"Yuan Judge."

Just when Yuan Zai felt a little confused, Xian Yuhao came behind him and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Someone wants to ask you a few words." ”

He looked in the direction that Xian Yuhao pointed and found that there was still a red-robed official standing in the dark, who was Yang Guozhong's henchman and young eunuch Yang Guanghui.

Yang Guanghui has neither fame nor shade, just by settling with Yang Guozhong, he has been promoted from a petty official under the ninth rank to the fourth rank in a few years, and it is said that he will be promoted again soon.

This person looks like a thief with eyebrows and rat eyes, and his body is thin, and he doesn't even meet the basic conditions for being an official in the Tang Dynasty, and he is cowering and flattering, and the court officials have always had a bad impression of him. Although he is notorious, the higher his official position, he still waited for the change of the atmosphere in the DPRK and China, and in this year of "fighting cocks and horses is better than studying", many people respected him and called him "the holy hand of holding the pot".

The so-called "holding the pot" is Yang Guozhong's spittle. At first, this was a serious derogatory, but now many people are rushing to learn from Yang Guanghui to hold a pot.

At this time, Yang Guanghui beckoned to Yuan Zai, as if inviting him to join this depraved song and dance.

Although Yuan Zai is greedy for power, he is rich in talent, and he has always despised Yang Guanghui, a villain who is in the camp. But thinking of seeking an explanation for Wang Zhonghe's death, he hesitated for a moment, but stepped forward.

"Young Eunuch Yang, if it is said that my grandfather died of illness, how can I severely punish the murderer?"

As soon as he stepped forward, Yuan Zai made his attitude clear, and said: "I know what the right minister means, it is nothing more than taking care of the face of the court, but concealment is not a way, and the strength of the Tang Dynasty is definitely not by covering up his ears and stealing the bell!" ”

Officialdom is like this, although he was also attached to Yang Guozhong in the past, but once there is a conflict of interest, it must be "right thing and not right person".

After saying that, he immediately glanced back, looking for Xue Bai, and planned to call Xue Bai over and put pressure on Yang Guozhong together. But this time, Xue Bai didn't know where to go.

In his ears, after hearing Yang Guanghui's sigh, he said: "Gongfu, have you ever thought that the right phase has just ascended to the phase, and his foothold is not stable. At this time, if you go on a business trip and are attacked, the situation will be turbulent again. ”

Wonjae didn't want to listen to this, and was about to refute it.

Yang Guanghui said again: "You are talented, and the right minister is just the time to employ people, I am reluctant to let you go to the Eastern Capital, and I want to keep you in the court, and let Shangshu Province leave and right the divisions, are you willing?" ”

Yuan Zai took his hands, turned his back, looked up at the moon in the sky, and said lightly: "I am not Yang Qixuan." ”

"Gongfu misunderstood, the old man didn't let you betray your father-in-law. But you have to think about it, Wang Zhongsi died at the hands of Nanzhao, and Ge Luofeng is dead, what is the point of pursuing this matter? ”

"Anzhi is not designed by others."

"Do you have any evidence?" Yang Guanghui said: "If it is designed by others, then the other party's arrangement will obviously kill two birds with one stone." While getting rid of Wang Zhonghe, blame the incompetence of the right minister, so it is even more important to calm down the situation first, and then secretly investigate and collect evidence. It is precisely because the right minister wants to entrust you to you, so he intends to keep you in Chang'an, and serve as Langzhong of the Criminal Department or Dali Sizhi to take charge of this matter. ”

Later, he accentuated his tone, and added with a faint sense of deterrence.

"Do you have to consider what kind of attitude the saint has towards your father-in-law, and have the patience to watch us and others make a big deal about it?!"

Having said this, Yuan Zai was thinking about it.

What Yang Guozhong gave was the most powerful official position he could obtain at this stage, and if he missed this opportunity, he might not have it again in the rest of his life.

But he was not a person who sold himself lightly, and said in a deep voice: "Compared with the matter of criminal name, what I am better at is wealth." ”

Yang Guanghui didn't expect him to raise the price, he was stunned, but he was not annoyed, his face was full of admiration, and he clapped his hands and smiled: "The old man admires such an ambitious young man." ”

Yuan Zai waved his hand reservedly and didn't eat his set.

"In this way, your original concurrents, the judge of the salt and iron transfer and the judge of the Hedong Road transfer will remain unchanged, and I will ask the right minister to find a few more concurrent tasks for you." Yang Guanghui said, his brows moved, and said: "I won't hide it from you, I will soon stay in the northern capital, and there are more opportunities for you and me to deal with each other." ”

Yuan Zai seemed to be a little tempted and hesitated.

Yang Guanghui gradually admired him sincerely, and said, "I will tell you another piece of news...... The flower and bird envoy of the saint gave a speech due to illness, this is a beautiful difference, you can be careful. ”

"Flowers and birds?"

There are such as the eating envoy, the lychee envoy, and the traveling envoy in the court, and this flower and bird envoy seems to be collecting flowers and birds for the saint at first glance.

"But I don't know about flowers and birds." Yuan Zai Dao.

"Gongsuke, you really are." Yang Guanghui shook his head and said with a smile: "Flowers and birds are not flowers and birds, they are engaged in selecting the beauty of the world, not looking at the door, not distinguishing between high and low, only talking about posture, all those who are beautiful, regardless of marriage or not, are summoned to the palace to enjoy the saints." ”

Yuan Zai shook his head and said, "I'm not good at women, and I'm not interested in this beauty." ”

He is not Yang Qixuan, although he occasionally envies Xue Bai for accepting a confidant. But his situation is different, he has a deep affection with Wang Yunxiu and his wife, shares weal and woe, and really didn't think of recruiting bees and butterflies to bring trouble to Wang Yunxiu.

At this time, he only felt that Yang Guozhong was ridiculous, and there was always only a trick of seducing high-ranking officials and beauties to win over people.

"It's because you're not a good woman that you're suitable for this position." Yang Guanghui said, "You have a good vision and can hold it, you will definitely be able to shine in the position of flower and bird envoy, win the trust of the saints, and you can expect to worship each other in the future." ”

Hearing the words "Greetings can be expected", Yuan Zai's face finally changed, and he couldn't help but smile confidently.

"I understand what Youxiang thinks, but I have a better idea, Yang Gong can you listen to it?"

"Oh?"

"My father-in-law died in an assassination, and the right minister wants to calm the situation." Yuan Zai said: "But the prince should come forward for my father-in-law." ”

“……”

After talking to Yang Guanghui, Yuan Zai thought that he had left Wang Yunxiu for too long, so he hurriedly turned back to find her. Strangely, she did not stay by Wang Zhonghe's corpse, and she didn't know where she went.

When I wanted to inquire with Guan Chongsi again, I found that Guan Chongsi was not there, only a few injured Wang family guards sat next to the headless corpse, describing it as decadent.

In the distance, it can be seen that Guo Qianli has climbed to a high place, his body is strong, and his armor glows golden in the moonlight.

"Little boys! Your grandfather Guo has seen you! ”

Guo Qianli shouted at the dark mountain forest, and his voice kept echoing in the valley.

Yuan Zai sometimes envies these brainless people, unlike him, who has too many thoughts in his life, and he is tired of this, and he will never be satisfied.

He sniffed the residual smell of Wang Yunxiu in the air and walked in one direction.

When Wang Yunxiu left her mother's house and went to Beijing with him to take the exam, she was very poor for a period of time, she couldn't afford to use incense and balm, so she would go to the wild to pick flowers and bathe by herself, and there was always a faint fragrance on her body. Today she chased and fought, sweating profusely, and the smell of blood was mixed with the smell of blood.

After walking not too far, about thirty steps away, there was a small col in front of him, and when he bypassed the col, he saw Guan Chongsi's unusually tall figure.

"Who?!" Guan Chongsi snorted and drew his knife in his hand.

"It's me." Yuan Zai hurriedly said, "I'm here to find the lady." ”

In the darkness a few steps away, Wang Yunxiu walked out, came to Yuan Zai's side, and said in a low voice: "I'm afraid I can't catch up, take Grandpa back." ”

"I have persuaded Yang Guozhong that I will secretly investigate this matter and will never let go of the murderer."

"That coward is afraid of taking responsibility, and wants to make big things small." Wang Yunxiu said: "Grandpa was killed by An Lushan, can you persuade him to track down An Lushan?" ”

"Is there any evidence?"

"Yes."

Yuan Zai groaned and whispered: "I trust your judgment, but Yang Guozhong has no courage to act, and he will not dare to attack An Lushan with this matter." ”

"Why? Aren't they political enemies? ”

"The father-in-law died in the assassination, Yang Guozhong was uneven, and if he came forward rashly, he would only be bitten by An Lushan." Yuan Zai groaned, "We should go to the East Palace." ”

Wang Yunxiu was stunned for a moment.

"The officials of the DPRK and China only have their own power in their eyes, and they cannot be trusted. really encountered something, only the friendship between the father-in-law and the prince can still be relied on. Yuan Zai sighed: "Let's go and ask the East Palace to come forward." ”

For him, it was the best idea. It not only fits Yang Guozhong's desire to protect himself, but also wants to instigate An Lushan and the prince; Although he forced the East Palace with friendship, he could also take the opportunity to contact the prince, leave some affection, and leave a way back; At the same time, it also satisfied the desire to help Wang Yunxiu pursue it to the end. It's a triple win.

However, when Wang Yunxiu heard this, she did not immediately agree as usual, but looked back slightly.

Yuan Zai was extremely keen, and immediately turned to the dark place where she walked out to take a look, and said loudly: "Xue Lang, are you there?" Come out. ”

Guan Chongsi was walking behind them, scratched his head when he heard the words, and stepped forward to block Yuan Zai's sight with his huge body, wanting to say something.

Yuan Zai was sure that Xue Bai was there, took Wang Yunxiu's hand, and said: "I can trust you, I know that you are not a private meeting, you must have talked about the affairs of the father-in-law, and you should also trust me." ”

"It's not that I don't believe in Motoro, you are my husband."

As he spoke, Xue Bai walked out of the darkness, his footsteps rustling on the fallen leaves.

"The public assistant has just reached a tacit understanding with Yang Guanghui? Ren Yang Guozhong calmed down the situation and asked Donggong to come forward to advocate for the investigation of the case. ”

"I mean, Yang Guozhong is weak, so we have to ask the East Palace."

These two sentences have the same result, but they give people very different feelings.

Xue Bai just knocked Yuan Zai and said, "It's my villain's heart, and I lost my words." I think that the mastermind of the assassination of Wang Jieshuai must be An Lushan, and the captive may be a witness. ”

"He may not be able to confess, these murderers are completely pretending to be Nanzhao barbarians. rashly pointing out An Lushan is afraid that the saint will not like it. Yuan Zai first raised his concerns, and then said, "But I can persuade the prince to come forward, and then Xue Lang can try to interrogate the captive." ”

"Okay."

Xue Bai quickly accepted Yuan Zai's proposal.

On the way back, Yuan Zai thought about Xue Bai's attitude, but he still had some doubts, so he asked Wang Yunxiu: "What did you talk about with Xue Bai?" ”

"He is ready to attack An Lushan, this is also Grandpa's...... Wishes. ”

Yuan Zai stopped, did not take Wang Yunxiu back to the headless corpse, and thoughtfully put the cloak on Wang Yunxiu. Although it is hot in summer, the mountains and forests are very cold at night.

Wang Yunxiu also looked unusually calm, and said slowly: "Back then, when I fought against the Khitan, Grandpa saw An Lushan supporting the army and respecting himself. This time he was seriously ill, and the most reassuring thing was that if Hedong fell into the hands of An Lushan, he must meet the saint. ”

Yuan Zai sighed and said, "We know that the saint will not see him, and I really regret taking him out of Chang'an City." ”

"Xue Lang said that Nanzhao could not have the strength and courage to send someone to assassinate Grandpa, only An Lushan." Wang Yunxiu said, "We have to prove this to the sage." ”

Yuan Zai could think of these, but she didn't have to repeat them, so he sighed: "The problem is how to prove it, you and Xue Baike have talked about it specifically?" ”

"Nope."

Yuan Zai felt that it was wrong, he chatted with Yang Guanghui for the same time, and the content of the conversation was much more than that, and asked: "You have only been talking for so long, but you haven't talked about how to do it?" ”

Wang Yunxiu froze slightly, raised her head, looked at him, and said, "Do you suspect that I am having an affair with him?" ”

"It's not." Yuan Zai is very sure that this is impossible, Wang Yunxiu is not that kind of person, and he will not fall in love with someone when Grandpa dies.

However, it was precisely because of this that he felt more and more that there was something hidden from him.

"If you believe me." Wang Yunxiu said, "My heart is very confused, I don't want to stop, I'm afraid that I will cry when I stop, let's go, take Grandpa back." ”

Yuan Zai glanced back at Guan Chongsi and thought of something. He went out of the city to meet Wang Zhongsi a while ago and stayed in the post house, but he was drunk by Guan Chonghei, and now he thinks about it, it is very suspicious.

~~

Xue Bai returned to Huaqing Palace, met Li Longji for the first time, and reported what he had seen and heard.

He is a direct minister and has always told the truth, so when Li Longji asked him what he thought on this matter, he clearly expressed his doubts about An Lushan.

Li Longji knew that they hated each other and didn't care.

In today's court, the three forces of Donggong, Yang Guozhong, and An Lushan are incompatible, and the emperor probably knows, but it doesn't matter, the three-legged stand is the most stable, and a stable court can set up a prosperous Tianbao world.

"I only look at the evidence, and Hugh is no longer speculating. I ask you, is that headless corpse really Axian's? ”

Xue Baizheng was talking eloquently, stunned slightly, and muttered "Ah Xun" before he reacted, and responded: "It's Wang Jieshuai." ”

Li Longji sighed slightly, waved his hand, and said, "Go ahead." ”

There was no card game today, Xue Bai withdrew from Huaqing Palace, and went all the way to Yang Yuyao's other business.

In the distance, a servant girl saw him, and hurriedly turned around and ran inside, shouting, "Lang Jun is back." ”

Since the fire broke out in the Lady of Qiuguo's mansion in Chang'an, Yang Yuyao lived in Xue Bai's house, and her slaves and maidservants also regarded Xue Bai as their master. In short, the deeper the relationship between sisters and brothers, others don't know, and they are still treated as sisters and brothers.

At this time, Xue Bai was greeted and Yang Yuyao was dissatisfied: "I wanted to boil you up, but you were good, and you disappeared for two days." ”

As she spoke, she suddenly noticed a hint of displeasure between Xue Bai's eyebrows, and asked coquettishly, "What's the matter?" Won't let you stay with a bunch of our women, angry? ”

"Nope." Xue Bai smiled: "Then can Yao Niang be accommodating next time?" ”

Yang Yuyao knew that he was angry with others and had nothing to do with her, so she said with concern: "You haven't slept all night, have you?" My eyes are red, even if I am willing to be accommodating, how can you still be accommodating? Eat something quickly. ”

"One more thing." Xue Bai said: "There is a servant in Wang Zhonghe's mansion who was redeemed from the sect back then, and it should be named Zhang Siniang, who is his favorite concubine. Please Yao Niang send someone to bring her to Lishan, except for Wang Yunxiu, don't let others know who sent her. ”

"Why?"

"Something to ask her."

"Okay, I'll do it. You've eaten, you've washed your mud in the hot springs, and you've had a good night's sleep. ”

When Xue Bai immersed himself in the pool, he sighed comfortably.

He was very tired, but looking at it, he could see Yang Yuyao, Yan Yan, Qing Lan, Li Tengkong, Li Jilan and others laughing on the other side, and through the veil, he could faintly see them dressed in cool clothes and walking around the pool barefoot.

Because of this situation, he couldn't help but feel energetic again, but at this time there was something else on his mind.

After bathing, I was about to go back to the house to sleep, but I could hear the chatter on the other side of the screen, and they were whispering something.

"You go over, what are you afraid of?"

"Then I'll take you there......"

Xue Bai turned his head and saw Yan Yan and Li Tengkong walking hand in hand.

"Eh, husband, there's something I've agreed with Tengkongzi."

"Huh? Oh good. ”

"You're going to sleep, aren't you? I'll send you over, vacate the air, and come with us, right? ”

The three of them then walked down the corridor to the house.

The scenery of Lishan is excellent, the weather is refreshing, and the betsuya is just below the verdant mountains, and the courtyard below the promenade is planted with bamboo and flowers, and the promenade is spotless. Xue Bai was barefoot, and when they came out, they each had a pair of clogs. Because the floor outside was not as warm as the jade next to the hot spring, Yan Yan also wore a pair of girl socks, but Li Tengkong did not.

The clogs are like frost, and there are no socks.

When Xue Bai lowered his head, he saw her holding the two toes of the active body, lost his mind for a moment, realized his gaffe, turned his head, and pretended to say in a deep voice: "What an eventful autumn." ”

"It's summer." Yan Yan pursed her lips and smiled, not giving him face at all, "Vacate the air, you said yes?" ”

"Yes." Li Tengkong added, "But it's almost autumn." ”

She could feel that Xue Bai had something on her mind today, so she asked, "Is something wrong?" ”

Xue Bai said: "Wang Zhonghe...... He's dead. ”

Yan Yan and Li Tengkong were both stunned, puzzled by such a big thing, Xue Bai had been eating and bathing calmly, not like his usual behavior.

"You have a good relationship with him, don't you? It is said that you are a year-old friend. ”

"It's kindred."

Xue Bai thought of the situation when he drank more than ten jars of wine with Wang Zhongsi and inscribed "Breaking the Array" on the wall, and only said that at that time, he felt that they had a good relationship with each other.

But he can gradually feel that Wang Zhongsi is a natural general, and he is rarely burdened by emotions such as righteousness and family affection, and after reaching a certain level, there is a feeling that it is difficult to get close, such as the two went to Nanzhao together, and their personal relationship did not go to the next level.

Perhaps, as Li Linfu and Xue Bai said before, Wang Zhonghei has an indifferent temperament.

Especially after talking with Wang Yunxiu last night, Xue Bai was a little angry, angry at Wang Zhonghe's unwillingness to be accommodating, knowing that the saint would not meet, and rushed to Huaqing Palace.

However, thinking of these in his heart, Xue Bai still added, "In addition to the like-mindedness, we also have similar aspirations, and we all look forward to a good society." ”

"Are you sad that he's dead?"

"It's okay, how to say it, people are inherently dead......"

~~

"What?! Brother ...... God is jealous of talents! ”

In Shaoyang Courtyard, Li Heng learned of Wang Zhonghe's death and was overwhelmed with grief.

It was Won Jae who was in charge of reporting the matter. Even if the saint is jealous of the crown prince, but Wang Zhonghei is dead, he has to tell the news to his brother-in-law who is affectionate no matter what, and Yuan Zai is the most suitable candidate.

Wonjae himself is well aware of this, and he is planning according to this inevitable result.

He also has a clear plan for his future, but first he takes refuge in Yang Guozhong and then Li Heng, it is difficult to step on two boats between these two incompatible forces, but he is confident that he can do it. Then, An Lushan is the enemy he must stand on the opposite side.

"Your Highness mourns, your father-in-law has a spirit in the sky, and I don't want to see His Highness feel sorry for him and damage his body."

"I am closer to your father-in-law than my own brother." Li Heng cried so much that he couldn't help himself, and it took a long time to raise his head, choking up and crying out, "I've been ...... since I was a child I grew up behind his ass...... I only call him 'brother'! ”

"Your Highness."

"Tell me, how did my brother go?"

Yuan Zai's expression was gloomy and he said: "The imperial court said to the outside world that he died of illness. But in fact, the father-in-law was assassinated. ”

Hearing the word "assassination", Li Heng's body froze instantly, and he covered his hands on his face in grief, as if he couldn't believe that a famous general who had just returned to the dynasty after making great achievements would be assassinated immediately.

How did the imperial court protect such a hero of great merit?

After a while, Li Heng came to his senses from this shock, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who?" Who would dare? ”

"At present, all the evidence shows that it is the barbarians from Nanzhao who want to avenge Ge Luofeng."

"Ridiculous!"

The hoarse roar was like a saw, cutting through the ears and bells in the court. Li Heng shook his head, showing the sensitivity of the whole world drunk and sober, and muttered: "Yang Guozhong, An Lushan...... Who did it? ”

Yuan Jae didn't dare to answer.

"Far worse than a cockfight." Li Heng thought about it and said again.

He didn't say a word - killing Wang Zhonghei was killed according to the will of the saint, just like when Li Linfu killed Wei Jian and Huangfu Weiming. In the case of Li Linfu, this time there is naturally a way to cure Wang Zhonghei's crimes, instead of using this method.

Yuan Zai could hear that the prince was suspicious of Yang Guozhong.

And the reason why he came was to lead the troubled waters to An Lushan. After all, for the time being, he still has to rely on Yang Guozhong.

"Your Highness, I think that although Yang Guozhong is far inferior to Li Linfu, if he wants to kill my father-in-law, he will never have the courage."

"You mean?"

Yuan Zai pondered slightly, and decided that he could convince the prince with just one sentence, so he said: "Yang Guozhong is also a mediocre person, so there is no need to worry. And An Lushan looks like a pig and a dog, but in fact he is a tiger and a wolf. ”

Li Heng immediately understood.

As he had previously analyzed with Zhang Ting, the sage hoped that the power of the court and the border town would be balanced. Now that Wang Zhongji is dead, the balance is broken. Then, unless there are more border towns to support Yang Guozhong, they can only cut An Lushan's power.

This is the situation.

And for him Li Heng, it is inevitable to get rid of An Lushan. Back then, An Lushan's sentence "The minister is a Hu person, I don't know what the prince is" was already a declaration of war, and this miscellaneous Hu would definitely raise troops against him when he ascended the throne.

"Did Zahu assassinate my brother?!"

"We think so." Yuan Zai said, "An Lushan wants to seize the Hedong Festival for a long time, and he is afraid of the prestige of his father-in-law in Hedong, so he is most likely to do it." ”

Li Heng muttered: "Fan Yang's soldiers and horses made Sun Xiaozhe stay in Chang'an after offering prisoners, and they have the strength to do so. ”

"We got a captive, but Yang Guozhong was afraid that the assassination would spread, and others accused him of being incompetent as the prime minister and not daring to interrogate."

Yuan Zai said, very considerate for Li Heng, and said: "But if Your Highness comes forward, I am afraid that Your Highness will get into trouble." ”

"It doesn't matter."

Li Heng knew that once his righteous brother died, he had no room to be a turtle with a shrunken head. Even if you anger the saints, you can only come out of this. What's more, this is also a rare opportunity to buy the hearts of soldiers.

"I must personally go to Lishan and implore my father to be the master of my righteous brother, so as to live up to my righteous brother's love for me and his merits to the Tang Dynasty!"

Yuan Zai achieved the goal, no more words.

But he actually thinks that it is almost impossible for Li Heng to bring down An Lushan.

Looking back, Xue Bai's attitude on this matter was also very strange, and he looked a little lazy and let him come to see Li Heng.

Yuan Zai couldn't help but think, maybe Xue Bai and Wang Yunxiu had discussed something else?

So, when he left the palace, he rushed to Wang Zhonghe's house as soon as possible, wanting to ask his wife again.

When he crossed the crossroads in the middle of the square, he dismounted, took the reins and turned into the alley, and saw a carriage coming out of the side door.

Yuan Zai frowned, stepped forward and asked, "This is?" ”

The servants of the Wang family, who were walking in front, hurriedly responded: "Back to Lang's son-in-law, it was the lady who asked the villains to send Ah Lang's concubine away." ”

"This is the juncture." Wonjae shook his head.

He continued to walk, thinking that Wang Yunxiu was still so jealous...... Wrong.

Yuan Zai came back to his senses, looked at the guards behind the carriage, and realized that someone was going to pick up Zhang Siniang for questioning.

(End of chapter)