In the dark night, Wei Bi sat by the window, holding a book in his hand, looking out at the courtyard from time to time.
The courtyard is very clean and quiet.
In today's trial in the lobby, Wei Bi can be regarded as the winner and was not caught by Dali Temple in any way.
But Wei Bi knew very well that since Qin Xiao left him in Dali Temple, the case would not be settled smoothly.
He really didn't expect that Wei Cheng, whom he trusted the most, would bite him back. If he hadn't been careful in everything he did, he would have fallen into Wei Cheng's hands this time.
But he really couldn't understand why Wei Cheng betrayed him?
What good would it do to Wei Cheng if he really wanted to bring him down? He was puzzled.
But one thing he knew very well was that he had no control over this case in Wei Cheng's hands. As long as he was found innocent and Dali Temple couldn't produce evidence, there would be nothing he could do about it.
He just hoped that nothing else would happen within these two days.
Suddenly he heard a burst of laughter. Wei Bi immediately stood up, threw away the book, closed the window, leaving only a gap, and looked towards the courtyard through the gap. Soon, he saw two figures appearing from the corridor, one of whom was standing in front of him.
It was Qin Xiao, and the other man was fat. He looked carefully and his heart sank, but he recognized that the fat man was Zhu Dongshan, the Minister of Punishment.
There were many officials in the court, so it was impossible for Wei Bi to know everyone. However, this Zhu Shilang was second only to the Blood King Lu Junzhong in the Ministry of Punishment. He was a man of the hour in Kyoto, so it was impossible for Wei Bi not to know him.
Seeing Zhu Dongshan, Wei Bi's heart sank.
Qin Xiao was very polite to Zhu Dongshan, talking and laughing, and led Zhu Dongshan into a house. When Qin Xiao closed the door, he even looked around.
Wei Bi naturally knew in his heart that Zhu Dongshan suddenly came to Dali Temple at this time, most likely because of his case.
He was not afraid of Dali Temple, but he was afraid of the Xingbu, who was so angry that everyone heard about it, and knew that Zhu Dongshan would be up to no good if he came here at this time.
Although he was left in Dali Temple, there was no evidence in Dali Temple to prove that he was the mastermind. After all, he was also the Prime Minister of the fifth-grade temple, so the treatment here was not bad. In addition to arranging for him to rest in this quiet courtyard, the meals were also in accordance with those of fifth-grade officials.
Specifications to entertain.
There are not many idle people in this courtyard, and there are only two criminal guards outside the courtyard gate.
When Wei Bi saw the lights in the room, he was already in a panic. He was not afraid of Dali Temple handling the case, but he was afraid that the Ministry of Punishment would intervene.
He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and finally gritted his teeth, went over and opened the door gently, making sure that there was no one else in the courtyard, and then quietly approached Qin Xiao's house under the cover of night.
Qin Xiao had already invited Zhu Dongshan to take a seat at this time. Zhu Dongshan still seemed to be unclear about what Qin Xiao wanted, and said lightly: "Master Qin, you sent someone to find me, what do you mean?"
"Master Zhu, today Mr. Chen from the Criminal Department came to ask for someone, but I refused. I felt uneasy in my heart. I specially invited you here to express my apology to you." Qin Xiao sighed: "I know that in such a case, according to common sense,
, should be transferred to the Ministry of Punishment,
But it is quite inappropriate to leave this case behind today."
Zhu Dongshan checked the dust on his clothes and said expressionlessly: "There is no need to apologize. Your Dali Temple has the right to hear such a case."
"It seems that Mr. Zhu is still blaming me." Qin Xiao smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Zhu, I won't hide it from you. I left this case for selfish reasons. The saint was so kind and favored me that he promoted me to Dali Temple to handle errands.
I have just arrived and I am young, so how can the officials at Dali Temple think highly of me? If I don’t do something, I will certainly betray the grace of God and it will not be easy for me to live in Dali Temple in the future.”
Zhu Dongshan looked at Qin Xiao suspiciously and asked, "Does Qin Shaoqing really think so? Is it just for meritorious service?"
"If it's not for this reason, is it for other reasons?" Qin Xiao asked.
Zhu Dongshan said with a faint smile: "Some people say that Qin Shaoqing stopped this case in order to seize power from the Ministry of Justice. It seems that someone is spreading rumors to cause trouble."
"Seize power?" Qin Xiao opened his eyes wide, raised his hand and pointed at his chest: "Master Zhu, just rely on me?" He laughed out loud: "Then you really think too highly of me, just rely on me to seize the punishment department.
Not to mention that I don’t have the heart, even if I do have the heart, I don’t have the courage.”
"Qin Shaoqing is so humble." Zhu Dongshan leaned back on his chair and said, "You even dared to break into Qingyi Hall alone. I'm afraid not many people can match your courage."
"Lord Zhu has misunderstood." Qin Xiao sighed: "I am worried that Lu Butang and Lord Zhu will misunderstand, so I specially invited you to come over and apologize to you in person." He handed over his hand and said, "I just ask Lord Zhu to turn around and talk to Lu Bu
Let me tell you, here in Dali Temple, I will only handle this case. No matter what case comes into my hands in the future, I will immediately transfer it to the Criminal Department."
Seeing that Qin Xiao's expression was sincere and not fake, Zhu Dongshan's expression softened a lot. He nodded slightly and said, "If this is really the case, I can explain it to Lu Butang. Qin Shaoqing, you have just entered Dali Temple. You are not yet powerful in this."
Be clear, listen to my advice, turn a blind eye to some things, avoid them if you can, and don't make mistakes that you shouldn't make because you are young and impulsive."
"That's what Mr. Zhu pointed out." Qin Xiao nodded and said, "Junior has learned a lesson." As he spoke, he glanced outside the door calmly.
Seeing Qin Xiao calling himself "junior", Zhu Dongshan's expression suddenly became more relaxed, and he showed a smile and said: "If you really want to handle the case, you can ask the saint to be transferred to the Criminal Department in the future. Lu Butang also appreciates you very much. If you are transferred
When you go to the Criminal Department, there are so many cases there that you can handle any case you want." Then he asked, "How was the case handled today?"
"This is my first time handling a case, and I really don't know what to do." Qin Xiao said with a bitter smile: "To be honest, sir, during today's trial, although the steward of the Wei Mansion submitted a complaint, it was just empty talk and no evidence could be produced. Junior
I really believe that Wei Sicheng is innocent, and the haunting of the Wei Mansion was only planned by Wei Cheng."
Zhu Dongshan smiled and said: "Since Wei Cheng dares to submit a complaint, the mastermind behind this must be Wei Bi, otherwise Wei Cheng would have thrown himself into a trap? Qin Shaoqing, I won't hide it from you. When you handle the case, we, the Criminal Department, will
Clearly."
"The Ministry of Punishment is indeed well-informed." Qin Xiao said with some shame: "It really made Lord Zhu laugh."
"Wei Bi acted cautiously. Although he planned behind the scenes, he did not leave any excuse for Wei Cheng." Zhu Dongshan looked at Qin Xiao and said: "Qin Shaoqing, to be polite, Kyoto Sanfa Division, you
Neither Dali Temple nor Kyoto Prefecture can handle this case, and only our Criminal Department can handle this case clearly."
Qin Xiao shook his head and said with a smile: "Master Zhu, the Ministry of Punishment is all experts in handling cases. This is certainly true, but I'll forgive you for speaking frankly. You don't have the evidence in your hands. If this case is handed over to you, you will not be able to handle it either."
Zhu Dongshan smiled and said: "It seems that Qin Shaoqing still doesn't understand the Ministry of Punishment. You can ask other people in Dali Temple whether they have ever failed in a case that the Ministry of Punishment wants to handle. Even the most difficult cases, when they get into the hands of the Ministry of Punishment, the culprits will sign and sign.
.”
"Juniors heard that after your Excellency was transferred to the Criminal Department, he handled countless major cases in the past ten years." Qin Xiao said solemnly: "If we talk about the number one criminal master in the Tang Dynasty today, apart from Lu Butang, the only one is Lord Zhu."
"Although Qin Shaoqing's words are pleasant to hear, I'm afraid he's not sincere." Zhu Dongshan smiled faintly and said: "I'm afraid you invited me here today just to express your apology. Is it because this case can't be handled, so you want to
Did I teach you how to handle this case?"
Qin Xiao shook his head and said: "Your Excellency, I was wrong. I had no intention of doing so. After today's hearing, I already know how to judge the case. Since there is no evidence, Wei Sicheng was unjustly accused. Looking back, I will judge that everything was planned by Wei Cheng."
Just put him in jail and determine the punishment."
Zhu Dongshan said: "At this point, Qin Shaoqing can only do this. However, the mastermind of this case must be Wei Bi. If you decide that Wei Bi is not guilty, then you are letting the real culprit go free." He raised his hand and stroked his beard.
: "If this case were handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, it would have a different outcome."
"It's not that I can't trust Mr. Zhu. It's just that if the real culprit is Wei Si Cheng, his plan is so flawless that the Ministry of Punishment can't find any evidence." Qin Xiao said firmly: "It's getting late, and I don't dare to stay with you for a long time.
In order to express my apology, I have prepared a small gift for Mr. Zhu and Lu Budang. Please accept it." He went over to take two scrolls and sent them to Zhu Dongshan: "These are two paintings, from antiques.
I bought them from the calligraphy and painting store, and they are the two best calligraphy and paintings there, Mr. Zhu, please accept them!"
Zhu Dongshan didn't expect that Qin Xiao would give him a gift. He was startled for a moment, then smiled and said: "Qin Shaoqing, I would like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of Lu Butang." After receiving the scroll, he didn't mean to get up. He just looked at Qin with a smile.
Xiaodao: "If Qin Shaoqing wants this case to be handled clearly, he can still hand it over to the Ministry of Punishment."
"Your Excellency said that handing it over to the Ministry of Punishment would have another outcome. Forgive me for speaking frankly, no matter how this case is tried, the outcome will be the same." Qin Xiao still insisted.
Zhu Dongshan smiled faintly and said: "Do you think Wei Bi will not confess after entering the Criminal Department? Let me tell you the truth, there is no one who does not confess after entering the Criminal Department. Do you really think that the sixteen departments of the Criminal Department are just a show-off?"
"But Wei Si Cheng is an official of the imperial court. How can he be punished without conclusive evidence?" Qin Xiao frowned.
Zhu Dongshan sneered and said: "The official of the imperial court? Compared with the Li family and Zhao Yankuo and the others, the Prime Minister of Guanglu Temple is nothing. Back then, so many princes and nobles entered the Ministry of Punishments and they honestly confessed and signed their names. How could Wei Bi's bones be so bad?"
Tougher than them?" Then he stood up, took the two scrolls in his hands, and said proudly: "Qin Shaoqing, this is the difference between Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment. For a fifth-grade official, even you Dali Temple dare not use torture, but in Dali Temple,
In our Criminal Department, not to mention the fifth-rank officials, even the princes and nobles have to kneel on the ground when entering the Yamen of the Criminal Department."