Guangdefang.
It snowed at night, and an entourage carrying a lantern led a young man through the long street. He stopped in front of the majestic gate and saw the familiar "Jingzhao Mansion" plaque hanging above.
Today's rebellion took place in Guangdefang, where Wang Fei was also detained, so it was heavily guarded and gave off a cold and murderous atmosphere.
"Who is coming?"
"I, I am the staff member of Chang'an County Lieutenant Xue Bai, my surname is Du Mingqi."
As soon as the visitor spoke, he broke the solemn feeling and continued to say in his dazed state: "Xue County Lieutenant is coming to inquire about the case, and I, the staff, have also been summoned to take notes. The weather is really cold. Oh, this It’s my curfew walking paperwork.”
"Mr. Du, does he look familiar?"
"Eh, Niushuan? Tian Da? It's me, Du Wulang. When my family 'claimed prophecies', you were the ones who took me from Chang'an County Government to Jingzhao Mansion. I escaped on the way, remember?"
"this……"
"Don't remember? Niushuan, you also ordered soup cakes for me to eat. I ran away at that time, which hurt you, right? But you are not officers of Chang'an County? Why are you here in Jingzhao Mansion?"
"Remember, Wu Lang, please lower your voice." Niu Shuan lowered his voice and said, "We are dealing with a major rebellion case. The villain was transferred by the county captain to guard Jingzhao Mansion."
Du Wulang understood, followed them into the government office, and asked in a low voice: "Isn't Wang Jingzhao Yin? He has already rebelled, how can he still be imprisoned in Jingzhao Mansion?"
"Young people don't know this kind of thing."
"Oh, I understand. Let's see if anyone can let him escape."
Niu Shuan admired him and said: "It turns out that Wu Lang is so smart. By the way, the villain made a big mistake back then and kicked Wu Lang on the butt. Master Wu Lang has a lot of people. Can you spare the villain?"
"It's okay, it's okay, I don't even remember this." Du Wulang turned around and saw a group of officials standing in front of the court, and couldn't help but ask: "What are they doing?"
"It's Jingzhao Shaoyin and Liu Cao who have joined the army and are waiting for the right prime minister to come to ask questions. I heard that Wang Xian is very powerful and always appoints trusted staff to do things. He has always distrusted these officials, but this time it turned out to be a good thing."
"Even if you don't make progress, there are advantages." Du Wulang asked: "But Wang Xi is Jingzhao Yin. It is impossible that he has no trusted officials in Jingzhao Mansion, right?"
"Of course, who in Jingzhao Mansion is not worried right now? They are all afraid of being regarded as traitors."
"Hey, I know a lot of people, I'll go say hello."
Du Wulang did not join in the fun with the officials. Instead, he walked to Jingzhao Prison and waved to several wardens from a distance.
"Everyone, I'm not here to go to jail today, but to try the case."
"Isn't this Wu Lang? You are the most prominent person in our prison..."
When the conversation took place, deep in the Jingzhao Mansion prison behind them, Xing Wei was sitting in the dark biting his fingers, looking very anxious.
In his mind, he recalled everything that had happened over the years, from when his grandfather conspired with An Lushan to commit murder and rob wealth, to when Liu Luogu stayed in Chang'an and used Zoroastrian teachings to instigate Wang Wen to cultivate dead men, and then to Wang Wen Gradually out of control, they simply provoked Wang Weng to rebel in order to get rid of him.
"Why did he suddenly retreat after attacking the imperial city? If he wanted to retreat, why would Liu Luogu send people to shoot Chen Zhixun and attack the imperial city? Wouldn't it be easier to expose the prince?"
Xing Yi thought for a long time and felt more and more that something was wrong.
Finally, an idea flashed in his mind, and he felt that Liu Luogu sent people here deliberately to lead the rebellion to Anlu Mountain.
We need to know what happened to Liu Luogu.
There was a firelight in the corridor, and two wardens came over with shackles and said: "It's time to go to the torture chamber. You won't have a hard time tonight."
"I know how to do it." Xing Wei was still chewing his fingers and said, "But I was wronged. There is a conspiracy in this matter, there is a conspiracy..."
~~
At the same time, teams of Jinwu Guards rushed to the gate of Jingzhao Mansion, lined up and stood still.
Jingzhao Shao Yin Zhangheng rubbed his hands and saw a group of purple- and red-robed officials dismounting under the bright lights. The scene was very spectacular.
He hurriedly led a group of officials over and said with a salute: "I have seen your right prime minister, please be well!"
Li Linfu's face was cold, he raised his hand and pointed at the Jinwu guard beside him, and asked: "If it weren't for the strict protection of the prime minister, he might have been killed by Wang Wen today?"
"Wang Heng deserves to die." Zhang Heng immediately expressed his position and drew a clear line with Wang He, saying: "Wang He is also involved in treason and should be punished!"
"Interrogation overnight."
Zhang Heng was a little nervous and hurriedly raised his hand to ask Li Linfu to go to the court.
As a crowd of people filed in, the officials of the Jingzhao Mansion took a sneak peek and saw both purple and red robes behind the Prime Minister. The most conspicuous among them was a young and handsome official wearing a green robe walking in front, as if to assist. The deputy to the right prime minister on the case.
"Xue Lang."
Xue Bai, who was dressed in a green robe, was walking beside Li Linfu. When he turned around to look, he saw Pei Chen, Cao's military officer in the Jingzhao Prefecture, standing there and bowing.
He then stopped and exchanged a few words with Pei Chen in front of everyone's attention.
"Brother Pei, I haven't seen you for a long time. How is Mr. Pei?"
"My grandfather has retired from office. He can retire safely, thanks to Xue Lang." Pei Chen said with emotion, "Xue Lang has just returned to Chang'an, and he is going to be promoted again?"
"It just so happens that I can do something for the imperial court."
Xue Bai and Pei Chen have known each other for more than two years. He has gone from Bai Shen to Chang'an Wei, but the other party is still a Cang Cao joining the army. Since he had the opportunity to chat tonight, he suddenly wanted to win over.
But I wonder if, with his current status, he is qualified to win over a child of the Pei family who is famous for his love?
…
Over there, Li Linfu entered the court, looked back at Xue Bai, and whispered to himself: "There is still time to chat."
As the prime minister of the current dynasty, even an unintentional remark may be interpreted by someone as someone who is dissatisfied with Xue Bai, but he still said it to himself.
"Right Prime Minister, please take your seat."
"I'm actually old and frail." Li Linfu waved his hand and said, "Shiro, come and judge the case on my father's behalf."
Li Xiu was standing behind Li Linfu. Hearing this, he was stunned and did not react.
His grandfather's obsession with power has reached the point where he doesn't want to share it with anyone. This is the first time he has shown his intention to cultivate his son's abilities.
"Grandpa?"
"Let me ask you questions on my behalf," Li Linfu said.
He told Li Xiu the saint's thoughts on the way here, and sat down directly above him, closing his eyes and meditating.
Li Xiu was greatly excited. He stood behind Li Linfu and made arrangements. He invited Xiao Yinzhi, the Minister of Punishment, Li Daosui, the Minister of Dali Temple, and Yuan Siyi, the eunuch sent by the palace to supervise the matter, to take their seats.
Soon I encountered another problem, thinking about how to arrange Xue Bai's seats.
After much deliberation, he decided that since Xue Bai was the investigating officer appointed by the sage, he arranged for him to sit next to Li Daosui, which was further forward than Jingzhao Shaoyin Zhangheng and Chang'an County Magistrate Jia Jilin.
This was obviously not appropriate, but no one raised any objections except Li Linfu who shook his head slightly.
Li Xiu originally had the demeanor of a child of aristocratic families, but when he saw his father's dissatisfied expressions one after another, he became nervous. Looking at Li Linfu's face, he slowly said: "Bring Wang Xing to trial... No, Xing Wei will be brought to trial first."
"Here."
Li Xiu took two deep breaths, considered the words to be used during the interrogation, and gradually calmed down.
He is ready.
However, I saw several officers running back in a hurry, saying: "Right Prime Minister, something is wrong!"
"What's the matter?"
"Xing Wei...Xing Wei is dead."
"What?"
Suddenly, Li Xiu was caught off guard. He was stunned for a while and opened his mouth to speak.
"Go and see the truth yourself." Li Linfu had already stood up.
A group of guards from the Prime Minister's Mansion rushed over, leaving only Li Xiu who was still hesitant to speak.
~~
The light of the torch dispelled the darkness, and blood could be seen flowing out from the gaps between the gray bricks.
Xing Wei was hung on the torture rack, his body hanging down weakly, and his throat had been slit.
"what happened?!"
"Reporting to the right minister, the villains tied him up in the torture chamber and left. It should be... someone should have come in and gave him a knife."
"Check." Li Xiu stepped forward and said, "Call all the officers for questioning. I want to know who has been to the torture chamber!"
Following these words, Li Linfu turned around and glanced at him lightly.
Seeing this, Zhang Heng hurriedly stepped forward and reported: "Right Prime Minister, this must have been done by Wang Zhi's accomplices in Jingzhao Mansion. Why not capture them and interrogate them one by one?"
"Is this person Wang Fei's confidant?"
"I would like to ask you to report this to your right minister privately..."
At this moment, someone suddenly said: "If it is really Wang Xian's party who did it, Wang Xian should be saved or even killed. Why did he attack Xing Wei?"
Everyone turned around and saw that it was Xue Bai who was speaking.
Most of the officials present were biased in their own interests, but only Xue Bai seemed to be impartial and enforce the law impartially.
"What does Lieutenant Xue mean?"
"Wang Wen and Xing Wei have rebelled openly and openly. What are you trying to hide by killing Xing Wei at this time? In my opinion, there is only one purpose, that is, someone is trying to cover up the evidence of An Lushan's involvement in the whole thing..."
"That's enough!" Li Linfu scolded, "Stop talking nonsense!"
"I was in the Zhang Mansion and saw with my own eyes Liu Luogu, An Lushan's tribute envoy who had stayed in Chang'an, rioted; I was in Yanshi and saw with my own eyes the Gao family brothers buying up the Henan government. How can I be lying? Today we are just staring at ourselves. The captured Wang Fei didn’t care that Anlu Mountain, which was guarding Fan Yang, was more dangerous, so what’s the point?”
Public disputes between officials often occurred, but Li Linfu was a high-ranking official, and arguing with minor officials would damage his prestige.
So he calmly said in a tone of lecturing a junior: "Shu is ignorant and has no evidence, so you can't slander the general of Bianzhen."
Xue Bai looked at Cui Youfu and said: "Cui County Lieutenant, you and I talked today and said that taking Xingyi would provide evidence of An Lushan's rebellion. But at this time, he died. What do you think?"
Cui Youfu was a little embarrassed, but after thinking for a moment, he still crossed his hands and saluted, and said solemnly: "I think An Lushan is indeed suspicious."
"Check it."
Xue Bai was very determined and said: "I want to ask all the officers of Jingzhao Mansion, but the right minister wants to stop me?"
Li Linfu stared at Xue Bai with intimidating eyes and said slowly: "You'd better find out the truth and don't betray the trust of the saint."
He was reminding him that saints don't like to publicize treason cases.
"Thank you for your trust."
"Xing Yi's death was handed over to Chang'an County Lieutenant Xue Bai for investigation." Li Linfu said, "Continue to interrogate the king."
After that, he walked away and went to take Wang Fei's confession.
He knew that it was probably An Lushan's people who silenced him, but not for rebellion, but to prevent Li Heng from ascending the throne in preparation.
Xue Bai wanted to check, but couldn't find it.
~~
"I'll do an autopsy first, and then I'll question them one by one."
"Here."
"Lieutenant Xue County, Mr. Du is here."
"Um."
Du Wulang walked into the execution room, closed the door, leaned into Xue Bai's ear, and asked, "No one can eavesdrop, right?"
Xue Bai was looking at the wound on Xing Wei's neck and said, "Don't worry."
"That's good, it scared me to death."
Du Wulang bowed to Xing Wei, closed his eyes, and said silently in his heart: "Brother, please forgive me, although I have killed you, but you committed the crime of treason and were already dead. If you're happy, don't blame me."
Xue Bai didn't know what he was thinking about and asked, "Has the arrangement been made?"
"Well, there is a warden in Jingzhao Prison who I am familiar with. He was fawning over Wang Hu a while ago. When I was scared, I told him that Chen Xuanli wanted to interrogate who the enemy was, and asked him to let Diao Bing in to interrogate Xing. Hey, Diao Bing was killed with one strike."
"Where are the others?"
"Sent away."
"What about the warden?"
"I was frightened when I found out that Xing Wei was dead, but I calmed down."
"You call him in, and I'll arrange a way out for him."
"Okay." Du Wulang said, "But I really don't understand what you are doing."
"Political achievements, political achievements of countering rebellion." Xue Bai answered, accidentally seeing Du Wulang's doubtful eyes, and then he was silent for a moment and said, "I want to try to prevent a big rebellion."
"Stop a major rebellion?"
"At least remind the court that An Lushan is going to rebel."
"Is he really going to rebel?"
"You don't believe it either?"
"Then I am different after all." Du Wulang muttered: "I know that many things are framed by you. As for the others, the generals are a bit crazy, and they are barbarians and do not understand the rules."
Xue Bai smiled and said casually: "Then just think that I want to step on Fatty An and climb up."
"Hey, aren't I analyzing this? I didn't say I didn't believe you. Of course I believe you."
"Let's investigate the case."
"Okay, let's find out how Xing Wei was silenced by the people in Anlu Mountain."
~~
The next day, it was getting brighter.
Li Linfu had a light sleep at night. When he woke up, he still held a token in his hand, which read "Zuo Qianniu Guards Cao Shen Military Liu Luogu".
According to Wang Xian's account, Wang Xian was bewitched by Xing Yi and often used words such as worshiping fire and the god of light in Zoroastrian teachings to shake people's hearts. However, he knew that Anlu Mountain, where the Sogdians were born, was a Zoroastrian believer. Therefore, After learning that Xue Bai had reported to the Gao brothers, he began to doubt An Lushan and asked Xue Bai for the token.
Xue Bai admitted this matter, but he said that Gao Shang fell with Gongsun's wife. He didn't know what it was, and he didn't know why Wang Fei wanted to go.
So, it was only Li Linfu's thought to convict Wang He of colluding with Liu Luogu, or to judge that Wang He was really innocent.
But no matter which choice he made, he was not satisfied. Originally, he just wanted to watch the two tigers Wang Fei and Yang Guozhong fight, and one of them would be injured. However, because Xue Bai made trouble, the fire burned An Lushan instead.
"Did Xue Bai find out the murderer of Xing Wei?"
"Back to Prime Minister, not yet."
"Enter the palace, I want to report to the saint the results of last night's investigation."
Li Linfu decided to get in front of Xue Bai and give the saint a preconceived impression.
This case has become a game in which Xue Bai criticizes An Lushan and he must protect Lushan. What he competes for is the saint's trust.
It was absurd for a dignified prime minister to play chess with a small official, but being able to play against a young man cheered up Li Linfu, and he regained the strong spirit of a cockfighter.
…
After arriving at Xingqing Palace, Li Linfu was summoned by the saint without waiting for long.
If there is a morning court, this is the time when the morning court is about to end. Li Longji rarely meets with his ministers at this time, so Li Linfu was a little surprised today.
He thought to himself that the saint was probably thinking about Wang Wen's conspiracy and was worried about being involved in An Lushan, so he couldn't sleep all night. No wonder he asked Xue Bai to investigate the case together.
However, when Li Linfu arrived at Chenxiang Pavilion, he saw Li Longji wearing a Taoist robe and sitting cross-legged in the pavilion meditating with a peaceful face.
There is another old Taoist priest meditating in the pavilion, it is Li Xiazhou.
"Saint, saint?"
Gao Lishi stepped forward cautiously and called twice before Li Longji opened his eyes, and then laughed twice.
"good!"
Li Xiazhou heard the movement and opened his eyes. Although he was beside the king, his eyes were calm and he had the demeanor of a master.
Li Longji did not ask Li Linfu to come forward immediately, but talked with Li Yazhou about the gains from meditation.
"I followed the Taoist Master's twelve meditation methods and sat there all night, and I felt really refreshed."
"The saint is too wise and wise. However, being too smart can cause great damage to the mind." Li Xiazhou did not take credit, but said humbly, "If you have difficulty falling asleep at night, you can also rest your mind by meditating."
Li Longji deeply agreed, nodded, and sighed: "As the Taoist Master said."
He glanced at Li Linfu who was waiting outside the pavilion. He originally planned to deal with state affairs, but first asked Li Xiazhou a question he had asked last night.
"The Taoist priest said... is the Xingyang bag really useful?"
"If the saint can follow Pindao's advice, practice breathing exercises every day, and then go into the furnace to fight after three or twenty-one days, he will definitely see the effect."
"Taoist Master, please don't deceive me." Li Longji smiled.
Li Xiazhou shook his head, not afraid of Li Longji's identity at all, and said in a cold tone: "The saint would rather believe in the Zoroastrian rebels than the poor Taoist. The saint is sixty and six years old, and he still wants quick results, and the poor Taoist can't Ke Shi, resign."
He actually got up and left.
Li Longji was not annoyed. Looking at his figure, he stroked his long beard and nodded.
Only then did Li Linfu come forward.
"How's the investigation going, Juro?"
"Go back to the saint." Li Linfu lowered his head and muttered: "Wang Zhe claimed not to know anything about it, and in order to alleviate Wang Weld's crime, he wanted to blame An Lushan for treason, claiming that An Lushan left it in Chang'an. The tribute envoy Liu Luogu encouraged Wang Wean..."
"What's the reality?"
"I think it is true that Wang Xie did not know about Wang Xie's rebellion. However, Wang Xie was deeply protective of his younger brother. In order to cover up Wang Xie's crimes, he sent people to kill Wei Hui and Ren Haichuan, and later ordered people to kill Liu Luogu and Liu Luogu. Xing Wei, and forged evidence that Liu Luogu was the mastermind, which is also a fact."
"He did it?"
"No," Li Linfu said, "I haven't found any evidence yet, but based on my understanding of Wang Fei, I dare to make a conclusion."
"So, what Xue Bai said is untrue?"
"What Xue Bai said may be what he saw, but what he saw may not be true."
"The King." Li Longji sighed, and after pondering for a while, he slowly said: "Death."
"I obey the order."
Li Longji raised his head, looking a little pitiful, and said: "You recommend someone to take care of the king's errands."
Li Linfu breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had won.
Getting rid of Wang Fei and severely defeating Yang Guozhong was exactly the result he wanted from the beginning.
It was easy for him to win because he knew the saint better than Xue Bai. He didn't need to find evidence, he just had to get the verdict in front of Xue Bai and the game would be over.
When he realized that the saint was afraid of trouble, he put all the blame on Wang Zhi alone. This was the best result and the result that the saint was most willing to believe.
~~
The next day.
Li Longji sat upright in Nanxun Hall, vomiting and patting his thighs with his palms.
"Sage, Xue Bai wants to see you."
"What's the matter?"
"It is said that he has come to restore life."
Li Longji stopped what he was doing, exhaled a sigh of relief, and said, "Shuzi didn't speak. I already know what he was going to say. It was just that Hu'er ordered people to kill Xing Wei. They were all sensational remarks."
Gao Lishi said: "Yes, the sage understands him. He speaks frankly and does not just choose good things to say."
"How can there be so many bad things?" Li Longji said, "You are so young that you don't even know how to be a gunman, so it bothers me. I am already under twenty and my life is boring... I don't see him."
Gao Lishi felt that the saint was unhappy because of his remonstrance just now, so he did not dare to say more and quickly accepted the order.
Li Longji wanted to practice the technique again, but he was not satisfied with the effect in the end, so he ordered: "Summon Daoist Priest Li into the palace."
Recently, he would rather see Taoist priests than ministers, especially those ministers who cause trouble for him.
He himself was aware of this, but because of Wang Welding's incident, he was in a really bad mood, so he allowed himself to do whatever he wanted for a while.
"Summon Daoist Li into the palace."
Gao Lishi passed the order and ordered Wu Huaishi to invite Li Xiazhou.
~~
Wu Huaishi received the edict and went out of the palace gate, only to see Xue Bai still waiting there.
"Xue Lang has already made great achievements, why bother to make the saint unhappy again?"
"this……"
Hearing this, Xue Bai smiled bitterly and saluted, "Thank you, General Wu, for your advice. By the way, where is General Wu going?"
"Go and invite Daochang Li into the palace."
Xue Bai was stunned, sighed slightly, and said to himself: "An Lushan really wants to rebel, but the saint still has the heart to practice Taoism."
Wu Huaishi and the servants behind him just pretended not to hear these words, said goodbye to Xue Bai, and went to Xuandu to watch.
When they arrived at Xuandu Temple, they called the Taoist boy and asked, "Where is Taoist Master Li?"
"Uncle Master is meditating. Pindao will go and invite him right away."
"It's up to me to ask Director Li to lead the way."
"General Wu please."
When he reached the bell tower, Wu Huaishi looked up and saw Li Xiazhou standing on the bell tower. He couldn't help but said with joy: "Master Li, the saint has spoken and asked you to come to the palace to see me."
Li Xiazhou shook his head and said: "What's the use of a poor Taoist entering the palace again?!"
"Taoist priest?"
"Hu'er is domineering and the whole world is worried. Only the saint refuses to wake up. It's better for the poor to leave!"
"Taoist Master, you..."
Wu Huaishi was greatly surprised and wondered why Li Xiazhou suddenly made such wild remarks.
While they were still in a daze, they heard a burst of laughter. Li Xiazhou took out a pen and wrote on the big clock.
"Taoist Master."
Wu Huaishi then hurried to the bell tower with his servants.
After stepping on the stone steps, he finally climbed up to the bell tower. When he looked around, he found that Li Xiazhou was no longer there.
"Where are the people?"
"The Taoist priest flew away!"
Wu Huaishi ran to the bell tower and took a look, only to see a thin figure wearing a Taoist robe floating on the ridge of the roof in the distance.
He couldn't help but be stunned, wondering how Li Xiaozhou could go so far in such a short time.
After that, he remembered turning around to read the poem inscribed on the bronze bell. When he saw it, he was so frightened that he almost lost his mind.
The writing on the bronze bell is clear, but it contains four prophecies.
"The Yuyang and the drums passed through Tongguan. On this day, the king was lucky enough to visit Jianshan."
"If Mu Yi encounters a ghost under the mountain, he will bury the golden ring here."
~~
Over there, Xue Bai left Xingqing Palace and went to Chang'an County Government.
Before arriving at the county government office, I could already see a person pacing back and forth at the gate of the county government office, looking worried.
There was a clear smile in Xue Bai's eyes, and there was no trace of the worry he had when he was outside the palace gate.
"Abai!"
Ahead, Yang Guozhong turned around and saw Xue Bai, speaking enthusiastically.
"Brother, why are you here today?"
"Of course I'm here to support you! I've been thinking recently that A Bai is right about many things. Hu'er must be behind Wang Wen's conspiracy."
Xue Bai smiled and said nothing, he knew why Yang Guozhong came.
"Brother, how about we come to Wei's house to talk?"
"Okay! It's time for you and me to have a talk." Yang Guozhong said.
Xue Bai nodded, walked into the county government office first, entered the public room, closed the door, and said straight to the point, which shocked Yang Guozhong out of his wits.
"By the way, brother, do you know? Li Yazhou failed to leave successfully and was controlled by me. He also told me all the lies about Xingyang bag."
(End of chapter)