Reincarnation of the powerful minister

The wounds scratched by the cat on Su Yan's side jaw and neck were scabbed and itched from time to time.

At the court meeting, while secretly scratching with his fingertips, he listened to several eunuchs solemnly petitioning the emperor, asking for the pardon of the people captured by Jin Yiwei.

It turned out that when Beizhen Fusi investigated the demon book case, he not only found and sealed up an underground printing factory in the capital, arrested dozens of book makers, but also arrested a large number of ordinary people who distributed books and spread rumors. They were all put in prison, and the messenger behind the scenes was tortured.

Spokespersons have no objection to arresting thieves who deceive the public and publish illegally, but they have objections if a group of people are implicated.

In the eyes of some officials, these people belong to the instigated ignorant.They believed that rumors only belonged to the wise, and the court only needed to publish a notice to the world to declare the empress dowager's reputation, and the rumors would naturally disappear, and there was no need to go to war with ordinary people. Beizhen Fusi was suspected of abusing his power.

This is impeachment in disguise.

Although Shen Qi has been promoted to the commander of Jinyiwei, but the most powerful Beizhen Fusi is still firmly in his hands.Such a large-scale arrest is obviously his order.

Zhu Helin immediately asked Shen Qi to come out and confront him face to face.

Shen Qi's explanation for this is: these common people took the initiative to participate in spreading rumors and distributing demon books, it's not that the word "unknown" can be disregarded, what's more, after preliminary investigation, it was found that some of them were once followers of the Vacuum Sect.I haven't had time to check the rest, but in all likelihood it has something to do with the Vacuum Sect.

evidence?Yes, the suspect's statement.

Now not only a few spokespersons have opinions, but some officials of the Criminal Ministry also questioned: only oral confession, no physical evidence?Who can guarantee that Beizhen Fusi is not tortured to extract a confession?After all, Jin Yiwei had a history of concocting unjust cases and receiving rewards for false merits when the former commander Feng Que was in charge.

Facing doubts, Shen Qi answered with a smile that was not a smile: "These people disregarded the imperial court's ban and secretly believed in and joined the religion, and the Vacuum Sect did not register them. Apart from honest confessions and exposing each other, what physical evidence do they have to prove their truth? The identity of a believer? If you insist on evidence, some people hide hundreds of volumes of demon books in their cellars. Does that count as evidence? If they don’t even count, how can we dig out their ignorant hearts to prove it?”

His words were not entirely unreasonable, but the bloody smell that could not be concealed between the lines always made many officials present feel uncomfortable, so they joined the persuasion team that begged the emperor to distinguish loyalty and traitors, and not let Jin Yiwei take the opportunity to make trouble.

Only Su Yan believed that Shen Qi would not arrest innocent people indiscriminately, nor would she use severe punishment without authorization.This group of so-called "ignorant people" borrowed from a joke in later generations, "It may be wrong to pull them all out and shoot them, but every other one must have slipped through the net."Since there are suspicions, they should be arrested and interrogated first. In this situation where the rain is about to come, it is better to make a quick decision than to look forward and backward.

If you really catch the wrong one, you can let it go, and you can also make some financial compensation.Since it is a criminal investigation, there is no need to stick to the word "benevolence and love", which is the same reason as "compassion does not control soldiers".

Therefore, after Su Yan and other officials were almost done arguing, they slowly came out of the list: "My lords, don't just see a few rumors or a demon book, but see the essence through the phenomenon, and discover the hidden conspiracy behind these rumors— —Someone is using rumors to stir up trouble, trying to plot rebellion!"

The words "conspiracy and rebellion" were like a bolt from the blue, exploding above the heads of the courtiers.In the feudal era, this was the most serious crime among the most heinous crimes, and there were many cases of being convicted by the three tribes of barbarians and punishing the nine tribes.

Su Cifu characterized the case so seriously, how could the courtiers dare to argue easily, lest they be put in the restricted area of ​​"advocating for the rebels".

The other assistant, Shi Yan, is still on sick leave, and the chief assistant, Yang Ting, is still considering how to ask questions. After a slow beat, Su Yan continued: "I don't think it's a problem to use extraordinary means in extraordinary times. Which adult is concerned about this?" If you have doubts, or if you have superior skills, you can take this case away—of course, whether you allow it or not depends on the will of the Holy Spirit." He said, and he cupped his hands at Zhu Helin who was sitting behind the case.

Zhu Helin followed Su Yan's words and asked, "Which Ai Qing wants to take over and be in charge of investigating this case?"

It is about the orthodoxy of the emperor, and it is very dangerous no matter how you look at it.If you can't solve the case, you don't have the ability to die, and if you solve the case, the truth cannot be revealed, and if you know too much, you will die.This is more than a hot potato, it is a powder keg that cannot be touched.

The vast majority of people are like this. It is always easy to blame others. When it is your turn, you can find reasons by weighing the pros and cons.When the ministers were hesitating, an unexpected figure stood up, and it turned out to be Cui Jinping, a mere fifth-rank Secretary of General Administration and Councilor.

Cui Zhuangyuan has been anxiously waiting to see if he made the right bet ever since he secretly sided with the princelings during the kneeling case, and privately informed Lan Xi and provided the list.After twists and turns, the prince finally returned to court, but the first emperor collapsed.

Now Lan Xi is the only one who knows about his achievements, but Lan Xi seems to have completely forgotten about it.

Once the emperor and the courtiers, perhaps feeling the crisis, knowing that she is far less close to the prince than the old people in the East Palace, Lan Xi kept a low profile in the vortex of power in the palace, the Supervisor of Ceremonies.The former great eunuch has become cautious now, like a dormant autumn mantis.

Without the help of his servants, Cui Zhuangyuan couldn't be cheeky and run to claim credit for the new emperor who had just ascended the throne.

Seeing the officials from Conglong Escort go straight up, Cui Zhuangyuan was envious and jealous, so he naturally thought of Su Yan, who is now the elder of the pavilion, and hoped that the other party would support him for the sake of the same year, alliance and friend he.

So a while ago, he found an excuse to visit Su Yan with a gift, trying to find a way out.In the end, he didn't even enter the door—Su Xiaojing dismissed him unceremoniously as one of the countless people seeking an official position and "runners under the door".

"I am the same year as Lord Su." Cui Jinping explained.

Su Xiaojing rolled his eyes: "Half the people in the capital all claim to be the same year of our adults, and they all ask to see you with courtesy like you."

Cui Jinping also knew that although the boy's words were exaggerated, it also showed that there were many people seeking an official position, so he said helplessly, "I am different, I am a good friend of your lord."

Su Xiaojing smiled: "The other half of the people in the capital claim to be fellow villagers, friends, and even brothers of our family. I think you should go back to your home. You should study hard, and you should be honest and work as an errand. Don't beat our family again." My lord's idea!" He said, closing the door with a bang.

Cui Jinping didn't do anything, and slipped the greeting card through the crack of the door: "Wait a minute, brother, when Mr. Su comes back, please show him this greeting card."

Su Xiaojing picked up the greeting card, curled his lips at the word "counselor" on it, and threw it into the cabinet drawer of the concierge.There were three large drawers full of greeting cards, most of which belonged to low- and middle-level officials, and Xiao Jing didn't bother to organize them, so he piled them up in a mess.

Cui Jinping returned home with a gift in disappointment. After waiting for two days without hearing from him, he decided to talk to Su Yan in person.He first went to the yamen of the Ministry of Officials, but failed to find Su Yan, saying that he had gone to Wenyuan Pavilion.That was the office of the cabinet. Cui Jinping entered Wenyuan Pavilion on the errand of presenting memorials from various places, but Su Yan still couldn't be seen. It is said that he was called into the palace by the Holy Majesty.

Cui Jinping had an illusion that Su Yan was alienating him because of all kinds of mistakes and various failures.As for whether he really regarded him as a tiresome official seeker, or whether he was overlooked after entering the cabinet, and he was not taken seriously at all, that is unknown.

All in all, he has to rely on himself to win favor in front of the new emperor, maybe the demon book case will be a good opportunity.

Unfortunately, he was disappointed again.Zhu Helin's eyes swept over him, and he frowned, as if to say: Who is this, is there any sense?

Cui Jinping also knew that the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment and the Minister of Dali Temple hadn't said anything yet, and he wanted to stand out as a mere fifth rank, not only being abrupt, but also appearing to be overwhelmed.But he couldn't care less, he had to find a breakthrough point in order to break through the current bottleneck and open up a path for his career.

Seeing this, Cheng Sheng, who was standing by the side, quickly leaned over to Zhu Helin's ear, and reminded him, "This is Cui Jinping, the counselor of the General Administration Department, the number one scholar in the same department as Mr. Su Ge."

With such a reminder, Zhu Helin was a little impressed. The one at the "Dragon Leaping on the Golden Scales" at the Enrong Banquet back then had a small official position and a lot of arrogance.I heard that he and Su Yan have some personal relationship, but because Su Yan has often traveled abroad in recent years, it doesn't necessarily mean that the two are very close.

Even though Zhu Helin didn't like Shen Qi, he had to admit that Jin Yiwei was the best choice to handle this case, so he never considered handing it over to other people, let alone an ordinary official who suddenly jumped out and recommended himself.

He remembered that Su Yan once said that his "Worship to the First Concubine" could be printed in the mansion newspaper and published nationwide in time, and Cui Zhuangyuan contributed to winning a public opinion war.Seeing this credit, Zhu Helin did not reprimand Cui Jinping for acting as a substitute, and asked, "Why, Cui Sensei thinks he can solve this case?"

Cui Jinping hurriedly replied: "I dare not make such cheeky remarks, but please participate in the investigation of this case and help Elder Su Ge or Commander Shen."

Zhu Helin glanced at Su Yan when he heard the words, saw him shake his head slightly, and said, "Although Counselor Cui has no experience in handling cases, he has the heart to share your worries, which is commendable. But this case is unusual, and Jin Yiwei is still handling it. "

Shen Qi also added in a timely manner: "I'm not used to working with others to handle cases. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Su Yan didn't want Cui Jinping to be involved in this case. Firstly, because it was related to the secrets of the royal family, the fewer people who knew about it, the better. Secondly, he also shook his head to express his disapproval in order to avoid Cui Jinping's death.

Cui Jinping, however, felt more and more alienated not only by Su Yan, but also far away from the center of power, and his face turned pale.He apologized, returned to the queue, and heard the low laughter of his colleagues in the General Administration Department. He was very annoyed and embarrassed, but he still pretended not to care, with a proud expression on his face.

Su Qinghe!He gritted his teeth secretly, are you really the kind of person who can only share adversity but not wealth?

After the court was over, Su Yan took an opportunity to chat with Cui Jinping alone, but the other party turned around and left as if he hadn't seen him.He inevitably felt a little regretful and melancholy, Shen Qi walked over and invited: "How about going to a restaurant in the market to have lunch together."

Su Yan agreed, and walked side by side with Shen Qi, and said: "This demon book case, you deliberately did it with great fanfare, to scare the snake away?"

Shen Qi said: "Yes. There are two ways to get people to draw out their hole cards. One is to deceive, to make them become paralyzed, thinking that they can fish in troubled waters, and to attack with all their strength. The other is to force them, so that they can't easily win, and have to go all out. Go all out."

Su Yan guessed that Shen Qi might not just "deceive" or just "force", and might want to fight a combination of punches, so he said: "Then I will cooperate with you even more, and quickly come up with a way to dispel the rumor, so that Players realize that the card of public opinion warfare is completely useless, so they will jump out and fight for real."

Shen Qi looked at the faint blue shadows under his eyes, and persuaded with distress: "It's okay if you can't think of it, you can go another way. You need to rest more and go to bed early."

Su Yan smiled and said, "Okay, don't stay up late anymore."

Shen Qi looked at his chin and neck again, and warned: "It's scabbed, don't scratch it, or you'll have to raise it again if it's scratched."

"Itching... I can't help it." Su Yan used his fingers instead to gently press the tight skin around the scab.

Shen Qi smiled: "After leaving the Meridian Gate and getting on the carriage, I'll press it for you."

In the past few days, Su Yan asked Jing Hong to chase after the murderer who killed Jin Yiwei's spy, so the carriage was driven by an honest servant at home, and it stopped outside the Meridian Gate to wait for him to come down.

After entering the carriage, Shen Qi massaged Su Yan's wound, relieved the itching slightly, and then stripped his clothes, saying that it was only a temporary solution, but now the root cause.Su Yan made a gesture to beat him up, and the two of them played in a rare relaxed way, knocking open half the door of the storage cabinet next to the stool.

A folded note floated out and landed on Su Yan's instep.Su Yan squeezed Shen Qi's wrist and said, "Don't make trouble outside in broad daylight", while casually picking up the paper and opening it, he saw an address scrawled on it, which was in a certain street in the southern part of the capital. .

He stared at the note, and suddenly remembered: Isn't this the down-and-out Western painter he met at Tiangongyuan, what's his name... Love China... Isn't it, Aihuaduo, the contact address he left behind?

I don't know if after so many days, the broken silver flowers given to the other party are gone.If you run out of flowers, you won't starve to death on the street, right?

If I had known it earlier, I would have agreed with Eduardo to draw an oil portrait of him.This is a live advertisement. If the people in the capital hear that Lian Ge Lao invites him to paint, why don't they break the threshold?It's a pity that now I have been scratched by a cat, and it is inconvenient to draw.

... A long-lost inspiration suddenly flashed through his brain, Su Yan hugged Shen Qi's neck excitedly, and gnawed hard on the other's face: "I've figured out a way! Let's go, let's go find that foreign devil, Get him a big deal!"