Dali Temple has his Lord Luo

Chapter 49 Chen has an enemy
Luo Ning and Qin Zhao came to Jingzhao Mansion, and Mr. Song took them to the watchman's duty office.

Anyang City has had strict public security management since the emperor ascended the throne, and many departments have been refined to the bottom level, such as the watchman duty system.

Jingzhao Mansion divides Anyang City into four parts. The palace is in the center, radiating from east to west, north to south, and there are eight watchmen in total.

Before the daily curfew, the watchman goes to work in Jingzhao Mansion. He can take a nap. When the watch drum is sounded, indicating that midnight has arrived, he will set off in pairs, east, west, north and south.

One person beats the gong and the other holds the clapper, walking through the streets and alleys, reminding people from time to time: Be careful of candlelight and beware of theft.

On the one hand, the watchman tells the time, on the other hand, he also has the security responsibility of Anyang City.

After Song Qingsong took over as the prefect, he arranged for eight strong and healthy Yamen servants to take charge of this work.

The watchmen in the west of the city last night were Sun San and Zhao Wu.

The two of them got the news from Master Song and were already waiting.

Luo Ning got straight to the point: "How long have you two been knocking on the clock in the west of the city?"

"Three years (five years)" the two men replied in unison.

"Well, I believe you have also heard that a murder occurred at Chen Sheng's house in Tofu Shop in the west of the city. Do you know Chen Sheng?"

Zhao Wu also said: "Ordinary people may not be familiar with it, but Chen Sheng runs a tofu shop. The couple wakes up at midnight and we often meet on the road!"

"About what time did you arrive at Dabei Alley this morning?"

"Our daily route is basically fixed. When we start to do the fifth watch, we still hold the hourglass. Now we walk to Dabei Alley, which is just before the fifth watch." Zhao Wu said.

Sun San also said: "The west of our city is closest to Jingzhao Mansion, so Zhao Wu and I can walk one more lap every day than Li Si and others in the east of the city."

"In other words, you didn't find anyone suspicious along the road this morning?" Qin Zhao asked.

"Yes, sir, there is no one all the way." Sun San replied.

"After the fifth watch, you will go back home? Will you pass by Chen Sheng's house again?" Luo Ning asked.

"No, sir, let's go in a big circle for the first time. When we pass by Chen Sheng's house, it should be at 45:45 pm ([-]:[-] midnight), the second time is at Chou time ([-] o'clock in the morning), and the third time is before Yin time. "Quickly ([-]:[-])"

Zhao Wu was responsible for beating the gong, so in terms of time, he spoke more smoothly than Sun San. Sun San also nodded:

"Sir, our daily routes are basically the same."

Qin Zhao suddenly thought of a question: "When you go out to the government office every day, do you go from north to south, or from south to north?"

"Basically, we walked from north to south, and the scope gradually narrowed. Because we sometimes met the second group of people at Caishikou, so for the second round, we walked directly west from the direction of the palace, without going around Jingzhao Mansion."

After listening to Qin Zhao's question, Luo Ning also understood: "What about the last round of going directly from Caishikou back to Fuya?"

"Well, yes, sir, it depends on the time. Sometimes it is windy and rainy, and sometimes passers-by will question you. This is the approximate route and time." Zhao Wu replied.

"Nothing special happened this morning?"

Zhao Wu and Sun San both thought about it carefully and denied it one after another.

"Okay, could you two please pay more attention to the situation in Dabei Alley these days? If you think of anything else, please notify Mr. Song and me in time!"

Luo Ning and Qin Zhao walked out of Jingzhao Mansion. Luo Ning said to Qin Zhao: "Sir, the time of the murderer's murder can now be basically confirmed, after Yin hour and before Chen hour."

"Besides, we can be sure that the murderer escaped southward, otherwise he would definitely meet Sun San and others after leaving Dabei Alley."

Luo Ning gave a thumbs up: "Like Master Qin."

Qin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "I finally saw your smiling face. You have been frowning since you entered Chen Sheng's house in the morning."

"Master Qin, do you know? The longer I stay in Dali Temple, the more cruel I feel about the human heart. Sometimes I really want to leave here, but I also hope to use my own strength to redress the injustice of the victim."

"Chen Sheng's house, I can't bear to go in because I can't bear to see the bloody scene." Qin Zhao told the truth.

Luo Ning smiled: "It's okay not to watch it, especially children. After seeing those pictures, they want to stay in the sun for a moment longer to keep their bodies warm and the temperature of the world rise!"

The two of them stayed for a moment.

Luo Ning cheered up again: "Let's go to the tofu shop."

"I know that excluding seeking wealth is a vendetta. It's so vicious. I wonder what grudges you have with Chen Sheng?"

As Qin Zhao spoke, he was embroidering a spring knife, and like Luo Ning, he stretched his brows in the sun.

Tofu Fang is in the south of the city, southwest of Anyang City, on the patrol route of Sun San and Zhao Wu, but according to Sun San, the last time he passed by here should have been close to Chenshi.

At that time, Chen Sheng and his wife probably didn't know that their relatives had already died.

When I walked into the tofu shop, there were only two waiters there. I guessed correctly that they must be the orphans that Wang Hu said were taken in like him.

The two children looked timid because of the homicide in the Chen family today.

The younger children huddled in the corner and remained silent. The older children could continue to work in the workshop, but as you can see, their hands could not help but tremble.

A few common people poked their heads outside the tofu shop, and when they saw nothing unusual, they left after talking for a few words.

Luo Ning and Qin Zhao walked to the smaller child, and Luo Ning touched his head. When the child saw adults in official uniforms, he was inexplicably frightened, staring with innocent eyes, and wanted to cry.

"Don't be afraid. I am the sister of Dali Temple. My name is Luo Ning. You can just call me sister."

The older child came over and said, "Hello, two adults."

Luo Ning stood up: "We came from Chen Sheng's house, you should also know what happened."

The young child cried: "Sister, can Chen Er never play with me again? Aunt Li next to me said he will never come back."

Luo Ning felt sad: "Are you and Chen Er good friends?"

The child nodded: "Yes, every day when my mother goes back to have breakfast, she and Chen Er will come to the tofu shop again."

"What's your name?"

"Puppy."

"Xiaozi, how is daddy treating you?"

"Okay, my parents are fine. Brother Shengzi and I are both orphans. It was our parents who picked us up. We have a place to live and enough to eat. Who wants to harm Chen Er?"

The man named Shengzi also had red eyes. He came over and hugged Coyotito: "Xiaozizi, stop crying. Mother will be even more sad when she hears this. The adults will definitely find the murderer and avenge Chen Da and Chen Er."

"Shengzi, how long have you been at Tofu Fang?"

"I have been here for six years and I am 17 years old this year."

"I've been here for five years and I'm nine years old this year."

"You usually work in a tofu shop, but do you know if you hate your father or have trouble with him?"

Coyotito didn't understand. Looking at Brother Shengzi, Shengzi thought about it carefully:
"It's hard for others to say, but there is a tofu shop next to it. The shopkeeper there, Wu Sheng, feels that dad has taken away his business and is dissatisfied with our tofu shop."

This was a very useful clue. The vendetta was either about people or interests. Thinking of the two children who died tragically, Luo Ning hoped that the case could be solved as soon as possible.

"Besides Wu Sheng, are there anyone else who you think is dissatisfied with the Chen family? Or dissatisfied with the Chen family's business?"

"My parents run this tofu shop on a small scale. We don't make much, it's just enough for daily expenses." Shengzi answered seriously.

"You are here, are your parents paying you?"

The two children shook their heads.

"If you have anything else to tell my sister, you must come to Dali Temple to find me. My sister wants to find the murderer as soon as possible and avenge Chen Da and Chen Er, okay?"

The two children sent Qin Zhao and Luo Ning out with red eyes. Shengzi pointed to another tofu shop 200 meters away, and Luo Ning understood.

Wu Sheng was currently sitting in the tofu shop, chewing peanuts, shaking his legs, and occasionally taking a sip of wine, enjoying himself.

There was only one waiter at the front desk twiddling his fingers in boredom, and not a single piece of the tofu in front of him was sold.

Suddenly, he saw two adults in official uniforms falling from the sky. The waiter was so frightened that he stood up: "Sir, sir..."

Qin Zhao took a step forward and stood in front of Luo Ning, his face instantly serious, his body temperature dropped sharply, and the waiter was so frightened that he could not speak incoherently:
"Shopkeeper, boss, sir, your Excellency is here."

When Wu Sheng heard this, he stood up in a hurry and spilled the wine bottle in front of him.

He had a red face and a sinister look on his face. His clothes were dirty and stained by the workmanship of the tofu shop. He walked unsteadily and looked dirty and wretched.

Qin Zhao walked over first: "Are you Wu Sheng?"

Fat Wu Sheng nodded.

"Do you know Chen Sheng? Did you kill Chen Sheng's family?"

Unexpectedly, Wu Sheng laughed out loud, and the panic just now was completely gone:
"I didn't kill them. Their family deserved it!"

Qin Zhao glanced at Luo Ning. He didn't want Luo Ning to talk to such a person, so he showed the majesty of the commander of the Jin Yiwei and stood in front of Luo Ning.

"Tell me where you were and what you were doing this morning? Who can testify?"

"I was grinding tofu in the tofu shop this morning. Look at this board of tofu, I grind it myself."

"How many guys are there in the store?"

"My store is small, but it can't be compared to Chen Sheng. He has a lot of brains and picks up a few children to work for nothing without paying them!"

Wu Sheng's words shocked Luo Ning. Thinking from another aspect, it turned out that Chen Sheng's family had a better plan.

There are apprentices in various industries in Zhao State. Many of them have been working at home since childhood, working as apprentices. However, most of these apprentices are let go after becoming apprentices, and some salary compensation is required.

From this point of view, Chen Sheng's three adopted sons did work and saved wages.

Qin Zhao stared at Wu Sheng: "Stop talking nonsense, ask as you please, answer as you please!"

Wu Sheng blinked his eyes and was so frightened that he woke up and did not dare to do it again: "There are only two people, me and him."

After speaking, he pointed to the guy at the counter.

Qin Zhao stood between Wu Sheng and Luo Ning:
"Be honest and answer the questions honestly, or I will take you to Jinyiwei's private prison. You also know that Jinyiwei is famous for its human skin drums."

After speaking, he knocked over the stool at the door of the tofu shop. The wooden stool crashed and broke. Wu Sheng and the waiter were so frightened that they dared not speak out.

This time Wu Sheng was really scared and shrank his head: "Sir, I don't dare anymore. Whatever you want to know, I will answer truthfully."

Luo Ning wanted to laugh in his heart. Qin Zhao had always been gentle and gentle in front of him. This was the first time he had seen him like this. Sure enough, he had to be a little harsh when treating Wu Sheng!

(End of this chapter)