Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 228 Every murderer

Case after case has been tried.

Some neighbors poisoned each other's pigs due to verbal disputes; some merchant ships collided on the Luoshui River and demanded compensation for the goods; some brothers fought over family property...Xue Bai always sat behind the public case, so calm that people could ignore it. Due to his age, I thought he was an official who was experienced in punishment.

In this way, after three consecutive days of trial, only half of the accumulated files were left.

On the fourth day, after a hasty meal at noon, Xue Bai began to hear a case of pursuing labor servitude.

There was a young man named Chen Boyer in the county. He was listed as fifteen years old on his household registration, but he looked very old-fashioned. He was reported by his neighbors for hiding his age and trying to escape from labor service. Because the "Household Order" stipulates that men over the age of sixteen must bear part of the corvee.

"How could I be sixteen? Then why didn't you say that I was twenty-one and should pay the tax? Aren't you just complaining that I spoke venomously?"

"Your grandpa gave birth to you, and it took a year for you to settle down. How could I not know?"

"County Lieutenant, she said that my grandpa gave birth to me, but I was born to my grandma."

"The county lieutenant looks at his slippery tongue, how bad he is..."

Suddenly, drums sounded outside the county government office.

"Boom."

Yin Liang stood up, took a look, and said, "Young Master, someone is beating the drum."

There is indeed a big drum outside Yanshi County Yamen, called "Tanggu", which is used to beat the drum to gather people when the hall is raised, or when people have urgent matters to call the county magistrate.

If it is a grievance, there is no need to beat the drum, just hand over the petition paper.

"Boom, boom, boom."

At this time, the person playing the drum outside the hall was a child of unknown age. He was dirty and skinny, with only one pair of very smart eyes. He turned his head to look around while playing the drum.

Until Zhao Liu rushed out and shouted: "Stop knocking. If you have anything to do, just go to the court and complain."

After saying that, he covered his nose, thinking that the child smelled bad.

"Is the new county captain reviewing the case today?"

The child didn't go in, but asked like this.

"Ah."

"I heard that this county captain also makes decisions for the people and tries cases. Is he willing to consider Kuhaha?"

Zhao Liu thought to himself, wasn't it the same when Wang Xianwei came? But how long does it last?

He then nodded lightly, letting the boy like him or not.

The child looked around again, hesitated for a moment, and then rushed into the county government office.

In the courtroom, the verdict of the previous case was being read.

"Chen Haier, a native of Yanshi County, is tall in appearance but young. He is very familiar with the book..."

Xue Bai read with an expressionless face, thinking that no matter how this case was decided, there would be a basis for it, but if the county magistrate was eager to collect corvee labor, the burden on Chen Haier's family would be heavy again.

And when ordinary people know that they can vent their anger by suing their neighbors for "hiding in age and escaping from the labor force", it can be seen that this is a one-time complaint. So how many fourteen-year-old or fifteen-year-old boys began to serve in corvee, and how many eighteen- or nineteen-year-olds Young people began to pay rent mediocrely.

"Meet the county captain."

Just after the sentence was read, a thin figure knelt down in the courtroom and shouted: "Please ask the county captain to make the decision for the common people."

"Get up and talk, what's the matter?"

"Ren Mulan, a grass-roots man, is from Ruzhou. He has been an orphan since he was a child and works on a canal boat. He is suing Guo Ashun, a slave tooth man. Seeing that the grass-roots are helpless, he forges the identity of the grass-roots and robs the grass-roots, and commits the crime of plundering and selling good people."

Only then did everyone in the hall realize that this was a girl.

Over the past few days, she has been the clearest among the complainants.

Xue Bai called over Qi Chou and said, "Go and bring Guo Ashun for questioning."

"County Lieutenant, I don't know who Guo Ashun is."

"Let my men go with you."

Qi Chou's expression changed, he crossed his hands and saluted, "Here."

"Ren Mulan, please wait aside for the next case..."

"County Lieutenant." Guo Huan stood up and said, "How about taking a short break?"

"it is good."

Xue Bai stood up and went to the back of the court hall with Guo Huan to talk.

Seeing this situation, Ren Mulan felt a little uneasy, but seeing that the old man who recorded the incident looked kind and amiable, she felt relieved.

There's no way to escape now anyway.

"The little old man knows something." Guo Huan said, "This Guo Ashun is just a domestic servant. His master Guo Yuanliang is the second son of the wealthy Guo Wanjin."

Xue Bai said: "Since you are just a domestic servant, it shouldn't matter if I give it a try?"

"Of course, but this case doesn't need to be tried. It's just a runaway slave. If the county captain says it, the slave Yalang will be released. Guo Yuanliang also wants to make friends with the county captain."

Xue Bai smiled politely, waved his hand and said, "No, this is official business. Doesn't this mean that I owe him a favor privately?"

Guo Huan laughed happily and said, "By the way, does Mr. Xue know what kind of person Guo Wanjin is?"

"But is it related to Guo Lushi?"

"No, this Guo is not that Guo." Guo Huan said with a smile, "Although they are both Taiyuan Guo clan, I come from the Huating Guo clan, and he comes from the Jingzhao Guo clan, and I heard that he is related to Guo Shunyi, the mother of King Yong. "

"Don't be fooled by Guo Lu."

"It makes sense and is thought-provoking."

~~

Yin Liang watched from a distance. When Xue Bai returned to the hall, he asked in a low voice: "Why should the young master break up with him now?"

"No matter how I express my position, others will think of me. There is a net covering Yanshi County, and I can't uncover it. I have to stand up. I may not be able to uncover it at first, but as long as someone sees me I'm in charge, and will come and help me."

"This child?" Yin Liang glanced at Ren Mulan in the courtroom and sighed slightly.

What he was thinking about was Wang Yansiam's isolation and helplessness in Yanshi, and he wondered how anyone would come to help expose him?

After a while, Nu Yalang Guo Ashun was brought.

"Guo Ashun, a common man, met the county captain. The common man wanted to sue Ren Mulan. That day she went to my boat to sell herself. Many people saw her. She took the common man's money, but then regretted it and hid."

"When I returned to the county captain, I confiscated his money and did not sell myself to him." Ren Mulan shouted: "I ate half of his buns, but when he asked me to sign the deed of sale, I found out that he was lying. There was no sign at all.”

The deed of sale is the key. Nowadays, "commission" sales are allowed by Tang Law Firm. As long as there is a deed, Mulan cannot deny it.

"Reporting to the county lieutenant, the evidence is conclusive. This is a deed of sale. Please have the county lieutenant take a look at it."

Guo Ashun said as he took out the deed of betrayal.

There were also officials who asked Ren Mulan to leave her fingerprints with paper and red clay.

Yin Liang held up the two pieces of paper, compared the handprints and the contract of sale, narrowed his eyes, and after a long time, he sighed helplessly. With his eyesight, he couldn't detect any falsification of the birth contract.

He leaned forward and whispered: "Young Master, you can't see much difference with the naked eye. If you say this body contract is fake, I'm afraid I won't be able to convince everyone."

"Let me see."

As early as the Warring States Period, people already knew how to identify fingerprints, but they basically used the naked eye to see them, and at most they could only get a rough look.

At this time, Xue Bai looked around and saw that the area covered by the fingerprints on the deed of sale was slightly smaller, while the area covered by Ren Mulan's fingerprints just now was much larger, but they were all bucket-shaped patterns.

He looked at it for a while, then became dazzled, and then looked at Guo Ashun.

Guo Ashun raised his head, his eyes were sincere, his face was helpless and aggrieved, and he said: "County Lieutenant, I am really..."

"You are really good at writing documents. Have you ever committed anything else?"

"Common people, I don't know what the county captain is talking about."

"Ren Mulan, how old are you this year?"

"Twelve." Ren Mulan said hurriedly: "I really don't have a sign."

"Although the fingerprints remain unchanged, children's fingerprints are slightly denser than those of adults. This deed is indeed fake."

Xue Bai said and handed the body deed to Yin Liang again.

"That's it, I didn't pay attention to it." Yin Liang took a closer look, no longer looking at the indistinguishable shape, only looking at the density, and he suddenly realized.

"County Lieutenant." Guo Ashun said with an apologetic smile: "The County Lieutenant is considerate of the people, a villain can understand, and is willing to let her go."

"If it's fake, it's fake. I can prove it to you."

"No, no need." Guo Ashun said: "If the county captain says it's a lie, then it's a lie. I'm willing to admit this mistake..."

"Okay, now let's investigate you for forging documents and stealing good people into slaves."

After Xue Bai finished speaking, he slapped the wooden door and shouted: "Take this Guo Ashun under custody until the county captain finds out."

"County Lieutenant, this..."

While Qi Chou was still hesitating, Jiang Hai came closer and pushed Guo Ashun to the ground with one hand. The officers in the hall were horrified by his momentum and did not dare to say anything.

~~

"Where's Mingfu?"

"Has gone back home."

In the evening, Guo Huan hurried to Lu Linghao's house not far from the county office.

After entering the door, two beautiful maids came forward and called out: "Mr. Guo is here, would you like some tea first?"

"I'm in a hurry."

"Alang is in the back hall."

The back hall was brightly lit, like daylight. There are five little girls standing in the hall, all with the same figure. They look very neat from a distance, but up close, they all have their own unique features, which is very rare.

Lu Linghao was picking up a girl's palm and observing it carefully.

"Mingfu."

"Okay, green and jade fingers, no flaws at all."

Lu Linghao sighed with emotion, put his little hand to his nose, and smelled deeply, as if he was intoxicated by the fragrance.

"He put a lot of thought into the gift that Guo Yuanliang gave after the banquet last night."

Guo Huan said: "Ming Mansion, Guo Ashun was detained by Xue Bai."

"Why?"

"Forging documents and deeds, plundering good people and making them slaves."

"His deeds are so ingenious, how can Xue Lang catch him? Let him go."

"I'm afraid he just refuses. The imperial concubine's adopted brother is indeed stubborn."

Lu Linghao smiled, walked around admiring the other girl, and said casually: "Isn't Wang Yanxiang tough?"

"But Wang Yansiam didn't have his back against a big tree after all."

"Go and release Guo Ashun, and then tell Qi Chou that his lantern is too bright. This county will make Xue Bai's eyes dark in Yanshi County."

"It's just that over there in Chang'an..."     "I'm here."

"Here." Guo Huan immediately retreated.

Lu Linghao lowered his head, smelled the hair of the girl in front of him, and said, "You can't say a word of what you just heard. Do you understand?"

"Alang, don't worry, slave... slave understands."

"Call 'Grandpa'."

"Ah...Grandpa?"

"As long as you listen to my father's words." Lu Linghao gently hugged the girl in front of him and comforted him: "My father can climb all of you to a high branch."

~~

Yanshi County Prison.

With a "click", the cell door was opened.

Qi Chou bowed and invited Guo Ashun out with an apologetic smile.

"Don't you understand the relationship between my second son and the county magistrate?" Guo Ashun scolded as he walked away: "What's the matter with this new county captain? He's attracted to that small frame and wants a hero to save the beauty? I haven't raised him yet. , It hasn’t been trained yet, it’s just a local dog that has never seen the world.”

"Yes, but I would like to ask Shopkeeper Guo to take a break. Don't stay in Yanshi County for a while."

"What? Can't you suppress a county captain?"

"Can Shopkeeper Guo not understand where the number one scholar at this age came from?"

"Let him go." Guo Ahshun patted Qi Chou on the shoulder, "Don't make me wait too long. When I come back, I'll treat you to a drink."

Qi Chou smiled and said: "I can wait, then we can leave the city overnight?"

"Is the city gate closed?"

"It's just for shopkeeper Guo. The county magistrate doesn't have the final say on what happens in this city."

Qi Chou knew very well that if he let Guo Ashun go, Xue Bai would have no choice.

~~

The next day.

Xue Bai still opened the court to interrogate the case, as if he didn't know that the person he arrested had been released.

When the officers thought about it, the new county captain could only pretend to be confused for the sake of face.

But at noon, Xue Bai called Qi Chou and asked, "Where is the person?"

"This... villain also obeys orders."

"Let go?"

"The county captain may not know where Guo Ashun is from, but actually..."

"Give me the badge."

Qi Chou was stunned for a while before he realized that Xue Bai was actually going to withdraw his squad leader.

He quickly said: "County Lieutenant, please listen to my explanation..."

The next moment, someone kicked him to the ground from behind.

Qi Chou turned around and finally couldn't hold back his anger, a look of sullenness flashed in his eyes.

After all, he is also a good man, tall and strong, so he can be the bad guy.

"Draw your sword!" Jiang Hai shouted, "If you want me to obey you, draw your sword and chop me."

"you……"

Jiang Hai raised his hand and slapped Qi Chou, knocking him to the ground. He first tore off his waistband and threw it to Xue Xin, then picked up the horizontal knife and pulled it out with a bang.

Holding the knife in his hand, he looked around at the group of officers around him and said, "The county captain gave you a chance, but you made such a big mistake. Now the county captain is going to replace the team leader. Who is not convinced?"

"..."

"Eating dog intestines! Which of you is not convinced?!"

"Be convinced, be convinced."

"Come here." Jiang Hai raised his hand to the person who answered and asked, "What's your name?"

"Chai...Shiba dog."

"Dine with me at noon."

Shiba Inu'er's face immediately turned pale. He didn't expect that he would be punished like this for his quick talk.

Jiang Hai thought this was a great reward, patted him on the shoulder and grinned again.

"Since we are all convinced, come on, the one who will catch bad commanders in Yanshi County from now on will be him... Xue Xin, Commander Xue."

Not to mention that others thought it was a joke, even Xue Xin himself was not very confident.

It happened that a murderous figure was dominating the hall, and no one dared to object.

~~

Xue Bai didn't have to be familiar with these officers. He tried another case. Sure enough, Lu Linghao invited him over to have tea.

"Xue Lang, what are you doing?"

"Don't blame the Ming Dynasty. Qi Chou secretly released important prisoners. I really can't do nothing."

"That's the county..."

Xue Bai raised his hand, lowered his voice and said, "Has the Ming government written a letter to General Wu?"

"what for?"

"If possible, I don't want to offend anyone or investigate the case, but I don't know how to explain it?"

Lu Linghao's eyes flashed, and finally he smiled and asked: "Guo Ashun...is it related to your 'account'?"

Xue Bai asked: "Does the Ming Palace think that I can use him to explain?"

Lu Linghao felt a chill, so he said nothing and shook his head.

He understood the meaning of Xue Bai's words. From Guo Ashun to Guo Yuanliang and Guo Wanjin, he used this wealthy man to take the blame. But no, his relationship with Guo Yuanliang is too deep.

"Who does Mingfu think I can answer to?"

"If Xue Lang asks me, it would be better to ask the right minister."

"I came to Yanshi after asking the Right Prime Minister." Xue Bai suddenly became strong and said: "Then now should I also ask the Right Prime Minister whether to replace Qi Chou?"

Lu Linghao had never seen such a strong subordinate, and he was forced to make a decision in an instant.

Either keep Qi Chou, fall out with Xue Bai, and find connections behind each other; or give up on Qi Chou temporarily and continue to wait and see whether Xue Bai is real or not.

~~

In the cabin of a large ship, Guo Ashun had just woken up.

He pushed aside the two prostitutes beside him, opened the window and took a look outside, and found that the boat did not go to Luoyang, but went down the river to the intersection of Luo River and Yi River. At this time, the boat was docked on the south bank.

"What's going on?" Guo Ashun muttered, rubbed his head and walked to the ship's deck. He picked up a boatman and asked, "Why don't you go to Luoyang? Where are you, Qu Shuai?"

"do not know."

Guo Ashun walked to the deck and took a look. He saw that cargo was being loaded below, so he shook his head and walked to the bottom cabin. He saw many porters carrying boxes of goods. The boxes looked very heavy.

Walking through the long corridor, I saw a middle-aged man coming out of the bottom cabin.

"Gao Xian Cheng? I've met the Xian Cheng. Are you satisfied with the twins you gave me last time?"

"Why are you here?" Gao Chong's face was stern and he frowned.

"I was troubled by Xue Bai, the newly arrived county captain. I planned to go to Luoyang for a while. I boarded the boat at night and had a drink with Qu Shuai..."

"Boom!"

Suddenly there was a sound, and a box being carried by a portman hit the ground, and many stones rolled out.

A stone rolled to Guo Ashun's feet, and he leaned over to pick it up.

"What are you doing transporting rocks?"

Guo Ashun saw that the stone in his hand was heavy, dark, rough, angular, and hard.

"It doesn't look like a stone either."

"Give me."

Gao Chong took the stone from his hand and threw it into the box.

"My own people are very mysterious." Guo Ashun muttered in his heart, scratched his head, and continued walking forward.

"Hurry up, the goods in Yancheng are all loaded?!"

In front, the man known as "Qu Shuai" was still talking. When he turned around, he saw Gao Xian Cheng lifting the lantern and making a gesture.

"Qu Shuai, what are you doing?"

"I told you not to run around."

Guo Ashun laughed and said, "What else do you and I have to say to others?"

"puff."

A dagger has pierced Guo Ashun's heart.

"Put a sack, Shen Jiang."

~~

"thump."

There was a sound on the Roy River, and a body slowly sank.

~~

At the Yanshi County Office, Xue Bai held a charcoal pencil in his hand and was drawing a net casually.

That was actually not the net, but what he saw after leaving Chang'an.

Although it is still only the tip of the iceberg.

People were unable to move and could only flee their households. Taxes were distributed among fewer and fewer registered households, and corvées were already being levied on children who were underage. When the mediocrity of rent collapsed, the court's solution was to make peace with the people. The more disaster years there were, they would pay for the grain and set up charity warehouses. When the victims came, they became the prey of the powerful again... and the cycle started again, so there was a rebellion of monsters and thieves.

But are the rebels just seeking justice for the people? Can these bad policies be solved? Xue Bai also remembered their shouting when chasing him and Yang Yuhuan.

When all the chaos is connected together, it becomes a network. Wang Yanxiang was already trapped inside and strangled to death.

Everyone in the interest chain is a murderer. The next person they want to kill may be Xue Bai, if he doesn't know the truth.

"Young Master, Lao Liang is back."

When Xue Bai came back to his senses, he saw Lao Liang dressed in a fisherman's outfit, and he caught up with him and said something in a low voice.

"It was far away, so I couldn't see clearly, but Nu Yalang was indeed killed by them and fell to the ground..."

　I updated more than 9 words today~~Please vote for me~Please vote for me~~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)