Chapter 1544: Darkness

Taiping Mansion is located on the edge of the Yangtze River, with smooth waterways, and the communication with Jinling is very convenient.

Zhang Yuqing, the magistrate, is over forty years old. He is considered a veteran official, but his promotion is weak. Watching the new emperor ascend the throne, all kinds of people were demoted and promoted, but he remained the same.

"Where are Xing Hebo's whereabouts?"

Early in the morning, Zhang Yuqing asked about it. But Xue Dong, his staff member, shook his head helplessly and said, "My lord, I'm still playing on Donglu Mountain."

Zhang Yuqing said with a smile: "With beauty by my side, Xing Hebo is naturally happy, hahahaha!"

Xue Dong nodded, and then the two began to discuss what to do today.

 …

After a day of hard work, Zhang Yuqing returned home exhausted. His wife and children had been waiting at the dinner table for a long time.

"My husband has worked hard."

Smiling, Wang brought the maid over, and helped Zhang Yuqing change and wash.

"Father."

Sixteen-year-old Zhang Fei looks very young, but he has the highest qualifications among the scholars in Taiping Mansion, and Zhang Yuqing's pride.

"Where did you go today?"

Zhang Yuqing sat at the dining table and asked.

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Today, my boy went to the river with a few friends to play, and then we discussed articles."

Zhang Yuqing said with satisfaction: "Not bad, but the water is cold now, so be careful not to fall into the water."

"Yes, father. However, a few boats have come here today, and they seem to be going to dig mud."

There is white clay in Taiping Mansion, which is why the official kiln was established here.

"Let's eat."

Zhang Yuqing nodded, and the family began to eat in silence.

After eating, Zhang Yuqing went to the study.

The night in Taiping Mansion is very lonely, unless it is a banquet, otherwise one can only pass the time by reading.

After reading the book for a long time, Zhang Yuqing suddenly closed it, and on the cover was a summary of the imperial examination articles, but he sighed: "The way of science is indeed mysterious, but it is a pity that the times are not good. The Mohists have become artisans. If you want to get ahead, Easier said than done!"

At this time, someone outside whispered: "Master, someone is here."

Zhang Yuqing's eyebrows twitched, and he said, "Please come in."

Immediately, a man in gray clothes came in outside, the wind brought by made the candlelight flutter, illuminating Zhang Yuqing's face was dark and unclear.

The man came in and cupped his hands casually, and then said, "Master Zhang, has the city been strictly investigated?"

Zhang Yuqing was surprised and said: "That person is still in Donglu Mountain, why should he be strictly investigated?"

The man looked at him with raised eyebrows and said: "That person's whereabouts are hard to determine, don't forget, back then he made a lot of noise and killed Duoyan Sanwei!"

Zhang Yuqing shook his head and said: "That was His Majesty's method back then, how could he have the ability!"

"Don't underestimate your opponent!"

The man turned around and glanced at the closed door, and then said in a low voice: "The legs of those who followed were broken. His Highness was furious, and took down five families in one fell swoop. If that person was just traveling, he would definitely lose his temper." , then return to Jinling to thoroughly investigate this matter, instead of running around with my concubine!"

Zhang Yuqing pondered: "Is this what your master said?"

"Yes." The man bowed his head, the candlelight did not reach his face, and he looked gloomy.

"My master said that you were too ruthless and lacked strategy."

Zhang Yuqing's face flushed suddenly, and he roared: "If it wasn't for Gu Keli, why would I be so panicked? I even found a relationship to hide this matter. Your master can sit still. My brother is dead. Don't worry about being too ruthless!"

The man whispered: "My master said that if he came to deal with it at the beginning, he would definitely release them after a beating, and then slowly deal with those people in the future, instead of beating them all to death in prison. So you It’s just that you can’t stabilize, that’s why you haven’t been promoted.”

Zhang Yuqing's complexion was ugly. He clenched his fist and wanted to beat the table, but finally held back, and said with a snort, "Gu Keli said that the late emperor died well! Do you know? He died well! If I don't kill those Man, if this word gets out, not only your master will be in bad luck, but I will also be in bad luck!"

There was a sneer on the corner of the man's mouth,

Said: "But you shouldn't have missed that guy, causing the situation to get out of control."

Zhang Yuqing's chest rose and fell rapidly several times, and he said dejectedly: "Forget it, since everything has been done, it is useless to argue about who is right and who is wrong, so tell me, what is your master's judgment on this matter?"

The man frowned and said: "My master said that that man is as cunning as a fox, and he seems to be traveling, but he can't figure it out. Especially when His Highness is still in Jinling, he actually left His Highness behind. You know... His Majesty sent him to follow His Highness." Jinling probably wants to use his magnanimous reputation to frighten the South, so..."

Zhang Yuqing put his hand on his forehead and sighed: "I know, I will send someone to investigate tomorrow."

The man couldn't hide his disappointment and said: "Master Zhang, strike while the iron is hot, can't there be more thieves in Taiping Mansion today?"

Zhang Yuqing sneered and said, "But how do you let those yamen servants find you at night? Pretend you don't understand, go ahead, the Japanese officials will arrange it tomorrow."

After the man left, Zhang Yuqing suddenly covered his face and wept silently.

The candlelight reflected the figure on the wall, the figure gradually raised its head, and gradually turned sideways, the shadow actually looked a little ferocious.

"Since we have done everything, let's do it to the end! Although there are tens of thousands of people... I will go!"

The shadow swayed and seemed to be grinning...

...

In the early morning, the gate of Taiping Mansion opened, but everyone found that there were more people guarding the gate today, and they were very vigilant, and they would check carefully when they saw people forming a group.

But in the city, those sergeants and government servants walked into the inn, checking every room.

"My lord, what case is this?"

The guy leading the way asked curiously.

The sergeants naturally wouldn't answer, and the yamen leader said: "It is said that more than a dozen thugs have entered Fucheng. Mr. Zhang was worried that they would commit crimes, so he drove us out early in the morning to search."

The clerk heard the words and praised: "Master Zhang still loves the people like a son!"

After searching around but not finding any suspects, the yamen servant ordered: "If there are more than five people staying together recently, you must report to the government office immediately. If you violate it, you will know the consequences."

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Walking out of the inn, the clerk said depressedly: "Let's go and look for it later."

...

And in a big house not far from this inn, Fang Xing was having breakfast with Mo Chou.

From the smiles on the face of the hostess last night when she came to see the ceremony, to Fang Xing waiting until the time before returning to bed, Mo Chou noticed a trace of uneasiness.

Fang Xing put down his chopsticks, and said: "I have to do some business in Taiping Mansion, about a day or two, you can rest here, and we will go back slowly when we are done."

Mo Chou showed her face and said: "Master, don't worry, I have made an appointment with Mrs. Li to look at the embroidery together today!"

...

Fang woke up to the front yard, Xin Laoqi reported: "Master, this morning Taiping Mansion searched extensively, especially the inn."

"Zhang Yuqing noticed something was wrong? It's not bad. But this is the home of the Taiping Mansion Prosecutor, and it's dark under the lights! By the way, has anyone found it?"

"I found the master, that person was there at the time, and he also held Fan Ting's own blood book."

"Okay!" Fang Xing said with satisfaction: "The big thing is settled! As long as you get the blood book and the testimony of those witnesses, the case will be solved. It will depend on how much His Highness wants to take advantage of."

Not long after, a tall man was brought in front of Fang Xing.

"Little Mao San, I have seen Uncle."

Xin Laoqi handed Fang Xing a piece of paper, Fang Xing took it, saw that the blood on it had turned black, and sighed softly: "It's a man, what a pity!"

Recommend the new book of urban master Lao Shi: