.

Song Tingfeng turned over the Three Character Classic, “It must not be the number of pages, because the Three Character Classic is only that thick.”

As he spoke, he flipped through the Three Character Classic: “The 162nd character is “righteousness” and the 347th character is “love”.

“The other code words were also deciphered, the two sets of code words given by Zhou Min, linked together, were: the Silent Man Erotic Man of…

“Well, that’s wrong.”

While Song Tingfeng failed to decipher the book, Xu Qi’an and Zhu Guangxiao were deciphering the other two.

Zhu Guangxiao said, “Merhua deep water east center …. Well, that’s wrong too.”

The two of them looked at Xu Qi’an together, and he said glumly, “Mer’s going to be floating in white.”