Chapter 219 Jin丨Jiang Wenxue Exclusive Release

After the carriage arrived, Gong Jiu picked up Xue Chen from the carriage.

The system was still thinking: [Is that it? Aren’t you a talkative person? Why don’t you say more to Gong Jiu!]

Xue Chen: [How can I be a talkative person? Under normal circumstances, there is not much difference between me and my brother, okay?]

The system thought about it and it seemed to be true: [You are a stuffy person.]

The two walked side by side to the main hall. Because of their low seniority and inexperience, they almost stopped to greet their colleagues on the way, which made it convenient for Xue Chen to observe their expressions and judge whether they had any contact with Cai Jing.

Gong Jiu was confused at first, but after a while he realized that his brother spent a little longer than usual in greeting others. He observed carefully and almost figured out the reason, and began to think about it.

When approaching the Purple Palace, Gong Jiu got closer and whispered, "Before, Cai Jing was in his prime. Shang Shu You Pushe Zhao Tingzhi, Zhong Shu Shi Lang Liu Kui and Men Xia Shi Lang Wu Juhou had submitted memorials to smash the Yuanyou Party Monument, which severely suppressed Cai Jing's arrogance. Unfortunately, not long after, Cai Jing sent people to bribe Concubine Zheng and colluded with Zhong Shu Sheren Zheng Juzhong to reverse Cai Jing's case.

"Zhao Tingzhi and others were exiled and ended up miserably, but Cai Jing was even better. From then on, few people dared to be his enemy. The Yuanyou Party is as numerous as the hairs on a cow, and it is impossible to count them all. On the contrary, those who do not agree with it are like the sun in the sky, not only easy to count, but also extremely conspicuous. "

When Emperor Zhezong first ascended the throne, he was only nine years old. Empress Dowager Xuanren presided over the government. That year, Prime Minister Sima Guang completely abolished Wang Anshi's reforms. Those who opposed the reforms were called "Yuanyou Party".

Eight years later, Zhezong took power, enabled the reformists, restored the New Deal, and cracked down on the Yuanyou Party. Su Shi, Su Zhe, Huang Tingjian and others were demoted.

When Zhezong died, Zhao Ji succeeded to the throne. Empress Dowager Xiang was in charge of the government. She abolished the reform policy and enabled the Yuanyou Party.

Nine months later, Empress Dowager Xiang died of illness. Zhao Ji took power and restored the New Deal again. He also asked Cai Jing to compile a list of officials who opposed the new policy and spoke fiercely, including Sima Guang, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Cheng Yi, Qin Guan and 120 others, and determined that Zhao Ji personally carved their names on a stone tablet and placed it outside the Duanli Gate. This stone tablet was called the "Yuanyou Party Tablet".

Gong Jiu's few short sentences included not only the struggle between Zhao Tingzhi and others and Cai Jing, but also the ever-changing political situation in the court.

System: [He can only count the sun.]

Xue Chen had low expectations for his younger brother: [It's not bad to be able to count the sun.]

System: [......]

Xue Chen replied in a low voice: "I naturally know that it is easier to directly find people who are against Cai Jing, but there are some things you may not know. Cai Jing has been sensitive and suspicious recently, and his subordinates are in a panic. Many people have already become disloyal. With the news of Cai Jing's death, it is inevitable that the monkeys will scatter when the tree falls. It's just that I don't know how many people are willing to stay, and who can succeed Cai Jing and become the new ruler. "

Gong Jiu was silent.

He has been in the court for many years and has been developing his own network in a low-key manner. He pays close attention to both the court and the affairs of the world, but why doesn't he know anything about this?

"I heard that Liufenbantang and Jinfengxiyulou have been fighting recently. Pei Rui should be involved in it. Did Pei Rui tell you this news?"

The two entered the Zichen Hall. Xue Chen smiled and said, "I'll go say hello to my father."

Gong Jiu: "Then let's go together."

Prince Taiping was talking to Zhuge Zhengwo. He caught a glimpse of someone coming over. He turned his head and saw that it was his twins. He was stunned and said, "Why are you here? "

Xue Chen has been claiming to be sick and seldom attends court meetings.

Gong Jiu has done a lot of things since entering the court, but his position has changed frequently. Most of the time, he has been acting as the "Prince of Taiping King" . He only has real power in his hands, and his specific rank is not fixed. In addition, he used to manage the Nameless Island and rarely appeared in the court, so it was a rare thing for him to come this time.

The two brothers saluted their father and Zhuge Zhengwo in turn. Xue Chen smiled and said, "We have been hiding at home for many days. If we don't come, the emperor is afraid that we will forget about us."

Zhuge Zhengwo is not tall, much shorter than the King of Taiping, but his aura is not weak at all. He said amiably, "Little Master Xue is joking. The prince is brave and good at fighting, and has made countless contributions. You two are rare young talents. The emperor can forget anyone, but he will never forget you."

Xue Chen: "Then I will borrow the good words of the marquis. "

Zhu Ge Zhengwo felt that he seemed to have something else to say. Xue Lian, who was following behind him, had an even duller expression than his brother. He looked like a non-real person.

Zhu Ge Zhengwo observed for a moment, but couldn't figure out what was going on. He looked at King Taiping and found that the biological father of the twins also had a confused look on his face. After meeting his gaze, he quickly put on a kind smile.

King Taiping said, "It's almost time, it's time to join the ranks."

Zhu Ge Zhengwo said politely, "Please in, Your Majesty."

Xue Chen: "Dad."

Zhu Ge Zhengwo was concerned about the strangeness of the Xue twins. When he heard the shout, he knew that he had news to tell King Taiping. He subconsciously looked back with King Taiping and realized that something was wrong.

He said nonchalantly, "I won't bother you. "

Zhu Ge Zhengwo walked a few steps to the side and stood in front of the officials.

Time was running out, and the King of Taiping said concisely: "Is there anything unusual today?"

Xue Chen nodded: "Don't worry."

The King of Taiping originally had no special thoughts, but when he heard Xue Chen say this, his heart was instantly lifted.

This matter is inseparable from his sons!

He was about to ask a few more questions, and Zhao Ji had already come from the Wende Hall.

The King of Taiping looked at him reproachfully and returned to his seat.

After the ministers paid their respects, Zhao Ji looked down and saw an empty seat on the lower left, "Did Prime Minister Cai say he was sick?"

Liang Shicheng said: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Cai has not sent any message. I think he was delayed by something."

"Really. "

Zhao Ji's eyes were on Cai Jing's eldest son Cai You: "What's going on?"

Cai You immediately stepped forward with his head down: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Zhao Ji suddenly felt something was wrong. Of course, he knew that Cai Jing's power was very huge, and he was jealous of him when he was sober, but later, because Cai Jing kept showing his loyalty, he dispelled his doubts. However, even so, he gave Zhu Ge Zhengwo some power to ensure his own safety. But so far, Cai Jing has been a minister who is very much to his liking. Not only can he relieve his worries, he is also very capable and talented. Although the two are monarch and minister, they are also half-friends.

Cai You's state was really not right, and Zhao Ji felt uneasy. "Why are you hesitating so much? Just say what you want to say."

"Please, the emperor, make a decision for my father!" Cai You suddenly knelt down, prostrated himself on the ground, and pressed his forehead against the tiles of the Purple Palace.

Cai Jing's other four sons also came out and knelt in two rows with Cai You, saying loudly in unison: "Please, the emperor, make a decision for my father!"

The court was in an uproar.

Prince Taiping and Zhuge Zhengwo glanced at the Xue twins.

Gong Jiu and Xue Chen huddled together and whispered: "On the way to the court, Cai Jing's mansion was very quiet, but now it has been exposed. Could it be that there is chaos in Cai Jing's party, and Cai You asked Zhao Ji for help in order to protect himself?"

Xue Chen shook his head slightly.

"Be quiet!" Liang Shicheng shouted.

The officials stopped whispering and looked at Cai You.

Zhao Ji said sharply: "Speak clearly, what happened to Cai Jing?"

Cai You fell to the ground and sobbed. He raised his head, holding back tears, and said clearly: "Last night, there was a thief in the mansion. My father could not escape the disaster and was assassinated."

"It turned out to be true." Zhao Ji was shocked. He knew that Cai Jing had many capable people under him. Even if he wanted to kill Cai Jing, it would not be so easy. That man took Cai Jing's life easily. Is there anyone else he can't kill? "Can the thief be caught?"

"That group of people had planned it in advance and had found out everything about the house. They didn't alarm anyone when they came and went straight to my father's bedroom. They left with ease. Wen Xue'an led the guards to stop them, but they were all killed by them. No one could stop them. My father has been an official for many years and has always been conscientious. He always puts the government first and dares not slack off." He wiped his tears, "Last night my father told me , after leaving the court, I went to the north of the city to see how the Gen Yue was being repaired. I didn’t expect that only a few hours had passed... Please ask the emperor to make a decision for my father!"

Zhao Ji waved his hand and winked at Liang Shicheng: "The dead cannot be resurrected. I will find out the truth of this matter and live up to the trust of Cai Qing’s family and his ministers." Liang Shicheng stepped

back a few steps, waved his hand to call two eunuchs to move chairs to the hall, and helped Cai You sit down.

Zhao Ji's face was as gloomy as water: "Prince Jing, was there any unusual movement in the capital yesterday?"

Prince Jing Zhao Qi was Zhao Ji's sixth son. His mother, Concubine Qiao, had an unremarkable family background, but she was particularly fertile. She gave birth to six sons alone. She was promoted every time she gave birth, and then she sat on the position of Concubine.

Zhao Qi was not prominent among the princes until Concubine Shu was murdered and the clues were traced back to Concubine Wang. As a result, the princes born to Concubine Wang, such as Zhao Kai, Zhao Ji, and Zhao Shu, were also neglected. The person in charge of the Imperial City Department also changed from Zhao Kai to Zhao Shu.

The Imperial City Department is an official department of the imperial guards, and can also be considered a secret service agency . It is located inside the Zuo Chengtian Gate. It is usually responsible for enforcing palace bans, spying and monitoring, and the affairs of the entire capital are under their jurisdiction.

Zhao Shu finally waited for the position of handling the official business of the Imperial City Department. He cherished this opportunity to show up very much. He has always been diligent and would go to the Imperial City Department every day. He just asked about official business before the court this morning, and he was very sure that the people below did not report anything serious.

Zhao Shu stepped out in panic: "I am incompetent and failed to find anything unusual. Please punish me."

Zhao Ji looked at Zhuge Zhengwo.

Zhuge Zhengwo's ominous premonition became stronger and stronger. If Cai Jing really died, Cai You was not as cunning as his father, and it would be difficult for him to control the situation. This was a good opportunity to destroy the powerful prime minister's faction.

However, before Cai Jing's followers were completely defeated, they would inevitably launch a fierce counterattack. If they were not careful, they might be dragged down.

Zhuge Zhengwo calmed himself down and said, "The capital has always been heavily guarded, and the prime minister's mansion is full of experts. Those who can break through layers of siege and kill people silently are definitely not ordinary people. Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. The top priority is to investigate the scene, collect clues, and arrest the murderer."

Zhao Ji: "That makes sense. You take people with you immediately..."

Cai Yu rushed to the front without paying attention to etiquette, knelt on the ground, and cried, "Your Majesty, please think twice!"

"Fifth brother, how can you be so presumptuous in the court? Hurry up and apologize to your Majesty." Cai You quickly pulled him and turned around to wink at his other brothers.

They had communicated before they came. Seeing Cai You's hint, Cai Yu respectfully bowed: "I think what the son-in-law Duwei said makes sense. Shen Hou and my father have always had different political views. If we were to say who hates my father the most among all the civil and military officials in the court, who can compare to Zhuge Shen Hou? Please think twice."

Cai You looked at his second brother helplessly, gave up trying to stop Cai Yu, and knelt beside Cai Yu, prostrating himself: "My father died, and I, my brothers, have lost my manners. Please forgive me, your Majesty."

Cai Huo and Cai Yu also knelt down, looking very spectacular.

Zhao Ji had a blank expression on his face, his eyes wandering between Zhuge Zhengwo and the Cai brothers.

Cai Jing's sons were well prepared, their faces full of sorrow, and they knelt obediently on the ground, as if they had lost their father and the only one they could rely on was the emperor.

Especially Cai Yu, who married Princess Maode and was the son of a favored minister. He could meet Zhao Ji often and was closer to Zhao Ji than some of the less favored princes.

Once Cai Jing died, the balance in the court would be difficult to maintain, and it would inevitably tilt towards Zhuge Zhengwo's faction. Regardless of whether Zhuge Zhengwo killed Cai Jing or not, Zhao Ji could not allow him to dominate.

After Zhao Ji thought it through, he said to Zhuge Zhengwo: "In this case, the Divine Marquis will avoid suspicion first. After the case is investigated, I will clear your name."

When the Cai brothers spoke, Zhuge Zhengwo understood their conspiracy, but he was still disappointed when he saw Zhao Ji's reaction. "I can avoid suspicion, but I don't know who the emperor is going to hand over this case to?"

There are only a few agencies responsible for criminal cases. Jingzhao Yin is nominally under the jurisdiction of the prince. Prince Zhao Huan has never been favored by his father and has little say.

If Shu Guifei had not died, and the Imperial City Division was still in Zhao Kai's hands, Zhao Ji would definitely hand over such a serious case to him, and at most send a few capable people to assist him. Unfortunately, the person in charge of the Imperial City Department is Zhao Shu. Zhao Ji did not trust him much before. He promoted him now, not because he was outstanding, but mainly to check and balance the princes.

When Cai Jing died, the Imperial City Department did not notice anything. Zhao Ji did not punish him for dereliction of duty. He did not think he was capable of investigating such a serious case.

The remaining Ministry of Justice, Dali Temple, and Court of Justice all have some relationship with Cai Jing and Zhuge Zhengwo... The more Zhao Ji thought about it, the more headache he had. Did he have to investigate it himself?

No, among the court officials, there were not only Cai Jing and Zhuge Zhengwo's two parties.

Zhao Ji suddenly had an idea, and his eyes swept down, finally landing on the military officer: "Mr. Anhe, if I hand this case over to you, can you find out the truth?"

Xue Chen stepped out.

System: [What? He just called you?]

Xue Chen: [If I were the host, you would have died countless times if you were doing the task.]

System: [Why did he ask you to do this?]

Xue Chen: [Zhao Ji must be very scared now. The murderer killed Cai Jing today and can kill him tomorrow. He really wants to catch the real murderer now. It is impossible for him to ask those scoundrels he used to favor to investigate the case, and he dare not let suspects do it. Ge Zhengwo, Cai You, and Fang Yingkan are all in this category. And I never left my house before, and rarely interacted with officials in the court. I am young and easy to manipulate, and I am not in good health. Even if I am in power, I may not be able to last long. Sooner or later, I will have to give it back. With the support of military power, my father will back me up in everything. I am not afraid of offending people. There is no one more suitable than me.]

System; [Then how do you plan to investigate? Find a scapegoat?]

Xue Chen: [The mouth is on me, I can say whatever I want. 】

System: [……]

Xue Chen was not timid at all, and was calm and confident: "I will definitely live up to the trust of the emperor, bring the murderer to justice, and clear the injustice of Prime Minister Cai."

Zhao Ji was very satisfied: "Cai You, do you have any objections?"

Cai You was very unwilling to not completely bring down Zhuge Zhengwo, but it was not bad for Xue Chen to investigate. At least he was very close to Yuan Feishuang and others, so he could let Liufenbantang get information at any time and control the situation in his own hands.

Cai You said: "The emperor is wise."

Zhao Ji asked again: "What do you think, Shenhou?"

Zhuge Zhengwo suddenly felt that Xue Chen came here today specifically for this matter!

Cai Jing's death must be related to him!

Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't see what role he played, and he had no way to defend himself. He could only adapt to the situation and hold back for the time being.

Zhuge Zhengwo said, "I think it's feasible."

Zhao Ji: "Okay, then I will appoint Xue Chen as the chief judge of this case, and the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Shenbu Division will obey his orders. No matter what difficulties you have, you must arrest the murderer within ten, no, five days, otherwise I will only ask you."

Xue Chen: "I obey your order."

Gong Jiu secretly looked at his brother under the cover of the tablet, his eyes had become respectful.