I didn't sleep all night, but Chen Qun was extremely excited.

First there was a brutal assassination, and then a bizarre murder. What happened last night contains almost all the bizarre variables. So much so that after he returned to the county office, he didn't even eat, so he asked Yue Guan again. Because Yue Guan is the owner of the chrysanthemum hermitage, and he is also the last person to see the snow lotus. Every word she says is very crucial, and may even affect the development of the case in the future.

However, Yue Guan's answer was not much different from when he was in Chrysanthemum Temple.

Chen Qun inquired for a long time, but he didn't ask a clue.

"Chen County Order, Ni has already answered everything he knows, I don't know what else is wrong with the county order?"

Chen Qun thought about it, but he really didn't know what to ask again.

"In that case, let's ask Master Yue Nunnery to go back." He smiled and said to Yue Guan: "But after the master of Yue Nunnery goes back, if you think of something, you can tell the county at any time." By the way, the Chrysanthemum Nunnery has just been killed, and there is only one person left, so I am afraid that it will be dangerous. It's better to do this, and then I will order someone to go over, first, to protect the owner of the nunnery, and second, if the owner of the nunnery has something, I can send someone to report it at any time. ”

Yue Guan said respectfully: "Then there is Lao County's order to bother." ”

After sending Yue Guan away, Chen Qun sat alone in the flower hall, waiting for Cao Peng to return.

The excitement faded away, and tiredness came in waves.

And Cao Peng didn't come back for a long time, Chen Qun returned to the bedroom, leaned on the bed and read a book for a while, and soon fell asleep...... In his sleep, he dreamed of Yueguan's singing and dancing again, which was graceful and moving!

"Childe, Childe wake up."

When he was sleeping soundly, Chen Qun suddenly felt someone pushing and calling in his ear.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the old butler Chen Wei shouting on the side. I couldn't help but feel a little unhappy in my heart, Chen Qun turned over and sat up, rubbing his cheeks, "What time is it?" How long did I sleep? ”

"Childe has only slept for half an hour, just after the hour."

Chen Qun stretched, "Cao Beibei is back?" ”

"Zifang came back just now, but Cao Beibei didn't return with him.

Zifang said that Cao Beibei's family came from Xudu, so Cao Beibei went to Dongshili Pavilion to greet him, and it is estimated that he will not return until after Shenshi. ”

"Youxue's family is here?"

Chen Qun stood up, and a maid brought a wet wipe.

He threw the wipes on his face, then wiped them vigorously, and his spirits suddenly lifted.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

"Childe, someone just came to report that a corpse was found in the woods south of the city."

Chen Qun was facing the bronze mirror, combing his short beard under the chin. Hearing Chen Wei's words, his hand shook involuntarily and he broke two of his beards.

"What did you say?"

"In the woods south of the city, a body was found."

"Have you ever informed the Southern Lieutenant?"

"It's the Southern Governor's Mansion that reports...... The southern lieutenant has already brought people over to investigate, and sent someone to report to the son. ”

Chen Qun couldn't help patting his forehead lightly, and immediately asked people to change into official clothes for him, ordered Chen Ju to lead the way, and hurriedly walked out of the gate of the county government.

—————————————————————————————— Luoyang is divided into four lieutenants, each of which abides by its own responsibilities.

It happened in the south of the city, and it was naturally under the jurisdiction of the southern lieutenant, so Chen Qun did not let people inform Cao Peng.

Hurrying all the way, I went out of the city gate and went south, and outside a small forest, I saw a group of servants, who were surrounding the forest.

All around are the neighbors watching the excitement, one by one.

The southern lieutenant of Luoyang, named Meng Tan.

When Cao Peng first came to Luoyang, he knew about this person.

However, at that time, Cao Peng was in a hurry to apprentice to Lu Hun, so he did not meet this person. After serving as the northern lieutenant, he met Meng Tan once, but he did not have a deep friendship. Meng Tan was about 30 years old, a native of Luoyang, and had served as the southern lieutenant since the second year of Jian'an, and went to the post almost at the same time as Zhu Zan. In terms of qualifications, he is older than Cao Peng; In terms of age, he is older than Cao Peng, so he will not take the initiative to contact Cao Peng.

But to Chen Qun, Meng Tan is indeed extremely respectful.

"Meng Nannan, what's the situation?"

Chen Qun got off the horse and talked to Meng Tan as he walked.

"It was almost noon, and the mayor of Nanxiang and a few villagers passed by here and rested in the forest. Unexpectedly, a dead body was found in the forest, and he immediately sent someone to report it. After the lower officials got the news, they rushed over with people, blocked the woods, and then notified the county order. ”

"Has the deceased been identified?"

"It has been ascertained that it is the people under the rule of the lower officials, named Chizhong, who are from Jingzhao."

Chen Qun suddenly stopped and looked at Meng Tan in amazement, "Chizhong? ”

"Exactly."

"Is that Jingzhao Chiboyu?"

Meng Tan was stunned for a moment, and blurted out: "The county order also knows about this person?" ”

Chen Qun couldn't help but smile bitterly and let Meng Tan lead the way in front. In a few moments, he was deep in the woods. The sunlight is poured into the trees from the cracks in the branches, and the light is speckling. A dead body, covered in muddy water, lying on its back on the ground...... Chen Qun closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and walked over.

He crouched down in front of the dead body, stretched out his hand, wiped the mud from his face, and revealed a very delicate face.

Sure enough, it's Chizhong!

"Can you find out, how to die?"

Meng Tan hurriedly replied: "The prefect hasn't arrived yet, so it's not clear yet."

The lower officials were afraid of destroying the corpse, so they didn't dare to act rashly...... However, this Chi Zhong is a famous swordsman in Luoyang, and his skills are extremely high. ”

"I know!"

Chen Qun frowned, and his face became gloomy.

This Meng Tan is twice as old as Cao Peng, but he is not as careful as Cao Peng.

If Cao Peng was here, he would definitely clearly tell himself the cause of Chizhong's death, and he might even be able to tell the time of Chizhong's death.

And now, we have to wait for the work to come...... Chen Qun pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "Meng Tan, let your people exit the forest immediately." ”

"Huh?"

"I will order someone to invite Cao Beibei to come, he is quite talented in this regard, and he will investigate the cause of death."

"But it's not in order."

"Chi Zhong was still drinking with the official last night, and the official was assassinated and murdered in a row last night. This official suspects that Chi Zhong's death is related to the case last night. Cao Beibei has always been responsible for this matter, and now this official has decided to bring the two cases into one, do you have any opinions? ”

"This ...... The lower officials did not dare. ”

Meng Tan felt very aggrieved, but he had to obey the order.

Not to mention that Chen Qun is his superior, even if Chen Qun is not the Luoyang Order, Chen Qun's background alone is enough to make Meng Tan bow his head.

Hate Cao Youxue!

Meng Tan couldn't help but feel resentful.

originally thought that after Zhu Zan was killed, he could take over the northern lieutenant.

Nominally, the southern lieutenant is equal to the northern lieutenant. But in fact, the northern lieutenant is the head of the four lieutenants of Luoyang, and the status of the southern lieutenant is still below the northern lieutenant.

Unexpectedly, a Cao Peng came out halfway, which made Meng Tan feel very uncomfortable.

Now, the case that happened under his own rule is obviously under the supervision of the northern lieutenant. For Meng Tan, this is tantamount to a naked slap in the face. Thinking of Cao Peng snatching his seat before, Meng Tan's heart was even more unpleasant. He didn't dare to disobey Chen Qun, but he could hate Cao Peng. With the people, he withdrew from the woods and waited quietly outside the woods, his heart burning with anger.

Chen Qun ordered someone to find Cao Peng.

He crouched next to the corpse and watched carefully.

has been staying with Cao Peng for a long time, and Chen Qun has also heard Cao Peng say some key points to solve the case.

Now, since Cao Peng is not there, the surname Suo is judged by himself...... Chi Zhong was pierced in the chest with a sword and killed on the spot.

However, due to the muddy water immersion, Chen Qun could not see the wound clearly.

Chi Zhong is a swordsman, and a famous swordsman!

Now he's ...... Chen Qun stood up and fell into deep thought beside the corpse.

After a while, he suddenly ordered: "Tell Meng Nannan and order him to immediately take people to the city to arrest Zhu Dao." ”

Arrested?

Meng Tan was a little strange, but he still obeyed the order and left in a hurry with the people.

As soon as he walked on his front feet, he saw a group of iron horsemen galloping towards him at the end of the avenue.

This iron horseman, all black armor, black cloak.

Cao Peng took the lead and arrived at the woods first. Chen Juhou was outside the forest, and when he saw Cao Peng coming, he immediately greeted him.

Peeking back, Chen Ju couldn't help but be secretly surprised. The cavalry behind Cao Peng had about thirty riders. A general, eight feet tall, broad shoulders and round waist, born extremely majestic. When he jumped off the horse, there was a faint sound of a brass bell, if there was nothing.

"Xingba, you take someone to guard outside, and I'll go in and watch."

The big man intervened to receive the order, and thirty Feiwei dismounted, quickly blocked the entrance to the woods, and forced the people watching the excitement to retreat ten steps.

All actions are completed in an instant, and they appear to be orderly.

Chen Ju secretly sighed: Such a fierce warrior would actually serve under Cao Beibei's account?

———————————————————————— Cao Peng walked into the forest, looked at the footprints everywhere, and couldn't help frowning.

"Ah Fu, has the family arranged it?"

When Chen Qun saw Cao Peng coming, he asked.

Cao Peng nodded, "If it weren't for Mother and Yueying accompanying me, I wouldn't have had to go to greet me." I received a notice that I had ordered Xiahou He Haozhao to lead his troops into the city first, so I hurried over. Why, I heard that Chi Boyu died? Have you ever checked the cause of this Chi Boyu's death? ”

"I was pierced through the heart with a sword and killed on the spot."

Cao Peng didn't ask any more, walked to the corpse, squatted down, opened Chizhong's eyelids and checked it, and then turned Chizhong's corpse over again...... After a few moments, he uncovered Chi Zhong's bloody clothes, ordered someone to hold a torch, and carefully examined the wound on his chest.

"Two-fingered rappier."

"Huh?"

"The murderer used a thin sword about two fingers wide, with a serrated shape at one end.

Big brother, immediately send someone to find out, who uses this kind of sword in Luoyang City...... Also, the murderer and Chi Zhong should know each other, and they are still familiar with each other. The murderer's swordsmanship is good, and he is very quick to draw his sword. Looking at the entrance of this sword hole, the murderer should be a left-hander. ”

Chen Qun said: "I have ordered Meng Tan to go and arrest Zhu Dao. ”

"Arrest Zhudao?"

"I think the most likely person to kill Chi Zhong should be Zhu Dao."

"Why?"

"Didn't you say that the two of them have always had conflicts, and they have fought several times. In addition, he and Chi Zhong met, and the two had a conflict last night. Zhu Dao's swordsmanship is brilliant, and like Chizhong, he is a famous swordsman in Luoyang. So I speculate that the murderer is Zhu Dao. ”

Sounds like a perfect fit.

But after Cao Peng pondered for a moment, he shook his head and objected.

"Big brother, come and see Chizhong's eyes."

"What's wrong?"

"Generally speaking, when a person dies, the eyes leave some information. or astonished, or daring, or hateful, or ...... But Chi Zhong's expression was very calm, not even a little angry. As you said just now, Zhu Dao and Chi Zhong have contradictions, and they have fought swords several times. Then I ask you, if it were you, would you be defenseless in the face of a person who had just had a conflict with you and broke your good deeds? ”

Chen Qun thought for a while, "It stands to reason that there will definitely be precautions. ”

"But you see that this Chi Zhong's body has no scars except for this heart-piercing sword.

In other words, the murderer suddenly shot face to face, and Chi Zhong had no defense at all, so he was killed by a sword piercing his heart. ”

Cao Peng paused for a moment, and then said, "Moreover, Chi Zhong's expression was very calm, and there was even a look of relief...... What kind of person made him face death so calmly? And who can make him defenseless at all?

Yesterday, I saw Zhu Dao and Chi Zhong fighting swords.

Zhu Dao's swordsmanship is a fierce road, using a three-finger wide sword instead of a two-finger thin sword. ”

As he spoke, Cao Peng stood opposite Chen Qun with a smile on his face.

Suddenly, he put his finger on Chen Qun's chest, "Big brother, this person's swordsmanship is definitely much better than Chi Boyu's. ”

The finger was against Chen Qun's chest, which startled Chen Qun, and his face turned a little pale.

"Ah Fu, don't be so surprised, okay? Scared the hell out of me! ”

"You see, we know each other so well, and you were frightened when I did that. But Chi Zhong was shocking, and there was no trace of horror, and this calm expression represented an answer in itself. Therefore, I don't think Zhu Dao is a murderer, he doesn't have the ability. ”

"Who could that be?"

Cao Peng rubbed his nose and shook his head.

"This question really stumped me.

With that, let's sort things out. Judging from the wounds on Chizhong's body, the time of his death should have been last night. With such a thin sword hole, the blood drained dry...... It can't be done in a while. The wound was somewhat whitish, the result of soaking in muddy water after the blood had drained. From last night to today, there have been three rains. By the end of the afternoon, the water was gone...... So I judged that he was killed by an arrow through his heart last night, after leaving the chrysanthemum hermitage.

At the end of last night's banquet, he peeped at Yue Guan to change clothes, and was bumped by Zhudao, and then the two sides had an argument and left early.

He walked on his front foot, and the feast ended.

I was pretending to be drunk, so I didn't pay attention...... But has the eldest brother ever noticed that after the banquet, who is in the most hurry? Or rather, who will leave first? ”

"This ......," Chen Qun thought for a moment, "it seems that they left together." ”

"Okay, let's assume so.

After Chi Zhong left, he went home. There was a man who, after leaving with the others, pursued him alone. After he caught up with Chizhong, he dragged Chizhong to the forest to take shelter from the rain. Then he suddenly made a move, causing Chi Zhong to die...... Well, that's how it should be. ”

Chen Qun was silent, with a deep groaning look on his face.

Cao Peng beckoned, motioned for the servant to come over and clean up the body, and then walked out of the woods at the same time as Chen Qunyi.

At this moment, a servant came galloping from the direction of Luoyang. Dismounted in front of the forest, the servant hurriedly walked up to Chen Ju and whispered a few words.

Chen Juyi frowned, and hurriedly ran to Chen Qun's side.

After whispering a few words, Chen Qun turned his head to look at Cao Peng, the expression on his face was extremely strange.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah Fu, you seem to have guessed wrong."

"Oh?"

"I just ordered Meng Nannan to go back to the city to arrest Zhu Dao, but Meng Nannan went to Zhu Dao's house, but found that Zhu Dao had disappeared."

(To be continued)