Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 340 Accidentally Entering the White Tiger Hall

Meanwhile, Jia Yan, the Japanese army captain, was at the drill ground of the western suburbs.

The sun was scorching the ground, but he didn't care at all; his muscular body, glistening with sweat, gleamed in the sunlight.

He took a deep breath, drew the hard bow, the bowstring was full, and with a flick of his finger, the arrow shot through the air with a "whoosh".

A hundred paces away, the copper coin tied to the willow branch pierced through the air with a sound, drawing cheers from the surrounding soldiers.

"Excellent archery skills, Captain!"

"I don't think you can find another archer like him in the entire pro-Japanese army!"

Jia Yan laughed and was about to nock an arrow and shoot again when he saw a fast horse galloping into the training ground.

The rider on horseback, holding a document, called out loudly: "Where is Jia Yan, the commander of the Japanese army? The Privy Council urgently summons him!"

The noisy training ground fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on Jia Yan.

Jia Yan's heart skipped a beat. It was extremely rare for the Privy Council to directly summon him as a captain.

He dared not delay, stepped forward to take the document and examined the sealing wax seal, and found it to be correct.

Colleagues had already gathered around, chattering amongst themselves, their envy evident in their expressions.

"Chief Jia, are you about to be promoted?"

"Of course! Your brother-in-law was the provincial champion in the second year of Jiayou. Who doesn't know that? Once he passes the palace examination, he will become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). If he puts a few good words on your behalf to the emperor, how could your brother-in-law not get promoted?"

"That's exactly right! Commander Jia is exceptionally skilled in martial arts and commands the hearts of his troops. He should have been promoted long ago! This time, he might even be promoted several ranks and become a commander in the Imperial Guards!"

Jia Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart from everyone's words, but he only smiled and scolded, "Go away, stop gossiping! A summons from the Privy Council may not necessarily be a good thing. Perhaps something has gone wrong and they're going to hold me accountable!"

Despite this, he acted swiftly, quickly giving instructions to the ten generals beside him before following the Privy Council official, mounting the horse the official had brought, and galloping towards the Privy Council in the city.

The sound of horses' hooves was rapid, and Jia Yan's thoughts were racing.

Although his colleagues' words seemed like jokes, they were not necessarily entirely unfounded. Lu Beigu's ability to win the provincial title in one fell swoop was a huge honor for his brother-in-law.

In the past, he had risen to the rank of captain in the army through his own abilities, but without anyone above him, he could hardly make any further progress.

If Lu Beigu can truly establish himself in the court in the future, my future in this military post might suddenly become bright. However, why is the Privy Council suddenly summoning me now? Could it really be related to Lu Beigu?
Shaking his head to shake off these thoughts, Jia Yan urged his horse to go even faster.

As Jia Yan sped along, the warmth he felt from his colleagues' envy was gradually dampened by the increasingly strict atmosphere as he approached the Privy Council.

The Privy Council was a crucial military and political site. Armored soldiers stood guard at its gates, their swords and spears gleaming coldly. In stark contrast to the bustling military camps and drill grounds, an invisible, heavy pressure descended upon the place.

The Privy Council official who was leading the way did not lead him through the main gate, but instead led him around to a secluded side gate, and whispered, "Chief Jia, please enter through this gate."

Jia Yan felt even more puzzled, but dared not ask any further questions.

He dismounted as instructed, handed the reins of the horse the other party had brought to the guard at the gate, straightened his military robe, and followed the official with his head bowed as he stepped through the side gate.

Inside the door was a narrow, dark corridor, dimly lit, with only the sound of two people's footsteps echoing on the blue brick walls, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

After several twists and turns, the official led him to a secluded hall.

The clerk pushed open the hall door. The interior was simply furnished, with only two rows of chairs. There were no lights, and the lighting was very dim.

"Chief Jia, please wait here for a moment. Your superior will come to question you shortly."

After the clerk finished speaking in a flat tone, he turned and left without waiting for Jia Yan's response, gently closing the hall door behind him.

The room fell silent immediately, with only Jia Yan's slightly heavy breathing audible.

He looked around, feeling uneasy.

This doesn't look like a summons for a talk; it looks more like... a place for temporary detention and interrogation!

But even if he were asked to run away at this point, he wouldn't dare.

After all, his wife, children, and elderly parents are all in Kaifeng. Putting aside the fact that he can't be sure whether it's a blessing or a curse right now, he might just be scaring himself. Even if there really is a disaster, where can he run to? What will happen to his family if he runs away?
Therefore, despite his extraordinary martial arts skills, Jia Yan dared not make the slightest rash move at this moment.

He sat down in the chair, his back ramrod straight.

Time passed slowly, and Jia Yan felt that the sky outside the window seemed to have darkened a bit, whether it was his imagination or not.

Just as he was filled with doubt and wondering whether he should go out and ask, he suddenly heard a series of messy and heavy footsteps coming from the corridor outside the door, which was definitely not just one or two people!

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly kicked open from the outside!

Startled, Jia Yan abruptly stood up. He saw seven or eight burly armored soldiers, wielding gleaming weapons, rush in like wolves and tigers, instantly filling the small room to the brim. The tips of their blades were all pointed at him, and a chilling killing intent swept over him!

The leader, a man who appeared to be an officer, had a cold and stern face. His gaze was like a knife as he stared at Jia Yan's face. He shouted sharply, "What audacious Jia Yan! How dare you carry a sharp weapon and sneak into the Privy Council, a highly confidential place! Who instructed you to assassinate which Privy Councilor? Or are you trying to steal military and state secrets? Seize him!"

Jia Yan was struck dumb, his mind went completely blank.

Assassination attempt on the Privy Councilor? Stealing secrets?
This is a bolt from the blue!

He instinctively opened his mouth to protest: "I'm innocent! It was the Privy Council that summoned me!"

Before he could finish speaking, two armored soldiers pounced on him and roughly twisted his arms behind his back with such force that they almost broke his arm bones!
Then another person stepped forward and pulled a wrist-splitting knife from his boot, throwing it to the ground with a bang.

"The evidence is conclusive! How dare you still try to deny it!"

The officer pointed at the sharp knife and demanded sternly, "Where are the documents? Where are the people who witnessed you entering the Privy Council?"

"He infiltrated the Privy Council without being summoned and carrying weapons; according to the law, this is a capital offense! Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly!"

Jia Yan felt a chill run through his body. Only now did he realize that this was not a summons at all, but a carefully laid trap!

The clerk, the official, this secluded hall, and these fierce-looking armored soldiers before us—everything was planned!
On the way out, he struggled and screamed, trying to attract the attention of others.

"Injustice! Injustice! I am Jia Yan, the captain of the Japanese army! I have come with a document from the Privy Council! How dare I trespass? I want to see my superior!"

However, his struggles and shouts were almost useless against these fierce and armored soldiers, and instead brought him even more brutal suppression.

With his mouth gagged, Jia Yan was forcibly pushed and dragged away, with only one thought echoing wildly in his mind.

—It's over! We've fallen for their trap!
As expected, the interrogation that followed was conducted by the interrogator who kept trying to get him to say that "Lu Beigu ordered him to assassinate the Privy Councilor or steal secrets."

But Jia Yan was not stupid. According to the system of the Song Dynasty, the Privy Council was in charge of military registers, military training, rewards and punishments, and the formulation of military laws. Although it had the power to review and judge the crimes committed by soldiers, it did not have the power to interrogate them.

The real authority to interrogate soldiers was the "Rear Division" established by the "Three Divisions": the Palace Guard Division, the Imperial Guard Cavalry Division, and the Infantry Division.

The fact that this group is now violating procedures in their eagerness to obtain confessions makes their motives obvious.

If he were to be tortured into confessing at this point, it would be all over. Gritting his teeth and enduring the ordeal offered a glimmer of hope. However, after Jia Yan fainted from the pain, those people still pressed his thumb and affixed their seal to the document.

Soon, Pei Degu, the deputy chief administrator of the Privy Council, arrived outside the office of Tian Kuang, the deputy privy councilor, with the still-wet ink on the document.

The judicial system of the Song Dynasty strictly followed the principle of "separate jurisdiction for investigation and judgment". The Privy Council was in charge of military and state affairs and did not have the power to directly arrest civilians.

Such accusations, without the signature of an official of the rank of Vice-Chancellor of the Privy Council or above, and without imperial approval, would not allow the Kaifeng Prefecture to arrest the person.

Today, Han Qi had important business to attend to and went out, Cheng Kan felt a headache as soon as he started his shift and went home, and the shrewd and calculating Jia Changchao had already fled far away to avoid suspicion.

Of all the members of the Privy Council, only Minister Tian Kuang was qualified to write on this document.

The reason why Pei Degu only took action today is precisely because Han Qi was not in the Privy Council today, which is the only day in the past few days.

The room was dimly lit. Tian Kuang did not sit behind his desk, but stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at a crabapple tree in the courtyard that was about to bloom.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

"Imperial Envoy Pei," Tian Kuang's voice was calm, devoid of emotion. "What is it?"

Pei Degu stepped forward, bowed, and presented the document with both hands: "Reporting to Minister Tian, ​​I have an urgent case to report, concerning the safety of the Privy Council. I have no choice but to take the liberty of disturbing you. I suspect that a villain instigated Jia Yan, the commander of the Japanese army, to sneak into the Privy Council with a knife, intending to commit treason. Upon investigation, Jia Yan's brother-in-law, Lu Beigu, is the top scholar in the province this year and may be involved in this matter. Therefore, I request that the Vice Privy Councilor on duty sign and immediately transfer the document to Kaifeng Prefecture for investigation."

After listening, Tian Kuang took the document but did not rush to unfold it. He asked calmly, "Where is Jia Yan currently being held?"

"Reporting to the Prime Minister, he has been temporarily detained in the rear quarters of the Privy Council, under the supervision of his personal guards."

"Ah."

After giving a lukewarm reply, Tian Kuang picked up his glasses, put them on, lowered his eyelids, unfolded the document, and scanned it word by word.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind outside the window.

Pei Degu stood still, holding his breath; he could sense Tian Kuang's caution.

This deputy envoy was not affiliated with Jia Changchao, and even kept his distance from Han Qi. He always acted in accordance with laws and regulations.

At this moment, he must be weighing the veracity of the accusation, the potential uproar after signing the warrant, and the public opinion that this matter might provoke.

Time seemed to be stretched.

Pei Degu could almost hear his own heartbeat, each beat striking the heavy air, and at the same time, he felt that something seemed a little off.

But he dared not urge them and could only wait.

After a long while, Tian Kuang lifted his gaze from the document and looked at Pei Degu again through his glasses, his eyes deep: "Lord Pei, this matter involves the newly appointed provincial governor, which is no small matter. Is there any evidence to support the word 'may' in the document that it 'may be involved in this matter'? In addition, did Jia Yan confess himself to bringing a knife into the Privy Council?"

Pei Degu's heart tightened; he knew the most crucial moment had arrived.

He had already prepared his speech, and now he chose his words carefully: "Your Excellency, Jia Yan entered the forbidden area with a knife, which was witnessed by everyone and is irrefutable. As for Provincial Governor Lu Beigu, his request to sign the document is not to confirm his crime, but to request the Kaifeng Prefecture to investigate according to the law, so as to set the record straight and avoid public criticism that our Privy Council is biased or afraid of difficulties. If Lu Beigu was not involved in this matter, it will also clear his name."

Pei Degu's words sounded very nice, cleverly linking "potential suspicion" and "necessary procedures" together, highlighting both the risks of not signing and the legitimacy of his following the rules.

Tian Kuang remained silent, his gaze returning to the document, lingering for a moment on the three characters "Lu Beigu".

He might not believe Pei Degu's words, but he couldn't find any fault with the other party's procedure.

Logically speaking, it is only natural for the Privy Council to request the Kaifeng Prefecture to assist in the investigation when it encounters such a matter. As for the final outcome of the investigation, that is the Kaifeng Prefecture's business.

Normally, Tian Kuang would have signed the document.

After all, Pei Degu followed all the proper procedures, and it was not his responsibility if anything happened. If he were to obstruct him now, he would only give others grounds for criticism.

But today is different.

Today is the fourth day of the third lunar month, and the imperial examination will be held tomorrow, the fifth day of the third lunar month.

The purpose of such a suspicious event occurring before the imperial examination is self-evident.

What made Tian Kuang even more ponder was whether this matter was aimed at Lu Beigu or at the person behind Lu Beigu.
Regardless, although he is now closer to Fu Bi, his relationship with Song Xiang is not bad either, so there is no need for him to cause trouble for himself.

Moreover, Lu Beigu had recently made him a pair of extremely fine glasses for free. If he were to repay kindness with ingratitude now, what kind of person would he be?
After another brief silence, Tian Kuang finally moved behind the desk, picked up a wolf-hair brush from the brush holder, and dipped it in ink.

However, after a moment of contemplation, he did not put pen to paper, but simply said something.

"Let's leave it here for now."

Then, Tian Kuang put the brush down next to the inkstone.

Pei Degu opened his mouth as if to say something, but when he met Tian Kuang's gaze, he felt a chill run down his spine.

This person is not a great philanthropist.

During the Baozhou Mutiny, Tian Kuang, who was in charge of the Chengde Army at the time, defied the opinions of the crowd and personally took up his sword to urge the generals to launch a strong attack. After the city fell, he ordered the massacre of hundreds of surrendered soldiers, resulting in a huge number of heads being chopped off.

Tian Kuang was also in charge of the "Sanban Yuan," which was responsible for the appointment, promotion, and reward of military officers and envoys. He had both prestige and connections in the army, and his power was deeply rooted.

Moreover, Tian Kuang's wife was the younger sister of Prime Minister Fu Bi.
They didn't say he wouldn't sign, they just told him to leave it there. As his subordinate, Pei Degu couldn't disobey.

After leaving Tian Kuang's duty room, Pei Degu thought long and hard and finally understood what he had felt was wrong.

--Glasses!
When did Tian Kuang get a pair of glasses?!
Pei Degu slapped a tree trunk by the roadside in frustration, his hand aching from the impact.

"There is always a loophole!"

Even after realizing what was happening, Pei Degu dared not be negligent because it involved a plot to frame Lu Beigu, and could only seek another way.

The palace examination is tomorrow.

His wicked plan was to arrest Lu Beigu today, put him under interrogation, and thus prevent him from participating in the palace examination.

After all, the imperial examination could not be delayed for Lu Beigu's sake alone.

Even if Lu Beigu is indeed innocent, once he is cleared of his crimes, he will miss the palace examination this year, which means he will be unable to enter officialdom.

According to his previous plan, Tian Kuang would sign the document following the procedure.

But right now, Tian Kuang is stuck, and Han Qi is unlikely to sign it for him, nor is Jia Changchao likely to show up. What should he do?
Gritting his teeth, Pei Degu decided to visit another Privy Councilor, Cheng Kan, at his residence. Cheng Kan was Wen Yanbo's in-law; Wen Yanbo's eldest son, Wen Gongzu, had married Cheng Kan's fourth daughter.

Cheng Kan was parachuted into the Privy Council, and because of Wen Yanbo, his relationship with Song Xiang was extremely poor.

As long as Cheng Kan can sign, the process can proceed.

Jia Changchao had already assured him that as long as the documents could be delivered to the palace, an eunuch would help deliver them to the emperor's desk, and Pei Degu would not need to worry about anything else.

Pei Degu believed this. Jia Changchao did indeed wield considerable power within the palace, and his connections with the eunuchs were not a recent development.

(End of this chapter)