Chapter 836
Qi Gang's Mental Techniques
Continuing from the previous article
Just as Ma Minglu was about to charge in with his sword, preparing to make a desperate attempt...
Qi Gang finally caught up from behind and handed over the talisman.
However, at this critical juncture, with all the blades already drawn, it is only now that we must hasten to find a matching pair.
The general on duty breathed a sigh of relief, took over the case according to regulations, and conducted an even more thorough inspection.
Fortunately, after rubbing it from side to side, there seemed to be no problem.
However, a thought crossed his mind: after all, it had just happened less than a quarter of an hour before Ma Minglu barged in, and the Inner Court had just sent a report that the inner palace was on fire.
These two incidents have happened so quickly, and now the two of them are in such a hurry to leave the palace.
For a moment, even the gatekeeper and general seemed unable to make up their minds.
If the two were indeed involved in the fire in the inner palace, would releasing them according to regulations mean letting the enemy escape through the pass?
The man who let the horse escape did so under the cover of night, disappearing without a trace, and may never be caught again.
But, if we take those two...
If you bet right, then...
Lai Yi is just that, and right now he doesn't have any good reason to stop him from doing business.
"how?"
"I am Qi Gang, Minister of Works and Grand Secretary of the Cabinet."
"Today I spent the night on duty with Scholar Ma."
"There is an urgent military matter that requires me to leave the palace."
"You've seen the talisman too."
"Can we open for business now?"
By borrowing a palace lantern, I could see the guard on duty's face changing color, looking quite hesitant.
His gaze seemed complicated, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Qi Gang muttered to himself, fearing further complications, and urged the speaker to speak.
Tonight's plan is extremely dangerous, but if we can't even get out of the palace gates, wouldn't all our plans have been for nothing?
"Uh"
"The documents match perfectly; in principle, the gate should be opened."
"only."
The gatekeeper deliberately spoke slowly, his guards scrutinizing Qi Gang, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
"However, a fire broke out in the inner palace tonight; this news just came in."
"At this critical juncture, you two are in such a hurry to leave the palace."
"The brothers are tasked with strictly guarding the palace."
"But what if something goes wrong?"
"Here's what I'll say, Minister Qi, you'll have to listen to me."
"The matter arose suddenly. In my humble opinion, it would be best to send a message to the Imperial Household Department, asking them to grant the order to release the person."
The guards were deliberately making things difficult, clearly harboring ulterior motives, and unwilling to open the gate and let people in.
Upon hearing this, Qi Gang frowned.
Fuck you!
"court death!"
Seeing this scene behind him, Ma Minglu's temper flared even more. If it weren't for the young general Guo Heng blocking his way, a bloody battle would have broken out in an instant.
In the face of danger, Qi Gang knew that if chaos broke out inside the palace, the guards outside would probably have already been replaced. Even if he managed to break through the inner gate, he would have no one to help him and would not be able to deal with those outside the palace.
A temporary and hasty approach.
Just as Minglu was shouting in vain, Qi Gang acted quickly, suddenly stepping forward and approaching the general on duty, whereupon he spoke in a deep voice.
"Tonight's matter is extremely urgent and must be done as a last resort."
"Hiss—" He pretended to realize something.
"You, you're Han Pojun?"
Qi Gang's sudden action, and his abrupt revelation of the other party's name, were astonishing.
The goalkeeper on duty suddenly stiffened and instinctively froze on the spot.
"kindness?"
Deng Nian, having been called by name, Han Pojun suppressed his surprise and stubbornly maintained his uncooperative demeanor.
"Ha, I am but a lowly soldier at the gate, how could Minister Qi possibly recognize me?"
They mocked each other, their expressions darkening again, and the resistance and defensiveness in their eyes intensified.
Unbeknownst to them, the person raised their head even higher, stiffening their neck.
But who exactly is Qi Gang?
I have a very sharp eye.
Judging from his demeanor, he clearly felt relieved and thought there was hope for the matter. "Heh, I know more than just you."
"Your father, Han Suchen, was an old minister who came from the north after the fall of the capital."
He currently holds the official position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, responsible for reviewing and verifying criminal case files.
"Right or wrong?!"
"With this discussion, we're even closer now."
Qi Gang possessed a vast knowledge of the life stories of most of the officials and gentry in the current court, including their family lineages and the circumstances of each household.
They don't usually show off their abilities, and outsiders can't tell that they are of much use.
But in these extraordinary times, this is precisely where our skills come in handy.
He said this intentionally, given the current frequent disputes between the northern and southern parties.
The phrase "old minister from the north" directly brought his father, Han Suchen, onto the united front.
Using this as a starting point, he also wanted to persuade Han Pojun to see if he could turn an obstacle into an advantage, and tonight he could rely on this man to deal with the gang of scoundrels outside the palace gate.
Unexpectedly, the stubborn Han Pojun, upon hearing Qi Gang's words of goodwill, not only failed to approach him immediately, but instead felt even more disgusted.
Especially at such a critical juncture, even if he had no other experience, he probably understood what Guo'er was trying to do.
"Humph."
"Pull it down."
“My father has toiled away for most of his life, spending all his time buried in paperwork.”
"Even if you use all your brains, you can only manage to keep a fifth-rank official position."
"The late emperor went south to ascend the throne, and we followed him to the capital. It has nothing to do with us."
"This award and that reward are not for someone as insignificant as him."
Being a Beijing official is difficult.
"Oh, it's good that you have a good memory that you can still remember him."
It was neither salty nor bland, but extremely ironic and suffocating.
Judging from Han Pojun's appearance, he is indeed not so easy to deal with.
In order to pinpoint this person, Qi Gang had no choice but to improvise.
Even if it's a tough nut to crack, at this point, we have to bite the bullet and get on with it, right?
Without waiting for Han Jiang to say anything more, Qi Gang acted swiftly and decisively, grabbing Han Pojun's wrist before he could react or argue. He then pulled the two of them aside a few steps, further away from them, making it easier for him to continue.
"General Han, let me be frank with you."
"Someone is plotting a rebellion tonight!"
"The safety of the nation may depend on a single thought of yours or mine."
Qi Gang had no choice but to threaten Qi Gang with the matter.
As expected, upon hearing this, Han Pojun's eyes widened in fear.
The initial wariness vanished almost instantly, replaced by a deeper sense of fear.
"What?" he stammered in panic.
Once Han Jiang spoke up, he immediately became less inclined to publicize such matters.
He glanced at the servants around him as he stepped down, then turned back, his mind racing, and he made his own judgment.
"Hiss—" He took a deep breath to calm himself.
You mean this fire?
He served as a guard in the Imperial Guard, holding this position.
Upon hearing Qi Gang's words, the first thing they did was to connect it to the fact that something had happened in the inner palace.
However, since this was no small matter, he voiced his doubts but dared not reveal the details.
In response, Qi Gang looked at him, and suddenly a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
What followed was even more surprising.
"No, the fire in the inner palace is just a smokescreen."
"The real danger lies with Lord Jing alone!"
Seizing opportunities and adapting to change is not something to be taken lightly; even in a desperate situation, one can turn the tide and achieve great strength.
Qi Gang seized the opportunity and adapted to the changing circumstances, revealing his unique skills.
What they sought was a desperate gamble that would lead to survival. (End of Chapter)