Early the next morning, everyone got up early, washed and dressed up, and took their places according to the arrangements.
Yan Shu was sitting in the hall, while Fu Bi, Su Jin, Yan Biyun and several accompanying soldiers were sitting on both sides, waiting for the arrival of Pang De, the magistrate of Zhe County.
When the first ray of autumn sun shone on the earth, news came from the soldiers watching on the stone tower that there was a group of people from the north heading towards the inn, less than two miles away.
Fu Bi repeatedly ordered his soldiers to hide behind the front hall of the courtyard, while the others pulled up horses and loaded trucks, creating the illusion that everything was going as normal and they were preparing to set off.
Pang De led a dozen subordinate officials and squires into the courtyard. Before he entered the hall, he said with a smile on his face: "Your Excellency Sansi got up so early. I thought you might have just gotten up when we got here."
Yan Shu smiled slightly and said: "How dare you be lazy and sleepy when you are eating the king's salary? Magistrate Pang is also very early today. This is a labor for you. In fact, I already said yesterday that you are not needed to see me off, but you just don't listen."
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Pang De chuckled and said: "If a superior official passes through this county, how can the inferior officials not treat each other respectfully? This county is poor, and although there is nothing filial, but human courtesy cannot be avoided. I have several small gifts prepared by the inferior officials. Please give me three
Mr. Si and all the other lords accompanying him laughed and accepted it, which is not respectful or disrespectful."
After saying that, he waved his hand, and the government servants behind him carried several large boxes in a dark manner. They looked very heavy, and it was obvious that there were a lot of gifts inside.
Yan Shu laughed loudly and said: "Magistrate Pang is very hospitable. When Shangguan passes by here, you always give gifts. I guess the box in this box must not be wine."
Pang De was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Of course it's not wine, it's just some ordinary things. What's the gift of wine? I've heard for a long time that Mr. Sansi likes to drink two glasses of wine. He must have a collection of famous brands at home. There is no fine wine in this small county. In fact,
I can’t get my hands on it.”
Yan Shu looked sideways at him and said, "Is it true that there is no wine? I am very disappointed. I heard that there is a good wine in Zhe County that is very delicious. It would be a pity not to drink it."
Pang De asked doubtfully: "There is good wine in this county? How come I don't know about it?"
Yan Shu waved his hand and said, "If you don't believe me, ask everyone. Does anyone here know that you have good wine in Zhe County?"
Pang De looked at Fu Bi doubtfully, Fu Bi smiled and nodded, then looked at Su Jin, who nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, and looked at Yan Biyun, who also nodded slightly.
"What else is there? Your Excellency told me the name of the wine. I have to make a few jars for you to taste. I am a humble official and I really don't know what good wines there are in this small county." Pang De was confused and surprised.
"Su Jin, tell him the name of that wine."
Su Jin chuckled and said: "County Magistrate Pang is really stingy. Not only is this wine very famous, but it was also brewed by your own hands. But now you are saying that you don't know whether Master Sansi and all of you here are not qualified to drink this wine?"
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Pound became more and more confused and said with a smile on his face: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Sansi is witty and funny. Only when I saw him today did I know that he is really like this. He is joking, joking."
Su Jindao: "Master Sansi is not joking with you. The name of that wine is 'One Bowl of Pour'. It is said to be more powerful than the 'Toupingxiang' of Yanggu County. The Toupingxiang is said to be 'three bowls are not worth the post'.
But Magistrate Pang's 'one bowl pour' is three times more powerful than just drinking a bowl and climbing down."
Pang De had a look of surprise on his face, and he squeezed out a smile and said, "It turns out that this young man is just entertaining the county."
Su Jin sneered and said sternly: "What about entertaining you? Why can Tang Jie drink that wine, but we can't?"
Pang De's expression changed drastically, and he turned around and was about to run out. Fu Bi shouted loudly: "Get them."
Dozens of soldiers suddenly poured out from all around, surrounding the more than twenty people brought by Pang De. The shackles and chains were clattering, and they were all tied together like crabs.
Pang De shouted: "Master Sansi, why is this? After all, I am also an official of the imperial court. Why should I be taken with neither official documents from the imperial court nor evidence of incrimination?"
Yan Shu shouted: "You think of yourself as a person. What else do you want from me? Evidence? You will see it soon. Take him to the yard and hold him until Master Bao arrives."
Pang Dewu shouted to himself: "Yan Shu, you are overstepping your authority. If you want to take me, you need the Ministry of Personnel and Punishment. You are a member of the Third Division and have no right to take me."
Fu Bi chuckled and said, "Am I qualified? I am Fu Bi, the Minister of Punishment. Am I qualified for a small county magistrate like you?"
Pound shouted: "Take the evidence I need and take people for no reason, do you disrespect the court's laws?"
"How dare you talk about law and discipline? Why didn't you tell the law when you brought the wine laced with sweat medicine to stupefy everyone in the station? You colluded with the gangsters to kill Mr. Tang Jie. Why didn't you tell the law? You slaughtered ten people
Why didn't you talk about the court's laws and disciplines when you were escorting the six escorts? Why didn't you talk about the court's laws and disciplines when you threatened Liu Youlun and other station staff to form an offensive and defensive alliance and lied about the case? Let me tell you, everything about you is under our control. It's you who confess your guilt honestly.
The only way out."
Pang De was still jumping around, but when he heard Fu Bi tell everything, he collapsed to the ground like a deflated rubber ball. He heard the sound of chains in his ears, and when he looked up, Liu Youlun took the lead and followed him.
There were more than a dozen dejected postmen. Knowing that the situation was over, Pound rolled his eyes upward and fainted.
At that time, Bao Zheng, who had been driving for most of the night, finally arrived at Niutouyi. After listening to Yan Shu's words, Bao Zheng looked at Su Jin with a different look. He raised his thumb and said, "Yes, I have a lot of thoughts."
, with just these two moments, you will have no problem becoming a qualified parent official."
This was the first time that Su Jin could be praised by Bao Zheng. Just as he was about to say a few words of humility, Bao Zheng said: "However, you are really confused if you dare to conclude the case without even finding the evidence."
This sentence was not only talking about Su Jin, but also Yan Shu and Fu Bi. Yan Shu had long been accustomed to Bao Zheng's way of speaking and didn't take it seriously. He was just surprised what else Bao Zheng could discover.
Su Jin said unconvinced: "Master Bao, the case is as clear as water, what else is there to say?"
Bao Zheng said: "You only have witnesses to prove that Pound stunned everyone, but you cannot prove who killed Tang Jie. The death of those personal guards is only your reasonable speculation, but speculation cannot convict you."
Su Jin hurriedly said: "Aren't the traces of ladder feet on the outside of the courtyard wall evidence of the murderer's entry and exit?"
Bao Zheng sighed: "The traces are naturally evidence, but what did you do for these evidences? It has been sunny and rainless so far. If it rained last night, would the traces still be there? Once discovered, they should be protected immediately.
How could you be so careless?"
Su Jinzao blushed and thought to himself: "I didn't expect this." But he said unconvinced: "Isn't it not raining? Why did it rain last night when the stars were shining brightly?"
Bao Zheng said: "Regardless of whether there is rain or not, protecting evidence is a must in handling cases. The sky is unpredictable, and who can control the weather? And since you have deduced what happened, why don't you search for the ladder?
?”
Su Jin opened his mouth and said, "That ladder... can you still find it?"
Bao Zheng stared at him and said, "Nonsense, why can't I find it? Did that group of people take the ladder away at night? They were busy running away after killing people, how could they bring a ladder with them."
Su Jin said: "Won't they destroy it?"
Bao Zheng pointed at his face and said: "Idiot, even if it is damaged, there are still fragments to be found, and even if it is burned, there are still ashes left? This is strong evidence to confirm whether the case is in line with the inference."
Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Lao Bao was Lao Bao, and no one could compare with him. Bao Zheng led everyone to the traces of the ladder feet outside the courtyard wall. They looked down at the traces of grass, and then looked up at the thorns all over the top of the wall.
Xi Gou suddenly ordered: "Come here, search for a ladder, straw mat, or straw mat and other items within three miles of the post station. If it turns into pieces, bring all the pieces back. If it turns into ashes, then
Don't touch it, leave someone to guard it and come back quickly to report it."
Fu Bi hurriedly asked: "Master Bao, why are you searching for items like straw mats?"
Bao Zheng laughed and said: "Master Fu, can you bear to stand among those thorns and iron thorns on the top of the wall? You must have some stepping stones."
Su Jin was so ashamed that he was so embarrassed. This old man was a monster. He thought he was great, but when he came to him, he still missed everything.
Sure enough, an intact ladder was found in a wild grass two miles northwest. There were four or five grass futons scattered around in the grass. After taking these things back, everyone looked at Bao Zheng with almost admiration.
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Yan Shu sighed: "Bao Zheng is the best person in the world when it comes to solving cases. We have to accept defeat. Forget it, we can't help here anymore. The sun is getting high. If we don't set off, we won't be able to get there before the sun sets.
The rooster crows, and I have left."
Bao Zheng hurriedly handed over his hands and said: "In any case, you have done Bao a great favor. There must be extremely important clues and evidence from Pang De's mouth. Bao Zheng believes that he will dig out a lot of hidden secrets."
Yan Shu waved his hand and said, "That's your Bao Zheng's business. I just want to know the result. Just write and tell me the progress of this case."
After everyone was ready, all the prisoners were handed over to Bao Zheng, and the group set off on their journey.
Su Jin was greatly shocked. He followed Yan Shu's car with his head tilted and his head drooped. Bao Zheng stopped him and said to him: "Don't be discouraged. It's been very difficult for you. Given time, Bao
Definitely not as good as you."
Su Jin weakly held up his hands and said: "Don't comfort me. I know what I am. Farewell, farewell. That King Teng is a difficult master. He has thousands of private soldiers under his command. Don't take it lightly, sir.
He cannot be merciful."
Bao Zheng smiled and said: "Have you ever seen Bao show mercy to evildoers? If you are good at running errands, you will have a bright future." dd