Jiang Wenbin was brought into the palace by Yu Chengqi at dusk.

In front of the ladies of the Anguo Mansion, the emperor carefully interrogated Jiang Wenbin. Of course, Jiang Wenbin didn't dare to hide it, he made the suspicions in his heart clear, including how he discovered Zhao Zhiliang's grudge when he was the head of the military department before, and how he kept an eye on Zhao Zhiliang's every move every day after Zhao Zhiliang returned to the military department, including his suspicions and speculations about He Wenmao.

In the process of Jiang Wenbin's narration, the emperor did not say a word, sat behind the imperial case and stared at Jiang Wenbin condescendingly, his expression was majestic, and the oppression in his eyes was full. He didn't ask a single question, just listened quietly.

It took Jiang Wenbin a long time to explain these things clearly, and after his words fell, the entire imperial study room was quiet, and it seemed that even the sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard clearly. As a mere five-grade official, this is the first time that Jiang Wenbin has been so close to the emperor, so he is inevitably a little nervous.

The emperor frowned, thoughtfully tapped his fingers on the table, and made a subtle "tu, tu" sound, which made the atmosphere of the entire imperial study more stagnant, Jiang Wenbin couldn't help but start sweating in such a very oppressive atmosphere.

Fortunately, the emperor was not silent for a long time, but the first words he said made Jiang Wenbin hesitate.

The emperor asked, "Who else knows about this?" ”

Jiang Wenbin paused slightly, and immediately replied: "Duke Anguo in the north, the minister was in the Duke of Anguo Mansion last night, and informed the Duchess of Anguo and the staff in the palace about this matter. The staff and gentlemen have already sent a letter to inform Grandpa Guo, and it is an emergency pigeon whistle. ”

Jiang Wenbin's fleeting hesitation failed to hide from the emperor, and after his words fell, the emperor stared at his lowered head tightly, and his eyes were majestic: "Only An Guogong?" ”

A short rhetorical question, but the tone was extremely powerful, which made Jiang Wenbin instantly lose that little bit of concealment.

"Also...... There is also a friend of the minister, Hubu Xie Shilang. Jiang Wenbin replied in a low voice.

"Hubu Xie Changjing?" The emperor sneered: "It seems that you are afraid that something will happen to the household department and implicate your friends, so you sent a message to Xie Changjing in advance?" Jiang Wenbin, do you know what you are according to the law of the Great Zhou? I ask you again, you said in front of me that you and Xie Changjing are friends, what are you? ”

"Your Majesty, the minister is wronged." Jiang Wenbin broke out in a cold sweat, and immediately knocked his head to the ground: "Xie Shilang will know about this because the evidence about Zhao Zhiliang collected by the minister has been kept in his hands, and these two confessions and a treasury list were just brought back from the Xie family at noon today. The evidence has been in the hands of Xie Shilang for several years, and it was handed over to him by the minister himself when he was in the Yushitai. At that time, the minister hoped to overthrow Zhao Zhiliang through these two pieces of evidence, but after Xie Shilang read it, he said that there was only a confession and a treasury list, which could not be regarded as ironclad evidence, and it was difficult to bring down Zhao Zhiliang. So the evidence has been left with Master Xiao Xie. ”

"It's interesting." The emperor chuckled, but there was no smile on his face: "Zhao Zhiliang was finally overthrown and dismissed." I do remember that when I participated in Zhao Zhiliang's imperial history, it seemed that I had a good relationship with the Xie family. It seems that you and Xie Changjing are really close friends! He went around in such a big circle, and in the end he did it for you. Jiang Wenbin, you haven't answered my question yet, you said in front of me that you and Xie Changjing are friends, what is this called according to the law of the Great Zhou? ”

"Friends...... Clique. Jiang Wenbin lowered his head and replied in a low voice.

"You're good, you're a party under my nose." The emperor's tone was very condensed: "Jiang Wenbin, what are you wronged?" ”

"Your Majesty!" At this time, Mrs. Mu, who was sitting on a stool next to her, raised her head and said in a loud voice: "It is indeed against the law for courtiers to form a party. But Lord Jiang and Master Xiao Xie are on the same list, when neither of them entered the office, they were friends, is it possible that because they are officials, they will not be able to get a share? If you study it so carefully, when the old son's son died last year, and Lord Jiang wore linen and filial piety, and saluted the teacher in front of the spirit in front of a group of officials, do you also have to ask them together? ”

"Old lady, don't worry." The emperor replied calmly: "The military funds have been robbed, and the whereabouts of the two Mu sons are unknown. For example, Xie Shilang of the household department is an insider, which means that Xie Xiang actually knows it in his heart? ”

"It's not just Xie Xiang who knows it." Jiang Wenbin raised his head suddenly, and he couldn't be afraid: "If the minister's conjecture is correct, then Li Xiang also knows it." Zhao Zhiliang was a student of Li Xiang, and Li Xiang and Zhou Shangshu, the former military department, both knew about the events of that year, and they were mentioned in those two confessions. ”

"So who's going to send to find out?" The emperor turned his head to look at Mrs. Mu: "The Criminal Department, Dali Temple and Yushitai jointly conduct a thorough investigation, and there must be someone who takes the lead in taking charge." The case of the Anguo Mansion may involve Rong Di's intrigue and complicated party disputes, so the people investigating the case must score enough points to suppress it. Who is the most suitable, that's what I care about the most. Xie Xiang knew in advance that his son was a household servant, if he was sent to investigate, who could guarantee that he would not be biased? And Li Xiang may be involved in the old case back then, and it is difficult to guarantee that he will not confuse the public in order to cover up the events of the year. Wang Zhixiu is the same list of the current military department scholars, and if he is a scholar of the Ministry of War, one of his sons is also serving in the household department, and the other is probably ......"

The emperor raised his eyes and glanced at Gu Yilan, who was standing behind Second Lady Mu, and the meaning in his eyes was very obvious. The Gu family is the in-law of the Mu family, and should be avoided according to the law. If he is sent to thoroughly investigate the case involving the Mu family, I am afraid that he will provoke the criticism of the courtiers.

Gu Yilan, who had been quietly following her mother-in-law, was swept away by the emperor's eyes and suddenly knelt down. The emperor was a little surprised, he saw that Gu Yilan seemed to have something to say, so he nodded and handed Gu Yilan an encouraging look.

"Your Majesty," Gu Yilan lowered her head slightly, and said respectfully: "As Your Majesty said, the military funds have been robbed, and the whereabouts of my younger brothers are unknown. The courtiers are short-sighted, but what His Majesty said before made the courtiers think of a person, which may be appropriate. ”

Old Madam Mu was a little surprised, even a few Mrs. Mu, but no one opened her mouth to interrupt Gu Yilan's words.

"Oh?" The emperor raised his eyebrows, and his face showed a little interested: "Who you have thought of, it is better to hear it." ”

"His Royal Highness the King of Letters." Gu Yilan looked at her nose and nose, her nose looked at her heart, and her eyes were down, but her tone was very firm.