Yinshan Record

Chapter 310 My Lord, what brings you to this question? I know nothing (Part 2)
Inside the deacon's hall, thick tallow candles illuminated the room.

The window frames and doors were covered with gold ink, and incantations to separate the inside from the outside were written on them.

The centurion of the Imperial Guard, along with his men, dressed in brocade robes and armor, surrounded the hall of affairs.

Young Master Su sat in the hall, slowly sipping a cup of tea.

This is a very good pre-rain tea; it has a refreshing taste and a sweet aftertaste.

"Hey bro, you're finally back! Was your journey long and tiring?"

Shi Chibao looked at Su Che, thinking about the contents of the booklet.

"I've been dealing with some personal matters. Is the Inspector's injury any better?"

When the City God of Tian'an County was possessed by a demon, Shi Chibao and most of the officers of the Imperial Guard were injured. If Su Che had not been there to oversee things, there might have been other disasters.

From this perspective, Su Che can be considered to have done Shi Chibao a favor.

Shi Chibao sat next to Su Che, unsure whether to sit or stand, and for a moment he didn't know how to start the conversation.

He didn't know why Young Master Su had brought this up, but after considering it for a moment, he still spoke seriously.

"When you returned from handling the case, did you see the iron cavalry surrounding the yamen?"

Su Che put down his teacup and looked at Shi Chibao.

"The private army of the Langya Wang clan."

Do you know why they have come?

"I don't know, but with troops surrounding the Imperial Guard's office, and someone willing to take on such a huge responsibility, it must be no small matter."

The Imperial Guards were an office belonging to the inner court, whose duties included gathering intelligence, inspecting local areas, and suppressing demons. The fact that the Langya Wang clan dared to besiege the Imperial Guards' office was tantamount to rebellion.

"Indeed, in my opinion, what is the best course of action?"

"Secretly raise elite warriors, surround the Imperial Guards, as you wish, brother..."

As Su Che spoke, he held his palm horizontally and placed it downwards.

“The Prince of Wuling’s rebellious intentions are obvious; kill him.”

Such a murderous aura.

"Alas, no, no, they are of noble birth, we cannot act rashly." Shi Chibao smiled and acted as a peacemaker: "But it's just right, Wang Jian, the chief secretary of the Prince of Wuling, is waiting outside. He said he has something to discuss with us. I wonder if my brother has anything to tell me."

The implication is that if there's anything I need to know, you should tell me right away.

After all, according to the contents of that booklet, this Third Young Master Su could be said to be the last person to see the Prince of Wuling appear.

"The Water Goddess Xue of Canglang is colluding with Buddhism, which poses a great threat. We still need to reconsider the matter of bestowing an imperial title upon her."

Su Che seemed to have been deep in thought for a while: "As for the rest, there's nothing remarkable about it."

Shi Chibao nodded.

That means they don't want to talk about it, and that's fine too, as it allows them to extricate themselves from this mess.

"Is there really nothing else?"

Shi Chibao smiled and said, "We're brothers, you can tell me anything."

"Does the Chief Prosecutor want to get involved in this mess?"

Su Che looked at Shi Chibao.

"Then I thank you, brother."

Shi Chibao nodded and said to the outside, "Please invite Chief Secretary Wang in."

Wang Jian, the chief secretary of the Prince of Wuling, was sitting peacefully on the oxcart, his eyes closed and his mind at ease. In the corner of the carriage, a gilded incense burner with animal figures was burning with calming incense.

He had a handsome face, slightly thin lips, and wore a dark black cloak. At his waist hung a warm yellow jade pendant carved in the shape of the head of a Suanni (a mythical lion-like creature).

This young nobleman of the Langya Wang clan has now reached the seventh rank of cultivation. Even if he is not among the top of the younger generation in the Great Liang, he is still considered to have achieved considerable cultivation and should not be regarded as a spoiled brat.

As is customary, the sons of top-tier clans like the Langya Wang clan usually start as low-ranking, easy-going officials like secretaries. However, this Chief Secretary Wang insisted on taking up the post of county magistrate and worked his way up from the bottom as a people-friendly official, which was considered an anomaly among the Jiankang clans.

However, he did not care at all. During his tenure, he personally handled all matters, big and small, and never asked others to do it. It was precisely because of this that he caught the eye of the Xie family of Chenjun, who married him off with their noble daughter.

He sat upright in the oxcart, his fingers tracing patterns on his sleeve.

Over and over again, he wrote the character "苏" (Su).

"Young master, those hawk-like scions invite you in."

A soldier in black armor stood outside the carriage and whispered into it.

“The Imperial Guards are all meritorious officials of the court, bearing heavy responsibilities. They cannot be insulted. Go back and receive fifty strokes of the cane.”

The black-clad warrior's expression changed slightly, but he almost uttered a curse.

Wang Jian slowly straightened his clothes and stepped down from the oxcart.

Officials were already waiting at the gate, and they carefully led in the noble young master of the Langya Wang clan.

The Langya Wang clan was the most prestigious and powerful family in the world at that time.

Even though the Imperial Guards were directly under the emperor's inner court, emperors come and go, but powerful clans remain constant. Who would dare to offend them?

Naturally, they were served with great care.

Wang Jian walked to the door, looked up, and suddenly stopped.

"Chief Clerk Shi and Chief Clerk Su are both waiting. Please, Chief Clerk."

One of the hundred households quickly went to greet them.

Why is there no signboard?

The centurion looked at his colleagues behind him, and the group exchanged bewildered glances.

What use is a plaque to a place like ours?
However, these people were all shrewd and none of them answered.

"If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper." Wang Jian shook his head: "You should all remember this." "The Chief Secretary's advice is correct."

The centurion quickly agreed.

Wang Jian then stepped inside, but the journey was uneventful; he did not utter any further comments until he reached the Chief Secretary of the Hall of Affairs.

Shi Chibao and Su San Gongzi stood at the entrance of the Hall of Affairs to greet them.

It's not that this Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wuling has a particularly high rank, but he still has to give the Langya Wang clan some face.

"Chief Secretary, I have been waiting here for a long time."

Shi Chibao took a step forward, clasped his hands together, and smiled broadly.

Wang Jian ignored him, simply stopping and standing at a distance watching Su Che.

"Brother Wang, your men have surrounded my prison office on both sides. What is the meaning of this?"

"That's what Stevens said next," he continued.

Wang Jian remained silent, only glancing at Shi Chibao indifferently.

"Sending troops to surround the government office is something that can't be kept secret. Young Master Wang, you have to give us an explanation, don't you?"

Wang Jian glanced at Su Che and asked the Third Young Master Su.

"Who is this……"

"Shi Chibao, the Chief Justice of the Cizhou Judicial Office, a sixth-rank official."

Commander Shi also lost his temper.

Wang Jian completely ignored him, treating him as if he didn't exist.

"Oh, so your Cizhou Imperial Guards do have a Chief Officer."

Wang Jian nodded and then asked, "I have summoned you three times, why haven't you come?"

It turns out he was waiting here.

Fortunately, Shi Chibao had prepared himself mentally, knowing that whether he faced danger or not, he would be killed anyway. He remained calm and composed, having already prepared his words in advance.

"I am an official of the inner court, while you, Chief Secretary, are an official of the outer court; we are not subordinate to each other..."

"Since you are an official of the inner court, why don't you stay in the palace and instead come to my Cizhou territory? What are you trying to do?"

Young Master Su sighed.

"Brother."

Su Che smiled and called out, but Wang Jian turned his head with a cold expression.

“Brother Su is here too. I didn’t recognize him earlier. People said you were seriously injured and practically a cripple, but you look perfectly fine now. It seems that what people say is not to be believed…”

"Brother, you're just a chief secretary to the Prince of Wuling, yet you've come all the way to Cizhou."

"Ok?"

Wang Jian looked at Su Che.

"As you just told me, it was you who used your seal to request that we bring the prisoner over."

Su Che looked at the few centurions who hadn't left and were still standing there in prison and asked.

"Did you keep the original documents that Chief Clerk Wang sent to us before?"

"They're all in Curry."

One of the hundred households quickly agreed.

"Was it the official seal of the Cizhou Censorate?"

"I have examined them all and they are indeed correct."

"Okay, let's take it."

Su Che looked at Wang Jian: "Brother, you are in your princely residence, yet you presumptuously use the imperial seal. I am of limited knowledge and do not know what the punishment is for using the imperial seal privately according to the laws of our dynasty?"

"..."

The centurion's voice was soft.

"Haven't you eaten?" Su Che looked at his subordinate with concern. "Speak louder so my brother can hear me clearly."

"He was demoted to a commoner, exiled two thousand li away, and sent to serve in the army."

"That's what gives you spirit."

Su Che looked at Wang Jian: "Brother, have you come here to turn yourself in?"

"Su Che!"

Wang Jian's face was ashen.

Where is my wife?

"Wang Changshi's wife has disappeared?"

Shi Chibao quietly waved his hand, signaling the centurions to leave and not to go to jail with him.

"Brother, you've come to report a case, but it seems like we don't handle missing persons cases, especially those handled by the criminal investigation department?"

"If it involves demons, then it's our responsibility."

Shi Chibao responded with a reply.

Wang Jian narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Su Che.

"Su San, where is the Prince of Wuling?"

"Hmm? Is the Prince of Wuling not in his residence?"

(End of this chapter)