"Yes, yes, my lord is right, it is the lower official who is talking nonsense!"
Ma Zhiyuan didn't even think about it and just followed Zhu Biao's words.
He was a prisoner at the moment, and the two people in front of him were unknown big shots. He still knew very well how to choose.
Although he is now on death row, he still has his family.
"Niu Yi, please stop talking."
Su Jing had no choice but to give instructions to Zhu Biao again.
This young prince is really a little too anxious.
"Yes, Master Su."
Zhu Biao said immediately.
Su Jing looked at Ma Zhiyuan and said, "Mr. Ma, why do you say you bumped into us? It was just a normal encounter at the time, a very normal thing. Do you think what you are experiencing now is because of us?"
"I don't dare. I'm just talking nonsense. Please don't pay attention."
Ma Zhiyuan shrank and didn't dare to speak much.
This person is really scared.
The more this happened, the more Su Jing felt that there might be something fishy in this matter.
But things still need to be revealed step by step.
"Okay, let's not talk about it for now. Let's just talk about your situation."
Su Jing did not continue to pester, and the conversation turned to Ma Zhiyuan's situation.
Ma Zhiyuan immediately nodded and said: "My lord, just ask, and I will tell you whatever I know. I just ask your lord to allow me to see my family."
Su Jing asked: "Master Ma, I read your file. Before you came to the capital, your reputation in the local area was still very good, and your reputation among the people was also good. That's why you were transferred to the capital, so , why on earth have you reached this point, and what has happened in these short few months."
Regardless of this corruption case, Ma Zhiyuan's files show that he is definitely a good official.
However, there is no if in reality.
Hearing Su Jing's inquiry, Ma Zhiyuan's eyes turned red again.
He looked at Su Jing and said: "My lord, I also want to know! Why have we reached this point! Why on earth!"
At this moment, Ma Zhiyuan became hysterical again.
Su Jing said: "Then tell me slowly, little by little what happened after you came to the capital."
Ma Zhiyuan took a few deep breaths, calmed down a little, and then said: "Okay, sir!"
"Because I did well in the local area, I was transferred to the Hubu Branch in the capital as the chief."
"I was excited when I came to the capital. I felt that my ideal of becoming an official could be realized here, but soon reality gave me a heavy blow."
“I rented a yard and simply bought some items for my home, but then I found that I didn’t have enough money.”
"One month's salary is barely enough to make ends meet. Fortunately, my wife is not a spoiled woman. She can also do some sewing work to earn some money to supplement the housework."
"Although we live in poverty, we can still survive."
"To be honest with you, Your Majesty, at His Majesty's annual banquet, I was noticed by Your Majesty for packing food for home, and He even praised me at that time."
"I felt at that time that my perseverance was promising and everything had a goal."
"The Duzhi Branch has a lot of work, and the content involved is relatively sensitive. There are indeed many people who want to get close to me for various reasons, but I refuse to accept any of them. I know they have other agendas. I am not an official just to do something. For these things, I want to be loyal to the Ming Dynasty, and I want to benefit the people."
"I persisted, and I was very proud at one time. This is something that ordinary people cannot do."
"But, things changed, starting when my only son became seriously ill."
"I don't know if it was because he was not accustomed to the climate in the capital, but my son started to fall ill not long after he arrived."
"I went to see the doctor and get medicine, one after another. My family was barely able to support me, but my son's illness naturally made life even more impoverished."
"At this time, more people came to me and suggested that as long as I did something for them, just a small thing, they would be fully responsible for my son's illness."
"But I understand that this is by no means a kind help, and I still refused."
"Until I sold all the valuable things in my house and replaced the yard I originally rented with a small house, I really couldn't afford the money."
"In the end, I had no choice but to go to the pharmacy to get a loan on credit. Although I had already done so many times before, the shopkeeper was kind and agreed to it many times."
"But I know that with my son's condition, I have no money to pay him back. The salary is simply not enough."
"I arrived at the pharmacy and just as I was about to open my mouth, the shopkeeper handed me a large package of medicine. I thought it was the shopkeeper's kindness. Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper told me that someone paid for the medicine on my behalf. Not only that, but also the balance was paid. Pay off the previous debt.”
"I realized at that time that this was not a good thing, because my position was very critical. I originally wanted not to take it, but my son's condition was still getting worse, so I couldn't stop taking this medicine."
"So, I took the medicine, but I told myself in my heart that I couldn't take the money and would have to pay it back in the future."
"It's just that I didn't expect that my son's condition kept relapsing and he couldn't stop taking the medicine. I still haven't been able to pay him back."
"Until one day, a person came to me with a bill from the pharmacy and told me that I wanted to do something for them, just a small thing."
At this point, Ma Zhiyuan stopped.
There is no need to say much about the next plot, everyone knows it.
Ma Zhiyuan did it, and then he was caught, and then he ended up here.
Su Jing listened silently, with no expression on her face. She could have empathy for such a criminal's confession, but at least it couldn't be shown in front of them.
Maybe it's acting? No one knows.
"Niu Yi, what do you think?"
Su Jing asked Zhu Biao.
Zhu Biao couldn't wait for a long time, but Su Jing asked him to stop talking, so he remained silent.
"Master Su, students think that Ma Zhiyuan didn't tell the truth at all, but just made up a story. Students have seen this kind of thing a lot."
Zhu Biao said directly.
As the prince, Zhu Biao handled many cases, large and small, and dealt with many prisoners.
Although he had never listened to a criminal's confession like Su Jing, he knew that criminals were all cunning.
Don't believe it and you can't believe it in the cell.
"I didn't! I absolutely didn't! If I tell a lie, then I will be struck by thunder from heaven!"
Ma Zhiyuan suddenly became excited and shouted.
However, neither Su Jing nor Zhu Biao's expressions changed much.
"Mr. Ma, we will verify whether what you said is true or false. After all, relying on your words alone, these things cannot be completely proven to be true. I hope you can understand this."
Su Jing looked at Ma Zhiyuan and said slowly.
According to Ma Zhiyuan's confession, many of Su Jing's inner doubts can be solved.
Combined with Ma Zhiyuan's various performances, Su Jing now has five points of trust.
But what exactly is the situation, we definitely won’t know until we find out.
As for why no one has investigated before, it must be impossible to investigate. There are not just one or two prisoners in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. If everyone is investigated so clearly, the workload of the Ministry of Punishment will be too great.
"My lord, I really didn't lie to you. I don't expect to be exempted from the death penalty. I just hope to see my family before I die. Please, sir!"
Ma Zhiyuan knelt down towards Su Jing.
He didn't know why Su Jing came to ask him these questions, but this was the only straw he could grasp.
Su Jing stood up and said, "Ma Zhiyuan, don't worry, I will definitely do what I promised you, but only if what you say is true."
After saying that, Su Jing took Zhu Biao and left the Penal Department Prison.
"Master Su, this Ma Zhiyuan must have lied. He is a sixth-grade leader. How can he be trapped in his livelihood? He is just talking nonsense."
Zhu Biao said to Su Jing, his expression full of indignation.
He was obviously a corrupt official, but he used the reason of treating his son to whitewash himself. This behavior was spurned by Zhu Biao.
Su Jing just shook her head and said: "Niu Yi, if you think he lied, you should find something to prove it. Those who doubt it will prove it. I hope you can understand this basic principle, otherwise, everything will change." It’s become a family thing.”
"Yes, Master Su."
When Su Jing said this, Zhu Biao nodded immediately.
Su Jing naturally knew that Zhu Biao's intentions were not bad, but he was just preconceived.
"Okay, do you know the address of Ma Zhiyuan's family? Let's go meet his family and get a brief understanding of his family situation."
Su Jing said to Zhu Biao.
"I know, I'll take Master Su there."
Zhu Biao said immediately.
Not long after, the two arrived outside a small house on the outskirts of the capital.
Although this is still the capital city, it is actually far away from the core area.
"This is it."
Zhu Biao pointed to the hut in front of him and said.
"It seems that his family really doesn't have much money."
Su Jing glanced at it and said calmly.
Zhu Biao said: "Master Su's words are wrong. Ma Zhiyuan was arrested. As long as his family members are not stupid, they must know the principle of keeping wealth secret. How can he act like he is rich?"
"Um."
Su Jing nodded and said: "That makes sense. Then I want to know, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, if an official is found to be corrupt, will the official's home be searched?"
In one sentence, Zhu Biao was immediately choked.
The Ming Dynasty was different from Su Jing's previous life. There was no electronic payment, and most of the property was in cash.
Rich people have gold and silver utensils, while poor people have food.
This official is greedy and must be searching for stolen goods at home. The house that Ma Zhiyuan rented before has been searched from top to bottom.
Those who search for stolen money and stolen goods are all very professional people. They can't escape their eyes even in the nooks and crannies of strange and weird places where money is hidden.
Nothing but familiarity.
But there was nothing in Ma Zhiyuan's case file.
Now that Ma Zhiyuan's wife and son live in such a suburban hut, it is even more difficult to hide money.
Zhu Biao also realized that Ma Zhiyuan's family was not pretending to be poor, but was really poor.
"Let's go in and have a look."
Su Jing called out to Zhu Biao, who was in a daze, and walked in directly.
As soon as he arrived at the door, he saw an old housekeeper coming out.
"Master, I don't know who you are looking for?"
The butler is much older than the last time we met.
A housekeeper who never abandons his master even when he is in jail must also be thinking about his master.
After Ma Zhiyuan was imprisoned, the housekeeper was also busy. He was already old, but now he is even older.
Su Jing said: "Butler, why, don't you recognize me?"
After hearing this, the old housekeeper raised his head and took a closer look at Su Jing.
As a housekeeper, it is necessary to have good eyesight.
After just a brief recollection, the old housekeeper thought of Su Jing.
"Sir, it's you!"
The old housekeeper was obviously a little surprised. They had met Su Jing only once and didn't expect to see each other again.
Su Jing smiled and said: "Yes, it's me. Please forgive me for disturbing you."
"Not presumptuous, not presumptuous!"
The old housekeeper immediately replied: "It's a pity that the master is not here, otherwise he should be very happy."
Su Jing frowned and said, "Master is not here? I wonder what happened to your master?"
At this time, Su Jing did not directly state that she knew everything. There were some things that she couldn't say clearly if she wanted to find out.
The old housekeeper sighed and said: "Master... alas!"
He wanted to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't know what to say.
If he was asked to say that his master Ma Zhiyuan was a corrupt official, he would definitely not be able to accept it, but otherwise, he would not know how to explain it to Su Jing.
"Can I go in and have a look?"
Su Jing asked the old housekeeper.
The old housekeeper nodded and said: "Of course you can, but the house is relatively simple, so please don't mind, sir."
"Nothing, I came here from poverty too."
Su Jing said lightly.
Then he and Zhu Biao entered the house. As soon as they saw it, the decoration could not be simpler.
It's not exactly a house with four walls, but it's not much better either.
Cough cough cough…
Next door, a coughing sound could be heard.
The old housekeeper immediately explained: "The young master is sick and will cough occasionally, but it is not contagious. Please rest assured, young master."
"Um."
Su Jing nodded and said: "Where is the madam? Why don't you see the madam?"
No one could be hidden in this simple room. Obviously, Ma Zhiyuan's wife was not there.
The old housekeeper immediately replied: "My wife has gone to work outside. I am old and can't do any physical work. I can only take care of the young master at home and do some chores, all supported by my wife."
Speaking of this, the old housekeeper's eyes became wet.
Zhu Biao followed Su Jing, looking at all this with doubts on his face.
The scene he saw before him was somewhat different from what he had imagined.
Su Jing continued to ask: "When did the young master's illness begin? Was there no treatment?"
As soon as the conversation started, the old housekeeper immediately started talking.
It started with how young master Ma Qi fell ill, what doctor he saw and how much medicine he took.
This is what I do as a housekeeper. I remember everything big and small very clearly, even how much I spent.
Su Jing listened carefully and memorized it at the same time.
(End of chapter)
