I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 432: The death of a foreign inspector is like severing an official’s arm. The whole city is a suspect.

May 25th, the fourth watch day.

The city of Nanjing (i.e. Shangqiu), where the East and West Roads of Beijing were governed, was closed.

The city gates of Nanjing are closed.

Except for daily necessities that can be transported into and outside the city by the Forbidden Army, no one is allowed to enter or leave.

at this time.

It has been more than half a month since Zhou Yuan drowned.

Locking down the city can no longer block evidence or prevent possible suspects from absconding.

The purpose of sealing the city was to stabilize the majesty of the imperial power.

The admonishment officials on duty on behalf of the king were actually the eyes and ears of the emperor, representing the imperial court and the imperial power.

This is to inform the people of the world: The emperor's imperial power cannot be violated even half a bit.

"What does the official's death have to do with me? Why should I close the city? How can I do business next?"

This has never happened in the history of the Song Dynasty.

"Isn't it just that a Taiwanese admonishment officer drowned? Is it necessary to mobilize troops and people like this? Isn't this going to cause public resentment?"

Many people gathered in front of the city gate, complaining one after another.

It was once the state of Song Dynasty and the place where Taizu of Song Dynasty made his fortune.

Then, after reporting the patrol situation to Zhao Zhen on the morning of the next day, he led a group of guards towards Nanjing at nearly noon.

He was also confused.

"Prefect Han is here! Prefect Han is here! Prefect Han is here!"

On May 25th, the sun rose three poles high.

Han Chong walked to the middle of the crowd and said loudly: "Dear fellow villagers, I am Han Chong, the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture!"

He also felt that the court's move was quite inappropriate and could easily arouse resentment among the people in the city, but he didn't know how to explain it.

……

Bianjing City is not far from Nanjing City.

The soldiers of the Forbidden Army were all holding weapons and crossbows, with serious expressions on their faces, and each of them had murderous intent.

"I'm not from Nanjing at all. I can't get out now. Is there no one in charge who can explain the situation?"

Su Liang has been out on patrol for more than three months and has not yet returned home.

A slightly fat middle-aged man with beads of sweat on his forehead came over with a group of officials.

Before the specific cause of death is verified, the case must be investigated in the most stringent way.

The middle-aged man at the head is none other than Han Chong, the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.

The people of Nanjing gathered together.

Unexpectedly, when he woke up, the Forbidden Army sealed the city of Nanjing.

In the third year of Jingde, Emperor Zhenzong promoted Songzhou to Yingtianfu, and later to Nanjing, the companion capital, and built a palace to worship the emperor of Song Dynasty.

Nanjing Imperial College is also called Yingtianfu Academy, but it is already the highest academic institution in the Song Dynasty and has the same status as Bianjing Imperial College.

One citizen was very dissatisfied and said: "Han Zhizhou, what does this matter have to do with us ordinary people? If we close the city like this, we can't do business and our interests will be damaged. Who should we go to to compensate?"

He stayed at home for one night.

He died in the place where he was patrolling.

However, the old and new titles alternate.

They are only responsible for executing orders and cannot give an explanation to the people at all.

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Nanjing City, East Gate.

"Everyone, don't be confused. As long as the cause of Zhou Zhengyan's death is verified, I believe the ban will be lifted soon. Please go home and wait patiently and don't gather on the streets!"

Nanjing City.

It can be reached in one day by riding a fast horse.

At night on May 24th, Wu Yu and Bao Zheng rushed to Nanjing.

The complainers all raised their voices, but no one dared to rush to the city gate.

The highest official in Nanjing is still called the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.

……

"The closure of the city this time is an official decree. Soon, Vice Minister Wu, the political advisor, and Bachelor Bao of Kaifeng Prefecture will come to the city to take charge of all affairs in Nanjing City."

And at this time.

Han Chong looked helpless.

"We are innocent, why should we be implicated? This is unfair!"

"Yes, we also want to make a living, we also want to live, why should we sacrifice our interests!"

"Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!"

……

The people in Nanjing City started shouting again, this time the sound was louder and more noisy.

They were afraid of the imperial soldiers in front, but not these local officials.

at this time.

Only a "ka ka ka" sound was heard from the front.

The city gate gradually opened.

The people became quiet again and looked toward the city gate.

Followed by.

A large group of Forbidden Army soldiers entered Nanjing City.

There were two middle-aged men riding white horses in the middle. Although they were wearing long robes, Han Chong had already recognized them.

"Han Chong, the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, comes to see Wu Xianggong and Bao Xianshi." Han Chong led a group of officials to greet him and handed them over heavily.

Wu Yu nodded and said, "Do the people have complaints?"

Han Chong nodded, his eyes full of helplessness.

Wu Yu pulled the horse's rope, took a few steps forward, and then said loudly: "I am Wu Yu, the political advisor. I was ordered by the officials to investigate the drowning case of Taiwan's admonisher Zhou Yuan. From now on, the commander-in-chief Everything that matters in Nanjing City!”

The surrounding area suddenly became quiet.

When the deputy prime minister of the dynasty is speaking here, who dares to cause chaos again?

Wu Yu continued: "Taiwan admonisher Zhou Yuan patrolled the east and west roads of Beijing on behalf of the emperor and drowned in Nanjing City. If someone did this deliberately, it would really be a provocation to the imperial power and would be like cutting off an official's arm. Without thorough verification, it can be found out Until the truth of the case is revealed, everyone in Nanjing is a suspect!"

"I hope everyone can do their best to cooperate, find out the case as soon as possible, and lift the ban as soon as possible."

"If someone stirs up trouble and slows down the progress of the case, then everyone in Nanjing City may be implicated, and even affect the future development of Nanjing City. If everyone can understand the stakes, then just leave!"

Although Wu Yu didn't say it very straightforwardly, the people basically understood it.

If this matter cannot be investigated clearly due to the trouble caused by the common people, in the future, Nanjing City may be at risk of being downgraded, and may even become an ordinary state.

The Nanjing Imperial College where the crime occurred may also be downgraded to an ordinary state school.

The business environment in Nanjing is actually average.

If it loses the title of companion capital and Guozixue is downgraded, the business and trade economy will suffer a cliff-like decline.

The city of Nanjing prospered due to the imperial policy.

If the imperial court thought that the people in Nanjing were too unruly and abolished the assistance policy, then everyone might have to live a hard life.

Wu Yu finished speaking.

Immediately, some people in the crowd shouted loudly: "We will fully cooperate with the court to resolve the case!"

"Fully cooperate!"

"Fully cooperate!"

"Fully cooperate!"

……

The people in Nanjing were still very sober and expressed their cooperation with the court in settling the case.

Immediately afterwards, the people quickly dispersed.

Han Chong took a long breath, looked at Wu Yu and Bao Zheng, and asked: "Vice Minister Wu and Bachelor Bao, how will we investigate next, and how can we cooperate?"

Wu Yu turned to look at Bao Zheng.

Wu Yu is in charge of Nanjing City to maintain stability. Bao Zheng will be solely responsible for the specific review.

Bao Zheng looked at Han Chong and the officials behind him and said: "I suggest that all local officials in Nanjing City, officials, edicts, and students of the Nanjing Imperial College be detained in the Nanjing Imperial College and are prohibited from going out until they are summoned. "

Upon hearing this, the faces of Han Chong and the officials behind him darkened.

Doesn't this make them suspects?

But no one dared to speak out to refute.

Wu Yu nodded and then looked at Han Chong.

"Xiaoguan understands, and Xiaguan fully cooperates and immediately organizes officials to go to the Imperial College."

Wu Yu glanced at the sun that was almost at its center in the sky and said, "It will be completed before noon. Is there any problem?"

"No problem!" Han Chong replied without hesitation, and then led the officials to the Imperial Academy. Wu Yu and Bao Zheng went to Yingtianfu Yamen.

The imperial city officials led by Zhang Maoze and the guards headed by Peng Sheng, the head of the infantry division of the bodyguard, were all at the government office.

Zhang Mao will make a handover with Bao Zheng, and then change from the main inspector to the assistant officer.

After the investigation of the matter comes to light, they will return to Beijing together with Wu Yu and Bao Zheng.

An hour later.

Wu Yu mobilized his soldiers and took control of the entire Nanjing city, while Bao Zheng also sat in charge of the government office and sorted out the specific situation of the matter.

……

Late at night, the night is slightly cool.

In the back hall of Yingtian Mansion, documents were piled high.

Wu Yu and Bao Zheng looked seriously, reading stacks of documents word for word.

These documents include Zhou Yuan's inspection documents, a summary of the implementation of the reform in Nanjing City, and the overall development of the Imperial College after the implementation of the Sanshe Law, etc.

Only by reading all these documents and gaining a certain understanding of the city of Nanjing and Zhou Yuan's investigation status can we investigate the case better.

On the side, Zhang Mao was carefully sorting out the documents.

Zhou Yuan's guard captain, Peng Sheng, the head of the infantry division of the bodyguard, and a group of guards were all imprisoned in the prison.

Zhou Yuan drowned.

Whether it is man-made or accidental, they all have unshirkable responsibilities.

Peng Sheng, a man over eight feet tall, cried until his eyes were red and slapped himself in the face more than a dozen times.

If he had secretly sent people to follow Zhou Yuan, perhaps this tragedy would not have happened.

After they return to Beijing, they will be severely punished by the Privy Council.

At this moment, a series of rapid footsteps came from the back office.

Su Liang walked in quickly with his back soaked and his face covered with beads of sweat.

He took a long breath and said: "These are all the information involving Brother Zhou!"

After saying that, Su Liang sat down and took a look.

Wu Yu glared and said: "Jing Ming, go take a bath first, change clothes, then eat and rest for a while. You look very bad now. Don't overwork yourself!"

Su Liangben rushed back from Jingdong East Road.

In order to report the patrol situation to the officials last night, I stayed up late to write documents, and then I rushed here again today, and my iron-clad body couldn't bear it.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Su Liang said.

At this time.

Bao Zheng walked up to Su Liang with a dark face, snatched the document from Su Liang's hand, and said: "I'm responsible for everything. Do as Vice Minister Wu said. If you collapse from exhaustion, Zixiong (Zhou Yuan's son) will Biaozi) If you know it, you will feel guilty."

Su Liang nodded and immediately walked outside.

Just as he was about to go out, Su Liang suddenly tilted his body.

If Sun Sheng hadn't supported him, he would have collapsed on the ground.

Sun Sheng said: "Boss, let's eat first, you haven't eaten all day!"

"Okay." Su Liang was no longer stubborn.

He also knew that only by maintaining a good physical condition could he help Wu Yu and Bao Zheng find out the true situation of the matter.

Immediately, Su Liang had a meal, took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and then took a nap for half an hour before rushing to the back office and reading the paperwork.

It's not that he doesn't believe Wu Yu and Bao Zheng.

But one more person means more strength. He didn't want Zhou Yuan to die here unjustly.

It's approaching midnight.

Under Wu Yu's strong order, Bao Zheng, Su Liang, and Zhang Maoze all went back to their rooms to rest.

Early tomorrow morning, they will first go to the place where Zhou Yuan died.

Then we went to the Nanjing Imperial College to explore where Zhou Yuan lived, and also went to worship in front of Zhou Yuan's coffin.

At this time, although many antiseptic medicinal materials had been placed in Zhou Yuan's coffin, his body was still close to decay.

Regarding the physical condition at the time of drowning, one can only refer to the autopsy records made by him.

Zhou Yuan's wife and son followed Zhang Maoze to Nanjing City. After the verification was completed, they would carry the coffin back home and bury him.

……

The next day.

The fourth watch is the time when Zhou Yuan drowned.

Wu Yu, Bao Zheng, Su Liang, Zhang Maoze and their entourage appeared in front of Nanhu in Nanjing Imperial College, where Zhou Yuan drowned.

After Zhou Yuan drowned.

Guard captain Peng Sheng and two guards rushed here immediately and fished Zhou Yuan out.

At the same time, this place was also sealed off and recorded.

If Peng Sheng has no problem, his recorded results are true.

Zhou Yuan left footprints on a steep lakeside, and he must have slipped into the lake. The water at the lakeside was about three meters deep, enough to cause people to drown.

The place where he drowned was about 800 meters away from the gate of Nanjing Imperial College. It was surrounded by green trees and was a bit remote.

Plus it was early morning.

If Zhou Yuanruo accidentally fell into the lake and shouted, no one might hear him.

Su Liang's only doubt was that Zhou Yuan would drink water.

Although there is a possibility of leg and foot cramps, it is too coincidental that I accidentally fell into the water first and then suffered leg cramps and was unable to swim.

immediately.

Su Liang and others went to Nanjing Imperial College, where Zhou Yuan lived.

Zhou Yuannai checked into the Nanjing Imperial College on the afternoon of May 6th. On the evening of the 6th and 7th, he had dinner with his old friend Xu Huizhi, the Prime Minister of the Nanjing Imperial College. Then something happened in the early morning of the 8th.

The layout of the room is simple.

A table, four chairs, a bed, a desk and a mahogany chair by the window.

At this moment, Zhou Yuan's pen, ink, paper and inkstone were still on the desk. Su Liang couldn't help but feel sad when he saw the hairless brush next to the inkstone.

Zhou Yuan, like him, started from a humble beginning.

Zhou Yuan was very frugal.

A writing brush is often used until half of its hair has fallen off before it is thrown away.

Su Liang walked to the desk and looked at the papers on it. The documents in the room had been taken away, but some pieces of straw paper were still on the table.

Su Liang flipped the straw paper and suddenly saw ink stains on the paper below.

He pulled it out and took a look.

Written on the paper is Su Liang's poem: Ask the canal how clear it is, so that there is a source of living water. "

Among them, the word "source" is circled, and then the poem is scratched out with two ink marks.

Su Liang frowned slightly.

"Prime Minister Wu, Brother Xiren, something...is wrong. Brother Zixiong likes these two lines of poetry very much. It should be impossible for him to finish writing them and then cross them out."

After Wu Yu and Bao Zheng looked at it, Bao Zheng said: "This can be kept as a point of doubt first, and we will then look for suspicious things."

Afterwards, everyone made no new discoveries and headed to Zhou Yuan's mourning hall together.

Zhou Yuan's coffin was placed in a small courtyard at the back of the Imperial Academy by Zhang Maoze, and was guarded by dedicated personnel.

Zhou Yuan's wife Cui and their son Zhou Yao, who had just turned sixteen, stood beside the coffin, looking haggard and weeping.

Cui and Zhou Yao did not know Wu Yu and Bao Zheng, but they knew Su Liang. Seeing Su Liang coming, Cui quickly stood up and said: "Su Yushi, I...I...I..."

As soon as Cui opened her mouth, she couldn't help but sob.

Su Liang quickly consoled him: "Sister-in-law, my condolences are with you. This is Deputy Prime Minister Wu Yuwu. This is Bao Zheng and Bachelor Bao. We follow the official's orders and will definitely get to the bottom of this matter!"

Cui and Zhou Yao quickly saluted the two of them.

Then, Su Liang looked at Zhou Yao and said, "Take good care of your mother and don't make her feel too uncomfortable."

"Yes, Uncle Su." Zhou Yao cupped his hands and said.

When Su Liang saw Zhou Yao, he couldn't help but think of the past again.

At that time, Zhou Yao was studying in his hometown.

Zhou Yuan was angry because he was bullied for being too honest. Zhou Yuan begged Su Liang to write a letter to scold his useless son.

Su Liangben had agreed.

Zhou Yuan was worried that Su Liang would scold him too harshly, so he refused to let Su Liang write.

In addition, just at the beginning of this year, Zhou Yuan also entrusted Su Liang and Tang Wanmei to arrange marriage for Zhou Yao.

Tang Wanmei has already found a family, and is waiting for Zhou Yuan to visit the capital and give him a good look!

When Su Liang thought of this, he couldn't help but want to cry.

He, Wu Yu and Bao Zheng paid homage in front of the coffin, told the people around them to take good care of Cui and Zhou Yao, and then left.

Next.

They are about to start questioning and interrogate all the officials in Nanjing City.

(End of this chapter)