Ningzhou, the original site of the South Camp of Ningzhou Army Station.
"General, after counting, our army has lost 131 people, and the Ningzhou army has more than half casualties."
Cheng Jie took inventory of the battlefield and reported the results to Fang Jue's camp.
"How many people are there in the Ningzhou Army?" Ye Hongyi, standing aside, took the opportunity to ask.
"According to calculations, the northern and southern battalions of the Ningzhou Army, plus the people brought into Prince Ning's Mansion by Gong Sheng, total more than 34,000." Cheng Jie took a look and handed the list in his hand to Fang Jue.
He took it, glanced at it, and then looked at Ye Hongyi:
"The Ningzhou army has exceeded the limit."
Ye Hongyi nodded: "The Ningzhou Army has been registered by the Ministry of War, and is allowed to have twelve brigadier generals and 30,000 soldiers. Prince Ning is a super-grade prince. According to the regulations, there can be 300 soldiers in the mansion... which is also beyond the limit.
."
Dian Yiyi: "We are going to rebel, so why do we still care about whether we go beyond the limit or not?"
Several people laughed.
"Brother Dian, this is just another crime against Prince Ning. The more evidence of his crimes we find, the better our job will be done." Cheng Jie explained.
Only one crime of treason is too general.
How to rebel?
How to snare tribesmen, how to buy people's hearts, how to privately mint money...
All these together can support the serious crime of accusing King Ning of treason.
If there is only one conspiracy, it is groundless.
If you want to plot rebellion, you have to prepare every detail, and the incriminating evidence of these details must be found, otherwise it will not be supported.
This is treason, and it must be approved clearly, because it will be dealt with like a thunderbolt. If a mistake is made and the case is overturned in the future, it will be a waste of human life.
Afterwards, the person handling the case will also be implicated in overturning the case.
Therefore, even if everyone knew about Prince Ning's rebellion, he still needed a series of evidence!
In the past few days, Fang Jue has been preparing for this matter. The case of Prince Ning is not over for him.
In this case, for Fang Jue, taking down Prince Ning was just the simplest thing.
Collecting evidence, investigating accomplices, identifying related persons, etc. This is a huge project.
"Is the General a bit troublesome? The military shouldn't get involved in the details of this kind of case, right?" Wei Feng couldn't help but advise.
Ye Hongyi rolled his eyes and said: "This is my duty in the Xuanjian Division. Why, can't I ask General Fang... to assist in the investigation?"
"Oh...that's okay." Wei Feng scratched his head and really wanted to slap himself.
Why am I so clueless...
Fang Jue chuckled lightly: "In addition to my military position as General of the Northern Campaign, I also have the title of Young Master and the imperial position of Second Grade Supervisor. I am not considered a member of the military, but I can also assist the Hanging Sword Division."
"Yes, yes..." Wei Feng was so embarrassed that he almost forgot that his general had an affair with Ye Hongyi.
Mainly because of the continuous battles, the two of them were very affectionate and polite, and did not appear to be affectionate at all, which made people gradually ignore their close relationship.
Only then did Wei Feng's brain twitch for a moment, he didn't expect this level.
Cheng Jie just wanted to laugh, but when Wei Feng saw it, the two of them gave each other a blank look.
"With these evidences, the crime of privately recruiting soldiers can be established."
Fang Jue looked at Cheng Jie: "Several other actual crimes may have been settled?"
"I have questioned the officials of Ningzhou Prefecture, and they have already confessed. They admitted that they colluded with Prince Ning to rebel." Ye Hongyi also said.
"That's good."
"Is there any definite news from Shanzhou?" Fang Jue asked.
Shanzhou Camp was said to be likely to rebel. Fang Jue was worried and even asked Mo Yuan to wait on the official road with the Black Dragon Rider.
Unexpectedly, Shanzhou Camp has not been moved for six or seven days.
Ye Hongyi added: "The people from Shanzhou Xuanjian Division wrote back, saying that it is impossible for Shanzhou Camp to rebel. The general also reported that King Ning intended to rebel."
"Oh, this man is smart." Fang Jue smiled.
"General..."
While several people were discussing a series of evidence against Prince Ning, someone outside the camp made a report.
"Report to the general, Mr. Qin, please see me."
"Qin Shiyi?" Fang Jue looked at Ye Hongyi.
Qin Shiyi was brought by Ye Hongyi, and he only arrived in Ningzhou yesterday. Why did Master Qin come to see him?
Shouldn't he avoid suspicion? He is a member of Yushitai, so it would be bad for him to get too close to him.
"Well, Master Qin is coming with the Emperor's Sword. We don't dare to stop him. We came here to inform the general first."
The soldiers said that Qin Shiyi has not arrived yet, but he will soon.
With the Emperor's Sword in hand, as long as he does not want to rebel, everyone must respect Qin Shiyi. Therefore, he can cross the military camp and no one dares to stop him.
"Then don't stop him and invite him in."
Fang Jue scratched his head and looked at the people in the camp: "What do you think he is doing here?"
"What else can I do? I've brought the Emperor's Sword." Ye Hongyi shook his head.
Suddenly, Fang Jue narrowed his eyes.
Emperor's Sword?
No way...
A moment later, Qin Shiyi walked into the camp swaggeringly holding a sword with a black tassel.
Fang Jue raised his hand and said, "Master Qin, are you okay?"
Qin Shiyi respectfully placed the sword on the main seat, then walked back and bowed his hands to everyone in return.
When the emperor's sword is in his hand, he cannot help but be arrogant. It represents the emperor's majesty and cannot be too gentle.
"Young Master, Master Ye."
"Master Qin, please sit down."
After everyone was polite to each other, they sat down, and then Fang Jue said bluntly:
"Master Qin is here with the Emperor's Sword. Is there something important?"
Qin Shiyi said: "I came here to ask, how did the general handle Prince Ning's case?"
"To be honest, Mr. Qin, I am waiting for His Majesty's order. Should I bring Prince Ning back quietly or escort him openly...I am not sure, so I did not leave to return to the capital." Fang Jue said.
Several people in the camp did not interrupt. They looked at the two big men and said some words that they could not understand immediately.
"Young Master, can you be sure that Prince Ning's crime is proven true?" Qin Shiyi asked.
"That's natural. He colluded with the masters of the Overlord Palace of Western Chu to raise a private army. The evidence is conclusive... enough to accuse him of premeditated rebellion." Fang Jue spoke righteously.
Qin Shiyi understood, nodded and said: "In that case, let's deal with it earlier, so as not to embarrass His Majesty."
"Is it difficult?" Everyone in the camp was puzzled.
Fang Jue had some realization, and turned around to take a look at the Emperor's Sword lying flat on his handsome seat.
He turned back and frowned: "Is it your Majesty who asked Lord Qin to return to Beijing with my army?"
"Before Mr. Ye arrived in Suzhou, His Majesty gave secret instructions to his subordinates." Qin Shi nodded incomprehensibly.
Let Fang Jue suddenly become enlightened!
Yes, the greatest use of the Emperor's Sword in this trip is not to kill those corrupt officials.
Qin Shiyi was not sent here to deal with those unworthy people.
But it’s for Prince Ning!
"Then what Master Qin means..." Fang Jue hesitated. Although he knew Qin Shiyi, this matter was a big one and it was impossible to make a conclusion based on his words.
Qin Shiyi smiled and said: "Within three days, Your Majesty should come to clarify the order and ask the young master to bring Prince Ning back to the capital for trial."
"This should be the best way to deal with it." Ye Hongyi also understood the subtext of the two people's back and forth, and couldn't help but interject.
Qin Shiyi looked over, shook his head and said: "Let Prince Ning return to Beijing for trial and public punishment... That will destroy several clans. How many people in the royal family will be implicated by then? Don't you understand His Majesty's desire to protect you?"
"This..." Cheng Jie and Wei Feng finally understood.
Everyone looked shocked!
Ye Hongyi was surprised: "Master Qin... is so upright, how could he be willing to compromise? Shouldn't you advocate for Prince Ning to be tried publicly?"
Fang Jue also clasped his hands and looked into Qin Shiyi's eyes. It was too cold today and he couldn't always light the charcoal fire.
Qin Shiyi chuckled: "I am loyal and upright, not pedantic, nor stupid."
"Master Qin is right." Fang Jue smiled and signaled Ye Hongyi not to ask any more questions.
Qin Shiyi has already made it very obvious why.
The emperor wanted to protect members of the royal family and did not want to involve too many people, so Prince Ning could not really return to the capital for a public trial!
Of course, there is another very important reason. Qin Shiyi didn't say it clearly, but Fang Jue could understand it.
That is, the emperor did not want to leave an image in the history books of personally ordering the execution of his brothers.
Therefore, someone has to be the villain for the emperor.
"What do you say?" Fang Jue stared at Qin Shiyi with interest, "Master Qin, are you going or should I go?"
Taking the blame for the emperor is something you can do, especially if you are an indispensable minister.
Don’t worry that you will be silenced afterwards, but you will gain more Sacred Heart because of it.
Of course, in Fang Jue's heart, it would be best if there were fewer such implicated matters. After all, there are indeed many people involved who are innocent people.
