The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

In the early morning of the next day, everyone got up early, washed and dressed, and took their positions according to the arrangement.

Yan Shu sat upright in the hall, while Fu Bi, Su Jin, Yan Biyun and several accompanying soldiers sat on both sides, waiting for the arrival of Pang De, the magistrate of Zhe County.

When the first ray of autumn sun was shining on the earth, the soldiers watching from the stone pagoda sent news that a group of people from the north was heading towards the post station, which was less than two miles away.

Fu Bi repeatedly ordered his soldiers to hide behind the front hall of the courtyard, and the rest of them pulled horses and loaded cars, creating the illusion that everything was going normally and was about to start.

Pang De led more than a dozen subordinate officials and squires into the yard, and before entering the hall, he smiled and said: "Master Sansi woke up so early, the lower officials thought they had arrived here, and your lord may have just woken up."

Yan Shu smiled slightly and said: "The salary of the king, how dare you be sleepy and lazy, the county magistrate Pang is also very early today, which can work for you, in fact, I already said it yesterday, I don't need you to see me off, but you just didn't listen .”

Pang De laughed and said: "The superior officials pass by this county, how can the inferior officials not treat each other with reverence, the county is barren, although there is nothing filial, but human etiquette is unavoidable, the inferior officials have several small gifts, please three Lord Si and the accompanying adults laughed and accepted, it is not a respect, it is not a respect."

After finishing speaking, he waved his hand, and the yamen servants behind him "blackly and blackly" carried several large boxes, which looked very heavy, obviously there were a lot of gifts inside.

Yan Shu laughed loudly and said, "Magistrate Pang is hospitable. Shangguan always gives gifts when he passes by here. I guess this box must not be wine."

Pound was taken aback, and then smiled and said: "Of course it's not wine, it's just some common things. What can I give you as a gift for wine? I have heard for a long time that Master Sansi likes to drink two glasses. There must be a collection of famous products in the house. There is no good wine in this small county. Can't get it out."

Yan Shu looked at him sideways and said, "Is there really no wine? The official is very disappointed. I heard that there is a very good wine in Zhe county. It's a pity that you can't drink it."

Pang De asked suspiciously: "There is good wine in this county? Why doesn't this lower official know?"

Yan Shu waved his hand and said, "If you don't believe me, ask everyone, everyone here doesn't know that you have good wine in Zhe County."

Pang De looked at Fu Bi suspiciously, Fu Bi nodded with a smile, then looked at Su Jin, who nodded like a pheasant pecking at rice, and looked at Yan Biyun, who also nodded slightly.

"What's more? My lord told me the name of the wine, maybe I'd like to make a few jars for you to taste. I'm a lonely official, and I really don't know what good wine is in Xiaoxian County." Pound was puzzled and surprised.

"Su Jin, tell him the name of that wine."

Su Jin chuckled and said: "Magistrate Pang is really stingy, this wine is not only very famous, but also brewed by the adults himself, but this meeting just presumes that they don't know, whether it is Lord San Si and all the adults here who are not qualified to drink this fine wine?" .”

Pound became more and more puzzled, and said with a smile on his face: "I have heard for a long time that Lord Sansi is humorous, but I just saw him today and realized that he is really so. You are joking, you are joking."

Su Jindao: "Master Sansi didn't joke with you. The wine is called 'One Bowl', which is said to be stronger than Yanggu County's 'Through the Bottle Fragrance'. But Pang County Magistrate's 'one bowl down' is three times as powerful as drinking a bowl and then climbing down."

Pang De's face was full of surprise, he squeezed out a smile and said: "It turns out that this little brother is here to entertain the county."

Su Jin sneered and said sharply: "So what if you amuse yourself? Why can Tang Jie drink the wine but we can't?"

Pang De's complexion changed drastically, he turned around and was about to run out, Fu Bi yelled, "Take them down."

Dozens of soldiers immediately poured out from all directions, surrounding more than 20 people brought by Pound, the shackles and chains clattered, and they were all tied together like crabs.

Pang De shouted: "Master Sansi, why is this? After all, I am an official ordered by the imperial court. I have neither official documents nor evidence of incrimination. Why should I be taken?"

Yan Shu shouted: "You treat yourself as someone else. What do you need for official documents? Evidence? You'll be able to see it right away. Take him to the yard and detain him, waiting for Mr. Bao to come."

Pang Dewu yelled: "Yan Shu, you have exceeded your authority. If you want to take me, you need the Ministry of Officials and Criminal Department. You are a member of the third division, so you have no right to take me."

Fu Bi laughed and said, "Am I qualified? My official is Fu Bi, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment. Are you qualified for a small county magistrate?"

Pang De shouted: "Take what I need with evidence, take people without reason, and flout the court's laws and regulations?"

"Because you are worthy of talking about law and discipline? Why didn't you talk about discipline when you came to stun everyone in the inn with the wine that had been poured with sweat medicine? Why didn't you talk about discipline when you colluded with bandits to design and kill Mr. Tang Jie? You slaughtered ten Why didn't you talk about discipline when the six escorts? Why didn't you talk about court law when you threatened Liu Youlun and other station staff to form an offensive and defensive alliance and lied about the case? Let me tell you, everything about you is under our control, and it's you who confessed honestly The only way out."

Pound was still jumping around, but when he heard Fu Bi say everything, he immediately collapsed on the ground like a deflated ball; he heard the sound of chains in his ears, and when he looked up, Liu Youlun led 20 people in a file behind him. There were many dejected postmen. Knowing that the situation was over, Pang De rolled his eyes upwards and passed out.

At that time, Bao Zheng, who had been driving for most of the night, finally arrived at Niutouyi. After hearing what Yan Shu said, Bao Zheng looked at Su Jin with a different look, and pointed his thumb and said, "That's right, I'm quite thoughtful." , just based on your two actions, there is no problem in being a qualified parent officer."

It was the first time that Su Jin was praised by Bao Zheng. Just as he was about to say a few words of humility, he heard Bao Zheng say, "However, you are too confused to decide the case without even finding any evidence."

This sentence is not only about Su Jin, but Yan Shu and Fu Bi are also included. Yan Shu has long been accustomed to Bao Zheng's way of speaking, so he doesn't take it seriously, but is just surprised that Bao Zheng can find anything else.

Su Jin said unconvinced: "Master Bao, the case is as clear as water, so there is nothing to say."

Bao Zheng said: "You only have witnesses to prove that Pang De stunned everyone, but you can't prove who killed Tang Jie. The death of those personal guards is just your reasonable speculation, but speculation can't prove the crime."

Su Jin hurriedly said: "Aren't the traces of the ladder feet on the outside of the courtyard wall evidence of the murderer's entry and exit?"

Bao Zheng sighed: "Traces are of course evidence, but what did you do for these evidences? So far, the case has been sunny and there is no rain. If it rained last night, would the traces still be there? Once discovered, they should be protected immediately. How can you be so indifferent."

Su Jin blushed, and said in her heart: "I didn't expect this." But he said unconvinced: "Isn't it raining? Last night, there was no rain when the stars were shining."

Bao Zheng said: "Regardless of whether there is rain or not, protecting the evidence is necessary for handling the case. The weather is unpredictable, who can control the weather? And since you have deduced what happened, why don't you search for the ladder?" ?”

Su Jin opened his mouth wide and said, "The ladder... can we still find it?"

Bao Zheng stared and said: "Nonsense, why can't I find it? That group of people will take the ladder away at night? How could they take a ladder with them in a hurry to escape after killing someone?"

Su Jin said: "Wouldn't they destroy it?"

Bao Zheng nodded his face and said: "Idiot, if it is damaged, there are still fragments to be found, even if it is burned, there will be ashes left? These are all strong evidences to confirm whether the case is consistent with the inference."

Everyone looked at each other in amazement, Lao Bao is Lao Bao, no one can compare to him, Bao Zheng led everyone to the traces of the steps outside the courtyard wall, looked down at the traces of grass, and looked up at the thorns all over the top of the wall Ci Gou suddenly ordered: "Come here, search for a ladder, a straw mat, or straw mats within three miles of the post station. If it turns into pieces, bring back all the pieces. If it turns into ashes, then Don't touch it, leave it guarded, come back quickly and report."

Fu Bi hurriedly asked: "Lord Bao, why did you search for things like straw mats?"

Bao Zheng laughed loudly and said, "My lord, can you bear to stand among those thorns and iron thorns standing on the wall? It must be paved with footings."

Su Jin was ashamed to death, this old Bao is simply a monster, Nima herself thought she was great, but when she came to him, she still neglected everything.

Sure enough, a ladder was found intact in a piece of wild grass two miles to the northwest, and four or five grass futons were scattered in the grass around it. After these things were brought back, everyone looked at Bao Zheng with almost worshipful eyes. up.

Yan Shu sighed: "For cases like this, Bao Zheng is the No. The cocking station is here, and the old man is gone."

Bao Zheng hurriedly handed him his hand and said: "Anyway, you have done Bao a great favor. There must be extremely important clues and evidence from Pang De's mouth. Bao Zheng believes that he will dig out a lot of secrets."

Yan Shu waved his hand and said, "That's your Bao Zheng's business. I just want to know the result. You just need to write to tell me the progress of this case."

Everyone got ready, handed over all the criminals to Bao Zheng, and the group set off.

Su Jin was greatly shocked, and rode behind Yan Shu's car with his head tilted. Bao Zheng stopped him and said to him, "Don't be discouraged, it's not easy for you. In time, Bao will Not as good as you."

Su Jin cupped his hands weakly and said: "Don't comfort me, I know what kind of material I am, farewell, farewell, that King Teng is a difficult master, and he has thousands of private soldiers under him, sir, don't take it lightly. He can't be merciful."

Bao Zheng laughed and said, "Have you ever seen Bao being merciful to evil? He's a good job, and he has a bright future."