Because of the assassination, the guards spent two hours at the earthen fort in Caobi Town, arresting more than a dozen outsiders. It was not until the Qianyang County magistrate heard the news that he came and apologized repeatedly, and then King Cao set off for Qianyang County to rest. Lu Qi had no way of verifying the origin of the assassin, but he suspected that it was related to the Duke of Jin. He had been attacked by a group of assassins in Shizhou before. However, the method of assassins was a very common use of force, and anything that became the climate Even big shots can feed dead soldiers. After resting for a night in Qianyang County, Lu Qi took the initiative to discuss with King Cao the next day. The team was divided into two parts. Lu Qi's team was not with the prince, so he personally escorted the two princes to hurry up. Cao Cao Of course the king is willing. So Lu Qi abandoned his own merchant escort and went to King Cao's army. Together with more than a thousand guards, he escorted the two princes on their way. They left Qianyang County and passed through Fengxiang, arriving in one day. Jingzhao Mansion (Chang'an). Lu Qi has never been to Chang'an City, and he yearns for this capital city in the hearts of people in Hexi and Beiting. Today's Chang'an City was built by the Sui Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty. It is the starting point of the Silk Road. Chang'an City has a circumference of more than 70 miles. It is the largest city in the Zhou Kingdom, larger than the ancient capital Luoyang and Kaifeng. The geographical location of Chang'an City was regarded as the center of the country during the Tang Dynasty. It was unique in terms of military defense and commercial access. Geographical advantages, but for the Zhou State, the location of Chang'an City was far to the west, facing the threats of Tubo, Dangxiang and Han Dynasty, so Kaifeng Prefecture was chosen as Tokyo, Luoyang as Xijing, and Chang'an became Jingzhao Prefecture. . Lu Qi and his party entered Chang'an City from Mingde Gate. Entering the city was the wide Zhuque Street. However, walking in the city, Lu Qi felt that Chang'an City seemed to be very depressed. There were not many people and cars, and the popularity was far less than that of Kaifeng Mansion. Lu Qi listened People have said that Chang'an City once had a population of more than one million during the Tang Dynasty. It was definitely a metropolis with flourishing humanities and cultural relics. Now it is no longer a capital city, but it is in decline. There is a post house in Chang'an City specially for officials to stay. Lu Qi and his party had just arrived at the post house. Chang'an City's left-behind and other officials hurried over to see them. The Chang'an City's left-behind was named Shen Yilun, a sixty-year-old man. A veteran in his sixties. Shen Yilun's status is similar to that of Lu Qi. In addition to staying in Jingzhao Mansion, he is also the military envoy of Fengxiang Army and the Minister of Household Affairs. He can be said to be a high-ranking and powerful veteran minister. After receiving the report, King Cao asked the officials from Chang'an City to come in. Lu Qi could only stand aside. He saw a dozen officials walking in outside the hall. The first one was wearing a purple robe and jade belt. He had an elegant face and gray beard. He looked very old. , but walking is very steady. "Shen Yilun, who is staying at Jingzhao Mansion, pays homage to His Highness King Cao and His Highness King Ji." As soon as the old minister came in, he bowed respectfully to meet him, and the civil and military officials behind him also bowed. King Cao was sitting on a big chair, but King Ji and Lu Qi were standing beside him. They heard King Cao say peacefully: "Shang Shu Shen is exempt from courtesy, so everyone is exempt from courtesy." Lu Qi looked at his nose and looked at King Cao. What I did was really speechless. Such a high-ranking veteran came to see him. As a young prince, he actually showed off his authority. Even the Emperor Zhou would most likely smile at Shen Yilun when he saw him. "Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Yilun responded respectfully without any displeasure. Lu Qi looked at this veteran minister. He felt that Emperor Zhou's ability to allow this veteran minister to stay in Jingzhao Mansion was not only because of his ability, but also because of his respectful behavior. In addition, his age was reassuring. As people get older, their thoughts change. They tend to be conservative and self-proclaimed, and it is difficult to have heroic ambitions. "Shang Shu Shen, Qianyang County is under your jurisdiction, right?" King Cao asked calmly. "I am responsible for the security of Qianyang County. I already knew about the evil assassination in Caobi Town, but I neglected the security." Shen Yilun was very responsible and admitted his crime. "I want to know who is so bold, and you have to find out for me." King Cao said coldly, with a completely coercive attitude. King Ji hesitated after hearing this. Shen Yilun hesitated, and then said respectfully: "Your Highness's orders, I will do my best." "If you find out, fly on horseback and tell me immediately." King Cao said coldly. "Yes, I accept your order." Shen Yilun responded respectfully. King Cao breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly: "Do you have anything else?" "I heard that your highness came to Jingzhao Mansion, so I came to greet you. Your highness was frightened, and I feel guilty." Shen Yilun replied respectfully. King Cao nodded and said: "This king is fine this time, and the soldiers guarding the army are all meritorious people. You can reward my guard by sending some good food and drink." "Yes, I accept the order." Shen Yilun responded respectfully. "It's okay, you can go, I'm tired." King Cao said calmly. "Yes, Your Highness is well, I will retire." Shen Yilun replied respectfully, then bowed, took two steps back, and then retreated with his subordinates. "Fifth brother, I'm going to see Shen Shangshu off." King Ji suddenly said. King Cao was startled and said impatiently: "It's up to you." King Ji turned around and walked out. Lu Qi bowed silently to King Cao and followed King Ji out. Looking at the backs of King Ji and Lu Qi, King Cao's expression changed. Gloomy, when he recalled the assassination in the castle afterwards, he was very angry. In addition, he was also angry with Lu Tianfeng. At that time, he only cared about King Hu Ji and threw him in front of the assassin. He now feels that, Lu Tianfeng said that he did not support King Ji, but he clearly had a close collusion with King Ji. "If Lu Tianfeng supports Prince Ji, it will be a big problem for the future heir apparent. After all, the fourth brother is weak and rarely colludes with military officials. If the fourth brother and I were a mantis and a cicada, the sixth brother would probably be the little oriole. He is only fifteen, but his father has given Xuan Fu Shi a lot of military and political power. Could it be that his father's intention is to cultivate Lao Liu as the real successor?" King Cao himself was frightened and thought wildly. Prince Ji and Lu Qi walked out of the post house and called Shen Yilun and his party outside the door. Shen Yilun turned around and said respectfully: "I pay homage to His Highness Prince Ji. Do you have any instructions?" "I didn't give any instructions. I just came out to see the boss off. People." King Ji also bowed his head and responded gently. Shen Yilun was startled, and then said respectfully: "I don't dare to do it." "My lord, you are too polite. In fact, I know that my father is very respectful when he meets your lord. My fifth brother was upset by the assassination. That's why I was rude, sir, please forgive me," King Ji said sincerely. "Your Highness has already said that when it comes to the assassination, the veteran is guilty." Shen Yilun said respectfully. "The assassination has nothing to do with Sir. Those assassins are not locals at all. They just chose to do it in Qianyang County. Sir, there is no need to investigate. Lu Shangshu has said that the assassins did not leave any evidence. , there is no way to investigate, so why bother to disturb the people's hearts?" King Ji Zhengrong said. "Oh, Lu Shangshu?" Shen Yi said in surprise. "Oh, this is Lu Shangshu, named Lu Tianfeng, with the official title of General Huaihua, Xuanfu envoy to Hexi and Beiting, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, Minister of the Weiwei Temple, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Prince Consort of the Stone Kingdom." King Ji immediately introduced Lu Qi sideways. . The officials of Jingzhao Mansion headed by Shen Yilun immediately paid attention to Lu Qi. The officials of Jingzhao Mansion knew Lu Tianfeng very well. After Lu Tianfeng entered Huizhou, he came to ask for a letter of assistance and posed a big problem to Jingzhao Mansion. Later, Lu Tianfeng The reputation of being good at fighting also continued to spread to Jingzhao Mansion. "The younger generation, Lu Tianfeng, pays homage to the boss." Lu Qi stood up and bowed respectfully. "I dare not take it seriously. I and Mr. Lu are ministers of the same rank." Shen Yilun returned the courtesy. Lu Qi raised his head and said with a smile: "I am able to be on the same level as Mr. Lao, but it is because of the support of Mr. Lao and all the officials. If there were not 30,000 forbidden troops to support Huizhou in time, I would not be able to defeat Xia State one after another. I His meritorious deeds should be shared with the boss and everyone else." Shen Yilun was slightly moved after hearing this. He is an experienced person and can certainly understand the invisible lethality mentioned by Lu Tianfeng. Lu Tianfeng is obviously good at bewitching. "Master Lu's meritorious service is recognized by His Majesty, and we dare not take credit." Shen Yilun blocked it calmly. Lu Qiyi smiled and said: "Master, I have something to ask for in the future, and I hope I can get your support." "Oh, as long as it is legal, Master Lu, please tell me." Shen Yilun responded with a smile. "My lord, your majesty has allowed Hexi to trade with the Central Plains. Now Hexi and Beiting are completely peaceful. However, due to the lack of information, merchants still can't believe that the Silk Road in Hexi is accessible. So I want to ask your lord to help promote the Silk Road." The road will be prosperous as soon as possible," Lu Qi Zhengrong said. Shen Yilun was moved when he heard this, as were other officials. The main reason why Chang'an declined and became depressed was that it lost its status as a commercial center. During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an City was the intersection of east-west commodity circulation, so it was a place where all the cultural relics were collected. Chang'an.