Chapter 154 Eliminating Li Linfu's Minions

"Shiyilang is the grandson of Minister Pei. If there is no solid evidence, would Luo Xishi dare to arrest him? Besides, Luo Xishi is a member of the Imperial Censorate, so his hands are too wide."

Li Xuan put down his pen, asked Pei Zhou to sit in front of the couch, and told Shuang'er to make tea for Pei Zhou to calm him down.

Although he went to Xingqing Palace many times these days, he did not get involved in the Wei Jian case this time.

Even when Li Longji asked him about Wei Jian, Li Xuan only expressed that Wei Jian was "eager for quick success and instant benefits."

With Li Longji's tacit approval, Li Linfu showed no signs of restraint and continued to implicate many people.

Any official below the fourth rank who had any connection with Wei Jian was framed for a crime.

Li Linfu did not act rashly towards important ministers above the fourth rank.

Li Xuan knew that in history Li Linfu did not kill minor officials, but only killed ministers.

Those ministers above the fourth rank were killed by Luo Xishi all the way from Qingzhou to Lingnan.

Some people committed suicide upon hearing the news to leave a dignified impression.

During this period, Li Xuan always wanted to give Li Linfu a good beating so that he would be more restrained.

We should not follow the historical practice of allowing the Wei Jian case to continue for seven or eight years until Li Linfu died of illness and no further involvement was made.

Of course, it was not that Li Linfu had a change of heart, but that the minions that Li Linfu sent to Jiangnan were purged by Yang Guozhong because they were regarded as Li Linfu's followers.

But Li Linfu had been controlling his minions remotely, and Li Xuan was unable to find his weakness.

Now the opportunity is coming!

"Qilang, they have witnesses who can point the finger at Pei Huang, but Pei Huang really didn't kill anyone, and he didn't even know the deceased."

Pei Zhou answered Li Xuan.

Luo Xishi is the chief clerk of the Censorate. As long as he has evidence to arrest someone, Pei Kuan cannot stop him.

Not long after Pei Kuan returned from Youzhou, he no longer served as the Imperial Censor.

Moreover, the censors of the Censorate had already succumbed to Li Linfu's tyranny as early as the time when he "stood on a stick and rode on a horse".

"Have a cup of tea first, and tell me the details!"

Li Xuan told Pei Zhou not to be anxious.

He had long ago asked Wei Jian to get rid of Ji Wen, Luo Xishi and others, or at least banish them from Chang'an, but in the end he only expelled Ji Wen from the Ministry of Justice. Isn't this a joke?
With Li Linfu around, there is no point in demoting him like this.

Now, Ji Wen and Luo Xishi were both recommended by Li Linfu to the Censorate.

"Luo Qianji Network" was already in the hands of Li Linfu in advance.

Among them, Ji Wen served as the Assistant Censor of the Censorate, supervising all officials and impeaching illegal activities.

It is a sharp weapon in Li Linfu's hand.

"Yesterday, Pei Huang was practicing archery at the Longshouyuan shooting range. That night, officials from the Censorate rushed into the mansion and took Pei Huang away. They saw a corpse in the bushes near the shooting range. The corpse was pierced by Pei Huang's arrows, and someone witnessed that Pei Huang shot the man to death on horseback..."

Pei Zhou told Li Xuan the whole story.

Many princes and sons would mark their own symbols and names on their arrows.

That's Pei Huang!

Li Xuan frowned after hearing this, feeling a little tricky!

It just so happened that Pei Huang went to the shooting range yesterday, and the deceased happened to be shot by Pei Huang's arrows, and it just so happened that he was seen by "someone".

All the evidence is there!

Li Xuan remembered that Pei Kuan in history had been banished from Chang'an at this time.

The reason was that Li Linfu instigated Pei Dunfu, who had just returned from defeating the pirate Wu Lingguang, to frame Pei Kuan.

This caused two people of the same tribe to fight head-on, resulting in both sides suffering losses.

Now the pirate Wu Lingguang has been pacified by Li Xuan, and Pei Dunfu is still serving as the governor of Henan and has not entered Chang'an.

In addition, Li Longji admired Pei Kuan's character very much and wrote a poem for Pei Kuan, "His virtue is as bright as the clouds of Mount Tai, and his heart is as clear as the water of Jin", believing that Pei Kuan had the demeanor of "Jiuling".

It was difficult to get Pei Kuan down for the time being.

Li Xuan believed that Pei Huang did not kill anyone, so this was Li Linfu's conspiracy.

During the period when the position of Left Prime Minister was vacant, Li Linfu wanted to recommend "someone he liked", and Pei Kuan is now one of the popular candidates for the position.

He was afraid that Li Longji would promote Pei Kuan to be prime minister and use Pei Kuan's grandson as bait to provoke Pei Kuan.

This is also Li Linfu's usual tactic.

"Qilang, do you have any solution? I heard that Luo Xishi is vicious and cruel, and he will definitely torture you to extract a confession."

Pei Zhou was afraid that Pei Huang could not withstand the torture.

He had no choice but to seek Li Xuan's help at Pei Huang's suggestion.

"Any case will be full of loopholes. It depends on whether you are willing to correct them in detail. I will rescue Shiyilang. You ask your uncle to cut off his relationship with Wei Jian, and then find evidence to impeach Wang Yu, the doctor of the Ministry of Revenue."

The first thing Li Xuan thought of was an autopsy.

Then verify the specific identity of the deceased.

Compare the time again to see how long it took Pei Huang to return to Chang'an and discover the body.

Li Xuan has always wanted to deal with Li Linfu, and these days he has set his sights on Wang Bo.

He decided to kill Wang Yu first, so that Li Linfu would lose a capable general.

Compared with Ji Wen and Luo Xishi, Wang Yu achieved the highest achievement. If he had not been betrayed by his stupid younger brother in the end, Wang Yu might have had the possibility of becoming prime minister.

"Qilang, although Wang Yu is under my uncle's command, it would be hard to find evidence to impeach him! It is said that he is deeply trusted by the saint."

Pei Zhou knew Wang Bo quite well.

Although his uncle Pei Kuan was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and Wang Yu was only a doctor of the Ministry of Revenue, Wang Yu relied on the fact that Li Linfu was his backer and did not take Pei Kuan seriously at all.

"I will write a letter explaining Wang Yu's faults. You can take it back to Minister Pei and look for evidence!"

When the time is right, Li Xuan will also impeach Wang Bo in the court.

Li Xuan and Wang Bo had no grudge against each other, but Wang Bo not only followed Li Linfu in biting people indiscriminately, but also touched Li Xuan's interests.

He planned to get rid of Wang Yu and dampen Li Linfu's enthusiasm, while at the same time enhancing his prestige in the army and among the people.

What Wang Yu did was truly unkind of a son.

Previously, Li Longji learned that Wang Yu had the ability to manage finances, so he let Wang Yu serve as the household registration and labor service officer, and exempted the people from rent and labor service for one year.

But Wang Bo was very evil. He requested to collect transportation fees from the people and exaggerated the amount of money. He also required the money to be used to purchase valuable items produced locally. In this way, the people paid more than when the rent and labor service were not exempted.

The most crucial thing is Wang Yu’s exploitation of garrison families.

In the decades since the Kaiyuan period, military commanders and border commanders often considered defeat a shame and did not report it to the court.

Therefore, a large number of dead soldiers did not apply for "certificates", which also meant that the soldiers' hometowns could not be removed.

Under normal circumstances, garrison soldiers are exempt from rent and labor service and are replaced every six years.

In order to make money, Wang Yu treated soldiers who had been dead for many years but whose household registration had not been cancelled as those who had evaded taxes. He collected rent and labor service from their relatives based on the time of household registration for those who had been dead for more than six years.

Some families were even taxed for thirty years at a time, which directly drove them bankrupt. Not only their chickens and cattle, but even their dogs were taken away.

What would the garrison soldiers think if they knew this situation?
After dying in battle, not only did his family not receive any compensation, but he also had to pay taxes and labor service every year after being a ghost for 10 or 20 years.

It's not just chilling, it's heartbreaking!
Li Xuan asked someone to investigate and found that there were indeed many such cases, but the families of the garrisons had no way to appeal.

He was determined to change that.

If this task can be accomplished, his prestige among the troops will be infinitely enhanced.

Pei Zhou left with Li Xuan's letter, and he was full of hope for Li Xuan.

After Pei Zhou left, Li Xuan notified Wannianling Zheng Yan to try Pei Huang's case.

Although Pei Huang came from a prominent family, he was a commoner. How could he allow Luo Xishi, the chief clerk of the Censorate, to try his case?
Isn't this just a dog trying to catch a rat and meddling in other people's business?
Even if they participate, at most it will be the Dali Temple that participates.

The Censorate is responsible for supervising all officials!
However, Li Xuan also knew that the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Jingzhao Yin were no longer under the control of Li Linfu. After the human sacrifice case, which implicated Xiao Jiong, and the major case in the Ministry of Personnel, Wei Jian was in charge of the Ministry of Justice. Li Xuan had removed a lot of nails.

But Li Xuan did not expect that Wannian Ling Zheng Yan did not dare to offend Li Linfu and refused to go to ask for the person.

Li Xuan had no choice but to go to the palace to ask for an audience with Li Longji.

"Shichiro is here!"

When Li Xuan arrived at the Dragon Pool, Li Longji said with a smile.

Although he has been a little troubled recently, he is very caring towards Li Xuan.

If it weren't for Li Xuan's young age and the military achievements he had yet to make, Li Longji would have conferred the title of Duke on Li Xuan not long ago.

"Your Majesty, I have come to ask you a favor!"

Li Xuan bowed to Li Longji.

"But it doesn't matter!"

Li Longji asked Li Xuan to say whatever he wanted. In the past two years, Li Xuan had never asked him for anything.

"I have a childhood playmate who is the grandson of Minister Pei of the Ministry of Revenue. He was arrested and imprisoned yesterday for murder. Since ancient times, killing someone means paying with one's life. If he really killed someone, he should not be condoned. I am just confused. My playmate is a commoner. He killed someone in Wannian County. Why was he arrested by the Censorate, and led by the Chief Clerk of the Censorate himself, while the Jingzhao Yin and Wannian Ling remained indifferent!"

The first half of Li Xuan's sentence was stern, and the second half raised a question.

"The grandson of Minister Pei killed someone? Is Luo Xishi the chief clerk of the Imperial Censorate?"

The chief clerk of the Censorate was a seventh-rank official. Li Longji had an impression of him because Luo Xishi had reported Wei Jian.

Because of the hidden meaning in Li Xuan's words, Li Longji was skeptical about Pei Kuan's murder of his grandson.

"It's Luo Xishi!"

Li Xuan replied: "I heard that he took Junchen as his role model."

"Oh!"

Li Longji believed Li Xuan's words without a doubt and was immediately furious: "Doesn't he know how Lai Junchen died?"

"He probably thought that Lai Junchen was too rich to eat from five cauldrons while alive, and he would be cooked in five cauldrons after his death!"

Li Xuan continued to mobilize Li Longji's emotions. To deal with people like Luo Xishi, Li Xuan did not mind making "slanderous remarks".

Because Wu Zetian killed Li Longji's biological mother, Li Longji hated Wu Zetian very much, and also hated the cruel officials of Wu Zetian's era.

Lai Junchen in particular committed crimes so numerous that they cannot be described in words.

"Qi Lang is here to investigate this case. Dali Temple will cooperate with Qi Lang to find out why Luo Xishi dared to extend his hand so far."

Li Long planned to let Li Xuan do this.

Although the case concerned Li Xuan's friend, Li Longji believed that Li Xuan was upright and honest. At the same time, Li Longji wanted to see Li Xuan's ability to handle the case.

"As ordered!"

Li Xuan obeyed the order.

For Pei Huang's safety, Li Xuan did not stay in Xingqing Palace for too long. A quarter of an hour later, Li Xuan went to the Dali Temple with Li Longji's edict.

Yang Yan, Shaoqing of Dali Temple, cooperated with Li Xuan and participated in this case.

Inside the prison of the Censorate.

"Clap clap..."

Pei Huang was tied to a pillar and a jailer was whipping him with a whip.

Pei Huang screamed in pain!

The weather was hot and humid, and there was a red-hot iron burning in the closed room.

"Whether you want to confess or not, why kill people?"

Luo Xishi stood aside and shouted at Pei Huang.

He is the nephew of Li Linfu's son-in-law. He is cruel and ruthless. As long as Li Linfu gives the order, he can do anything.

As soon as he brought Pei Huang back to the Censorate Prison, he tortured him and forced him to sign his name.

Because he knew that he had to be tortured into confessing something that was completely false!

But Pei Huang was not only stubborn, but also stubborn in his words. After almost a day of interrogation, he still refused to confess, which made Luo Xishi very impatient.

"I didn't... kill anyone!"

Pei Huang still gnashed his teeth and shouted: "Kill me if you dare. Li Qilang is my brother and he will avenge me sooner or later!"

"Humph! Your guilt is irrefutable. What can Li Xuan do to me?"

Luo Xishi said disdainfully.

He believed that no one in the world could withstand torture. Even the most innocent person, once sent to his prison, would admit to treason when he came out.

With Li Linfu backing him up, he is not afraid of Li Xuan!
"I didn't do it. I won't admit it even if you kill me..."

Pei Huang still insisted.

He was just practicing archery in Longshouyuan, thinking of following Li Xuan in the future. Not long after he returned home, he was arrested and sent to the prison of the Censorate.

He lost several arrows and suspected someone was framing him.

"Severe punishment..."

In a rage, Luo Xishe prepared to torture Pei Huang severely.

A jailer picked up a red-hot iron and walked slowly towards Pei Huang, trying to increase his fear.

Pei Huang was indeed very scared, but he didn't do it.

If he confesses, his grandfather might also be implicated.

The branding iron in his eyes was getting closer and closer, and he couldn't help but tremble.

Under the heat wave, he felt the wounds on his body hurt even more.

"I'll give you another chance, will you accept it or not?"

Luo Xishi asked Pei Huang with a sneer.

“No…”

Pei Huang yelled and simply closed his eyes.

"Brand..."

"Oh!"

Just as Luo Xishi gave the order, the door was kicked open.

Everything in the cell stopped.

The jailer raised the branding iron less than half a foot away from Pei Huang.

The people who entered the cell were Li Xuan and Yang Yan, followed by Yang Shenjin.

Seeing this, Li Xuan was furious and questioned the Imperial Censor Yang Shenjin: "Yang, you want to force Pei Huang to confess after only arresting him for less than a day? I will report this to the Saint."

Yang Shenjin was also surprised. He didn't expect Pei Huang to be beaten so badly so quickly.

Luo Xishi is a reckless man. Pei Huang is Pei Kuan’s grandson after all.

What does this make him do?
When Luo Xishi saw Li Xuan, he was shocked, but he thought he had witnesses and evidence, so he was not afraid of anything.

"Qilang, I didn't kill anyone!"

Pei Huang thought he could smell the barbecue, but when he heard Li Xuan's voice, he suddenly opened his eyes and was overjoyed.

You are indeed a brother! You come to save him at this time!

"Yang Shaoqing, prepare a stretcher and carry Pei Huang to Xingqing Palace for His Majesty to see. He was captured last night and is now in such a state at noon today. If he hadn't been a step late, he would have been scalded to death. It turns out that the Censorate is responsible for such things!"

Li Xuan gave an order to Yang Yan.

In “Luo Qianji Network”, Luo Qian means ruthless and tough.

Among Li Linfu's confidants, Luo Qian was the most vicious, but also the easiest to deal with. He was not as scheming as Ji Wen, but he treated people in the most brutal way.

He had no talent and his IQ was average, but he became Li Linfu's confidant by killing people without blinking an eye and without fear.

Originally, Li Xuan wanted to deal with Wang Yu first.

Let’s start with Luo Xishi!

"As ordered!"

Yang Yan did not dare to disobey Li Xuan's wishes.

As a betrayer of Li Linfu, he was already on Li Linfu's blacklist, but the chief judge of the Dali Temple, Li Daosui, who was above him, was also an enemy of Li Linfu.

As a result, Li Linfu had no time to reorganize the Dali Temple.

"General Li, why bother the Saint with this? Just take the person away..."

Yang Shenjin was horrified. What would happen if the saint knew that he had beaten the grandson of the Minister of Revenue like this in one night?
"When the saint sees Pei Huang's appearance, he will definitely think that the Censorate has forced him to confess."

Li Xuan was not afraid of Yang Shenjin at all.

He had just accused Luo Xishi of being a cruel official like Lai Junchen. Now that Pei Huang was sent over, didn't that prove it?

So he didn't listen to Yang Shenjin and insisted on taking Pei Huang to Xingqing Palace.

Soon, Pei Huang was untied from the pillar, and Li Xuan asked someone to call a doctor.

"Where is the body of the deceased and the witness?"

Li Xuan asked Yang Shenjin again.

Luo Xishi's heart skipped a beat and he shouted, "Does the general still want to interfere in political affairs and murders? Why don't you do the prime minister's job as well?"

"Shut up! The Saint has appointed General Li to try this case!"

Yang Shenjin shouted at Luo Xishi.

This really surprised Luo Xishi. He didn't expect it could be played like this.

"What qualifications do you, the Censorate, have to try a case like this?"

Li Xuan asked Yang Shenjin in return.

"It was authorized by the Right Prime Minister."

Yang Shenjin was extremely embarrassed and had no choice but to sell out Li Linfu.

He can't bear this kind of sin.

"With the authorization of the Right Prime Minister, he is indeed qualified. I didn't expect that the Right Prime Minister, who is busy with all kinds of affairs, would have the leisure to care about such trivial matters. Wouldn't it be better to be a Wannian Ling?"

Li Xuan joked.

"Let you go?"

After Li Xuan finished speaking, he saw Luo Xishe trying to escape, so he stopped him.

"I am an official appointed by the imperial court, do you still want to arrest me?"

Luo Xishi raised his neck.

"I suspect Luo Xishi wants to frame the minister. Please ask Yang Zhongcheng to detain him here!"

Li Xuan said to Yang Shenjin indifferently that he would report to the saint later.

"Master Luo has absolutely no such intention!"

Yang Shenjin spoke quickly, with cold sweat on his forehead.

"If Pei Huang is found innocent, whoever ordered the arrest of Pei Huang will be the mastermind behind the framing of the ministers. Is it the Right Prime Minister, Yang Zhongcheng, or Luo Xishi?"

Li Xuan questioned Yang Shenjin.

He actually hoped that Luo Xishe could give Li Linfu away.

"Master Luo, please stay here for a while!"

Yang Shenjin was horrified when he heard this and quickly ordered Luo Xishi to stay in the cell.

Luo Xishi's eyes widened. After all, he was just a minor official. If Li Linfu did not give him privileges, no one would listen to him.

He could only wait for Li Linfu to pass on the message and see what to do next!
"Order the best coroner to examine the body and bring the witness back to the Dali Temple Prison."

After Li Xuan said this, he had Pei Huang carried into Xingqing Palace.

At the same time, he also sent someone to tell Pei Kuan to go to the palace to mourn for his grandson.

Yang Shenjin followed Li Xuan and begged him not to do this, but to no avail.

After entering Xingqing Palace, Li Longji saw that Pei Huang was beaten like this in less than a day, and believed that Luo Xishi was a cruel official like Lai Junchen.

After a while, Pei Kuan entered the palace and cried loudly in front of Pei Huang, who was covered with bruises, and kept saying that he was wronged.

Seeing Pei Kuan's true feelings, Li Longji became even angrier. He directly dismissed Luo Xishe and asked Li Xuan to try Luo Xishe as well.

At the same time, Li Longji learned that Li Linfu had instructed the Censorate to handle the case.

He remained calm and ordered Li Xuan to solve the case as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)