Red Mansion Royal Cat

Chapter 229 The Magical Case in the Case in the Case in the Case
Most of the people in Xiaoguozhuang have the surname Guo and belong to the same ancestor.

There are many earth furnaces in Zhuangzi, and nearly [-]% of the surrounding fields belong to Dabaoen Temple.Fortunately, people in Zhuangzi don't live on meager land, most of them are firing porcelain.

There are no people in Xiaoguozhuang who can't make any dishes and tea sets, or even doll statues.

Although the weather was clear at noon, due to the smog and dust in Xiaoguozhuang, it was really difficult for people with poor eyesight to see the figure of people twenty paces away.

"My lord, the man is dead!"

There is a fire burning in the clay furnace, and the temperature outside the furnace is not low at all. Who can lie on it and stay still?He must be dead!
Jia Cong and others stepped forward, and it turned out to be a middle-aged man, wearing a Confucian shirt, with a frightened face, leaning on the clay stove with one hand, and the palm close to the stove was already scorched.

Monks should seldom see dead people, so they hid behind a dragon guard and took a peek: "Ah, it's Mr. Yichen from Xiaoguozhuang, how is this possible?"

"Mr. Yichen?"

The burnt smell in the air irritated the nostrils, Jia Cong signaled the Long Guard to examine the corpse carefully, walked up to Monk Jian, and asked about Mr. Yichen.

I saw Jianhe Shang kept turning his head to peek at the corpse, his face pale.

He made a Buddhist name, as if to embolden himself: "Mr. Yichen is the only scholar in Xiaoguozhuang, and Guo Xiaosi is his son-in-law. His family was very poor in the early years, and his master, who was a poor monk, saw that he had a desire to learn." So he allowed him to copy Buddhist scriptures for the temple, and only then did he have the money to go to the test."

There is no doubt that studying for the imperial examination is an extremely expensive thing.

If you can write good handwriting, copying Buddhist scriptures for temples is a good way to make money. You can practice calligraphy and make money...

"About four years ago, Guo Xiaosi entrusted someone to ask Mr. Yichen to marry him, and married the most beautiful girl in ten miles and eight villages."

Jia Cong frowned, and asked, "Isn't Mr. Yichen from the Guo family?"

Jianhe monk hurriedly explained: "The poor monk didn't make it clear. Mr. Yichen's surname is Pan. He was originally from Liaodong. He escaped with his father and came here more than [-] years ago. The skill of firing ceramics in Xiaoguozhuang is still Mr. Yichen. This is one of the reasons why the Pan family can gain a foothold in Xiaoguozhuang."

Jia Cong nodded and let him continue.

"Mr. Pan's family left early. Mr. Yichen studied literature since he was a child, and determined to become famous in the examination field. Unfortunately, he was only 34 years old when he was admitted as a scholar. After Qiu Wei failed, he fell into a slump. Fortunately, he has rice grain from the government and the head of the Guo family. Entrusted by him, he became the teacher of the school, and he lived a relaxed life."

Seeing that monks often come to Xiaoguozhuang, he knows the situation in Zhuangzi very well, and told Jia Cong about the past of Mr. Yichen.

When the Long Guard inspected the corpse, the people in Xiaoguozhuang finally discovered the abnormality here. They wanted to get closer, but they were too scared to approach because of the sharp blade of the official uniform on the Long Guard. They just hid in the distance. Whispering.

Jia Cong beckoned to the crowd, and the crowd fell silent instantly, most of them began to cower and want to run away, while some looked at the officials in front of them vigilantly, but no one came forward to pay their respects.

It wasn't until an old man, surrounded by several young adults, whispered a few words to those around him that he finally gritted his teeth and walked over.

As soon as he came to him, the old man knelt down and said: "Little man Guo Xing, I greet you, my lord!"

Following Guo Xing's kneeling, all the young and strong behind him knelt down, even the crowd in the distance knelt down unconsciously.

Guo Xing was not very old, and his family was quite wealthy judging from the clothes he wore, at least the silk brocade clothes he was wearing were expensive.However, his skin is rough and dark, and he should have suffered hardships in his early years.

He looks similar to the young and strong man behind him, so he should be a brother or relative, maybe they are all the sons of the head of the Guo family.

"Old man Guo doesn't need to be polite, get up and talk."

The prestige of this old man Guo is really high in the three-acre land in Xiaoguozhuang.

Those common people would unconsciously follow him and kneel down and bow down. You must know that this group of common people came here not too late, but I have never seen anyone kneel down before him.

The official purple robe, even a fool would know what it represents. Jia Cong has been in the village for so long, some are curious, some are afraid, but there is no one who takes the initiative to bow down and salute.

Jia Cong's eyes shrank, but his face was full of gentleness, and he stepped forward to lift him up with his own hands.

Xia Shouzhong next to him remained silent, but whispered a few words to Captain Long Jinwei beside him...

Guo Xingqi still bowed respectfully behind him: "Thank you, my lord. I don't know why your lord came to Xiaoguo Village? Is there a place for the little old man to work?"

Jia Cong didn't hesitate, pointed at Pan Yichen's body, and said in a deep voice, "I originally came to look for Guo Xiaosi, but unexpectedly found a corpse beside that stove..."

"How could it be Mr. Pan?"

Guo Xing only glanced at it, and then said in surprise: "It turned out to be Mr. Pan! Boss, hurry up and report to the police..."

"This official is an official!"

Jia Cong frowned and interrupted Guo Xing's exclamation: "I'm Jia Cong of Rongguo Mansion, I'm Fusi Qianhu of Longjinwei Town, this case is up to me, so why find someone else!"

For ordinary people, the three words "Long Jianwei" could stop crying at night, so Guo Xing was immediately asked to silence his flag and drums.

At this time, the officer of the Dragon Guard who was in charge of examining the corpse came over and whispered in his ear: "My lord, the left chest was almost pierced, and he was killed with a single knife. The murder weapon is likely to be a short knife, and he died in less than an hour."

Jia Cong nodded and turned his gaze to Guo Xing.

"Master Guo, is Pan Yichen's son-in-law Guo Xiaosi here? Please find him."

Guo Xing hurriedly bowed and said: "The young man dare not disobey the order of the adults, so I will let the dog find it..."

Jia Cong ordered to the left and right: "Lieutenant Ma, you take two people to go together."

The worry that flashed quickly in Guo Xing's eyes did not escape Jia Cong's gaze. The strange and seemingly accidental murder in Zhuangzi made Jia Cong even more interested.

While the boss of the Guo family was looking for Guo Xiaosi, Jia Cong chatted with Guo Xing for a while.

The topic is very jumpy. In the first sentence, Jia Cong may still be asking about the livelihood of Guo Jiazhuang, and in the second sentence, it will become the situation of Guo Xingjia, and then he will ask about Pan Yichen seemingly unintentionally.

There was no regularity in asking these things, and there was nothing suspected of violating the law or discipline, but Guo Xing's forehead was covered with cold sweat.

Until Jia Cong suddenly asked: "It is said that Pan Yichen was killed after so long, the news should have reached Guo Xiaosi's family, why hasn't the daughter of the Pan family come?"

"My lord, Xiaosi's daughter-in-law was looking for needlework in the capital a few days ago, so she should not be at home at this time."

"Oh?"

Guo Xing's response made Jia Cong's suspicion even heavier. Seeing He Shangke said that Guo Xiaosi's craftsmanship in firing ceramics is excellent, and his income is very high. Let alone raising a daughter-in-law, even raising another concubine is not a problem .

Moreover, the Pan family can be regarded as a scholarly family, even when Pan Yichen was struggling earlier, Pan Yichen never let his daughter show up...

Although Guo Xing kept bowing his waist and lowering his face as much as possible, Jia Cong was young and short, so he could always see the changes in his expression.

However, Jia Cong never pointed out the strangeness, and always had a gentle appearance, chatting with Guo Xing.

When Xiaowei Ma arrived here with Guo Xiaosi, Guo Xiaosi even forgot to meet the official, and went straight to Pan Yichen's corpse, crying loudly.

"Since the person has been found, I will take him back first..."

Guo Xing was shocked immediately: "Sir, will you go back now?"

Jia Cong asked suspiciously: "Is there anything else Mr. Guo has to do?"

Guo Xing was dumbfounded by Jia Cong's rhetorical question: "This...doesn't your lord continue to investigate the case?"

Jia Cong was stunned for a moment, and then looked like someone had poked a sore spot.Embarrassed and angry: "I want you to teach me what I do? I already know what's going on with this case, and I will deal with it myself after returning to Beijing!"

Seeing Jia Cong's fury, Guo Xing hurriedly bowed to apologize: "I don't dare, please forgive me!"

But Jia Cong snorted coldly: "Go back to Beijing! By the way, take Pan Yichen's body and Guo Xiaosi back!"

The large army marched away, until the figure of Jia Cong and others disappeared from the sight of everyone in Xiaoguozhuang, a young and strong man beside Guo Xing said: "Father, let's go!"

Only then did Guo Xing stand up straight, his face ashen.

"Who did it? Isn't this attracting people from the government?"

The man looked at the cowering crowd not far away, glared at a few of them, and whispered in his father's ear: "I'm afraid it was those who did it. Said, Pan Yichen went to those other people to make a fuss..."

Guo Xing was furious: "It's really not enough to make things happen, but it's more than enough to reveal things. Let them immediately notify them and tell them to leave, and we can talk about it after the limelight passes."

"Father, what about the palace? I heard that Mr. Jia is very difficult to deal with. If he is found out, our family will be ruined."

His son's reminder didn't make Guo Xing more vigilant, but instead he sneered and said, "It's just a young child who spread rumors, what's so scary? As long as Guo Xiaosi dies, everything will be safe and sound."

"Father, don't worry, my son has already made arrangements, Guo Xiaosi won't be able to live in the capital!"

……

Jia Cong and his party did leave Xiaoguozhuang, but they did not return directly to the capital. They traveled north along the official road for about half an hour and stopped in a small town.

Because it is adjacent to the capital city and it is the main road between the north and the south, the town is quite prosperous.

Only a few people escorted Pan Yichen's body all the way north to the capital, and at the same time took away the imperial gold order from Jia Cong's waist.

Xiao Guozhuang really fascinated Jia Cong!

"Did Duke Xia also notice something wrong with Xiao Guozhuang?"

Jia Cong had no shortage of money, so he directly bought the largest restaurant in the town.

The private room on the second floor was quite elegantly furnished, and he sat in it with Xia Shouzhong, Jia Shishi, and Ma Xiaowei, drinking tea for a while.

Xia Shouzhong laughed when he heard Jia Cong's question, "Didn't General Jia also notice something strange?"

"The people in the Zhuangzi behaved too strangely, didn't they?"

Jia Cong raised the teacup in his hand, Xia Shouzhong responded, and the two looked at each other and smiled.

Just listen to Jia Cong continue to say: "There is a death in Zhuangzi, and they are the only scholar in Zhuangzi, they are indifferent. Moreover, the people in Zhuangzi seem to be Guo Xing's slaves, and everything they say and do is based on Guo Xing's will. "

Ma Xiaowei cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Guo Xing is the patriarch of the Guo clan in Xiaoguozhuang, the common people respect his prestige, and it's just as he said."

"Different."

Jia Cong shook his head: "If you respect his prestige, you can't do it like a marionette. This is no longer something that can be done with prestige, but a threat."

Xia Shouzhong nodded, and added: "And there is one thing that is very strange, since Xiaoguozhuang's pottery firing skills were passed down by Pan's father, and Pan Yichen is the only scholar in Xiaoguozhuang, it makes no sense that he has no prestige in Zhuangzi. After being dead for such a long time, it is impossible for no one in the village to find out, but when we passed by, Pan Yichen's body was lying there clearly...then there are only two possibilities, someone refuses to collect the body, or someone from Xiaoguo Village You can't get close to that place easily."

"Xiagong is right. At that time, I checked the surroundings carefully. In the whole Xiaoguozhuang, only those few places have the tallest and largest stoves, and the charcoal scattered around them is of high quality. The things in the stoves are probably unusual."

Jia Cong clasped his hands to Xia Shouzhong and asked, "Mr. Xia was more cautious and sent people to hide early. Guo Xing never dreamed that we would kill the carbine."

"Boom boom boom!"

Someone knocked on the door of the private room. After Ma Xiaowei opened the door, he saw a soldier of the Dragon Guards clapping his hands and reporting: "My lord, Guo Xiaosi is dead!"

Whoa!
Several people in the private room stood up in surprise, especially Jia Cong, who asked doubtfully, "What's going on? Didn't I ask you to keep an eye on it?"

"Reporting to my lord, I should have died of poisoning. I respect my lord's order. Ever since I went to Guo Xiaosi's home with Guo Da, I have never left his side. Just now when the little one was interrogating Guo Xiaosi, he suddenly clutched his stomach in excruciating pain. , before he could even speak, he bled to death from his seven orifices."

The Long Guard's report made Jia Cong more convinced that there was something wrong with Xiao Guozhuang, and said angrily: "It's really ruthless, it seems that this trip is really the right one!"

"By the way, my lord, Guo Xiaosi had secretly slipped a gold bracelet into the little one before..."

Captain Ma glared dissatisfiedly at the people under his hand, and after taking the gold bracelet, he presented it to Jia Cong with both hands.

wrong weight...

Jia Cong noticed something was wrong as soon as he got it in his hands. After careful observation, the bracelet was hollow.

Damn, the gap in the middle can really be taken apart, and there is a thin roll of paper inside after taking it apart.

The whole paper was written in small script, but it was signed by Pan Yichen.

hiss!
After reading the contents of the letter, Jia Cong took a deep breath.

He handed the piece of paper to Xia Shouzhong: "Duke Xia, do you believe the contents of this letter?"

hiss!
Xia Shouzhong's hands trembled, he was astonished, how could he believe this!

"How could it be the thirteenth master? The concubine and the empress tore him alive!"

It turned out that Pan Yichen's daughter, Pan Xiaoniang, was taken by a nobleman in the capital and forcibly taken to the capital.

Whether it is Pan Yichen or Guo Xiaosi, there is no way to leave Xiaoguozhuang, and Guo Xiaosi was warned by the patriarch that if he dares to make a fuss about this matter, Guo Xiaosi's mother and younger sister will die without a place to die...

This gold bracelet was originally bought by Guo Xiaosi as a birthday gift for his wife. After his wife was kidnapped, he had discussed it with his father-in-law.

Worried that the two of them would be silenced, they stuffed a secret letter into it. Unexpectedly, their worries came true.

According to Pan Yichen, the one who kidnapped his daughter was the housekeeper of Prince Zhongshun. The man known as King Zhongshun once passed through Xiaoguo Village, with luxurious carriages, gorgeous clothes, python robes and jade belts, he was definitely a nobleman.

Moreover, Guo Xing once said personally that his daughter has entered the palace, and if she has great fortune in the future, she might be able to find a job for Pan Yichen, which can be regarded as honoring her ancestors.

But Pan Yichen abided by the sage's words, how could he be willing, and wanted to escape from Zhuangzi many times to appeal to the government, but was blocked by people arranged by Guo Xing.

And there is another thing in the letter, some people from Xiaoguozhuang took away the secret book of firing ceramics handed down from his family...

This is another suspicious case!

But the most important thing at the moment is the black hand mentioned in the letter. Even if Jia Cong doesn't believe it, he has to send someone back to Beijing.

"Duke Xia, why don't you go back to Beijing yourself?"

Xia Shouzhong smiled wryly and said: "Although our family doesn't believe that the Thirteenth Lord did it, this matter involved a prince after all, and our family can't do it if we don't go back!"

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

　It’s too late to go home today, let’s make another big chapter, and continue tomorrow.Good night!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)