The first work of the imperial prison

The shadow of the candle was condensed in the wind, blood was splashed under the stick, the main hall of Fusi in Beizhen was cold and silent, only the sound of the stick falling on the person could be heard, which was heavy, muffled, heavy, and accompanied by the uncontrollable moans of the tortured.

Seeing that the beating was almost over, and the prisoner couldn't get mad anymore, Hate Qingcai slowly raised his hand——

Jin Yiwei, who was holding the torture stick, stopped instantly.

Qiu Xunqing said: "Wan Chengyun, I want to know what you are waiting for and who you are waiting for, so that I can teach you that the person you are waiting for will not come, or you were beaten to death here. , or, you obediently confess, you may have a decent way to die in the future, you have to think about it."

Know... who is he waiting for?

Wan Chengyun doesn't believe it.

But he raised his head with difficulty, and when he looked in the direction of Qiu Yiqing, he saw that the other party was brushing the case slowly with his big hand. There was a file on it. The paper was very special, more luxurious than others, and the embossed pattern was familiar—from East factory.

Wan Chengyun's pupils suddenly shrank.

That's right, today's Beizhen Fusi, the Jinyiwei on the inner and outer floors, guarantees that no one in the main hall can get out, whether they are dead or alive. If they can't get out, it doesn't mean that other things can't get in. The Jinyiwei is the enemy. Naturally, no one would dare to stop the news sent to him by the suspicious Jin Yiwei.

He has been abandoned...

Even Dongchang was able to search and verify his crimes, and sold him to Beizhen Fusi for profit.

"You still don't want to say?"

The tone of the commander's voice changed, and others couldn't hear it. Shen Jiang didn't understand too much, and immediately waved down: "Keep fighting!"

"No...don't want...I'll recruit..."

Wan Chengyun held his breath before, just to gamble on an opportunity, but now that the general situation is over, others have started to make trouble, he can't run away, so what are you holding on for?This torture rod...was too painful, and he couldn't bear it.

"I said..."

"Very good." Qiu Yiqing raised his hand, Jin Yiwei saluted, and went out with his staff.

Without the coercion of the torture stick, Wan Chengyun couldn't even maintain a kneeling posture, lying on the ground like a puddle of mud, panting heavily, with a pale face, how could he still have the majesty of being in a high position in the past?

Facing this scene, several people in the household department were stunned, unable to say a word.

Wan Chengyun closed his eyes, gasped for breath, and said slowly: "The household treasury bank case... is of great importance, and the participants also have secrets. In order to prevent relevant people from escaping... If you want to catch them all, I advise the commander So, it's better to dismiss others and not reveal too much..."

This is very reliable.

He didn't say anything, but Qiu Yiqing was about to do the same. He picked up the file on one side and took notes, and his eyes hurriedly passed: "Jiang Yiqing, Li Guangji, and Lin Bin are involved in this case in many ways, and there are other details and clues that have not been explained. Secretary, to wait for further investigation; Deng Huaqi, currently there is not enough evidence and doubts, you can go home temporarily, and you will have to cooperate with the Jinyiwei to investigate and monitor in the future, until the case is over, with a memorial, the emperor's seal—do you have any objections?"

Naturally, the few people in the household department did not dare to object, and they immediately kowtowed and clapped their hands together, letting Jin Yiwei hold or invite them, and left.

Qiu Yiqing looked at the people sitting on the chairs again: "How about everyone? Do you have any questions?"

Wang Jimin, the Shaoqing of Dali Temple, just smiled: "The commander handles the case according to the order, the discipline is strict, and the evidence is as solid as a mountain." Then he glanced at Ye Baiting, who was drinking tea behind the young lady, and his smile deepened, "The young general under his command is as careful as a hair, and he pushes the case. The corpse is unsurpassed, and the case is so clear, how can the lower officials have any doubts? The commander can rest assured that everything in the hall today, the lower officials will make a statement and report the truth to the emperor. Regarding the misjudgment of this case last year, Dali Temple will also accept it. Will reflect."

As for who will reflect on it, of course he is competing with him for the seat of Dali Temple Minister, another Shaoqing Zhou Zhongbo.Who told Zhou Zhongbo to befriend He Yiming last year, no matter whether he was too trusting or lost his head, the case was passed without a proper review?

Zhou Zhongbo's face is not so good-looking. It is the critical period of competition for employment. Once it is found out that he made a mistake in his work last year, won't the position of Dali Siqing be someone else's?What's more serious, not only the position of promotion belongs to someone else, but also his position as the Shaoqing of Dali Temple is no longer stable!

He was naturally not reconciled, and turned to He Yiming, with a suppressed and threatening expression on his brows: "Does Master He have nothing to say?"

As far as this case is concerned, we are all in the same boat. If I lose the chance to be promoted, wouldn't it be even more difficult for you?

With a glance in his eyes, Ye Baiting turned to the next side of the case, "I heard that this Mr. Ye Xiao is Mr. He's righteous brother..." Can't he ask for a favor?There is nothing to be afraid of the kindness and resentment in the past, a big man can bend and stretch, and he has passed this hurdle first, what else can he say?

In the end, let alone pleading, others didn't even give this opportunity. Qiu Xunqing didn't let Ye Baiting speak, and said directly: "After Jin Yiwei's investigation, He Shilang and Wan Chengyun have a close relationship, which is deeply involved in this case. Wan Chengyun made a confession , I think there will be many issues to be confronted by Mr. He later, in the courtroom, regardless of personal relationship, Zhou Shaoqing is afraid that he will not have any friends with him, so he has to leave on his own."

Zhou Zhongbo: ...

These words almost made He Yiming and Wan Chengyun into one party!He also wanted to persuade others to keep their heads down, to see if they could be lenient and get some benefits, not to mention the benefits now, it would be nice if they would be less guilty!Relying on He Yiming, it's better to go back to Dali Temple to perform well and ask for blessings!

Sure enough, Qiu Yiqing's next sentence was: "What is the truth of this case and what is the process, I will report the truth to the emperor. Whether Zhou Shaoqing's future will continue, I am afraid that I will not be able to ask anyone, and I can only see the emperor's decision."

Zhou Zhongbo was angry and ashamed, and shook his sleeves: "What the commander said is, how dare the subordinate officials complain, and leave like this!"

He threw up his sleeves and left, Wang Jimin had to round things up, smiled and handed over to Qiu Suqing: "This case is complicated, and the commander has worked hard, so don't worry, the Dali Temple has always enforced the law impartially and never favoritism. Let the Commander down, if there is any need for help, the Commander can send someone to come to the Association at any time, Dali Temple will do its best and dare not say anything."

Qiu Yiqing nodded slightly: "So, thank you Wang Shaoqing."

Wang Jimin: "The commander is busy with things, and the subordinate officials will not disturb you, so I will leave."

He Yiming's man, Qiu Yiqing, is staying, but it is impossible for him to poke in front of the hall to listen to the details and secrets. With Qiu Yiqing's casual wink, Shen Jiang understood: "He Shilang sat in the middle of the night, The water has been refilled four times, maybe it is swollen? You are not familiar with the road to Fusi in Beizhen, come here—it’s convenient to take He Shilang out!"

Regardless of whether he is panicking or not, if others feel that he is panicking, he has to deal with it. Once he goes out, when he comes back, and which room he returns to, it all depends on other people's arrangements...

Those who should retreat have retreated, those who should have left have left, and the hall quickly quieted down.

Wan Chengyun began to explain, the rules of the household department, the tacit understanding reached between the top and bottom, the order of doing things, the arrangement of the undertaker... One by one, one by one, he may not want to explain clearly, and he can't stand the suspicion of Qing and Ye Baiting Will ask, both of them are thoughtful people who don't miss any small details. He can only say more and more detailed and clearer, and the list of people who handle things is very long...

But in the end, he didn't identify He Yiming, or have any details to show that something in the household department was related to He Yiming. It's not that Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing didn't pay attention, but there was no subtlety or ambiguity at all. The suspicious intersection is that Guan Xiuzhu's verdict of "suicide in fear of crime" came too fast and too smoothly.

One of the two is in the Ministry of Household Affairs and the other is in the Ministry of Criminal Justice. The scope and method of work are very different, and the circles are also different. If there is any overlap, there must be special abnormalities. It is impossible that there are loopholes. In the Kuyin embezzlement case, he was innocent, and there was no exchange of interests?

Then he intends to close the case quickly, is he really stupid and didn't find any doubts, or has he just been promoted to the position of assistant minister, eager to make meritorious service, make connections by the way, convenient for others, convenient for himself?

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing exchanged glances, and there was a consensus in their hearts.

When He Yiming was invited to the hall again, he was not in good spirits, and his face was also ugly, but he was forced to stay up all night, and he would probably be unhappy if he changed it.

"How about it, did you ask clearly?" He put his hands on his lips and yawned, "Are you innocent?"

Qiu Yiqing looked at him: "Do you have something to argue about Guan Xiuzhu's 'suicide in fear of crime'?"

He Yiming: "That night was just a coincidence. During the Qixi Festival, you think we are all free and have nothing to do. You can't feel at ease to enjoy shopping in Lantern Street. You insist on causing trouble? The Ministry of Criminal Affairs has indeed found something new, and you have to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Asking questions, who would have thought that Guan Xiuzhu would die at this time? The officer had just been reassigned at the time, and his power and responsibility were only to settle the case. Other evidence and details depended on his work, on-site investigation and small referees. Everyone concluded that he committed suicide in fear of crime. So what can the officer do? I have to do it."

The ability to push the pot seems to be a must-have skill for those in the officialdom who are good at making money. Without more evidence, if you really want to pursue the blame, He Yiming is at most a dereliction of duty. What can you do?

Beizhen Fusi seems to have no choice but to let him go.

He Yiming is a very purposeful person in the world. Some people are destined not to be friends, but enemies. Looking at Qiu Yiqing, he laughed at Ye Baiting: "Even if you hug the commander's thigh, what can you do to me?"

Brother, you are still too young.

Ye Baiting didn't show any embarrassment, resentment or discomfort on his face, instead he smiled slightly: "Don't worry, if you don't wait patiently—what can I do to you, you will know soon."

Qiu Yiqing on the seat showed no expression, and didn't say a word, as if he didn't need to support such a trivial matter at all, and some children could handle it by themselves, so he could completely give up space and let others do what they wanted.

He Yiming: ...

Dog man man!

It seemed that he couldn't be angry with others, and of course he couldn't be angry either. The corners of his lips curled into a half-smile: "So, I will wait for you, brother, and leave!"

The door of the main hall was pushed open, revealing the dark blue night sky, the night was not yet over, and the morning star was hung on the horizon, a star far away, it seemed very far and small, but it was enough to illuminate the road ahead of night passers-by.

Wan Chengyun, who was paralyzed on the ground, had finished explaining everything, his chest rose and fell slowly, as if he was in pain even breathing.

Ye Baiting put down the empty teacup, got up and went out: "It's one less time to take a look, Mr. Wan, enjoy it, this feeling of being abandoned."

"Heh...haha...cough..."

Wan Chengyun's low and suppressed laugh didn't sound good in the night, so much so that he choked on himself and almost coughed to death: "...you think you have the right to scold me? You are not the same as me!"

Ye Baiting was startled, not understanding: "Us?"

Wan Chengyun's brows were dark: "You and the man next to you... Heh, the surnamed Qiu is a fake public servant, he looks like a dog, and he wants to take advantage of it. You have already had an affair with him, and there is also an interest in exchange." , still standing here with a shy face and talking without back pain! Think about what you said before, the methods I used in the Ministry of Finance, this man has never used it against you? Really not, how did you follow the imperial edict? When you came out of prison, you became the governor of Beizhen? When you were lying under him and panting softly, did you ever ask for anything? He never gave you permission—"

Before he could finish speaking, the teacup in Qiu Yiqing's hand had already been crushed, and he flipped his wrist and snapped his fingers, and the broken porcelain was thrown out, accurately breaking his teeth: "Presumptuous!"

Ye Baiting was stunned for a moment before realizing what Wan Chengyun said...

Shen Jiang stood aside, watching his boss crush the teacup, lifted his robe and walked quickly, and walked to Wan Chengyun's side in the next moment, his face was full of murderous anger.

This has to be stopped, he thought, he can't watch his boss make mistakes, Beizhen Fusi is a place of rules, and he must not kill indiscriminately like other places, even if he is commanded to a high position, he will still be rewarded and punished by the emperor in retrospect?must stop...

But he dared not.

Don't look at him as tall and thick, with rough skin and thick flesh, he is no match for a commander in front of him. He dares to stand upright when others get angry, isn't he afraid of being smashed into pieces!

He is not afraid of a big man... Isn't there a wife at home?

After careful consideration, Shen Baihu decided to wink at the young master——Master, help me! Stop the commander quickly! !You can't ask the commander to slaughter people in court!

This scene turned out to be the most dangerous and murderous scene of today's questioning.

Ye Baiting knew it was a little out of place, but really, she wanted to laugh.

Fortunately, he was closer to Wan Chengyun, even if he didn't react in a hurry at the time, a single step at this time firmly blocked him in front of him, blocking Qiu Xunqing.

The atmosphere changes in these few moments...

Shen Jiang looked at it badly, Wan Chengyun said the wrong thing, the commander was going to run away, and the commander really ran away, the commander not only ran away, but also knocked out other people's teeth, not only knocked out other people's teeth, He even rushed over angrily to kill someone!

But the young master just moved so lightly, his footsteps moved, and the corners of his lapel made small ripples like flowing water, which was not real enough. The commander, who was about to kill in anger, stopped abruptly, looking at the young master's actions. The eyes are still very aggrieved, like Xuanfeng who is begging for sex, not good.

Shen Jiang: ...

Otherwise, the young master is amazing!Beizhen Fusi can't do without the young master!

"Master Wan may have misunderstood some things," Ye Baiting comforted Qiu Xunqing, and he had to reason for himself, "I'll come and talk to you, what's different. All the commander's concern for his subordinates is just Given a chance, give up the stage, dare to step up, whether he can stand out, whether he can convince others, how much credit he has, all depends on himself. He didn't take this as an exchange condition. Even if he had rules in his heart, he only It can be exchanged for work and ability, and nothing else-"

"Oh, there is still a chance."

Ye Baiting added: "The so-called 'overtime work alone', the so-called 'necessary entertainment', the so-called 'reporting alone', and the accountability of mistakes... All the opportunities given by your household department are deliberately created by you by 'teaching people according to their aptitude'. Our Beizhen Fusi can't do it, for example, as a foreman, I can only play a role when I encounter a case, and at other times, the commander can't think of me at all."

Qiu Suiqing: ...

Shen Jiang blinked, although what he said was true, but... not necessarily so?Master, think again?

Ye Baiting: "Not to mention taking them out for entertainment, the commander will never let me hold up drinks for him, he will even order me not to drink. When I am very busy, I may occasionally forget the sense of distance and get along with each other casually. In front of outsiders, there will never be a distance between the commander and me that exceeds misunderstanding, because he, as a boss and a man, should respect the other party."

"Master Wan's opportunities are prepared in advance, and others are forced to accept them. Every opportunity given must be rewarded. Commands and envoys are different. All opportunities are karma, never forced, not exchanged for anything, Not for personal gain—Master Wan, transactions and feelings are not the same thing, and it’s a pity that you don’t understand at this age.”

Shen Jiang raised his hand to testify: "That's right! And they haven't even touched their hands! It's not like you, you play so wild! It makes people sick!"

Ye Baiting's eyes sparkled: "Not bad!"

He and Qiu Yiqing are at best an office romance!It's not the same as unspoken rules at all, don't confuse it!

Qiu Suiqing: ...

He moved his eyes down, glanced at the small gold bracelet on the slender white wrist of Xiao Wuzuo, landed on the waist that he could hold with one hand, touched his nose, feeling a little guilty for some reason, hands, actually... he touched it, and so did his waist.

Shen Jiang: "What are you still doing in a daze? Take him away and take him to prison!"

"Yes!" Jin Yiwei outside the door responded.

The person quickly took it down, and there were dark bloodstains on the ground. Immediately, a soldier came to wash it with a bucket of water. Judging by the degree of posture, you can tell that you are very skilled.

The gate is open, the courtyard is empty, the morning star is shining in the sky, the morning drum is sounded for the second time, and after five times, the city gate will open and the sky will shine.

The fifth watch, the darkest time, is also the time when the sky will be bright.

After staying up all night, I should be very tired, but I can fall asleep, but I am very excited, and I can't fall asleep for a while.

Qiu Yiqing looked at Xiao Zuo Zuo's bright eyes: "Don't you want to rest?"

Ye Baiting gave a "hmm" and said, "I don't seem to be sleepy yet."

"Go to have breakfast?" Qiu Xunqing suggested, "The tofu nao shop I met before when I was handling the case is good, you haven't tried it yet."

Ye Baiting: "Tofu nao... the one that Li Yao always mentioned?"

Qiu Yiqing nodded: "Walking slowly from here, it happens that the boss is about to start a stall."

"Okay." Ye Baiting looked at Shen Jiang again.

Shen Jiang yawned and shook his head: "I won't go, it's hard to finish, and I have to be busy later, I have to go back to show my face and have breakfast, otherwise the mother-in-law at home should worry."

The commander seemed very satisfied with this answer, and added a very thoughtful sentence: "Go back and have a good rest, and come back after noon."

And what about this good thing?

"Yes!" Shen Jiangsheng was afraid that his boss would change his mind, so he saluted cheerfully, turned around and ran away.

The night is smudged to the end, the light has not yet spread out, there are only dots of stars shining in the sky, too far away, too light, and hardly helpful to the road under your feet.

But two people are walking on the road, listening to the voice, feeling the distance, step by step, they will not get separated.

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing stepped forward, keeping a distance of about one foot, neither of them walked faster, and neither of them fell behind.

Qiu Yiqing's voice was deep, like this twilight night: "Still sad?"

Ye Baiting remembered the poem in Meng Nanxing's handwriting, and slowly lowered his eyes: "It's just a pity. I just saw the darkness in the officialdom here today."

"It's not like this everywhere. I've seen other government offices that are law-abiding, disciplined, and promotion channels are transparent and open. Everyone knows what they are fighting for, where they are ahead, and what to do when they encounter problems," Qiu Yiqing's voice was slow, like the flowing night, "As well as the household department itself, some low-level officials have not been deteriorated, and they are still insisting. After this clean-up, the official office will definitely change its appearance. It's going to happen again."

He looked at Ye Baiting, his eyes softened slightly: "The past can't be traced. You can't save the dead, but you have helped many living people. From now on, no new people will fall into the swamp. You are great."

"……Um."

"There is a pit here, be careful." Qiu Xunqing found something wrong, turned around and went to Laye Baiting——

Ye Baiting avoided his hand, grabbed the corner of her robe, and took two steps to the side: "Thank you."

It was as if the night was too dark to see his hand at all.

Kong Mang clenched his palms and held them behind his back. Chou Xunqing's voice remained unchanged, calm and calm as always: "Follow me, don't be afraid."

"Ah."

Ye Baiting looked at the back of the other party's stalwart, the starlight sprinkled on the man's shoulders, the whole person looked extremely tall, as if the road was not difficult for him no matter whether it was far or near, calm or rough.

"What are you thinking? Why don't you go?"

Meeting Qiu Yiqing's deep gaze, Ye Baiting's heart skipped a beat for some reason: "It's nothing...just, tell me, will this kind of thing disappear in the future?"

"No." Qiu Yiqing walked firmly, without any hesitation in answering, "This is human nature."

Ye Baiting was silent.

Yes, this is human nature. There is greed and selfishness in human nature. The difference is that some people just think about it occasionally and scold a few times, but they don’t do that. Their upbringing and morals don’t allow it, while some people I thought that way, and I did it, allowing the darkness in my heart to expand, and then expand until it swallowed myself.

Even in modern times, with the continuous development of civilization and the continuous innovation of science and technology, don't dark things still happen in hidden corners?

"But isn't that what you and I should do?" Qiu Xingqing's voice was steady, "Return the truth to the facts, return the rules to clarity, and return the world to justice. Restrain yourself and others, so that things like this can happen less in the future. Happen, don’t happen, gather stars into flames, the country is prosperous, the people are peaceful, let the people you like stay by your side forever, what you want can be cherished—”

In the end, his eyes fell, and he couldn't help looking at the people around him.

Ye Baiting was slightly taken aback: "Commanders... are sometimes influenced by dark humanity?"

"What do you think?"

Qiu Yiqing's eyes moved down uncontrollably, and landed on the small piece of skin on Xiao Wu Zuo's collar...

For example, now, he has an urge to do bad things.

But Ye Baiting stopped, pointing to the distance: "Huh? The boss seems to be out of business?"

A stove was set up on the corner of the street, various small dishes were placed on the food table, and a few sets of small tables and chairs were scattered on the ground. The steaming tofu in the pot was covered with water vapor, which obscured the sight, and the warm fragrance rushed straight into the nose.

The light has been turned on before you know it, and there are noises from the surrounding area, people rushing in the morning, those who set up a small stall to do business, picking up the first wave of fresh purchases...

Qiu Xunqing dragged Ye Baiting to the stall, took a small stool and arranged for him to sit down. Seeing that the stall owner was too busy, he went over to fill the tofu nao in person, served the side dishes, put them on the table, and handed the small spoon to Ye Baiting.

"looking at what?"

It happened that the last drum sounded at the fifth watch, the sky was bright, and the gates of the city were wide open.

Ye Baiting rested his chin, looked at Qiu Yiqing who was melting in the sunlight, and suddenly felt that this man was just like the sunshine, radiant, unreasonable, unstoppable, and irresistible at all.

"It's nothing, it's dawn."