Chapter 278 Context

That night, Cui Youfu didn't sleep well, and his eyes were swollen when he woke up the next day.

When he went to Wannian County Yamen, he was still thinking about yesterday's case. When he passed through the square gate, he saw Xue Bai sitting in front of a bun stall. This was the third time the two met here in recent days.

"Xue Lang is waiting for me?"

"No, I live nearby and came out to eat."

"You'll be late for your appointment."

"Yes." Xue Bai ate his buns calmly, "It's really inconvenient to live in Xuanyangfang but work in Chang'an County."

Cui Youfu was fed up with him selling things off all day long, so he didn't bother to ask any more questions, so he went straight to the county government office.

There are cases that cannot be investigated. He, the Wannian Lieutenant, is nothing more than a descendant of an aristocratic family with just a few qualifications, so it is easy for people to look down upon him.

However, not long after he sat down, a clerk came over and asked him to come to the palace and reminded him.

"The Ministry of Punishment sent someone to ask about yesterday's case."

Cui Youfu had a thought in his mind and secretly guessed that Xue Bai was right. Someone was really adding fuel to the flames. Since it was someone from the Ministry of Punishment, it must have been the Right Prime Minister's Office who hoped that the case could be investigated.

In the order, Feng Yongzhi was scolded so badly, which showed the difficulty of Fuguo County Magistrate. But when he saw Cui Youfu coming, Feng Yongzhi immediately regained his composure, waved his hand and said: "Check, Ren Haichuan's The murder case must be investigated."

"Here."

Cui Youfu immediately wanted to chat with Xue Bai, who was eating breakfast outside the county government office, and rushed outside. He just saw Xue Bai paying for the food and preparing to leave.

He stepped forward and asked, "Why don't Xue Lang go to Chang'an County Yamen yet?"

"Here we go."

"If Mr. Xue has something to say to me, you can do it now."

With that said, Cui Youfu came closer and said in a low voice: "I believe you."

"No."

Xue Bai responded with a smile and looked at the other end of the long street from the corner of his eye. His people were already secretly following the official from the Ministry of Justice who had just left.

He did not come for Cui Youfu, but because he suspected that someone was using them to investigate the case. He wanted to find out the other party. If it is said that "the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is behind", there is not much difference between his oriole and Cui Youfu's cicada. Said.

"Xue Lang should know a lot, right?"

"You will find out if you go and investigate." Xue Bai said: "There must be someone who deliberately leaks clues to you, and the clue should point to Wang He."

"Why?"

"Check it yourself."

"Can't you just tell me everything you know?"

Xue Bai smiled, didn't answer, waved and left.

He seemed to be in no hurry to go to Chang'an County Government and headed north.

Even though Cui Youfu has a noble demeanor, he was very annoyed at this time. He gritted his teeth and secretly made up his mind to find out the truth and know more than Xue Bai.

On the long street, a few men wandering around looked furtively in their direction.

Finally, one of the men turned down the alley, left Xuanyangfang, and arrived near Anshangmen of the Imperial City. He said to the other man: "Chang'an, the two county captains have met in Wannian. It's time to investigate the case together."

~~

Da Xi Yingying didn't sleep well last night. She was looking at the dark circles on her face in front of the bronze mirror, applying makeup and powder on her fingers, and asked: "Have you all followed?"

"Yes, the person who put pressure on Wannian County should be Xiao Yinzhi, the Minister of Punishment; the spies who secretly watched the Wannian County Government Office and finally went to the Yushitai to report the news."

"Yushitai?"

This result was completely beyond Da Xi Yingying's expectations. She couldn't help but stop her movements and murmured: "Wang Fei was afraid of being found out, so he sent people to keep an eye on the progress. Is it possible that we followed the wrong person?"

No one could answer her question. She thought for a while and couldn't figure it out, so she asked: "Where is Mr. Lang? I have to go see him."

"Mr. Lang went to Xingqing Palace to present treasures."

~~

Xingqing Palace.

Xue Bai has never met Li Longji alone. In the past, he was not qualified. He was always summoned to the palace or accompanied by Yang Yuyao.

But now that he was considered a Beijing official, he decided to give it a try to prevent Li Longji from thinking that he was relying on the Yang sisters for everything.

He didn't know what the process was. It was against the rules for an eighth-grade official to request an interview with the Holy Spirit. He didn't even know whether Li Longji was asleep or awake. In short, he went to Chuyang Gate to submit his confession.

"Xue Bai, the captain of Chang'an County, has something new that he wants to dedicate to the saint."

Without waiting for a word to be said, the faces of the imperial guards guarding the palace showed uncontrollable smiles.

"Who doesn't know Mr. Xue? I won't read it until I tell you. I'll wait here and I'll make an exception and pass the news for you."

"Thank you very much. What do you call the generals?"

"He's not a general, he's just an errand..."

These forbidden troops usually shout "retreat" when they see anyone, but after talking to them, you will find that most of them are silly children from noble families. Some have more flamboyant personalities, some are shy, and there is no killing under the shining golden armor.

Chi.

Not long after, it was Wu Huaishi who came to see Xue Bai in person.

"The saint is discussing state affairs in the small court meeting. I really can't see you." Wu Huaishi said sincerely: "It's true. When my uncle comes out later, Xue Lang will know. But if you can trust me, if you want to present any novelty items, I can do it for you."

You pass it on, and the saint will express his merits for Xue Lang as soon as he is free."

"good."

Xue Bai was not worried that he would cause trouble in this kind of thing, and directly handed over the box in his hand, saying: "It's just some simple tricks, the rules are written down, and the saint will know it at a glance."

Wu Huaishi was stunned for a moment, his face was touched, and he smiled and said: "Xue Lang actually believes in me so much."

"Why don't I trust General Wu?"

"Yes, I was afraid that Mr. Xue would blame me for what happened to Lu Linghao. I am a disciple of General Gao, and we are actually the same family as Mr. Xue." Wu Huaashi took the box, stroked it twice, and said, "This is Xue Lang

Please share the credit with me. From now on, if you have anything to do, just talk to me."

"I also handle official business in Yanshi. General Wu does not worry about personal matters and is open-minded and admirable."

The two are willing to show goodwill to each other and say good things to each other.

Not long after, Yang Guozhong was seen coming out under the guidance of several eunuchs, and walking side by side was an old Taoist priest.

There are many Taoist priests in Chang'an City who are immortal and elegant, but this old Taoist priest is thin and unattractive, with only a pair of extremely bright eyes that can see through everything in the world.

After leaving the palace gate, Yang Guozhong first invited the old man to get on the carriage and walked towards Xue Bai.

"Why is Abai here?"

"Last time at the Royal Banquet at Huaxelou, my brother offered a pipa, but I didn't offer anything. Today I have to come and make up for it."

"Hahaha." Yang Guozhong smiled heartily and patted Xue Bai's shoulder affectionately, "You told me earlier, why would it be difficult for me to bring you a copy when I offer treasures to saints in the future?"

There should have been a dispute between the two about the political legacy left behind by Yang Guo after his death. However, Xue Bai returned to Chang'an these days and was delayed in Wei Hui's case. However, he never had the opportunity to have a good talk with Yang Guozhong. Today they will I took this opportunity to test out a few words.

"I heard that my brother recommended Yang Guanghui as the salt and iron envoy judge?"

"That's right." Yang Guozhong said, "You also know that Yuan Zai is short-sighted and greedy, and he was demoted because of his own fault. However, salt research is a great business of the Yang family, so I let Yang Guanghui handle it. What do you think?"

Remembering that Xue Bai had originally raised the issue of salt, he finally asked casually.

Xue Bai said: "I don't think it's appropriate. Although Yuan Zai is ambitious, he has real talents. Yang Guanghui is far more greedy and despicable than Yuan Zai, but he has no talent. Why bother using him to ruin the official reputation?"

"I see. It's a pity that you didn't come back early, otherwise I would have asked you first." Yang Guozhong laughed, "The matter has been settled, there is nothing we can do."

"It doesn't matter, brother, can you discuss with me first about the appointment of officials in Yanyan?"

"good!"

Yang Guozhong readily agreed and turned to leave, but he couldn't help turning around and said with a smile: "I'll give you a few more words of wealth. Your promotion is not slow. You were promoted from No. 1 in one year to a captain in Ji County in a year. Lieutenant Chixian, but did you know that I will change my purple robe soon? You can still listen to my advice on my official career."

As he spoke, he pointed to Xue Bai's official robe, and then to himself.

"When it comes to promotion, sincerity is the key. You must first think about promotion and do everything for promotion. When you were in Yanshi County, your efforts were not in the right place. Now that you have returned to Chang'an, you should think more clearly about how to perform meritorious deeds. If you still don't understand what you have to say after making meritorious service, come to me, there is a place for you in the Yang family."

"I understand what brother said."

Yang Guozhong smiled proudly, waved his hand, got on his horse, and led the carriage away.

Xue Bai then went to Chang'an County Yamen.

As soon as they arrived at the Yamen, a servant came over and whispered: "Mr. Lang, Madam Daxi has news that she wants to pass on to you."

Xue Bai took the message, glanced at it, and showed no reaction. He put the note away and said, "Ask her to meet me at Du's house in the evening."

"Here."

Xue Bai went to Lingshi to see Jia Jilin and asked, "May I ask the county magistrate, has the Wannian County Government found out the murderer of Ren Haichuan?"

"How do you know?"

"Guess." Xue Bai said, "The situation has gradually become clearer. Whether we want to investigate this case or not, it will come to light."
To be continued...