A few days later, Li Ke finally decided to open a court to try the case of the water ghost. The Assassin's Mansion opened a list, the whole state was a sensation, the streets and alleys exploded, and the people rushed to tell each other - the water ghosts who had been in Xiangzhou for decades were finally defeated in one fell swoop!

On the day of the trial, Li Ke invited Qin Mubai, a military attaché, to come to the court for trial. In order to show justice, Li Ke allowed 100 representatives of the gentry and the common people to enter the court to observe the trial process. However, tens of thousands of other people surrounded the Assassin's Mansion, and the lanterns were lit up and cheered. As a last resort, he had to mobilize thousands of royal soldiers to maintain law and order.

An hour before the opening of the court, Qin Mubai took Pang Fei and a group of hundred cavalry guards to the Assassin's Mansion, discussed some details with Li Ke in private, and prepared to go to the court for trial.

Li Ke, who was as careful as a hair, thought of a question and said to Qin Mubai in private: "Mubai, Zhang Tong doesn't have to be tried together, right?" ”

Qin Mubai knew what he meant. Zhang Tong, who was also one of the hundred horsemen before, followed Qin Mubai to Xiangzhou, but was befriended by the water ghost. If it is tried publicly, it will inevitably ruin the reputation of the hundred horsemen. It will have a certain impact on Qin Mubai, but the biggest trouble is that it will affect the reputation of the royal rate.

"You can do it!" Qin Mubai just said so.

"Hey......" Li Ke closed his eyes with a headache and gently tapped his forehead with his fist, "Before, I dreamed of boiling this group of people, and I had a hundred." Now that I have captured the leader and broken the henchmen, I feel more troublesome and tricky than before. Zhang Tong and I don't care, I'll leave it to you to deal with. ”

"I understand your struggle." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "There are too many people involved in the case. Not to mention anything else, Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan, these two people are the leading local eunuchs in Xiangzhou, and they have been calling for wind and rain for many years. In this part of Xiangzhou, their henchmen and protégés can be said to be all over the corner. Pull a hair and move the whole body! - Your Highness, I propose that this time we might as well refer to the method of His Majesty the Emperor in dealing with the aftermath of the Jiangzhou case, and strike at the boss, and the rest will not be blamed. As the saying goes, there is some truth in the way of the Tao. If all the people involved in the case are really to be arrested and questioned, I estimate that there will be no more than a few officials left in the entire prefecture and county under the rule of Xiangzhou. ”

"Well, that's what I thought, too." Li Ke's thick eyebrows were twisted, and he said with a serious expression, "The snake hits seven inches, there is no need to chop the whole snake into meat sauce." After destroying the leader and breaking the core henchmen, the water ghosts will break themselves. Only now, it doesn't seem to be so easy to clean up. ”

"What's wrong?" Qin Mubai asked alertly, "Is it possible, there is news from Chang'an?" ”

"As you expected." Li Ke took a deep breath, slowly exhaled it, and said as if he was a little depressed, "The secret envoy came to Chang'an last night, guess who sent it?" ”

"I can't guess, let's just say it!"

"King Wei." After Li Ke finished saying these two words, he looked at Qin Mubai with a solemn look, "I didn't expect it, right?" ”

"Indeed." Qin Mubai nodded, "What's the matter with King Wei?" ”

"Originally, it was none of King Wei's business. However, if it is Prince Guan's business, it will also be related to King Wei. Li Ke said.

He said this a little tongue-twisted, but Qin Mubai heard the meaning of his words. The crown prince and the king of Wei did not get along, and they fought fiercely for the prince. But whatever the prince wanted to support, the king of Wei opposed; And vice versa.

Chang'an Weidu, go to the sky five feet, this is not just talking. Nowadays, there is a daughter in the Wei family in Chang'an, who has to accompany the king in the palace, which is the famous Wei Guifei; Needless to say, Du Ruhui has always been one of Li Shimin's right-hand men. Although Du Ruhui died young, this does not prevent the Du family in Chang'an, which is still one of the leading families in the Tang Dynasty. There are countless famous eunuchs in the clan. Du Ruhui's son Du He married Li Shimin's daughter, Princess Chengyang.

Don't underestimate a princess. In a sense, the identity of Princess Chengyang is even more noble than Li Ke. The ranking of the royal family banquet, the ranking of this royal sister, is still above Li Ke, the third prince. Perhaps Du He, the captain of the horse, has no real power, and he is relatively mediocre and incompetent, and he has no achievements in politics. However, once the offensive of favors started, Princess Chengyang still had a lot of weight in Li Shimin's eyes.

As a result, if the people of the Chang'an Wei Du family started to act together in order to protect Du Chengyuan and Wei Huanchen, Li Ke would inevitably be under a lot of pressure. Moreover, Du He has always had a good relationship with the crown prince Li Chengqian, and he must have taken Li Chengqian's way, wanting to put pressure on Li Ke or intercede through him, and it is even possible that Princess Chengyang also came forward and wanted to unite with the prince to protect Du Chengyuan, the brother of his husband's family.

"What did the secret envoy of the King of Wei say?" Qin Mubai asked.

"The fourth child has always been cunning, and he won't say anything to leave a tongue." Li Ke said, "He only sent someone to report to me, saying that the crown prince was active in Chang'an, and wanted to unite a group of ministers of the Wei Du family and his own henchmen, and then invite Wei Guifei to come out to intercede with His Majesty the Emperor, begging him to pardon Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan." ”

"The result?" Qin Mubai asked.

"No results." Li Ke frowned and said, "The fourth child is cunning here." If there is a result, he will not come to report. Just when the crown prince and Wei Guifei were still active, he took the lead. Guess what he wants to do? ”

"Two meanings!" Qin Mubai sneered and said, "First, he sent a message to your third brother in advance, ostensibly for your good, and then you will have to eat his love debt; Second, he informed you in advance and deliberately embarrassed you. If you retreat in the face of difficulties and take the two of Vedu lightly, it will be a dereliction of duty, and you will have a great handle in his hand; If you know that the prince and others are working hard to save people, and you still act in advance and face the difficulties and enforce the law impartially, then you are undoubtedly directly fighting against the prince, Wei Guifei and Chang'an Wei Du. The snipe and the clam compete, and the fisherman profits. This may be the result that King Wei wants most. ”

"You're quite right. However, there is another meaning, and that is where his most sinister intentions lie. Li Ke showed a trace of anger on his face, gritting his teeth with hatred.

"What is it?" Qin Mubai asked.

"He's provocative." Li Ke gritted his teeth and said, "The Chang'an Weidu family, since my imperial grandfather raised the army, has always been an important arm of our Li family. There are many famous generals in the clan, so it will be so brilliant in the Zhenguan Dynasty. Historically, even the father and emperor have been impressed by the people of the Weidu family. Wei's daughter is a noble concubine, and Du Ruhui was one of the prime ministers most trusted and relied on by his father. For example, if the royal family is a big tree, then the wealthy family is the land where the big tree is rooted. Think about it, I'm going to move the people of the Wei Du family now, isn't that shoveling the roots of my Li family, moving the foundation of my Tang Dynasty, and hurting the heart of my father! So, the fourth provoked me. On the surface, he came to report the news, but in fact, he was watching the fire from the other side and enjoying the disaster. ”

"I see what you mean." Qin Mubai nodded, "Perhaps, His Majesty the Emperor already knew about this, and it is very likely that it was King Wei himself who reported the news." He has detected some of the thoughts of His Majesty the Emperor, and has come to provoke you. ”

"Clever! That's what I thought, too. Li Ke nodded heavily and said, "From the provocation of the fourth child, we can imagine that His Majesty Father and Emperor were also quite embarrassed and headache after knowing this case. First, the rule of law has always been insisted on by his father, and it is almost impossible for his old man to personally open his mouth to pardon Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan. Second, because of the crimes, the sons and nephews of the Weidu family are about to be taken down by me for questioning or even extermination, which is very likely to hurt the feelings of the father and the Weidu family. That's what he doesn't want to see. The difficulties of the father, the fourth child saw it in his eyes and was happy in his heart. Because if even my father is embarrassed, can I not be embarrassed? Therefore, no matter how I judge this case, I will offend people left and right. ”

"Let's be a little clearer." Qin Mubai said, "If you enforce the law impartially and punish Wei Du and the two people, it will be the Chang'an Wei Du family, Wei Guifei, as well as the prince, Du He and other people." If you forgive them outside the law, then you have violated the law, and it is the law of the Tang Dynasty that you have offended. This sin is not something you can afford. ”

Li Ke's eyes lit up: "Then you mean to say that the judgment is based on the law?" ”

"Not exactly." Qin Mubai shook his head, "There are some people who should be killed, you are like Zhao Chong, the leader, as well as the backbones and minions who are rebellious, then you must take it down with a knife and cut it neatly, and return the local people in Xiangzhou to be fair and refreshing, and lay your grace in Xiangzhou." But Du Chengyuan and Wei Huanchen and other sensitive people, you have to be vague, you can deprive them of their official titles, but you can't sentence them to severe punishment right now. Aren't they all officials above the fifth grade? According to the law, if an official commits a crime with a grade of five or more, he must be handed over to the Yushitai and Dali Temple, and will be tried with the participation of the Criminal Department. So, you can throw these two hot mountain sticks to those people in Chang'an! Who wants to kill, who wants to save, what does it have to do with you? ”

Li Ke's eyes widened in surprise: "That's right! How didn't I think of it? This judgment is not, it is not a judgment, why don't I judge both? …… However, in this way, it would be contrary to the father's consistent fairness and strictness, and the prince's purpose of breaking the law and committing the same crime as the common people. Although his old man will not have any clear reason to reprimand and punish me, he can't guarantee that he will not write an account for me in his heart! He will think that I am evasive, cowardly, incompetent, treacherous, and afraid of offending people. ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't blame me for being outspoken. Being perceived as cowardly is not a bad thing. Haven't you always been too sharp? According to your usual habits, regardless of thirty-seven twenty-one, cold face and frost enforce the law impartially, and cut down this cadre. Yes, in this way, you will end up with a reputation for being upright, strict, shrewd and capable, but is it really what you want to make enemies everywhere because of this? In a more satisfying way, His Majesty the Emperor will also think that you are shrewd and capable, and at the same time, he will think that you are resourceful and tactful in handling all kinds of complex relationships. Aren't these exactly what His Majesty the Emperor values King Wei the most? ”

Li Ke's eyes lit up, and his expression showed a little excitement. He understood the meaning of Qin Mubai's words, King Wei was a little yin and vicious, but his sleek and sophisticated may be what impressed Li Shimin the most. Because, to choose a prince, ability is important, but character is also an important aspect. A strong and capable person, a black-bellied and sleek person, the former is admired and famous, and the latter will be despised and disgusted by those who are familiar with him, but he is more qualified to become a superior person!

No one will ever say this, because no one dares to say that the reason why the emperor is so successful is because he is black enough and has enough city. But in Li Shimin's heart, there will inevitably be such an account!

In terms of ability, Li Ke will never lose anything to the King of Wei, and he is more pioneering than the King of Wei, very similar to his father Li Shimin, and has the qualifications to become a generation of heroes. In contrast, what he lacks may be such a sleek and black-bellied man!

This is like the difference between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang!

"Then what do I say?" Li Ke gritted his teeth, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and said, "Let's just say it!" It's not been a day or two since we've been working together, what is there that I don't obey you? ”

"Then I'll say it." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "Today is already difficult to ride a tiger, and it is necessary to hold a public trial." There is no need to say much in court, because the evidence of catching the thief and the stolen goods is conclusive, and the verdict is announced by directly stating the case. Sentenced Zhao Chong and a group of large and small water ghosts to be beheaded. As for Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan, they were handed over to Chang'an Yushitai and Dali Temple for trial. It is said that the Criminal Department has already issued a follow-up, and it is necessary to take a major offender. In this way, the people will not say much. As for Duan Rongji, the owner of Zhengchang Grain, and Ouyang Jun, the owner of Yongye Salt Mill, because they are relatives with Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan, and they have great influence among the local gentry and wealthy businessmen, there is no need to make a judgment in court, but they can be thrown to Chang'an together. As for whether they live or die in the future, they will not do your business. The most important point is that the person who escorts is none other than Quan Wanji! ”

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Li Ke slapped his hands excitedly, "Quan Wanji has always been upright and strict, and he has the demeanor of Wei Zheng, and he dares to go against the dragon scales." I sent him to escort the prisoners to Beijing, no doubt to show my father that I wanted to be sentenced according to the law, but I had to make some compromises under the pressure. In this way, the head of state has been punished for his crimes, and the local people will applaud; The hot Shanzhu was thrown away, and whether it was the Wei Du family, the crown prince, or the concubine, they had nothing to say to me; In the end, even my father would have understood that I wanted a heavy sentence, but I had to make concessions. As a result, he will not think that I am cowardly and incompetent, but that I am more sophisticated, shrewd and mature. Killing three birds with one stone, what a brilliant plan! ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "I originally thought that if I fled to Xiangzhou, I would be able to get rid of the disputes in the court, but I didn't expect it to work!" ”

"I'm glad to have you." Li Ke grinned, let out a long breath of relief, nodded gratefully, and said, "I have been thinking about these problems for several days, and I have not come up with a perfect way to deal with them. Today's conversation with you made me suddenly. Mu Bai, you are really my wise man and lucky star! ”

"Huh!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "I'm just a bystander, and I'm just reminding Your Highness occasionally." In fact, you have already thought about it in your heart, otherwise, how can you hit it off with me? Okay, it's almost time, it's time to go to class! ”

"Let's go together! I really want to see what kind of expression that Zhao Chong had when he knelt at the bottom of the stairs and saw you in the hall! Ha ha! ”

At this moment, Li Ke's laughter was extremely hearty.

The Assassin's Mansion has opened a trial. The officials of the priests, the subordinate county commanders, the local squires and the representatives of the common people entered the court together to observe or observe. Outside the house, thousands of people were surrounded, and the momentum was spectacular.

Li Ke came to the stage in official uniforms, and after the majestic sound of the officials, there was a startling sound - "Lead, people commit Zhao Chong!" ”

In front of everyone's eyes, Zhao Chong, who was dressed in prison uniform, shackles, and handcuffs, was brought up. His expression was calm, without any panic and fear, he glanced coldly at everyone in the hall, and finally fixed his eyes on Qin Mubai's body.

"Don't kneel yet!" The guards shouted loudly and pressed him to his knees.

Zhao Chong slammed his knee to the slate floor with a thud, and the people listening to the sound next to him were trembling in pain, but Zhao Chong didn't blink his eyelids, and kept staring at Qin Mubai.

"Whoever kneels in the hall, report the name!" Li Ke said loudly.

Zhao Chong ignored it, and kept staring at Qin Mubai, as if he was angry and resentful, but he didn't say anything.

Everyone saw it in their eyes, doubted it in their hearts, and wondered: Where have they ever seen such a person criminal? went to court to be interrogated, neither afraid nor silent, but stared at an official who was on the sidelines.

"Gentleman, can you talk to the prisoner before the trial?" Qin Mubai got up and said.

"Exactly." Li Ke said.

"Xie Fujun." Qin Mubai got up and left his seat and walked in front of Zhao Chong.

"Zhao Chong, do you have something to tell me?" Qin Mubai said.

"Yes." Zhao Chong raised his head, still staring at Qin Mubai as he did at the beginning.

"Then you can say it. If you don't talk about it now, you won't have a chance again. Qin Mubai said with a smile on his face, as if chatting.

"I'm not reconciled." Zhao Chong gritted his teeth, the green tendons on his forehead were a little flare-up, and his eyes widened and he said word by word, "I haven't deceived you like this, impossible!" There must be one of our traitors who betrayed me, otherwise, you can't know that I am Lord Song Cao! ”

Qin Mubai smiled: "It was you who betrayed you. You are too smart, and you are mistaken by your cleverness. You think you're perfect, but it's a mistake to be too perfect. Because there is no such thing as absolute beauty. Your plan is so clever that you're going to cheat yourself. It's a pity that a few small flaws betrayed you. ”

"I don't believe it." Zhao Chong shook his head stubbornly, "From the beginning, you have no reason to doubt me. Don't you still want to drive a wedge between me and make me turn against you? It stands to reason that you should suspect that Du Chengyuan is! ”

"Yes! In the beginning, you are the least suspicious. Because no matter how you look at it, you are just a little minion, an inconsequential little minion who is submissive to Du Chengyuan and snorts at him. You have indeed disguised it well, you are more clever than I can imagine, and I have fallen for your tricks. Qin Mubai smiled and said, "When I figured out that you are the Lord of Song Cao, I made a plan and thought of a clever plan to catch you all in one fell swoop." In fact, until I finally succeeded in rescuing the princess, Zheng Anshun and others, I couldn't be completely sure if my guess was correct or not, whether you were the real Lord Song Cao. But it turned out to confirm my suspicions, and I sent someone to follow you and successfully rescued the hostages. ”

"It's me who is too underestimated." Zhao Chong laughed, laughed bitterly, was desperate, shook his head, and sighed heavily, "When you cut Feng Dao Scar in Yuanmen, I thought that your eyes had all shifted to Du Chengyuan's body. Later, I disappeared and was kidnapped with Pang Fei, I became like this, but I didn't expect you to still target me. ”

"Okay, I'm afraid I won't be able to finish it in ten days." Qin Mubai said, "Don't waste everyone's time." I only want to ask you one question, how can you, a big dung picker in Xiangyang City, support big officials like Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan, as well as giant gentry like Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun? ”

"Humph! ......" Zhao Chong sneered and said, "Historically, flies have not stared at seamless eggs. People, as long as they have a handle, will be manipulated into puppets. Isn't there only a little difference between you and the one sitting in the hall? It's true that I'm picking up dung, but as soon as I was born, I was the master of Song Cao, so I can't help it. ”

Qin Mubai twisted his brows slightly: "It means that you are the son who inherited his father's business?" ”

"Not bad." Zhao Chong grinned indifferently and said, "Since the former Sui Dynasty, my father and my ancestor have been on the waterways in the Jingxiang area of Jianghan, and they are good men in the green forest. Later, the world was ruled and we couldn't live like before, so we had to find another way to survive. I have done smuggling salt and selling grain and rice, but all of them are petty fights that can't make a climate, and they are also chased and suppressed by the government. Later, we gradually became water ghosts, specializing in begging for a living under the water. Who let you officials not be greedy enough for us to take advantage of? Over time, we grew stronger. Wei Huanchen and Du Chengyuan, when they first came, they were not the same as you, they were arrogant, and they wanted to cure the water ghosts and hurry up. Later, didn't they become our minions and eagle dogs? Hehe, official, that is, wearing a hat and giving birth to two mouths, under coercion and temptation, he is spineless than a bandit! ”

Zhao Chong's words were like awe-inspiring heroes, and the words of the people in the hall were listened to in their ears. Many people were red-faced, but none of them spoke out to refute it.

"Everyone, you must have heard it very clearly, so you don't need to be verbose in this mansion." Li Ke in the hall said, "The dignified officials of the Tang Dynasty have become accomplices of the bandits. It is a great shame to be guilty of breaking the law. After returning home, all of you will reflect on yourself how you should be an official and how you should behave in the future. Zhao Chong, this government hates your sins, but I have to admire your ability and wit. If you use this wisdom in the right way, you will have a bright future. It's a pity that you chose to go against the sky and the law. ”

"There is no need to say these nice cool words, Assassin Shifu Jun, His Royal Highness King Wu." Zhao Chong smiled coldly and said indifferently, "Since I was born, I have no choice. It's like if you are in the womb of the emperor and are destined to be the prince when you are born, you have no choice. Do you think I don't want to live a good life? When you have hundreds of brothers at stake in their lives and livelihoods, there are some things that you can't take care of and consider. I knew that sooner or later there would be this day, but that was my fate, so I wasn't surprised or scared at all, but I felt relieved. Okay, don't talk nonsense, let's start the trial and pronounce the verdict, give me a good time! ”

Everyone in the hall ...... "fate" chews on this word in their hearts.

Is it true that everyone, from the moment they are born, already has a destiny destined by God? Can't choose, can't change? Just like Li Kesheng, he is smart and capable, but he is a prince who is a concubine, and he also bears the shadow of the former Sui royal family, which dooms his fate and ending?

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai shook his head and sighed: "Zhao Chong, if you are not a thief, I am willing to make friends with you." ”

"Thanks to General Qin, I can afford it, in the next life!" Zhao Chong smiled indifferently and nodded.

Qin Mubai shook his head, walked back to his seat and sat down.

"Fate? Everyone has a fate! …… What will be my Qin Mubai's fate? Perhaps, only the day when the coffin is closed will the truth be revealed. At that time, I will definitely be the same as Zhao Chong, but I don't care about these things, will I also have a sense of relief and seeing. This is a human being, who is destined to be tricked by fate for a lifetime. By the time I saw it, it was the end of my life......"