When the little man ran to the yamen of the Chang'an prefect's office, he found that there were more than a dozen people who had arrived earlier than him at the gate of the yamen. Immediately, an experience officer from the prefect's yamen came out and recorded the facts of the case provided by more than a dozen informants.

When it was the turn of the small people near the Zhenguo General's Mansion to state the case, they saw that the main gate of the prefect's yamen was wide open, and two teams of solemn-looking officials ran out in a hurry.

After more than one season, the official sighed: "It's too miserable! Twenty-two murders overnight! ”

The words frightened the people who came to report the crime.

On the day of March 11, the Yamen of the Chang'an Prefect posted a notice that due to more than 20 murders in Chang'an City last night, the whole city of Chang'an City was under martial law, and the city gate was closed!

At noon, the Chang'an Mansion, the Inspector of the Embassy, the Governor Yamen, and the Liang Army stationed in Chang'an City all dispatched to arrest such a bold murderer throughout the city. Murderous officers and soldiers can be seen everywhere.

Checkpoints have been set up on various streets to check pedestrians passing by. All hotels, teahouses, and red mansions in Chang'an City were slapped open one by one by officers and soldiers, and suspicious people were searched door to door.

The people along the street had never experienced such a tense and exciting scene for many years, and many people hid behind the cracks in the door, watching the search movements on the street, and from time to time saw groups of officers and soldiers escorting unknown people who had been searched past and escorting them to the designated place.

In the governor's yamen, Qi Chu, the prefect of Chang'an, He Zhun, the political envoy, Deng Shuiqing, the commander, Luo Baiguan, the tax secretary and others gathered in the governor's yamen, Xu Liang sat at the head of the desk, leisurely sipping tea. From time to time, I looked through the search list that had been reported.

Xu Liang flipped through a few copies, and let out a sneer from time to time. The adults in the hall were shocked to hear it.

"Look at who is here!" Xu Liang slapped the stack of lists in his hand. "In a small Yuelai Inn, more than 120 people carrying weapons have been searched, and there is no road guide on them! There are thirty-six Tartars hidden in a theater garden, hehe, they came to Shaanxi thousands of miles away, is it just to listen to a play?! ”

"Ladies and gentlemen," Xu Liang propped up the table and said earnestly: "I don't know if I don't check, but I found out that there are so many lawbreakers in the small Chang'an City." As he spoke, Xu Liang looked at Qi Chu, the prefect of Chang'an. He said meaningfully: "The prefect of Qi, the long-term peace and stability of Chang'an City, you have a long way to go." ”

Qi Chu, the prefect of Chang'an, trembled in his heart, his face turned pale, he barely squeezed out a smile, and arched his hand: "Your lower official is ashamed!" ”

Deng Shuiqing, the envoy of the inspection, moved his lips, and finally couldn't help but carefully bow his hand and said: "Lord Governor, overnight last night, Qian Yongtai, the political envoy in Chang'an City. Dozens of officials such as the salt transport envoy and Yuan Ma Siqing had a tragedy in their homes, how to deal with this matter, and please show it as soon as possible. ”

Xu Liang glanced at Deng Zhi's envoy with a faint gaze. There was a look of grief on his face, and he said with a sad and indignant expression: "The lawbreakers in Chang'an City are so arrogant and bold, and they are so bold and clear. Zhao Zhao Sun and Moon, court officials said to kill. Say destroy the door, destroy the door! Treat the court law as if it were nothing! Examine! Be sure to check it out! ”

When the officials heard this, they all lowered their heads involuntarily. The corners of Deng Zhicha's mouth twitched fiercely a few times. Regarding the reason for what happened last night, Deng was not stupid, although he did not participate, but he understood it very well in his heart. For the stormy retaliation of the governor Xu Liang, Deng was shocked and frightened.

Since Xu Liang pretended to be stupid, as a qualified subordinate, Deng adjusted his mentality in time, and hurriedly echoed and said angrily: "The governor is very right! For many years in Chang'an City, there has never been such a tragic murder! The subordinate promised the governor that he would do all the strength of the Inspectorate and swear to investigate the case to the end! Give the court and adults an explanation! ”

"Well, that's hard work for Lord Deng." Xu Liang smiled and nodded with satisfaction to Inspector Deng.

"Where, where the duties of the subordinate are, this is what the subordinate should do." Deng Zhicha hurriedly and modestly bowed his hand.

Xu Liang nodded with satisfaction, then changed his tone, put away his sad and indignant look, and said faintly: "But then again, although there was a murder in Chang'an City, the work of the government cannot be delayed because of this. Lord Deng, report to the court as you want to report it as you want. As for the vacancy in the yamen caused by the deaths of dozens of officials, we have to find a way to resolve it as soon as possible. ”

Xu Liang said quietly, his eyes swept over the faces of several adults, and asked inquiringly: "Several adults, in your opinion, how should we deal with it?" ”

In the lobby of the governor's yamen, Deng Zhicha, He Bu, Qi Governor, Luo Tiju and others looked at each other, and they all secretly thought in their hearts: Is it too early for the governor to discuss the action of the official office today for the murder that only happened last night?

Qi Zhifu coughed lightly twice, and said hesitantly: "Futai, Qian Bu and the others died suddenly, and the officials and others were not prepared at all. According to the lower officials, this matter should be reported to the court as soon as possible, and the officials should fill the vacancy as soon as possible. ”

When Xu Liang heard this, his brows furrowed slightly, he glanced at the Qi Governor's Mansion, and said in a deep voice: "What Lord Qi said is not a bad way......

Qi Zhifu sighed in his heart: Listening to the meaning of this, the plan he proposed doesn't seem to cater to the governor's wishes? Seeing that Xu Liang looked away, he understood that his method was not in line with Xu Liang's taste, and he was uneasy.

Xu Liang looked at the envoy Deng and asked with a smile, "Lord Deng, what do you suggest?" ”

Deng Shuiqing was old-fashioned, knowing that Xu Liang asked like this, obviously he was not very satisfied with the method proposed by the Chang'an prefect. His brain teaser was in a hurry, and he suddenly thought of an idea, so he arched his hand with a smile and said: "Futai Mingjian, Shaanxi is a long way from Shaanxi to the capital, if you blindly wait for the court to send officials to fill the vacancy, you don't know when you have to wait until you go." According to the lower officials, it is better to follow the old recipe of the governor, first the governor yamen temporarily appoints acting officials, acts the functions and powers of the yamen, and then transfers the yamen to the selected officials to take care of them after the officials selected by the court take office. In this way, it will not delay the government affairs, but also take care of the face of the court. ”

Xu Liang frowned again, waved his hand and said, "Well...... Previously, the official appointed He Zhun as the political envoy of Shaanxi Youbu, and Lu Chengyuan as the prefect of Gongchang. Ding Shiyou acted as the prefect of Hanzhong, although the governor Yamen urged and urged. But the officials never replied. Acting as an agent for government affairs for a long time is not a long-term solution. ”

Deng Shuiqing was stunned. Then he shut his mouth. Qi Chu, the prefect of Chang'an, looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

Xu Liang looked at the tax department and raised Luo Baiguan, and asked expectantly, "Luo Baiguan, what do you think?" ”

Luo Baiguan saw that the suggestions of the prefect of Qi and Deng according to the envoy were not in line with Xu Liang's wishes, and he couldn't guess what Xu Liang was thinking, so he played a trick and said to Xu Liang with a smile: "If you go back to your lordship, the lower officials have not thought of a better idea than that proposed by Lord Qi and Lord Deng for the time being. Everything is up to you, the Governor. ”

A sentence reminded Qi Zhifu and others, and several people suddenly realized. In unison, he said, "Everything is up to the governor." ”

Xu Liang laughed, gave Luo Baiguan an approving look, stood up in high spirits, and waved his big hand, "That is the case, then the official will tell me what I think: Lord Qian, the political envoy of Shaanxi, is dead, but fortunately, He Zhun is here, and the political envoy is up, and the official is also relieved." As for the Salt Transport Envoy Division. Yuanma Temple, guarding the eunuchs' mansions...... Ahem, you also know that Shaanxi has been in turmoil over the years. In addition to training troops to fight, there is nothing else! I don't think there is any need to set up these yamen in the future, so they will be abolished together! The functions of these yamen were merged into the governor's yamen! Ladies and gentlemen. What do you think? ”

Deng pressed the envoy, Qi Zhifu and others trembled when they heard Qi's words! Meet Xu Liang's fierce gaze. Several people immediately echoed in panic: "It's still the governor who is thoughtful, and the lower officials and others have no objections." ”

Xu Liang was in a good mood. Haha laughed and said, "Okay, then it's decided." ”

Xu Liang smiled heartily, but the faces of Deng Zhaocha and the others were slightly pale, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

Vicious! It's so ruthless! This governor didn't even leave a chance to appoint officials to the court, and directly abolished the yamen institution and returned the power to the governor's yamen! This is the rhythm of dictatorship!

Although several adults have complicated thoughts, but the military power is in the hands of Xu Liang, and the fate of opposing Lord Xu: the example of the political envoy Qian Yongtai is in front of him, Deng according to the inspection envoy and others do not want to follow in the footsteps of Qian Yongtai, the so-called dead friends do not die in the poor way, anyway, it is not their own yamen that is abolished, so why bother to make Lord Xu unhappy?

As for whether it is legal, the court will not agree, uh...... This is something that the emperor and the cabinet consider!

Deng Shuiqing and the others quickly unified their thoughts under Xu Liangrudao's gaze, and expressed their full support for any decision made by the governor, so they wiped the cold sweat in the satisfied eyes of the governor and respectfully said goodbye and left.

The search of Chang'an City lasted for two days and two nights before it ended in the anticipation of the people of Chang'an, and the city gates began to open to allow the people to enter and exit.

When the guerrilla general Wan Wenshan came to the governor's yamen to report on the results of the battle, he asked about the handling of the more than 3,000 unknown people who had been searched.

Xu Liang smiled siniverly and shouted murderously: "These lawbreakers are bold enough to kill dozens of our Shaanxi officials overnight, and if they don't kill them, it is not enough for the people to be angry and not enough to boost the country's prestige!" At noon tomorrow, they will all be beheaded at the entrance of the vegetable market to show the public, shocking the young people! ”

Wan Wenshan's spirits perked up, and he replied solemnly: "Yes!" ”

More than 20 court officials in Chang'an City were killed overnight, which caused an uproar in Chang'an City, and then the governor Yamen, the prefect Yamen, according to the Inspectorate Department, and the Chang'an defenders were all dispatched to block the city gate and arrest the suspects.

The momentum is huge, and the efficiency of handling cases has also reached an unprecedented speed. Three days after the murder, when the recital to the court was still halfway through, the governor's yamen posted a notice announcing that the vicious case had been successfully solved and that the murderer had been arrested, but the number of people involved in the case was terrifying, reaching 3,200.

The proclamation of the governor yamen exposed this vicious incident in a painful manner, expressed extreme indignation at this organized and premeditated act of exterminating high-ranking officials in Shaanxi, and treated the people involved in this vicious incident, regardless of their status, whether men or women, and the way in which the governor's yamen handled them equally: beheading them for public display.

On the day of the execution, the crowd of onlookers at the entrance of the vegetable market was turned to the inner three floors and the outer three floors, and the guerrilla general Wan Wenshan mobilized nearly 6,000 Liang troops to take charge of the defense of the execution site to ensure that the execution process was safe and smooth.

Groups of criminals, with black cloth on their heads and strips of cloth in their mouths, were dragged up to the execution ground in rows, and the executioners fell in rows with their knives in their hands. It was immediately dragged away by the soldiers who came forward to clean up and make room for the next group of criminals to be executed.

The crowd was dissatisfied, and some people had the courage to shout to the prison officer: "My lord, can you take off the black cloth covers on the heads of these criminals, so that we can also know these crazy criminals!" ”

The warden glanced at the man, shook his head resolutely, and said in a deep voice: "It is the intention of the governor to be executed with a hood. ”

Coax! The people watching suddenly roared, Shaanxi Governor Xu Liang's ruthless methods, everyone has heard of it! The man shrunk his neck, not daring to ask any more questions.

The punishment continued.

In the crowd, there were a few people mixed in with the onlookers, watching sneaky. One person shouted in annoyance: "Xu Liang, this person is too cunning. All those who were decapitated covered their heads and gagged! There are so many people, and it's not clear which ones are ours! ”

The other snorted angrily, looked at the Liang soldiers guarding the surrounding of the execution ground with fear, and whispered hatefully: "Don't do anything! Let's sprinkle! ”

Immediately, the men each lowered their heads, walked through the crowd, and quietly left.

The execution lasted three days, and the number of onlookers became smaller and smaller day by day. In fact, this is this kind of beheading scene, except for the first time I saw it a little strange, and if you continue to watch it, you will feel bored, monotonous and unremarkable, especially these criminals are still covering their heads one by one, and they can't see their true faces clearly!

The smell of blood in the entire vegetable market has not completely dissipated for several days and nights, and most of the people in Chang'an City have bypassed the vegetable market.

In the trilateral governor's palace in Guyuan, the faces of Yang He, the governor of the three sides, the father-in-law Yu of the Dongji Factory, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Yansui, and Wang Pu, the chief soldier of the Beijing camp, were all very unsightly.

On the round table between the four people, there is a notice about the murder case in Chang'an City given by the governor Yamen of Chang'an City. There is also a report on the secret investigation of the East Factory.

Governor Yang's face was bruised, full of anger, and occasionally mixed with a hint of sadness. Because he was on the side of Governor Yang, Qian Yongtai, the very obedient political envoy of Shaanxi, also died.

"How many court officials are left in Chang'an City?" Grandpa Yu asked through gritted teeth.

Of course, the object of his questioning was not Governor Yang and others, but the head of Dongchang's stall responsible for investigating the truth of the Chang'an murder case.

The stall head looked complicated, and lowered his head and said: "Dugong, except for the officials who have already indicated that they belong to Xu Liang, almost all the high-level officials in Shaanxi are dead. Not a single one left. Moreover, the governor's yamen has issued an edict to abolish the salt transportation envoys, the Yuanma Temple, and the eunuch's palace, and the functions of these yamen are also assumed by the governor's inspection gate. ”

"Then what to do with these soldiers and soapmen in the yamen?" Hong Chengchou asked.

"Uh......" the look of the stall head of the Dongchang was very strange, "Xu Liang put these people together in the Patrol Department of the Governor's Yamen. ”

"Patrol Division? What's that? Not only is Hong Chengchou unclear, but neither are Yang He and others. (To be continued.) )