Tang Dynasty detective

Chapter 222

Kang Xu glanced at the crowd coldly, slapped the gavel abruptly, and said seriously: "Although I am a small county magistrate, I represent the laws of the Tang Dynasty! As the saying goes, 'A prince breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the common people!', In my place, even the relatives of the emperor must behave well, not to mention you are just a Hanlin scholar with no real power? The reason why I let you stand here is because you drafted the edict for the sake of the Holy Majesty. If you want to Stay here, just stay on the sidelines honestly, I will treat each other with courtesy. But I have something to say first, if there are any rude people, I will punish them as contempt of court according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty!"

Tao Ruozhu was dumbfounded by what Kang Xu said, and even Lu Jitong looked at him in surprise, with praise in his eyes.

Tao Ruozhu's face turned blue and white. As a scholar of the Imperial Academy, he turned to draft the imperial edict. Although he has no real power, he has a reputation. How can he not be respected by others?

Unexpectedly, in such a small place as Zhengyang County, I would touch a dust on the nose.

But he was still powerless to refute what Kang Xu said.

According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, the prince broke the law and committed the same crime as the common people, let alone his little Hanlin scholar?

"I was rude just now, Lord Li, don't blame me."

Tao Ruozhu was not a pedantic Confucian scholar, so he could tell that Kang Xu was a tough guy, and he definitely could not be subdued by power.

What's more, the murder of my little sister still needs the other party to find out the real culprit.

Tao Ruozhu spoke in a more polite tone, he muttered a few words to the guards, and after the guards nodded, they hurried away.

"When I came back from Chang'an, I heard that my little sister was killed. I was filled with grief and indignation, so I rushed in rashly. I didn't mean to run into the yamen. I hope Mr. Li is not to blame." Tao Ruozhu saluted Kang Xu and said deeply.

Tao Ruozhu's sudden change surprised everyone, and his attitude changed a little too quickly, everyone couldn't help but slander, this person's ability to observe words and emotions is really extraordinary.

Kang Xu sat in the warm pavilion, nodded to Tao Ruozhu, and said, "I am going to try the case of Lingmei's murder today. Since Tao Xueshi is here, I can save myself asking my father to come. .”

Tao Ruozhu's body trembled involuntarily, and he said in surprise, "Could it be that Mr. Li has already found out the murderer who killed my little sister?"

Kang Xu glanced at Lu Jitong in the courtroom, and said in a deep voice: "Whether it is the murderer that needs to be tried, but he is the most suspected person in this case. Since the bachelor came to ask about Lingmei's murder, the judge will now That's the trial."

Tao Ruozhu pondered for a while, then said solemnly: "If my lord really finds out the murderer, and give my sister justice, I will thank you very much!"

Kang Xu ordered someone to move a chair for him, let him sit aside, then slapped the gavel, and said, "Lu Jitong, you are suspected of killing Tao Zhaoxue, and now the evidence is convincing, what else do you have to say?"

Tao Ruozhu was surprised when he saw that the person in the hall was Lu Jitong.

"It's you?"

Tao Ruozhu looked at Lu Jitong incredulously, and asked Kang Xu in bewilderment, "My lord, is the murderer you mentioned really him?"

Lu Jitong looked as usual, he smiled at Tao Ruozhu, and said calmly: "Brother Tao, I haven't seen you for many years, how have you been?"

Tao Ruozhu's face was a bit ugly, he stared at Lu Jitong, and said deeply: "Brother Lu, let me ask you, how did Zhaoxue die?"

Lu Jitong shook his head and sighed, "Your sister... died a miserable death. You can ask your lord for details."

Tao Ruozhu's face was slightly cold, he said angrily: "Don't pretend to be confused, did you kill Zhaoxue?"

Lu Jitong frowned slightly, he also stared at Tao Ruozhu, and said seriously: "Brother Tao, do you think Lingmei was killed by me?"

Tao Ruozhu fell silent, looked at Kang Xu who was silent, and said coldly: "Whether you really killed Zhaoxue, I don't know, but if Zhaoxue really died by your hands, I will I will never forgive you!"

"Brother Tao, you and I grew up together, and you should be more aware of who I am." Lu Jitong sighed.

"Knowing people and faces but not heart, let the adults decide right and wrong." Tao Ruozhu's eyes were filled with anger, he stared at Lu Jitong coldly, and angrily shook off his sleeves.

Kang Xu glanced at the two of them, and he coughed faintly: "Since this case happened within the scope of my jurisdiction, I will investigate it clearly, give you an explanation, and give justice to the deceased."

"Lu Jitong, four days ago you took the risk of killing Tao Zhaoxue, did you recruit or not?" Kang Xu asked.

"I still say the same thing, as long as my lord can produce evidence, I will admit it naturally." Lu Jitong held his head high, with no fear on his face.

"Okay, I will show you the evidence." Kang Xu ordered Xiaowu to hand over the testimony of Dongmei and Zhang Hebi to Lu Jitong, and said, "This is the testimony of Tao Zhaoxue's maid and Zhang Hebi. It is difficult to see that the time and place agreed by the two are known to outsiders, and this is also being used by the murderer. The murderer had ambushed in the bamboo forest outside the city in advance, and only waited for Tao Zhaoxue to go, then took him away, and Zhang Hebi chased him away. By the time it arrived, Tao Zhaoxue had already disappeared."

"My lord, forgive me for speaking bluntly. Your words are full of loopholes and cannot be used as testimony. First of all, the time agreed between Tao Zhaoxue and Brother Zhang is a secret, so how can it be known by outsiders? Yes, Brother Zhang did tell me that he The elopement with Tao Zhaoxue was limited to this, and the specific time and place were not disclosed to me. Secondly, how did your lord confirm that Tao Zhaoxue had been to the bamboo forest? How did you determine that she did not leave by herself, but was taken away by someone? of it?" Lu Jitong asked calmly.

Kang Xu frowned slightly, Lu Jitong's sharp mind was indeed different from ordinary people.

He took out Tao Zhaoxue's silk and said, "I am here to answer your question. First of all, no one else knows about Zhang Hebi's elopement with Tao Zhaoxue except you. What's more, when Zhang Hebi revealed the news , What he said when he was drunk, only you know best. Secondly, the reason why I concluded that Tao Zhaoxue was kidnapped was because I found this in the bamboo forest."

Showing the silk to everyone, Kang Xu said in a deep voice, "This silk is owned by Tao Zhaoxue. When I found it, it was hidden under a pile of bamboo leaves. It was deliberately hidden. According to the situation at the scene, it is It was Tao Zhaoxue who was coerced and left clues in desperation."

Tao Ruozhu looked at the silk silk carefully, and lamented: "This is indeed Zhaoxue's belongings. This silk silk was a gift from Chang'an' Brocade Spinning last time when I went home to visit relatives. The writing on it , was embroidered by Zhaoxue herself."

Kang Xu nodded, and said, "That's right, I also asked Tao Zhaoxue's personal maid, and it was confirmed that this is indeed Tao Zhaoxue's belonging."

(End of this chapter)