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

Chapter 448 Hunting Ceremony
Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng explained in detail to Duan Rong the various steps of the Autumn Hunting and Heavenly Sacrifice.

Duan Rong asked questions while listening, and occasionally lowered his head to ponder.

"All officials above the third rank will attend the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, so you two should have been there that day, right?" Duan Rong asked, looking at Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng.

"Even if I'm sick, I won't miss such a ceremony as long as I can get up." Zhu Zhengfu said, his eyes flickering slightly, "But this is about the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony. It's not necessarily the case for the Autumn Hunt."

Duan Rong's eyes were slightly surprised. "Aren't autumn hunting and offering sacrifices to heaven grand ceremonies?"

Zhu Zhengfu smiled faintly and said, "This ceremony is generally called the Autumn Hunting and Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony by the government and the people. But in fact, Autumn Hunting is Autumn Hunting, and Heavenly Sacrifice is Heavenly Sacrifice. Strictly speaking, Heavenly Sacrifice is the grand ceremony, and Autumn Hunting is just a prelude to the Heavenly Sacrifice."

Zhu Zhengfu paused for a moment and continued, "Take me as an example. I haven't participated in the hunting ceremony for more than ten years. But I have never missed the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heaven."

Duan Rong's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Zhu Zhengfu and said, "May I ask, Master Zhu, is there any explanation for this?"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "Of course there is a saying. In the autumn hunting ritual on Wuji Mountain, you cannot use internal energy. You can only use muscle strength to shoot and kill prey."

Duan Rong noticed Zhu Zhengfu's choice of words. He was talking about the Autumn Hunting Ceremony. "Can we only use muscle strength?"

"That's right," Zhu Zhengfu said, but with a self-deprecating laugh, "Sir, I've been living a rather comfortable life for the past ten years. My thigh muscles have already grown back. If I didn't use my internal energy and only used muscle strength, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to bend a bow!"

Duan Rong just smiled warmly. He was not interested at all in whether Zhu Zhengfu's thigh flesh would grow back or not.

A few days ago in the morning, before dawn, he was guarding in front of the wonton stall. At that time, he used his spiritual sense to detect Li Shensi.

In the narrow sedan chair, Li Shensi's arms were muscular and strong, which left a deep impression on him.

Duan Rong asked, "Which adults usually participate in the autumn hunting ceremony?"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "There will be more military officers participating. As for the Palace Master Wang Maochun, he has not participated in the autumn hunt for many years. Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng, Counselor Ge Hengtai, and Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun should all participate."

Duan Rong could understand what Zhu Zhengfu meant. Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng and Counselor Ge Hengtai should have participated in the autumn hunt in previous years. Although Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun took office this year, he was a military general and would generally not miss such occasions.

Duan Rong frowned slightly and asked, "What about Li Shensi? Will he participate in the autumn hunt?"

"This..." Zhu Zhengfu pondered for a moment, glanced at Zhu Cheng, and said, "Your Excellency, Li Shensi only took office two months ago. I don't know his personality very well."

Duan Rong glanced at Zhu Cheng and asked, "Zhu Cheng, what do you say?"

Zhu Cheng was cautious and said, "Your Excellency, I dare not make an unjust judgment."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu Cheng and said, "We are just chatting, don't be restrained. Put aside right or wrong, just speak your mind openly."

Zhu Cheng then clasped his fists and said cautiously, "Yes, sir."

He was reluctant to say it just now, firstly because he was afraid of making mistakes, and secondly, Zhu Zhengfu said he didn't understand, and he immediately went on to say the answer. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to his boss?
Zhu Cheng said, "In my humble opinion, the Minister of the Chancellery, Li Shensi, will definitely participate in the Autumn Hunting Ceremony."

"Oh!" Duan Rong's eyes lit up and he asked, "Why do you think so?"

Zhu Cheng said confidently, "Your Excellency, as far as I know, Lord Li Shensi's grandfather made his fortune in the fur business, and before that, their ancestors were hunters for generations. Lord Li Shensi was naughty when he was young, so he often went hunting in the mountains with his father. In this autumn hunting ritual, the prey is kept in captivity for half a year, and now is the autumn when the prey is fat. How can he not be itching to hunt?"

Duan Rong smiled faintly and glanced at the stack of documents on the desk. Zhu Cheng had copied all this information in detail in the stack of documents.

His view is exactly the same as Zhu Cheng's.

Li Shensi will definitely attend the autumn hunting ceremony!
Duan Rong's eyes suddenly became deep. He knew that Li Shensi would definitely come, and this was just the first step!
Last night, lying in bed, the idea of the autumn hunt scene flashed through his mind again. He suddenly looked at Zhu Cheng and asked, "Which government office will provide the ritual utensils for the heavenly sacrifice, as well as the horses and weapons for the autumn hunt?"

Zhu Cheng naturally knew this question very well, but he did not answer it because he knew that Zhu Zhengfu also knew this question.

As expected, seeing Zhu Cheng's silence, Zhu Zhengfu replied, "The ritual implements for offering sacrifices to heaven have always been managed by the government office of the prefecture. And the horses and weapons for the autumn hunt are generally supplied by the Privy Council."

"Privy Council?" Duan Rong frowned. "Isn't Zhu Peng the Privy Councilor?"

When Zhu Zhengfu saw Duan Rong suddenly mentioned Zhu Peng, he did not respond.

Duan Rong asked again, "During the autumn hunt, is it determined who will use which horse?"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "That's for sure. Hunting in Wuji Mountain also follows etiquette and laws. Civil and military officials, first-rank and second-rank officials, all ride different horses and use different bows and arrows. It's all based on ancient rituals and tiered regulations."

"By grade?" Duan Rong pondered for a moment, then asked, "Then which horse Li Shensi will ride? When will it be decided at the latest?"

After hearing this, Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng both understood clearly that Duan Rong wanted to take action during the autumn hunt.

But they felt that killing Li Shensi in public at such a grand ceremony and in front of so many people was too sensational.

Zhu Zhengfu was silent for a while because he couldn't answer this question.

Duan Rong turned his gaze to Zhu Cheng.

Zhu Cheng shifted his butt on the seat and said, "It can only be finalized the night before the Autumn Hunting Festival."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu Cheng and asked in a deep voice, "I want to know which horse Li Shensi is riding as soon as possible. Can you do it?"

"Yes!" Zhu Cheng's heart tightened slightly, because Duan Rong's gaze at him was full of pressure. "Zhu Peng is the Privy Councilor of the Privy Council. He should be able to access information of this level first."

"That's good." Duan Rong nodded and said, "Give it to me as soon as you get the information."

"Yes!"

In the next few days, Duan Rong stayed in the villa, studying the information about Li Shensi compiled by Zhu Cheng.

Because he was not sure if there would be an opportunity to make a move during the Autumn Hunting Ceremony. What if Li Shensi did not participate in the Autumn Hunting Ceremony at all and directly participated in the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony?

It's entirely possible.

Therefore, if the Autumn Hunting Ceremony fails, he will have to have a second plan immediately.

Duan Rong is quite comfortable in this villa, with a brave man guarding the gate and a beautiful woman adding fragrance to the family.

Five days passed in a flash.

Around 11:00 PM that evening, hurried footsteps were suddenly heard at the gate of the villa.

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng rushed in.

Zhu Zhengfu did not come with them. At dusk, he was called to the mansion yamen by the mansion lord Wang Maochun. Not only him, but many officials were called by Wang Maochun to announce the etiquette and regulations for tomorrow's autumn hunting and heavenly sacrifice ceremony.

The etiquette rules are basically the same every year, but there are often some changes, especially this year. Shangshu Ling Li Shensi and Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun are both participating in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven for the first time, so they are not allowed to handle some of the complicated and difficult etiquette.

If one makes a mistake, not only will one be embarrassed in front of the civil and military officials, but the people of the entire city will be watching around the rooftop.

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng walked in, and Ruyi was changing the teacup for Duan Rong.

Zhu Peng stood at the door, slightly startled, and looked at Ruyi. Ruyi was indeed plump, fair, and full of youthful aura, and indeed tempting.

Zhu Cheng coughed, and Zhu Peng woke up. The two of them knelt down to Duan Rong at the door.

"Your humble servant pays respects to you, sir!"

As soon as Duan Rong saw Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng coming together, he knew that there was definite news about the matter.

Duan Rong glanced at Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, go out first and close the door."

Ruyi knelt down and bowed, saying, "Yes, sir!"

When Ruyi walked over, Zhu Peng was kneeling there, and he couldn't help but look at the slowly moving little feet in the pink flowery shoes.

Ruyi closed the door, and Duan Rongfang said, "My two lords, please get up."

Duan Rong sat down and bowed, letting the two of them take their seats. Then he asked directly, "Has Li Shensi's horse been decided?"

Zhu Peng said: "It's confirmed."

Zhu Peng immediately stood up, pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve, and placed it on the table in front of Duan Rong.

Duan Rong's eyes moved, and he immediately picked up the paper and looked at it carefully.

As soon as he saw what was on the paper, the muscles on his face twitched and he asked, "What are you drawing?"

Zhu Peng immediately leaned over, pointed at the paper, and explained, "Outside is the Privy Council's office, this place is the stable, and next to the stable are the horses prepared for tomorrow's autumn hunt, all of which have been bridled and stirruped. The second horse on the east side with a small red circle is Li Shensi's horse."

Duan Rong looked at the picture in his hand, and after listening to Zhu Peng's explanation, he suddenly felt a little amused and said, "Your painting is too abstract. I really can't tell that this is a painting of a horse."

"What is that thing in front of the stable?" Duan Rong asked, pointing at a twisted and curved object in the picture.

Zhu Peng glanced at the place where Duan Rong pointed and replied, "That is a rockery not far in front of the stable."

Duan Rong was surprised and wanted to laugh when he heard this: "This is a rockery?!"

That's not a mountain at all; it's just a bunch of twisted and chaotic strokes.

Not to mention that Duan Rong's calligraphy and painting skills have far surpassed those of ordinary worldly masters through the devouring of weapon spirits. Even ordinary people would sneer at such calligraphy and painting as children's graffiti.

Zhu Peng smiled awkwardly and said, "I can't draw, so I can only draw a rough outline. This is such a confidential matter, and I can't ask others to do it, so I have to do it myself. Don't laugh at me, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong suppressed the faint smile on his lips.

Zhu Peng drew this rockery to show him the surroundings of the stable. And although the drawing was crude, it still included everything that needed to be depicted.

Duan Rong changed his way of looking at the painting. From the perspective of Zhu Peng's childish brushstrokes, he understood the scenery in the painting one by one.

Duan Rong gently shook the drawing paper in his hand, looked at Zhu Peng and said, "The brushwork of your painting is awful. However, you put a lot of thought into the intention, and it has everything it should have. It's still pretty good!"

When Zhu Peng heard Duan Rong's three-word evaluation of "good", a smile immediately appeared on his face.

After Duan Rong discussed some details with Zhu Peng, he had a basic idea of what was going on. He looked at the two of them and said, "Alright. You can go back first."

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng understood, and they stood up, clasped their fists, and said, "Then we will not disturb your rest, sir."

Duan Rong just nodded lightly, and the two of them retreated.

The two men walked out of the door. Ruyi was waiting outside the door. When she saw them go out, she knelt down and bowed. Zhu Peng glanced at Ruyi's white neck, then hurriedly followed Zhu Cheng in the night.

After the two left, a hint of anger flashed in Ruyi's eyes, and she turned and went back into the room.

When she went in, Duan Rong had already put the paper Zhu Peng had drawn close to him. He glanced at Ruyi and said, "Take a rest."

Ruyi asked happily, "So early tonight?"

Duan Rong said: "Well, I'm a little tired tonight."

Ruyi helped Duan Rong change his clothes and wash his feet until Duan Rong lay down on the bed.

Although Ruyi was only wearing a bellyband and underwear, Duan Rong seemed to be preoccupied. From beginning to end, he did not even look at her. The joy that had just risen in Ruyi's heart was immediately dashed.

Shortly after the lights were turned off, both of them seemed to have fallen asleep.

There was a faint sound of breathing in the darkness.

But Duan Rong just lay on the bed, closed his eyes and rested, and did not really fall asleep.

You must be kidding! Tomorrow is the day of the Autumn Hunt and Heavenly Sacrifice. He hasn't done anything tonight yet, how can he dare to sleep?
Outside, the sound of the night watchman knocking on the clapper board could be heard faintly. Duan Rong lay on the bed with his eyes closed, counting silently.

In the darkness, his eyes suddenly opened, his pupils were focused and bright as stars.

Time has come!

Duan Rong got out of bed lightly and stood there barefoot. He looked at Ruyi in the night, hesitated for a moment, and did not give Ruyi the drug.

He put on his clothes quietly in the dark and rushed out of the room through the window.

After Duan Rong left for a while, a long sigh suddenly sounded in the room.

"My Lord, I have slept with you for several nights, but you never even touch me. Yet you always sneak out in the middle of the night. Are you trying to steal someone else?"

Ruyi lay there. In the night, her face was no longer as pure and gentle as usual. Instead, she smiled evilly. Then her hand slid across her chest and she began to hum in her throat...

Outside, in the dark night.

Duan Rong had already moved like a ghost, moving through the streets and alleys. Now that he had released his spiritual awareness, every detail of the surrounding scenery and people was clearly visible.

At this moment, he was standing in the shadow of an alley, looking at the high wall across the street.

That high wall was the back wall of the Privy Council.

Duan Rong moved his body again, like a flying eagle ghost, and leaped over. When he landed, he was already inside the high wall.

This place is a remote spot behind the wall, where firewood and charcoal are stored.

Duan Rong stepped on his toes again and jumped out of a dilapidated courtyard. Following the direction in Zhu Peng's painting, he headed towards the stables...

(End of this chapter)