On the way back to Qinghe Store, Xiao Chen was no longer in a hurry, but walked with Cao County Prime Minister and others.
Due to the long distance, hundreds of miles away, with Cao Xian Cheng's foot power, it would take two days instead of three days to get to Qinghe Store.
Therefore, in the stables of Shunyi County Government, they selected four horses, put the Anmin Notice on them, and set off in the direction of Qinghe Store.
This trip to Shunyi County, although for Xiao Chen, was the lowest period of his investigative career, he also gained a lot. The whole case became much clearer.
At present, he already has three directions: Jinyiwei, Tianjinwei, and the Changping Zhizhou who told the truth.
These three forces are all more or less related to Wang San's death. As long as we follow the three clues and dig deeper, the truth of the matter will be just around the corner.
Zhang Zhixian, Shunyi, should be the person sitting in the sedan chair who frequently visited Zhang Shan's house recently. Judging from the forces currently involved, whether it is Zhang Zhixian or Zhang Shanren whose whole family was killed, it is very likely that they don't know about it at all.
The truth of the whole thing.
It was just that he was guided by others in an imperceptible way to complete the construction of the murderous wall that concealed the mechanism.
Looking at Cao Xian Cheng, who was leaning sideways on the horse, Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh.
Since when have the civil servants in the imperial court become so weak? Even riding a horse has become a kind of torture?
He clamped his legs together, urging the good horse under his crotch to take a few steps forward, and stretched out his hand to straighten Cao Xian Cheng's body.
"Cao Xiancheng, do you feel a little resentful towards me now? Why do I have to involve you in such a hard job?"
"No, no." Cao Xian Cheng was startled and said quickly: "Zhixian Zhang is no longer here. I should have been the one to take part in this kind of thing, otherwise I would hate the knight."
Xiao Chen smiled, reached out and took the reins of the horse ridden by Cao County Cheng in his hand, trying to make the horse walk on a smooth road.
"But before, Magistrate Zhang used to ride in a sedan whenever he went on inspections. But now, having Magistrate Cao ride a horse is really a bit of a hardship."
"Well, I used to have plenty of time, but today is already the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. If I were to go to Qinghe Town in a sedan chair, I might have to pass the year on the road." Cao Xian Cheng said with a wry smile.
Xiao Chen's words suddenly changed: "The county magistrate should be an eighth-rank official of the imperial court. How much is his monthly salary?"
"Alas, the whole family will starve to death just because they have enough to eat."
"Then I see, the banquet at your house that day was very sumptuous. There was everything from chicken, duck, fish and goose. The black dish in the middle should be sea cucumber."
Cao Xian Cheng felt a thump in his heart and his scalp felt a little numb.
Although throughout the imperial court, from top to bottom, plucking the feathers of wild geese was already a common practice that everyone was well aware of, but being asked about it in person like this made me feel a little uncomfortable.
"Oh, that's all family money. Our Cao family also has some properties in Shunyi County, so we are considered a wealthy family." Cao County Prime Minister had an idea and prevaricated.
"Haha, it's good to have a good background."
Cao Xian Cheng's expression suddenly changed. Why didn't these words sound pleasant to the ears?!
Feeling that Cao Xian Cheng was a little distracted, Xiao Chen changed his tone and said, "Actually, officialdom is just that. Everyone has been raised like this, so they have become accustomed to it and are no longer surprised. The court has not sent new officials to Shunyi County yet.
Before becoming the county magistrate, county government affairs were all handled by Cao County Magistrate. This is a rare opportunity."
After hearing this, a smile appeared on Cao Xian Cheng's face: "If I can successfully become the county magistrate, the position of Shunyi County police chief will be reserved for the knights."
Xiao Chen's skills subdued everyone present that day. If he could be recruited under his command, not only could he improve the security of Shunyi County, but his personal safety would be more guaranteed.
"Okay. Magistrate Cao County, work hard first. When you become the magistrate of Cao County, I will definitely congratulate you from the Shunyi County Yamen." Xiao Chen accepted the words with a smile.
Immediately, he asked again: "This county magistrate usually goes out on inspections alone, doesn't he take Cao County Cheng with him?"
"Alas, when it comes to Zhang Zhixian, it's really a pity."
"how do I say this?"
"Zhang Zhixian has been in office for three years in Shunyi County, and it can almost be said that he has a breath of fresh air. He left like this, and I feel a little sad in my heart."
Hearing this, Xiao Chen felt a little surprised.
For a person who is eyeing his own position to comment like this, it seems that Zhang Zhixian was not really involved in this conspiracy.
"It's only been three years?" Xiao Chen said.
"Yes, Zhang Zhixian is from Yangzhou, the same hometown as the Changping Zhizhou Lord. Since he took office, he has worked hard and loved the people like his own son, but he has ended up like this. It is really unexpected."
Listening to what Cao Xiancheng said, the thoughts in Xiao Chen's mind became clearer and clearer.
It was probably the Changping Magistrate, or his superiors, who instructed Zhang Magistrate to repair the waterlogged road in Qinghedian, and then use the dilapidated houses to affect the appearance of the entire Qinghedian town, and heighten the entire wall.
At the same time, Zhang Shanren was recommended to donate to this project and supervise the completion on site. Therefore, every time he inspected Qinghe Town, County Magistrate Zhang would visit Zhang Shanren’s house to express his gratitude.
When I think about it this way, the whole thing becomes much clearer.
But, every time Magistrate Zhang came to Qinghe Store, what happened to the people riding Tianjin Guards horses around him? Who arranged it?
In the Shunyi County government stable, Xiao Chen secretly checked the iron paws of the horses in the stable, but there was no mark on them.
"Every time Magistrate Cao County and County Magistrate Zhang go out for inspection, do they bring their superiors with them?" Xiao Chen asked.
"There are four government servants carrying the sedan chair, and there is no one else."
"Oh, it doesn't count as raising an army to mobilize a crowd." Xiao Chen responded.
Two hours later, a few people arrived at Qinghe Store. Through chatting along the way, Cao Xian Cheng also became familiar with Xiao Chen.
"Brother Chen, this is my first time coming to this Qinghe store. Could you please tell me where to put the notice?"
"There are not too many residents in Qinghedian. Just walk around the street and let everyone see the people from the Shunyi County government. As for the notice, just post it on the notice board at the entrance of the town."
"Thank you, Brother Chen. Then I will do as you say. Do you want to go for a walk with us?"
"No, my family must be very concerned about my two days away. Mr. Cao County Cheng should go and take care of business. I'm going home right now." After saying that, he jumped off the horse, handed the reins to Mr. Cao County Cheng's hand, turned around and left.
.
In the small courtyard of the Wang family, Patriarch Wang stared seriously at the trampled snow in front of him, which had almost turned into ice.
"First move this snow to the yard. The stove in the living room is too hot. If it melts, all your hard work of getting it back will be in vain."
"Okay." Butler Wang responded, picked up the snow and walked towards the yard.
Behind him was Xiao Yu, also known as San'er, who was jumping up and down.