Everyone waited anxiously, and finally the imperial edict came.

This imperial edict was like a precious sword, which gave Zhao Fuyi the courage to rebel. He did not delay for a single day and personally led his troops to attack the Governor's Mansion. The people in the mansion were surrounded while they were still dreaming.

Yan Sikong was not present that day, but he heard from Feng Ye that they had a standoff with the guards of the Governor's Mansion, and Ge Zhong shouted his innocence in front of the mansion, saying that no one could offend him without an imperial edict. Fortunately, they were prepared. Zhao Fuyi took out the imperial edict, which stated that anyone involved in the Liang Wang conspiracy case could be arrested and interrogated as long as there was conclusive evidence, regardless of rank, status, or closeness.

Zhao Fuyi sent troops to search the governor's mansion from top to bottom, and found several secret letters between him and King Liang, and even rare treasures that King Liang had given to his son.

Zhao Fuyi completely sealed off the Governor's Mansion, and no one was allowed to enter or leave, or touch any grass or tree in the mansion without permission. He also took Ge Zhong back to the Censorate.

Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang were busy solving cases, Yan Sikong and Xu Kai were busy collecting evidence. Zhao Fuyi did not favor any party in the court, and Liang Guang was a Hanlin scholar and had good relations with the gentry. The two of them were indeed wary of Xie Zhongren, but they would not tolerate him. Moreover, if they could investigate and prosecute Ge Zhong, it would be an added achievement. This was a delicacy that was delivered to their lips, so how could they miss it?

Fortunately, Xie Zhongren was far away in the capital, out of their reach, so they were less cautious.

It is said that when Ge Zhong saw those secret letters in prison, he was so angry that he vomited blood. He denied everything and said that someone forged his handwriting to frame him.

They compared the secret letters with Ge Zhong's handwriting for a day and a night, but could not find any obvious difference. Moreover, the fact that King Liang chose not to kill or imprison him was already very suspicious. Although Ge Zhong said that they had been good friends and King Liang remembered their old friendship, he could no longer convince the public.

Yan Sikong and Xu Kai continued to compile various charges against Ge Zhong, including his false reporting of military rations, which was also seen as evidence of his affair with Prince Liang. The Censorate also received a number of anonymous letters accusing Ge Zhong of corruption and dereliction of duty. The case had become an avalanche that was out of control.

As soon as the news of Ge Zhong reached the capital, it caused an uproar. The court had been exhausted by the successive disaster relief, uprisings, and rebellions. This incident made the situation even worse, and the whole government and the public were shocked.

Yan Zilian and his group took the opportunity to bring up old scores. He instructed the censors to write a letter to denounce Wang Shengsheng and Mei Jue, saying that Wang Shengsheng had framed Cai Zhongfan, the Minister of Personnel, and Cai Zhongfan was demoted. Wang Shengsheng supported his student Mei Jue to join the Ministry of Examination, so Ge ​​Zhong was able to be promoted all the way and became the governor. The root of the Liang Wang Rebellion was this. Although Xie Zhongren was not mentioned in the speech, all the arrows were pointed directly at Xie Zhongren.

Xie Zhongren would naturally not sit idly by and wait for death, and he also instructed his own censors to roll up their sleeves and join the battle.

The censors started a war of words, which escalated into mutual impeachment. The court was filled with smoke and miasma, and it was very noisy.

Yan Sikong had expected this to happen. Yan Zilian's faction and Xie Zhongren's faction would try their best to cut off the other party's members and severely damage the other party's power whenever they got the opportunity. In the end, Xie Zhongren could not take care of Ge. Zhong, I can only lose my car to save my handsome.

Yan Sikong really wanted to interrogate Ge Zhong himself, but unfortunately it was not his turn, so he could only make indirect inquiries from Liang Guang. At the moment, Ge Zhong could not produce any evidence to defend himself, so he was in great danger.

Although Feng Ye was ordered to monitor and guard the Governor's Mansion, he was not very interested in the Ge Zhong case because he recently received a letter from Feng Jianping that the Wala had already set out on the expedition, and he must be worried about Feng Jianping's safety and victory or failure.

When the two of them were having dinner together, Yan Sikong also asked about the situation of Feng's army.

Feng Ye sighed, "The mountains are high and the waters are far away. I can neither serve my father at all times nor receive timely battle reports. It is truly tormenting."

Yan Sikong comforted him, "Prince Jingyuan has fought against the Oirat for many years and has rarely been defeated. Trust him."

"...Father's health is not as good as before." Feng Ye sighed, his tone very sad.

"Fortunately, he has successors." Yan Sikong paused, "Actually, I've always wanted to know..."

Feng Ye asked: "What do you want to know?"

"That day we agreed not to hide anything from each other."

Feng Ye suddenly realized: "You want to ask my elder brother, right?"

Yan Sikong nodded.

Feng Ye's eyes suddenly dimmed: "When we have nothing to worry about and are drinking and talking freely, I will tell you the story of that year."

Yan Sikong smiled and raised the vegetable and egg soup: "Then I'll drink a bowl first as a token of my respect."

Feng Ye also laughed.

"By the way, is there any progress in the Ge Zhong case?" Feng Ye asked.

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes slightly: "The evidence is irrefutable. I don't think he can escape death."

"Is there any movement at the court?"

Yan Sikong told Feng Ye what he just knew: "Ge Zhong was promoted by Xie Zhongren, so he must be implicated in this matter. Teacher will not miss this opportunity."

"If we can really drag that thief into the water, Ge Zhong's life will be worth it."

Yan Sikong shook his head: "Xie Zhongren is very favored by the emperor, it won't be that simple."

Feng Ye snorted coldly: "It's a great relief to be able to kill Ge Zhong. Just the fact that he lied about the military rations is enough to make him die three times."

Yan Sikong whispered, "It wouldn't be a pity to die a hundred times."

——

With the assistance of Yan Sikong and Xu Kai, Ge Zhong's crimes were piled up one after another, which were too numerous to list. As a governor, it was impossible for him to be innocent. It was just a case of everyone pushing back when the wall fell.

As Yan Sikong expected, the case was tried for a month, and there was chaos in the court for a month. The emperor was also very dissatisfied. In order to appease the people's grievances and calm the emperor's anger, Xie Zhongren had no time to care about Ge Zhong. He could only pretend to be fair and honest and asked them to conduct the trial impartially. So Zhao Fuyi arrested Ge Zhong's two sons and nephew one after another.

At this point, Ge Zhong had almost no chance of recovery.

Yan Sikong was grateful that Yuan Mao's spirit must be in heaven, blessing him to severely punish the bastard Ge Zhong. If King Liang had not considered their old friendship and treated Ge Zhong with courtesy, or if he had not committed suicide, this matter would not have gone so smoothly. Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang felt sorry that King Liang had already passed away (pronounced as "bo"), leaving no evidence. This was exactly what he wanted, so that Ge Zhong could go to the underworld to "verify" his old friend.

However, Ge Zhong was a first-rank official after all, so the case could not be closed and punished in Jingzhou. The emperor ordered Ge Zhong's house to be raided and ordered Zhao Fuyi to escort Ge Zhong, his son, nephew, and a group of relatives and officials involved in the treason case back to Beijing for retrial by the three judicial officials. The first was to review whether there were any discrepancies in the judgment of Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang, and the second was to discuss how to convict these people.

Those who were escorted back to the capital this time were all wanted criminals. Emperor Zhaowu had already issued an edict that wanted criminals must be dealt with and no one would ask about the minor ones.

Before the army was ready to return to Beijing, Yan Sikong took the initiative to ask for help to write the indictment of Ge Zhong for Liang Guang, because he personally collected and organized the evidence of many charges. Although he did not participate in the trial, he knew the case well. This indictment was to be submitted to the three judicial departments for peace talks. Originally, such trivial matters should be done by the clerk, but he was afraid that Xu Kai would snatch it from him.

Feng Ye was always by his side and was extremely perceptive, so this was his only chance to meet Ge Zhong in private.

Fortunately, Liang Guang agreed to his request.

Yan Sikong took Wen Mo with him, hid his hands, which were shaking with excitement, in his sleeves, and stepped into the cell where Ge Zhong was imprisoned.