That night, Qin Mubai asked Liao Lirong to sign his confession and rushed back to Jishan County overnight. The judicial system of the Tang Dynasty can be regarded as complete. Except for state and county yamen at all levels, Dali Temple, and Yushitai, no other institutions or individuals can set up private courts to investigate cases. But Qin Mubai was a special case. He was sent by the emperor, so he had the same meaning as the imperial envoy. When the imperial envoy arrived at the place, officials at all levels met the emperor face to face, and they had no choice but to submit or admit guilt.
After taking the confession and watching the witnesses, Qin Mubai still had some doubts in his heart: Even Liao Lirong didn't know where the account book was, so where would it go? The more mysterious it is, the more valuable it is. Now it seems that the case has actually come to light. All it takes is the emperor's imperial order to arrest the Marquis of Shengnan, Zhang Tianci, and the Governor of Jiangzhou, Cheng Songnian.
But Qin Mubai always had a vague feeling that this case was not as simple as it seemed. A mysteriously missing account book, what mystery is hidden in it? Could it be that this account book has already been obtained by Cheng Songnian, or does it not exist at all
On the way back, Qin Mubai was still sitting in the carriage with Chen Yan, and the others followed on horseback. Qin Mubai was thinking about the case, while Chen Yan closed her eyes and remained silent. The two of them hardly spoke a word along the way.
We are almost arriving at Jishan County, and it is almost dawn.
"Chen Yan, we're here." Qin Mubai said, "Do you really want to stay with me? The military camp is full of men. It's very inconvenient."
"Who do you think would dare to provoke me?" Chen Yan sneered casually, "Besides, I am your adopted sister, General Qin, who would dare to provoke me?"
"You are smart. That's all. It's up to you. In fact, I feel more relieved to have you with me, lest you go to seek revenge from Sheng Nanhou and others privately." Qin Mubai said as he got out of the car.
"I'm willing to go with you. If you want to take me with you, that's okay. Why bother with such nonsense." Chen Yan also got out of the car.
There are more than 5,000 troops stationed in the Fubingjun Village of Jiangzhou Prefecture, which is not small in scale. Although it was a temporary marching camp, it was as tall as a dense tower with a radius of ten miles. The queues coming and going were in an orderly manner, and there was a constant flow of horses and vehicles carrying military supplies.
It was the first time for Chen Yan to visit such a place, and she couldn't help but look around a few more times. Those big-headed soldiers stayed in the military camp all day long and saw that almost all chickens and ducks were female. Then they suddenly saw a stunning beauty, and their eyes almost glowed with green. If it weren't for the fact that she followed Qin Mubai closely, she would have been eaten alive by a group of men who were crazy with hunger and thirst.
"Man, you are really not a good thing!" Chen Yan spat, obviously a little annoyed.
"Isn't it the woman who caused the trouble?" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Stop talking, King Wu's royal tent has arrived."
A large flag with the word "Li" flying high in the camp, which was far taller and more gorgeous than ordinary military tents, sat Li Ke, listening to his soldiers and officials report on the recent disaster relief and people's relief. At this time, the servant came to report that Qin Mubai was back and asked to see the King of Wu.
"Oh, Mu Bai is back, let him in." Li Ke said casually.
Qin Mubai took Chen Yan in and walked in together. When everyone saw Chen Yan, they were immediately surprised. One part is shocking, the other part is confusing - Qin Mubai disappeared for two days, why did he suddenly bring a woman into the military camp
"I have met His Highness." Qin Mubai saluted and shouted to Chen Yan, "You are still stunned, come and salute Your Highness!"
Chen Yan glared at Qin Mubai in a low voice, took a step forward, raised her sword and cupped her fists and saluted: "I have met His Highness King Wu."
"Hey, who is this?" Li Ke asked with a deliberate smile.
"I asked for leave yesterday just to pick her up." Qin Mubai said, "This is your adopted sister, Chen Yan. Please give me a gift!"
"Don't dare, don't dare!" Upon hearing that she was Qin Mubai's "sister-in-law," the officers and generals present immediately changed their expressions and showed respect to Chen Yan, and hurriedly bowed their hands in salute.
"My adopted sister! ... What a chivalrous adopted sister, not bad, not bad." Li Ke's smile became more and more ambiguous, and he waved his hand, "Please step aside first!"
The officials withdrew the wise ones, leaving only three people in the tent.
"Mubai, you're not bad!" Li Ke stood up and walked to Chen Yan, walked around her twice, looked at her carefully, and smiled, "I've only been out for a day or two, and I've kidnapped my adopted sister. . It’s growing so fast!”
"Your Highness, you misunderstood!" Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and shook his head. Just as he was about to argue, Chen Yan spoke up.
"His Royal Highness, King Wu, is a royal relative. Could it be that he doesn't care about state affairs and only has some romantic thoughts in his mind?" Chen Yan sneered and said, "If you don't know about the affairs of the palace, do you know what 'righteousness' is? Since I am his sworn sister, but Worthy of this righteous word!”
Li Ke's expression suddenly froze in embarrassment, and he coughed dryly and said: "Mu Bai, you girl... you have sharp lips, so spicy!"
"Her sword is probably more powerful than her tongue." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "So, Your Highness can mess with anyone, but don't mess with her. I won't hide it from you, let me tell you the truth - this one is The widow of Zhu Chengwen, the former magistrate of Jishan County."
"What?" Li Ke was startled in panic, and hurriedly changed his appearance and bowed his hand to Chen Yan, "It turns out to be Mrs. Sister-in-law. Xiao Wang didn't understand why, and my words were frivolous and unreasonable. Please forgive me!"
In fact, given Li Ke's dignity, he probably didn't need to be polite to a county magistrate's wife. It’s just that the dead are the greatest, and everyone who is still alive is respected. Paying great attention to etiquette, Li Ke, a prince, molested someone else's widow. It would not be nice to spread the news.
"Your Highness, there is no need to be so polite." Chen Yan said coldly, "I am just a rough woman traveling around the world. I don't know the etiquette, and I don't deserve His Highness's courtesy."
Qin Mubai curled his lips at Li Ke and said, "The children of the world don't stick to trivial matters. Your Highness just needs to get used to it."
"Ahem!..." Li Ke coughed dryly and changed the subject: "What did Mu Bai gain from this trip?"
"It's acceptable." Qin Mubai showed Liao Lirong's confession to Li Ke and said, "It's just that I still don't know where the account book is, and even Liao Lirong doesn't know about it. Your Highness, do you think there is no such book at all?" Where is the account book? Or is it that Cheng Songnian and others have already stolen this important piece of evidence or destroyed it?"
"It's hard to say..." Li Ke frowned and said, "I just want to be foolproof. In fact, without this account book, their crimes are also proved to be irrefutable. It's just that every penny allocated by the court has gone. It is necessary to find out the whole story. If there is such a ledger, it is likely to involve many people. If it falls into the wrong hands, it will cause endless harm. It is better for us to take it. Take the initiative.”
"Your Highness has thought deeply and what he said makes sense." Qin Mubai nodded with deep approval. If someone with evil intentions gets hold of such an important piece of evidence in a huge case and knows the secret, they can use it to blackmail many people. Who knows how many big officials and minor officials are involved in this case? Who could have imagined that this mere account book would cause another turmoil in the future
Li Ke thought for a moment and said to Chen Yan, "Madam, did my husband give you anything important before his death?"
"You want to ask me if I have hidden this ledger, right?" Chen Yan tilted her chin slightly at Qin Mubai, "He has already asked, so His Highness won't bother."
Li Ke looked at Qin Mubai, who shook his head.
"Now, I hope there is no such account book in the world, or that we can find him as soon as possible." Li Ke took a slow breath and said leisurely.
It seems that, like Qin Mubai, he also has some ominous premonitions about this account book.
A while later, when the three of them were sitting in the tent drinking tea and resting, a soldier came to report that Marquis Shengnan of Jiangzhou was visiting.
"He actually came to the door on his own initiative?" Qin Mubai said a little surprised, "He's quite courageous."
Chen Yan snorted coldly and held the sword in her hand tighter.
"How about you stay away?" Qin Mubai said, "I will send someone to assign a military tent to you, and you can rest there."
"I will send two more eunuchs to serve you." Li Ke said.
"No need. I'm used to being alone." Chen Yan stood up and left.
"What a woman with personality." Qin Mubai and Li Ke shook their heads and laughed together.
Marquis Shengnan entered the king's tent and bowed down to Li Ke with great etiquette. He looks about thirty or so, with a medium build. His appearance is neither ugly nor annoying, and his expression is low-key and courteous. After being given a seat by Li Ke, he looked frightened and frightened. Although he knelt down and sat down, his body was straight.
"Marquis Shengnan is really thoughtful." Li Ke said with a smile, "I have been in Jiangzhou for two months. Although it is the first time I have seen you, I have heard of your reputation for kindness for a long time. Jiangzhou unfortunately suffered from floods this time. During the disaster, you have personally donated countless grains, rice and cold clothes, and also called on the squires of this state and county to assist the court in the disaster relief. This will benefit the country! After I return to the court, I will definitely ask for your merits in front of my father. reward!"
"Your Highness is ridiculous!" Zhang Tianci, the Marquis of Shengnan, hurriedly raised his hands to Li Ke and whispered cautiously, "Everything Xiaohou has is a reward from the Emperor. Now that Jiangzhou is suffering from disaster, that is what happens to the Emperor's people." It’s difficult. A young bird still knows how to repay a favor, and Xiao Hou should do such a thing.”
"Okay. Marquis Shengnan is indeed a good minister and a true hero." Li Ke smiled appreciatively and said, "Come and watch!"
An eunuch came out carrying a plate of yellow and white things and placed it in front of Zhang Tianci's table.
"This... Xiaohou doesn't dare to accept the reward." Zhang Tianci chuckled, as if he was a little honest and embarrassed, and waved his hands repeatedly, "Xiaohou is not short of money, your highness should reward the money to those who have worked hard and contributed greatly to the disaster relief work. !”
Qin Mubai stood beside Li Ke holding a sword. At this moment, he couldn't help but sneered in his heart: This man is really good at acting. The tricks of deceiving superiors and concealing subordinates must have been practiced for a long time. He appears to be loyal and good, but is actually a traitor. If you didn't know him well, it would be easy to be deceived by his appearance!