Chapter 233 How Can This Be True?

In Lixiang Courtyard, all the men of the Jia family encountered this situation for the first time. They had lived under the shadow of the Jia family's wealth since they were born. People who have stood on the top of the tree all their lives, when they look down, can only see smiling faces and flattering words.

When this layer of glory piled up by sweet words was pierced by the sword of Chen Heng who suddenly appeared. In the hearts of the Jia family's men, there was more panic and confusion, as well as unspeakable shame and embarrassment.

They stood there in a daze, and had no reaction to Chen Heng who was about to leave. Seeing that none of these people could be used, Xue Baochai, who was anxious in her heart, ignored the restraint of etiquette and came up and said, "Chen...Mr. Chen, wait a minute."

Chen Heng stopped as he said. He and Xue Baochai were just nodding acquaintances. But when Xue Baochai spoke, Chen Heng remembered that he had something to tell these people.

"Master Chen, my brother..." Chen Heng shook his head directly. Time was running out. He couldn't bear to hear these arguments, nor did he need to. He interrupted Baochai's words. There was no need to speak harshly to a weak woman. He said, "Guilty or not, the government will naturally try the case. Afterwards, the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate will review it. You don't have to worry." "But you guys..." Chen Heng looked around the room and threatened, "There are several servants in your house who are also involved in the case of Beixiaoshikou. This case will take some time to be tried by Shuntian Mansion. Don't let one or two people get away, or you will get yourself involved." Jia Rong had a rebellious mentality after hearing these sarcastic words. Baochai's words just now woke up this man's mind. Jia Rong was really upset when he saw Xue Pan pretending to be powerful, and he was also really angry when others came to Jia Mansion to arrest people. He immediately said, "I am a fifth-rank Dragon Guard. I want to file a complaint in front of His Majesty, saying that you wrongly arrested a good man."

"Lord Jia." This kind of empty title could not scare Chen Heng. He did not even go to see Jia Rong, but said impatiently, "If you think this matter is not big enough, just go and cry and make a fuss, no need to argue with me."

If he were Jia Rong, what he should ask at this moment is why he came to the Wucheng Bingmasi instead of Shuntianfu Yamen. The slowness of the Jia family in the court can be seen. Chen Heng was helpless and sighed.

If there is anyone in your Jia family who is willing to go to court, he can also understand the situation at this time. The matter is no longer as simple as Xue Pan beating someone to death. This is a fight between the three families in the court. I said so much last time, but the Jia family still didn't understand a word. Chen Heng also gave up the idea of ​​playing the lute to a cow.

Stepping directly out of the porch, Chen Heng led the officers and soldiers and the prisoner Xue Pan into the yard. Aunt Xue in the inner room just woke up from her dream and chased out quickly, shouting and crying, "My son, my son. Sir, Sir Chen, if you want to arrest someone, just arrest me. My son is innocent."

Fortunately, Baochai and Baoyu came back to their senses and held Aunt Xue tightly, not going up to cause trouble for Chen Heng. Wherever he went, the servants and maids in the mansion all bowed their heads and retreated, fearing that they would also be implicated.

Walking out of the door unimpeded, Chen Heng, with a gloomy face, directly jumped on the horse. Lu Yingxiong tilted his head and waited for the other party's instructions. Chen Heng thought about it for a while and said, "Go to Shuntian Prefecture."

The snowflakes in the sky were still floating, and large flakes of snow blew towards the travelers. The snowflakes fell on his face, and were moistened by the residual warmth, bringing a cold touch. In the wind and snow, he saw many noble children standing on Ningrong Street who had heard the news. Chen Heng saw Feng Ziying among them, and the latter's face was full of disbelief.

Chen Heng rode on the horse and looked at the group of people. He knew that these people did not dare to disturb the emperor. Although these people are arrogant and domineering, they are used to looking at people. At this time, if they come up to offend, they will put their heads on the belt.

A group of indignant nobles turned their heads away under Chen Heng's gaze. They just listened to Xue Pan's crying silently, and their faces gradually showed reluctance.

There was no need to say more. A group of officers and soldiers guarded Xue Pan and walked in the direction of Shuntian Prefecture Yamen in an orderly manner.

Chen Heng thought about it and he had to walk slowly. Now that he was outside the palace, he had to buy time for his teacher. If the New Party could not reach a consensus immediately, the situation would only become more passive.

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While his students were buying time outside, Lin Ruhai was also persuading him in the Linjing Hall. Li Zhi's face was livid after he left the court. It was because he had suffered so much injustice in recent years that he was able to suppress his inner irritability.

"Your Majesty," Lin Ruhai bowed again and advised, "Don't get angry easily. This matter still needs to be considered in the long run."

Wei Yinghong immediately agreed and echoed, "Your Majesty, you should focus on state affairs."

Li Zhi let out a long breath, stopped Wen Shiqian who was about to speak, and said with spirit, "I know that I have made you worry." The emperor, who had sorted out his thoughts, put his arm on the table, "Your Majesty, let's discuss this matter first."

The monarch and his ministers gathered together and began to unravel Gu Zaiyong's intentions. They had already lost the initiative once. If they could not figure out the other party's intentions immediately, they would only follow the other party's pace and become pawns in Gu Zaiyong's hands.

Lin Ruhai believed that Gu Zaiyong had gone to such great lengths to win over the four kings and eight dukes and their followers. The most urgent task was to stabilize the four kings and eight dukes. Let them believe that they had no intention of using them as a knife. As long as the four kings and eight dukes remain neutral, the new party will still have a sure win.

Wen Shiqian immediately raised a question, how can His Majesty win the trust of the four kings and eight dukes?

After all the talk about this matter, there is still a connection that is causing trouble. They say flies don't bite seamless eggs. Previously, Li Zhi was reluctant to give Prince Teng an official position, which gave Gu Zaiyong an opportunity to take advantage of him.

Everyone knows this reason, but they dare not say it openly. Seeing that the ministers were trying to protect their own dignity, Li Zhi took pleasure in the pain and said, "My dear friends, you don't have to worry about me." He shook his head and paused briefly, "I don't want to wait any longer."

We fought hard with the enemy at the border and couldn't win. The confidants who were painstakingly cultivated in the court gradually ascended to important positions. Chen Heng was on hand to help open up a way to make money, which solved his urgent need. After so many years on the throne, Li Zhi has never had such a comfortable life.

When an ordinary person raises his head, he doesn't want to live a life of relying on others, let alone a 95-year-old Supreme Being.

"Your Majesty, it's not too late to mend the situation." Lin Ruhai was afraid that Li Zhi would be stubborn. The best way to resolve this matter is to handle Xue Pan's matter lightly and leave a ray of leeway for each other.

After hearing Lin Ruhai's opinion, Li Zhi neither agreed nor refused. I don't know what he was thinking, but he suddenly said: "Lin Qing, do you still remember Yuankang's tenth year?"

How could Lin Ruhai not remember this year name? This was the last reign title used by the Supreme Emperor, and it was also the year Li Zhi changed his throne.

"On that day, what we told the people of the world was to kill the traitors and bring peace to the people." Li Zhi stood up, stepped down from the throne, stood in front of the window, and looked at the Fengtian Palace in the distance.

This giant building had a terrible fate. When Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty built it, it encountered several fires. When Taizu Dayong captured the capital, only fragments of the original Fengtian Palace remained.

At that time, Dayong's national power was not strong. It had to resist foreign enemies and be diligent and frugal in state affairs, so it was impossible to spare any time to rebuild the Fengtian Palace. Its complete reconstruction was actually the work of the Supreme Emperor. The huge consumption of Fengtian Palace is one of the reasons why Li Zhi never liked it.

Lin Ruhai is Li Zhi's adviser. Li Zhi's words can impress Wei Yinghong and Wen Shiqian, but Lin Ruhai must analyze the current situation from the perspective of the current situation. The new party cannot accept that the old party is mixed with the nobles. The latter two can include almost seven levels of officials in the court.

"Your Majesty, don't let all your efforts go to waste."

"I know, Lin Qing, your difficulties and thoughts. I understand them all." Li Zhi continued to look at and think about it. Liangcai still didn't make a decision. "Let me think about it. Let me think about it again."

How could Li Zhi not know the benefits of compromise? But he is a nine-five person, and he has his own pride. This time, the person kneeling at the door was just a commoner, and he could lower his head. But what happens when a group of people kneel outside the palace in the future?

Prince Li Xian and his son Li Jun had been listening for a long time, and both of them noticed Li Zhi's fatigue. The attention of his children and grandchildren naturally attracted the emperor's attention. The Tian family is ruthless, and being able to get the care of their children at this time did soothe Li Zhi's heart to a certain extent.

Li Zhi suddenly thought of a question. He cheered up and asked, "Lin Qing."

"I'm here."

"How do you think Gu Zaiyong, an old man, is so sure that Wang Ziteng will stand with them?"

Li Zhi's words directly touched Lin Ruhai's heart, which was also where the latter was confused. Gu Zaiyong always does things in a systematic way. Lin Ruhai would never believe it if the other party had no back-up plan.

It cannot be said that the little Xue eldest son can still be more powerful than the power in his hands in the eyes of Wang Ziteng?

So what other methods does Gu Zaiyong have?

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"This is a dead end." Gu Zaiyong put down his tea cup, unable to hide the pride on his face, "We will definitely win."

Yan Hu sat opposite him and said happily: "Brother Gu's plan is naturally very clever."

It is now Youshi, and the lights in Gu Zhai's study are brightly lit. It is said to be a study room, but actually it is enough for a family of three outside. Such a spacious study room, in addition to displaying famous calligraphy treasures, secretary's vase of flowers and other objects. Behind the bookshelf on the right side of the middle, there is also an Eight Immortals table.

It is interesting to say that the two leading civil servants of the dynasty were sitting at opposite ends of the Eight Immortals table. There were only some home-cooked dishes on the table. Looking at their private attire, they are not as extravagant and exaggerated as the noble family.

During the dinner, Gu Zaiyong couldn't help but pull Yan Hu and talk about the court affairs during the day. His intelligence is already extraordinary, but in this matter, he just made some ordinary moves and turned everything around. Even if Gu Zaiyong spent his whole life planning, he couldn't find a better strategy than this one.

"Now people like Lin Ruhai must be in trouble." Gu Zaiyong said excitedly, "They often claim to be elegant scholars and like to say nice things about praying for the people. If the Xue family's crimes are to be proven, the four kings and eight princes will be evil. If Avoid the important and take the easy..."

Yan Hu laughed and said: "Then what's the difference between them and us? They talk about benevolence, justice and morality, and they are the common people and the country. After taking off their official robes, everyone is the same black."

"I want to be a good person and a high-ranking official at the same time." Gu Zaiyong sneered, "How can I let them take all the good things in the world?"

This feeling of forcing a good girl into prostitution is really soothing to both body and mind. Yan Hu nodded in agreement, waved to the mute servant beside him, raised the wine glass in his left hand, and gestured to pour himself wine.

"But they can't do nothing. If they delay for another day, Wang Ziteng will have more doubts." Yan Hu said while drinking.

After all, in Wang Ziteng's eyes, he still has to guess whether the old and new parties will get together, or whether there is a possibility of taking the opportunity to reach an agreement.

The New Party can choose not to join this game, but Wang Ziteng's life and death will all depend on the Old Party's decision. For this case, the Old Party can say it's big or small. There are many ways to force Wang Ziteng to submit. If the New Party joins the game, Wang Ziteng will return to the previous suspicion.

In this plan, Gu Zaiyong can be said to have calculated everyone's psychology. Li Zhi wants to show off his temper, and the New Party is in the limelight. The four kings and eight officials that Wang Ziteng belongs to seem to be in great glory, but in fact they are already in danger.

"Do you think Wang Ziteng will not come to us?" Yan Hu raised a question. This is the worst case scenario. If Wang Ziteng keeps his troops inactive, it will be a step for him and Li Zhi to save face.

"No." Gu Zaiyong said firmly, "If he does this, he will not be Wang Ziteng."

Just relying on swallowing one's anger, without some scheming and tricks, you can't control the four kings and eight officials.

It is said that only those who can figure out people's hearts can become officials. Gu Zaiyong smiled very relaxedly, "In my opinion, Wang Ziteng must be wondering what we have in our hands that can make him obey."

"Humph." Yan Hu also agreed with Gu Zaiyong's guess and sneered, "Then let him guess. The more he guesses, the more uneasy he will be."

The two were talking happily when the door of the study was suddenly opened. Gu Zaiyong was immediately annoyed by someone breaking into such a confidential moment. He was about to raise his eyebrows and get angry, but when he saw who was coming, he turned his anger into joy and hugged the child who ran in.

"Hui'er, why are you running to your father's place instead of reading in your room?"

This child is Gu Zaiyong's old son. Because he is very popular with Gu Zaiyong, he is very courageous. As soon as he sat in his father's arms, he pulled Gu Zaiyong's beard and said, "Dad, what's so good about books? I want to be a high official and govern the world like you in the future."

"Okay, okay. It's worth my name for you Zhihui..." Gu Zaiyong raised his head and glared at the servant who took care of his son. He then picked up a piece of food with chopsticks and handed it to his son's mouth, coaxing, "Then you have to eat well and study hard."

"Hahaha, Hui'er, if you want to be a high official in the future, it's useless to ask your father. You have to ask me, your uncle Yan."

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In the prison cell of Shuntian Prefecture, Chen Heng was ready to sleep here tonight. Although it was cold and freezing now, the prison was even more gloomy and terrifying. But the fool Xue now, who knows how many people's fate will be affected. Chen Heng really didn't dare to leave him in the cell and go home to sleep.

Now it is the New Party that is anxious and angry. Liu Liangcai only sent a legal advisor to watch over to prevent Chen Heng from secretly instructing Xue Pan. The Shuntian prefect himself can still sleep peacefully in the government office.

The legal advisor of the government office is surnamed Liu, and the name is not important. Since he came to the prison, he has been following Chen Heng like a dog-skin plaster. Chen Heng didn't care about him either. He just held a book sent by Xinda and read it under the dim light of the prison.

"In such a place, Lord Chen can still read books. It's really admirable." Li Shiye talked casually. Liu Liangcai just asked him to watch over it, and didn't say that he couldn't talk to Chen Heng.

In the final analysis, everyone is a miserable person doing errands. If you really have extraordinary skills or background, who would be sent to the prison as a pawn?

It's true that Li Shiye thought so. Compared with Gu Zaiyong, Lin Ruhai, Li Zhi and others, he and Chen Heng are just vanguards.

"In the past, I read books to seek the teachings of sages." Chen Heng turned a page. The light in the prison was limited, so he had to squint his eyes to read. "Now I read books just to have a good sleep."

Master Li chuckled. He was Liu Liangcai's staff. He was more respectable when he went out than the average county magistrate. What's the use of reading? It's better to be a good person and do things.

In order to prevent prisoners from escaping from prison, most of the cells are located underground. In such an environment, the air is naturally not very good. The prisoners eat, drink, defecate and urinate here, and there is no cleaning. The damp and smelly air is full of pungent smells.

The two fell into silence and simply didn't bother to talk. Master Li looked into the depths of the cell by himself. The prison guards were holding lanterns and patrolling. In the darkness, accompanied by the screams and snoring of the prisoners and the flickering flames in the lanterns. It really made Master Li, who came for the first time, think that he had arrived in hell.

Master Li's position was near the stairs, while Chen Heng occupied the only table in the prison. When the officers finished their inspection, they came up to report the situation in various places. Master Li tidied up the sheets, wrapped them in them, and leaned against the wall and said, "Master Chen, I will go to bed first. Tonight, I will trouble you to keep watch for me."

Chen Heng would not pay attention to the ridicule in the other party's words, but just shook his legs gently to dispel the chill of sitting for a long time. After a while, someone suddenly shouted from inside: "Brother Chen... Master Chen... Brother Chen."

When Chen Heng heard this voice, he knew it was Xue Pan. Seeing that Master Li had opened his eyes, Chen Heng couldn't pretend not to hear it. He stood up and walked towards the depths of the cell.

He walked all the way to Xue Pan and met this dull bully from Jinling again. The other party didn't have the usual arrogance. He just smiled and flattered: "Master Chen, Master Chen. I'm cold. Can you... find another bed and quilt for me?"

It was already November. When Xue Pan was captured from his home, he didn't even have enough clothes. Now Xue Pan was only wearing a prison uniform. Chen Heng looked inside the cell again. There was only a sheet on the bed that was bitten by mice.

Well, Chen Heng nodded to the officer beside him and asked him to bring another quilt for Xue Pan.

This was a small matter, and the officers came and went quickly. Chen Heng took the quilt and shook it himself, checked that there was no problem in every place, and then handed it to Xue Pan himself.

Good guy, when this idiot took the quilt, he squeezed his face between the gaps of the prison door and whispered to Chen Heng: "Master Chen, you must save me. Don't worry, I promise, I swear, I will never tell anyone about the surname Liu."

This stupid bully thought that Chen Heng was standing up for Liu Xianglian, and thought he had caught the opponent's weak spot. In his heart, he was happy to be saved from a desperate situation, and excited that he thought he was smart.

Chen Heng immediately got angry and took action directly, pushing Xue Pan upside down. It's really that God wants you to die, and you have to die. You don't know when you are about to die, and you still think you can act as usual.

You don't even know that what you did was used to set up a trap. You still want to rely on Liu Xianglian to threaten him? Chen Heng was too lazy to look at Xue Pan again. He turned around and saw Master Li appearing here.

"Master Chen, who is the Liu mentioned by the criminal?"

Seeing his eyes staring at him, Chen Heng said frankly: "Will the truth be revealed tomorrow when the prefect opens the court for interrogation?"

I have terrible news. I have to go on a business trip next Monday, which will take about a week. I will try my best to ensure that the updates are continuous. If there are any delays, please bear with me. I will be back on Friday.