Imperial Guard Commander Shen Guangli was waiting in a small reception room for Li Keji’s arrival. Middle-aged Shen Guangli had a pale complexion with a slight beard, naturally appearing like a refined scholar. His expression carried a strange indifference, as if nothing and no one could interest him.
When Li Keji approached him, Meng Jianqing noticed a flash of surprise in his eyes, which quickly returned to its usual composure. Li Keji was also shocked by Shen Guangli’s unfathomable composure, his mind wavering for an instant before settling down.
Had Li Keji already recognized what kind of person he was facing in that brief encounter?
Meng Jianqing secretly observed them both. How would Shen Guangli deal with Li Keji, a type of person they had never encountered before?
Shen Guangli courteously invited Li Keji to sit down, then slowly said: “I have heard that fourteen candidates from Chuanzhong, while traveling to the capital for the examinations and passing through Dongting Lake, were taken hostage by the water bandit Iron Arhat. Iron Arhat declared that if the Yueyang Prefect did not release his two subordinates, he would kill these fourteen candidates in revenge. Master Li was among them—is this true?”
Li Keji’s eyebrows rose slightly, as if he wanted to ask a question, but instead he simply answered “Yes.”
Shen Guangli continued: “Due to matters concerning the court’s authority, Prefect He Xingzhi of Yueyang refused to compromise with the water bandits and executed those two criminals ahead of schedule. Yet Iron Arhat released the fourteen candidates, claiming that his father, dead for many years, had appeared to him in a dream forbidding him to kill scholars. Is this correct?”
Li Keji hesitated before saying, “Commander Shen should have already investigated this thoroughly.”
Shen Guangli glanced at him and said: “I have naturally investigated already, but because the great examination was imminent—the nation’s selection of talent being watched by all under heaven, a matter of utmost importance—I did not directly interrogate those fourteen Chuanzhong candidates, which was admittedly a significant oversight. I received two secret reports right after the metropolitan examination results were announced, but I delayed acting on them until now to avoid interfering with the palace examination. There are certain matters in them that I find quite puzzling. Perhaps Master Li could look them over and help me resolve these doubts.”
Those two secret reports had been recopied by the Imperial Guard to prevent Li Keji from recognizing the handwriting. One informant accused Li Keji of possessing supreme martial arts skills, enabling him to steal examination questions from within layers of security to achieve his high ranking, with evidence being his ability to easily subdue the Iron Arhat at Dongting Lake. The other informant accused Li Keji, as a remnant of Zhang Shicheng’s faction, of secretly colluding with Iron Arhat, a former subordinate of Chen Youliang. The evidence was likewise the Dongting Lake incident, claiming that when the two met and spoke, Iron Arhat recognized his background, they withdrew aside to talk privately, and when releasing the hostages, Iron Arhat threatened them not to reveal this matter.
Li Keji set down the secret reports, his heart filled with indescribable feelings. These must have been written by those Sichuan candidates who were present at the time. He had saved them, yet because of this was now trapped in a dilemma. No matter which report he denied, it would confirm the other.
For Shen Guangli to have become Imperial Guard Commander, he must truly have exceptional abilities. Without using torture, without even interrogation, simply by laying these two letters before him, he had forced Li Keji into a corner.
Shen Guangli watched him. Li Keji’s reaction was somewhat unexpected. He had originally thought Li Keji would first desperately try to defend himself.
Meng Jianqing, standing to the side, inquired with his eyes. Shen Guangli shook his head slightly.
Finally, Li Keji said, “I can tell you exactly what happened at Dongting Lake, but please do not make it public.”
He believed that only the truth could prove his innocence.
The Dongting Lake case was quite simple when explained. Iron Arhat, angered by Yueyang Prefecture’s execution of his subordinates, had originally planned to kill all fourteen candidates. However, not knowing Li Keji’s background, he was instead subdued by him, who used this to force Iron Arhat to release the people.
Meng Jianqing was secretly wondering how someone like Iron Arhat could compromise so easily. Before he could voice his doubts, Li Keji continued, saying that Iron Arhat’s willingness to release them was more because he recognized Li Keji’s martial lineage and background.
Shen Guangli shuddered slightly.
There were not many people in this world who could make Iron Arhat bow his head and submit.
The person behind Li Keji was probably the most troublesome key factor.
Li Keji said he did not know the true background of the person who had taught him martial arts, and he had also promised not to reveal that person’s current identity to anyone.
Shen Guangli did not press further.
That night, he was detained at the Imperial Guard headquarters. Shen Guangli was courteous to him, placing him in his own study, saying: “This is the court’s protocol—please do not take offense. Once matters are clarified, you will naturally be escorted out.”
As for Li Keji’s household servants, they were also separately imprisoned.