Chi Fengdian calmed down and stepped forward quickly. Qining was followed by several riders, all guards of the Hou Mansion. He reined in his horse and Qining had already turned over and dismounted.
"Master Hou!" Chi Fengdian cupped his hands and said.
Qi Ning also cupped his hands and said, "Commander Chi, you have been waiting for a long time."
"Don't dare!" Chi Fengdian said respectfully: "The emperor has an order to order the Marquis to take charge of the seizure of the Huainan Prince's Mansion. I will obey the Marquis's orders. At present, all 374 people in the Prince's Mansion have been controlled."
Qi Ning looked up and saw that the large courtyard was full of people kneeling, including men and women, old and young. He nodded and said, "Does the Emperor have any decree on how to deal with these people?"
"The state has national laws, and the emperor's will is to be dealt with in accordance with the national laws." Chi Fengdian lowered his voice and said: "After all, King Huainan is of royal blood, and his wives and concubines can only be sent to a nunnery to become nuns, as young as maids. , can be sent to a brothel as a prostitute, and if the male members of the family, except for the prince of Huainan, who received a pardon from the emperor, all others will be sent to the frontier as slaves."
Qi Ning pondered for a moment, knowing that this was also stipulated by the national law and could not be changed. He nodded and said: "Since the emperor has a will, we should deal with it in accordance with the national law."
"The financial utensils in the palace are confiscated by the Marquis." Chi Fengdian said: "Someone from the Ministry of Revenue will rush over soon. They will assist the Marquis in counting the property in the palace and make a list and submit it to the Emperor. All silk and property are included in the accounts of the household department."
"Have the people from the Ministry of Revenue come here yet?" Qining asked with a frown.
Before they finished speaking, they heard the sound of horse hoofbeats. Chi Fengdian said: "It must be someone from the Ministry of Finance who has arrived." The two looked up and saw a group of people pouring out from the other end of the long street. The first few people were riding. As he mounted his horse, followed by forty or fifty soldiers with swords, Chi Fengdian only glanced at him, frowned, and said, "Why are you from the Criminal Department?"
"People from the Criminal Department?" Qi Ning was also surprised: "Chief Commander, if the palace is confiscated, people from the Criminal Department will also be involved?"
"This time the palace was confiscated, the emperor did not order it to be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment." Chi Fengdian said solemnly: "I want to ask what these people are doing here."
While he was talking, the people from the Criminal Department had already approached.
Qi Ning saw that the man in front of him was also wearing official robes. He was over forty years old, tall and tall, with dark skin. He didn't know him very well. He thought that Qian Raoshun, the Minister of Punishment, had been dismissed from office, but he didn't know who this man was.
"That's Da Xichong, the Minister of Punishment!" Chi Fengdian seemed to notice Qining's confusion and whispered: "He is the second-ranking figure in the Punishment Ministry, and he has been Qian Raoshun's confidant before."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, thinking that Qian Raoshun was gone, so it was natural for Da Xi to step forward now.
Da Xichong turned over and dismounted. He had already seen Qi Ning and Chi Fengdian, with smiles on their faces. He cupped his hands from a distance and said, "I have seen the Marquis before. Commander Chi is here early!"
Although Chi Fengdian is the commander of the Yulin Camp, in terms of official position, he is still one level lower than the Minister of Justice.
Chi Fengdian also cupped his hands, but Qi Ning clasped his hands behind his back, glanced at the dozens of criminal officials behind Da Xi, frowned and asked: "Master Da Xi, could it be that you also followed the emperor's order and came to ransack your home?"
"Don't dare." Da Xichong still smiled and said: "The lower official has nothing to do with the house confiscation. He is just ordered to handle the case."
"Handling a case?" Qi Ning asked, "What case?"
Da Xichong raised his eyes and glanced at the gilded plaque on the door, and said with a smile: "Of course it is a case of rebellion by the King of Huainan. The traitorous ministers caused trouble, and the Ministry of Punishment has to explain it to the court, so it is natural to investigate it clearly."
"I see." Qi Ning nodded slightly: "How are you going to investigate the case?"
"Replying to the Marquis, I came here today to invite the Prince of Huainan to the Ministry of Punishment." Da Xi said, "The Ministry of Punishment has already made tea. Let me have a good chat with the Crown Prince."
Qi Ning sneered and said: "Then you know that the emperor has a decree. King Huainan is guilty, but the prince is innocent. The prince must not be involved in this case."
"The official knows, the official knows." Da Xichong nodded repeatedly: "So the official is here today, not to arrest the crown prince, but to invite him. Please don't misunderstand me."
Longtai ordered Qi Ning to lead a team to seize the palace. Qi Ning naturally knew what Long Tai meant. It was not just as simple as confiscating the palace. The most important reason was to keep Xiao Shaozong, the prince of Huainan, for himself.
Longtai and Xiao Shaozong had a close personal relationship. King Huainan set off a major case. Naturally, the Sima family wanted to use this major case to completely overthrow the Huainan Palace. Although King Huainan died, Xiao Shaozong was still alive. If the root was not eradicated, the consequences would be endless. Sima Naturally, everyone knows this truth, so even if Xiao Shaozong does not participate in the comeback, he must still be in danger.
Qi Ning could understand that Longtai did not want to see Xiao Shaozong forced into a desperate situation by the Sima family, whether in terms of personal relationship or royal blood. However, as the king of a country, it was naturally difficult for him to directly protect the son of a traitor, so he made himself responsible. Presided over the confiscation of the Huainan Prince's Mansion, taking this as an opportunity to save Xiao Shaozong.
Since he understands Longtai's intention, Qining will naturally not let anyone touch Xiao Shaozong easily, and said calmly: "It's unlucky for Master Daxi to come today. I was ordered to confiscate the house. Before the confiscation, not a single plant or tree in the palace was allowed to be destroyed." If you move lightly, you people from the Criminal Department will naturally not be able to step into the gate of the palace."
Da Xichong still laughed and said: "What the Marquis said is absolutely true. I will never delay the Marquis's search of his house. I will take people to wait outside the palace. After the Marquis has confiscated the house, I will take people in to invite the prince."
Qi Ning frowned and said: "The people you brought were armed with knives and guns, and they all looked fierce. They are so rude. How dare you say you are inviting me?"
Da Xichong sighed: "Master Marquis, the King of Huainan is plotting a rebellion. He has many members of the ruling and opposition parties, many of whom have not yet been arrested. I am worried that the remaining parties will interfere with it, so I can only bring some people around. If there is any offense, I will Please forgive me, Lord Marquis."
Qi Ning saw that he had a rough appearance, but he spoke in an orderly manner, and said calmly: "You said you were ordered to investigate the case, but whose order was it?"
"this… !"
"You don't even know who ordered it?" Qi Ning said coldly: "Then what case are you investigating!"
"Master Marquis, it's the order from the Duke of Zhen." Da Xi rushed, "The old Duke assists in the affairs of the government. If such a big case happens, the old Duke will naturally order an investigation."
"It turned out to be what Duke Zhen Guo meant." Qi Ning smiled faintly: "But since the emperor said that the prince is not guilty, it means that no one can touch the prince in the slightest. The Ministry of Punishment wants to investigate the case, and I will not stop it, but the Ministry of Punishment Someone wants to offend the prince, but I cannot agree."
Da Xichong was startled, then smiled slightly and said: "I'm afraid the Marquis cannot do this. This is a major case for the court, and the rebellion is about the Huainan King. The Prince of Huainan and the Prince of Huainan have a father-son relationship. Of course, the case must be investigated starting from the son. If If we don’t invite the Crown Prince to talk to the Ministry of Justice, the case will not be investigated, and it will be even harder for the Huainan King’s gang members to investigate.”
"Whether the investigation is good or not, whether it can be investigated, is the matter of your criminal department and has nothing to do with me." Qi Ning did not give any face: "Da Xichong, I have to do something, please take the people and leave first."
Da Xichong, however, had no intention of leaving. Instead, he took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "Master Hou, I am also following orders. I ask you to understand my difficulties. Your Majesty will not disturb Master Hou to search his house, he will only lead you." People are waiting outside.”
"So, if I wait for three days and three nights, you will also have to wait here for three days and three nights?" Qining's eyes were like daggers.
Da Xichong's expression remained unchanged as he nodded and said: "The Marquis can copy here for three days, and the subordinate can wait here for three days."
"Oh?" Qining sneered: "It seems that Master Daxi has made up his mind and really doesn't want to leave."
Da Xichong had already taken out the official letter from his sleeve and said: "This is an order from the Duke of Zhen. If I can't do my job well, my head will not be saved. Please forgive me."
Qi Ning put his hands behind his back, stared into Da Xichong's eyes, and said word by word: "Then I order you to leave now, will you disobey me?"
Da Xichong hesitated for a moment, and then said in a rather firm voice: "I'm sorry for speaking so bluntly. Although the Marquis is a hereditary marquis, I don't dare to be disrespectful to him. However, when handling official business, I will only act according to orders and will not do anything." Pay attention to the distinction between superiors and subordinates. The Jinyi Qi family is a famous family in Chu, and the Marquis is extremely wise. Of course, he does not want to be misunderstood and obstructs the Ministry of Justice from running errands. If it spreads, people who don’t know the truth will think that the Marquis is protecting the Huainan Palace. "
Qi Ning smiled instead of being angry, raised his hand and gave a thumbs up and said: "Master Da Xi is indeed fair and impartial, and I feel admiration for him."
"I don't dare." Da Xi rushed: "Please still go ahead with the errands, I'll wait patiently here."
"Qi Feng!" Qi Ning suddenly shouted.
Qi Feng had been following Qi Ning. Hearing Qi Ning's call, he immediately stepped forward: "Master Hou, the young one is here."
"I didn't hear clearly just now. What did Lord Da Xi say?" Qining said slowly: "I heard that he seemed to say that I wanted to protect the Huainan Palace?"
Da Xichong changed his color slightly and said hurriedly: "Master Hou, I'm the official...!" Before he could finish speaking, he was covered by Qi Feng's voice: "Master Hou, Master Da Xi seems to have said this. He said that Master Hou wants to protect you. Prince Huainan's Mansion. Lord Marquis, Master Daxi is from the Ministry of Punishment. Don't you know how to be careful with your words and deeds? Lord Marquis is extremely loyal to the court. This time he came to seize the Prince's Mansion under the order. How did he cover up the Prince of Huainan's Mansion? Although the young man has a low status, But when I heard what he said, I was furious. If Lord Da Xi can’t explain clearly, we will be dissatisfied.”
Da Xichong looked ugly and said: "Master Marquis, please don't misunderstand me. I didn't say that you were protecting the Huainan Palace. What I meant was...!" Before he could finish his words, Qi Ning's figure flashed. , had already stepped forward, and before Da Xichong could react, Qining had already raised his legs, and at an extremely fast speed, he kicked Da Xichong in the chest.
Da Xichong was completely unprepared, and Qining's kick was extremely powerful, hitting his chest. Da Xichong was immediately kicked out, and then fell heavily to the ground, with a mouthful of blood spurting out. The group of officials from the Ministry of Justice behind him saw this, They all rushed forward and drew their weapons. Here, Qi Feng and other guards of the Hou Mansion had already drawn their swords and stepped forward, while the Yulin Camp soldiers under Chi Fengdian also held down the hilts of their swords like a conditioned reflex.