The execution room became dark, Xue Bai picked up the scissors and cut off the candle wick.
At some point, he also got blood on his hands.
And with a scream, Liu Hua fainted. Yang Guozhong was very experienced and arranged for his entourage to bring a basin and wash his hands. Then he picked up the offering book and invited Xue Bai to go out with him.
"Sure enough, he is the son of Liu Dinggao. The ordinary mud-legged guy can't even remember the name of the county official. How can he understand this? Oh, but he went from Henan Yin, land and water transfer envoy to right minister, which made him look good."
Although he was sarcastic, Yang Guozhong was actually relieved.
It's good that Liu Hua has this insight. Having insight means that he can handle certain things. What I fear the most are those whose status is so low that they can't even talk about it.
"What? A Bai is scared?"
Seeing Xue Bai's silence, Yang Guozhong asked and said with a smile: "The torture was like this at the beginning. Although Yushitai was a clean place and there were no prisons, Luo Xishi started it. Whoever wants to make progress in these years can't do it." Go and observe the Dali Temple Prison? Just get used to it."
"yes."
"Here, let's interrogate two more."
The two of them entered another torture room, which contained a captured demon thief. He was actually just a young man in his early twenties, but he looked like he was in his forties. Remember the URL m.xswang. la
"What's your name?"
"Liu...Liu Sheng."
This man struggled to speak, and it took him a long time to utter two words.
When Yang Guozhong heard this, he cursed: "Five out of ten demon thieves have this name. Is this your real name?!"
"It was started by Lord Ji.
"Master Ji? Are you talking about Liu Hua?"
Liu Sheng didn't even know this. He hung it there like a piece of wood. After being whipped a few times, he replied: "Ji Zhu is Ji Zhu... give me something to eat."
Give food.
Yang Guozhong took a lot of effort to describe Liu Hua's appearance, but in the end he only got a nod from Liu Sheng.
"It's Master Ji."
"Ji, why are you rebelling?"
Liu Sheng couldn't say anything and was silent, as if he just rebelled without any reason.
Yang Guozhong lost patience and felt that the demon thief's brain was like a piece of wood. He was stupider than the cats and dogs raised by the Yang family. Cats and dogs at least knew how to read people's faces. This demon thief only had a pair of dull, dead fish eyes. There was no emotion in his eyes, which made people angry.
Torture!
Liu Sheng finally stopped being silent and screamed. Unfortunately, he really couldn't answer the questions Yang Guozhong asked.
A soldering iron can easily scorch a person's flesh, but it cannot make a person gain knowledge.
Xue Bai patiently read the confession books that the imperial guards had reviewed before, and found a few useful places for Yang Guozhong to see.
"Henan Prefecture, a native of Yucheng County, a runaway... someone who kills people just for the sake of giving him a piece of cake. It's not easy to put him on trial."
"Hey, if it wasn't for the smell of barbecue, I would have thought it was a piece of wood." Yang Guozhong said helplessly, "Let's go."
Xue Bai looked back again. The demon thief on the torture rack was already dying and would definitely not live for long.
When I walked out of the torture room, I saw that it was almost dark. The interrogation of Liu Sheng took far longer than the interrogation of Liu Hua, and nothing could be asked.
Therefore, someone must be instigating the demon thieves to cause chaos. "Yang Guozhong talked eloquently, "If it weren't for thieves like Liu Dinggao, how could these idiots with no brains rebel? He couldn't even think of rebelling. "
"Brother, do you think so?"
"What if? What do you think?"
"He... looks like a rebel."
Xue Bai observed Liu Sheng carefully. He was very thin, but his eyes were swollen. He must have been hungry for many years. He didn't have enough food, his plasma concentration was insufficient, and the fluid in his blood vessels floated up, which gradually led him to look like that.
Afterwards, no matter how full I ate, the sparkle in my eyes could not be restored, and I looked like a ghost.
To be insensitive is to be a traitor.
Only those bastards who can't live anymore dare to risk their lives and go to Huaqing Palace to die. How many normal people would be like this and commit suicide?
"Haha." Yang Guozhong smiled and agreed: "He really looks like a demon thief."
He felt that Xue Bai was actually not very capable in trying cases and was far inferior to him, the experienced censor Zhongcheng. In addition, seeing what Chen Xuanli meant, Xue Bai seemed a little suspicious.
"Abai has worked hard today. You are injured, but I asked you to help me investigate the case. It is better not to disturb the injury."
After hearing this, Xue Bai coughed heavily due to repeated injuries, and asked Guo Qianli to send someone to help him return to his official residence to rest.
He had already expressed his attitude and was too lazy to accompany Yang Guozhong to continue the investigation. After all, he was not the censor Zhongcheng.
"Cough cough cough cough."
Yang Hao coughed heavily while listening to Yang Guozhong's story.
"In my opinion, it is possible for the saint to trust our Yang family more than...the right minister."
Yang Guozhong rolled his throat. He originally wanted to call Li Linfu "Brother Slave", but in the end he gave up, thinking that there was no need to take advantage of this momentary pleasure.
"The imperial concubine is ignorant and insists on rehearsing a play on the Furong Pond, yet the saint still trusts her so much." Yang Wei didn't understand the reason, but felt a little guilty, "Is it because we are loyal and have nothing to do with this case?"
"Of course!" Yang Guozhong raised his fists to the sky and said, "Who in the court can be more loyal than us?
"you mean?
"By completing this case, how about I put my brother in charge?" Yang Guozhong said, stepped forward, handed over a copied confession, and whispered: "Brother, please see, the demon thief mentioned the right Mutually."
Yang Hao coughed twice more, read the confession, shook his head and said: "There is no way Ge Nu is involved."
"But it can also cause him some discomfort, and we can make another contribution, and the one will disappear and the other will rise."
"It makes sense." Yang Zheng muttered, "Wait until I call Ah Bai to ask?"
"For the time being, it's better for me not to have any contact with him." Yang Guozhong lowered his voice, "Today, I heard what Chen Xuanli said... this matter may involve him.
"Why?"
"One is because of opera, and the other is because of Da Xifu. In recent years, everything that happens in the court has his shadow. In addition, the saint is in a bad mood and his thoughts are unpredictable, so be careful."
"Cough cough cough."
Yang Guozhong added: "I'm not slandering him, but at special times, it's not advisable to have frequent interactions to avoid being caught by interested people. If brother has anything to ask him about, just leave it to me. It doesn't matter to me."
"I know." Yang Hao reminded: "Don't be too pushy and offend others."
"Then I will report to the saint right away."
After Yang Guozhong left, Yang Wei frowned and thought for a long time, but he still called a maid to see Yang Yuyao.
That night, these words reached Xue Bai's ears.
"Actually, what he said makes sense."
"What's the point? In the past, I didn't think that compared to you, his little calculations were too loud."
As long as Yang Yuyao is willing to use his brain to think about things, he can still see clearly. He added: "He advised brother to get less involved with you, but actually he didn't want to make more contributions himself."
"Then let's mingle less. It doesn't matter." Xue Bai said: "Also, in recent years, I have indeed been too active in front of the saints."
"That's what you said."
Yang Yuyao wanted to retort a few words, but thinking of the atmosphere in the palace these days where accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, she decided not to say anything.
Unexpectedly, Xue Bai suddenly took her hand and held it.
Seeing how gentle he was, Yang Yuyao noticed something keenly and asked, "What are you thinking about? Could it be that... you feel that the Sacred Heart is unpredictable and you want to let it go?"
"Not really." Xue Bai said, "There is no better person than the Zhaoying County Captain."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but think of the rebels he saw today, and his enthusiasm for catering to the Holy Will diminished a little.
Yang Yuyao originally wanted to stay with Qinglan tonight, but unfortunately it was not appropriate to keep up with each other in this current situation, so she had to leave reluctantly.
Xue Bai has always been very self-respecting since he started rehearsing, and this night he had inexplicable dreams again and again.
The next day, Xie Aman came over and reminded him: "Don't mess around with Mrs. Guo recently."
"My third sister and I have a pure brother-sister relationship, but there are a lot of slanders." Xue Bai said, "What have you heard?"
"General Gao also asked me for questioning while he was in the confinement area."
As he said that, Xie Aman hesitated, raised his eyes, glanced at Xue Bai, gritted his teeth and said, "I asked about you.
Xue Bai smiled in surprise: "Me? What can I do?"
"I asked about your relationship with the Zhaoying County Magistrate and County Lieutenant. I also asked about your relationship with your consort Zhang Zan and Wei Wei Shaoqing Wang Zhun."
Xue Bai looked carefully into Xie Aman's eyes and found that she was a little uneasy.
She is Yang Yuhuan's disciple. She has a detached attitude and has never been involved in government affairs. To be like this today shows that the atmosphere in the forbidden area must be very tense.
Xue Bai then asked: "Is your concubine... okay?"
Xie Aman did not expect that a person like him would not care about his own future, but asked the imperial concubine first. He couldn't help but be moved and nodded quickly.
The concubine was fine except for bruises from climbing the mountain. The saint also rewarded her with many treasures.
"That's not what I asked."
Xue Bai asked about Yang Yuhuan's situation.
Xie Aman didn't know whether he understood or not. He shook his head and said angrily: "I told you about your business, but you asked the noble concubine."
You'd better be more honest yourself first, and then expect the imperial concubine to ask for credit for you. "
"Okay." Xue Bai asked, "What's wrong with me?"
"I almost forgot what I was talking about when I was interrupted by you. General Gao asked me about your usual interactions with those people. I told the truth. You cheated on me once."
"Thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn't be able to explain it even if it was reasonable."
Xie Aman heard this, glanced at him quickly, lowered his head, pounded the herbs, and said: "Stop saying coaxing words. You stay in peace. No matter how panic-stricken people are outside, your concubine will ensure that nothing happens to you."
Xue Bai clearly just said a polite word, but somehow it turned into coaxing.
"The person you mentioned first is Zhaoying County Magistrate Li Xi? What happened to him?"
"You still have to worry about changing the dressing."
"Did he really say that?"
"Yes, the first thing I asked about was the concubine's situation."
That night, Yang Yuhuan felt a little emotional after hearing Xie Aman's reply.
After the assassination, the saint paid a quick visit to her. After that, he was busy with state affairs, and she didn't even find a chance to ask for credit for Xue Bai. But the saint's special favor for her seemed to still exist, and he relied more and more on the Yang family, and continued to reward her.
The brothers of the Yang family were only concerned about their future and focused on detecting monsters and thieves for the saint. Unexpectedly, only the sworn brother was keenly aware of the subtle changes.
"It's hard to believe that he has good intentions." Yang Yuhuan said, "Go and tell him that there is no need to rush. You have to wait until the matter is over before I can promote him."
"Here."
"Also, after passing the message, don't look at him again."
Xie Aman was stunned, lowered his head, and muttered: "Why?"
"At this time of year, it's always good to be more modest."
After saying that, Yang Yuhuan was worried that Xue Bai did not understand the seriousness of the matter, so he stood up and walked around for a few steps, and finally called Xie Aman closer and whispered: "I asked General Gao, this case involves too much. Already bitten a lot of people..."
July 15th.
Seven days have passed since the major assassination on Qixi Festival.
Xue Bai looked at the healed wound and continued to wrap it, but learned that Yang Guozhong had come to see him.
Yang Guozhong was able to come because of two reasons. If Xue Bai was not about to be promoted, he was in trouble.
"Brother is busy, how can you find time to see me today?"
"Of course I'm concerned about your injury. Look, I brought the best salvia for my brother, your favorite gift."
"Brother made me laugh."
Xue Bai looked around and found that Yang Guozhong looked troubled, so he asked: "But... the case is too involved, brother can't handle it?"
Yang Guozhong did come here for this matter, but he didn't expect Xue Bai to be so direct, so he nodded.
He didn't know where to start. After thinking about it, he first talked about Liu Hua, who was interrogating the two of them together.
"In the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan, there was a severe drought in Huaizhou for three consecutive years. Liu Dinggao took advantage of natural disasters to gather people to rebel and attack Luoyang. Liu Hua was seven years old and was adopted. According to verification, his adoptive father had a son, who was probably The halberd man who entered the Yulin Army under the false name of 'Li Shu', then his adoptive father may have been named Li. In the 26th year of Kaiyuan, his adoptive father should have died, and there was an additional Li Shuo in the Hedong Army. In the same year, Liu Hua arrived in Chang'an. First he was a slave in Nanqu, and then he was purified and entered the palace. He was twenty years old at this time. It would be reasonable to say that this rebellion was planned by these two brothers."
The problem lies here. Yang Guozhong didn't want to make the big thing trivial from the beginning.
Until now, he could only frown and sighed: "But if Liu Hua and Li Shuo can do this, there must be some behind-the-scenes instructions."
"Why?" Xue Bai said: "The rebellion was not well planned. It should be said that it was very unskilled. It doesn't seem like there was a powerful behind-the-scenes instigator."
"No, two ordinary people can't do it." Yang Guozhong said: "There must be someone behind the scenes."
"Brother, who do you suspect?"
"What do you think, Abai?"
If Xue Bai was asked to guess, even if someone helped Liu Hua behind him, they would only be minor officials, no more than fifth rank. Because those with rank 5 or above have the qualifications to discuss with the court, Liu Hua will be reminded that that small crossbow cannot assassinate a saint.
But according to Yang Guozhong's thinking...it must be Wang Fei.
Since Li Linfu cannot be caught and bitten, the king's bird will be bitten first. Coincidentally, Wang Zhun was also involved in this case.
"Could it be Wang Fei?"
"Yes! Ah Bai thinks so too?" Yang Guozhong immediately became excited, "I checked here and there, and I feel that Wang Zhen is the most suspicious. Fahai was recommended by Wang Zhun, and he has been working as a guide in Jifang. How could he be with Wang Zhun? Surely it has nothing to do with it? It must be Wang Fei!"
"Is there any evidence?"
"I originally wanted to look for evidence, but after investigation, the case got bigger and bigger." Yang Guozhong was a little distressed. "You also know that I work for the saint, and I don't play with lies. I handle cases in a real way."
"yes."
"Based on Da Xifu's confession, we captured Zhaoying County Magistrate Li Xi."
"I asked someone to deal with Li Xi in order to get the position of Zhaoyingwei. Is it important?"
"It's such a trivial thing for you." Yang Guozhong pondered and said slowly: "Li Xi said a lot of treacherous things. After that, he couldn't bear the punishment. He knew who the mastermind was behind the scenes, but he would not say anything until he met the saint."
"Did the saint agree to summon him?"
"yes."
Yang Zhongguo was worried. As a result, who Li Xi wanted to testify was out of his control...
"Let's see if the saint believes it or not."
"Can a saint be believed?"
Yang Guozhong wanted to say something else, but a censor quickly walked in and whispered a few words to him, and his expression suddenly changed.
"What?! Really?"
"real."
"Who killed him?"
"I don't know, but when I opened the door and went in, I found that the person was dead."
After exclaiming, Yang Guozhong did not hide anything from Xue Bai and said: "Something happened, something bad happened. Li Xi and Da Xifu are in prison. I said that there is someone behind this case. Now it is a murder and silence." ……..
For a moment, Xue Bai was also a little stunned.
He was not listening to Yang Guozhong, and only had one question in his mind...Does Li Longji believe it or not?
“Abai, Abai.
"Um?
"What are you thinking about? Help me find out the real culprit behind the scenes." Yang Guozhong did not forget to make a promise to Xue Bai, "Look, something is really wrong now, even the Zhaoying County Magistrate is out of luck."
