Chang Feng already had a plan in mind to lure the snake out of its hole and wait for the murderer to show up.
Another day passed. There is only one day left before Zhou Wen leaves office.
In the evening, Pu Bing sent Yin Jiang Chang Guan Si the latest imperial newspaper.
Dibao began in Han Dynasty. It is said to be the earliest newspaper in the world. In fact, it is more like an internal reference.
In this court report, the General Affairs Department excerpted the important parts of the imperial edict and the four memorials. Copies were made and distributed to the officials all over the world.
When the lamp was turned on, Chang Feng sat in front of the desk in the bedroom, reading the newspaper.
The first item is the big news about the imperial court's use of troops in the Western Regions.
Last year, Turpan Ahema invaded Hami City, dismembered Hami Dusi Amulang appointed by the imperial court, kidnapped the loyal and shun king Shaanba back to Turpan, and stole the gold seal.
At that time, the news spread back to the capital, and Emperor Hongzhi was so angry that he threw all his troops and dragon roared again.
Cabinet minister Qiu Jun took the opportunity to divert his political opponents away from home, and proposed that Ma Wensheng take command and go to the Western Regions to conquer Turpan and restore the Hami Guard.
How could Ma Wensheng fall into Qiu Jun's scheme and hand over the personnel power of the Ministry of Civil Affairs?
Emperor Hongzhi also saw Laoqiu's intentions. Ma Wensheng was ordered to be in Beijing to coordinate the overall situation of the Western Expedition.
Two months ago, Suzhou commander Yang Zhu led the Suzhou frontier army, integrated the Handong soldiers and other soldiers from the Western Regions who were loyal to the Ming court, and left Jiayuguan for an expedition to Hami.
Emperor Hongzhi's foreign policy has always been that others will not offend me, and I will not offend others. If someone offends me, all the earthworms in his house will be chopped in half, and they must be chopped vertically.
The first Hami War of the Hongzhi Dynasty officially began.
The second piece of news was about the earthquake in Qujing, Yunnan, which collapsed houses and killed countless soldiers and civilians. The earthquake was also felt in Jinling.
The third piece of news is to build more beacon towers on all sides to strengthen the transmission of military information on all sides.
Among the pile of messages, there is an inconspicuous message.
Emperor Hongzhi's younger brother, Prince Xing Zhu Youqi, left the capital and went to Anluzhou, Huguang to join the feudal clan.
This piece of inconspicuous news determined the fate of the Ming Dynasty for the next 150 years.
After Chang Feng read the newspaper, it was already the willow branches above the moon.
Mrs. Jiu said: "I don't know if there will be another wife-changing incident tonight."
Chang Feng smiled slightly: "I'll make a bet with you. The Transformer will never appear again tonight. The Transformer will only show up tomorrow night, which is the eve of Zhou Wen's departure."
Madam Ninth lowered her voice: "I always feel that it is a bit risky for you to bring only thirty robes into a lawsuit. Do you still remember what happened in the Daguan camp in the first year of Hongzhi?"
Chang Feng lowered his voice: "Don't worry. Do you know where Governor Ye Guangye is at this time?"
Madam Ninth asked: "Are you in Sinan Xuanwei Division?"
Chang Feng shook his head slightly: "Wrong! He is feeding mosquitoes in Fanjing Mountain behind us right now."
"As long as I light a letter arrow, two thousand reinforcements will arrive at the lawsuit within half an hour."
At this moment, there was a knock on the bedroom door.
Zhou Wen walked in. He was worried because Chang Feng had withdrawn the guards around him and was so scared that he couldn't sleep. Just come to Changfeng to strengthen your courage.
Chang Feng smiled and said: "Master Zhou, we are in a wild land. There is no such thing as the rule of female family members avoiding foreigners."
"Xiaojiu, serve tea to Mr. Zhou."
Madam Ninth poured tea for Zhou Wen. Zhou Wen took a sip and calmed down his shock: "Mr. Chang, are you sure that no one will assassinate me tonight?"
Chang Feng said: "The murderer went to great lengths just to let you relax your vigilance and continue the legend of the Ghost Yamen."
"And in the legend of the Ghost Yamen, every successive Yinjiang chief will die on the eve of his departure."
"The murderer will not murder you tonight. He will do it tomorrow night. As long as we follow the plan, we can capture him."
Zhou Wen sighed: "Alas, I am incompetent. I originally wanted to serve the country. However, when I arrived in Yinjiang, I couldn't give the government orders and was unable to benefit the people of Yinjiang."
Chang Feng asked: "Why can't government orders go out of the Yamen?"
Zhou Wen replied: "If the chieftains receive the decree and do not implement it, then the decree is useless paper."
"Under the rule of the chieftain, the people, land, and mountains are all owned by the chieftain. The chieftains, big and small, form their own spheres of influence."
"Government, criminal justice, money and grain, and military affairs can all be autonomous. They take and seize the people under their rule, and have the power of life and death. They are almost equivalent to the emperors in the mountains and valleys."
Chang Feng said: "The key to implementing the reform of native land and returning to local people is to abolish the chieftains."
Zhou Wen sighed: "But abolishing chieftains is not easy! It will lead to civil unrest. All the previous officials, including me, have the attitude that doing more is worse than doing less."
"As local officials, our biggest fear is civil unrest within our jurisdiction."
"For example, let's take Yinjiang. The Han government officials and the people are only about 140 strong, but the foreigners have 50,000."
"Once there is a civil uprising, I will either abandon the city and run away, which will be a death sentence! Or I will be in a long lawsuit and wait to be punished by the aliens."
After hearing this, Chang Feng admired Emperor Hongzhi even more. Emperor Hongzhi was indeed a wise king. Although he lived deep in the palace, he could see things in the world.
This time Emperor Hongzhi asked Chang Feng to come to Guizhou and specially sent 5,000 soldiers from Beijing to accompany him. We are always ready to use force to implement the reform of the country.
Zhou Wen kept chirping and refused to leave Chang Feng's bedroom.
Chang Feng simply talked with him all night long. Understand the local conditions in Yinjiang.
He learned a shocking inside story.
Yinjiang said there were four chieftains, but in fact there was a fifth chieftain - the Huang family of the tax collector Huang Liang.
The Huang family controlled foreign trade routes. The local specialties obtained by the four chieftains from the tribe were transported to the Han Dynasty through the Huang family and exchanged for silver.
In addition, the salt, cloth, and cotton transported inland are also controlled by the Huang family.
The Semuhuang family and the Miao, Tu, Dong, and Yi chieftains were almost in a state of loss and prosperity.
It wasn't until dawn that Zhou Wen left Chang Feng's bedroom.
Madam Ninth yawned: "Yes. I stayed up all night with you too."
Chang Feng said: "Let's go to bed quickly and sleep until noon. The truth about the ghost Yamen will be revealed tonight!"
After sleeping until late, Chang Feng and Mrs. Jiu got up and had a meal.
Chang Feng found Sun Guishou. He asked: "Old Sun, have everything been arranged properly?"
Sun Guishou replied: "Everything is ready."
Chang Feng nodded. Came to the lobby.
Jin Bao, Huang Liang, and Lin Sanjiu were drinking tea in the lobby.
Seeing Chang Feng coming, the three of them saluted Chang Feng.
Chang Feng waved his hand: "When you come to this hellish place, you don't have to worry about so many etiquettes. No etiquette."
Huang Liang asked tentatively: "Mr. Chang. Inspector Gao Chenghu disguised himself as a ghost and killed people, and you have put him in jail."
"The post of inspection is extremely important. Now it is vacant. It seems inappropriate."
Chang Feng followed Huang Liang's words and said, "Yes, we need to find someone to take over the inspection. This person should preferably understand the local situation in Yinjiang."
"If a small flag is transferred from the Xuanwei Department to serve as an inspection officer and cast a dark eye on Yinjiang, how can we manage Yinjiang's military preparedness and public security?"
After hearing this, Huang Liang recommended himself: "Young man is not talented, but he has a military household registration. He is willing to serve as an inspection officer."
"I'm willing to offer you a thousand taels of silver to help Master Chang open the joints."
Chang Feng was surprised: "Are you registered as a military household member?"
Huang Liangming nodded: "After the founding of the country, Grandpa Taizu issued an edict. Meng people and Semu people who support the new Ming Dynasty are all Chinese people. They were originally registered as soldiers of the Puppet Yuan Dynasty, and they can be granted household registration of the Ming Dynasty army."
"The family ancestor donated three hundred shi of military rations to the Ming army stationed in Sinan Mansion, and was granted military household registration."
Chang Feng was even more suspicious of Huang Liang.
He had previously concluded that the murderer framed Gao Chenghu to divert attention. Secondly, he may covet the post of inspection.
The Huang family has great influence in Yinjiang. If Huang Liang becomes an inspector again and takes charge of Yinjiang's military preparations and public security, won't Yinjiang's sky become the Huang family's sky?
Chang Feng played hard to get, pretending to be greedy: "Inspection inspections always have grades. Even the ninth grade is an official."
"If Brother Huang wants to take over the inspection, he has to report it to the Sinan Xuanwei Department. He also has to prepare files with the Guizhou Inspectorate. There are too many people in charge."
"I'm afraid one thousand taels."
Huang Liang was quite proud: "How much silver is needed, Sir Chang, please tell me clearly."
Chang Feng stretched out two fingers.
Huang Liang gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! The money will be sent to you in the next few days."
Chang Feng said with a smile: "Okay! Let's have a drink at Chang'an Sui tonight. Firstly, we'll give Mr. Zhou a farewell. Secondly, we'll congratulate Mr. Huang in advance for being promoted to inspection."
Huang Liang stood up: "My subordinates are going to prepare a banquet."
Chang Feng waved his hand: "No need. My concubine Xiaojiu has already gone to make arrangements."
Chang Feng didn't want Huang Liang to drugged the food and wine.
Lin Sanjiu suggested: "Sir, how about I take you to Fanjing Mountain for hunting tomorrow?"
Chang Feng happily agreed: "Okay! I was just worried about coming to this ghost place and having three years to spend!"
"From now on, I will leave the official affairs of the office to the three of you. I will just spend my time hunting and playing with foreign girls for fun."
Lin Sanjiu smiled and said: "The younger one has already sent people to talk to the four chieftains. Let them choose two Miao, Tu, Yi and Dong girls to bring to the court to please Mr. Chang."
At night, there was a big banquet in Chang Guan Si.
In a wild land, there is no such thing as the Eight Treasures Seat. It’s all big bowls of wine and big chunks of meat.
Chang Feng raised the wine bowl: "This first glass of wine is for our Lord Zhou. Congratulations to him for finally leaving this hellish place."
"Oh, it's my turn to live a miserable life for three years! Come on, come on, do it!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank in one gulp.
Chang Feng added: "This second glass of wine is for our yellow tax collector. Congratulations in advance for his promotion to inspection!"
Everyone drank again.
Zhou Wen looked anxious. He was scared to death, afraid that tonight he would become the fifth victimized officer in the legend of the Guiyamen.
Chang Feng, however, kept pouring wine into Zhou Wen: "Master Zhou, have a few more drinks. Don't worry, Gao Chenghu, who pretended to be a cross-dresser, has been arrested. You can stay drunk all night, and you can go back to the Central Plains to enjoy your happiness when you wake up tomorrow."
Zhou Wen seemed to be a very light drinker, and he became dead drunk after just a few drinks.
"Sir," Fatty Xu said with a smile, "Master Zhou, I will help you go to the bedroom to rest."
Chang Feng toasted Jin Bao again: "You are an old official who has worked in the government for more than ten years. I will rely on you more in the future. Come, come, drink this cup to the full."
Jin Bao drank it down in one gulp: "I am willing to do your best for Sir Chang."
Everyone drank and had fun until the time of Zi Pai.
Chang Feng was so drunk that he returned to the bedroom with the help of Mrs. Ninth.
As soon as he entered the bedroom, Changfeng's drunken state was gone. The jar of prickly pear wine he drank up just now had already been mixed with water by Madam Ninth. It only tastes like alcohol, but has no alcohol content.
Madam Ninth asked: "Can the murderer really show up tonight?"
Chang Feng sat on the edge of the couch and said, "You'll know in a while."
He and Madam Ninth sat across from each other, waiting for the signal for the murderer to appear.
At seven o'clock in the morning, the entire inner watchtower turned out the lights and became dark.
Zhou Wen's bedroom.
Several men in black "squeaked" open the door of Zhou Wen's bedroom.
One of them had a bear trap tied around his waist.
They came to Zhou Wen's couch. There are curtains on the bed.
The man in black with a bear trap tied around his waist opened the curtain with his hand, preparing to commit murder.
Suddenly, a bell rang in the bedroom!
It turned out that the curtain was tied with a copper bell brought by Mrs. Ninth to exorcise ghosts from the Tujia people!
The man in black lifted the quilt on the couch. There were actually several pillows inside! Zhou Wen is not on the couch at all!
The man in black whispered: "It's broken, we seem to have been fooled!"
At this moment, Fatty Xu roared angrily: "Catch the ghost! Come on, Fatty!"
More than a dozen Jinyiweipao Ze held newly lit candles in their left hands and scorpion crossbows in their right hands, and rushed into the bedroom!
Fatty Xu used the candlelight to see clearly that there were three men in black. All wore black scarves covering their faces.
The three men in black drew their swords and prepared to resist.
However, the crossbow is faster than seven steps away. The crossbow is sure to be fast within seven steps.
"Swish, swish, swish!" Luxmen triggered their crossbows one after another, but the target was not the bodies of the men in black, but their legs.
"Ah!" The three men in black screamed in unison and fell to the ground.
Chang Feng's bedroom is only twenty steps away from Zhou Wen's bedroom. He heard the sound and came.
Fatty Xu smiled and said: "Master Chang, the devil has been caught!"
Chang Feng said: "Light the lantern!"
Several robes lit lanterns, and after a while, the bedroom was brightly lit.
Chang Feng saw one of the men in black with a bear trap tied around his waist. He said: "If I guess correctly, you are Lin Sanjiulin, the squad leader, right?"
Fatty Xu stepped forward and pulled off the black scarf that covered his face.
Sure enough, this person was none other than Lin Sanjiu, who was born as an Orion!
Chang Feng laughed and said, "I didn't expect it. The change woman in the ghost office is actually the leader of the strong class who has been involved in lawsuits!"
Lin Sanjiu gritted his teeth and looked at Chang Feng: "What is Mr. Chang talking about? I don't understand."
"I'm worried that Mr. Zhou is drunk and has no one around to take care of him. Come here."
"Pa", Fatty Xu stretched out his big palm-like hand and gave Lin Sanjiu a big blow.
Fatty Xu said angrily: "It's already this time, how dare you still speak harshly?"
Chang Feng pointed to the second man in black: "Let me see who he is."
Fatty Xu pulled off the black scarf covering the face of the second man in black. It’s Jin Bao, the chief official!
This was beyond Chang Feng's expectation: "I thought the murderer was one of the three old officials who had been involved in the lawsuit. I didn't expect that there were two out of three!"
Fatty Xu pulled off the black face and black scarf of the third man in black. It's the tax collector Huang Liang.
Chang Feng sneered: "Hey! Okay! The three old officials who have been involved in the lawsuit have gathered together!"
The three of them were hit by crossbow arrows in their legs, and they all grimaced in pain.
Chang Feng said: "Stop the bleeding of these three people first. Then take them to the lobby for interrogation."
At this moment, Zhou Wen walked in. The prickly pear wine he drank just now was also tampered with by Madam Ninth. He was pretending to be drunk.
Zhou Wen asked: "Chang Qianshi, have you caught a ghost?"
Chang Feng pointed at the three of them: "Brother Zhou, take a look. In the past three years, you have actually lived with three murderous evil spirits day and night!"
Zhou Wen was surprised when he saw the three people lying on the ground: "It's them? How is it possible!"
Chang Feng asked: "Why is it impossible?"
Zhou Wendao: "They have done their duty in the past three years! All the tax money they handled was handed over to me."
Sun Guishou coughed and reminded: "Brother Zhou, you are confused. They treat you as a stuffy gourd jar to save money! Wait until the night before you leave office, when the stuffy gourd jar will break."
"Why do they have to withhold taxes on weekdays? The meat rots in the pot."
Zhou Wen suddenly realized: "That's it!"
A moment later, the lights in the Chang Sui lobby were brightly lit. Chang Feng changed into Feiyu clothes, and Ye Zhensan "turned into a woman"!
Chang Feng didn't need to be polite to the villains who pretended to be ghosts and killed people, and directly applied the great memory restoration technique to the three of them.
The three were forced to confess under torture.
To kill, there must be a motive.
Jin Bao and Lin Sanjiu's motive for killing was hatred.
Huang Liang's motive for killing was greed.
Jin Bao is actually a Tujia people. Fifteen years ago, his daughter was sixteen. She fell in love with Lin Sanjiu, an Orion from the Han family. There will be a wedding next year.
Good things are coming, and another good thing has come.
The long lawsuit in Yinjiang recruits strong people into the class. Lin Sanjiu was selected as Minzhuang with his superb archery and hunting skills.
Lin Sanjiu got official meals. Jin Bao was happy for his daughter. From now on, she and Lin Sanjiu got married, and her life was guaranteed.
At that time, the official surname of Yinjiang was Lin. Because Lin Sanjiu had the same surname as him, he paid special attention to her.
Before Chief Lin left office, he sent Lin Sanjiu to Sinanyi to stand in front of him and prepare carriages and horses.
Seven days before leaving office, Chief Lin went to Tujia Village. Say goodbye to the toast.
It's said to be saying goodbye, but actually it's just one more toast before leaving.
It’s not even finished. After drinking too much, Chief Lin fell in love with the girl who served him wine - Jin Bao's daughter!
What happened next was just like the legend of Guiyamen.
Chief Lin took Jin Bao's daughter abducted to the Yamen. Not only did he ruin her, he also "rewarded" her to dozens of government officials who were like wolves and tigers.
The government officials killed Jin Bao's daughter alive.
When his daughter didn't come home all night, Jin Bao went crazy looking for her. After repeatedly crying and begging the chieftain, the chieftain told him that his daughter had been kidnapped and was being prosecuted.
Jin Bao went to court to ask for someone. The government officials impatiently returned a disheveled female corpse to him.
Jin Bao was heartbroken. Then there was utter hatred.
Three days later, the prospective son-in-law Lin Sanjiu returned. When he learned that his fiancée had been raped to death, he was filled with hatred.
The two men, Weng and son-in-law, swore a poisonous oath that they would kill all the officials in Yinjiang in this life!
Lin Sanjiu was able to get in and out of lawsuits by virtue of his status as a civilian. On the eve of Chief Lin's departure, he killed Chief Lin with a bear trap and avenged his fiancée.
Jin Bao, on the other hand, fabricated and spread rumors among the Tujia people that a transmutation would occur during a long lawsuit, and the transmutation would cost the life of the Tujia people.
Rumors spread from ten to ten. Yinjiang had a long lawsuit and became a famous ghost yamen in Guizhou.
In this way, Chief Lin became the first victim of "transformed mother-in-law". Of course, he brought it upon himself and deserves no sympathy.
In order to fulfill his oath of "killing all Yin Jiangliu officials in this life", Jin Bao. Relying on his literacy and proficiency in the Tu and Miao languages, he entered the court a year later and became a scribe.
He met Huang Liang, who was sent by the Huang family to serve as an agent in the lawsuit. The two became friends.
Huang Liang was just a concubine of the Huang family, being suppressed by his eldest brother. He didn't have much money in his hands and was greedy by nature.
Two people full of hatred and one greedy person came together.
In the next ten years or so, they colluded with each other and, under the guise of being transformed into wives, killed three outgoing officials and obtained thirty to forty thousand silver.
This is the truth behind the murder of a transfigured woman in Yinjiang Guiyamen.
Hatred and greed led to this sensational story.
(End of chapter)
