At night, the Hangzhou government is still brightly lit.

Zhizhou Zheng Zheng walked back and forth in the house, fidgeting! It has only been a few months since he came to Hangzhou to take office, and he has been busy with two positions, but he has no political achievements, but there are many troubles.

Just last night, on the ground in Qiantang County, there was a major homicide, killing 41 people. Since the establishment of the dynasty, except for rebellion, murder cases of this scale have been rare.

When the news comes out, it must alarm the temple, maybe the official family will be furious, at least the official will definitely move when he hears the wind and write a letter to impeach himself. The court's questioning and accusation are inevitable, and now the top priority is to find out the case.

What an annoyance! According to the clues currently available, there was a large amount of sea salt at the scene of the murder, judging from the physical characteristics of the deceased, it may be the people drying salt on the beach. Selling illicit salt, a rough inference can now be drawn.

Could it be a conflict between smugglers? But can it be that simple? Explaining to the imperial court in this way, I am afraid that I will immediately question myself, is the illegal salt trade in Hangzhou so rampant? Although he has just arrived, he cannot be punished for the crime of mismanagement. What's more, if the conflict between the smugglers can reach such a level, the responsibility will be even greater.

Zheng Zheng will be in a hurry, it stands to reason that the prison is the responsibility of the general sentence, but the general judgment in Hangzhou is temporarily vacant, and such a tricky matter is pressed on him.

What is even more annoying is that not long after he arrived in Hangzhou, he is not familiar with the place of life in Hangzhou, and he does not have a deep understanding of all aspects, so it is difficult to investigate the case, so he has to rely on Chen Qi, the commander of Qiantang County.

Chen Qi is even more miserable, things are troublesome, and the responsibility is heavy, but he can not take this responsibility. The location of the crime is indeed in his Qiantang County, but it is only a few miles away from the border of Yuhang County, which is really ...... It's really unlucky.

Fortunately, after investigation, these smuggler salt dealers are all from Fangjia Village, Yuhang County, so Li Feng, the elder brother of Yuhang Zhi County, can't get out of it. There is someone who carries it with him and works hard together, Chen Qi feels a little comforted in his heart.

The real problem is that the case is also linked to the sale of illicit salt, which makes the matter even more complicated. Recently, any time he gets the word "salt", it will make him nervous.

At such a critical time, there is a case about the sale of illicit salt, and if the matter is not handled properly, it will inevitably cause an uproar.

Chen Qi was naturally extremely nervous, and after reporting to Lord Zhizhou first, he immediately rushed to the palace of Yuhang County to meet Zhao Zhongye, the prince of Dongyang County.

The sudden murder broke a pool of spring water in Hangzhou, and suddenly there was an uproar, and there was a tendency to be turbulent at any time, and the situation was not optimistic.

Zhao Zhongshan came back from the West Lake with a sad face, saw the eldest brother's solemn expression, and only after asking did he know that something was wrong.

"In recent years, there have been fewer and fewer people selling illegal salt, and they have been strictly guarded against recently, so how can there be problems?" Zhao Zhongye was a little annoyed.

Chen Qi complained: "The person is from Li Feng in Yuhang County, and we can't control it at all...... In fact, there have always been salt sellers, which is not surprising, the key is who did it behind the scenes? ”

"Yes, this is much more ruthless than we were back then, forty-one people, all of them were wiped out, it is really courageous!" Zhao Zhongye had a sneer on the corner of his mouth, and his expression was extremely solemn.

"So, wouldn't it be a vendetta between the salt barons?" Zhao Zhongshan thought about things relatively simple at the beginning, and after listening to what his eldest brother and Chen Qi said, he gradually realized the seriousness of the matter.

Zhao Zhongye shook his head and said: "No, the purpose of the person who did it will definitely not be so simple, what does he want to do?" Think about what is the most immediate consequence of this? ”

"The murder case of more than 40 people must be reported to the imperial court, and this case involves illicit salt ......" Chen Qi did not continue, and began to break out in a cold sweat.

Zhao Zhongye nodded and said: "That's right, the most direct impact, the salt problem in Hangzhou and even Liangzhejiang Road will inevitably be exposed... Now, the imperial court can be above board and intervene in the investigation of the salt affairs of the two Zhejiang......"

"It can't be that serious, can it?" Zhao Zhongshan suddenly realized that things were far more terrible than he imagined.

Chen Qi kept wiping the good water on his forehead and said, "Yes, if that's the case, then we ......."

Zhao Zhongye said worriedly: "The first purpose of the official family to send Lin Zhao here is to startle the snake, maybe he has already become suspicious of the salt affairs on Liangzhejiang Road?" Well, now that he was given the truth and given him a chance to intervene, how could he let it go? ”

"Who the hell is behind this?" Chen Qi said in a trembling voice: "Could it be that the official family sent someone to do it?" ”

"Or is it Lin Zhao? Is it his annihilation plan? Having said that, Zhao Zhongshan himself was a little unconvinced, Lin Zhao should not be so terrible.

Zhao Zhongye shook his head and said: "They want to startle the snake and investigate the case, but they won't use this method, after all, it is more than 40 lives...... By the way, are there any clues to the case now? ”

"Nope!" Chen Qi smiled bitterly: "There are no clues at the scene of the crime, there is a dense forest path by the Qiantang River, and no one goes at night." It was only at noon today that the woodcutter found out and came to report to the official. ”

"No clues?" Zhao Zhongye shook his head and said, "Then how should this case be investigated?" With such a lot of effort and such a big effort, how can the purpose be so simple? ”

"Little grandpa, what do you mean?" Chen Qi was already a little confused.

Zhao Zhongye asked: "Chen County Order, you told me that there are no clues to be found at the scene, so where should the government start the investigation?" ”

"Nature is the identity of the deceased, and the associated characters......"

"Is there a result?"

Chen Qi said: "The deceased are all from Fangjia Village, Yuhang County, and there is nothing special about it...... Yesterday they said that they might be going to the riverside to deliver goods to a smuggler in Raozhou...... But there is already news that the ship of the Raozhou people sank in the center of the river......"

Shipwreck? This is to cut off all clues! Zhao Zhongye said loudly: "These people in Fangjia Village must have clues, otherwise it will be boring to set up this bureau...... Do you have any research on the origins and history of those people? ”

"In the past few years, I have been very peaceful, and I also participated in salt sales in the early years, and they followed Tang Qingyuan...... Tang ......" Chen Qi couldn't help but stumble when he said this, unable to speak.

Zhao Zhongye sneered: "You have also found out, you have gone around such a big circle, and the real purpose of the people is here!" ”

"Big brother, who is Tang Qingyuan?" Zhao Zhongshan was full of questions, but no one paid attention to it at all.

Chen Qi said in horror: "Could it be that Tang Qingyuan's family repays revenge?" No, their whole family was killed that night...... Could it be their subordinate or friend? ”

"Not necessarily, maybe someone wants to borrow a knife to kill someone!" Zhao Zhongye groaned: "Have you found it, the salt tea on Liangzhejiang Road is not our family......"

"Little grandpa mean that the gang ......?"

Zhao Zhongye nodded and said: "Yes, they used to hide in the dark and share a piece of soup, I thought that if I turned a blind eye, everyone would make money if they had money." I didn't expect that it would be a tiger for trouble, and now I want to use the sword of the imperial court to solve us, and then dominate the ......"

"But in this way, the imperial court will pay attention to the salt affairs of the Liangzhejiang Road, and they will not be much better...... "Chen Qi reminded in time.

"yes!" Zhao Zhongye was also puzzled: "This is also what I can't figure out, so what's in it for them?" The gains outweigh the losses...... Maybe that wasn't their real purpose, but what did they really want? The most terrifying thing is that until now, we have not even figured out the true identity and intentions of our opponents......"

Zhao Zhongshan couldn't understand what the eldest brother was saying at all, but he could hear from the conversation that someone was going to deal with them, but he was afraid that something big would happen.

"Little grandpa, what should I do now?" Chen Qi was already a master of the six gods, and he was a little flustered.

Zhao Zhongye pondered for a moment and ordered: "Zhongshan, send a letter to my father immediately, and let him come back as soon as possible...... This responsibility is too heavy, and it is no longer something he can bear.

"Yes!"

"Chen County Order, for now, you can investigate the case as usual...... It should be noted that as for the mistakes everywhere, I will find a way to find someone to make up for them......" Zhao Zhongye commanded: "However, I expect that it will not be long before the imperial court will send people...... The most important thing is not to panic, not to ...... randomly"

"Well, I will......" Chen Qi knew that the matter had come to this point, so he could only face it calmly.

"Big brother, what about me?" Zhao Zhongshan said: "What can I help do?" ”

"You?" Zhao Zhongye hesitated for a moment and said with a smile: "Eat what you should eat, just continue to play if you should play." ”

"Big brother, I'm ......" Zhao Zhongshan was suddenly a little injured.

Zhao Zhongye shook his head and said, "If I let you play, you can play, and bring the son of the Chen County Ling family......"

"Little grandfather, what does this mean? It's all at this time......" Chen Qi was a little surprised.

"The more this happens, the more calm they have to behave as usual, although they don't participate, but they have a good side performance...... Don't forget, there is also a Lin Zhao who has been in Hangzhou. ”

"Yes, we met at West Lake in the evening, and we ...... it"

"What's going on? Jealousy, right? Zhao Zhongye smiled and said: "Go on, don't be afraid, you are a relative of the emperor, can't you compete with him?" ”

"This ......" Zhao Zhongshan became more and more confused.

Zhao Zhongye said: "You are at odds with Chen Hongsu and Lin Zhao, and now you often meet in Hangzhou, but you are silent and quiet. Losing face is small, but let him suspect, you deliberately avoid him, and dare not offend him...... This person is good at the way of investigation, and in extraordinary times, as in the past, he can stabilize ...... better."

"Got it!" Zhao Zhongshan and Chen Qi both nodded.

"Big brother, that's all, I'm afraid it won't work, what the hell is this kid?"

"That's right, I also think that I don't believe him if he doesn't do anything if he doesn't do anything." Zhao Zhongye groaned: "It seems that it is time to find something to distract him......"

"Hmph, teach him a lesson...... By the way, big brother, who else have you and I met in West Lake today? ”

"Who?"

"Zhao Shiju!"

"He's already in Hangzhou, it's not strange...... Zhao Zhongye couldn't help but wonder: "It's just that he has always been high, why is he suddenly interested in the land of wind and moon and red dust?" ”

"Okay, just do your job according to the agreement, and it will be fine!" Having said that, Zhao Zhongye's heart is still up and down, and it is difficult to be stable. Whether it is the imperial court tracking down, or Lin Zhao's existence, he is not very worried, and the most frightening thing is the hidden people behind the scenes...... Who is it?

On the West Lake flower boat, Mu Sihong also had the same question.

When Yutong sobbed and relayed to her the tragic situation of the murder of the villagers in Fangjia Village, Mu Sihong was shocked, and under the horror was a deep sadness.

The forty-one lives are not much different from what happened to the family back then...... The sadness of the past and reality came to her heart, making her sad and tearful...... At tonight's dinner, a little bit of joy was completely washed away, and there was nothing left.

"Do you see the murderer clearly?" After a long time, Mu Sihong stopped crying and asked with a sob. At this point, these issues are the most important thing now.

Yu Tong shook his head and said, "It's far away, I can't see clearly, but I'll follow them back......"

"Where did they go?" Mu Sihong wanted to know, who is the murderer behind this scene?

"They all lived in a private house in Qiantang County, and later someone went out and entered the Ya ...... Yuhang County," Yutong reported.

Yuhang County Ya? Mu Sihong was taken aback, could it be that the main messenger behind the scenes was...... Shouldn't it be Qiantang County? Mu Sihong was already a little dizzy.

"I don't know, I saw him easily enter the county office, and he didn't come out for a long time...... Presumably, ......" Yutong said: "I didn't dare to delay for too long, this news is too important, so I rushed back to tell Miss." ”

Mu Sihong muttered: "Fangjia Village had a close relationship with the family back then, maybe it will bring out the old case because of this, maybe it's also a good thing!" ”

"Miss, why don't I go and investigate the secrets of Yuhang County again?" Yutong took the initiative to ask.

"Okay, be careful!" Fortunately, Yutong arrived in time and accidentally discovered this rare clue, and he didn't dare to interrupt it. What if you just find a clue? On whom to rely? Lin Zhao? Can he?

For a while, countless question marks appeared in her heart, and Mu Sihong's heart was like numbness!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lin Zhao was silent for a long time after hearing Su An's report, and said a word, and forty-one fresh lives were gone. Even if they were engaged in illegal activities at the time, it is really embarrassing to die such a tragic death.

"Did the government find anything?"

"Not yet, I only know that the deceased is from Fangjia Village, Yuhang County, and the location of the crime is in Qiantang County."

"How so?" Lin Zhao was a little puzzled, and his thinking was a little confused.

Su An nodded; "There have been fights between the Salt Gang before, but there has never been such a bad result......"

"Salt gang brawl?" Lin Zhao shook his head and said: "Forty-one people died from knife wounds, and they started cleanly, where could it be the villagers and villagers of the Salt Gang." What's more, it's just a few dozen loads of salt, and it's not worth much, is it necessary? So the murderer's defeat is not for money, otherwise Haiyan would not still stay in place, this matter is not simple! ”

"Childe thinks there's something wrong?"

Lin Zhao shook his head lightly and said: "I can't say it now, but there is one point, now Hangzhou salt affairs will come to the surface." If the report is truthfully reported to the official's family, the imperial court can justifiably send someone to investigate the matter...... Our previous overt and covert visits were slow to produce results, and now that we have such an opportunity, we must have missed it.

It's not that I want to shirk my responsibility, I've been in Hangzhou for almost two months, and I can vaguely notice that Hangzhou's salt affairs are not simple...... You can't find out why...... That's fine, and it's up to the officials to decide! ”

"In this way, this case is really coincidental, just right!"

"Don't be too happy!" Lin Zhao sighed: "This matter is too coincidental, and it is precisely because of this that it is even more suspicious." ”

"Childe mean ......?" Su An also sensed that things seemed to be far from being as simple as he thought.

Lin Zhao smiled bitterly: "I don't know who it is, it is so helpful, I have time to see it, I have to thank it in person." As he spoke, his eyes wandered away, and he fell into deep thought...... "That's right!" After being silent for a while, Lin Zhao asked again: "You said you saw a master on Mu Sihong's ship?" ”

"Yes, the man's behavior is very secretive, at least his light body is good, and he got on the boat quietly. After that, there was no movement on the ship, and there was no harm, and I wanted to get acquainted with everyone on board. Su An also made an analysis of this.

Lin Zhao groaned: "In this way, this Mu Sihong is not simple! At the dinner, he had such a feeling, Mu Sihong was enthusiastic and tender to himself, but Lin Zhao finally got her smile behind the insincerity, it seemed to be approaching with a purpose...... The habit developed by the police academy made Lin Zhao naturally wary of her...... Coupled with Su An's discovery, there are more and more mysteries on Mu Sihong's body. Now, Lin Zhao is really beginning to wonder, what is her intention to come to Hangzhou from Jiangning?

Lin Zhao instructed: "Bozhou, there is no clue about the murder case left and right, these two people are surnamed Mu Sihong to see if the phantom still appears?" It can be properly probed, and there are ...... Check Mu Sihong's background well! ”

"Good!"

"It's been hard for you these days!" Lin Zhao patted Su An's shoulder and comforted him softly.

"It's okay, it's all my business, it should be!"

"Who the hell is it?" Lin Zhao couldn't help but fall into deep thought, the situation in Hangzhou was far more complicated than he imagined, he thought that the water of West Lake was clear, but now it seems that there is a lot of mixture.

Now the problem seems to have surfaced, but this is definitely only the tip of the iceberg, and there are still major problems lurking under the muddy waters.

It is one thing to report to the official Zhao Ji, and it is also very important to find clues and clues as soon as possible. Now the plan is at a loss, and the only breakthrough, or conjecture, can only be on Mu Sihong's side.

The next night, Yutong quietly got off the boat and went to Yuhang County again to further explore the origin of those murderers. Yu Tong's movements were very fast and cautious, she didn't notice that there was someone behind her!

(To be continued)