People are in Zhenguan, solving crimes scientifically

Chapter 316: No Looking Back!

Time flies, three days have passed quickly, and there are only three days left before the Western monks come to pray for blessings.

Chang'an City, Zhuque Street.

Dozens of soldiers in black armor escorted a carriage through the bustling crowd and headed towards the Dali Temple.

In the carriage, Lin Feng lifted the curtain and looked at both sides of the road.

He looked at the guards who were watching the surroundings with great vigilance as if they were facing a great enemy, and said, "It's a bit strange."

Zhao Shiwu, who was sitting beside Lin Feng to protect him, asked in confusion: "What's so strange about that?"

"It's been a little too peaceful these past few days."

"Is An Ning still okay?"

Lin Feng shook his head. He looked at the people around him who were looking at him with curiosity, and said slowly: "If it was before, An Ning was indeed very good, but now... no one has come to assassinate me for three days. This is really strange."

Ang Su said that the Four Symbols Organization regarded him as a serious threat, and they could not carry out their plan with peace of mind unless he was dead. Now that the date for them to take action is getting closer and closer, it can be said that dealing with him is an imminent matter.

But the result... apart from that night and the next morning when someone came to assassinate me, the Four Symbols Organization never sent any assassins to assassinate me again, nor did they try to use any other methods to deal with me, as if they had forgotten me.

This is clearly not right.

As the saying goes, there must be something wrong when things are abnormal. The more they behave like this, the more it shows that they may be planning something big.

Lin Feng lowered the carriage curtain and pondered for a moment. He looked at Zhao Shiwu who was protecting him in the carriage and said, "Shiwu, there is something you need to remember."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiwu quickly sat up straight and said, "Foster father, please give me your instructions."

Lin Feng rubbed his thumb and index finger gently. He was silent for a moment, and then said something that shocked Zhao Shiwu: "If something happens to me, you and Xieyang will obey Lord Xiao's orders. You will do whatever Lord Xiao tells you to do... and if something happens to Lord Xiao, you will follow Doctor Sun. If Doctor Sun also has an accident, you will go to Lord Wei or Lord Dai. If they also have an accident, then you should leave. Leave Chang'an. The farther away the better."

"What!?"

When Zhao Shiwu heard Lin Feng’s words, he stood up suddenly.

Then there was a loud bang.

Zhao Shiwu's head hit the top of the carriage directly, but Zhao Shiwu didn't care about the pain in his head. He looked at Lin Feng nervously and said, "Godfather, what do you mean by this? Did you have a premonition of something?"

Lin Feng looked at Zhao Shiwu's nervous expression, smiled and shook his head: "Don't worry, I don't have a premonition of anything, but Chang'an City is about to be in chaos, and there's no telling what will happen then. You are honest and simple-minded, and once you fall into a crisis, you are most likely to be calculated by others, so I am most worried about you. Just think of this as me preparing for a rainy day."

"But the probability of this happening is not high. You know my personality. I cherish my life very much. I have so many guards protecting me at all times, so basically nothing will happen. As long as I am still alive, I will definitely not let you be plotted against."

In Zhao Shiwu's cognition, his adoptive father would never do anything unnecessary, so Lin Feng's words just now, which were like a will, really made him feel uneasy. But he thought carefully about Lin Feng's character, and his adoptive father was indeed a person who valued his life very much, and he was always protecting him. Plus, with his adoptive father's monstrous wisdom, there shouldn't be any accidents.

Thinking of this, Zhao Shiwu's heart finally settled down. He said, "Foster father, please don't scare me. You know I'm very brave... Although I'm very brave, I can't help being scared."

Is this almost telling the cowardly truth?

Lin Feng glanced at Zhao Shiwu and smiled: "Okay, okay, I won't scare you in the future."

But after he finished speaking, his eyes turned outside again, and his expression became even more gloomy.

At this time, the carriage stopped and the voice of Zhao Xieyang, who was driving the horse outside, came: "Lin Shaoqing, we are here."

Lin Feng and Zhao Shiwu got off the carriage and entered the Dali Temple office amid the greetings of a group of Dali Temple officials.

"Lin Shaoqing."

Not long after walking, Lin Feng met the temple secretary Han Keji.

Ever since Lin Feng expressed to Han Keji three days ago that he would not make things difficult for Han Keji and also expressed his recognition of Han Keji's abilities, Han Keji seemed to have become a different person. Not only did he not have any of the resentment and hostility towards Lin Feng as before, but he was also very respectful and caring about Lin Feng every day, as if he was about to compete with the gossipy Li Haomiao for Lin Feng's favor.

Lin Feng smiled and nodded. He said, "Han Sicheng came quite early."

Han Keji said hurriedly, "When Lin Shaoqing handles official business, he often gets up early and goes to bed late, working day and night. Whenever I think of him, my admiration for Lin Shaoqing surges like a river or sea. This makes me dare not waste time at all, for fear of disappointing Lin Shaoqing and making him feel that he has made a mistake in choosing him."

Zhao Shiwu's eyelids couldn't stop twitching as he listened to Han Keji's words. After all, a few months ago, Han Keji was bullying Lin Feng every day and speaking in a sarcastic tone, but now it's only been a short time and he's already expressing his admiration for his adoptive father and not wanting to let him down... The difference between the two was so great that Zhao Shiwu didn't even dare to recognize Han Keji.

But Lin Feng seemed to be very accustomed to this, and said with a smile: "Official business is important, health is equally important, Han Sicheng must also protect his health."

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Lin. I understand."

Lin Feng smiled and asked, "Is Mr. Xiao here?"

Han Keji shook his head: "I have a file to submit to Xiao Siqing, but there is no one in Xiao Siqing's office, so I should return it."

"Still not here?"

Lin Feng was a little surprised. After all, Xiao Yu usually came to the office directly after attending the regular court sessions and would not go anywhere else in between. Why hasn’t he come yet?
"Oh no!"

Just at this moment, when Lin Feng was confused, suddenly a hurried cry came from outside.

Lin Feng turned his head and saw Li Haomiao, the Dali Temple's informant, entering the Dali Temple gate with a panicked look on his face. Li Haomiao scanned the office and when he saw Lin Feng, he hurriedly ran towards Lin Feng.

A few steps away, the slightly fat Li Haomiao ran profusely and sweated profusely. He came in front of Lin Feng, not bothering to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and hurriedly said: "Lin Shaoqing, it's bad, Xiao Siqing has been arrested!"

"What!?"

Exclamations rang out one after another.

Han Keji's eyes widened first, and a look of astonishment quickly appeared on his face. He hurriedly asked, "What's going on? What happened to Xiao Siqing?"

Lin Feng also frowned and looked at Li Haomiao closely.

Other Dali Temple officials also ran over quickly and surrounded Li Haomiao.

If it were in the past, gossip master Li Haomiao would definitely be very pleased and proud to receive such attention, but today, his face was full of heavy expression. He looked at Lin Feng and said, "I just got the news that Xiao Siqing was arrested by Changsun Ping'an. The reason is... Xiao Siqing murdered an official of the imperial court!"

"What!? Xiao Siqing murdered an official of the imperial court?"

"How is this possible? How could Xiao Siqing kill someone!?"

"There must be something wrong! Xiao Siqing couldn't possibly do this!"

Han Keji quickly looked at Lin Feng and said, "Lin Shaoqing, Xiao Siqing would never kill anyone. There must be something wrong here. You must help Xiao Siqing!"

Li Haomiao also nodded quickly: "That's right. After Changsun Ping'an took Xiao Siqing away, he didn't allow anyone to get close to Xiao Siqing. I don't know the details, but judging from Changsun Ping'an's attitude, I'm afraid there is a lot of evidence, otherwise he would never dare to arrest Xiao Siqing directly to the prison... Lin Shaoqing, now the only one who can save Xiao Siqing is you."

Seeing this, the other officials also hurriedly looked at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng also frowned at this time, and his face became unusually cold.

On the one hand, Xiao Yu has a different meaning to him.

After he came to the Dali Temple, Xiao Yu had been constantly protecting him from the wind and rain, fighting for his own interests, and teaching him how to be an official. He truly regarded Xiao Yu as an elder, not to mention that Xiao Yu was also Man'er's father and would be his father-in-law in the future, making him even more of a relative.

His relatives were arrested, so his feelings were more complicated than others.

On the other hand, there is the issue of the timing of this so-called murder.

He knew Xiao Yu's character clearly. Xiao Yu had firm principles in his heart, and the law was Xiao Yu's code of conduct. So no matter how impulsive Xiao Yu was, he didn't think Xiao Yu would do something like killing someone.

And if this was not done by Xiao Yu, then he could only have been schemed and framed by someone.

Who would frame Xiao Yu?

Considering the Four Symbols Organization's impending action, as well as the Four Symbols Organization's sudden strange silence in the past few days, Lin Feng couldn't help but suspect... this matter was related to the Four Symbols Organization!

After all, it was he who was at the forefront investigating the Four Symbols Organization, and Xiao Yu was his biggest supporter.

If something happens to Xiao Yu, it will be equivalent to cutting off his support. If the Four Elephants Organization does anything again, he may not be able to deal with it smoothly. "How cruel! Are you cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron?"

Lin Feng looked directly at Li Haomiao and said, "Lead the way!"

Li Haomiao nodded quickly: "Lin Shaoqing, come this way."

Lin Feng took two steps forward and suddenly stopped. He turned to look at the officials of the Dali Temple and said, "Just focus on your work. With me here, Lord Xiao will be fine."

Then he looked at Han Keji and said, "Han Sicheng, come with me. I may need some help when the time comes."

When Han Keji heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded quickly: "I obey your command."

Soon, several people quickly left the Dali Temple office, got on Lin Feng's carriage, and then hurried away under the escort of the guards.

In the carriage, Lin Feng asked Li Haomiao about the details.

Li Haomiao said: "I heard that after the regular court session ended today, Xiao Siqing left the palace, but he did not come to the Dali Temple as usual. Instead, he went to the residence of Qin Han, the doctor of the Ministry of Rites."

"After arriving at the Qin residence, Xiao Siqing was personally greeted by Qin Han, a doctor from the Ministry of Rites, and was brought to the main hall. He then dismissed the servants and talked with Xiao Siqing. But before long, the servants guarding outside suddenly heard screams coming from the main hall. They quickly opened the door and saw that Xiao Siqing and Qin Han were actually wrestling with each other. At this time, Xiao Siqing was holding a dagger in his hand, and the other end of the dagger had already pierced Qin Han's heart."

"When the Qin family saw this, they hurriedly pulled Xiao Siqing away, but Qin Han was already dead. They were in a panic for a moment, and someone shouted that they would report to the police. Not long after they rushed out of the Qin family, they happened to meet the Wannian County Magistrate Changsun Ping'an. When Changsun Ping'an heard that Xiao Siqing had killed Qin Han, he quickly led his men into the Qin family, and then Xiao Siqing was taken away by Changsun Ping'an."

"As for whether Chang Sun Ping'an found any evidence or what he got out of Xiao Siqing, I don't know. Chang Sun Ping'an takes this case very seriously and doesn't allow anyone to leak the news, let alone approach Xiao Siqing, so I have no way of knowing more specific details."

While listening to Li Haomiao's words, Lin Feng was sorting out the circumstances of the case in his mind.

He pondered for a moment and said, "There are three key issues to be clarified now."

Everyone quickly looked at Lin Feng.

Then Lin Feng said, "First, why did Mr. Xiao go to Qin Han's residence?"

"Secondly, why did Lord Xiao fight with Qin Han? And where did the dagger come from? Lord Xiao couldn't have brought a dagger with him when he went to the court. He went directly to Qin Han's residence after leaving the palace, and he didn't have the opportunity to touch the dagger in between. So where did the murder weapon come from? Was it originally in Qin Han's residence? But if so, why would Qin Han place a dagger in the main hall, which is a place for entertaining guests?"

"And the third one... How could it be such a coincidence that the Qin family servants just saw a murder and rushed out to report it to the police, and then they ran into Changsun Ping'an? Why did Changsun Ping'an appear there at this moment?"

After listening to Lin Feng's three questions, Li Haomiao and others fell into deep thought.

Han Keji couldn't help but ask: "Li Sicheng, do you know the answers to these questions asked by Lin Shaoqing?"

Li Haomiao shook his head and said, "I don't know any of them."

"It seems that the key information has been hidden..." Han Keji touched his chin and said slowly.

Lin Feng didn't say anything else. He just silently looked at the scenery passing by quickly outside the car window, his eyes becoming more and more profound.

……

Half a quarter of an hour later, the carriage stopped.

Several people got off the carriage quickly.

Lin Feng discovered that the gate of Qin Han’s residence was controlled by the yamen runners of Wannian County.

Seeing Lin Feng coming, the yamen runners hurriedly saluted: "Greetings, Mr. Lin."

Because they had investigated the disappearance of Zhao Shiwu together, these yamen runners were quite familiar with Lin Feng.

However, because Lin Feng had competed with their county magistrate for the position of Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and their county magistrate lost in the end, their feelings towards Lin Feng were very complicated. They admired Lin Feng's abilities, but also felt resentful towards Lin Feng for making them lose the opportunity to rise to fame with Changsun Ping'an.

Lin Feng glanced at them and saw through their thoughts completely. If it were normal, Lin Feng would have the leisure to exchange a few words and get closer to them, but at this moment, he was not in the mood to do so.

He asked directly: "Where is Magistrate Changsun?"

The leading yamen runner said quickly, "Because this case involves important officials of the court, it requires your majesty to make a decision, so County Magistrate Changsun has come to the palace to see you."

"Entering the palace?"

Lin Feng nodded. After all, Xiao Yu had a special status as a third-rank minister. He could not be tried just because Changsun Ping'an said so.

But Chang Sun Ping'an still arrested Xiao Yu directly and did not allow anyone to get close to Xiao Yu... I'm afraid he really has some definite evidence.

And based on his understanding of the Four Symbols Organization, the Four Symbols Organization either does not take action, or once it does, it is absolutely well prepared... In this case, it may not be easy to overturn Xiao Yu's case.

He looked at the yamen runner and said without further delay, "The Dali Temple is also investigating this case, so get out of the way."

"This……"

The yamen runner seemed a little hesitant when he heard Lin Feng's words. He said carefully, "County Magistrate Changsun has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the Qin Mansion before he returns, so Shaoqing Lin... otherwise, you can wait for County Magistrate Changsun?"

"presumptuous!"

As soon as the bailiff finished speaking, he was angrily scolded by Han Keji!

Han Keji looked at the yamen runner coldly and said, "In terms of official rank, County Magistrate Changsun is of the fifth rank, and Shaoqing Lin is of the fourth rank. Before the order of His Majesty arrives, Shaoqing Lin should be respected. Even County Magistrate Changsun must obey Shaoqing Lin's order. How dare you stop Shaoqing Lin?"

"I...I dare not!"

How could this yamen runner dare to nod openly? Just as Han Keji said, as long as His Majesty did not explicitly state that the case would be handed over to Changsun Ping'an alone, then whoever had the highest official position would have the final say. Even Changsun Ping'an had to bow his head in front of Lin Feng, so how could this yamen runner dare to disobey?

"In terms of responsibilities, all major cases involving imperial officials should be handled by the three courts. Among the three courts, only the Dali Temple has come here. Therefore, Lin Shaoqing's investigation of this case is completely in line with the court laws. You are trying to go against the court laws by stopping Lin Shaoqing?"

The bailiff's face turned pale instantly, and his whole body trembled. He shook his head quickly: "I dare not!"

To stop Lin Feng, he could use Changsun Ping'an's order to explain it, but it was against the laws of the Tang Dynasty. If he dared to admit it, even the Lord could not save him.

Han Keji sneered, "In terms of official position and responsibility, it is only natural for Lin Shaoqing to investigate this case, so why don't you get out of the way?"

The bailiff was completely frightened by Han Keji. Upon hearing what he said, he dared not stop him and could only quickly move aside.

Seeing this, Han Keji quickly looked at Lin Feng. The moment he looked at Lin Feng, the sneer and arrogance on his face turned into respect, and he said, "Shaoqing Lin, we can go in."

Lin Feng nodded to Han Keji with satisfaction. This is the advantage of having a high official position.

When he was competing for the position of Shaoqing, he wanted to investigate Wang Jian's case, and he had to do it himself and fight those small yamen runners. But now, he doesn't need to say a word. Just a glance and someone will considerately solve everything for him.

Even if someone talked about it afterwards, they would only say that Han Keji was too domineering, and would not say anything about himself, after all, he did not say a word.

This is what is called the white gloves of officialdom.

He did not delay any longer and walked towards Qin's house while saying to the guards who were protecting him, "Guard the front and back doors and do not allow anyone to enter or leave. At the same time, search Qin's house to make sure there are no scoundrels hiding inside."

After hearing Lin Feng's words, the guards immediately understood what Lin Feng meant. Lin Feng was worried that someone might be hiding in the Qin Mansion and might do something bad to him.

They nodded without any hesitation: "I understand."

As they spoke, they rushed into the Qin Mansion before Lin Feng.

Lin Feng stood under the plaque of the Qin Mansion and looked back at the people who had gathered outside to discuss the matter. He knew that if Xiao Yu's murder was really committed by the Four Symbols Organization, then the people of the Four Symbols Organization might be hiding among these people and monitoring him.

Calculating the time, the Four Symbols Organization no longer has the time and energy to construct a complicated conspiracy to plot against itself.

This should be the last thing they do to themselves.

The outcome of this matter may directly determine their victory or defeat in the final competition.

It’s really the final crazy moment!
He took a deep breath, took one last look at the people, and then turned around and said, "Let's go!"

Never look back.

(End of this chapter)