Chapter Sixty-Four: Like a Stirring Drum

the text translated to English:Please note that I have only translated the content within the > tags as instructed. The HTML tags themselves remain unchanged. Let me know if you have any other text...Zhang Weiyǔ said coldly: “This official wants to see how much preparation Jiang Wang has made for this day. What evidence can you come up with!”

Faced with so many people, he naturally couldn't refuse to let Dugu Xiao present the evidence.

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He also didn't believe that this loyal dog to Jiang Wang, who was completely devoted to him, could really come up with any evidence to help Jiang Wang out of his predicament.

But he was still careful to add, “Jiang Wang’s preparations,” leaving a loophole for himself in case this evidence was ever exposed.

Before Dugu Xiazheng could speak, Chongxuan Sheng reached out and stopped her.

This son of a high-ranking family looked at Zhang Weiyue with unusual seriousness and said, "Based on your words today, Zhang DaRen, are you saying that the country's prodigy of our Great Qi has secretly colluded with Diaohailou"

"I want to correct two mistakes you made," Zhang Weiyu said. "First, Jiang Wang is indeed a national prodigy, but a national prodigy isn't the only one. Second, whether he colluded with Diaolou is not up to my discretion, but depends on evidence. I can neither control Jiang Wang nor interfere with Diaolou; I simply uphold the law."

Even when holding the advantage, Zhang Weiyue remained extremely cautious.

This time, leading a team to Qingyang Town on a search mission, perhaps his only "indiscretion" was holding that amulet in his hand, which resulted in him owing a huge debt.

“You're getting bolder with every setback.” Chongxuan shook his head and smiled wryly, then asked, “The imperial court has made a sound this time, wanting to investigate Qingyang Town. They are looking into whether Jiang Wang and the remnants of the Yang clan have any connection. As well as Jiang Wang's entanglement with Pingguo and Diwumen. The focus is on these three parties. You bring up Dianhailou now, is that appropriate”

Zhang Weiyǔ looked at Mǎ Xióng in surprise: "Captain Mǎ, you investigated a case of theft, but didn't find the thief. Instead, you found this person to be a murderer. Wouldn't that be against the rules Will your Northern Inspection Department release this person because of that"

Ma Xiong let out a grunt, as if this question was something very worth pondering.

And Chongxuan didn't make things difficult for him for too long, proactively taking up his words: "That is to say, Master Zhang, you think that Jiang Wang has no relationship with Yang's remnants, Pingdanguo, and Hell Gate. His true identity is actually a spy from the Fishing Sea Pavilion. Right"

“I’ll say it again,” Zhang Weihui said softly. “It’s not what I think. The evidence shows that.”

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"What do those rumors in Linzi amount to" Chongxuan asked.

Zhang Weiyue said, "Who knows Perhaps it's a smokescreen"

Zhong Xuan gave a clap. “According to the evidence investigated by Zhang Weiyu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, those rumors from Linzi were all smokescreens. Those about remnants of the Yang clan, the Equal Nation, and the Hell's Gate were all fabrications. Jiang Wang actually colluded with the Dianhai Lou!”

Zhang Weiyǔ only said, "Let the evidence speak for itself."

"Excellent!" Chong Xuan clapped his hands in admiration, turning to Dugu Xiao: "Lord Dugu, as Lord Zhang said, let's speak with evidence!"

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Dugu Xiao raised her eyes to look at the sky and said, “Please wait a moment, esteemed lords. My evidence is on its way now and will arrive here in about half an hour.”

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"Well then, this official shall wait and see."

Zhang Weiyu was too lazy to care about these people's blustering. He grabbed Fan Qingqing's hair and dragged her into the Zhengsheng Hall, saying, "Sir Ma, since there is still half an hour, why don't we ask some questions first"

Zhong Xuan walked into the hall with an impassive expression, Shi Si following closely behind him.

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Ma Xiong, Dugu Xiao, Zhang Hai, and two subordinates of Zhang Weiyu also walked into the hall.

Zhang Weiyu casually threw Fan Qingqing to the ground and then sat down in the leftmost position.

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However, Du Gu Xiao walked towards the back hall at this moment.

A subordinate named Zhang Weiyu followed her, keeping a watchful eye on her at all times.

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But Dugu Xiao had no secret movements. After a while, he came out, carrying a specially made large chair in his hand and placing it at the top position. He said to Chong Xuan in a low voice: “The master said that after this hall was built, he would entertain friends here. There is a close friend who is very rich and powerful, and cannot sit on an ordinary chair... So we specially prepared this one, which will not be used on weekdays.”

Zhong Xuan Sheng looked at her, let out a sneer: "Your own idea That boy wouldn't be so considerate!"

But the person had already walked up and sat down comfortably.

He turned to Shi Si and said, "Jiang Wang found a good housekeeper, didn't he"

Heika, clad in black armor, nodded in agreement.

Zhang Weiyu ignored them, only looking at Fan Qingqing huddled on the ground. His tone was softened: "Let's continue our previous conversation, shall we"

At this time, Fan Qingqing was weak, with her hair disheveled and a dark complexion. She cried out in despair, "I don't know what you want to know, sir."

Of course she should know, but Zhang Weiyue certainly wouldn't say it directly.

A smart person should have the tacit understanding of a smart person.

Zhang Weiyu simply said, "Just say what you have done. Don't hide anything, don't pretend, don't embellish."

Fan Qingqing fell silent for a moment before saying, “I was originally an elder of the Wuxianmen on Xia Island overseas. Later, my sect was destroyed by evildoers, and I could only hide in Tibet. Fortunately, Elder Jiang Wang took me in and brought me to Qi State, hoping for protection.”

Zhang Weiyǔ interrupted, "What is your relationship with Jiang Wàng, and why did he take you in"

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Fan Qingqing said slowly: "We met because of a sea beast out-of-control incident. At that time, Duke Jiang killed the out-of-control sea beast of the Furious Whale Gang in order to save a boatload of ordinary people, and I, representing the Five Immortals Gate, was going to that sea area to check the situation. Touched by his integrity and kindness, I took the initiative to befriend him."

Later, the Five Immortals Gate was destroyed. I was terrified and wandered about, hiding here and there. By chance, I met Elder Jiang Wang. He pitied my situation and saw that my cultivation was still decent, and having some experience from being a elder before, he took me under his wing.

This is obviously not the answer Zhang Weiyu wanted.

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Fan Qingqing's answer at this moment was also clear and logical, but there was a subtle difference from her attitude when she was in the Qiyang Town Hall earlier.

At that time, it was about distancing himself from Jiang Wang. Now, there was a hint of reminiscence in his heart.

It is hoping that based on the evidence provided by Dugu Xiao, Jiang Wang will be able to turn things around. Yet, fearing the influence of Chong Xuan Sheng, they dare not accuse him

Zhang Weiyǔ remained noncommittal: "Continue."

Fan Qingqing had obviously thought things through. She said, "After I came to Qi State, I lived a peaceful life and was able to get over the sadness of my sect's destruction. But Qingyang Town is too small, with limited development space, and almost no cultivation resources. Lord Jiang Wang also rarely returned to his fiefdom, and we had little opportunity to interact. He always trusted Dugu Xiao most. Later, people from the Fishing Sea Tower contacted me, and I was momentarily blinded by greed and agreed to exchange information for corresponding cultivation resources..."

Zhang Weiyǔ laughed, this woman who changes sides like the wind, if she speaks like this, then she truly has nothing to do with Jiang Wangquan!

"How did the people from Diaohailou manage to bypass Jiang Wang's connections and reach you You can't even see what your own subordinates are doing. Is Jiang Wang really such a fool You're somewhat slandering our Great Qi's national pride!"

"No, not at all." Fan Qingqing shook her head. "Back in the day, there was a practical elder from the Dianghai Tower behind the Wuxianmen. This is something that can be found out. Therefore, I've always had a channel of communication with Dianghai Tower, and they also contacted me through this channel. As for Elder Jiang, he doesn't stay in Qingyang Town for even a day a year; it's indeed difficult for him to know what I'm doing."

The more Jiang Wang spoke, the clearer she seemed to become.

Zhang Weiyǔ faintly felt that he might have taken a wrong turn, but at this point, there was no turning back.

"You better think carefully before you speak."

He said in a low voice, "Fan Qingqing, you haven't been punished yet. I want to give you a chance. Do you understand"

Zhang Weiyǔ said it was asking Mǎ Xióng to inquire, threatening to have Mǎ Xióng display the "green card" methods, but in reality, he was the one asking questions. Obviously, he didn't trust Mǎ Xióng either.

"How about it" Zheng Xuan Sheng, seated in a specially made chair, spoke. "Master Zhang, are you still going to resort to torture It's such a bother! How about this, what exactly do you want Fan Qingqing to say Just write it down and have her read it aloud. Wouldn't that please everyone"

"Master Chongxuan has misunderstood," Zhang Weiyu said calmly. "Some criminals may harbor false hope, I just asked her to face reality."

He still looked at Fan Qingqing and slowly said, "You see, he flaunts his ancestors' achievements here, isn't he showing off But can you see if he can stop this search Do you know what it means for a fiefdom to be searched He can't even protect Jiang Wang. Do you think he can protect you Taking on everything alone, what do you think your outcome will be"

It wasn't that he wanted to interrogate Chong Xuan in front of everyone, but rather that he simply couldn't find a private space to do so.

Although Jiang Wang had only arrived in Linzi two years ago, he was no longer a rootless and aimless weed.

Not to mention the pressure exerted by Chongxuan Sheng, and the subtle support from the upper echelons of Beiya. Even Dong Hua scholar Li Zhengshu mentioned to Chao Yi Da Fu Chen Fu that the investigation should be conducted fairly.

With so many people supporting, and so many eyes watching, it's impossible to fabricate any false evidence or force a confession.

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The intelligence from the Zhengsheng Hall is true, and Fan Qingqing's information transmission to the Diaohailou is also true. There is no reason why Jiang Wang colluding with the Diaohailou would be untrue!

He must dig out this clue, Fan Qingqing, and never let go of this person.

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He was very certain that Fan Qingqing was just a scapegoat, the real mastermind must be Jiang Wang. What he had to do was to shatter Fan Qingqing's sense of complacency and let her know who could save her.

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"Oh my. Tempting a confession in front of me" Zhong Xuan turned his head and asked Ma Xiong, "Ma Captain, is this considered tempting a confession"

"Uh..." The senior blue-card constable from Beiya was once again lost in thought.

This question seems to be more difficult than deciding what to eat for lunch.

Zhang Weiyǔ spread his hands: "I just helped her see reality, so she wouldn't think that in Qi State, certain families could control everything. Removing extraneous factors influencing testimony, I shouldn't be blamed for that."

“If you think this way of questioning is normal too…” Chong Xuan unexpectedly became quite agreeable this time, simply raising his hand. “Continue.”

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This cast a shadow over Zhang Weiyue's heart.

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But he couldn't back down.

On the contrary, he took advantage of the situation to tell Fan Qingqing, "Did you hear that Now describe the facts properly. There's still a chance to reduce your sentence."

Fan Qingqing pleaded in a mournful voice: "My lord, every word I've said is true. That day, the extraordinary power deployment diagram of Zhaozhi County, part of it was detected by me and drawn myself, and part of it was purchased intelligence privately. I can hand over the list of buyers and sellers... Every time there was information, I put it in this place. The people from Diao Hailou would come to take away the information every fifteenth day."

Putting the information in the chair in Seiden was very daring, but actually incredibly safe.

Because of the special nature of the Zhengsheng Hall, no one usually comes here when Jiang Wang is away.

While Jiang Wang basically lived in Linzi, whenever he returned to his fiefdom, it was always a hurried visit.

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It's precisely here, safer than any place in Qingyang Town.

Fan Qingqing continued, "It's my fault that this matter has been discovered by the adults. But in the entire Qingyang Town, there is no one else who knows about it."

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"Alright, you don't need to say anymore." Zhang Weiyu raised his hand, looking rather annoyed.

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The man before me had made up his mind to take all the blame. There was no point in asking any further questions. However, due to the pressure from people like Chong Xuan Sheng, he couldn't use any other methods.

"There's still time." Chong Xuan beside him smiled faintly, "Why doesn't Lord Zhang ask"

"You think you've already won" Zhang Weiyu said, "She says these things to completely clear Jiang Wang's involvement. Who does she think she's fooling I absolutely don't believe that Jiang Wang was completely unaware of this!"

Zheng Xuan triumphantly said, "If you think she's lying, you can report it to the court and ask Chen Fu to personally search her soul."

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Fan Qingqing trembled all over, her face filled with terror.

Zhang Weiyǔ glanced at her disdainfully, his voice light. "Before the soul-searching technique is used, automatically erasing related memories from the soul... This kind of method, both you and I are familiar with. For Di Hai Lou, it's not a difficult thing at all. Want to use my hand to erase Jiang Wang's evidence You underestimate me!"

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Zhong Xuan sighed: "It is truly to judge a gentleman's heart with the mind of a petty man."

Zhang Weiyu glanced at his belly: "Your gentleman's stomach is quite large. I reckon you can fit all sorts of nonsense in there."

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"Indeed." Chong Xuan said with a smile, "For example, the envy, jealousy, and rage of the incompetent."

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"Ha!" Zhang Weiyǔ seized the opportunity to say to Fan Qingqing, "Did you see that What do you think you are You think you're loyal to the Lord, but who cares about you Searching your soul wouldn't matter. Do you still think you'll be protected"

Fan Qingqing lowered her eyes, her expression complex.

Zhang Weiyǔ said: "If you've thought it through, you can speak again. If not, there's no need to say anything."

He was practically stating outright that he wanted Fan Qingqing to produce evidence of Jiang Wang's collusion with the Diao Hai Lou in exchange for his freedom.

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But for Fan Qingqing, she had no evidence! In fact, Jiang Wang was truly unaware of this matter!

Unless...

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She immediately slandered him!

And she could be sure that even if Zhang Weiyu saw through her lies, he would help cover for her.

But she couldn't help but think...

What does Chong Xuan Sheng want to do

This seemingly kind, yet incredibly frighteningly fat man, why would he say the words "soul searching" so lightly, showing such indifference and lack of struggle towards her

It seems like... he's just waiting for her to climb up on him!

Fan Qingqing thought for a long time, and finally remained silent.

Thus, this Great Sound Hall fell into an eerie silence.

Zhenxuan looked out the window with some boredom. Fourteen walked to the window behind him and pushed open the window of this hall.

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From the distant mountains to the nearby fields, from the horizon to your ears. Everything in the mundane world seems like a clamor, while everything in nature is naturally at ease.

Thus, the wind blew through the bamboo grove, rustling its leaves into a harmonious sound.

In the hall, people listened in silence to the sound.preserved. These are good things.When the King of Serpents died, his scales hardened and could be used to forge a sword—one wonders how it compares to the flexible serpent-scale sword he once wielded....