When the bell on the Gate of Heaven rang, the bells and drums throughout the city rang in unison, forming a majestic symphony that reverberated in the sky above Luoyang.
Yang Fan did not return to the palace, but instead headed towards Di Renjie's home in the southern part of the city. He welcomed the rising sun, accompanied by the sound of the drums, and his emotions surged.
There were many things that one would not be able to understand if they had not seen it with their own eyes or experienced it for themselves. The scene from last night had deeply touched Yang Fan's heart. He wanted to do something for others. Not because of himself, not because of his family, not because of his friends, only because of justice and conscience.
He had thought that everything he had experienced had completely cooled his blood, and that everything that had nothing to do with him would not affect his feelings. Only at this moment did he realize that it was not the case. He could not be cold-blooded and heartless, and he could not be completely void of worldly desires. Even if that person's misfortune had nothing to do with him, they had one thing in common, and that was human nature.
What was human nature, Miao Shenke said? Human nature was something uglier than beasts.
Perhaps, the desires and feelings of humans were more complicated than beasts, and there would be some people who were crueler than beasts for their own benefits. However, humans were not humans because of these beasts in human skin. If they were the standard to distinguish humans from beasts, then humans were the cruelest of beasts!
Humans were humans because of their human nature and love.
Yang Fan believed that Di Renjie was a trustworthy person, not only because of Di Renjie's usual reputation, but also because he knew that Di Renjie was incompatible with the Wu Clan in this short period of time. He knew that Di Renjie sympathized with Blacktooth Changzhi's misfortune and wanted to save this great general.
The people who persecuted Blacktooth Changzhi were undoubtedly the Wu Clan's party. This powerful force was not something he could deal with. He was willing to face it, but it did not mean that he had to do a hopeless battle like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He needed an important official of the imperial court like Di Renjie.
In the Di residence, the Luoyang prefecture had sent over the investigation of Miao Shenke's case early in the morning.
Di Renjie was already sitting in the study. Hearing Shu Asheng's report, he waved his hand and said, "Leave it there!"
After Blacktooth Tsuneoki's death, the position of Great General that he had vacated was bound to cause a fight. The people who were most likely to succeed were the ones who framed Blacktooth Tsuneoki. They were the most well-prepared, and if they didn't have a certain degree of confidence in seizing this power, there was no need for them to deal with Blacktooth Tsuneoki.
In this way, it would be even more difficult for Di Renjie to turn the tide and take back the military authority. He had to use all the forces he could, not just those who were anti-martial, neutral, and hidden in the court. Even the conflicts between the different factions of the Wu Clan had to be fully exploited in order to have a chance of success.
If that was the case, he needed to first confirm who it was that coveted Blacktooth Everlasting's position of Great General. Was it Wu Sansi or Wu Chengsi? As for the death of Miao Shenke, it was not even worth mentioning compared to this matter. Even though this matter was personally ordered by Empress Wu, he did not have the leisure to care about it.
"Wait a minute!"
Shu Asheng gently put down the documents sent by the Luoyang Prefecture. Just as he was about to leave, Di Renjie suddenly called out to him. He handed over the things he had just written in his hand and ordered: "Send these invitations as soon as possible. This old man wants to invite Princess Taiping and the Prime Ministers back. Also, if Shen Mu comes, bring him to see me! "
Shu Asheng complied and took the invitations that Di Renjie had personally written and left.
Di Renjie slowly stood up and paced around the room. He clenched his right hand into a fist and repeatedly knocked it on his left palm. He was repeatedly thinking about who would benefit more from Blacktooth Tsuneoki's death. Although he only needed to wait patiently for the murderer to surface in order to fight for the military authority, it would be too late to act by then.
"Ah Lang …"
Di Renjie was pulling his beard strand by strand in deep thought when Shu Asheng suddenly stepped into the door. Di Renjie's eyes lit up and he asked: "Is it Shen Mu?"
Shu Asheng said: "Ah Lang, not Shen Mu. It is Yang Fan who accompanied Ah Lang to investigate the case yesterday. He said that he has a confidential matter to discuss with Ah Lang."
Di Renjie was startled and asked curiously: "Yang Fan? Why is he here so early in the morning? Quickly bring him to see me. "
Shu Asheng agreed and turned to leave. As he walked, he said, "Yes, this person is really strange. There's a door but he didn't use it. He actually climbed over the wall. It made me think that a thief had broken in in broad daylight …"
"Wait!"
Di Renjie's eyes sharpened: "You said he climbed over the wall?"
Shu Asheng said: "Yes!"
Di Renjie thought for a moment and asked: "Where is he?"
"He's in the western courtyard," Shu Asheng replied, "He came from the woods outside the courtyard. If Xiao Ren did not go to the western courtyard to look for the gilded invitation, I would not have found him. I told him to wait there, I'll ask Ah Lang if he wants to see him."
Di Renjie's eyes slightly flashed: "I see … Don't bring him here. This old man will go see him. Does anyone else know that he broke into the residence? "
Shu Asheng said: "No. This old man thought that with his status, there is no reason for him to be a thief. So I did not send anyone to watch."
Di Renjie said: "Well done. Don't let others know about this matter. Let's go, bring this old man to see him immediately! "
Di Renjie's legs have not yet recovered but they are already seventy to eighty percent healed. It is not a big problem to walk without exerting too much strength. He let Shu Asheng lead him to the west courtyard.
Chan Juan was holding a bowl of hot cheese when she saw Di Renjie following Shu Asheng sneakily. She could not help but call out: "Ah Lang, the cheese is here."
Di Renjie waved his hand and put a finger to his lips to make a silent gesture. Then he slipped away with Shu Asheng.
Chan Juan was puzzled and said to herself: "This old man, what is he busy with now?"
At this time, the residence's steward came and saw Chan Juan standing there with a bowl in her hand. He said: "Miss Chan Juan, Shen Mu came to visit Ah Lang. Is Ah Lang in the study?"
"He is here?"
Chan Juan's eyes lit up. She quickly said: "Invite him to the study. Ah Lang will see him in a while."
The steward responded with a smile and turned to leave.
Chan Juan looked at the hot cheese in her hand and wrinkled her nose. She said: "Strange old man, if you don't want to drink, then forget it. If you don't want to drink, give it to my Third Brother!"
…
In the west courtyard, Yang Fan saw Di Renjie and solemnly said: "Uncle, this nephew took the liberty to visit because I have an important matter to inform Uncle."
Di Renjie said: "Is there any important clue about Miao Shenke's case?"
Yang Fan said: "No, this nephew has a grievance regarding Great General Hei Chi Chang Zhi. After thinking about it, the entire imperial court can only ask Uncle for help!"
Yang Fan did not say anything and directly took the bag. Di Renjie's eyes narrowed. He said: "This is …"
Yang Fan said: "Uncle, please take a look first."
Di Renjie took the bundle and opened it. Inside were many letters, official letters, and military documents. There were even some thick name lists.
Di Renjie only flipped through a few things before his expression changed: "Nephew, where did you get these things from?"
Yang Fan said: "Does Uncle think that these things can be used as evidence?"
Di Renjie said: "What evidence?"
Yang Fan said: "To clear Great General Hei Chi Chang Zhi's name and find evidence of the mastermind behind the murder of the Great General!"
Di Renjie narrowed his old eyes and carefully looked at Yang Fan for a long time. He lightly waved his hand and said to Shu Asheng: "Asheng, go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone come near!"
"Yes!"
Shu Asheng flashed outside. Di Renjie stared at Yang Fan and said in a deep voice: "What is your relationship with Hei Chi Chang Zhi?"
Yang Fan said: "We don't know each other!"
Di Renjie said: "You should know that Hei Chi Chang Zhi was the current Duke of the dynasty, a great general at the border. Even so, he died in such a dubious way. This bag is enough to take your life. Even if you die, you won't be able to cause any trouble. You are just a soldier, there is no need for you to stand up for others!"
Yang Fan said: "Someone has to stand up, don't you think so, Uncle Di?"
Di Renjie stared at him for a long time. His eyes gradually revealed a gratified expression and he lightly nodded: "I am not alone …"
Yang Fan naturally understood this sentence and couldn't help but be overjoyed: "Uncle, you agree to intervene?"
Di Renjie said: "Since this old man knows about this, I will naturally intervene! But not now! "
Yang Fan was startled and slightly angered: "Why is that?"
Di Renjie shook his head: "Child, it is not enough to be hot-blooded. You must pay attention to strategy. From this evidence, Hei Chi Chang Zhi was framed by Wu Chengsi, Qiu Shenji, and Zhou Xing. If General Hei Chi Chang Zhi is not dead, this old man will immediately bring this bag to the palace to see the Empress. The Empress will definitely pardon him and use a very dignified method to 'clear' his name and give him justice. At the same time, it will also prove that the Imperial Court is clear. But … "
Di Renjie stared at Yang Fan: "Hei Chi Chang Zhi is dead! A Duke, a great general who has been guarding the border for many years, has died inexplicably. If he is to be pardoned, someone must be responsible! Who will be responsible? A dead Blacktooth Chang Zhi was useless, but those who framed Blacktooth Chang Zhi were still of great use to the Empress. What do you think the result will be? "
Yang Fan couldn't help but ask: "What will be the result?"
Di Renjie said: "The result will be a stone sinking into the sea. This case will continue to be wrong, and the person who framed General Hei Chi Chang Zhi may be summoned by the Empress to be scolded, but he will still be used!"
Yang Fan could only feel the veins on his forehead throbbing a few times. He gritted his teeth: "Then, this case is just going to end like this?"
Di Renjie lightly shook his head and slowly paced around the room. His eyes habitually narrowed: "Poison can sometimes kill people, and sometimes it can also save people. It all depends on when and where you use it. The same piece of evidence can sometimes lead to death, and sometimes it can let him off the hook. "
He stood still and slowly turned around to look at Yang Fan. He said in a low voice: "To let it play its proper role, we need the right time. If you believe this old man, then leave it here. This old man promises you that this evidence will appear when you can bring the villain to justice! "
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