Chapter 10 Chapter 9 Hammer Man
That night, Ah Gai finally received Duan Gong's letter, and he didn't know what to feel for a moment. He was suddenly sad, happy, enlightened, and fascinated. After hesitating for a long time, he moved closer to the lamp to open the letter and read it. As soon as he took out the letter, tears were already rolling down.I wiped my tears several times, paused for a while, and sighed a few times, but still dare not open the letter.
Since Duan Gong left without saying goodbye, Ah Gai has been feeling lost all day long, worrying about wind and water, her delicate face has become increasingly haggard, and she has lost her former peach blossom color.The originally bustling Palace of Loyalty and Love became much colder after everyone in Dali left overnight.She knew that her husband would not come back, otherwise there would not be only Jia Luo left among the people he brought.Even Jia Luo was unwilling to tell lies to comfort her, and only advised her to go to Dali to see Duan Gong, but her father was determined not to let her go. abandoned.So like a resentful woman, when I see those orchids every day, my heart is full of hesitation and panic. I am used to sleeping next to me for a while, and when I sleep alone, it seems to be sleeping in an ice cellar. The taste of living like a year.
That night, Ah Gai finally received Duan Gong's letter, and he didn't know what to feel for a moment. He was suddenly sad, happy, enlightened, and fascinated. After hesitating for a long time, he moved closer to the lamp to open the letter and read it. As soon as he took out the letter, tears were already rolling down.I wiped my tears several times, paused for a while, and sighed a few times, but still dare not open the letter.
Jia Luo couldn't help laughing and said: "Princess, you have been looking at and thinking about this letter every day. Why are you so distressed when the letter arrives?" A Gai heard that it was only unfolded, and when he saw half of it, he exclaimed With a sound, a blush came to his face, and when he saw the end of the letter, he hugged the letter to his chest and smiled.
Jia Luo hurriedly asked: "What did Xin Ju's letter say?" A Gai said: "Anu is coming back!" Jia Luo said: "Really?" A Gai said: "Really. Well, I have to tell King father, queen mother."
Seeing A Gai flying out of the attic, Jia Luo still couldn't believe it, she really couldn't figure it out, Duan Gong just had a son, only a few months, why did he abandon his family and return to Zhongqing?Doesn't he know that King Liang hates him to the bone?And almost killed her.She had already told Ma Wenming all this, and asked him to write it down in the official document sent to Dali.
Not only Jia Luo was greatly surprised, but Duan Gong's return to Zhongqing on the day of King Liang's birthday really surprised everyone in the know. Of course, there were also many people who had unexpected surprises, such as A Gai, and Ma Wenming and his son from the province.Although Polo was still angry, Duan Gong personally came to apologize to him for his birthday, and told his wife Gao Lan that day that his life was hanging by a thread, so it was inconvenient to say anything more.In particular, Duan Gong frankly told the truth about the high-pot poisoning case in the palace that day, which was beyond Polo's expectations, and the two reconciled as before.
Duan Gong then ordered someone to offer a birthday present. It was a pale yellow Dali horse, only four feet tall, with ears no bigger than a human finger and eyes like copper bells.The Dali horse is famous all over the world, Polo saw that although the horse was small, but it was expected to be a gift from Duan Gong, he got on the horse for a try, and as soon as he reined in, he galloped and spit electricity, and immediately fell in love with him like a treasure.
It is summer in a blink of an eye.Major events in the world are turbulent, and the current situation is also developing rapidly.Internal strife continued within the Yuan Dynasty. Wang Baobao of Henan fought against generals of the Yuan army such as Li Siqi and Zhang Liangbi of Guanzhong.However, Zhu Yuanzhang took the opportunity to rise, not only occupying the former territory of Chen Youliang, but also defeating Zhang Shicheng one after another, seizing a large number of territories, and becoming the most powerful force in the Central Plains.Ming Yuzhen, the ruler of the Xia Dynasty who ruled Sichuan, died of illness at the beginning of the summer. He was thirty-five years old. It is said that before he died, he still sighed that "the captives of the Yuan Dynasty have not been expelled, and China has not been restored." He died extremely unwillingly.His youngest son, Mingsheng, succeeded to the throne. Because Mingsheng was still a child, the government was controlled by powerful officials, and a fierce power struggle broke out in Xia Kingdom immediately.The King of Liang intended to take advantage of the civil turmoil in Xia to enter Sichuan and take back the middle of Sichuan in one fell swoop, but the province Pingzhang Duan Gong and Ma Hazhi disagreed. The two sides argued several times, and some unhappiness inevitably arose.
Early this morning, Jia Luo was called to diagnose and treat Quan Yinshu, the concubine of King Liang. He had just come out of the harem when he met Yang Bao and Gao Lang looking for her. He knew that they were supposed to be on duty with Duan Gong. Asked: "Is Xinju looking for something for me?" Gao Lang smiled mysteriously and said: "No. Let's go, I will take you to a place." The three of them rode out of the south gate together and headed east.
Zhongqing City has a special feature. There are Wuhua Mountain, Luofeng Mountain, Zubian Mountain and Caihaizi in the city, known as "three mountains and one sea", occupying a lot of area, and various yamen and government agencies occupy half of the land, so it is finally The bustling commercial center is not inside the city, but outside the city—from Chongzhengmen, the south gate, to Dade Bridge on the Yinleng River, there are many shops, row upon row of houses, and more people than inside the city.Yang Bao and his wife often accompanied King Liang and Duan Gong to listen to scriptures at Juezhao Temple, five miles east of the city, and they were very familiar with this commercial road.
The Yinling River and the Jinling River to the east were excavated manually during the Dali Kingdom to divert water from the Panlong River.In the past, Duan Suxing, the emperor of Dali, was fond of picking flowers and looking for willows. After he came to the throne, he ignored the state affairs and traveled around the mountains and rivers all the year round.He also planted yellow flowers on the Dade Bridge across the Yinleng River and the Tongji Bridge across the Jinleng River, which cost the people and money, and are called the king of defeat by historians.Today, the dikes and dams no longer have the charm of the past, only the Dade and Tongji Second Bridges still have the ancient style.
Jia Luo couldn't help being curious, and asked, "Where are you going? To Juezhao Temple?" Gao Lang and Yang Bao both smiled without answering, and took her to the Sharon Restaurant beside the Yinleng River.This restaurant is not big, but it is opened by the Bai people. The bait they make is very authentic and very Dali flavored. They have been here many times and are very familiar with it.
Jia Luo said: "Aren't you on duty today? If you dare to come out to drink without permission, it will be terrible for the chief of ceremony Shi Zongyu to know." Yang Bao smiled, pointed to the girl in white at the table by the window, and said, "Who do you think that is? "The girl turned her head when she heard the sound, and took off the hairpin on her head. Jia Luo cheered and said, "Bao Ji, when did you come here?"
That girl is Duan Gong's daughter, Duan Sengnu. She came to Zhongqing secretly, but she didn't want to meet her father who married a new lover, and she didn't want to meet Agai, who used to be her sister but now became her concubine mother. , only to have someone secretly inform Yang Bao and Gao Lang.The four of them met again, filled with grief and joy. After talking a lot, Duan Sengnu finally asked: "My father...is he okay?" Yang Bao said: "Everything is fine with Xinju. After Ju took over Yunnan Province, he practiced moral government extensively and brought about many changes, and the common people all praised him." Duan Sengnu said, "I knew what Dad wanted to do, and I would be able to do it well." Then he said ,"anything else?"
Jia Luo knew that she actually wanted to ask whether Duan Gong and A Gai were in harmony, but if he said that Xin Ju and the princess were in love with each other and loved each other, wouldn't it hurt her heart?Just when he didn't know how to speak, Yang Baohu pointed out the window and said, "Look at that person's back, does he look like General Zhang Xijiao?" Gao Lang said, "You look blind, right? Didn't General Zhang Xijiao have already been arrested?" Have you been exiled to your father's territory? Xinju has said harsh words and will never use him again. Now he is a prisoner, and he is imprisoned in the army to serve hard labor, how could he come to Zhongqing?"
Duan Sengnu had always defended Yang Bao, so he hurriedly said: "That's not necessarily true. When I was waiting for you just now, I saw Master Shi Zongyu passing by the bridge." Turning his head, he saw the person Yang Bao was pointing at The back is indeed very similar to Zhang Xijiao, but his feet are flimsy and staggering, he is clearly a drunk, and he said with a smile: "It's really Yang Bao's eyes."
Gao Lang said again, "Xinju is really strange. He makes a big fuss about a trivial matter. He can even forgive Zen Master Wuyi. Why can't he forgive General Zhang?" .
Jia Luo asked, "Bao Ji, are you coming to Zhongqing to stay for a while?" Duan Sengnu nodded.Jia Luo said: "It's really great. But... where do you want to live?" Duan Sengnu said: "Well... I haven't figured it out yet."
All three of them knew that she was unwilling to live in the Liang Palace, and they didn't take the initiative to mention it.Jia Luo said: "Why don't you live in the East Temple, which is Juezhao Temple. It's very close from here. You can go east and cross two bridges. Ma Wenming is very familiar with the abbot. Please ask him to say hello. Xinju is on the first and fifteenth day of every month. They will all go there to listen to the scriptures, and it will be convenient for Baoji to see him." She didn't wait for Duan Sengnu to agree, she stood up and said, "You wait for me here, and I will go to the provincial office to find Ma Wenming." She ran out He took the horse and left.
Duan Sengnu asked: "Who is Ma Wenming?" Yang Baodao: "It is the provincial envoy who came to Dali last time. He is now serving as the deputy governor. Because of Liwen, he was killed by the red scarf and has been vacant. In fact, he is in charge of the administration. Provincial government office." Gao Lang laughed and said, "He's still a young master, his ancestor was Sai Dianchi, and now he follows Jia Luo's ass all day long."
Sai Dianchi was the founder and builder of the provincial system, and he advocated the transfer of the center of Yunnan province from Dali Yangjuba to Zhongqing in order to weaken the influence of the Duan family. He is indeed a very far-sighted figure.Since his hand, the division of administrative regions in Yunnan in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties has not changed much until today.The provincial system created by him has a far-reaching influence on later generations, which is the prototype of the current provincial system.
When Duan Sengnu heard about it, he was very curious, and asked, "What does Ma Wenming look like? How is his character? But you must not let Jia Luo suffer." Yang Bao said: "The provincial office is near the south gate, not far from here. After two or three miles, he will come in person in a while, and Baoji will know when he sees him."
The three chatted and laughed for a while, and suddenly heard someone shouting from outside: "Killed! Killed!" It was clearly Jia Luo's voice.The three rushed out of the wine shop, but they saw Jia Luo galloping towards him on horseback, holding the rein with one hand and dancing wildly in the air with the other.Duan Sengnu asked: "Her hands...is it blood?"
Jia Luo, one man and one horse, came very fast, and in an instant, he stopped the horse.The horse neighed and raised its front legs high, splashing dust on the faces of the three of them.The name of this place is "Shalang", which means a sandy dam, and it is indeed full of sand.Duan Sengnu didn't care too much, stepped forward and asked, "Are you injured? Why are your hands covered with blood?" Jia Luo's face was pale, as if he had been greatly frightened, and he answered the wrong question: "Killed! Killed!"
Yang Bao said: "Who died?" Jia Luo said: "Zhang... Zhang..." His lips trembled, but he still couldn't say the word "Zhang".With a thought in his mind, Yang Bao asked, "General Zhang Xijiao?" Gao Lang said, "Are you out of your mind? Why did you come out again, General Zhang Xijiao?" Unexpectedly, Jia Luo nodded.Yang Bao said: "Take us there quickly." Immediately they each rode their horses and rushed to the south gate.
Jia Luo was desperately unwilling to lead the way, so he just followed behind the three of them. As soon as he entered the south gate, he saw some people running towards an alley to the east.Yang Bao asked, "Is it there?" Jia Luo nodded.
He rode his horse to the entrance of the alley, but saw that there were already many people surrounded in front of him. He hurriedly got off his horse and squeezed through the crowd. In front of his eyes was an extremely cruel scene: a person lying on his back in the middle of the alley, in a miserable state of death, bloody and bloody. There were bright red bloodstains on the ground and on the ground, and a large pool of blood had accumulated under the body of the deceased, which was so sticky that it turned black.
Yang Bao stood on tiptoes and approached the corpse cautiously. He saw that the man had yellow hair, beard and beard, and eyes wide open, like a dying fish, desperate and lifeless. It was the famous Dali general Zhang Xijiao. .He only felt a surge of hot blood rushing to the top of his head, his feet were almost unsteady, and he said in his heart: "So I was not dazzled just now, I really saw General Zhang. He was fine at that time, why was he brutally killed in an instant?" Died here? I killed him, if I had called him at that time, he might not have been murdered like this."
Just as he was remorseful, he suddenly saw someone shouting from behind: "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!" Looking back, it was the guard from Kunming County who had arrived, and immediately stepped aside.The leading inspector glanced at the corpse on the ground, and turned his attention to Yang Bao, who was about to examine him. Seeing that he was wearing a pair of Dali swords on his waist, he politely asked, "Are you Duan Pingzhang's subordinate?" Yang Bao nodded.
Duan Sengnu and others also squeezed over, and Jia Luo said: "Look, it's really... really... Zhang... Zhang..." Seeing that her hands were covered with blood, the inspector stepped forward and asked, "Little girl?" Does the lady know the deceased?" Jia Luo just stared at the corpse in a daze, Duan Sengnu replied for her: "Of course. This is Zhang Xijiao, our great general in Dali."
When the inspector heard about it, he didn't ask any more questions, and sent an officer to the provincial office to report the case. The identity of the deceased was extraordinary, and his small Kunming County would not dare to take over such a case.
After waiting for two quarters, Li Wensuo Li asked Ma Wenming to lead his people over in a hurry. When he saw Jia Luo and the others were there, he couldn't help being stunned and said, "You are also here." He asked again, "Is the deceased really Dali Zhang Xi?" General Jiao?" Yang Bao said: "Yes. We saw him just outside Nancheng, but I don't know why he was killed here suddenly." Gao Lang said: "I didn't believe that General Zhang Xijiao would come to Zhongqing. How strange."
Ma Wenming ordered Wu to conduct an autopsy first, and then asked, "Who was the first to discover the deceased?" Jia Luo had calmed down a lot, and said, "It should be me."
This alley is called Yukesi Alley. The Yukesi Lane, the yamen that collected the fish tax in the Nanzhao Dynasty, was originally located here, but it was abandoned later. The width of the alley is no more than six feet.Jia Luo originally wanted to take a shortcut to find Ma Wenming, but when he entered the alley, he found someone lying prone in a pool of blood. She was a doctor and had the instinct to save lives and heal the wounded. Jiao, frightened out of her wits, rode quickly back to the restaurant to call her companions. She yelled all the way, alarming the passers-by, and only then did people notice the dead body in Yukesi Alley. It was reported by the inspecting Kunming County guard.
The foreman first dug out a black embroidered money bag from the corpse, and called: "My lord." Ma Wenming took it and weighed it, it was very heavy, and when he unwrapped it, it turned out to be a bag of gold dust, and said in a deep voice, "It seems The murderer did not kill for the purpose of robbing property." Gao Lang said: "Although General Zhang is old, he is very skilled in martial arts, how can ordinary thieves be his opponent?" Yang Bao also said: "Can General Zhang be beaten like this? , the murderer must be a very remarkable person." But he couldn't help thinking of a person in his mind, he knew only a few people with extraordinary martial arts skills, and the most suspicious one was Ling Yun.Especially just now when he, Gao Lang and Jia Luo left the south gate, he saw Ling Yun standing in front of a blacksmith shop.This person has always regarded Dali as an enemy, even in front of King Liang and Duan Gong, he did not hide it, he thought it was because he hated how much torture and humiliation he suffered after he was captured for assassination in Dali.
After finishing the autopsy, Wu went forward and reported, "My lord, this man was beaten to death. There were wounds all over his body, but the main wounds were concentrated on the head, back and waist. The murder weapon was not a knife, it seemed to be a club or something. Here is a piece of torn sackcloth, which should be used by the murderer to wipe off the blood on the murder weapon." Yang Bao said, "May I come forward and have a look?"
His name is Qiu Dong, he is over half a hundred years old, and he is a well-known veteran in the city. Seeing that he seemed to doubt his own judgment at such a young age, he was very unhappy, and deliberately mocked: "Yu Yi, who is next to Duan Pingzhang, is also in charge of handling the case." .But there is blood everywhere, Yang Yuyi, don't get your hands dirty."
Ma Wenming knew that many people in the province refused to accept Duan Gong and often went to King Liang to sow dissension. He didn't want to make more troubles, so he said, "Although the deceased was General Dali, now King Liang and Dali are a family, I will definitely Mobilize top-notch personnel to handle this case. Yang Yuyi, why don't you report this matter to Duan Pingzhang first." The implication is that he does not want everyone in Dali to participate in this case.
Yang Bao agreed, but as if a nail had been planted under his feet, he insisted on not moving, and kept staring at Zhang Xijiao's dead body.He knew that this was the scene of the murder, and the most critical evidence was here. Once Ma Wenming ordered people to remove the body, many details would never be found again.
Duan Sengnu sneered and said, "You don't even dare to let people see the dead body, do you want to get away with it?" Ma Wenming didn't know who she was, and said solemnly: "Little lady, please be careful. It seems that you are Jia Luo today." For the sake of friends, I will not pursue it. If the little lady talks nonsense again, I will not be polite." Jia Luo hurriedly said: "Young Lord, she is..."
Duan Sengnu said angrily: "Why, let me tell you the truth, you want to punish me? Look at the people in Zhongqing City. If it weren't for General Zhang Xijiao leading his troops to fight hard, you would be killed now. Can you still stand here and show off your power? I am afraid that you have become a dead soul under the red scarf knife. General Zhang died tragically under your rule, and you don’t even want others to see the dead body. Are you deliberately covering up the real murderer?" Ma Wenming saw the crowd watching at both ends of the alley There were more and more people, pointing and pointing, discussing a lot, and immediately shouted: "Come on, take them all back."
Suddenly, someone behind him said: "Wait a minute!" Seeing Shi Zong leading Yu Yi to try to push the crowd away, Duan Gong came out in a hurry, gave Duan Sengnu a hard look, and said to Ma Wenming: "Young Lord, This is the little girl Duan Sengnu." Ma Wenming was taken aback, and said: "She is Ling Qianjin Baoji?" Duan Gong nodded and said: "She is young and ignorant, talking nonsense, please don't worry about it, young master Haihan."
Duan Sengnu didn't see his father for a long time, and he was reprimanded as soon as he met. He was extremely wronged, and said: "I don't want to talk nonsense, but to tell the truth, he relied on the prestige of the young master to arrest me." Duan Gong reprimanded Said: "Still talking nonsense! Someone, quickly take Baoji away."
Shi Xiu came over and persuaded in a low voice: "Baoji, Xinju is in a bad mood today, let's go. It's your first time in Zhongqing, I'll take you to play." Duan Sengnu said angrily: "I won't go What?" Shi Xiu winked at Yu Yi behind her, and the two of them stepped forward together, without any explanation, and pulled Duan Sengnu out.
Duan Gong stared at the corpse on the ground in a blink of an eye, he was speechless for a while, then turned around after a long time, pointed to Yang Bao and said, "His father is Yang Sheng, governor of Heqing. Now I'm working by my side, I just need more experience. Before Tuotuo was murdered in Wuwei Temple, we all suspected that someone did it. It was Yang Bao who first discovered the flaw from the depth of the knife, so that we didn't wrong the good person. It was he who discovered the truth about the poisoning case of Xinggong Gaoqian, which made the suspicion between King Liang and me no longer."
Ma Wenming guessed that Duan Gong wanted Yang Bao to join the case, so he hurriedly said, "I knew that Yang Yuyi was very intelligent. Last time, when Yang Yuyi first asked about the order of placing the two wine glasses in the case of high-diving poisoning in the summer palace, , I have already seen it. If Pingzhang can allow him to come to Liwen Office to assist in the investigation of this case, Wenming will be very grateful." Duan Gong said: "Okay. Yang Bao, starting from today, you don't have to be on duty anymore, you can go Assist the young master in handling the case. Gao Lang, Jia Luo, the two of you also join Yang Bao to see if you can help." The three of them bowed together and said, "Follow the order."
Duan Gong took another look at Zhang Xijiao, with indescribably complex emotions flickering in his eyes, he sighed slightly, and then led him away.
Yang Bao slowly walked around Zhang Xijiao's corpse for a few times, and then slowly squatted down to examine it carefully.Ma Wenming said: "If Yang Yuyi discovers anything, please report it in time, and the pawns will take notes." Yang Bao nodded and said: "General Zhang has a contusion on the head and serious trauma; ecchymosis on the temple; Hit by a heavy object, it was severely sunken; the upper jaw was broken, and a few teeth fell out... But these are not fatal injuries." He pulled Zhang Xijiao's hair, pointed to Tian Linggai and said, "This is the fatal blow. Wuzuo Qiu Dong stepped forward and said: "There are cracks in the bones here, but there is no blood." Jia Luo said: "If a blunt object hits a person's skull directly, the bones will crack in all directions and no blood will come out. Just like a bowl of water, if you break the bowl, the water will flow around without splashing."
Qiu Dong had never heard of it, and seeing that she was only a young girl, he didn't take it seriously, and just shook his head repeatedly.However, Ma Wenming was very convinced of Jia Luo, and ordered the officer to record them one by one, saying: "So, the murderer kept hitting General Zhang with heavy objects until he was powerless to fight back, and finally hit him hard on the top of his head." Knocked hard." Yang Bao said: "It doesn't make sense at all. Look at General Zhang, he is covered with scars, he has suffered so many blows and bled so much, he should have fallen to the ground a long time ago, the murderer can kill him calmly, Whether it's the heart or the throat, it's the easiest place to strike, so why would he deliberately go to the front and hit General Zhang's head?" Qiu Dong said: "Maybe the murderer did it deliberately." Yang Bao said: "No , look at the location of the blow, the lower part of the chisel mark is deeper and wider than the upper part, and it is in the shape of a needle point slanting upwards, so it can be seen that the blow is from top to bottom, not from left to right, or from right to left."
Ma Wenming was greatly admired when he heard this, and asked, "So, according to Yang Yuyi, what's going on?" His tone was extremely polite.Yang Bao got up and carefully checked the blood around him, pondered for a moment, and then said: "I guess the murderer should have hit General Zhang on the head with a heavy object first, and killed him at once. After he succeeded, he didn't stop there. , and very hard to prevent General Zhang from falling down. You can see that there are wounds on his forehead and temples, and then look at the wounds on his chest and back. Although the skin is torn apart, there are no purple scars, which means that the wounds were caused by blows after death. That's right." Qiu Dong said in a daze, "When a person dies, he still doesn't let go of his anger. If he has such a vicious hand, it can be seen that there is a deep hatred that cannot be solved."
Yang Bao nodded, and said: "The murderer's method is indeed cruel. Judging from the depth of these wounds, he has extremely strong arms. The murder weapon used should be a heavy object like a hammer." Ma Wenming said: "The hammer is very powerful here. It's easy to get, there are several blacksmith shops near the south gate, so I'll send people to investigate one by one." Yang Baodao: "Wait a minute, my lord! General Zhang has extraordinary skills, but the murderer can kill with one blow. People." Ma Wenming stared at him with piercing eyes, and asked, "Are you someone who already has doubts?" Yang Bao said, "Yes. But I'm afraid it's a bit embarrassing to question this person." Ma Wenming nodded and said: " I know who it is."
Suddenly, someone shouted from behind: "The Xianyang Gold Shop was robbed!" Someone else shouted: "Someone smashed the Xianyang Gold Shop with a hammer!"Many spectators rushed to the south gate immediately.Ma Wenming ignored him, and continued: "Yang Yuyi suspects him, but do you have any real evidence?" Yang Bao said, "Did you hear that, my lord?" Ma Wenming said, "What? Is it a gold shop? Don't worry about it, I have my own Kunming. The county patrol inspector will deal with it." Turning his head, the Kunming County patrol inspector was still on the side, and hurriedly led people there.Yang Baodao: "The man shouted that someone smashed the Xianyang Gold Shop with a hammer." Ma Wenming suddenly came to his senses, and said, "Oh!" He hurriedly ordered several people to stay behind to guard the corpse, and led his people to rush south.
Xianyang Jinpu is located in the most prosperous commercial area, just outside the south gate.When everyone arrived, they saw that Shi Xiu and Duan Sengnu were also in the gold shop, talking with the rich man from the Central Plains, Shen Fu. Only then did they know that the Xianyang Gold Shop is also owned by Shen's family, and that "Xianyang" is exactly Shen Fu. The name of a favorite little girl.
When asked what happened, it turned out that a man broke into the gold shop just now with a hammer in his hand. Two clerks in the shop saw that he was covering his face with the front of his clothes, and stepped forward to stop him.The man wielded a hammer, took advantage of the opportunity when the two dodged, knocked them to the ground, then broke into the counter, smashed the cabinet, and took away two raw gold pieces.A clerk chased him out and hugged the man's feet. He turned around and hit him on the shoulder with a hammer, and fell to the ground, screaming in pain.Shen Fu was in the backyard with the shopkeeper Lu Jie, and when he heard the sound and rushed out, the man had already gone far away.Coincidentally, Sengnu Duan didn't want to go back to the Liang Palace, and was wandering around the market with Shi Xiu, when he heard someone yelling, he rushed over to have a look, and happened to meet Shen Fu.Shen Fu knew Shi Xiu at first, and when he heard that Duan Sengnu was Duan Gong's daughter, he flattered her even more.Since the last time Duan Gong revealed that Luo Guanzhong went to Wuwei Temple to study for the purpose of stealing the treasure map of Cuihua Building, Shi Xiu had already guessed that Shen Fu's coming to Dali was probably ordered by Zhang Shicheng, but he didn't know why he came to Zhongqing again.Shen Fu said that the Central Plains was in turmoil, and the people were in dire straits. There was only one pure land in Yunnan, and he was preparing to transfer all his properties to Zhongqing.
Gao Lang learned the truth, and said: "Ah, this place is not far from Yukesi Lane. The man who robbed the gold also used a hammer. He must be the murderer who killed General Zhang." Ma Wenming said: "It shouldn't be the same person. This man robbed the gold shop with a hammer, just for property; and General Zhang has a bag of gold sand on his body, the value is not less than two raw gold, but the murderer did not take it away."
Yang Bao also said: "Young Lord is justified. If the murderer who killed General Zhang was the hammer man who robbed the gold shop, why didn't he just take away the belongings of General Zhang after he killed someone, instead of taking the risk to come here?" What about robbing the gold shop? General Zhang was killed in the relatively secluded Yukesi Lane, but the Xianyang Gold Shop is located in the downtown area, the latter is much more risky than the former." He walked over and asked the man, "What did you see?" What are people like?"
The two men were still in shock, and one of them said: "He covered his face with a cloth, so he couldn't see his face clearly. He just knew he was a man." Yang Bao said: "What is his body shape?" The man said: "He is very short, very thin, and thin. Yes, it looks like he doesn’t have enough to eat.” Yang Bao said: “Is there blood on the hammer in his hand?” The clerk was stunned for a while, and then he touched his head and said: “This little one didn’t notice it, but it probably didn’t. If there is, the villain should notice."
Ma Wenming said: "That's it. Such a small man doesn't know how to use martial arts to listen to the situation. It is absolutely impossible to kill General Zhang in one fell swoop." He knew that Yunnan's smelting industry is well developed, there are many blacksmiths, and hammers are common things. It was quite troublesome. I wanted to focus on the case of Zhang Xijiao's murder, so I said, "Inspection, this case of robbing the gold shop will be handed over to you in Kunming County. Go back and tell you County Magistrate Yao that Zhongqing hasn't been there for a long time. There has been a robbery in the street, please pay more attention to him." The inspector hurriedly said: "Yes." He went back to the county government to report.
Only then did Ma Wenming say to Duan Sengnu: "Wen Ming really doesn't know Bao Ji's identity, so I offended him a little bit ago, and please ask Master Bao Ji to forgive me a lot." Duan Sengnu didn't pay any attention.Jia Luo said: "As the saying goes, if you don't fight, you don't know each other. This is a good start. Don't be angry, you two, shake hands and make peace." Duan Sengnu said: "I don't want to shake hands with him now, wait for him to catch you." Let’s talk about the murderer who killed General Zhang.” Ma Wenming said: “Well, we’ve made a deal, if Wen Ming catches the murderer who killed General Zhang by chance, please let Baoji forget the past.” Duan Sengnu said: “Okay what."
Shi Xiudao: "Bao Ji, Young Master and the others are doing business, let's go back first, Xinju is probably looking for you everywhere." Duan Sengnu said: "I won't go. I don't want to see her." Everyone didn't know for a while Whether she said "he" or "she", looked at each other.Shi Xiu persuaded: "Since Baoji has come to Zhongqing, she can no longer be as self-willed as before, always against Xinju." Duan Sengnu sneered: "Antagonist? Hmph."
Shi Xiu didn't understand what she meant, seeing that she refused to listen stubbornly, she had no choice but to say: "Then I will offend you." She took a step forward, grabbed Duan Sengnu's arm, and was about to take her away by force.Duan Sengnu was already prepared, jumped aside, drew out his daughter's sword, pointed at Shi Xiu, and shouted: "Go away!"
Yang Bao hurriedly persuaded: "Master Yuyi, Baoji just arrived in Zhongqing today, and met General Zhang's tragic death again, so I feel sad. Please go back first and report to Xinju, we will take good care of her." Shi Xiu had no choice but to say: "I'll leave it to you, don't make any mistakes."
When Shi Xiu took Yu Yi away, Jia Luo said: "I originally wanted to ask the young master because of Bao Ji's affairs, but you started to quarrel." Immediately he said that Duan Sengnu didn't want to see his concubine Princess Agai, I want to find another quiet place to live for a while.Ma Wenming said: "If Baoji doesn't think the Hou's mansion is simple, you can live with me temporarily." Duan Sengnu said: "No need, I want to live in that East Temple." Ma Wenming said: "Juezhao Temple? That's fine, Wen Ming and the abbot Zhi Ling are very familiar, I will send someone to greet him." Duan Sengnu is a straightforward person, although he was very unhappy about the previous incident, but seeing him so enthusiastic at the moment, he is also quite grateful. Said: "Thank you."
Seeing that Shen Fu was sweating constantly, even though it was summer, Zhongqing was not too hot, and seeing his face twitch from time to time, Jia Luo asked, "What chronic disease does Mr. Shen have?" Shen Fu said, "It's an old problem. It's okay, it's okay."
Ma Wenming took the opportunity to pull Yang Bao aside, and asked in a low voice: "Does the person you suspect have any evidence?" Yang Bao said: "No. But I thought of a way to test him." Ma Wenming said: "Yang Yuyi should know that he is the confidant of the King of Liang, and this matter is no small matter, and if something goes wrong, it may arouse suspicion from both parties again." Yang Bao said: "I know, don't worry, young master, I will never reveal the slightest word." Ma Wenming He said: "Then let's split up. I will take General Zhang's body back first, and then send someone to the shop near Yukesi Lane to inquire about any clues." Yang Bao said: "Okay."
When he came out of the gold shop, Jia Luo asked, "What are you and Ma Wenming muttering about?" Yang Bao said, "Jia Luo, I need your help with something." Jia Luo said, "What's the matter?" Yang Bao said, "You Go ask Ling Yun out." Jia Luo said: "What are you doing about Ling Yun? I want to accompany Bao Ji, you have something to do with Ling Yun, you can meet him in Liang Palace at any time." Yang Bao said: "I have to ask Ling Yun out for this matter No, you have been kind to him, and he will listen to you."
When Duan Sengnu heard Ling Yun's name, she was very strange. When she first saw him on the Lan Peak of Cangshan Mountain, she liked him very much.But soon after, he became a prisoner and was imprisoned. She was too busy to take care of herself because of her escape from marriage, and she never saw each other again.Originally, she had already forgotten him, and she couldn't even remember his appearance. Now when she heard his name, she realized that she still hadn't completely forgotten him. her whole body.Seeing that Jia Luo insisted on refusing to come forward, she hurriedly said: "Yang Bao's offer to ask Ling Yun must help General Zhang's case. Jia Luo, you go ask him out, I want to see him too." Jia Luo said: "That's good Let's go. Yang Bao, I don't care what schemes you have, but you know Ling Yun, he is cold and ruthless, if he turns against you, you can't beat him." Yang Bao said: "I know."
Jia Luo went back to Liang Palace alone to look for Ling Yun, who knew that Ling Yun was also looking for her everywhere, and when he saw her, he asked, "Where did you go?" Jia Luo said, "I'm not your subordinate, should you take care of it too?" ?" Ling Yun was used to being robbed by her, and he didn't mind, so he pulled her out of the palace, and asked in a low voice: "Did you see the doctor for Concubine Quan today?" Jia Luo said: "Yes, but she is fine. Sick, but pregnant."
Ling Yun looked extremely nervous, looked around, and asked: "Have you told others?" Jia Luo said: "What did you tell others?" Ling Yun said: "Concubine Quan is happy." Jia Luo said: "I told her myself. What's wrong with you today, mother-in-law and mother-in-law ask what are you doing? Hey, I have something to ask you, come with me."
Ling Yun followed up and asked: "You really didn't tell others about Concubine Quan's happiness?" Jia Luo said: "Of course not. As soon as I came out of her, I was pulled out of the palace by Yang Bao and the others. You Why are you so nervous?" Ling Yun said: "I don't want to hide from you, the child in Concubine Quan's womb is mine."
Jia Luo opened his mouth wide in surprise, and it took a long time before he shouted: "My God, I can't believe that you are such a person! My God!" Ling Yun said: "I dare not ask you anything, I just ask you not to Tell anyone about this." Jia Luo was extremely annoyed, and said angrily: "I don't want to take care of your business anymore, I didn't hear what you said just now, I don't want to see you again, hurry up and leave Disappear in front of me." Ling Yun said: "Didn't you just say you have something to do with me?"
Jia Luo thought so, so he led Ling Yun to a restaurant near the south gate, sat down in a private room on the second floor, patted the table, and shouted: "Ling Yun kneel down, I want to interrogate you." Ling Yun knew that she liked it. Because of this, I was annoyed that I had an affair with Quan Yinshu, and I didn't mind, so I asked, "What's the matter?" Jia Luo said, "Where have you been today? Hurry up and ask the truth?" Ling Yun said, "Ask What are you doing?" Jia Luo said: "I am asking you." Ling Yun said: "I escorted the king to the provinces in the morning, then went to Beicheng City to guard the camp, and then sent the king back to the palace, and then I went by myself I went to the South Gate Blacksmith Shop..."
Jia Luo immediately became nervous, and asked, "What are you doing at the blacksmith shop?" Ling Yun said, "I ordered a new sword, and went to see if it was ready." Jia Luo breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "What happened later? "Ling Yun said: "Later, I met Concubine Quan's maid, who said that she ordered me to return to the palace immediately, so I went back with her, and then I searched for you everywhere. Jia Luo, you..."
伽罗知道段僧奴等人躲在隔壁偷听，生怕凌云说出他跟泉妃有私的话来，难免日后为人挟制，忙打断道：“好了好了，我知道了，你快些走吧。”凌云满腹狐疑，问道：“你特意带我到这里，就只是要问我的行踪？”伽罗怒道：“你还敢啰嗦。”凌云恍然有所醒悟，侧头看了隔壁一眼，道：“那我走了。”
等凌云走出酒楼，段僧奴等人从隔壁赶过来。杨宝甚是气恼，他本安排好了计策，不料伽罗恼怒下自己直接问了凌云行踪。伽罗道：“你们都听到了，凌云没有去杀张将军？”杨宝道：“你就那么信任凌云的话？还有，你为什么不按照计划行事？”
伽罗苦着脸，摇了摇头。杨宝无奈，只好问道：“你们怎么看？”段僧奴道：“我看凌云似乎很怕伽罗，应该不会说假话。杨宝，你仅凭武功高强和出现在铁匠铺这两点，就怀疑是凌云，确实有些武断了。而且，我想不出他有任何杀张将军的理由。”高浪道：“就是。当日虽说张将军向凌云射过一箭，然而终究是羽仪们擒住他，他要报复，也该去向施宗或是施秀羽仪长下手，怎么会挑上张将军呢？”杨宝点头道：“那好，凌云的嫌疑就算排除了。可除了他外，这中庆城中能轻而易举杀死张将军的人，我还真想不出旁人。”
段僧奴道：“张将军之前脚下不稳，会不会患了重病，抑或醉了酒，所以才束手待毙，被人轻易杀死？”杨宝道：“这也有可能。伽罗，不如我们再去检查一下张将军的尸体。”
伽罗一想到巷子中见过张希矫血肉模糊的样子，连连摇头。高浪道：“难道你不想找出杀张将军的凶手么？”伽罗道：“当然想，可是……”段僧奴不由分说地拉她起来，道：“走吧。”
到了行省署门口，段僧奴生怕遇见父亲，又取出次工来戴上。
四人来到行省理问所的停尸房。这里处于半地下，凉气森森，但依然有股血腥和尸臭气。杨宝伸手揭开了尸首上的白布，强忍惊悸，俯下身子去查验张希矫口中，看死前是否有过醉酒。伽罗犹豫许久，才上前验尸。结果却相当令人失望，张希矫生前既没有患病，也没有饮酒。杨宝又疑心是中了毒，但伽罗检验后，也无中毒迹象。
段僧奴道：“我当时分明看见张将军脚下不稳，身子摇摇晃晃，所以我才以为是个普通醉汉。”高浪道：“也许张将军当时已经受了重伤，他其实是想去城中找人医治。”段僧奴眼睛一亮：“你是说那个什么鱼课司巷不是第一现场？”杨宝道：“确有可能。走，我们再从鱼课司巷倒回大德桥看看。”伽罗道：“你是想找血迹么？这是条繁华大道，怕是极难。”杨宝道：“血迹自然是不容易找，但张将军若是一路流血，总该有人看见。”
几人来到鱼课司巷，从张希矫遇害的地方往回，血迹仍然只是集中在张希矫倒地的那一片，稍远一些便很难找到。段僧奴见巷口不远处有两名正在等生意上门的轿夫，便上前招呼道：“两位大哥。”
那两名轿夫一个叫黄剑，另一个叫田川，年纪均与段功相仿，足以做段僧奴父亲，她却称呼“大哥”，二人极是高兴，又见对方是一个美貌少女，忙道：“小娘子是要坐轿么？”段僧奴从怀中掏出一手贝币递过去，道：“我不坐轿，只想问点事。”指着巷口问道：“那里有个人新被杀了，你们知道么？”
轿夫道：“知道知道。”黄剑抢着道：“那人被杀前我们还在南门外见过他呢。老田看他气色不好，走路都走不稳，好心上前问他要不要坐轿，却被他一把推开了。”杨宝忙上前问道：“那二位有没有看清他身上受了伤，正在流血？”田川道：“没有。不过……他倒确实像是患了重病，人高马大的，推我的那一下却是毫无气力。”
段僧奴又往怀中去掏，却是再无贝币，只掏了一片金叶子出来，她是宝姬身份，自小不懂得钱财得来不易，既不便收回去，就爽快地递过去，谢道：“多谢两位大哥。”黄剑见她如此慷慨大方，接过金叶子，喜道：“小娘子不必客气。想坐轿子随时来找我们兄弟，我们总在这一带，这中庆城可是再熟悉不过了。”
伽罗等人见段僧奴主动拿金钱贿赂轿夫，尽是目瞪口呆。伽罗道：“宝姬什么时候学会这一套本事了？”杨宝心道：“宝姬孤身一人东来，吃的苦头定然不少。哎，千里寻来，到了却又不愿意见亲生父亲。”
案情毫无头绪，几人一时茫然无措，只在南门附近徘徊。还是伽罗道：“张将军会不会是受了内伤？我曾听师傅说，若是凑巧打在人体某些位置，表面无事，也不会出血，而实际上却是受了重伤。”段僧奴道：“若真是如此，除非是凑巧，不然这人也得精通医术才行。”
忽见施秀又匆匆赶来，叫道：“你们几个还真在这里。”段僧奴以为他是奉父亲之命来带自己回去，忙缩到杨宝身后，右手去按剑柄。施秀道：“宝姬放心，我不是来捉你回去的。”四下望了一下，道，“咱们找个僻静地方说话。”杨宝见他神色甚是神秘，大起好奇之心，便道：“那我们还是去沙朗酒肆。”施秀道：“好。”
五人重新回来酒肆坐下，施秀见四下无人，这才道：“你们可知道，张希矫将军有一封极其重要的信件落入了梁王王相驴儿之手。”杨宝道：“羽仪长是说驴儿私自截留了张将军写给信苴的信？”施秀道：“张将军确实自鹤庆写过不少信给信苴，但落入驴儿手中的那一封却不是写给信苴的，而是写给朱元璋的。”
众人面面相觑，过了好半晌，杨宝才问道：“这是什么时候的事？”施秀道：“大约半月之前。”段僧奴道：“张将军为什么要写信给朱元璋？他是想要通敌叛国么？”施秀道：“其中情由，一言难尽，我还是原原本本地告诉你们吧。”
原来段功这次不听劝阻，坚持回来中庆后，张希矫不断自鹤庆来信，指明梁王孛罗不足信赖，且大元朝气数已尽，将来必是红巾得天下，劝段功要么远离梁王、回去大理，要么杀了孛罗，夺取中庆大权，再与中原实力最强的朱元璋通好。然段功始终置若罔闻，不过也没有下令追究张希矫。但半月前，梁王突然拿来一封信给段功，称是驴儿自云南边境关口所得。段功展开一看，竟是张希矫写给朱元璋的信，称元人残暴，大理有心交好云云。段功自是认识张希矫笔迹，料来梁王也不致伪造这样一封信来陷害已被免职流配的张希矫，便当着梁王的面命施宗飞马传令鹤庆知事杨昇，命他即刻将张希矫斩首，人头送往中庆。但不知道是不是风声走漏，信使到达之前，张希矫早已经抢先逃走，今日一见，竟已经横尸巷中，着实令人觉得不可思议。
讲完这一番经过，施秀低声道：“这是我悄悄告诉你们的，信苴本人还没有发话，你们可千万不要对别人说。”杨宝道：“我们知道轻重，多谢羽仪长。”施秀道：“不必谢我。张将军虽说有通敌之嫌，但毕竟战功显赫，曾为我大理立下不少汗马功劳。今日见他惨死巷中，实在令人不安，只盼你们早日找出害死张将军的凶手。”拍了拍杨宝肩头，叹了口气，先行离去。
四人一时不语，心中却尽是一般的疑问和想法：张希矫暗通朱元璋，梁王当然恼怒，但他却可以不必自己下手，只将信交给段功，便可借段功之手杀张希矫。而张希矫从鹤庆逃走后，云南再无容身之地，必然要赶去投奔朱元璋，可他人在鹤庆时，明明有一条极安全的近道，只须渡过金沙江，便出了大理辖境，再从容自四川到中原，怎么又来了中庆？想必一定有某种原因，促使他必须先东来中庆，再北上中原。如此一来，杀死张希矫最大的嫌疑人不是旁人，正是段功和梁王，因为以张希矫的威名才干以及对云南的了解，他一旦投靠朱元璋，必是二人巨大的威胁。那杀死张希矫的铁锤人臂力极强，下手又狠又准，很可能是训练有素、武艺高强的勇士，这中庆城中，除了段功和梁王，谁手下还有这等能人？
高浪先道：“莫不成真是信苴派人下的手？宝姬，你不是说见到张将军之前，还见过施宗羽仪长从桥上经过吗？以他的功夫，绝对能杀张将军一个措手不及。”段僧奴沉默不答，她也怀疑是父亲派人下的手，即使张希矫有罪，死有余辜，可下手如此之重，未免太过歹毒。
伽罗道：“怎么会是信苴呢？若是信苴有心杀张将军，应该当着梁王的面直接杀掉，既不必大费周章，又可向梁王表明心迹。要我说，肯定是梁王派人下的手。”心中却是“咯噔”一下，暗道：“哎呀，凌云是梁王手下武艺最高的侍卫，难不成真的是他？”
高浪道：“这你就不懂了。这恰恰是信苴心计所在，若是当众杀功劳极大的张将军，只会令部下心寒。你没听见适才施秀羽仪长说吗，他都对张将军很是佩服呢。”
伽罗问道：“杨宝，你怎么说？”杨宝道：“嗯，信苴为人宽厚，还是梁王嫌疑更大些，但信苴的嫌疑也不能排除。”伽罗道：“那我们还要调查这件案子么？”意思是嫌疑人均是位高权重、掌握旁人生死的要人，凶手是任何一人，他们都没有能力与其较量相抗。
杨宝显然也有此顾虑，一时沉吟不语，却见段僧奴重重一拍桌子，毅然道：“查！当然要查！”顿了顿，又道，“若不是阿爹所为，便可以还他清白；若真是他下的手，也好让我彻底看清他的面目。”几人听她又是失望又是气愤，也不知道该如何安慰。
杨宝踌躇片刻，道：“既然如此，那我们便分头行事，伽罗，你和高浪去找驴儿。宝姬，我们一道去找信苴。”段僧奴道：“不，我要跟伽罗一道。”杨宝道：“宝姬，你还是跟我一起更合适些。信苴是我上司，他说什么我都只能听命，但他却是你父亲……”段僧奴道：“好了，我知道你要说什么。”杨宝道：“那我们……”段僧奴低头想了半天，终于还是站起身来，道：“就这一次。”杨宝忙道：“一定。”
四人进来城内，到梁王宫门前便即分手，段僧奴和杨宝继续朝东往行省署赶去，伽罗和高浪则径直进宫。
驴儿正在偏殿向孛罗禀事，忽听侍卫报说伽罗要见自己，很是惊奇，道：“她能有什么事要见我？”孛罗道：“伽罗这丫头甚是有趣，不妨让她进来。”驴儿便命侍卫去传话，让伽罗、高浪进来。
伽罗进来殿中，见凌云也在，先是一愣，随即便向孛罗道：“大王可知道今日南门附近出了一起人命案？”孛罗道：“本王一天都在忙于操持军务，尚未得知，死的是什么人？居然还劳动伽罗特意来告诉我。”伽罗道：“是前任大理大将军张希矫。”孛罗道：“啊？”不由自主地将询问的目光投向了一旁的驴儿。驴儿忙道：“属下并不知情。伽罗，到底是怎么回事，你快说。”
伽罗便大致讲了张希矫如何被人凶残地杀死在鱼课司巷中。驴儿道：“你们来找我，就是为了告诉我这件事？”伽罗点点头。高浪问道：“王相大人可知道张将军来了中庆？”驴儿道：“当然不知道。”
孛罗已知道是怎么回事，开口道：“张将军虽是通敌逃犯，但毕竟是前任大理大将军，这件案子非同小可，本王会交代下去，一定要查个水落石出。伽罗，高浪，多谢你二人特意前来相告，你们先下去吧。”伽罗无奈，只得道：“是。”
等伽罗二人退出，孛罗才道：“那张希矫既从鹤庆逃走，为何不取道四川去投奔朱元璋，反而来到中庆，不是很奇怪么？”驴儿道：“确实奇怪。”孛罗回头命道：“你去盯紧段功那边的人，看看他们在搞什么鬼。”凌云躬身道：“遵命。”
伽罗、高浪出来偏殿，见天色不早，又出宫去行省署找杨宝和段僧奴，正遇到二人悻悻出来。原来四川那边又有军情，段功正与官员议事，二人并未见到段功，只见到杨智。杨宝因为张希矫通敌叛国的消息是施秀暗中告知，不便点破，只随意问起段功如何看待张希矫。杨智也未多透露什么，只说张希矫对大理功劳很大，段功一气之下将他当众放逐到鹤庆后，一直很是后悔，有心将其召回，只是没有合适的机会。
伽罗道：“杨智员外真这么说？”杨宝点了点头。段僧奴道：“我猜杨员外是有意想维护张将军的名誉。”杨宝摇了摇头道：“这只能更加深了信苴的嫌疑。因为杨员外这番话，我倒觉得信苴的嫌疑比梁王大多了。”
段僧奴道：“为什么这么说？”杨宝道：“因为一旦大家知道张将军通敌叛国，那么杀人嫌疑必然指向信苴和梁王。刚才伽罗说了，梁王一上来就很吃惊，似乎并不知道张将军来了中庆，后来又说'张将军虽是通敌逃犯'，他并没有刻意掩盖，可见他心中比信苴坦然。”段僧奴道：“未必啊，梁王肯定以为我们早就知道张将军通敌书信落入了驴儿之手，要不然为何派伽罗去找驴儿呢？”
杨宝道：“若梁王想要杀张将军，只须将他来到中庆的消息告诉信苴，信苴自会派人杀他，根本不必自己动手。”段僧奴道：“如此更不会阿爹下的手！阿爹定会先派人捕了张将军，当着梁王的面杀他，岂不是更好？”她原本也怀疑是父亲派人杀了张希矫，但当此刻越来越多的证据指向段功时，她又不自觉地为父亲辩护起来。
高浪道：“这点我早就说过了，这是信苴心计所在，张将军功劳极大，当众杀他，令许多人心寒。”段僧奴再无可辩，悻悻哼了一声。
杨宝不置可否，道：“还有一点，你们有没有想过，为什么张将军会死在鱼课司巷中，恰好被伽罗撞见？”伽罗道：“这还有为什么？不过是巧合而已。”杨宝道：“不，绝对不是巧合。鱼课司巷是南门通往行省署最近的小道，张将军跟你一样，当时也正想去行省署。”
段僧奴道：“你说张将军当时想去见我阿爹？那么更不会是阿爹派人杀他了。”杨宝道：“只怕有些话还是要去问信苴才能知道。”
天色不早，伽罗便陪了段僧奴前去觉照寺，赶在夜禁之前出城，杨宝和高浪自回忠爱宫，约好明日再议。吃完晚饭，天色早已黑透，杨宝回到住处，却见杨智正在房中等他，一见他便焦急地问道：“张将军一案可有什么进展？”杨宝摇了摇头。
杨智道：“你可知道……”忽听见外面有羽仪在院子中叫道，“杨员外在么？梁王邀信苴去大殿议事，信苴请你同去。”
杨智如今在行省任左右司员外郎一职，总管六曹，统率吏员处理行省文书案牍，权力很大，虽在城中也分有官邸，但为了方便，还是继续与羽仪们同住忠爱宫中一个大院里。他听见外面叫喊，不及与杨宝多说，应了一声，匆匆出来，果见段功等在忠爱宫门口，身后只带了施宗和施秀两人。
杨智重重看了施宗一眼，施宗则回以一道讥诮的目光。段功心事重重，道：“我们走吧。”又回头问道，“渊海，梁王突然深夜召我议事，你猜会不会是为了四川一事？”杨智道：“应该是，梁王久有攻取四川之心，这次又是天赐良机，他肯定不会放过。”
到得大殿，孛罗请段功坐下，一开口，果然是谈四川之事。原来占据四川的明氏自明玉珍死后，一直内斗不止，近日更是因为争权夺利发生兵变，明玉珍之弟明胜以及重要将领李芝麻也被杀死。
孛罗道：“明胜、李芝麻一死，明氏再无骁将，此乃天赐良机。段平章，本王已开始集结兵马，请你也迅即调动大理军，你我兵分两路，直指蜀中。攻取四川后，你我依旧如今日一般，共掌大权。”段功吃了一惊，道：“大王，与明氏开仗一事非同小可，还须从长计议。”孛罗道：“目下正是为我大元恢复基业的大好机会，时机稍纵即逝，段平章，你有时候未免太优柔寡断了。”
段功沉吟不语，他知道孛罗欲攻打四川一是为了报当日被明玉珍追杀得如丧家之犬之仇，二是要趁机扩展地盘，绝不是其所称的为了大元朝的基业。他也知道孛罗此次势在必得，他若不答应出兵，翁婿便有决裂的危险。然而，大理在云南经营数百年，方才有今日屹立不倒的局面，元人残暴，早已失尽天下民心，四川虽然富庶，居民却多是汉人，即使能够夺取土地，也难以占据人心。不如安心退守云南一省，孜孜求治，兵精粮足，外敌无机可乘，自是一方乐土。但这些话他不便明说，说了梁王也听不进去，斟酌半晌，才道：“大王，出兵一事还是明日拿去行省议过再说。”顿了顿，又道，“夜色已深，请大王早些歇息。”
孛罗道：“段平章……”却见段功已大踏步走出殿去，登时气得虎起了脸。驴儿道：“大王息怒，我早说段平章绝不会答应发兵。”孛罗气呼呼地道：“亏他还总说什么愿意为朝廷大业赴汤蹈火。”驴儿道：“非我族类，其心必异。段平章当日明明可以在七星关杀了明玉珍，却有意放他离开，还与他结盟，这其中可是大有玄机。”孛罗颓然道：“本王早知道我这女婿从来不跟我一条心。唉，虽说本王这几年招兵买马，实力大增，可若无大理军相助，只怕攻打明氏仍是有心无力。”
驴儿道：“属下有一计，定可助大王实现大业。”孛罗道：“噢？快说。”驴儿道：“不如我们找一批生面孔的死士，冒充明氏红巾前去行刺段功，若真能刺伤段功，他恼怒下定会同意发兵。”孛罗道：“计倒是好计，不过段功手下能人甚多，万一被他们发现真相……唉，还是算了。”
驴儿道：“古人有言：'蝮蛇螫手，壮士解腕。'做事要当机立断，切不可迟疑姑息。如今四川红巾内乱，正是成就霸业的良机，机不可失，时不再来。”孛罗道：“话是不错，本王也为了社稷大业日夜忧心如焚，可段功精明过人，又早与明玉珍订有休战盟约，岂会轻易上当？”
驴儿沉吟道：“那我们不如干脆假戏真做。”孛罗道：“如何个假戏真做法？”驴儿道：“上次明玉珍虽然兵败退走，但明氏意图染指云南之心不减，在中庆派有不少探子。我们不如暗中派人散布消息，称段平章已决意与大王联兵，共图四川，所谓翁婿不和不过是有意为之，目的在于麻痹敌人。段平章毕竟是大王女婿，又素与公主美满和睦，明氏得知后必然深信不疑。如今四川内讧不止，无力抵挡我方大军，要想不战而胜，行刺我方主帅是最好的法子，我们正好可以卖个破绽，引红巾刺客上钩。”
孛罗连连摇头道：“不好，不好，如此一来，岂不是连本王也身处险境？”驴儿道：“大王放心，只要事先安排妥当，决计不会露出破绽，臣有十拿九稳的把握。”上前附耳低语几句。
孛罗迟疑半晌，终于下定了决心，道：“那好，你速去安排，一切妥当后再回报于我。”
杨宝奔波一天，甚是疲累伤神，等杨智走后便预备睡觉，刚和衣躺下，便见高浪直闯进来，一把将他从床上提起，低声道：“你知道你刚才在跟杀人凶手说话么？”杨宝道：“你是说杨员外么？”高浪道