Chapter 692
: Chen 3 and the Yintian prefectural governor start to act, and the Jinyiwei are involved
The prefect of Yingtian Prefecture was sitting on the armchair in the study of the Lu Mansion at this moment, his brows slightly furrowed and his expression solemn.
The fingers of his right hand subconsciously tapped lightly on the ancient and heavy "Jin Temple Records" on the desk, making a rhythmic "knock knock" sound, as if he was trying to knock out a good strategy to deal with the complicated situation in Jin Temple.
The candlelight on the desk flickered, and the orange-yellow light cast a swaying shadow on the yellowed pages of "Shui Jing Zhu" that was opened nearby.
Those shadows were like ghosts, constantly changing shape with the flickering of the candlelight, as if they were also worried about the unpredictable situation in Jin Temple.
The records of the geography and hydrology around Jin Temple in "Shui Jing Zhu" appear even more mysterious in the interweaving of light and shadow.
It seems to contain clues to solving Jin Temple’s current predicament, but they are elusive.
The prefect of Yingtian sometimes stared at the records of historical allusions and deeds of Jin Temple in "Jin Temple Records", and sometimes shifted his gaze to "Shui Jing Zhu".
He tried to find inspiration to resolve the crisis between the lines of these ancient books, and pondered over the situation between the ancient books and the real situation, looking for a way out.
"Master Lu, do you know about the pair of iron warrior statues from the Song Dynasty on the eaves of the Holy Mother Hall?"
He suddenly raised his eyes while speaking, "Three days ago, someone saw that the iron finger of one of the warriors was broken."
Lu Feng's originally calm expression suddenly changed, and his pupils shrank instantly.
Like two sharp cold stars, revealing a hint of vigilance and solemnity.
Jin Temple, which seemed to be a place carrying history and culture, was now like a mysterious vortex hiding countless dangers in his eyes.
Lu Feng had also heard of the legend of the Iron Man, one of the three wonders of Jin Temple.
During his many years in officialdom, he had heard countless strange stories, and the legend of the Iron Man of Jin Temple was widely circulated among the people.
According to legend, in the distant Northern Song Dynasty, there were craftsmen who had awe for the gods of heaven and earth.
According to the positions of the Big Dipper, four majestic iron warriors were carefully cast to guard the gate of Jin Temple.
These four iron men are lifelike, as if they will step out from their original positions at any time to defend this ancient land.
What’s even more amazing is that according to legend, the nails on this iron man’s body will grow with the rise and fall of the nation’s fortunes.
When the country is prosperous, the iron man's nails will grow slightly longer, as if they are also feeling the breath of prosperity.
Once the country's fortunes decline, the nails will stop growing or even shrink.
This legend has cast a mysterious and solemn aura over the Iron Men. In the hearts of local people, they have become a symbol of the rise and fall of a country and are devoutly worshipped and revered by the people.
Lu Feng was well aware that such a mysterious legend related to the country's destiny would cause an uproar once it was used by people with ulterior motives.
If someone deliberately damages the Iron Man today, it is definitely not an accidental act, but must be due to the prophecy of the "Jinshui Dragon Vein".
The saying of "Jinshui Dragon Vein" has a long history. In the local ancient legend: Jinshui is where the dragon vein is, and it is closely connected with the country's fortune.
Those who attempted to destroy the Iron Man of Jin Temple probably wanted to achieve ulterior political purposes or create social chaos by destroying the so-called "dragon vein".
Thinking of this, Lu Feng became more worried.
He realized that behind the incident at Jin Temple, there might be more complicated conspiracies and power struggles.
Chen San interrupted at the right time and said, "The Firearms Bureau has set up three secret kilns in the north wing of Jin Temple. When I was inspecting the kilns the other day, I found that three of the newly cast 'Yiwofeng' rockets were missing."
As he spoke, he pulled out half a piece of charred cloth from his sleeve and said, "I found this on the roof of the kiln. It looks like the fuse fragment of a Huihui cannon from the Western Regions."
Lu Feng took the piece of cloth and smelled a faint scent of sulfur.
The connection between the Firearms Inspectorate and Western Region firearms was exactly the hidden thread that the court was taboo about.
He suddenly remembered the secret report from the Ministry of War last month that the envoy of Hami Guard had taken a detour through Taiyuan and his whereabouts were strange.
"Jin Temple is now a place where three parties are fighting each other."
The prefect of Yingtian spread out the map and circled three places with a cinnabar pen.
"To the east is the Jinci Town Inspection Office, to the west is the manor of the Jin Palace, five miles due north." He paused here, then lowered his voice and said, "It is the new posthouse of the West Factory."
The sheath of Lu Feng's embroidered spring sword hit heavily on the blue bricks.
"The dispute between the factory guards has been going on for a long time. Wouldn't intervening at this time be adding fuel to the fire?"
"That's why I need to borrow the sword from the Royal Guards."
The prefect of Yingtian pulled out a secret letter from his boot. "The firearms list of the Firearms Administration and the certificate of ordination of the Monks' Records Office of the Jin Temple were stolen on the same night."
As he spoke, his finger passed over the name "Jingming Zhenren".
"This temple master just brought back the secret manual of thunder magic from Longhu Mountain last month."
Chen San suddenly interrupted and said, "I heard two men with Shaanxi accents talking about 'water dragon' in the back alley of Jin Temple the other day."
As he spoke, he gestured with his hands.
"I heard something, it seems to be talking about the underground canal of Nanlao Spring."
Lu Feng stood up suddenly, and the sound of the night watchman's clapperboard came from outside the window.
The night wind at the second watch swept over the eaves and blew the "Ming Hui Dian" on the desk to the chapter "Mutual Corrections between the Factory and the Guards" - the words "The Jinyiwei shall not interfere in the affairs of the Western Factory" written in the cinnabar annotation were particularly eye-catching.
When Lu Feng called his trusted guard, he was kneeling in the corridor wiping his Embroidered Spring Sword.
The moonlight shone on the Taotie pattern on the sword's hilt, emitting a cold green glow.
"This sword was made by the government in the 12th year of the Hongwu reign."
The guard said without even looking up: "There are nine blood grooves on the back of the knife, and each groove is embedded with three meteorite star sands."
Lu Feng looked closely at the guard's flying fish costume: on the fragrant and colorful silk, the dragon head with flying fish pattern was slightly raised, and its four claws were faintly visible in the cloud pattern.
"The style of yours is from the old collection of the Confucius Mansion. The sea and river cliff pattern on the front is two shades darker than the one in the capital's garrison."
The guard paused, "Your Excellency, this is the 'Heavenly Horse Pattern' presented by the Governor of Shandong last year."
He lifted the corner of his clothes, revealing the hidden buttons inside.
"A three-inch poison-tipped dagger can be hidden here."
Lu Feng nodded and took off the gilded badge from his waist.
"Take this and go to the 'Tingyuxuan' in the back alley of Jinci.
The shopkeeper's daughter was arrested by the Firearms Bureau last month and forced to make saltpeter."
His voice was as cold as iron. "Tell her that after the matter is accomplished, the Jinyiwei will ensure that her whole family can be naturalized in Jinling."
After the guards left, Lu Feng unfolded the "Firearms Supervision Material List" presented by Chen San.
Between the items of "800 jin of kerosene" and "300 liang of sulfur" was a note that read: "The abbot of Jin Temple feeds the fish in the pond in the back mountain every day at yin time."
He stroked the piece of paper and recalled the "Lychee Fortune Chart" written by Jin Wang Zhu Gang in "Lychees in Chang'an".
Isn't the current situation in Jin Temple just another precisely running bureaucratic gear?
The firearms of the Firearms Inspectorate, the post station of the Western Factory, the manor house of the Prince of Jin, every chess piece is calculating its own probability of survival.
Outside the window came the sound of the night watchman's clapperboard announcing the time.
Lu Feng threw the note into the candle flame and watched the flames devour the three words "Release Pond".
Under the shade of the thousand-year-old pines and cypresses of the Jin Temple, every choice could become the spark that ignites the powder keg.
And he is just a screw in this machine, unable to control his own will. (End of this chapter)