Listening to Gu Yanzhang's reply, Empress Dowager Zhang was not surprised, but said: "This is the capital, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, the royal family is naturally everywhere, and it is common for those who rely on the Heavenly Family to take advantage of everywhere. ”

In this way, with a few words, the responsibility was put on the head of Song Qian, the "imperial prince" who "relied on the heavenly family to take advantage".

Seeing the Empress Dowager Zhang talking like this, how could Gu Yanzhang not know her attitude, and he didn't care, and said: "The Empress Dowager has an order, and the ministers should act according to the law, and they will be carefully supervised." ”

"The fold you handed over, the old body has already seen it, that Li Chengwei is heinous, clever words, he can't get away with the crime, even if the evidence is sufficient, there is no need to delay time, ask Dali Temple to stare at the execution on the spot with your criminal department, so as to set an example."

Dropping such a sentence lightly, Empress Dowager Zhang didn't even raise her eyelids, only took the tea cup on the table, opened the lid of the cup, scraped off the floating tea leaves and tea foam, and slowly took a sip of tea.

A puff of white gas rose from the teacup, emanating a scent of tea, and then submerged into the air.

Gu Yanzhang stood down, and was a little indifferent for a while.

Li Chengwei has carried so many cases, but he has never admitted any of them, although there is a lot of evidence at present, but if you want to call it ironclad, you can't talk about it. Empress Dowager Zhang just said such a sentence, and she wanted people to shut up forever, presumably because she knew something inside and wanted to keep the person behind.

He glanced at Zhu Baoshi not far away.

The other party was half-hung with his head down, his waist was bent, he only stared at the ground, he didn't even lift his eyelids, and he didn't move, as if he were a stone.

After thinking for a few breaths, Gu Yanzhang said: "Since it is the decree of the Queen Mother, the minister naturally cannot shirk it, but if Dali Temple wants to be executed, but everything involves a murder case, it is necessary to see the judgment of the Criminal Department, and there is also a Chinese order ......."

As soon as he finished speaking, Empress Dowager Zhang shouted: "Zhu Baoshi." ”

Zhu Baoshi, who had been standing quietly for a long time, suddenly turned around and bowed and said, "The minister is here." ”

"Take the edict of the Chinese book and give it to him."

Empress Dowager Zhang put down the teacup in her hand and wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief.

Zhu Baoshi took a volume of edict and handed it over.

Gu Yanzhang opened it and took a look, and sure enough, it was the edict drafted by the Queen Mother, with a large seal of Chinese books on it, and a flower charge of Sun Bian, the governor of the political affairs, it seemed that the procedures were complete and there was nothing wrong.

With such an edict, although the procedure is somewhat wrong, if you want to shirk it, you can't find any reason.

He had no choice but to bow down and take the order.

In addition to the guards on duty, there was a person standing outside the door.

The man looked no more than twenty years old, handsome, and only wearing a homely brocade robe, and he seemed a little surprised to see Gu Yanzhang come out.

At this moment, the official of the gate called him respectfully on the side, and said, "The Queen Mother, please come in." ”

He didn't delay or speak, he just nodded at Gu Yanzhang and passed by him.

It was originally an old acquaintance, the eldest son of Zhang Zhi, a member of the Gemen She, and Zhang Hu, the cousin of the Empress Dowager Zhang.

***

When Zhang Hu walked into the Vertical Arch Palace, Zhu Baoshi was no longer there, only Cui Yongchen was standing next to Empress Dowager Zhang, who was filling her tea.

"You're here."

Seeing her cousin, Empress Dowager Zhang's face was a little relieved, and she said with a smile: "You sit down, the sun is about to set, why are you in such a hurry, you want to enter the palace and tell me?" But the monkey is making trouble again? ”

Huang Men on the side hurriedly moved a chair over.

Zhang Hu didn't shirk it, he sat down immediately, hesitated, and said, "Queen Mother, the minister just saw Gu Yanzhang, the deputy envoy of the Criminal Division, outside......

Empress Dowager Zhang thought for a while, nodded and responded: "Yes, you have worked together in Ganzhou in the past, I don't know what this person's character is?" ”

She didn't ask about her talents, she only asked about her character, and when she asked Zhang Hu to listen to it, she vaguely felt a little weird, but she replied: "After all, we haven't been together for a long time, and our talents are a few points, but our character has not yet been known - in the end, I am too young, and I will only judge it after a few more years." ”

He paused, suddenly stood up, and said solemnly to the Empress Dowager Zhang: "Empress Dowager, the minister has heard rumors outside that there is a rich man in the capital, named Li Chengwei, who has many contacts with His Royal Highness King Ji...... This matter is unusual, and it involves the heavenly family, how can you rest assured that you can leave it to others, why don't you do it for me! ”

***

The sun has not yet set, and the new moon has risen.

Two rounds of bright objects shone in the sky at the same time, but neither of them could emit much light.

The imperial city was shrouded in half-darkness.

Gu Yanzhang stepped out of the vertical arch hall with a face as usual.

The Great Jin Dynasty has been established for more than 100 years, and in recent times, even several emperors have advocated simplicity, and the palace is not leaking and dripping rain, so it is reluctant to speak to repair, and it is to the big inside, and the palace is very old.

At this time, the midwinter has passed, the early spring has not arrived, you can only see a few big trees scattered, I don't know that it was planted at that time, it looks not high, but the trunk is not small, the branches are bald, there is no bud, it looks very pitiful.

He came around the corner, and suddenly stood still, and looked at the trees for a moment.

Huang Men, who led the way in front, had no choice but to stand still and asked in a low voice, "Deputy envoy?" ”

Gu Yanzhang shook his head, as if nothing had happened, and continued to walk outside the palace.

When you get to the royal street, the sky outside is already dark, the street is crowded, the hawkers' shouts, people's shouts, and the storytelling and singing in the restaurant and tea shop are mixed together, from the palace to the outside of the palace, but separated by a wall, but suddenly from cold silence to lively, as if to another world.

Rosin Xiang had been waiting outside with her horse for a long time, and when she saw Gu Yanzhang coming out, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet her and asked, "The official wants to go back to the house?" ”

Gu Yanzhang shook his head, looked up at the direction of the state bridge, and said, "You go to the Criminal Department to find that Zhang Yong, and say that I am waiting for him in Dali Temple." ”

He didn't give any more instructions, but turned over and rode away.

Gu Yanzhang still had an official certificate with him, and when he arrived at the place, he didn't bother others, recruited a passing official, and when he asked where Du Tanzhi's public hall was, he went straight to that place.

At this time, it was already early, but the public hall was full, and it was even more complete than the daytime. Everyone either billed the case, or relied on the flickering bean light of the oil lamp to turn over the case file.

Du Tanzhi sat in the middle of the room, picking up the pen and not knowing what he was writing.

Gu Yanzhang walked to the window, picked up a stone casually, threw it up, and the stone easily passed over the two heads that were in the way on the side and flew to Du Tanzhi's table.

The stone was very accurate, and the bones rolled a few times, and it was about to roll to Du Tanzhi's left hand to press the paper, snapped and stopped, and refused to move next to his elbow.

Du Tanzhi immediately raised his head and looked over.

Gu Yanzhang didn't speak, but only nodded at him.

Du Tanzhi threw away the pen in his hand, stood up and leaned against the side and went out.

"It's a big night, why did you come to Dali Temple?"

A few steps away, he asked.

Gu Yanzhang didn't answer directly, but said, "I heard that the case is still being tried next?" ”

Du Tanzhi nodded and said: "The people from your criminal department came back from Quanzhou, and they took a lot of clues, and they are now trying Li Chengwei." ”

While the two of them were talking, they walked towards the prison and walked to the door, but Gu Yanzhang suddenly turned his head and said: "After a while, Zhang Ji will arrive, I will go in with him to hear the trial, you can go back - go back to the house, go to Mr.'s place, as long as you are not in Dali Temple." ”

Du Tanzhi was stunned for a moment, it could be seen that Gu Yanzhang had no intention of joking, although he didn't know what his plans were, he nodded honestly.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for Zhang Yong to come from outside with two officials.

The three of them said hello, and Du Tanzhi excused himself to leave under the pretext that there was something at home.

Zhang Yong came in a hurry and asked, "In the middle of the night, what is so anxious?" ”

Gu Yanzhang said: "After receiving the mandate of heaven and getting an edict from the palace, then Li Chengwei is unethical, and his crime is unforgivable, so he must be ordered by the Criminal Department to be sentenced to the Criminal Division, and Dali Temple will act and kill on the spot, so it must be delayed." ”

Zhang Yongxian was still calmly rolling up his sleeves, and he couldn't help but hear Gu Yanzhang's words, the sleeves were rolled up halfway, and his right hand was hanging from his left hand, he was stunned on the spot, his mouth open, his eyes widened, and he couldn't speak.

After a long time, he hurriedly said: "The trial is not finished yet!" Acting like this, not complying with the system, will be impeached by the Imperial Historical Observatory in the future! ”

Speaking of this, just a few words, it was already a cold sweat.

Gu Yanzhang said: "The edict has already been issued in the book, and there is an edict in the palace, as long as Li Chengwei pleads guilty, the rest doesn't matter." ”

As he spoke, he had already stepped in first.

Zhang Yong only felt that the sweat on the top of his head had flowed down his forehead into his right eye, and the rolled up half of the sleeve was just right to wipe his head and face. Who issued the edict? Which of the princesses did you cover? Deputy Envoy Gu, haven't you been deceived? ”

He quickly took a few steps forward, turned around, half retreated and half walked under his feet, and did not forget to persuade Gu Yanzhang in his mouth: "And you have to see clearly who is the flower, such an edict is drawn up in the palace, and the Chinese book will also be called, if you and I are good at making claims and don't know the truth, we will be the ones who bear the guilt in the future." ”

Gu Yanzhang knew that he was not at ease, so he took out an edict from his sleeve and did not hand it over, but only asked: "The edict is here, should the priest really see it at this time?" ”

Zhang Yong's hand was only halfway out, and suddenly he woke up wrong, turned his head to see that there were still a few people behind him, as if he had touched thunder and lightning, he suddenly took his hand back, turned around, and did not say much, but strode towards the room where he was interrogated.

There were still three or four people in the room, who were interrogating Li Chengwei, and when they saw Zhang Yi coming in and walking towards the table, they quickly stood up and let go.

Li Chengwei has been interrogated for several days in a row, and he is already embarrassed, although he still refuses to admit it, he also knows that he will not be able to escape at this time. He saw Gu Yanzhang sitting opposite Zhang Yong, unconsciously pressed his waist forward, and loosened his back without a trace.

Gu Yanzhang sat down, first sent out irrelevant people, and then called someone to call the executioner.

Li Chengwei was already nervous, seeing that he didn't speak to himself, and heard the executioner, his heart jumped, he hurriedly swallowed his saliva, and opened his mouth to ask: "I don't know what the official is going to interrogate this time?" ”

As soon as he finished speaking, two jailers came in from outside.

As if he hadn't heard his words, Gu Yanzhang only asked, "It's already late at night, I wonder if you have something to eat at night?" ”

Li Chengwei's chest twitched, and for a moment he thought he had heard it wrong.

He has always been very good at observing words and feelings, but this time, he forced himself not to think about that crooked place, and only said after a while: "The villain has eaten." ”

Gu Yanzhang said again: "The diet in prison is simple, and there are few things, if you have anything to eat, at this time, you can be satisfied." ”

Then he instructed the jailer beside him, "Go out and buy some good wine and meat." ”

Suddenly without warning like this, Li Chengwei shook his head vigorously a few times as if in a dream, and then he felt that he was really awake, and shouted: "Deputy Envoy Gu, what do you mean?!" ”

This time, Gu Yanzhang also didn't answer, only glanced at the jailer on the side.

Li Chengwei came back to his senses and followed his gaze.

The jailer was holding a new color of clothes in his hand, and when he saw him looking at him, he said in a good voice: "Outside Mr. Li, this set is all newly made, just right for you, and the hot water outside is also prepared." ”

The rules in prison, before the death row prisoner goes to the execution ground, he must be fed and clothed, wash his body and clean his face, Li Chengwei has traveled from south to north for many years, so he naturally knows it, but he never thought that this rule would one day be related to him.

He only felt a chill and a heat on his body, which made his brain groggy, and he couldn't believe what was happening in front of him, so he only stared at Gu Yanzhang and said, "Gu Guanren, I don't know what crime the villain has committed?" Is it true that I killed my mother, wife, and daughter, and together with Chen Ducai's resale of Changping silver, it is a crime of rebellion, and I will be hanged according to the criminal law of the Great Jin Dynasty, and I should also have a sentence from the Criminal Department? Besides, now is not the time for execution, how can Haruhi commit such a killing?! ”

At this moment, Gu Yanzhang naturally had nothing to hide, he took out the edict from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Yong on the side first.

Zhang Yong wiped his hands first, before he dared to look through it carefully, and after careful checking, he handed it to the prison officer of Dali Temple on the side.

After everyone finished reading it, Gu Yanzhang could take it back, but he didn't hand it to Li Chengwei, but pulled it into his sleeve, raised his head and said: "If you get the order of the Chinese book, you don't have to wait, just execute on the spot." ”

When he said this, he was about to beckon, but Li Chengwei on the other side stood up like a pheasant with its tail feathers plucked, and shouted: "Deputy Envoy Gu, your actions are not in line with the rules and regulations, how can you do it!?" ”

Seeing this, the jailer on the side hurriedly stopped him, took a strip of cloth and stuffed it into his mouth.

Li Chengwei boasted that he had no last resort, and he was also panicked at this time, he thought that this was a fraud, but the edict taken out by Gu Yanzhang on the other side was clearly bright yellow, and when the Zhang Yan was opened, a few red seals could be faintly seen inside.

Who will, who dares to interrogate prisoners?

Li Chengwei is not so arrogant and arrogant!

Although he didn't know what was going on, in his heart, there was nothing in the world that was more important than his own life, and as soon as he pushed away the strip of cloth that was going to be blocked in his mouth, he didn't say a word of nonsense, but only picked up the most powerful and shouted: "Do the officials know why Yanzhou City was slaughtered twelve years ago?!" Don't kill me, I have something to offer!! ”