In the first year of Xianqing (656 AD), the fifteenth day of the lunar month, seven quarters of the hour.

The majestic Chang'an Imperial City, with a total of nine outer gates, Anfu Gate is the main gate in the west. Walking into Anfumen, it is a spacious side street, and the south of the street is the office of each government. For example, the general as a prison, the middle book door under the province, the south of the sixteen guards, etc., are all set up here.

The north of the street is the Taiji Palace, the intersection of Zhuque Street and Hengjie, and it is the main gate Chengtianmen. This gate to the north is the Jiade Gate, and then the Taiji Gate. After the Taiji Gate, it is the Taiji Palace, the center of political power. Large-scale political activities, such as the New Year's Day pilgrimage, amnesty and reform, etc., are carried out in this hall.

On the west side of the Taiji Gate, there is an old drum, which is called Taiji Dengwen, which is used for the people to knock on the bell. The so-called knock is a flat-headed common man who complains to the emperor about his grievances. Dengwen drum is a way to knock on the drum, and if there is a grievance or an urgent case, the drum will go straight to the heavens, so as to establish a lawsuit.

However, it is useless, this drum is just an ornament, and ordinary people can't enter the palace at all. All the gates of the imperial city are guarded by prison guards to strictly check the people who enter and exit. Those who can come here include various government officials, princes and princesses, and women who are serving as foreign officials. They just have grievances, and they don't know how to beat the drums, it's completely meaningless.

Hearing the sound of drums, the Taiji gate is open, and a hundred rods are standing in a forest, and there is no doubt that you will die. Tai Chi Dengwen drum, Gaozu Li Yuanli, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, after 38 years, has not sounded once. The person in charge of this drum is the Dengwen Yuan of the Criminal Department, and the person in charge of this hospital is the official Langzhong of the Criminal Department.

Among the six governors, they took turns to be on duty here, and today it was Liu Guangzong's turn. He has been in a bad mood lately, avenging his father and being refuted, and he has no taste for the whole day. His father, Liu Bo, was framed by Chu Suiliang during the Taizong period and was forced to commit suicide at home. Chu Suiliang was demoted out of Beijing, thinking that there was an opportunity, and finally returned.

Sighing helplessly, he left the office and came to the yard. Hundreds of members of the criminal department questioned the matter, and they held groups in groups of three or five, telling all kinds of meat jokes, and there was no discipline at all. I don't dare to blame them, no one cares about Dengwen Academy, and they are all messing around.

However, at this moment, the rumbling drum was suddenly heard, and the courtyard was silent. Everyone looked up at the sky, the sky was clear, and there would be no thunder. Listening with bated breath, the drums became more and more urgent. Sure that it was not an auditory hallucination, Liu Guangzong was shocked, and roared in his voice: "Hear the sound of drums, prepare quickly." ”

The crowd asked about dementia, and it took two minutes for the soul to return to the shell. Some people screamed, and the tide poured into the cane room, carrying water and fire sticks out. Lined up in a haphazard manner, wiping off the dust from the sticks and removing layers of cobwebs. Liu Guangzong ordered, ran out of Dengwen Courtyard, and went straight to Taijimen.

At this time, in the Taiji Palace, a large court meeting was being held, and officials above the fourth rank were discussing the Western Turkic war. In August this year, Cheng Zhijie, the general of the Left Guard, served as the chief of the march of the Green Mountain Road to crusade against Ashina Helu. Successive battles, repeated thieves, all the way like a bamboo.

The eldest grandson Wuji suggested that he send more troops and horses again to completely defeat the Western Turks and regain control of the Silk Road. Sikong Li Tao proposed that Su Dingfang, the general of the Right Tun Guard, be the general of the Yili Dao march and crusade against the Western Turkic Helu.

Suddenly hearing the rumbling drums, the hall fell silent instantly, and the faces of the hundred officials were strange. Li Tao and the eldest grandson Wuji raised their heads at the same time and looked at the dragon chair in the main hall. Li Jiu got up slowly, his face was cloudy, and after a while, he went down the steps and strode towards the outside of the hall.

The ministers looked at each other, all got up and left the table, and followed behind the big guy. There are not many people who can beat the Tai Chi drum, who is it? The guards along the way were on guard, and the hundreds of officials went to the Taiji Gate to see the battle in front of them, and they were all dumbfounded.

The Taiji Gate opened, and hundreds of criminal departments asked questions, lined up on the east and west sides. Fifty people in each column, with water and fire sticks and pestles, have been ready for battle. A petite figure at the door, wearing the life uniform of Mrs. Guo, with a black cylinder on his back. She stands proudly, with a thin figure, revealing stubbornness and fearlessness.

The lady of the country can freely enter and exit the palace, and there are only three in this dynasty. Mrs. Yang of Daiguo, Mrs. Helan of Korea, and Mrs. Cui of Chu who has just been canonized. Liu Guangzong is sure that she is the wife of Chu and Wu Kang.

Thinking of this, he hurried over, clasped his fists and saluted, impatient: "I am Liu Guangzong, the official of the Criminal Department, and I am in charge of Dengwen Academy today." Madame should know that the Hundred Sticks Forest is dead and lifeless, and if she turns back now, she will still be in time. ”

Cui Xiaoqing shook her head firmly, unbuttoned the cloth buckle, and handed out the cylinder. Liu Guangzong didn't dare to take it, and persuaded bitterly: "The queen is kind to me, Wu Gong is righteous, and the lower officials also admire him." Madame listened to my advice, hurry back, even if you are covered in iron, you can't pass the Hundred Sticks Forest. ”

Xiaoqing shook her head, bent her knees, and handed the roll again. After a long time, Liu Guangzong sighed lightly and took the roll with both hands. At the end of the running queue, he put down solemnly, straightened his waist, and shouted loudly: "The criminal department asks about the matter, and set up a hundred canes." ”

The question shouted in unison, the water and fire sticks leaned forward, and the red sticks were crossed. One forest asks two questions, his legs are divided back and forth, and he raises the stick in his hand. At this time, the footsteps sounded, and Qian Niuwei hurriedly came, and said in a loud voice: "The saint has spoken, turn back at this time, and don't blame the past." ”

Xiaoqing turned a deaf ear, took a slow step, and came to the first forest. The feet are slightly separated from each other and the waist is leaned forward, revealing a weak back. Yilin looked at each other inquiringly, nodded at the same time, and smashed down with water and fire sticks. Bang twice, hit her back, it hurts to look at.

The torture rod was added to her body, and Xiaoqing's feet staggered, and her body was shaky. It was difficult to stabilize his body, his abdomen was tumbling, he gritted his teeth in pain, and his mouth was overflowing with acid. After about half a minute, I slowly moved my steps and walked towards the second forest, and there were forty-eight forests.

One forest asks two questions, the water and fire sticks lean forward, and cross the way to retreat. Erlin asked about the matter and raised the stick, knocked the person in place, and smashed the two sticks again. Xiaoqing fell directly, her face was as pale as paper, and her lips were bitten and bleeding. Half a minute later, I got up with difficulty and walked towards the third forest, and there were still forty-seven forests.

Qianniuwei came again, the same verb, agreed to ignore it, and the same water and fire sticks. Passed through the third forest, vomited stomach contents; After passing through the fifth forest, the corners of his mouth were covered with blood; After passing through the seventh forest, the blood stained the chest; After passing through the tenth forest, he couldn't stand up again.

Taiji Palace Square, more than 150 people, without a single sound. The officials were silent, looking at the woman in the forest, feeling sorry in their hearts. The eldest grandson Wuji's face sank like water, Li Tao couldn't bear to look directly, Li Jiu's eyes were slightly red, and he turned around and ordered Li Yifu: "The same message, Aiqing will persuade you." ”

Li Yifu agreed, picked up his robe and hurriedly ran, and persuaded outside the stick forest: "Madam, you also know that after the stick forest is opened, you are not allowed to turn back." The saint has repeatedly made an exception and allowed you to leave, so don't insist any longer. There are also forty forests, even if they change into relatives, they will definitely not be able to break through. ”

Xiaoqing panted like a cow, pressed her hands on the floor, exerted all her strength, tried to stand up, but was unable to lie down. Looking at the book of the people outside the forest, I kept cheering myself up, I want to save my husband, only I can save him. Endured the biting pain, kicked forward and crawled towards the eleventh forest.

Such a stubborn woman, Li Yifu muttered, turned around and went back to her life. Eleven Lin looked at each other, raised the water and fire stick, and said lightly: "Where the duty lies, madam, don't blame, you are ready, we are going to fall into the stick." ”

The water and fire stick fell, Xiaoqing was dizzy, and vomited blood again. I felt that the strength was a little lighter, my lips kept trembling, and I couldn't say thank you. Gritting his teeth, he pressed his elbows against the bluestone, and his body slammed forward. Crawl to the next forest, staring at the Book of the People, swallowing the blood in his throat.

The west asked things blinked, the east asked things nodded, and the two sticks fell again. The strength is light again, but Xiaoqing at this moment, at the end of the crossbow, still can't bear it. Consciousness faded away, staring at the Book of the People. Use both hands and feet, continue to squirm, and it all depends on the will to persevere.

Twentieth Lin, the west asks things with sticks, and the east asks things silently. After struggling for a few seconds, he suddenly turned his head, stared at the person on the left, and said in a low voice: "I said Zhao Erlang, you execute it for me, I can't do it." When I get down, I'll invite you to eat and drink. ”

Zhao Erlang tilted his head, I won't eat your wine, and I won't fight again. The martyrs who ask for their husband's life are all gods in the sky and will be punished. Dong Wenshi gritted his teeth, raised the water and fire stick, determined the position, closed his eyes and dropped the stick, and turned his head.

Liu Guangzong, the middle of the Duguan Lang, looked at the wriggling woman, and his heart couldn't bear it. Wu Kang is so blessed, if he has a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for. The stick fell again, and she vomited blood again, still squirming with difficulty. There are still twenty-five forests, how are you going to boil?

Suddenly, her pupils constricted, and she saw that her elbows and knees, her clothes had been worn out, revealing her white bones. Shockingly, I felt my scalp tingle and my vision gradually blurred. My father was wronged, but if my mother was like this, there would have been a different result, right?

Before avenging his father, the Manchu Dynasty civil and military officials, only Li Yifu supported. But he wasn't sincere, he just took this opportunity to take revenge on Chu Suiliang. changed in Dali Prison, and listed his father's grievances as one of the five major unjust cases.

A slight moan interrupted his thoughts, and he survived thirty forests. Exhausted, she rubbed her forehead and squirmed against the floor. Looking at the blood line behind him and the twenty forests in front of him, Liu Guangzong's eyes stinged, such a strong woman.

Liu Guangzong thought to himself, the queen treats me kindly, and Wu Kang feels sorry for Grandpa. Just by virtue of the word unjust case, it is my confidant, and the person who is a confidant dies, let alone a small official position? Liu Guangzong lowered his heart and roared at the hundred cane forest: "If you ask about things, the cane will go." ”

As soon as these words came out, the unexecuted questions were all secretly relieved. This is a code word for asking questions, with a water and fire stick in the hand, and when the cane is executed, there are three situations: heart, strength, and hands. The rod goes out of the heart, and the heart beats with the heart, and within twenty rods a man will die; The cane walks hard, hits hard, and life and death are left to fate; The cane walks, goes through the motions, and the dragon is alive after a hundred canes.

The presiding officer spoke, and someone was blackened, so it was naturally perfunctory. They don't think that they will be retributed. The stick was raised high and fell with great momentum, but it was not lethal. Wu Kang's hunch is very accurate, and Liu Guangzong, the Duguan Langzhong, is indeed merciful, and it is indeed the key to survival.

Most of the civil and military officials outside the hall knew it, and no one opened their mouths. Xingbu Shangshu Tang Lin, aware of being stared at, followed the line of sight, and it was the eldest grandson Wuji. Seeing that he frequently made his eyes, he couldn't help but sneer, and turned his head directly.

I really can't imagine that the dignified patriarch of the three dynasties, the first minister of the Lingyan Pavilion, is so narrow-minded. The old man respects Wu Kang and Mrs. Chu Guo, what about favoritism? If you are held responsible, I will punish Liu Guangzong, what can you do with me?

But even so, Xiaoqing was still difficult, and the heart-rending pain paralyzed her nerves. Staring at the Book of the People, his eyes gradually blurred, and he pulled in the distance inch by inch. I don't know how long it took, the moment I touched the cloth roll, I finally couldn't hold back my tears.

The hand is unconscious, and he bites the rope with his mouth to untie the Book of the People. I felt hugged, I raised my head with difficulty, and my stiff body was instantly soft. Mei Niang suddenly appeared, sweating profusely on her forehead, and hugged her in her arms. Tearing open the rope with one hand, Li Jiu came anxiously, and all the officials followed, coming to the outside of the Hundred Sticks Forest.

Mei Niang wiped away her tears, pushed the cloth scroll away, and Wanmin Shu rolled and touched Li Jiu's feet. Seeing the dense signatures, Li Jiu drank violently, and the hundred officials separated left and right. Li Yifu and Du Zhenglun leaned over in front of the cloth roll, and their steps quickly retreated.

The book of the people gradually unfolded, there are more than 20 zhang, and the steps of the Taiji Hall are tiled. Hundreds of officials came up to see the signatures of all the people, and they all sighed. The dense names of people, although extremely ugly, although unsightly, are the most real. The hundred officials who are full of wealth do not despise the ugliness of the word, but they are in awe because of the ugliness of the word.

Li Jiu turned around and walked forward, staring at the white cloth and black characters, walking from the west to the end, returning to the original point from the east, and was full of emotion for a while. Xiaoqing spoke with difficulty, her voice was weak and hoarse: "All the people of Wuzhou come to the table, plead for the history of Wuzhou assassination, and ask Your Majesty for extrajudicial mercy." ”

Mei Niang raised her head and begged Li Jiu: "Your Majesty can send someone to check it, if there is a similar handwriting, if there is fraud, the concubine will tear up this book with her own hands." If all the people come to the table, ask Your Majesty to be gracious, accept the will of the people, and forgive Kang Lang's sins. ”

Li Yifu was the first to respond, kneeling down on one knee, holding up the official wat and shouting "Your Majesty is gracious". Yuan Gongyu and Xu Jingzong followed suit, followed by Yuan Gongyu and Tang Lin. In less than half a minute, half of the hundred officials knelt down, all interceding for Wu Kang.

Guan Long Qunchen hesitated for a moment, and a small part knelt down. Li Yifu looked at the Book of the People, the corners of his mouth pulled out a smirk, looked directly at the eldest grandson Wuji, and said in a strange manner: "The first signature of the Book of the People, the governor of Wu, Shi Changsun Quan, is the concubine of the princess of Xincheng and the cousin of the eldest grandson Taiwei. The person who the captain must kill, the person whose cousin wants to protect, don't you think it's ridiculous? ”

When the eldest grandson Wuji heard this, he stared at the three words of the eldest grandson, and gritted his teeth in an instant. Seeing that the general trend had gone, Han Ying raised his knees and drove the entire Guanlong. The last to stand were Li Tao and the eldest grandson Wuji, both of whom closed their eyes and did not speak.

Li Jiu flashed ruthlessness, looked directly at the eldest grandson Wuji, and said lightly: "Please answer uncle, is the official on the list of all the people a good official?" I want to kill good officials, hundreds of thousands of people in Wuzhou, will they scold me for being a faint king? ”

was questioned very harshly, and the eldest grandson Wuji was shocked, lifted up his robe and knelt down, hanging his head and remaining silent. Li Tao smiled slyly and knelt down on one knee: "Your Majesty, the day before yesterday, the minister was in the wine shop, and there was a man surnamed Du, please buy a heavy treasure." His words were convincing, claiming that the objects in his hands were His Majesty's old clothes. ”

Wuji suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were full of anger, Li Tao didn't care, and continued to report: "The minister naturally didn't believe it, so he asked what was going on." The treasure seller claimed that Du Fengyu of the Shangyi Bureau was his cousin, and the royal robe was true. The minister wanted to continue the inquiry, but he fled for his life in panic. The minister was old and weak, and he fled with wine bags and rice bags. ”

Staring and telling nonsense, everyone knew it, but no one refuted it. Li Yifu raised the official wat and began to analyze and reason: "There are a number of old clothes in the Shangyi Bureau, and Your Majesty's old clothes have only been rewarded to Wu Kang." If what Sikong said is true, Du Fengyu stole the dragon and turned the phoenix, and presented the purple clothes to the queen are not real old clothes. ”

Xu Jingzong answered: "Du Feng was guarded by the imperial prison and stole himself, committed the crime of great disrespect, and was sentenced to 2,000 miles according to the law. The robe cut by Wu Kang is not a true holy robe, and we are kept in the dark. There is another hidden situation in this case, and the minister suggested that Wu Kang be detained, and Du Fengyu should be interrogated before making a decision. If His Majesty trusts, the lower officials are willing to be the chief judge and will find out the truth. ”

The needle drop could be heard at the scene, and the officials knew it, Du Fengyu must have confessed, and he was arranged by Li Tao. Li Tao came forward to protect Wukang, and the overall situation was settled, and Yuan Gongyu first seconded the proposal. Li Yifu, Du Zhenglun and Tang Lin followed.

The eldest grandson Wuji glared at Li Tao angrily, and his teeth gradually gritted; Mei Niang looked at Li Tao, her eyes full of gratitude. Li Jiu directly allowed the performance, ordered Qianniuwei, arrested Du Fengyu, and Xu Jingzong presided over the trial. Wang Dejian, a scholar from the middle school, drafted a holy decree: the beheading was immediately suspended, Wukang was temporarily detained, and he was still in Dali Prison.

After the holy decree was drafted, the Chinese book and the officials under the door signed, Han Ying hesitated for a moment, and had no choice but to pick up the pen and sign. Wang Dejian held the red pen, Li Jiuyu approved the word "quasi", and the holy decree completed the procedure. Xiaoqing smiled, her eyelids getting heavier and heavier, and she soon lost consciousness.

Li Jiu looked at Mei Niang, handed the holy decree to her, and said softly: "The queen is worried about her cousin, go and read the holy decree." It's still early, don't be in a hurry, pay attention to safety. As for Mrs. Chu Guo, she temporarily arranged for the women's hospital, and I sent a doctor to diagnose and treat her. ”

Mei Niang was grateful, gently put down Xiaoqing, turned around and ran out of the Taiji Gate. This Jedi turnaround is the credit of Xiaoqing, and Li Tao is the icing on the cake. If it weren't for the shock of Wanminshu, blocking Sun Wuji's mouth, what Li Tao said would be a joke. However, this favor will be remembered in his heart, and he will be rewarded in the future.

Led Qianniuwei, outside the Anfu Gate in the west, met Wuzhou security. Changed to a fighting horse, took Chu Shenke, and went straight to the West Market. Finally, before noon, he came to the Xishi Execution Ground, despised the prison and beheaded the officials, and read the holy decree in his hand.

Laiji was stunned on the spot, his face full of disbelief, and carefully examined the holy decree. After making sure that it was correct, he collapsed in his chair and waved his hand. Mei Niang sneered, ran to the prison platform, and shouted to the crowd: "Wu Kang is wronged, there is another hidden story in this case, and His Majesty's holy decree will be retried." ”

In less than half a minute, the crowd burst into cheers, and shouts resounded through the heavens and the earth. Mei Niang ran to Wu Kang, pulled his arm, and couldn't hold back her excitement: "Kang Lang, you're fine, you're finally safe." Sister assures you that this is the last time, the last time forever. ”

Wu Kang didn't come back to his senses, staring blankly at the crowd, and his ears were temporarily deaf. At the moment when the decree was read, he entered a half-stupid state, and the whole person was confused. It feels like filming, it's so unreal, it stands to reason that it shouldn't be. Shake your head vigorously, stretch your index finger out of your mouth, and bite hard. The screaming in pain was really not a dream.

Chu Shenke set him up, and Mei Niang kneaded his legs to soothe his blood. After finishing the matter, he stood up, sniffed and scolded with a smile: "Look at your virtue, how old you are, and you still eat your fingers." It's too bad here, come with me, there's too much to say. ”

Wu Kang nodded blankly, took difficult steps, and saw that Laiji was decadent, and the corners of his mouth pulled out with disdain. Damn old thing, feng shui takes turns, you wait for bad luck. There are also Han Ying and the eldest grandson Wuji, you are all grasshoppers after the autumn, and it won't be long before you jump.

Chu Shenke helped him, walked off the guillotine, was escorted by the security guard, and walked out of the gate of the West Market. I quickly adapted to walking, and finally smiled, wanting to look up to the sky and smile. The beautiful Tang Dynasty, Wukang is back; Close the gates, wait and tremble.

Riding back to Xiuzhenfang, entering the bedroom, Mei Niang told the story. Li Tao's shot surprised him, and he didn't take it to heart, just remember the favor. Mei Niang was entangled for a long time, and once again spit out the truth: "Thanks to Xiaoqing, I bravely entered the Hundred Sticks Forest and handed over the Book of Ten Thousand People." But don't worry, Liu Guangzong's subordinates are merciful, and there is no danger of life. ”

Wu Kang was struck by lightning, his ears were deaf again, and he looked at Mei Niang blankly. Thinking of the terrible picture, my lips kept trembling, and tears welled up. The heart was cut like a knife, and I couldn't hold back it anymore, collapsed to the ground, hugged my head and cried.

Mei Niang stroked his hair bun, sighed lightly and comforted: "Sister admires her very much, having such a wife is your creation." Don't be too sad, make up for it, love it well. Kang Lang promised me not to let her be in danger again, not to let the tragedy happen again. ”

Sadness filled the bedroom, and I don't know how long it took, Wu Kang raised his head and made a heavy oath in his heart...