General's Palace, Council Hall.

Yang Jie stood in front of a huge map of Donghu and watched quietly, and Shen Ming stood behind him, equally silent. I don't know how long it took, Shen Ming finally spoke: "The old general has noticed this person a long time ago." ”

Yang Jie turned his back to Shen Ming, "The old man guards the frontier and strives to prevent Donghu, and he can't take all kinds of people in the city lightly. ”

"Does the old general know the details of this person?"

"This kind of thing is not the old man's business."

"Thank you for the help of the old general, if you catch this person, you can solve many mysteries in the capital."

"Brother Shen, the old man doesn't know the purpose of your coming, and the old man is just helping out at the request of the deceased, which is completely personal friendship and not worth mentioning."

"The old general's heart, Shen understands. After all, Shen did not have a half-official position, and the matter of catching the fugitives from the court and escorting them back to the capital still needed the assistance of the old general. ”

"This matter is not difficult, although Brother Shen is not a person in the court and is dressed in cloth, but don't you have court officials among the people you are traveling with? If there is a shortage of manpower, the old man can help. ”

"Shen has thanked the old general!"

"When I go back, remember to tell Baishi that the old man has not been able to play chess with him for many years, and he will definitely go to him again when the old man returns to the field."

"Don't worry, old general!"

The day after Wu Zhe was captured, Shen Ming and the three of them, with the help of a group of men and horses sent by Yang Jie, escorted Wu Zhe and the others back to the capital. It has been ten days since he left the capital, and the three-day holiday he said before has already expired, Xuan Shaoning knows very well in his heart, but he still promised to come to find out the facts of the case, and the incident has already been sent to the Yuwang Mansion through Fei Ge's book.

As soon as he returned to the capital, Shen Ming sent Wu Zhe and his party to Dali Temple, and made the case clear and clear, with Mu Jin's previous information, Lin Kun was not surprised, but compared Wu Zhe back and forth with the portrait, and it was not until the final confirmation that it was incredible, and Wu Zhe was immediately taken into custody for interrogation.

The cells of Dali Temple are not smaller than those of the Criminal Department, and the number of prisoners that can be held is small, and the usual guards are not very strict, but the cells of Dali Temple at this time are much stricter because of the detention of Wu's father and son and Lu Yanhui. Lin Kun stood in the interrogation room, watching the jailer take the Wu father and son out, and when Wu Danian saw his son appear in shackles, the whole person almost fainted.

"Wu Danian, you shouldn't have expected to see your son here, right?" Lin Kun's voice was terrifying in this gloomy interrogation room, "When you stole the beam and replaced your son's life, you should have let him live incognito and maybe live his life in peace, but you just let him go to Donghu to sell stones, isn't this equivalent to pushing your own son into the tiger's mouth?" ”

Wu Danian looked at his son and couldn't help crying, and Wu Zhe couldn't help but feel sad in the face of his father, the two sighed for a while, and Wu Danian spoke: "Lord Lin, everything the grass people do is to glorify the lintel, and at the same time, they can stay for the Wu family, there is only such a son under the knees of the grass people, and now I am afraid that the blood of the Wu family will not be able to keep it......."

Seeing Wu Danian looking at himself with tears in his eyes as if holding the last glimmer of hope, Lin Kun thought about it for a while, and his tone of voice became much more friendly, "As a father, I naturally understand your feelings; But as an official of the imperial court, the crimes committed by your father and son are unforgivable, if you two can truthfully explain, what I can do is to try my best to exonerate your Wu family in front of Your Majesty, and strive to no longer implicate your family except for your father and son. ”

"Daddy!" Wu Zhe couldn't hold back any longer, and fell to his knees and hugged his head and cried.

Compared with Wu Zhe's cowardice, Wu Danian has experienced more storms after all, and at this time he slowly knelt down and said in a steady tone: "Our Wu family has made a fortune in business, and after three generations we are already the richest man in Dingdu County, but we are always rich, and no one in the family has always been able to get fame It is the regret of my Wu family, so I have always hoped that the rebel son can get the fame and glory lintel, but it's a pity..... The rebel son is not the material for reading, several imperial examinations were in vain, until he met the rare Beijing examination of the imperial court, although the rebel son has no merit, but with the imperial examination that he has taken before, he was also shortlisted for the Beijing examination. This is a rare opportunity, I must seize it, thinking that no matter how much money I spend, even if it is bankrupt, I will be on the list of rebels, and many years of business have also made the grass people more or less familiar with the Beijing officials in the capital, so ...... So I asked the relationship to find Master Fenghu, the secretary of the ministry, and spent a lot of money to ask him to help cheat and let the rebel be shortlisted when the imperial examination was marked. On the day when the emperor's list was announced, I saw the name of the dog on the list, and the grass people really felt that they had no regrets about dying! ”

"But you rely on fraud, even the title of the gold list is still shameful!" Mu Jin had been standing behind Lin Kun without speaking before, but at this moment, he heard Wu Danian recount the past, and he was quite disgusted when he blindly emphasized his position.

"Then how did you steal the beams and change the pillars in the prison of the Criminal Department?" Lin Kun didn't care about Mu Jin's disgust, he just wanted to figure out the ins and outs of the case.

"I thought that no one knew, this time I could finally be named on the gold list, but who would have expected that the gentlemen who fell off the list would gather to make trouble, and the court began to investigate thoroughly, not to mention that in addition to me, there were other people who also bribed through their respective channels, and also exchanged for fame through fraud, Long Yan's anger led to a thorough investigation by the Criminal Department, and when the rebel son was taken into custody, the grass people no longer had the luxury of fame, and just wanted to exchange my son's life." Wu Danian paused for a moment when he said this, as if he had made up his mind, and then continued to speak: "The grass people went to find Master Hu again, and he let the grass people see the criminal department seal, but the fraud case was ordered by the emperor to investigate thoroughly, and all the criminals were repeat offenders, and it was difficult to save people, so the department seal of the criminal department immediately refused." After that, the grass people kept running but found nothing, until one day, a son with a magnificent instrument came to the inn to find me, saying that he could save the rebel, but there was one condition......."

Lin Kun and Mu Jin couldn't help but prick up their ears.

"He wants our Wu family to provide the stones for trading in the future, and the transaction object is a merchant in Donghu, and this matter must be done by the rebel after rescuing the rebel. At first, the grass people felt incredible, seeing that although the son was quite noble, he didn't look like a person in the court, no matter what, the grass people didn't believe it, he should have seen my thoughts, so he promised to let the grass people see the rebel son on the second day. ”

"And you saw it the next day?" Lin Kun answered.

"That's right, although the noble son did not appear, the grass people successfully met the rebel son in the prison of the Criminal Department, so far I am sure that the noble son can help our Wu family. Two days later, he came to the inn again, and this time the grass people agreed. ”

"Do you know the details of the prisoner exchange?"

"I don't know, your son only asked the grass people to wait in the Yaojue Temple on the outskirts of the city, the grass people waited in the temple for ten days, and finally waited for the rebel, we left the capital on the same day, and the next two adults also knew."

Lin Kun turned his head to look at Wu Zhe and asked, "You have personally experienced the prisoner exchange, you say!" ”

Wu Zhe glanced at Wu Danian, nodded and said: "Lord Hui, one day after the grass people met their father, a person who looked like an official and the cell head came to my cell with a person, and the man lifted the mask, only to find that this person and the grass people looked very similar, the official immediately urged us to change our clothes, and then left the prison cell of the criminal department with the grass people, and rushed to Yaojue Temple that night without stopping for a moment. That's all the grass people know, and the rest really doesn't know anything. After speaking, Wu Zhe peeked at Lin Kun, thought for a while and continued to add: "After we returned home, we received a letter within a few days, asking the grass people to go to Pingzhou immediately to receive the stones, and then transport them to Fengju City to trade with Donghu merchants, and hand over the silver obtained from the transaction to Lord Lu Yanhui Lu when we go to Pingzhou to collect the stones next time. The two adults, what the grass people said is the truth, Lord Lu can testify! ”

"You're right, Lu Yanhui can indeed testify for you, because he is also locked up here!" Lin Kun said coldly, he knew in his heart that Wu Danian's father and son should be telling the truth.

After the Wu father and son, Lin Kun interrogated Lu Yanhui, only to see that Lu Yanhui, who was originally clean and spirited, was already unkempt and sluggish at the moment.

"Lu Yanhui, about the transaction of stones, the Wu family and his son have already explained clearly, they are responsible for selling stones, and the silver taels obtained are handed over to you, but not much silver taels have been found in your mansion, this official asked you, where did these silver taels go?" Lin Kun finished the question in one breath and waited quietly for an answer, but Lu Yanhui kept staring at the ground blankly, looking in a trance, stupid and stupid and didn't speak.

"It seems that you won't be able to recruit without punishment!" Lin Kun shouted solemnly: "Come on, go to punishment!" ”

As soon as the words fell, a jailer immediately stepped forward and dragged Lu Yanhui to the herringbone torture rack while setting up him, and fixed his hands and feet on it, and then a jailer picked up a leather whip soaked in salt water and waved it at Lu Yanhui. This was followed by screams of pain, but he never spoke, until Lu Yan would pass out.

"My lord, this trick doesn't seem to work, we have to find another way!" Seeing this, Mu Jin was afraid that Lu Yanhui would be beaten to death, and hurriedly persuaded.

Lin Kun said with a solemn expression: "Stop! Mu Jin, what other way do you say? ”

"Looking at Lu Yanhui's reaction just now, I think that although he was stimulated, he did not lose his mind, and the reason why he was reluctant to speak was only because he was afraid that he still had expectations in his heart."

"What do you mean?"

"Lu Yanhui himself definitely doesn't have the courage and ability to complete the things that have been greedy for ink and stone for so many years, he should be a pawn used by others like the Wu family and his son, compared to the Wu family and his son, he should know more inside information, and if he doesn't open his mouth at this moment, he should still have a weight in his hand."

Lin Kun looked at Mu Jin with a complicated expression, "You mean that the person behind him is in the capital, and this person may be able to save him?" ”

"Exactly, if you want him to speak, you must make him desperate, we only want to find out the noble son in the mouth of the Wu father and son, the painter has drawn a portrait according to the confession, you might as well leave the cell and take a look."

"Okay, let's go back to the mansion first!"

When Lin Kun and Mu Jin came to the Inner Affairs Hall, and were about to carefully look at the portrait drawn by the painter, they heard the announcement "Shen Qianji asks to see".

"Shen Qianji?" Lin Kun was still a little ignorant, but Mu Jin quickly remembered, "My lord, after the Beijing examination, this person is one of the top three, and the imperial court appointed him as the Dali Temple, and today is the day of the report." ”

"I see, then let's go to the front hall and meet!" Lin Kun walked out of the inner hall with Mu Jin, only to see that this person was dressed in plain clothes, tall and tall, and looked like a scholar, and immediately saluted after hearing someone come and turned around for a moment's reaction: "I have seen Lord Lin and Master Mu in Xia Shen Qianji!" ”

Lin Kun carefully looked at the person in front of him: long eyebrows like willows, eyes like ink paintings, cheeks like mountain daisies, thin lips with powder, beautiful and handsome hidden fierce righteousness, young but calm atmosphere. At just one glance, Lin Kun felt very satisfied, and said with a smile: "Sure enough, it is different from mortals, and his temperament is awe-inspiring!" ”

Shen Qianji was neither humble nor arrogant, and said with a slight smile: "Lord Lin has a good reputation, and it is a blessing to be able to serve in Dali Temple; It is the glory of my Shen clan to be able to take charge of the criminal name under Lord Lin and Lord Mu, uphold justice, and eradicate traitors! ”

"It's too high-minded, and the official in the officialdom also has to call Lord Shen, you are already the Dali Temple appointed by the imperial court at the moment, but I don't know who Lord Shen is trained from?" Lin Kun asked with concern while pulling Shen Qianji to sit down nearby, and casually put the portrait on the table.

Shen Qianji replied with a smile: "I once studied under Hetingzhou, a famous place in the south of the Yangtze River, and I have read poetry books under my teacher for eight years. ”

"It turned out to be Master He, what the famous teacher said is really true!" Lin Kun smiled and pushed the tea cup on the table in the direction of Shen Qianji, "It's really Your Majesty's grace to me that you can come to Dali Temple." ”

"Lord Lin is too high-minded, and now he just wants to do his best under the hands of adults!" Shen Qianji reached out to take the teacup and the wind blew the portrait away, and the moment he bowed his head, Shen Qianji was attracted by the portrait, "My lord, this portrait?" ”

When Lin Kun saw Shen Qianji asking, he didn't hide it, "I think Qianji knows about the Beijing trial fraud case, and after that, there was another case of embezzlement of ink and stone, and the person in this portrait was drawn according to the confession of the suspect who has been arrested." ”

"So this person may be a clue to solve the case?" Shen Qianji's expression was extremely surprised, which was also seen by Lin Kun, and he asked a little puzzled, "What?" Do you have questions? ”

Shen Qianji thought for a while, and finally spoke: "I really don't know how to talk about it, but the person in this portrait, Shen Mou, has seen it." ”

"Oh? Where? Not only Lin Kun, but even Mu Jin looked at Shen Qianji curiously.

"Yes...... Shen had seen ...... in the Prince's Mansion If memory serves, he is the head of the Prince's Mansion. Shen Qianji said his thoughts incredibly.

"What?!" Lin Kun and Mu Jin blurted out at the same time, "Are you sure?" ”

"After meeting His Majesty that day, the Sanjia Shizi immediately went to the East Palace to meet the prince, and it was this palm who led us." Shen Qianji's affirmation made Lin Kun and Mu Jin feel confused.

"But then again, it's not uncommon to see people in this world who look alike, and a portrait drawn based on a confession alone is not enough to be conclusive." Mu Jin said.

"What Master Mu said is that Shen has something to say." Shen Qianji looked at the two people in front of him, "This matter can be regarded as because of Shen, and Shen is willing to find out." ”

Lin Kun persuaded with some surprise: "Qianji, you have just entered the officialdom, this matter involves a lot, so don't get involved, with this clue you have already pointed out a path for us." ”

"Lord Lin, since Shen stepped into Dali Temple, he has been a member of Dali Temple, since he is a member of Dali Temple, it is naturally a matter of duty to find out the suspicion, and Shen is a new prince, it is reasonable to visit the prince." What Shen Qianji said was reasonable, well-founded and firm, Lin Kun really couldn't find a better way for a while, and at the same time, he felt that what Shen Qianji said was reasonable, so he had to agree, "Then this matter will be entrusted to you, take care of your own safety, don't startle the snake!" ”

"Don't worry, two adults!" Shen Qianji bowed deeply and left Dali Temple towards the East Palace.

Lin Kun and Mu Jin watched Shen Qianji leave, but they didn't expect Shen Qianji to be so efficient, and they brought back reliable news only half a day later, and the two of them began to think about it in their hearts.

"Okay, this is the last drink!" Mu Qingyuan raised the full wine glass and drank the elixir in it.

"Okay, well, with this amount of wine, Qingyuan's future is also unlimited!" Xiao Moyan looked at it with a smile, holding the wine jug in his hand and planning to pour it into it again, but was stopped by Yan Keran, "Are you seeing off or dying?" ”

"Hey, how do you talk?"

"Ke Ran is right, Qingyuan's cheeks are flushed, you should stop in moderation." Ye Kai said lazily and lazily half-lying by the window with a dogtail in his mouth as always.

"I'm not afraid that I won't have a chance to find Qingyuan to drink in the future!" Xiao Moyan defended aggrievedly.

"Qingyuan is going to take office, why can't he see it? I can't speak! Qi Wantong pushed away the wine jug with a disgusted face, took a piece of pastry and put it on Mu Qingyuan's plate.

Bai Luoyao looked at everyone and couldn't help but smile to ease the embarrassing atmosphere, "Qingyuan, everyone is reluctant to let you go, after all, Hanzhou is thousands of miles away from the capital and adjacent to Xiatang, it is really difficult for us to see each other again in the short term if you go." ”

"It's because of the location of Hanzhou that I took the initiative to ask for help, don't worry, I will definitely be a good parent official on this side!" Although Mu Qingyuan was slightly drunk, his eyes flashed with light when he said this, Xuan Shaoning saw it all in his eyes, and his heart swelled with inexplicable emotion, and suddenly his eyes were slightly sour, and he hurriedly turned his head to look out the window to prevent others from seeing his mood swings. His eyes turned a few times towards the street, and the tears flowed back completely, and he was about to retract his gaze when he saw a luxurious sedan chair passing through the street below, and Xuan Shaoning could discern from the five-colored top beads on the top of the sedan chair that this was a privilege only for the county king.