At the end of the year, the four people who came out of Tonghua Courtyard returned to He Mansion.
Judging from the information revealed by Liu Bi, Qi Hongming's government officials and businessmen colluded to accept bribes, and formed a clique with officials in the capital. Moreover, the official who sent the accountability document also stayed overnight in the Qi Mansion.
There are various signs that Qi Hongming is definitely involved in Magistrate Wang’s matter, and it is even very possible that he did it.
Unfortunately, there is no tangible evidence. The only clue is the record book in Liu Bi's hand. For the first time in six years, there is an investigation direction.
Chen Ping made suggestions. On the one hand, he should find ways to investigate clues to Liu Bi's case. Although the chance is slim, he must try; on the other hand, he should check his background, and perhaps start with his family.
"I did some research when I was looking for Liu Bi before. Liu Bi has always lived alone, has never married or had children, and has no family in Zhengxing Prefecture. His hometown is in Huayang Town, Changping County." He Qingxuan mobilized the power of the He family at that time,
I encountered some situations.
"Huayang Town is not far from here. You can get back and forth by horse in three days. I'll go there." Zhao Jin said.
"I'll go too." Ever since Ye Chongwen knew the truth, his whole heart couldn't calm down.
"The government examination is coming, you should prepare for it with peace of mind. This is also what County Magistrate Wang and Mr. Ye expect of the three of you." Zhao Jin persuaded.
"Chongwen, please write to Teacher Li Yang and stay in Zhengxing Mansion to prepare for the exam with us during this period." Chen Ping also agreed with Zhao Jin's suggestion. Evidence must be found and the imperial examination must be taken. Everything must be prepared with both hands.
.
Besides, the three of them were all taught by Ye Wenchang, and the teacher must have a spirit in heaven to see them succeed in their studies.
Ye Chongwen nodded silently and did not insist anymore.
Chen Ping didn't return to Zhuyuan until late at night. He looked at Cheng Cheng's room where the lights had just been turned off, and understood that his senior brother was worried about him, which made his heart warm.
On the morning of the second day after Zhao Jin set off for Huayang Town, Xie Zhiyuan was called to the government office by Lu Wei.
Xie Zhiyuan came to the inner office and was about to step forward to salute when he saw Lu Wei's face was gloomy and his eyes were staring at him. He quickly asked directly: "Uncle Lu, what happened?"
"Liu Bi is dead!"
"Ah!! How did you die?" This news shocked Xie Zhiyuan, with a look of horror on his face.
"He committed suicide. The jailer discovered it during his inspection last night. What exactly did you say to him that day?" Although Liu Bi was a death row prisoner, he died in prison without review. The state government was responsible for the oversight, so Lu Wei's tone
Not good.
"It's not that my nephew wants to see him, it's a friend of mine."
"What friend?"
"Please forgive my nephew for not being able to tell me."
Liu Bi was imprisoned for several years and no one cared about him. Now he committed suicide just after meeting Chen Ping. It is really strange.
But Xie Zhiyuan believed that Chen Ping would not do anything to kill people and silence him, so he would not say Chen Ping's name, otherwise the government would definitely go to him for questioning, and things might develop in an uncontrollable direction.<
/p>
"Are you sure it was suicide? Can you have it checked?"
Lu Wei didn't say anything, just nodded in response.
"On that day, my nephew had safely handed over Liu Bi to the officials of the state government as agreed. As for why he committed suicide in prison, we have no way of knowing now. Perhaps he was in prison for several years and his mind was no longer clear.
I'm not sure. Since the work has been verified to be correct, can... we report it to the police truthfully?" After Xie Zhiyuan finished his analysis, he cautiously suggested.
Lu Wei was noncommittal and still said nothing.
"Uncle Lu, my nephew can guarantee that he has no intention of harming anyone!"
Lu Wei stared at Xie Zhiyuan's serious look, and finally chose to believe him. After all, the son of the internal minister would not do anything for a coachman.
"I definitely believe you. I just asked him as usual when something unexpected happened." Lu Wei patted him on the shoulder and said.
Xie Zhiyuan left the state government office and went straight to Zhuyuan.
Chen Ping was reading a book after lunch. He had all the policy topics designed by Zhao Wenhe, including last year's locust plague, drought and northern war.
The government examination is just around the corner, and he must gather his nerves and prepare for the exam with all his strength.
"What happened? He ran so fast." Chen Ping asked curiously when he saw Xie Zhiyuan running into the bamboo garden in a hurry.
Xie Zhiyuan quickly stepped forward, half-covered his chin with the folding fan in his hand, and whispered: "Liu Bi is dead."
This shocking news sounded like thunder in Chen Ping's heart, and he froze in shock.
He breathed quickly to adjust his emotions and asked: "How did you die?"
Xie Zhiyuan told everything he knew about the situation, and Chen Ping frowned as he listened.
Judging from the meeting that night, Liu Bi had a strong desire to survive and repeatedly offered to exchange the record book in his hand for his own life. How could he commit suicide in the cell two days later? The contrast between before and after is so huge, it is really unbelievable.<
/p>
What is even more desperate is that once Liu Bi died, it would be difficult to find his record book. Wouldn’t it be that the only clues were broken again?
Xie Zhiyuan said softly: "I didn't tell Mr. Lu that it was you who went there that night, so there's no need to worry about that."
Chen Ping slowly came back to his senses, stood up and bowed, "I'm sorry for causing trouble to senior brother."
"We are all brothers, what are you doing? Since I promised to help you, I will help you to the end. But can you tell me why you are looking for Liu Bi?"
Chen Ping hesitated and really didn't know how to speak, but Xie Zhiyuan continued: "Let me guess first, it should... be about Ye Wenchang and Mr. Ye? In fact, it is not difficult to guess, I have heard from Cheng Cheng before
I mentioned that when you first entered school, some classmates
Chuang also humiliated you for this matter. You are usually kind and don't socialize much. In addition, Liu Bi is the coachman of the former prefect Qi Hongming, so the thing that makes you so worried can only be your teacher. I guess
Is that right?"
Chen Ping knew that Xie Zhiyuan usually laughed and liked to play, but in fact he was very careful inside, so it was not surprising that he was guessed, so he nodded and admitted.
"Then can you tell me the whole story? Maybe I can really help." In his opinion, Chen Ping respects his teachers and is devoted to clearing his name. His character and perseverance are really rare.
"Brother, please forgive me. I have to discuss this matter with a few friends before I can decide." The matter between Magistrate Wang and the teacher is not Chen Ping's alone, so whether to tell others or not, he has to discuss it with Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan.
Discuss with Zhao Jin.
Xie Zhiyuan nodded to express his understanding. He had met Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan these days, but he had not been in contact with them.
But he knew that these two people were Chen Ping's classmates when he was young, one was Mr. Ye's grandson, and the other was Mr. Ye's student.
For the entire afternoon that followed, Chen Ping sat cross-legged on the bamboo platform in the courtyard, unable to calm down for a long time.
Liu Bi's sudden death caused the investigation that had just been promising to take a turn for the worse. We can only wait until Zhao Jin comes back from Huayang Town tomorrow to make any plans, hoping that he can bring good news.
The weather in April suddenly changed, and a rumble of thunder suddenly sounded in the sky, just like Liu Bi's death, breaking all the peace in an instant.