"It's actually chalcopyrite! This is really a big deal!"
Lin Fan said in shock.
"Sir, this brass is an important material for casting copper coins. It is extremely expensive on the market. Many dignitaries like to use copperware."
"Although the imperial court has express regulations prohibiting the private use of brass, no one can say for sure that the Liu family secretly mined brass, made it into brass utensils, and sold it."
Jin Yiwei said in a deep voice, they also realized that this matter had become complicated.
“Do you think the Liu family would be stupid enough to sell brass?
There is definitely something fishy in this mine, and there may be a complete workshop for casting copper coins!"
"No wonder so many workers died. The Liu family had no intention of saving them. Instead, they wanted them all to die because they were worried that this matter would be exposed!"
Lin Fan said coldly.
"Sir! This Liu family is really hateful. Let's go back now and see how the brothers' interrogation goes!"
One person said coldly.
"Don't worry, I think there are still secrets here. Let's explore more carefully and don't ignore any clues!"
Lin Fan said in a deep voice.
"yes!"
The Jin Yiwei took the order and continued to explore the surroundings. Not long after, a Jin Yiwei came back and reported: "Sir, there are obvious traces of wheels passing by on the top of the mountain!"
"Moreover, the traces of the wheels disappeared halfway up the mountain. Although some footprints continued, there were not many, and they disappeared intermittently."
"We continued to track down and found nothing unusual. There are no villages at the foot of the mountain. Moreover, the mountain is steep. It would be unrealistic for someone to transport brass from there!"
kindness?
Hearing what Jin Yiwei said, Lin Fan couldn't help but frown. If no one was transporting brass there, why were there still traces of wheels?
Moreover, it is at the top of the mountain, and the Liu family would not be stupid enough to transport brass to the top of the mountain for no reason!
"Okay, the investigation here is almost done. Let's go back to Baihu Division. I want to see. Now that the evidence is conclusive, what else can the Liu family say?"
Lin Fan said coldly.
Then, he took the Jin Yiwei back to Baihu Si Yamen. At this time, in the prison, the Liu family members were being interrogated by the Jin Yiwei.
"Hmph! You Jin Yiwei are really impudent and bold. You dare to arrest my whole family without any evidence!"
"Our Liu family has connections with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs. Just wait for the people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs to cause trouble for you!"
Liu Hu, the head of the Liu family, said coldly.
When he first arrived at the Jinyiwei prison, he was still a little scared, but when he saw that the Jinyiwei did not torture him, Liu Hu felt more confident and dared to make a fuss.
The Jin Yiwei said coldly: "Shut up! We, the Jin Yiwei, represent the imperial power. What happened to arresting you guys?"
Answer our questions honestly!”
"Haha! What's the answer?
It is true that many people died in our Liu family's mine, and we have paid compensation to the families of those people, and we have a clear conscience!"
Liu Hu said with a sneer.
If the family members of the deceased went to report to the official, the Liu family would indeed be in some trouble, but since they had already paid compensation, who would go to report to the official?
"If we had no evidence that the Liu family had broken the law, we would not have come to arrest you. Please answer the questions honestly. If you dare to make any loud noise again, believe it or not, we will torture you now!"
Jin Yiwei scolded.
"Haha! If you dared to use torture, you would have done it just now, why wait until now!"
Liu Hu sneered.
"No need to wait, just torture this old boy!"
Lin Fan came back at this time and asked Jin Yiwei to torture him directly.
The Jin Yiwei who was scolded just now was furious. After hearing Lin Fan's order, he hurriedly stood up and saluted, and then went to get various torture instruments.
this……
Liu Hu was shocked and kept moving back. Then he was placed on a stool by Jin Yiwei, who was wrapped in chains. Jin Yiwei held a cane in his hand and was ready to beat him.
"Marquis Wu! Lord Marquis Wu, where did our Liu family offend you? Please tell me a lot, don't be like us!"
"Our Liu family does have some money. If Mr. Wuhou is short of money, I will send him one million taels of silver when I go back. Mr. Wuhou, please forgive me!"
Liu Hu begged for mercy.
Lin Fan sneered and said: "A gentleman loves money and gets it wisely. Your Liu family is a business family. The money you earn is what you deserve. How can I steal it?"
"However, the things that your Liu family does behind the scenes are intolerable to me, Marquis Wu. After all, where have all the chalcopyrite you mine been transported to?"
kindness!
Upon hearing the word chalcopyrite, Liu Hu's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said: "This! This is impossible! Mr. Wuhou, you must be mistaken. Where can we find chalcopyrite in the Liu family!"
"Master Wuhou, our Liu family only has iron ore and coal mines, and no other mines. Mining brass is illegal, and our Liu family will never dare to do it!"
Liu Haoran, who had been sitting in the prison with a normal expression before, stood up and walked over, saying coldly: "Humph! Is this the Jin Yiwei?
Is there any royal law for falsely accusing others at will?"
"Hmph! You guys are pretty good at pretending. Lord Wuhou took us to your mine. Among the three mines, one was confirmed to be chalcopyrite!"
"Continue to quibble. I think you don't take Jin Yiwei seriously. Brothers, beat me! Beat me hard!"
Jin Yiwei said coldly.
Snapped!
ah!
The Jin Yiwei began to beat Liu Hu with a cane. Liu Hu screamed repeatedly as he was beaten. Liu Haoran showed panic when he saw his father being beaten.
Previously, he didn't believe that Jin Yiwei dared to take action. After all, their family's relationship was not weak, and Jin Yiwei had to be somewhat wary. Now that the cane was whipped on his father's body, he realized the seriousness of the matter.
Liu Haoran said in a deep voice: "Master Wuhou, although the mine is the property of our Liu family, it does not mean that our Liu family knows everything about the mine!"
"Haha! What a joke! It's your Liu family's property, but you yourself don't know the conditions in the mines. Do you think I, Marquis Wu, are a fool?"
Lin Fan sneered.
Liu Haoran was silent for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "Master Wuhou, although this mine belongs to my Liu family, people from the Ministry of War are actually involved in it. Otherwise, how could my Liu family cooperate so closely with the Ministry of War!"
"I wonder if someone from the Ministry of War is behind this!"
Liu Haoran's answer reminded Lin Fan that in history, there were many officials who undermined the interests of the imperial court for their own benefit.
The officials of the Ministry of War were in deeper trouble. If they mined brass without telling the Liu family, they would not be able to stop it given the strength of the Liu family. They would not get a single cent of the brass business.