The best idlers of the Tang Dynasty

While Li Ke was having this conversation with Cen Wenwen, Taizong was already on his way to Hou Junji's other Flying Tiger Army camp.He quietly came to Hou Junji's big tent in Zhongnan Mountain, and after entering the tent, he said to his followers: "Go out first, I want to discuss the prince's marriage with Lu Guogong."

Lu Guogong is the title of Hou Junji. He has made great military exploits, and he was named Duke in the first year of Zhenguan.

After everyone bowed and retreated, Taizong looked at Hou Junji, his eyes shone like lightning, and he asked: "There is one thing you must tell me the truth, did you kill Xiangyang Biejia Wanhui? "

Hou Junji's heart trembled, but he calmed down immediately. He clenched his fist tightly, then stretched it out and said, "Your Majesty should understand me. I have joined the army since I was weak. people, but never killed scholars."

Taizong looked at Hou Junji for a long time, the expression on the other side seemed to be very calm, without the slightest sign of guilt, Taizong was relieved, he had known Hou Junji for a long time, and he knew Hou Junji very well, Hou Junji was this Although people can do great things, they never tell lies. They nodded and stood up and walked out, saying: "In this case, I believe you, you should train your soldiers well!"

Seeing that Taizong was about to leave, Hou Junji quickly got up and asked, "My lord! Don't you want to ask about other things?"

Taizong looked at the soldiers who were practicing outside the tent and said: "I am only worried about this matter. You are a murderer, but you are not a greedy person! Even if you make a small mistake, I can forgive you. You practice hard. Your soldiers!"

Hou Junji was startled when he heard the words, and stood blankly in the tent, pondering over what the emperor had left behind for a long time, the look on his face gradually began to struggle, he wanted to catch up, but he couldn't move.

Wan Hui's death had nothing to do with Hou Junji, but it did have to do with Hou Junji's adopted son Chi Deli.Last winter, Chi Deli's men intercepted a suspicious person on the official road going north, and found a memorial from Xiangyang Farewell to Wanhui to sue Hou Junji for corruption. The Taoist memorial was presented to Hou Junji.

At that time, the battle on the front line was tense. In order not to affect the situation of the battle, Hou Junji ordered Chi Deli to put Wan Hui under house arrest, and everything would be discussed after the battle.Unexpectedly, Wan Hui was a stubborn master. He wrote another memorial in the cell and tried to bribe the guards to send him away.

After Chi Deli found out, he had no choice but to escort him to a boat of the Navy, so that he could not communicate with the outside world.Unexpectedly, in spring, there was a sudden heavy rain, and the river flooded. The boat he was sitting in was swallowed by huge waves.Seven days later, a corpse was found downstream, but it was not clear what it looked like, and the only official certificate found on the corpse was Wan Hui.

Hou Junji taught Chi Deli a lesson for this matter, but the matter had come to this point, so he had no choice but to make a mistake and report to the court that Wan Hui drowned in a flood while transporting grain.Fortunately, there were very few people who knew about it, and Jingxiangjian was full of Hou Junji's former headquarters, so the truth of Wan Hui's death was kept secret.

Originally, Hou Junji thought that this matter was done without anyone noticing, and after a long time, no one would mention it, but he didn't know how this matter was turned up again, and a memorandum appeared, Back then, he also knew that Wan Hui had written two memorials to sue him, one of which was in his hands and was burned by him. Could it be that the second memorial was the one that brought up this matter and the old thing again.

The second memorial was acquired by his adoptive son Chi Deli, and Chi Deli said it had already been destroyed, so how did this memorial come about?

Hou Junji was full of doubts, so he sent someone to pass on Chi Deli, but the person who sent said that Chi Deli had just left the camp, and Hou Junji couldn't help being shocked when he heard that.

After escaping from the barracks, Chi Deli had nowhere to go, so he temporarily stayed in an inn, and then found a fellow villager who was a guard in the palace of the king of Shu, and asked him for introduction, intending to join the sect of the king of Shu.

Hearing that the number one tiger in the Flying Tiger Army was going to join him, Li Ke was startled at first, and then moved.After Wan Hui's memorial was submitted to Taizong, Taizong only used a "secret investigation" to prevaricate it.

Li Ke has been dissatisfied with this tone in his heart. He wants to follow Cen Wenwen's advice to "follow the melon and touch the vine", but the vine doesn't seem to be very easy to find.If he can extend Chi Deli to his tent, maybe he can follow this melon and find that vine?After all, this person has been with Hou Junji for many years, so he should know a lot about the affairs of the Hou family.Thinking of this, he decided to meet Chi Deli and see this person before making a decision.

Li Ke asked Chi Deli to be settled in the living room first, and after waiting for half an hour, he stepped out of the study and walked towards the living room. It can be said that he put on the airs of the prince, in order to scare this Chi so-and-so first. Unexpectedly, the former top general of the Flying Tiger Army had lost the slightest hint of rebelliousness. He sat in the room blankly, looking at a crabapple flower in a vase in a daze, as if he was besieged by love and lost his soul.

Chi Deli looked at the crabapple flower with his eyes, but he was thinking of another crabapple, which was for Hou Haitang who was about to become the princess. If Hou Junji became a prisoner because of Wan Hui, then his daughter Naturally, he would not be able to become the crown princess, and as Hou Junji's adoptive son, he should have become Haitang's good match.

Li Ke stepped forward and said meaningfully: "What a beautiful crabapple flower, it's a pity that it is about to wither."

Chi Deli shuddered, turned around, and seeing that it was Li Ke, he hurriedly knelt down on one leg and saluted, and told the ins and outs of the matter, as well as what he asked for.

Li Ke helped him up with both hands and said: "General, you don't need to be polite, you are really a lover, and you compete with the crown prince for a woman. Alas, how can you compete with this?"

When Chi Deli heard this, he became even more sad. Li Ke secretly observed Chi Deli's expression, and then said: "The general will stay here for a while to relax, and I will recommend you to the emperor to lead the army in the north after a while. It's a pity that a general like you is idle when the country is employing people."

Hearing what Li Ke said, Chi Deli gave him a deep bow, and said urgently: "His Royal Highness, please help me, then Hou Junji is really a corrupt official, I have heard that Wan Hui sued him a long time ago. I didn't believe it before, but a few days ago, I saw a document of 100 million taels of silver with my own eyes in the Hou Mansion, and I realized that Wan Hui was not lying!"

Li Ke's expression changed: "What was written on that document?"

Chi Deli replied: "It seems that he is saving this money in a rich family in Chang'an, and he can use that paper at any time."

Li Ke then asked: "Where is that document now?"

Chi Deli thought for a while and replied: "It should be in the Hou's mansion, Hou Junji kept it very tightly, and the last general saw it by chance."

Li Ke felt ecstasy in his heart, isn't this the "melon" he has been waiting for for a long time?But he didn't show this joy on his face, but with a trace of disdain, he looked at Chi Deli for a long time, and said after a while: "Everyone says that no poison is not a husband, Chi Deli, you are enough husband, for a woman , Even my adoptive father is willing to sell! I am really convinced by your ruthlessness. This king can help you with this matter, but you have to restrain your mind. Since you voted for my house, then you Even if you completely draw a line with Hou Junji, after this incident, you can work for this king with peace of mind!"

In his heart, he already believed Chi Deli's words, he understood that white words were a knife to the head, and there is no man who does not lust for women.

Seeing Li Ke's promise, Chi Deli said with ecstasy: "As long as the prince can fulfill the villain, the villain will be so heartbroken, he will do whatever he wants!"

After letting Chi Deli go down, Li Ke quickly asked people to recruit all his confidants. Cen Wenwen was inseparable from the Hongwen Museum because he had to draft a proclamation for Taizong in the past few days, but Quan Wanji and others all counted coming.

After Li Ke told about Chi Deli, he was about to go to the palace to report to Emperor Taizong.

Seeing this, Quan Wanji hurriedly stopped him: "No, Your Highness has forgotten the lesson from last time? Hou Junji's hands and eyes are open to the sky. Once you enter the palace here and tell the emperor, he will get the news immediately. Wait for the emperor to call the important ministers to discuss In the first half of the day, even if it was decided to conduct a thorough investigation, this time was delayed. When the officials arrived at the Hou Mansion, what else could they find? This matter must not pass through the Holy Majesty. Your Highness, you know that the Holy Majesty is a person who misses the past the most. This Hou Junji is the old part of the Prince's Mansion, following the Holy Majesty's conquest, it can be said that half of the Tang Dynasty's lands and mountains were brought down by Hou Junji! His Highness thinks that the Holy Majesty can really govern Hou Jun just for the matter of corruption. The crime of gathering is nothing more than punishment!"

Li Ke hurriedly asked: "Then what do you think we should do?"

Quan Wanji gritted his teeth and said: "Do nothing but keep going, let's go all out this time! Surround the Hou's mansion first and search! As long as the evidence is found, even if the Holy Majesty wants to protect him, he will not be able to stop the world's long-awaited In order to appease the ministers, even if the Holy Majesty doesn't want to hold the Hou Junji, it won't work!"

Li Ke showed a look of hesitation on his face. After all, Hou Junji was a first-rank military officer. If the Duke of the current dynasty couldn't find out anything, it would be a bad end.

Quan Wanji stomped his feet aside and said: "Your Highness, there is no need to hesitate any longer. Is it easy to find such an opportunity? You don't need to come forward in this matter, I will take the lead. I am the curator and servant of the censor, and I am the supervisor of hundreds of thousands of people." It is my responsibility to be an official! When something really happens, I will bear it alone. As long as Hou Junji can be moved down, the seat in the East Palace will be unstable! Your Highness! This is a god-sent opportunity!"

Quan Wanji actually had his own little calculations in his heart. He had always longed to be famous, and he didn't want to let go of such an opportunity. Hou Junji's official rank was much higher than his. If the case was found out, it would definitely shake the world, and Quan Wanji would be famous. Wan, maybe he will be on the same level from now on, no matter how bad it is, making such a strong order can leave a mark in the history books.What a literati seeks is nothing more than fame and wealth. Quan Wanji doesn't value money, what he wants is a name.

Of course Li Ke didn't know what Quan Wanji was thinking. He was moved by Quan Wanji's sympathy, gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind. He ordered someone to go to the Zuo Tunwei barracks and ask his brother-in-law Cheng Huailiang to borrow five hundred soldiers. , listened to Quan Wanji's order, and when the soldiers and horses arrived, they immediately surrounded the shops of the Hou Mansion and Dou's house and searched them forcibly.

At nightfall, everything was arranged, Quan Wanji led four hundred soldiers, followed Chi Deli and others rushed to the front of the Hou's mansion, and surrounded the house.Immediately ordered 200 people to stay at the intersection on all sides, block the news, and the rest followed him into the mansion for search.

Several soldiers rushed to the door and slapped the door knocker vigorously. As soon as the door opened, the gatekeeper of the Hou Mansion inside hadn't opened his mouth to speak, and several knives had forced him aside.

Quan Wanji led all the soldiers and filed in with torches. When the group walked into the courtyard, several members of the Hou family had already led Hou Junji out with lights. He glanced at Quan Wanji, Duan Zuguo The gentleman looked majestic and authentic: "It's Mr. Quan, how can you sing this?"

Quan Wanji looked at Hou Junji and said, "Don't you understand in your heart? Someone reported you for taking bribes of as much as 100 million yuan!"

Hou Junji looked up to the sky with a long smile: "How much did you say? 100 million! You really think highly of me, Hou Junji. I, Hou Junji, have been poor all my life. Let alone 100 million taels, even 100 taels are not common."

Quan Wanji said: "I handle cases only based on facts, and I will know if there is anything!"

Hou Junji frowned: "Case? Who do you think I am, Hou Junji! I, Hou Junji, have been conferred the Duke of the Duke, and even if the sage wants to investigate me, he must first issue an imperial decree. Lord Quan, please Please come out with the imperial decree, if the Holy Majesty wants to search, you are allowed to wait for the search, if the Holy Majesty does not allow the search, don't blame the old man for being ruthless."

Quan Wanji was taken aback by Hou Junji's aura, but at this moment he was on the verge of an arrow, and had no choice but to fire. He waved his hand and said to the soldiers behind him: "What are you still doing in a daze? Search!"

A small school led more than a dozen soldiers to rush to the houses and search them forcibly.Seeing this, Hou Junji was furious, and shouted, "Bring me my belongings!"

A family member responded, ran into the house and struggled to bring a big knife, Hou Junji took it, threw the handle of the knife behind his back, the point of the knife hit the ground, glared at the soldiers and said, "I see which of you would dare , Master has licked the blood of more than a thousand people with this knife, and there are not many of you, if you feel that your heads are worthless and uncomfortable when you stay on your neck, just come up!"

Hou Junji's voice is like a bell, and it still reflects the domineering spirit of Gaoling's bloody battle against Jieli's army. The small school and all the soldiers know the prestige of Hou Junji, and some have even seen Hou Junji's half-killing heroic appearance on the battlefield , looking at each other for a while, all in awe.

Seeing this, Quan Wanji straightened his neck: "Hou Junji, my Quan Wanji's head is worthless, come here!" As he said, he raised his legs and wanted to search the house himself.

Hou Junji yelled: "Quan Wanji, I won't let you do this. If I go any further, I won't be polite!"

Speaking of which Hou Junji seemed to be on fire, he raised his big knife and was about to strike. A person rushed out of the room, but it was Hou Junji's daughter, Haitang, who hurriedly stood between Hou Junji and Quan Wanji, mouthing He yelled: "Daddy, he is the official of the imperial court, you can't."

Hou Junji took a closer look and saw that it was her daughter Haitang, and she cried out to the family members, "You still don't come here to help!" Hearing this, the family members hugged Hou Junji tightly together.

Veins popped up on Hou Junji's face, he struggled hard and said, "You dog slaves, let me go quickly, I, Hou Junji, have traveled all over the world and served two generations of Holy Lords of my dynasty, how can I be insulted like this! Let me go! Me, let me kill this dog thief!"

Those family members followed Haitang's instructions and hugged him tightly, preventing him from moving. Haitang raised her eyes and saw a familiar face in the crowd, it was actually Chi Deli!She looked at each other with lightning eyes, Chi Deli didn't dare to look at her, and hurriedly lowered his head, as if wishing he could find a hole in the ground and get in.

With a wave of Quan Wanji's hand, the soldiers rushed to the houses and searched them. After a while, they all retreated from the houses and reported to Quan Wanji that they did not find the document.Quan Wanji was startled, his face turned livid, and sweat began to proliferate on his forehead. He asked eagerly, "Have you searched everything?"

A lieutenant pointed to a wing room and replied, "Only the mourning hall in the backyard was not searched."

Quan Wanji, who already felt a little guilty, said in a changed voice: "Search! Don't leave a single corner."

The general hesitated for a moment, and with a wave of his hand, a group of soldiers rushed towards the mourning hall.

Hou Junji desperately broke away from his family, blocked their way, and shouted loudly: "You are not allowed to enter that room!"

Quan Wanji sneered and said, "If you have no ghosts in your heart, what are you afraid of?"

Haitang also rushed over emotionally, stood beside Hou Junji, and said angrily: "Master Quan, you are going too far. Do you know who's spirit seat is inside? It was the ninth year of Wude, Gaoling fought bloody battle, and died in battle The spirit positions of more than a thousand soldiers of the Flying Tiger Army, who gave their blood for the Tang Dynasty, can't you let them cleanse their spirits in the sky now? Chi Deli, they don't know, don't you know too? What is enshrined inside is your fellow robe, don't you just say a word?"

Haitang's words touched everyone. They all respected heroes. Some of them had participated in the bloody Weiqiao battle in the ninth year of Wude. They admired the Flying Tiger Army from the bottom of their hearts. The soldiers looked at each other, and no one Moved his feet, but Quan Wanji didn't care about it, like a gambler with the last hope of making a comeback, he looked at the crowd like crazy: "What's wrong with you? Such a lie scares you? If you don't search, I will Come search!"

After finishing speaking, he rushed into the backyard in one step, and knocked Haitang standing in front of him to the ground. Chi Deli reached out to help Haitang, but Haitang gave him a hard look: "Who wants you to help, you Flying Tiger Army!" traitor!"

Surprisingly, Hou Junji, who was standing aside, didn't make a sound. He helped Haitang up and said coldly: "They're crazy!"

After a while, Quan Wanji came out like crazy, holding a piece of something in his hand, stretched it out in front of Hou Junji, and said, "What is this? Is it paper money?" There was a burst of strange laughter, which made everyone shocked.

Hou Junji looked at Quan Wanji without saying a word, when someone in the courtyard suddenly said loudly: "That's right! That's paper money!"