Li Yan walked in and found that the place was quite deserted.

It's not surprising that the imperial examination will be held the day after tomorrow. Whether they are students in the library or teaching doctors, they basically go to the South School of the Ministry of Rites.

Li Yan felt that he had come in the wrong place and was about to leave when he heard a surprised voice from behind: "Li Jiyi?"

Li Yan turned around and said with a smile: "Miao Zuolang, you are here, I am here to find you."

"Ah! Please come quickly! Please come quickly!"

Miao Shenke was quite flattered and quickly welcomed Li Yan in.

The two sat down in front of the couch, and he personally served hot tea: "I heard that Li Jiyi likes tea, please!"

Li Yan took a sip and raised his eyebrows slightly: "It tastes good, and has it been improved?"

Miao Shenke nodded: "It's all Li Jiyi's discerning eye. Who would have thought that tea can have such a taste..."

As he talked, all kinds of feelings came to his mind.

When Empress Wu was in power, he was a bachelor of the north gate, dividing the power of the prime minister, and he was powerful in all directions.

After Empress Wu lost his glory, he was immediately beaten back to his original form and turned into a little writer, and he had to endure the strange looks from his colleagues.

It was difficult to transition from extravagance to frugality. Miao Shenke couldn't stand those eyes, so he simply came to work in Chongxian Hall, out of sight and out of mind.

Li Yan didn't mean to underestimate the North Gate bachelors at all. This group of people were all top-notch in terms of ability and vision.

It's a pity that they were born in a poor family and were too dependent on Empress Wu. When Empress Wu was unlucky, they were naturally implicated and their status plummeted.

The two chatted for a while, and after setting the stage, Li Yan said, "I'm here because of Minister Cui's affairs."

Miao Shenke immediately stood up, looked around vigilantly, and confirmed that there was no ear behind the partition wall, then he came to the front and whispered: "Li Jiyi, please tell me, I will do my best to help."

Li Yan didn't just look for people at random. It was Miao Shenke who initially suggested that Cui Shouye was seeking a position and would do whatever it took to get him.

This person represented Empress Wu's position. Li Yan guessed that Empress Wu probably extended an olive branch to Cui Shouye, but was rejected by the old man.

On the surface, Empress Wu gave people a very strong impression, but in fact, until Li Zhi died of a serious illness, the power within the court against her was huge.

Not to mention that during this period, if Cui Shouye wanted to become prime minister, he would not curry favor with Empress Wu.

Because it doesn't matter what she said.

Otherwise, Empress Wu could just directly promote her own people to become prime ministers. Why would she use Beimen bachelors to divide the power of prime ministers?

It was because she had no control over the appointment of the real prime minister, it was all in Li Zhi's hands, and Li Zhi was willing to let the prime minister have less power.

Li Yan changed his mind and began to talk about Cui Shouye and the Jiangnan murder case.

After hearing this, Miao Shenke pondered: "This matter is indeed strange. Jiangnan Road is not taken seriously except for water transportation. Even if the case is very big, it will be shelved in the Ministry of Punishments and handed over to Dali Temple for review once, and then it will be over.

Why bother covering up so much?"

Li Yan said bluntly: "I suspect Cui Shilang is hiding something."

Miao Shenke said: "Please Li Jiyi repeat the case file."

Li Yan repeated it carefully, and Miao Shenke thought for a while and said: "Li Jiyi has not been able to solve the case. Of course I can't. It's just a little strange. This case file has no beginning or end. The official from the Ministry of Justice who searched the village is

Who? Why is there no record on it?”

Li Yan said: "It would be great if he was an official of the Ministry of Justice. The names of officials are often not found in document records."

Miao Shenke shook his head: "No, because there was no involvement of the county magistrate or county lieutenant in this case, it was all what this official saw and heard. According to the rules of the Ministry of Punishment, for the purpose of subsequent investigation, one must also write his name, not his identity.

Vague."

Li Yan really didn't know this, and his eyes became solemn: "What Miao Zuolang means, the suspicion probably lies in this official. Can this person's identity be found?"

Miao Shenke didn't want to stay here to compile a book, so he immediately seized the opportunity: "It's not impossible. I'm going to track down this person. Li Jiyi will go back first. We'll meet at Hanguangmen after noon."

Li Yan stood up and bowed his hands: "Okay, I'll leave this matter to Miao Zuolang."

Miao Shenke returned the gift with high morale: "I will do my best!"

…

After Li Yan worked hard to investigate the case, he returned to the inner guard and began to practice martial arts with pay with peace of mind.

No slower than yesterday, it feels like the time to get off work today is here in the blink of an eye.

He stretched his body, satisfied with the improvement in strength, and headed outside the imperial city.

From a distance, I saw Miao Shenke waiting at the city gate.

But compared to the high energy he had not long ago, the Beimen bachelor's face looked very bad at this time.

After discovering Li Yan, he actually hesitated for a moment before walking over: "Li Jiyi, we found it."

Li Yan was not surprised but overjoyed. Seeing this look, he knew he must have discovered something. Empress Wu's people are really useful!

Now that Miao Shenke is here, it means that he still dares to speak. Li Yan is not in a hurry and calmly asks: "Who is that official from the Ministry of Punishment?"

Miao Shenke was silent for a while, and said in a very low voice: "It's not an official, it's Li Sichong, a member of the Criminal Department six years ago."

"Li Sichong?"

Li Yan thought for a while.

This name is so familiar.

The words of Chang'an County Lieutenant Li Qiao flashed into my mind:

"Shilang Li is jointly descended from the southern ancestor of my Li family in Zhao County. His son Sichong is talented, talented, and possesses unparalleled knowledge. He is my best friend..."
Chapter completed!