I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 367 Investigate

Even though Pang Tongzhi's tearful accusation is that Zhang Zhifu committed suicide, it is a pity that Zhang Zhifu is dead, and there is no proof of his death!

Coupled with the quarrels heard by the little official, the study was in a mess again. Even if Lord Yao was partial to helping Pang Tongzhi, he was still guilty of death and life.

What's more, Master Yao didn't open his mouth after Pang Tongzhi told him, and his expression was so unpredictable that people couldn't figure out Master Yao's real thoughts, which made Pang Tongzhi, who was kneeling on the ground, look a little gloomy.

"My lord." After the scribe recorded Pang Tongzhi's confession, after the ink had dried a little, he immediately presented it to Master Yao who was sitting in the main seat.

Because Zhang Zhifu's death involved Pang Tongzhi, and it was rumored that Zhao Tongzhi and Pang Tongzhi were at odds, so both the clerk and the clerk in charge of recording were brought over by Mr. Zheng from the inspection department.

After quickly browsing through the confession, Lord Yao motioned the little official to pass the statement on to Lord Zheng and Chu Qian who were sitting below, and said in a deep voice, "Take Pang Xian'an down."

The policeman who was waiting outside the courtroom immediately walked in. Pang Tongzhi probably knelt for too long, and staggered when he got up, but fortunately, the policeman beside him had a sharp eye and a quick hand to help him, so he didn't fall down.

Chu Qian wanted to target Zhan Feiyu, but unfortunately, whether it was the confessions of several people or the paintings of the murder scene painted by Pang Tongzhi, Zhan Feiyu had no suspicion at all.

The only thing that can be criticized is that she was only a scholar but entered the scene of the murder without authorization, but Zhan Feiyu held the token of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, and the Forbidden Dragon Guard only obeyed the orders of the Holy One. Nowadays, it is impossible to sue for secret papers.

Glancing at Zhan Feiyu, who was at the end, Chu Qian said impatiently, "My lord, we still need to discuss the case, and the idlers should leave."

Zhan Feiyu and Zhao Tongzhi were also interested, and they got up to leave almost at the same time.

Master Yao didn't ask him to stay either, and after he allowed the two to retreat, he looked at Master Zheng and asked, "Master Zheng has been in the procuratorate for many years and has solved many cases. What does Master Zheng think of this case?"

As the deputy envoy of the procuratorate, Mr. Zheng is also a fourth-rank official. From entering the Suzhou government office to now, Mr. Zheng seldom speaks.

"Returning to my lord, judging from the current evidence and the results of the autopsy, Zhang Zhifu should have died of an accident, not to mention whether Pang Xian'an had a motive for the murder, but in the study of the back house of the government office, there are still two small officials guarding the courtyard. , Pang Xian'an would not choose this place even if he wanted to kill someone."

In fact, Mr. Zheng agrees with Pang Tongzhi's conjecture that prefect Zhang may have committed suicide.

But Zhang Zhifu plotted against Pang Tongzhi with his own life.

From quarrels to shoving to accidental death, Mr. Zheng estimated that Mr. Yao would use this to close the case in the end.

"Hmph, but anyone with a brain can see that this is a bureau set up by Zhang Zhifu, and Zhang Zhifu clearly committed suicide!" Chu Qianshi interjected with a sullen face, and looked at Mr. ridicule.

"Is this how Mr. Zheng has been investigating and handling cases in the Procuratorate these years? If this is the case, I really have to wonder if there have been many unjust, false and wrong cases in the Procuratorate these years!"

Mr. Zheng didn't even look at the mad dog-like Chu Qian incident. Even though one of them was in the prosecutor's office and the other was in the capital command department, Mr. Zheng had heard of the notoriety of Chu Qian's incident for a long time.

This time, Commander Xie must have been unwilling to take this troubled water, so even if it was a joint trial by the three divisions, Chu Qian was only sent over.

Master Yao’s eyes once again stayed on the few confessions at hand, and after a while he ordered: “As for Chu Qian, take someone to check on Pang Xian’an, whether he has any quarrel with Zhang Zhifu, and Mr. Zheng, check the rest of the Suzhou government office. Officials, I will look through the old cases of the Suzhou government over the years."

"Yes." Master Zheng and Chu Qian stood up and agreed, no matter what happened in private, Master Yao is their superior, and they dare not slack off in the slightest.

After leaving the government office, Zhan Feiyu paused, turned and looked in the direction of the prison, "Ah Sheng, why did Chu Qian's incident target me?"

As the saying goes, don’t look at the monk’s face to see the Buddha’s face. Zhan Feiyu is a teacher of Gu Xueshi. Although all commanders are generals, they are not under the jurisdiction of Gu Xueshi, but even if he is far away in the capital, it is true that Gu Xueshi wants to deal with Chu Qian It's just a matter of one sentence.

"Chu Qian was born in the third room of the Chu family in Beijing, and the Chu family has always supported the second prince." He Sheng had found out before Master Yao and others came to Suzhou Mansion, "The second prince is now in the Ministry of Officials."

Zhan Feiyu still doesn't quite understand that the grown-up princes in the palace have tried to woo Xueshi Gu, but they all failed. Even though they would hate Gu Xueshi in private, but the crown prince has not yet been established, and the princes treat Gu Xueshi on the surface. The grand maester was already in awe.

How could Chu Qian dare to target Zhan Feiyu with such a big fanfare? Isn't this a disaster for the second prince?

He Sheng glanced at Zhan Feiyu who was full of doubts, and continued to explain: "In addition to the second prince, Concubine Min also has the seventh princess, who is domineering."

"After the Huai'an Mansion, rumors spread from the Eldest Prince that the young lady is a legacy of the sea. The Seventh Princess was furious after hearing this, and she uttered nonsense in the palace. Her words even involved the Holy Majesty. The Empress just happened to overhear."

The black eyes widened suddenly, and Zhan Feiyu figured out the follow-up result with his toes.

The queen has no children, and Concubine Min occupies the next prince and princess. Naturally, she doesn't pay attention to the queen, otherwise the seventh princess would not have such a domineering and arrogant temperament.

When the Queen heard that the Seventh Princess spoke falsely about the Holy Majesty, she immediately punished the person according to the palace rules. Although it was only a month of banning her from going out and punishing her for copying the scriptures of filial piety, it was nothing more than a minor punishment and a major commandment.

But the Seventh Princess held a grudge in her heart, but no matter how domineering she was, she did not dare to disrespect the empress, and this grudge was naturally on Zhan Feiyu's head.

Chu Qianshi estimated that he had received a letter from the Chu family in Beijing earlier and knew about the punishment of the Seventh Princess, so this time targeting Zhan Feiyu was also to please the Seventh Princess, thus currying favor with Concubine Min and the Second Prince.

With the prince's back, in the long run, Chu Qian really doesn't need to be afraid of Gu Xueshi, and what's more, he only targets Zhan Feiyu, Gu Xueshi's disciple.

"Then will he do something to Ah Nuan?" Zhan Feiyu frowned, but he was not afraid, and Chu Qian didn't dare to do anything openly.

But if Chu Qian turned his anger on Ah Nuan, especially at this moment when Ah Nuan was still in prison, Zhan Feiyu's expression darkened.

"Miss, don't worry, we have put people in the prison, and now Master Yao is in charge. If Chu Qian's matter goes out of line, Master Yao will definitely stop it." He Sheng is not worried about He Nuan's safety. As long as anyone dares to avenge his personal revenge publicly, then his affair will come to an end, and the second prince will not be able to keep him!

After all, speaking truthfully, even if you don't talk about Qiye, Gu Xueshi will definitely stand up for the young lady, but the second prince will definitely not confront Gu Xueshi for a fourth-rank affair.

Zhan Feiyu nodded, but he still didn't let go of the worry in his heart, "It depends on whether Ah Nuan's case will go to trial tomorrow, and then send a message to Ah Nuan, asking her to be more careful."

……

On the other side, Pang Mansion, the policemen and yamen servants are still firmly guarding the gate, side door, and back door of Pang Mansion after shifts.

"Fortunately, the weather has cleared up. These days have been a hell of a time." The guard guarding the gate complained dissatisfiedly.

It rained heavily before, and they had to watch day and night. It was really cold and hungry. Fortunately, their bones were strong enough so they didn't fall ill.

The companion yawned, "It's better to suffer again than Pang Tongzhi in prison. Before, I thought that after Zhang Zhifu retired, Pang Tongzhi would take over as the prefect. Who knew that he would become a prisoner in a blink of an eye."

A catcher not far away laughed, looked around, and walked over slowly, "This way we don't have to worry about it. If Mr. Zhao becomes the prefect of Suzhou, the good days for the brothers will come soon." gone."

Most of these arresters and yamen servants follow Butou Hu, and Butou Hu is from Zhao Tongzhi's side. If Pang Tongzhi is really in charge, their life will be miserable.

Fortunately, there was a turn of events. Even if Zhao Tongzhi did not take over as the magistrate in the future, the new magistrate would not target Zhao Tongzhi for no reason, and their arresting yamen servants would still be the same as before.

"What are you doing?" Several arresters were talking together, but when they saw the side door was suddenly opened a crack, Ma Wu, who had just come to talk, yelled and walked back quickly.

The door that was opened a crack will be completely opened. Qian Shipeng looked at the majestic Ma Wu with dissatisfaction, and said arrogantly: "My son is only staying in Pang's residence temporarily, and he is not a prisoner. Why don't you let me leave?"

"Go in!" Ma Wu patted the big knife on his waist in protest, and scolded with a straight face, "We are ordered to guard the Pang Mansion, no one is allowed to go out! You think you are unlucky!"

Qian Shipeng sued He Nuan before, so all the policemen of the Suzhou government have seen him.

As for why he lived in Pang's mansion, it's not hard to guess. Qian Shipeng is from the Qian family, and he is not short of money. He must have offered a heavy gift, and wanted to make Pang Tongzhi help him when he tried the case. .

It's a pity that Qian Shipeng's luck is not good. This case has not yet been judged, and Pang Tongzhi has been imprisoned first.

"Do you dare to yell at me?" A small police officer dared to be so aggressive. Qian Shipeng glared dissatisfiedly, and yelled angrily, "You boy, wait for me. I will smash you to death with silver!"

"You!" Ma Wu was stunned for a moment, but after being furious, he became a little worried. After all, Master Yao has already arrived, and it is impossible for the people in the Pang Mansion to be locked up forever.

Qian Shipeng is definitely a disaster for no reason. If he goes out, he will be able to deal with Ma Wu, a small policeman, with ease in the future.

"Be afraid, let me get out of the way if you are afraid!" Qian Shipeng started trembling, and pushed one hand on Ma Wu's shoulder, intending to force his way out.

"Go in!" Even if Ma Wu was afraid, it was absolutely impossible to let Qian Shipeng out at this time, otherwise Master Yao would pursue him, and he wouldn't need to wear his police uniform.

"You still dare to do it?" Qian Shipeng staggered from being pushed, and fell into a squatting position as if thrown by the threshold behind him, and roared angrily, "You little bastard, I can't beat you to death!"

The scene suddenly became chaotic, but fortunately other policemen came over immediately, the two stopped Ma Wu who was aroused by anger, and the two pushed Qian Shipeng into the door, but they said some soft words, and this matter came to an end. It's over.

"Damn it, what, even a quick catch dares to fight me!" Cursing, Qian Shipeng walked over to the guest house where he lived.

There were hardly any servants of Pang's mansion along the way, and even if there were occasional servants passing by, they still walked in a hurry. After all, Pang Tongzhi was sent to prison, and Pang's mansion was arrested and surrounded soon. It's good to keep yourself.

When he got back to the house, Qian Shipeng closed the door, and then he took out the purse that the arrest had just stuffed in from his sleeve pocket. After opening it, there was a pill and a folded note inside.

Opening the note and reading it quickly, Qian Shipeng's face was a bit solemn, with unwillingness and annoyance in his eyes, but thinking of his own life, he finally returned to peace, leaving the green hills behind, not afraid of running out of firewood.

……

At night, the government office in Suzhou is still brightly lit.

Although one day's time is not too long, it is possible to check almost all of them. No matter how in-depth the secrets are, it will not be a short-term matter. It is basically impossible to find a breakthrough or a key point.

"My lord, the officials have already checked the officials of the Suzhou government, big and small. The prefect Zhang is well-governed. Although the Suzhou government is not closed at night and does not pick up things on the road, the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment these years..."

Mr. Zheng quickly reported the situation to Mr. Yao. The Suzhou government is not considered rich in the whole Longyou Road, but the prefect Zhang can be regarded as a capable official, and he does not impose excessive taxes on the people, and his official reputation is very good.

Although Zhang Zhifu is a scholar, he doesn't despise merchants, and even issued some regulations to promote merchants' business. Compared with other prefectures in Longyou Road, Suzhou Prefecture's annual evaluation is in the upper middle.

It is also because of the incorruptibility of Zhang Zhifu that the officials of the government government do not dare to take money and bend the law. Together with the arresting government servants below, although they will use sideways to collect some money, they will not be too much, and such a thing does not matter which state government There are all, but when the water is clear, there will be no fish.

"Sit down and talk." Master Yao raised his hand to greet Master Zheng to sit down, and then said in a deep voice: "It is said that Zhang Zhifu went to the inn privately to meet Zhan Feiyu in the middle of the night."

Mr. Zheng is not surprised that Mr. Yao can find out this hidden information. After all, Mr. Yao is the master of Longyou Dao, and the affairs of various state capitals cannot be hidden from his eyeliner.

(End of this chapter)