Criminal investigation in ancient times

"Shaoqin! You're back. I told Zhongxin about you a few days ago. It's almost the Chinese New Year. Maybe you're still staying in Tongzhou?" Jiang Tai came all the way and hugged him with a smile. Lin Xiaoze patted him on the back and said.

"It's grown taller, almost as tall as the two of us."

Zhong Xin nodded with a smile and said, "Who knew you would go to Tongzhou with Zhang Rui, we were worried after we found out."

Lin Xiaoze blushed and said: "Oh, who told me that I had a cramp and escaped from the examination room. If I didn't leave the capital, I wouldn't be able to be a human being."

Jiang Tai patted him on the shoulder and said: "Don't mention this, it's good that you didn't become an official. You are simple-minded, and you are not suitable for upward intrigue."

Zhong Xin agreed: "That's right, although Junqing and I are both idlers now, we have to work hard to deal with the relationship between the superiors. If we accidentally offend any lord, it will be enough to play you a book." You have eaten, Jiang Tai also sighed. After a while, Lu Zhanyuan and Zhao An also rushed over, and they entered Muguzhai together.

This time was different from the previous poetry meeting, everyone didn't talk about those sour poems, but directly ordered food, sat around and had tea and chatted.

Lin Xiaoze said: "Why don't you see Zeng Zijin?" In the past, Zeng Zijin had the best relationship with Jiang Tai. Jiang Tai cherished his talent, but he would bring him to any gatherings. Although this person is not welcome, it has been a long time , everyone looked at Jiang Tai's face and accepted him.

Zhongxin hesitated to speak... sighed and said, "Zeng Zijin has become a monk."

Lin Xiaoze opened his mouth in surprise, and after a while he nodded slightly and said, "That's right, it's also reflected in the fact that someone like him who doesn't eat the fireworks of the world goes to Buddhism to practice."

Jiang Taidao: "Don't mention him, tell me about your affairs in Tongzhou, is the prince still in good health?"

Lin Xiaoze nodded: "Speaking of going to Tongzhou, the journey was difficult and dangerous, and I almost died several times."

Lu Zhanyuan heard, "Tell me who! Earlier in Kyoto, I heard that Zhang Rui made strange masks and gloves, separated patients and cured a plague. Is it true?"

Zhao An said: "That's still false. Didn't the emperor issue an imperial decree to change the county's name to Rui County?"

Zhong Xin: "Zhang Rui is indeed a man of great talent. Not to mention anything else, I respect him just because he dared to break into the county where the epidemic occurred. What's more, he also cured the epidemic."

Lin Xiaoze said: "Rui'er not only went to the patient's home to check in person, but also risked herself by going to the temple where the patient was separated. As a result, the prince also ran there and almost caught the epidemic. At that time, we were really scared to death."

Everyone gasped when they heard this, they both felt that the two of them were bold and reckless, and admired them for their disregard of life and death.

Lin Xiaoze: "On the way we went, we ran into a black shop, and almost wiped out the whole army. It really is true that we died before we could succeed."

Lu Zhanyuan asked: "What happened later? How did you escape?"

Lin Xiaoze: "The inn thought there was only one old man, but it turned out to confuse us, and there were a few bad guys hidden in it. The old man put drugs in the noodles that were cooked for us. I didn't think the noodles were delicious, so I didn't eat them. In the end, they were all stunned. Fortunately, Rui'er had discovered the anomaly of this inn long ago, and she wanted to know about the drug from Dr. He, but she was knocked unconscious and taken to the cubicle before they could use it. "

Everyone asked: "What happened next?"

"Later, Uncle Han, the servant next to Zhang Rui, was not unconscious. He yelled and called out the hidden guards next to the prince, and pressed the gangsters' acupuncture points. Only then did we escape."

After listening to it, everyone sighed for a while. This Tongzhou is really not where anyone wants to go.

In the end, Lin Xiaoze mentioned that Xu Chao’s family, the former magistrate of Tongzhou, was killed by the Huns in collusion with the Dutong. These angry people said angrily, “The Huns have already invaded Tongzhou?!”

Lin Xiaoze suddenly remembered what Rui'er had said to him before leaving, not to tell about their kidnapping, so he stopped talking and said, "It's just a small group of Huns, I don't know how they got in."

Everyone nodded in understanding. After all, Tongzhou is still some distance away from the border. If the Huns invaded, the court would have been unable to sit still.

Speaking of the court, everyone became interested again. Now the four of them have entered the court as officials, and they are classmates who are closer to each other than other people in the court. Often there is news from the higher level, and it will be passed on to the lower level immediately. Everyone, come and go All tightly connected together.

Zhong Xin is considered the highest official here, followed by Jiang Tai, Jiang Tai knows more than them, of course he cannot do without his father, Jiang Bozhong, now Mr. Jiang is the left chancellor and holds a high official position.

Ever since he became the prime minister, Jiang Tai has also risen with the tide, and many people have come to flatter him, but Jiang Tai is born to be an official, and he is smooth and not to offend others. If he can do something, he will probably help him. No matter how many benefits are offered, he will not refuse without showing any kindness.Many people praised him, this son has the style of his father.

Jiang Taidao: "Nowadays the court is full of turmoil, how many officials are involved in the two princes' fighting, I don't even know the street. You and I should be careful." Several people nodded.

Zhongxin said: "How is the emperor's dragon body? It has been nearly a month since he has not been in court. Although there are five princes in charge, after all, the emperor has to decide the big things. The people below can't see that the emperor has no idea."

Jiang Tai: "The day before yesterday, my father went to the palace to visit the emperor. It is said that he is still practicing the elixir of immortality. Hey~ The emperor is deeply obsessed, and my father can hardly be persuaded."

Lu Zhanyuan said: "There is no elixir of immortality in the world, those fake Taoist priests have long disliked them! Relying on the emperor's favor and domineering, now they dare to reach out to the court!" Lu Zhanyuan said the previous paragraph At that time, several Taoist priests who claimed to be Tianjun's disciples actually went to court together.That group of people were defiant, and they uttered nonsense in the court hall, knocking the two old ladies out of anger on the spot.One of the Taifu is Lu Yong's respected teacher.

Zhao An: "They have cholera, just wait, those Taoist priests will suffer from it in the future."

Hearing what they were saying, Lin Xiaoze couldn't get in the way, and suddenly said, "Who can succeed the first prince or the second prince?"

All of a sudden there was no sound...

Jiang Tai picked up the tea and took a sip with a dry smile.

Zhong Xin also coughed dryly and said, "This... is beyond our guesswork. No matter who ascends to the throne of God, we ministers only need to be loyal to him."

Zhao Andao: "What Zhongxin said is what I want to say. Now I just want to wait and see what happens. It has never been so easy to get the dragon's power. I am afraid that only a madman will do it. This matter."

Lin Xiaoze understood that they are all the children of high-ranking officials, so there is no need to gamble on these things, as long as they behave themselves, the future is still immeasurable. He nodded and picked up his teacup and said: "Replace wine with tea, I respect my brothers, I hope you will be successful!" Say it all.

After returning from Muguzhai, Lin Xiaoze felt a little lacklustre. The friends who used to be able to talk with each other, but now they had nothing in common. When he said something casually, they responded with full energy.In fact, Lin Xiaoze also understands their situation, now that he is an official in the imperial court, he is no longer as reckless as before, but he still feels a little lonely, as if his friends are all running to the distance one by one, and he is still standing there motionless.This feeling was terrible, Lin Xiaoze rubbed his head and sighed and entered the gate.

As soon as I walked in, I saw a young man standing at the door looking around.

Lin Xiaoze said: "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"

When the man turned around, Lin Xiaoze froze for a moment, it was He Zixiang?How could he be in his own house, could it be that he came to find Xiaomin?

He Zixiang was also taken aback when he saw him, "Are you Xiaomin's second brother?" Lin Xiaoze nodded.

He Zixiang bared his teeth and said with a smile: "It's just right, you can give this to him for me." He said and took out a square box from his arms and handed it to Lin Xiaoze.

Lin Xiaoze wondered, "Why didn't you send it to him yourself?"

He Zixiang's ears were red, he scratched his head and said, "I...uh, I have something urgent... let's go first!" After speaking, he ran out.

Lin Xiaoze fanned the dust in front of him and sighed inwardly: The general's son is really extraordinary, he runs like a pony.Looking at the box in his hand, he was puzzled, what was in it, so mysterious that he didn't dare to send it by himself.Smiling and shaking his head, he walked towards Lin Xiaomin's room.

When I got to his room, I saw that he was reading, so I thought about putting down my things and leaving without disturbing him.

Lin Xiaomin heard the door open and said, "Second brother, you came back so early?"

Lin Xiaoze nodded, and reached out to hand him the small box.

"what is this?"

Lin Xiaoze: "I met He Zixiang at the door just now, and he asked me to give this to you."

Lin Xiaomin nodded and opened the box, and there was actually a jade pendant inside.

Lin Xiaoze took a look and raised his eyebrows. This jade pendant is of good quality, at least it is worth a few hundred taels of silver. This He Zixiang is quite generous. Thinking that his father is the general of Zhenbei, he has long been recognized as the emperor of the earth. Not too much.

"You read the book, then I'm leaving."

Lin Xiaomin nodded and said, "Second brother, go slowly."

He took out the jade pendant from the box and saw that there was still a piece of paper underneath. Lin Xiaomin took out the paper and looked at it, his face flushed with embarrassment. Zhou, a slender man, a gentleman, Lin Xiaomin has black lines all over his face, what is a slender man, is there such a description of a man!After reading it, he folded the letter and put it in his dark box, only to find that there were several similar letter papers inside.

Lin Xiaomin put these letter papers together, with a suspicious blush on his face.Suddenly there was a "dong dong" knock on the door, Lin Xiaomin hastily put away the shadow box and said loudly: "Please come in."

Lin Xiaoqing came back, saw Lin Xiaomin and said: "Where is Xiaoze? I heard from the boy that he came to you."

Lin Xiaomin said: "Just left."

Lin Xiaoqing nodded and said: "Then I'll go find him first." After saying that, he walked away quickly.

Lin Xiaomin looked at his back, but he didn't know where his thoughts went.

***

After learning about the murderer of his mother from Zhang Qingyun, Zhang Rui sent people to arrest the murderer who opened the gambling shop.

That man's name is Dong Laosi, he used to be a well-known rascal in Tongzhou city, and after he opened a gambling house, he became even more serious. He cheated in the gambling shop, causing many people to lose their money and have nowhere to go.

This day he was still gambling in the casino, lost dozens of taels of silver due to a few bad lucks, he kicked over the table angrily and said: "Don't play, don't play anymore, today is really a bitch Back, lost a few times in a row."

The other gamblers laughed and said, "Why can't the boss afford to lose?"

Elder Dong smiled and scolded: "Get out, I have money, so there is nothing I can't afford to lose. You guys play first, and I will go to Cuixianlou to meet my little fan."

"Hey, the big boss's little fan is Miss Ruoliu? I heard that she only picks up Boss Dong, and everyone else is gone."

Speaking of this matter, Dong Laosi felt that his face was bright, and he raised his head and laughed loudly: "Who told me to be a good man, Ruo Liu may look down on other men." Just as he was talking, he suddenly broke into a Team officers and soldiers come.

The gamblers were so frightened that they put away the money on the table and ran away.

The officer blocked the door with a big knife and said, "Who is Dong Laosi?!"

The gamblers pointed at the man at the door in unison and said, "He is!"

The official came forward and detained the dumbfounded Dong Laosi and said, "Take him back to the Yamen!"

Dong Laosi was taken aback, thinking that he hadn't done anything, although it was true that he was guilty of running a gambling shop privately, but he didn't send so many officers and soldiers to arrest him... Could there be other things?

When he arrived at the yamen and looked at the serious lobby, Mr. Dong was terrified. Could it be that he made a mistake?

Xu Maogong sat at the head, muttering in his heart, well, today is going to be a killing spree! "The person under the hall is Dong Laosi!"

Elder Dong knelt on the ground and said, "It's the young one. I don't know why your lord brought me to the yamen?"

Xu Maogong sneered and said, "Do you still remember that you and five other people hijacked a carriage and killed the woman in it a year ago!"

When Dong Laosi heard that the blood on his face faded away, he thought to himself: "Could it be that some brother committed a crime and confessed himself?" While cursing in his heart, he said with fear on his face: "Did you make a mistake?" , How can a small person have the guts to kill someone? "

Zhang Rui stood in the back hall and looked at the faces of the people in front of him, and he had already guessed that they were almost inseparable.Pushing open the door and going out, he said, "Dong Lao Si, you still recognize me!"

Although Zhang Rui didn't see their faces at that time, Dong Laosi saw Zhang Rui's appearance clearly, and he didn't get much benefit after finishing this matter, so he was naturally angry and hated.

"I... I don't know you, is this young man the wrong person?"

Zhang Rui sneered and said: "You still dare to put on a show, do you want me to call all your brothers to recruit you!"

As soon as Dong Laosi heard what he said, he confirmed his conjecture in his heart. Sure enough, someone committed a crime and brought it up.Hastily kowtowed and said: "My lord, the small one is just taking people's money, besides, it was not the small one who killed people that day, but someone else, the small one was just bluffing with the number of people."

When Xu Zhixian heard this, he said in his heart: This young man is really extraordinary, he cheated out all the thoughts in this person's mind with a random trick.

"You explain the situation at that time and the name of the murderer!"

Dong Laosi was shaking like a sifter, recruiting everything he knew like pouring beans.Basically, what Zhang Qingyun said was close to ten, Zhang Rui's eyes were red when he heard this, and he kicked him to the ground, "You guys are not as good as beasts, you actually killed my mother for ten taels of silver! Put these people Catch them all and chop them all up!"

Xu Zhixian was taken aback, and hurriedly nodded and told his subordinates: "Hurry up!"

The remaining five people were all arrested. When these people heard that Dong Laosi had betrayed them, they were so angry and angry that they almost strangled him on the spot.

Zhang Rui looked at them and sneered, "Don't worry about killing him, you come one by one, I will make your life worse than death!"

After being sentenced to severe punishment, the six people were dragged to the execution ground and beheaded.

After the incident, Uncle Han sighed and said: "It can be regarded as revenge for Madam, these people deserve to die! It's a pity that our mansion was burned by Zhang Qingyun and his son, the young master really shouldn't let them go."

Zhang Rui sneered and said: "What can they do if they are alive? They have lived a life of rich clothes and fine food, but now they are tattooed and exiled at the border. If they don't have enough food and clothing, they might as well die and enjoy the blessings."

Zhou Yin walked to Zhang Rui's side, held out his hand and said, "It's all over, let's set off for Jiangzhou tomorrow."

Zhang Rui closed his eyes and nodded. He was so exhausted that he couldn't breathe, and he said in his heart: Zhang Rui, I have already avenged your mother, rest in peace...

***

It took less than half a month from Xuzhou to arrive in Jiangzhou.

Since ancient times, Jiangzhou has been a rich and prosperous place, and it is called the capital of gold together with Yangzhou. From this, we can know how rich this place is, and it is called gold.The reason why Jiangzhou is so rich is inseparable from salt. The largest salt merchants in Dazhou are gathered here. These salt merchants are all imperial merchants, and tax money alone accounts for one-third of Dazhou's treasury every year.It can be seen that its significance to the Great Zhou Dynasty, this is the treasury of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Who dares to attack the salt merchant, as if stealing money from the emperor's pocket, is that worth it?The emperor was naturally angry, so he sent Zhang Rui to thoroughly investigate the salt merchant...

But this is not to say that it can be found out by checking.It's not good to pick up hot potatoes, and it's even worse not to pick them up, so we can only bite the bullet!

When he arrived at the Jiangzhou city gate, he did not go in directly as usual this time, but handed over the official guide. As soon as the official guide was handed up, two sixth-rank government officials immediately came out to welcome him.

"The lower officials Zhao Yong and Liu Cang kowtowed to the prince and the imperial envoy."

Zhou Yin said: "Wait, get up, where are you adults?"

Zhao Yongdao: "Master Zhifu knows that the two of you are coming today and are preparing a banquet for the prince and your lord. Please move to Jiangzhou Mansion."

Zhou Yin and Zhang Rui returned to the carriage, the two government officials bowed to lead the way, and a group of officials followed behind the carriage.

There were a lot of people around the road, and everyone was whispering to each other and guessing who was sitting in the carriage.

When he arrived at the yamen, Wu Zefeng rushed out to greet him: "Your official Wu Zefeng kowtows to the prince Qiansui, and to the imperial envoy."

Zhou Yin said: "Master Wu, please get up."

Zhang Rui looked at Wu Zefeng up and down, he was about thirty years old, his face was pale and he looked much younger than his actual age, he was dressed in a crimson five-rank official uniform and a black gauze official hat, he looked decent.

"My lords, please go to the mansion to rest for a long time after a tiring journey. The officials have already prepared the banquet, so don't refuse."

Zhou Yin nodded and said: "Master Wu has a heart." He said and walked towards the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Zhang Rui followed behind him, muttering in his heart, Jiangzhou is so rich, why is the magistrate's mansion so simple, so simple that there are no rock carvings on it, it can be said to be extremely poor.After walking all the way into the main hall, several people took their seats one after another.Wu Zefeng clapped his hands, and the servants brought the food.I have to say that the food is quite delicate and tastes good.

Wu Zefeng held the wine glass and said: "You two have worked hard this journey, I respect this glass of wine" and drank it down in one gulp.The boy next to him hastily filled up his storage.

Wu Zefeng picked it up again and said: "The two of you are here to investigate the Jiangzhou salt merchants, if you can use it, please tell me." After speaking, he drank a second cup.

The servant hesitated for a moment, and continued to refill it for him.

Before Wu Zefeng picked up the wine glass, Zhang Rui got up and said, "Master Wu is too polite. I need to ask you to help me with Jiangzhou salt merchants. I respect you for this glass." After speaking, he picked up the wine glass and drank it down.

Wu Zefeng said: "Your Excellency has a good capacity for drinking. This is spirit brought back from the northwest. Ordinary people can't stand it after just one sip. Your Excellency can still keep his face after drinking a cup!" Jiuzhuyeqing doesn't like anything.So I specially ordered someone to buy this wine.

Zhou Yin raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard it, and took a sip from his wine glass. Sure enough, a spicy smell passed into his mouth, flowing down his throat and warming his stomach. "Master Wu is bothering you."

Seeing that Zhou Yin liked the wine, Wu Zefeng looked happy and said hastily: "It should."

After lunch, Wu Zefeng thought about it and arranged the few people in the best inn in Jiangzhou, because the few guest rooms in the mansion were really simple, and he gave up his master bedroom to the prince, and he was afraid that the prince would dislike him.Simply arrange it directly in the inn, and just spend more time on your own.

A total of six rooms were booked, maybe one for each of them, Zhou Yin took him into one of the rooms and closed the door while he was not paying attention.

A few people outside the door were stunned, Zhan Qing coughed lightly and said: "In this case... Let's move back two more rooms." It was still Uncle Han with Hu Zi, Doctor He with Qing Luo, Zhan Qing and Duan Xiaobai The two sleep in one room each.

Zhang Rui was suddenly pulled into the room by him and said, "What are you doing?"

Zhou Yin pushed him against the wall, staring at his face with burning eyes.

Zhang Rui: "What's wrong?"

Zhou Yin looked at it for a while and said discouragedly: "Just now I saw you keep looking at the prefect of Wu."

Zhang Rui burst out laughing and said, "I'm just observing him, his hobbies and personality."

Zhou Yin said: "And then?"

Zhang Rui shook his head with a bitter face: "If it's not that his knowledge is too deep, or my knowledge is too shallow, just from the appearance, there is no flaw at all, but..."

Zhou Yin: "But what?"

Zhang Rui: "However, I have some doubts that the prefect of Jiangzhou is really as poor as it appears on the surface? The shabby mansion even makes me feel inferior."

Zhou Yin: "You have me, how can you be shabby."

Zhang Rui rolled his eyes and said, "Now I don't even have a mansion."

Zhou Yin smiled and said, "Why don't you move in and live with me when you return to Beijing."

Zhang Ruidao: "Aren't you afraid of other people's gossip?"

Zhou Yin: "Do you think anyone dares?"

Zhang Rui said with a dry smile: "If you say you dare not, it's probably because I'm flattering the prince."

Zhou Yin looked at him with a frown and shook his head: "Tsk tsk, you must have no eyes to say that you are so charming... Obviously, this king is much more handsome than you." The two of them were talking when the window suddenly opened and a man jumped in. , the man with a cloth towel on his face and copying the lightness kung fu instantly arrived in front of the two of them, before they could yell out, he pressed the acupoints for the two of them!

Zhang Rui stared at this man, Zhou Yin also frowned at him.

The man pinched Zhang Rui's chin, squinted his eyes, stretched out his hand, picked him up and threw him on the bed, then leaned over...

Zhou Yin's canthus was about to split, his face flushed red.