Su Yan called everyone together and asked them one by one. It turned out that five people had been imprisoned in that mysterious place. Unfortunately, they had been imprisoned for a long time and had lost their sense of direction and time. They all stammered and said.
I don't know. But a girl recalled: "The smell there was very humid, earthy, and moldy. My family lives in the countryside of Chu State. It always rains there, and the smell is the same!" It was the person who spoke.
Xiaoying.
This point is similar to what Fang Hui said. Su Yan asked her again: "Besides this, what else can you think of?"
The girl said embarrassedly: "No more."
Su Yan held his forehead in distress, having not eaten for a day, he felt dizzy and it was hard to resist. Wang Yan was very good at observing people's emotions and immediately ordered people to bring food to fill everyone's stomachs.
Su Yan held the steamed bun but did not eat it. He stared at it for a long time and suddenly asked the women: "What did you eat when you were detained?"
Someone said: "Drink wild vegetable porridge."
"It's not a wild vegetable, it's a donkey's hoof vegetable. Don't you remember? You ate it once and almost died of poisoning?"
"But in my hometown, these are just wild vegetables. No one will eat them, and they can only be treasured here!"
Su Yan asked them: "What is donkey's hoof vegetable and how can it be poisonous?"
"It is named because it looks like a donkey's hoof. In many places, it is not eaten because it is poisonous. However, in several nearby towns, people blanch it in water several times and soak it overnight before eating it.
It's better than being hungry." Wang Yan explained. When he was a child, he saw someone picking up this thing outside the city. At that time, he was still wondering why people were eating grass. His father explained to him that when poor people had nothing to eat, donkey hooves
The dishes also became delicious.
"Where does it usually grow?" Su Yan asked again.
Wang Yan was stunned there, muttering something to himself.
Fang Hui said there are trees everywhere...
Xiaoying said the house smelled musty...
"I see!"
Su Yan was startled by his reaction: "What do you know?"
"Donkey's hooves usually grow along streams and rivers, but the main river in Ruoshui City starts from the ancestral temple in the west of the city, flows through the official residence to the palace, and finally flows into the South Lake of the academy. This road is cleaned by dedicated personnel from various ministries, so it is difficult to grow this kind of food all year round.
Poisonous wild vegetables, even if there are any omissions, should not be allowed to grow so wildly that they can supply more than ten people for several days or even months, unless they are on branches!" Wang Yan was born in Ruoshui, and his father worked in the Ministry of Industry.
, so he knew the layout of Ruoshui City very well. Those rivers had been improved on a large scale once, and it was his father who followed the Master of the Ministry of Industry to do the project, and he often played behind him. But... Wang Yan thought of a fatal
Question: "The main river has many branches, covering half of Ruoshui. How should we start?"
"Then choose the most remote and least noticeable ones, such as the busy city, the woods to the east of the academy are all remote places, and the Yunlai Pavilion area also needs to be checked. Although there are many people, they are not serious people.
There are few officers and soldiers there, so maybe this is the best place for them to commit crimes!"
Wang Yan thought of a place: "There is a redundant square near the official residence, which was built behind the old site of Dali Temple. It has been built for more than ten years, and the court has never planned to rectify it. When I was a child, I heard my father talk about the environment there.
It’s so desolate, why don’t I go check it out too.”
"I'm afraid your father only went there once when he was young, right? And as far as I know, the women in Fangfangfang are all good at singing and dancing, and they are extremely beautiful. Because of this, they have attracted many officials to conduct "covert inspections". Over time,
That place became an 'official building'. Have you ever heard of an official building? It's a prostitution place exclusively for officials."
"Whoring?" Wang Yan guessed that his father, as an official, might have been there before. Over the years, his father had a habit of talking to him for a long time about the affairs of the Ministry of Works after returning home. For example, the Ministry of Works recently
Which square was renovated, what was changed in that square, how many people there were, who caused trouble, and what were the consequences, all in detail. This was why he knew Ruoshui City so well.
However, my father never mentioned the official building!
Su Yan looked at him and blushed, thinking that he had never seen the world, so he couldn't help but joke: "There are not many serious businesses in Duanfang, and they are all running brothels and gambling houses. Speaking of which, the gambling houses are probably better than
Your home is quite big! You should go and visit it when you have time. Look around at the teahouses and restaurants, and the colorful lanterns hanging all over the streets. It’s so beautiful, it’s like a fairyland on earth!”
"But, sir, didn't you say that Yunlai Pavilion is also suspicious, so why is Guanlou not suspicious?"
"Silly, can Yunlai Pavilion be compared with the official tower? That is a place where dignitaries often visit. Do you think those people dare to go to the official tower to hide people?"
Wang Yan suddenly realized it and nodded his head in agreement.
"I think the possibility of it being in the downtown area is very slim. People are kidnapped from there and would not be stupid enough to hide there. After thinking about it, the only options are Yunlai Pavilion and the woods to the east of the academy."
"Whether it's Yunlai Pavilion or the academy, I'll take some people to touch it. The place where there are donkey's hoof vegetables should not be far away." After saying that, he set off immediately.
Su Yan was worried about him: "Fang Hui said there are a lot of guards there. You and Master Changsun can ask for more people and go in disguise. It's best to wait until dark and go quietly."
"Don't worry, Mr. Su, I know it well." Wang Yan raised his lips proudly: "When I came to the Ministry of Punishment for the assessment, I took the tracking test, and I got full marks!"
Su Yan raised his eyebrows slightly: This boy's confidence is comparable to that of Yan Zhenzhen.
The long street runs from south to north, and the main river starts from the ancestral temple and distributes from west to east, passing through official residences, palaces, and academies, and then converges at Nanhu, and then leads from Nanhu to the outside of the mountain. Vertically and horizontally, Ruoshui City is divided.
It is divided into four large blocks: the Goulan tiled houses in the northwest district, the downtown area in the northeast district, the official residences in the southwest district, and the palace academy in the southeast district. The residences and shops of the common people are scattered everywhere, with the long main street on both sides.
Mostly on the side.
Yunlai Pavilion is built along the river. On the opposite side of the river are ordinary people's houses, connected by a bridge. However, the people there are disgusted with the place of fireworks, so few people pass by the bridge. Over the years, it has become covered with weeds.
The Ministry of Punishment dispatched eight "walking officials" to follow Wang Yan and dress up as ordinary people. They hid on the second floor of the wine shop diagonally opposite Yunlai Pavilion, with most of the river visible.
On the other side of the river, there were very few people inhabited by the naked eye. He thought that if he went west, it would be a wasteland. He stuck his head out of the window, and because he had a good view, he could see a forest just past the house.
He always felt suspicious and wanted to wait until dark to take a look.
"Are you looking at the house on the other side of the river?"
Wang Yan was interrupted by a voice. He turned to look at the clerk named 'Cao De' who was sitting next to him, and nodded numbly.
"It was okay there in the early years, but after the establishment of brothels and restaurants in large areas, many people moved away. They all disliked this shabby place and thought it ruined the atmosphere when the orioles sang and danced all day long."
"Where have they all moved?"
"Actually, we just concentrate on Changchang Street. Even if it's empty, we can save the time to go to the Ministry of Justice and make noise all day long!"
"Have they ever been to the Criminal Department?"
"No! The brothel becomes lively at night, and there are many strange sounds in the bustle."
Wang Yan looked at him fiercely: "What's the sound?"
Cao De said matter-of-factly: "It was the cry, which frightened many children! Some people in our area speculated that it was the female ghost in the brothel who was crying out for injustice, and her resentment was so high!"
"Fart!" the clerk who was sitting opposite and called "Xue Pi" corrected him: "Actually, it was just the women in the brothel crying. The sound was carried to the other side of the river, and when the wind blew it, it unexpectedly turned into a ghost cry.
"
It turns out that there really is a "ghost screaming", and what Fang Hui said is true!
Wang Yan looked at the road again, and his heart slowly became clearer.
"Go and call back all the people sent to the academy. They should be here."
"Why, you believe what ghosts say?" Xue Pi felt that this person was too eager for quick success. He wanted to make meritorious deeds when he first came to the Ministry of Punishment, but he didn't know how to keep his feet on the ground. It seems that he will not be able to last long in the future.
Wang Yan didn't speak, he just drank tea. The atmosphere suddenly became very strange.
"The Minister of Justice has been vacant. I think Lord Changsun is training you." In order to lighten the atmosphere, Cao De told Wang Yan another matter.
When Xue Pi heard that it was about the candidate for the minister, he immediately became interested and leaned over and said: "I heard that the imperial court actually had a candidate for a long time, but Lord Changsun has not accepted it. It turns out that there is really an internal decision!" As he said that, he looked curiously.
Xiang Wang Yan touched him with his elbow: "Little brother, I can't believe that you are so young, but you have such abilities. From now on, you should stay out of sight. We will be here when you call."
As soon as he finished speaking, several of the servants scattered elsewhere gave friendly smiles. Wang Yan felt a little uncomfortable, so he moved his buttocks and leaned against the window, admiring the scenery on the water.
Cao De was nearly forty years old. His face was covered with stubble and he looked like a businessman, but his eyes were very bright. Perhaps it was because he loved to inquire about things, and he always maintained vitality. At this time, he started another conversation: "This time
The Luomei population case, which has been buried for many years, has finally come to light. The Ministry of Punishment has made a great contribution, and we have to thank Mr. Su. If it weren't for her, how many abducted women would be homeless and how many families would be broken up. This Mr. Su has done a great job.
What a great thing!"
"Mr. Su from the academy is really that awesome? He found the place of detention based on just a few words from those women?" Xue Pi came closer, barely even sitting with Cao De.
"I am also the one who solved two unsolved cases for the Ministry of Punishment. I am naturally very smart. You, a little person, can only hold me back!" Cao De seemed to admire Su Yan very much. When he talked about her, his eyes were particularly energetic.
Xue Pi has heard of this incident, but the rumors in the market always have a magical flavor and cannot be fully believed. In addition, in his understanding, women's abilities are far inferior to men. Looking at everything, women are not all hidden in the boudoir.
, only men stand out!
He secretly looked down on Cao De. He knew how to spread lies all day long. He had been a clerk in the Ministry of Justice for decades and he could not fall with him. But there was only one thing he was right about. The position of Minister of Justice in the Ministry of Justice was the eldest grandson.
The young man in front of you is what the Lord is interested in. He is only in his early thirties and has a bright future ahead of him, so he cannot let it slip away. Xue Pi moved to the window, poured tea for Wang Yan, and said with a polite smile:
"How can you, a mere female gentleman from the academy, have the ability to solve a case? I would say, Brother Wang Yan, you are the only one with the ability to solve this difficult case to this day!"
Wang Yan frowned and said: "Mr. Su relied on her own ability to solve the case that the Criminal Department could not solve. Even if you can't accept it, you should respect her!"
Xue Pi got a slap in the face and hurriedly buried his head in drinking tea, not daring to say another word.
Cao De was naturally proud and did not forget to add fuel to the fire: "After all, I have been working in the Ministry of Justice for twenty years. I have never seen anything, and what can't escape my eyes? Who is right and who is capable?
I can see it clearly at a glance!”
Wang Yan felt annoyed when he saw them fighting in the nest, so he got up and went out to relax.
After three rounds of tea, the sky turned dark, and the flower streets and willow lanes transformed when the lanterns came on, as if they were celebrating a festival.
"Walk!"
After giving the order, everyone immediately ran out of the wine shop, shuttled through the maze-like alleys, and after crossing the bridge, disappeared in the house in the blink of an eye.
The houses here are unevenly spaced, and the roads are narrow. A few people turned around and turned before entering the woods. Wang Yan stood on the trampled road in the woods and looked back at the wine shop where he had been sitting during the day.
Suddenly I understood everything.
Fang Hui fled in a hurry that night. When he passed this road, he saw the lights over the wine shop, but because of the relationship between trees and houses, those lights were blocked, and because of the river surface, he accidentally let him
I saw distorted light. And the ghostly scream was naturally the sound coming from the brothel.
Wang Yan turned around and looked to the west, stretched out his finger to point to the darkness: "It's right there!"
The group of people ran all the way, and soon they were plunged into darkness, and the brothel and restaurant behind them had long since disappeared. Cao De lit the fire seal, trotted to Wang Yan's side, and whispered: "This place is desolate and uninhabited, and the terrain is complicated. If you want to
It may be difficult to find water chestnuts, so why not keep walking along this road and observe carefully while walking. If those people are indeed here, there should be traces around them."
Wang Yan nodded: "Brother Cao, you have a lot of experience. Please lead the way."
This was the first time for Cao De that someone was so respectful to him, so he agreed happily.
The weather is good tonight, at least there are stars, and with the light from the fire, you can vaguely see some houses connected in the distance, but there is no fire light, so it is not sure if anyone lives there. Cao De ordered a group of men to go there first
He inquired about it, and the rest went with him to look for traces of water chestnuts nearby.
Wang Yan squatted on a slope to take a rest, and suddenly asked Cao De, who was rummaging for something in the weeds: "You have been in the Ministry of Punishment for many years and you are very capable. Why are you just an official?"
Under the light of Huo Zhezi, you can see the groove on Cao De's face unfolding, and he seems to be smiling: "What's wrong with the servants? They are all doing things for Lord Changsun."
"What I mean is that everyone wants to climb up. Since you have the ability, why not try to strive for it."
Cao De gave up searching and sat down next to him: "I am the most experienced among the clerks. No matter they are old or new, they are all willing to listen to me. The Ministry of Punishment recruits not many clerks every year, you know
Why? Because I’m here and I’m in the lead, no one will make mistakes and everyone is fine! So over the past few years, it’s just us who are doing the work. From the five people at the beginning, to today’s
The eighteen people, excluding those who go home to take care of their children, are basically all here. But if I stop being an official because I am greedy for glory and wealth, who will guide them and protect them?"
At this time, Cao De changed from his usual playful and smiling face, which made people very trustworthy.
There was a rustle in the woods not far away, and a servant ran back, pointing excitedly to the back: "There is an old house over there, there are two people guarding it, and there is candlelight in the yard!"
Almost at the same time, the remaining people also came back, carrying many wild vegetables in their hands. Wang Yan recognized them as donkey's hoof vegetables at a glance. Everyone immediately became energetic and turned their attention to Wang Yan.
"Let's split up. Cao De chooses three people to go around to the rear. After exploring the terrain, leave two people to guard their retreat. Then you can go in and control the guards along the way to find the trapped people. However, you must not attack by force. If you find that you are unbeatable,
, I would rather wait for the opportunity in secret. Xue Pi, you lead the three people in from both sides of the courtyard wall and control the guards around the front door. I will enter through the gate."
After Wang Yan gave his instructions, no one planned to take action. Cao De asked him in disbelief: "You want to go in by yourself?"
"There are only two guards at the gate, so I won't be suspected if I work alone. I'll make some noise, attract some guards, and create opportunities for you. I'm not a helpless person, I have my own plans."
Cao De was dubious, but seeing how calm he was, he compromised. He picked three smart people from the team and jumped into the dark woods.
Xue Pi patted Wang Yan on the shoulder and said sincerely: "It is indeed a blessing to have you in the Criminal Department!"
Walking through the woods, there is a house at the end. The green tiles and white walls are dilapidated, the walls are peeling off badly, and the door is rusty. There is a large open space in front of the door, with a carriage parked in the open space and a stable next to it.
.
Judging from the appearance of this house, it is different from the official residence. It looks more like... an old house of a wealthy family.
Without thinking too much, Wang Yan extinguished the fire and walked closer.
When the two guards saw someone approaching, one of them quickly drew his sword and jumped down the steps.
"Who?"
Wang Yan quickly bowed his hands and said, "Xiaosheng lost his way. I don't know why. I was walking near Yunlai Pavilion just now and entered the woods while walking. Now I can't get out! Please help me to show the way.
.”
When the young guard heard that he was going the wrong way, he put down his knife and pointed him to a path to the rear. Wang Yan looked back at the place he pointed to and realized that there was indeed a path, but it was dark and he couldn't see it.
Coupled with the cover of the woods, it was very secluded. Wang Yan cupped his hands with gratitude and said, "It's dark and I really can't see the road. Could you please lend me a piece of firewood? I'll definitely pay it back someday!"
"What's going on?" The guard who was standing guard noticed something strange and ran over, angrily trying to drive them away. Wang Yan was not someone to be trifled with, so he immediately fell to the ground and said with a cry: "Two uncles
Why are you so rude? I'm just trying to lend a hand to Xiaosheng, so why should I punch and kick Xiaosheng!"
"Stop howling!"
Wang Yan still refused to give up, crying at the top of his voice and shouting that he wanted the Master of the Criminal Department to make the decision. The two guards were so frightened that they covered his mouth and dragged him to the door of the house.
"Shut up if you want to live. I'll lend you a piece of fire. If you dare to talk nonsense when you go out, be careful of your skin!"
Wang Yan immediately nodded in agreement and did not dare to cry anymore.
The older guard hurriedly stopped him and said, "Do you think he will be able to settle down after he gets out?"
"What? Are you afraid that he will tell anyone?"
"This place is so far away from Yunlai Pavilion, and ordinary people can't find the way in. How come he came in by such a coincidence? And you even borrowed the money? I think you are trying to trick us. Who are you?"
The guard immediately discovered Wang Yan's flaw, and with a fierce look on his face, he immediately pulled out his knife and put it on Wang Yan's neck.
Wang Yan was so frightened that he trembled and hurriedly defended: "Master, don't get me wrong, Xiaosheng really went the wrong way. If you don't believe me, let me show you the certificate that Xiaosheng drank wine at Yunlai Pavilion!" After that, he showed him the girl's handkerchief.
The young guard nodded wildly and said to his companion: "It's the smell of Yunlai Pavilion. Speaking of which, I haven't been there for a long time and my whole body is itchy!" Before he could finish his words, he was kicked away.
"I think your skin is itchy!" The elder guard took the handkerchief and asked Wang Yan, "Are you really coming from Yunlai Pavilion?"
“Realer than real gold!”
He carefully looked at Wang Yan. Judging from his pretty face, he did look like a young man from a wealthy family. This handkerchief was indeed a personal belonging of the girl from Yunlaige, but... he would not stop doing anything to kill him.
This will prevent future troubles!
Just as they were about to take action, they were surprised to hear movement coming from inside the door. They both stood up in fear, left Wang Yan and ran back.
Wang Yan immediately got up and followed in.
As soon as they walked around the screen wall, they saw two guards stuck upside down in the water tanks at the east and west corners of the courtyard. They were both dead. The water overflowed and flowed together with the blood on the ground to form a river, along the seams in the floor, dividing the east and west wing rooms.
The front lawn was soaked.
The two guards were about to go to rescue people when they were frightened by the sound of an explosion and froze in place. They saw that fire had burst out from the northwest corner. In a blink of an eye, it shot up into the sky and affected the surrounding trees. The fire was blazing.
Next, Xue Pi led several brothers to run out, and met the two guards guarding the gate. Without saying a word, he punched them with his fists, and kept cursing: Sons of a bitch!
After getting rid of the guards, Xue Pi twisted his wrist and said to Wang Yan with a smile: "I set the fire, and those two people were my faults. You haven't seen them before, have you?"
Wang Yan just smiled politely at him and pointed to the main hall where the door was closed: "The person should be there, it is more important to save him."
Before he finished speaking, the door was suddenly kicked open from the inside, and a group of women swarmed out. All of them had messy hair and dazed expressions. They looked like they had been locked up for a long time.
Cao De kicked the door to pieces, came out, spat, and cursed: "Tan Cen, this hypocrite, looks like a dog in others, but he does such a derogatory thing behind his back! I think he should be punished
Nine tribes!”
"The matter of punishing several tribes will be left to the imperial court. Let's settle the people quickly, then search the house and collect useful evidence. I will then report to Lord Changsun." Wang Yan said.
"Of course." Cao De jumped down the steps, "I have already told you, the brothers are searching the backyard!"
Xue Pi reacted immediately and quickly ordered his brothers to search the east and west wing rooms.