Li Yuan read the petition and couldn't help but sigh: "The criminal Zhou Dingfang is on trial today for the revenge murder case. Old man Zhou, please raise your head and I will ask you this." When Old Zhou raised his head, Li Yuan asked: "What is written on the petition? "Your son Zhou Dingfang was not at home the night Ge San died. You said your son went out to work. Is there any evidence?"
Old man Zhou said: "You can call my son to come and ask and we will know."
Li Yuan had no choice but to give the order: "Bring someone to convict Zhou Dingfang." The officer under the hall accepted the order and went to the prison to pick up the convict.
After a while, Zhou Dingfang took him to the lobby and knelt down there.
Dakui took a closer look and saw that there was no blood on Zhou Dingfang's prison clothes, and there were no scars on his arms and other exposed areas. It was obvious that he was not beaten into a crime. Let's see how he defends himself.
Li Yuan asked: "Zhou Dingfang, your father beats the drum to protest the injustice and wants to overturn the case for you. What do you have to say?"
Unexpectedly, Zhou Dingfang raised his head and said: "Yes, I killed Ge San. The common people have nothing to say."
Li Yuan smiled and asked again: "How did you sneak into Ge San's home and kill him? Please tell me in detail one by one."
Zhou Dingfang sighed and said: "Gesan has a reputation for stealing, abducting, and harming people in this county. He deceived my family that they were good citizens. When he failed to steal, he set fire to retaliate. In anger, I went to his house at night and killed him with a knife."
Li Yuan nodded and said: "In that case, if you don't reverse the case,"
Zhou Dingfang said: "Everyone is responsible for the work of ordinary people. I will not overturn the verdict."
Old man Zhou heard this and asked anxiously: "Son, what's wrong with you? How could you kill someone?"
Li Yuan was stunned in the hall and shouted: "Shut up, there is no room for noise in the hall."
Old man Zhou was shocked, but then tears fell on his face.
Li Yuan heard this and said to Old Man Zhou: "Your son has already confessed, and the facts are clear. I advise you not to cause trouble anymore."
Old man Zhou just cried and could no longer argue.
Dakui sat aside and watched all this silently, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "Old man Zhou is a parent. When he saw that his son had committed a life-threatening lawsuit, and he was about to be punished, he couldn't bear it, so he spared no effort to file a complaint. How could he know that the national law is ruthless?" .
Li Yuan took another photo and said in a loud voice: "This case has been concluded, withdraw from court."
The yamen downstairs sang the official song again, and two yamen pushed Zhou Dingfang down. Old man Zhou was still crying bitterly in the hall. Dakui couldn't bear to see it, so he got up and went over to help old man Zhou up and consoled him: "I'd like to express my condolences to you, I'm already here." It has been concluded that I have no way to recover, so I will go back first and live my life with peace of mind in the future."
Dakui took out ten taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to Old Man Zhou. Old Man Zhou raised his tearful eyes and choked with sobs: "Sir, I know my son's temperament. Even if the old man dies, he will not believe that he will kill someone."
After Dakui persuaded him a few more times, Tian Feng and Zhou Kai came up to the hall and helped Old Man Zhou out of the hall.
Li Yuan bypassed the copywriter and came to Da Kui's side and said: "Master Zhang has a kind heart and I admire him for his kindness. I hope Old Man Zhou can be more open-minded and can live a peaceful life from now on."
Dakui turned around with a smile and said: "I hope so,"
Li Yuan cupped his hands and said, "It's getting late now. I've prepared a banquet for you to welcome the wind and wash away the dust. Please,"
Dakui raised his hands and returned the courtesy: "In that case, I am being disrespectful. Please,"...
Da Kui felt pity and intolerance for what happened to Old Man Zhou, but he had no other choice. He could only blame it on the unpredictable nature of the world.
----------------
Li Yuan, the magistrate of Qingniu County, invited several local squires to accompany him to welcome Da Kui. Naturally, some courtesy was inevitable during the dinner.
Dakui only stayed in Qingniu County for one night and returned to Longping the next day.
This time when Da Kui returned to Longping, he had other ideas. Five hundred soldiers camped in Wu County. At first, they lived in the mansion. The Zhang Mansion was vast, and although the five hundred soldiers lived there, it was a bit crowded, but it was quite lively.
Later, Meng Ge led daily drills, and 200 local warriors recruited by Master Feng were also among them. Da Kui ordered people to build a house near Zhang Mansion, which was used as a military camp. Ou Dachui and ten apprentices stepped up their efforts to forge weapons. For a time, everyone in the Zhang family was busy. At the end of March, Yang Xiaohu took Dakui's letter and went to Yingtian.
Dakui asked Yang Xiaohu to join Tang He. After all, the preliminary examination of astronomy would be held in mid-March. Tang He was very proficient in martial arts. With Yang Xiaohu under his guidance, Dakui could rest assured.
There was also news that the government officials scattered all over the south of the Yangtze River had returned. Master Feng had been taking care of this aspect. Master Feng compiled the collected information and reported it to Da Kui. Da Kui couldn't help but be a little confused, as there was no news that the government officials were back. How did he come back? Master Feng immediately explained. It turned out that the government officials had brought carrier pigeons with them when they went out, and it was the carrier pigeons that brought this news back.
Da Kui was stunned when he heard the news. More than half of the officials in Jiangnan, no matter how big or small, had committed corruption and illegal acts. If they all found out their mistakes and punished them one by one, wouldn't it cause trouble?
The old saying goes well: the law does not punish everyone. There are more than 500 prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River, and thousands of officials. (Historical data: In the first year of Hongwu, there were 1,171 prefectures and counties in the world. Now Zhu Yuanzhang only controls the south of the Yangtze River. Half the wall, it counts as half.) If we trace them one by one, we will be very busy.
Da Kui thought about it again and again and finally made up his mind. First, Meng Ge and Pan Bu led a hundred elite soldiers to Shunyuan disguised as businessmen, and verified the criminal evidence on the list along the way. There was one more important thing, which was to find out about the Poison King of Miao. Although various state governments have issued sea arrest documents regarding Fang Jiutian's whereabouts, it is no different than wishful thinking to capture such a big thief based on the capabilities of the government.
Since Fang Jiutian can be lawless in Miao territory, it is natural that he has a big backer, but no matter what kind of backer he has, the business is to first find out where he is and then find a way to get rid of him.
Now Da Kui's biggest concern is Wang Fu and his gang members. He then ordered Tian Feng and Zhou Kai to lead a hundred elite soldiers to Huguang Province to thoroughly investigate all evidence of Wang Fu and his gang members' crimes. As soon as there is news, he will send a letter immediately. return.
After these arrangements were made, Dakui returned to the back house and said goodbye to Huang Ying. Although he felt reluctant to leave, he had no choice but to do so.
At this time, Huang Ying was practicing calligraphy in the room, accompanied by two maids. When they saw Dakui coming in, the two maids bowed and left the room.
Dakui came to Huang Ying and said with a smile: "Ying'er is so elegant and cheerful."
Huang Ying is still writing seriously, but what she writes is a Song poem "Magnolia": The east city gradually feels beautiful, the wrinkled ripples welcome guests, the green poplar smoke outside is light and cold, the red apricot branches are full of spring, and the floating and growing regrets There is little entertainment, but I am willing to love my daughter, smile gently, hold wine for you to welcome the setting sun, and leave the evening light among the flowers.
This poem was composed by Qian Weiyan during the Northern Song Dynasty. Mulan Hua is originally a tune. There are countless literati and poets who wrote lyrics for this tune, among which Qian Weiyan is undoubtedly the leader.
Huang Ying's handwriting was beautiful, and Dakui felt comfortable looking at it, even though he was not very literate.
When Huang Ying finished writing a poem, Dakui couldn't help but clapped her hands and applauded. Huang Ying smiled and said, "My husband, do you know the meaning of this poem?"
Dakui shook his head when he heard the words, and Huang Ying smiled softly and said: "Although this poem is written about the scenery of mountains and rivers, it is a metaphor for the floating life like a dream with less joy and more suffering." Although Dakui was ignorant, Huang Ying had something to say in his words. Naturally you can hear it.
Dakui gently hugged Huang Ying's slender waist and whispered softly in her ear: "This is how a person's life is. Everyone comes into the world crying. This means that one must taste all the bitterness in life. Perfection, if a person’s life cannot be disturbed by troubles and peace of mind, then he will not have the motivation to work hard.”
Huang Ying sighed quietly: "I am a girl. I just hope that my husband can always be by my side, even if it is just a simple meal. I just hope that my life will be peaceful and free of disputes."
Dakui persuaded him with sincerity: "If all the officials enjoy all the glory and wealth at home, then the world will be in chaos." After a pause, Dakui continued: "Your husband is a hard worker and is destined to travel around. Putting your own happiness aside for the sake of the suffering of the people in Jiangnan,"
Huang Ying was startled when she heard this, put down her pen, turned around and asked, "You still want to go out?" Dakui had just returned from Yingtian less than a month ago, and now he was going out again, how could Huang Ying be willing to do so?
Dakui gently held Huang Ying in his arms and said softly: "The spies came to report that many officials in Jiangnan have committed corruption and illegal activities. My husband has to go out on business and may not be able to come back for a long time, which may be several years at most or several months at least."
Huang Ying broke away from Dakui's arms and said angrily: "I don't allow you to go out," and even shed tears as she said that.
Dakui comforted Huangying with a smile: "Ying'er, be obedient. I went out to do some serious business, and it's not like I won't come back." Dakui said, reaching out and gently wiping away the tears on Huangying's face.
To be honest, Dakui couldn't bear to leave Huang Ying. He had no choice but to shoulder heavy responsibilities and couldn't help Dakui. Thinking of the fact that he and his wife knew each other and fell in love, they came together after many twists and turns, but now they have to be separated again. This trip requires traveling all over the south of the Yangtze River. It would take several years to thoroughly investigate corruption. Thinking about Huang Ying being alone at home, Da Kui had mixed feelings in his heart.
Huang Ying just cried and said after a while: "If you go out, I will follow you. I will follow you wherever you go."
Dakui couldn't help laughing and said: "I'm going to visit a brothel, and you should follow me."
Huang Ying was amused, pouted and said: "Then I will follow you even more. If you dare to mess with others, I will kill you." As she said this, she extended her right hand's index and middle fingers, which were like green onions, to make a scissor-like gesture. one time.
Dakui laughed and said: "How can that be done? I still have no heirs. If you kill me, then I will be extinct. Besides, you are really willing to give up."
Huang Ying raised her pink fist in shame and anger, but to her surprise, Dakui held her in his arms and lowered his head to kiss Huang Ying's lips. Huang Ying's breathing was not smooth for a while, and she could only let out a cry, and then she fell softly in Dakui's arms... ….
The spring breeze was extremely good for a time, and the mandarins and ducks were wandering in the rivers and lakes.
The next day, Da Kui ordered people to prepare carriages and horses for several drives. Huang Ying and two maids boarded the first carriage. Master Feng was in charge of the house. He was mainly responsible for delivering news but could not leave without permission.
Dakui selected another fifty strong soldiers to accompany him, each of whom was disguised as a gangster.
The 51st Cavalry guarded the convoy in the center, and drove all the way to the first destination, Raozhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province.
According to the investigation, Pan Ke, the governor of Raozhou Prefecture, colluded with smugglers and smuggled official salt, and received nearly one million taels of dirty silver in one and six months after taking office. These corrupt officials were lawless, and they were the primary targets of Da Kui's care.
Raozhou is located in the northeast of Jiangxi Province. Dakui starts from Longping and travels to the southwest all the way at dawn and overnight. It reaches the boundary of Raozhou in half a month.