The First Criminal Judge of the Zhenguan Era

Chapter 65 Exposing the Accomplices! Liu Shuyi's Methods of Manipulating People's Hearts!
The crowded warehouse was now quiet.

Everyone instinctively held their breath, their eyes fixed on An Qingxi, wanting to know if An Qingxi was really injured, as Liu Shuyi had said.

Wang Gui and Cheng Chumo exchanged a glance. Although they weren't exactly close, they understood each other's meaning at that moment.

They secretly gave the Imperial Guard commander a signal and began to approach Anqing West step by step.

An Qingxi, on the other hand, had a furrowed brow, and his usually gentle face now looked quite unpleasant.

He stared intently at Liu Shuyi, his eyes dark and sharp.

His expression was as if he wanted to devour Liu Shuyi alive.

Seeing this, Zhao Feng couldn't help but rub his arms, feeling goosebumps rising on his skin.

Why isn't Governor An speaking?

Liu Shuyi met An Qingxi's murderous gaze with a smile and said, "Didn't Governor An keep saying that Military Advisor Cui was the murderer? Since the murderer isn't Governor An, then Governor An shouldn't be afraid of our investigation, right?"

"Or……"

He squinted, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Is Governor An feeling guilty and afraid to let us inspect?"

"you……"

An Qingxi clenched his fists involuntarily, and veins bulged on his forehead.

Cui Lin glanced at An Qingxi, whose face was cold and stern, and suddenly said, "I can prove that I am not the murderer!"

As he spoke, he took off his official robe.

Then she took off her undergarments.

Soon, his strong upper body came into view.

As Cui Lin turned around to make himself clearly visible to everyone, he said, "Please look, everyone. I have no wounds on my body, which proves that I am not the murderer!"

After a careful inspection, everyone confirmed that Cui Lin had no injuries whatsoever and nodded in agreement.

Cui Lin breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that his injustice had finally been cleared, his arrogance resurfaced. He looked at An Qingxi, no longer showing the respect he had before, and sneered, "Prefect An, I have completed my testimony. Shouldn't Prefect An also provide his testimony?"

"Or……"

He twisted his wrist and said, "Does this humble official need to help Governor An verify this?"

Cui Lin has always had a prickly personality. He previously believed that Liu Shuyi had taken his position, and regardless of whether Liu Shuyi was the chief investigator, he dared to mock and antagonize him. Now that he is certain that he was used by An Qingxi and almost fell into the abyss because of An Qingxi, how could he let An Qingxi go?

Seeing that An Qingxi remained silent with a cold face, he simply prepared to take action.

Liu Shuyi watched this scene with a slight smile on his lips, but did not stop it.

He wanted to know if Anqingxi had any other trump cards up his sleeve.

Seeing that Cui Lin was going to help him test the waters, he was naturally happy to do so.

Seeing that Cui Lin disregarded their years of friendship and was about to attack him directly, An Qingxi could no longer hold back.

"enough!"

He roared, "No need to test me anymore, I am indeed injured!"

He no longer hid it.

An Qingxi's face was icy cold, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "I had planned everything, but I never expected that Ma Fuyuan would actually hide a dagger and even intend to kill me!"

"So, I was caught off guard and ambushed by him. Otherwise, how could this fat man have injured me?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment upon hearing An Qingxi's angry shout.

Then an uproar suddenly broke out.

"He admitted it!"

"He really is the murderer!"

"I never expected it to be Governor An!"

"What Governor An? Bah! He's a traitor who's wreaking havoc on the court and plotting to plunge the world into chaos!"

"Master Liu is truly a brilliant detective! It hasn't been long at all, and he's already found the real culprit who was so deeply hidden!"

The officials discussed the matter excitedly.

This case is truly too convoluted and too exciting!

Who would have thought that Qin Wuyuan, whom they initially identified as innocent, was wronged, and Cui Lin, whom they later identified as innocent, was also wronged!
Anqing Xi, a high-ranking official of the third rank, actually found two scapegoats!
Their cunning was unlike anything they had ever seen before.

Having witnessed the entire investigation process of this case today, I can brag about it to my colleagues for at least half a year when I go out drinking with them.

Even the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi in Hebei Province could not hide the shock and disbelief on their faces. Immediately after Ma Fuyuan's death, they suspected the court and wondered if this was a method used by the court to purge them.

But who would have thought that the truth would turn out like this in the end!
The murderer was a high-ranking official of the third rank whom they had never suspected, and had no reason to suspect.

The sounds of discussion, surprise, and angry shouts were incessant.

Looking at An Qingxi, whose face was gloomy and who no longer concealed anything, Liu Shuyi said, "Prefect An is more straightforward than I expected."

"Humph!"

An Qingxi snorted coldly, "I'm not satisfied. Do you really want that scoundrel Cui Lin to strip me bare? He may be shameless, but I am."

"you……"

Cui Lin glared angrily at An Qingxi: "An Qingxi, you're about to die, yet you still dare to spout nonsense! Liu Yuanwailang, why haven't you arrested him yet? Be careful, he might still have some ulterior motives!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuyi glanced at Cui Lin with a nonchalant look.

With just one glance, Cui Lin couldn't help but recall that he had previously asked Liu Shuyi to arrest Qin Wuyuan in the same way, and his face instantly froze.

Extreme embarrassment and shyness welled up in my heart.

He instinctively shut his mouth, not even daring to meet Liu Shuyi's gaze, and averted his eyes as if looking away.

Upon seeing this, Liu Shuyi averted his gaze.

He said to An Qingxi, "Prefect An, there is something I really don't understand."

An Qingxi sneered, "Is there anything in this world that even a brilliant detective can't understand?"

"There are countless problems in the world. If an ordinary person can figure out two or three of them, they can be called a wise person. I am not a wise person, so it is normal for me to have things I cannot figure out."

Liu Shuyi said, "Prefect An is the Prefect of Bingzhou, the secondary capital. His status is extremely high. I don't understand why Prefect An, with such a status, would need to risk his life for others?"

"Could it be that the person behind Governor An and Liu Yuanming can offer Governor An even greater benefits and power than he currently possesses?"

"What do you know?" An Qingxi scoffed at Liu Shuyi's words, "In your eyes, a mere sixth-rank official, the third-rank governor of Bingzhou may indeed be incredibly powerful, but what does a third-rank official mean in front of a true nobleman?"

"Oh?" Liu Shuyi raised an eyebrow: "The real benefactors? You mean Minister Du and the others?"

"so……"

"Does Governor An aspire to become the next Minister Du? But Minister Du achieved his current position through his service in supporting the emperor..."

Liu Shuyi stared intently at An Qingxi: "Prefect An, do you also wish to follow the emperor?"

"Follow the dragon?"

An Qingxi scoffed, "You know nothing, so don't make wild guesses. To me, your words are nothing but a joke."

"Besides, don't try to test me. I'm not one of those fools who will let you find out any of my secrets."

Liu Shuyi narrowed his eyes.

Not following the dragon?

Isn't their goal to rebel?

An Qingxi spoke with great disdain about his claim of following the emperor...

Why was it a disdainful tone?
Liu Shuyi pondered for a moment, wanting to continue testing An Qingxi, but An Qingxi remained calm and cautious, showing no sign of losing his composure even after his true colors were exposed.

It's very difficult to get the real secrets out of someone like that.

This is the limit of what we've reached in testing things out.

He let out a soft breath. Well, at this point, his mission was complete.

As for whether they can get Anqingxi to talk, that's something for Li Shimin and Du Ruhui to worry about.

Liu Shuyi looked at An Qingxi again and said, "The case has now come to light. Before leaving, Governor An, is there anything else you would like to say?"

An Qingxi stared at Liu Shuyi, then suddenly grinned and said, "Liu Shuyi, do you really think you can stop the rebellion in Hebei?"

"Do you really think we're framing the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi in Hebei Province immediately changed.

Du Gou and the others also tensed up.

Liu Shuyi's gaze swept over the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi, taking in the changes in their expressions. He then chuckled and said, "Prefect An is really persistent. I've solved the case, I've exposed the conspiracy, and yet you still want to sow discord between the court and your colleagues in Hebei..."

"Unfortunately, no one will believe the words of a cunning murderer like you. You can't sow discord among us!"

After saying that, Liu Shuyi didn't hesitate any longer and gave Cheng Chumo a look.

Without saying a word, Cheng Chumo threw An Qingxi to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.

The Imperial Guards then acted swiftly, quickly binding An Qingxi hand and foot, making him the second Qin Wuyuan.

"Gag him." Liu Shuyi said directly to Cheng Chumo when he saw that An Qingxi still wanted to say something.

"okay!"

Cheng Chumo looked around but couldn't find anything to stuff in his mouth, so he simply took off his boots and pulled off the socks he had been wearing all day.

As the socks were pulled off, an indescribable smell instantly choked the surrounding Imperial Guards, bringing tears to their eyes.

Cheng Chumo carefully held the sock with his thumb and forefinger, brought it close to his nose, and gently sniffed it. He almost threw up his breakfast.

He wrinkled his nose, quickly crumpled the sock into a ball, and stuffed it into An Qingxi's mouth.

An Qingxi kept retching, and his previously calm and composed expression finally crumbled.

His sharp gaze was fixed on Cheng Chumo. If looks could be knives, Cheng Chumo would probably have been torn to pieces by An Qingxi.

What are you glaring at me for!

When Cheng Chumo saw An Qingxi glaring at him, he glared back directly: "Others may be afraid of you, but I'm not! If you glare at me again, I'll stuff the other sock into your mouth too."

Although Cheng Chumo's rank was not as high as An Qingxi's, he had a father who was a powerful and ruthless troublemaker. He had seen far too many officials of An Qingxi's rank, and apart from a few like Wei Zheng, there were very few he was afraid of.

An Qingxi knew that Cheng Chumo, this little devil, was capable of both words and deeds, and might actually take off the other sock as well. He couldn't even handle one, let alone two, he estimated he would just die on the spot.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally looked away with a grim expression.

Liu Shuyi watched this scene, smiled and shook his head. If he had known that Cheng Chumo would be so helpful, he should have asked Cheng Chumo for a hand when he was testing An Qingxi earlier.

Seeing that An Qingxi was under control, Liu Shuyi pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Qin Wuyuan and asked, "After the Bingzhou officials arrived at Duting Post Station, how many postmen came to the warehouse to collect bedding and other supplies?"

Qin Wuyuan was taken aback, not expecting Liu Shuyi to suddenly change the subject and ask about this matter.

He thought for a moment and said, "The officials from Bingzhou were the last to arrive. At that time, there were already officials from Hebei Province and envoys from Xueyantuo at Duting Post Station. The postmen were all busy and there weren't many people available. But it's unclear who exactly came to collect the bedding..."

Qin Wuyuan said with embarrassment, "I really didn't notice such a small matter."

"Then let's ask someone who knows."

Qin Wuyuan nodded quickly and turned to ask the postmaster.

The postmaster was about ten years older than Qin Wuyuan. He looked honest and reliable. After recalling for a moment, he said after hearing Qin Wuyuan's question, "There were five people in total. Two of them were responsible for carrying luggage and leading horses, two cleaned the rooms, and one went to get bedding."

"one person?"

Liu Shuyi asked, "Who?"

The postmaster turned to a young man in the crowd and said, "Wang Xi, come out."

When his name was called, the courier Wang Xi hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Liu Shuyi, saying, "This humble servant greets Assistant Minister Liu."

Liu Shuyi looked at him: "Were you the only one who came to collect the bedding?"

"Yes."

"Was this task assigned to you, or did you choose it yourself?"

"It was a petty person who chose it voluntarily, because..."

Before Wang Xi could explain, Liu Shuyi said, "Arrest him."

"What!?"

Everyone was stunned. Wang Xi suddenly raised his head and looked at Liu Shuyi with a drastically changed expression.

Qin Wuyuan, puzzled, asked, "Liu Yuanwailang, what happened to Wang Xi?"

Looking at Wang Xi, whose expression had changed drastically, Liu Shuyi said calmly, "An governor's accomplice, what do you think happened to him?"

"what?"

"Was he an accomplice of Governor An?"

"This this……"

Qin Wuyuan was utterly shocked.

Wang Xi quickly shook his head: "No, I'm not..."

Liu Shuyi calmly said, "Prefect An arrived at Duting Post Station at noon yesterday. He didn't have a chance to have the key to the warehouse made, so someone must have given him the key..."

"At the same time, the double chosen by Governor An is similar in build to Governor Ma, so he was definitely not someone who was brought in at the last minute; he must have been chosen in advance..."

“After Governor An and his entourage arrived at noon yesterday, officials from Bingzhou accompanied them the whole time, and people from your Duting Post Station followed them from time to time. Under such circumstances, it was impossible for him to personally select a substitute and bring the person in.”

"Therefore, without a doubt, he must have had an accomplice who selected the target for him and brought the person into the Duting Post Station in advance, just waiting for Governor An to arrive before starting the operation."

"And within your Duting Post Station, these are the only places where people can hide..."

"We also need to consider the risk of exposure that may arise when Governor An takes action and moves the double. Therefore, hiding the double in this warehouse is the best option."

"But if the body is hidden in the warehouse, there is a possibility that the couriers will discover it once they come to move the supplies. So, just in case, only their own people can move the supplies to ensure that the body will not be discovered!"

Liu Shuyi looked at Wang Xi, whose face was pale and who was extremely panicked, and said, "Just now I asked him if he had volunteered to come and move the supplies, and his answer was yes..."

Wang Xi's pupils constricted sharply, and his whole body trembled: "This is a coincidence!"

"coincide?"

Liu Shuyi continued, "Then I'll say something else."

Wang Xi subconsciously looked at Liu Shuyi.

Then Liu Shuyi said, "Both gates of Duting Post Station are guarded. It's impossible for such a grown man to be brought in so easily without being discovered..."

"Therefore, in order to hide this double, Governor An's accomplice should have used a grocery cart, or a horse-drawn or ox-drawn cart used for transporting supplies, to hide the double among the items, thus getting away with it."

"That is to say..."

Liu Shuyi, with his deep eyes, said, "Prefect An's helpers should have been traveling in and out of Duting Post Station in carriages like these in the past two days!"

"So……"

He looked at Wang Xi and said, "Do you dare say you haven't done such a thing?"

"I……"

Wang Xi trembled all over, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Seeing this, Qin Wuyuan immediately understood what was going on. He quickly turned to look at the postmaster, who said in a deep voice, "The day before yesterday afternoon, he went to buy incense, candles, and bedding..."

"It really is you!?"

Qin Wuyuan angrily questioned, "Wang Xi, I have always believed that I have treated you well. How could you be so heartless and treacherous? You actually colluded with An Qingxi to try to kill me!"

“I…” Wang Xi shook his head, unable to speak for a long time. Liu Shuyi glanced at An Qingxi, who was staring at him with an extremely gloomy look, having had socks stuffed into his mouth.

Clearly, An Qingxi believed his accomplices could escape.

Little did she know that she already knew how to find An Qingxi's helpers before she even discovered his true identity.

"Take it away."

Wang Xi was just a minor character, and Liu Shuyi didn't intend to waste too much time on him. He would drag him out and throw him in jail, and many people would interrogate him on his behalf.

Soon, the Imperial Guards also bound Wang Xi tightly and escorted him out of the warehouse along with An Qingxi.

As the two men were taken away, the warehouse fell silent once more.

As everyone reflected on what had just happened, they were filled with countless emotions.

Liu Shuyi glanced at the crowd and, seeing the complex expressions on their faces, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you all for your support and cooperation today. The case has been solved, and you are all free."

Hearing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

Only when you lose your freedom do you realize how precious it is.

Liu Shuyi then looked at the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi in Hebei Province and said, "My colleagues, you have been frightened today. Rest assured, the court will not be swayed by Anqing Xi's instigation..."

"In fact, before I came here, His Majesty personally instructed me, saying that the officials of Hebei Province are diligent and loyal, but there are always traitors who try to sow discord and undermine the stability of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, His Majesty instructed me to find the traitors and not let their conspiracy succeed. His Majesty also instructed me to tell my colleagues that His Majesty has seen and remembered everything you have done and will not be swayed by the words of any traitors."

Upon hearing Liu Shuyi's words, the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi were taken aback.

They immediately bowed and said, "We are ashamed and have failed Your Majesty's trust."

Liu Shuyi smiled and stepped forward to help everyone up, saying, "It's normal for you to have doubts after being tricked like this by the thieves. Now that the truth is out, the best way to repay His Majesty's trust is not to be deceived again."

The former subordinates of the Prince of Xi nodded repeatedly.

They looked at Liu Shuyi, their faces filled with undisguised emotion and admiration.

“What Assistant Minister Liu said is absolutely right.”

"If it weren't for Assistant Minister Liu today, we would have been deceived by the thieves."

"Liu Yuanwailang's judgment in solving cases is truly divine; seeing is believing."

Listening to the flattery from the former subordinates of the Prince of Xi, Liu Shuyi's smile deepened.

Their normal behavior proves that the case is completely over in their minds.

Liu Shuyi said, “You have all been trembling with fear because of this case for a long time, and you must be very tired. There is nothing else to do for now, so you should all go and rest well. If nothing unexpected happens, the court should see you soon and let you report on your duties.”

"Furthermore, with Governor Ma's death, I believe his colleagues in Hebei Province are also very concerned about this matter. If you have time, it would be best to write a letter back to Hebei Province so that your colleagues know the truth and avoid any unfounded speculations."

Upon hearing this, no one objected.

Miao Xian, the Prefect of Hengzhou, said, "That's only right. I'll write it as soon as I get back..."

The others nodded in agreement, each offering a few more compliments to Liu Shuyi before turning and leaving.

As he watched their departing figures, the smile on Liu Shuyi's face slowly faded, his eyes narrowed, and his expression became deep and unsettling.

"Master Liu, you said..."

At this moment, Du Gou came to Liu Shuyi's side and together they watched the departing former subordinates of the Prince of Xi. Du Gou asked in a solemn tone, "What was the meaning of An Qingxi's last two sentences?"

"Is he really trying to sow discord between us and the former followers of the Prince of Xi?"

"Or……"

Du Gou didn't finish his sentence, but both of them felt a heavy pressure looming over them.

Liu Shuyi understood Du Gou's meaning, recalling the precious jewels found in Ma Fuyuan's bundle, and the reactions of these former subordinates of the Prince of Xi when An Qingxi uttered those two sentences with a half-smile...

He pondered for a moment and said, "Does Vice Minister Du still remember the writing implements in Ma Fuyuan's room?"

Du Gou thought for a moment, then nodded: "Of course I remember."

Liu Shuyi said, "The ink in the inkstone is frozen, and the brush is also covered in frozen ink. There are also some ink stains left on the table where the ink has seeped into the paper..."

"This means that Ma Fuyuan must have written something last night."

"But I didn't find any paper with writing on it in Ma Fuyuan's room."

Du Gou looked at Liu Shuyi and said, "Could it be that Anqingxi took it away?"

"Not very likely."

Liu Shuyi shook his head: "Ma Fuyuan has no connection with Anqingxi. Anqingxi chose to take action against Ma Fuyuan only because Ma Fuyuan was the leader of the Hebei Province officials' group this time, and killing Ma Fuyuan would have the greatest impact."

"Therefore, An Qingxi should not have any designs on Ma Fuyuan's things. This can be confirmed by the fact that no one has rummaged through Ma Fuyuan's belongings."

"Moreover, An Qingxi wanted to hide himself. If he were carrying Ma Fuyuan's things, there would be a risk of being exposed. As cautious as he is, he would never do something that would increase the risk."

Du Gou frowned: "Where did the paper with Ma Fuyuan's writing go? Did he meet someone before he was killed and hand the paper over to them?"

"It's possible."

Liu Shuyi said, "But there is another possibility."

"What?" Du Gou was taken aback.

Liu Shuyi looked at Du Gou, his dark eyes giving Du Gou a bright look as if he could see through all the secrets of the world.

Then he heard Liu Shuyi say, "Do you remember the marks on Ma Fuyuan's boots?"

"Indentation marks?" Du Gou frowned.

"Didn't you ever think about how those indentations came about?"

Liu Shuyi said, "Ma Fuyuan traveled all the way from Hebei to Chang'an. Although the journey was arduous, as the highest-ranking governor of Yizhou, he would never be assigned any hard or tiring work, and he certainly wouldn't be asked to carry heavy objects..."

"Then why are there such obvious marks on his official boots indicating that they were pressed down by a heavy object?"

"The reaction of the Hebei officials just now also shows that they were unaware of the pressure marks on Ma Fuyuan's official boots, which means they were not present when Ma Fuyuan's foot was crushed by a heavy object..."

“Throughout the entire journey, these officials stayed with Ma Fuyuan, only separating at night when they slept. Given that the indentations were very fresh, could this prove something…?”

Du Gou's heart skipped a beat.

He understood Liu Shuyi's meaning and said, "You mean the marks on Ma Fuyuan's boots were made in the room at Duting Post Station? What heavy object did he move in the room?"

"The marks were square, and everything in his room was square..."

Suddenly, Du Gou's eyes widened, and he almost exclaimed, "The cabinet! The cabinet's legs, if I remember correctly, are square!"

Liu Shuyi listened to Du Gou's words and nodded with satisfaction. Du Gou's observations were becoming more and more meticulous, and his thinking was becoming more and more agile.

This gave him a sense of satisfaction, like a disciple he had personally trained becoming more and more capable.

Liu Shuyi said, "If Du Sicheng remembers correctly, the legs of the cabinet where the bundles were placed are square, and their size corresponds perfectly to the indentation."

Du Gou's pupils twitched, and his breathing instantly became heavier.

He looked around and, seeing no one nearby, couldn't help but whisper, "So, Ma Fuyuan hid what he wrote under the cabinet?"

Liu Shuyi laughed and said, "I think a dignified governor wouldn't be so idle as to move cabinets, would he?"

"of course not!"

Du Gou's eyes gleamed: "There's no doubt about it, he must have hidden what he wrote there!"

"But what exactly is it that he needs to hide so well?"

Liu Shuyi said with a smile, "Why don't you go and take a look and you'll find out?"

"Correct!"

Du Gou said, "We'll go right now..."

"Not urgent."

Liu Shuyi stopped Du Gou, his gaze sweeping over the officials who were still curiously watching them, and whispered, "Ma Fuyuan is hiding so well, he's probably not something simple..."

"In addition, the unusual reaction from the Hebei Province officials..."

"I think it would be best if we avoided the crowd and went to check it out secretly."

"Otherwise, if Ma Fuyuan's hidden possessions really contain some earth-shattering secret... we might accidentally alert him, which would be disastrous."

Upon hearing Liu Shuyi's words, Du Gou felt a chill run down his spine.

His expression changed slightly, and he said, "You're right, I was too impatient."

Liu Shuyi smiled and said, "I understand, Vice Minister Du... Let me make some arrangements, and then we'll go and check it out."

After saying that, Liu Shuyi turned around and returned to the crowd.

Qin Wuyuan looked at Liu Shuyi with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.

They showed even more respect and sincerity than when they first cooperated with Liu Shuyi's investigation.

Cui Lin, on the other hand, had a complicated expression.

When facing Liu Shuyi, although his back was still straight, his chin was no longer pointing upwards, and his eyes even looked away, as if he dared not look Liu Shuyi in the eye.

Liu Shuyi took in the reactions of the others and then focused his gaze on Cui Lin.

"Cui joined the army."

"Yes……"

Cui Lin answered subconsciously, his body stiffening slightly, as if he hadn't expected Liu Shuyi to be the first to speak to him.

He looked at Liu Shuyi nervously, afraid that Liu Shuyi would mock him. After what had happened today, no matter how much Liu Shuyi insulted him, he would not be able to refute him.

He lost so badly today that he almost became a scapegoat.

He was too ashamed and powerless to compete with Liu Shuyi anymore.

"Military Advisor Cui, there's no need to be nervous. I don't have the habit of mocking others."

Liu Shuyi immediately saw through Cui Lin's worries and said calmly, "I just have one thing I'd like to hear Cui's thoughts on."

Cui Lin was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What is it?"

Liu Shuyi looked at him and said, "Now it's certain that An Qingxi used the spy you caught in Bingzhou, and the letter on the spy's body..."

"But I'm not sure whether the spy and the letter were prepared in advance for today's conspiracy, or whether he learned about the spy's secret by chance and came up with the plan on the spot..."

"So, I'd like to hear what Military Advisor Cui has to say. After all, you've been dealing with these spies in Bingzhou, and you even personally arrested that spy. What do you think..."

Liu Shuyi asked in a deep voice, "What possibility could it be?"

"This……"

Cui Lin frowned.

He pondered for a moment before saying, "That spy was very well hidden. I spent a lot of effort and used many methods to find him. Moreover, after I captured him, he immediately committed suicide, which is also in line with the style of Turkic spies..."

"Therefore, I think it's unlikely that this spy is problematic, and the letter I found on him did indeed contain intelligence from our Tang Dynasty spies—information that the Turks currently need most..."

"but……"

He then changed the subject: "An Qingxi is so insidious. I have known him for four years and I have never seen through his true colors. His scheming is so deep that it is chilling. So I dare not say that this is definitely not his doing."

Wang Gui and Cheng Chumo listened with furrowed brows.

What's the difference between saying it and not saying it?
Liu Shuyi stared intently at Cui Lin and said, "Military Advisor Cui has extensive experience in investigating cases..."

As soon as he said this, Cui Lin's face turned embarrassed.

He used to feel very proud when others said this.

But now, when he hears Liu Shuyi say it, he can't help but recall how foolish he was back then.

Hearing that compliment from the past now makes his scalp tingle and makes him incredibly embarrassed.

Liu Shuyi, unaware that Cui Lin had already reacted to this, continued, "...He is quick-witted and thoughtful, so I believe that Military Advisor Cui must have a clear and well-founded judgment in his heart regarding the truth or falsehood of a matter!"

“I want to know…” he said slowly, “the answer in Military Advisor Cui’s heart.”

Cui Lin was stunned. He hadn't expected that Liu Shuyi would still be willing to listen to his answer after he had almost caused a wrongful conviction.

After hesitating for a moment, Cui Lin finally gritted his teeth and said, "I don't think that spy has any problem with that letter!"

"it is good!"

Liu Shuyi nodded directly: "I believe you."

"What? You believe me just like that?"

Cui Lin couldn't help but say, "Master Liu, we were rivals before, how could you..."

Liu Shuyi looked at him, his deep eyes seeming to see right through him, and said calmly, "Because I know that even if you dislike me, you won't talk nonsense about matters concerning the safety of the Tang Dynasty."

"You have your bottom line and principles!"

"I……"

Cui Lin opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Liu Shuyi had already turned and left.

Out of the corner of his eye, Liu Shuyi glanced at Cui Lin's blank stare at him and a slight, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.

Liu Shuyi has extensive experience dealing with such proud and arrogant people.

The disciples he had trained in his previous life had all sorts of personalities, and naturally, there were people like Cui Lin among them.

Therefore, he knew very well how to manipulate Cui Lin.

Cui Lin is different from Qian Wenqing. Qian Wenqing is Pei Ji's nephew-in-law, and the two are too closely connected to be of any use to him.

Cui Lin, on the other hand, has no direct relation to Pei Ji and is from a collateral branch of the Cui family. He came to Chang'an this time to seek a promotion... Cui Lin has status, background, and ability.

If we can use them for our own purposes, it's far better than them being our enemies.

I already have too many enemies: Pei Ji, the mastermind behind Miao Yin'er, and now I guess I'll have to add the forces behind An Qingxi to the mix...

Cui Lin, who clearly has the potential to be used by us, should be transformed if possible.

However, Liu Shuyi also knew that Cui Lin's personality was not something that could be reformed in one go.

He wasn't in a hurry. Once he took the first step and changed Cui Lin's thoughts and attitudes towards him, the rest would be much simpler.

Cui Lin had no idea what Liu Shuyi was thinking. He recalled Liu Shuyi's unwavering words, "I believe in you," and Liu Shuyi's words, "You have your bottom line and principles." He felt an indescribable emotion spreading through his heart.

It seems that no one has ever said such a thing to him before.

complex!

It's hard to explain!

Only after Liu Shuyi disappeared from sight did Cui Lin turn his gaze away.

He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, raised his chin again, looked around at everyone, and then, as if he had become a competitive rooster, proudly left Duting Post Station.

As soon as they stepped out of the gate of Duting Post Station, a man dressed in gray rushed over to greet them.

"This humble servant has met with Military Advisor Cui."

The man in gray respectfully said, "I am the steward of Pei Sikong’s mansion. My master instructed me to wait here, saying that if Military Advisor Cui comes out, I will invite him to the Pei mansion for a gathering. My master has prepared a fine banquet for Military Advisor Cui to welcome him."

Pei Ji?

If it were any other official from out of town, upon suddenly learning that the Minister of Works of the court had specially invited him to a banquet, he would surely be overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement.

But Cui Lin, recalling what Liu Shuyi had just told him, the relationship between Liu Shuyi and Pei Ji, and the letter Pei Ji had sent him about Liu Shuyi trying to take his position as a junior official...

He chuckled.

With his chin held high, he sneered, "Trying to use me as a weapon? Minister Pei has chosen the wrong person..."

"Don't go!"

After saying that, he strode away, leaving the Pei family steward standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

(End of this chapter)