The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 39 Presiding Judge
Northwest corner of the imperial city.

Xiao Yi looked up and saw a magnificent government office in front of him, with a black lacquered wooden plaque hanging above the gate, bearing the words "Imperial Guard Command".

Upon entering, after walking fifty paces through the ceremonial guard courtyard, one arrives at the main hall. The beams are fifteen feet high, and the armored soldiers are all clad in gleaming armor, wielding long halberds, their eyes fixed straight ahead, their auras deep and composed.

After passing through the hall, one enters a long corridor with a bronze bell hanging from the ceiling. In case of emergency, the bell is struck as a signal, and its sound can be heard halfway through the city.

The east and west wing rooms are located on both sides, where people are busy working through the night. The east wing is the register room, where more than twenty military officers are busy at their desks. The west wing is the messenger room, where sixteen couriers are waiting with their imperial credentials.

Further on is the council chamber, with three tiers of steps in front of it.

Ascending the steps and pushing open the door, a huge "Bianliang City Defense Map" comes into view, clearly showing the deployment of the imperial guards, the gates of the palace, and the network of streets and alleys.

On the long table below, there is a small wooden plaque that can be picked up at will and used to give opinions on the state of the country.

With such a magnificent official residence and holding great power in the capital, who wouldn't want to take Shi Hongzhao's place?
Judging from this scene alone, Xiao Yi had a deep understanding of Shi Hongzhao's past arrogance and Nie Wenjin's current high spirits.

"General Nie, Shi Erlang has arrived."

The man who had been standing by the window, lost in thought, turned around.

At the same time, Xiao Yi recalled the information he had seen in the files in Shi Dechong's study and made comparisons.

"Nie Wenjin, a military household from Bingzhou, came from a family skilled in archery and horsemanship. He was brave and skilled in riding and archery from a young age. He initially served as a soldier under Emperor Gaozu. When Khitan cavalry invaded the border, he charged into the enemy lines alone and killed their chieftain, thus gaining fame. He was promoted to a military officer. He was cunning and greedy, but he was also flexible and adaptable, and could be made to be close to the young emperor..."

Nie Wenjin was about forty years old. His early military career had tanned his face to a purplish-brown color. A scar ran diagonally across his brow bone, and his chin was covered with short, stiff beards. His eyes were bright, revealing the straightforward honesty of a rough and burly man, unlike the "cunning" described in the intelligence report. However, the light of ambition could still be seen in them.

His purple robe was open at the collar, and he wore a reddish-brown leather armor over it. Each of his shoulder plates was adorned with a brass shoulder guard, making him appear even more imposing.

Xiao Yi judged that this was a deliberate disguise, to show off his martial demeanor in front of the young emperor and to distinguish himself from Li Ye and Su Fengji.

This person is a very good actor.

He must be a natural actor; no wonder Shi Hongzhao sent him to infiltrate the emperor's inner circle.

Meng Ye stepped forward and whispered in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Nie Wenjin fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi with scrutiny, suspicion, and undisguised pressure.

"Shi Deyuan?"

"Xiao Yi greets General Nie. I am the adopted son of Prime Minister Li Gongsong. My property was confiscated by the Shi family, and I was given a maid named Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi knew that his outstanding temperament had always caused him a lot of trouble, and he was determined to resolve this matter thoroughly tonight.

On the other hand, this is also an opportunity, giving him something to exploit.

Meng Ye sneered, found a small stool and sat down, watching with great interest.

Even for Li Ye's confidant, such behavior from a mere bailiff in a blue robe was rather presumptuous.

Xiao Yi noticed that Nie Wenjin glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and seemed to furrow his brow slightly.

"Shi Hongzhao killed the entire Li family and then added my maid's name to his name..."

After a moment of distraction, his emotions shifted somewhat.

"A dignified man, driven like a lowly servant, ah, is my life worthless? Look at Shi Hongzhao now, his blood splattered five steps away, falling dead under the general's sword! Is my life worthless, or is his life worthless?! The general is my benefactor who avenged me, killing Shi Hongzhao is good! It was a satisfying and exhilarating death!"

By the end, his eyes were filled with satisfaction.

It was as if he carried Xiao Yi's sorrow and Li Zhaoning's anger, because he felt those emotions as if they were his own.

He even looked at Nie Wenjin and saw the same sense of satisfaction in each other's eyes.

Having been subservient to Shi Hongzhao, Xiao Yi could no longer tolerate it and killed him with a single, satisfying blow. At that moment, Xiao Yi resonated with and cheered for Nie Wenjin.

Nie Wenjin couldn't help but laugh.

To slay powerful warlords, sit in a high hall, and wield great power—this is how a true man should live.

This is his proudest achievement, how could he not be in high spirits?
Xiao Yi pressed his advantage, quickly saying, "General, you frequently visit the Shi residence, so you should know something about it. Shi Deyuan is obese, slow-witted, cowardly, and lewd, spending his days engrossed in eroticism. He is definitely not me. If Shi Hongzhao had a son like me, why would he be so confined to his residence, ashamed to see outsiders? Does he even deserve a son like me? Bah!"

Nie Wenjin raised his hand to stop him from speaking, his brows furrowed, and he uttered only two words.

"Pivot Seal."

"it is good."

Xiao Yi stopped there and got straight to the point.

“That night, I did see Shi Dechong go to the study to take something. The Shi residence was completely surrounded, and only he and Zhang Mantun escaped. With countless imperial guards watching, the item couldn't have just disappeared into thin air…”

“So it was you,” Meng Ye interjected. “Shi Deyuan, you took the seal of office.”

The man's eyes were somewhat gloomy; he must have already regretted bringing him to see Nie Wenjin.

It's too late to regret.

"If I were Shi Deyuan, I would have already rallied my old troops from the Shi family and stormed out of the city."

Xiao Yi refuted decisively and continued to state his deduction, saying, "Therefore, there is only one possibility—the seal of the Privy Council fell into the hands of one of the Imperial Guards who surrounded the Shi Mansion that day."

Nie Wenjin narrowed his eyes slightly.

Xiao Yi keenly noticed the change in his expression and knew that he was a sensible person, which reassured him considerably.

"Nonsense, you're asking for death!" Meng Ye slammed his fist on the table, his murderous intent palpable. "You lied to me! You said you'd bring me to see General Nie, so you'd tell me the whereabouts of the talisman..."

“I am saying.”

Xiao Yi became increasingly calm, while Meng Ye's anger only indicated the seriousness of the situation, which made him tense and angry.

Sure enough, Nie Wenjin said, "Let him finish speaking."

"Shi Hongzhao has cultivated his influence in the army for many years, and the Imperial Guard has deep roots. Any one of his generals is far more threatening than the young Shi Erlang. General, you are only one step away from supporting His Majesty, restoring order, and revitalizing the Han dynasty. You must not be careless. Think carefully, between an inexperienced playboy and a general who has been deeply involved in the Imperial Guard for many years, who is more likely to take the seal?"

Xiao Yi stopped at the right moment and waited for Nie Wenjin's reaction.

First, I saw a pair of skeptical eyes.

It's normal not to want to believe it, but what he said is true, or at least the probability is very high.

Even if he were Shi Erlang, now that he has been captured, there is no risk in killing him or not.

From Nie Wenjin's perspective, the biggest risk was still that the seal would fall into the hands of the general in charge of the troops, which could lead to the failure of the coup and the death of his entire family.

Xiao Yi waited patiently. Finally, Nie Wenjin uttered a single word.

"Who?"

"I'll handle the trial."

"You? Who are you interrogating?"

“Shi Dechong and Zhang Mantun,” Xiao Yi said confidently, “Let me interrogate them, and I will give the general a satisfactory answer.”

"Shi Deyuan, you're quite cunning." Meng Ye sneered, suppressing his anger, and said, "You're trying to mislead us."

Silly bird.

Xiao Yi knew that Nie Wenjin could judge the truth himself.

“I have been frank with you. Whether you believe me or not is up to General Nie. But you have gone in the wrong direction. You have wasted two precious days chasing after the fictitious Shi Erlang. If you do not correct this, once the seal of office falls into the hands of a general or a powerful vassal, the situation will be hopeless.”

Having said that, he lowered his hands and said no more.

The firelight illuminated their faces, flickering uncertainly.

A look of resentment flashed in Meng Ye's eyes, Nie Wenjin frowned in thought, while Xiao Yi remained calm, letting them weigh their options and struggle.

at last.

The last trace of hesitation in Nie Wenjin's eyes was replaced by decisiveness.

“Zhang Mantun is with Liu Zhu. We need to send someone to bring him here. You should interrogate Shi Dechong first.”

……

Xiao Yi barely recognized Shi Dechong.

Pushing open the door, one sees a woman lying there in shackles, still dressed as a maid, her long hair disheveled, her dress stained with blood, a sight that evokes sorrow at first glance.

"Shi Dechong," Meng Ye said with a smile, "Look who's here."

Upon hearing the voice, Shi Dechong instinctively trembled, shrinking back in fear.

He turned around, revealing an extremely pale and weak face, his eyes lowered, not daring to look at Meng Ye, until he caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi out of the corner of his eye and paused for a moment.

"Xiao Yi, Brother Xiao Yi..."

Xiao Yi immediately saw a plea for help in Shi Dechong's eyes, as if he was begging him to give him a knife to end his painful life.

"Ok?"

Meng Ye snorted coldly through his nose.

Shi Dechong was terrified and hurriedly said, "Second Brother... no, Second Brother! Second Brother, you've been captured too? Quickly give them the talisman... Waaaaah..."

After saying this, he bowed down again, covering his face and sobbing.

“General Nie, look, he is clearly Shi Er…”

“It’s not Meng’s fault.” Nie Wenjin raised his hand, looked at Xiao Yi, and said, “Go and interrogate him.”

"Yes."

Xiao Yi stepped forward, knelt down in front of Shi Dechong, looked directly at his miserable face, and said, "Young Master..."

"Second brother, second brother, the talisman is already in your hands, it has nothing to do with me anymore."

"General, may I speak with him alone?"

Nie Wenjin let out an impatient sigh, and without waiting for Meng Ye to speak, he led everyone out.

Soon only two people remained in the torture chamber.

Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Thinking back to how ambitious the eldest young master was back then, it's truly sad and lamentable to see him like this today."

Shi Dechong wept uncontrollably.

After a long silence, with his mouth full of tears and snot, he said in a trembling voice, "I regret not listening to Brother Xiao Yi's words that day."

"It's too late to say all this," Xiao Yi said. "I saw you had the talisman in your pocket. Since we couldn't find it in the manor, you must have taken it out and handed it over to some Imperial Guard, right?"

"Can you let me... die a quick and painless death?"

"it is good."

Shi Dechong cried until his tears dried, and murmured, "When Tieya escorted me out of the mansion, we met a general of the Imperial Guard. He said he would risk his life to save Young Master Shi. I said that was him, but he didn't believe me, so I showed him the talisman."

"and then?"

"He took the talisman, mounted his horse, and rode away. I hurriedly sent Iron Fang to chase after him... Waaaaah..."

When asked about every decision he made that night, Shi Dehong was clearly filled with regret, and he couldn't stop sobbing.

Xiao Yi had already understood.

Sure enough, it was taken by a mole within the Imperial Guard.

But why not hand it in?
Are they waiting to see how things develop? Are they waiting for the right price to go? Or have they been delivered to an important location?
It definitely wasn't delivered to the Guo family.

"Who is that person?"

"I didn't see clearly, I panicked..."

"Zhang Mantun caught up with them? Could he possibly know who it is?"

"I don't know," Shi Decheng sobbed, "Brother Yi...we were master and servant...please give me a quick death..."

Xiao Yi thought for a moment, knowing full well that there was a high chance of someone overhearing him, but still asked, "Do you want to live?"

"Wha...what?"

"I can try to get you out of here, if you can persuade Zhang Mantun to 'cooperate' with me. So tell me, do you still want to live?"

Shi Deqin murmured, and in his eyes, which had been filled with despair and a death wish, a renewed desire for life resurfaced.

(End of this chapter)