Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 603 Sophistry
Prince Jin’s Mansion, Ningqing Palace.

Prince of Jin Zhao Jue sat at the top, with Shen Gai and Yang Cunzhong sitting on his right, and opposite him were Fujiwara no Himeko, the Korean Wang Shou, and the Jurchen Fuangku.

The eunuch hurried up to the palace and bowed to Zhao Yu, saying, "Your Majesty, Qiao Zhen and Liu Yiguan from Lin'an Prefecture are here."

After a pause, he continued, "The Imperial City Department's Supervisor Mu En and Deputy Supervisor Han Jiansong are here too.

In addition... Princess Yongning and the women of the Yang family are also outside the palace."

Zhao Yu didn't know that the Imperial City Division had found evidence that the Lin'an Prefecture detectives were involved in the assassination of Yang Yuan. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Please ask Princess to take the eldest princess to Jingting Pavilion for a short visit. Mu En and Han Jiansong..."

Zhao Yu hesitated for a moment and said to Shen Gai, "In my opinion, let them come in and listen.

If we hadn't been so secretive, there wouldn't have been such a misunderstanding. The Imperial City Division can still be trusted."

However, after saying this, he thought of Kou Heiyi.

Although Kou Heiyi was exposed in the Privy Council, he was originally in the Imperial City Bureau and rose to the position of a captain.

Zhao Yu added: "Mu En and Han Jiansong are both loyal ministers and can be trusted."

Shen Gai bowed and said, "The Regent is right."

Zhao Yu waved his hand, and the eunuch understood and hurriedly left Ningqing Palace. He first sent someone to the backyard to report to the princess and led Song Luxi and his party to Jingting Pavilion.

Qiao Zhen, Liu Yiguan, Mu En and Han Jiansong entered the hall one after another. They saw that Jin Wang Zhao Ju, Prime Minister Shen Gai and Privy Councilor Yang Cun Zhong were all sitting there. There were also three people sitting opposite them. Judging from their clothing, they were clearly from Japan, Goryeo and Jurchen clans.

Although Qiao Zhen and others were surprised as to why these people appeared here, and did not know why the Prince of Jin, the Prime Minister and the Privy Councilor were all present, they still stepped forward to pay their respects.

Zhao Yu waved his hand and said, "Please sit down. I have summoned you here because I have something very important to tell you."

Zhao Yu looked at Qiao Zhen and said, "Qiao Zhen, I just received a report from the Dali Temple that the Lin'an Prefecture investigated the fake Huizi case and the reason why it led to Yang Yuan was because the Longshan King's City Household Office had collected tens of thousands of fake Huizi.

The Wang family argued that these fake notes were exchanged from fake notes.

However, when Lin'an Prefecture tracked down the fake guild in Longshan, the fake guild had already been warned in advance and fled.

Lin'an Prefecture turned around and checked the households in Wangshi and discovered a large number of mysterious transactions with unknown origins and destinations.

Therefore, it is believed that the so-called fake club was just a trick played by Wang Shihu, and the real ones who created and spread the fake club were the Wang family.

These mysterious large-scale transactions of the Wang family actually belonged to Yang Yuan, and Wang Shihu was just pushed to the front by Yang Yuan to handle them.

Therefore, the case was traced back to Yang Yuan, but is that the case?"

After hearing this, Tengxiang couldn't help but look at Zhao Qu with her bright eyes, and her eyebrows raised slightly.

People often say that this prince is a playboy and behaves in absurd ways. Doesn't this make sense?

Qiao Zhen bowed and bowed to Zhao Yu, saying, "Regent, all matters concerning criminal cases in Lin'an will be handled by Tongpan Liu Yiguan.

According to the usual practice, after the Tongpan Dongting has concluded the case, all the evidence and judgment will be submitted to the lower officials for review.

I will review the case. If I find that the confession has been retracted or is inappropriate, I will reject the retrial and ask for additional evidence.

If there is no objection during the review, it will be signed and submitted to the Dali Temple.

This case is currently on trial today and has not yet concluded, so I do not know the details yet."

Qiao Zhen glanced at Liu Yiguan, who hurriedly saluted and said, "Regent, I have always been cautious in investigating cases.

The cause of this case is indeed as the king said. However, this alone cannot prove that Yang Yuan is indeed related to the fake Huizi case.

After I had some doubts, I re-examined all the criminals involved in the fake meeting case, including Yang Leifeng, Xu Hongcheng, He Qiqi, and obtained some evidence.

Today, I am going to have a joint trial with the Dali Temple and the Imperial City Department on Yang Yuan based on these evidences. However...

Yang Yuan was suddenly kidnapped, so Yang Yuan is now only a major suspect, and I have not yet convicted him. But..."

Liu Yiguan changed the subject and continued, "Even if Yang Yuan had nothing to do with the fake Huizi case, he abused his power to sell contraband goods and evade taxes. The amount was huge, so this person is also extremely evil."

Zhao Yu nodded and said helplessly: "Regarding the mysterious large amount of money involved in the account book of Wang Shihu, it has nothing to do with the fake Huizi case, nor with smuggling and tax evasion. You don't need to investigate further."

Qiao Zhen, Liu Yiguan, Mu En and Han Jiansong were all shocked and looked at Zhao Yu in surprise.

Shen Gai covered his mouth and coughed lightly, then said slowly: "This matter is indeed the highest secret of the court.

The emperor entrusted it to the regent, the prime minister, and Envoy Yang Shu, and no one else knew about it. I am telling you today, so remember to keep your mouth shut. "

After that, Shen Gai introduced the three guests sitting opposite him, Japan, Goryeo, and Jurchen, and said, "This is the military aid from our Song Dynasty to the New Jin.

Because it is inconvenient for the Jin Kingdom to judge the clear position of the Song Dynasty, this matter can only be carried out in secret. Yang Yuan is the person in charge of this matter. "

Yang Cunzhong said calmly: "As for the corresponding taxes, there is no evasion in all transactions.

The ferry supervisors and inspectors sent by our Privy Council to the ferry ports keep detailed records of every transaction, and the corresponding taxes are all sent to the 'sealed warehouse'."

"Fengzhuangku" was the inner treasury of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. It was established during the reign of Zhao Kuangyin. Its initial source of wealth was the wealth looted from the royal families of other countries.

The purpose of establishing it was to save money to redeem the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that were ceded to the Khitan by the Later Jin Emperor Shi Jingtang.

If the Khitans refused to let go, they would use the money as military expenses to seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun by force.

In fact, even if there was no such reason, emperors of all dynasties had their own inner treasury.

During the Anshi Rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang hastily recruited soldiers in Chang'an to quell the rebellion, and he used the money from the inner treasury to recruit soldiers.

But after Zhao Guangyi suffered repeated defeats, no one mentioned the Northern Expedition against Khitan anymore.

From then on, this "Fengzhuangku" became a cash machine for the emperor's daily expenses and for all officials.

Whenever the imperial court used military forces, encountered floods or droughts, or celebrated or awarded gifts, the various government offices would ask the inner treasury for money if they had deficits.

At first, he said that he was borrowing from the inner court and would repay it when there was a surplus of taxes collected by the court, but it was just talk.

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, even the word "borrowed" was not mentioned anymore, after all, Emperor Renzong was easy to talk to.

When the imperial court was short of money, it did not recover what should be recovered, nor did it review the waste, but just reached out to the inner treasury. So by the time of Emperor Renzong, the money in the "Fengzhuang Treasury" had been spent.

After Zhao Yuan ascended the throne and became emperor, he rebuilt the "Fengzhuangku". His motive is self-evident.

After listening to the explanations of Prince Jin, Shen Gai and Yang Cunzhong, Liu Yiguan was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

He thought he was invincible. Even if he could not successfully implicate Yang Yuan in the fake meeting case, he could still kill Yang Yuan.

As long as Yang Yuan is sentenced to death, no matter what the charge is, no one will scrutinize his entire case handling process.

Who would want to overturn the verdict of a person who was sentenced to death for evading a huge amount of taxes? Who would care whether he had one more crime or one less?
However, no one expected that this large amount of wealth of unknown origin was actually military aid from the Song Dynasty to the New Jin Dynasty.

This Yang Yuan is so insidious!
He hasn't mentioned this matter yet, just to lure me into his trap, right?
He wants to catch me off guard during the three-court trial?
Thinking of this, Liu Yiguan felt both pain and hatred. He suddenly realized that he had actually killed himself.

If Yang Yuan appeared alive in the court of Lin'an Prefecture, he would publicly display the many "ironclad evidences" he had fabricated in court, and Yang Yuan would be "forced" to explain the true source, destination and use of these properties, and this so-called "ironclad evidence" would become evidence for him to frame the ministers.

Therefore, he had to let Yang Yuan die suddenly.

However, he tried and failed.

Not only did he fail, but also because of the confusion caused by various forces that appeared under false names, the people he arranged for could not even clean up the mess, and the Imperial City Bureau got hold of the evidence.

It's really wrong to neither advance nor retreat. I...why did I jump out so anxiously in the first place?
Isn't it to show loyalty to Tang Zhizheng, seize this rare opportunity, jump over the dragon gate, enter the three judicial departments, and enter a new track?
Mr. Tang, I really want to make progress.

The result is...

For a moment, Liu Yiguan's face couldn't help but twist. He was filled with regret and anger, but he didn't know who to vent it on.

Qiao Zhen twisted his beard and muttered to himself...

"Soudaisiga!"

Before he could even utter "So that's what it is", the Japanese woman sitting opposite him had already screamed out in surprise, covering her mouth with her hands and opening her eyes wide in surprise.

Well, she did it somewhat on purpose.

Zhao Yu said: "Yang Yuan was kidnapped by someone of unknown origin, and the case needs to be investigated further.

The fake club case still has to be investigated by those who set up the fake clubs. You, Lin'an Prefecture, must continue to investigate as well.

The Wang Shihu family of Longshan and all those arrested from Sanyuan Jewelry Shop must be released immediately.

Otherwise, once the transportation of military supplies is affected, it may affect the war situation in the north, undermine the national policy of the Song Dynasty, and also undermine the relationship between the Song Dynasty and the New Jin Dynasty. "

Qiao Zhen glanced at Liu Yiguan, stood up and bowed, saying, "I'll do it when I get back."

Liu Yiguan still sat there blankly. He knew that no matter what, he was finished.

Whether it was the files that he couldn't wait to hand over to Teng Sizheng of the Dali Temple and Wu Yichen of the Imperial City Bureau, or the witnesses and evidence of the assassination of Yang Yuan that he left at the Duzi Bridge, they would become irrefutable evidence of his guilt.

Mu En and Han Jiansong looked at each other, and Han Jiansong politely clasped his hands towards Mu En.

Both of them knew that Han Jiansong went to the Imperial City Division to take over Mu En's job.

However, there was no personal conflict between the two, and Mu En was only transferred from a position that was too personal to the emperor. He was neither out of favor nor demoted.

Now Mu En is still the official of the Imperial City Department. Han Jiansong only needs to fulfill his duties as an assistant official and there is no need to steal other people's limelight.

Mu En stood up and bowed to the King of Jin, saying, "Since the military aid to Xinjin is so important, Prefect Qiao should take these three guests back immediately and release the personnel responsible for providing military supplies in court, so as not to delay the military mission."

When Qiao Zhen heard this, she jumped forward and stood next to Mu En very smoothly.

He bowed deeply to the ground, his whole movement was smooth.

He looked like a famous actor; no matter how quick or fast his movements were, they were all clear and graceful, without any sense of haste.

"Mu Tiju reminded me that I will return to Lin'an Prefecture and will personally take charge and assist in handling related matters to make up for the lost time.

King Regent, Lord Shen, Lord Yang, I will make clever arrangements, and the truth of this matter will never be spread from here."

Yang Cunzhong looked at Qiao Zhen in surprise, then at Liu Yiguan. Is this Liu Tongpan so dull? Why is it that when it is his turn to agree and express his opinion, Qiao Zhen always takes the lead?
After Qiao Zhen finished speaking, he smiled and bowed to Ji Xiang, Wang Shou, and Fu Angku, saying, "The three of you, please."

After these people bowed and said goodbye to Prince Jin and others and left Ningqing Palace, Zhao Yu also realized that something was wrong.

Because...President Liu was still sitting there, stunned.

Zhao Qu frowned and glanced at Mu En.

Naturally, Mu En would not tell the Song Dynasty's scandal in front of three foreigners. It was not until Ji Xiang and the others left with Qiao Zhen that Mu En reported to Zhao Yu what he had discovered when he inspected the scene at Duzi Bridge.

After hearing this, Zhao Yu's expression suddenly changed, and he immediately looked at Liu Yiguan with a sharp gaze.

Liu Yiguan slowly stood up from his chair and woodenly bowed to Zhao Yu, saying, "Who abducted Yang Yuan at the Duzi Bridge, and who wanted to kill him? The truth still needs to be investigated.

Regarding the fake club case, we will continue to hunt down those fake club personnel who escaped.

However, I think Yang Yuan has not yet cleared himself of suspicion."

Zhao Yu said coldly: "Liu Yiguan, do you know what you are talking about?" Liu Yiguan nodded and said: "Of course I know.

I investigated the case and interrogated Xu Hongcheng and other criminals. Yang Yuan was always among them, which could not but make people feel puzzled.

So, is it possible that Yang Yuan is using the opportunity of secretly assisting the court in providing military aid to the New Jin to do something detrimental to our Song Dynasty?"

Shen Gaibai's eyebrows twitched and he quickly glanced at Liu Yi Guan.

Liu Yiguan's thoughts became clearer and clearer, and he was still trying to make his final struggle.

Liu Yiguan said: "When Yang Yuan was abducted by the Jin rebels across the sea to Liaodong, he was always treated as a guest of honor by them.

Yang Yuan was able to persuade the New Jin to submit to the Song Dynasty and thereby gain assistance from the Song Dynasty.

So, is it possible that during this period, Yang Yuan had been won over by their kindness and coercion and joined them?"

Liu Yiguan spoke more and more confidently, his voice becoming more and more sonorous and powerful: "When Yang Yuan returned from the north to the south, he brought a concubine with him, who was a Jurchen.

Is this a spy placed by the new Jin people next to him?"

Shen Gai frowned and said calmly: "Liu Yiguan, you mean that the fake meeting was still secretly organized by Yang Yuan to damage the economy of our Song Dynasty.

But, he was not used by Wanyan Liang of the Jin Dynasty, but by Wanyan Luti of the New Jin Dynasty?"

Liu Yiguan said in a resounding voice: "The military aid provided by our Great Song to the New Jin is to support them, let them contain the rear of the Jin Kingdom, and create opportunities for our Great Song.

Are all the civil and military officials of the New Jin Dynasty stupid? Can't they see the intentions of the Great Song Dynasty?
They could not have taken advantage of the situation and accepted the Song Dynasty's military aid to fulfill the Song Dynasty's wish to fight against the Jin people.

On the one hand, he secretly harassed the Song Dynasty and weakened the national strength of the Song Dynasty, so that Wanyan Liang could take advantage of the Song Dynasty and profit from it?"

Yang Cunzhong asked, "How do you explain why you instructed your cronies to assassinate Yang Yuan?"

Liu Yiguan said sternly, "I have never done such a thing. The detective who assassinated Yang Yuan has confessed that he was bribed by the Jin people."

“It’s just that Xin Jin bribed him with the intention of killing him to silence him.

Or maybe the Jin Kingdom bribed him and wanted to get rid of this new Jin's internal supporter in the Song Dynasty. This matter needs further investigation by your subordinates."

Zhao Yu was so angry that the crown on his head flew up. He turned to look at Shen Gai and said, "Mr. Shen, what do you think?"

Shen Gai smiled and said, "Liu Yiguan is indeed an old criminal lawyer who has worked in criminal justice for his entire life. His explanation is logically consistent and makes a lot of sense."

Zhao Qu nodded and said, "That makes sense. Let's investigate. Imperial City Division, did you hear that? Investigate it carefully for me."

Mu En and Han Jiansong bowed together and said, "As you command."

Zhao Yu pointed at Liu Yiguan and said, "Catch this Liu Yiguan for me.

Most of the people escorting Yang Yuan to the trial are his confidants. With so many people, I don’t believe that I won’t be able to get a result. Investigate thoroughly for me!”

Mu En and Han Jiansong bowed again and said, "As you command."

Liu Yiguan's face changed and he said, "Your Majesty, there is no evidence to identify me yet. Are you going to detain me?"

"Didn't the court already detain Yang Yuan when there was no evidence against him?"

"That's because Yang Yuan's case involves the Jin people, and the case is serious..."

"If Yang Yuan was innocent, you would have done everything you could to frame him, and you also instructed your cronies to assassinate Yang Yuan, and there were also Jin people at the scene. Doesn't that mean the Jin people are involved, and the case is serious?"

After hearing this, Liu Yiguan was speechless.

……

Inside the underground palace, the officers and soldiers found nothing after searching. After withdrawing from here, Baili Bing led his men back to the underground palace.

Seeing the two of them tied together, Baili Bing started to chuckle.

"Have you heard of the Legend of the White Snake that Mr. Qu Da talked about? The book says that the Leifeng Pagoda suppresses Lady White.

When I saw this, I realized, this is not suppression, this is clearly hiding a beauty at the bottom of the tower, Teacher Yang, no, Teacher Fahai, don’t you think so? "

Fei Yuye glared at her with a red face and could only force herself to remain calm.

Fortunately, I have been tied to Yang Yuan for so long that I have experienced all the stimulation and embarrassment I should have experienced.

If it weren't for Baili Bing's teasing, she wouldn't be so shy at this moment.

Baili Bing waved his hand and said, "Untie them. They will have to be kept here for a while.

If I kidnap our Mr. Yang, I don’t know how many people will come to me to settle the score after I return to the capital.”

Baili Bing's followers stepped forward to untie Yang Yuan and Fei Yuye. Their legs and feet were a little numb, and it took them a while to separate and move around.

Baili Bing looked at them with a smile and said, "I plan to stay here for ten days or half a month, and then take you back to Shangjing.

But don't worry, because the soldiers are searching the mountain today, I dare not be careless.

Normally, I wouldn't tie you up.

Anyway, after taking the muscle-softening powder I gave you, you don't have the strength to open the door to this underground palace. It's very heavy.

Look, here is a place to rest, with drinking water, washing and toilet facilities.

As for food, it is not convenient for me to deliver every meal, so I have to prepare at least one day's worth of food for you at a time.

You two will suffer for a while, but when we return to the capital, you won’t have to suffer anymore.”

Yang Yuan stretched his arms and legs, and asked Baili Bing in a deep voice, "What's the situation outside now?"

Baili Bing blinked and said, "I don't know much about this either. The imperial court has sent out the imperial guards, and there are soldiers everywhere in the streets and alleys. It's not easy for me to send people to inquire.

However, people are not prohibited from entering and leaving. After all, it is such a big city with a population of one million. If the city is really closed, no one can afford the food, drink, defecation and urination of millions of people.

However, entry into the city is relaxed, but exiting the city is strictly checked. Anyone leaving the city, regardless of whether they are by land or water, and regardless of whether they are people, goods or livestock, will be checked very carefully. "

Baili Bing stretched lazily, showing off her graceful figure in front of them: "I will be back from my lake trip late, and I don't know if there will be soldiers who will search me and take advantage of me."

Baili Bing was obviously extremely happy because he had successfully captured Yang Yuan, so he was very proud in front of them, like a peacock spreading its tail.

After an unknown amount of time, one of her followers walked into the underground palace and said to her, "Miss Bing, the cruise ship has arrived at the lake. We can leave now."

Baili Bing said with a smile: "The imperial court is investigating every household, and I have to go back to report.

Otherwise, my family would be missing several people, and would be turned upside down. I will come to see you again when I have the chance."

Baili Bing wanted to go but stopped, and said with a smile: "You two have to be restrained while you are here.

I think Teacher Yang is quite fertile, but don't bring a pregnant woman with you to the capital, or those girls in the Yiluansi will be jealous."

After Baili Bing finished speaking, he walked towards the stone steps with a smile.

Yang Yuan was thick-skinned and didn't care, but Fat Yuye's pretty face turned red because of her teasing.

With a "bang", the stone door slammed shut.

Yang Yuan immediately rushed to the stone steps, put his ear to the stone cover above his head and listened attentively.

Fei Yuye was able to walk freely at this time, and felt only slightly weaker than an ordinary person. However, when she wanted to mobilize more strength, she simply did not have the energy to do so.

She also rushed to the steps and asked hopefully, "How is it?"

Yang Yuan listened attentively for a while and said, "There is another door above."

As he spoke, he pushed the stone cover above his head hard, and then patted it with his hands, but the stone cover did not move at all.

Yang Yuan walked down the stone steps and shook his head at Fei Yuye: "The stone door is very heavy. With our current strength, we can't push it. Besides, I suspect there is a stone bolt on it."

After hearing this, Fei Yuye couldn't help but sit down dejectedly.

To open the door from the top, there should be a way to leverage the force, but it is probably just the application of the principle of leverage.

There is a huge underground palace in Yang Yuan’s mansion. Wang Changsheng told him that it cannot be easily opened by mechanical power.

Because if you use a mechanical mechanism, someone needs to maintain it from time to time, otherwise it will easily be damaged.

There are stone doors that have not been maintained for many years and can still be opened by the power of a mechanism after decades or even hundreds of years. However, those are all made use of the effect of quicksand and can only be opened once, and cannot be opened and closed repeatedly.

Therefore, the most durable method is the most ordinary and primitive method.

This underground palace does not seem to be used frequently, and the method of opening and closing its doors must be the most primitive way, relying on force.

The two were silent for a while, and Yang Yuan said, "We can't follow them to the capital. If we leave, we won't be able to wash ourselves clean even if we jump into the Yellow River."

Fei Yuye said: “There are countless people in the court who regard you as a thorn in their side.

There is no need to go to the capital. As long as you and I don't show up for three to five days, if Baili Bing spreads some rumors again, we will be convicted of treason."

Yang Yuan said: "We can only save ourselves. We must leave here as soon as possible. The method I mentioned before..."

Fei Yuye's face turned red because she was a little overwhelmed by Baili Bing's teasing and talking about this matter again.

She quietly turned her head away and said hesitantly, "You...you continue. I have memorized the first few sentences of the technique."

Seeing that she agreed, Yang Yuan felt relieved and began to explain the next part of the exercise to her sentence by sentence.

Fei Yuye took notes while listening. After all, she had been a female official, so her memory was extraordinary. She also had the foundation of studying the previous chapter for a long time. After half an hour, Fei Yuye said, "I have memorized it."

Yang Yuan said: "Then... shall we start now?"

After saying this, Yang Yuan's heartbeat quickened.

Although it was only spiritual communication, he had experienced that feeling that seemed real and unreal more than once when he was practicing martial arts with his master on Lonely Mountain.

Fei Yuye was silent for a moment, then stood up and walked forward to the couch. With her back to Yang Yuan, she said with a red face, "You...you turn off the lights first."

Yang Yuan felt a little regretful. He wanted to take a peek at Fei Yuye's expression at that time, but he was not even given this benefit.

Never mind. It’s normal for her to feel shy and embarrassed. Let’s just meet in a “dream”.

Yang Yuan blew out the candle as he was told. Once the lights were turned off in the underground palace, it became pitch black. There was no light at all and Yang Yuan could not see anything.

He was groping to get closer to the bed, but he heard Fei Yuye's trembling voice: "You... come over later."

Yang Yuan stopped helplessly. This girl was such a domineering and majestic girl in front of him before. Why was she so shy now?
Do I need to prepare myself mentally first?
But then he heard the rustling sound of clothes being undressed, and Yang Yuan's eyes suddenly widened, although he could not see anything at this moment.

Yuye...she doesn't think that dual cultivation requires...

Obviously, Fei Yuye thought so.

After a while, Yang Yuan vaguely felt the quilt being pulled open, and then a trembling voice came from the darkness: "I... I'm fine, come over here."

(End of this chapter)