Chapter 46 Chapter 23

Hong Canjun, Tao Gan, and Ma Rong searched the Lin residence for half a day, but found nothing suspicious.Ma Rong suddenly thought that it would be better to take the secret passage and go through the iron gate to Shengming Temple to have a look. Hong Liang and Tao Gan applauded. They walked from Lin Fan's room into the tunnel, zigzag through the water pier, exited the big iron gate, and arrived at the backyard of Shengming Temple. They found nothing unusual along the way.When the three of them were depressed, Tao Gan said, "I suspected that the attics on both sides of the courtyard were warehouses, but now it is the place where Lin Fan stored private salt. We might as well go up and have a look, maybe we can catch them." Some salt."

The three of them went up to the pavilion, prostrated themselves on the ground and carefully looked at every corner and every crevice on the floor. ——A single speck of dust is gone, where is the powder of salt? It was nearly noon, and they returned to the street dejectedly, hungry and tired.Tao Gan said: "A few days ago I supervised the demolition of the wall here, and I knew that there was a small restaurant at the corner of the corner. In the restaurant, there was only one kind of crab cake. The stuffing inside was minced meat mixed with chives. It's crunchy and fragrant, and the most delicious. Why don't you try some of them now?"

The name of the restaurant is "Cuifeng Pavilion". There is a row of bead curtains at the door, and a wine curtain is inserted at an angle, blowing slowly in the breeze.The three of them went into the shop and bought more than a dozen pieces of crab cakes, picked a pair of seats by the window, sat down, and chewed.Sure enough, the scallions were fragrant, and the hot oil juice in the stuffing really dripped out of the corner of the mouth, dripping on the robe, and could not be wiped off for a long time.The three of them were enjoying their meal, when Ma Rong suddenly saw a big black man swaying into the shop humming a little song, he couldn't help but be taken aback.He hurriedly stepped forward to say hello: "Mr. Shen Baxiang, you have always been generous. How come you haven't seen him for a long time?"

Shen Ba took a closer look and recognized it as "Brother Yong", pouted and replied: "It's been a long time. I heard that the elder brother was originally a public servant in the yamen. His name was not Yong Ma, but Ma Rong. Could it be that you will My brothers were driven away from Shengming Temple?" Ma Rong said: "So what about being a public servant in the yamen? It's not like running around all day long to make ends meet, and being sent by others? How can Mr. Shen be comfortable, take care of a group of apprentices, eat ready-made food, and have valuable things?" Filial piety.—Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Mr. Shen is wearing a very decent black gown. Thinking about leaving for a few days, he has become a rich man."

He saw the long coat Shen Ba was wearing.So familiar, can not help but suspect. Shen Bazhiwu, Ma Rong's face sank, and he shouted: "Shen Xianggong, quickly take off the long coat and let the brothers see it." Shen Ba felt guilty and was about to run away when Tao Gan and Hong Liang blocked his way.Ma Rong stepped forward and said with a smile: "Mr. Shen has been wronged." He tore off the long black coat as he spoke. Shen Ba had already experienced Ma Rong's methods, how dare he struggle?Unwilling to let go and leave, he stood aside, muttering and complaining. "It's not difficult for Shen Xianggong to get this gown back. You just need to tell me the origin of the gown. I don't know where you got it." Ma Rong breathed a sigh of relief, with a smile on his face.

Hong Canjun hurriedly went to the counter to get a dime of wine, handed it to Shen Ba, and comforted him: "Shen Xianggong can only have a great future if he is a loyal friend with the yamen. We are not suspicious of your misbehavior. It's just that the gown is strange, and I hope that Mr. Shen will answer it truthfully, so don't mistake yourself." After all, Shen Ba is a knowledgeable person, seeing that this posture is not trying to blackmail him for a long coat, he took the wine glass, drank it down, and sighed: "Last night, the Lijia here brought a team to order us How dare I disobey the relocation? I had to lead all the brothers to pack up their bedding and evacuate, eager to find a place to live in Dongcheng General Temple. Because I left in a hurry, I forgot to take the two strings of copper coins buried under the incense burner. An hour later, I sneaked back by the moonlight to get the two strings of copper coins. Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly saw a figure flashing through the ear door of Shengming Temple. I thought to myself, maybe the vixen in the temple came out to play in the middle of the night. I was about to leave I dodged, but I saw that person wearing this gown sneaking up the steps. I saw that it was a person and not a ghost, so I became bolder and stepped forward with a "fairy crutch", and the person rolled down the steps. I took advantage of the momentum and rushed forward I went and took off this gown. Seeing that it’s going to be winter, I’m still wearing single clothes. I didn’t ask him for any money, but I just borrowed this gown to wear through the winter. I’ll return it to him with the rent when it’s warmer next spring. Hehe.”

Hong Canjun nodded and said, "It's understandable. Let alone the money in the gown, I just want to ask: Are there any gadgets in the pockets and long sleeves of the gown?" Shen Ba was taken aback: "Find it yourself! If you find it, it will be yours." Hong Canjun touched the long sleeves on both sides, but there was nothing there. When he touched a hem in the middle, he suddenly touched a hard object.He took it out with his hand and saw that it was a small emerald seal with four seal characters "Lin Fan private seal" engraved in inscribed on the seal.I can't help but admire Ma Rong's sharp eyes.

Hong Canjun collected the seal, returned the black gown to Shen Ba, and said with a smile: "You should put on this gown; the man you met last night was a vicious criminal. Now you go with us to the state government office to be a witness." . . . You don’t need to be afraid, Mr. Di is gentle with others.” Knowing that nothing happened, Shen Ba put on the long black gown again, and felt that this group of businessmen were trustworthy.The four of them shared the remaining crab cakes on the table, and excitedly rushed out of the "Cuifeng Pavilion" to the state government office.

Hong Canjun led Shen Ba into the study of Nei Ya, and reported the reason, and Di Gong rushed to meet him.Shen Ba was taken aback, and shouted: "Isn't this the man who sold divination and fortune-telling that night?" Di Gong laughed and explained the whole story in detail.He was overjoyed when he heard Hong Liang say that Lin Fan's seal was found in his gown.Said: "No wonder I saw many scars on Lin Fan's body last night. I didn't expect him to hit you with Shen Ba's "immortal crutch" first. The trial will start in the afternoon. Shen Ba, you must come to the court to be a witness. If you see that The defendant was the one you knocked down last night, so it is considered a meritorious service."

Shen Ba kowtowed to thank him, and happily walked out of the outer hall to wait. After Shen Ba left, Duke Di said to his four entourages: "It seems that Lin Fan can't jump out of the trap! Hong Liang, you send orders to the servants to go quickly to the pavilion in the backyard of Shengming Temple. There are six big reeds on the ground. Sweep it up and send it to Yali, I will use it for myself." Hong Canjun was surprised, Qiao Tai and Ma Rong also looked at each other, and shook their heads in bewilderment. Tao Gan said: "My lord, why don't you accuse Lin Fan of murder for Liang Kefa's death! Lin Fan's golden lock can be used as evidence."

Di Gong's face was gloomy, he didn't say yes or no, and after a while he said slowly: "Tao Gan, the most disturbing thing is that piece of golden lock."