I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 172
Zhang Zhifu and Chen Xuezheng came in a hurry after receiving the news, but the former looked solemn, while the latter was still stern, but there was a flash of pride in his eyes.

Originally Kou Yuanxing was making a false accusation, but Zhang Zhifu was willing to open the net, and the case could be closed. But at this time, Kou Yuanxing crashed into the wall and died. With Chen Xuezheng's little manipulation, the charge of forcing the examinee to death was placed on Zhang Zhifu.

After listening to jailer Wang Shan's report, Chen Xuezheng took a meaningful look at Zhang Zhifu, "You lead the way, and I will go to the prison to see in person."

"Yes, my lord." Glancing at the expressionless Zhang Zhifu, Wang Shan could only agree.

With his hands behind his back, Chen Xuezheng, who was wearing an official robe, was about to take a step. He swept his gaze away, and reprimanded him with a cold face, "The imperial court is investigating the case, and the idlers will step back immediately!"

Chen Xuezheng disliked Zhan Feiyu's trouble here. As for Chen Jin's assassination of Zhan Feiyu, Chen Xuezheng knew about it a long time ago. He glanced at Chen Jin, who was useless at all, in disgust. a shame!
"Master Chen, the students are unclear about something." Zhan Feiyu saluted Chen Xuezheng respectfully, and then pointed at Fatty Chen who was limp on the ground.

"Earlier, Kou Yuanxing sued Mr. Zhang for cheating in the imperial examination with only a single complaint. Mr. Zhang was temporarily dismissed from office. Mr. Chen asked Qian Tongzhi, Wu Tongjuan, and Han Tuiguan to replace Mr. Zhang. Manage the affairs of the Nanxuan Mansion."

Although Chen Xuezheng is a high-ranking official, he is only a scholar in charge of the imperial examinations, not a political envoy of Jiangnan Province. Even if Liyou was found to temporarily remove Zhang Zhifu from his official position, he has no right to intervene in the government affairs of the Southern Xuan government. Other officials of the Yamen temporarily acted.

As the head of the Chen family, Chen Xuezheng knew Zhan Feiyu's purpose as soon as Zhan Feiyu opened his mouth.

Looking at Zhan Feiyu with haughty eyes, Chen Xuezheng sneered coldly: "Zhan Feiyu, you are just a little boy, you don't even have a reputation, and it's not your turn to talk about the affairs of the Nanxuan government office! Don't think that the regulations If Li values ​​you, you will lose your sense of proportion!"

He's just a disciple of Master Gu, so he's so overreaching!Chen Xuezheng was mocking. If Gu Qingzhou was here, Chen Xuezheng might restrain himself. As for Zhan Feiyu, he was just an ant that could be crushed to death.

"What Mr. Chen said is very true. The students dare not go overboard." Zhan Feiyu bowed to the end, his attitude was very low, but what he said was still infuriating.

"Today Chen Jin blatantly committed a murder in Li Ji, and kept saying that he is the eldest prince's cousin and Mr. Chen's nephew. Chen Jin is confident and lawless. The students implore Mr. Chen to avoid it temporarily and give the students justice!"

Hearing this, Chen Xuezheng laughed angrily, his eyes were gloomy, but his attitude was still arrogant, "Zhan Feiyu, don't forget that I am a third-rank official of the imperial court. What qualifications do you, a child, have to criticize me! You immediately Retire, I will not pursue it for Xueshi Gu's sake, otherwise don't blame me for being rude to you!"

Zhan Feiyu was not frightened at all, and said loudly: "The student must suspect that Chen Jin was ordered by others! That's why he dared to assassinate me, a little boy!"

Scholars, farmers, businessmen!Even if Fatty Chen was not expelled from the Chen family, he was just a lowly merchant.

Zhan Feiyu is not only a scholar, but also the head of the government's trial case. He is a new student. Fatty Chen dared to assassinate Zhan Feiyu.

Looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was in direct conflict with Chen Xuezheng, Zhang Zhifu knew that her move seemed reckless and impulsive, but it was because of herself, because Kou Yuanxing hit a wall and died.

Before Chen Xuezheng could speak, Zhan Feiyu glanced at a group of scholars who had heard the news from outside the government office. He stood upright with a pine-like body, "Kou Yuanxing is dead now. Will Mr. Chen also force the students to death? Nanxuan Mansion Trial Case The chief did not die at the hands of the thugs, but was forced to death by Jiangnan Dao Xuezheng, I believe the Holy One and the imperial court will give me justice!"

"Zhan Feiyu!" shouted angrily, Chen Xuezheng stared fiercely at Zhan Feiyu, squeezed every word out from between his teeth, "Do you know what crime it is to frame an imperial court official?"

If it weren't for the Nanxuan government office, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Chen Xuezheng really wanted to kick the nonsense Zhan Feiyu to death one by one, wouldn't she just stand here and talk nonsense!
"Chen Jinnai is my lord's nephew, why did he dare to commit murder in Liji with a knife? If Mr. Chen is not instigating people behind the scenes, why didn't he evade according to the law?" Unyieldingly questioning, Zhan Feiyu grabbed Fatty Chen and stabbed him. Don't let things go.

Be it the ordinary people watching the excitement outside the government office, or the scholars who gathered in twos and threes, looking at the eloquent Zhan Feiyu, and looking at the livid-looking Chen Xuezheng, they all obviously favor Zhan Feiyu.

Fatty Chen is Mr. Chen's nephew. If Mr. Chen is in charge of investigating and adjudicating cases, then it's nothing to investigate. Moreover, Fatty Chen has been domineering in Nanxuan Mansion these years, isn't it because his surname is Chen, and the Chen family is The eldest prince's natal family.

"You don't know, I was in Liji at that time, the lobby was full, so many people were there, Fatty Chen stabbed Miss Zhan in the back with a knife." The man who spoke still has lingering fears when he thinks about it now.

Seeing all the onlookers come over, the man described the dangerous scene vividly and vividly, causing exclamations. The man finally said with emotion: "Fortunately, Miss Zhan is both civil and military, otherwise the blood would be splashed on the spot."

Standing by the side, the little chubby Qi Heng boldly stepped forward at this moment, ignoring Chen Xuezheng's cold eyes, and said seriously: "Kou Yuanxing sued Zhang Zhifu that day, Master Chen ordered Zhang Zhifu to avoid, now Chen Jin assassinated Zhan Feiyu, Why is Master Chen stricter than others and more lenient than himself?"

"Practicing private interests in accordance with the law is called illegality." Another scholar echoed loudly, almost pointing at Chen Xuezheng and saying that he bent the law for personal gain.

Another scholar from Qingya Academy stepped forward, bowed to Chen Xuezheng, and said seriously: "There are laws but don't follow them. Although the laws are good and irresistible, Lord Chen should enforce the law impartially!"

"Only abide by the law of three feet, and lead the people of the world. We implore Mr. Chen to avoid it." The scholar in the blue shirt shouted with his arms, not because the law does not punish the public, nor is it to curry favor with Zhan Feiyu.

Zhan Feiyu defeated Chen Fatty that day, and sent rice and silver to the border officers and soldiers, just out of Zhan Feiyu's sincerity. As scholars, they cannot let a murderer like Chen Fatty go unpunished!

More scholars stood on Zhan Feiyu's side, looking up at the high mountains and stopping at the scenery.Although I can't come, I yearn for it.

Seeing this scene, Chen Xuezheng was laughed angrily. He didn't pay attention to a Zhan Feiyu, but Chen Xuezheng really couldn't ignore a group of scholars.

"Prefect Zhang is good at tricks!" Chen Xuezheng sneered, and looked at Zhang Zhangli beside him with stern eyes. Kou Yuanxing's death charge had not yet been charged to Zhang Zhangli, but he was a dignified third-rank Xuezheng who was forced by a group of scholars Do not back down.

If Chen Xuezheng hadn't been concerned about Xueshi Gu, even if all the scholars in Nanxuan Mansion were gathered here, he would have taken Zhan Feiyu down with a thunderbolt. If he didn't beat her dozens of times, it would be hard to get rid of his hatred!
"In that case, I will avoid it!" After being furious, Chen Xuezheng calmed down, "Let Qian Tongzhi investigate the death of Kou Yuanxing. As for the case of Chen Jin's assassination of Zhan Feiyu, since the witnesses and material evidence are complete, he will be sent to prison for the time being." , after he signs and pledges, he can be sentenced to whatever sentence he wants, and this official will never interfere! Even if he is asked to be executed by Qiuhou, Chen Jin deserves what he deserves!"

Chen Xuezheng stroked his beard and sneered, Chen Jin died as soon as he died, the Chen family has no shortage of such an ignorant dude!But after Kou Yuanxing's death, it was not so easy for Zhang Chengli to escape.

Originally, Chen Xuezheng wanted Zhan Feiyu to avoid him, but now he changed his mind and said justly: "Kou Yuanxing was a candidate for this government examination, and he died of injustice. You five scholars go to the prison behind the yamen servant, lest you think this official is unfair!"

"Thank you, my lord. For the impulsive words and deeds of the students just now, please forgive me for my youngness!" Zhan Feiyu immediately climbed up the pole and apologized to Chen Xuezheng.

The shocked Chen Xuezheng could barely maintain the expression on his face, such a sharp-tongued and flexible little girl, who looked like nine years old, was clearly those cunning old foxes in the court!
……

The prison is not only dark, but also filled with an unpleasant smell. It is estimated that there is no ventilation all year round. In addition, prisoners are injured from time to time, and the smell of blood and mold is mixed together, which makes people feel a little sick.

"Master Chen, this way." Wang Shan led Chen Xuezheng and his party to the innermost prison, where Kou Yuanxing was imprisoned.

As she got closer, the smell of blood became stronger, and Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged, but the faces of the four scholars following her were pale, and one of them covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve.

Several jailers stood guard in front of the cell, and when they saw Chen Xuezheng and his party, they knelt down in fear and saluted. The prisoner who was guarding died, and they, the jailers, could not escape the blame.

Looking at the bloody patch on the wall, and then at the corpse lying on the ground with a collapsed skull, mixed with dried blood and straw, Chen Xuezheng took two steps back in disgust.

Chen Xuezheng said in a cold voice with a straight face: "Qian Tongzhi, you are responsible for inspecting the prison with the head arrester and foreman. I and Mr. Zhang will not go in. Some people in the province will misunderstand me."

It sounded like he was avoiding suspicion, but in fact he didn't want to get involved in this dirty matter.

"Yes, my lord." Qian Tongzhi is almost 60 years old, and he will retire in two years. Who would have thought that he would be involved in the battle between Chen Xuezheng and Zhang Zhifu, but he has no choice but to be caught in the middle Difficult.

Yin Wuyan never spoke from the beginning to the end, and stroked Zhan Feiyu's head comfortingly, knowing that the little girl was brave, he didn't stop her from coming to the prison. Compared with dead bodies, living people are more terrifying.

Zhan Feiyu looked at the corpse on the ground through the prison door, feeling inexplicably sad, human life is worthless!At this moment, she once again resolutely decided to study for the imperial examination!
Geng Baotou entered the prison, turned the body over first, and Kou Yuanxing's blood book was hidden on his chest, which could be seen at a glance.

There was no pen and paper in the cell, so Kou Yuanxing tore off his obscene clothes, then bit the wrist of his left hand, and wrote it with his right index finger dipped in blood.

Geng Butou unfolded the bloody book with a strong smell of blood, and seemed to be inspecting it, but quickly read it from beginning to end, "My lord, this is the blood book found on Kou Yuanxing's chest."

Qian Tongzhi took it, and out of habit, he wanted to forward it to Chen Xuezheng and Zhang Zhifu, but he remembered that these two adults had avoided it, so he could only investigate the case by himself.

There are not many characters in the blood book, only six lines in total.

I have to say that Kou Yuanxing's literary talents are excellent, and he can explain the matter clearly in just six lines: In order to make Zhan Feiyu the top case in the government examination, Zhang Zhifu canceled his ranking in the government examination and asked him to give Zhan Feiyu Give Way.

Because Zhang Zhifu was angry that Kou Yuanxing sued him for cheating in the imperial examination, he severely punished Kou Yuanxing as an example to others.

After reading the bloody book, Qian Tongzhi's hands trembled. He also wanted to hit a wall and die. How can this case continue to be investigated...

Geng Baotou is still checking the cell.

Wu Zuo then began to examine the corpse, while Wu Zuo said, the little official next to him quickly recorded.

"The deceased died because his head hit the wall, and there were no other fatal injuries on his body." Wu Zuo tidied up the clothes of the corpse, and continued: "The deceased had a bite wound on his left wrist, dried blood on his right index finger, and residual blood on his lips. blood..."

After listening to Wu's autopsy, Zhan Feiyu frowned. Judging from the current situation, Kou Yuanxing really committed suicide. Of course, it is not ruled out that someone grabbed him and hit him against the wall to death.

But Qian Tongzhi just read the blood book, and Zhan Feiyu heard it too. The blood book is short and clear, and there is no hidden mystery, so the blood book must have been written by Kou Yuanxing himself.

"Master..." Geng Baotou has checked the cell and found nothing abnormal.

As for whether Kou Yuanxing committed suicide or homicide, the guard in charge of the prison said tremblingly: "Kou Yuanxing is held in solitary confinement, because it involves fraud in the imperial examination, so no one is allowed to visit the prison, and three meals a day are sent to the prison At the door, there are two keys to open the prison door, one is in the hands of Wang Shan, and the other is in the hands of the person on duty."

That is to say, if Kou Yuanxing committed suicide, the murderer must enter the cell and gather two keys to open the cell door.

But Wang Shan's key never left his body, and the key of the jailer on duty was also well tied on his waistband. Even if someone came to visit other prisoners, he was accompanied by the jailer, and no one came to Kou Yuanxing's cell.

After Chen Xuezheng listened, he glanced at Zhang Zhifu with a sneer, and then looked at Zhan Feiyu who was beside him.

As for Yin Wuyan standing next to Zhan Feiyu, because of his too ordinary face and his restrained aura, Chen Xuezheng only regarded him as a bodyguard sent by Gu Xueshi to protect Zhan Feiyu, and didn't pay much attention to him.

"In this case, send the body to Yizhuang first. I heard that Kou Yuanxing was brought up by a widowed mother. Qian Tongzhi sent someone to Huai County to inform Kou Yuanxing's mother that white-haired people send black-haired people. This is the biggest crime in the world." Sad." Chen Xuezheng sighed with emotion, turned around and walked out of the prison first.

Zhang Zhifu took a complicated look at Kou Yuanxing's body. According to Wu's autopsy, the time of Kou Yuanxing's death was just after he and Mr. Xiao left last night.

Chen Xuezheng didn't make trouble at the moment, but Zhifu Zhang knew that the real danger was yet to come.
Yin Wuyan patted Zhan Feiyu on the shoulder, and the two of them followed the yamen servant and four scholars to go outside. Kou Yuanxing died so tragically that the scholars really didn't want to stay any longer.

Leaving the dark prison, Zhan Feiyu whispered: "Big Brother, was Kou Yuanxing forced to commit suicide?"

"It's inconvenient to go to see Prefect Zhang now. I'll accompany you to see Master Xiao." Yin Wuyan has investigated many important cases. Kou Yuanxing's death is actually very simple. Chen Minzhong forced him to death to frame Prefect Zhang. Such a case came out after the government examination ended, and Zhang Chengli was likely to leave Nanxuan Mansion.

(End of this chapter)