Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Chapter 267 How can a loyal person suffer innocent injustice!
"The commander is back!"

Just after lunch time, Cheng Wuzhong returned to the village with a group of elite cavalry.

The way they returned was not the secret passage, but directly from outside the stockade, and they brought a lot of food.

Li Yan was also eating, using food from the village.

A large bowl of coarsely shelled corn and rice, a plate of pickled tempeh, and five or six pieces of rice crackers sprinkled with salt.

For the nobles of the high family, they don't look down on these at all, but for the common people, it is already a good meal.

Cheng Wuzhong came in front of him, with joy on his brows: "Li Jiyi, I am lucky to live up to my fate, and I have gained a lot!"

Li Yan got up to greet him: "You have been busy all morning, come and have dinner first."

Cheng Wuzhong saw that there was also a bowl on the opposite side of Li Yan, which was filled with corn and rice, and he immediately smiled and said, "Haha, then I'm not welcome!"

He sat down, took a bite of the crispy rice, and ate rice with fermented soybeans. He ate very deliciously, and said happily, "I've found the magic crossbow! I've found both of them!"

When Cheng Wuzhong said this, he was really relieved, and couldn't even suppress his joy.

What surprised him was that Li Yan's expression moved slightly, but he wasn't surprised at all, on the contrary, there was a kind of inexplicable understanding.

After Cheng Wuzhong wolfed down his food and calmed down, Li Yan said, "Take back the Shence crossbow, have you found Guo Wulang's whereabouts?"

Cheng Wuzhong shook his head: "No, he obviously knew what to do, so he just dropped the crossbow and ran away..."

"Counties and counties will soon issue wanted arrests, and bad people will be hunted everywhere, but it's hard to say whether they will be caught."

"Thinking about it, the unlucky ones will be his wife and children. This person is cruel!"

Li Yandao: "This is a disappearance in the true sense. I don't know whether he is dead or alive. Maybe he is at large, or he may have died of injustice..."

Cheng Wuzhong heard this, but felt something was wrong: "What does Li Jiyi mean?"

Li Yan didn't answer, and continued to ask: "Is there any gain?"

"some!"

Cheng Wuzhong took out the account book, got up and handed it over with both hands: "This was found on a bookshelf deep in the cave. The village owner seems to live in the cave, and there are many books, including accounts, which record the purchases in the village. The goods, these were bought with real money, and I don’t know where he got the money from!”

Li Yan took the account book, opened the first page, and his eyes moved: "Although the words are simple, they are quite sharp. If this account book is recorded by the village owner himself, it is indeed not an ordinary person!"

Cheng Wuzhong disapproved: "Jianghuzi gathered righteous people into crowds, proudly roaring in the mountains and forests, self-righteous, and once the heavenly army arrives, won't they be destroyed?"

Li Yandao: "The hundred cavalry are all elite soldiers selected from thousands of miles. I'm afraid it won't be so easy in the future if they are replaced by Zhechong Mansion's soldiers. Moreover, the village owner went down the mountain for some reason, and there is no real leader in the village. This is also a reason that cannot be ignored."

Cheng Wuzhong thought for a while and had to admit: "It is true."

Li Yan looked at it carefully, and soon his eyes became serious: "Aside from food, are there pepper and salt?"

Cheng Wuzhong said bitterly: "Yes, it is a serious crime to privately sell grain, rice and salt to bandits, and Gong's scheme is so rampant!"

Li Yan shook his head: "Based on this account alone, it is difficult to question Gong's crimes, and the testimony of the thieves is hard to believe. Apart from this, is there any other evidence?"

Cheng Wuzhong said: "There are quite a few broken frames in the cave, but there is no sign of the chamber of commerce on them, so it cannot be proved that they are owned by the Gong family. The others have not been found yet."

Li Yan thought for a while and said: "If this matter is really related to the Gong family, there are always clues to be found."

Cheng Wuzhong said: "I think the same way. The cave leading to this secret passage extends in all directions and has many exits. It is obviously a lair carefully arranged by thieves. It is really difficult to search every place in a short time, but I spent a hundred horses on it. It’s here, I’m not afraid to find clues.”

Li Yandao: "After all, the number of Baiqi has been reduced. Leader Cheng, do you mind if the inner guards also join in?"

Cheng Wuzhong frowned: "What Li Jiyi means is to send someone to contact His Highness the Crown Prince and ask him to send inner guards to assist in the search?"

Li Yan took out the letter: "This is what I just wrote. Regarding the detailed report in the village, please read it, Leader Cheng."

Cheng Wuzhong took it nervously and read it carefully.

After discovering what happened yesterday, the content was described impartially.

But today's investigation made him face a drastic change: "The head in the box? Is this serious?"

Li Yandao: "I can't be 100% sure, but according to the shape and size of the box, the residual bloody smell and the cover-up behavior in the village, this possibility is the highest."

Cheng Wuzhong wondered: "Then who was killed? Even the head is cut off, and you have to be careful to keep it hidden from people's eyes?"

Li Yan shook his head: "Currently there are too few clues, and I don't have a clue yet."

Cheng Wuzhong was puzzled: "But it's not right, such a small box, where can't it be hidden, how could there be such a big commotion?"

Li Yandao: "I have a guess about this. The purpose of letting the inner guards come here is to thoroughly investigate the case and prevent the culprits from getting away with it."

Cheng Wuzhong saw the end and found that it had been written in the letter that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was requested to rectify the name of Baiqi, and that the signature was Li Yan, the envoy of internal guards.

He couldn't help feeling grateful: "This matter should have been my responsibility, how could it be Li Jiyi alone?"

Li Yan said solemnly: "Baiqi is the elite of the Beiya, protecting the safety of the saints, and has a great relationship. As an internal guard, it is only natural for me to report to the Prince Jian Guo. Why should I take the responsibility?"

Cheng Wuzhong also showed a solemn expression: "Please let me sign Li Jiyi too! Hundred riders are in chaos, and I, the leader, bear the brunt of it, how can I stay out of it!"

Li Yan nodded: "Okay!"

Cheng Wuzhong took the pen and ink, swiped the pen, and added "Cheng Gang, the leader of a hundred riders" at the end.

Looking at the words in black and white, he showed a complex look, and felt a little relieved. He called Xu Sanlang, who was the most trusted at the moment: "You go and deliver the letter, and make sure that this letter is delivered to the inner guard and presented to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Xu Sanlang took the order to leave, Cheng Wuzhong turned his eyes, and said closer: "The sage used to praise Li Jiyi in front of us, he was young and promising, and he had a long life. He will assist His Highness the Crown Prince in the future, and I hope he can take care of us more. !"

These words were very blatant, but Li Yan's attitude remained unchanged: "Leader Cheng is worrying too much. For the sake of the Great Tang, for the Mingjun, he has the status he deserves, not to mention the Beiya Baiqi, the saint's personal guard?"

Cheng Wuzhong keenly received the keyword "Ming Jun", and said with a smile, "What Li Jiyi said is true!"

He decided to reciprocate: "What Li Jiyi said before, did you find something else, can you tell me? I am also convinced by Li Jiyi, please just say it!"

Li Yan looked at him, nodded and said, "Then I'll just say it straight. I suspect Zheng Sanlang, but I haven't found evidence yet."

Cheng Wuzhong was stunned: "Zheng Sanlang? He also betrayed?"

Seeing that his image faintly overlapped with the cold silver-haired man in black, Li Yan comforted him: "Leader Cheng, don't worry, I don't mean that you are surrounded by traitors, but the identity between Zheng Sanlang and Guo Wulang. It's likely to be reversed."

Cheng Wuzhong understood: "Zheng Sanlang is the traitor, Guo Wulang is the victim? But his severed hand..."

Li Yandao: "Severing a hand doesn't mean anything!"

"The authorities are obsessed, but the bystanders are clear. For Baiqi, you have a deep friendship in robes, and you are naturally happy to save your companion."

"But from the perspective of a bystander like me, Zheng Sanlang's ability to come back alive is the biggest doubt, even if he is disabled!"

"You have to know that this kind of thing has a lot to do with it. It will harm his wife and children, and affect the whole family. Since Guo Wulang has controlled him, how can he keep alive and not kill him?"

Cheng Wuzhong thought for a moment, but still couldn't believe it: "Li Jiyi, this is indeed a doubtful point, but Zheng Sanlang was once praised by His Majesty for his divine shot when he was hunting. He has always been proud of it. If he is a traitor, he will cut himself off. Hand, this bitter trick is too cruel, life is better than death!"

Li Yandao: "What if this wasn't a bitter trick? Was it true that Guo Wulang cut off his hand by surprise?"

Cheng Wuzhong was stunned: "What kind of argument is this? If Zheng Sanlang is a traitor, then he must be the one who attacked Guo Wulang. We Baiqi are all brave, and there is not much difference in strength, let alone an unexpected attack. , if he took the initiative to sneak attack, how could he be cut off in turn?"

Li Yan didn't answer, and suddenly the topic changed: "Leader Cheng, if you are the enemy and you want to instigate Baiqi to rebel, what do you think is the safest way?"

Cheng Wuzhong was dumbfounded by the question, and smiled wryly: "My mind is in a mess, and I can't think of any safe solution for a while..."

Li Yandao: "Actually, it's not difficult. First instigate one person, and then use that person to persuade other Baiqi to develop offline."

Cheng Wuzhong suddenly said: "That's right, with our internal relationship within Baiqi, it's really convenient and safest to do so."

Li Yandao: "Then who do you think will be the first one among Baiqi to be instigated, and then start to develop other offline people?"

Cheng Wuzhong frowned, his expression changed: "Zheng Sanlang?"

He wasn't stupid, and immediately understood after being reminded: "So, Zheng Sanlang may have secretly plotted against Guo Wulang, so he is not on guard against him?"

Anyway, apart from him, everyone else in Baiqi may be instigated, and this result is not surprising.

Li Yan nodded: "Guo Wulang is a man of courage and strategy. After he was instigated to rebel, he pretended to agree and wanted to see what Zheng Sanlang was planning."

"And when we got together in front of the stockade yesterday, the two were actually in a state of conspiracy. They entered the house together and wanted to burn the wooden box."

"I guess they didn't know what was inside at first, until the wooden box was burned and the head was exposed, they chose to put out the fire in shock, and then Zheng Sanlang opened the secret passage, ready to hide the box inside."

"Guo Wulang realized that the matter was of great importance, so he suddenly attacked him and chopped off his hand with a single knife, thus securing the victory."

"It's a pity that Guo Wulang didn't expect that Wu Laoshi, who arrived right after him, is also a traitor!"

"Do you still remember how exhausted Wu Liulang was last night? If according to Zheng Sanlang's confession, he was attacked and cut off his hand, then Guo Wulang was enough to get rid of him. After Wu Liulang arrived, he didn't have to do anything. How could it be?" So tired?"

"The reason why he was so exhausted was because he fought against Guo Wulang after sneak attacking him, closed the secret passage hastily, and handed Guo Wulang over to Zheng Sanlang, who lost his hand."

"Zheng Sanlang is also a powerful character. After suffering such a serious injury, he was able to finish the treatment. Afterwards, he was exhausted and could no longer escape. When he found out that you had entered the secret passage, he simply threw away the magical crossbow and asked you to find it on purpose. I hid in the prison cell, used my tricks, and pretended to be a victim by cutting off my hand..."

Hearing this, Cheng Wuzhong stood up abruptly, and said in a trembling voice, "In this way, Guo Wulang might still be alive!"

Li Yan sighed: "No, since Zheng Sanlang dared to come back, it means that Guo Wulang has shut up forever. His body must be hidden somewhere in the mountains..."

Cheng Wuzhong sat down tragically, his eyes were red.

Li Yan said coldly:
"The key is that after Guo Wulang's death, he will be stigmatized, bear the responsibility, harm his family, and exile his wife and children!"

"There is no evidence for all of this, it's just my guess, but if nothing unexpected happens, it should be close to the truth of the case."

"A loyal person should never suffer such unfair injustice. I want to wash away Guo Wulang's grievances and return his innocence!"

(End of this chapter)