Tens of thousands of people in the dome are drunk, and the stars are crumbling. They return to their dreams across the Lang River, and are shattered by the sound of the river. Still sleeping, still sleeping, it is tasteless to wake up.
——"Ru Meng Ling·Ten Thousand Tents and Dome Houses Are Drunk" Nalan Xingde [Qing Dynasty]
…
After the assassination incident, the god-catcher Fang Shuliu rushed back to Chang'an as soon as possible. In order to cover up others' eyes, Fang Shuliu had been investigating secretly with his apprentice Su Yubao.
Fang Shuliu carefully inspected the remains of the Meteor Repeating Crossbows left in the Imperial City. Although these repeating crossbows had been burned to ashes, Fang Shuliu determined by identifying the composition of the sawdust that these repeating crossbows were not imitations of the Assassins, but products of the Ordnance Department.
.
Immediately, Fang Shuliu and Su Yubao checked the Ordnance Department of the Ministry of War and found that the design drawings of the Meteor Repeating Crossbow had not been leaked. The finished Meteor Repeating Crossbows stacked in the War Department warehouse were not missing either.
Then, there is only one possibility. This batch of Meteor Repeating Crossbows comes from the frontline combat troops.
On this day, Tang Kui rushed back to Chang'an and brought new clues.
In the palace of Duke Wei, Bai Fu summoned everyone to discuss.
Tang Kui said: "After the Meteor Repeating Crossbow was made by the Ordnance Department, it was equipped into the army in batches. Based on the repeating crossbow delivery records from the Ministry of War, we divided into several teams and went to the army to investigate.
During this period, we also visited the troops equipped with Meteor repeating crossbows, carefully checked the numbers on the repeating crossbows, and excluded repeating crossbows that were damaged in the battle with the rebels.
Finally, it was confirmed that the batch of serial crossbows used for the assassination came from the Tang Army in the Fengxiang War Zone.
Cui Guangyuan, the governor of the Fengxiang War Zone, came from the third family of the Cui family in Boling. His younger brother Cui Jingwan served as a general in the army and was responsible for logistics. Cui Jingwan secretly sold these serial crossbows to a caravan and smuggled them in
Enter Chang'an."
Bai Fu raised his eyebrows and asked, "When such a large number of repeating crossbows were transported into Chang'an, no one checked them?"
Tang Kui said: "This caravan is the caravan of the Lu family of Fan Yang. When clearing the customs, the officials were about to conduct an investigation. Lu Zi, the eldest grandson of the Lu family of Fan Yang, intervened. The Lu family of Fan Yang was very wealthy, and it was Lu Zi who personally intervened.
The Prime Minister cannot afford to offend, so after a simple spot check, he can only let me go."
Bai Fu asked: "Selling weapons such as repeated crossbows will be punished according to law. Don't Cui Jingwan and Lu Zi know?"
Tang Kui said: "As the saying goes, 'There is no more noble surname in the world than King Cui Lu, Li Zheng.' The Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang are both big families with five surnames and seven wishes. The Cui family is even more so, 'the most noble family in the world, in the north.
As the head of a wealthy family, even the royal family of Li and Tang had to give him face.
Moreover, according to our investigation, Cui Guangyuan, Cui Jingwan and Lu Zi all secretly took refuge in Prince Li Chu, so they dared to act so boldly."
Su Yubao sighed and said: "They have the support of the family and the prince behind them. Even if we have conclusive evidence, there is nothing we can do to them."
Bai Fu looked at the scholar Ye Duzui and said with a smile: "Xiucai, what do you think about this?"
The scholar Ye Duzui nodded slightly and said: "These dandy boys have no knowledge and skills and have read too little, especially history books.
They think that they can hold high positions and do whatever they want because of the shadow of their ancestors. But they don't know that in the years of war, the system often collapses, the heroes compete for the throne, and the world is a different set of laws.
As the saying goes, princes, generals, and generals should be proud of themselves, while high-ranking and well-born people should be as timid as chickens.
In my opinion, since the general understands the truth, there is no need to look forward and backward, and he can just let it go.
After all, in this troubled world, who is the hero and who has the say?"
…
After a month of silence, Bai Fu entered the palace to request an imperial edict. Bai Fu secretly reported the arrest strategy in detail, and Suzong happily agreed and issued the edict.
After requesting the imperial edict from His Majesty, Bai Fu began to close the net.
On this day, Lu Zi, the eldest grandson of the Lu family in Fan Yang, hosted a banquet in Fan Mansion for Cui Xunhe, the eldest son of the Cui family in Qinghe, and Cui Jingwan, the third eldest son of the Cui family in Boling.
Cui Jingwan first offered Cui Xunhe a drink and said, "If it hadn't been for the introduction by my virtuous brother, my brother would never have had the chance to meet Mr. Lu, let alone make this deal. Come on, do it first out of respect for me!" After that!
, Cui Jingwan drank the wine in one gulp.
Lu Zi also offered a toast to Cui Xunhe and said, "Brother Cui, don't worry, this deal will be of your benefit." After that, he secretly made a gesture under the table.
Cui Xunhe's eyes lit up and he said with a smile: "What kind of business is so profitable? You also know that although I am the heir, my expenses are relatively high. The monthly expenses given to me by the government are really stretched. If this business can last for a long time,
, can I also recruit my brother to join the team?"
Lu Zi smiled and said: "That's natural. Your Cui family is the highest sect in the world, and your disciples and former officials are all over the government and the public. When the time comes, I will inevitably ask Brother Cui to come forward and take care of things."
The three of them laughed and talked over the wine.
After three drinks, the three of them were red-faced, and the topic naturally turned to the assassination of Bai Fu.
Cui Xunhe prides himself on being unparalleled in talent, appearance, and literary talent. When he was on an outing in Qujiang, Cui Xunhe played the piano and presented music to Princess Qingluan. Unexpectedly, Bai Fu came out halfway and not only won Princess Qingluan's favor, but also made himself particularly embarrassed.
Cui Xunhe has never been able to let go of the humiliation he suffered that day, and he can even be said to be resentful about it.
Cui Xunhe raised his neck, poured the wine into his throat, slapped his thigh with his hand and cursed: "It's a pity that I couldn't be crowned because of my great destiny. Otherwise, I, Mr. Cui, would have held a big banquet in Zuixian Tower to express my feelings."
Lu Zi and Cui Jingwan looked at each other and smiled without saying a word.
Cui Jingwan asked cautiously: "I heard that there is a turmoil in Chang'an City. Jingzhao Mansion is arresting suspects on a large scale. I wonder if any of the suspects have been arrested?"
Cui Xunhe said disdainfully: "Those minions in Jingzhao Mansion, how have they not been louder than thunder? This time it's the same old trick, just pretending to show the Holy Majesty."
Lu Zi smiled and said, "It's understandable. Who among the Emperor's feet is not related to the Daming Palace? They only dare to go door to door and smash people's doors, just as a formality.
Is it possible that they really dare to go to the houses of princes and nobles to arrest people for the sake of Bai Fu, a young man from a poor family?"
Lu Zi and Cui Jingwan laughed loudly, clinked their wine glasses, and drank down the wine in one gulp.
Before he finished speaking, there was a loud "bang bang bang" sound from the stairs. Someone rushed up to the attic and slapped the door hard.
The maid opened the door, and a servant rolled into the house.
Lu Zi's face darkened and he yelled angrily: "Why are you panicking? Didn't you see any distinguished guests here? There are no rules!"
The servant looked mournful and stuttered: "Master, something bad has happened! There are thousands of Jinwu guards outside the gate, holding open fires, surrounding the mansion, saying they want to arrest you and Mr. Cui.
The old housekeeper is negotiating at the door, trying to hold them back. The old lady asks you to slip out of the back door and go to uncle Wang's house first to avoid the limelight..."
Before he finished speaking, dozens of Jinwu Guards soldiers burst into the courtyard with their helmets on and their bodies like wolves and tigers.
The leader was none other than Zhangchou Qiongyu. When Zhangchou Qiongyu saw Lu Zi, he shouted without saying a word: "Get the prisoner!"
The Jinwu Guards officers took out their swords from their sheaths, placed them on the necks of Lu Zi and Cui Jingwan, and tied them up.
Lu Zi was so frightened that her face turned pale and she peed all over her crotch.
Cui Xunhe was mostly drunk and said tremblingly: "What did they do? You dare to enter the government to commit murder? Most of my uncles are officials in the court, so be careful with you and others who break into the official residence and despise the king's law!"
Zhang Qiu Qiongyu touched his round chin, thoughtfully, and he was convinced. He bowed deeply to Cui Xunhe, and said with a smile: "Master Cui, what you said makes sense. I acted as ordered, and I offended you."
After saying that, Zhang Qiu Qiongyu's expression changed and he shouted to the soldiers: "Take down the suspect Cui Xunhe and throw him into the sky prison together!"