The moonlight is cold and the night breeze is blowing.

The Wanhua Building in Dongshi was brightly lit and noisy. The guests came out in a hurry, disheveled, and looked at the flying knights surrounded by people. Their armors were thick and their swords were cold. They were like wolves and tigers, and they all panicked.

, rushed out of the gate and wanted to leave, but was blocked directly by the flying knight.

When Xu Shiji arrived with his team, the situation was already under control. However, a school captain came up to him with a dark face, clasped his fists and said, "General, something happened. The shopkeeper was silenced in the room, and his throat was also sealed with a sword."

"What...what?" Xu Shiji was shocked. Even the shopkeeper of Wanhualou was silenced. Obviously there was someone behind it. Wanhualou was just on the surface, and it was confirmed that the clues in the report were correct. The person behind the scenes panicked.

"lead the way!"

Xu Shiji shouted coldly, and followed him upstairs to a private room on the second floor. There was a person lying on the couch. He looked about forty years old, with loose black hair. His clothes were not messy, and his face still had the expression of shock before death. Xu Shiji

He has been on the battlefield for a long time and has rich experience. He can guess a lot at a glance and asked: "Find someone who is familiar with the situation to come over."

Soon, a girl was escorted in.

"Look, is it your shopkeeper?"

The other party glanced at me in panic and said quickly: "Yes, it's the shopkeeper."

"Who else can come in this room?"

"Back... back to your lord, this is the shopkeeper's private place. No one is allowed in except herself. Oh, there is another one. Her bodyguard is allowed, but only at the door."

Xu Shiji keenly grasped something and asked: "Where are the bodyguards?"

"I don't know, he should be here," the woman said quickly.

"Gather everyone in the lobby." Xu Shiji looked at a school captain.

The other party nodded knowingly and hurried away. Xu Shiji looked at the woman and asked, "Tell me about the bodyguard. Tell me everything you know. Don't hide anything."

"Sir, the slave family doesn't know about it. The shopkeeper never talks about her bodyguard, and the bodyguard doesn't talk. Everyone thinks he is mute, a middle-aged man, so tall." The woman gestured and added: "All day long.

It looks scary to follow the shopkeeper with a cold face."

"Are there any obvious specialties?" Xu Shiji asked.

The woman thought about it carefully, shook her head and said, "No, she just looks very cold."

Xu Shiji asked a few more questions unwillingly, but couldn't find anything. He guessed that people had gathered, and took the woman downstairs to identify the person, but could not find the person. Xu Shiji reluctantly let the woman continue to identify, wondering in his heart, the sudden arrival of the flying cavalry

, the bodyguard kills someone and silences him before he can escape later, unless he takes action in advance.

After the identification failed, Xu Shiji returned to the shopkeeper's room unwillingly and searched carefully. There was a lot of gold and silver jewelry, but nothing of value. He found a hidden compartment, which was empty. It was obvious that someone had taken him away in advance. The most suspicious person was

That's the bodyguard.

"I'm afraid the bodyguard is someone behind the scenes who arranged to follow the shopkeeper. He protects, monitors, and silences when necessary. The person behind the scenes is very scheming." Xu Shiji thought to himself and told one person: "Let our widower come over."

The other party agreed and hurried away.

After waiting for a short time, he came over and after a careful inspection, he said: "General, Xiaode went to the yard where the catapults were made. Judging from the wounds, the depth and width were exactly the same. They were done by the same person. The other person was a sword-wielding man."

A master, this kind of person can control the intensity extremely accurately and cannot make mistakes."

"Can you tell which one will die first?"

Wu Zuo looked at the body again and affirmed: "General, I should have gone to the courtyard for an hour or so to silence him. When I came back, I saw the flying cavalry approaching, so I rushed there first, killed the shopkeeper, and then left."

"Then this person must still be in Chang'an City. I will dig three feet into the ground to find this person." Xu Shiji was furious, pointing at a team leader and exhorting: "Inform Duke Lu of the bodyguard situation, please ask Duke Lu.

Focus on investigating the person who uses the sword, go quickly."

…

Cheng Yaojin was in command of the Nan Yamen Division of the Forbidden Army. After receiving the notification, he kicked the suspects away. He was actually involved in Wanhua Tower and was silenced first. How could he bear this? He immediately mobilized more people to search and arrest him all over the city.

.

That night, the major underground gangs in Chang'an were in a frenzy, and they were in bad luck. Those who cooperated were better, and they beat them up. When they saw that they couldn't ask questions, they gave up. Those who didn't cooperate directly killed them without mercy. The bodyguards

Instead of finding out, a bunch of fugitive criminals were found, and many unsolved cases were revealed.

Until daybreak, each team came back one after another, exhausted and frustrated. They could not find the bodyguards, and no matter how great their achievements were, it was useless. One general was worried that Cheng Yaojin would make everyone angry and discouraged, so he quickly said: "

Mr. Lu, we have checked everything we can, including gangs, neighborhoods, inns, and restaurants. Have they left the city?"

"What did you just say?" Cheng Yaojin asked with a dark face.

The other party's face panicked, and he said bravely: "I'm worried that the murderer has left the city."

"Not this sentence, the previous sentence."

"The last sentence?" The other party was a little confused, and after thinking about it, he said, "I have checked everything that I said I could check."

"Yes, that's the sentence." Cheng Yaojin said excitedly: "The incident happened suddenly, and the other party did not have time to leave the city. The patrol officers also came to report just now, and no one was found to have left. Since everything that can be checked has been checked, will it be possible?

Will you hide in a place where you can’t investigate?”

After a conversation, everyone was stunned, but did not dare to answer the question. The place that cannot be checked is really too sensitive, and everyone does not have enough authority to check. For example, the residences of high officials of the third rank and above in the court, such as the residences of nobles, and the residences of princes. Who dares to enter?

Check, isn’t that looking for death?

Cheng Yaojin did not dare to lead troops to the door easily, but it would be good if he had a direction. Not many people in the mansion who could not be investigated dared to harbor the murderer, and they had to be Qin Huaidao's enemies. Once eliminated in this way, there would be fewer suspicious people.

At this time, a general reminded: "Gong Lu, there are still other embassies in other countries that have not checked."

The embassy represents the dignity of a country and cannot be easily checked. The embassy also reminded Cheng Yaojin that the Tubo and Japanese countries who had recently had issues with Qin Huaidao were also suspicious.

Although Lu Guogong was rude, he was rough and refined, otherwise he would not have become one of Li Er's most trusted confidants. He was in charge of the Nanya Division of the Forbidden Army. After thinking for a moment, he looked at one person and said, "One of your battalions has taken off their armor.

I've been lurking in civilian clothes and haven't found anything around the mansion, so keep an eye on me and report it immediately if there's any sign of trouble."

"Follow the order!" The other party understood and hurried away.

The Imperial Guards had been busy all night and were very tired. Cheng Yaojin asked everyone to rest and left in a hurry.

Not long after, Cheng Yaojin entered the palace, just in time for the court meeting.

Last night, the imperial army searched the city. All civil and military officials knew what happened. They were silent and the atmosphere was a little solemn. Some people dared to attack the Lord Protector today, and they would dare to attack themselves tomorrow. This hole must not be opened. They are all speculating on who the murderer is.

They were familiar with each other and communicated secretly with their eyes.

When Li Er came in and sat down, the court meeting began.

First, the routine major matters were discussed. After all the matters were finished, Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin and Xu Shiji and said coldly: "Everyone must be aware of what happened last night. How dare you openly attack the court ministers and beat them to death?"

They injured countless innocent diners and used catapults. They were vicious and despicable. What were they doing? This is treason. I will never condone it. Those who fail to report the knowledge or shield the murderer will be punished with the same crime."

Conspiracy is a serious crime for the Yi tribe. Failure to report the knowledge is the same as covering up the murderer. The punishment is severe. It can be seen that Li Er was furious. Everyone was moved and nervous. They prayed that the second-generation ancestors in the family would not get involved. They were prepared.

I have an idea, and I'll do a thorough investigation when I get back.

Li Er's words can be regarded as a characterization of this matter. It is not a business competition, but a rebellion.

Some people were dissatisfied. This characterization was against the law of the imperial court and could be considered murder at most. However, no one dared to jump out and cause trouble. They all looked at Wei Zheng who was brave enough to speak out. Wei Zheng was bold but not stupid. Besides, he also admired Qin Huaidao and had received some teachings from him.

A child's errand, one hundred silver coins a month, look at your nose with your eyes, look at your nose with your heart, and pretend you don't see it.

"Duke Lu, Duke of England, and Gao Aiqing of the Ministry of Punishment are staying and withdrawing from the court!" Li Er waved his sleeves, swallowing the mountains and rivers with anger, his majesty was unparalleled, and his cold face gave people a strong sense of oppression.

The civil servants and generals left one after another, and soon only the three people whose names were called were left.

Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin and Xu Shiji, and finally fell on Gao Shilian. He was old and gray-haired, but in good spirits. His eyes were slightly narrowed, making it difficult to see through. Li Er said coldly: "Gao Aiqing, you have just taken over the Ministry of Punishment."

The occurrence of such a big case is a provocation and a test for my beloved."

"Your Majesty, I will do my best, fulfill my duties, find out the real culprit, and bring peace to Chang'an." Gao Shilian said quickly.

Li Er's expression softened: "Aiqing is Guanyin's uncle and also my uncle. You should be allowed to enjoy your old age in peace. However, there are many affairs in the court and there is a lack of talented people who can take charge. I have to ask my uncle to come out again. This matter

I’ll leave it to you for major cases.”

"The Holy One's words are serious, and I must do my best to handle my errands." Gao Shilian said solemnly.

"That's good, uncle, go first." Li Er nodded with satisfaction. After watching Gao Shilian leave, his tone changed and asked, "Tell me, what did you find out last night?"

Xu Shiji glanced at Cheng Yaojin and reported the situation found in detail, followed by Cheng Yaojin.

Li Er listened patiently without saying a word. No one knew what he was thinking. It wasn't until the two of them finished talking that he said with a cold face: "The pharmacist came into the palace last night and told me his idea. It was very good.

It's probably very difficult to rely on the Ministry of Punishment to handle this matter. Xu Aiqing, please keep an eye on the Ministry of Punishment and don't let them relax. They may arrange things to appear to be confusing, but they must also be truthful."

"I obey the order!" Xu Shiji solemnly accepted the order.

Cheng Yaojin reminded worriedly: "Your Majesty, where is Mr. Gao from the Punishment Department?"

Li Er sneered and said: "My uncle is a sensible man and he is smart. He will cooperate well."

"Then I'm relieved. However, I checked everything that could be found last night. Those who couldn't be checked arranged for people to keep a close eye on it. But if the murderer hides in a place that can't be checked and doesn't come out, he still can't find it. This matter

It's difficult to handle, please ask the Holy Spirit for clear instructions." Cheng Yaojin said quickly.

"Let's investigate first. We will use this opportunity to eliminate the unstable factors in Chang'an City and restore stability to the people. Remember, you must not disturb the people, let alone take the opportunity to bully the people. Otherwise, I will not agree. As for the places that cannot be investigated, keep a close eye on them.

Once we have clues, we will enter the palace immediately."

Cheng Yaojin was relieved, solemnly accepted the order, and left with Xu Shiji.

Li Er looked at the backs of the two people walking out of the hall, feeling a little depressed. He dared to openly attack Qin Huaidao's property. The person behind it was either crazy or had something to rely on. He thought of a few people in his mind, but there was no evidence, so he couldn't attack directly. He shouted:

"Someone is coming!"

Wang De hurried in.

"Let the secret guards keep an eye on the Prince's Palace and the East Palace for me, and don't alert others."
To be continued...