Infinite Mask Game.

Chapter 319 Prophecy Poem

Lu Shaoqing didn't ask any further questions, presumably just wanting to test Pei Wenwei's knowledge.

He changed the subject abruptly, asking, "Do you know about the poems that have recently started circulating in the streets and alleys?"

Wei Miao flipped through her memory and replied, "Your Majesty is referring to that prophetic poem."

But this content... she absolutely cannot read it aloud.

With his right fingertips rhythmically tapping the table, Lu Shaoqing said calmly, "The world is full of hardships, and a great plague is coming. The Purple Star has fallen, and a wicked dragon has been born. We must eliminate evil and remove wickedness, and change the world."

Wei Miao lowered her eyes to look at the slightly rippling tea. Although Lu Shaoqing's tone didn't seem unusual, he was usually unreadable and difficult to fathom.

Since he brought this up himself, it means he must care about it to some extent.

"The day before yesterday, the Imperial Observatory reported on this matter, saying that all the martial arts sects and wandering heroes in the Jianghu had heard of this poem and had gathered in the capital in recent days to secretly gather information."

"Many former officials in the court were also well-informed."

"You may investigate this matter together with Supervisor Gu. You two are authorized to act first and report later."

The murderous aura hidden behind the words had already enveloped the entire capital city.

Wei Miao understood Lu Shaoqing's implication.

The Imperial Observatory and the Secretarial Bureau acted together, with the imperial court and the martial arts world working in tandem. The combined power of these two intelligence agencies was unparalleled.

The last time the court was reorganized was two years ago. During these two years, the rule was stable, and some officials lay dormant in the corner. Even if they had some dissatisfaction, they dared not speak out because of the power of the Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

But this prophetic poem is aimed directly at the emperor, and the people behind it must have some ulterior motives, which inevitably makes them think.

Lu Shaoqing not only wanted to find out who was behind it, but also wanted to take this opportunity to eliminate some opposing forces.

"Sir, obey the order."

After receiving the verbal order, Wei Miao took her leave.

Lu Shaoqing remained seated cross-legged on the couch, watching her departing figure intently.

"Only seven sects are allowed to reach them..." He looked thoughtful. "Inner demons are both a gift and a cage. How can you destroy the foundation and then build a skyscraper?"

A fleeting expression of joy or sorrow crossed his face, like a torn mask.

As Wei Miao walked through the palace, she would greet familiar eunuchs and palace maids with a smile and a few words.

Cultivating good relationships with the palace eunuchs was almost instinctive for them. Even after becoming the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and a minister in charge of government affairs, Pei Wenwei still did not give up his maneuvering in the palace.

The eunuchs wove a complex web of relationships within the palace, which enabled them to survive.

No one is better informed than them.

Of course, Pei Wenwei never used this network to uncover any palace secrets; it would only increase suspicion.

What he sought was a chance to save himself from the palace should he one day fall into crisis.

The eunuchs of this dynasty probably had less influence over the emperor than the actors in the Bell and Drum Bureau. Although Lu Shaoqing was not diligent in his duties, his efficiency and accuracy in handling government affairs were astonishing. He was quick-witted, and the consequences of his slanderous remarks were often bloodshed on the dragon pillar.

The headquarters of the Secret Service was located outside the east gate of the palace, occupying a secluded corner, surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards, with sturdy and somber dark blue bricks and tiles. In front of the vermilion gate stood two majestic stone lions, or more accurately, mechanical stone lions, with metal drive gears and transmission patterns hidden beneath their stone skins. When necessary, they could transform into mechanical behemoths with formidable combat power.

These two guardian lions of the Imperial Secretariat are from the Imperial Secretariat, and their power is little known. They are currently under the control of Pei Wenwei.

Besides the system of divine statues, this world also possesses an extraordinary art called Inscription Mechanism, and those who engage in the research of mechanical arts are called Mechanists.

According to records, the earliest mechanic was named Gongshu Mo. He inherited the art of inscription and mechanism from the "mechanical beast" statue and took on many disciples. Later generations continued to study and develop this skill, and their works were mostly used in military applications.

Today, the art of inscription and mechanical engineering has become a force to be reckoned with, and many top-tier martial artists have perished at the hands of these mechanical creations. Various nations have also made the study of mechanical engineering an unshakeable national policy, and the Mechanical Academy is the official research institution of the Great Rong Dynasty, led by King Yao Lu Heng, which gathers the nation's most elite mechanical engineers.

Wei Miao stepped past the guards who bowed respectfully to her, the hem of her cloak slightly lifting as she passed over the threshold. Her gaze swept across the courtyard, a sense of familiarity welling up within her.

The courtyard, paved with blue bricks, still carried a faint, almost imperceptible smell of blood, despite repeated washing. The side corridors were deep and secluded, and people hurried past carrying files.

The entire mansion is divided into a front yard and a back yard, with numerous buildings. The main gate of the front yard faces west, and the main hall is used for receiving guests, holding meetings, and other official business.

Behind the main hall stands a three-story pavilion called Flying Bird Pavilion, simply named after a bronze bird statue in front of it. All intelligence from across the land is sent here, where specialists analyze and organize it before presenting it to the Chief Supervisor for review.

The backyard was roughly divided into two parts. The north side was the residential area, where Pei Wenwei made his permanent residence. The south side was the infamous private prison of the Imperial Secretaries, called the Fengchang Prison. Officials could be imprisoned first and then handed over to the Ministry of Justice for review; the limits of private punishment were the same as those of the Imperial Observatory.

In general, the organizational structure of the Imperial Observatory was similar to that of the Directorate of Astronomy, but it was more streamlined and its power was more centralized.

When the Imperial Observatory was first established, a group of people were transferred from the Imperial Observatory, and additional personnel were recruited from the martial arts world and the general public. After one or two years of operation, it finally took shape.

The action team is collectively called the Attendants, consisting of nine people in a small squad, with the squad leader called the Attendant Flag Commander. Three squads form a group, with the leader called the Commander-in-Chief.

The Secret Service was tasked with spying on all officials in the land. It established twelve districts based on the twelve provinces, with a judge in each district to oversee all affairs within that district.

Above the judge were two secret envoys. One of them was Pan Junyang, who was mainly responsible for the capital. Although the area was small, the intricate relationships within the capital were complex enough.

The local officials outside the capital and the princes were mainly managed by another secretary, Lu Ci.

These two had to write work reports every day and submit them to Pei Wenwei.

In addition, there were also people outside the regular system, such as the chief executioner, who were usually transferred from other law enforcement agencies and were directly responsible to the supervisor.

Because the Fengchang Prison was so infamous, people in the martial arts world often sarcastically referred to the Fengchang Attendant as a prison guard and the Flag Commander as the head of the prison guards.

Wei Miao walked into the study next to the Flying Bird Pavilion, which was Pei Wenwei's daily office.

The intelligence documents that had just been delivered this morning were still on the ebony desk.

"Working in a game is a great way to live."

Wei Miao sat down with a self-deprecating laugh and began to read today's report.

An hour later, she leaned back in her chair, looking thoughtful, with a prepared memorial in front of her.

She needed to go to the palace again in the evening to present the memorial directly to Lu Shaoqing.

He prefers written reports, which are easy to keep on file and are clear and concise.

Heads of various departments, including Pei Wenwei, were required to submit their memorials to the palace by morning or evening. These memorials were typically first drafted by the cabinet before being reviewed by the emperor. However, some confidential matters could bypass this system and be presented in person at the palace.

The Imperial Censorate and the Directorate of Astronomy were directly responsible to the emperor. The memorials of the Supervising Censor and the Director of the Directorate were always presented in person or on behalf of the emperor and passed only through the emperor's hands.