Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 602 Chaos in the Yamen

Fujiwara no Himeka appeared in the signing room of Privy Councilor Yang Cunzhong with a Korean and a Jurchen.

Fujiwara no Himeka revealed her identity to Yang Cunzhong and questioned him sternly why no one came to contact them after their ship arrived at Longshan Ferry.

The goods they brought in piled up on the ship and could not be processed, and no one delivered the goods that should have been shipped away.

The Korean followed Fujiwara no Himeka's instructions and complained that all arrangements along the way were prepared in advance according to the time nodes.

A large amount of manpower and material resources need to be mobilized. If the schedule is changed due to the reasons of the State of Song, then the corresponding wasteful expenditure should be borne entirely by the State of Song.

The Jurchens talked a lot about the importance of this batch of military supplies to the spring war in Xinjin.

If serious consequences were caused as a result, it would mean that the State of Song had broken its promise.

The Song Dynasty should be held responsible for causing heavy losses to the New Jin Dynasty. This incident will seriously affect the relationship between the two countries and the New Jin Dynasty's trust in the Song Dynasty.

Yang Cun Zhong was somewhat overwhelmed by the verbal criticism from the three men, so he comforted them with kind words and took them to see Shen Gai.

Although Shen Gai was one of the three giants behind the military aid to Xinjin, he had always been just a "leader" and was not actually required to do anything.

As the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, he had too many state affairs to deal with, especially after the emperor left Beijing. Prince Jin was a lazy man, so many things were piled on him.

But this time the problem came directly to him, so Shen Gai had to put down the things at hand and solve this matter first.

"Everyone, there is a serious misunderstanding here."

Shen Gai smiled and said, "My Song court has always had someone in charge of assisting Xinjin, and has always done a good job, so I did not intervene.

It is inevitable that there will be some minor mistakes nowadays, so we just need to remedy them in time.

Envoy Yang Shu, why don't you and I take Lady Fujiwara and the two envoys from Goryeo and Xinjin to meet the Regent?

This matter is of great importance, and it is not easy for you and I to make a decision on our own. It would be better if we ask the King of Jin to discuss it together."

So, Shen Gai and Yang Cunzhong led Fujiwara no Himeka and his three companions to the Prince of Jin's Palace.

……

When Qiao Zhen rushed to the capital hall from the back court, Liu Yiguan, Wang Zirui and others had already returned from Duzi Bridge.

The Imperial City Division has taken over the case, and the imperial guards from the Palace Front Division have blocked the entire city. They have no reason to stay there.

Qiao Zhen hurriedly asked them what had happened, but Liu Yiguan was also confused and couldn't explain it clearly.

It can be said that all parties involved in the case of Yang Yuan’s kidnapping, including Yang Yuan himself, are still confused so far.

Yang Yuan didn't expect Liu Yiguan to be so bold that he wanted to kill him before the trial began.

In his opinion, Liu Yi Guan would surely fabricate sufficient evidence by taking advantage of his position.

This is enough if we don't know that he has a killer trick that only Prince Jin, Shen Gai and Yang Cunzhong know about.

Unexpectedly, although Liu Yiguan didn't know that he had a trump card, he still wanted to silence him out of caution.

This is also because Yang Yuan put too much psychological pressure on Liu Yiguan.

Since entering officialdom, Yang Yuan has been invincible in battle and conquest, and anyone who opposes him has been defeated.

As an old criminal judge, Liu Yiguan was used to being cautious, so he was naturally extra cautious towards such a person.

As the person involved, Yang Yuan knows that everything he accomplishes is the result of great effort and is never easy.

But Liu Yiguan only saw the result, and Yang Yuan's smooth sailing, so he naturally did not dare to underestimate him.

However, Liu Yiguan did not expect that although his plan was flawless, several groups of people would suddenly show up and compete with him for business.

Things like attacking public officials in the street and kidnapping prisoners actually happened.

The probability of such a major incident that provokes the government is extremely small.

The last time before that, it was Shi Quan who assassinated Qin Hui, and the time before that, it was Qin Hui who assassinated the emperor. It’s only been a short time, and here comes another one!
Moreover, this time, it was not just one force that took action.

Liu Yiguan still has no idea where those forces came from.

As for suspecting that the women of the Yang family committed the crime, he was just deliberately stirring up trouble and misleading others into making a wrong judgment.

He has been sending people to keep an eye on the Yang family, so how could he not know the recent situation of the Yang family?

Baili Bing, Gong Jinquan, and Luo Chengan had never expected that someone else would take action.

Wang Zirui finally got the chance. Liu Yiguan was hesitant and couldn't explain himself clearly, so Wang Zirui rushed forward, holding a gun and a stick, and making innuendos, with every word and sentence hinting at Liu Yiguan.

You know what, although he and Liu Yiguan were driven away from the scene together and didn't know what happened afterwards, he was actually right.

Liu Yiguan naturally denied it firmly. Although the situation was out of control and there might be many loopholes, and he didn't know whether the Imperial City Bureau could find out, he would refuse to admit it as long as it was not exposed.

Even if he was exposed, he still wouldn't admit it.

As a result, Liu Yiguan and Wang Zirui had a conflict on the spot.

Wang Zirui was accompanied by Mr. Fan and Mr. Wang. As the main attacker, Wang Zirui was responsible for opening the argument and pointing the finger directly at the target.

Mr. Fan, as the second debater, made up for the shortcomings and counterattacked flexibly. Mr. Wang, as the third debater, made jokes and ridiculed others.

Liu Yiguan's side was in a poor situation because his deputies, including the judge and prosecutor, were all absent.

They were all sent out by Qiao Zhen in the name of city improvement, clearing illegal buildings, unblocking streets and alleys, and inspecting fire protection.

At this time, Liu Yiguan was not without someone available around him, but the remaining ones were just the chief constables who followed orders and had no ability to debate with the three people opposite.

Liu Yiguan had no choice but to go out in person and fight against three people alone in a debate in the North Hall.

Li Jingchen from the South Hall and Yan Ding from the Imperial College were watching the fun from the sidelines.

Master Qiao was busy with his work when a bailiff came running to report, "Prefect, Princess Yongning has arrived."

"Yongning..."

Qiao Zhen was stunned for a moment before she remembered that in addition to the little princess of Jiaguo, there was also a princess of Yongning in the Song Dynasty.

Qiao Zhen's heart tightened, and he quickly stood up from his desk and rushed to greet him. All the officials followed behind him.

They originally thought that only Song Luxi had come, but when they arrived outside the ceremonial gate, they saw a group of female soldiers.

Qiao Zhen felt a headache when he saw it, but even though he had a headache, he was not panicked.

The literati of the Song Empire even suppressed the imperial power extremely severely, not to mention the royal family and relatives of the emperor.

They should be treated with due courtesy and respect, but it is unrealistic to say that they can break into government offices and interfere in state affairs by virtue of their status as royal relatives.

In Qiao Zhen's opinion, Song Luxi came here probably because of Yang Yuan's kidnapping.

Originally, if the government says he is guilty, then you should try him. As long as the evidence is irrefutable, you can sentence him accordingly and no one can say anything.

But now the person is lost in your hands, and it is only right for him to come to you to ask for redemption as the victim.

Qiao Zhen stepped forward with a smile on his face and greeted him. Without waiting for Song Luxi to ask, he rushed to report: "Marquis Yang was kidnapped on his way to the yamen. This is a serious matter. The regent, Prince Jin, has ordered the officers and soldiers of the Palace Guard to block the entire city.

Now all the Imperial City Bureau has been mobilized to track down his whereabouts. I believe there will be news soon. Your Highness the Princess, you don't have to worry too much.

Since the villain only kidnapped Lord Yang, I don’t think he would kill him.”

Lu Xi also felt that his second brother’s life was not in danger.

Xiao Nai later sneaked back to Yang's house and told her everything that happened at the bridgehead.

Although no one knew who the person who kidnapped my second brother was or what his purpose was, at least he had no intention of killing him.

Otherwise, it would be much easier to kill someone on the spot than to escape with a living person.

Therefore, Lu Xi replied calmly: "I already know about this matter. The whereabouts of the Marquis are being tracked down by the Imperial City Bureau, so I am relieved. But..."

Song Luxi raised his voice and said, "Liu Tongpan of Lin'an Prefecture suspected that the female members of the Yang family were responsible for the kidnapping of the Marquis, so he sent people to the Yang Mansion to investigate.

I have no choice but to bring all the women in the mansion here, and ask you, Governor Qiao, to investigate them one by one, so as to clear my Yang family’s name.”

As soon as Song Luxi said this, officials in Lin'an Prefecture began to whisper to each other.

Yang Yuan had served as a magistrate in Lin'an Prefecture not long ago.

We all served in the same government office, and this is a kind of friendship.

Moreover, look at the people that Her Royal Highness the Princess brought with her, a group of delicate female soldiers, oh, and a few yellow-haired girls.

The most heartbreaking thing is that there are several pregnant women with big bellies inside...

Isn't it too much to bully a group of women like this?

Which one of them do you think looks like a masked female thief or a bandit?
Isn't this a cruel official who doesn't care about his relatives and only wants to climb up the social ladder?

When the officials and servants of Lin'an Prefecture looked at Liu Yiguan again, they felt something was wrong.

Qiao Zhen hasn't yet settled the conflict between the East Hall and the North Hall, and now a group of female soldiers from the Yang family have arrived, making her feel overwhelmed.

Madam Yang is the emperor's sister, not an ordinary commoner. Is she so easy to control?
Liu Yiguan looked smart, but why did he lose his mind this time?

With no other options, Qiao Zhen had to invite Song Luxi and her group to the lobby, apologize humbly, and persuade her to take them back.

Song Luxi did not give up and insisted that he conduct a thorough investigation in Lin'an Prefecture. If the female members of the Yang family were guilty, they should be arrested on the spot. If they were not guilty, you had to give an explanation.

How could Qiao Zhen be willing to take this responsibility? If the women of the Yang family were innocent, what if they were hiding their true abilities and really had great martial arts skills? And what if the female prisoner kidnapper who appeared at the scene was a woman of the Yang family?

If the women of the Yang family are guilty, where is the evidence? If you say that the women of the Yang family are guilty, they are just ordinary people. If you make an unjust judgment, according to the laws of the Song Dynasty, the chief judge will also be dismissed and punished. What's more, this is a small family.

You, Liu Yiguan, are leading the donkey, and you want me, Master Qiao, to pull out the donkey for you?
Therefore, Qiao Zhen just kept apologizing and comforting, and never mentioned whether the women of the Yang family were innocent or not.

Unable to bear the brunt of the pressure, Qiao Zhen turned his face and said to Liu Yiguan: "Liu Jianzhou, you have been in full charge of this case. No one knows the cause and effect, the whole story better than you.

It was your idea, Liu Jianzhou, to send someone to investigate the Yang residence. I guess you, Liu Jianzhou, have discovered something?"

"Your Majesty..."

"In this case, please ask Liu Jianzhou to respond to the request of Her Royal Highness the Princess and quickly investigate the matter."

"Your subordinate..." Qiao Zhen turned to Song Luxi again, bowed and nodded, "Your Highness, please move to the hall. I, Liu Tongpan of Lin'an Prefecture, will definitely give an explanation to the princess."

Dan Niang glanced at Liu Yiguan coldly. The two deep nasolabial lines on his face made him look unappealing, and it was obvious that he was a cruel official.

Dan Niang leaned close to Lu Xi's ear and whispered, "Sister, let's go to the hall. You don't have to say anything. Tell the sisters to give him a good beating."

Just as Luxi was about to stand up, he heard a loud laugh and someone said, "I was wondering why the government office was so deserted. It turns out that this person has come to the office."

Following the voice, Mu En and Han Jiansong, leading a group of marriage officials, rushed in. Captain Xing accompanied them, sweating profusely.

Knowing that he had caused trouble, Captain Yan, who had been chasing Lu Xi back from Yang's house, was pretending to be dead. When he saw Captain Xing, he gave him a puzzled look.

Captain Xing frowned and shook his head slightly at him.

Captain Yan understood what Captain Xing was saying: It’s hard to put it into words…

"Qiao Mansion..."

Deputy Governor Han had just said two words when he saw Princess Yongning sitting at the top.

As the emperor's confidant, Han Jiansong witnessed the entire process of Song Luxi being recognized as the emperor's sister and being canonized as a princess, so he naturally recognized her.

Han Jiansong hurried forward to greet him.

Mu En was originally curious about who the woman sitting at the top was.

Song Luxi was wearing a bright red dress with wide sleeves, a long red silk skirt, a red shawl, and a flowery crown on her head. She was clearly a lady of the imperial court, and her rank was not low.

However, the attire of high-ranking ladies is similar, the difference mainly being identified by the number of flower hairpins on the flower hairpin crown.

Song Luxi is the eldest princess and should wear a crown with nine flower hairpins. Mu En can tell how many flower hairpins they are at a glance.

At this time, Deputy Director Han stepped forward to pay his respects and called her "Princess". Mu En just then realized who it was and hurried forward to pay his respects as well.

After learning of Lu Xi's intention, Deputy Director Han said, "Your Highness, the Regent Prince Jin has handed this case over to our Imperial City Department.

According to the investigation conducted by Mu Tizhu and his subordinates, the prisoner kidnappers who appeared at the bridgehead at that time involved multiple forces.

We have not yet fully verified their origins, but we have confirmed the identity of a group of people who want to kill Yang Hou."

Song Luxi's heart tightened, and the female members of the Yang family behind her also perked up.

Although they already knew that Yang Yuan was kidnapped and the kidnapper had no intention of killing him, they still hated the person who wanted to kill Yang Yuan.

Now that I heard that the Imperial City Bureau has uncovered the details of one of these forces, how can I not pay attention to it?

Lu Xi asked hurriedly, "Excuse me, Deputy Director Han, who are they?"

Mu En waved his hand and said, "Bring it up!"

Several officials at the back immediately dragged up the four constables who were in the prison van when Yang Yuan was escorted.

Two dead bodies and two seriously wounded.

When the four people were seen, there was an uproar in the court, and Liu Yiguan's face turned pale as paper.

There were few people in Lin'an Prefecture who did not know these four people. After all, they were Liu Yiguan's close confidants and were usually very ostentatious.

Even if some people didn't know them, they could roughly understand their identities by looking at the four men wearing the uniforms of detectives.

Mu En took a step forward, looked directly at Liu Yiguan and said, "President Liu, are they the detectives from your East Hall?"

Liu Yiguan quickly adjusted his mentality and pretended to be surprised and said, "Yes, they are my East Hall detectives."

"These four people intend to assassinate Yang Yuan!"

"What? How is this possible!"

"It's unfair, we are wronged, Liu Jianzhou, you have to help me!"

The two constables struggled with all their might, and the blind one even yelled loudly, appearing extremely excited.

Liu Yiguan frowned and said, "Deputy Director Han, they have been working diligently in my office. Could there be any misunderstanding?"

Deputy Director Han smiled and said, "My Imperial City Division already has solid evidence. They can't deny it."

These constables were entrusted with such an important task by Liu Yiguan, so they must be his absolute confidants.

When Liu Yiguan was still serving as a county lieutenant, he had already made them his confidants.

Over the years, Liu Yiguan, on the one hand, kept feeding them with small favors, and on the other hand, asked them to do all kinds of illegal and disorderly things for him, from small to large, from minor to serious.

These people fell deeper and deeper into the trap, and today, they are tightly tied to Liu Yiguan and can no longer escape.

Even if they had not been charged with murder for Liu Yiguan this time, they would still not have had a good ending if their previous evil deeds had been exposed.

In the current situation, the two of them knew clearly that even if they gave Liu Yiguan away, it would not benefit them at all. However, if they tried hard to clear Liu Yiguan, they could still receive his care.

"I...we were bribed by the Jin people. We took their money."

The blind constable made up his mind and shouted: "We are just constables, how much salary do we earn? The Jin people have given us many benefits, so of course we will work hard for them!"

He knew that if he refused to admit it, he would inevitably be tortured.

They are constables themselves and know very well how powerful torture instruments are.

Since he could no longer deny his intention to assassinate Yang Yuan, he would insist that the Jin people had bribed them with a large sum of money, so as to avoid being tortured before confessing and suffering physical pain in vain.

Just now at the bridge, they had heard that there were Jin people among the dead. Now if they pushed the blame to the Jin people, they would die without any evidence.

Deputy Governor Han was so angry that he laughed. Do you really think that if you deny it until death, I, Han, will have no way to deal with you?
After Han Jiansong took office as the director of the Imperial City Division, he once sent an important criminal to the skinning place. Deputy Director Han was very curious about this place that was kept secret by everyone and once went in to take a look.

After he was released, he couldn't eat meat for more than half a month. He would vomit physiologically as soon as he tasted meat.

The Pi Pi Suo was specially used to deal with traitors. Since they admitted that they were bribed by the Jin people, they were sent to the Pi Pi Suo. I am afraid that they would not dare to accuse the Jin people if they were just looked at without being tortured.

Han Jiansong smiled and said, "Were you bribed by the Jin people?

Strange, aren't you now accusing Yang Yuan of being bribed by the Jin people and working for them? Why would the Jin people bribe you to assassinate Yang Yuan?"

Another constable also reacted and shouted: "That's because... because the Jin people want to kill people to silence them!
They were afraid that Yang Yuan would expose them during the trial, so they wanted to kill them to silence them."

"Pah, pah, pah, pah..."

When Mu En heard this, he couldn't help but applaud.

"I've heard that 'officials are as slippery as oil', and it's true. I've been in the army all my life, and even though there are rogues in the army, they pale in comparison to you.

Deputy Director Han, let's not waste time talking to them, and take them back to the Imperial City Office and interrogate them slowly."

Han Jiansong waved his hand obediently, and several marriage officials dragged away the four constables, both alive and dead.

Even if he is dead, he is evidence and will not be left here.

Mu En said to Liu Yiguan: "Although they admitted that they were bribed by the Jin people, the four of them were officials under your East Hall.

Now they have admitted that they were instructed by someone to assassinate Yang Yuan. Before the truth is revealed, Judge Liu, I'm afraid you will have to go with us."

Liu Yiguan's face turned pale, and he said, "Mu Tiju, it was I who found the clues that Yang Yuan was colluding with the enemy, and it was also through my painstaking investigation that I found the ironclad evidence of Yang Yuan's collusion with the enemy.

What is my motive and purpose for assassinating Yang Yuan?"

Mu En smiled faintly.

This case has long become a tool for the struggle between the dynasties, with the bosses of both sides fighting each other from a distance.

Now that Yang Yuan was missing, if they had not discovered evidence that these detectives intended to assassinate Yang Yuan, the radical reformists would have been completely put on the defensive.

At this point, there was no need for him, who also belonged to the radical camp, to be polite anymore.

Mu En's face turned cold, and he said, "So, Mu only said that he would take you back for investigation, but he didn't convict you.

The Regent has handed over the case of Yang Yuan's kidnapping to our Imperial City Department. No matter who is involved in the case, our Imperial City Department has the right to arrest and interrogate them first."

Liu Yiguan turned his head suddenly and said, "The Imperial City Division came to my Lin'an Prefecture and arrested people without authorization. I am a magistrate, but they arrested people without going through the Taiwan authorities or asking the criminal officials. What do you say, Governor Qiao?"

Qiao Zhen said sternly: "The emperor is patrolling the border, and the Prince of Jin is supervising the country and taking charge of all state affairs.

Since the Regent has given the Imperial City Division full authority to handle this case, Liu Jianzhou, just go ahead! I, Lin'an Prefecture, will never give anyone any excuse.

This government believes that you, Liu Jianzhou, have always treated people fairly, handled affairs diligently, and disciplined yourself with integrity. As the saying goes, those who are clean will be clean, and right and wrong will be judged by the public. This trip will also prove your innocence.

If someone falsely accuses you and destroys your reputation, I will fight for justice for you even if I have to sacrifice my official hat!"

Liu Yiguan was so angry that he fell backwards. He shouldn't have counted on this bastard!

Mu En's face darkened, and he said, "President Liu, please come in."

Liu Yiguan's eyes flashed, and he said, "Liu must bring the file. Everything in it can prove Liu's innocence."

Mu En nodded and said, "Okay!"

Liu Yiguan said in a deep voice: "Come here, bring me the files I prepared for today's court session!"

The secretary of the East Hall hurriedly took out the file that had been prepared on the table.

Liu Yiguan straightened his clothes, took the file, and said in a deep voice: "Let's go!"

Mu En and Han Jiansong looked at him coldly as he pretended to be calm, and when they saw that he had already taken the file, they wanted to take him away from Lin'an Prefecture.

Suddenly, a eunuch led four imperial guards and walked in hurriedly.

"According to the order of the Regent, Qiao Zhen and Liu Yiguan of Lin'an Prefecture are ordered to go to the Prince of Jin's Palace to meet with the emperor as soon as possible."

Everyone in the hall was stunned when they heard this. Liu Yiguan was overjoyed. Could it be that Lord Tang had taken action?
Qiao Zhen was secretly annoyed. Why did His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin summon me? I have nothing to do with this!
When Han Jiansong saw that the eunuch was a eunuch from the Prince of Jin's mansion and was familiar to him, he hurried forward to ask.

The two of them whispered for a while, and Han Jiansong came back and whispered to Mu En, "The details are unknown, but Prime Minister Shen and Envoy Yang Shu have both gone to the Prince of Jin's Mansion. You and I should go and see what's going on."

The two of them came here just to take Liu Yiguan away, so they naturally couldn't let him go, so they followed the eunuch to the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

Seeing this, Lu Xi stood up and said, "Sisters, let's go too. If we can't give justice here, I'll go ask Brother Jin!"

(End of this chapter)