Chapter 259: Jingzhao Yin compromises, Jiuxiao Huanpei
Yang Zhao bowed and left the Duke of Song's Mansion to inform Yang Shenjin, and arrested Ji Wen and brought him to the Censorate on the grounds of "deceiving the emperor" and "framing the prince."

After Li Linfu suffered a series of heavy casualties, Ji Wen seemed to have become Li Linfu's number one general.

Ji Wen is currently serving as Langzhong of Bibu, an official position in the Ministry of Justice that does not manage criminal matters.

In addition, Ji Wen had been doing evil for more than a year, so the Ministry of Justice did not eliminate him.

Ji Wen was in his house in Changlefang at this time.

As a person labeled as a "bad person" by Li Longji, he was more cautious than anyone else.

The Bad Man was a scoundrel in Chang'an who was gathering information about thieves. One can imagine how bad Li Longji's impression of him was.

"Bang bang bang..."

There was a rapid knock on the door.

"Who!"

The servant answered and opened the door.

What came into view was Yang Shenjin in official robes and the law enforcement soldiers of the Censorate.

"Who are you..."

The servant hadn't finished speaking when Yang Shenjin interrupted him: "Where is Ji Wen?"

Yang Shenjin was extremely worried at this time. He knew that someone would impeach him in the court tomorrow.

He regretted his decision and believed Xiao Yinzhi.

Until now, he still believed that it was Xiao Yinzhi who leaked the secret, and did not think there was anything wrong in praying for his deceased father.

Bleeding in front of a grave is an ominous sign in any dynasty.

"Ah Lang... in the front yard..."

The servant swallowed his saliva and dared not to stop him.

Yang Shenjin swaggered into the front yard of Jiwen Mansion.

"Yang Zhongcheng, what are you doing?"

When Ji Wen saw Yang Shenjin leading his troops, he said unhappily.

As Li Linfu's close friend, he naturally knew that Shi Jingzhong had been arrested and Yang Shenjin was in trouble.

He no longer regarded Yang Shenjin as the head of the Censorate.

Perhaps after tomorrow, Yang Shenjin's family will be destroyed.

"Heh! Someone reported you for framing the prince in the Du Youlin case!"

Yang Shenjin's words were shocking.

At the same time, Ji Wen's face changed drastically.

Because he knew too well how the Du Youlin case came about.

Since it was related to the prophecy, no minister dared to interfere.

Originally, Liu Ji just disliked his father-in-law and falsely accused him.

At that time, Ji Wen was entrusted by Li Linfu, and the case was quickly clarified, but Li Linfu ordered Ji Wen to drive Liu Ji, and the false accusation came true.

After Liu Ji was beaten and exiled, he died naturally on the way.

Now Yang Shenjin started talking about the Du Youlin case which had been closed long ago, making Ji Wen think that Yang Shenjin had found evidence.

The calmness and composure just now are gone.

"Take him back to the Censorate for a thorough interrogation!"

Yang Shenjin waved his hand and the soldiers grabbed the dazed Ji Wen.

His family rushed out, but couldn't get close and could only watch Ji Wen being taken away by Yang Shenjin.

Ji Wen suddenly came to his senses. He looked back and signaled his family to go find Li Linfu.

They are now tied to the same rope, and only the right prime minister can save him.

Otherwise, there is no guarantee that Li Linfu will be turned over.

……

Jingzhao Mansion Office.

"Han Dayin, you are taking a break today, why bother to come on stage in person?"

After Li Qi arrived at the mansion, he saw that Jingzhao Yin Han Chaozong was about to interrogate Shi Jingzhong in person.

"This is a serious matter and must be treated with caution."

Han Chaozong replied.

Originally, he had a good relationship with Li Shizhi, and the two recommended each other.

But what Li Xuan did made no sense at all!
"Shi Jingzhong is nothing but a charlatan. A ninth-rank official is more than enough to interrogate him. You are making a fuss out of nothing!"

Li Qi said evasively.

"How can it be a small matter when it involves a third-rank official? Shi Jingzhong is spreading rumors to confuse the people. He may have some ulterior motives. If Shao Yin wants to observe, he can watch from the side."

Han Chaozong said to Li Qi in a deep voice.

Of course he understood what it meant to hold on to Shi Jingzhong.

He was by no means surrendering to Li Linfu, but had his own political demands.

"Since the Grand Yin knew that Shi Jingzhong was a man who was spreading rumors and misleading the people, why did he believe in his lies?"

Li Qi suddenly changed the subject and questioned Han Chaozong regardless of his deputy status.

"I don't quite understand what Shao Yin said!"

Han Chaozong frowned and asked back, feeling very uncomfortable.

Even though Li Qi was the elder brother of Li Xuan, the King of Tianshui and the Jiedushi of Four Towns, he should be careful about his words and actions.

The Jingzhao Shaoyin questioned the Jingzhao Yin, saying that this was an act of insubordination and would be a serious crime if investigated further.

"Why would Dayin believe the rumors of war and build a house in Zhongnan Mountain to avoid the disaster of war? What is his intention to think that the world is in chaos?"

Li Qi said it clearly.

Although he didn't know why Li Xuan knew that Chaozong was building a house in Zhongnan Mountain, Li Qi absolutely trusted Li Xuan.

"What...how could you..."

Han Chaozong's face turned pale. He screamed and stopped talking halfway through.

Building houses in Mount Zhongnan is a secret among secrets.

Whenever there is a war, people often take refuge in the mountains and forests, especially those deep in the mountains and old forests.

Since Han Chaozong believed the rumors of war, he definitely had expectations for the "fairy mountain" Zhongnan Mountain.

This is also the reason why he built his house in Zhongnan Mountain.

"Even if there is a war, one should serve the country instead of hiding in the mountains. Is this what a loyal minister does?"

Li Qi took the opportunity to speak harshly again.

Han Chaozong's face became even paler.

He was always proud, with his back and head held high, but now he was like an eggplant hit by frost, with cold sweat on his forehead.

If Li Qi reported this matter to the emperor, his guilt would be greater than Shi Jingzhong's.

If Li Longji knew about this, he would be in big trouble.

"The Grand Yin was usually dissatisfied with Li Linfu's orders, so how could he walk with Li Linfu one day? Or was the Grand Yin pretending to be aloof in order to gain reputation?"

Han Chaozong was speechless, and that was when Li Qi was pursuing him relentlessly.

The sarcasm in the words made Han Chaozong cover his face with shame, and even forget his identity as Jingzhao Yin.

"Since my father and the Grand Yin are friends, I will not report you. The Prince of Tianshui has worked hard to make the country strong. As the Jingzhao Yin, I should do my best to help him, instead of forgetting the greater good for my own petty gains."

Li Qi suddenly softened his words.

It also woke Han Chaozong up from his fear.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That kind of nonsense can really make people confused for a while. Shi Jingzhong must be such a person. He should be handed over to Li Shaoyin for interrogation."

Han Chaozong is not a fool. He certainly knows what it means that Li Qi did not report him.

Not only did he hand Shi Jingzhong over to Li Qi for handling, he also cooperated fully.

In addition, he must unconditionally support Li Xuan's future policies and even Li Xuan's reforms.

Even if he was forced, he had to join Li Xuan's faction.

Even if Li Xuan infringed upon his interests, he had to swallow his anger.

Although it was frustrating, he had no choice.

He had no idea how Li Qi knew about it, and it was difficult for him to destroy the evidence.

As for Xiao Yinzhi's entrustment, he could only say sorry.

Afterwards, Li Qi met the evil monk Shi Jingzhong in the Jingzhao Yin prison.

This is a middle-aged man, wearing clothes that look like Buddha or Taoism. He is being tied up in the torture room and looks extremely miserable.

"Let me go quickly. I am good friends with Yang Zhongcheng and Prince Guo."

When Shi Jingzhong saw someone coming to the cell, he struggled and shouted loudly, completely unaware of himself.

"Humph! Yang Zhongcheng and the heir of Guo Wang were held accountable because of you. You can't escape death either."

Li Qi snorted coldly when he saw Shi Jingzhong.

The words made Shi Jingzhong stunned, and his face turned into fear.

He made friends with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, which gave him a certain fame among the upper class.

He always thought that if he committed a crime one day, he would be bailed out.

His predecessors had gone through similar things.

"Shi Jingzhong, why did you splash blood on the straw man next to Yang Zhongcheng's father's grave?"

Seeing that Shi Jingzhong was quiet, Li Qi asked Shi Jingzhong directly.

"That is a sign from heaven. Yang Zhongcheng's father is in trouble in the underworld and needs to be prayed for to eliminate the disaster."

Of course Shi Jingzhong would not admit it.

These "experts" who move among princes and nobles often direct and perform some tricks themselves in order to gain their trust.

These little tricks always work, and there are always princes and nobles who are fascinated by them.

"In that case, then you should prepare to go to the underworld to help Minister Yang!"

Li Qi didn't believe it and looked at Shi Jingzhong coldly.

Yang Shenjin's father, Yang Chongli, retired as the Minister of Revenue, and he was also considered a famous official.

"No, I want to see Yang Zhongcheng..."

Shi Jingzhong was afraid because he knew that Yang Shenjin was in charge of the Censorate and he thought that if such a high-ranking official took action, he would be released.

As for Li Ju, the successor to King Guo, he was just an idle king. He could cheat people out of money, but it would not be of much help to him if something really happened.

The heir to the throne is the successor to the prince's title, usually the eldest son of the prince. Although it is said to be higher than the prince of a county, it is actually similar to the prince of a county, with the same fiefdom, and is a nominal title.

Only by being given a real title like Li Xuan can one appear to have status, otherwise one can only receive a salary.

"Central Minister Yang was accused of plotting with you. The Saint is furious. He will probably die."

Li Qi deceived Shi Jingzhong.

This sentence made Shi Jingzhong even more horrified.

Of course he knew that he and Yang Shenjin had observed the stars at night, which might be a sign of prophecy.

"I didn't! I was just praying for Yang Zhongcheng's father." Shi Jingzhong denied it again and again. How could he possibly cover up such a big thing?

"The straw man in front of Minister Yang's grave is bleeding for no reason. It must be you who did it."

Li Qi must label Shi Jingzhong a charlatan, otherwise the truth will not be revealed easily.

"no!"

Shi Jingzhong would not admit this either.

"You still dare to be stubborn, come here, punish me severely!"

Li Qi knew that if he didn't use the real weapon, this person would not confess.

"Yes!"

The jailer took the order and walked up to Shi Jingzhong with a whip.

"You can't..."

"Snapped……"

"what……"

Before he could finish his words, the jailer raised his whip and whipped him hard.

Shi Jingzhong screamed!
Although he claims to have "boundless magical powers", he really doesn't know any magic!

"Clap clap..."

After two more whips, Shi Jingzhong screamed even more miserably.

"I admit it...I admit it..."

When the whip was about to fall, Shi Jingzhong, unable to bear the pain, shouted to stop.

"What are you recruiting?"

Li Qi turned around and asked.

"I was the one who splashed dog blood on the straw man in front of Yang Zhongcheng's father's grave, making Yang Zhongcheng think that his father was suffering in the underworld. This way I could collect money and pray for blessings..."

As Li Xuan expected, Shi Jingzhong only admitted this point and did not dare to talk about the prophecy.

Because this crime is fraud, not a capital crime.

But to talk nonsense about prophecies is a great act of treason.

Li Qi immediately ordered the chief clerk to write a petition and have Shi Jingzhong sign it.

After the petition was sent to Han Chaozong, he sighed and signed his name.

Li Qi gave Han Chaozong some instructions on tomorrow's court matters and then left.

If someone asks Han Chaozong in the afternoon, just say it’s done!
……

Li Xuan left the Duke of Song's Mansion and wandered on the streets of Chang'an.

The Jinwu Guards cleared the way in front, and the personal guards protected them all around.

This also means that every time Li Xuan travels, there is a lot of noise.

But Li Xuan ordered the Jinwu Guards not to disturb the people.

Not long after, Li Xuan arrived at Wubenfang.

He dismounted and stopped in front of Du Youlin's former residence.

As a prominent figure in Chang'an, Li Xuan attracted people's attention wherever he went.

His strange behavior of staying at the former Du Youlin's mansion soon reached Li Linfu's ears.

Combined with the fact that Ji Wen was captured by Yang Shenjin, the signal of release was very obvious.

Li Xuan wants to overturn Du Youlin's case!
Li Linfu no longer had the power he had at the end of the Kaiyuan period. If Ji Wen could not withstand the pressure and confessed, it would be a huge blow to Li Linfu.

Compared with historical events, the Du Youlin case was not a big deal.

In the historical case of Du Youlin, Li Linfu was at the height of his power, and a group of people were dragged to the Dali Temple and beaten to death on the spot. Then the dead bodies were dragged out, and another group of people were dragged in.

In the end, because the killing was carried out too quickly, the bodies were blocked in the Dali Temple and could not be transported out.

Hundreds of families were implicated, that would be earth-shattering.

In the current Du Youlin case, Li Linfu is unable to implicate many people.

Even so, there is a fear that someone more powerful will overturn the verdict.

When Li Linfu learned that Ji Wen had been arrested, it was Li Xuan's powerful counterattack against him.

He could only ask someone to tell Ji Wen not to talk too much. If the truth were exposed, Ji Wen would suffer the same fate as Du Youlin.

If Ji Wen was severely punished, Li Linfu would report it to the emperor.

It was determined that the confession was obtained under torture.

Ji Wen was at least a doctor in the Ministry of Personnel, a fifth-rank official...

At the same time, Li Linfu believed that Ji Wen was proficient in punishment, knew all the interrogation methods, had a strong psychological quality, and would not confess easily.

He planned to report to Yang Shenjin at the morning court tomorrow.

Even if it is impossible to implicate Li Xuan, Li Xuan's henchmen must be eliminated.

……

After staying around Du Youlin's mansion for a while, Li Xuan returned the same way. He wanted to go to the East Market and buy something.

Almost everyone in Chang'an knew Li Xuan.

Seeing Li Xuan coming, they stopped to admire his heroic figure and cheered.

Entering the East Market Gate, the East Market was also bustling with activity due to Li Xuan's arrival.

Countless vendors were excited. It was said that when Li Xuan went to the West Market, the goods of any vendor patronized by Li Xuan would be sold out in a short time.

The people of Chang'an believed that what Li Xuan saw must be good things.

Li Xuan was not in a hurry to buy things. He first asked about the prices of silk, salt, rice, millet and other food in the Tang Dynasty.

This is something that the officials in Chang'an should be concerned about.

Afterwards, Li Xuan went to Mingqinfang in East Market to buy a guqin.

The guqin he used in Huangshui City broke its strings on the way to Chang'an.

It is said that there is a famous piano in Dongshi Qinfang, and he plans to buy one.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and he wants to review his piano skills and play the "Song of Water Melody" that has been revised by Changli.

When they arrived at the most famous musical instrument studio in the East Market, the Jinwu Guards immediately surrounded the studio.

If Li Linfu went out, he would definitely order the Jinwu Guards to clear out the Qinfang and drive out all the guests inside.

But Li Xuan did not do so. He was a brave man and it was difficult for ordinary assassins to get close to him.

The manager of Qinfang was in the store area and didn't know that Li Xuan had arrived.

When the Jinwu Guard stood at the door, he was shocked.

He thought that his own musical instrument studio was in trouble, after all, the Jinwu Guards also participated in the arrest.

"Alang, it's the King of Tianshui who has arrived!"

The servant outside the door shouted to the steward.

The manager of the Qinfang breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ran out to greet them.

Because King Tianshui couldn't have come to capture him, he was obviously here to buy the Yaoqin.

As the number one zither studio in Chang'an, Mingqinfang has come into contact with many dignitaries.

Because people who can afford famous pianos basically have a certain status.

Ordinary literati would buy ordinary yaoqin or make their own.

"I pay my respects to the King of Tianshui. Your visit to our humble shop brings honor to us!"

The manager of Qinfang and his staff bowed to Li Xuan.

For convenience, Li Xuan only brought Luo Xing and Liao Zhengrong into the Qinfang.

"I'm just a customer buying a piano. No need to be polite."

Li Xuan asked the manager of Qinfang to stand up.

He looked at the entire piano studio.

The space inside is several acres wide.

The zither shop not only sells Yaoqin, but also has skilled craftsmen who can customize and repair Yaoqin.

There were several guests in the piano studio, all young men and women.

The fact that King Tianshui could buy a zither with them at the zither shop proves their vision and good fortune.

"King Tianshui, our zithers are made by famous craftsmen from not only the two capitals, but also from all over the country, from Shu, and from Lingnan... No matter what sound quality you need, we have everything..."

The Qinfang store manager introduced Li Xuan when he invited him in.

King Tianshui was not only a great general, but also a great poet.

Any poet of this era is proficient in music.

Poets often gather together to discuss the rhythm of poetry, and without music to liven up the atmosphere, it would lack elegance.

"I need a yaoqin with a warm, vigorous and clear sound quality. As long as it is of high quality, price is not a problem."

Looking at the dazzling array of zithers on the counter, Li Xuan did not try them one by one, but spoke to the manager of the zither shop.

Li Xuan can tell that these guqins are of extraordinary value from their exquisite patterns and shiny bodies.

It is much better than the guqin he bought in Hexi.

In addition to the pipa, Li Xuan's favorite instrument is the guqin. She can even get drunk with the tune of Flowing Water.

When he first started learning to play the piano, he felt very tired. After he got used to it, he loved the piano more and more and decided to buy a good one.

"The sound quality is warm and powerful..."

After pondering for a while, the manager of Qinfang said to Li Xuan, "There is a treasure in my shop, which was made by Lei Wei, the descendant of the Lei family, a Qin-making family in Shu. Today, the Water King is here, so I will take it out and let the Water King look at it."

Lei Wei was the most skilled zither maker of the Lei family of Sichuan and Shu. The zithers he made could be played by musicians in the palace for the emperor.

But Lei Wei is just one person after all, and with so many dignitaries, it is difficult to find Lei Wei's Yaoqin.

After saying this, the manager of Qinfang bowed to Li Xuan and went upstairs.

After a while, the manager of the music shop came down holding a music case.

"King Tianshui, please come this way!"

The manager of the Qinfang invited Li Xuan to the Qintai deep in the Qinfang.

Those who come here to buy guqin are usually high-ranking officials who come in person and will not let their servants do it for them.

Because I want to try out the piano!
"Crack..."

The zither case was opened, revealing an exquisite zither padded with purple silk.

This zither is about three feet long, with a solid shape, and is in the Fuxi style.

Generally, the wood of a zither is phoenix tree or catalpa, but this one is obviously not made of that, it looks like pine wood.

Lei Wei did not have to make only paulownia wood for his zither. When he encountered a strong wind and thunder, he went alone to Mount Emei. Wearing a straw raincoat and a hat, he went into a thicket of pine trees. He cut down the ones that made continuous and melodious sounds and made them into a zither. The material was more wonderful than that of paulownia wood.

It can be seen that the zither made by Lei Wei is not restricted to the use of phoenix wood or zelkova wood, but Emei pine is the best choice. Only part of the wood is paulownia, but the zither is better than that made of paulownia wood.

"This zither is called Jiuxiao Huanpei. Please try playing it, King Tianshui!"

The store manager carefully took out the Jiuxiao Huanpei Qin, placed it on the piano stand, and invited Li Xuan to take a seat.

(End of this chapter)