Shunliu was arrested and Jin Shan began to interrogate him.
He was already numb and admitted to Jin Shan's interrogation.
Obviously, this is not what he wants.
"Shunliu, tell me, why do you admit what you did?" Jin Shan asked.
"Sir, the younger ones are responsible for what the younger ones did. They dug holes in the purlins, put arsenic in them, and then sealed the arsenic with wax. They were all done by the younger ones. The younger ones are willing to be punished." Shunliu said.
"Shunliu, who is there in your family?" Jin Shan asked.
"I'm telling you, I'm an orphan. I have no parents or siblings since I was a child. I have grown up with my grandparents. I know I have committed a crime. I'm sorry for my grandparents. Please give my grandparents to the nursing home after my death."
I can die without regrets. I can’t live on the street, and I can’t be hurt by bad people,” Shun Liu said.
"I promise you that since you admit that you did it, you can go back to the cell and rest for now! I see that you are very tired. We will try again tomorrow." Jin Shan said.
Jin Shan was very satisfied with his decision and thought he was sympathetic to the criminal suspect.
That night, Jin Shan thought about it again and again and felt that something was wrong. Maybe there was someone behind Shunliu who was instigating and being threatened, that is, beating him first and then giving him candy, or giving him candy first and then beating him. In short, torture him and let him
He caved, right from the start.
Only after being threatened did he attack Magistrate Li, who had no grievances and no grudges, and dug holes in the purlins to bury poisonous sealing wax to harm people. Who ordered him?
If the instigator behind him is found, then the case will be solved. The key is to find the mastermind behind it.
Early the next morning, Shun Liu was about to be interrogated. When the officer went to the cell to pick him up, he found a dark figure hanging over the fence. When he looked carefully, he saw that it was Shun Liu! He had already died, and his body was stiff and cold!
The yamen servant stumbled to Jin Shan and said: "Report, report, report to the master, Shun Liu, Shun Liu, he, he, he hanged himself!"
When Jin Shan heard this, he stood up and was stunned! He couldn't relax for a long time!
This is hurting him! He should have asked yesterday, strike while the iron is hot. After waiting for a while, he missed it, and if he missed it, he missed it, and it was too late to regret. This time, this clue was completely cut off.
Jin Shan regrets it very much! But how can there be any regret in the world about buying medicine? There is no other way but to look for other clues.
That night, Jin Shan asked Li Sheng again.
"Sir Zhonglang, does your brother leave any relics? When you were counting your brother's relics, did you find anything?" Jin Shan asked.
"It's nothing. All my brother's account books and documents were packed and sealed and sent to Dali Temple in the capital, or it is unknown whether they were transferred to other ministries. The others are some of my brother's clothes, which I carry with me as a souvenir. My brother has been frugal in his life and has no money.
Leave something valuable behind." Li Sheng said.
At this time, Jin Shan noticed that the clothes Li Sheng was wearing were very old. It was obvious that there was a very conspicuous patch on the hem of the clothes. This was very inconsistent with his identity, so he asked: "This piece
Do the clothes belong to my brother?"
"Good eyesight, it's exactly what my brother is wearing. If this dress were put on another person, he might throw it away, but my brother will not throw away this dress. He is devoted to public affairs and rarely considers his own private affairs. This
The clothes are proof." Li Sheng said.
Jin Shan saw that the robe Li Sheng was wearing, the chest, back, collar, and sleeves were easily damaged. There were no patches in these areas, but there was a patch at the hem that was not easily worn. Why was this?
Thinking of this, he lifted up the hem of his robe and took a closer look. He slowly thought about it. The patch was not in place, and the stitching was rough. It had no technical content and no level. His handiwork was definitely not good enough.
It was unqualified, so he pulled it off gently.
Suddenly, what comes into view is a long staff drawn on the back of the patch. This staff is not a rolling pin, but looks like a Zen staff used by the abbot in the temple.
What does the drawing of a Zen staff here mean? Could it be that Magistrate Li had a premonition of what was going to happen, so he made preparations in advance, and used a very clumsy method to sew patches on the hem of his robe, hoping to attract others' attention and provide them to those who came after him.
A clue, it must be this.
Drawing Zen sticks on patches is an idea I have never seen before.
He was sensitively aware of what was about to happen and sensed that the ominous danger was close at hand, so he made preparations early, as if he was heading towards death without hesitation. Even death could not affect his confidence in victory.
The picture of the Zen stick has already explained the problem, and it is completely redundant to explain it further.
What problem can this Zen staff illustrate?
Should we look for clues based on the account books that were packaged and sealed and sent back to the capital? Thinking of this, Jin Shan said: "Master Zhonglang, go to the capital and see what your eldest brother's account books are like? Don't disturb anyone when you go back this time.
When you go to Dali Temple, go directly to Tang Lu and he will help you. Remember not to alarm anyone! Except Tang Lu."
"No problem! I have relied a lot on you for your efforts here. I look forward to good news!" Li Sheng said and took the order to go to the capital to check the papers.
After Li Sheng left, Jin Shan began to study his Zen staff again.
County Magistrate Li drew a Zen stick, which actually pointed out the direction of the investigation. He had to find such a Zen stick. Where can I find a Zen stick?
Zen staffs are generally found in temples and should not be found elsewhere.
The largest temple in Laohekou County is Taishan Temple.
Based on the clues about the Zen staff, we should go to Taishan Temple to search and investigate to see if we can find such a Zen staff.
This time he went to Taishan Temple without saying hello to the abbot of the temple in advance, but he was still recognized by some good people and reported to the abbot early, and the abbot's name was changed.
Abbot Qingding received a letter saying that the new county magistrate had arrived.
In fact, it is spreading rumors, not the new county magistrate, but to investigate the case. This is also a method Jin Shan declared to the outside world. If the new county magistrate has the true intention, I am afraid many people are on guard. It is difficult to be on guard.
Find out the facts of the case.
Taishan Temple is full of incense and devotees. It is bustling with devotees and devotees, and it is very lively.
Abbot Qingding was very happy, received Jin Shan attentively, entertained him warmly, and respectfully invited him to sit in the upper room.
Abbot Qingding is over seventy years old and is very talkative. Once he opens his mouth, he does not stop and talks endlessly, as if he is preaching Buddhist scriptures.
"My Buddha is compassionate and protects the people of Laohekou County. The people and clans have benefited from it. My Buddha has appeared here many times." Abbot Qingding said.
"Oh, is there such a thing? How did it appear?" Jin Shan asked.
"The auspicious clouds have been lingering over Taishan Temple for a long time, attracting many faithful men and women to come and worship. There are also flowers blooming, wonderful sounds, fragrant fragrance, and other phenomena, all of which have appeared in Taishan Temple. Many believers can see, hear and smell it.
"It's absolutely true. It's really my Buddha who appears and shows great mercy!" Abbot Qingding said.
"That's it! It seems that Taishan Temple is a treasured place. The Buddha has miraculous effects and is famous all over the world. It is all the result of the efforts of the abbot and other monks." Jin Shan said.
"Where, where, it is my Buddha who is compassionate and shines light on Taishan Temple. How can a poor monk be so virtuous? He does not deserve the relevant glory. It is all because of my Buddha's compassion, Amitabha." Abbot Qingding said.
Jin Shan picked up the tea cup, looked at it, and said, "Thank you, elder, for the nice tea! Such good tea is hard to find in the world!"
"Where, where, the things used by the poor monks in the temple are commonplace, but my Buddha is compassionate and gives spiritual energy to the things used, so I think the tea is delicious. Not only the tea is delicious, but also other things used are full of spiritual energy.
They are all consecrated objects and are priceless. No, the Daxiangguo Temple in the capital also heard that there is an Lingguang Buddha statue in Taishan Temple. They want to invite the Buddha statue from Taishan Temple to Daxiangguo Temple and invite a Buddha statue to go. Unfortunately, Taishan Temple was in a hurry after receiving the information.
So we worked day and night, hurrying and slowly to make a new Buddha." Abbot Qingding said.
When Jin Shan heard this, he felt that there was something wrong here. The Buddha from Taishan Temple appeared. This was the first time he heard that the Daxiangguo Temple in the capital would invite Buddha statues from small temples to worship there? There was something wrong with this.
He murmured in his heart. Abbot Qingding saw Jin Shan was silent and thought he didn't believe him. He quickly explained: "Sir, please look over there!"
Jin Shan looked in the direction of his fingers and found that workers were busy. Several craftsmen were shaping a new Buddha. The clay body had already begun to take shape and was just waiting to be decorated with a golden body.
Jin Shan nodded, indicating that he believed it, and said to Abbot Qingding: "So it's almost completed, and it's an auspicious day to set off?"
"Yes, sir, this poor monk has spent a lot of energy and time on this. I don't know if you have any opinions. You can put them forward, and this poor monk will definitely listen to you." Abbot Qingding said.
"Nothing, I did a good job, but I don't know when to leave?" Jin Shan asked.
"The auspicious day has not been chosen yet, sir, don't be anxious. Once the date is set, the poor monk will make a special trip to inform you as soon as possible. When the time comes, please come to the scene to preside over the departure ceremony and transport the new Buddha to the Daxiangguo Temple in the capital," Abbot Qingding said.
.
"No problem. Remember, we will notify you when the time comes. You don't have to go there in person. You just need to send the young monk to come." Jin Shan said.
"Yes, the poor monk is not young and has inconvenient legs and feet. Thank you for your sympathy for the poor monk!"
"Then I won't bother you. I've been busy with the county government affairs recently. I would like to thank the abbot for taking the time to accompany me and for the tea. Thank you very much! Invite the abbot to sit at your house for a while and repay the gift with tea." Jin Shan said.
"You're welcome! I'm old and decrepit. I wanted to travel around the world and visit famous mountains and ancient temples, but my legs and feet are not flexible and my mind is full but my strength is insufficient. If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely visit my house often. However, since your Excellency,
I am cordially invited, and I will definitely go and visit you. But I can’t get away now, so I hope you’ll forgive me!” Abbot Qingding said.
"Abbott, you're welcome! Farewell!" Jin Shan said.
When Abbot Qingding saw Jin Shan getting up to leave, he immediately wanted to stand up to see him off. He stood up suddenly, but could not stand firmly. He staggered and was about to fall over. He immediately picked up a Zen staff from beside his seat and used it to
Supporting his body that was about to fall, with the support of the Zen staff, he stood firm and did not fall to the ground.
When Jin Shan saw it, he hurriedly stepped forward to help him. Unexpectedly, Abbot Qingding had limited legs and feet, but his hands and arms were flexible. He quickly stabilized himself, but as a reminder to Jin Shan, the Zen staff he had dreamed of finally appeared, and the shape of the Zen staff appeared.
He has long been familiar with it, no wonder Magistrate Li wanted to draw a Zen stick on the patch. Although his sewing skills are not good, his painting skills are very good, and the painting is lifelike. Jin Shan can remember every detail at a glance, which makes him happy.
He recognized at a glance that the Zen staff painted by Magistrate Li was exactly the same as the one used by Abbot Qingding.
Jin Shan remembered this and asked Abbot Qingding to say goodbye when he wanted to say goodbye.
Lest he become suspicious and think that Jin Shan came to Taishan Temple to investigate the case, and he already suspected that there must be a thief in Taishan Temple.
Jin Shan suddenly realized that Abbot Qingding was related to the death of County Magistrate Li?
Abbot Qingding is old, looks kind and kind, and does not look like a murderer. Seeing that he is devoted to Buddhism, he will not poison Magistrate Li. However, how to explain the Zen staff in his hand?
County Magistrate Li has already informed this important clue. It is not in vain, and it is not that there is no connection at all. It needs further confirmation.
Jin Shan returned to the county government and was thinking about this issue all the way.
Someone came to report and said: "Gold smuggling is very rampant in Beidukou."
"What's going on?"
"I heard a report from Baozheng that the villagers went to Beidukou in the middle of the night and were sneaking around and didn't know what they were doing. Later, when the patrol came, those people ran away and discovered this."
With that said, he raised a piece of gold and handed it to Jin Shan.
He continued: "Sir, this piece of gold was picked up near the North Ferry. It may have been dropped by the group of people in a hurry that night. They must have been engaged in smuggling activities for a long time."
Jin Shan took the gold and studied it carefully. He found that this piece of gold was different from other gold. Other gold was either gold bricks, gold nuggets, or other shapes that were easy to pack. There was no such long strip. Generally, it was
They talk about gold bricks and gold ingots, but they don’t talk about gold snakes. This is really eye-opening. They are the same gold, but they have different shapes.
After much deliberation, this was the only possibility. He suddenly understood and felt very happy.
A few days later, a young novice monk came to the county government office and handed over an invitation. The content was to invite Jin Shan to preside over the grand ceremony of transporting the Buddha statues to the Daxiangguo Temple in the capital.
Jin Shan agreed and wrote a letter stating his intention to go there at that time. Then he sent the young novice away and asked him to bring back the letter and deliver it to Abbot Qingding in person.
Jin Shan has figured out the ins and outs of the case, and only the last step is left.
At that time, he took the people to Beidukou, because that was the largest dock leaving Laohekou County.
There were already many religious men and women gathered there, as well as some people watching the excitement. It was really a huge crowd of people, and the pier was completely surrounded.
The new Buddha has already been delivered from Taishan Temple to the temporary altar set up at the pier in an eight-carat sedan chair.
This job was really done well, and he was more considerate than Jin Shan. It seems that Abbot Qingding is very experienced.
Jin Shan even felt inferior!
As soon as Jin Shan arrived, everyone stepped out of the way and watched how the county magistrate presided over the grand ceremony.
Jin Shan glanced at it and saw Abbot Qingding serving beside the Buddha statue. He was not as kind and friendly as before, but he felt a slight crisis, but he didn't make it clear. He vaguely felt that something had happened, and he didn't know what it was.
Know.
His expression betrayed how confused he was in his heart!
He held the Zen staff tightly with his hands and relied on the Zen staff to support his body, as if a building was about to collapse.