win the hairpin

Chapter 476 Unclear Cases
The housekeeper, Li Jun, went to the cloth shop to see the cloth making clothes, and at the same time sent favors in all directions. While he was busy, Yin Xiao also sent the account book to Jinshang's desk.

Imam's gaze became serious from the first page of the ledger, and immediately announced that Dong Tongying brought Yuan Shaopei into the palace to make plans.

A thick account book, under the crackling sound of pearls, turned into a thin piece of paper, with the words 310 million taels written on it lightly, and Wei Qiao re-placed it on the imperial case, under heavy pressure. Now on my mind.

Jin Shang's gaze was fixed on those words, the Wende Hall was silent, Dong Tongying lowered his head knowingly, and said nothing.

After a while, Imakami raised his head, and said dryly, "Can it match up with the shortfall in the salt tax?"

Dong Tongying did not answer immediately, but said cautiously: "Returning to Your Majesty, the deficit of the salt tax is not that big, but the price of official salt has been raised twice, and with the reduction of refugees, more people can afford salt. Taxes should be more than before, but now they are less than before, which shows that the problem of private salt is not just a day or two."

Today's face and voice were all cold: "Check every year, kill every year, I didn't expect that the biggest salt worm is in this imperial city! It's right under my nose! I don't even have money to repair the palace. All the money went into his purse!"

Although this him was not clearly stated in the ledger, it was only vaguely mentioned as the servant of King Yan's mansion, and everyone knew that he was King Yan.

Imakami grabbed the fluffy piece of paper, lifted it up and shook it vigorously a few times: "What does he want so much money for? Forming a party for personal gain!"

Throwing the paper on the ground: "I thought he was more honest than the boss! I didn't expect him to be so daring behind his back!"

Dong Tongying said softly: "Your Majesty, based on this account book alone, without any other evidence, it cannot be concluded that it was the king of Yan who did it."

Imam looked at him with burning eyes, because of the 310 million taels of silver that he had disappeared out of thin air, and because of the palace he had never repaired, his mind became clearer than ever before, his eyes were sharp, and his wisdom burst out intermittently.

"Dong Xiang said that someone planted a frame to frame King Yan?"

Dong Tongying didn't hesitate this time, but replied immediately: "I dare not make such a conclusion. I think this matter should be referred to the Criminal Division for thorough investigation. If King Yan was innocently victimized, King Yan should be returned innocent."

Today I asked: "I see that you are always courteous to King Jin, how can you speak up for King Yan now? Are you still stepping on two boats?"

Dong Tongying knelt down without saying a word, and Yuan Shaopei behind him also knelt down.

Dong Tongying's voice echoed in the hall unhurriedly: "The only thing I cling to is your majesty's dragon boat. The minister's discussion of the king of Jin is not to follow the power, but to solve your majesty's worries and problems, and stabilize the court. What I said today is also true. It's not to defend King Yan, but to fear that His Majesty and King Yan will hurt the relationship between father and son."

Today's expression softened a little: "Get up, I'm getting old, and it's uncomfortable to kneel on the ground, Wei Qiao, help this rare loyal minister."

Wei Qiao hurried forward and helped Dong Tongying up.

"Dong Xiang thinks who is the presiding judge? Who is the deputy judge? Who should be the prisoner?"

Dong Tongying pondered for a moment: "The prisoner is naturally a private salt dealer in Dingzhou. The two chief and deputy envoys of the Judiciary can serve as the chief judge, and the deputy judge... I think the king of Jin can take on the role."

"Prince Jin?" Jin Shang frowned.

Dong Tongying said: "In the past, the Zhang family conspired with King Chen to rebel. It was also judged by King Jin's deputy, who returned Zhang Xiangye's innocence. I thought that King Jin would not lose his dignity in major matters. Everyone in the world watched. King Yan If he is innocent, it will be very convincing for King Jin to interrogate him."

Today nodded his head: "Call King Yan to come."

King Yan came with a plan in mind.

Ever since he knew that Li Jun had brought out the ledger and met Zhang Xutang, he had practiced many times at the house and prepared for a long time, and now it was finally his turn to appear.

When he walked outside the Hall of Wende, he straightened his clothes and walked in slowly, without showing any sign of guilt or timidity.

After performing the ceremony of the monarch and his ministers, he stood with his hands down, and heard Jinshang's inquiry: "The second brother has worked hard for ink, and he seems to have lost a lot of weight."

King Yan immediately became suspicious: "Your Majesty, the minister is useless in the court. The abacus of the third division is held in the hands of Prime Minister Dong and King Jin. The minister can't even touch the edge, so why bother to talk about it?"

With a calm tone, Jinshang motioned Wei Qiao to give him the account book: "Look for yourself."

Wei Qiao sent the account book to King Yan. Dong Tongying and Yuan Shaopei had already made preparations, knowing that King Yan would definitely not admit it, but they didn't expect King Yan to start a series of crying after reading it.

He came prepared, crying, yelling for grievances, complaining bitterly, scolding King Jin angrily, without any delay, interspersed with each other, endlessly, more grievances than the strange grievances of all ages.

Dong Tongying was secretly amazed that although King Yan was not good at governing the country, it was easy for him to appeal for grievances.

When King Yan closed his voice, Jinshang's wise mind made him cry into a mess, and he was silent for a long while, so he didn't let himself continue to be trapped in the quagmire.

Two doubtful lights flashed in his eyes, he glanced at King Yan from head to toe, then stared at King Yan's eyes, and finally said: "Whether you are guilty or not, it is not up to you to say, but to be investigated by the prisoner." , if the evidence is found, you, the prince, will also be charged with crimes!"

King Yan repeatedly kowtowed: "I have a clear conscience! Please order a thorough investigation from your majesty!"

Since there is a thorough investigation, Dong Tongying will be asked to supervise it today, and the chief judge of the criminal department, and the deputy judge of the King of Jin, because the case has a lot to do with it, and Dou Qushan is added to cooperate with the trial. Everyone has the same eyes and sent a team to Dingzhou immediately. Use express delivery to bring the Hu family as quickly as possible.

At the end of the month, those who went to Dingzhou returned in a hurry and entered the capital at Zishi.

At three o'clock, two red lanterns were hung on the left and right sides of the gold-lettered plaque of "Jingji Tidian Prison Division", and the sound of horseshoes resounded through the whole street. In the sedan chair, he quickly got off the horse and went to help Dong Tongying: "Master Dong, why are you here in the middle of the night, and you have to go to court on the fourth watch, your body is very important."

Dong Tongying helped him up the steps, and said in a low voice: "The prince is here, how dare I trust you."

Hearing that the king of Jin had also arrived, Dou Qushan quickened his pace, and the book office standing outside the main yamen welcomed the two of them in. Behind the main case in the lobby was the king of Jin, and under the main case was the criminal minister. Envoy Shen Zhijie and deputy envoy Deng Zhong.

Seeing that Dong Tongying had arrived, the two quickly got up to salute and give up their seats.

The two of them are very self-aware, knowing that they seem to be the chief interrogator, but in fact they are just an extra.

The real director is King Jin.

Dong Tongying and Dou Qushan also saluted the king of Jin and rearranged their seats. Only then did Dong Tongying ask about the news of Dingzhou.

Shen Zhijie said: "The person who came back has already answered the prince's words, saying that it is... that Hu's house was poured with oil in the middle of the night, and the whole family was burned to death, and those who often walked in the business world also died from the fire. Wolves."

Both Dong Tongying and Dou Qushan's eyes widened.

All dead—is there really such a coincidence in the world?
The room fell silent, and no one spoke.

(End of this chapter)