Wu Chengsi was slightly surprised. He was more optimistic about Zhou Xing's abilities and asked, "What's the news?"
"There was a censor named King Luo Bin at the censor station. He once participated in the performance of Xu Jingzong's collusion with the Korean people. However, the next day, he was impeached by the censor for being disrespectful to the queen and was thrown into the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. The matter was dismissed.
.King Luo Bin is still in prison."
Wu Chengsi secretly thought that King Luo Bin, a young censor, would naturally not be able to defeat Xu Jingzong. It might be because of this experience that he would join Xu Jiye against Wu Zetian in the future.
After a moment of pause, Wu Chengsi patted him on the shoulder and said: "I know about this, go and do your work. As soon as this matter is over, I will personally go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and ask them to transfer you to the Hanlin Academy.
"
Zhou Xing was elated and resigned.
Wu Chengsi turned to Zhugenan: "How are you doing there? Do you have any clues?"
Zhuge Nan scratched his cheek and said, "I'm still searching, but when I returned to Dali Temple, I heard that Miss Lingxuan seemed to have clues and sent a lot of people out."
Wu Chengsi nodded and said: "Then go and help her. If you have any news, come directly to the palace to find me!"
…
Jinluan Villa, main hall.
Li Zhi and Wu Mei were sitting at the top, Xu Jingzong, Yuan Gongyu, Li Ji, and Liu Rengui were standing at the foot of the steps, and Su Dingfang was kneeling on the ground, telling what happened in Yingzhou.
As he spoke, Li Zhi lost his usual smile, Wu Mei's face turned ashen, and her eyes were as bright as lightning.
After Su Dingfang finished speaking, Xu Jingzong said: "General Su, no one knows your ability in the civil and military circles of the court. We are willing to believe everything else you say, but you actually said that you were deceived by the Koreans. This makes His Majesty and
How can I believe it?"
The anger on Su Dingfang's face flashed away, he was silent for a moment, and said in a low voice: "I... was a little careless." He had no excuse for this matter, so he could only admit it early to avoid others taking advantage of this and constantly attacking him.
he.
Yuan Gongyu said coldly: "Such an important matter cannot be avoided by just being careless."
Liu Rengui said solemnly: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Yeon Gae Suwen died suddenly. It is very possible that his three sons fought for Mo Lizhi's position. General Su was also eager to defeat the enemy, so he believed in the Korean people
They were fooled by his rhetoric. Although he is guilty, it is just a crime of dereliction of duty. Please remember the past merits of the old general and receive a lighter punishment."
Xu Jingzong raised his eyebrows and said: "Mr. Liu, the evidence is conclusive that Su Dingfang colluded with the Koreans. Now he has made up a lame lie that can be exposed as soon as it is exposed, and you still believe it. This is obviously to excuse him!"
Li Ji smiled and said: "The evidence is not determined by Xu Pushe. I suggest that the three divisions will conduct a joint trial, and the guilt will be determined after the trial is clear!"
Yuan Gongyu bowed his hands to Li Ji and Wu Mei and said: "Originally, it was because the case was unclear and we were worried that Yingzhou's report was untrue, so we did not accuse them on the spot. Now that the case is clear, Su Dingfang himself admitted to colluding with the Koreans.
In order to get rid of the crime, I made up a set of lies, and I suggested that Su Dingfang be immediately charged with "conspiracy of rebellion"!"
Su Dingfang lowered his head and said nothing, making no excuses.
Li Zhi frowned slightly. He had the impression that Su Dingfang was always unwilling to suffer any losses. When discussing matters in the court, he always spoke fiercely and even used swear words from time to time. According to his temper, he should be aggrieved now.
"Su Qing, don't you defend yourself?"
Su Dingfang let out a long sigh and said: "I made a big mistake and was deceived by the Koreans. Even if your Majesty does not convict me of my crime, I will not be able to live in this world anymore. I only hope that your majesty can spare my family and my family. Die without regrets.”
Li Zhi scolded: "Don't talk nonsense. I have never forgotten the merits you have made for the country. As long as you can prove that you have not colluded with foreign countries, how can I punish you?"
Xu Jingzong secretly complained. He had known that Su Dingfang was rough on the outside but extremely cunning on the inside. This move of retreating in order to win the emperor's sympathy.
However, if it were pointed out that he was deliberately pretending to be pitiful at this time, it would only make the emperor unhappy. He thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. General Su has made countless contributions in the past, destroying the Turks in the west, barbarizing Baekje in the east, and fighting with The Koreans have never suffered a loss in battles. As long as you can explain clearly why you suddenly fell into the trap of the Koreans this time, how can we doubt you?" Keep the topic firmly on the fact that he was deceived by the Koreans. .
Su Dingfang remained silent.
Li Ji cupped his hands and said, "I thought that to find out the truth, there were only two situations. Either General Su's words were wrong, or Deng Ming colluded with the Koreans to frame General Su. I suggest that Deng Ming be called in for interrogation! "
Yuan Gongyu said: "Your Majesty, I think it is impossible for Deng Ming to collude with the Koreans!"
"Why?" Li Zhi frowned.
"Just imagine, if Deng Ming really colluded with the Koreans, Su Dingfang would not be reported at all. Our Tang army does not know that the Koreans are pretending to be in civil strife. If they attack rashly, they will suffer heavy losses and damage the national strength!"
Liu Rengui said calmly: "Even if they set a trap, with General Su's battlefield experience, they will never suffer a loss."
Xu Jingzong mocked: "Old General Su was deceived once by the Koreans, wouldn't he be deceived a second time? I have said before that General Su's lies are full of loopholes and cannot stand at all!"
Li Ji smiled and said: "Xu Pushe doesn't know something. Our Tang army is strong and strong. No matter what plot the Goryeo people set up, if they want to defeat us, they will pay a heavy price. By then, our country will be damaged, and they will be destroyed." Naturally, they don’t want us to actually send troops, so Deng Mingcai framed General Su and hoped that we, the Tang Dynasty, would cut off our arms.”
Li Zhidao said: "Pass the decree to announce that Deng Ming will appear in court." An old eunuch took the order and went out.
At this moment, Li Ji suddenly caught a glimpse of the corners of Xu Jingzong's mouth rising slightly, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.
Half an hour later, the old eunuch entered the hall with a panicked expression. Li Zhi frowned and said, "Dongfu, what's wrong?"
The old eunuch said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, General Deng... hanged himself, leaving only a suicide note."
Li Zhi stood up suddenly, shocked and angry: "What did you say? Suicide? Why did he commit suicide? Bring me the suicide note quickly."
Li Ji's heart sank and he took a deep look at Xu Jingzong. With Deng Ming's death, Su Dingfang might no longer be able to escape guilt.
Li Zhi quickly read the suicide note, then handed it to Wu Mei, closing his eyes and saying nothing. In the suicide note, Deng Ming said that as a Tang soldier, he would rather die than betray the Tang Dynasty, so he reported Su Dingfang.
But Su Dingfang was not only his superior, but also saved him on the battlefield. He felt that he had failed his benefactor and had no choice but to die to repay his kindness.
Li Zhi took a deep breath and stared at Su Dingfang, with various emotions such as confusion, disappointment, sadness, regret, etc. in his eyes.
Su Dingfang knew that Li Zhi had believed in Deng Ming and that he had betrayed the Tang Dynasty. He sighed in his heart and closed his eyes.
Li Zhi was about to issue an order when he suddenly heard Wu Mei say: "Dong Fu, are you sure that Deng Ming committed suicide?"
The old eunuch Wei Dongfu said sharply: "When I returned to Your Highness, I only saw him hanging on the beam of his house. He must have committed suicide."
Wu Mei stopped talking. With a simple question, she showed Li Zhi that there was another possibility, and her goal was achieved.
Li Zhi frowned and said, "Meiniang, judging from the suicide note, Deng Ming should have committed suicide."
"The suicide note may also be fake." Wu Mei wrote lightly.
Xu Jingzong's heart sank. He was not worried about investigating the authenticity of the suicide note, but worried about Wu Mei's attitude. He looked at Yuan Gongyu and saw that he was staring at him. Xu Jingzong hurriedly looked away.
Li Zhi was silent and stared at Su Dingfang again. At this moment, a eunuch entered the hall and bowed: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Duke Zhou wants to see you."
Li Ji and Liu Rengui looked at each other, and both felt happy in their hearts. With Wu Chengsi helping him, with three mouths against two mouths, the chance of saving Su Dingfang was much greater.
"Let him come in." Li Zhi said.
With a smile on his face, Wu Chengsi entered the main hall leisurely, glanced at the main hall calmly, and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Wu Chengsi, I pay homage to Your Highness the Queen."
"Pingsheng." Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Chengsi, what's the matter with you coming here?"
Wu Chengsi stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have already solved the Hanlin Academy case that Your Highness the Queen assigned me to take charge of, and according to my investigation, this case is just a small case in a huge conspiracy."
Li Zhi frowned: "What huge conspiracy?"
"This is a big lie fabricated by the Koreans, Baekje people, Khitan people, and spies in the imperial court. It has two purposes. One of them is to frame me, the Tang Dynasty general, the old general Su Dingfang!" Wu Chengsi said loudly.