Shen Xu and Pei Zhiyuan had been stationed in Linjiang County of Linzhou Prefecture with their troops for several days.
Wang Shun, the prefect of Linjiang County, entertained them warmly and took them to investigate the local customs and asked them if they had any work that required his cooperation in improving governance.
In the evening, Shen Xu and several generals were invited to a dinner. In order to express the hospitality of the local officials, many people gave them jewelry gifts.
As the light and gentle music played, several graceful dancers twisted their bodies and danced passionately.
After three rounds of drinking, everyone was getting drunk. Wang Shun stood up and respectfully poured a glass of wine for Pei Zhiyuan and Shen Xu.
During the meal, he talked about the story of Liu Ziren, the former governor of Linzhou Prefecture, and his brother Liu Ziyi, the prefect of Linzhou County.
He said that the Liu family of Linzhou Prefecture was originally a prominent family. Old Master Liu was once the prince's teacher, but later retired to Linzhou due to illness. He gave free lectures in Linzhou, built bridges and roads, and was a great philanthropist.
He named his two sons Ren and Yi in order to educate the people to abide by benevolence, righteousness and morality.
Just as the royal army was marching into Linzhou, the Linzhou governor Liu Ziren, anxious to avenge his brother, gathered a hundred thousand warriors, determined to defend Linzhou City to the death and fight a desperate battle with the royal cavalry.
Upon hearing this, the old Grand Tutor threatened to commit suicide and forced Liu Ziren to open the gate of Linzhou. However, Liu Ziren was betrayed by his subordinates and was arrested and imprisoned for treason, and his family was also implicated.
"Prefect Wang, do you want to persuade me to show mercy and release Liu Ziren?" Shen Xu stared at the dancer with a soft and graceful waist under the stage, holding the glass of wine in his hand.
"Lady Prime Minister, in consideration of the old Grand Tutor's generosity, I beg you to spare Governor Liu. County Magistrate Liu has already been executed. Could you please not pursue the crimes of the rest of the Liu family?"
Shen Xu stood up with his wine glass in hand and asked in a cold voice, "Does Magistrate Wang know about the accomplices?"
Wang Shun looked at her in confusion, hesitant and silent.
"In the deep mountains, people who are killed by tigers will transform into ghosts like Wuchang, holding a paper fan and calling people's names to lure them. Those who respond will be led to the tiger's haunts and then eaten by the tiger."
"What does the Lady Prime Minister want?"
Pei Zhiyuan smiled and continued, "Liu Ziren is much more sober than Liu Ziyi. He knows that it is too late to start a rebellion now, so he took the initiative to hand over his military power and surrender to the court.
However, his wives and concubines were the accomplices of the powerful and wealthy. They cursed Liu Ziren for being insensitive and instigated the Linzhou army to avenge Liu Ziyi.
Liu Ziren did not want to be an accomplice, so he risked his life to pass the secret letter to us. Later, the plot failed, and the royal cavalry quickly entered the city to quell the rebellion.
Liu Ziren was accused of treason and nearly executed. He is now incarcerated, and the Xuanjing Division has been called in for investigation.
Wang Shun's expression changed slightly, and he explained, "I don't know why."
Shen Xu walked slowly to Pei Zhiyuan with the cup in hand, chuckled and said to Wang Shun, “The reason I used the term ‘serving a tiger as an accomplice’ is to tell you, sir, that both tigers and accomplices are evil.
Whether the tiger rises to the sky with wings or falls to the ground and is killed, the end of the accomplice will never be good."
"I don't understand what you are saying, my lady," Wang Shun said with a smile. "Since you want to interrogate Governor Liu in detail, I don't want to ask for details. I just hope that you can show some leniency for the sake of the old Grand Tutor."
"That's easy to say, but... I'd like to ask, who was the accomplice of the dancer with the hidden knife at Magistrate Wang's banquet?"
With a loud noise, a masked woman flew out from the crowd with a sword in hand and attacked Shen Xu.
The guard standing behind Shen Xu immediately started fighting with the man.
"Death, witch!" Two more dancers came out of the crowd with soft swords in their hands.
Another general rushed forward with his sword, stopping the two men in the center of the hall.
The servants and dancers were so frightened that they immediately hid in the corner with their heads in their hands. Shen Xu glanced calmly at the two guards who were fighting with the dancers, and slowly walked to Wang Shun's desk.
She looked down at Wang Shun, and her beautiful eyes swept over the wine jug in front of Wang Shun.
"My Lady, I am not aware of this matter. How, how could there be an assassin?"
At this moment, a man dressed as a constable came in hurriedly to report, "Master Wang, it's bad. Many soldiers in armor and mourning are surrounding us outside, holding spears and coming aggressively."
Wang Shun suddenly looked extremely anxious. He stood up and asked hurriedly, "Whose army is this?"
"The purple and blue flags must be the troops of the Liu family army in Linzhou Prefecture. I heard that after Liu Ziren was captured, the old Grand Tutor was so angry that he vomited blood and fell ill from his bed. Seeing that the Liu family army was dressed in mourning, the old Grand Tutor Liu must have passed away."
Shen Xu leaned over, lowered her hand, picked up the wine jug, and began to shake it with her wrist. She met Pei Zhiyuan's eyes and dropped the wine jug to the ground.
Dozens of swordsmen rushed in and started fighting with the guards at the door.
Wang Shun hurriedly said in fear, "I'm afraid this place is not safe. Lady Prime Minister and all the generals, please follow me to the dark room for safety."
Seeing that the number of assassins was increasing, Shen Xu nodded and said, "Okay, Lord Wang, lead the way."
Wang Shun led them to the study with a dark room while dodging the flashing swords and sabers.
"My Lady, these people are obviously coming for you. I think your whereabouts were exposed when I took you to inspect the people's sentiments recently.
"Teacher Liu has many disciples and a very good reputation in Linzhou Prefecture. Now that the Liu family army has come in mourning, seeking revenge, it will be extremely difficult for you, the female prime minister, to escape. My soldiers can't hold out for long. Please hide in the dark room for now."
Pei Zhiyuan said, "We have to find a chance to contact the king's army and have them send reinforcements as soon as possible."
Wang Shun was seen groping for the activation mechanism beside the bookshelf, and the secret door on the wall was opened.
Inside was a staircase leading downwards, it was pitch black and the path ahead was unclear.
He explained breathlessly, "Don't worry, Lady Prime Minister. This secret room was originally built by a wealthy businessman to hide from bandits. Later, I bought it and usually use it to store fine wine. In critical moments, I can hide in it. It's absolutely safe."
Shen Xu took out a token from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Shun, saying, "Master Wang, please send someone with my military token to the Wang army camp to quickly request support."
Pei Zhiyuan said: "This military token is of great importance, so let our soldiers go."
Wang Shun quickly clenched his military token, "No, the accompanying soldiers and civilians have already seen their faces. If they are recognized, it will be very dangerous.
Let me pass on the message, everyone, please hide well."
Shen Xu warned, "Lord Wang, please be very careful. This military token can directly command the royal army and summon powerful generals. It must not be lost or stolen by others."
"Lady Lady, please take cover. I will go get some reinforcements."
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