The carriage was flying, but within half an hour, Su Ling and the others had arrived at Nanzhang County City. Nanzhang County City was a big city, more prosperous than Wanyang City, but no one was in the mood to play. Where was the government office? They had no idea.
I know, but I found that almost the entire people of Nanzhang City were swarming towards the south. Su Ling and the others got off the carriage, asked A-Xian to take care of them, and then followed the tide of people towards the south.
Sure enough, after walking for a while, a tall government office appeared in front of us. The government office was indeed solemn and majestic, but the people in front of the government office were much more than the people coming here on the street. Li Ba
The front of the Jiangfu Yamen eight floors outside was completely surrounded by water.
Su Ling listened to their words carefully, and saw that every commoner had an angry look on their face. Most of their words were complaining about Zhang Shennong, and some even said loudly, if Zhang Shennong died after being cured,
People, I am afraid that all the doctors in Nanzhang County are harmful to people. Some people also said that they should believe in the judgment of the county magistrate and he will definitely clear Dr. Zhang's innocence.
Su Ling thought in his mind, it seemed that even the people in the county felt that Zhang Shennong was wronged, maybe there was really something inside.
Zhang Zhiyue desperately tried to squeeze into the office, but Su Ling pulled her and shook her head.
Zhang Zhiyue was very anxious. When Su Ling stopped him, she thought that Su Ling was afraid of trouble. She looked a little disappointed and said: "Su Ling, if you are afraid of getting burned and avoid Du Heng, then that is my grandpa and has nothing to do with you."
Su Ling knew that she cared about her relatives, so she was not angry. She just lowered her voice and said, "Zhiyue, do you believe that your grandfather really killed people?"
Zhang Zhiyue said without even thinking: "I don't believe a hundred people."
Su Ling nodded and said: "Me too, but since Mrs. Deng has already reported my grandpa to the government office, she must be prepared. If you go out rashly like this, I'm afraid you won't be able to save my grandpa, and you will be implicated, too."
Trapped in jail!"
Zhang Zhiyue burst into anxious tears and sobbed: "Then what should we do?"
Su Ling thought for a while and said: "The governor of the Yamen government must have asked questions first when he asked about the case. It is expected that almost all the people in the county gathered here. In public, he would not dare to use torture indiscriminately. Let's stay in the crowd for now and watch.
Depending on how this thing develops, I might as well act accordingly, Zhiyue, believe me, your grandfather has been very kind to me. In my heart, he is already my grandfather, and I will definitely find a way to save him!"
Zhang Zhiyue's starry eyes flashed, she looked at Su Ling, and nodded vigorously. Su Ling held Zhang Zhiyue's hand and stood side by side with her in the crowd. Feeling the warmth from her hand, Zhang Zhiyue's heart calmed down a little.
Suddenly there was a noise among the crowd: "The Sheriff is coming out."
Su Ling, Zhang Zhiyue and Du Heng looked up and saw a middle-aged man in official uniform and a black mustache in the main hall. He walked to the government office and sat down in front of the office desk.
After holding water and fire sticks and standing on both sides, he patted the wooden door and said: "Bring the criminal Zhang Shennong and the accuser Deng Wu, the witness Deng Fang and others are waiting!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sound of iron shackles. Zhang Shennong, who had iron shackles on his hands and feet, slowly walked out from the side. There was another noise in the crowd, and many people shouted: "Mr. Zhang, you are suffering.
Well, good people will be rewarded. We don’t believe that you executed Deng Xuan, but we all believe in you!" followed by a wave of louder and louder echoes.
Zhang Shennong was moved in his heart. These simple-tongued people will stand with anyone who treats them well and has them in their heart.
Zhang Shennong slowly turned around, slowly bowed his hands toward the huge crowd, and then stood in the hall with neither humility nor arrogance.
After a while, Deng Fang, the patriarch of the Deng family, Wu Xiu, the patriarch of the Wu family, and Qi Yan, the patriarch of the Qi family, walked out arrogantly.
There were a lot of curses among the people, but Deng Fang turned a deaf ear. The two mice glanced at the crowd, snorted, and stood by the side of the hall. On the other hand, Wu Xiu and Qi Yan looked embarrassed and did not dare to look at the people, so they lowered their heads.
, standing behind Deng Fang.
Su Ling's heart moved. It seemed that among these big families, Deng Fang's Deng family followed suit.
After a while, the plaintiff Deng Wu was in a daze, with his head lowered and an ugly face walking towards the front of the government office. However, he walked very slowly, as if he was carrying a heavy burden, and his steps seemed to be moving forward step by step.
, those who don’t know, think that this is just like a person offending his master.
Deng Wu finally arrived at the main hall without speaking. His legs softened and he knelt down in the lobby. His whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
The crowd under the government office was noisy again.
The county guard slapped the gavel loudly, and it took a while for the crowd to quiet down.
"Mighty—" the government officials on both sides shouted, and the Nanzhang County government office was officially promoted.
The county guard slapped the alarm again, cleared his throat and then said: "I, Mr. Deng, the county guard, will investigate the case of Zhang Shennong's execution of Deng Xuan today, and we will ensure fairness."
Mr. Deng? Su Ling smiled coldly. It seemed that the county guard was also a member of the Deng family. Now Zhang Shennong's situation became even worse.
Deng Xian asked seriously: "Deng Wu, did you accuse Zhang Shennong of having your son Deng Xuan executed?"
Hearing this, Deng Wu shivered even harder. He looked at Mr. Deng and then at Zhang Shennong, who was standing beside him with a calm and upright look. After a long while, he hesitated and said: "Yes... he is a villain."
."
Deng Xian nodded, then looked at Zhang Shennong and said sternly: "Zhang Shennong, why don't you kneel down when you see this county governor?"
Zhang Shennong said neither humble nor arrogantly: "In the law of this dynasty, those with talents and above are not required to kneel when they meet an official. However, they are old and incompetent, but they are actually promoted."
Deng Xian suffocated and rolled his eyes for a long time, then said: "Okay, then you don't have to kneel down. I want to ask you, do you admit that it was you who treated Deng Xuan indiscriminately that led to his death?"
Zhang Shennong said with a faint sneer: "Master Deng, where do you come from? The old prescription and the medicinal materials used have been presented to you earlier, and you will know it at a glance."
The master had already handed the relevant evidence to Deng Xian. Deng Xian pretended to look at it for a few times and then said: "I have sent people to ask the experts. Your prescription and medicinal materials are indeed correct, but why did Deng Xuan still die?
What? How do you explain it?"
Zhang Shennong sneered: "Isn't it the duty of Mr. Deng's servants to investigate the inside story of the case? Why do you ask this old man?"
Deng Xian was choked again and was speechless for a moment.
Deng Fang on the side, had he not thought that this was in court, he would have scolded Mr. Deng for being a loser. Even so, he had already greeted his ancestors many times in his heart, and suddenly thought of one of their ancestors, so he had to pray silently.
Sin, sin.
Deng Fang cupped his hands and said: "Master Sheriff, this Shennong has been immersed in the apricot altar for many years. He is extremely proficient in medicinal materials and pharmacology. There is no problem with the prescription and medicinal materials. However, when he prescribes the medicine, does he use it?
It’s these things, so that’s another matter.”
When the crowd in the audience heard this, they were all very angry and shouting loudly. Many people shouted loudly: "Deng Fang, you are baseless and rely solely on guesswork. How can you convince people!" "Yes!, you
This is bloody slander!..."
Zhang Zhiyue's heart was ups and downs, and she looked at Deng Fang standing in the hall with hatred, and whispered: "This Deng Fang just wants to blame my grandfather for this crime. It's really abominable."
Su Ling sneered and said: "The huge Nanzhang County can convict me just by talking nonsense? I want to take a look!"
Deng Xian almost smashed the gavel to pieces before shouting at the people below to stop him. Then he turned to Deng Wu and said, "Deng Wu, didn't you say you have something to report? Please tell me quickly."
Deng Wu heard this and trembled all over. Looking at Zhang Shennong's eyes full of guilt, he lowered his head and seemed to be struggling in his heart.
Deng Xian asked three times in a row, but Deng Wu said nothing.
Deng Fang, who was standing next to him, walked up to Deng Wu and said with a stern look on his face: "Deng Wu, what are you hesitating about? Why don't you just say it quickly if you have something to say?"
Deng Wu's body was like chaff, and he seemed to be more afraid of Deng Fang in front of him than the elder Deng Xian. He had no choice but to kowtow and said: "Master Deng, what Zhang Shennong said is untrue. Although the prescription is good, he said that he would take the medicine himself.
And what he caught seemed to be very taboo for me to see. I was a little suspicious, but thinking that my son Deng Xuan was seriously ill, I took the medicine that Zhang Shennong personally caught and asked my son to take it. After a while, my son said
The abdominal pain was unbearable, I rolled on the bed and whined, and soon I ran out of breath..."
There was another commotion in the government office. Zhang Shennong was also quite surprised. He turned to look at Deng Wu and said word by word: "Deng Wu, I was just feeling sorry for you, so I helped you. Why did you try to frame him out of thin air?"
I!"
Deng Wu didn't dare to look into Zhang Shennong's eyes and just buried his head deeper.
Deng Fang was the first to shout: "Master Sheriff, you have heard it. It must be that Zhang Shennong who is causing trouble. He grabbed the tiger and wolf medicine by himself and harmed Deng Xuan. I hope the Sheriff will learn from it!"
Deng Xian got off the donkey along the slope and said loudly: "Zhang Shennong, what else do you have to say? Are you still not guilty?"
Zhang Shennong looked up to the sky and sneered, looked at Deng Fang with burning eyes, and said coldly: "Deng Fang, you are really scheming!"
Deng Fang looked at him fiercely and said with some pride: "It's because you don't know your own taste. Why do you blame me?"
Zhang Shennong nodded, ignored him, and simply cupped his hands and said, "Master Deng, according to Deng Wu's words, I used poison to cause Deng Xuan's sudden death. But if the medicine was really poisonous, an autopsy would be able to find out.
Wu Zuo is in the hall now, and you will know as soon as you ask."
Deng Xian nodded, and the man next to him walked up to Deng Xian and whispered: "Sir, I was ordered to examine Deng Xuan's body. There is indeed no sign of poisoning in the esophagus. It's just strange that his seven orifices were bleeding and his mouth was crooked.
The eyes are slanted, and the death state looks like poisoning, so it is difficult to make a conclusion at the moment."
Hearing this, Deng Xian was quite dissatisfied with Wu Zuo's words. He snorted and said, "In other words, he was still poisoned. This is normal. That Zhang Shennong has superb medical skills. How can you, a little Wu Zuo, see the way he used poison?"
of?"
Seeing Deng Xian's posture, Wu Zuo already knew the intention of his boss, so he nodded in agreement.
Deng Xian then said loudly: "As I said just now, Deng Xuan did die from poisonous hair. Zhang Shennong, what else do you have to say?"
When Zhang Shennong heard this, he was not surprised and said: "If you want to accuse me, there is no need to hesitate. This entire Nanzhang County is decided by your Deng family. What can I say?"
When Deng Xian heard this, he slapped the wall and shouted angrily: "Zhang Shennong is so bold that he dares to rush into this county guard. Do you really think that this county guard can't cure you? Let me ask you, do you admit your guilt?"
Zhang Shennong looked serious and said loudly: "I don't recognize it!"
Deng Xian almost jumped out of the desk and said loudly: "Okay, since you don't plead guilty, don't blame this county guard for being ruthless. If someone comes, give him forty blows first and see if he is more stubborn or me."
The water and fire stick are hard!”
Upon hearing this, all the government officials obeyed the order, and each took out a water-fire ruthless stick to hold Zhang Shennong down.
Su Ling was shocked. He didn't expect that in front of so many people in public, Mr. Deng would actually ignore it and use severe punishment. Zhang Shennong was already over seventy years old. Not to mention forty sticks, even ten sticks would not kill him.
Disabled.
Su Ling suddenly shouted coldly: "Du Heng, take this guy and snatch Mr. Zhang away!"
Du Heng roared: "I've wanted to beat these bastards for a long time!" As he said this, he pulled out his sword and pushed forward.
When all the people saw that the county guard wanted to beat Zhang Shennong with forty sticks, they could no longer suppress the anger in their hearts. One after another, the crowd roared: "You can't beat him! Doctor Zhang is a good doctor who treats our poor people. You are using severe punishment like this."
, not giving Doctor Zhang a way to survive!"
"Yes, what kind of yamen do you think you are? You just give in to beatings, and you care about people's lives. We don't accept it!"
“I’m not convinced!” “I’m not convinced!” “I’m not convinced!”
There was a lot of buzz and excitement.
Deng Xian shouted to stop, and a ferocious look gradually appeared on his face, and shouted: "I treat you untouchables, this Nanzhang County is my territory, when will it be your turn to speak, today I will
If you want to beat him, what can you do? Beat him hard!"
Those cadres also sympathized with Zhang Shennong, but they had no choice but to call forward because of their fate.
Seeing that Zhang Shennong was about to be tortured, countless people became even more furious. I don't know who took the lead in shouting: "We can't let anything happen to Dr. Zhang. We rushed over, smashed the dog official's yamen, and saved Dr. Zhang!" "Yes! Rush!"
Go in and smash the Gouguan Yamen!"
One person took the lead and rushed forward, followed by others, forming groups. In an instant, the crowd surged, and all the people stepped forward angrily, rushing towards Zhang Shennong and Yanei.
Su Ling looked at the crowd surging forward, and then said to Du Heng: "Put the knife away, there is no need for us to take action."
Su Ling had been in that era and knew how to use people's hearts. The many people in Nanzhang County were a force that could not be ignored.
While he was talking, more than a dozen common people pushed the government officials to the ground and broke through the blockade. The common people were no longer able to stop them and poured into the main hall like a tide. Someone had already protected Zhang Shennong.
Deng Xianzhen smashed the gavel and couldn't stop shouting. Then Deng Fang panicked and shouted at the frightened government officials: "What are you doing standing still? These are mobs! Take them all down!"
"
With a "pop--" sound, a rotten egg was thrown out from nowhere and hit Deng Fang's head impartially. Immediately afterwards, rotten eggs and rotten vegetable leaves greeted Deng Fang's head from all directions.
.
Deng Fang was hit so hard that he fled to Deng Xian's side and said in a panic: "Master Deng, this... what should I do?"
Deng Xian glanced at Deng Fang angrily and said: "This is not your fault, why are you asking me now?"
After all, Deng Xian, who had eaten a large plate of nepeta, suddenly shouted loudly: "By doing this, you are aggravating Zhang Shennong's crime. I promise that Zhang Shennong will not be punished until the case is fully investigated. Please go back!"
"
Zhang Shennong was inexplicably moved, but he also knew that it would only make things more complicated. If the army was alerted, these people would not be well. He had to bow to the people who rushed in and said loudly: "Folks, I, Zhang Shennong,
How can He De be worthy of everyone's love and care? Everyone, please go back and believe in the merits of right and wrong. I, Zhang Shennong, leave it to you."
Seeing what Zhang Shennong said, the people slowly withdrew.
Deng Xian held up his official hat and then said slowly: "This case is complicated and it is difficult for me to make a decision at the moment. Someone came and put Zhang Shennong on death row. The other people related to the case were sent back to their respective places, but they were not allowed to leave this county."
, you need to be here at any time!”
After that, he shook his sleeves and left the hall.
Zhang Shennong was escorted away, and everyone gradually dispersed.
............
On a remote path on the outskirts of Nanzhang County, Deng Wu walked alone in a daze, looking full of thoughts and walking weakly.
Suddenly he felt a chill on his neck, and a bright knife was pressed against his neck.
Just when Deng Wu was about to shout, the man holding him hostage behind him said coldly: "Don't shout. My brother has something to ask you. As long as you cooperate, you can save your life."
Deng Wu nodded like a chicken pecking rice and said: "I won't shout...I won't shout!"
The man helped Deng Wu turn left and right and turned into an alley. Then he put away the knife, pointed forward and said, "My brother is waiting for you."
Deng Wu looked up and saw a young man looking at him with a sneer, followed by a girl in front of him.
Only then did he see clearly that the two girls were none other than Zhang Zhiyue. They looked familiar to the young man, and they must have met them in the Flying Snake Valley.
He took another furtive glance at the strong black man holding a knife behind him, and felt that he had seen him in the Flying Snake Valley.
It is Su Ling, Zhang Zhiyue and Du Heng.
Su Ling walked over with a sneer, patted him on the shoulder, and looked at him with burning eyes.
Deng Wu was so frightened that he lost his mind. His legs went weak and he knelt down, shouting for mercy.
Su Ling, however, seemed quite easy-going. She just sneered, helped him up again, and then said word by word: "Deng Wu, you know why we asked you to come here, right? Why did you frame Zhang Shennong in the hall? Is there something wrong with him?
Hidden secret?"
When Deng Wu heard this, his face turned pale, he waved his hands desperately and shook his head: "There is no secret, no secret..."
Su Ling pursed her lips towards Du Heng. Du Heng made a fierce look, swung his knife and said, "My knife hasn't seen any blood for a few days. Today is the perfect day..."
Before he finished speaking, Deng Wu's lower body was already wet, but he was so frightened that he peed his pants.
He could no longer control himself and just collapsed on the ground, mumbling like crazy: "I don't want to... I don't want to sue the miracle doctor Zhang... It's them, it's them
Deng Fang and others forced me... They forced me!"
Su Ling and Zhang Zhiyue looked at each other. Su Ling slowly walked to him and squatted down. Her voice became much softer and said: "Deng Wu, I know you are an honest person. Deng Fang is so powerful that you can't help it.
Fortunately, things can still turn around, please tell me everything you know."
Only then did Deng Wu regain his composure, and Fang said in a tearful tone: "You...you won't tell Deng Fang, right?"
Su Ling nodded and said, "Don't worry, we won't tell him."
"Okay...I told you what I said...it's Deng Fang. Yesterday, Deng Fang told me that my son Deng Xuan would die soon, and asked me to bite the magic doctor Zhang and keep everything in check.
They blamed it all on Dr. Zhang, who also told me what he said. He also said that if I did as he said, and when my son died, he would be buried with the highest etiquette of the Deng family, and I would still have a big house.
...If I don't do what he says...he will kill me and take me with my son to feed the wolves!"
"Sure enough, it was Deng Fang who was responsible!" Su Ling whispered.
Zhang Zhiyue suddenly turned around and said: "I'm going to the Yamen to explain the matter clearly!"
Su Ling hurriedly pulled her and said: "You can't go, Zhiyue. Although Deng Wu said so, Deng Wu said that he is insignificant and he can't move Deng Fang away. He might even lose his life and the old man can't save him."
come out."
Zhang Zhiyue stamped her feet anxiously and said, "What should I do? Will my grandpa not save me?"
Su Ling was quite calm and said to Deng Wu: "Let me ask you, how did your son die?"
Deng Wu spread his hands and said with a sad expression: "I don't know either. Doctor Zhang went there that day and prescribed some medicine. My son drank it and he felt much better. He even drank a big bowl of porridge, but he fell ill the next day.
Screaming and rolling, he really died as Deng Fang said..."
Su Ling didn't say anything, thinking to herself. Although she already knew that Deng Fang was blaming Zhang Shennong, the cause of Deng Xuan's death was still a mystery. Without finding out, relying on what Deng Wu said would not help at all.
After thinking for a while, she said: "Zhiyue, the most important thing now is to find out how Deng Xuan died. Only in this way can we save the old man by going to the court with Deng Wu to confront Deng Fang."
Zhang Zhiyue nodded.
Su Ling said to Deng Wu again: "Is your son buried?"
Deng Wu hurriedly shook his head and said: "No, no, earlier the county guard sent someone to bring my son's body back to the morgue of the county guard's office. Because it is of great importance, it cannot be buried until the case is closed."
Su Ling's eyes lit up, he stood up, and helped Deng Wu up again and said: "Old man Deng, I know you are a kind person. Deng Xuan died unjustly. If I find out the cause of Deng Xuan's death, I can find out the truth for you."
The murderer, are you willing to testify for us and save Zhang Shennong?"
Deng Wu's eyes flashed and he struggled for a long time. Suddenly, with tears in his eyes, he said: "I'm going to give it all. My son is dead, and I don't have any relatives in the world. Doctor Zhang was very kind to my family. I framed him just to frame him."
I have long regretted what I did with my conscience trapped in a creaking nest. Brother, don’t worry, I will retract my confession when the time comes and prove Dr. Zhang’s innocence!”
Su Ling heard this and bowed to Deng Wu. Deng Wu was so panicked that he hurriedly helped him. Su Ling said sternly: "Well, thank you very much, Mr. Deng. Don't worry, I will never let your son die unjustly!"
After Deng Wu was sent away, the three of them stood in a remote place. Zhang Zhiyue looked sad and remained silent.
Su Ling held her hand and said: "Zhiyue, don't worry, the most important thing is left now. As long as we find out the cause of Deng Xuan's death, the old man will definitely be safe."
"But, how can we check?" Zhang Zhiyue said a little disappointed.
Su Ling thought for a while and said slowly: "Let's go back to the county guard's office?"
Hearing this, Du Heng smiled, waved his sword in his hand and said, "Haha, I'm going to smash the prison and rebel against him when I go back. Thinking about this kind of thing makes me excited."
Su Ling glared at him and said: "Before you speak, use your brain first. How dare you and the two of us go to break up the prison and rebel against it? How many heads do you have that they can chop off?"
Du Heng touched his head and said, "What are you going back for?"
"Go back and ask someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
"Deng Xuan!"
Du Heng's head was as big as a bucket, as if he didn't believe what he heard, and said loudly: "Deng Xuan? Isn't he dead? How can you ask?"
Su Ling smiled at Zhang Zhiyue. Zhang Zhiyue obviously understood his intention and smiled at him with some relief.
Su Ling said word by word: "It's only after he died that I came to him. Dead people never lie."