Chapter 274: Killing with a knife (Part 1)

Cui Guangyuan greeted him and bowed to Li Qing'an, "I don't know if the general is coming, I will be in a position to welcome him. I hope I will forgive you!"

The most tiring thing about being a local official in the capital is that there are too many high-ranking officials above. If you don’t know that the officials are small, this is the reason. Cui Guangyuan will randomly investigate a case. The parties involved are either the sons and nephews of the Shangshu or the prince’s brother-in-law. They always have a little twists and turns with the senior officials. Therefore, although Li Qing'an was the governor of Anxi, he was equivalent to a governor and commander of the military region in later generations, so he would not have been able to give Cui Guangyuan such a big gift to him.

The key is that Li Qing'an has the whereabouts of Xing Han in his hands, or Xing Han is in his hands. The news of Yang Guozhong's defeat yesterday morning has spread throughout the Chang'an court and the country. Li Qing'an's aggressive momentum and wonderful attack made some people happy and made some people grit their teeth. However, no matter they are supporters, it is obvious that Li Qing'an will be a major enemy of Yang Guozhong.

Cui Guangyuan's mood was complicated. On the one hand, Yang Guozhong's defeat would hate his betrayal even more. On the other hand, Li Qing'an's strength gave him a glimmer of hope. He also hoped that Xing Jun could repay his kindness and speak kindly for him in front of Li Qing'an and Wang Gong. So Li Qing'an's arrival today made him full of expectations.

Li Qing'an knew something about Cui Guangyuan. The destruction of his family and country in history refers to this person, and he is also a person with backbone. Seeing that he was extremely tall and seemed to be one taller than him, Li Qing'an bowed and smiled slightly, "I came suddenly and disturbed the official duties of the County Magistrate Cui."

"Where! Where! Even the general can't even invite him, hurry up! Sitting inside."

"Please ask for it!"

Li Qing'an walked into the county government office with him. When he was an inspector, he had a lot of dealings with Chang'an County. He still recognized many people in the county government office, and many people bowed to him. Li Qing'an also nodded with a smile.

At this time, Cui Guangyuan suddenly discovered something bad. Many people in the county yamen were Yang Guozhong's old people. He invited Li Qing'an into the court room. Wouldn't Yang Guozhong know immediately? This made him even more accused of betraying Yang Guozhong and surrendering to Li Qing'an. Cui Guang couldn't help but complain in his heart, but it was too late at this time, and Li Qing'an walked into his court room.

"The office of Magistrate Cui is quite spacious!" Li Qing'an smiled and looked at the empty big room.

"It's always been like this. It's been newly built in ten years, and it is said that the old ones are even more spacious."

Cui Guangyuan hesitated for a moment and closed the door. At the moment when the door was gently closed, he clearly saw the cold eyes in the eyes of the county magistrate Yao Yunpei and the chief clerk Shao Ping. These two were both Yang Guozhong's old subordinates, and they were determined to take him and replace him. Perhaps they consciously grabbed Cui Guangyuan's handle. Cui Guangyuan smiled bitterly. He was in the world and could not help himself!

"General, please sit down!"

Cui Guangyuan asked Li Qing'an to sit down, poured him another cup of tea, then sat opposite him and asked, "Why did the general want to come to me today?"

Li Qing'an took a sip of tea, smiled slightly and said, "I came for a business."

"Business?"

Cui Guangyuan was stunned. What did he do when he closed the business? Isn’t this more obvious? He felt bitterness in his mouth. It turned out that he was a little self-indulgent. Li Qingan saw the loss in Cui Guangyuan’s eyes and smiled again: “But I want to thank Magistrate Cui for his actions of loving and righteousness. I set up a table of water and wine in the military camp outside the city and invited Magistrate Cui to a banquet. At that time, some of the friends of Magistrate Cui will also visit. I wonder if Magistrate Cui can enjoy the glory?"

Li Qing'an came to Cui Guangyuan not just to ask him for materials for the two monsters of Jinzhou. He knew the dilemma Cui Guangyuan was about to face. After betraying Yang Guozhong, Cui Guangyuan was about to face the danger of being demoted. This was a talent in history. After the Anshi Rebellion, he served as the governor of Jiannan. Yang Guozhong was not allowed to abandon him. Why did Li Qing'an not accept his subordinates? But he could not speak directly about such a thing. Whether others would like to do so is the same, so he first treats to dinner, then slowly gets in friendship, and then mentions the meaning of taking Luo after getting closer.

Cui Guangyuan understood Li Qing'an's meaning and went to his military camp for dinner. Isn't this a hint? His heart was pounding. He had thought about joining Wang Gong, but he didn't expect Li Qing'an to hint to him. Is this his chance? Cui Guangyuan was extremely nervous. He quickly thought about whether he should accept the invitation. If he didn't accept it, it was possible that Wang Gong would not include him. With Yang Guozhong's personality, he would not smile and forget his grudges. Although this person has the power of the prime minister, he does not have the power to be the prime minister. He is very likely to have nothing, but if he agrees, at least he can go to Anxi to become an official in the future. It is said that there are special subsidies for officials there, with a generous salary, and there is also an authentic beauty in Hu Ji. Why not agree to this great pleasure in life?

Thinking of this, Cui Guangyuan said happily: "Since General Li invites me, I am willing to go to the banquet. I have heard that General Li is the best arrow in the world for a long time. I have long wanted to ask General Li for advice on archery techniques. I hope the general will give me advice."

"No problem, County Magistrate Cui is here. I'll take County Magistrate Cui to drink and hunt at night, wouldn't it be so happy!"

Cui Guangyuan was so proud that his previous anxiety was thrown away without a trace. He laughed loudly and said, "Okay! I will definitely arrive on time."

"After talking about private matters, it's time for us to talk about official matters."

Li Qing'an took back his thoughts. When Cui Guangyuan heard that it was a business, he did not dare to neglect and immediately bowed: "Please tell me, General!"

"That's it!"

Li Qing'an pondered for a moment and said, "When I was an assassination in Yuchi County when I was an observer of Henan Province, the incident was left unresolved. But at that time I caught two assassins, which were said to be the Liu brothers who had committed a major case in Chang'an. They were known as the two monsters in Jinzhou. Later, they sent them to Chang'an, but they died unknownly. The materials they had in Wannian County were also destroyed. I am investigating the matter now. I heard from Wannian County that Chang'an County also has some materials for the two of them. I hope that County Magistrate Cui can find this part of the materials for me."

"It happened in the eighth year of Tianbao!"

Cui Guangyuan thought for a while and said, "Maybe it can be found. If it were a few years earlier, it might not be saved. So let's go find it right away. If it is found, I will send it to the military camp tonight. How good is the general?"

"Then please, Magistrate Cui."

Li Qing'an stood up and smiled and said, "I won't bother County Magistrate Cui, we'll get together again tonight!"

"Okay! I'll send the general out."

Just as Li Qing'an went to the county government, Yan Kai also found King Qing Li Cong. It should be said that Li Cong's one-year confinement period had ended and he could go out at any time, but from the end of the confinement period to the present, Li Cong has not even left the house for a day. He has never even left the inner courtyard, drinking, food, women, taking medicine, and sleeping. These are the five things he can't beat every day, and he doesn't feel bored. He lives like a walking corpse every day. His heart is dead, and he just wants to enjoy it in time. All his ambitions go east with the anger of his father.

Yan Kai hasn't seen King Qing for half a year. When he walked into the room, he was shocked. Is this still the King Qing of the past? Although King Qing of the past was fat, he was still a little strong. Now he saw King Qing, which was so fat that he couldn't even see his eyes. He hugged two petite concubines on his left and right, just like an old hen covering two chickens. The size comparison was so exaggerated that it was funny. Yan Kai suddenly felt that Li Qing'an's plan might fail. Can King Qing still walk?

"Do you have something to do with me?"

King Qing's voice was very low, revealing a deep feeling of fatigue.

Yan Kai walked up and bowed and said, "I have an important thing that I want to talk to Your Highness alone."

"What's there to talk about? The things outside are just clouds, and I'm no longer interested."

At this time, Li Qiu also walked in and said with a smile: "Why don't your father listen? This may change the fate of his father."

Li Qiu had already communicated with Yan Kai first. Although Li Qing'an had not found him yet, this matter was in his interests. If King Di was killed, King Liang would have a chance to return to the East Palace. However, Li Qiu didn't know that Li Longji had considered using Emperor Changsun to succeed the throne to the East Palace.

Although Li Cong was not interested in Yan Kai's words, he listened more to his son's words. Since Li Qi suggested that he listen, he nodded and said to the two women around him: "You guys go out!"

The two women hurried out, Li Qi closed the door, and the light in the room suddenly dimmed. Li Cong said impatiently: "Sir, just say anything!"

Yan Kai followed Li Cong for eight years and knew his temperament well. Li Cong was a person who didn't like to use his brain. He only liked people to tell him the result, and he had to go straight to the point, attracting his interest like telling stories. Otherwise, if he would annoy him by turning around, he would drive you away immediately.

"Your Highness knows that the Emperor was punished by the emperor the year before, but in fact he was framed by King Di."

"What did you say?"

Li Cong was indeed attracted. He slowly sat upright, and his eyes were squinting, "Why am I framed by King Di?"

"It was the case of Li Qing'an being assassinated in Yuchi County. It was actually done by King Di, but he framed His Highness."

"Li Qing'an was assassinated?"

Li Cong could no longer remember what was happening. His mind had been dull and he could not remember many things in the past.

"Have you forgotten your highness? The three reasons why the Lord punished Your Highness is that he occupied too much land, suspected of witchcraft, and the most important assassination case."

"Oh!" Li Cong remembered that it was the damn assassination case. At that time, he was already in disgrace. When his father gave him the charge, he did not argue.

At this time, Li Qi also said: "Father, it's not a big deal to occupy a lot of land. Which princess does not occupy land? Aren't the ministers of the prime minister the same? This is not a crime. Secondly, the Eastern Palace Witch Crown Case, it was actually the case of Lady Guo State, but the emperor didn't know it? He knew it well, but he asked the prince to take responsibility alone. Lady Guo State had nothing to do. Is this fair? I don't think the emperor really blamed the prince for this matter. The key is the Li Qing'an assassination case. I think this is the real reason for the father's crime."

"The little prince is right. If the prince can turn over this case, I think your prince may not have a chance to make a comeback."

Li Qiu and Yan Kai persuaded each other. Even though Li Cong was dull, he understood what they meant, that is, as long as he proved his innocence, he would have a chance to make a comeback. He was only 43 years old this year. At this time, he suddenly remembered that a young man had a Taoist priest who calculated his life for him, saying that when he was 43 years old, if his career did not make a breakthrough, he would most likely encounter a major disaster, which refers to death.

Li Cong began to become scared. He glanced at Yan Kai. Just as Yan Kai knew him, he also knew Yan Kai. If he had no confidence and evidence, he would not have come to tell him about this.

"Sir, do you have any evidence?"

"Your Highness, the county magistrate of Wannian County is my friend. He told me that the two arrested assassins were later silenced by King Di, and there is also evidence. I am looking for it, but Your Highness must cheer up and cannot indulge in wine and sex as before. His subordinates are still collecting other evidence of King Di. As long as the evidence is sufficient, Your Highness can not only avenge the frame-up that year, but also get the opportunity to make a comeback. Your Highness, you must believe in yourself!"

Li Cong stared at the ceiling blankly, and he remembered the divination that the Taoist priest gave him. He was forty-three years old, and he was forty-three years old this year. He didn't want to die. Thinking of death, Li Cong was finally awakened by excitement.

"Okay! I'll leave this to you all."

Li Cong took a jade token from his waist and handed it to Li Qi, saying, "This jade token can control all my money. You can take as much as you need? This time, you will succeed for me no matter what!"

In order to get rid of the fate of death, Li Cong decided to suppress all the money.

After coming out of Li Cong's room, Li Qi called Yan Kai, "Mr. Yan, please stay!"

"Is there anything wrong with the little prince?"

"You follow me!"

Li Qiu took Yan Kai to a quiet room. His face sank and asked straight to the point: "Tell me the truth, what is Li Qing'an's real purpose? Is it as simple as just trying to overthrow King Di?"

Yan Kai did not tell him Li Qing'an's real purpose. He just said that Li Qing'an wanted to use this matter to overthrow King Di and do it with the hands of King Qing, but he also knew that this matter could not be hidden. Li Qiu would soon know that if he did not communicate with him in time, he might even have a bad thing.

"To be honest with the little prince, Li Qing'an's real purpose is to let His Highness Qing replace King Di and go to Anxi to take charge, so he must kill King Di first.

"What?" Li Qiu was shocked, "You mean that King Di is going to Anxi to take charge!"

Li Qiu had never heard of this, and he always thought that King Di was the most powerful competitor in the East Palace.

"When did this happen?" Li Qiu was a little anxious.

"I also heard from Li Qing'an that I decided yesterday. Time is very tight. Li Qing'an said that the court meeting will be held on the tenth day of the day after tomorrow. If it cannot be decided before this, it may be too late."

Li Qiu was a little stunned. If King Di could not enter the Eastern Palace, who would it be? King Rong, King Yong or King Ying? For the first time, he felt helpless.

At dusk, Cui Guangyuan brought a entourage to the Anxi Army camp outside the city. Li Qing'an arranged his personal army commander Jiang Xiaonian to wait for him at the gate of the military camp. When Jiang Xiaonian saw Cui Guangyuan coming, he hurried forward and asked, "Is the person coming to the county magistrate Cui?"

“That’s right!”

"Mr. Cui County, please, my general is already waiting for the general."

"I'm so sorry, I've been looking for what the general wants, so it's a little late."

"Oh? I wonder if County Magistrate Cui has found it?"

"Fortunately, I'm not humiliating my fate!"

Cui Guangyuan patted the skin he carried with him and smiled and said, "Here is here."

"Okay! County Magistrate Cui asked to get off the horse and enter the camp."

Cui Guangyuan turned over and dismounted, waved his hand and smiled, "Please, General!"

The two of them walked into the military camp one after another. Although Cui Guangyuan was a county magistrate, he was brave and fond of martial arts. He always dreamed of leading troops to fight one day. The Tang Dynasty was not like later generations, with civil and military divisions, and the Tang Dynasty had a strong martial style, and civil officials led troops to fight.

Seeing that the camp tents in the military camp were neat, the soldiers were all big and round, and they were majestic. They would walk and stand in line. The military discipline was strict, Cui Guangyuan couldn't help but nodded secretly, "It was indeed well-known. In comparison, the Jiannan Army was much inferior, let alone the guards in the capital.

He walked to a big tent, and Jiang Xiaonian reported loudly: "Report to the General, County Magistrate Cui is here!"

As soon as the curtain was lifted, Li Qing'an walked out with a smile, "Mr. Cui has made us wait for a long time."

Behind Li Qing'an is Xing Han, the focus of the previous two days. He thanked Cui Guangyuan. Although Xing Han's case has been settled, Xing Han dared not go home for the time being. He is afraid of being retaliated by Yang Guozhong. Only when the matter is completely calmed down can he return home. Fortunately, he has the Wang brothers as the backstage to protect him.

Although Li Qing'an and Wang Gong have formed an alliance, their friendship is not deep, so to some extent, they are actually a strategic partnership and are not real allies. Therefore, the importance of Xing Jun is revealed. It is precisely because Xing Jun has the relationship between Wang brothers that he invisibly became a bridge between Li Qing'an and Wang Gong.

Cui Guangyuan saw Li Qing'an coming out, and he quickly wanted to take out the document he wanted from his skin. Li Qing'an took the document, and there was a thick stack of documents. He quickly flipped through it, but he didn't see the receipt he wanted.

"The General is looking for this!"

Cui Guangyuan took out an envelope from his arms and pulled out a thin piece of paper from it, which turned a little yellow. Li Qing'an took the letter paper and took the receipt for the Jinzhou two monsters. The signature was Han Baiyan, the aide of King Di, just two months before the assassination in Yuchi County.

Just this receipt, the most critical evidence, finally fell into his hands. Li Qing'an was overjoyed. He quickly collected the receipt and said with a smile: "Okay, we won't talk about business tonight, we will only talk about Fengyue. Please come in, County Magistrate Cui!"

"Please, General!"

The three of them walked into the big tent. There was a banquet in the big tent. A personal soldier was warming their wine for them. There were two people sitting at the banquet. One was Li Qing'an's aide Li Mi. Cui Guangyuan knew him. He quickly bowed and bowed and said, "Mr. Li, it's been a long time since we saw each other!"

Li Mi stood up and returned and smiled, "Eight years ago, I had only met County Magistrate Cui. I didn't expect County Magistrate Cui to know me? Li Mi is ashamed!"

"Where! Where! Mr. Li is a young genius, I remember that there are still many people who are there."
Chapter completed!