The conflict between the weak emperor and the powerful ministers was unavoidable and would only become more acute and unending.

The city of Chang'an is calm on the surface, but in fact it is in a state of turmoil, with a vague tendency of being embattled on all sides. As for which side is embattled on all sides, it is not yet certain.

Gu Qing has taken control of this city, but it does not necessarily mean that the Anxi Army can seize the country. On the contrary, the Anxi Army actually has a hidden crisis, but because the world is still uncertain and the rebels have not been eliminated, the crisis has not been exposed for the time being.

After all, Jiangshan's surname is Li, and the people of the world still love the Li Tang royal family. They still miss the prosperous Kaiyuan era, and still have great confidence in the Li Tang royal family. There are still countless people in the government and the public who are willing to shed their lives for Li Tang.

What the people want is the crisis for the Anxi Army.

As a calm and sober commander, Gu Qing cannot be as reckless as An Lushan, who raises troops whenever he wants. If the people's support is not won over, no matter how powerful the army is, it will eventually be defeated.

Gu Qing must take this step very cautiously. If he makes any mistake, he will be doomed. Not only will his life be in danger, but more importantly, all his relatives and loved ones around him, as well as the 100,000 soldiers of the Anxi Army, will be affected.

The more you can't afford to lose, the less you can make rash advances.

In Jingzhao Mansion, above the court hall.

Gu Qing's whole body relaxed, completely lacking the demeanor that a courtier should have. He slumped down beside the table as lazily as a puddle of mud, raised his chin and yawned out of boredom.

Li Xian's hand stroking his beard trembled slightly. It was only today that he was shocked to realize Gu Qing's weight.

Gu Qing's weight is the power in his hands. He does not need thousands of troops, but only dozens of personal guards drawing swords, and the initiative in the court is firmly in his hands.

Those literati who talk about "sacrifice one's life for righteousness" and those literati who constantly flaunt their pride and pride in their beautiful articles, when they actually face the sword, it is difficult to maintain a calm and fearless spirit.

What about Wang Wei, a talented poet? He also chose to surrender under the sword of the rebels and had to commit himself to the thieves.

Li Xian is no different from Wang Wei. No matter how sharp the writer writes, he can't restrain the fear when the sword is applied to the neck. The man in front of him is the world-famous Anxi army commander. He and his soldiers came out of the bloody storm. They

I am used to seeing life and death, but I also ignore life and death.

But Li Xian could not be fearless. His talent was in his articles and his strategies for governing the country. Apart from these, he was just an ordinary scholar who was afraid of death.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was very cold. Li Xian didn't know how to ask the first question. He felt that he was very dangerous today. If he said the wrong sentence, he might be killed on the spot. Dozens of Gu Qing's personal guards were still standing in the hall.

He was staring at him coldly.

Song Gensheng had already regarded himself as a transparent person, sitting aside with empty eyes. Maybe he was missing his wife Xiu'er from far away, or maybe he was thinking about what kind of happy thing he would do with the fifteen-year-old brothel girl tonight. In short, his

My mind is not focused on the here and now.

Gu Qing crossed his legs and lazily picked his ears with his little finger. After a long time, he said leisurely: "Li Yutai, everyone is very busy. Ask questions quickly if you want to be tried. If you want to convict me, hurry up with evidence and witnesses."

, take them out and bring them to the court, we will all follow the laws of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Xian stroked his beard, looking a little embarrassed.

The evidence and witnesses have actually been available for a long time, but it is obvious that it is no longer applicable at this moment. It is obvious that Gu Qing has a very strong temper. If false evidence and witnesses are presented, the refugee poisoning case will be pinned on him without any technical content.

It's hard to say what kind of tragedy will happen in court today.

"Gu Guogong, I have said that today is an inquiry, not an interrogation." Li Xian changed his mind very well. He loved the emperor, but he loved life even more.

"Li Yutai scared me," Gu Qing cast an accusatory look at Li Xian and said, "The courtroom was full of torture, and I thought you were going to torture me today and sentence me to a prison sentence.

"

Li Xian pretended not to hear his sarcasm and said: "The poisoning of refugees outside the city is ultimately related to Gu Guogong. I would like to ask Gu Guogong whether any strangers took over when your soldiers were purchasing and delivering food.

, Or, is it possible that someone from within secretly poisoned it?"

Gu Qing's smile was a little stiff: "What Li Yutai means is that he suspects that our Anxi Army officers have done something wrong? What grudge do they have against the refugees? Why do they want to poison innocent refugees?"

Li Xian organized his words and said as mildly as possible: "I heard that in order to help the refugees, you ordered the soldiers in the camp to eat one meal less every day. Is it possible that the soldiers were resentful because of this and secretly poisoned the refugees?

Woolen cloth?"

Gu Qing said coldly: "If the soldiers under my command don't even have this kind of righteousness, then I, Gu, am blind. Li Yutai, you have to be responsible for what you say."

Li Xian said calmly: "These are not my guesses. Now there are rumors among the people inside and outside Chang'an City, saying that it was done by the officers and soldiers of the Anxi Army. I heard what was said, shouldn't I ask?"

Gu Qing sneered and said: "What is heard? What is heard is like rain. Did Li Yutai rely on rumors to solve cases before?"

Li Xian sighed: "Gu Guogong, I don't want to have any grudges with you. If you can think about it calmly, the nearly one hundred refugees have no grudges against others. Others have no motive to poison themselves. The only motive that can be explained now is that of you, Gu Guogong."

We have issued a military order that the officers and men of the Anxi Army should eat less than one meal a day. For military men, joining the army is for food, and eating less than one meal a day can be regarded as enmity. I reasoned like this, what does Gu Guogong think is wrong?"

Gu Qing said coldly: "I have never admitted anything without evidence. If you think it was me, the Anxi Army, who poisoned you, come up with evidence, and you want real evidence. If the evidence is solid, I will admit it."

Li Xian raised his hand to Gu Qing and said: "Of course I will provide evidence. If Gu Guogong has no objection, I would like to enter the Anxi Army camp and talk to the soldiers, especially the soldiers who transported food that day. Is that okay?"

Gu Qing showed a strange smile and said: "Because of an unreasonable thing, you want to enter my camp? Oh, is the Anxi Army camp open to outsiders if they want to? If I set a precedent today, Chang'an will be the next day.

Even if a cat or a dog is lost in the city, everything will be blamed on our Anxi army. They want to search my camp. Did I agree to it?"

"Li Yutai, you are the imperial censor, and you are responsible for investigating the case. We, the Anxi Army, are important weapons of the country and have the responsibility to defend the territory. You and I should each perform our duties, but don't expect the Anxi Army to be patient and cooperate with you. I can do the best I can.

I just came to Jingzhao Mansion today and talked nonsense with you for a long time. Other than that, I forgive Anxi Army for not having so much free time to bother you."

Li Xian's face suddenly turned ugly. Gu Qing's words were very rude.

There is no way, Gu Qing is a protective character, he can accept with a smile no matter how others treat him, but now the dirty water has been inexplicably splashed on the soldiers of the Anxi Army, which is unacceptable. Gu Qing can't hold back his anger at this moment, and uses up the greatest strength in his life.

It was only through self-restraint that I didn't flip the table over on the spot.

The atmosphere became cold again, and Gu Qing's sitting posture was no longer relaxed. His body was straight and his whole body was in a highly defensive state.

Li Xian stroked his beard and said slowly: "Gu Guogong, this matter was investigated and handled by the emperor. If I can't find out the truth, how can I report it to the emperor?"

Gu Qing said coldly: "Then please tell the emperor not to challenge my bottom line. The Anxi Army has fought for the country and has suffered countless casualties over the years. The blood has flowed like a river, all in order to suppress the rebels, maintain the stability of the country, and call me my generals."

It's not too much to say 'hero', please don't let the heroes bleed and shed tears."

Li Xian's face was ashen, but Gu Qing's attitude was so tough, and he knew that if he continued to ask questions, he would inevitably arouse Gu Qing's anger.

Li Xian was still a little afraid of someone who had military power but didn't follow any rules. He couldn't predict what Gu Qing would do when he was angered.

In short, I can't afford to offend him.

"This case has been widely circulated in Chang'an. There are many rumors among the people, most of which are related to the Anxi Army. I asked Gu Guogong today what he said, and I will tell the emperor truthfully. Please don't blame Gu Guogong." Li Xian said solemnly.

Gu Qing nodded: "Just tell the truth. I'm not afraid of rumors, and the officers and soldiers of the Anxi Army are not afraid of unfounded charges."

Without further ado, today's chat was over, and Gu Qing stood up to leave.

Han Jie and other personal guards stood outside the hall, once again cast a cold glance at Li Xian, then turned around and followed Gu Qing out of the Jingzhao Mansion official office.

Song Gensheng blinked and said to Li Xian: "I'm going to send you off to Duke Gu."

After saying this, without waiting for Li Xian's reply, Song Gensheng stood up and quickly chased after Gu Qing's back.

Li Xian sat alone in the courtroom and sighed worriedly.

Today I have seen the majesty of a powerful minister. He is so domineering. It is really unpredictable whether he will become the second An Lushan.

…………

Song Gensheng chased out of the government office and caught up with Gu Qing, gasping: "Why are you walking so fast?"

"If you are being chased by a dog, why don't you move faster?" Gu Qing said without looking back.

Song Gensheng laughed: "Where did the dog come from to chase you? Haha, if a dog hurts someone in the capital, he will be punished with a stick and a hundred cents..."

Before he finished speaking, Song Gensheng finally reacted, turned his head and looked behind him, then pointed at his nose and said cutely: "Me?"

Gu Qing smiled, blinked and said, "It wasn't you, a dog really chased me just now, but then the dog stopped."

Song Gensheng thought for a while and said angrily: "It's me who's talking about it!"

"You are so kind and insistent on being right, I can't bear to deny it..."

Song Gensheng was too lazy to get angry anymore and sighed: "Can you be more lenient with your mouth? Your mouth was already very annoying when we were in the village. After so many years, it has not changed at all."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "This is not objective. My women all like my mouth very much..."

Song Gensheng was stunned: "What do you like?"

Gu Qing hooked his neck, causing Song Gensheng to turn his eyes. However, Gu Qing smiled and said: "Friendship is friendship. It's a bit inappropriate for us to talk about this kind of topic. Tell me, why are you chasing him out?"

Song Gensheng struggled to break away from him, and said with a solemn expression: "The trend in the court has been wrong recently. Today Li Xian came to inquire about the case. I think he came with bad intentions. It seems that someone in the court wants to make the refugee poisoning case bigger, and the instigators behind the scenes have already targeted him.

You and the Anxi Army are guaranteed."

Gu Qing blinked and showed the happy smile of an old father: "You have finally grown up and understood the risks of officialdom. You don't know how happy I am. I will write a letter to your biological father later and praise you..."

Song Gensheng said helplessly: "Be serious, this matter is not trivial. When Wuhou, my subordinate in Jingzhao Prefecture, patrolled the streets, he often heard people in the city talking about the poisoning of refugees, and everyone believed the rumors.

, I think it was the soldiers of the Anxi Army who poisoned the poison. The people in the city now have a very bad impression of the Anxi Army, almost to the point of being reviled by everyone..."

Gu Qing was silent for a moment and said: "What about you? Do you believe it was the soldiers of the Anxi Army who did it?"

Song Gensheng said without hesitation: "Of course I don't believe it. I once served in the Anxi Army. The soldiers are all very simple men. Besides, I know you better. With your personality, no matter how bad the soldiers under your command are, they can't be any worse."

go."

Gu Qing became more and more pleased: "Why don't you translate for me? What does it mean that no matter how bad it is, it can't be any worse?"

Song Gensheng ignored him and continued: "I have asked the patrolling Wuhou to pay attention to the discussions in the Chang'an market, and trace the source to find out who is spreading the rumors. If found, they will be taken down immediately, but this method is quite dangerous.

Passivity, the real source should be in the court. You have great power and ability. You can check this matter yourself..."

Song Gensheng said solemnly: "Gu Qing, don't underestimate the tarnished reputation. We are all people who cherish feathers. If the reputation is tarnished, nothing can be done. If the Anxi Army is hated by the people of Chang'an City because of this, it will be difficult to move forward. In the worst case,

, maybe they will be taken advantage of by the secretly hostile courtiers, and under the unanimous voice, the Anxi Army may be squeezed out of Chang'an."
To be continued...