Mei Xian Cheng's strategy is right. He could let the province find out that Chen Tongpao was harboring criminals and eventually killed and silenced him, while he would only bear the responsibility of seeking to seize his position.
But there was always someone who was one step ahead of him and created fresh false confessions for this interrogation.
He is still the same officer and soldier, the confidant whom Mei County Prime Minister absolutely trusts. Meixian Cheng narrowed his eyes and looked at him with joy, as if he had become his savior.
But his expression was not as calm as usual, and his behavior was quite stiff.
"My lord." He said one word and then stopped.
The inspector asked: "Were you ordered by the Prime Minister of Mei County to lead troops into the Chen Mansion?"
He kowtowed hurriedly: "I heard from Mr. Mei that this matter was assigned by County Magistrate Chen. He was only responsible for passing the message. How could there be any conspiracy..." After that, he looked at Mei County Magistrate guiltily.
"Is this a temporary assignment?"
"no."
"The deceased was talking and laughing freely at the time. Did he know about this in advance?"
"I know. After all, Mr. Lu stayed in Taizhou Yamen for a while before entering the mansion, and witnessed with his own eyes that we were ordered to go to Mr. Chen's mansion."
"My suspect, how dare you talk nonsense in front of the deputy inspector!" The prefect turned his head and slapped Xingmu hard.
As for Meixian Cheng, apart from being trembling with fright, he was not angry or sad at this moment. He was just confused and lost his mind. He was stunned by what seemed like a sudden counter-attack.
He was still staring in confusion when suddenly a basin of biting cold water was poured on his head. He immediately shook his head and woke up.
"If you feel you still have grievances, you can try to express your feelings. Don't panic." Yingcha Hesheng said.
"Master Futai," Mei Xian Cheng wiped the water drops on his face, "This has nothing to do with me killing people."
The magistrate sneered and said: "According to this person, you neither led the troops to kill nor conspired with the deceased. It must have been a temporary act, so you fled in a panic."
"No," Mei Xian Cheng was still struggling, "Is there no reason to kill someone?"
The idlers immediately fought back: "I heard from people in Taizhou that Mr. Lu often went to the Yamen to talk to you, but he didn't see you for a month. There may be a conflict. Besides, the evidence is all there and the case is clear, so why bother looking for it?" What a reason!"
"This..." Meixian Cheng's face turned pale, "Isn't it the latrine that I won't go to? That military master made it clear yesterday!"
"Fart!" an idle guest yelled angrily, "You run to the east study first, kill the people and then hide in the latrine. You should have time, right?"
The magistrate and the master whispered a few words, eager to stop the quarrel by shooting the case: "Okay."
"I have made up my mind, the suspect shall be executed!" The prefect held up a red sign and glanced at the inspector. The deputy inspector nodded, and the sign fell to the ground crisply.
Meixian Cheng's eyes turned white and he fainted and fell to the ground. He was supported by the two hands of the Yamen servant.
In less than a moment, he opened his eyes, and regardless of the yamen's pull, his clothes were torn in large pieces, and he quickly crawled to the prefect: "Sir, those people lied! Someone was behind it! Someone was behind it!"
The magistrate panicked and wanted to dodge, so the officials took the Meixian Prime Minister down, took off his coat, and nailed him with two wooden shackles.
The master wrote a petition and handed it to the prefect, who read it out: "The circumstances of this case have been ascertained. The prisoner Mei County Cheng had a small grudge with the deceased Lu Jishou, so he improvised the assassination on the wedding day of the Chen Mansion in Taizhou. The prisoner was summoned away by the magistrate at a banquet. The deceased wandered to the east study room, and when the magistrate of Huimei County returned, he saw and killed him. Then he hid in the toilet and did not dare to come out. When the incident failed, everyone was suspicious, and he was bound to the court to beg for his life. Fortunately, the law of heaven is clear, and retribution will be repaid. In the end, he will wear shackles and be deprived of his position and salary. Crime will not be tolerated, and he will be punished for trying his righteousness!"
Amid a burst of noisy cheers outside the hall, Magistrate Mei Xian made a mark on the white paper, took one last look at the courtroom, and was dragged off.
If he could reflect at this moment, he could reflect on how cautious and cautious he was, and how much he wanted to hold the power in his hands. Not only did he achieve nothing, but it actually became the driving force behind his death.
Lu Zhengfu clenched his fists, originally wanting to see him beheaded in public, but when he heard that the execution time had been set, he led his slaves through the crowd and came back when he was ready to kill the prisoner. But that will be next year. The head of Mei Xian Cheng fell to the ground at the execution ground, but Master Lu could not be found.
"Master, I've come to Yizheng from Chuzi."
A servant hurried into the house to report.
Lu Zhengfu still looked sad: "I'm afraid I came here to choose a burial place."
"We can't let him in!"
Lu Zhengfu sighed: "I lost my son due to old age. I have only one daughter living outside and no heirs. In the future, I will entrust my property to my relatives and nephews. Small businessmen from other places and locals may be taken over by others and they will not be able to share a bowl of rice." We have become estranged from each other; the Lu family is declining day by day, how can we have the strength to compete with each other? Just hope for harmony between the two families, that's fine. "
"You have evil intentions when you cross Chuzi. Master, you need to be careful." The servant said anxiously.
"Alas!" Lu Zhengfu said, slapping his thigh, "I understand that the trickster wants to win people's hearts and deceive local businessmen into joining his account. The only way to clear the country is to strengthen the walls and clear the country."
"Master's orders!"
"Closed the shop and said there would be no business discussion today; also, sent someone to take the officer into the house in a sedan chair. After dinner, we were the only ones to go see the burial place, so no news could be leaked."
"yes."
Guo Chuzi didn't take his servant with him. He was sitting in a sedan chair and stopped in front of the door. He got off the sedan, put on an old khaki coat, crossed the threshold, and walked to the main hall. He saw Lu Zhengfu leaning on a cane and wearing plain white clothes, still in grief.
"Uncle Lu!" Guo Chuzi ran over in a hurry and held his arm. Seeing his withered face, he squeezed out a few tears of pity.
"I admire you very much for your willingness to go to great lengths to choose a burial place and come all the way." Lu Zhengfu bent over and bowed reluctantly.
"My old uncle has lost his son. If I don't come here, it would be unkind and unrighteous." Guo Chuzi said as he took out money from his bag, "This time I specially cashed a hundred taels of silver notes from Jiangdu Shop, and I have a few taels of broken silver for today’s expenses.”
"It's still not too late to get it when we find the burial place." Lu Zhengfu held his hand, "I'm preparing lunch, and I've watched the officials eat it here."
"I don't feel hungry yet in my lower abdomen. After I finish eating, I still have to wait to choose a burial place." Guo Chuzi declined repeatedly.
"The old man has not chosen where to bury Shou'er. He is anxious and can't swallow anything. Since I don't want to eat outside, I will go with you." Lu Zhengfu walked down the stone staircase tremblingly, "Slave, prepare the sedan chair."
Guo Chuzi was sitting in the sedan, looking at the street from time to time. After passing several Lu's shops, he saw that none of them were open, and the cold wind made the door panels rattle.
'It's just as I expected. ’ Guo Chuzi pulled down the curtain.
"Why are the shops closed?"
"My son died recently and I have no intention of taking care of it." Lu Zhengfu said quickly.
The car stopped at this time, and the bearer shouted: "Master, we are here!"
Lu Zhengfu first invited Chu Zi, and after passing Chu Zi, he stepped off the sedan chair, looked at the cloudless sky, and recalled the conversation he had with Wen Zhong before leaving Jiangdu.
