Chapter 132: Seizing Power with Cases
Chapter 132: Seizing Power with Cases (Part )
In front of Taiji Palace is the imperial city, and behind it is the palace city, divided by a horizontal street.
The harem is divided into two parts by a Yongxiang Lane. The area south of the Yongxiang Lane belongs to the emperor's sleeping area, where the emperor rests, studies, and receives ministers. The imperial study is also in this area. The area north of the Yongxiang Lane is the living area for concubines, and outsiders are not allowed to enter.
The warm room has plenty of sunshine, and Emperor Yang Jian likes to read books and enjoy the quiet time here in winter.
Yang Guang quickly came to the warm room and was soon led into the room by the eunuch. Emperor Yang Jian was sitting on a soft couch, and several young palace maids were massaging his back and legs.
Yang Guang knelt down and bowed, "Your Majesty, your son, pays homage to your father!"
"My prince, please excuse me. What's the urgent matter?"
"Your Majesty, a major case occurred on the streets of Chang'an last night!"
Yang Jian asked, "But what about Yun Shitai being killed in the street?"
"Father already knows?"
Yang Jian said calmly: "General Yuwen has already reported to me that the Yun family can't manage their son well, so it's better for him to die, so as to avoid causing trouble for their family!"
Yang Guang said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, although Yun Shitai had done something wrong before, Chang'an is under the emperor's feet. It is the government that is in charge and the army maintains law and order. It is not the turn of ordinary heroes to kill people. I think this case should be investigated strictly and the murderer should be severely punished. Otherwise, anyone can kill people. What is the use of laws? How can the children of ministers protect themselves?"
Yang Jian was very satisfied with his second son's answer. He nodded and said, "I agree to investigate thoroughly!"
"Father, I suggest that this case be handed over to the Dali Temple for investigation!"
Yang Jian waved his hand and said, "I'll leave the criminal law to you. You can decide for yourself! You don't need to report to me."
Yang Guang hesitated for a moment and said, "Father, I cannot command the Dali Temple."
Yang Jian's face darkened. "There is such a thing. Do they think my will is bullshit?"
Yang Jian drew out his sword and threw it to Yang Guang, "I give you my sword. Anyone who dares not obey my order will be killed first and reported later!"
Yang Guang was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, father, for your support!"
Yang Jian continued slowly, "Tonight is the Lantern Festival. I want my whole family to gather together to enjoy the lanterns. Please bring your wife and children with you. I will let you know the details later."
"My son, I remember it!"
Yang Jian smiled and said, "Bring Xiao Qilang here as well. He is also my grandson. Don't forget him."
Yang Guang returned to the outside of the palace and said to his eldest son Yang Zhao who was waiting there, "You don't have to accompany me to the Dali Temple. Go find your third brother right away. There is a family dinner in the palace tonight and we will have a reunion to watch the lanterns. Your grandfather specifically asked you to have your third brother attend. You will be responsible for bringing him into the palace tonight before 3 p.m."
"I understand, kid. Besides, Neng'er is still young, so he doesn't need to participate!"
"Children under three years old don't have to attend. If your wife needs to take care of the children, she doesn't have to go either."
"I'm going to find my third brother right now!"
Yang Zhao left in a hurry.
Yang Guang immediately went to the Dali Temple, which was located in Xiguangfang in the west of the city. It was an official office covering dozens of acres. The Dali Temple integrated case investigation, trial and detention.
The Dali Temple Prison is also the most gloomy and terrifying prison, which is mainly used to detain major criminals and important figures. Once you are sent to the Dali Temple Prison, even if you are not tortured, you will be scared half to death by the gloomy atmosphere here, and you will confess everything without being interrogated. It can be regarded as a kind of psychological oppression.
Although today is a holiday, the Lantern Festival is different from ordinary holidays in that it is the holiday most prone to accidents, so the county government, Jingzhao Prefecture, Dali Temple, Ministry of Justice, Wuhouwei and other departments dare not rest and are on high alert.
Last night was the Lantern Festival, and as expected a major case occurred. Boyun Shitai from Yong'an County was beheaded in the street.
The Dali Temple is also conducting an urgent investigation.
When Prince of Jin Yang Guang arrived at the Dali Temple, Zhang Guo, the Minister of the Dali Temple, hurriedly led his men to greet him. Zhang Guo knew that Prince of Jin was in charge of criminal law, but he was one of the Crown Prince's confidants, so he had to make his position clear. If Prince of Jin had anything to ask him, he should contact the Crown Prince first, otherwise he would only be able to disobey the Prince of Jin's orders in secret.
Yang Guang did not get off the carriage. He held the Emperor's Sword and said coldly, "According to the Emperor's order, the Yun Shitai case is of great importance and is classified as a Class A major case. The Dali Temple Minister Zhang Guo is fully responsible for solving the case. The case must be solved within three days, otherwise severe punishment will be imposed!"
Zhang Guo was shocked and said quickly: "There is no clue in this case. How can it be solved in three days?"
Yang Guang raised the Emperor's Sword and said coldly: "Here is the Emperor's Sword. Anyone who disobeys the Imperial Edict will be beheaded!"
Zhang Guo had no choice but to bow and say, "I obey your order!"
After Yang Guang's carriage left, Wang Qiu, the Junior Official of the Dali Temple, whispered, "Your Excellency, we all know this case. How can it be solved in three days?"
"Asshole, we have to solve the case even if we can't. Order everyone to go out and investigate. If the case is not solved within three days, everyone get out!"
The Dali Temple immediately took action. Teams of Dali Temple cavalry rushed to various parts of Chang'an City. All the city foxes and rats were mobilized to search for all suspicious people.
Zhang Guo was deeply worried. It was obvious that the Prince of Jin wanted to use this case to deal with him, so he had to ask the prince for help.
In the East Palace, after listening to Zhang Guo's story, Crown Prince Yang Yong nodded and said, "Prince Jin is indeed using this case to make trouble. Don't worry about it for now. Go all out to solve the case. Yun Shitai is my brother-in-law. I am under a lot of pressure. I also hope to solve the case as soon as possible!"
Zhang Guo said with a sad face: "How can we solve the case in three days? Your Highness, can you please talk to the emperor and give him some more time?"
Yang Yong's face darkened and he said, "How can I ask for a grace period before we even start solving the case? We'll talk about it in three days. Since he did it on the first day, I'll do it on the fifteenth day as well. Don't worry, at most I'll let you move to another place, but I won't dismiss you from your post or demote you!"
Zhang Guo thanked him profusely and left. Yang Guang then asked his aide Zhang Yunqiu, "Is the case ready?"
Zhang Yunqiu smiled slightly and said, "I have already made an agreement with the head of the Imperial College. The logistics supervisor Wei Guanshi has been promoted to assistant teacher. Four months have passed since this incident happened. No one would have thought that this incident would come out. Dou Yan's son has been convicted of the crime of betraying his teacher and destroying his ancestors. Dou Yan will also be demoted for not educating his son strictly."
Yang Yong thought about it and seemed to have told Yuan Xiaoju before, but Yuan Xiaoju was his father-in-law, so it was not a big problem.
Yang Yong also sneered, "The second brother has just been restored to the throne, so he should be dealt a heavy blow and get rid of Dou Yan. I wonder who will dare to be loyal to him again?"
The yard was dusty. Xiao Xia drew his bow and arrow and kept shooting arrows at the target while running. Today was only his second practice. He gradually found the feeling. He shot one arrow after another while running, each arrow faster than the last. He shot ten arrows in one breath, and every arrow hit the copper coin core. He hung a row of copper coin cores on the wooden board and used the copper coin cores as targets.
At this moment, he faintly heard a knock on the door. Xiao Xia dismounted from his horse, walked forward and opened the door to the inner house. He was stunned. It was his eldest brother Yang Zhao outside.
"You're actually practicing martial arts here!"
Yang Zhao walked into the courtyard and said with a smile: "It's a little small here to practice horse riding and archery. You can go to the Imperial Academy. Anyway, it's a holiday today and the Imperial Academy is empty."
Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I have just started to practice horse riding and archery. I will go to the Imperial Academy when I am more proficient."
"Just started practicing?"
Yang Zhao didn't believe it. "You shot every arrow into the hole of the copper coin. It's a very advanced archery skill. How could you do that when you just started practicing?"
"I have practiced flying needles and flying knives before. I have the basics, so it will be easy to practice horse archery."
Yang Zhao didn't care much about his brothers' martial arts training, and said with a smile: "Hurry up and pack up and follow me!"
"Where to go?"
"My grandfather has asked the whole family to gather in the palace tonight to enjoy the lanterns and the moon. All five families must go. You can change your clothes at my place."
Xiao Xia hesitated for a moment, "Is it okay if I don't go?"
Yang Zhao shook his head. "Grandfather personally asked you to attend. You have to go. Hurry and pack up."
Xiao Xia really didn't want to go, but he also knew that he had to go tonight. It was okay to be unrestrained, but it was not okay to act recklessly. Xiao Xia had no choice but to change his clothes and go out with his brother.
(End of this chapter)