Chapter 2412 Each has a secret


    In a small courtyard in Chang''an City, it seems that it is no different from an ordinary courtyard, and there are no complicated people coming and going in it on weekdays, which is very ordinary.


    The back wall of this courtyard is the backyard of the Taoist Temple of the Five Gods.


    The Wufang God sect is now the main religion in Guanzhong. Many believers would go to the Taoist temple to burn incense and worship on weekdays, asking for blessings. Therefore, it is separated from this small courtyard by a wall, and it seems to be two worlds.


    This place of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle is the newly established "Youwen Division".


    Although Fei Qian and Cao Cao are in a state of relative confrontation, it does not mean that they are completely separated and cut off communication with each other. Cao Cao needs goods from Fei Qian, and Fei Qian also needs some raw materials and handmade products provided by Cao Cao, so the caravan exchanges between Fei Qian and Cao Cao will naturally mix some people with ulterior motives.


    If you can''t stop the people from Caocha''s side, naturally you can''t stop people from other areas.


    Ordinary passages can only guard against poor and reckless people, but for those who have some preparations, such as checkpoints and passes on the border, most of them are used to guard against objects, but it is difficult to defend against people.


    It’s like in later generations, if you pass the customs with some prohibited items, you will be easily caught, but if you pass the customs with some prohibited thoughts in your head and legal procedures, who can prevent it?


    Kan Ze sat in the main hall, looked at the information in hand, frowned and pondered for a moment, then picked up the long-handled copper spoon beside the table, and lightly tapped the edge of the incense burner, making a crisp knocking sound.


    The attendants outside the door clasped their hands at the door.


    『Notice to go on, ask Chen Caoyu, Wang Junhou, Ma Junhou from the Siwen Office, and Li Shuzuo from the filing office to come and discuss matters. 』


    『I understand...』 The attendant replied and walked out.


    『Huh…』 Kan Ze let out a long breath.


    Kan Ze rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, relieving his slightly tired expression. He tidied up some letters and wooden slips on the desk, drank the remaining half of the tea, put the teacup on the spout of the teapot, and left the main hall with the information just now, heading to the "Taoist Room".


    "Tao Room" is actually a court room on the back wall of the small courtyard that connects the five gods and Taoist temples. Because this "Tao Room" can not only enter from this small courtyard, but also enter from the backyard of the Wufang God Taoist Temple, so it is called that.


    The Youwen Division is directly under the General''s Mansion and is under the leadership of the Secretariat. Of course, the Secretariat is now held concurrently by Pang Tong.


    There is a stone room at the end of the "Tao Room", without windows, as long as the stone door is closed, no outsiders can overhear the conversation inside.


    Kan Ze had a slight headache, but of course he was also a little excited.


    Youwen Division has many responsibilities, but the most important task at the moment is to track down spies, and to track down spies is not to catch one or two people, but to follow the clues and pull out the whole thread.


    Kan Ze didn''t have to wait long, and several people who attended the meeting also arrived at the stone room one after another.


    The few people who participated in the meeting today are generally regarded as the main officials of the Youwen Department. The first one to arrive was Li Shuzuo from the filing office. This is an old man with graying hair, his body is short and his movements are slightly slow. Although the filing office he is in charge of has no operational power, it is also an important department. All meetings, actions, and results in the news department must be archived. If there is any problem, it is convenient to trace the source.


    The filing department is also the department with the smallest number of people, only four people, two assistants, and two assistants. They are basically older, lonely old civil servants who don''t go out on weekdays and basically live in the Youwen Department, so although they move slowly, they come the fastest.


    Following Li Shuzuo are the two military lords of the Wensi Department. The Department of Information is basically an operational force. It is a full-time investigation and information collection, and it is managed by a militarized structure. Although it is said that the Department of Information is not responsible for arrest and trial, it will also take certain measures when necessary. action.


    The last person who came was the deputy of Youwen Division, Chen Caoyu, who was regarded as Kan Ze''s deputy, mainly to compare, discriminate, and analyze the obtained information. This position is relatively boring. What is required of members is not courage, but keen observation and careful thinking. Generally, he does not work in the Youwen Division, but walks outside, so when he came, he came in through the Wufang Taoist Temple.


    After these people sat down, they gave a slight signal and asked the guards to close the door of the stone room from the outside.


    "Everyone, I just received a piece of information..." Kan Ze said while handing the manuscript copy of the piece of information to Chen Caoxuan, who then passed it on to others, "If this piece of information is true...we now I''m facing a big problem..."


    The other four people did not speak immediately, but circulated information. After about one stick of incense, everyone has finished watching, with different expressions.


    『Is the source of this information reliable? ’Wang Junhou frowned and asked, and it was obvious that this was what he cared about the most.


    Kan Ze glanced at Chen Caoxuan.


    Chen Caozhu immediately said: "Reliable." Many officials personally admitted that someone was inquiring about the new warship in Xuanwuchi. This thing is not normal. 』


    Kan Ze nodded and said: "Generally speaking, most people will care about the hottest issues in Qinglong Temple, rather than what new warships are in the Xuanwu Pool..."


    The children of the gentry have despised business and industry for three or four hundred years. Although it has changed slightly now, it is definitely more eye-catching than the scripture annotations of Qinglong Temple.


    Ma Junhou snorted and asked, "In this case, why not arrest all those who asked about the new warship?" 』


    Chen Caoxuan shook his head and said: "These people who come forward to inquire may not all be suspicious. They may ask casually, or they may be instigated by others. If these people are arrested, then the people behind may run away." You Wensi does not have the right to arrest, even if there is, if Kan Ze takes action, it is difficult to guarantee how many useful people will be caught here, and whether there will be fish in troubled waters to plant and frame them.


    Kan Ze knocked on the table and said: "Catching one or two may be meritorious, but it is useless!" What we have to do is to catch the whole line and catch the most important people, not these exposed fools. And I suspect that there is more than one spy... If you want to do something, you must catch them all, otherwise there will still be hidden dangers in the future. 』


    Li Shuzuo sat at the side, silent and silent, but kept recording the speeches of each person.


    Ma Junhou scratched the back of his head and said: "If it is an ordinary utensil...but this is a warship, and the surroundings of the Xuanwu Pool are under surveillance, the soldiers are strictly guarded, and the craftsmen in charge of the production are all under control and rarely go out...this Even if the spies want to steal it, are they afraid they won''t be able to do it? 』


    Chen Caoxuan glanced at Ma Junhou, "Don''t forget about Tongguan..."


    Ma Junhou took a deep breath, coughed twice, and then stopped talking.


    The rest of the people also fell into silence when they heard this sentence.


    The espionage incident that happened in Tongguan is a case linked to the Department of Information, and several people present have seen it. If General Hussars hadn''t arrived in Tongguan at that time, personally investigated and arrested the hidden spies, Tongguan would have been in chaos!


    Yes, the spies in Tongguan were wiped out, but what about other areas?


    How many people are hiding in the dark?


    Kan Ze knocked on the table again, "Warships cannot be stolen...but blueprints can be stolen, and besides... there are models..."


    Everyone was taken aback for a moment, and then suddenly realized. That''s right, the warship is so big, it is impossible to steal it except for the blueprint, but before the warship is made, there must be a ship model.


    『The only ones who can enter and leave the Xuanwuchi dock at will are craftsmen and soldiers. Kan Ze concluded, "So the current work is two aspects. On the one hand, continue to sort out the residences of foreigners and their related personnel affairs. This matter is in charge of Ma Junhou, and on the other hand, keep an eye on the storage ship. Where there are models, find out how many craftsmen and soldiers have access to blueprints and ship models, this is in charge of Wang Junhou...』


    『What questions do you two have? ’ Kan Ze asked.


    The two armies looked at each other, and then Ma Junhou said: "I''m afraid that there is a shortage of manpower. I wonder if I can add some manpower to help?" 』


    Kan Ze glanced at Ma Junhou, "Yes. If you need to add someone, submit the list to Chen Caoxuan. How about you, Wang Junhou? 』


    『Me? ”Wang Junhou pondered for a while, and said, “My side is generally enough, and there is no need to increase manpower for the time being. 』


    Kan Ze nodded, "That''s it, the meeting is over. After signing, let''s go to work! 』


    Everyone stood up, and then signed and marked Li Shuzuo''s meeting file. Kan Ze looked at the record written by Shuzuo, there was no discrepancy, so he also signed his name and pulled the rope beside the door, which rang the bell outside the door. Then the guards opened the stone door, and everyone filed out.


    …(*–-)…


    At the same time, twenty or thirty miles away from Tongguan, a man was walking slowly on the official road with a large package on his back. This person has a bad complexion, and there is a large black spot on the left side of his face. His body is a little hunched, he wears a straw sun hat on his head, and a gourd is hung around his waist. Holding a wooden stick, he walked forward step by step.


    But not long after, there were some sounds of carriages and horses coming from behind this person, and then some smoke and dust gradually rose.


    A group of caravans came from the rear, and the carts carrying goods were covered with felt cloth and tied with some thick hemp rope.


    The man waved at the caravan and shouted, "Can we take a ride?" I pay for the car! 』


    A man who looked like a caravan leader came over, "Where are you going?" 』


    『Tongguan! 』


    『Fifteen coins! 』


    『It’s only a little over 20 li with a single person and no goods. How about five dollars? 』


    『Then go over by yourself! 』


    『Eight coins! I pay eight dollars! 』


    『At least twelve! 』


    『Ten coins! Up to ten dollars! Or I''ll go by myself! 』


    The caravan leader frowned, rolled his eyes, and said, "Okay! Ten money! Pay first and take the last one. 』


    The caravan has guards, not only to transport goods along the way, but also generally willing to charge money to set up a few people, anyway, it is extra income.


    This person waits until the last car.


    The last cart is a flatbed cart, pulled by a mule, and the cart is loaded with fodder for livestock. He stopped the car with the handlebars, and then stretched out his hand to pull the man onto the car board, and then waved the whip to let the mule continue to move forward.


    『What’s your name? Where are you from? ’ the handlebar asked.


    『My name is Qin An, from Heluo. ’ The man answered briefly, perhaps because of the fatigue of the long journey.


    『What do you do? Where are you going? ’The handlebar asked again.


    『The family suffered a disaster and couldn’t survive... Chang’an has my third uncle, and I want to visit relatives...』


    『Oh, that’s it, it’s actually good to go to Chang’an...』 The handlebar type obviously had no one to talk to all the way, and he was very depressed, and no matter what the person answered, he just kept chattering.


    Amidst the gossip, Tongguan is in front of you.


    The man looked up at Tongguan, his face was under the shadow of the straw hat, and he didn''t know what his expression was.


    The reconstruction of Tongguan is basically over. Although there is still a little tail, the new Tongguan, which combines soil and cement, is the leader of the current pass and the nightmare of all the generals.


    "get off! get off! Ready for unloading inspection! Hurry up! ’ The caravan leader shouted all the way over, and then glanced at the man, ‘Tongguan is here! Go through it yourself! 』


    Qin An nodded, greeted the handlebars, got out of the car, and walked over to the pedestrian checkpoint on the other side.


    At Tongguan, ordinary pedestrians and commercial convoys are separated.


    『Line up! Everything is in hand! ’ shouted the soldiers at the checkpoint.


    Qin An lowered his head, and then took out the wooden slip of the past.


    The flow of people moved forward slowly.


    "that! right! you! come over! Hats off! Take it here! Open the package! ”The soldier took the office, checked the information written on it, and said to Qin An, “Where did it come from? Where are you going? 』


    Qin An handed over the certificate, "I come from Heluo, and I''m going to Chang''an to visit relatives." 』


    The soldiers looked up and down, told him to stand up with his hands outstretched, and then began to search his body to check whether there were any prohibited items on his body. Qin An''s package was also opened and spread out on the ground. Another soldier stabbed it with the wooden handle of his spear, and saw that there were only some old clothes, a small bag of dry food, a bundle of felt blankets and a hatchet inside. The **** looked through it a little, but saw nothing unusual.


    The soldier who searched found a money bag from Qin An''s body, opened it to look, and unexpectedly, the soldier didn''t take the money inside, but took out one to look at, and rubbed the money bag again. Cloth, he threw the money back again, tied it up, and threw it to Qin An, picked up the gourd on Qin An''s body, knocked on the gourd, shook it twice, opened the gourd stopper, smelled it, and raised it. Eyebrows, "wine? 』


    Qin An apologized with a smile and said, "I''m afraid I''ll be stuck on the road, so I''ll take a drink... If the military master wants to..."


    The soldier snorted, put the plug back on, and threw it to Qin An, "Let''s go! 』


    Qin An took the gourd, and then repacked the package on the ground, carried it behind his back, and then waved his hand towards the caravan on the other side, as if saying goodbye, and walked forward.


    The **** here turned his head and seemed to have exchanged glances with the **** over there...


    Qin An stepped forward, put on the straw hat again, and covered his face under the hat.


    What a hassle!


    Not greedy for money, not greedy for alcohol...


    Vigilance is very high...


    Even because he was waving at the caravan, he paid attention, and strengthened the inspection over there...


    This, really...


    It''s a headache.


    Qin An walked along the five-mile long section of Tongguan, searching left and right with his eyes, seemingly unconsciously curious, or looking for something.


    There is a height difference between the pass and the Tongguan New City. Most of the caravans coming from Heluo will not go directly to Tongguan New City. The goods are transported to the plateau, then pulled up by the crane, and then taken over by the transfer convoy from Tongguan to Chang''an. This is obviously more cost-effective. And convenient. Therefore, if there is a caravan transported to Chang''an from the beginning to the end, it will be particularly eye-catching.


    In this way, even if you pretend to be a caravan, it will be very troublesome to sneak into Chang''an...


    Let’s not talk about Chang’an, it’s easy to enter the Tongguan checkpoint, and a gate, but it’s very difficult to sneak into Tongguan New City for convoys and so on.


    I heard that Shanjin and other ferries also use this mode of replacement and transshipment. Well, I don’t know how it is at Wuguan...


    The defense is indeed strict.


    Qin An was thinking while walking slowly.


    Didn''t see the logo...


    Is everyone in Tongguan gone?


    Suddenly, Qin An seemed to see something, and stopped slightly.


    Qin An looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to him, so he pretended to have a stomachache, bent over, and instead of going directly into Tongguan New City, he went to the small woods in the plateau beside him.


    After entering the woods, Qin An looked at the people behind who hadn''t followed, then suddenly straightened his back and returned to a normal figure. He quickly searched left and right in the small forest with his head down, and quickly ran under one of the trees, squatting down at the root of the tree to look for something...


    Soon, he pulled out a wooden box from the root of the tree, opened the wooden box, and tore off the oiled paper used to wrap it, revealing a brocade robe, matching middle coat and belt , boots, a purse with some money in the corner, a fan and a small piece of jade with a red string beside it.


    Qin An smiled softly in satisfaction.


    Qin An quickly took off his clothes, then took off the gourd on his body, took another old clothes and wet it, and wiped vigorously on his face and neck. Soon, the color on Qin An''s face began to fade, and even the dark spots on his face began to fade. After rubbing it a few times, the original fairer skin was revealed.


    Qin An put on new clothes, took out the hatchet inside the package, removed the handle, and pulled out another hidden paper pass, then put it in his bosom, put the old clothes and all All the sundries were stuffed back into the wooden box and buried in the ground again. Finally, I washed my hands with the wine in the gourd and threw the gourd far away.


    After all these things were done, Qin An looked around and left the grove, heading towards Tongguan New City. At this moment, Qin An is no longer like a relative who is on his way, but like a son of a poor family.


    In Tongguan New City, there are basically military equipment and barracks, bazaars, ordinary people’s residences, and post stations are all built on the plateau, relying on Tongguan New City.


    Passing through the customs clearance new city, you can enter Chang''an Sanfu.


    Qin An didn''t go directly into Tongguan New Town, but walked slowly, shaking his fan.


    Before arriving at the station, Qin An took a look and walked in.


    『Do you want to stay? ’ Seeing that Qin An was dressed neatly, the old soldier guarding the posthouse brought him a bowl of syrup and asked casually, ‘Where did you come from, Mr. Lang? 』


    『The amount is Guanzhongdi...I went to Hongnong to visit friends a few days ago...I can’t walk. Is there any vacancy? Take a break, and come back in a few days... to see the peach blossoms again..." At this time, Qin An had already picked up some Guanzhong accent.


    『Looking at the peach blossoms, it’s a bit late! But there are still some..." The old man laughed, "There are twenty rents, and fifty drops, which one do you want, sir?" What happened? Please register for the old man... Yo, your surname is Wei... I don''t know what to do with that...』


    "Qin An" who has changed his surname to "Wei" smiled reservedly, as if an old soldier had seen through his secret...


    (end of this chapter)