The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Chapter 43: Arresting People

Perhaps they were worried that things might get complicated if they waited too long, or perhaps they wanted to quickly draw Li Ang's attention back to the political situation.

In short, Liu Hongyi acted swiftly afterward.

In less than three days, Zheng Zhu's first confession was placed on Li Ang's desk.

"Everyone, this is Zheng Zhu's confession regarding the case of Song Shenxi. Please take a look."

Li Ang opened it and looked at it carefully, then quickly nodded.

This confession revealed a lot of the truth about the case back then, and its content was quite similar to what Wang Yuanyou had previously confessed.

Therefore, Li Ang didn't look at it for long and quickly put it back together, saying.

"What are you planning to do next?"

Song Shenxi's case was just the beginning. Whether it was Liu Hongyi and others or Li Ang himself, their ultimate goal was the Li Xun Group.

Liu Hongyi bowed and said, “In this testimony, Zheng Zhuju accused Song Shenxi of the case back then, because Wang Fan, who was then the Censor-in-Chief, secretly informed Wang Shoucheng. Now that there is evidence, I believe that Wang Fan should be imprisoned and severely interrogated as soon as possible.”

Zheng Zhu, Wang Fan, and Guo Xingyu.

These three were among the few in Li Xun's group to rise to the rank of Jiedushi (military governor) and possess a certain degree of military power.

It can be said that as long as these people are taken down, Li Xun's faction will be like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

Now that Zheng Zhu is in prison, the next target is naturally Wang Fan.

After a moment's thought, Li Ang agreed with the suggestion.

"Send a copy of the confession to the Central Secretariat. As for the arrests, let the Eastern Depot handle it!"

"yes!"

A glint of light flashed in Liu Hongyi's eyes. He then cupped his hands in greeting and was about to leave when Liu Xingshen, who was serving him, walked in and reported.

"Everyone, Li Deyu has arrived in Beijing..."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang glanced at Liu Hongyi, who had his head down, and seeing that he had no reaction, said, "Send a few people to see what Li Deyu is up to after he returns to the capital. In a few days, I will summon him to the palace again."

"Yes." The two men withdrew in unison. Li Ang sat in place, his gaze somewhat profound, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. After a long while, he finally raised his head, looked at the faint morning light, and said, "I hope you won't disappoint me this time."

…………

The emperor has not attended court for seven consecutive days.

Now, not only were Li Xun and others filled with anxiety, but even other important officials in the court were also somewhat uneasy, and they all sent invitations, wanting to enter the palace to visit him.

Unfortunately, Li Ang didn't get to meet any of them.

As a result, the already somewhat turbulent political situation, caused by Qiu Shiliang's execution, became even more unsettled.

After the first snow, the sky brightened considerably.

As usual, Li Xun brushed the snow off his clothes under the eaves and stepped into the Hall of State Affairs with great anxiety.

But this time, someone arrived even earlier than him.

"Lord Li..."

A short, stout middle-aged man dressed in the official robes of a military governor quickly came forward. He was none other than Wang Fan, the military governor of Hedong, who had previously contributed greatly to the Ganlu Incident.

"Wang Jiedu..." Li Xun was somewhat surprised, seemingly not expecting him to come here.

Wang Fan looked panicked, grabbed Li Xun's sleeve, and said urgently, "Something's happened! Something's happened! Someone's trying to arrest me!"

His anxious demeanor immediately made Li Xun frown: "You are a dignified military governor, and a meritorious official who executed Qiu Shiliang and others. Who would dare to arrest you? Even if someone is incredibly audacious, would they dare to act so presumptuously in this Hall of State Affairs? Release him immediately, what kind of behavior is this!"

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Fan's expression suddenly changed drastically. He pointed behind Li Xun and stammered.

"Li...Master Li..."

Li Xun turned around and saw that, at some point, a group of bailiffs dressed in black robes with short sticks hanging from their waists had appeared outside the Hall of State Affairs.

The leader was a young eunuch in his early thirties, with a fair complexion, no beard, and a dignified appearance. If it weren't for his robes, one would not recognize him as a eunuch.

Who are you?

Li Xun looked him up and down, but found that he did not seem to have such a person in his memory, so he immediately asked a question.

Upon hearing this, the young eunuch raised an eyebrow, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Ximen Jixuan, the eunuch who is also the chief eunuch of the Eastern Depot. I greet you, Minister Li."

"The head eunuch of the Eastern Depot?"

Li Xun frowned, a look of confusion in his eyes.

Not only him, but the others in the Council of State Affairs were also somewhat confused.

Is there such an official position in this palace?

At this moment, Li Xun also realized what was happening. Looking at the dozens of bailiffs behind Ximen Jixuan, he immediately shouted.

"No matter who you are, this is the Hall of State Affairs, the location of the Secretariat and the Chancellery. Who gave you permission to bring people in without authorization? Get out of here at once!"

As the saying goes, "environment shapes character, and upbringing shapes physique." Although Li Xun was prime minister for a relatively short time, he still possessed a certain charisma.

Even with so many people in front of him, he still maintained an imposing demeanor.

However, having just received instructions from Liu Hongyi, Ximen Jixuan already considered Li Xun a dead man and wouldn't take him seriously.

He then slightly bowed, barely managing to give a proper greeting, and then spoke.

"Lord Li may not know that the Eastern Depot is a newly established agency by imperial decree, specializing in interrogating major cases and directly arresting people on imperial orders."

"Today, I have been ordered to arrest Wang Fan, the military governor of Hedong, but unexpectedly, he escaped through the back door in the chaos and made his way to the Hall of State Affairs."

"Lord Li, this is someone His Majesty ordered to be arrested. You should not stop him, otherwise, the charge of disobeying the imperial decree is one that neither you nor I can bear!"

Although he said it with a smile, there was always a sense that his smile was forced and insincere.

Li Xun's face immediately darkened, and he said, "What Eastern Depot or whatever? I only know that this is the Hall of State Affairs. Commander Wang is a high-ranking official appointed by His Majesty. Even if he has committed any crime, he should be punished according to a clear imperial edict. It is not up to you who have appeared out of nowhere to act so recklessly. Get out of here!"

The Hall of State Affairs is located in the Imperial City, and many government offices are nearby. Hearing the commotion, many officials have gathered around, but dare not approach.

Strangely, the other prime ministers, who should have been the ones most likely to hear the commotion, were nowhere to be found.

Seeing that many people had gathered in the distance, Ximen Jixuan glanced at them and a barely perceptible smile flashed across his face.

Then, he cupped his hands again, appearing respectful and courteous, but his words seemed to have directly thrown Li Xun's face to the ground and stomped on it.

"These matters are not up to you, Minister Li. The Eastern Depot is under the Emperor's command. If you really want to protect someone, you can go to the palace and ask the Emperor for help."

"But now, our family has to take them away."

"offend……"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ximen Jixuan waved his hand lightly, and the group of servants behind him immediately rushed forward.

The clerks and soldiers who were originally serving in the government office tried to stop them, but how could they possibly compare to the bailiffs sent out by the Shence Army?

So, in no time at all, Wang Fan was bound hand and foot and thrown to the ground.

Ximen Jixuan bowed to Li Xun, whose face was ashen, and said.

"Master Li, I'll take my leave now. I hope to see you again soon, and that you will be well!"