That night, Cui Youfu didn't sleep well, and his eyes were swollen when he woke up the next day.

When he went to Wannian County, he was still thinking about yesterday's case in his mind, and when he passed through the door, he saw Xue Bai sitting in front of a dumpling stall, which was the third time the two had met here in recent days.

"Xue Lang is waiting for me?"

"No, I live around here, and I come out for morning food."

"You're going to be late."

"yes." Xue Bai was unhurried and ate the dumplings, "It's really inconvenient to live in Xuanyangfang, but to work in Chang'an County." ”

Cui Youfu was fed up with him selling guanzi all day long, so he didn't bother to ask again, and went straight to the county office.

There are cases that can't be investigated, and his 10,000-year-old lieutenant is nothing more than a child of a family with mixed qualifications, which is easy to be despised.

However, after not sitting for long, a small official came to invite him to Lingyu and reminded him.

"It was the Criminal Department who sent someone to ask about yesterday's case."

Cui Youfu's heart moved, and the secret way really guessed correctly for Xue Bai, someone was really adding fuel to the fire. Since it is from the Criminal Department, it should be the Right Prime Minister's Mansion who hopes that this case can be investigated.

In the order, Feng Yongzhi was scolded for being bloody, showing the difficulties of attaching Guo County's order, but when he saw Cui Youfu coming, Feng Yongzhi immediately regained his composure, waved his hand and said: "Investigate, Ren Haichuan's murder must be investigated." ”

"Whoa."

Cui Youfu immediately wanted to chat with Xue Bai, who was eating morning food outside the county office, and rushed to the door. It happened that Xue Baizheng had paid the money and was about to leave.

He stepped forward and asked, "Xue Lang still doesn't go to Chang'an County?" ”

"Here we go."

"If Xue Lang has something to say to me, he can say it now."

Saying that, Cui Youfu came closer and said in a low voice: "I believe you." ”

"Nope."

Xue Bai smiled in response, and looked at the other end of the long street, where his people had already secretly followed the criminal department official who had just left.

He didn't come for Cui Youfu, he guessed that someone was using them to investigate the case, he wanted to find out the other party, if he said "the praying mantis catches the cicada, the yellow finch is behind", his yellow finch and Cui Youfu's cicada have nothing to say.

"Xue Lang should know a lot, right?"

"You'll find out if you look it up." Xue Bai said: "Presumably, someone will deliberately reveal clues to you, and the clues should point to Wang Jie." ”

"Why?"

"Check it out for yourself."

"Can't you just tell me everything you know?"

Xue Bai smiled, didn't answer, waved his hand and left.

He didn't seem to be in a hurry to go to Chang'an County and headed north.

Even though Cui Youfu has the demeanor of a famous family, he is also very annoyed at this time, gritting his teeth and secretly deciding that he must find out the truth and know more than Xue Bai.

On the long street, a few loitering men peeked in the direction where they were.

At the end, one of the men turned around the alley, went out of Xuanyangfang, and arrived near the gate of the imperial city, and said to the other person: "The two county lieutenants of Chang'an and Wannian have met, and they should investigate the case together." ”

~~

Da Xi Yingying didn't sleep well last night, she was looking at the dark circles on her face in front of the bronze mirror, her fingers were stained with fat powder, and she asked, "Are you all keeping up?" ”

"Yes, the one who put pressure on Wannian County should be Xiao Yinzhi, the secretary of the Criminal Department; Those spies who secretly stared at the Wannian County Ya finally went to the Yushitai to report the news. ”

"Goshidai?"

This result was completely unexpected by Da Xi Yingying, she couldn't help but stop her movements, and muttered: "Wang Ji is afraid of being found out, so can he send someone to keep an eye on the progress?" Is that we tracking the wrong person? ”

No one could answer her question, she thought for a while, but couldn't figure it out, so she asked, "Where is Lang Jun?" I need to see him. ”

"Lang Jun went to Xingqing Palace to offer treasures."

~~

Xingqing Palace.

Xue Bai has not asked to see Li Longji alone, and he did not have this qualification in the past, he was summoned to the palace, or with Yang Yuyao.

But now that he is also a Beijing official, he decided to give it a try, lest Li Longji feel that he relied on the Yang sisters for everything.

He didn't know what kind of process it was, whether the eight-rank official's request for the face saint was in line with the rules, and he didn't even know whether Li Longji was asleep or awake, so he went to Chuyangmen to hand over his body.

"Xue Bai, the county governor of Chang'an, has new objects that I want to dedicate to the saint."

Without waiting for a word to speak, several forbidden soldiers guarding Miyagi already showed uncontrollable smiles on their faces.

"Who doesn't know Xue Lang? I won't look at it, and I'll wait here, make an exception and pass it on for you. ”

"Thank you, what do you call the generals?"

"Which is a general, but an errand ......"

These forbidden soldiers usually drink "retreat" when they see people, but when they talk about it, they will find that most of them are stupid children of the Xungui family, some of them are more flamboyant, some are shy, and there is no murderous spirit under the golden armor.

Not long after, it was Wu Huaishi who came to see Xue Bai in person.

"The saint is discussing state affairs at the small court, and I really can't see you." Wu Huaishi said sincerely: "It's true, Uncle Guo will come out in a while, and Xue Lang will know if he asks." But if you can trust me, if you want to offer any new and strange things, I can hand them over for you, and the saint will give credit to Xue Lang as soon as he is free. ”

"Okay."

Xue Bai wasn't worried that he would stumble on this kind of thing, so he directly handed over the box in his hand and said, "It's just some simple plays, the rules are all written, and the sage will know it at a glance." ”

Wu Huaishi was stunned for a moment, his face was moved, and he said with a smile: "Xue Lang believes me like this." ”

"Why don't I believe General Wu?"

"Yes, I'm still afraid that Xue Lang will blame me for Lu Linghao's matter. I am General Gao's disciple, and I am actually a family with Xue Lang. Wu Huaishi took the box, stroked it twice, and said: "This is Xue Lang's credit for sharing my money, in the future, if there is anything, just talk to me." ”

"I am also on official business in Yanshi, General Wu does not care about private affairs, and he is open-minded, which is admirable."

The two are willing to show favor to each other and say good things to each other.

After a while, I saw Yang Guozhong come out under the guidance of several eunuchs, and there was an old Taoist priest walking side by side.

Chang'an City is full of fairy wind bones, clear and elegant Taoist priests, but this old Taoist priest is thin and small, his appearance is not good, only a pair of eyes are extremely bright, can see through everything in the world.

Out of the palace gate, Yang Guozhong first invited the old road to get into the carriage and walked towards Xue Bai.

"Why is Bai here?"

"Last time at the Calyx House Imperial Banquet, Brother Ao offered the pipa, but I didn't offer anything, so I had to make up for it today."

"Hahaha." Yang Guozhong smiled heartily and patted Xue Bai's shoulder affectionately, "You said earlier, why is it difficult for me to take you when I offer treasures to the saint in the future?" ”

Regarding the political legacy left by Yang Chen's death, there should have been a dispute between the two, but Xue Bai returned to Chang'an these days, delaying Yu Weihui's case, but he never had the opportunity to have a good talk with Yang Guozhong, so he took this opportunity to test a few words today.

"I heard that Brother recommended Yang Guanghui as the judge of the salt and iron envoys?"

"Not bad." Yang Guozhong said, "You also know that Yuan Zai is short-sighted and greedy, and he is to blame for his own demotion to the official." Salt is the great business of the Yang family, so I let Yang Guanghui do it, what do you think? ”

Because he thought that Xue Bai had originally raised the matter of Yanyan, he finally asked casually.

Xue Bai said: "I thought it was inappropriate. Although Yuan Zai is ambitious, he has real talent; Yang Guanghui is far more greedy than Yuan Zai, but he has no talent. Why did the elder brother use him to ruin his official reputation? ”

"I see, it's a pity that you didn't come back earlier, otherwise I would have asked you first." Yang Guozhong laughed, "This matter has been decided, and there is nothing to be done." ”

"It's okay, so in the next matter of the appointment of officials about Yanyan, can Brother discuss with me first?"

"Good!"

Yang Guozhong readily agreed, turned around to leave, but couldn't help but turn around, and said with a smile: "I'll send you a few more words of gold." Your promotion is not slow, you are the champion in one year, and you are promoted from the lieutenant of Qi County to the lieutenant of Chixian in one year, but do you know that I am about to change into a purple robe? In terms of career, you can still listen to my advice. ”

As he spoke, he pointed to Xue Bai's official robe, and then to himself.

"When it comes to promotion, sincerity is spirituality, you first have to think about promotion, and do everything for promotion. You are in Yanshi County, the force is not in the right place, now that you are back in Chang'an, you should think clearly about how to make meritorious service, what is the quota after meritorious service, if there is still something you don't understand, come to me, the Yang family has a place for you. ”

"Brother's words, I understand."

Yang Guozhong smiled proudly, waved his hand, turned over on his horse, and led the carriage away.

Xue Bai then went to Chang'an County.

When I arrived at the yamen, a servant came over and whispered, "Lang Jun, Da Xi has news that she wants to hand to you." ”

Xue Bai took the news, glanced at it, looked unresponsive, put the note away, and said, "Let her see me at Du's house in the evening." ”

"Whoa."

Xue Bai went to the Lingxia to ask to see Jia Jilin and asked, "Dare to ask the county order, has the Wannian County Government found out the murderer of Ren Haichuan?" ”

"How do you know?"

"Guess." Xue Bai said, "The situation has gradually become clear, whether we want to investigate this case or not, it will come to light." ”

Jia Jilin was silent and said: "Cui Youfu found a clue in Xinchangguan today, someone saw the murderer of Ren Haichuan, Wannian County is arresting, and the sea fishing document has been handed over." ”

Xue Bai glanced at the sea fishing document and asked, "Who is this person, the county order should know, right?" ”

There was no one else in the room, Jia Jilin closed his eyes tiredly, rubbed his forehead, and sighed: "It's Wang Weld's part." ”

"Wang Weld sent someone to kill Ren Haichuan, what will be the consequences of this incident?"

What will happen to you? I don't know. Jia Jilin said, "It's really disturbing......"

~~

In the evening, Du House.

Xue Bai and Du Wulang sat down in the back garden, looking at Da Xi Yingying, who was dressed as a maidservant, walking over with a tray, with a somewhat strange expression.

She is not suitable for this dress, and her aura does not match.

"The context of this case has emerged, and Li Linfu has set up a bureau to deal with Wang Jie." Da Xi Yingying said, "Li Linfu instigated Wei Hui and Ren Haichuan to approach Wang Zhu, intending to get Wang Jie's handle, but Wang Fei saw through this matter, so he killed Wei Hui and Ren Haichuan, and Li Linfu deliberately led the case again." ”

"I see." Du Wulang said, "It's clear at a glance." ”

Xue Bai shook his head and said, "You sent someone to follow, did the person who stared at me and Cui Youfu arrive at the Yushi Terrace?" ”

"Yes, it should be Wang Ji who sent someone......

"It's not him." Xue Bai said slowly: "If my guess is correct, the instigator behind it should be Yang Guozhong in the imperial history." ”

"Why?"

"The whole thing is not the style of the brother slave." Xue Bai pondered the words, and finally commented: "It's too substandard." ”

Du Wulang couldn't help asking, "Is the brother slave very standard?" When he framed my grandfather......"

"Brother Nu didn't want to frame your grandfather, his target at that time was Li Heng, and he only borrowed a letter from Liu Heng, and made Donggong cut off his arm with an understatement. On the other hand, this Wei Hui case has done too much, and it is more like Yang Guozhong's style. ”

"What's the style?"

Da Xi Yingying said: "Offer treasures." Originally, Ren Haichuan approached Wang Weld to offer some longevity pills to the saint, and hung a medicine bag under his crotch to harden the words. ”

She didn't shy away from it in front of the two teenagers, and Du Wulang lowered his head shyly when he heard it.

"Yes, aside from those bells and whistles, such a vulgar core should be Yang Guozhong's handiwork. He may be more eager than Li Linfu to get rid of Wang Jie. ”

Xue Bai said, recalling today's conversation with Yang Guozhong, he could very well understand the feeling of wanting to rise to the top.

And to the point where Yang Guozhong wants to go further, he must get rid of Wang Jie, you must know that Wang Jiao has more than 20 positions, and he is still Jing Zhaoyin.

How to make meritorious service? What is the quota after meritorious service? This sentence of ten thousand gold is very clear, if the Wei Hui case is found, the credit will be there, and the amount will be there.

But, after getting rid of Wang Jie, will Yang Guozhong really share the credit with him Xue Bai?

I'm afraid I'm going to get rid of him all together.

Wei Hui's case was not found out by Xue Bai at all, it emerged little by little by himself, if Xue Bai concluded that Wei Hui committed suicide at the beginning. When the incident happens, he will be accused of being a colleague.

"I still have a doubt." Da Xi Yingying groaned, "It's just killing Ren Haichuan and Wei Hui, it's not a big crime, how can you bring down Wang Jie?" ”

This is also what Xue Bai wants to determine from Jia Jilin's mouth.

Li Longji's favor to Wang Ji is far beyond many people's expectations. Even Li Linfu may not be able to collect countless private funds for Li Longji like Wang Jie. This is also where Wang Zhun's confidence lies, what is it to shoot a hosta with a slingshot to break a horse? What about the other party's killing? With the holy family of the Wang family, they simply ignore any means of attack.

There is only one crime.

"Rebellion."

Xue Bai already had the answer in his heart, even if he didn't get confirmation, he still spit out these two words firmly.

"Only the great crime of rebellion can shake Wang Jie, and it is worthy of Yang Guozhong's calculation, and it is possible to get rid of me together."

"Huh?" Du Wulang was not surprised, and only muttered helplessly: "This year, there are too many people who rebel, right?" ”

As he spoke, he counted with his fingers, not knowing what he was counting, until he had counted all ten fingers.

Xue Bai didn't speak, he sat there quietly and watched the movements of Du Wulang's hands, as if he had seen the cruel and selfish power struggle of the Tang Dynasty in the snap of his fingers.

Each finger bent down, like a high-ranking minister who held several town festivals or dozens of official positions fell.

After a while, Du Wulang felt the atmosphere unusually quiet, raised his head, surprised that they were all looking at him and counting, and said in amazement: "See what I do?" ”

"Nothing."

"Alas, Yang Guozhong has also benefited and can calculate people. Now that you can see it, what should we do? ”

Xue Bai thought about it, his eyes suddenly became more open-minded, and said, "I'll write a letter and hand it to your second sister." ”

~~

A few days have passed, and there are still sea fishing documents posted on the notice wall of Changshou Fang.

Xue Bai would take a look every time he passed by, knowing who was drawn on the sea fishing book, but as the lieutenant of Chang'an County, he didn't say anything.

He began to wonder about a question in his heart, he had been back to Chang'an for a while, but Li Linfu did not invite him to meet and talk this time and reach a consensus.

Xu saw that Yang Guozhong was so capable, he was able to frame Wang Jiao, and he didn't care about him, or regarded him as a dead man?

Thinking about this, Xue Bai began to feel that the power struggle in Chang'an City was forming a new storm, and he was obviously already engulfed in it.

"Xue Lang."

There was a nine-rank official standing in front of the lieutenant, and when he saw Xue Bai, he laughed and said, "The lower official has been waiting for Xue Lang here for a long time, and Jing Yin wants to invite you over to talk a few words." ”

Xue Bai asked, "At this time, is it appropriate for Jing Yin to see me?" ”

"See it or not, I'm afraid the difference won't be too big."

"Okay."

Xue Bai really planned to meet Wang Jie, and this kind of open and honest meeting was better than meeting in secret.

Jingzhao Mansion is in Guangdefang, not far away, the two walked over, on the way, Xue Bai asked: "I went back to Chang'an, why did everyone call me 'Xue Lang' instead of 'Xue County Lieutenant'?" ”

"I think Xue Lang is talented, he shouldn't just be a county lieutenant, he must be promoted soon."

"Lend you good words."

Xue Bai used to come to Jingzhao Mansion often, but in the past, he was mostly arrested, and it was the first time he came to the public office as an official.

In just over three years, Jing Zhaoyin changed from Han Chaozong and Xiao Jiong to Wang Jie, and this time, he could feel that the atmosphere of the government was much more serious than before. And Wang Ji only served as Jing Zhaoyin, and he didn't even come to the government often.

The official mansion was lavishly arranged, and even the promenade was covered with a thick carpet.

"Jing Yin, Xue Lang has arrived."

Wang Ji was standing in front of the window with his hands down, turned around and waved his hand, signaling others to step back, he wanted to talk to Xue Bai alone.

"My men don't know how to do things."

The first thing he said, Wang Ji pointed to the carpet in the corridor and said, "There is no sound when walking, and no one can find it if someone comes to eavesdrop." ”

Xue Bai said: "Fortunately, Jing Yin and I didn't say anything unseemly. ”

Wang Ji is usually very busy, and he doesn't talk around the corner, and he gets straight to the point: "You have made great contributions in Yanshi, and found out that An Lushan sent noble and noble brothers to shake the eastern capital and plot against him, but unfortunately the court did not pay attention to it. ”

"Yes, An Lushan wants to rebel, and the Gao brothers have complete incriminating evidence, but the saint doesn't seem to believe it?"

"Because the right minister is sheltering him, and the right minister is also counting on An Lushan to help him prevent the crown prince from ascending the throne, I am willing to prove this matter in front of the sage, but I need your cooperation, do you have the courage to be an enemy of An Lushan?"

Xue Bai had little dealings with Wang Ji before, and at this time he looked at the other party carefully.

Wang Ji is considered thin among the officials of the Tang Dynasty, and the purple official robe is slightly larger, and the draped on him makes him even thinner, compared to his murderous name, it is obviously not as famous as meeting.

But this may be the reason why Li Linfu has always been able to tolerate Wang Jie, and his figure is not as tall and majestic as Zai.

But Wang Jie's eyes are full of sincerity, which can move people very much.

"You and I join forces to get rid of An Lushan, please Li Linfu resign, and I will ensure that your future will be smooth sailing in the future, how about it?" Seeing that Xue Bai didn't answer, Wang Ji asked again.

"I'd love to say yes." Xue Bai said: "But the premise is...... Can Wang Jingyin keep himself? ”

"The saints believe in me." Wang Ji said with a straight face: "The saint's trust in me, you can definitely rest assured." ”

"In that case, why kill Wei Hui and Ren Haichuan?"

"They deserve to be killed."

"Do they have evidence of your or Wang Jian's rebellion?"

"It's just a frame-up."

Xue Bai said: "If it was really framed, we wouldn't be talking about it here today." Although Yang Guozhong's bureau is rough, he is afraid that he has obtained real evidence that he dares to be so fearless. Probably after the Lishan assassination case, Yang Guozhong was suspicious of you, and sent Wei Hui, who had a grudge against Wang Zhun, and Ren Haichuan, a Taoist priest who was swaggering and deceiving, to approach Wang Zhuan, but what did he really find? ”

"Fake." Wang Ji became more and more displeased because of Xue Bai's attitude, "Li Linfu is suspicious of me, Yang Guozhong regards me as a stumbling block, and they both want to harm me, my brother is easy to deceive, so they deliberately made Ren Haichuan close to him." When you find out the truth about An Lushan's rebellion, they will become more and more frenzied, and they would rather shield the rebels than get rid of me. But you know what? I'm not going to do anything, you're in a dangerous situation. ”

"Really?"

"You got rid of the Gao brothers and gave evidence to An Lushan, you have completely offended them, they first framed me to clear their name, and the next step is to deal with you."

As he spoke, Wang Ji slowed down his speech, thinking that he had talked a little too much, and his willingness to persuade Xue Bai was a little too obvious.

But when he turned his head, Xue Bai's expression was still calm, if he was not convincing enough, he was afraid that it would be difficult to win his full help.

"You offended the prince, and then you offended Li Linfu, and reported An Lushan's rebellion, and Zhang Quyi was not good." Wang Jie's words were derogatory, "Now that Yang Chen is dead, it is inevitable that you and Yang Guozhong will become enemies, looking at the court, the important ministers regard you as an enemy, and only I can help you." ”

Xue Bai said: "Then, what does Jing Yin want me to do?" ”

Wang Ji was slightly silent.

As soon as he said that he could help Xue Bai, he immediately heard this question and felt a little mocking. But with his heart, he will never be unable to open his mouth because of this.

"Next, they will attack me, you must speak justice before the saints, the Wei Hui case is obviously framed; You must contact the concubine and Chen Xilie, and use the newspaper to support me; I know you have more evidence of An Lushan's rebellion, hand it over to me, and I will report An Lushan to the sage......"

Xue Bai did have evidence.

For example, when Gao Shang went to see Aunt Gongsun, he brought a token of Liu Luogu, a thousand cattle guard, Cao joined the army; For example, there are still some iron tools in Yanshi; For example, some of the records left by Gao Chong.

He pondered for a while, then said slowly, "There is a token, but it doesn't prove anything. ”

"Give it to me." Wang Ji said, "I'll check, there is nothing that the Yushitai can't check." ”

"Okay, I'll send someone to Jingyin's Mansion at night."

Wang Ji breathed a sigh of relief.

He is obviously a serious person, and he is busy with official business, but at this time, he is willing to spend time with Xue Bai to talk more about topics.

"Chang'an County Lieutenant is not a position that allows you to display your talents, just add a qualification, if you want to be promoted in the next step, Yushitai is the best choice. After taking office in the imperial history to the seventh grade, and then moving to the sixth department, the red robe will not be far away......"

Xue Bai had been observing Wang Ji and noticed that he was frowning all the time.

"Prince."

"What?"

"Your brother is not planning with Ren Haichuan...... Poison the saints, right? ”

Wang Qi suddenly changed color, and subconsciously turned his head to look at the corridor outside the house, afraid that someone would come over unconsciously.

~~

At the same time, Cui Youfu was besieging a small courtyard in Jing'anfang with a group of servants from Wannian County.

"Are you sure this is it?"

"The villain saw what he saw, and the man who was sent in was exactly the same as the person on the sea fishing paper."

Cui Youfu leaned over and whispered at the distance he usually had from the untouchables, "Who told you to report the crime?" ”

"The villain really saw him go in."

There was a "bang", and the officers had already slammed the door and rushed in, shouting loudly.

"Take it!"

"County lieutenant, the man is dead!"

Cui Youfu strode into the small courtyard, only to see a coffin on a cart, and the arrested Wang family guards were lying in it, obviously this had just been wiped out, and was about to be sent out of the city for burial.

"I haven't run far yet, chase me!"

"Chase!"

Cui Youfu knew that the case was about to be solved, but he had a feeling that he was being manipulated.

can make meritorious contributions and be promoted, but I don't feel very comfortable......

~~

Luoyang, Daodaofang, Dufu.

Du Yan received a letter from a fast horse, and when she opened it, it was full of strange symbols.

She hurried back to the boudoir, bolted the door, took out a book from under her pillow, and rewrote it against the contents of the letter.

Xue Bai used plain sentences, as if she was talking to her face to face, and when she saw it, she couldn't help but smile.

"What I saw in Chang'an this time, it seems to be more smoky than before, Tianbao is prosperous, and the major cases of rebellion have been endless year after year. Presumably, Wang Ji will rebel soon, and it may be difficult to stop it. However, if there were 'rebels of An Lushan' secretly entering the capital and raising things with Wang Jie, the government and the opposition of the Fang Sect would be shocked. ”

~~

That night, Xue Bai handed over Liu Luogu's token to Wang Jie......

(End of chapter)