Chapter 235 The Complete Strategy

A few days later, Li Ke finally decided to hear the water ghost case. The Assassin's Mansion issued a list, and the whole state caused a sensation. The streets and alleys exploded. The people rushed to tell each other - the water ghosts who had been suffering in Xiangzhou for decades were finally defeated in one fell swoop!

On the day of the trial, Li Ke strongly invited Qin Mubai, a military attache, to come from the side of the court. In order to show justice, Li Ke allowed a hundred representatives of the gentry and the people to enter the hall to listen to the case. However, tens of thousands of other people surrounded the Assassin's Mansion and cheered with lanterns. As a last resort, thousands of soldiers from the royal palace were dispatched to maintain public security.

One hour before the opening of the court, Qin Mubai took Pang Fei and a group of hundred cavalry guards to the Assassin's Mansion, privately discussed some details with Li Ke, and prepared to go to the court for trial.

Li Ke, who was so careful, thought of a question and said to Qin Mubai in private, "Mubai, Zhang Tong doesn't have to try it together, does he?"

Qin Mubai knew what he meant. Zhang Tong, who was also one of the hundred riders before, came to Xiangzhou with Qin Mubai, but was formed as an inner response by the water ghost. If the trial is public, it is bound to damage the reputation of Baiqi. This has a certain impact on Qin Mubai, but the biggest trouble is that it will affect the reputation of the royal rate.

"It's up to you!" Qin Mubai just said so.

"Hey..." Li Ke closed his eyes with a headache and gently tapped his forehead with his fist. "Before that, I dreamed of stewing this group of people. Now I have caught the leader and defeated the party, but I feel more troublesome and tricky than before. Zhang Tong, I don't care. I'll leave it to you.

"I understand your pain." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "There are too many people involved in the case. Among other things, Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan are the leading local eunuchs in Xiangzhou. They have been calling for wind and rain for many years. In this part of Xiangzhou, their party members can be said to be all over the corner. Take a hair and move your whole body! - Your Highness, I suggest that this time we might as well refer to the emperor's method of dealing with the aftermath in the Jiangzhou case to fight against the leader, and the rest will not be blamed. As the saying goes, Taoism does not lead to the public, and there is still some truth. If you really want to arrest all the people involved in the case, I guess there will be no more officials left in the whole state and county ruled by Xiangzhou.

"Well, that's what I think." Li Ke frowned heavily and said with a serious expression, "If the snake hits seven inches, there is no need to cut the whole snake into meat sauce. After destroying the leader and breaking through the core party members, the water ghosts did not attack and break themselves. It's just now that the leader doesn't seem to be so easy to clean up.

"What's the matter?" Qin Mubai asked alertly, "Is it possible that there is news from Chang'an?"

"as you expected." Li Ke took a deep breath and slowly spit it out. He seemed to be a little depressed and said, "Last night, Chang'an came to the secret envoy. Guess who sent it?"

"I can't guess, you'd better say it!"

"King of Wei." After Li Ke said these words, he looked at Qin Mubai with solemn eyes, "I didn't expect it, did you?"

"Indeed." Qin Mubai nodded, "What's the matter with the King of Wei?"

"It was originally none of the business of the King of Wei. However, if it is about the prince, it has something to do with the king of Wei. Li Ke said.

What he said was a little confusing, but Qin Mubai recognized the meaning of his words. The prince was not on good with the king of Wei, and he fought fiercely for the matter of fighting for the crown prince. However, if the prince wants to support it, the king of Wei will oppose it; vice versa.

Chang'an Weidu, five feet away from the sky, this is not just what to say. Nowadays, there is a daughter in the Wei family in Chang'an, who is accompanied by the king in the palace. She is the famous Wei Guifei. It goes without saying that Du Shi, Fang Mou Du Du Du Duan, Du, has always been one of Li Shimin's right-hand men. Although Du Ruhui died young, this does not hinder the Du family in Chang'an, and it is still one of the most famous families in the Tang Dynasty. There are countless famous eunuchs in the clan. Du He, the son of Du Ruhui, married Li Shimin's direct daughter, Princess Chengyang.

Don't underestimate a princess. In a sense, the identity of Princess Chengyang is more noble than Li Ke. The ranking of the royal family banquet, the ranking of this royal sister, is still above Li Ke, the third prince. Perhaps Du He, the emperor's son-in-law, has no real power, is relatively mediocre and incompetent, and has no achievements in politics. However, once the human offensive was started, Princess Chengyang still had a lot of weight in Li Shimin's eyes.

From this point of view, if the people of the Weidu family in Chang'an start to work together in order to protect Du Chengyuan and Wei Xiaochen, Li Ke must be under a lot of pressure. Moreover, Du He has always had a good relationship with the prince Li Chengqian. He must have taken Li Chengqian's doorway and wanted to put pressure or plead for Li Ke through him. It is even possible that Princess Chengyang also came forward and wanted to unite with the prince to protect his brother Du Chengyuan.

"What did the secret envoy of Wei say?" Qin Mubai asked.

"Lao Si has always been cunning and won't say much." Li Ke said, "He only sent someone to inform me that the prince was active in Chang'an and wanted to unite a group of ministers of the Weidu two families and his own followers, and then moved Wei Guifei to plead with His Majesty the Emperor and ask him to pardon Wei Xiaochen and Du Chengyuan."

"What's the result?" Qin Mubai asked.

"There is no result." Li Ke frowned and said, "Lao Si is cunning here. If there is a result, he will not report it. While the prince and Wei Guifei were still active, he took the lead. Guess what he wants to do?"

"Two layers of meaning!" Qin Mubai sneered and said, "On the one's, he informed your third brother in advance. On the surface, it's always for your own good, and then you have to eat his debt; second, he informed you in advance and deliberately embarrassed you. If you retreat and take Wei Du lightly, it will be dereliction of duty and delinquee the law, and you will have a big handle in his hand. If you know that the prince and others are working hard to save people, and also take action in advance to face the difficulties and enforce the law impartially, it will undoubtedly be directly with the prince, Concubine Wei and the two families of Chang'an Wei Du. The enemy turned against each other. The quail and the clam compete with each other, and the fisherman benefits. This may be the result that the king of Wei wants most.

"You're absolutely right. However, there is another meaning, that is his most sinister intention. Li Ke showed a trace of anger on his face, and he gritted his teeth with hatred.

"What is it?" Qin Mubai asked.

"He is provoking." Li Ke gritted his teeth and said, "The two families of Chang'an Weidu have been the important arms of our Li family since my grandfather rose up. There are many famous ministers and generals in the clan, so it will be so brilliant in the Zhenguan Dynasty. For a time, even the father has always looked at the people of the Weidu family with new eyes. Wei's daughter is a noble concubine, and Du Ruhui was one of the most trusted and dependent prime ministers of his father. For example, if the royal family is a big tree, then the rich family is the land rooted in the big tree. Think about it, I'm going to touch the Weidu family now. Isn't that shoveling the roots of my Li family, touching the foundation of my Tang Dynasty, and hurting my father's heart? So, Lao Si provoked me. He is obviously here to inform, but in fact, he is a thought to watch the fire and enjoy the disaster across the shore.

"I see what you mean." Qin Mubai nodded, "Perhaps, His Majesty has already known about this matter. It is likely that it is the King of Wei himself who informed the news. He detected some of the thoughts of the emperor's majesty and deliberately provoked you.

"Smart! That's what I think." Li Ke nobbed his head and said, "From Lao Si's provocation, we can imagine that after His Majesty knew about this case, he was also quite embarrassed and troubled. First of all, the rule of law has always been insisted by the emperor. The possibility of wanting him to personally pardon Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan is almost minimal. Secondly, because of the crime, the nephews of the Weidu family are going to be taken down by me or even killed, which is likely to hurt the feelings of my father and the Weidu families. This is also what he doesn't want to see. Lao Si saw the father's difficulties in his eyes and was happy in his heart. Because if even my father is embarrassed, can I not be embarrassed? Therefore, no matter what I judge this case, I will offend people.

"Let's analyze it more clearly." Qin Mubai said, "If you impartially enforce the law and criminalize Wei Du, you will offend the Weidu family in Chang'an, Wei Guifei, the prince, Du He and other people. If you forgive them with extra-law mercy, you have violated the law, and you have sinned against the law of the Tang Dynasty. You can't afford this sin."

Li Ke's eyes lit up: "So you mean, according to the law judgment?"

"All are not right." Qin Mubai shook his head, "There are some things that should be killed. You are like Zhao Chong, the leader, and the big and small backbone of the rebellion. You must take it with a knife and cut it quickly, and return the local people of Xiangzhou to be fair and refreshing, and establish your grace in Xiangzhou. However, Du Chengyuan and Wei Haochen and other people with identities must be vague and can seize their official titles, but they can't be sentenced to severe punishment now. Aren't they all officials of more than five grades? According to the law, if an official of more than five grades commits a crime, it must be handed over to Yushitai and Dali Temple for trial under the approval of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Therefore, you can throw these two hot mountains to those people in Chang'an! Who wants to kill, who wants to save, what does it have to do with you?

Li Ke's eyes widened with surprise: "Yes! Why didn't I think of it? This is not the judgment, nor is it not. Why don't I not judge or not? ...However, in this way, it is contrary to the father's consistent fairness and strictness, and the prince's purpose of breaking the law and the common people's crime. Although he won't have any clear reason to scold and punish me, it's hard to guarantee that he won't write me a record in his heart! He will think that I avoid the important, cowardly and incompetent, slippery and afraid of offending people.

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't blame me for being blunt. Being considered a little cowardly is not a bad thing. Haven't you always been too sharp? According to your usual habit, no matter what, the cold-faced cold-faced frost enforce the law impartially, and cut off all these people. Yes, in this way, you will get a reputation for being upright, shrewd and capable, but is it really what you want? In a more satisfactory way, His Majesty will also think that you are shrewd and capable, and at the same time, he will think that you are tactful and good at dealing with all kinds of complex relationships. Isn't this the place where the emperor values the king of Wei the most?

Li Ke's eyes lit up, and his expression showed a little excitement. He understood the meaning of Qin Mubai's words. The king of Wei was a little sinister and vicious, but his smoothness and sophistication may be the most touching place for Li Shimin. Because ability is important to choose a crown prince, but character is also an important aspect. A strong and capable person, a dark and smooth person, the former is respected and famous, and the latter will be despised and disgusted by those who are familiar with him, but he is more qualified to become a superior!

No one will ever say these clearly, because no one dares to say that the reason why the emperor is so successful is that he is dark enough for the city government. But in Li Shimin's heart, there must be such an account!

When it comes to ability, Li Ke will never lose to the king of Wei, and he is more pioneering and enterprising than the king of Wei. He is very similar to his father Li Shimin and has the qualification to become a hero of a generation. In contrast, what he lacks may be so smooth and dark!

This is like the difference between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang!

"Then what do you think I should do?" Li Ke gritted his teeth, held back his excitement, and said, "Say it directly!" We haven't been together for a day or two. What is it that I don't listen to you?

"Then I'll say it." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "It's hard to get off today. It's necessary to hold a public trial. There is no need to say much in the hall, because the evidence of the thief's capture of stolen goods is conclusive, and the case is directly stated and the judgment is announced. Killed Zhao Chong and a group of water ghosts of all sizes. As for Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan, they were handed over to Chang'an Yushitai and Dali Temple for trial. That is to say, the Ministry of Criminal Justice has made the following, and the major criminals have been taken. In this way, the people will not say much. As for Duan Rongji, the owner of Zhengchang Grain, and Ouyang Jun, the owner of Yongye Yanfang, because they are close relatives of Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan, and have great influence among the local gentry and rich businessmen, there is no need to judge in court, but they can take the opportunity to throw them to Chang'an. As for whether they are dead or alive in the future, they will not do your business. The most important point is that the person who escorts is the only one who has the power!"

"Wonderful, great!" Li Ke clap excitedly, "The power Wanji has always been upright and strict, and he has the demeanor of Wei Zheng, and he dares to go straight against the dragon scales. I sent him to escort the criminal to Beijing, which was undoubtedly to show to my father that I wanted to make a heavy sentence according to the law, but I had to make some compromises under heavy pressure. In this way, the head of state punished the crime, and the local officials and the people will clap their hands and cheer; the hot Shanzi is thrown away, and whether it is the Weidu family, the prince or the noble concubine, they have nothing to say to me. In the end, even my father will understand that I want to impose a heavy sentence, but I have to make concessions. Therefore, he will not think that I am cowardly and incompetent, but that I am more sophisticated, tactful and mature. It's really a great trick to kill three birds with one stone!"

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "I thought that I could get out of the disputes in the court by escaping to Xiangzhou, but I didn't expect that it wouldn't work!"

"Thanks to you." Li Ke grinned, took a long breath of relief, nodded gratefully and said, "I have been thinking about these problems for several days, and I haven't come up with a perfect way to deal with them. Today's conversation with you made me open. Mu Bai, you are really my think tank and lucky star!"

"Ha ha!" Qin Mubai smiled and said, "I'm just a bystander, occasionally reminding Your Highness. In fact, you have already thought about it, otherwise, how can you get along with me? OK, it's almost time. It's time to go to class!"

Let's go together! I really want to see what's the expression of Zhao Chong kneeling under the steps and seeing you in the hall! Haha!"

At this moment, Li Ke's laughter was particularly cheerful.

The Assassin's Office has opened the trial. The officials of the department, the subordinate county magistrate Bo, the local squire and the representatives of the people, went to the hall for trial or listening together. Outside the house, tens of millions of people are surrounded, which is spectacular.

Li Ke came to the court in his official uniform. After the powerful voice of the officials, he was shocked - "Take, people offend Zhao Chong!"

In full view of the public, Zhao Chong, who was wearing prison clothes and shackles, was brought up. His expression was calm, without any hurry and fear. He glanced at the people in the hall coldly, and finally fixed his eyes on Qin Mubai's body.

"Why don't you kneel down yet!" The lieutenant shouted and knocked him down on his knees.

Zhao Chong slammed his knees on the stone brick floor with a plop. The people next to him trembled with pain, but Zhao Chong did not blink his eyelids and kept staring at Qin Mubai.

"Who is kneeling under the hall, report your name!" Li Ke shouted.

Zhao Chong ignored him and stared at Qin Mubai all the time. He seemed to be angry and resentful, but he didn't say anything.

Everyone saw it in their eyes, suspected it in their hearts, and they think: Where have I ever seen such a person? When he went to court and was tried, he was neither afraid nor said anything, but stared at an official who was on the sidelines.

"Mr. Fu, can you talk to the criminal before the trial?" Qin Mubai got up and said.

"Exercre." Li Ke said.

"Xie Fujun." Qin Mubai got up and left his seat and walked to Zhao Chong.

"Zhao Chong, do you have anything to say to me?" Qin Mubai said.

"Yes." Zhao Chong looked up and still stared at Qin Mubai as he began.

"Then say it. Not to mention it now, there will be no more chance in the future. Qin Mubai smiled and said as if he were chatting.

"I'm not reconciled." Zhao Chong gritted his teeth, and the blue veins on his forehead were a little violent. He widened his eyes and said, "I haven't lied to you like this. It's impossible!" Our traitor must have betrayed me, otherwise, you can't know that I am Song Caozhu!"

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "It's you who betrayed you. You are so smart that you are mistaken for being smart. You think you are seamless, but you are too perfect, which is a mistake in itself. Because there is no absolute beauty in the world. Your strategy is so exquisite that you are about to deceive yourself. Unfortunately, a few small flaws betrayed you.

"I don't believe it." Zhao Chong shook his head stubbornly, "From the beginning, you have no reason to doubt me. Don't you still want to alienate me and let me turn against you? Normally, you should suspect that Du Chengyuan is!"

"Yes! At the beginning, you were the least suspicious. Because no matter how you look at it, you are just a little nat, an irrelevant little nat that is submissive to Du Chengyuan and looks up to him. You really cover up very well. Your intelligence is beyond my imagination. I have been tricked by you. Qin Mubai smiled and said, "When I figured out that you were the master of Song Cao, I made a plan and thought of a wonderful plan to catch you in one fell swoop. In fact, before successfully rescuing the princess and Zheng Anshun and others, I can't be completely sure whether my guess is correct and whether you are the real Song Caozhu. But the result proved my speculation. The people I sent followed you and successfully rescued the hostages.

"I'm too underestimate the enemy." Zhao Chong laughed and smiled bitterly and desperately. He shook his head and sighed again, "When you cut Feng's scar at Yuanmen, I thought that your eyes had all shifted to Du Chengyuan. Later, I disappeared and was kidnapped with Pang Fei. I became like this. Unexpectedly, you still stared at me.

"Well, I'm afraid I can't finish it in ten days." Qin Mubai said, "Don't waste everyone's time. I just want to ask you one question. How can you, a man who picks big dung in Xiangyang City, support big officials such as Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan, as well as Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun?

"Huh! ..." Zhao Chong sneered and said, "For a time, flies have not stared at seamless eggs. As long as people have a handle, they will be manipulated into puppets. Aren't you just a little short of the one sitting in the hall? It's true that I picked big shit, but as soon as I was born, I was Song Caozhu. I can't help it.

Qin Mubai frowned slightly: "Do you mean that you have inherited your father's business?"

"Not bad." Zhao Chong grinned indifferently and said, "Since the Sui Dynasty, my father and my ancestors have been on the water road in the area of Jianghan Jingxiang. At least he is a good man in the green forest. Later, the world was ruled, and we couldn't live as before, so we had to find another way to survive. I have smuggled salt, sold grain and rice, all of which have been done, but they are all small fights, and have been severely pursued by the government. Later, we gradually became water ghosts, specializing in making a living under the water. Who gave us the opportunity to take advantage of you officials and lack of greed? Over time, we have grown stronger and stronger. Wei Haochen and Du Chengyuan were not the same as you when they first came. They were arrogant and wanted to cure the water ghost quickly. Later, didn't it become our minions and eagles? Ha ha, official, it's just wearing a hat and giving birth to two mouths. Under the coercion and temptation, he is less backbone than the thief and bandits!"

Zhao Chong's words sounded like an awe-inspiring hero, and his words were heard in his ears. Many people blushed when they heard it, but no one retorted.

"Guys, you must have heard it very clearly, so there is no need for me to talk about it." Li Ke in the hall said, "The officials of the Tang Dynasty have become accomplices of the minions of the bandits. It is a great disgrace to break the law, not to mention its sin. After returning home, your colleagues reflect on how to be an official and how to be a person in the future. Zhao Chong, I hate your sins, but I have to admire your ability and wit. If you use this wisdom on the right path, you will have a bright future. It's a pity that you chose to go against the law.

"Don't say these nice sarcastic words, Mr. Assassin, Your Highness the King of Wu." Zhao Chong smiled coldly and said indifferently, "Since I was born, I have no choice. It's like you voted for the imperial fetus, and you are destined to be a prince when you are born, and you have no choice. Do you think I don't want to live a good life? When you are tied to the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of brothers, there are some things that you can't worry about. I know there will be this day sooner or later, but this is my destiny, so I am not surprised or afraid at all. Instead, I feel relieved. Well, don't talk nonsense. Let's start the trial and sentence. Give me a good time!"

"Fate..." Everyone in the hall has the word chewing in their hearts.

Is it that everyone has a predestined fate from the moment of birth? Can't choose, can't change? Just like, Li Kesheng is smart and capable, but he is a concubine prince, who is also carrying the shadow of the former Sui royal family, which is doomed to his fate and ending?

Qin Mubai thought of this, shook his head and sighed, "Zhao Chong, if you are not a thief, I would like to make friends with you."

"With the respect of General Qin, let's do it in the next life!" Zhao Chong smiled indifferently and nodded.

Qin Mubai shook his head, walked back to his seat and sat down.

"Fate? Everyone has a destiny! ...What will happen to my fate, Qin Mubai? Perhaps, only on the day when the coffin is settled, will it come to light. At that time, I will definitely be the same as Zhao Chong. On the contrary, I don't care about these, and I will also have a sense of relief and see through. This is a human being. When he is born, he is destined to be fooled by fate all his life. When you see it clearly, it is the end of life..."