Wu Zetian muttered to herself for a long time without saying a word.
Lai Junchen looked down, cupped his hands, and waited patiently.
In the two corners of the hall, two bronze cranes blew out smoke. Wan'er stood gracefully by the table. She was like the bronze cranes, elegant, demure, and natural.
After a long time, Wu Zetian slowly said, "The General of the Left, Qiu Shenji, and the Minister of Justice, Zhou Xing, failed to unite. They have rebellious intentions, slandered good people, and bribed them like mountains. They are traitors of the country. Arrest them immediately. We must get concrete evidence to make them bow their heads and confess to the law!"
"Your subject obeys!"
Wu Zetian continued, "We have sealed off the news. They are still unaware of the case. Qiu Shenji is now in the Mengjin military camp. You are a civil official and should not appear. We order Wu Youyi to lead the Yulin Guards to arrest them. The Inner Guards and Dragon Guards will suppress the Jin Guards! When the criminals are caught, you will take over! Zhou Xing is now in the Ministry of Justice. Go and arrest him. We will order the Yulin Guards to help you! "
"Yes!"
Lai Junchen excitedly agreed. Seeing that Wu Zetian had no other orders, he bowed and slowly retreated.
Wu Zetian raised her voice and said, "Come!"
Eunuch Hai bowed and appeared by the door. Wu Zetian said, "Go to the Hall of Governmental Affairs and summon Li Zhaode!"
Eunuch Hai nodded and was about to leave when Wu Zetian said, "Wait!"
Eunuch Hai stood still. Wu Zetian thought for a moment and said, "After you go to the Hall of Governmental Affairs to pass on the edict, go to the Di Manor and tell the elders that Hei Chi Changzhi's injustice … We will clear his name sooner or later!"
"Sooner or later?"
Shangguan Wan'er's intelligent eyes quickly glanced at Wu Zetian and then quickly lowered them. She still looked calm and composed.
Wu Zetian sighed and reached out to pick up the small porcelain bowl of fermented rice. Seeing this, Wan'er hurriedly took the bottle of fermented rice and wanted to fill it for her.
Wu Zetian shook her head and slowly drank the rest of the sweet wine in her bowl. She sighed softly and said, "Are you wondering why I want to arrest them for treason?"
Wan 'er said obediently, "Everyone is wise and farsighted. You are like the rising sun, shining everywhere. There must be a deep meaning behind this. Wan 'er doesn't understand the reason behind it, so I don't dare to assume Your Majesty's intention. "
Wu Zetian sighed and said in a low voice, "We intend to use two years to recover Anxi, and this is precisely the time when we need to use the one hundred thousand mighty soldiers of the Western Regions. How can We let the world know that our most trusted Great General has framed the illustrious Blacktooth Changzhi of the Western Regions? How can I let the world know that my most trusted general gave the secret military secrets to foreign enemies and led the bandits to invade the pass? How can We let the soldiers know that the generals of the court are scheming against their commander-in-chief and stabbing them in the back? "
Wu Zetian smiled bitterly and said, "Two months ago, Qiu Shenji had just been bestowed the imperial surname because of his loyalty and diligence in his work. Today, we will arrest him for treason. This is his disloyalty, and it is also because We did not understand people well. But it is only because We did not understand people well. At the very least, the hearts of the soldiers of the three armies will not turn cold and lose their trust in the Imperial Court! Remember, before the four garrisons of Anxi are recovered, the truth of Blacktooth Changzhi's case must be sealed. He will have to bear this injustice for a while longer! "
"Yes!" Shangguan Wan'er deeply bowed.
… …
Li Zhaode received Little Hai's message and immediately hurried to the Martial Achievement Hall.
When Di Renjie left, he had already told Li Zhaode that he had reported the evidence against Wu Chengsi to the Son of Heaven, so Li Zhaode was already mentally prepared. When he heard that the Emperor had summoned him, he knew that it had to do with Wu Chengsi.
Li Zhaode arrived at the Martial Achievement Hall. After Wu Zetian gave him a seat, she calmly explained to him the matter of Qiu Shenji and Zhou Xing 'rebelling'. She then said, "These two have always been close to the Prince of Wei. Perhaps the Prince of Wei is not involved in this matter, but the fact that these two have rebelled due to the Prince of Wei's indulgence in their actions. What does Your Highness think? "
Li Zhaode was inwardly delighted at these words. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Wei is Your Majesty's nephew and also an imperial prince. As an imperial prince, it is not appropriate for him to meddle in political affairs. Since ancient times, even though the Emperors were father and son, they still tried to usurp the throne. Thus, even though he is the Crown Prince, he is not the ruler and cannot meddle in political affairs. Moreover, what if Your Majesty and the Prince of Wei are only nephew and aunt?
The current Crown Prince still abides by his duties as the Crown Prince, but the Prince of Wei is able to meddle in important matters. How can Your Majesty's throne be secure? Even if the Prince of Wei has no ambition, those officials close to him will also develop ambition in order to seek a greater future. Moreover, Your Majesty has just said that Zhou Xing and Qiu Shenji have rebelled due to the Prince's favor and power. Then, will the Prince of Wei not rebel due to the Prince's favor and power? "
Wu Zetian happily said, "Prime Minister Li's words are in line with Zhen's intentions. How about this, you can submit a memorial, stating the pros and cons of the Prince's meddling in politics. Zhen will make a decision. "
Li Zhaode bowed and said, "This subject obeys!"
Receiving the edict, Yang Fan immediately rushed to the Censorate to see Lai Junchen. He had long heard of Lai Junchen's great name, but the difference in status between the two was great. Yang Fan had only recently been promoted to Lang General and had not had the opportunity to meet him.
Yang Fan brought his men and rushed to the Censorate. The people from the Censorate's yamen reported in. When Lai Junchen heard that the Yulin Guards had arrived, he immediately summoned him in.
At this moment, Lai Junchen was sitting upright behind his desk, slowly stroking his beard and thinking about Zhou Xing's matter.
After repeatedly speculating on Wu Zetian's words, he already understood that the Emperor had the intention to kill Qiu Shenji and Zhou Xing. These two people were doomed. However, it seemed that the Emperor would be lenient towards the Wu clansmen. Perhaps there would be punishment, but it would definitely be for other reasons. He would not allow the Wu clansmen to be branded as rebels. This point must be taken into consideration, he could not involve the Wu clansmen.
Wu Youyi had already brought men to capture Qiu Shenji. Lai Junchen was not worried about Qiu Shenji. Even if he was an experienced general, once he entered the prison, he would not have to worry about him not confessing obediently. After all, a man of steel was made of flesh and blood, he could withstand the torture of his torture tools.
However, he did not have that much confidence in dealing with Zhou Xing. He had dealt with so many criminals, but he had never encountered an expert like him who was proficient in torture and litigation. Zhou Xing was the first. This person's experience in torture and interrogation was no less than his own. It would be more troublesome to deal with someone like him. Moreover, the Emperor clearly wanted to end this quickly and did not wish for this matter to drag on for too long. How could he make Zhou Xing lower his head as soon as possible?
Lai Junchen pondered for a long time. Suddenly, a plan came to his mind, and he could not help but reveal a proud smile. Not only did he think of a way to deal with Zhou Xing, he even thought of a way to use this case to implicate Yang Fan, whom he had always wanted to get rid of.
Yang Fan was only a Lang General. In such a shocking case, he could only be considered a small fry. Killing him would not even cause a ripple. Even though Princess Taiping, King Liang, Xue Huaiyi, and the others were on friendly terms with him, it was likely that they would not dare to get involved in a rebellion.
In addition, he had to implicate this person through Zhou Xing and Qiu Shenji. When the time came, even if Xue Huaiyi and the others were dissatisfied, they could only assume that Qiu Shenji and the others were using this opportunity to frame their political enemies. Lai Junchen had no grudges with Yang Fan, and it was impossible for the two of them to have anything to do with each other in the first place. Who would suspect him?
Once Yang Fan was killed and the case was over, he could get the charming and lovely young lady. How could people like Xue Huaiyi and Princess Taiping know about it? Lai Junchen couldn't help but chuckle when he thought of this.
Yang Fan stood in front of his desk and looked curiously at this Deputy Imperial Censor. He recognized Lai Junchen as soon as he saw him. Yang Fan had never expected that the customer he had met in his own shop the other day would actually be the illustrious Lai Junchen.
He did not understand what could make such a dignified and elegant high-ranking official, sitting in a court with a mirror hanging high above, laugh so proudly. Moreover, there was even a hint of wretchedness in his smile. However, this was clearly not the time to reminisce about old times. Moreover, even if the two of them had met once, there was nothing for them to talk about.
Yang Fan coughed, interrupting Lai Junchen's fantasies. He said in a clear voice, "Left Lang General of the Featherwood Guard, Yang Fan, has been ordered to await Deputy Imperial Censor Lai's orders."
Only then did Lai Junchen realize that the men of the Featherwood Guard had already arrived. He was startled and said without thinking, "Mm! This official already has an idea. Against Zhou Xing, we can only defeat him through wits and not by force. General, you … "
At this point, Lai Junchen suddenly realized something and couldn't help but cry out involuntarily, "Yang Fan?"
Yang Fan mused, "Why is he making such a big fuss about nothing? Could it be that he has seen me striking the bow and heard of my name?" Yang Fan thought for a moment, then he bowed and said, "It is indeed this lowly general!"
Lai Junchen composed himself and quickly regained his composure. He said, "Ah! Lang General Yang, this official has just thought about it. Zhou Xing is a crafty and cunning person. It is admittedly easy to capture him, but to make him confess is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Therefore, this official has come up with a plan that can defeat him through wits and without the use of force. Therefore, I'm afraid there is no need for you to make a move. "
Yang Fan said, "His Majesty has ordered this general to obey the Deputy Imperial Censor's arrangements. The Deputy Imperial Censor does not need to use force and this general will naturally obey. However, this general has come under imperial orders to ensure that nothing unexpected happens during the capture of Zhou Xing. Therefore … this general will have to wait for the Deputy Imperial Censor to capture Zhou Xing before replying to the imperial edict! "
Lai Junchen smiled, "Of course! In that case, may General arrange for your men to be stationed behind the folding screens on the left and right side of the second hall. After this official has imprisoned Zhou Xing, it will not be too late for me to reply to the imperial edict. "
Yang Fan smiled, "Since this is the case, this general will obey!"
Yang Fan left the main hall and led the thirty Bright Tigers he brought with him to the second hall. Lai Junchen waited for him to leave and clapped his hands three times. A bailiff appeared at the bottom of the hall. Lai Junchen ordered, "Pass down the order for a banquet to be held at the second hall. Also, bring my name card and go to the Ministry of Justice to invite Minister Zhou here!"
The bailiff acknowledged and left. Lai Junchen's eyebrows are deeply locked together again.
Qiu Shenji and Zhou Xing are doomed. The problem is that Lai Junchen does not know what crimes the two of them have committed to be punished by the Son of Heaven. However, he can be sure that the Son of Heaven has ordered him to judge the two of them for treason. It is obviously to conceal their true crimes.
The Emperor has sent Yang Fan to assist him in carrying out his mission. It is obvious that he does not believe that Yang Fan is an accomplice of the two of them. Moreover, he does not know what crimes the two of them have committed. Under such circumstances, to rashly implicate Yang Fan is truly risky. If the Son of Heaven asks, his answer is full of loopholes and he will end up making a fool of himself.
Thinking of this, Lai Junchen sighed with deep regret. He has no choice but to give up this great opportunity to kill his husband and steal his wife and continue to patiently search for a better opportunity.
…
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