A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 407 Entering the game
Since the case was to be closed, Zhu Cheng began to prepare preliminary documents for the closing. He was ready to show them to Zhu Zhengfu when he met him.

Duan Rong and Zhu Peng could only stare blankly.

It was not until late in the afternoon that Zhu Cheng finally finished sorting out the preliminary case closing documents. He stood up and stretched his stiff waist.

Zhu Cheng put the document in his sleeve and asked Duan Rong to go to Zhu Zhengfu's house together.

Zhu Peng was surprised and asked, "Don't I have to go?"

Zhu Cheng said, "You don't need to. Just wait here for us to come back."

Zhu Peng sat back cursing, but he also knew that whether he went or not was not up to Zhu Cheng to decide, because Zhu Zhengfu had not called his name.

In terms of kinship, Zhu Pengke had to call Zhu Zhengfu his seventh uncle. And he was a real seventh uncle.

But his seventh uncle had looked down on him since he was a child. During all the years that he had been the Guanglu Doctor, Zhu Peng had not gained any benefits and was often scolded.

Now that Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong has passed away, his seventh uncle has become the head of the Zhu family in the secular world. He really doesn't know whether he should be happy or sigh.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng left the room and just turned into a corridor, when suddenly the door of a room not far away opened and a figure walked out. It was the man with the pockmarked face.

When the pockmarked man saw them, he bowed and said respectfully, "Master Zhu! Master Duan!"

Zhu Cheng hummed in agreement and walked over.

After both of them walked over, the pockmarked man put down his hands, straightened his waist, and walked slowly to the other side.

Duan Rong sighed slightly.

Although this man had pockmarks all over his face, he looked calm and respectful, looking completely harmless.

Who could have imagined that such a secret agent would be placed in the Dali Temple?

Although he was curious, he did not talk to Zhu Cheng about the pockmarked man. Up to now, Duan Rong did not even know the pockmarked man's name.

Zhu Cheng was different from Zhu Peng. Zhu Peng was a careless person, so it was harmless to chat with him, but Zhu Cheng was obviously a thoughtful person. If he talked to him about the pockmarked face for no reason, once the pockmarked face was exposed, he would definitely suspect that he had known about it for a long time but did not tell him.

It’s better to talk less.

The two men rode on two Dali Temple light cavalry and rode along Changle Street towards Zhu Zhengfu's mansion.

They landed in front of a rather low-key and remote house. After Zhu Cheng knocked on the door, he handed the visiting card to the doorman.

The doorman asked the two to wait for tea in a living room, while he took Zhu Cheng's visiting card and went to the backyard.

Before the two of them could even sit down, the doorman came back and led them to the flower hall in the backyard.

The two of them stepped into the flower hall and saw a middle-aged man with a beard and casual clothes sitting on an armchair. He had a pale face and his eyes flashed with a calm and cunning light.

As soon as Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong entered the flower hall, they immediately clasped their fists and said, "Master Zhu!"

Zhu Zhengfu stood up with a smile and said, "We are not in the hall now, so you two don't have to be polite. Just sit down."

After hearing this, the two of them sat down on the chairs nearby.

As soon as he sat down, Zhu Cheng glanced at Duan Rong, took out a document from his sleeve, looked up at Zhu Zhengfu, and said, "After a month of investigation by the Dali Temple, I think it's time to apply for the case to be closed. This is the case closure document, please take a look!"

As Zhu Cheng spoke, he had already held the case closing document in his hand.

In theory, the process of the case closing document should be that the Dali Temple Chief should submit it to the Dali Temple Junior Official, who should then review it and submit it to the Dali Temple Junior Official. After the Junior Official has reviewed and stamped it, the case can be declared closed. One copy of the case closing document will be sent to the Shangshu Ling for filing, and one copy will be sent to the Jianyi Doctor to inform him of the case closing, and then the matter will be over.

Logically speaking, this criminal matter had nothing to do with Guanglu Dafu, but Zhu Cheng's case closing document had not yet been submitted, but he had to ask Zhu Zhengfu to review it first.

In this matter, after all, the procedures of the yamen were just a formality. After all, the deceased was the head of the Zhu family in the secular world. To close the case, not only Zhu Zhengfu had to nod, but also the opinion of the person in the Council of Elders.

"Oh?" Zhu Zhengfu's eyes moved.

Zhu Cheng immediately stood up and respectfully handed the document in his hand to Zhu Zhengfu.

Zhu Zhengfu took it and immediately opened it.

After reading it, Zhu Zhengfu closed the book and remained silent.

Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong did not speak either, waiting for Zhu Zhengfu to speak.

After a while, Zhu Zhengfu smiled, looked at them, and said, "You two have worked hard! Especially Mr. Duan, although he is young, he is able to see through everything, attract the thunder, and dig out the thief behind the murder. It's not easy!"

"Although we were unable to find the mastermind because of Zhou Wei, the hidden spy, but being able to expose Zhou Wei is also a great achievement!"

Zhu Zhengfu said as he placed the case closure document on the table next to him, and then continued, "Now that the clues are gone, it's useless to delay any further. In my opinion, it's time to close the case."

When Zhu Cheng heard this, there was still no expression on his face.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu glanced at Zhu Cheng and said, "I will report this to the ancestor, wait for the news."

"Oh! Thank you, sir!" Zhu Cheng said with his eyes lighting up.

Afterwards, they chatted for a while.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng stood up to say goodbye.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu suddenly stopped Duan Rong and said, "My dear Duan, please stay for a moment. I have something to say to you."

Duan Rong was slightly startled. He was just an assistant in the case, why did this man keep him here? Moreover, he kept calling him "little friend" in a very friendly way, but he got goose bumps when he heard it.

Zhu Cheng heard this, looked at Duan Rong, and immediately clasped his fists and left. Zhu Zhengfu obviously wanted to talk to Duan Rong alone.

Zhu Cheng left, and Duan Rong looked at Zhu Zhengfu with curiosity. Zhu Zhengfu smiled and said, "Duan, be patient! Wait for the kitchen to prepare two side dishes, and we can eat and chat at the same time."

Duan Rong was even more surprised. It wasn't even mealtime yet, but he was already preparing side dishes. What was this old man up to? However, he smiled faintly and said, "Then I'm sorry to bother you, Master Zhu!"

Zhu Zhengfu smiled and said, "My friend, there is no need to be so polite."

The two chatted in the flower hall for a while, and then Zhu Zhengfu asked Duan Rong to move to a study that seemed to be more secluded.

I saw several dishes and a pot of wine already placed on an octagonal table in the study.

The two men sat down immediately. Zhu Zhengfu poured a glass of wine for Duan Rong and another for himself.

Zhu Zhengfu raised his glass and said, "My dear young friend Duan, you are a young talent with a promising future! Come, I will take advantage of my age and toast to my dear friend Duan!"

Duan Rong immediately raised his glass and said, "Your Excellency, thank you for your compliment! How dare Duan Rong accept it?"

They both finished their drinks.

Zhu Zhengfu let Duan Rong eat a few exquisite dishes. Zhu Zhengfu put down his chopsticks and suddenly said, "My ancestor already knows that my young friend Duan attracted the thunderbolt. He praised my young friend highly!"

"Lord Zhu He?!" Duan Rong said with a moving look.

"That's right! My ancestor is the head of the sect's Internal History Department, Lord Zhu He!"

Duan Rong pretended to be surprised and asked, "Master Zhu He has also known about this?"

"Of course. The ancestor has also been paying attention to this case." Zhu Zhengfu looked at Duan Rong and said with a smile: "The ancestor praises you, my friend. You are thoughtful and thoughtful, and you will be unparalleled in the future."

Duan Rong smiled slightly. He felt that Zhu Zhengfu was trying to trick him, and he didn't believe that Zhu He would praise him like that.

This guy is really a veteran, and his face is thicker than a city wall. Such people are unique in official circles!

Zhu Zhengfu pretended not to notice Duan Rong's implicit smile and continued, "The ancestor also said that the most satisfying thing in this world is to teach the world's talents. Although you are still an outer disciple, you have won the favor of the ancestor. It is really a cause for celebration! Come, let me toast to you again!"

Duan Rong's heart trembled.

Zhu Zhengfu's words were full of ulterior motives! From what he said, it seemed that Zhu He wanted to recruit him, but he didn't make it clear. What he said was vague and half-true.

Duan Rong immediately raised his glass, and the two of them smiled at each other and drank the wine in the glass.

Zhu Zhengfu put down his wine glass, but suddenly stood up and walked to the back of the study. When he returned to the table, he was holding a box of ancient books in his hand.

Zhu Zhengfu carefully placed the item on an empty space on the table and said, "My dear friend Duan, you are not only a famous detective, but also a great poet. I have also had the honor of reading the poem "Early Morning Walk in Shangshan". It is a really good poem!"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "It's just a game, not worth mentioning."

The poem "Early Morning Walk in Shangshan" has been widely circulated among the literati in Shenyun Mansion after being praised by Qin Xueyin. Zhu Zhengfu also learned about this two days ago. Knowing that it was written by Duan Rong, he immediately read it carefully.

Zhu He had written him a letter before. In addition to discussing the situation in Shenyun Mansion, the letter also specifically instructed him to find an opportunity to win over Duan Rong.

In a hurry, he was worrying about how to win them over, when he saw the poem "Early Morning Walk in Shangshan", and immediately he came up with a plan in his mind.

Zhu Zhengfu said: "My dear Duan, you are too modest. Many things in this world are determined by talent. If you don't accomplish many things before the age of 20, you will have no hope in your life."

As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, there was something rather desolate in his tone.

Duan Rong saw a hint of true emotion on Zhu Zhengfu's clever face for the first time, and was slightly stunned for a moment.

Zhu Zhengfu suddenly smiled, and the desolation that had just appeared on his face disappeared in an instant, and he still had a smooth and clever smile.

"My dear friend Duan, you are a poet with great talent, so you must be a lover of poetry." Zhu Zhengfu said, and he reached out to touch the box of ancient books, just like a loving mother touching a sleeping child. "This is the only handwritten manuscript of Gao Qingqiu's poems. This person is also a poet with great talent. My dear friend, you will definitely be able to communicate with him! I give this to my dear friend, and I think I have met a wise master!"

"Gao Qingqiu?!" Duan Rong's eyes moved slightly when he heard that.

Gao Qingqiu is the most famous poet in this world, and he has been dead for more than a thousand years. He is from Yongzhou and has been traveling in the Western Regions for many years. His poems are integrated with Buddhism and Taoism, and his charm is natural. His artistic conception is like an antelope hanging a horn, and it is difficult to see his traces.

Duan Rong gently placed his hand on the manuscript and said to himself, "Read the spirit of the instrument."

In an instant, a set of data appeared in front of Duan Rong.

Object: Gao Qingqiu's unique manuscript of poems
Spirit Level: Level 13
Devouring requirements: Host's mental strength level 13 (not satisfied)
Devouring effect: twelfth level of textual samadhi, eighth level of divine charm, third level of communication between heaven and man.

Duan Rong looked at the data in front of him and smacked his lips. The level of the spirit of this poem manuscript had reached the thirteenth level. Even with his soul strength that had achieved the eleventh level of the Taizang Sutra, he couldn't even devour it.

The spirit of Gao Qingqiu's manuscript of poetry is one level higher than the spirit of Ni Yunlin's "Autumn Clearing in a Fishing Village".

It is true that thousands of years have passed, but the soul of poetry is immortal!

Duan Rong's eyes were filled with passion. He was not greedy for what was before his eyes, but he admired the immortality of the poetic soul.

But Zhu Zhengfu saw it and thought he had given the right thing.

Zhu Zhengfu repeatedly tried to give it up before Duan Rong finally accepted it, because he could see that Zhu Zhengfu was giving it to him sincerely.

The two of them drank a few more glasses and chatted for a while before Zhu Zhengfu personally saw Duan Rong out.

Seeing Duan Rong take the box of poems out, Zhu Zhengfu's eyes flashed with pain. The only copy of Gao Qingqiu's poems was also his favorite. If the ancestor hadn't asked him to win over Duan Rong, he really wouldn't have been willing to part with it.

It's not that he was willing to invest. The ancestor never said anything nonsense in his letters. Even if he only mentioned one sentence, it was a big deal. If he didn't do it well, he would be in big trouble when he was held accountable later.

Duan Rong rode his horse slowly in the twilight.

He was very curious, why did Zhu Zhengfu give him such a generous gift?

And what exactly does that statement made during the banquet about getting the best talents in the world and teaching them mean?
Was it Zhu He's intention, or was Zhu Zhengfu just taking advantage of the situation? Duan Rong couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

However, he also paid attention to it. He assisted in investigating the case. Although he did not find out the mastermind behind the case in the end, he finally found out the cause of death of Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong.

Duan Rong originally thought that he had mastered the balance well.

But he thought about it later, even if it was just that, in the eyes of other forces, he was already considered a member of the Zhu family. After all, he assisted the Zhu family in investigating the case and found out the clues, even at the cost of attracting thunder.

In other words, although he didn't want to join the game, in fact, from the moment he stepped into Shenyun Mansion, he was already in the game. It was just that he took it for granted that he could walk through the flowers without getting a single leaf on him.

This was also the reason why he was willing to accept Zhu Zhengfu's gift. Since other forces already considered him a member of the Zhu family, why should he hide his true identity and not please both sides?
Even so, for some reason, Duan Rong always felt something strange in his heart, as if he had been plotted against. But he couldn't tell what it was.

In the next few days, because they were waiting for a reply, Duan Rong, Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng started to travel together.

Three days later, a reply came from the sect, with just four words: Case closed.

On that day, Zhu Cheng submitted the case closing documents.

After the case closing documents were submitted, many visiting cards arrived at the Dali Temple, and all of them were inviting Duan Rong.

Duan Rong opened the documents one by one and found that many officials of Shenyun Palace, including the Palace Master Wang Maochun and Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng, were present. During the investigation, they did not dare to invite Duan Rong, fearing that they would be suspected of interfering with the investigation. As soon as the case closing documents were submitted, invitations to Duan Rong came in like snowflakes.

Duan Rong only accepted the invitations from Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng.

After all, he already knew that within the sect, the competition for the next sect leader was between Zhu He and Lu Zhongtang and Ge Rusong.

Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng, in fact, have no party or faction. So, it would not be a problem for him to go to the banquet.

As for the other officials, Duan Rong wrote back to decline their requests one by one, and his tone and attitude were naturally extremely respectful. He couldn't afford to offend any of the officials in Shenyun Mansion, but there were too many of them, how could he go to all of them? Moreover, these officials had complicated backgrounds, and he didn't understand them, so how could he dare to go there recklessly?

As for the Imperial Counselor Ge Hengtai, he did not invite Duan Rong, perhaps because the case was unpleasant, or perhaps he had other ideas in mind.

But it was better this way. If Ge Hengtai invited him, Duan Rong would be in a dilemma. If he didn't go, he would be offending one of the four ministers. If he went, wouldn't he be seen as a fence-sitter in the eyes of others? Therefore, Duan Rong felt that even if Ge Hengtai invited him, he would most likely decline his invitation.

Ge Hengtai should have expected this, so he didn't send a visiting card to avoid embarrassing himself.

(End of this chapter)