Chapter 92: Water falls

The Wei brothers returned home very late, but the news they brought back surprised Cao Yong and Zhuang Xi. What they had guessed before was completely fulfilled. The person who bought the bad guy was a local from Tongzhou, but his identity was a bit beyond everyone's expectations. The man was an old man in his seventies in his year old, with his surname Liang and his name Mian, and he was a big family in Tongzhou.

It turned out that after the Wei brothers rushed to Tongzhou, they visited all three or two money houses in the county, and there has been no large amount of money withdrawn in the past half month.

The two of them followed Mr. Zhuang's advice and inquired about the wealthy families on the ground in Tongzhou to see if there were any large-scale transactions recently. Although there were two houses selling land, the amount of money was only 1,800 taels, and only Liang Mian had a price of 5 taels per acre in the early October.

After selling a few farms, there are still eight or nine thousand acres in total. You should know that the price of fertile land on Tongzhou is seven or eight taels of silver per mu, and the good ones can even reach ten taels. A low price like Liang Mian is really abnormal.

After finding out here, the Wei brothers carefully investigated Liang Mian's family background. The Liang family was a wealthy family in Tongzhou, and had passed down the family's poetry and books. Many of the children of the clan entered the officialdom. However, Liang Mian had a difficult descendant, with only one son and one daughter. After his son passed the Jinshi, he had been an official in Beijing for more than ten years; his daughter married his brother's Fang Shi, and an official surnamed Xiong was a Beijing official. The Xiong family was a prominent family, and the man was a high-ranking Beijing official. The Liang family was really a high-ranking Beijing official. After the Liang family got married for three years, they left a child, they died of illness.

Liang Mian was afraid that his son-in-law's family would have many children, and his grandson lost his mother and was bullied when he was young, so he discussed with his son-in-law and took him to raise him. A few years later, his son was given a job outside, caught up with the flood, and the whole family suffered. Liang Mian's bloodline was only his grandson's lineage, and he naturally held it in his hand like a heart-to-heart flesh.

With such a spoiled child, this child gradually grew up, and he really gave his grandfather a face. He passed the Jinshi in the 45th year of Kangxi and was named Shujishi. In April this year, he was promoted to editor of the Hanlin Academy. He didn't expect that he was imprisoned at the end of September, so he hanged himself in prison within a few days.

Liang Mian is nearly 70 years old and has only this bloodline, so he cut off it. He seemed crazy. Within a few days, he took nearly 10,000 acres of fertile land, which caused the tribe members who were thinking about their property to jump into pain. There were endless people coming to the door to advise, and countless people wanted to be step-sons and step-grandsons for the old man. The old man never let go. At first, he still responded, but then he just kept his door open.

However, his butler Liang Xi has become rich in recent days, and has built a house outside and raised two fans. He calls his friends all day long, and is extremely arrogant.

After a survey near the Liang family, the Wei brothers were almost able to confirm that the middleman who went to Wanjiu was Liang Xi. Because before Wanjiu and others entered Beijing, Liang Xi had gone to Wanjiu's house twice. In addition, he was also boasting to others after getting drunk that even people like Wanjiu are now rushing to call him "Master Liang" and do things under his own hands.

However, when the two brothers wanted to find Liang Xi, they were one step too late. The constable from Shuntian Mansion came and followed Liang Xi's line and found the Liang family.

Because Liang Mian's son was a court official during his lifetime and was not an ordinary citizen, the constable was quite polite. Unexpectedly, Mr. Liang heard the notice that he wanted to change his clothes, but he never came out after entering the room. When the constables entered, the old man's body became hard. When the coroner came to examine the corpse, the conclusion was that he swallowed gold.

The Liang family had only one master, Liang Mian. Such a big thing happened, which immediately caused a sensation in the entire Tongzhou. The people from the far and near branch of the Liang family came to the door in a noisy way, wanting to divide the family property. As a result, the constable of Shuntian Prefecture sent someone to return to Beijing to ask for an order, and seized the Liang Mansion for the crime of murdering the imperial court's official, and at the same time took Liang Xi back to Shuntian Prefecture.

The Wei brothers watched the excitement from afar and couldn't figure out how a rich man here could make a feud with Cao Yin who was far away in Jiangning?

After hearing the news from Tongzhou, Cao Yong couldn't figure out the reason. Only Zhuang Xi thought for a long time and came up with some clues.

"Yi'er, can you tell that the former Minister of Personnel Xiong Cilu was the one who was the one who said that?" Zhuang Xi asked.

Xiong Cilu? This is a famous cabinet minister in the Kangxi Dynasty. He was once called the "Four Prime Ministers" together with Mingzhu, Soetu and Gao Shiqi. After the Three Feudal Rebellion, Xiong Cilu was dismissed from office because he wrote a letter to oppose the withdrawal of the vassal state, and then lived in Jiangning. More than ten years later, he entered the court again until he retired and wanted to retire in the 42nd year of Kangxi, and returned to Jiangning in the 45th year of Kangxi.

As early as before Cao Yong entered Beijing, he knew about the resume of this Grand Secretary. It was because the Grand Secretary’s house in Jiangning was the Qingliang terrace near Qingliang Temple where Cao Yong had been filial to him. In the temple where Cao Yong was in that year, he had heard the monks mention this Grand Secretary many times. In the eyes of Jiangnan people, Xiong Cilu was not an official, but a great scholar. His works such as "Studying", "Studying", "Studying Rules" and "Studying" were circulated in the world. Because his ancestral home was Xiaogan and his original name was Xiaochang, people respectfully called him "Mr. Xiaochang".

Cao Yong remembered something and asked, "Didn't Mr. Xiaochang die in August? It's so shady, it seems that he has received a confession!"

Zhuang Xi nodded: "This is indeed true, and it also leads to a big trouble! Mr. Xiaochang wrote a note before his death. After his death, his family sent the note to the capital. The emperor was outside the border and went around for a long time before he arrived in front of the imperial court. The note included the note saying that Kumamoto was recommended to his nephew Hanlin Academy editor Kumamoto, who did not believe in this matter and ordered someone to investigate it in detail. It turned out that the note was tampered with, and was committed by Kumamoto bribed the subordinates of the Xiong Mansion. This was a crime of deceiving the king. Kumamoto was imprisoned and was sentenced to beheading and hanged himself in prison a few days later."

"Is Kumamoto Liang Mian's grandson?" Cao Yong understood the reason.

Zhuang Xi touched his beard: "It seems that this is the case. But since the court issued an order to kill Kumamoto, why did Liang Mian resent the Lord? This is something that makes people puzzled!"

Could it be that during the Kumamoto case, his "spy" father provided some amazing information that became the basis for his conviction, so he was hated by others? But since he was a "spy" and a "spy" was also a "spy", how could an old man in the field know? What about the explosives that were replaced? What about the killer who silenced the slaughter? After the truth about buying a murderer was revealed, the answer to it was so simple, but after thinking about it carefully, it was full of fog. Too many things were hidden in the fog, with only a trace of a scale and a half claw, which became more and more confusing.

Who is the person behind the grassland murder? What is the hidden truth behind the murder case in Beijing? Cao Yong was eager to know the answer.

In the next ten days, the Wei brothers went out early and returned late, and spent a lot of money on the books just for this answer.

Cao Yong originally suspected that the people killed a few days ago were the Fourth Prince's people. After all, whether it was Emperor Yongzheng's official secret agency "Sticking Pole" or the secret organization "Blood Drops" written in unofficial history, they were too famous in later generations, and it was difficult not to connect.

In addition, he also vaguely doubted the Third Prince. After all, in this drama of fighting for the throne that has not yet ended, the Fourth Prince acted as a spectator. No matter what he thought in his heart, his behavior was always respectful and low-key. The Third Prince is different. Although he is not outstanding among the princes and his mother's clan is not prominent, he always acts very positively.

However, the Wei brothers monitored the Third Prince's Mansion and the Fourth Prince's Mansion for half a month, but never found anything unusual.

On the fourth day after the constables returned from Tongzhou, the case was concluded with Liang Xi and the confiscation of the Liang family property was completely concluded.

This major case that caused a sensation in Gyeonggi was settled.

*

North of the city, Dajinger Hutong, Seshtu Mansion.

Since Seshtu helped stop the horse and save the person that day, although Cao Yong was grateful, he had never brought his brother and sister to thank the benefactor for his own safety and for his sake.

Now that the case has been revealed, the danger alarm has been completely lifted, and Yongjia's arm injury has improved greatly. It is time to thank him. Cao Yong went to inquire about Seshtu's address, and on his rest day, he took Cao Song, Cao Yi, Baoya, and Yongjia to the Seshtu mansion to thank him.

The concierge saw Cao Yong and others' BMW car, and several cars loaded with gifts followed behind him. He couldn't help but secretly stuttered, and answered Cao Yong's post and hurriedly reported it inside.

After a while, Seshtu quickly came out. When he saw Cao Yong, he was about to say hello with a smile, but when he saw what was behind, he lowered his face and pointed to the carriage: "Why is this, Mr. Cao?"

Cao Yong first held his fists and greeted him, and then replied: "It was thanks to the guards of the Sei who saved their younger brothers and sisters for justice. The real murderer had not appeared at that time, so we couldn't wait to come to worship him. Now the case has been over, and the Cao family has prepared a gift. Although it is a great kindness, I dare not thank you, but my brother and sister are all in one's wish. Please accept it with slightest laughter."

Seshtu shook his head quickly: "I was just a small task for me. I told you that I did not want to thank your mansion for your thanks. Besides, you thanked me that day, so why did you bring these things to do? Since you are here, please come in and have a cup of tea. I will never accept this gift."

Cao Yong asked about his unmarried wife and there was only one widow in his family. He smiled and said, "It's not a tribute, it's all the filial piety of our younger generations. Today I brought my younger brothers and sisters here, and I should also bow to my aunt. I don't know if it's cheap."

At this time, a neighbor had already quietly opened the door and looked at the fun. When Seshtu saw it, it was not easy for them to stand at the door like this. He heard them paying homage to their mother and could not say anything to push them away, so he had to invite them in.

The Seshtu family was a mistress who entered the yard and was not too spacious. As soon as the Cao family carriage rushed in, it became more and more narrow. An elderly butler followed him out and was slightly surprised when he saw these things. Then he greeted Cao Yong and waited for Seshtu to tell him what to do with the things.

But Seshtu didn't look at those things. While leading Cao Yong and his group to the living room of the main room, he ordered the butler, "Bo Hao, tell the inner courtyard that the guests will come to see the wife later and ask a maid to lead the way." Butler Hao took the order.

After entering the hall, Cao Song and Cao Yi stood together, either gathered to the ground or squatted to the court, saying thanking the man for his kindness.

The last time Seshtu met Baoya, Yongjia and others, he knew the identity of everyone. He was shocked and how could he bear it? He quickly leaned over and bowed back and said, "What are you doing again?! I have thanked you all! You are going to save my life!"

Seeing that he was enthusiastic and honest, Cao Yong pulled him down twice and sat down together.

The servant came to serve tea and replied that his wife invited the guests to come. Cao Yi, Yongjia and Baoya sued the crime and followed a little maid to the inner courtyard.

*

Although the inner courtyard is small, it has all the flower beds and plants, and is very neatly tidy. In the three main rooms, the little maid leads the three into the warming pavilion to the east.

There were two half-old green satin backrests on the large kang next to the window in the warm cabinet. On it was an old woman in her fifties and sixties. She had a long face and a little thin, her hair was a little gray, but she was combed in a twig-shaped ball of flowers. She looked neat and dignified, wearing a blue crow coat and a string of Buddhist beads on the front.

The three of them bowed to the old woman. The old woman asked them with a smile and asked them to sit on the kang. The three of them smiled and thanked them only on a row of chairs next to the kang.

The old woman was Seshtu's mother, Xitara. The Xitara family was widowed in middle age, with three daughters and one son. The three daughters had been married for many years, and only the youngest son Seshtu was left. She is now twenty-one, but she has never married. It's not other, because it's difficult because of the four words "family matches".

The Xitara family was once prominent when they were young, and later they fell into the family because they were involved in the Oboi case. Her good education in her youth made her extremely particular and had a high vision. In addition, the Jueluo family was born in a serious royal family of 800. Although Seshtu was only a third-class guard, she also had the title of General Fengen, so most girls in the family could not get into the Xitara family.

The Xitara family did not like to abide by the powerful and did not want to marry the daughter of a merchant as their daughter-in-law. However, those families with similar ties thought their families were poor and did not want their daughter to marry for a poor life. In this way, they were picky and chose, and Seshtu's marriage was delayed. It was fake to say that the mother was not anxious at all, but she refused to marry a wife at will.

Seeing these three pretty girls like water and green onions today, Xitara was extremely happy. After a few polite words, she couldn't help asking them about their age and family background. However, this question made her heart so warm that she became cold again. - These three daughters, two of them are the daughters of the Earl's Mansion, and one is the princess.

Baoya Gege, whose surname is Aisin Gioro, was naturally excluded from the marriage; these two counts were worthy of their identities, but in the end, the woman's family was too good, and Xitara was afraid that they would look down on her family.

After chatting, Xitara's affection for Wenwen, Cao Yi and Yongjia, who were quiet and moderate in advance, became more and more regretful in her heart. The more regretful she felt, the more she loved them. Her words were already kind, and now she looked happy.

Cao Yi observed his expression and took advantage of the old man's happiness and respectfully presented the gift list.

Xitara refused to accept it and said seriously: "Save a life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. By chance, my son saved you. This is his fortune and practice. If he doesn't save it, he is wrong; if he saves it, it is the right thing to do. And he has practiced by himself, so why do he still receive a thank-you gift? I didn't hear him mention this matter first. Until you come to the door today, I know that there is still such a thing. It can be seen that he knows that this is done, so he doesn't take it to heart, so please don't worry."

Cao Yi sincerely expressed his joy to Tara: "Auntie is kind. This life-saving grace is just the word "taken" to you, but it is a great kindness for us, and I will never forget it in this life. At present, it is not to use these common things to defile my aunt's compassion. It is because my younger generations first come to pay their respects today, and there is nothing to respect. If you give us a few nieces and keep it for winter clothes, even if our hearts are met!"

Although Xitara had a smile on her face, her expression was very firm: "You said you should respect me, and I will be very happy when you come to see me, the old woman, and talk to me. This is already a generous gift, so please bring back the external things."

Cao Yi and the other two spent a lot of talk, but still failed to touch Xitara. In the end, she refused the gift with an elegant smile.

Seeing that the old man had said for a long time, he showed some fatigue, so he stood up and said goodbye.

Xitara asked the maid to send them out, and looked at their backs through the window, but she still loved them very much. After thinking about it, she sighed helplessly.

*

In the front hall, the Cao Yong brothers and Seshtu also had a great chat.

Seshtu asked about the details of the case and condemned the people angrily. He was enthusiastic and kind, with a smile on his round face, which was very easy to get along with others. Therefore, both Cao Yong and Cao Song felt that it was a pleasant thing to chat with this person without any fatigue.

Now that he put aside his position title, the elder brother shouted, looking very kind.

After changing two cups of tea, Cao Yi and the other two came out of the inner courtyard. When Cao Yi saw his brother, he shook his head gently. Cao Yong knew that Seshtu's mother would not accept the gift, and he admired the character of this family. He may be content with poverty. Many people may be able to do it, but there are very few people who do not repay such kindness and refuse foreign wealth.

Cao Yong thought in his mind that he would give some ginseng medicinal skin care products to the elderly in two days, and to express his feelings. He thought he would not be rejected again, so he took back the gift list and thanked Seshtu again, and took everyone away and returned home.
Chapter completed!