Hu Quan's thoughts in this place almost all came out of nine twists and eighteen bends, but at this time, he still had some hopes, and after discussing with Gu Yanzhang for a few days, he never found any good way, and in the following days, he continued to receive bad news, such as Li Chengwei retracting his confession, and falsely accusing him of confessing that the previous confession was a trick for the criminal department, and all the confessions were nonsense from his own family under heavy punishment, and had nothing to do with the officials he had bitten.

Another example is that it is said that according to Li Chengwei's confession, the Criminal Department has found that the former two servants of the Li family are very suspicious, and issued a sea arrest document, which is also accompanied by pictures and graphics, and is putting up lists everywhere, wanting to arrest the two people;

There were other people who corroborated that the two servants had been at odds with the Li family in the past, or had been punished or scolded for excuses, and that they wanted to ransom their sons but did not agree—they even helped to find the motive for the killing.

The three cases have been transferred to Dali Temple, and no one else is allowed to interfere without saying anything, and there are not even a few exact information, and the whole department can only wait.

Hu Quan has been trying the case for many years, and naturally knows that in such a short period of time, all the heads and tails are so clean, must have been prepared early, and there must be a few people in Dali Temple to help respond, for a while I only feel that all thoughts are lost, the road ahead is broken, and I don't even want to go to the yamen, nor do I want to go back, and I am already so anxious that the corners of my mouth are blistering.

Seeing that Gu Yanzhang was calm and relaxed, as if there was nothing serious, he couldn't help but ask if there was a way, but the other party shook his head and said: "It's useless to be anxious now, but the soldiers will block it and the water will cover it." ”

It's so angry that Hu Quan's teeth itch.

When he returned home to see his wife, he really wanted to divorce her.

Not to mention that Hu Quan was in a hurry to turn around, Dali Temple was slowly trying three major cases, and the court and China were arguing over the selection of the new emperor, but the days were still going down day by day, and in a blink of an eye, Zhao Rui was buried.

According to the story of Taizu, for the sake of the society, the first emperor passed away, and the new emperor did not have to keep three years of filial piety, but listened to the government on three days, and the details on the 13th and the 27th. As for the Daozhong Festival, Defense, Regiment Training Envoy, Assassin History, Zhizhou, etc., all of them must not leave their posts and go to Que, and the state, army, and government can be released after three days.

Since the beginning of Taizu, the Jin Emperor did not like the big funeral, Zhao Rui's father also left a special edict, requiring descendants to repair the emperor's mausoleum for their own must be "no ornaments", to Zhao Rui as the emperor, for many years, there is almost no peace, either a war, or a natural disaster. He only knows how to save money on weekdays, and even the Funing Palace, where he sleeps every day when he lives, is reluctant to spend money on repairs, so naturally he has no time to take care of his imperial tomb.

Zhao Rui left in a hurry, but there were no heirs, and he couldn't even find anyone who presided over the mountain mausoleum ceremony, and the rest of the spirit and burial could be delayed, and it didn't matter if it took half a year, it really didn't work, and the burial after a year was just a little ugly, and it was somewhat passable, but the burial could no longer be delayed.

Because the candidate for the new emperor was still in dispute and had not been settled, it was temporarily presided over by the Empress Dowager Zhang and gathered in the Yanqing Palace.

Before dawn on this day, Gu Yanzhang entered the palace in mourning clothes, and lined up in order to obey the order, and kept watch from dark to dawn in the Yanqing Palace.

His official character is not high, only standing at the back of the temple door, listening to the ceremonial official singing in the distance, seeing the big coffin in the hall, I only feel that life is unpredictable and elusive.

More than three years ago, he met the Son of Heaven for the first time in Beijing, kneeling in front of the desk and writing essays. Although each other's Zhao Rui is not in the prime of life, in the end they are still healthy, in the past few years, although the two have not seen each other much, but the other party's value and expectations for themselves, although they have not said it explicitly, they are aware of each other.

Zhao Rui has been on the throne for decades, and he has never opened up territory, nor has he tossed any major events, but during his reign, he is indeed dedicated to the people. At present, this "inactive" emperor is lying in the coffin, only King Ji and King Wei are kneeling in front of the spirit, and Empress Dowager Zhang is standing aside.

Gu Yanzhang felt sad in his heart, his mind was full of Zhao Rui's voice, and he really felt panicked in his chest, so he only knew how to follow the singing and bowing of the ceremonial official.

After the ceremony was completed, the hundred officials left the hall in order to enter the table, and the attendants served the wine and food one by one.

Empress Dowager Zhang only gave a banquet, but she never attended, only King Ji and King Wei presided over on her behalf. The two of them sat at the top, divided the two tables on the left and right, and saw that all the officials had arrived, so they raised their glasses at the same time, and each drank a glass first.

The two of them went first, and the officials in the palace drank a cup together and opened a banquet to eat.

Today, everyone entered the palace early in the morning, walking around, worshipping non-stop, and there was no one who was not hungry, even if the meal seemed to make people have no appetite at all, everyone still picked up the food that looked like it could reach the stomach.

When the feast was finished, it was already dark, and the hundred officials went out of the palace in turn, waiting outside the palace gate for the people in front of them to ride away, and then waiting for their entourage to come with lanterns.

Gu Yanzhang had something else to worry about, he didn't want to go out and squeeze with the people outside, just thinking about Zhao Rui in the coffin in the Yanqing Hall today, he couldn't help but be a little depressed, so he sued his colleagues, fell at the end, and walked slowly outside.

As he walked, he looked up at the west, and there were no stars in that place, but it was pitch black, and he was out of his mind, but he suddenly felt a black shadow in front of him fall on him, and when he turned his head, he saw that someone was following behind the crowd, and he was walking slower and slower, and as for being separated from the officials far away, he stood not far in front of him, and the shadow slanted over him.

The man was long and dressed in mourning clothes, but he looked even more handsome and graceful, and when he got closer, Gu Yanzhang realized that he was an acquaintance.

The man waited for Gu Yanzhang to walk in front of him, and raised his voice to greet him: "Yanzhang, why are you left behind?" ”

- It is Yang Yifu.

Gu Yanzhang returned to Beijing for a few months, and had a lot of contact with Zheng Shixiu, but he didn't have much contact with this Yang Yi Mansion, but no matter what, the two of them had a friendship with classmates, he cleaned up his mood and responded: "The family has a daughter, why don't you hurry back home?" ”

Yang Yifu exhaled a long breath, and after a while, he smiled bitterly: "What is the relationship between the two of us, others are just fine, why do you bother to make fun of it?" ”

Gu Yanzhang only felt inexplicable, thought for a moment, and then remembered that the other party had complained to him a few years ago that the son-in-law of the prime minister's family was not good at being Yunyun, but it had been a long time, and in the past few years, the person opposite had relied on Fan Yaochen and had taken advantage of it, and besides, his wife Fan's daughters had all given birth, so how could he have expected this person to still think like this.

Gu Yanzhang himself is a loving wife like his life, they all say that people are in groups, and they have always had some friendship, not to mention that they are like him, how much they can respect each other as husband and wife, in the face of Yang Yifu like this, naturally there is nothing to say, although he is quite disliked, but he doesn't want to say much, only said: "In the end, it is his own flesh and blood......

After saying this, he shut up.

Yang Yifu has been in the officialdom in the past few years, and it has long been not Wuxia Ameng, his ability to see the wind and rudder is innate, and after this edification, he is even more outstanding.

If Gu Yanzhang in the past is still worth his more effort to make friends, now that Zhao Rui is dead, this classmate who offended Zhao Hao, the king of Ji, is not in his eyes for a long time, and on weekdays, it is not an exaggeration to say that he can't hide from it, and he deliberately chased after him today, which naturally has a purpose.

Seeing that he had spoken, Yang Yifu first glanced forward, and saw that there was no second person in his sight, nor had he seen the palace attendants, and he would never tell the two of them about walking together, so he stood in place and waited for Gu Yanzhang to step forward and walk side by side with him.

After walking a few steps, he said: "Yanzhang, I heard that you have always been good with Zhang Dujian who went to Shuzhong to quell the rebellion, yes or no?" ”

Hearing Hu Quan mention Zhang Dingya, Gu Yanzhang's face involuntarily relaxed a little, but when he thought of his unpredictable fortune and misfortune at the moment, he didn't want to drag the other party down, so he didn't want to say more, and replied: "I went to Guangnan with Zhang Dujian to quell the rebellion, which can be regarded as an old acquaintance. ”

Yang Yifu got his answer, "oh", the last note pressed down, and said with some disappointment: "I am being ordered to repair the book, and there is a place in it that talks about the matter in Shuzhong, I thought that he had just come back from there, if Yanzhang is familiar with it, through your relationship, you can ask two questions......"

Gu Yanzhang opened his mouth and said: "The chaos in Shuzhong has been settled, you have to give the emperor an edict, he has already returned to Beijing, calculate the time, if you go fast, I am afraid that it will be there in these days, this person has an excellent temperament, and his talent is high, you go to ask, there is nothing you don't say, you don't need to be recommended by others." ”

Yang Yifu sighed: "He also has a bad fate, but he met at this time...... If there is no such thing, with his merits this time, he can be promoted to two levels, and if it is appropriate, it is not impossible to turn three times. ”

Gu Yanzhang didn't talk.

Different from his own family, Zhang Dingya took the road of martial arts, he was talented, and he was still young, and because he was late in office, he transferred to many military camps, and even the brand of the faction on his body was shallow, whether it was Zhao Rui or Empress Dowager Zhang, even if it was King Ji, I am afraid that he would value such a talent. Even if this time because of the emperor's great performance, it is not good for the court to solemnly reward him, he is just temporarily dormant, and sooner or later there will be a flying dragon in the sky.

Yang Yifu saw that the other party was not interested, so he took another half step closer to him and called in a low voice: "Yanzhang." ”

Gu Yanzhang turned sideways, looked at Yang Yifu's face and waited for him to speak.

Yang Yifu said: "I didn't say much about this matter, but I just heard gossip, saying that you handled a big case against humanity before, and now it has been transferred to Dali Temple, yes or no?" ”

Gu Yanzhang nodded.

There's nothing to hide from that.

Yang Yifu said: "The day before yesterday, I went to see Jiayue, and I happened to meet the Zhou Commentator of Dali Temple, and I heard him talk about it with others, as if that person was innocent, but he was beaten into a trick by the criminal department, yes or no?" ”

Gu Yanzhang said coldly: "The verdict has not been handed down, and it is too early to say at this time." ”

Yang Yifu heard his answer, hesitated for a moment, his steps became smaller and smaller, and he didn't take a few steps, but he suddenly stood still, looked around again, and after confirming that there was no one on the left and right, he finally made up his mind, and said in a low voice: "Yanzhang, I have a heart-to-heart message, and I can only say it with you." ”

"The friendship between the gentlemen of Duyun is as light as water, and then the clouds are pouring like the old, the two of us have known each other for a long time, and we know each other deeply, although we have our own things recently, and we must not sit often, but it is not hindering friendship."

The two walked on the cloister, there was no one around, the sky was as dark as a curtain, the night was as cool as water, because it was winter, even the insects and birds were no longer heard, only Yang Yifu was talking about himself.

"I know that Yanzhang is different from others, and Yanzhang also knows my character, this word can come out of my mouth and into your ears, and no third person will know."

He laid the groundwork for a long time, and finally asked: "Today's emperor's funeral, have you seen what King Wei and King Ji did?" ”

Gu Yanzhang shook his head.

He didn't have the leisure to pay attention to that.

Yang Yifu didn't originally want to listen to his answer, so he said to himself: "The two princes are sincere, respectful and loyal, and they are crying in front of the spirit, especially the King of Wei, who is almost difficult to hold himself, what are you doing?" ”

At this time, the weather was very cold, and as he spoke, he exhaled a cloud of pale air from his mouth and nose.

Gu Yanzhang did not answer.

"It is rumored that the King of Wei has fornicated with the Northern Barbarians, so the sage ordered Chen Guogong to check it......" Yang Yifu put his hands into his sleeves, straightened his back, looked at the road ahead, and did not look at Gu Yanzhang, "Although the news has not spread yet, I am already convinced in private, King Wei ...... this time I'm afraid it's hard to get out......"

"Your Majesty, the new emperor has not yet been decided, and the opinions of various families are different, my father-in-law - although I am still a junior in him, but in front of Yanzhang, I don't want to hide it - I think you also know that he is very stupid and loyal, thinking that he used to get along with the former emperor and ministers, and he does not want to see him heir, and he is bent on giving him a succession, but the current situation in the court and China, where can he control it."

Yang Yifu's feet became slower and slower, almost pacing, but there was no hindrance in his mouth, and he said: "It's also in front of you that I will say this - when the emperor is here, is he the only one in the court?" Until last year, there was still a saying in the market, Yun said to force the head of the 'sheep' not to eat 'food', when the real monarch and the minister get along, where will the two parties of the DPRK and China make such a fuss? Besides, I never think that the courtiers in the world are doing things for the Son of Heaven! ”

"It is said that 'eat the king's Lu and bear the king's worries', is that 'Lu' really given by the Son of Heaven? It's all the people's Lu, who occupies the position of the Son of Heaven, what does it matter, as long as it is for the country and the people, it is worthy of the name of the scholar, as long as it does not violate orthodoxy, as long as it conforms to the righteousness, as long as it is still the blood of Taizu, who is the emperor, what does it have to do with him! Why did he bother doing this?! ”

Yang Yifu's expression was ugly, his tone was gloomy, and he folded his hands and sighed: "If he is only one person, and he is willing to sacrifice his life for the emperor, I don't have much to say, but he drags his children and daughters, has a wife and a long grown, and thousands of people in a vast family are tied into one, one is lost, and one is prosperous, how can he be so self-dedicated!" ”

He was like a river, without Gu Yanzhang opening his mouth, his family was able to hold up all the way, and he kept counting Fan Yaochen without foresight, and in this critical autumn of survival, he actually made a move to harm his family.

"Yanzhang, my uncle served in the Kyoto Prefecture, although he has never entered the two prefectures, in the end he can be called deaf and clear-sighted, last night was almost three watches, and he went to the mansion to find me, asked me about my father-in-law's plan, and asked me to persuade a few more words, lest I be dragged down, as for colleagues and friends, there is nothing that is not worried, you and I are really in the same situation, and the predicament is the same......"