When the autopsy was completed on the first day and everyone returned to the Kaifeng government office to investigate the case again, the morale had become completely different.
The original state of this case was like walking on a dark road at night, completely lost and not knowing where to go. Now, a candlelight appeared in front of them.
Even though the light was not very bright and could not dispel much of the darkness, it gave everyone a direction and immediately made them full of energy.
In the execution room, Chen Yaozi sat down directly and the first thing he said was: "Take the scribe who claimed to have witnessed Yuan Hongjing burning down the execution room three years ago and interrogate him carefully. I want to see if he really saw it with his own eyes." After witnessing it, I still accepted someone’s benefits and dared to slander government officials!”
Everyone was stunned: "Yes!"
After issuing his threat, Chen Yaozi began to arrange the specific tasks: "Three years ago, any complaints related to the medical doctors were verified. If the files were burned, the officials and yamen were asked to verify each other, write down the general information, and then visit!"
"yes!"
Whenever the motive for murder is investigated, one should start with professional investigation and the other should start with emotion.
Sun Hong has a harmonious family, but he is a pediatrician by profession, and when it comes to doctors, his first reaction is medical trouble.
For example, a nobleman's child was put to death. Perhaps the child was born with a defect and could not be saved. However, the parents just vented their anger on the doctor, which is what often happens.
However, under normal circumstances, the powerful would use the channels of the yamen to convict Sun Hong of other crimes, put him in jail, or even distribute him to the whole family. Such lawsuits should be recorded.
Unfortunately, there was a fire in the torture room that year, which not only destroyed the files of the murder case, but also the cases close to that time period. The only solution now is the memory of the human brain.
Each official, servant, and archer asked in turn. One person might remember the error, but if two or three people cross-checked it, it would be possible to restore it.
This matter has been done before, but there were no clues at that time, and there was no hope of solving the case at all. The government officials naturally dealt with it. Everyone said they couldn't remember clearly, but now they really started to use their brains to recall the past. A case involving doctors...
Chen Yaozi continued: "In addition to the grievances over the treatment of children, there are also conflicts with Jianghu gangs and street idlers. Let Yue Hui of the Zhongyi Society come to the government office!"
The swapped corpse had many traces of blood on its body. It could be basically concluded that it was a member of the Jianghu. At the very least, it was a brave and ruthless street idler. This was also a key clue.
Of course, if the government wanted to search in this area, there would be obviously insufficient manpower, so they would directly look for the Jianghu Gang, among which the Zhongyi Society had obviously cooperated more than once.
Not only was it familiar to Chen Yaozi, but Di Jin also thought that when Di Xiangling first came to Kaifeng Mansion, he was also the leader of the Xunzhongyi Society. It seemed that this person was well-rounded and well-connected in the world.
Based on the above two routes of searching old cases, Chen Yaozi also raised a question: "If Sun Hong, the head of the family, is still alive, what will he do with the thirty-five heads?"
Thirty-five heads, to put it cruelly, can be used to build a small Jingguan. Of course, the real Jingguan is not to build heads, but to pile up corpses and show off martial arts, but no matter what, this number of corpses is It cannot be disposed of by just finding a place and throwing it away.
Wang Boyang thought for a while and said: "It is definitely not Sun Hong's wish to keep his family's body intact. He is taking this opportunity to cover up the fact that he is not dead yet, so the heads of his family must be well preserved, perhaps after revenge." Burial? There are not many preserved places here..."
Lu Andao frowned: "Could it be a temple?"
Chen Yaozi said decisively: "Check! Check all the temples inside and outside the capital. See if anyone has enshrined some jars that appear to be the ashes of family members, but actually contain heads, and prayed in the temples before and after three years!"
"yes!"
Chen Yaozi thought for a while and felt that for the time being, he didn't have much ideas. He couldn't help but look at Di Jin: "Shi Lin, do you have anything to add?"
Di Jin said: "Zhige Rongzhen, I want to go to each house in Taipingfang to ask if there was anyone harassing me after the family murder case. The intention is unknown!"
Everyone's hearts trembled.
If Yuan Hongjing is sure to have been wrongly accused, then the person behind the scenes must not be a small scribe, but a nobleman with a certain status in the capital.
In the same way, the real culprit who dared to destroy Sun Hongman's family and forced him to fake his death and escape was probably a certain noble person.
Di Jin had deduced these circumstances more than two months ago. Now, under his overt and covert guidance, the Kaifeng government office has made similar judgments, but with greater concerns.
The most difficult thing about Kaifeng Mansion is not the case, but the relationships. The real test of Quan Zhi's position in Kaifeng Mansion is whether he can straighten out the intricate power network in the capital and balance the situation of all parties. This is the final test before entering the two houses.
It may sound satisfying to go after the powerful people first when investigating a case, but in reality no one dares to do this in the Kaifeng government office, and no official, no matter how upright, can do it.
Fortunately, this case was quite special. First, it was strongly recommended by a student of the Imperial College, and later the Empress Dowager gave her final verdict. Their attitude was to get to the bottom of the matter, which fully demonstrated the ethos of the dynasty. Di Jin was not an official, but a scholar who took the imperial examination, so he had a layer of protection. Chen Yaozi looked at his clear eyes and knew that this man would not make enemies unnecessarily: "In that case, I will ask the government clerk to go with you to record the testimony!"
Lu Andao stepped forward and said, "Master, I am willing to go with Di Jieyuan!"
Wang Boyang's eyes moved when he heard this, and he hesitated a little, but in the end he still didn't come forward. Now his confidence in solving the case has indeed increased, but he still stays away from such things that offend the powerful and is unwilling to participate.
Lu Andao reciprocated the favor. At the critical moment, Di Jin cleared his friend's grievances. Of course, he couldn't stay behind. As an official of the Kaifeng government office, after all, he was not as good as a junior official. Chen Yaozi was also happy to see his subordinates take this responsibility: "Okay ! Then you can go with us!"
After the two of them walked out of the government office, Di Jin said: "Brother Dao An, Yuan Tuiguan may have left some clues. I'm worried that the government officials will miss them. I'd like to trouble you to go and get it in the name of the government office." "
Lu Andao nodded immediately: "I also have this intention. After taking it, where will we meet?"
Di Jin said: "It's getting late today. There's no need to rush to investigate a major case that hasn't been solved for three years. How about we meet again outside Taipingfang tomorrow at midnight?"
Lu Andao looked at the sky, and the excited expression on his face gradually calmed down: "Ashamed! I'm really anxious, and I can't wait to get the results soon..."
Di Jin said: "Brother An Dao is worried about his close friend and rushes for the case. Isn't this an ordinary urgency? However, it takes half a mile to travel a hundred miles. I believe that the truth of this case is not far away from being revealed, but at this moment, it becomes even more impossible." Too hasty!"
Lu Andao cupped his hands and said, "That's exactly what happened. Thank you Shi Lin for your advice. I'll say goodbye!"
"Farewell!"
At this time, Lin Xiaoyi and Zhu Er were already waiting at the yamen gate. Seeing him and Lu Andao saying goodbye, they came over and wanted to ask how the coffin opening and autopsy went, but they were a little worried. Di Jin smiled and said: "Everything went well. It’s just that I’m very hungry, are there any meals prepared at home?”
Lin Xiaoyi said happily: "It's ready. They are all the dishes that the young master likes to eat!"
"Then go back!"
Many people in this era are accustomed to eating two meals, especially those from poor families. Lu Andao is like this, while Di Jin is the habit of later generations and never fails to eat three meals a day.
Today, he went out of town for a bone examination and discussed it in the government office after returning. He has not eaten yet. For him who lives an extremely regular life, it is not suitable for him, and he feels that the acuity of his thinking has dropped.
So if you don’t mention anything else, you have to cook first!
After returning to his comfortable home and having a good meal, Di Jin felt that his mind had become clearer and returned to its best state. He stepped into the study and said, "I want to think of something, you guys go and do it first."
"yes!"
At this time, Di Xiangling was standing in front of the bookshelf in the study room, flipping through more and more incomplete manuscripts of "The Collection of Redress of Wrongs". His concentration was not just killing time.
When Di Jin walked in, she put down the manuscript and pointed to a pile of deeds on the desk: "I sent someone to check the four pages of the maid deed left by Yuan Hongjing, but I didn't find anything strange. , it’s just a normal employment…”
Di Jin took it and flipped through it first, and found that there were a total of eighteen sheets, each of which recorded the servant's family age, height and body, hanging scale weighing, employment experience, etc. For ancient times, it was already It's a pretty standard resume.
This is catalyzed by the market. For example, when Lin Xiaoyi was hired in Bingzhou, Ma San, the market leader of the tea shop, provided detailed information about the other party, including his previous experience of being robbed of money by Lei's family members. This was the only way to prevent the employer from being deceived. Only with this kind of in-depth understanding can they make a living as an agency.
But something is missing here: "Isn't there a homesteader?"
Di Xiangling said: "Generally, housekeepers are not hired, they are close people, or servants who have worked for a long time and have outstanding abilities, and are used by their masters to manage the house. This housekeeper of the Sun family should be the former type. According to the people at Yahang, these servants were all chosen by Mr. Sun..."
Di Jin's eyes moved slightly: "My surname is also Sun, the old man of the house? Do you want to give me a surname?"
In the former Tang Dynasty, the high-ranking gentry regarded their surname as their honor. The greatest honor for a noble slave in the house was to be given a surname by the master's family. In the Song Dynasty, they did not pay much attention to this, but if they were given a surname, it was often the closest relationship.
Di Xiangling said: "That should be the case... Anyway, according to those people, this old man is very arrogant, as if he is in charge of everything in the family!"
Di Jin read the deed carefully and said slowly: "The money given to these servants is very generous! Even if the market price in the capital is not as high as that in Bingzhou, the cheapest one is much higher than Xiao Yi!"
Lin Xiaoyi was a book boy, smart and diligent, and literate at least 300 years old. According to the employment contract, he was paid a thousand yuan per month, and he had to eat and drink.
That is to say, you will receive one thousand cash per month, but no food will be included, and you will have to solve the food problem yourself.
This is because Lin Xiaoyi did not live in Di Jin's house at first, but came back when needed, and often went out to inquire about news about Jinyang Academy for him. Naturally, it was impossible for him to take care of the food. Of course, once he was used to it later, he would not strictly follow this rule. .
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This price is considered top-notch in the world of maidservants in Bingzhou. After all, bookboys are the closest servants to scholars, and many of them are not available to outsiders. Of course, the monthly salary is higher, but now the Sun family’s maidservants, the cheapest maidservants, are also It costs 1,800 yuan a month, which is almost twice as much as Lin Xiaoyi.
At that time, Di Xiangling only thought that the people in the capital were stupid and had too much money, but now that he said it, he felt something was wrong: "Yes, this is too expensive! Could it be that the elder is just greedy for the benefits?"
Di Jin shook his head: "The deed is clearly written, but this greed is too obvious. Sun Hong was born as a warrior monk and is used to living a hard life. Even if such a person makes a fortune, he should not spend extravagantly and let his elders live. Such deception, not to mention that if he doesn't keep an eye on it himself, his wife at home will also check the accounts... What specific requirements does Mr. Sun have when selecting his servants?"
Di Xiangling said: "In other words, you must be honest and strict with your tongue. Anyone who gossips will be dealt with according to family law, and will be fired immediately and driven away. There are no other special requirements."
"There are a lot of dirty things in the mansion, and the interests involved are huge. The servants and maids gossip. Not only does the master have a bad reputation, but the key is that it is listened to by someone with intentions, which damages the interests of the master's family..." Di Jin said , and looked at the deed carefully: "The appearance, body shape, and past experience of these servants are not surprising. If the housekeeper is not greedy, but really hires them at a high price, then the only thing that can be used is their honesty. Be strict!"
Di Xiangling understood: "So, the Sun family has secrets and wants to guard against outsiders, so they would rather pay a high price or hire servants with extremely trustworthy mouths?"
"At present, this speculation seems to be the most reasonable. Judging from the monthly servants and maids alone, Sun Hong's family's expenses are really quite large! Is this how a pediatrician can make money?" Di Jin thought for a while. , and asked: "Have Yuan Hongjing's eight records about the family extermination case been put away?"
Di Xiangling said: "It's already at Yuan Hongjing's home. I deliberately hid it in a very hidden place, but you can still find it if you search carefully."
"Then let Lu Andao find the transcript and make it public!"
Some clues are suitable for strong warrior monks to investigate, while others are suitable for Kaifeng government officials to track them openly. Di Jin has a feeling that the Yaxing Deed Book is the latter, and it is precisely because Yuan Hongjing traced it to this point that he ended up with it. A mysterious disappearance, and the result of being infamy.
However, everything can be done once and for all. Three years ago, Yuan Hongjing was settled and the case went unsolved. Now, after three years of planning, the case has become even more troublesome. So what will the real murderer hiding in the dark do?
Di Jin was looking forward to it.
You are not afraid that the opponent's moves will be difficult to resolve, but you are afraid that the opponent will not use them.
Di Xiangling waited for him to finish thinking, and then warned: "Sixth brother, you have to be careful about the Beggar Gang. They have suffered a lot of losses recently. I see that some of them are eager to jump over the wall."
Di Jin nodded: "I made a note to carry weapons with me at all times when I go out. The rats in the sewers are really annoying. If I want to get rid of them now, I'm afraid it's really impossible..."
"Sooner or later, one day!"
Di Xiangling was quite gearing up, and quickly raised his brows, and said with a smile: "The monk is here, let's chat!"
After saying that, he turned around, walked around the screen, and disappeared.
A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the door of the study room, and Wu Jing flashed in again, his attitude becoming extremely respectful: "Young Master!"
Di Jin asked directly: "How are you following?"
Wu Jing said in a deep voice: "That old man from the house is from the residence of Lu Yijian, the political advisor. This man must have had something in his heart when he purposely took the back door when he returned to the residence!"
Di Jin shook his head slightly: "This doesn't mean anything..."
The mass murder case occurred during Lu Yijian's term. Now it has caused uproar in the city. They even had to open the coffin and conduct an autopsy at the grave outside the city. Of course, the current political advisor would have heard about it and sent someone to take a look. It is normal. .
As for the expression on the old man's face, he thought it was darker. It was because Lu Yijian didn't want to see the case solved. After all, it was left unsolved at the time, but it was solved three years later. The censor would definitely take advantage of this. For At the critical moment when he was involved in political affairs and became prime minister, no one wanted to cause any complications.
Therefore, the appearance of Lu Mansion's elder, for now, can only show that Lu Yijian is a person with a strong desire for power and is not a true gentleman. However, it cannot be based on this to say that he has any deep involvement in the case.
Di Jin asked again: "Where is the tall and thin Jiang Huzi?"
Wu Jing pursed his lips, obviously unwilling, but still replied truthfully: "I am incompetent, this person has been lost!"
Di Jin narrowed his eyes slightly: "Who followed you? Where did you lose him?"
Wu Jingdao: "Following him was Wu Zhao, the third junior brother who is the best in Qinggong. This man entered the lower city, got into the Wuyou Cave, and soon disappeared without a trace!"
Di Jin gave Wu Zhao a pseudonym: Brother Qian, which corresponded to Shi Qian. Being able to get rid of him showed his familiarity with the terrain: "So, this person is familiar with the route of Wuyou Cave, and is familiar with the terrain." Are the local forces involved?"
Wu Jing said coldly: "It's either the Beggar Gang or the door robbers. It's these two parties who are fighting in Wuyou Cave now, and the fight is fierce. We arrested the Beggar Gang thieves before, and there are also door robbers. They are secretly helping each other and killing people with a borrowed knife!"
Di Jin said: "If you were asked to enter the cave to arrest me, would you be able to do it?"
Wu Jing's cheek muscles twitched slightly, and after a moment's hesitation he still said: "The terrain of Wuyou Cave is complex and cannot be used. We are not sure..."
The five brothers were not afraid of any of them on the ground. They even dared to fight each other's terrifying sister. But it was another story in Wuyou Cave. Although Wu Jing had a cruel and paranoid temperament, he had extremely rich experience in the world. He would not make any promises just to save face, and in the end he would kill his fellow juniors in the cave.
Di Jin was not surprised and settled for the next best thing: "What about blocking people?"
Wu Jing was still confident this time: "Wouyou Cave extends in all directions and has many exits. However, the third junior brother said that this person is neatly dressed and decent, and is not a beggar like mud. In that case, the entrance and exit he chose There won’t be many, we spread out and can block it!”
Di Jin said: "Okay! After blocking, try not to alert the snake and see who he is in contact with. If he is discovered, don't hesitate and arrest him immediately!"
"yes!"
The two onlookers who behaved abnormally determined their general identities. The one who Di Jin cared about the most was the one who left first, because this person was actually the most impatient. He couldn't wait for the autopsy to be completed and left in a hurry: "The last one was the one who left." Where is the person who left first?"
Wu Jing frowned slightly, and his tone was a little strange: "This man seems to be an idle man on the street, and I don't know what he has to do with the family murder case. My second junior brother followed him and saw him entering Taipingfang and going to several mansions. But Each time he just said a few words to the servant at the door, then left, and finally went to a gambling house in the east of the city, where the second junior brother was still watching him from outside!"
Di Jin immediately asked: "Which specific mansions are there in Taipingfang?"
Wu Jing was a little helpless: "We didn't recognize them all. We only recognized two families. One is the Zhang family of the privy councillor, and the other is the Guo family of relatives. However, the other families are either rich or noble, and they all occupy very large mansions... …”
Di Jin's expression became solemn: "Change the plan! The thief in Wuyou Cave will not be guarding for the time being. You go immediately and keep a close eye on this idle man. Everyone who comes into contact with this person must be recorded. At the same time, Protect his safety and make sure nothing happens to him! Do you understand?"
Wu Jing's heart trembled, and he clasped his fists: "I understand! I'll go right away!"
"Zhang Qi...Guo Chengqing...Guo Chengqing..."
After Wu Jing left, Di Jin walked to the window, his eyes a little emotional, but still firm: "I hope this rich young man will not take human life lightly, otherwise, Guo Chengshou's kindness will not be easy to use, and this case must be investigated to the end." , seek justice for the victims!”
…
"Ugh! My lady smells so good! So slippery!"
Zhang Zongshun murmured and turned over, then felt a gentle push, and a voice called in his ear: "Master! Master!"
"Go aside!"
He had loved hearing the timid voice of this beautiful maid in the past few months, and originally wanted to take her as his concubine, but recently the new boss of Mo Wenfang had taken over her heart, so he couldn't care less.
Although we haven't officially met each other yet, the appearance of everyone in the first week of the ex-partner's trip is already superb. This person's reputation is vaguely even better. He has an all-powerful appearance that can be imagined. What's the point of the rouge and powder at home? Why don't you think carefully about how to have a kiss?
The maid obviously didn't dare to make a loud noise, but she had to wake him up: "Master! Master! The boss is calling you! He will be angry if you don't!"
"Well!"
Zhang Zongshun stood up suddenly, became furious, and almost slapped him: "Master, you are calling me? Damn it, why didn't you wake me up earlier!"
The maid was so frightened that she backed away and fell to the ground, not daring to answer.
Zhang Zongshun didn't bother scolding her. He hurriedly put on his clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles, arranged his hair crown, trying his best to look meticulous, and then walked towards the lobby with straight steps.
Adult is usually called father by children, but it is also used to address respected elders. Everyone in the Zhang family always calls Zhang Qi "old man" to express their sincere respect.
When he arrived at the hall, he saw his grandfather Zhang Qi, who had a very strict upbringing, sitting on his seat. Zhang Zongshun hurriedly bowed down and said, "Grandson, pay homage to your lord!"
Zhang Qi looked at him and asked directly: "Did you encourage the students in the Imperial College to recommend Di Shilin to investigate the major case three years ago?"
"So that's what you were asking about!"
Zhang Zongshun breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. It's not because he failed to pass the exam. That's fine. He couldn't help showing a proud look: "That's right! This Di Shilin was originally preparing for the provincial exam at home. It was my grandson who encouraged his classmates to spread the news. Rumors, force him out. Regardless of this person’s current status, the more he does, the more mistakes he makes. This is what the old man taught me, and my grandson will remember it... Ouch!"
Before he finished speaking, Zhang Qi stood up, kicked the grandson to the ground, pointed at his face and cursed angrily: "The Di Shilin you forced out is now found in your own house, are you still complacent? I'm old man. How could there be such a stupid grandson like you? Come here, drag this idiot who was instigated by others to the backyard, deal with it according to family law, and beat him hard until I can hear his screams even here! "
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