A group of people came from all directions, pushing and shoving, and even becoming crowded.
Mainly because I heard the announcement from the soldiers, but I didn't dare to believe it.
Prince Yongyang was killed?
That is my king of the Song Dynasty, the younger brother of the Queen Mother!
Gongsun Zhao was the first to react, but his mind was also in confusion.
I feel angry at the thief's audacity and unscrupulousness.
I also feel helpless because of the frequent accidents now that the new emperor has ascended the throne.
Why are things happening one after another? It is really difficult for the new official family!
While he was in a daze, Li Yan and Qiu Wuzuo came over. Before he could speak, the sound of greetings came from the front again.
Fan Chunli came to work.
The magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, who was about to be transferred and wanted to occupy the post for the last few days, was also stunned on the spot, and then said to a group of officials: "It is my Kaifeng Prefecture Yamen's responsibility for this matter. We must recruit judges and recommend officials as soon as possible. Let's go together."
The County Prince’s Mansion will find out the situation!”
Everyone ostensibly responded in unison, then dispersed and immediately went to report the news, asking Judge Han and several other officials to come as late as possible.
Although it is impossible to completely avoid such a big event, those at the forefront are definitely the ones with the greatest pressure and the easiest to take responsibility. Only fools will get past it.
Anyway, the news that Fan Chunli is about to step down is not a secret. Whoever considers his feelings now should be wise and protect themselves!
finally.
The only ones who came to Fan Chunli were Gongsun Zhao and Qiu Zuozuo.
Looking at the cold-faced judge, Fan Chunli was a little relieved, but also worried, and whispered: "Judge Gongsun, follow me to the county prince's mansion. The first thing to do is to find out the situation. Don't be impulsive."
Gongsun Zhao had no more distracting thoughts at this time and was focused on the case. He cupped his fists and said, "Yes!"
Seeing that he didn't really listen, Fan Chunli wanted to say more, but saw someone walking over: "Mr. Fan, I want to go with you too."
Fan Chunli was a little moved: "Lin Erlang, this matter is not trivial, why do you need to get involved?"
Li Yandao: "I have participated in it and understand the details of the case. I am even more curious about the whole story of the murder of the county king... This case is related to Wuyou Cave. As a citizen of Bianjing, if I can find out the secret behind it, it will be
It’s obligatory!”
Fan Chunli was very pleased and praised: "What a duty-bound person, Lin Erlang is really noble and upright!"
Li Yan returned the courtesy: "I don't dare to take it seriously. I only do what I should do. Fan Gongmiao praised me."
With the help of these two people, Fan Chunli no longer waited for other idlers, took the capable officials and rode towards the prince's palace.
Along the way, everyone in the Kaifeng government office was serious and nervous, but many of the people on both sides were whispering to each other and looking excited. Some even opened the market in the street, and there was a vague bet about when the case would be solved.
Fan Chunli secretly smiled bitterly, because Pu Bing's shouting was too panicky before, and with the speed at which news about Bianjing spread, there would be a commotion in a day or so, and everyone in the market would know about it.
The Kaifeng government office, the Ministry of Punishment and the Dali Temple must be under tremendous pressure!
After all, if Prince Yongyang was really assassinated, the nature of it would be too bad.
No matter what the character of this relative was, he was a first-grade county king. The murder of a person of this status, in addition to the troubled times of the Five Dynasties, during the Taiping years, seems to have been traced back to the assassination of Wu Yuanheng in the Xianzong dynasty of the former Tang Dynasty.
Wu Yuanheng was Wu Zetian's great-grandson. After more than a hundred years, the Wu family's children turned out to be talented. This man was not only outstanding in appearance, but also the top scholar in high school. He was as famous as Bai Juyi in terms of poetry, and he was also a talented prime minister. He was almost perfect.
, but unfortunately because he advocated strong resistance to the vassal town, he was assassinated on the way to the Daming Palace to attend court. The dignified prime minister of the country died in front of the palace.
Fortunately, Wu Yuanheng's death did not hinder Tang Xianzong's move to reduce the vassal state. Later, the separatist warlord who sent assassins was also destroyed. Now that the Yongyang County Prince was killed, it damaged the dignity of the Song Dynasty. How long will it take to find out?
The murderer, should he be brought to justice?
With this in mind, everyone walked along Bianhe Street, turned into the east streets and alleys, and arrived at Yongyang County Prince's Mansion.
To be precise, this is not the prince's palace, but a mansion where the prince of Yong'an lives.
In Bianjing, a city with extremely overcrowded population and high housing prices, while many lower-level officials are still renting houses, the Queen Mother's brother owns at least five luxury houses, and this is just one of them.
Dongjie Alley belongs to the core area of Bianjing, with excellent geographical location and convenient transportation. Not far away is Daxiangguo Temple, and in front of the door is Tianhan Bridge, also known as Zhou Bridge. At night, the famous "zhou bridge" is formed.
"Qiao Night Market" is constantly flowing and bustling.
Gongsun Zhao observed the environment along the way and frowned slightly: "There are many people in this place, so it is not easy to take action. Why did the murderer choose this mansion and be so anxious?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Li Yan's voice coming from next to him: "It seems that the murderer is very brave and is quite impatient!"
Since the two of them had similar views, Gongsun Zhao secretly nodded and began to think about the entry point for the investigation.
Fan Chunli, the leader, was not surprised to find that they were the first to arrive, and no one from the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple saw them.
It was good this way. It was easier to talk when there were fewer people. He whispered to Gongsun Zhao who was behind him: "Judge Gongsun, next you will mainly track down the murderer of Prince Yongyang. As for Prince Yongyang's mistakes during his lifetime, just go there.
…”
Gongsun Zhao suddenly frowned: "Why is that so?"
Li Yan also listened, his expression changed slightly, but his heart was very calm.
He had already expected that Fan Chunli had a thorough understanding of the ups and downs of the officialdom, and was accustomed to covering up the overall situation.
In fact, the concept that death is a big deal has been common throughout the ages. "Everyone is dead, so what else do you want?" "The deceased is gone. Some things have passed, so let them pass..." There are many persuasion such as this.
For example, in the world of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Yizong committed a crime in the palace, which could obviously implicate the entire Wu family. Li Yan urged Li Hong to kill only one person because he also had this concern.
Killing one person means that a saint is just and exterminating relatives; killing a group of people means that a saint is unfilial and cruel. People always sympathize with the weak subconsciously. The dead are the easiest to arouse sympathy. Even if the death is innocent, there will always be a voice of tolerance.
But Li Yan was worried because the culprit, Wu Yizong, would not be spared. No one could stop him, and Fan Chunli gave in even more. Since Prince Yongyang is dead, his scandal must be covered up as much as possible, otherwise
Not to mention how Empress Dowager Xiang would react to the loss of her beloved brother, the situation between the government and the opposition would also erupt into a new round of fighting, which he absolutely did not want to see.
However, Gongsun Zhao pursed his lips and answered resolutely: "Fan Zhige, I'm afraid this won't work. The murderer dared to kill a first-grade county prince. His motive must not be simple. The most likely reason is related to the prince's past scandals. If I don't investigate those things
, that is to allow the murderer to go unpunished, and it is difficult for the two to coexist!"
Fan Chunli fell silent.
During the brief exchange, the troops arrived, and everyone looked frightened.
On the one hand, it is the identity of the deceased, and on the other hand, it is also because of the appearance of the deceased.
"The prince died so tragically! We...we dare not look closely!"
"No need to say more, lead the way quickly!"
Gongsun Zhao couldn't wait any longer, and with Pu Bing leading the way, he headed all the way to the back garden.
In this mansion, there is a huge garden, full of colorful purples and reds, green grass and clear water, and everything is unique and elegant.
Walking among the well-proportioned pavilions and pavilions, everyone could not help but fall silent.
In a place like Bianjing, where land is at a premium, and in the bustling city next to Zhouqiao Bridge, it is a bit dazzling to have such a luxurious garden.
The contrast between the inside and outside is like two worlds.
But this is not the main palace, and Xiang Zonghui's wife and children do not live here. Some of them are beautiful concubines and dancers. At this time, they were all gathered at the edge of the garden, crying softly.
But Gongsun Zhao noticed that these women felt more like fear than sadness.
The answer was soon revealed. The strong smell of blood pointed to the target. The Kaifeng Mansion Office looked up and down, and saw a rockery, with the body of Yongyang County Prince Xiang Zonghui stuck in it. Except for his ferocious face, which looked like death,
Other parts were covered in blood, and the limbs were twisted and miserable.
Fan Chunli's chest heaved and he almost vomited. The experienced officials also covered their mouths. Li Yan frowned. The only one who remained calm was Qiu Zuo.
Qiu Wuzuo looked at the corpse with Wuzuo's eyes, while Gongsun Zhao, who remained unchanged on weekdays, raised the corner of his mouth.
He thought of Xiang Ba.
Just a few months ago, Xiang Ba, the slave of Xiang Zonghui, died tragically. A few months later, the master who protected Xiang Ba also died tragically.
As for the happy manager, when he was disembowelled, his intestines were pulled out, and he was hanged on the neck, he was in a very calm mood. He did not make a wrong judgment because of the sins of the deceased, which would affect the arrest of the murderer.
I immediately suspected those women.
But at this moment, looking at Xiang Zonghui's body, Gongsun Zhao felt a surge of joy in his heart.
The judge is only responsible for judging cases and apprehending criminals. He does not have the power to judge and convict. Since Xiang Ba can escape the blame, his master, Xiang Zonghui, who is a relative of the emperor, cannot even mention it.
Gongsun Zhao actually had a premonition that even if he could grasp the evidence of the evil deeds of such a superior prince, the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple would eventually cover up the past and put pressure on the Queen Mother to let it go.
But he had no choice but to hope that the Yushi Yanguan would speak out for justice, but since he went to Ren Boyu's home, most of his expectations for the Yushi Yanguan had disappeared.
Because of this, looking at Xiang Zonghui who died as tragically as Xiang Ba, Gongsun Zhao's lips slightly raised: "This relative died well!"
"Once Xiang Zonghui is dead, the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple can no longer cover it up. As long as the truth is found out later, justice can be repaid and the people can be given an honest explanation!"
"Otherwise, will it be discovered through the conscience of the power-hungry Queen Mother? Or will it be based on those unrealistic officials?"
…
"No, what am I thinking?"
Suddenly, he was startled and his expression changed.
Especially when he saw Li Yan next to him carefully observing the corpse, a feeling of guilt suddenly filled his heart, and Gongsun Zhao coughed lightly.
As a judge of Kaifeng Prefecture, how could I have such wild thoughts?