Chi Taishou and Xia Changshi stood behind Hua Yitang, breaking out in a cold sweat. It was for no other reason than that when Hua Shenjun met the dignified Censor Zhongcheng, not only did he not salute, but he put on a very unhappy face. stinky face.
Isn't Huajia Shiro famous for his sweet mouth and winking eyes? Why is he more dull than Ling Sizhi today?
Of course Hua Yitang was not dull, he was just thinking about Jiang Wende's purpose of appearing here.
The three Yushitai Yuans have a clear division of labor. The Taiyuan Yuan supervises the Dali Temple trial and cooperates in the trial of major cases handed over by the emperor; the Procuratorate Yuan is responsible for inspecting the illegal behavior of local officials in prefectures and counties, such as the "inspection envoy" that the people talk about, and is best at cracking down on corrupt officials. , overturning unjust cases, there are countless epic legends circulating in the world.
In contrast, the reputation of the palace among the common people is much lower, but it is the most troublesome existence for civil and military officials.
The palace courtyard is responsible for guarding against the disrespectful behavior of officials in the palace, and is responsible for inspecting the capital and other court meetings, sacrifices, etc. Its main responsibility is to maintain the sacred dignity of the saints. To put it bluntly, it is to find trouble when there is nothing wrong, such as stealing on the way to court. Eating mutton steamed cakes, not wiping your mouth after eating steamed cakes, beards that are not elegant enough, hats that are not fashionable enough, boots with holes, official robes that are not washed, horses urinating and defecating everywhere, etc., as long as they are investigated by the procuratorate When the censors find out, they will definitely read your book in the court.
This Jiang Wende is a fifth-rank official and is in charge of the palace. From any point of view, he has nothing to do with the surveillance case. When he appears here at this moment, he can be described in one sentence as "a dog meddling in other people's business".
Of course, it is impossible for a dignified censor Zhongcheng to travel all the way from Guangdu to Yidu just for a "noisy matter" - it seems that the involvement behind this case is far more complicated than imagined.
Thinking of this, Hua Yitang's eyes flashed, and he instantly put on a perfect professional smile, "I heard that Jiang Zhongcheng was one of the most prodigies in the Tang Dynasty. He was a tribute student at the age of ten, passed the examination at the age of fifteen, entered the Dali Temple at the age of twenty-three, and entered the Dali Temple at the age of thirty. He entered the Yushitai at the age of three and was promoted to the position of Zhongcheng through nine levels. He was deeply respected by the saints. When I saw him today, he was indeed very energetic and worthy of being the first person of the Jiang family in Taiyuan."
Jiang Wende twisted his beard and said with a smile, "Jiang originally thought that because of Jiang Dongyi's incident, Huasilang would have some prejudice against the Taiyuan Jiang family. I didn't expect that Huasilang would comment like this, and I was really surprised."
"I don't like hearing what Jiang Zhongcheng said," Hua Yitang said in a very sincere tone, "What Jiang Dongyi did is like a beast among men. The Jiang family has long expelled this person from the family tree. This person is very important to the Jiang family in Taiyuan. He's just an ant on the roadside, not worth mentioning. How could Hua associate such a person with Jiang Zhongcheng?"
One person exchanges compliments on the other, which may appear to be love and peace, but in reality there is a turbulent undercurrent. Governor Chi and Xia Changshi turned pale.
Jiang Dongyi's case caused a stir in Dongdu at that time. In the end, he was only sentenced to deprivation of his surname and exile. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that it was due to pressure from the top management of the Jiang family in Taiyuan. Jiang Zhongcheng naturally made great efforts, but he did not know what happened later. What went wrong? Jiang Dongyi died inexplicably in Dali Temple Prison.
This matter was like an untouchable thorn to the Taiyuan Jiang family. Hua Yitang said it so openly, clearly provoking Jiang Wende.
Governor Chi hurriedly tugged on Ling Zhiyan's sleeve and asked quietly, "Is it possible that the Yang Duhua family has a feud with the Taiyuan Jiang family?"
The honest Lord Ling Sizhi thought for a long time and shook his head, "It was Hua Silang who found the irrefutable evidence of Jiang Dongyi's murder, and it was Madam Lin who captured Jiang Dongyi. They handled the case impartially, and it is not a festival."
Taishou Chi almost fainted: It’s really not a festival, it should be considered a feud!
Looking at Jiang Wende again, his smile did not change at all, and his eyes even showed a bit of love when he looked at Hua Yitang, "What Shiro Huajia said deeply touched my heart."
Taiyuan Jiang's family is indeed not a fuel-efficient lamp. If these two people were allowed to continue chatting, they would fight sooner or later. Xia Changshi remembered the last time Hua Yitang and the head of the Su family yelled at each other. He was extremely tired and quickly changed the subject, "What business does Jiang Zhongcheng have to do here?" ?”
Jiang Wende's smile faded by three points and he sighed, "To be honest, the Peach Blossom Demon serial murder case five years ago was the last case that Jiang oversaw when he was a censor in the Taiwan Academy of Sciences. I don't want to see another case after five years. A peach blossom murderer appeared, and when Jiang heard the news in Dongdu, he felt really uneasy, so he came here specifically to assist in the investigation."
After a pause, he clasped his fists again and said, "This trip is just a personal move by Jiang. It has nothing to do with Yushitai, and it is definitely not official business. I hope you can do it for your convenience."
"So that's it. Jiang Zhongcheng is really diligent and caring for the people, and he can be a model for officials in the Tang Dynasty!" Hua Yitang said with a smile, "As the saying goes, luck is worse than luck. Today we happened to catch a suspect who committed the crime on the spot, named Pi Xi. This person is about to be interrogated, would Jiang Zhongcheng be willing to go with him?"
Jiang Wende nodded repeatedly, "That's great!"
Governor Chi and Xia Changshi complained endlessly, so they had no choice but to accompany them.
The interrogation room in the Yamen Prison has already been packed up. Prefect Chi is presiding over the interrogation, Xia Changshi and Hua Canjun are jurors, Ling Zhiyan is recording the confession, and Jiang Wende is also a special guest.
Pixi was kneeling on the ground, with his head and neck held high, a smile on his face, and his eyes glaring at everyone, not like a murderer, but like a hero who sacrificed his life generously.
When Taishou Chi saw Pixi, he became very angry. If it weren't for this troublemaker, how could he have caused so much trouble? He pounded the table and shouted angrily, "Who are you kneeling on? What crime have you committed? Recruit quickly?!"
Pixi raised his head and smiled, "My name is Pixi. I am the famous peach blossom murderer in Tang Dynasty. I killed Duan Hongning, and I also killed seventeen people five years ago!" His eyes turned to Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan, " Hua Canjun and Ling Sizhi are witnesses."
Governor Chi briefly glanced at the confession, turned around and asked, "Is this really this person?"
Hua Yitang nodded, "The murderer who killed Duan Hongning was indeed Pi Xi."
Ling Zhiyan: "The peach blossom brand in Pi Xi's hand is very similar in size, shape and pattern to the peach blossom brand used by the Peach Blossom Killer five years ago."
Governor Chi swallowed his saliva, "That is to say -"
"In other words, the case of the Peach Blossom Murderer five years ago was probably an unjust case." Hua Yitang said, looking at Jiang Wende calmly.
Jiang Wende leaned in the Taishi's chair, the light in his eyes flickering in and out, without saying a word.
Governor Chi and Xia Changshi wiped their sweat crazily.
Wu Zhengqing, the first person responsible for handling the case five years ago, is dead. If there is really an injustice in this case, the two of them will definitely be the unlucky ones. If there was still room for change a few hours ago, it would be a big deal to find other charges. Cutting Pixi down was all over, but now a giant Buddha from the Yushitai is watching over him, and he can't fool around with it no matter what.
At this moment, Jiang Wende spoke, "The case of the Peach Blossom Murderer five years ago shocked the whole country. The sage ordered Yushitai to participate in the entire trial. At that time, the witnesses and physical evidence were conclusive, and the chain of evidence was clear. It was an ironclad case. Now suddenly, A person appears and claims to be the Peach Blossom Murderer. Is there something fishy?"
Governor Chi: "What Jiang Zhongcheng said is true, even the lower officials think there is something fishy——"
"What Jiang Zhongcheng said is wrong. Ling has read the files from five years ago. The so-called personal and material evidence is conclusive, and the evidence chain is clear. Only the last case of Tu Yan," Ling Zhiyan interrupted Prefect Chi, "As for the ten cases before Tu Yan, There are many doubts about the six serial rape and murder cases, and there may be a miscarriage of justice."
Prefect Chi choked and did not dare to say anything.
Jiang Wende frowned, "I remember that the person who solved the case was a police officer named Wu Zhengqing. He should be the one who knows the details of the case best. Why don't we see this person?"
Xia Changshi wiped his sweat and said, "A few days before Wu joined the army... cough, he died."
Jiang Wende was startled, "How did you die?"
"Wu Canjun was killed by a woman named Qu Hui." Xia Changshi said, "The twists and turns are really difficult to describe. If we really talk about it, it is inextricably linked to the Peach Blossom Demon case."
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you deaf?!" Pixi was very dissatisfied, "I already told you, I am the Peach Blossom Demon, why are you still here whining and whining? Why don't you quickly put me on trial and publish a list to announce the charges? ? That Tu Yan is just a fake, and he can be executed at Dongshikou. I, a serious peach blossom demon, must at least be executed in front of Daxuan Gate in Beishi City to be successful, right?"
"Absurd!" Ling Zhiyan shouted fiercely, "The government investigates cases and pays attention to real evidence. Testimonies, physical evidence, documentary evidence, and investigation records must be strictly consistent. How can people be arrested and convicted at will!"
Pixi rolled his eyes: "Hua Junjun just said that the Peach Blossom Demon five years ago was an unjust case!"
Hua Yitang: "But Hua didn't say that you are the real Peach Blossom Demon."
Pixi straightened his back, "I have evidence! I know where all the deceased were killed! I can write it down!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
Five years ago, among the seventeen serial murder cases, the government only found four first crime scenes. Until now, the first scenes of the remaining thirteen cases have been mysterious.
Hua Yitang looked solemn and said, "Let him write!"
Pixi smiled as he wrote, looking very proud, and he finished writing in a short time. Wu Da presented the confession, but Governor Chi really couldn't figure it out and handed it to Ling Zhiyan.
Ling Zhiyan glanced at it and her expression changed.
The addresses Pixi wrote included the four first crime scenes known to the government, and the locations were exactly the same. These four addresses have never been made public by the government. The remaining thirteen addresses are also very detailed and don't look like they were made up casually.
The problem now is that five years have passed since the incident, and all traces at the scene have long disappeared. Even if you want to re-inspect, there is no way to start. Therefore, it is difficult to tell whether what Pixi wrote is true or false.
Governor Chi and Xia Changshi knew something was wrong as soon as they saw Ling Zhiyan's expression, and their expressions turned pale.
Pixi's expression became more and more proud, "These seventeen women are all my carefully selected prey. I know their names, ages, hobbies, and daily activities. If you need me, I can tell you one by one." Do you listen?"
Ling Zhiyan stared at Pi Xi, "You said you killed seventeen people five years ago, but the fact that Tu Yan killed seventeen people is conclusive, so the number of people doesn't match up, right?"
Pixi: "I was the one who taught Tu Yan how to kill him. As the saying goes, every grievance has its own debtor, so I should be the one to blame."
Xia Changshi's expression changed in shock, "You mean - you, you, you not only kill people yourself, but also teach others to kill, are you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, or you, or you, or you, or you, of, of you, of Xia Changshi, changed with a lot of.
Pixi burst into laughter, "Hahahahahahaha, what a big joke. When you convicted Tu Yan before, you kept saying that he was crazy. He is a fake and can be crazy. Why can't I, a real person, be crazy? "
There was a sudden silence in the interrogation room.
Ling Zhiyan clenched her fingers, frowned and stared at the confession written by Pixi, silent.
Jiang Wende rubbed the ring in his hand, thoughtfully, and said nothing.
Taishou Chi and Xia Changshi were under great pressure and could only send a distress signal to Hua Yitang.
Hua Yitang tapped his knuckles on the table, "What do you mean, could it be that Tu Yan is your apprentice?"
Pixi shook his head repeatedly, "He is too stupid. He has only scratched the surface and is incompetent. He was caught after just killing one person. He is not worthy of being my apprentice."
Hua Yitang raised his eyebrows, "But now you've been caught too."
"I deliberately led you to catch me! Otherwise, you bunch of losers will never be able to catch me!"
"Why do you want to lead us to arrest you?"
"Because -" Pixi's eyes flashed with madness, "I can't stand those inferior fakes tarnishing my reputation as a peach blossom murderer with such crude killing techniques!"
Hua Yitang immediately grasped the point, "You said 'those' - could there be more than one faker?"
"That's right!" Pixi grinned from the corner of her mouth to her ears, "Even Xiaoshuang, Minina, Duan Hongning, and that Qu Hui, they are all fakes of the Peach Blossom Demon.":,,
