Chapter 4766 Clearly aware of everything

Chapter 4766 Clearly aware of everything
The corridors and painted buildings in the mansion are brightly lit, as if influenced by the festive atmosphere of Buddhism and Taoism. Even when it is dusk and the lights are on, servants and maids can still be seen coming in and out in bright clothes, creating an atmosphere of luxurious life with bells and drums even more vividly.

Arriving at the door and entering the main hall, Wei Wan, wearing a long Sichuan brocade gown and a fu hat, stood up and greeted him with a bow: "Since you are an old friend, how can you not come into my house? Please take a seat, my dear nephew."

Lai Ji returned the greeting with a humble look: "I am here on official business, which may be a little presumptuous, so I dare not come to greet you."

This was just a polite remark. In reality, the two families had not had any contact for many years since Lai Huer's death. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if one rashly visited and was turned away?

The two of them sat down, and the servants served them fragrant tea. Wei Wan sighed, "When I was still young, I first met your father at my eldest brother's house. At that time, I was impressed by your might and dominance. Your father even gave me a precious sword. Your father faced the butcher's knife without changing his expression and never betrayed the emperor. He was really a loyal minister and a good general. It's a pity that Yu Wenhua and this beast were rebellious and disloyal. It's also a pity that Emperor Yang of Sui was stubborn, conceited, stupid and violent, which ruined the great country and caused countless loyal ministers to have a bad end. It was really his own fault and it's extremely hateful."

The Lai family of Xinye was once a well-known local family, but the population was sparse and reproduction was difficult. Since the Han Dynasty, there had been no outstanding people, so it was inevitable that the family would decline. Their father Lai Huer wanted to revive the family all his life, so he had more than a dozen sons, which was very prosperous and not far from being a "valve review". After three or five generations, while the family reproduced and made meritorious contributions, they naturally became a local family.

However, in the 14th year of Daye, when Yu Wenzhi launched a rebellion in Jiangdu and killed the king, the Lai family was swept up in it and suffered a devastating blow.

Lai Ji also sighed: "Times have changed. Thirty years have passed and things and people are no longer the same."

Wei Wan said gently, "Although the elders have passed away, we should still make friends from generation to generation. My dear nephew, you can often come to my house when you have free time, drink a glass of wine with me and listen to music. No matter how good the relationship is, you should visit often, otherwise the friendship of the older generation will become cold, which is a pity."

Lai Ji nodded repeatedly.

In the society, the friendships passed down from ancestors are very important, especially in the officialdom where there are few trustworthy people and they become even more precious. Because if you betray such a friendship, you will be ridiculed by the whole world. No matter how profit-seeking they are behind the scenes, you must despise and spit on "betrayal".

This is the case in all times and in all places...

The two chatted for a while and drank a cup of tea. Then the housekeeper came in from outside and bowed, saying, "Master, County Magistrate, the caravan has been assembled and can accompany County Magistrate back to the county office to assist in the investigation at any time."

Lai Ji immediately stood up and said, "It's not that I'm rude, it's just that this matter has caused too much trouble and has a bad impact. The Duke of Yue has issued a strict order to resolve it as soon as possible. I have no choice but to come to your house rashly. I hope you will forgive me if I have offended you. I will come to your house to apologize one day."

"Hey, what are you talking about? If it was someone else, I would definitely not be polite, but since you are here for official business, how can I not cooperate with you fully? Not only this matter, if you have any difficulties in the future, you can come and discuss it with me. As long as I can help, I will never refuse."

"Thank you so much. It's getting late. Duke Yue has already gone to Da Ci'en Temple to arrest the monks involved. I don't want to keep him waiting for too long. I'll take my leave now."

"please."

Lai Ji, accompanied by Wei Wan, left the main hall and saw more than ten people gathered in the courtyard. The steward whispered, "This is the family caravan, responsible for selling goods from the Western Regions to Chang'an to the West Market. Today, they just sold out their goods and returned home to reunite with their families. When they passed by Da Ci'en Temple, they saw a riot and talked about it. I don't know if there is any violation of the law or discipline."

Wei Wan waved his hand and said, "Just take him away for questioning, my dear nephew. If there is anything wrong, please punish him according to the law. There is no need to worry about the reputation of the Jingzhao Wei family. The Jingzhao Wei family has always been law-abiding and will never protect their servants or disrupt the law for the sake of so-called face."

"The head of the family is very righteous, and I admire him very much. Please rest assured that I will not wrongly accuse anyone."

"Haha, let's stop talking nonsense and focus on the important matters. Please go ahead, nephew."

"Yes."

Lai Ji bowed and said goodbye, then turned around and stood on the steps and glanced at the dozen people...suddenly he felt something was wrong.

He had seen this group of people from afar during the day. They were very conspicuous because there were more than ten of them gathering and dispersing everywhere, spreading rumors and inciting people. However, because he was afraid of the Da Ci'en Temple at the time, he tried to suppress the matter through persuasion, but he also sent people to keep an eye on them.

Looking at this group of people now, he clearly discovered that one person was missing, because that person was old but had a handsome appearance and outstanding temperament, and he was very eye-catching in the crowd.

Lai Ji stopped and looked back at Wei Wan with a calm expression: "I have done my best to show my courtesy and come to visit you out of consideration for our friendship. It would be fine if the master of the house does not recognize this friendship, but why did he lie to me?"

Wei Wan was stunned: "What do you mean, nephew? You came here on official business, is there anything wrong with my warm hospitality and full cooperation? If it were someone else, I'm afraid they wouldn't even be able to enter my house. This kind of indifference is really incomprehensible."

Lai Ji pointed at the caravan below the steps and said, "There's one person missing. It would be better for the master to hand that person over."

Wei Wan shook his head decisively: "This is our caravan in the West Market. There is no more or less person. Please don't make trouble, County Magistrate."

From "good nephew" to "county magistrate", his face became gloomy and he looked as if he was holding back his anger that was about to explode.

Not everyone can bear the anger of Jingzhao Wei.

Lai Ji, however, turned a blind eye and was not afraid. He said slowly, "If the men of Shouguang County do not admit it, please gather all the men between 20 and 30 years old in your mansion here so that I can identify them one by one."

Friendship is friendship, but does a little friendship mean one can ignore official duties and bend the law for personal gain?

"How dare you! Lai Ji, you are going too far. Back then, our two families had a close relationship. Your father had the opportunity to follow Emperor Yang of Sui in the southern expedition to wipe out the Southern Chen Dynasty and thus rose to prominence because of the recommendation of our ancestors. Now that Lai Huer is dead, do you think you will not acknowledge the merit of recommendation and the kindness of knowing me?"

Wei Wan was furious and glared at him, and all the servants in the mansion gathered around, sharing the same hatred for the enemy.

Lai Ji sighed, but was not angry at Wei Wan's forcing him to do something unkind. He said earnestly, "It is because I remember the friendship we had in the past that I came to your house in person to take the man away. This is the only way to save some dignity for your family. Otherwise, if the Jinwu Guards under Duke Yue come, do you think Shouguang County men will have the opportunity to speak like this?"

Wei Wan was shocked, but she managed to say, "Even if it's Fang Jun, he can't be unreasonable, and he can't trample on the Wei family at will!"

Lai Ji frowned. It was just a dispute. Even if the fault was with the Wei family, the final punishment would be just a fine and a warning. He couldn't understand why Wei Wan was so stubborn and kept the truth from the person and refused to admit it.

Why bother?
He thought of a possibility and asked tentatively, "Did anyone from your mansion participate in the attack on the Jingzhao government office last night?"

As soon as I asked the question, I felt something was wrong.

So many people attacked Jingzhao Prefecture. Even if the so-called "the law does not punish the masses" was useless under the decree of His Majesty, it was not a big deal for a family like Jingzhao Wei. At most, they could exchange interests in private. In the end, Jingzhao Prefecture and the three judicial departments would only fine and redeem them, and give them warnings. At best, the children involved in this incident would be dismissed from office and not allowed to enter the government for several years. But what did this mean to Jingzhao Wei? After a few years, they could not only be reinstated, but also possibly get promoted.

Why were they so serious that they even went so far as to hide one of their members to resist interrogation?
unless……

Lai Ji's eyes were sharp and his face was solemn: "I advise the head of the family to hand over your son this morning, and don't make the situation worse."

The only explanation for the Wei family's behavior is that their children not only participated in the attack on Jingzhao Prefecture last night, but were even more seriously involved in Li Jingshu's death. In that case, the Jingzhao Wei family could not settle the matter, but they could not allow their children to be killed, so they intended to hide them.

Even the reason why this caravan returned to Jinchangfang from Xishi was to protect the children of the Wei family...

Wei Wan's face was grim, and he flatly denied it: "Lai County Magistrate, please stop making up stories and framing me. This is absolutely not the case!"

Lai Ji advised quietly, "If I return without success, the next time it will be the Duke of Yue who will lead his troops here... Is the master sure that he will hand over the person only if that happens?"

Wei Wan kept silent, his expression uncertain.

The Wei family and Fang Jun have always had a feud. Although it is not a feud to the death, the most outstanding son of the Wei family, Wei Zhengju, was ruined by Fang Jun. His mother was the legitimate daughter of the Yuan family, and the Yuan family was also ruined by Fang Jun. Therefore, the Wei family has never stopped their revenge on Fang Jun. Under such circumstances, if Fang Jun catches them, how can they let it go?

I’m afraid that everyone in the family will be arrested and imprisoned by Fang Jun.

When Emperor Taizong was alive, Fang Jun was already arrogant because of his favor. Now that Li Chengqian has ascended the throne, Fang Jun is even more arrogant, arrogant, and willful. There is nothing that this idiot dares not do...

He sighed dejectedly, turned around and told the servant: "Bring Sanlang out."

The servant hesitated for a moment and replied, "Yes."

He turned around and hurried to the backyard.

Wei Wan looked at Lai Ji and said, "How about my dear nephew, please come into the hall and talk first?"

Lai Ji didn't seem to notice the other party's change of address for him, and said calmly, "I'm busy with official business, so it's inconvenient to chat with you. Just wait here for a while."

Wei Wan knew that some things could no longer be concealed. Lai Ji was smart and capable, and had a keen eye for detail. Fang Jun behind him was courageous and daring enough to fight and kill. In addition, His Majesty had issued an imperial decree. It was probably impossible for him to stay out of it.

How could he not be anxious when his most outstanding son was involved?
He asked tentatively, "I wonder what the Left Golden Guard is going to do about this matter, and what does His Majesty mean?"

Although the Jingzhao Wei family has a good reputation, they have long been excluded from the core of power and have little knowledge of His Majesty's thoughts or the court's movements. Concubine Wei is in the deep palace and can no longer get information like she did in the Zhenguan period, so she has no idea how this matter will be handled or how it will develop.