Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

"Second uncle, let's go back and have a good rest. Let the shopkeepers keep an eye on the business matters. Don't tire yourself out."

"Thank you for your love, Duke Guo. The common people dare not obey your orders."

After getting off the ship and entering the inner city of Jinling, Xue Wen said goodbye to Jia Cong. On the way, he learned that under Jia Cong's operation, the Xue family had regained the title of "Ziwei Sheren". He was overjoyed and his confidence in him increased a bit. .

Jia Cong then took people back to Dingguo Mansion, which was the former Ningguo Mansion, and had already been given to him by the emperor.

When we arrived at the Bell and Drum Tower, a young woman suddenly emerged from the dense crowd on the roadside, stopped and knelt in front of Jia Cong's horse, and shouted: "I beg Master Qingtian to make the decision!"

Call! The white horse's front legs left the ground, the man stood up, and took two steps back.

Jia Cong reacted very quickly. Although the incident happened suddenly, he reined in his mount in time and did not hit anyone.

"Be bold!"

Du Dapeng and other soldiers were startled, thinking that there was an assassin, and hurriedly surrounded Jia Cong to protect her. They each held Mo Dao to hold the woman down. Several others had already dismounted, and they were grabbing people and pushing them to the ground.

The rest of the soldiers dispersed, brandishing their swords and shouting, instantly forcing the surrounding people back, forming an empty circle on the street.

Jia Cong raised his hand and pressed it softly, glared at everyone, and said: "A weak woman has frightened you like this, retreat."

He immediately looked at the woman underground and said, "Who are you and why are you blocking my way?"

The woman kowtowed and sobbed: "Sun, a civilian girl, was framed by the Jinling magistrate because her father and brother were framed and beaten to death. Her life is at stake. I ask Master Qingtian to make the decision."

Jia Cong looked around. He had always kept a low profile when traveling. Today, he didn't wear official uniforms or hold up his official title. Why was he being stopped from complaining?

Because he said, "Why don't you go to the Inspector's Yamen or the Governor's Yamen to file a complaint if you have a grievance? What are you doing to stop me?"

Sun said: "Your Excellency, the daughter of the people has already gone to various government offices to submit petitions. However, I heard that I was suing the prefect of Jinling, but nothing happened."

Jia Cong said: "Can you go to Jinyiwei Yamen to file a complaint?"

"Back to my lord, the civilian girl has gone. I heard from the strongman at the door that the admiral of the capital came to Jinling in person to supervise a major case and had no time to take the civilian girl's complaint.

He asked the girl to go back after a while. The girl was worried about her father and brother's life, so she had the courage to block the street and complain. "

Jia Cong said: "How do you know I can avenge you?"

"Your Excellency has always enforced the law strictly and was selfless. He will definitely be able to clear up the grievances of the daughter and her family." Mrs. Sun said loudly.

"Hey, do you know who I am?" Jia Cong asked curiously.

"Although I don't know your lord's golden face, my name is the most talented man in the world. Even if a common girl is in the boudoir, she is like thunder. Besides, except for your lord, no one in Jinling City has such a majestic retinue." Mrs. Sun looked at the soldiers on the left and right. .

"You are quite smart." Jia Cong smiled and said, "Well, come with me to the Yamen." After saying that, the horse's head went off, and Mrs. Sun quickly got up and followed.

Jia Cong originally wanted to go home and rest, but because Sun complained, he changed his route to Fuyamen, Jinlingwei Town.

In the hall, Jia Cong looked at Mrs. Sun up and down. He saw that she was about seventeen or eighteen years old, well-dressed, with a good face, a determined look, and a strong bookish air. He felt quite fond of her and said, "You have read the book." ? Just stand and answer."

Ms. Sun quickly stood up and said, "A civilian girl has been studying with her father and brother at home for several years, and she knows a few words."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "It turns out you are a young lady from a scholarly family. What grievances do you have?"

Sun said: "My daughter is originally from Jinling, my father was elected in the 18th year of Changtai, and my brother is also a filial and honest person from this province, and his family background is quite good.

Because the new prefect of Jinling heard somewhere that... I heard that a civilian girl... forced someone to come to his door and wanted to take her as a concubine.

My father is not a person who likes to follow people's influence, so he naturally refused. Unexpectedly, misfortune fell from the sky, and he was framed and falsely accused by others, and the prefect made a raft out of it.

He deprived his father and brother of their fame and put them in a prison, where they tortured them day and night until they were tortured. He said... Unless the daughter of the people commits the crime, the family will be destroyed. "After saying that, I couldn't help sobbing.

Jia Cong asked: "What are your father and brother's crimes?"

"They say they are resisting the New Deal and obstructing the new law."

Jia Cong frowned slightly and said, "Did your family obstruct the new law?"

Sun said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, since the prefect's Yamen beheaded many aristocratic families and implemented the new law last year, who in the south of the Yangtze River dares to do this without his head?

What's more, our family is a humble person, we have always obeyed the law and paid all the money, grain and taxes in full. We would never dare to obstruct the new law.

My father and brothers also often praised this method for taking the wealth of a wealthy family and relieving the world's emergencies. It was indeed a very benevolent method. "

Jia Cong pondered for a moment, he had to be cautious when it came to the new law, not to mention that he might not be able to believe only one side of the story. He was about to take over the case first, when he suddenly heard Qiao Yin coughing slightly, looking a little weird.

"What's the matter?" Jia Cong glared at him.

Qiao Yin hurriedly walked to him, bowed and whispered: "Sir, I have known about this case for a long time, but because the new Jinling prefect has some background, he has never intervened."

"Say." Jia Cong smiled coldly.

"After the previous prefect, Jia Yucun, was executed for killing gentry, being greedy and ruthless, this prefect was transferred from Suzhou by the former governor of Liangjiang, Gu Tao. He was a member of the new party and was highly trusted.

Now that Mr. Gu has entered the military aircraft office, the tide has risen and all boats have risen. It is difficult to move lightly for fear of offending Gu Zhongtang. "Qiao Yin said.

Jia Cong frowned and said calmly: "When does my guard need to look at people's faces when handling a case?"

Qiao Yin could hear the dissatisfaction in his words and hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, if it's just Gu Zhongtang, then Magistrate Li and Master Lin also have a deep relationship."

Jia Cong was stunned: "Ru Hai Gong?"

Qiao Yin nodded and said softly: "Prefect Li's mother-in-law's surname is Lin. She comes from the Lin family in Suzhou. She is Ru Haigong's biological eldest sister. Therefore, she does not dare to act rashly despite her humble position."

Jia Cong didn't expect that Magistrate Li was actually Lin Ruhai's nephew and son-in-law, so he was also a relative of himself?

In the hall, Mrs. Sun saw the two people above her whispering, and saw Jia Cong's expression suddenly changed, and her heart felt cold. Does the Duke Dingguo, who is said to have descended to earth from Wenquxingjun according to the common people, also need to be guarded by officials?

Where else in the world can justice be redressed?

Jia Cong glanced at Sun's expression out of the corner of his eye and was suddenly shocked. If he bent the law for personal gain, what would be the difference from Jia Yucun's trial of the gourd case?

He said hurriedly: "Ms. Sun, there is no need to panic. If there is any grievance, I will make the decision for you. Qiao Yin, go to Jinling Mansion to take over the case."

"Yes." Qiao Yin hurriedly bowed and agreed, then whispered: "Sir, if the Jinling Mansion doesn't let him go..."

Jia Cong glanced at him sideways, with a hint of a smile on his lips, and said: "Qiao Yin, you are already a grown man, and you still want me to teach you how to run errands?"

Qiao Yin secretly complained in his heart. Today, he looked forward and backward in front of the Lord. He said quickly: "Don't worry, Sir. I will handle this case well, and I will never disgrace the prestige of our Jin Yiwei."

"Go." Jia Cong waved his hand.

Qiao Yin hurriedly ordered the men and horses, and then went away like the wind, feeling annoyed that he had forgotten his master's temperament.

Last time I came back to Jinling, I even killed countless members of my family, let alone a mere nephew and son-in-law of my father-in-law? No matter how great the family ties and the dignity of the new party are, how can they be greater than the power of the adults?

Thinking of this section, Qiao Yin secretly felt cruel. Since the adults were not merciful, what did she have to worry about? Who the hell didn't have the foresight to just take it.

"Thank you, sir, for making the decision!" Seeing Qiao Yin take the order and go out, Mrs. Sun quickly bowed and kowtowed, her eyes filled with tears and she couldn't help herself. Jia Cong smiled and said: "If I can't handle such a small case like yours, why should I be an official? Come on, do you have a place to live?"

"Sir, all the property of the common girl was confiscated by the Jinling Mansion. She is homeless and is currently staying at the Yuelai Inn in the city."

Jia Cong shook his head and said: "Now that you are an important witness in this case, it is not safe to live outside.

From now on until the case is concluded, you will stay at the Yin Hotel in Fuyamen, Zhenfu. It will be convenient to be summoned, and you won’t have to spend money on food and accommodation, not to mention you don’t have to worry about night-time intruders. "

The Yin Hotel is similar to a guest house in a government office. It is often prepared for colleagues who come here for business trips or offices from other places. The conditions of Jinyiwei's guest house are naturally superior.

Ms. Sun was startled. How dare she live in Jinyiwei Yamen? She hurriedly waved her hand and said: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. How dare a civilian girl to overstep her bounds? I don't need to bother you, a civilian girl can stay in an inn."

Jia Cong said: "You will stay if I ask you to. Could it be that what you said is untrue and you have a guilty conscience?"

Mrs. Sun said hurriedly: "Every word of a common girl is true. If you lie, I am willing to accept the sword and axe."

"That's enough. There's nothing wrong with you, and you don't have to be afraid to live in the Palace of Hell. Just live with peace of mind. When the truth comes out, I will give you an explanation."

"The daughter of the people will obey your orders." Seeing Jia Cong's righteousness, Mrs. Sun felt relieved and hurriedly agreed.
-
The next morning, after Jia Cong finished practicing his martial arts at home, Du Dapeng and several other soldiers hurriedly gathered around him to help him wipe his sweat, change his clothes, and pack his weapons.

"My lord, Qiao Zhenfu has been waiting for half an hour to see you," Du Dapeng said.

"Tell him to wait." Jia Cong waved his hand and went back to his room to change clothes and wash up before Shi Shiran went out to the study to meet the visitor.

"For your humble position, please see your Lord Admiral." When Qiao Yin saw Jia Cong coming out, he hurriedly knelt down.

"No need." Jia Cong sat down, took a sip of tea, and asked, "How is the Zhen family's case going?"

"My lord, the Jinling Guards and others are doing their best to search the property of the Zhen family and arrest their direct descendants. They have also written to all the guards in the south of the Yangtze River to fully cooperate with the inspection.

At present, Zhen's people and property in Jinling Mansion have been thoroughly inspected. "Qiao Yin said.

Jia Cong nodded and said, "What about the case yesterday?"

"Back to your lord, I took someone to Jinling Mansion yesterday to take over the case. As soon as the suspect was found guilty, the file has been brought back to the guard." Qiao Yin glanced at Jia Cong carefully, but stopped talking.

"But it doesn't matter." Jia Cong waved his hand.

"Yes, Magistrate Li previously thought that he was just coming to the door to cause trouble on his own initiative, and he was not very cooperative.

He said that this was a local government affair that had nothing to do with me. It was not until I heard that it was the Admiral Jun that he relaxed and allowed me to take the prisoner away due to his humble position. He also asked me to bring you a message. "Qiao Yin said.

Jia Cong snorted softly and said, "What are you talking about?"

"I told you to say hello and I will visit you today."

Jia Cong said calmly: "What is this Li... about?"

"Li Chao, formerly the prefect of Suzhou." Qiao Yin said hurriedly.

Jia Cong was stunned and frowned: "This person sounds familiar. Have you dealt with me before?"

Qiao Yin hurriedly smiled and said: "Your Majesty is busy with things, so it is normal for such a small person to forget. He has no contact with me, but he has some connections with a girl in your family."

"Huh? Who?"

"Master Miaoyu." Qiao Yin said: "According to the files submitted by thousands of households in Suzhou, Magistrate Li not only married Ruhaigong's niece when he was in Suzhou, but he also had some ill health.

He especially likes girls from scholarly families, and often uses coercion and inducement to get what he wants. Later, due to the power of the wife in the family, he often abandons those girls like worn shoes. Two or three girls could not bear the humiliation and even took their lives.

Although Master Miaoyu was a monk, he couldn't bear the disturbance, so he went far away to Shenjing to avoid trouble. "

Jia Cong smiled coldly. He was a thief who knew nothing about life and death. He remembered that Miaoyu had mentioned this person's name to him when he was plucking plum blossoms at Cong Cui'an. He had so many things to do that he forgot about it later. Unexpectedly, it happened to him again today. inside.

Because he said: "So Sun's case is also an unjust case?"

"That's true. I ordered people to review Sun's case files overnight and summoned his neighbors.

Mr. Sun had always been charitable, approachable, and tolerant of the tenants. He even took the initiative to go to the Yamen to report and request for the implementation of the new law, without any attempt to resist the law.

This case is indeed framed and fabricated out of thin air. "Qiao Yin bowed and glanced at Jia Cong again: "It's just..."

"explain."

"It's just that Sun Yuanwai was severely tortured in Jinling Mansion. When we saw him yesterday, it was found that his body was full of ulcers from the waist down. Although he has been diagnosed and treated by our good doctors, he is afraid that... he will not be able to recover, but his son's life is not in danger."

Qiao Yin thought that Jia Cong was interested in the Sun family, and was afraid that if she failed in her job and someone died in her own hands, she hurriedly passed the responsibility to the Jinling Mansion.

Jia Cong frowned slightly, sighed softly, and said: "Go back and comfort Mrs. Sun, and place her father and brother in the Yin Hotel for recuperation, so that the family can be reunited.

Tell her that all of her family's property will be returned to her in good measure. As for this case, it is not yet time to vindicate the case, so let her calm down for a while. The governor knows it well. "

In fact, murderous intent had already surged in his heart. However, Li Chao's identity was sensitive. If he were to question him suddenly, it might lead to unpredictable consequences.

It didn't matter if he offended Lin Ruhai, but he was afraid that the new party would mistakenly think that he had the intention to start a war, and it would also involve the overall situation of Jiangnan's new law, so he didn't dare to make any move.

Qiao Yin thought he was just talking and said hurriedly: "Don't worry, sir. I will take great pains to make a clear distinction between you and Miss Sun, so that there will be no estrangement between them."

Jia Cong glared at him: "What's the estrangement? That's bullshit. I'm worried that if she's unyielding and obsessed with avenging her father, she may be harmed by others in the future."

"Yes, yes, your Excellency has a kind heart and far-reaching views. However, he is short-sighted due to his humble position and failed to understand. I am ashamed and ashamed. I will secretly watch over Miss Sun in the future to ensure her safety."

Qiao Yin hurriedly bowed and said, thinking that the adults were ruthless and ruthless, and since they had already cherished the fragrance and cherished the jade, there was no guarantee that they would not want to taste the folk flavor in the future, so they had to take good care of the person and save it for future contributions.

Seeing his "I understand" expression, Jia Cong shook his head and cursed: "You bastard, the governor is so hungry and want to take possession of a decent-looking girl like Li Chao? Ridiculous! "

Isn’t it? Qiao Yin secretly slandered and said with an innocent face: "Sir, I have no intention of being humble. Who is Li Chao? How can he be compared with you?"

Jia Cong opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain. He simply waved his hand and said, "Let's put aside the Sun case for now and let's talk about Li Chao."

Although it was inconvenient to touch him at the moment, Jia Cong had already marked this man with a red cross in his heart, and he would only find an opportunity to kill him after returning to Beijing to discuss with Pang Chao.

Whether it was to uphold justice for the victimized woman or to finish his promise to Miaoyu, this person must die.

Jia Cong even had a vague intuition that if he didn't kill this person as soon as possible, given his close relationship with Lin Ruhai and the New Party, he would only be afraid of long nights and many dreams, and unintended consequences.

"Yes. Li Chao came from a poor family. He was a Jinshi in the second year of Xifeng and was a disciple of the New Party. When he took the Jinling Provincial Examination, his tutor was Gu Tao, then the Minister of Rites, and when he took the joint examination, his tutor was Dong Zhongtang, who is now here. A direct descendant of the New Party.

Not only was this man a master of writing, he was also quite talented in government affairs.

When he was in Wu County, he helped the people, provided disaster relief, and arrested traitors and thieves. He was not afraid of powerful people and was decisive and bright. He was highly valued by Gu Tao. When he was the governor of Liangjiang, he promoted him to the prefect of Suzhou and recommended him to Ruhai Gongmen. There are... The meaning of matchmaking. "

Qiao Yin did not dare to hide anything and said honestly. Because Lin Daiyu was involved, he was afraid of offending Jia Cong, so he quickly added: "These were reported by Ye Qing from Qianhu in Suzhou."

Jia Cong didn't expect that this man would almost become Lin Ruhai's son-in-law, so he sneered and said, "Go on."

This ignorant bitch dares to steal the jade from the governor, poaching a corner and actually poaching me, seeking death!
He completely forgot that he was still in another world at that time, so Li Chao had another murderous crime on his head. (End of chapter)