The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 220 A hot potato that cannot be thrown away

Jia Huan took a nap for half an hour after lunch, then took the finished article to the study to ask Lin Ruhai for advice.Usually at this time, Lin Ruhai was in the study, but today he was not there. A servant respectfully told Jia Huan, "The master has gone to the lobby in front. It seems that the Nanjing Criminal Department came to pick up the prisoner."

Jia Huan's heart was moved. Nanjing was the capital of the Jin Dynasty. Although there were still six departments, they were basically bench departments for elderly care with no actual functions. The Department of Household Affairs was better, at least in charge of the household registration of Nanzhili, but the Department of Punishment could What to do?Is this time to jump out and gain a sense of presence?
This is not normal!
Jia Huan immediately went forward. As soon as he reached the lobby of the Yanxunyan Censor's Yamen, he saw Lu Xiangsheng and Feng Ziying waiting outside the hall.Lu Xiangsheng can now be regarded as Lin Ruhai's student and bodyguard. He stays nearby during the day, waiting for orders.

When Feng Ziying saw Jia Huan arriving, she winked secretly and went into the hall to babble. Lu Xiangsheng informed in a low voice: "A Zuo Shilang from the Nanjing Criminal Department has come and wants to bring back all the prisoners related to Kangling City." I have gone to the prison of the Nanjing Criminal Department, and I am now handing over to Mr. Lin."

Jia Huan said in surprise: "The Minister of Punishment is here in person. Do they have any orders from the court?"

Feng Ziying shook her head and said: "I don't know, but it seems like there shouldn't be any."

Jia Huan raised his eyes and looked into the hall, and saw Lin Ruhai talking with several officials. Hong Wenxuan, the prefect of Yangzhou, and Jiao Fang, the patrol censor, asked in a low voice in confusion: "Since there is no decree from the imperial court, what about the Nanjing Criminal Department?" Do you have the right to intervene in this case?"

Lu Xiangsheng was speechless, and he didn't understand either. Feng Ziying spread her hands and said, "I don't know, but I think there must be some, otherwise they wouldn't dare to mention him."

While they were talking, Lin Ruhai came out accompanied by several officials. Hong Wenxuan, the prefect of Yangzhou, and Jiao Fang, the censor of the patrol, were all familiar to Jia Huan, but there was one unfamiliar face that he had never seen before. He must be the Minister of Punishment in Nanjing.

Seeing Lin Ruhai and others approaching, Jia Huan and the others hurriedly saluted and stepped aside.The fresh-faced official was about fifty years old. His face was pointed at the top and narrow at the bottom, resembling an olive stone. He looked a bit mean at first, but this person also raised his face arrogantly, making him look like he was completely arrogant. It's like the world owes him money.

Jia Huan couldn't help but secretly sweat. This dear man was so gaunt. He was an outlier to be the deputy minister of the Ministry of Punishment. You must know that officials in the Jin Dynasty, in addition to their strength, were more or less good-looking. It is difficult for Zao to occupy a high position.

At this time, the minister suddenly stopped, looked at Jia Huan and the others, and asked, "Who is Jia Xiucai?"

Jia Huan was stunned for a moment before he realized that he was the one asking the question. He quickly saluted and said, "Jia Huan is born late!"

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard and said, "Brother Huan, this is Mr. Zuo Shaoyang, the right minister of the Nanjing Criminal Department."

Jia Huan had just heard from Lu Xiangsheng that a Zuo Shilang had come to the Nanjing Criminal Department. He thought he was the second-in-command of the Nanjing Criminal Department. His surname was Zuo, and his position was Right Shilang, that is, the second deputy minister. Zuo Shilang was the first deputy minister. .

"Student Jia Huan, I have met Mr. Zuo!" Jia Huan hurriedly met him again.

The Zuo Shilang chuckled twice and said, "Sure enough, he is a talented person." Then he continued to move forward.

Lin Ruhai had been sending the person to the Xunyan Censor's Yamen, and then the Zuo Shilang said sharply: "Censor Lin, there is no need to send him away. I will come to pick him up early tomorrow morning. Please prepare the prison car and other matters."

Lin Ruhai cupped her hands and said, "I understand." Zuo Shilang nodded, went out, got on the sedan, and walked away. Magistrate Hong Wenxuan said a few words and left on his own.Inspector Jiao Fangruo glanced at Lin Ruhai meaningfully and said: "Master Lin handled this case single-handedly. Now that we have just started to get some clues, the Nanjing Criminal Department has come to take over. Don't you think it's a pity, Master Lin?"

Lin Ruhai said in surprise: "Why did Jiao Yushi say this? As long as the case can be investigated and the truth comes to light, it will be the same as who will handle it. It just so happens that I have not recovered from my illness and my energy is low. The Nanjing Criminal Department can take over the case, which is what I wish for. Why is it a pity to say it?"

Jiao Fang chuckled and said: "That's true, but I have already submitted a memorial to the emperor, and I think there will be another decree soon. Why don't Mr. Lin postpone the appointment for a few days before allowing the Nanjing Criminal Department to appoint people?"

Lin Ruhai said in surprise: "Master Jiao, why didn't you tell me earlier? I have already promised Minister Zuo, so I can't break my promise!"

Jiao Fang sneered in her heart, you old fox, I have hinted you several times just now, now you are pretending to be innocent with me!
"Haha, Mr. Lin has lived a thorough life. I am ashamed of myself as a low-ranking official. However, Mr. Lin may not be able to throw this hot potato away." Jiao Fang said sarcastically, then turned around and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Lin Ruhai frowned and turned back to the lobby. Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng followed silently, but Feng Ziying secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since he knew that the case might involve Prince Yi Zhong, he was under great pressure. Now the case is handed over to Nanjing. He was naturally freed from the punishment department and no longer had to be in a dilemma.

……

In the other courtyard of Yangzhou City, the magistrate Hong Wenxuan met with Ji Jinxiao and told him what happened. The latter laughed proudly after hearing this: "Lin Ruhai is quite sensible. If he still refuses to eat and drink as a penalty, our family will have to give him a banquet." Look something awesome."

It turns out that the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment came to arrest people this time, and it was Ji Jinxiao who was behind the operation. He used the name of the Ministry of Punishment to take over the case, and removed Kang Lingcheng and other related prisoners from the prison of Xunyan Censor Yamen. The next step would be easy. The poisonous scholar Shen Guan needs to be allowed to testify and retract his confession, Kang Lingcheng is acquitted, and everything is fine, hehe!
Magistrate Hong Wenxuan also felt relieved at this moment and said with a smile: "Lin Ruhai is a person who knows the current affairs. He has long wanted to throw this hot potato away. Now that the Nanjing Criminal Department has come to propose someone, how can he not agree to it?"

Ji Jinxiao chuckled, then frowned and said: "As the saying goes, the night is long and the dreams are many, why did Zuo Shaoyang have to wait until tomorrow to mention the person? He should have raised the person immediately."

Hong Wenxuan said: "There are a lot of prisoners, so we have to prepare carriages, horses, cages, and boats. It will take at least half a day."

Ji Jinxiao nodded and said: "Forget it, it's not even half a day away!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a young eunuch rushed in in a panic and whispered a few words under Ji Jinxiao. After hearing this, the latter's expression suddenly changed, and the teacup in his hand fell to the ground and broke.

Hong Wenxuan was taken aback, looked at Ji Jinxiao in confusion and asked, "Mr. Ji, what happened?"

Ji Jinxiao's face was gloomy with a trace of panic, and he said in a trembling voice after a long time: "Urgent news from the capital, the emperor has issued a decree to appoint Lin Ruhai as the governor of Yingtian, control the Zhili troops and horses, make every effort to thoroughly investigate the case, and dispatch the commander of the Jin Yiwei Yi Hong Come to assist!”

Hong Wenxuan's face turned extremely pale in an instant. It was over. Once the Jinyi Guards arrived, their ancestral graves would have to be dug up three feet!

(End of this chapter)