Jiuxi

Chapter 605 Chapter 603 [Outsider]

The funeral ended and the imperial guards entered.

All the eunuchs and craftsmen who came to the imperial mausoleum today were detained and will be released after the authorities have investigated the matter.

"I didn't want to start a war, but today is the funeral of the late emperor. These assassins are so cruel and crazy that I absolutely cannot tolerate them."

Facing a group of important officials with solemn expressions, Li Zongben's brows were twisted like a knife blade, and he narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice: "No matter what, I must find out the mastermind behind this."

The ministers were in awe.

Li Zongben looked around at everyone and said slowly: "Prime Minister Li, Prime Minister Xue, and Minister Lu."

Li Daoyan, Xue Nanting and Lu Chen said in unison: "I am here."

Li Zongben said: "The case will be supervised by the Secretariat, and the specific investigation will be handled by Lu Qing. I will hand the three assassins over to you. In addition, you can call on the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate at any time."

Lu Mo remained silent.

Li Daoyan said, "Your Majesty, the court has its own rules. Such a major case should be handled by the three judicial departments. Although the Duke of Shanyang is talented, he is a military hero after all, and it is not appropriate for him to directly interfere in government affairs."

Only he can say this.

With the exception of Zhang Xu, Marquis of Yongding, who was far away in the southwestern border, the civil officials and military officials of the Great Qi court had always been clearly distinguished. Even civil officials as noble as prime ministers could not directly interfere in military affairs, and military officials were also unable to comment on the political affairs of various ministries.

This case of assassination is certainly a serious one and should be handled by the Three Judicial Departments according to the rules. If it sets a precedent of military involvement, there will probably be many hidden worries in the future.

But now that Lu Chen is in the limelight, ordinary civil officials can't help but lack confidence when facing him. Only Li Daoyan has the confidence and qualifications to speak frankly.

Li Zongben insisted, "I understand Prime Minister Li's concerns. I believe that the two prime ministers can handle this case well, but you are busy with government affairs. Now is a critical period for the implementation of the Jingjie Law. This matter cannot be delayed. Lu Qing has been relatively free recently. Moreover, he has experience in investigating cases. He was the one who investigated the Hou Yu case in a straightforward manner. I believe he can isolate himself from external influences and find out the mastermind behind this case."

The ministers finally understood that because of his prompt and efficient rescue, Lu Chen had gained the emperor's absolute trust, even not inferior to the two prime ministers.

At this moment they felt a little envious, but they knew that they couldn't envy him because not everyone had the skills like Lu Chen.

Thinking of this, many people couldn't help but look at Qin Zheng, the director of the Weaving Bureau, who was standing not far away.

During the previous emperor's reign, this Lord Qin held an extremely important position in the court. Together with the right prime minister Xue Nanting, he was known as the previous emperor's right-hand man. But now he has been completely excluded by the emperor. It is conceivable that his future situation will be rather difficult.

In fact, it is understandable that the emperor did this. Three assassins appeared at the mountain tomb funeral and almost turned the ceremony of farewell to the late emperor into a tragedy. How could the emperor not be angry?
The emperor did not punish Qin Zheng on the spot, but simply isolated him from the candidates for investigating the case, because he was a close confidant of the previous emperor.

From beginning to end, Qin Zheng did not make any excuses or apologies. He just stood there in silence. No one knew what he was really thinking at the moment.

After listening to the emperor's statement, Li Daoyan did not insist any further because the emperor's reasons were very sufficient.

Li Zongben looked at Lu Chen and asked, "Can Mr. Lu help me share my worries?"

Lu Chen looked up at the young emperor and said calmly, "I accept your order."

Li Zongben nodded slightly and said no more.

At this moment, Qin Zheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am not doing my job well and I have no face to continue to be in charge of the Textile Bureau. I beg Your Majesty to relieve me of my duties."

There was silence in the room.

Lu Chen turned his head and saw that Qin Zheng had a determined expression and was not pretending.

Li Zongben hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, "Qin Qing, these assassins are hiding deep enough, you can't be blamed entirely. Although you are responsible for the poor investigation, the Textile Bureau can't do without you, and I can't do without you either. How about this, you go back to the mansion to rest for a few days, and make a decision after Lu Qing finds out the truth."

The expressions of the ministers softened slightly.

Although few people truly like ministers like Qin Zheng, they all know the importance of the Sutra Weaving Bureau. If the emperor rashly touches him because of momentary anger, the consequences will be unpredictable.

Qin Zheng's lips moved, and finally turned into a silent sigh.

A moment later, the emperor's procession set off for the capital, with court guards and imperial troops providing heavy protection inside and outside.

Except for the one thousand soldiers who stayed behind to guard the imperial mausoleum, the rest followed the ceremonial procession and headed towards the capital.

An extremely solemn atmosphere permeated the team that stretched for more than ten miles.

This sudden assassination made countless people think actively.

……

"How are you going to check?"

In the front hall of the Shanyang County Mansion, a middle-aged official looked at Lu Chen with sharp eyes and asked him directly before he sat down.

Lu Chen poured the tea himself and said calmly, "Prime Minister Xue, please take a seat."

Generally speaking, civil officials would not get too close to military officials, especially Xue Nanting and Lu Chen, who were just acquaintances. Otherwise, it would easily arouse the emperor's fear and suspicion. But Xue Nanting's character determined that he would not be indecisive at critical moments. Moreover, the emperor made it clear in front of all officials that the assassination case would be investigated by the two prime ministers and Lu Chen, but considering that Li and Xue were busy with government affairs, the case was handed over to Lu Chen.

From this perspective, Xue Nanting can ask Lu Chen about the progress of the investigation at any time, and this is not an overstep.

But he was too anxious. Lu Chen had just returned home when he came straight to the door.

After the two sat down, Lu Chen said slowly: "Naturally, we should start with the three assassins. Whether it is the eunuch in the palace or the two people mixed in with the craftsmen, they are not unknown people who appeared out of thin air. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Sutra Weaving Department must have their detailed resumes. First, dig out the secrets of them, and then follow the clues to find suspicious points. I believe there will be gains."

This is a very conventional idea.

Xue Nanting suddenly shook his head.

Seeing this, Lu Chen asked, "Does Prime Minister Xue think this is inappropriate?"

"Of course there is no problem investigating the case this way."

Xue Nanting brushed it off and then said seriously: "The problem is that this assassination case is too absurd!"

Lu Chen was slightly startled.

All along, he had only admiration for this middle-aged man.

Before the border army of Da Qi became strong, it was Xue Nanting who supported the late emperor in the court. For this reason, the members of the Qingyuan Xue family were extremely dissatisfied with Xue Nanting, because because of him, the Xue family became the public enemy of almost all the Jiangnan families.

Even if we put aside the fighting between the Jiangnan clans, without Xue Nanting raising food and military pay in the rear, the border troops would not be able to guarantee sufficient combat power.

Lu Chen actually knew that there was something strange about the so-called assassination case, but he did not expect Xue Nanting to be so straightforward. He could not help but have a clearer understanding of his upright character.

Xue Nanting continued, "You and I both know how solemn today's funeral is. Those eunuchs who were chosen to carry the funeral offerings to the altar have all been examined countless times. How could the Ministry of Internal Affairs allow a suspicious person to sneak in? Moreover, I saw clearly at the time that the eunuch who assassinated Your Majesty had no martial arts skills, but only brute force, and would not pose a threat to Your Majesty at all. If someone really committed such a treasonous act, how could they send someone who didn't know martial arts to do it?"

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Indeed."

Xue Nanting's face was filled with disappointment and anger. He said, "Another point, as the person most trusted by His Majesty, why didn't the Junior Supervisor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Yuan Yuji accompany the emperor? He even stood farther away than you. Doesn't this explain the problem?"

Lu Chen asked, "Prime Minister Xue, do you think that eunuch is not the real assassin?"

Xue Nanting sighed and said, "No matter how you look at it, an assassin shouldn't be like this."

"In fact, Xue Xiang and I had the same judgment at first."

Lu Chen remained calm and said slowly, "But the two assassins behind are different. I have fought with them and I can confirm that they have murderous intentions. Your Majesty does not need to do this."

Xue Nanting's eyes darkened, and he whispered, "Are you saying that the eunuchs and the craftsmen are not from the same group?"

"That's my feeling, but it shouldn't be wrong."

Lu Chen took a sip of the teacup and continued, "I have killed many people and experienced countless battles on the battlefield. I am quite experienced in this area. If I am not mistaken, the eunuch should be someone arranged by His Majesty. His Majesty just wants to make a little noise to hold Qin Tiju accountable, but he will not move him immediately. This is to pave the way for future adjustments. Prime Minister Xue will definitely understand that a government office like the Sutra Weaving Department is too special. Qin Tiju has been in power for more than ten years. It is difficult for His Majesty to accept that he has been in power all the time."

Xue Nanting sighed softly.

It is true that he has a straight-forward character, but he is also familiar with political tactics, otherwise he would not have been able to hold on to his position as the Right Prime Minister.

The Weaving Bureau was different from other departments of the imperial court. It was naturally secretive and single-minded. Moreover, as the imperial power became more consolidated, this department would only become more and more important.

Because it is equivalent to the eyes and ears of the emperor.

The emperor would certainly not doubt Qin Zheng's loyalty, but he was not the previous emperor and did not have the confidence to control Qin Zheng.

The saying "a new emperor appoints his own ministers" was very obvious in the imperial palace and the Weaving Bureau.

After a long while, Xue Nanting said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty cannot do this."

Lu Chen said: "Yes, but he has no other choice."

Qin Zheng's contributions and status are obvious. How could an ordinary mistake affect him?

Unless it was like today, on such an important occasion, the Weaving Bureau made a fatal omission.

Xue Nanting said slowly: "Even if you can find out who is behind the scenes who ordered those two craftsmen, I'm afraid you can't stop His Majesty from dismissing Lao Qin."

The key to this case is that no matter who sent the assassin, the Zhijing Bureau must bear the responsibility.

Lu Chen stroked the teacup and said calmly, "That may not be the case. Prime Minister Xue might as well think about it. If there is really a big fish hiding behind those two craftsmen, and someone is really coveting Your Majesty, then the role that the Weaving Bureau can play will immediately become apparent. Who else can be more suitable to sit in that government office than Qin Tiju?"

Xue Nanting's eyes lit up slightly, and he praised: "That's right."

(End of this chapter)