Early the next morning, before all the officials went to court, the body was found.
The bodies of the fourteen nursing homes were found in the west of the city, and Zhang Songling's body was found on the official road.
After all, he was the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and all the officials in the court were shocked.
Two hundred steps away from where Zhang Songling's body was found, two pieces of scattered clothes were found, which matched Zhang Songling's figure. In addition, there were "eyewitnesses" from the first night, and the Zhang family's courtyard in the west of the city was among the ruins. Some copper coins and several boxes were also found.
According to Jingzhao Mansion's statement, coupled with the inference of the Ministry of Punishments, we finally concluded that Zhang Songling seemed to be running away, and there were people who were supporting him. The people who were supporting him killed the Zhang family's nursing home to silence him, and then gave him to Zhang Songling. Zhang Songling picked him up. This can be proved by the statements of witnesses and the clothes found.
However, after arriving at the official road, the person who picked up Zhang Songling was silenced by Zhang Songling for unknown reasons.
This is roughly the conclusion. I don't know whether it is seamless or not. Anyway, the courtiers think it is quite seamless.
The most important thing is that the portrait produced by Jingzhao Mansion is very similar to Li Wenli's previous butler, Zhang Yun, the general of the Wu family.
Therefore, Tao Ruolin threw the blame perfectly, and Wu Wang Changchengke, who was far south of Weijiang River, caught the blame accurately.
I have to say that this was a very technical move, because Zhang Songling was originally suspected of "taking refuge" in the King of Wu. But at this critical moment, everyone thought there was nothing wrong with him at all.
All the ministers believed it, but Huang Laosi, who was sitting on the dragon chair, felt something was wrong.
The fourth child's brows were furrowed like a greedy snake.
But for a while, he couldn't figure out who did it.
First, he ruled out Chu Qing.
Because Chu Qing's goal was achieved, this kid didn't want to kill people, he wanted to kill his heart. His heart had already been killed, and Zhang Songling had no chance to turn around, and would only get worse and worse.
If you wanted to kill or dared to kill, you would have done it long ago. Why wait until you kill your heart before killing? There is no point.
It's not Chu Qing, it's the King of Wu, as the officials suspected.
Huang Laosi understands his third brother just like the farmer uncle understands Stanley. The third brother has no motive for doing this. Of course, the most important thing is that he knows better than anyone else that Zhang Songling has not taken refuge in the third brother at all, so he also There is no such thing as the third child being silenced.
He told the Ministry of Justice to continue the investigation and dispersed.
When Huang Laosi arrived at Jingyi Hall, a letter was delivered to him from Tao Family Zhuangzi.
After opening the letter, Huang Laosi's expression changed again and again, until finally, he smiled bitterly.
"I see."
Huang Laosi put the letter on the candle. After knowing that the letter turned into ashes, he said helplessly: "I am an emperor who always realizes things later."
Sun An asked in confusion: "What does your Majesty mean?"
"This letter was written by Tao Ruolin to me." Huang Laosi said angrily: "It's like this every time. Tao Ruolin always makes me obey my words."
"Miss Tao family?"
"Yes, Zhang Songling was killed by Chu Qing's guard."
"Why did Chu Qing do this? Didn't you say that he has achieved his goal?"
"It has nothing to do with Chu Qing, it's the guard, the wrath of a common man."
"That…"
"There was a woman named Lv Zhu, who raised a daughter alone. She was orphaned and widowed. She lived in the Zhang Mansion and was humiliated in every possible way. She was a miserable person and secretly took refuge in the Qianqi camp. The guard Chu Qing was an old friend of Lv Zhu. knowledge…"
Speaking of this, Huang Laosi's eyes burst out with cold light: "The Zhang family locked the Green Pearl's daughter Jiu Niang in the dining room and wanted to burn her alive!"
Sun An took a breath: "So vicious?!"
"That's right. Fortunately, the little girl is blessed with good fortune. Chu Qing went there in time, put out the fire, and rescued the little girl. As for the guard, his name is Fu San. I have seen him. He is stupid and stupid. He was a fierce soldier in the army. He guessed that Zhang Songling was chasing Luzhu, so he rode to the west of the city one by one."
Huang Laosi said with some approval on his face: "Good man, I killed eleven people and rescued Luzhu from the Zhang family's house in the west of the city. He almost died, and the same was true for Luzhu. Even Fu San died a little late." , Luzhu has been killed by Zhang Songling."
Sun An hesitated for a moment: "But Zhang Songling must be an official of the imperial court, and he is the right minister..."
"I ask you, if there is a thorough investigation, who should be held responsible?"
"I don't know, old slave."
"As for Chu Qing, Chu Qing didn't know anything about it. If we ignore Chu Qing's crime, it would be Fu San." Huang Laosi shook his head: "Do you know what Fu San did when he was in the border army? "
"I don't know, old slave."
"Tao Ruolin asked someone about it. When this fierce soldier named Fu San was in the border army, he personally killed three people in the Liang thief Yin Lang Zhang, and the Liang thief Centurion killed seven people. He has been in the army for many years. , captured hundreds of heads, and suffered eleven wounds of various sizes from swords and arrows. He even refused promotion from the Ministry of War six times in order to serve as a close soldier under Chu Wensheng. Tao Ruolin said in her letter that even the Supreme Emperor praised this person. , asked him face to face why he didn’t become a general, do you know what Fu San said?”
Sun An shook his head with admiration.
"This Fu San said that he is illiterate and would not be an official. If he is a soldier, he can kill enemy thieves and protect the people of Dachang. If he becomes an official, he will only harm the people of Dachang and protect the people of Dachang. He You are good at this, but if you become an official, you will be good at this, so be a soldier, be a soldier, and protect the people."
Huang Laosi looked at the embers on the low table and said quietly: "A man who can say such words will risk his life to kill Zhang Songling. You can imagine how resentful this Zhang Songling must be." .”
Sun An nodded subconsciously.
Soldiers like Fu San don't understand the big principles. Right is right and wrong is wrong. They risk their lives to save people and kill people. This is enough to show how hateful Zhang Songling is.
"This is the first time Tao Ruolin has sent me a letter since I ascended the throne. Well, I will sell her a personal favor and will not be held accountable."
"Then the Ministry of Punishment, do you want to go to the Ministry of Justice..."
"No, Tao Ruolin has always been thorough in her work. How could the Criminal Department find a loophole? I can only pretend to be deaf and dumb."
Speaking of this, Huang Laosi smiled bitterly and said: "What if I don't pretend to be deaf and dumb? Tao Ruolin said that after this incident, the courtiers will not dare to contact the King of Wu in the future."
Sun An suddenly realized.
Having said all that, it’s because Fu San is so fierce, and you give others more face, and it’s not because you, Fourth, are the ones who have a vested interest.
Yes, Tao Ruolin said it very clearly in her letter, Fourth Brother, please be more careful. Don't check. The blame has been passed to Chang Chengke. You can just have fun secretly. The courtiers mistakenly thought that King Wu was like this. He is insidious. If he bribes others and sees that they will be exposed, he will directly kill him and silence him. From now on, no one in the court will dare to talk to him. They will follow you wholeheartedly. Be good, don't slap yourself in the face every day.
In fact, Tao Ruolin also did it for Chu Qing's good. Tao Ruolin knew better than anyone else that if this matter was not investigated clearly, Huang Laosi would definitely not be able to sleep, so there were only two outcomes.
The first is to ask the Qianqi Battalion to investigate. If the Qianqi Battalion cannot find out, Huang Laosi thinks Chu Qing is a fool.
In the second case, Huang Laosi found out and found out that Chu Qing was hiding it from him. The longer the matter dragged on, the more uncomfortable Huang Laosi felt.
Therefore, any situation is not good for Chu Qing. In this case, it is better to take the initiative to tell Huang Laosi the truth. If the truth is broken down and explained, Huang Laosi will definitely turn a blind eye.
Because Tao Ruolin knew Huang Laosi very well. With Huang Laosi's character, it didn't matter whether he took advantage or not. As long as the third son suffered a loss, he could do whatever he wanted.
However, what Huang Laosi didn't know was that Chu Qing also received a letter, also written by Tao Ruolin, asking Chu Qing and Chen Yan to confess that Fu San was the murderer, and then asking Chen Yan to tell Huang Laosi, which would give Huang Laosi The fourth child created a feeling that Chu Qing took the initiative to confess, and promised that Fu San would not be held accountable.
After a moment of silence, Huang Laosi spoke again.
"But this Chu Qing didn't report what he knew. I'm very disappointed."
Sun An glanced at Lao Si's face and found that the latter's face was really angry.
"Tao Ruolin knows what my temperament is. Although I am the emperor, I am not unreasonable, but I didn't expect that Chu Qing would dare to deceive me!"
With a cold snort, Huang Laosi said solemnly: "If you don't deal with him, you really think I can be bullied!"
"How about a warning?"
Sun An didn't expect Huang Laosi to be really angry, and he felt that Chu Qing was quite innocent. This happened only one day ago, so even if Chu Qing wanted to explain to you, he didn't have the time.
"Excuse me, does he care about his face? What's the use of admonition!"
"What do you mean, Your Majesty..."
"Go in person and teach me a harsh lesson in front of the other detectives in the Qianqiying Yamen Office. Since he doesn't want face, I won't give him any face."
Sun An's expression changed slightly.
Being scolded in front of his subordinates would make him a laughing stock.
Sun An always felt that Huang Laosi was a bit unkind, but he didn't dare to say anything and nodded in agreement.
"By the way, there is one more thing." A trace of embarrassment flashed across Huang Laosi's face: "Tell him, I originally wanted to take away his official position and title, but thinking that the Taowu Palace he built for me is quite comfortable, Qingrao Let him do it once. However, in the future, he will be responsible for all the expenses, money and food for the Qianqi camp's horse exploration. He will think of his own way. If possible, if he has extra money, he can also send it to the palace... Forget it, this matter will be dealt with later. The opportunity is presented, in short, reprimand him, reprimand him severely, and finally say, I am reasonable and just let him be responsible for the expenses of Qianqi Camp, but I understand."
"Old slave... understand... understand."
Sun An lowered his head, full of regrets.
He finally understood why Huang Laosi was so angry and anxious. After all, you just want others to get money for you.
Huang Laosi stood up and said angrily: "If you don't teach this kind of minister a lesson, he will be able to pay you back in the future. Hmph, go and get some regular clothes."
"Your Majesty, do you want to wear regular clothes..."
Huang Laosi gritted his teeth and said happily: "Of course I'm looking for Chu Qing. I haven't seen him for a long time. I miss him so much these days. I'm looking for him to have a drink outside the palace."
Sun An was dumbfounded: "Are you going with Lao Nu?"
"Nonsense, after you have scolded him on behalf of the emperor, I will naturally comfort him."
Sun An: "..."
