Cao Jixiang?

Hearing this name, many memories emerged in Shen Yichen's mind.

When it comes to the eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty, no one is as ruthless as Cao Jixiang, including the famous 9,000-year-old Wei Zhongxian.

There is no other reason. This brother really dares to rebel as a eunuch!

After all, unless eunuchs entered the palace as adults for special reasons, or were punished and punished like Cheng Jing, most of them would not have any heirs.

No matter how powerful you are, if you don't have an heir to protect your affairs after your death, everything will be wiped out after death. Why risk your life to do something rebellious? Isn't it bad to just cling to the imperial power and do whatever you want?

However, Cao Jixiang was not satisfied with being a "slave" of the royal family. He broke through the constraints of class and status, established for himself the lofty ideal of "proclaiming himself emperor", and forcibly raised his status to a level beyond that of a eunuch.

But the result...

All I can say is that you can have dreams, but it’s better not to pursue them even if you want to die.

"Why does Cao Jixiang have contact with Zhu Ji?"

"My subordinates don't know and cannot investigate the news in the Forbidden City."

It was not easy for Bian He to dig out the connection between Zhu Ji and Cao Jixiang through various means.

It would be a bit difficult to get further information about the palace.

"I understand, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Bian."

Shen Yichen thanked him and felt a little strange in his heart, but he couldn't figure out what Zhu Ji and Cao Jixiang were going to do.

After all, the current trend of history has deviated from the track. There are fewer and fewer people who can see the historical process from God's perspective, let alone Zhu Ji, who has not many records in history books.

"The proprietor has said before that this is a matter within the scope of my duties."

Bian He did not take the credit. He bowed modestly and continued: "Then will you continue to stare at Zhu Ji?"

"Continuing to send people to watch his movements, I always feel that Zhu Ji seems to be plotting something since Lin Shici's death."

"Does he want to take revenge on the eldest son or the proprietor?"

"Maybe it's more than that."

As he spoke, Shen Yichen's mind flashed back to the conversation in front of the Duke's mansion. The wanton look of joy on Zhu Ji's face when he said that Duke Cheng Zhu Yong was about to be deprived of his title.

It is obvious that his hatred is for the entire Chengguo Palace including Zhu Yong.

"My subordinate understands."

After explaining these matters, Shen Yichen did not return to the palace in a carriage. He turned around and ordered Cang Huotou to go to the capital camp and notify Shandong Wei generals Han Bin, Wu Dong and others to come for an interview.

And he himself went to Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town.

Shen Yichen went to Beizhen Fusi this time, firstly because he had to give Han Bin and the brothers of Shandong Wei an explanation for the death of Han Yong.

In addition, in addition to supporting his own people in the cabinet, Shen Yichen cannot let go of such a crucial secret service agency as Jinyiwei.

Even though the flames were shining brightly in front of the Fusi Gate in Beizhen, there was still a lingering sinister atmosphere. But now, Shen Yichen no longer needed to hide from others and meet Zhao Hongjie secretly like before.

He can step into Fusi, Beizhen, openly and openly, and let the once arrogant Jin Yiwei see him with respect and not dare to show any slights!

I recall that Ma Shun, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, who was a member of the eunuch party, was beaten to death by hundreds of officials at the Zuoshun Gate of the Imperial City. Wang Zhen's two nephews, Wang Shan, who served as the commander of the Jinyi Guards, and Wang Lin, who commanded the Qianshi,

He was beheaded by Lian Zuowen.

At this time, Jin Yiwei could no longer threaten Shen Yichen. It could be said that the situation was changing.

"Xiangbei, why are you here?"

Seeing Shen Yichen appear in Beizhen Fusi, Zhao Hongjie's face was full of surprise. Civil servants generally didn't like to come to this kind of place, not to mention that Shen Yichen was currently busy with work and had no time to come in person.

"There's something I want to tell you."

"How about I go to Zuixian Tower to book a banquet and discuss it in detail?"

Zhao Hongjie was still a little unaccustomed to Shen Yichen's sudden visit, so he planned for the two of them to go eat and chat and have a good time together.

"I'm here for Han Yong's matter."

When Zhao Hongjie heard the name "Han Yong", his expression of surprise and surprise suddenly froze on his face.

He always remembered Han Yong's blood-stained face and his relieved smile in the Ministry of Punishment Prison.

"What's wrong with Han Yong?"

"His brother came to Beijing with Shandong Weipao Ze. It's time to tell them what happened back then."

After that, Shen Yichen asked: "How is Han Yong's cemetery in the past two years since I left Fujian?"

"I found someone to repair it, but in order to avoid arousing suspicion, no monument was erected."

"Hongjie, I'm sorry for bothering you. This should be my responsibility."

"But I personally sent Han Yong on his way."

A trace of sadness flashed in Zhao Hongjie's eyes. Han Yong was an upright man and he should not have died in the filthy Penal Department Prison.

"No, he died for me."

Shen Yichen replied silently, with the same expression of incomparable sadness.

Han Yong's death was the first time Shen Yichen realized the cruelty of the road to power and the price he had to pay.

If I can really rule the world in the future, I will be riddled with bones!

They looked at each other in silence. After a long silence, Shen Yichen said: "In addition to Han Yong's matter, I also brought you one hundred thousand taels of silver."

"Why did you bring these to me?"

Zhao Hongjie was extremely surprised. He was not short of money, so why did Shen Yichen bring these extraneous things?

"Buy Lu Zhong into power."

Shen Yichen directly stated his goal. With the death of Ma Shun, the commander of the Jinyiwei, the position of commander is now vacant.

If Wang Zhen had not fallen, under normal circumstances one person would have been selected from the two commanders, Wang Shan and Lu Zhong, to take over the position of commander, and there was a high probability that Wang Shan would be the one based on the backstage background.

But now that Wang Shandu has gone to see the Lord of Hell, the position of commander of the Jinyi Guards will definitely fall on Lu Zhong.

Lu Zhong was a typical person with a thief's heart but no courage. He was greedy for glory and wealth, but his IQ, ability and courage were extremely limited. He was eventually involved in the "Golden Sword Eucalyptus" and was executed by Zhu Qizhen after the restoration and his family was confiscated.

For Shen Yichen, the money-hungry waste is actually a better candidate, so that he can use the simplest and crudest means to use money to get Yang Hongjie's position.

Taking advantage of the fact that Lu Zhong had not yet taken over and that the Jin Yiwei was cleaning up Wang Zhen's family and changing their blood, Yang Hongjie was allowed to "take refuge" under his sect in advance. Coupled with the effect of one hundred thousand taels of silver, he could at least be promoted from his current position of Qianhu.

Go to town, governor, and even command officials!

Whether Yang Hongjie can climb higher in the future depends on his own ability and whether he can become a confidant of Emperor Jingtai Zhu Qiyu.

"Xiangbei, you..."

Yang Hongjie wanted to say something, but in the end the words came to his lips and did not come out.

This was the first time that he had seen Shen Yichen openly reveal his ambitions and plans, as if he was completely separated from the childhood friend who played and played in Yingtianfu in his memory.

Shen Yichen, standing in front of him at this time, looked more like a standard politician.

"Do you want to say that I have changed?"

Just like the first time he saw Zhao Hongjie, who served as a royal guard, after arriving in the capital, he felt inexplicably strange.

Now, he finally realizes what he felt back then.

"No, we have all changed."

There was a wry smile on Zhao Hongjie's lips. Maybe this was the so-called man who was in the world and couldn't help himself.

"If you don't change, you won't be able to survive in the officialdom. I don't want the brothers around me to become the next Han Yong."

When saying this, Shen Yichen clenched his fists subconsciously. Only with enough strength can he protect himself, his family, and everyone he cares about!

No matter whether you are a powerful minister or a dragon, you must at least survive the great changes.

"I see."

Shen Yichen doesn't need to explain anything. As a royal guard in these years, Zhao Hongjie has seen too much darkness.

"Xiang Bei, you just need to know that no matter when and where, I will always stand by your side, even if we die together!"

Zhao Hongjie looked very determined, he didn't care which way Shen Yichen took, he was willing to go with him even if it was a dead end!

"I always knew."

Shen Yichen smiled and patted Zhao Hongjie's shoulder, saying nothing.

At this moment, Wang Neng, who was guarding the Fusi Gate in Beizhen, walked in and reported to Shen Yichen: "Master, General Han from Shandong Guard is here."

"Okay, I'll go out now."

After Shen Yichen said this, he motioned for Zhao Hongjie to go out with him.

In front of the Fusi Gate in Beizhen, Han Bin, Wu Dong and others were already waiting here. Both of them looked a little confused. They didn't know why Shao Sima summoned them here.

Not long after, they saw Shen Yichen walking out. Han Bin and others clasped their fists and saluted: "I have met Young Sima."

"No need to be polite, just get on your horse and I will take you to a place."
To be continued...