Chapter 83 Silent Protest
Xiao Yunzhan: "Then I wonder if Lord Cui could make an exception and allow us to see him?"
According to the ironclad rules of the Liang army, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter the military camp, which is a restricted area. Anyone who is not a member of the military can only enter the camp if they have obtained a special permission from the emperor or a hand order from the commander-in-chief.
Otherwise, they will all be treated as spies, and can be executed first and reported later.
Therefore, even though Xiao Yunzhan was Prince Rui, he still had to obediently consult Cui Yanwu before this ironclad rule.
Cui Yanwu paused, his thumb, which had been resting on the hilt of his sword, and after a moment of contemplation, looked up at Xiao Yunzhan.
"Your Highness should know that you are the only prince of this dynasty, and your identity is sensitive, so it is not appropriate for you to enter or leave the military camp."
But I can find a pretext to transfer Wu Xing out of the military camp.
As long as it's reasonable, no one will doubt it.
"Why don't we go to the abandoned kiln outside the city?" Pei Zhiwei, who had been listening nearby, suddenly spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at her, and Xie Jixian couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to that place for? Although Xu Ren did experiments there, didn't we already send someone to investigate?"
“As long as the case is not closed, it’s reasonable for us to go, from an outsider’s perspective,” Pei Zhiwei explained.
"Whether it's the people watching us or the people watching Lord Cui, when they see us going to the brickyard, they'll only assume we're there to review the clues, and they won't think we're there to interrogate Wu Xing."
Moreover, the place is remote, with few houses around, making it easy to ask questions without fear of being overheard.
Xiao Yunzhan's eyes lit up; he hadn't thought of this before.
He took out a map of the area outside Yangdu City, spread it on the table, and pointed to a mark in the southwest direction.
"This is the place, also owned by the Xu family. It used to be a brick kiln, but it was later abandoned."
Xu Ren set up the scaffolding there, repeatedly experimenting and rehearsing how to kill Xu Fengyan.
Cui Yanwu leaned over for a look and said, "I know this place; the terrain is indeed remote."
I had someone transfer Wu Xing there to 'inspect defenses,' and then sent a small team to follow him.
When you ask him questions, no one will suspect anything.
He changed the subject, "However, I have a condition."
Xiao Yunzhan raised an eyebrow: "Please speak, Lord Cui."
“I have to be there too.” Cui Yanwu didn’t mince words and said it bluntly.
“I know you don’t completely trust me yet, and you think I might be colluding with the Wang family.”
I will not show myself, and I will ensure that Wu Xing does not notice my presence.
But I must hear with my own ears why he conspired with Wang Heng to betray me.
I've asked myself if I've treated him well; I need to know why.
Xiao Yunzhan did indeed hesitate.
He didn't doubt that Cui Yanwu would take action on the spot, but he was afraid that Cui Yanwu's presence would affect Wu Xing's testimony.
If Cui Yanwu gives any hints, Wu Xing might not dare to tell the truth.
But he also knew that Cui Yanwu was the commander-in-chief of the army, and if he really didn't want them to see Wu Xing, there were plenty of ways.
“Lord Cui,” Xiao Yunzhan said with a hint of helpless amusement.
"Does this mean that if we don't agree, we'll never see Wu Xing again?"
Cui Yanwu waved his hand in front of him and asked, "What makes you say that, Your Highness?"
You are Prince Rui. If you really wish to see him, you can directly petition the Emperor and have him issue an imperial decree allowing you free access to the military camp in Huainan.
"At that point, let alone seeing Wu Xing, even if you wanted to check the entire army's roster, no one would dare stop you."
Xiao Yunzhan was amused by him, "Lord Cui is just taking advantage of the fact that I've never been in the military camp."
"If you were truly determined, even if I had the Emperor's decree, I doubt I'd ever see Wu Xing again in this lifetime."
Cui Yanwu laughed heartily, tapping his sword with his fingers. "Your Highness is still as insightful as ever."
I promise I will not interfere with your questioning, and you will not even see me.
I just want to hear it with my own ears, to see if this kid has any conscience at all.
Seeing that he had gone this far, Xiao Yunzhan could no longer insist.
"Okay, we'll do it your way."
We'll meet at the abandoned kiln tomorrow at noon.
Liu Jingchang will also go with us, as a kind of witness.
"Then have the yamen runners surround the area and prevent outsiders from getting close."
Cui Yanwu stood up, hung his sword on his waist, and did so with swift and decisive movements.
"good.
It's getting late, and there'll be plenty of time to catch up with you all later, so I'll be leaving now.
Seeing this, Xie Ji quickly stood up and took the lead in walking out.
He's been staying at Yaoguang Garden for so long; given his uncle's personality, he'll probably get a beating tonight.
Therefore, he now needs to make the right gesture and actively go back with him to accept the punishment.
Unexpectedly, Cui Yanwu suddenly grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him back like a chick. "Where are you going?"
Xie Ji was taken aback when he was grabbed, and blinked his eyes: "Huh? You're back now, of course I'll go back with you!"
"You stay here and investigate the case." Cui Yanwu didn't loosen his grip, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.
“I am now a suspect in the case. You are the one who is investigating the case. If word gets out that you are hanging out with the suspect every day, what will people say?”
People will think that your Xie family is in cahoots with me, trying to cover something up.
Xie Ji panicked and reached out to pry Cui Yanwu's hand away: "But you are my own uncle!"
According to your logic, I should avoid further investigation and can no longer pursue this case.
Cui Yanwu chuckled and loosened his grip, causing Xie Ji to stumble backward two steps.
"This is between you two, what does it have to do with me?"
"Don't follow me, and don't block my way."
As he spoke, just like when he first entered, he pressed his large hand against Xie Ji's face, shoved him aside, and strode out without even turning his head.
Xie Ji kept poking the air with his finger at the back of the figure, his lips moving rapidly, but he didn't make a sound.
Judging from his expression, he certainly wouldn't say anything worth listening to.
Pei Zhiwei couldn't help but laugh at his expression. Xie Ji turned around and glared at her before quickly turning back to continue his "silent protest" in the direction where Cui Yanwu had disappeared.
At noon the next day, under the scorching sun, Xiao Yunzhan, Pei Zhiwei, Xie Ji, and Liu Jingchang arrived at the abandoned kiln outside the city by carriage.
When they were still half a mile away, Liu Jingchang ordered the yamen runners to surround the area to ensure that no one would break in.
As the group walked inside, the abandoned kiln was indeed very desolate.
The ground was littered with broken bricks and tiles, as well as scattered wood from collapsed flower stands. Weeds had grown to almost waist height, and several abandoned cave dwellings were dark and somewhat frightening.
There is a small side room at the very back, which used to be where the kiln workers rested. It is still in good condition.
Just as they reached the door of the side room, five scouts in leather armor came out.
The leader was tall and weathered, with his hand resting on his knife.
He first looked them over warily before asking, "Who goes there?"
Xiao Yunzhan glanced at Liu Jingchang, who immediately stepped forward and showed his waist token.
"I am Liu Jingchang, the magistrate of Yangdu County, and I have come here to investigate a case."
Upon hearing this, the five scouts remained silent, simply clasped their hands in greeting, and stepped aside to make way for each other.
Then they dispersed around the annulus and continued to be on guard.
The group entered the side room, which was not very spacious, containing only an old wooden table and two chairs. The floor was fairly clean.
A man in a crimson military uniform was sitting at the table. When he saw them enter, he immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Captain Wu Xing greets you, esteemed sirs."
Xiao Yunzhan sized him up.
Wu Xing looked to be in his early thirties. He wasn't particularly tall, just average-looking. His skin was tanned dark from years of military service, and his eyes were bright.
"What did they tell you?" Xiao Yunzhan asked bluntly.
Wu Xing straightened up and said respectfully, "The higher-ups only said that Magistrate Liu of Yangdu County would be bringing officials from the court today."
This matter is of great importance; all subordinates must obey your orders without question.
Xiao Yunzhan: "I'm asking you, how long have you been in the army?"
"Your Excellency, I joined the army at the age of fifteen," Wu Xing replied frankly.
“My family was poor and we couldn’t afford to eat. I thought that joining the army would give me a way to make a living. I never expected to stay for so many years.”
Xiao Yunzhan and Xie Ji exchanged a glance.
Xie Ji asked, "The laws of the Great Liang Dynasty stipulate that men must be at least eighteen years old to enlist in the army. How could you join the army at the age of fifteen?"
Didn't the people in charge of conscription at the time find out?
Wu Xing smiled and said, "I grew quickly when I was young. By the time I was fifteen, I was about the same height as an average eighteen or nineteen-year-old and looked quite robust."
The people in charge of conscription at the time knew about my family situation and took pity on me, so they helped me conceal my age.
Later, when my subordinate was at the border, he and his squad captured an enemy spy, earning his first military merit.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I reported that I had concealed my age, which was considered a way to make amends, and the court did not pursue the matter further.
This statement surprised everyone.
Looking at Wu Xing's current height, it's quite average. I didn't expect him to grow so fast when he was a child.
Xie Ji couldn't help but ask again, "But you don't look much taller than others, so why haven't you grown any taller?"
"Perhaps I grew too fast when I was young and used up all my energy," Wu Xing said with a smile.
"But it's alright, I've always been a scout."
Being short makes it easier to hide and less likely to be spotted by the enemy.
This was a lucky accident.
Xiao Yunzhan stopped dwelling on the height issue and changed the subject, heading towards the main topic of their visit.
"Two or three years ago, you came to Yangdu on official business with Lord Cui Yanwu. Did anything strange happen along the way?"
When Wu Xing heard the name "Cui Yanwu," his eyes flickered, and he thought about it seriously for a while before shaking his head.
His tone was solemn: "My lord, there's nothing strange about it."
Xiao Yunzhan stared into his eyes, his tone calm but with a hint of pressure: "Wu Xing, you'd better think this through before you speak."
I'm telling you frankly, Xu Li, whom you saved back then, has now committed a crime.
As for Wang Heng, the deputy steward of the Xu family, he has already confessed to being his accomplice.
And this matter is inextricably linked to Cui Yanwu.
Wu Xing's previously relaxed shoulders suddenly tensed, and his eyes sharpened.
"What do you mean by that, sir? Does the court doubt our commander-in-chief?"
Xiao Yunzhan slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, "All the facts at present show that Cui Yanwu conspired with Xu Li to murder Xu Fengyan, plotted to seize the Xu family's property, and intended to commit treason!"
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