Su Ping took Mei Ran to the study room in the Ministry of Justice to look at the map of the city.
A secretary, Shi Lingshi, sat opposite with an expressionless face, looking serious and business-like, staring at Su Pingmei Ran's every move.
This group of literati who came from the imperial examination had an inexplicable sense of superiority when faced with the supervisors and swordsmen who were mainly engaged in physical labor. Although the work of writing and making history was very boring and without any oil.
This map was drawn exquisitely and meticulously, and even the buildings in the alleys were numbered. However, there was only one copy of this map in the entire Ministry of Justice. It was not allowed to be taken away, not copied, and Su Pingmei Ran was not even allowed to touch it with her hands.
Su Ping wanted to see the detailed layout of Daoguangfang, but unfortunately, it was almost blank.
It is not difficult to explain. Daoguangfang is home to a large number of royal relatives and meritorious nobles. The details of these people's residences are confidential. Moreover, the people there are often not the targets of the Ministry of Punishment.
Ever since he knew that the little prince Zhao Lian was going to be cruel to him, Su Ping had been planning a countermeasure. Now he had an idea, but he did not tell anyone his plan, including his most trusted young senior sister Mei Ran.
The reason why he didn't use the Honghua Society to handle this matter was because he was worried that people would talk too much and the matter would be exposed. The reason why he didn't take Mei Ran with him to handle this matter was because he didn't want Mei Ran to take risks with him.
Seeing such a detailed map, Mei Ran was filled with surprise and stared at it intently. Before she could see enough, she heard Su Ping thank the Shu Ling Shi. The Shu Ling Shi rolled up the map and took it away.
After leaving the study room, Mei Ran asked Su Ping, why did he suddenly need to look at the map? If you want to do something, just go to the office and ask for the map.
Su Ping said, the secret must not be leaked.
Mei Ran said, are you still hiding me from me?
Su Ping said, of course not, I just want to give you a surprise.
Women seem to be looking forward to surprises, even if they already feel that it is a scam.
The people from the Red Flower Club are still staring at the other sixteen suspects, and Su Ping plans to go to Daoguangfang today to take a look.
There are many people involved in the major corruption case, including several in Daoguangfang. However, they have titles and the Ministry of Punishment cannot directly investigate them.
Arriving at Daoguangfang Office, Su Ping and Fang Cheng asked for a map.
"The General Administration of Health of Jinwu is located in Daoguangfang, and the left and right Leopard Cavalry are responsible for the safety of Daoguangfang, so the map is with them." Daoguangfang Fangcheng is also the eighth grade. He is neither humble nor overbearing, and has an easy-going attitude: "Master Su, if you want to investigate the case, I should
The officer can send someone to guide Mr. Su. However, they must comply with the regulations."
Su Ping pulled out several documents from the Ministry of Justice from the document bag, handed them to Fang Cheng, and asked, "Master Fang Cheng, please take a look at these people. Can I go to their house?"
Fang Cheng looked at it, returned the document to Su Ping, shook his head with a wry smile and said: "If the Ministry of Punishment wants to search them, it still needs approval from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Take a look, who are the people you want to check? They are all relatives of the emperor.
."
It was basically hopeless to figure out the layout of Prince Qi's mansion through handling the case. Later, Su Ping gave up the idea and decided to go to the black market to find a solution.
"I'm going to Nanshi, and I'm going to do it alone this time."
Su Ping put on a set of clothes brought from Chang'an. Such clothes made Mei Ran look more pleasing to the eye. This was her Junior Brother Su or Young Master Su. But I heard that Su Ping wanted to act alone without bringing someone with him.
She, she looked a little dissatisfied. But she didn't say anything, she just stood there in a depressed mood, lowering her head and picking her fingers.
Su Ping stretched out his hand, palm facing up, and shook it.
Mei Ran didn't understand what Su Ping meant, so she tilted her head and looked at Su Ping.
Su Ping said: "Lend me fifty taels."
Mei Ran reluctantly took out fifty taels of silver and put it in Su Ping's hand: "Save some money!"
Although she was somewhat reluctant, as long as she had money, she would definitely lend it to Su Ping.
When Su Ping went to Nanshi, he first went to the county government office to find Lao Xing. Lao Xing knew that Su Ping was promoted to the eighth rank, so he was naturally more enthusiastic than before. Su Ping asked Lao Xing about the black market. Lao Xing was as cautious as ever, and he did not directly
Instead, he asked Su Ping to ask about Lao Li. It was Lao Li, the retired deputy team leader who provided Su Ping with evidence in the "Huang Sanlang Case".
When I found Lao Li, it was almost noon. Su Ping invited Lao Li to a restaurant for dinner.
Lao Li held the wine glass and said, "I want to remind Mr. Su that there are no good people in the black market."
Su Ping smiled: "Then could you please Mr. Li and take me there?"
Old Li hesitated for a moment: "It's okay to let me lead the way, but Mr. Su should tell me everything."
Su Ping looked around and lowered his voice and said: "The Ministry of Punishment wants to investigate a prince. But we can't mobilize the troops, so I can only investigate secretly. I need a detailed map of Daoguangfang."
Old Li frowned: "The map of Daoguangfang may not be available on the black market. If it is available, the price will definitely not be low."
Su Ping asked: "How much?"
Lao Li stretched out a finger: "I estimate it is at least one hundred taels."
Su Ping frowned: "So expensive?"
Lao Li gave a bitter smile and repeated what he just said: "There are no good people in the black market."
Su Ping thought for a while and asked, "Mr. Li, take me to see their leader for a face-to-face interview."
Lao Li said: "Their leader is known as Tu Lao in Jianghu. It is a bit difficult to meet him. Unless recommended by someone close to him, he will not be met. As for me, I have to charge a meeting fee of twenty taels for my face.
.And he also needs to know all your information. You have to answer whatever he asks. Otherwise, he will not see you."
Su Ping said: "In other words, he wants to collect all my information before I get anything?"
Lao Li smiled bitterly and said: "Otherwise, how could he know so many things?"
Su Ping nodded: "It seems that the black market is more complicated than I thought. And it is well-organized."
Lao Li nodded in agreement.
After a conversation, Su Ping looked at Lao Li carefully. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell.
Lao Li noticed that Su Ping was examining him and gave Su Ping a questioning look. Su Ping smiled and said nothing.
After dinner, Lao Li took Su Ping through the Nanshi slums. The composition of the people there was complex, with a group of arrogant guys having the final say, and some simple, hard-working people working under their command.
There are many small workshops there, which are dirty, damp, and messy, but the people here seem very busy, and all kinds of goods are constantly shipped out from here, including some food.
Seeing some shady small workshops, those moldy grains were processed by them and put on the market again to make steamed buns, pastries, pancakes, pies and the like. Seeing those, Su Ping regretted eating cheap stuffing on the street.
cake.
The crowding of the shantytowns in Nanshi was far beyond Su Ping's imagination. In the narrowest alley, the distance between two walls allowed only one person to pass by sideways.
Those who were following Lao Li around were already a little disoriented.
Passing by three small gates, there will always be two sturdy men guarding the door. They all know Lao Li, Lao Li whispered something to them, and they looked at Su Ping with unkind eyes.
After a while, I let him pass.
Finally, when he reached the door of a house, Lao Li stopped and said, "If I go any further, I won't be able to get in."
Su Ping said: "Need money?"
Lao Li said: "It's not about money, it's about wearing a headgear."
Su Ping nodded.
Lao Li stared at Su Ping and asked, "Master Su, are you really here to handle the case?"
Su Ping said: "Yes."
Old Li shook his head: "If we are really handling a case, I think the Minister of Punishment can get the map of Daoguangfang. But since Mr. Su insists on coming here, I'm afraid it's not for official business."
Su Ping smiled: "If it's not business, what can I do with the map?"
Lao Li gave a bitter smile: "Then I don't know. I don't think Mr. Su will assassinate you, right?"
Su Ping said: "What if it is?"
Lao Li laughed out loud and said: "Master Su is so good at joking. There are countless watchtowers in Daoguangfang, and there are two thousand leopard cavalry guarding it. The Liang Dynasty has been a hundred years old, and many people have gone to Daoguangfang to assassinate them, but no one can get out of Daoguangfang alive.
, you can count them on one hand.”
Su Ping clapped her fingers.
Old Li said: "Mr. Su, it is best to reconsider whether you want to see Mr. Tu. If you can tell me the specific matter and let me inquire for you, it will not only save money, but also save trouble. Otherwise, what will happen to them when they get inside?
You have to ask questions. If they ask me anything, I, Lao Li, will lose face and will never come here to do business in the future."
Su Ping took out thirty taels of silver and handed it to Lao Li: "I want a way to escape from Daoguangfang."
Lao Li confiscated the money, but asked: "What do you want to do?"
Su Ping said: "I can't say."
Lao Li thought for a while, hesitantly accepted the twenty taels of silver, and said: "Even if I go to ask something, twenty taels must be spent, but I can't guarantee whether I can get an answer that satisfies you. Or even what?"
I can’t even ask.”
Su Ping gave the remaining money to Lao Li: "I trust Mr. Li."
Lao Li nodded, knocked on the door and walked in, but as soon as he entered, someone inside put a hood on his head. Before Su Ping could see the layout clearly, the door slammed shut again.
In fact, Su Ping had heard of Tu Lao's name.
I also know that the people who come to see Mr. Tu for business are not just Jianghu people.
If such an underground organization can survive for decades, there must be a reason for its survival.
Half an hour passed before Lao Li came out. Without saying anything, he took Su Ping out of the black market and returned to Lao Li's home. Then he said: "It's better to return these ten taels of silver to Mr. Su."
It seemed that the matter was not done. Su Ping smiled bitterly and shook his head, but the money was not taken.
Seeing that Su Ping refused to accept it, Old Li put the silver on the table and whispered: "Although Mr. Tu didn't tell me, I do know a secret passage leading in and out of Daoguangfang. But there is no guarantee that the secret passage will work."
Su Ping asked: "What kind of secret passage?"
Old Li said: "I have a map of sewage culverts and culverts in Daoguangfang. I got them from the black market a few years ago. But that time, the person who asked for the map did not come out alive."