I am imprisoned in Kaifeng Mansion

"Han Qi knew that he would be summoned for accountability the next day, so he made a huge move tonight, mobilizing almost all the available troops in Bianjing. Guo Zishu was also forcibly taken down by him, and he did not hesitate to offend the Eight Great Kings."

Mo Zhuifeng reported to Zhao Zongqing the movements he detected.

Zhao Zongqing sat on the edge of the chessboard, holding the sunspots between his index and middle fingers, staring intently at the chess game, frowning his eyebrows and hesitated before making a move.The look of penny counting is extremely serious, as if this is not a chess game that he is bored with alone, but that there is really a master sitting opposite him that he vows to win.

Zhao Zongqing took the white stones and dropped them again, and then placed the black stones again, and went back and forth like this at a very fast speed.Zhao Zongqing was willing to stop until the sunspots swallowed up most of the whites.He picked up the teacup next to the chessboard and took a sip of tea.

"It's up to him." Zhao Zongqing responded to Mo Zhuifeng's words, "Is Chunli coming back?"

"I won't be back for a while," Mo Zhuifeng saw Zhao Zongqing glance at him, and hurriedly explained, "I just told you that I don't want people to die too quickly, otherwise it will be difficult to solve the hatred in my heart. Cut off her face, cut up her flesh, and let her bleed to death while being eaten by rats."

Zhao Zongqing laughed, turned his head and continued the chess game, this time he held the white piece in his hand, and frowned.

Kaifeng Mansion, before sunrise.

Han Qi sat upright with a blank expression on his face, staring forward with absent-minded eyes, listening to his subordinates report the search results.

As a result of an all-night search, only the testimony of two witnesses was obtained.

Last night, two women wearing face scarves came out of the back alley of his house, leading a donkey and carrying a large cloth bag.The two witnesses were in a hurry to go to the night market, so they only glanced at it and left.

"It's dark at night, so I didn't pay special attention, so there are no useful clues." Sun Zhixiao replied.

Bianjing is huge, with more than one million residents, and a purposeless search is like finding a needle in a haystack.In just one night, it's hard to get results.

After dawn, as expected, Han Qi was summoned into the palace.

Before Han Qi arrived at the Chuigong Hall, Lin Shangshu and several imperial officials had been waiting for a long time.Seeing Han Qi coming, all of them looked at Han Qi at the same time, and Lin Shangshu's eyes were particularly aggressive.

Seeing Han Qi coming, Cheng, the servant, hurriedly called him in first, his shout was obviously a little softer than usual, and it sounded like he was a little guilty.

Lin Shangshu politely asked Cheng Ze: "I wonder when the officials plan to summon a few of us?"

Cheng Ze: "I don't know, slaves only follow the orders of officials."

"I also hope that Cheng's servant will help pass the news, and I will ask for an audience if there is something urgent. Now that Han Tuiguan is here, this matter needs to be clarified. Now everyone outside is passing through the official family. I knew Cui Qiniang's fraudulent death and partnered with Han Tuiguan. Deceive the people of the world!"

Cheng Ze was about to reject Lin Shangshu, but Lin Shangshu suddenly knelt down.

Lin Shangshu yelled in the direction of the Chuigong Palace: "Officials should no longer trust those treacherous little people who deceive the king and deceive the public!"

"Your Majesty agrees with Lin Shangshu's words that Han Zhigui is dishonest and untrustworthy as an official. Your Majesty must not condone it!"

Song Yushi and others are all men with iron teeth and steel teeth, and they are the best at participating in the book, and they have long been familiar with it.Now that the Son of Heaven and his courtiers have made a big mistake, if they have such a chance to show it, they must do their duty and do their duty until the person who made the mistake has nothing to say and admits it obediently.

Apparently, Lin Shangshu and others did not want to give the officials and Han Qi the opportunity to discuss 'collating confessions' separately.Officials can see Han Qi, but they must be present.

It is useless to stop Cheng, and Lin Shangshu and others began to quote scriptures and make long speeches. How can he, a servant, defend himself?Cheng Ze couldn't help sympathizing with the officials in his heart, the emperor is easy to do, but it's hard to be a Mingjun, the most difficult thing is a good-tempered Mingjun.Isn't it because of the gentle temper of the officials that these ministers are so unreasonable?

The servants in the Chuigong Hall were summoned again, so that Lin Shangshu and others also had an audience.

After Lin Shangshu and others saluted, they immediately asked Zhao Zhen for confirmation: "Did the officials know Cui Qiniang's fraudulent death?"

Zhao Zhen agreed, "Soldiers never tire of cheating, so why not. Could it be that I, Song, would like to sacrifice the life of a woman to preserve the diplomatic relations between the two countries? You don't feel ashamed, but I also feel ashamed."

"Cui Qiniang is alive, and the ministers are naturally happy. The thief is evil, so it is okay to respond flexibly, but it should be clarified in time after the incident. If the case requires it, it must be concealed for a long time. Your Majesty can order the ministers to deal with it. At that time, the 'deceased' Cui Qiniang was rewarded with an imperial decree. If the king deceives himself, how can he rule the world with sincerity? How can he blame his ministers for integrity?"

Lin Shangshu hadn't finished speaking so far, he deliberately turned to look at Han Qi, and blamed Han Qi as a courtier for inciting to deceive the emperor, which is an extra crime.

Zhao Zhen's expression was displeased, but he was patient all the time.He wanted to refute, but after Lin Shangshu drifted his eyes to Han Qi, he raised his eyebrows, wanting to hear what Lin Shangshu would say about Han Qi.

Compared with the words used to persuade the emperor, Lin Shangshu's words about Han Qi were particularly vicious, and what he said before outside the palace as a "treacherous and sycophant" was considered light.

When Lin Shangshu spoke fiercely, his face was red, his neck was thick, and his mouth was full of saliva. It happened that a ray of sunlight came in in the early morning, so that there was a small rainbow looming under his mouth.

Song Yushi and others were full of words that had been prepared earlier, half of them were shocked by Lin Shangshu's cruel words, and the other half were completely shocked because they were even more surprised when they saw the rainbow.Really fresh, they are the first time to see 'Hong' in this situation.

"Shangshu Lin's breath is like a rainbow, and the officials admire it." Han Qi's voice was like a gurgling stream, and the melodious reason instantly washed away the filth in the ears of everyone in the hall.

Lin Shangshu was stunned, completely unable to understand the meaning of Han Qi's words.But Song Yushi and the others understood, and couldn't help laughing, knowing that the atmosphere was not suitable at the moment, they once again controlled their outward expressions.But their reaction still made Lin Shangshu feel embarrassed, making him feel like he was too stupid, stupid and ignorant to understand the meaning of Han Qi's words.

This feeling that others are laughing, but he doesn't understand, makes Lin Shangshu feel very uncomfortable, so that he hates Han Qi even more.

During the whole process of Lin Shangshu scolding Han Qi passionately, the corners of Zhao Zhen's lips changed several times between 'pursed' and 'straight', but he didn't choose to speak in the end.As an emperor, he must learn to be stable.

"Tan Hualang is a good debater. I know you will never admit your mistake obediently. You might as well tell me all your reasons and excuses. I would like to see what other reasons are still valid today." Lin Shangshu's voice was high-pitched , with a confident smile, looked at Han Qi provocatively.

Born as a concubine, he was still young, if he didn't kill this unsightly Han Qi in one go, his surname would not be Lin!

Finally, he can avenge his precious third son!

Lin Shangshu is of medium height, with a slightly short neck, and looks ordinary to middle-aged. Of course, his appearance is not as young and handsome as Han Qi's, and his appearance is particularly ugly because of his emotional swearing.So at this moment, compared to the confident Han Qi, he looks more like the one who is anxious and guilty.

"Have you said enough?" Han Qi just asked in a soft voice, maintaining all the gentleness and elegance that should be in terms of volume and timbre.

After being scolded for so long, he still looks as gentle as jade, without losing half of his demeanor, especially when the other party is furious and jumps at him, he doesn't say a word.Not vulgar, really not vulgar, at first glance, he is a person who does great things.Song Yushi couldn't help but praise in his heart.

Lin Shangshu choked on Han Qi's words, so he couldn't answer this question directly.If the answer is not enough, Han Qi will definitely let him continue.If he replied that enough was enough, it would somehow seem that he was inferior to Han Qi.

"Say what you have to say, no need to talk nonsense." Lin Shangshu said extremely annoyed.

"I don't know how Lin Shangshu got the news of Cui Qiniang's death?" Han Qi's question could be regarded as a 'sounding surprise', which confused everyone.

Where did you know?Why does it seem like no one knows that Cui Qiniang is dead, but they are the only ones who know the news?

Lin Shangshu found it very funny. Is this what Han Qi was planning to say for a long time?He thinks highly of him.

"Do I need to say this specifically? Everyone knows it. If you just go to the street and ask a three-year-old child, I'm afraid they all know."

"Rumours cannot be completely believed. Lin Shangshu has been an official in the Ministry of Criminal Justice for many years. I think he has seen many lawsuits and prison cases, all of which were caused by injustice. How can you believe everything if you don't see it with your own eyes and hear it?" Han Qi questioned. .

"what do you want to say in the end?"

"The Kaifeng Mansion has never said that Cui Qiniang is dead, whether it is in the notice or the official document, and the imperial decree granted by His Majesty is also the same. It is only a reward."

Han Qi met Shanglin Shangshu's shocked eyes, and spoke slowly.

"Fake death is indeed a method used by the Kaifeng government to fight against the enemy, but it has never used official documents as a joke. The official decree is not at fault. It is too ridiculous for Lin Shangshu to impeach His Majesty without faith. Even the Ministry of Punishments' evidence Common sense about sin' is forgotten."

Lin Shangshu looked at Han Qi with his mouth half open in surprise, never expecting him to make such a sophistry.

Song Yushi and others were also surprised.

Zhao Zhen snorted coldly, very displeased.

"But...you are clearly suspected of intentionally misleading!" Lin Shangshu was anxious.

"Because of the special circumstances of the case, I said that this is a means of confronting the enemy. It is indeed intended to cause misunderstandings, but misunderstanding and deception are two different things." Han Qi slowed down his tone coldly, mocking Lin Shangshu for not even distinguishing the basic meanings of the two words.

"Can--"

"Isn't Lin Shangshu looking forward to the real death of Cui Qiniang who has made great contributions to the country? Or maybe he thinks that it is unjust for the Kaifeng government to destroy the Tianji Pavilion. Even if the enemy is vicious and vicious, we can't use any special means?" Han Qi didn't give Lin Shangshu another chance to speak this time.

Lin Shangshu hastily denied: "That's not what I meant!"

"Could it be that because of Lin Sanlang's death, Lin Shangshu has resented him so far, so he took the opportunity to find a reason to take revenge?"

"Han Zhigui, you spout blood!"

Lin Shangshu knelt down with a mournful face, and explained to Zhao Zhen that he was sincere and only spoke out because he was worried that this move would bring an unjust name to the king.Now that it was a misunderstanding, "if there is something, correct it, and if there is nothing, encourage it", Han Qi slandered him several times, which really chilled the heart of him as a veteran minister.

"It's just two questions. Why should Lin Shangshu be so excited? Compared with Lin Shangshu's scolding and evil words to me before, what are my two questions? The old minister's heart will be cold, and the new minister's heart will not Will it be cold?"

Han Qi's rhetorical question already made Lin Shangshu speechless, and his breath was stuffed in his chest, but Han Qi paused for a moment, and then added another sentence.

"After all, the waves behind the Yangtze River drive the waves ahead."

The implication is that his old wave is destined to be photographed on the beach, even if he is disappointed, it doesn't matter.

"You—" Lin Shangshu was so angry that it was difficult to breathe, his chest rose and fell dramatically.

"My minister thinks that sometimes concealment is also deceit. When everyone in the world mistakenly thinks that Cui Qiniang is dead, the government's decree will naturally be regarded by everyone as comforting the deceased. The case of Tianji Pavilion is special, and it is not impossible to respond flexibly. But the government You shouldn't have made an order at that time, causing the people of the world to misunderstand the officials. Even though there are reasons to explain that you are not deceitful, it is difficult to clarify the rumors completely. After all, you are self-destructing your integrity.

Lin Shangshu doesn't know the inside story, but he should know the truth that Juncheng can rule the world, and his sincere heart is for His Majesty's sake.Although his words were too fierce and might be considered humiliating, his act of admonishing Yan Yan directly is really commendable. "

Song Yushi felt that Lin Shangshu's small mistake of "bad words" did not cause any consequences after all, so he can be forgiven.On the contrary, Han Qi, seeing that the king made an order at an inappropriate time without persuading him, committed a breach of duty as a courtier, and should be punished for this mistake.

Lin Shangshu did not expect that Song Yushi would speak for him when he was at a disadvantage.Since that time when he pushed Song Yushi and others to ginseng Cui Qiniang and made them lose face in front of the emperor, Song Yushi has always hated him a little bit carefully.I really didn't expect that he helped me at a critical moment today.

Lin Shangshu looked at Song Yushi very gratefully, and quickly echoed Song Yushi's words, saying that this is exactly the reason.

Han Qi wanted to speak again.

Song Yushi immediately spoke first: "However, in view of the merits of Han Tuiguan's suppression of Tianji Pavilion, the merits and demerits can be offset! However, there should be a reasonable explanation to the outside world. This is also to protect the reputation of the official family from any tarnish and Doubt, I think the official Han Tui would not mind making such a sacrifice for the official, would he?"

Lin Shangshu admired Song Yushi's trick in his heart.Otherwise, based on what he said before, Han Qi would definitely be able to refute it.But adding these words later puts Han Qi on the fire, and he is afraid that there will be no way out.

"In your opinion, how should we deal with it?" Zhao Zhen asked Song Yushi after deliberating for a while.

Song Yushi: "I think this matter can be taken lightly, for example, temporarily dismissing him from office, ordering him to go home to reflect, and wait for a period of time before reusing it."

Dismissed from office and returned home, after a long time, who would remember?This trick is even better!Lin Shangshu was happy in his heart.

"Song Yushi's words seem to be reasonable, but they are actually the most absurd. May I ask what is wrong with Han, and he will be dismissed from office? You say that you want to preserve the name of the king, but you let the officials deal with innocent ministers. Is the family's reputation good?" Han Qi asked back.

"Why is Han Tuiguan wrong? I've already told you about your fault!" Song Yushi corrected.

Lin Shangshu immediately agreed.

"Song Yushi has nothing to prove, and he can decide right or wrong with just one mouth. It is too self-righteous. The Kaifeng government has never announced Cui Qiniang's death in an official document. Outsiders misunderstood that it was an outsider's business. As an official of the Kaifeng government, I judged it based on the current situation The best way to deal with it is to have a clear conscience. Seeing that Cui Qiniang sacrificed herself for meritorious service, it is the most appropriate thing for the officials to reward her in time. Is it possible that the courtier has made meritorious service this year and will be rewarded after three years?

In a high position, no matter what you do, even if it is an excellent move, it is bound to be misunderstood by some people.If you shrink back and give up doing it just because some people say it's not good, the world of Song Dynasty may be in danger long ago.Just like fighting at the border, it is inevitable that soldiers and taxes will be required. Which common people will not complain?Is it because a few people say it is not good, and foreign enemies come to invade, so the battle will not be fought? "

Zhao Zhen nodded again and again, sighed that what Han Qi said was reasonable, and reprimanded Song Yushi for talking nonsense, "You almost led me astray just now!"

"Officials, it's obvious that he's sophistrying!" Song Yushi pointed at Han Qi angrily.

"If this case hadn't been dealt with like that at the time, do you know how far the thieves in Tianji Pavilion would go? The Liao mission case would only be the beginning." Han Qi asked Song Yushi what practical things he had done for the country and the people. "It seems that it is better to be a censor. I don't know how difficult it is to investigate the case, so I can find fault at will."

"You—" Song Yushi's reaction now was exactly the same as Lin Shangshu's just now, his face was red with anger, his neck was thick, and his chest was heaving and panting.

After Song Yushi was defeated, no one dared to try again.

Zhao Zhen asked the ministers for their opinions again, and everyone just echoed what Han Qi said was reasonable.

Lin Shangshu and Song Yushi resigned in embarrassment. On the way back, the two of them shared the same hatred and complained for a while.

"Anyway, I would like to thank Song Yushi for speaking for me today." Lin Shangshu saluted Song Yushi to thank him, and invited him to go to the mansion to talk about it another day.

"Don't Lin Shangshu find it strange?"

"What?" Lin Shangshu was puzzled.

"Lu Xiang and the others didn't come at this time today, and they happened to have something to do." Song Yushi looked around and whispered to Lin Shangshu, "I think they are all helping him."

Song Yushi suddenly realized that Lu Xiang had taken some important humerus ministers to do other things, so just a few of them were fighting alone.It is precisely because there are no high-ranking ministers who can speak for them that they are defeated so quickly.

Lin Shangshu patted his thigh, "Oh, I didn't think carefully enough, and underestimated the enemy even more. I thought it was such a trivial matter, but I was sure that I was wrong, so I wouldn't bother them. Who would have thought... Oh, if I knew that Han Zhigui would be so sophistry, I must call some people to speak for me."

"Don't be angry, the days are long, don't be in a hurry." Song Yushi patted Lin Shangshu on the shoulder comfortingly.

When Han Qi returned to Kaifeng Mansion, he was immediately surrounded by Li Yuan and others.When everyone learned that Mrs. Cui was still alive last night, they were shocked, and even thought they might be dreaming.But what they hated even more was that Mrs. Cui was in danger again, and they had never even seen her.

"It can't be said that I haven't seen it before, the ugly boy is her." Han Qi said.

Li Yuan and others suddenly realized, and recalling the details of their relationship with the ugly boy, they all felt "no wonder".

"No wonder I always feel she is very familiar."

"No wonder I see that Tuiguan Han seems to be very protective of her."

"No wonder she stabbed me with a silver needle, and the official Han Tui specially told me to keep it secret."

……

Wang Zhao followed Han Qi into the house and told Han Qi that the interrogation of Guo Zishu had ended.

"He lost that box of silver needles when he was using them in the Eighth Prince's Mansion, so when our people questioned him for the first time, he hesitated and didn't dare to confess. related."

Wang Zhao handed Guo Zishu's testimony to Han Qi.

The silver needle was lost on September [-]th of the year before last. Guo Zishu was invited by the Eighth King to appreciate the chrysanthemum after he checked the princess' pulse. The medicine box he carried was put in a wing room by the housekeeper.After admiring the chrysanthemums, Guo Zishu left with the medicine box on his back without seeing anyone.When I got home to tidy up, I found that the box of silver needles in the box was gone.

"He didn't bring any entourage?" Han Qi noticed that in the testimony, Guo Zishu, who is a medical officer, carried the medicine box by himself.

"There are attendants, but they must abide by the rules of the palace. The attendants cannot enter the mansion with him."

Han Qi nodded.

"This time, we must go to the Eighth King's Mansion to investigate. If the Eighth King knows that we went to his mansion to investigate the thief, and that the thief is related to the Tianji Pavilion, will he be displeased? Besides, it has been two years , who can still remember the situation at that time, I am afraid that if you ask, you will not be able to ask anything." Could it be that Wang Zhao committed a crime.

Han Qi thought for a moment, then suddenly asked Wang Zhao, "Where is Sun Zhixiao?"

"I've been sending people to keep a close eye on him. Apart from working in the yamen every day, I went home obediently. I didn't meet any special people or go to any special places."

Sun Zhixiao's previous behavior in the cave was clearly suspicious.Wang Zhao originally thought that his line would come to fruition soon, but Sun Zhixiao did not move at all after returning to the capital for so long, which even made him start to wonder if his judgment was wrong. In fact, he was an innocent person at all.

"It's about time, let's change to a few nimble and follow him, and get up to speed."

Wang Zhao was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Han Tuiguan meant when he said it was time, but Han Tuiguan must have a reason for doing things, and he just listened to his orders and acted seriously.

Han Qi ordered Wang Zhao to sit down and poured him a cup of tea.

Wang Zhao was flattered and thanked: "Madam Cui, do you want to send more people?"

"it is good."

Wang Zhao looked worried: "I'm worried—"

"People are coming to the palace." Zhang Chang hurriedly entered the door and told Han Qi that the Eighth King had allowed people from Kaifeng Palace to investigate the palace.

Wang Zhao was very surprised.

Zhang Chang knew what he was wondering about, so he explained to Wang Zhao: "Last night, Liulang wrote a long letter to the Eighth King, explaining the pros and cons of this case. The Eighth King is upright, so naturally he can understand us."

"So that's how it is." Wang Zhao immediately prepared to go to the Eighth Prince's Mansion to investigate.

"The eighth king's mansion does not allow people to enter casually, which shows that the rules are strict. Theft is a bit blatant in the daytime. The lost silver needles are slender but not heavy. Only those who know how to use them are worth the risk. It is not like the mansion. Man made.

If the people in the palace can't remember what happened that day, they will check the accounts and gift lists.If you come from the mansion, the accounts related to kitchen expenses are the most detailed. "

Han Qi's suggestion gave Wang Zhao a very clear direction of investigation, and Wang Zhao naturally had no trouble investigating.

An hour later, he hurried back to the Kaifeng mansion, and told Han Qi with all the gifts, accounts and testimonies he found, that he had made a major discovery.On that day, Zhao Zongqing had been to the palace and was invited by Zhao Yunchu, the youngest son of the Eight Great Kings, and did not leave until late at night.So in terms of time, Zhao Zongqing has the possibility of committing the crime.

This is the first time they have caught Zhao Zongqing having a substantial connection with the case. The previous suspicions about Zhao Zongqing were just speculations, which can be said to be a big step forward.

"I have better news for you!"

The female voice was crisp and melodious, which immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

The rear window was pushed open, and an emerald green figure jumped in in an instant.

Wang Zhao and Li Yuan couldn't help grinning happily when they saw the appearance of the visitor clearly.