"Actor Lan Xiang, meeting the Madam."
"You said you had something important to tell this lady?"
Gu Jiu looked up and down at Lan Xiang who was standing in front of him.
She was as gentle as ever, but this time when they met, there was a firmer feeling.
Gu Jiu was very curious, why was he so determined? What did he want to do?
"Exactly!"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Master Le is your senior brother, right? I heard that he was in trouble, and you came to me at this time. Could it be that you want to plead for your senior brother?"
"Of course not." Lan Xiang raised her head slightly. "If I were to ask for mercy, I should ask the prince, not the madam."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Then I really can't imagine what you could have come to see me for."
Lan Xiang stared at Gu Jiu blankly, a little insolently. He said something earth-shattering in a soft voice.
"I have a way to help Madam put the Li family to death."
Gu Jiu's body stiffened noticeably, and he was obviously shocked by Lan Xiang's words.
But in a blink of an eye, she calmed down again.
She pretended to be casual and asked, "Which Li family are you talking about?"
Lan Xiang said with certainty, "Of course it's the Li family, our in-laws."
"Oh?" Gu Jiu looked at him with a half-smile. "You're helping me deal with the Li family? That's not right. As far as I know, the Li family is caught up in the Ma Zheng case and can't save themselves. And you, a mere actor, what qualifications do you have to deal with the Li family? It's not wise to fight against the Li family with an egg."
Lan Xiang lowered her head and smiled, "Of course I'm not so arrogant as to try to fight a rock with an egg. I just want to lend a hand, Madam."
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly. "The Li family case has nothing to do with this lady. If you really have any clues, you should report it to the Jinwu Guard."
Lan Xiang looked up at her, "Madam, are you doubting my sincerity? Or are you doubting my intentions? Madam, your feud with the Li family may not be known to others, but I do know a little bit.
The Li family is in trouble this time, and while it may seem dangerous, it may not be completely destroyed. However, if I can provide some clues, I can certainly skin the Li family alive."
Gu Jiu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Lan Xiang curiously.
"Are you really an actor?"
Lan Xiang smiled calmly, "It's the real deal, he is indeed an actor."
Gu Jiu said softly: "Your knowledge is quite good."
"I have read a few books."
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Tell me your clues, and I will judge whether they are useful or not."
Lan Xiang stared at her, "Madam, do you believe me?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "That depends on what you said. I'm giving you this chance, I hope you can seize it."
Lan Xiang took a deep breath. "Madam, do you know that there's a group of kidnappers in the capital? They disguise themselves as actors and actresses, but secretly they're trafficking people. They kidnap adults and children, young women and young wives, and except for the elderly, there's no one they wouldn't kidnap."
Gu Jiu frowned, "Go on."
Lan Xiang pondered for a moment and continued, "These kidnappers have been kidnapping people wherever they go, from south to north, for years. I'm afraid they've kidnapped no fewer than 10,000 people."
Gu Jiu stared at him, "Ten thousand people? Do you know what this means?"
Lan Xiang said firmly, "In fact, the people who kidnap and traffic people will only say more than what I say, not less.
Madam, do you know where these people are trafficked? Children are sold to brothels or the homes of the rich and powerful. Adults are sold into slavery in Beirong and Xiliang.
I understand that there's a secret route in the north, and for years, they've been using it to traffic large numbers of abducted people to Beirong and Xiliang as slaves."
"Is this true?"
Gu Jiu looked solemn.
Human trafficking is not uncommon, and it is also not uncommon for abducted people to be sold to brothels, the homes of the rich and powerful, or even sold to mines as slaves.
This kind of thing hidden in the gray area has never been eradicated from ancient times to the present.
Think about it, in modern society, child trafficking happens every year.
There are also those half-grown children who ran away in anger, and even adults who disappeared from the world. Most of them were deceived or abducted.
Maybe a disabled beggar on the street is your child. Maybe an unidentified body found somewhere is a member of your family.
However, trafficking people abroad as slaves is definitely transnational human trafficking, a major crime.
Although it is essentially human trafficking, in the eyes of the court and the world, it is of completely different nature.
Trafficking people from the Great Zhou to Xiliang and Beirong is, to put it more seriously, aiding the enemy.
And how many people who are trafficked to foreign countries have a good ending?
It is no exaggeration to say that it was a life-or-death experience.
"This is absolutely true!" Lan Xiang said affirmatively.
Gu Ji looked at him seriously, "How do you know these things?"
Lan Xiang bowed and said, "I grew up in a theatrical troupe, so I know a little bit about the inside story."
"What does this matter you're talking about have to do with the Li family, your in-laws?"
Lan Xiang said, "These kidnappers have been operating in the capital region in recent years. From what I've heard, they've always had someone powerful behind them. It seems their backer in the capital is the Li family."
"Seems? So, you're not sure that the Li family, your in-laws, are connected to these kidnappers?"
"Yes! But I once heard my senior brother let slip that he mentioned the Li family and Concubine Li De. It seems that they played a big role in Concubine Li De's smooth entry into the palace and her success."
Gu Jiu's heart skipped a beat. "Are you telling the truth?"
"I dare not deceive my lady."
Gu Jiu didn't completely believe it.
She asked, "For such an important matter, why don't you report it directly to the prince? Why do you come to me?"
Lan Xiang laughed, "Of course, it's because Madam won't harm me. As for the prince, I can't guarantee that I'll survive if I tell him all this."
Gu Jiu snorted, "If this gets to the prince's ears, you will definitely be killed."
Lan Xiang still smiled, "I believe that Madam will definitely be reserved with the prince and save my life."
"What makes you so sure that I won't harm you?" Gu Jiu asked casually.
Lan Xiang answered very seriously: "Intuition!"
Gu Jiu laughed. "You'll be thankful for your awareness. Ma Xiaoliu, take Lan Xiang down to look after him. No one is allowed to come in contact with him without my permission. Pay special attention to his diet. I don't want to hear of any accidents."
"As you command."
Lan Xiang looked at Gu Jiu deeply, then glanced at Ma Xiaoliu.
Ma Xiaoliu glared at him and said, "Don't worry, I wasn't trafficked into the palace. I chose to enter the palace on my own. I have nothing to do with those kidnappers you mentioned. I won't kill you."
Lan Xiang was embarrassed, "Thank you, Eunuch Ma."
"I'm not worthy of it! Come this way."
Gu Jiu called Nanny Fang and said, "Go to Bixi Pavilion for me and tell the prince to spare the musician's life. If the prince asks why, tell him it's about the Li family. Go quickly."
She was worried that Nanny Fang would arrive too late and the musician would be killed by the prince.
Then she ordered Song Zheng to go to the yamen to ask Liu Zhao to come back.
This matter involves a huge human trafficking ring and may even involve the palace. It is no longer something she can handle alone.
This matter must be handled by Liu Zhao.
…
Liu Zhao rode back to the palace on horseback.
"What's going on? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want to see a doctor?"
He looked at Gu Jiu nervously. When he heard that she had something important to do, he thought she had an accident and was riding back in a hurry.
Gu Jiu held his hand and said, "It's not that I have something wrong. There are new clues in the Li family's case, and it may even involve the palace."
Then, Gu Jiu told him everything Lan Xiang said.
Liu Zhao was dumbfounded and frowned.
"He really said that?"
Gu Jiu nodded. "I don't think he's lying. You still need to investigate this matter. I've asked my father to spare the musician's life. Also, I promised to protect Lan Xiang. You can interrogate him, but you can't torture him."
Liu Zhao nodded. "I will personally interrogate him. Don't worry, I won't torture him."
Liu Zhao interrogated Lan Xiang behind closed doors for two hours.
Afterwards, Liu Zhao hurried to see King Ning.
Chang En came out again and interrogated the musician personally.
That evening, the palace guards went out and stormed into the major opera troupes and brothels in the capital to arrest people.
This action quickly alarmed the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Five Cities Military Commissioner, the Jingzhao Yin, the Jinwu Guard, and even the Shaofu Yucheng.
Everyone asked why Prince Ning was so crazy that he ran to the opera troupe to arrest people. Could it be that the troupe abducted the prince's concubine?
I have to say, everyone is very good at making associations, and their associations are very reliable.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Golden Guard entered the palace one after another and reported the matter to the emperor.
The emperor was furious and scolded Prince Ning, saying that he was worse than pigs and dogs and was abusing his power to do whatever he wanted.
He ordered Prince Ning to come to the palace early the next morning to explain clearly.
There is only one night left.
The dungeon of the palace was lit all night long.
Chang En personally interrogated the person. No matter how tough the person was, he couldn't last more than three moves and had to tell the truth.
A series of lists surfaced.
Before dawn, Liu Zhao personally led people to arrest people according to the list.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards refused to agree, saying this was stealing their jobs.
What qualifications does Prince Ning’s Mansion have to arrest people in the capital?
Do you really think the Embroidered Uniform Guards are just there to eat and do nothing?
Liu Zhao said bluntly, "I have a great achievement at hand, involving a huge case. If we can pull it off, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be able to hold their heads high from now on, no longer being inferior to the Golden Guard. Lord Xu, are you willing to seize this opportunity and join me in arresting this criminal?"
Xu Xianzhi stared at Liu Zhao suspiciously. "What major case is this? Sir, could you please reveal a few things so that I can at least understand the risks?"
Liu Zhao looked at him with a half-smile, "If you want to achieve great things, you have to take risks. It all depends on whether Lord Xu has the courage."
"Sir, did you not deceive me?"
Liu Zhao's dignity was evident without any anger. "This young master always speaks his mind. Whether Lord Xu agrees or not, just tell me directly."
Xu Xianzhi weighed the pros and cons. Liu Zhao had a great reputation, and although it was a bit risky, he gritted his teeth and agreed, thinking of the great achievement he would make. "I will trust you for once."
Liu Zhao was overjoyed.
With the involvement of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arresting people becomes justified.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard was responsible for arresting criminals.
There is a huge kidnapping gang hiding in the capital, and their actions are horrific. Of course, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has to get involved in such a major case.
It was not until Xu Xianzhi got involved that he realized that Liu Zhao had not lied to him.
This is really a huge case. As long as it can be made into an ironclad case, it will be a great achievement.
By then, the Jinwu Guard will be suppressed by the Xiuyi Guard.
But at this moment, he didn't know that this major case also involved the Li family, his in-laws, and even the harem, and involved transnational human trafficking.
If he had known, he would not have gotten involved in this mess even if he had made a great contribution.
He was also confused by the achievements in front of him and did not think deeply about the strangeness of the matter.
It's just a kidnapping case, there's no need for everyone in Prince Ning's Mansion to go out in full force.
The Ning Wang Mansion is not an anti-trafficking fighter.
Only if there are sufficient interests and benefits will the Ning Palace be willing to step forward.
By the time Xu Xianzhi learned the truth, he had already boarded the pirate ship and could not get off.
I could only hide in the toilet and cry in the wind, and accompany the Ning Wang Mansion in its troubles.
In the court, the censors discussed and decided to impeach Prince Ning together.
Prince Ning is a scoundrel who is not afraid of anything. No matter if you impeach him or not, he will continue to act like a scoundrel and a hooligan.
After the morning court session, he was called before the emperor, scolded and beaten, but Prince Ning responded with a playful smile.
He wanted to delay time so that Liu Zhao would have enough time to dig deeper into the case.
Once this case is handed over to the emperor, he cannot control the consequences.
Therefore, we must strive to make this case an ironclad case.
The emperor did not know the truth, he only knew that the Ning Wang Mansion had exceeded its authority.
The emperor sent the Jinwu Guards to intercept Liu Zhao and bring him to the palace to be punished.
How could a mere royal palace have the right to arrest people in the capital? Who gave them the right?
This is a clear violation of authority.
The emperor could take this opportunity to seize the title of King Ning.
However, Prince Ning refused to explain why he arrested people, which aroused the emperor's curiosity.
There is no need to rush to deal with Prince Ning. The emperor needs to find out what happened first.
It's not a pleasant feeling to know that something has happened but someone is hiding it from you.
The emperor became increasingly displeased with Prince Ning.
The Jinwu Guards went out in full force to capture Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao and Xu Xianzhi acted separately, playing hide-and-seek with the Jinwu Guards in the huge capital city.
The Jinwu Guards couldn't find anyone, so they simply blocked the gate of the palace and waited for the opportunity.
Pei didn't know the truth and was frightened when she saw the Jinwu Guards blocking the door.
She called Gu Jiu over and demanded, "What's going on? What did the boss do wrong? Why would the Jinwu Guards come to our house?"
"Mother, please be patient. This will be over soon."
"So you know what happened? You know, but I don't. How is that possible?"
Gu Jiu looked at her, "Mother, do you really want to know?"
"nonsense!"
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled, "What the young master is busy with is related to the Li family, your in-laws."
Pei's heart was pounding. "Why is it related to the Li family again? Aren't all the Li family members imprisoned?"
Gu Jiu said lightly: "Even if he is imprisoned, he can still be released. The Empress Defei and the little prince are enough to protect the Li family from death."
Pei was worried, "Does the prince know?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Without the royal father's approval, how can you mobilize the entire palace's guards?"
Pei frowned, "What's going on now? Could it be that Concubine Li De has noticed?"
"Don't worry, Mother. Consort De probably hasn't noticed yet. As for the Jinwu Guards blocking the door, ignore them. Nothing will happen."
"I hope nothing happens."
The sky gradually darkened.
The Jinwu Guards couldn't even catch Liu Zhao's shadow and screamed in anger.
His Majesty ordered the arrest of Liu Zhao early in the morning and brought him to the palace for questioning. However, a whole day passed and Liu Zhao was still nowhere to be found.
Since when did the Jinwu Guards become such a loser in catching someone?
What should I do?
The emperor asked how to report.
"My lord, this is bad. Young Master Zhao and Xu Xianzhi, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are entering the palace to see the emperor."
Damn it!
The Jinwu Guards were horrified.
What would happen if the Embroidered Uniform Guard got there first?
Wei Zhong, the left guard of the Jinwu Guard, hurried to the palace.
As soon as I walked into the gate of Xingqing Palace, I heard the emperor's roar coming from the hall.
He summoned a eunuch and asked quietly, "What's going on?"
The eunuch lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Gongzi Zhao and the Embroidered Uniform Guards uncovered a major case."
"What big case?"
When Wei Zhong heard the word "major case", his whole body tensed up.
Investigating major cases is the Jinwu Guard's prerogative. What right does the Xiuyi Guard have to interfere and steal the Jinwu Guard's credit?
"It's not clear yet." The eunuch said in a low voice.
Wei Zhong took a deep breath and asked someone to report.
“Get in here!”
Inside the hall, the emperor roared angrily.
Wei Zhong walked into the hall in a panic.
Before he could say anything, a stack of information was thrown at his face.
"What are the Jinwu Guards for? There's such a ruthless person hiding in the capital. For all these years, you Jinwu Guards haven't discovered it?"
Wei Zhong was confused. He knelt down to apologize and took the opportunity to stare at the documents that fell on the ground.
Kidnappers? International trafficking? Tens of thousands?
Each word is not surprising, but when put together, it becomes a shocking case.
"This humble official deserves death!"
"Of course you deserve to die!"
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