Dali Temple has his Lord Luo

Chapter 42: Worship the dead more often

The Nanzhao envoy Duobai died in the inn room.

Murder or suicide?

Luo Ning received an oral instruction from Emperor Zhao Ziyin early in the morning, and immediately came to Tongfu Inn with Qin Zhao. Because of a murder, the scene had been sealed off, and many people gathered to watch.

Qin Zhao had briefly briefed Luo Ning on the way.

The envoy came to Anyang City two months ago for regular visits, a group of seven people, because Xianghe lived in the official residence of the foreign envoy, so the group was arranged by the Ministry of Rites at the Tongfu Inn.

Originally, the group was expected to leave in three days, but they didn't expect that a general named Duobai in the mission died in the room last night.

The emperor was furious.

Was it suicide?That's okay, what if it was murder?Things are not good.

It is related to the relationship with the Nanzhao Kingdom, so Luo Ning, Minister of Dali Temple, must solve the case as soon as possible, so that no diplomatic problems between the two countries can arise.

Luo Ning was very stressed: "Who discovered him?"

"Innkeeper."

"What is Duobai's status in the mission?"

"Our country has a special relationship with Nanzhao. They have been fighting together since Emperor Gaozu. Duobai was the general who led the troops in the latest battle with Nanzhao! This time he is the leader of the mission."

"Oh?"

Luo Ning knew that it was precisely because of Nanzhao's defeat that the relationship between Zhao and Nanzhao eased, and Nanzhao became a vassal and sent Dong Shizi.

"Then what's the purpose of this mission?" Luo Ning was confused. Xianghe had just left. Didn't she just bring the mission?
Qin Zhao heard Luo Ning's doubts:
"They are different from Princess Xianghe. The princess is visiting privately. She mainly pays attention to Crown Prince Dong. It is an official act to pay more visits. There are various state affairs to be discussed this time."

Luo Ning nodded. It seemed that it was really not possible to go to court on the first and fifteenth day of every month. He only read the court newspapers and still didn't know many things. However, the thought of going to court at midnight every day gave Luo Ning a headache.

I can't get out of bed at all!forget it.

When the people watching saw that the Dali Temple ministers and Jin Yiwei had arrived, they started talking more frequently:

"I heard that the dead man is from Nanzhao!"

"This is a big case. You're going to surround me even if you don't see us. We're not allowed to join in the fun."

"You said that someone died in this inn, can you still live in it?"

"Definitely not, it's haunted at night!"

"But this Tongfu Inn has always had a good reputation. Why did someone die? Murdered?"

"Who knows, I heard that he is a general of Nanzhao, so don't fight again!"

The people chattered, Luo Ning and Qin Zhao walked through the crowd and entered the inn.

Jingzhao Mansion was the first to receive the report. Master Song and his yamen, six or seven people had already arrived.

Luo Ning asked: "Dong Wu has done it?"

A yamen servant replied: "Already here, with Mr. Song in the room where the accident happened on the second floor!"

"Where is the store clerk? He was the first person to find me. I have something to ask him."

A young man wearing gray cloth and a square scarf walked over crying:

"It's me, my lord!"

"Tell me about the situation when you discovered it this morning."

"I was sweeping the floor on the second floor when I saw a person from the mission knocking on the door, but no one inside opened the door. We waited for a while, and Xue Er from the kitchen happened to come to deliver water. The three of us broke down the door and rushed in. Oh my god, The man fell to the ground..."

"Did you notice anything unusual at that time?"

"There was nothing unusual. The man seemed to be asleep. We thought the guest accidentally fell."

The waiter still looked panicked when he remembered the scene at that time:
"But when I pushed him, there was no response. When I touched him, he was already cold. Oh my god, it was the hand I pushed at that time."

After saying that, the guy was still rubbing his hands vigorously on his body, even more frightened.

"When you found out, the door was locked? What about the windows?" Luo Ning asked.

"It's also closed."

"Does the door lock from the inside?"

"Yes, sir, because the three of us broke the door open. I checked the door lock at that time and it was indeed locked from the inside."

"Okay, then, if there is anything else you can think of, please tell me in time."

After Luo Ning asked, he and Qin Zhao walked up to the second floor.

Dong Wuzuo and Mr. Song were already in the victim's room on the second floor. Luo Ning saw the body lying on the ground and glanced at Qin Zhao. He was very calm.

Indeed, Duobai didn't seem to die normally, and his expression was very calm.

Luo Ning looked around the room.

This place is no different from an ordinary inn. There is one window and the door opens to the corridor. There is a tea table at the entrance, a bed on the right hand side, and a soft couch on the left hand side. There is an open package on it with some clothes inside.

Duobai's position has not changed, and he still looks like when he died. He is lying on the ground, wearing a white underwear, his hair has been put down, and he seems to have gone to bed.

Looking in the direction of the corpse, facing the soft couch, it seemed that he had walked halfway and fell to the ground.

Luo Ning hoped that Dong Wuzuo would tell her that it was an accident.

Unfortunately, Dong Wuzuo looked at Luo Ning:

"There is no trace of trauma, no poisoning, and no signs of suicide!"

Qin Zhao's eyes widened: "Then...how did he die?"

Dong Wuzuo frowned: "Master Luo, I want to go back and conduct a careful autopsy. If you want to find me, come to Yizhuang."

Song Qingsong was pacing up and down in the room:

"Master Luo, I asked the diplomatic missions. Last night, the Ministry of Rites entertained them with drinks and dinner. These people returned almost before the curfew."

"Who was the last person to pay homage to last night?" Qin Zhao couldn't help asking.

"It's a courtesy matter from the Ministry of Rites. I've sent a Yamen servant to invite it." Song Qingsong replied.

Luo Ning walked to the window, the window bolts had been lowered, and when he opened the window, he saw the backyard of the inn, and he could see the guys coming in and out of the kitchen, as well as several carriages parked in the yard.

This room is at the far end of the second floor.

Leaving the window and looking at the bed again, the pillows are neat and the quilt is a bit messy, but it can be seen that Duobai should have gone to bed at that time.

Walking over again, there is a teapot on the square table, several teacups, two of them are placed on the table, there is no tea in one cup, half of the cup is left, touch the teapot again, it is cold.

At this time, the Yamen servant walked in with a young man in official uniform.

"Hello, adults!" the young man said proactively.

Luo Ning asked: "Who are you?"

"I am the head of the Ministry of Rites, and my name is Guo Ming."

"You sent General Duo back last night?"

"Yes, the Ministry of Etiquette hosted a banquet for the envoys last night, because they will leave in three days!"

"When will you arrive at the inn? Did you send General Dou to the room?"

"Yes, I was a little drunk yesterday and had a good chat with General Duo, so I went back to the room and sat there for a while!"

Luo Ning looked at the tea set on the table: "Is this what you drank at that time?"

Guo Ming nodded:
"Yes, my lord, you didn't even look at the position, this cup is mine."

After speaking, Guo Ming pointed to the empty glass.

Luo Ning signaled the yamen officer to take the cup away and take it back to see if it was poisoned. Regardless of whether there was suspicion or not, the normal procedure still had to be followed.

"The last person I saw Duo Bai is highly suspicious. Was there anything unusual when you left?"

When Guo Ming heard that he was suspected, he immediately looked frustrated:
"Sir, it's none of my business. We came back together with the three adults from the Ministry of Etiquette. They can all prove it. Besides, it's the first time I met Duo Bai, so there is no reason to harm him!"

"Nowadays, everyone who comes into contact with Duobei is a target of suspicion. You don't need to worry too much. Was there anything unusual about Duobei yesterday?"

"Nanzhao people are good at wine and congratulations. Yesterday, I felt that many generals drank to their heart's content and kept praising the delicious wine of our country."

"Anything special happened on the way back?"

"nothing."

"Is it unusual for you to pay more respects when you leave?"

"We chatted for a while, and I blew in the cool breeze by the window and drank another cup of tea. Seeing that General Duo was also too drunk, I said goodbye and left."

Luo Ning nodded: "When you were in the room, the window was open?"

"Yes, I remember it very clearly, because I'm a bit drunk, and I deliberately blow the wind by the window!"

Luo Ning said to the waiter: "I want to meet other people in the mission."

The waiter nodded in agreement and ran out to call someone.

Luo Ning saw Qin Zhao looking through Duobai's package and walked over: "Did you find anything unusual?"

Qin Zhao shook his head: "They are all portable clothes, but there is one small item that is interesting."

After speaking, he picked up a whistle-like thing, long strip.

Luo Ning was curious: "What is this?"

"It's the whistle used by Nanzhao to tame animals!"

"Beast Taming?"

"Nanzhao is located in the south of Zhao State. It has dense forests, a humid climate all year round, and many mosquitoes. The people of Nanzhao like strange things. This is something used to train birds or other animals."

"Duobai is also a beast tamer?"

"It should be a little bit. I read in ancient books that Nanzhao people like to manipulate birds and insects, and they refine insects and birds to make medicines. They are very powerful."

Luo Ning's heart sank, feeling that the case was a bit complicated.

If he pays more visits to these things, what will he do?
The six members of the Nanzhao Mission were brought over by Xiaoer Dian, and they all had anxious expressions on their faces.

Luo Ning hadn't seen too many Nanzhao people except Xianghe and the maids around her, so she suddenly discovered the difference between Nanzhao people and Zhao people.

The Nanzhao people have taller noses, protruding cheekbones, and bigger eyes than the Zhao people. The men are tall and burly, and they all look stronger than the Zhao people.

"I am Luo Ning, the minister of Dali Temple. I am here for General Duo's case. General Duo's misfortune is also a major event for our Zhao country. The emperor has specially issued a decree asking me to solve the case as soon as possible."

Luo Ning briefly introduced himself.

Qin Zhao knew the members of these missions, and these people were also familiar with Qin Zhao. After all, they were people close to the emperor, and they knew Qin Zhao when they first came to Zhao.

Luo Ning saw everyone's faces soothed and began to ask: "Did there be anything unusual about General Duo yesterday?"

Several people said in unison: "I didn't find anything different from usual."

"Who first discovered that something happened to General Duo?"

A somewhat older man with a beard stood up:
"It's me. There are many people in our group, and the rank of general is the highest. I wanted to ask about today's arrangements this morning, but after knocking on the door for a long time, there was no response, so I and my buddy broke open the door."

"When you returned to the inn yesterday, when did you see General Duo for the last time?"

Because the Nanzhao envoys shared a room with each other, and Duo Bai was the general who had a room alone, so the two proved to each other that only the bearded man met Duo Bai alone after returning to the inn.

But another envoy who shared the same room with him proved that the bearded man had only been away for a quarter of an hour and had returned to his room early.

Luo Ning asked him: "Did Guo Lishi leave when you passed by?"

"Already gone. I saw Guo Lishi leaving before I went to see General Duo."

(End of this chapter)