1007 Killing In The Autumn Wind And Rain Ii (1/2)

When Ning Que found Shangguan Yangyu, this upstart of Tang was toping in the House of Red Sleeves. His characteristic triangular eyes looked even more obscene when blurred. His beard was soaked in liquor and swept on the table like a brush pen. It made him look even more funny and disgusting.

The Tang Empire was undergoing very severe obstacles. Everyone from the Imperial Study to every ministry was running around and staying up all night. He could not understand why Shangguan Yangyu was here. But due to the urgency, he did not bother asking.

Upon seeing him, Shangguan Yangyu became almost sober. He wanted to go to the toilet but did not dare. Instead he asked, ”What are you up to, Mr. Thirteen?”

Ning Que answered, ”I need to kill some people.”

His understatement was like thunder to Shangguan and made him completely sober now. There was a tic in his lower abdomen and he s.h.i.+vered. He felt like he already did his business in the toilet.

The reason for his overreaction was that he clearly knew that whenever Ning Que said that he would kill, he would definitely act on it. Moreover, he was definitely killing someone important and he must have further plans beyond that.

Ever since many years ago, Ning Que had started killing people in Chang'an, including a lot of government officials. Shangguan started to learn about him since then. He pretended to be ignorant at the beginning, and ended up pledging absolute loyalty to him, body and soul.

If Ning Que had not killed the censor Liu Yiqi, there was no way he could have become the governor of Chang'an. To some extent, he was Ning Que's earliest supporter and benefited the most from it. He could never forget those b.l.o.o.d.y moments.

Now that Ning Que had become the most important person in the Tang Empire, even more important than the emperor, he could kill whomever he wanted with no objections from anyone. But why did he come for Shangguan?

Shangguan could not figure out why but became even more humble. Ning Que knew what he was thinking about but did not explain. He looked at Shangguan and asked teasingly, ”So, don't you want to help?”

”How could that be possible?” Shangguan Yangyu seemed solemn and looked around to make sure that no one in the house was paying attention to them. He lowered his voice and answered resolutely, ”Even if you were to ask me to kill someone in the imperial palace, I will definitely follow!”

Ning Que seemed to be satisfied and took him out of the House of Red Sleeves.

Shangguan Yangyu did not dare to say anything further. He grabbed his gown and went out to the street. He became a bit pale perhaps because of the chilly autumn wind and rain.

He was absolutely courageous in the battle years ago and had been promoted rapidly to a Grand Secretary, and ranked in the top five in the imperial court. But he knew clearly that he was only able to receive this position only because Ning Que and the Academy trusted him. Therefore, no matter what the Academy wanted to do, or whom Ning Que wanted to kill, he had to support them. He was not like the Grand Secretary Zeng Jing who could always curse Ning Que without worrying about his position or being killed by the Academy. It was because he had a great daughter. However, Shangguan still could not figure out who Ning Que wanted to kill. Could he be planning to take down another Tang emperor?

The autumn rain pattered continuously and the streets were soaked. When the carriage stopped, Shangguan Yangyu lifted the curtain and found himself not inside the imperial palace. He felt somewhat relieved.

Ning Que took him to a huge but humble courtyard. It was completely silent in the yard and seemed gloomy in the misty rain.

Shangguan Yangyu knew what this courtyard was designed for but was even more confused. If the person he wanted to kill is here, he could just kill him. Why did he drag me here?

Entering the main hall, Ning Que sat on the wooden chair. He took the tea from an official of the Ministry of Penalty and opened the lid. ”The tax advisors from the Ministry of Revenue will arrive soon,” he said.