1

In the evening, Gao Haitao, Zhao Zelun, and Tang Xi hurried back to the county office, and Wang Wu hurriedly recruited the three into the second hall for secret business. Gao Haitao said: "My lord, the three officials led the officials to arrest and investigate Zhutang Township, although they did not find any clues about the outsiders, but brought three suspects: the first is Qin Guan, this person has lost money in gambling with Xincai, and fought with Xincai in the paddy field, and this matter is known to all the villagers. The second was Wang Qiang, who organized the people to make trouble in the Zeng Brothers mine, causing hundreds of people to gather and fight. The third is Zhu Wan, this person is a hooligan in Zhutang Township, there are four or five brothers under him, he is the younger brother of Yuanba, and later fell out with Huahu for a Qinglou girl Wan'er, Yuanba forced Zhu Wan to give Wan'er to Huahu when he mediated, so he hated Yuanba and Huahu, and had a motive for committing the crime. ”

Wang Wu was overjoyed and said: "The three of them are fortunate, since they have been brought, they must not miss the opportunity, and they will be tried quickly overnight, and if they can solve this shocking case, the official will have a heavy reward." ”

Gao Haitao and the three were ordered to strictly interrogate the three suspects.

Gao Haitao suddenly interrogated Qin Guan, first using both soft and hard, coercion and temptation, but it was ineffective. Gao Haitao used torture tools again, hung Qin Guan's hands, poured cold water, slapped him, sat on a tiger chair, tortured him several times, and recruited him on the same day, admitting that he had killed someone, but why did he kill him? How to kill? Where to kill? I can't say the details, but in the end, what you say is what it is, I recognize it all, I recognize it all. Although the confession record was available, Wang Wu knew at a glance that it was a forced confession, frowned, and ordered: "Detention for one month and release on the grounds of gambling and fighting." ”

Zhao Zelun interrogated Wang Qiang, Wang Qiang is an authentic farmer, without any criminal record, and keeps to himself, but since the Zeng brothers came to open the mine, the sewage was discharged, and the local villagers were lazy to survive, so they took everyone to the mine to ask for justice, blocked the coal mine and prevented the sewage from discharge, and fought with the Zeng brothers. After a heart-attacking interrogation that did not allow him to sleep for three consecutive days, Wang Qiang just did not admit to killing, Zhao Zelun was furious and was about to be tortured, but was stopped by Wang Wu. Wang Wu intuitively thought that Wang Qiang could not be the murderer, because Yuan Ba and Wang Qiang had no stake in their village, and besides, Yuan Ba died in his own home, and Yuan Ba's house was surrounded by high walls, how could Wang Qiang and the grass people go in to commit murder, so he detained Wang Qiang for half a month on the charge of gathering a crowd to make trouble.

Tang Xi forcibly interrogated Zhu Wan, Zhu Wan was very angry after being arrested, and when he saw Tang Xi coming to interrogate himself, he scolded: "Slippery ghost, he calls himself a brother and a brother when he drinks on weekdays, but today he came to try me, what is the reason?" ”

Tang Xi hurriedly apologized: "Brother Zhu is not strange, it's not that the younger brother is ungrateful, now the murders are frequent, Lord Wang has an order, the younger brother has to do it, the younger brother knows that the eldest brother will not kill, let's chat for a while, go through the motions, cover people's eyes and ears, and the day after tomorrow, I will go to tell Lord Wang, saying that Zhu Wan is not a murderer, ask him for a release document, and let the eldest brother go, hehe." ”

Zhu Wan was a little relieved when he heard this, and muttered: "It's almost the same, although Yuanba is gone, but the Dragon King is still there, I am the Dragon King's person, and I don't dare to come rashly if you forgive your county order." ”

Tang Xi smiled: "That's that, Brother Zhu is the Dragon King's favorite general, I think the county commander will also have some scruples." ”

Zhu Wan laughed when he heard this: "That's it." ”

In this "interrogation", Tang Xi chatted with Zhu Wan for three days, and on the fourth day, Zhu Wan became impatient and said, "Brother, go and tell Wang Wu, how can I stay in this ghost place for a long time, I have to go out." ”

Tang Xi said: "Okay, okay, I'll go to the county magistrate to ask for the release documents, and when Brother Zhu is released later, Brother Zhu must pretend to be tortured, and he will walk with a limp, don't make it difficult for the younger brother." ”

Zhu Wan smiled: "Haha, don't worry, I won't embarrass you, I know you're a good brother." ”

Tang Xi left the prison and went to the county hall and said to Wang Wuyu: "My lord, after three days of lowly interrogation, he was punished with a big punishment, and Zhu Wan fainted a few times, but he refused to confess, and observed with his humble position, this case must not be done by Zhu Wan, Mo Ruo let it go and then check others." Wang Wu was burying his head in official business, without raising his head, he waved his hand and said, "You go back first, and then summon you after the official finishes handling official business." ”

Tang Xi retreated, came to the prison and replied: "Brother Zhu, I have told the adults, at this time, the adults are busy with official business, and they will recruit the younger brother later, and they will definitely let you go back." ”

Zhu Wandao: "Thank you, brother, brother will have a special banquet to thank you another day." ”

Tang Xi said: "Where are the words, what words do you and my brother say?" ”

Zhu Wan praised: "What a good brother." Then he asked, "What official business is the county commander busy with?" ”

Tang Xi said: "This little brother doesn't know, I think it should be a murder case, since the serial murder case happened, the county order can't sleep at night, and he is always looking forward to arresting the murderer and breaking his body into thousands of pieces." ”

Zhu Wan smiled: "Haha, it's not that I, Zhu Wan, underestimate you, you people who eat official food can only fish and flesh, how can you have the ability to solve the case?" If I were that ghost killer, the first person I would kill would be Wang Wu. ”

Since ancient times, it is easy to make mistakes without concealment, and spitting out wild words will cause trouble.

Tang Xi was about to speak, when he heard a voice from outside the prison: "Bold fanatics, you dare to make such wild remarks in the prison, who are you the ghost killer?" Tang Xi was shocked when he heard this, and Zhu Wan was also panicked, and when the two of them saw it, it was the county commander Wang Wu who spoke.

It turned out that Wang Wu was about to come to the prison to call Tang Xi, but he didn't expect that as soon as he entered the prison, he heard Zhu Wan's wild words, so he was furious.

This is also Zhu Wan's catastrophe, originally met Tang Xi was his creation, but when he was about to be freed, he caused trouble because of his mouth. Although Zhu Wan hurriedly made amends, Wang Wu shouted: "Come here, the punishment will be served." ”

The officials rushed up, stripped Zhu Wan of his coat, and pressed him to the ground.

"My lord, Zhu Wan is scarred." A proclamation.

Wang Wu and Tang Xi stepped forward to take a look, only to see that Zhu Wan's body was blue and purple, and there were more than a dozen old knife wound marks. Wang Wu was overjoyed and asked coldly, "Zhu Wan, how did you get the scars on your body?" ”

Zhu Wan hurriedly defended: "Duan Qi, this evil mother-in-law's cousin was killed, she bit people like a mad dog, locked me up for a few days, and insisted that I did it." Zhu Wan was very aggrieved.

"Duan Qi? When? "Wang Wuzhen didn't expect Duan Qi to suspect Zhu Wan before the county office, the dignified county government actually lagged behind a female bandit in solving the case, wouldn't it make people laugh when it was spread out? When Wang Wu thought of this, he really didn't feel good in his heart.

Zhu Wandao: "About ten days ago, Duan Qi sent someone to ask me to go to the Fuzhou Inn to see her, and after entering the room, three or four people tied me up and beat me violently, and forced me to confess to the murder, I didn't kill anyone, but this evil woman just didn't believe it, and tortured me for several days before I was released." ”

Wang Wu saw that Duan Qi was really walking in front of the county government, he was annoyed, and said: "Let's hit the fifty boards first, see if you still dare to speak wild words and plot to kill this official?" After speaking, he walked out of the prison and returned to the second hall. Tang Xi knew that he had made a big mistake, and followed him tremblingly.

Wang Wu sat down, saw Tang Xi following behind his buttocks, and said coldly: "Tang Zhutou, you are not a newcomer to officialdom, why don't you know how to be an official?" How can such people be released? For the way of officials, the slippery is slippery, the ruthless is ruthless, the public is public, and the private is private. For the first three years, you have only learned the word 'slippery', and you still need to pay attention to it in the future. ”

Tang Xi nodded again and again: "My lord is high-minded, and he is taught by his humble position. ”

Wang Wu said again: "You are sleek and cunning on weekdays, in this Luoshan County, both black and white call you a slippery ghost, do you know the official?" It's just that it's all trivial, and the official doesn't pay attention to it. Nowadays, big cases are frequent, when it is time to abandon 'slippery' and follow 'ruthless', how can you ruin the county's major affairs because of the righteousness of friends? ”

Tang Xi was so shocked that he was covered in sweat, kowtowed and confessed: "The crime of despicability deserves death!" ”

Wang Wu saw Tang Xi's embarrassed look, and said with a smile: "Get up, have a longer memory in the future, you go to Longwang Villa and invite Duan Qi to come over, and say that the official invited her to taste tea." ”

2

In the living room of the county office, Wang Wu and Zhao Zelun accompanied Duan Qi to drink tea.

Duan Qi picked up the green chrysanthemum porcelain cup, gently smelled the fragrance of the tea, and then brought the teacup to his mouth and took a sip, praising it: "Adult, this tea is fragrant and moistens the throat, and it tastes beautiful to drink, it is really the best in tea." ”

Wang Wu said with a smile on his face: "Beautiful tea with beauty, this tea is only worthy of drinking by the seventh sister, and I am reluctant to take it out when others come!" ”

Zhao Zelun said with a smile: "I am with adults every day, adults have never invited me to drink such a superb, I can drink this tea today, or I am stained with the light of the seventh sister!" ”

Wang Wu laughed when he heard this: "Lord Dian Shi laughed at me, now that the official case is pressing, I am restless in sleep, how can I be in the mood to drink tea?" Another day, this strange case was solved, and the official had tea with the master of the history every day. ”

"After solving this case, Lord Wang is our big hero in Luoshan County, Duan Qi is looking forward to this day coming as soon as possible, and at that time, Qi invited the two adults to drink bitterly," Duan Qi spoke slowly, and his words were warm and detailed, making people listen like a spring breeze.

Zhao Zelun said: "I'll be exempt." ”

Duan Qi asked, "Oh, but why?" Master Dianshi refuses to appreciate his face? ”

Zhao Zelun teased: "Adults are heroes, Seventh Sister is a beauty, heroes and beauties drink together, how inappropriate am I!" Hahahaha. ”

Although Duan Qi is more than forty years old, his face is like a pink peach, and the charm still exists, Wang Wu has already coveted it, only because he cares about Bai Wei and the White Dragon King's methods, so he doesn't dare to be presumptuous, and now after listening to Zhao Zelun's ridicule, his heart is full of joy and beauty, and his face is full of lustful eyes.

Duan Qi saw that Zhao Zelun was bold and dared to tease himself, so he had the heart to stimulate the two dog officials in front of him, and said with a smile: "The ghost killer has two strengths, one is excellent martial arts, and the other is extraordinary strategy. I don't think the two adults are very outstanding in these two aspects, Duan Qi thinks, why not report this case to the imperial court, and ask the imperial court to send a real hero to investigate the case, first, to return my Luoshan as soon as possible, and secondly, the two adults don't have to worry about it, and they are just relaxed, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds? ”

These words were clearly laughing at Wang Wu and Zhao Zelun for their incompetence, and the two of them smiled and showed an embarrassed look. Wang Wu hurriedly changed the topic, and said: "Seventh sister, I invite you to come today, not only to taste tea, but also to have official business, this official asks for advice: I heard that you suspected Zhu Wan and locked him up for a few days, but is there such a thing?" ”

Duan Qi did detain Zhu Wan for a few days, and he used a lot of means to get the desired result, and he felt very depressed. Now that Wang Wu asked about this, Duan Qi could have told him bluntly, but after thinking about it, wouldn't it be very shameless if Wang Wu knew that he had arrested the wrong person?

Duan Qi showed a look of extreme surprise and said, "How can there be such a thing? Who do you listen to? ”

Duan Qi was extremely good at disguise, and seemed very aggrieved, Wang Wu saw that Duan Qi was not like a lie, so he stopped asking, and prevaricated: "I also ask casually, oh, by the way, since the seventh sister likes this tea, she will take this box home and enjoy it slowly." ”

Sending Duan Qi away, Wang Wu and Zhao Zelun were even more suspicious of Zhu Wan.

3

The two re-entered the prison, saw Zhu Wan fainting on the ground, and asked the cool official Liu Tian: "Have you been recruited?" ”

Liu Tian said: "Tell your lord, all the means have been used, and this thief will not be recruited." ”

Wang Wudao: "This official just asked Duan Qi, Duan Qi didn't arrest him at all, and the scars on his body must have been left when he fought with Huahu and others." ”

Liu Tiandao: "In this case, I will use torture again." ”

Wang Wudao: "Wake him up, and the official will come to trial in person." ”

Liu Tian called cold water and splashed it on Zhu Wan, and Zhu Wan woke up with a shudder. At this time, Zhu Wan's eyes were demented, and he had long lost his previous arrogance. Seeing Wang Wu, Zhu Wan burst into tears.

Wang Wu sneered: "Zhu Wan, stop acting, I personally asked Duan Qi, she didn't catch you at all, the injuries on your body were left by Huahu, right?" ”

When Zhu Wan heard this, he shook his head in despair, and scolded weakly: "Damn it, Lao Tzu is like this, and she still hurts me." "This Luo Shan, those who respect Duan Qi call her "Seventh Sister", and those who hate Duan Qi call her "Breathless".

Zhu Wan kicked in a big gulp, and Wang Wu said angrily: "Pretend, continue to pretend, it's okay if you don't confess, anyway, your brothers have confessed, and the official will also convict you," Wang Wu slammed the door and left.

Wang Wu came out of the prison and came to Yimen, just when he met Gao Haitao, the county leader, Gao Haitao asked, "My lord, Zhu Wan has made a move?" ”

Wang Wu leaned in and replied softly: "Not yet, I can't see that the bones are quite hard." ”

"What then?" Gao Haitao asked anxiously.

Wang Wu sighed and said: "I don't know what to do, the murders have happened one after another, and there has been no clue for so long, so my county order is not going well." ”

Gao Haitao said: "My lord, Zhu Wan has injuries on his body, and he is talking wildly, the lower officials are foolish, no poison and no husband, why not arrest and torture several of his younger brothers, don't worry about no gain." Otherwise, arrest his parents, mother, and daughter, and don't be afraid that he won't recruit him. ”

Wang Wu pondered for a while, looked at Gao Haitao again, and asked word by word: "If you catch the wrong one, what will be the consequences?" ”

Gao Haitao said: "Don't worry, Zhu Wan, they will fight, steal anything, if they are caught wrong, the lower officials will casually find a crime of fighting and stealing He will be imprisoned for a year and a half, and he will never violate the laws of the imperial court." As for the White Dragon King's side, I don't expect him to interfere for the sake of a little Zhu Wan. ”

When Wang Wu heard this, he made up his mind and said: "That's it, you can do it, but Zhu Wan is not filial to his parents, beats and scolds his mother, and ignores his only daughter, which is all famous, even if these people are arrested, this thief may not be heartbroken, I think, just arrest his gang of dog-legged brothers, and parents, mothers, and daughters will be spared." ”

4

Zhu Wan's son Liang Mei, a native of Huguang Changde, went to Luoshan with distant relatives to do business a few years ago, because of her delicate appearance, she was favored by Zhu Wan, and forcibly married into the house after several tosses. Later, Liang Mei gave birth to a daughter Zhu Yan, Zhu Wan was empathetic, often looking for flowers and asking willows outside, the husband and wife looked like they were separated, plus Zhu Wan was short-tempered, and often beat Liang Mei for no reason, so it was called husband and wife, and there were not many loves. After Zhu Wan was arrested, Liang Mei was quiet, taking her five-year-old daughter leisurely and living a good life every day.

On this day, Liang Mei was humming a song at home, slowly dressing up, and an old couple hurriedly broke into the house, looking lost. Seeing Liang Mei wearing gold and silver, grease and powder, the old woman scolded: "All the men in your family are like this, are you still here to be romantic?" ”

Liang Mei saw that it was her father-in-law Zhu Hou and mother-in-law Zhang Hehua. Liang Mei said unhurriedly: "Mother, he was arrested, what can I do as a woman, don't you often scold me for being useless?" I'm just a useless person, and I don't have the ability to save him in my heart. ”

Zhang Lotus was about to theorize, but Zhu Hou hurriedly grabbed it and said pleadingly: "Liang Mei, Zhu Wan, this beast usually treats you badly, but after all, you are husband and wife, and now that he is like this, you can save him for Yan Wa'er's sake." ”

Liang Mei knew that her father-in-law Zhu Hou was an honest person, and he was usually not bad to himself, when Zhu Wan beat herself, her father-in-law often scolded Zhu Wan, for which Liang Mei was always grateful. Seeing what her father-in-law said, Liang Mei said with a pleasant face: "Dad, how can I save this kind of thing as a woman, I really can't help it." ”

Zhu Hou said: "He brags every day that he is a brother and brother with the duke in the county government, and he also has a good relationship with the Dragon King, but it's a pity that we don't know any of the two old people, don't you know Duan Qi?" You can go and beg her, she is a figure with a head and a face in Luo Shan, and she can hold up half the sky when she says a word. ”

Liang Mei was helpless: "Dad, although I have a relationship with the seventh sister, people don't necessarily remember me." Don't mention his friends, he usually calls him brother and brother, who cares who in case of trouble? And if he did this murder, but if he wants to kill his head, even if he really has a friend who is angry, there is no way to help him. ”

Zhu Houdao: "How can this beast have the courage to kill, he must have been wronged, if he really kills someone, I won't care about him." It's just that once the prisoner goes to court, he has to shed his skin if he doesn't die, don't look at Zhu Wan's usual toughness, but he is very weak in his heart, I know this better than anyone else, I'm worried that he won't be able to withstand the big punishment and confess first, at that time, even the gods can't save him. ”

Liang Mei thinks about it, Zhu Wan looks like a steel stone on the outside, but he is actually as weak as a white face in his bones, he shouldn't have the guts to kill, but when a person goes to prison, once he can't stand the torture and confesses, he will definitely be beheaded. Looking at her mother-in-law Zhang Hehua, who is usually mean to her daughter-in-law, Liang Mei really doesn't want to care about this, but seeing her honest and honest father-in-law and lively and lovely daughter, Liang Mei still softened.

5

Liang Mei opened the jewelry box, picked a pair of good jade bracelets to bring on, and went straight to the Longwang Villa in the east of the city, this villa covers an area of seven or eight acres, divided into the front yard and the back yard, the main building in the front yard is a two-story house, including the garden in front of the building covers a total of four or five acres of land, the garden is surrounded by a tall wall, and a hut on the edge of the iron gate lives in Bai Wei's distant relative Yang Da, Yang Da is usually responsible for opening and closing the gate, playing the role of the door. On the west side of the garden is a row of rooms for servants. The row of houses in the East Flower Hall is used to receive guests. The main hall on the first floor is large and bright, and there is a wing room on each side, which is the room of Bai Wei's gold medal fighters Mei Nanchun and Meng Jun. On the east and west sides of the second floor, there were more than a dozen guards and servants Qin Sister-in-law. The second hall in the front yard is mainly used to receive henchmen and important guests, and behind the second hall is the backyard gate, which is usually closed from the inside. In the backyard is a "concave" shaped building, with a total of fifteen houses, on the east side is the house of Bai Wei's father Bai Quan and mother Yang Qun, as well as two maids, and on the west side is the house of Bai Wei and Duan Qi and Wu Xia, Wu Doudou and Tian Xiang.

Liang Mei knocked on the iron door, only to hear the doordog Wangwang bark, and after a while, the barking stopped, and Yang Da opened the door to see that it was a woman, so he asked, "Who are you looking for?" Liang Mei came to Dragon King Villa for the first time, she was timid and shy, and said softly: "I'm looking for the seventh sister." "On the underworld, everyone calls Bai Wei the Dragon King and Duan Qi the Seventh Sister. Yang Da looked at Liang Mei's appearance and didn't feel like a friend Duan Qi knew, so he asked, "Do you know Seventh Sister?" Liang Mei shook her head embarrassedly. Yang Da was impatient, and said slightly angrily: "Then what are you looking for Seventh Sister for?" Just as she was about to close the door, Liang Mei was busy pushing and begging for mercy: "Uncle, don't close the door, my husband Zhu Wan is the brother of the Dragon King and the Seventh Sister, please let me know." Yang Da heard this and said, "Wait a minute." After speaking, he slammed the door and went straight in to inform the Dragon King and Duan Qi.

After a while, the door opened, and Yang Da poked his head out and shouted, "Come in." ”

Entering the iron gate, the two vicious dogs tied to the iron gate barked again, Yang scolded a few words, and the dog became honest. Liang Mei followed Yang Da to the main hall, Yang Da asked her to wait, and she went back to the hut by the iron gate.

The main hall was magnificently arranged, and I was dazzled by all the beams and plums, feeling that I had entered the splendid palace, and I was afraid of seven points with three points of envy.

After a while, the sound of footsteps came down from the second floor, Liang Mei looked nervously at the red Nanmu spiral staircase, only to see a person slowly coming down the stairs to the main hall, Liang Mei guessed that this person should be Bai Wei, the White Dragon King.

Bai Wei is eight feet tall and slightly fat, although he is already fifty-one years old, his bones are strong, his muscles are strong, and his eyes are fierce, which makes people shudder. Liang Mei usually always thinks that her husband Zhu Wan is fierce, and she is afraid when she sees it, but now when she sees the White Dragon King, she feels that Zhu Wan is a hair on the body of a vicious dog, and a piece of skin under the claws of a tiger.

Liang Mei looked at the Dragon King, so nervous that she forgot what she meant, but the White Dragon King spoke first: "You are Zhu Wan Niangzi?" ”

Liang Mei hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, you are the eldest brother of the Dragon King." ”

The dragon king said, "Sit down." ”

The Dragon King came over and sat down, Liang Mei slowly sat down opposite the White Dragon King, carefully put the jade bracelet on the table, gently pushed it towards the White Dragon King, and said quietly: "Our family has nothing valuable, this is to honor the Seventh Sister, and I hope that the eldest brother and the Seventh Sister of the Dragon King will not dislike it." ”

The Dragon King waved his hand, signaled that he didn't need to, and asked directly: "What are you looking for Seventh Sister?" ”

Liang Mei said: "Zhu Wan was arrested, the government suspects him of being a ghost killer, in fact, Zhu Wan's little ability, Brother Dragon King, you also know, how can he do such a big case, please Brother Dragon King and Seventh Sister, for Zhu Wan's saddle and horse saddle, save him." ”

The White Dragon King thought for a moment and said: "Brother Zhu Wan, I know, the person is very good, he has been with me longer than you and him, don't worry, I will go to visit the county order tomorrow, if it wasn't for Brother Zhu Wan, the county government will definitely not embarrass him." ”

Bai Wei's words, neither said help, nor did he say not help, Liang Mei didn't understand at all, but Liang Mei didn't give up, and begged again: "Brother Dragon King, you can do well, I'm afraid that Zhu Wan won't be able to bear the means of the servants inside, and confess indiscriminately." ”

The Dragon King said: "Don't worry, the county government will give me some face." ”

Seeing this, Liang Mei had no choice but to say a few words of thanks to the White Dragon King, and left uneasily.

As soon as Liang Mei left, Duan Qi came down from upstairs, smiled coldly, and said unhurriedly: "I thought I beat his man, and she came to trouble me." ”

The Dragon King complained: "You, it's Hu Lai, I said a long time ago that Zhu Wan doesn't have the ability and guts, you don't believe it, it's really a blind toss." ”

Duan Qi was dissatisfied, and said slightly teasingly: "What? I've been locked up for a few days, and you're not happy? Duan Qi came to the table and poured a cup of tea in his hand, and said coldly: "I knew that you were so distressed, I simply unloaded one of his legs, hum." ”

The Dragon King blamed: "I know you are in a hurry, and I also want to avenge Yuanba, but I can't mess around." Especially when Wang Wu asked if you had ever caught Zhu Wan and what was going on with the injuries on his body, you didn't tell the truth, didn't that put him to death? ”

Duan Qi saw that Bai Wei was really annoyed, and sneered: "Ouch, my Dragon Lord, do you really treat your brothers as treasures?" ”

Seeing Duan Qi like this, the White Dragon King was helpless, so he had to sigh and say, "Alas! I can't help it! ”