People are among the Eight Immortals, starting from Painted Skin Ghost

Chapter 372 The Eight Immortals in Shangdong finally gather together! 【seven】

"Just wait for him to come back."

Cao Jingxiu collected the documents, looked into the distance, and sighed sadly.

Now that Cao Jingqian has been caught, he will be sent to Fengqiu County in less than a day.

By then, the truth about the case of Zuo's civilian wife will be revealed.

Hearing this, Magistrate Xia didn't ask any more questions and just stood with his head bowed.

After coming back to his senses, Cao Jingxiu asked Xia Zhixian to arrange for the junior official to go down and have a rest.

And he returned to his residence.

Sitting at the desk, Cao Jingxiu carefully reviewed the cause of Zuo Sanglu's death, combined with previous inquiries about Zuo's brothers and reports from close associates.

After thinking about it for a while, he finally guessed something.
When he thought of this, Cao Jingxiu shouted:
"Somebody come!"

In the past three years in Fengqiu County, there have been many files on robberies.

But when the people from the county government came to interrogate the young master, he said that there was no such thing.

He came to the county to report the case.

"Thank you for your hard work, Xia is now the magistrate of the county."

Xia Zhixian was stunned for a moment, wondering why Minister Cao suddenly asked about this?

"Master Cao's words are serious. If there is nothing else, I will leave." Seeing that Cao Jingxiu was busy with something, Magistrate Xia couldn't disturb him, so he said wisely.

Most of the remaining unsolved cases are because the key criminals cannot be found.

However, it did not take long for Cao Jingxiu to read these files.

Cao Jingxiu nodded slightly and said politely.

In the end, I still lost more than twenty taels.

……

Some are people who commit crimes on the run, and after grabbing the money, no one is around.

What puzzled Cao Jingxiu was that there were more than 180 closed cases in this file.

"I wonder what Master Cao's orders are?"

The person who reported the case was not the victim, but a relative or friend of the victim.

……

Due to the young master's persistence, the case ended up being dropped.

After a cup of tea.

"What's the problem? Lord Cao, please wait for a moment."

Magistrate Xia pushed open the door and walked in, standing aside:
"Master Cao, I called my officials here late at night. I wonder if I can give you any advice?"

"Yes, Master Cao!"

……

The old man didn't believe this, so he went to check with him.

After that, he took the files and started reading them with his head down.

"About the robbery?"

Magistrate Xia laughed and exited the door.

After saying this, a servant walked in, bowed and said:

Cao Jingxiu asked thoughtfully:
"Xia Zhixian, I want to ask you, what robberies have occurred in your county recently?"

Cao Jingxiu stretched out his hand to signal and said.

Among them, there are several unsolved cases.

……

"For the record, Lord Cao, there have been many cases of robberies and robberies under the lower officials."

Probably more than 200 pieces.

About a quarter of an hour later, he left and returned with a stack of files in his hand:
"Sir Cao, this is the file of all robbery and robbery cases in this county in the past three years. I would like to ask Mr. Cao to take a look."

An old man heard from his servant that his young master was robbed of more than twenty taels by thieves when he was playing in the outskirts of Fengqiu County.

But after a few breaths, he immediately replied:

The officer obeyed.

After an hour, he finished reading.

Cao Jingxiu said:
"You also ask Magistrate Xia to bring those files to me for a look?"

"Xia Zhixian, please help yourself."

"Go and call Magistrate Xia to come." Cao Jingxiu ordered.

Seeing this case, Cao Jingxiu paused for a moment and was a little confused.

According to this file, the man obviously lost more than twenty taels of silver, but he claimed that he had not encountered any thieves.

There must be something hidden in it.

It's just that it's inconvenient for outsiders to understand.

After some browsing, no trace of the Zuo brothers was found, and Cao Jingxiu didn't insist.

Thinking that his Qiandi would arrive in Fengqiu County tomorrow.

The truth will be revealed then!

He put aside his worries and turned to sleep.

……

……

It was dawn the next day.

After Cao Jingxiu woke up and had breakfast, a group of soldiers came to Fengqiu County.

These soldiers naturally brought Alai to Fengqiu County Government.

After hearing the news, Cao Jingxiu hurriedly came out.

After a day of running around, Alai was already exhausted.

Seeing his brother again, he knew he had made a mistake and did not dare to look.

Cao Jingxiu couldn't help but sigh at this. He took a deep look at Alai, waved his hand and said:
"Put the person in jail first, and then bring him for questioning after he has eaten."

After saying that, those people followed the orders and sent Alai to prison.

……

……

Say.

The Zuo brothers and others got up early and had dinner.

But after not seeing each other for a long time, Mr. Cao came to interrogate him. He heard the sound of gold and iron armor clashing outside, and he instantly became wary.

The second left man tore the window paper with his hands and took a hard look outside, but found nothing.

Finally, I learned from the conversations of passing servants that Uncle Naguo had been escorted back.

"Brother, what happened is that the coward was caught. What if he exposes the truth and we are all doomed?"

Zuo Laoer asked with an anxious look on his face.

"Don't worry, he killed my little sister after all. Even if it was a mistake, he cannot escape accountability."

Boss Zuo replied very calmly.

The worst case scenario is just to make a deal with Mr. Cao.

Boss Zuo believed that Mr. Cao was reluctant to bear the death of his own brother. Otherwise, he would not have rushed to Fengqiu County!

……

……

That Alai was taken to prison.

In less than a moment of burning incense, a jailer brought the food.

Alai had been hungry all night. When he saw the food, he wolfed it down immediately.

After eating, he felt very tired and finally leaned against the corner and fell asleep alone.

When I woke up again, it was already midnight.

At this time, the jailer opened the cell door and said to Alai:

"Uncle Guo, you can go out now, Master Cao is going to interrogate you!"

"I know." Hearing this, Alai was upset and said.

After he left the cell door, he was taken to the main hall.

As soon as he came here, he saw his eldest brother Cao Jingxiu sitting in the upper position, followed by the magistrate of Xia County and a master.

There are rows of soap slaves standing on the left and right sides, holding sticks.

Seeing this posture, Alai could not help but feel a little trembling in his heart.

"Cao Jingqian, you are the uncle of the imperial court. It is inconvenient for you to kneel down during the ceremony, so you stand for trial."

"Thank you, brother!" Hearing this, Alai felt happy and blurted out.

"This is a government office, not a home!"

Cao Jingxiu slapped the gavel and scolded him.

"I know...I know." Alai hesitated.

Not long after, Cao Jingxiu asked seriously:

"Cao Jingqian, I want to ask you why you killed Zuo Sanglu. What grudge do you have against her?"

"There is no enmity between me and her. She killed me first. When I was fighting with her, I accidentally killed her by mistake," Alai explained.

"She killed you first?"

Cao Jingxiu frowned slightly, a little surprised.

at the same time.

Xia Zhixian was also stunned. I wonder why Zuo Sanglu wanted to kill Cao Jingqian?

Cao Jingxiu and Xia Zhixian looked at each other. After a moment, he asked again:

"Cao Jingqian, tell the truth about how you met Zuo Sanglu."

"This……"

Hearing this, Alai was a little embarrassed.

He looked embarrassed and glanced at the Xia magistrate.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Xia understood the situation and hurriedly winked at the master beside him, then stood up and said to Cao Jingxiu:
"Master Cao, I remembered that I still have something important to do. It would be better to leave the interrogation to your Excellency."

After that, he left the hall with his master.

"Now, you can tell the truth."

After Xia Zhixian and Master left, Cao Jingxiu looked at Alai and said.

"To be honest with you, sir, the reason why I am familiar with Zuo Sanglu is because..."

At that moment, Alai didn't hide anything anymore. He told Cao Jingxiu everything about how he got acquainted with the four brothers and sisters of the Zuo family and how they were robbed, as well as how he met Zuo Sanglu in Fengqiu County and threatened him to have sex with her. .

After listening to what Alai said, Cao Jingxiu suddenly became enlightened.

Finally figured it all out.

"This is what happened..."

He was surprised and surprised, but passed away suddenly.

After coming back to his senses, Cao Jingxiu warned Alai:

"Cao Jingqian, after all, you killed someone. Even if you can avoid the death penalty, you still need to be severely punished!"

Seeing Cao Jingxiu's fair and stern expression, Alai immediately sneered:

"That's what the adults taught you!"

The next moment, his tone changed and he suddenly said:
"But mother finally found me, how could she be willing to let me be punished?"

"Brother, just do it and help me this time. Anyway, we have something to do with the Zuo family. If we pay more, we may be able to settle the matter."

Hearing this, Cao Jingxiu's expression suddenly changed and he angrily said:
"Cao Jingqian, how can you be so proud of your mother's love?!"

"Don't forget, it is a bloody life after all!"

Alai acted like a rogue and snorted coldly:
"Humph!"

"Since the eldest brother is not willing to help me, then let's just escort the younger brother back to the capital. I'll punish him like this!"

"you……!"

Cao Jingxiu was so angry that he could not speak, so he had to order Alai to be taken down and escorted back to the prison.

After sitting quietly in front of the hall for a while, he suddenly arrived at Zuo's brother's house.

"But Master Cao is here?"

Hearing a knock on the door outside the house, Boss Zuo's ears twitched and he asked.

"It's me."

Cao Jingxiu said.

With a creak, the door was opened.

When Zuo Lao and the others saw Cao Jingxiu entering the door, they immediately bowed and saluted.

"No need, I am here to discuss important matters with you."

Seeing this situation, Boss Zuo waved his hand and said weakly.

Seemingly hearing the helplessness in Cao Jingxiu's words, Boss Zuo thought for a while, then his heart changed and he went straight to the point:

"Sir, you want to ask if we would like to not pursue Uncle Cao Xiaoguo's matter?"

"good."

Cao Jingxiu's expression calmed slightly and he stared at Boss Zuo again.

It’s hard to tell that Boss Zuo is still a smart person.

In fact, he should have thought that the four Zuo brothers and sisters had been working as thieves in Fengqiu County for many days without being discovered, so they must have some tricks and strategies.

Even the magistrate of Xia County was deceived by a few people.

The Zuo brothers looked at each other. After a while, the Zuo boss took the lead and said:

"Since your Excellency has agreed, it means that you already know what I am waiting for."

"My four brothers and sisters should not be complacent now that they have something in your hands. If you are willing to pay three thousand taels, my brothers will not pursue the death of my little sister and leave Fengqiu County."

"Three thousand taels?"

Cao Jingxiu was slightly startled.

This amount is not much.

It seems that Boss Zuo and others still act with some discretion.

But if I agree, this road will go all the way to the dark side and there will be no turning back.

He couldn't help but secretly think that by engaging in such favoritism and malpractice, he could not live up to the sages he had read, but he could not live up to the common people in the world, and he could not live up to the trust of the emperor...

As soon as the words of rejection reached his throat, he suddenly thought of his mother at home and his own mistakes when he was young, which led to Cao Jingqian's misdeeds.

For a moment, Cao Jingxiu's heart was filled with sadness.

"Master Cao, how are you?"

Seeing Cao Jingxiu sitting there silently for a long time, Zuo, Boss and the other three couldn't hold themselves back and asked again immediately.

"This officer has agreed to this matter!"

After finishing his words, Cao Jingxiu suddenly spoke.

"When will the silver coins arrive?"

Boss Zuo and the other three asked.

"As fast as three days, as long as five days!"

Cao Jingxiu said without thinking.

Hearing this, Boss Zuo was very determined and couldn't help but clapped his hands and said:
"it is good!"

"Just follow Master Cao's wishes!"

Immediately, he asked again:

"I wonder if I can go home now?"

"Okay."

Cao Jingxiu sat there and said.

Not long after, Zuo Lao and three others walked out of the house.

Cao Jingxiu sat there for an hour.

Before night fell, his personal entourage mounted fast horses and rushed to Cao's Mansion carrying his family letters.

……

……

The next night.

The family letter was in the hands of Mrs. Cao.

Looking at the letter, Mrs. Cao couldn't wait to open it. After reading it, she could finally let go of the worries in her heart.

Since the Zuo family only had three thousand taels of silver, they were willing not to pursue the matter.

Mrs. Cao is naturally happy.

So, he was busy preparing all the money in one day, and asked his eldest son to send it to Fengqiu County.

Three days passed.

Cao Jingxiu had three thousand taels of silver in his hand.

So, he sent a message to Boss Zuo and others, and they agreed to pay the money at a restaurant in the city.

He said that Boss Zuo had packed up all the family's fine clothes and other items in the past few days, so that when Cao Jingxiu received the money, he could leave Fengqiu County.

On this day, he got three thousand taels, took his family and left Fengqiu County.

Watching Boss Zuo and others go away, the heavy burden in Cao Jingxiu's heart finally fell.

One day later, Cao Jingxiu informed Xia Zhixian that he was returning to Beijing.

Xia Zhixian had already expected this and was not surprised.

As for Alai, he was escorted back to Kaifeng.

During this period, everything Cao Jingxiu did was not told to Alai.

This also made him feel uneasy for several days.

The elder brother who was afraid of him really handed himself over to the strict authorities of Dali Temple!

In that case, even if he doesn't die, he will still have to shed a layer of skin.

Fortunately, when he arrived in Kaifeng, the person escorting him did not send him away, but went straight to the Cao Mansion!

This time, Alai felt mostly at peace.

I think that as long as I see Mrs. Cao, there will be a way to save myself from being tortured!
"Qian'er, you are finally back!"

It was said that Mrs. Cao heard the noise outside the house, and with the help of her maids, she came out to check on her.

As soon as she saw Alai, who had a much thinner face, she immediately walked forward, hugged each other and cried.

"Mom, the baby is back, and the baby has realized his mistake!"

At this moment, Alai was also crying bitterly. I don’t know whether it was because he was afraid or because he was really repenting!
"Just admit your mistake!"

"It's good to just admit your mistake..."

Mrs. Cao kept yelling.

"Qian'er, from now on, you will stay at Cao's house and just be an idle nobleman. You will not go anywhere!"

"Your elder brother has settled the matter you committed in Fengqiu County!"

(End of this chapter)