A green building restaurant in the west of the city is brightly lit, and sheng songs can be heard everywhere, and there is a kind of erosion, which only dissipates slightly in the second half of the night. In the criminal department, the candles were lit overnight, and the officials, officers and soldiers went in and out, and large and small evidence was constantly being sent in and piled up in the lobby.

The eldest grandson wandered around the hill with a solemn expression, and his daughter waited by his side, not daring to disturb.

Some of these exhibits were collected from the house in the wasteland, some were the testimonies recorded by the Criminal Department from the woman who was masturbated overnight, and some were dug out from the residences of Yu Zhixiao and Wang Liang. But there was no talk to Cen You, and there was only a few words in ink.

The eldest grandson Wuzhen said to his daughter on the side worriedly: "Two big movements in a row, Tan Cen must be alert, if you can't find it after dawn, I'm afraid it will be troublesome!" ”

The eldest grandson Yue held his father's arm, and his face was also full of worry: "Father, you will definitely be able to find it, don't worry." ”

Wang Yan came back at this time to report: "My lord, there is an important discovery. The house in the wasteland in the northwest of the city, which has been verified to belong to the ancestral house of Tancen, has been abandoned for many years and has been neglected. ”

The eldest grandson's eyes suddenly opened up, it turned out that the breakthrough was here!

"My lord, can I ask the Holy One for instructions?" Wang Yan asked.

"I'm afraid it's too late to go to the palace now...... Wang Yan, this official has authorized you to immediately lead everyone to surround Tanfu, be sure to control Tancen before dawn, and not let him leave Tanfu for half a step. The official immediately went to the palace to ask His Majesty for instructions! The eldest grandson Wuzheng pinched Wang Yan's shoulder and said solemnly: "This official will definitely recommend you to Your Majesty to replace the left servant of the Criminal Department!" ”

When Wang Yan first arrived at the Criminal Department for the exam, some people said that the position of Zuo Shilang had not been replaced since Lord Nangong left, and there were different opinions at that time, but he never thought that it would be his turn! Wang Yan immediately kowtowed, and he had already made up a life and death situation in his heart, even if he risked his life, he could not disappoint the adults.

The sky gradually revealed the whiteness of the fish's belly, and the people had just woken up from their dreams, and a piercing sound crossed their ears. Someone rushed out of the door with their shoes on to find out, and they were met by a large number of officers and soldiers running in front of the door in an orderly manner, and suddenly dust rose everywhere, and the footsteps were deafening.

Some people whispered speculation: The Criminal Department dispatched officers and soldiers early in the morning, and I am afraid that something big will happen in Kyoto!

The cautious family then closed the door and told the family not to go out to work today, and to save their lives!

Tanfu.

The concubine served Tan Cen dressed up, and wanted to say a few affectionate words, but was pushed away by Tan Cen, and the concubine looked at him with a serious face, and did not dare to make a mistake, so she immediately withdrew from the door.

Tan Cen looked at himself in the bronze mirror, with an official hat and uniform, leather belt and black boots, and a second-grade official in the imperial court! I have been in this position for so many years, and I have always been smooth and smooth, and I think I am seamless. But to this day, I don't know how long it will last......

He brace himself and push the door open.

The butler came running from outside, shouting that it was not good. Tan Cen's footsteps froze, and he asked him in a panic, "What's wrong?" ”

"Someone from the Criminal Department is here, sir, hurry up and escape through the back door!"

Hearing the word Criminal Department, Tan Cen was suddenly frightened and his legs weakened: "Why did the eldest grandson come suddenly?" Be...... Is it Yu Zhixiao? Tan Cen guessed that Yu Zhixiao betrayed himself, otherwise how could they have the courage to come over with soldiers?

"Don't think about it, sir, run for your life!"

"What to run from!" Tan Cen broke free from the housekeeper, turned around and went to the house to pick up a leather suitcase, "I see if he dares to come in!" You go out and stop them first, and I'll be there!" ”

The outside of Tanfu was already heavily surrounded, and the slightly cool air was filled with the smell of sand and cold weapons.

When Wang Yan saw that the door was open and an old man came out, he immediately jumped off the horse, took a few steps over and said, "The Criminal Department is handling the case, please ask the old gentleman to open the door!" ”

The housekeeper hurriedly arched his hand and said: "This adult looks at the face of the face, although the old man is only a housekeeper, he also knows that the surname of the Lord Shangshu of the Criminal Department is the eldest grandson, but he doesn't know that you are ......."

Although the old man in front of him was full of silver hair, his eyes were bright, and there was cunning in his eyes. Wang Yan didn't bother to entangle with him, and directly showed the token: "The eldest grandson personally appointed, and he hasn't opened the door yet!" ”

The housekeeper took a step forward: "Even if the criminal department handles the case, there must be evidence to arrest people, even if you suspect court officials, you must have the Holy Order, if not, you have no right to take half a step." ”

The tone is calm, but the words are pressing!

Wang Yan ignored him, took a step back, and slowly raised his right hand. Everyone immediately raised their weapons and prepared to attack. At this moment, Tan Cen came out with a suitcase, sweating profusely, obviously running all the way, and he hadn't even breathed yet.

Tan Cen questioned the young man outside the door: "What about the eldest grandson?" ”

"The lord will then arrive, and Wang Yan will be lowly to handle the case for the eldest grandson."

Tan Cen narrowed his eyes and looked at him, "How old are you?" Dare to lead troops to storm our courtyard! Was it instructed by the eldest grandson? What is the intention of your criminal department! ”

Wang Yan couldn't help but look at this middle-aged man with a panicked face. It was the first time he had seen the rumored official Shangshu, this man was really good-looking, but unfortunately he was a femme fatale and not a good kind.

"Please forgive me for coming rashly. It's just that a group of women who disappeared half a month ago were found in the wasteland in the northwest of the city, that is, in your ancestral house, and these women were all abducted by a person named Yu Zhixiao, Yu Zhixiao is your guard, right? There is also the dark market, so I don't need to say more. The evidence is conclusive, and the humble duty is ordered, so it is better to talk about the cooperation of adults. ”

"What dark market?" Tan Cen glared angrily, "Did the eldest grandson Wuzheng listen to the instigation of a villain?" Tell me the man's name, and I'll give you an explanation. ”

"Don't delay when talking about adults, or cooperate with the Criminal Department to handle the case."

Tan Cen said angrily: "The eldest grandson Wuzheng is the secretary of the criminal department, in charge of the law and criminal case of Rongguo, you should know that I am a second-grade official of the imperial court, and if you want to lead troops to search the official residence, you must have Your Majesty's decree!" Do you have a decree? ”

Wang Yan was not afraid of danger: "The imperial court has such a rule, but if the matter is urgent, the lowly will go to His Majesty to confess the guilt afterwards." ”

"Yellow-mouthed child! What kind of thing are you, and you dare to say that you are going to your majesty's holy front? Are you eligible? I really admire the eldest grandson Wuzheng, he is so bold, he dares to ignore the law of the country, is there any His Majesty in his eyes! ”

"The eldest grandson is only about things, not people." Wang Yan said unhurriedly: "Talk about adults, please let me and cooperate with the Criminal Department to handle the case." ”

Tan Cen found that the situation was even more serious than he thought, and he just talked about it, but he was still indifferent. Tan Cen had no way out, so he hurriedly opened the suitcase, took out a long object wrapped in brocade cloth, and held it high above his head.

Wang Yan thought it was a secret weapon at first glance, until Tan Cen faded the brocade cloth and found that it was actually a holy decree.

"My father saved the life of the first emperor, and the first emperor gave this holy decree. Everyone dares to trespass into the mansion privately, and they are all regarded as colliding with the first emperor, which is a great disrespect to the first emperor! ”

Wang Yan had never seen what the holy decree looked like, and he was worried that Tan Cen would deceive him by falsifying and forging the holy decree, but if it was true, he was afraid that something big would happen if he entered rashly.

It happened suddenly, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

Just when Wang Yan was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of an iron horse stepping behind him, followed by a loud voice: "The Kyoto Patrol Army assists the Criminal Department in handling the case, you can't stop it!" ”

All the officials of the Criminal Department immediately knelt on the ground and shouted respectfully in unison. "Lord Wang! ”

Ge Zheng jumped off his horse and stepped towards Tan Cen, and the government soldiers behind him also scattered randomly, and together with the officers and soldiers of the Criminal Department, they surrounded Tan Mansion.

People who are over half a hundred years old are still majestic. Wang Yan thought he was wrong, but the man in front of him in brocade clothes was indeed the prince of the current government, and the hero who once laid down the country for Rong Guo!

Ge Zheng glanced at the holy decree and said disapprerovitically: "This holy decree of yours is indeed a talisman left by the first emperor to Tanfu, but it is not a tool you use to hinder the criminal department's handling of the case, but these patrols behind this king can order you to open the door immediately!" ”

"It's just a patrol army, can it be compared to this Ancestral Emperor's Holy Decree?"

"The patrol army was set up by the first emperor himself, and he gave this king the right to dispatch and command, do you think Lord Tan is qualified to enter your Tan Mansion?"

"Don't take me for a fool! If no one knows, your patrol army is just a soldier given to you by the first emperor, and it is usually the responsibility of guarding, and the patrol army has a good reputation! For so many years, how have you ever seen your government soldiers dispatched once? ”

Ge Zheng sneered: "Lord Tan has only been in office for more than ten years, I'm afraid I don't know the holy decree of the first emperor, and I don't even know anything about the role of the patrol army, so let this king tell you." Ge Zheng's upright figure was like a Buddha statue, standing, looking proudly at the ant in front of him.

"The patrol force was established in the tenth year of Dacheng, and there are a total of 1,000 and 50 people in the army, all of whom are battlefield generals! It can guard the country, kill rebels, protect the safety of the people, and assist the Criminal Department in handling cases. The patrol army only obeys His Majesty's orders except for the king, and it is no different from the Xuan Court today. Thirty-one years have passed, but the patrol force has always been there, and its numbers are growing day by day, and now there are 3,000 men! ”

"Three thousand people ......" Tan Cen's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Now that this is a peaceful and prosperous time, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, it is natural that the patrol force does not need to appear anywhere in Kyoto. But this doesn't mean that it's gone, as long as there is a tricky matter in the criminal department, as long as there is darkness in this Kyoto, and this king needs to take action, the patrol army is there, three thousand soldiers, ready to dispatch! This is also the permission of the first emperor and recognized by His Majesty today! Talking about adults, do you understand? ”

"Even if you fight for your life today, this official will not allow you to trespass!" Tan Cen is still struggling desperately: "Prince Zheng, you support the army and respect yourself!" Your Majesty has already set up another Xuan Court, but you are obsessed and refuse to let go of the patrol army! You disobey the court, disobey Your Majesty! I'm going to go to your majesty to see you, yes, I'm going to tell Master Mo, he will definitely make you understand what it means to retreat in the face of difficulties! ”

Ge Zheng looked at him with an incoherent voice and a dog jumping off the wall in a hurry, and was a little disgusted.

"My lord, you can go to the king and see if Your Majesty believes your so-called 'self-respect for the army'! But now that this king has to remind you that the Criminal Department is handling the case, and the patrol forces have come to assist, do you think you still have room for redemption? This king advises you, stop yelling like a madman, and save yourself some dignity! ”

Tan Cen still wanted to argue, but was stopped by the housekeeper and said something in his ear that he couldn't listen to at all. Despair instantly enveloped him, and the pain made him collapse to the ground.

Ge Zheng gave the order, and the officers and soldiers and the patrol army quickly rushed into the Tanfu.

The early morning sunlight laid on the courtyard wall, except for Tan Cen, which was still gloomy.

When the Tanfu was turned upside down, the eldest grandson Wuzheng also came with the holy decree, and the officers and soldiers had no fear, rolled up their sleeves and began to tear down the wall and smash the cylinder.

After three days of searching, a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and account details were found in the Tanfu, and five carts were taken to the criminal department.

On March 15, the 26th year of Weisheng, the Criminal Department arrested the officials for embezzlement, buying people, and murder. Almost at the same time, the Criminal Department received a large number of papers, all of which were pointed at Tan Cen. There is a lot of evidence that also points to another person - Jia Yushen.

Over the years, Tan Cen and Jia Yushen have shielded each other, allowed their subordinates to loot the people's fat and ointment, and oppressed the people, countless of them. Among them, Jia Yushen's nephew Jia Wedge, who had already been killed, had seriously injured a person, not only did he not lose money, but Jia Yushen also drove the victim out of Ruoshui, causing the victim to be disabled for life. If Jia Yushen hadn't been exposed today, I'm afraid he would never have returned to Ruoshui in this life.

Jia Yushen confessed to this.

A month later, Tan Cen was sentenced to behead the public, and Jia Yushen was punished for fifty, his official rank was revoked, and he was confiscated as a border pass. Emperor Rong also ordered all the officials to go and watch as a punishment.

Among them, there is also an unexpected gain, Wang Yan asked the eldest grandson Wuzheng for instructions to investigate the 'Dajing Gambling House', suspecting that this gambling house was involved with Tan Cen. Although the eldest grandson Wuzheng didn't believe it, he still sent someone to search, and unexpectedly found that it was hidden in the dark room, and there was a large amount of information rolling paper in the dark room, up to the royal family, the family, down to the ordinary people, and overseas personnel, all of which were recorded! Among them, the information aimed at Prince Masaka is the largest. The eldest grandson Wuzheng sealed the gambling house and brought all the information of Prince Zheng to the Criminal Department.

After a thorough investigation, it was found that the Dajing Gambling House was the right-hand man of the dark market, secretly collecting useful information for Tan Cen to facilitate buying and selling.

Wang Yan made a great contribution because of this, and the eldest grandson Wuzheng specially asked His Majesty for an edict and appointed Wang Yan as the left attendant of the Criminal Department.

In the Changle Palace, Emperor Rong stared at the closing chapter presented by the Criminal Department on the case, with a serious face.

As soon as Lord Shangshu Mo Fei entered the palace gate, when he saw this scene, he knew about it, and stepped forward to explain: "Your Majesty, the Criminal Department has thoroughly investigated, although it has lost an official, but this kind of corrupt official, don't do it." ”

Emperor Rong held his forehead and said: "Jia Yushen of the Ministry of Works, Tan Cen of the Ministry of Officials, and Ji Yu, the servant of the door, Yin Zhuo, the secretary of Dali Temple, and Ge Yiyan, the son of Ge Zheng, embezzlement, shielding, killing, fornication, these are simply moths and scum of Rong Guo!" ”

"The way of being an official is in the Qing Dynasty and in the right way. If these people have made mistakes, they should be punished, and Your Majesty need not be overly worried. ”

"Mo Qing," Emperor Rong raised his head and looked at him with tired eyes: "How many years have you been an official?" ”

"Thirty-one years, Your Majesty."

"It's been thirty-one years, and apart from Prince Zheng, you are the only one who is still by my side. Looking at the entire court, I don't know which officials are incorruptible, and I don't know who to trust! ”

Mo Fei slowly knelt down and solemnly swore: "The minister swears allegiance to Your Majesty!" ”

Emperor Rong looked at Mo Fei who was kneeling on the ground, and was slightly moved. This person has been an official for thirty-one years, and he has been in power for twenty-six years, which is longer than he has seen this court.

Can he believe it?

There was a flash of vigilance in his eyes, followed by a calm smile.

Emperor Rong changed his embarrassment, smiled and said, "Mo Qing and I have known each other for so many years, I naturally believe that you will be born and die for Rong Guo!" But you're getting older, and it's time for you to enjoy the blessings. Now that the academy has been handed over to Zuo Qing, you should let him do it, you will wholeheartedly guard the three provinces and six departments for me, and there must be no more things like this! ”

Murphy looked up in panic, and hurriedly bowed his head: "The minister must correct the atmosphere of the three provinces and six departments, and the minister, there will be no accident in the three provinces and six departments!" ”

"By the way, Zuo Qing is officially in charge of the academy, shouldn't you hold a promotion banquet for your righteous son?"

Murphy hurriedly said yes.

"Let's do it in the academy, you go and pick a good day, and the matter will be left to you to host."

"Yes."

Exiting the hall, Murphy walked slowly, and after some time, a man blocked his way. Mo Fei looked up and saw that it was Liang Luan from Zhongshu Province, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

Liang Luan looked at his best friend who couldn't give up, and asked, "Why did you come out of the Changle Hall like this?" Your Majesty has punished? ”

Murphy smiled bitterly: "I didn't punish him, but His Majesty ordered me to host a promotion banquet." ”

"Promotion banquet? Whose promotion banquet? ”

"Who else, my good son, Zuo Qing!"

Liang Luan seemed to smell something, and hurriedly asked, "Do you suspect that Zuo Qing is obstructing Tan Cen?" ”

Murphy narrowed his eyes, his deep eyes showing tiredness: "I'm afraid it's not just Tan Cen, everything, it should be him!" ”

Liang Luan was stunned: "It's all him?" ”

Murphy was silent for a moment, and said heavily: "I should have listened to Yan'er a long time ago, but now I only regret it too late." ”

Liang Luan's mind quickly appeared in the current situation of the three provinces and six departments, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Industry, and the Provincial Servants under the Door were all gone, and there were not many powerful people left around Master Mo!

"Zuo Qing was brought out by you, what can you get if he harms you?" Liang Luan didn't understand the reason why Zuo Qing did this, if he wanted to assist which prince, but looking at the entire palace, he didn't see any movement from any prince.

"A Su Yan came from an unknown town in the Chu State, but if he understands some pharmacology, he can make an exception for Zuo Qing to be accepted as Mr. Academy. Recently, many things have been related to her, I don't believe that a mere woman can solve cases repeatedly on her own! I have already sent someone to the Chu State to conduct a secret investigation a month ago, and I should be back in a while, so you can go and listen to it when the time comes. ”

Liang Luan couldn't bear to look at his best friend's dejected appearance, patted him on the chest, comforted him a few words, and hurried into the palace to meet Emperor Rong.

In the middle of the night, the eldest grandson Wuzheng did not sleep for a long time, the drizzle outside the window was hazy, and the rain fell silently.

The light of the fire in the stove flickered on and flickered, shining on his face, and he looked particularly haggard. He took one last look at the yellowed piles of rolls in the wooden box and poured them all into the furnace.

The fire suddenly burst into flames, illuminating the entire house.

The eldest grandson Wuzheng privately left a record of the investigation of Gezheng in Dajing Gambling House, which began in the early years of Wei Sheng, and most of them were about his daily life and personal relations, which were not special. But among these records, the eldest grandson Wuzheng found that there were three records sandwiched between them, and the names on them made him suspicious.

The first one: On the third day of February in the first year of Wei Sheng, Cha Xuanqing lived in Dongshi outside the palace, and there was nothing unusual, only a letter from home was left, and there was nothing suspicious in the book.

The second copy: In the fourteenth year of Wei Sheng, on April 20, Xuanqing returned to Zhao and disappeared at the entrance of the market.

The third copy: In the fifteenth year of Wei Sheng, on the fourteenth day of the first month, more than ten people were sent to Zhao to search, Xuanqing disappeared, and his life and death were unknown.

The eldest grandson stared at the name, as well as the three few records, but he never remembered who he was.

The third day of the second month of the first year of Wei Sheng is the month after His Majesty ascended the throne, and in that month, it seems that nothing major happened, but His Majesty had his first child, but there was no celebration in the palace, and that child was called Wei Prisoner.

On April 20 of the 14th year of Wei Sheng, it was the month when the plague broke out in the palace, Wei Zhen contracted the disease, and His Majesty ordered the palace to be blocked, and the prisoners unfortunately died in the plague.

In the fifteenth year of Wei Sheng, it was the year when Empress Yu and the prince died, and in the same year, there was a war at the border of Zhao State, and Emperor Rong sent troops to reinforce and drive away the Linjun, and later ...... Later, Zhao State narrowly won, but lost thousands of soldiers, and the army reinforced by Rong State was also injured and wounded. In that war, only the Xuan generals survived. Emperor Rong ordered a thorough investigation and sent Murphy to oversee the case.

In the end, the Xuan clan was all over the house, and there was no one left!

The eldest grandson Wuzheng suddenly remembered that in the eleventh year of Dacheng, at the banquet of Prince Zheng, His Majesty, who was still the crown prince, had been followed by a woman, and His Majesty called her 'Qing Girl'! And Murphy, who was belated, was very concerned about this Qing girl. At that time, Murphy should have been planning for His Majesty.

So far, combined with those three records, the eldest grandson Wuzheng always feels that the Qing girl is Xuanqing, Xuanqing, naturally she is a member of the Xuan clan!

In the first year of Wei Sheng, Her Majesty's first child should have been born to her. Fourteen years of plague, Xuanqing should have left the palace, fifteen years after the Xuan clan was wiped out, she should also die in it.

However, why did His Majesty never mention Xuanqing to anyone, even if he gave birth to the emperor's eldest son, he still didn't give him a name? Prisoner of Guard, really died of the plague? How did Xuanqing leave the palace? Why did Murphy look for her after the Xuan Clan was wiped out, because she wasn't dead yet? Why is the record of Xuanqing in the record of Gezheng, and what is the connection between them? Could it have something to do with Empress Yu's death?

Xuanqing, what kind of existence was it at the beginning!

The eldest grandson had no trouble and had no choice but to give up.

(The eldest grandson guessed that eight or nine would not be far from ten, but he didn't guess that Xuanqing and Murphy teamed up to kill the Xuan clan and Queen Yu)