Chapter 6 Chapter Six
Sanqi returned to the county government office.Qian Mou was still unconscious, while the two strategists were sweating profusely and panting.Qiao Tai and Ma Rong handed over the three criminals to the other side for arrest and custody.Fang Zhizun is Fang Zheng.The post of the county yamen's arrest was a field service, but because there were not enough yamen servants at that time, Di Gong ordered Fang Zheng to concurrently serve as a field service, and command the three squads of Zao, Zhuang, and Kuai.
Hong Canjun was changing clothes for Mr. Di in Neiya's study when Joe and Ma walked in.Ma Rong pushed the iron helmet back, wiped off the sweat on his forehead, and praised Di Gong: "Master is very wise and brave, once he comes up with an empty plan, he will scare them into a dizzy state!"
Di Gong smiled lightly and said: "Since ancient times, soldiers have never been tired of deceit. If you want to capture Qian Mou, you should only take it out of your wits and not attack by force. Even if we have two hundred elite soldiers, it is not impossible to win in a bloody battle. You must know that Qian Mou is not a cowardly person. The gang of thugs he raised are also many desperadoes, and they will definitely fight me to the death. I know that I am strong but I am weak, so from the very beginning, I have thought about how to use illusions to intimidate Qian Mou and his gang, so that it will appear that the overall situation is determined and we will win. Illusion. At the beginning, I planned to pretend to be a patrolling ambassador, custom envoy, or imperial envoy, but after listening to Tao Gan’s report, I knew that Qian Mou’s subordinates had many officers and soldiers who had deserted, so I changed my original plan.”
Qiao Tai asked: "After we smartly captured Qian Mou and attacked the people in the county government, the master still released Ling Gang and five soldiers back to Qian's house. Isn't this a legacy of raising tigers? If Qian Mou gets the reward, he will send someone to inquire about the truth. , there are no officers and troops stationed in the city, so we can't continue singing if we don't agree with the plan of the empty city!"
"Back then, if Zhuge Liang hadn't opened the city gates, feather fans, scarves, and qin towers, how could Sima Yi have retreated? The same is true for today's incident. My success is really due to the slap in the face. In their view, the six captured Sending a famous soldier back to Qian's house can be said to let the tiger go back to the mountain and the dragon into the sea. An ordinary person would never dare to do such a thing without the backing of a whip-throwing master. Ling Gang, a warrior, would never think that there is fraud Well, Qian Mou is a delicate person, but even he had to be confused by this move, and believed in the false letter that the officers and soldiers had already arrived in Dalanfang. He made up his mind and wanted to borrow from us, but he The accomplices of the army have already lost their morale, and have been weakened again and again, especially when we hinted that they only punish the culprits and not the subordinates, and they are even more unwilling to work for Qian Mou."
Hong Canjun asked: "The false letter of the officers and soldiers stationed in Lanfang can only be concealed for a while, and it is not a long-term solution. I don't know how this matter will end?"
"In my opinion, once a false letter is spread, the people in a county must first spread it to ten, ten to a hundred. There are different opinions in the streets and alleys. Heavenly soldiers and generals come down to earth, come in the clouds, go in the fog, so we don't need to worry about fake officers and soldiers. Now our urgent need is to equip the three shifts, six offices, and one yamen in order, and then try Qian Mouyi Case. Tao Gan can go to inform me that Sifang Fangzheng in this city is coming to see me as soon as possible, and invite Dong Yu, the head of the five elements and eight works in the city, to the line at noon. I want to talk to him. Hong Canjun and Fang can be arrested The ten soldiers went to the Qian's house, and together with the housekeeper Zhong Hou, counted and made a book of the soft money and silk in the house, and sealed them in the secret room. The female family members, servants and maidservants in the house were still confined in the same place, waiting to be released. When they arrived at the Qian's house, Fang The arrest is a good way to find out the whereabouts of the children. Qiao Tai and Ma Rong immediately went to inspect the gates of the four cities to check whether Ling Gang sent troops to guard, and locked the servants who were not under his control in the watchtowers of the four gates. Everything is in order, you two can inform Ling Gang that he has been officially reinstated. You two have to check the resumes of the nearly fifty soldiers, but those who have not escaped or escaped due to serious reasons are fine. Re-enlist in the army. This afternoon I will prepare a document to submit to the Chang'an Military Department, and please send 200 officers and troops to Lanfang as soon as possible to guard the city."
Hong Canjun brought a large pot of hot tea and put it on Di Gong's desk.
Not long after, Tao Gan called Sifang Fangzheng.The four of them entered the study of Neiya, and when they saw Di Gong, they all had thorns on their backs, as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
Fangzhengjun was selected and hired by the county government from among the local people. He was the link between the government and the people.However, Qian Mou has exercised power here all these years, and the officials in charge of these duties have all been neglected.Furthermore, Fangzheng is also an official of the county government. When the new county magistrate took office, they should go out of the city to greet him, but until Tao Gan went to summon him, none of them took a step towards the government office. On stage, with these two, how can they not be worried and uneasy?
As expected, they were scolded by Duke Di.When they got out of the inner yamen, they all lost their souls and ran away with their heads in their hands.
After Di Gong scolded and walked away from all the workshops, he stepped into the flower hall and met with the directors of Jinshi, Rice, Wood, and Silk.After saluting and exchanging greetings, the host and guest sit down.Di Gong asked the names of the guests one by one, and the housekeeper offered tea and seasonal fresh fruits.
Zhu Xingdong expressed his joy to Di Gong for taking down Qian Mou so quickly, and he was also very happy that Lanfang was under great rule and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.
Di Gong frowned and said: "This county only recruits dozens of fugitives into the army and orders them to guard the four major city gates. Apart from that, there is no soldier in the city."
The director of Jinshi glanced at his colleagues and said with a smile: "My master is an official of the imperial court. It is only natural that he keeps secrets about military affairs. However, I heard from the guards at the gate of the north city. When the master entered the city, they were nearly captured by a patrol team Riding is like mud. Last night, a goldsmith saw about 200 officers and soldiers marching in line on the street, with straw wrapped around the bottom of their boots to prevent noise."
Silk Zhuang Xingtou continued: "From my appearance, I also saw that ten carriages passed through the city, and they were full of soldiers and luggage. However, we are all law-abiding citizens, and the master can completely trust us. We understand that the officers and soldiers are out on patrol. The county is a major military matter, and there must be no leaks of the slightest news, so that Hu Rong on the other side of the boundary river can eavesdrop. In my humble opinion, it would be better if the general’s banner was removed from the county government? If Hu Bing’s detailed work sees With this flag, you will immediately know that there are government troops stationed in the city."
Di Gong replied: "This yellow banner was hung by the county itself, and it only shows that Lanfang has been placed under military control. According to Tang law, a county magistrate has the right to do so in an emergency."
All the directors nodded and smiled, and one of the elders said seriously: "The master strictly guards the military aircraft and is cautious. This is the foundation of an official. Besides, we are far away from the frontier and facing aliens. The word cautious is especially important. Although we are in the same corner and are ignorant and ignorant, we still understand this simple truth that we all know. Put this aside for now. The master called us here today. There must be something wrong with us. If so, we It is imperative to make a small contribution.”
Di Gongxi said: "I just want to borrow from you." The topic changed, and it started to talk about the clerk's filling of vacancies.He asked all the directors to select and send three well-educated people to the street in the afternoon to serve as the chief secretary of the six offices of officials, households, rites, soldiers, criminals, and workers, the official of the archives, and the head of the prison. Volunteer; send 20 more reliable young men with weak crowns to the county government to serve as slaves in the third class to assist Fangzheng in performing internal and external duties such as prison, on duty, execution, criminal investigation, and robbery.Di Gong also asked all the directors of the bank to temporarily credit the county government with two thousand taels of silver to repair the county hall and pay the salary of the government officials. Once the case of Qian Mou is settled, the loan will be fully returned.
Zhuxing Dong readily agreed.
In the end, Di Gong informed them that he was going to interrogate Qian Mou in the morning hall the next day, and asked them to help spread the news to the people in the city.
After all the directors bid farewell and left, Duke Di returned to the inner yamen, only to find Fangzheng and a descendant waiting for him there.
When the two met Di Gong, they bowed to each other, and Di Gong hurriedly helped them up.
Fangzheng said: "Thank you for saving my life, master. This is the dog Fang Hu. After he was taken away by Qian Mou's family, he was forced to carry water and chop firewood in Qian's house until now."
Di Gong said: "That's very good, let him be a street soldier under your command. But I don't know if you have found the eldest daughter?"
Fangzheng sighed: "My son said that he had never seen the elder sister in Qian Zhai. Today I searched Qian Zhai everywhere, but there was no sign of her. I questioned the housekeeper for a long time, and he remembered that Qian Mou once I said that I wanted to accept Bai Lan as a child, but I insisted on it. When I insisted on refusing, Qian Mou gave up the idea. This matter is really puzzling."
Di Gong comforted: "You Daoxian Mou kidnapped your daughter. It's just your guess. Whether it's true or not has yet to be proven. Bullies like Qian Mou set up a nest of love and happiness outside their own mansion. It is not surprising to hide a beautiful concubine. But on the other hand, Qian Mou may have nothing to do with Bai Lan's disappearance. People specialize in detailed investigations. Don't be discouraged, this matter will definitely be investigated and found out!"
Qiao Tai and Ma Rong entered the inner yamen, and reported that Ling Gang carried out the orders to the letter, that there are guards guarding the four major city gates, and twelve Qian Mou's minions are locked in each archery tower.In addition, it was found that the escape rate of five people was indeed violating the law and absconding in fear of crime.These five people have also been captured and are waiting to be released.Ling Gang also demoted the former city gate guards to water husbands.
Ma Rong also said that Ling Gang is an upright man with superb martial arts skills, but because of a quarrel with a treacherous lieutenant, he abandoned the camp and ran away in a fit of anger. He was overjoyed to return to the army today.
Di Fen nodded, and said: "Ling Gang is indeed a useful person, and I want to recommend him to the stage. For now, we will temporarily station the forty soldiers at the four major city gates. If they have good morals and behave well, I will Let them garrison Qian's house together, and in a few days, Qian's house will be designated as a large camp for the town army. Before the arrival of the officers and soldiers, the forty soldiers and the twenty patrolmen in the street still returned Chotai is in charge."
When the order was over, Mr. Di sent his relatives away to do the work, with short pens in his hand, wrote quickly, and drafted an urgent report, reporting to the stage all the things he encountered in Lanfang within two days after he took office and how he dealt with them.I saw that he didn't add any points to his writing, and he finished it in one go. Yu Zhong has his own reasons for this, and the whole text runs through the inheritance and transformation.Attached to the article is a list of soldiers he intends to re-enlist in the army, and proposed that Ling Gang be promoted to brigade commander, and finally requested that 200 officers and soldiers be sent to guard Lanfang.
Di Gong used a large seal of purple flowers on the report, put it in a envelope, and was about to seal it, when he was arrested and went to the expert, and reported to a young woman who claimed to be Mrs. Ni, who was waiting outside the yamen.
Di Gong was overjoyed when he heard the news, and he hurriedly said, "Hurry up and lead her in!"
Fangzheng led the young woman into the Neiya study, and Mr. Di looked the visitor up and down.But I saw that she was about 30 or so, quiet and chaste, even though she was wearing a cloth skirt with hairpins and no makeup, she still did not lose her graceful appearance.
The woman said Wanfu, knelt down on her knees, and said softly, "Master, Ni Shouqian's widow, Mrs. Mei, pays her respects to the Elder Master."
Di Gong hurriedly said: "Madam, please stand up. This is not a court, and you can avoid superfluous and superficial etiquette. If you have any questions, please sit down and talk slowly."
Mrs. Ni stood up slowly, accused Di Gong and sat on a small stool in front of the case, she wanted to speak, but she muttered again.
Di Gongdao: "You were originally the wife of Ni Shouqian, the ambassador who deposed Zhizhi. Your late husband was someone I admired all the time. In my mind, he was a leader of the past and a great man of a generation."
Mrs. Ni nodded slightly, and said in a timid voice: "Master respects my husband so much, I feel the same way. My husband has been an official all his life, and he has served the country loyally and treated the people like a wound. The master is busy with office affairs and manages many things every day. If it weren't for the death of my husband I really dare not come here to disturb you."
Di Gong said: "Madam, but it's okay."
Madam Ni took out a rectangular paper box from her sleeve, put it on the desk, and took off the lid.
"This is a painting left by my husband. He handed it over to me on his sickbed, and left a last word saying that this painting is an inheritance he left to me and my youngest son Ni Shan, and the rest of the family property is owned by his ex-wife. The eldest son, Ni Qi, inherited. After saying this, the late husband had a persistent cough. When Ni Qi saw this, he went to the kitchen and ordered his servant to cook another bowl of phlegm and cough decoction for his father. As soon as he left, the late husband coughed immediately. Stop, took my hand, and said with tears: "My yang life is over, I will go first. Shan'er is from the Ni family. I hope you will work hard to raise him. After I go, you will be proud of everything." If you are in trouble, you can take this painting to the county government office and give it to the county magistrate to have a look. If he doesn't understand what it means, you can hand this painting to the next county magistrate to look at it, until you meet a Yingyi county magistrate who will recognize it in the future Mystery is the only way.” After my husband finished these few words in the flashback, Ni Qi returned to the room. My husband looked at us, mother and child, and put one hand on the head of the youngest child, Ni Shan, smiled slightly, and said no more. Without saying a word, I slowly closed my eyes."
Speaking of this, Mrs. Ni couldn't help crying.
Duke Di waited for her to calm down, and said: "Madam, everything that happened on this last day, everything is very important. What happened after your deceased husband passed away, please tell me in detail."
"After my husband passed away, Ni Qi took the painting from me, saying that he wanted to repost it on my behalf for safekeeping. At that time, he was still polite to me and treated me with courtesy. Unexpectedly, my husband sent it to me in the first day. The next day, he turned his back on me, scolded me, and ordered me and my son to get out of Nimen immediately. He also accused me of being unclean and insulting my husband, and would not let me and my son have sex again. He took a step into the door of Ni's house. He threw the painting on the table and said with a sneer, "This is your inheritance. Now it will be returned to the original owner. Return it face to face."
Di Gong twisted his long beard with his hands.
"Ma'am, your deceased husband was very intelligent. This volume of calligraphy must be unusual and has profound meaning. I want to study it carefully. However, I have to say something first. After the secret of this painting is revealed, it may be beneficial to you, maybe Prove that you have indeed committed the crime of infidelity. Whether it is a blessing or a curse for you, I will judge impartially and enforce the law. Whether you should keep this painting with me or bring it back yourself, Madam please make the decision and decide on your own rules."
Mrs. Ni stood up when she heard the words, she was slightly moved and said: "So, I ask the master to keep this painting, so that I can ask questions, but I hope the heavens will be merciful and give you grace to solve this mystery." After saying that, she said goodbye calmly and left.
Tao Gan held a large number of official documents in his hand and waited with Hong Canjun in the corridor. Seeing Mrs. Ni leaving, he hurried into the inner office to report to Di Gong's salesman.Hong Canjun reported that they had made a list of all the belongings in the Qianzhai, including hundreds of gold bars, tens of thousands of taels of silver, as well as large quantities of pearls, agate, amber, coral, gold-cast incense burner candlesticks, and jade pots and bowls. Dishes, Ruyi hairpins, silk and satin and other fine and soft treasures are all locked in the secret vault of the money house, sealed and guarded by special personnel.The women's family members, slaves and maidservants in the house are all confined in the backyard and are not allowed to leave.Qiao Tai led six yamen soldiers and ten sergeants to sit in the middle courtyard to protect Qian's house.
Tao Gan put the documents on the case and said with a smile, "Master, this is the list of property we left behind and all the deeds and books we found in the secret room of the Qian House."
Mr. Di leaned back in his chair, not interested in the pile of papers in front of him, glanced at it briefly, and said, "I'm so confused about the matter of Qian's house, it will take me a while to figure it out. It's up to you two. Qian Mou occupied houses by force, embezzled the land, committed many crimes, and his crimes are floating in the sky. This kind of evidence is what I need urgently, and it is also very important. But this evil beast is as cunning as a fox and as careful as a silk. When I think about it, this It may be difficult to find every piece of criminal evidence from this pile of documents. The director of the workshop has promised to recommend someone to come to the Yazhong this afternoon to serve as a secretary, and an official from the archives is also among them. The two of you are about to Leave this job to them."
Hong Canjun hurriedly said: "My lord, they are waiting in the courtyard at this time, just waiting for the lord's instructions."
"That's great! You and Tao Gan are going to give them instructions on the general affairs of the Yamen, and order them to take their own responsibilities, to be loyal to their duties, and to order the archives staff to help you clean up this pile of papers tonight. File, and you yourself will write a few lines for me, draft a report, and put forward some suggestions on how to settle the case of Qian Mou, but you don’t need to ask about the official files related to the murder of the late Pan County Magistrate, I still want to think about it Think about this mystery."
Di Gong picked up the long cardboard box left by Mrs. Ni, took out the painting scroll, and spread it on the desk.Hong Canjun and Tao Gan also went up to watch carefully with Di Gong.
The picture scroll is medium-sized and colorful, and it is painted on white silk. It is a landscape painting with mountain scenery as the theme.But on the picture, there are mountains and ridges, clusters of trees, white clouds floating around, houses looming, a stone path on the left leading directly to the top of the mountain, and a sandy mountain spring flowing down the right.There is no one person in the whole painting, and Ni Shouqian inscribed four characters on the scroll with the half official and half seal ancient style: Void Pavilion.Ni Shouqian did not sign the scroll, but only used vermilion books beside the title.
The four sides of the painting scroll are pasted with brocade, the bottom is wrapped with wooden sticks, and the top is tied with silk thread—but all scrolls need to be pasted in this way, so that they hang straight and flat on the wall.
Hong Canjun twirled his beard, and said: "Void Pavilion, as the name suggests, the painter intends to show the illusory and wonderful illusion of the Fairy Mountain Jade Pavilion in front of people."
Di Gong nodded.
"This painting looks mysterious and mysterious, so it needs to be examined carefully. Tao Gan, you hang it on the wall opposite to the desk, and I can watch it at any time."
Tagan hung the scroll on the wall between the door and the window.Mr. Di stood up, went out of the inner yamen, passed through the court, and entered the compound. Seeing that all the new yamen officials were decent and upright people, he was very happy in his heart. Gan will teach you how to be on duty now, you have to study hard, and tomorrow morning you will have to perform your duties and be on duty in the hall."
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