Volume 6: Dream Record Chapter 385: Going Further and Further Down the Road of Sin
Under the glaring sunlight, Gu Qianfan and Lao Jia, dressed as fishermen, wearing bamboo hats and holding fish baskets, were following the yamen vehicles transporting the corpse from a distance. As they walked across the arch bridge, Gu Qianfan lowered the edge of his bamboo hat with his right hand, then looked at Lao Jia and instructed:
"Old Jia, go to Yang's house to find Yang Yunpan and learn about the situation from him. By the way, ask him about the Night Banquet. I will go to Qiantang County Office to investigate the true identities of those men in black. We will split up and meet at Yue Lao Temple outside the city after noon. Be careful!"
"Yes, sir!"
Looking at Gu Qianfan who was pretending to be a fisherman, Lao Jia cupped his hands and said sadly:
"Commander, so many of our brothers have died at once, you must seek justice for them!"
"Don't worry, I won't let them die in obscurity like this!"
"Thank you, Commander!"
After bowing to Gu Qianfan, Lao Jia turned and left. Gu Qianfan continued to follow the yamen vehicles that transported the bodies all the way to Qiantang County Yamen. After the yamen officers left, he sneaked into the morgue, checked the bodies one by one to check the wounds, and used a dagger to dig open the part of the body where the arrow was shot, dug out the broken arrow, and looked at the word "Qiantang" engraved on the arrow. Gu Qianfan's eyes narrowed and said:
"Qiantang!"
Just then, there was a noise at the door, and a bailiff said:
"The coroner is here, please come in!"
Hearing the noise, Gu Qianfan hurriedly put away the broken arrowhead in his hand, quickly covered the corpse, hid behind the door, and slipped out when the coroner came in. The coroner knew nothing about this and just checked the corpses one by one according to the usual practice. Suddenly, he found carved green tattoos and a golden lion head plate on one of the corpses, which symbolized the identity of the Imperial City Bureau. He was immediately frightened and quickly checked the rest of the corpses. It turned out that most of them were from the Imperial City Bureau. He was instantly shocked. This was really a huge case!
…
Inside the Qiantang County government office, a middle-aged man with a rather gentle and refined appearance paced anxiously. He was the Qiantang County Master Zheng Qingtian mentioned by Sun Sanniang. In front of him, Qiantang County Lieutenant Wei Wei was kneeling on the ground with a panicked look on his face, bowing and saying:
"Sir, those dozen people have blue tattoos on their inner thighs and golden lion head badges on their bodies. The coroner used to work in Tokyo and said they were from the Imperial City Bureau!"
"Such a big thing, why didn't you tell me last night?"
"I want to find out the truth before reporting to you, sir!"
After taking a look at Zheng Qingtian, Wei Wei said with great fear, but what he was thinking in his heart was, when you are having a good time with the singers and entertainers from the Jiaofang Bureau, who dares to disturb you?
"Why did the Imperial City Bureau send so many people to Jiangnan? Could it be that they have also found out about the Maritime Customs Bureau like Yang Zhiyuan did?"
Zheng Qingtian considered it carefully in his mind, and then denied it:
"No, they won't. They are only here to investigate the Queen's prophecy. They have nothing to do with the Yang family!"
Thinking of this, he looked at the county lieutenant Wei Wei who was still kneeling in front of him and asked:
"Has Yang Zhiyuan's study been burned down?"
"It's all burned. I burned it myself. Don't worry, I also had someone pour some kerosene on it. The fire can't be put out. I guarantee that no evidence will be left behind!"
There was a very obvious scar between Wei Wei's right eyebrow, and he looked even more hideous and terrifying as he spoke!
"That's good!"
After listening to Wei Wei's words, Zheng Qingtian was obviously relieved and said with a smile:
"Anyway, there are no survivors. Even if someone from the Imperial City Bureau comes, there will be no evidence. We should stick to the original plan and push the blame on the Ning Haijun surnamed Chu who has an old grudge against Yang Zhiyuan!"
At this point, Zheng Qingtian remembered something. He looked at the county lieutenant Wei Wei and asked:
"By the way, you remembered the knife I asked you to put in Ning Haijun's hand at the Yang family, didn't you?"
"I didn't forget, I just buried it..."
Looking up at Zheng Qingtian, Wei Wei hesitated and said:
"There is a corpse in the morgue with the arrowhead missing. You only told me to change the knife, but not the arrowhead..."
"What?"
Looking at his stupid subordinates, Zheng Qingtian was furious:
"The arrowheads are all made by each county. With a little investigation, we can find out where they came from. If this matter is exposed, you and I will all be implicated. How did you do it?"
"I am guilty, please spare my life!"
"We must find out who stole the arrows!"
"Yes, yes, I will find out who stole the arrows!"
Looking at Zheng Qingtian's angry face, Wei Wei knelt down and kowtowed, saying with great fear:
"Your Excellency, no one was left alive last night. We didn't kill all the people from the Yang Residence. Two people from the Imperial City Bureau escaped, as well as the son of Prime Minister Xiao..."
"What?"
Seeing Wei Wei, who was always causing trouble but could not accomplish anything, Zheng Qingtian was furious. He picked up the teacup on the table and smashed it on his head, cursing:
"You are a useless person who is always causing trouble and can't do anything for you. Why are you telling me such a big thing now?"
"I am guilty, please spare my life!"
Facing the extremely angry Zheng Qingtian, even though his head was broken and bleeding, Wei Wei still dared to kneel on the ground and kowtow and beg for mercy:
"Prime Minister Xiao is extremely powerful. Without your order, I dare not act rashly. I beg your forgiveness!"
"The Imperial City Division and Minister Xiao?"
Zheng Qingtian slumped down. He didn't expect that he would be so unlucky. He only wanted to kill Yang Zhiyuan, but ended up killing someone from the Imperial City Division by mistake. He was also seen by the son of Prime Minister Xiao. Now he has lost the most crucial arrowhead. His only plan now is to find a strong enough backer and then find the person who stole the arrow and kill him. Thinking of this, he looked at the county lieutenant Wei Wei, who was still kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy, with a cruel look on his face, and said angrily in a low voice:
"The people who stole the arrows are most likely the two escaped Imperial City spies. Pass on my order and say that pirates broke into the Yang family last night and set fire to the property. All the checkpoints and outposts in the county should be strictly checked. Find someone to draw their portraits and issue arrest warrants. All men with non-local accents should be arrested and checked one by one. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"
"yes!"
Seeing Zheng Qingtian's fierce face, Wei Wei was startled, thinking that this scholar was too cruel if he got angry. He was about to take orders and leave, but Zheng Qingtian quickly stopped him and said:
"Also, go and invite Young Master Xiao over. Treat him with courtesy and don't offend him. Got it?"
"Yes, I will obey your command!"
After taking a look at Zheng Qingtian, Wei Wei took the order and retreated.
…
At the same time, compared to the Qiantang County Court which was busy issuing arrest warrants, Zhao Paner's home was also bustling with activity.
Because Yuan Xudong bullied Zhao Paner, Sun Sanniang, Zhao Paner's neighbor and good sister for nine years, chased Yuan Xudong with two kitchen knives. Being chased by her was really annoying, so Yuan Xudong simply stopped. In the teahouse, there was a business hall between the inner room where Zhao Paner was, and Yuan Xudong stopped directly. He looked at Sun Sanniang who was holding up the kitchen knife and wanted to chop him and smiled:
"Okay, I'll just play with you for a bit, but if you keep chasing me and trying to kill me, I'll be rude to you!"
" You lecher, how dare you be rude to me?"
Seeing Yuan Xudong, who had clearly done something against the law and harmed Pan'er but was still at large and didn't take it seriously, Sun Sanniang was furious. Seeing Yuan Xudong stop running, she immediately waved a kitchen knife and prepared to chop him. Yuan Xudong just stood there and looked at Sun Sanniang leisurely. Although Sun Sanniang had been slaughtering pigs since she was a child and had excellent knife skills, Yuan Xudong didn't believe that she really dared to chop people with a knife, or even kill people!
Sure enough, the kitchen knife stopped in front of Yuan Xudong, still quite a distance away from his body. Seeing Sun Sanniang who didn't dare to really chop it down, Yuan Xudong smiled, snatched her kitchen knife directly, and chopped it back with his backhand. Sun Sanniang screamed in fear and closed her eyes. At this time, Yuan Xudong threw the kitchen knife on the table next to him. With a bang, Sun Sanniang trembled in fear. Seeing Sun Sanniang who was so cowardly, Yuan Xudong couldn't help but teasing her:
"Okay, I'm just trying to scare you. Open your eyes. I didn't expect you to be so timid. I thought you were truly fearless, but you're just a paper tiger!"
"you……"
Hearing Yuan Xudong making fun of her, Sun Sanniang opened her eyes and cursed:
"You are such a shameless scoundrel. You have no sense of honor. You bully women. What kind of hero are you..."
Compared to her sword skills, Sun Sanniang's mouth skills were even more powerful. At least Yuan Xudong was no match for her. Looking at Sun Sanniang, who was holding her waist with both hands and scolding like a shrew, Yuan Xudong chose to retreat and said:
"I'm leaving now. You can go on cursing slowly. There's tea and fruit nearby. Don't get thirsty or hungry!"
"you……"
Those who curse others are most afraid of meeting someone who is not afraid of boiling water. Sun Sanniang and Yuan Xudong were a match made in heaven. Seeing Yuan Xudong turning around and leaving, Sun Sanniang was so angry that she looked at Yuan Xudong's back and rushed up with a loud "Ahhh", shouting:
"You scoundrel, you flower thief, I'm going to fight you today!"
"Sanniang, calm down!"
"I can't calm down, ah!"
Sun Sanniang yelled loudly, still in Yuan Xudong's ear, torturing him to the point of ecstasy, but that was not enough, she also used her voluptuous body to pin the relatively thin Yuan Xudong under her body, and started fighting on the table. This was intolerable. Yuan Xudong never hits a woman, unless the woman hits him. Facing the rude Sun Sanniang, Yuan Xudong put his hands on the table, turned over, and faced Sun Sanniang. Sun Sanniang was obviously stunned. Yuan Xudong seized her flaw and directly grabbed her hands, and pressed Sun Sanniang under him instead. The offensive and defensive momentum was different!
Yuan Xudong pressed her down on the table, unable to move. Perhaps because the posture was too ambiguous, Sun Sanniang's upper body was pressed against the table, and her lower body was supported by Yuan Xudong's legs. She was so embarrassed that her face turned red.
"You scoundrel, let me go!"
"You lecher, you lecher, am I a lecher to you?"
Looking at Sun Sanniang, who looked like a willow stone, although she was a little older and had given birth to a child, she was plump and charming, and she knew how to take care of people. She was good at cooking and making tea and desserts, and she looked a bit like a gentle cook. Yuan Xudong caressed her body from behind and said:
"Sanniang, you keep yelling about a lecher every day, but do you know what a lecher is?"
"You are a pervert, what do you want to do..."
Before she could finish her words, Sun Sanniang opened her eyes wide in vain. Just as she was about to scream, a big hand suddenly covered her mouth. Sun Sanniang could only struggle in vain twice, and a series of sad "woooo" sounds came out of her mouth. Yuan Xudong whispered in her ear from behind:
"Sanniang, to be honest, you have a pretty good figure. You're just a little older, but you still have your charm. You must have been a beautiful lady when you were young, right?"
“Woo woo…”
Looking at Sun Sanniang who was about to cry, Yuan Xudong pulled his hand out of her clothes. Then, without waiting for Sun Sanniang to recover, he immediately released the beautiful cook who was imprisoned in his arms, ran out and said with a smile:
"Sanniang, I'm going to go check on the seal and the silver bottle. Please tell Pan'er to say goodbye for me!"
"You son of a bitch, you bastard!"
Sun Sanniang came back to her senses from the afterglow, her face flushed, and she yelled at Yuan Xudong who had already run out of the yard.
After looking around and seeing that there was no one nearby, Sun Sanniang couldn't help but reach out to tidy up her messy bra and underwear. She secretly spat in her heart, thinking that the man was such a lecher and a flower thief who even wanted to take advantage of a cook like her!
After tidying up her clothes and adjusting her mood, Sun Sanniang walked into the kitchen and prepared the nourishing and blood-replenishing ingredients that Yuan Xudong had bought. She made her specialty dishes and brought them into the inner room to nourish Zhao Paner and said:
"Pan'er, get up and eat. These are all excellent tonics. Eat more and nourish your body well!"
Zhao Pan'er lazily got up from the bed and glanced behind Sun Sanniang. Not seeing Yuan Xudong, she couldn't help but look at Sun Sanniang and asked:
"Sanniang, where is that bad guy?"
"That scoundrel went to see the seal and the silver bottle!"
Sun Sanniang was preparing the food while comforting Zhao Pan'er:
"Don't take it personally. Men are like this. They eat what's in the bowl but still look at what's in the pot. Who knows, maybe he's still thinking about what's in other people's homes!"
"Sanniang, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"No more talking, just eat. I've served you some more soup, it's for replenishing your blood. I guarantee that after you eat it, your body will recover quickly and you'll give birth to a big fat boy next year, a future prime minister, haha..."
"Sanniang!"
Hearing Sun Sanniang making fun of her, Zhao Pan'er was embarrassed and said:
"Don't you dare laugh at me!"
"Haha, I'm not laughing, haha..."
…
On the other hand, after leaving Zhao's Tea House, Yuan Xudong started to rush to the Music Camp of the Imperial Music Bureau. He found that the streets were now full of arrest warrants with portraits of Gu Qianfan and Lao Jia, saying that they were vicious pirate leaders who committed serious crimes of murder and arson in Yang's Mansion. The government offered a reward of 200 strings of cash for their capture.
Yuan Xudong really looked at the arrest warrant for a long time. It's true that the ancients' painting skills were quite good. The man looked quite similar to Gu Qianfan, except that the reward was a little lower, only two hundred strings of cash, or at most twenty taels of gold. And that was calculated together with Lao Jia. So, Gu Qianfan was only worth ten taels of gold, which was a disgrace to the "living devil" of the Tokyo Imperial City Administration!
Not long after, Yuan Xudong was about to continue on his way to the Music Camp of the Jiaofang Division to see Song Yinzhang and Yinping. At this moment, two yamen runners came towards him, holding a portrait of Yuan Xudong in their hands. Suddenly seeing Yuan Xudong himself, the two yamen runners were obviously stunned for a moment, and then they ran to Yuan Xudong with a happy face and saluted respectfully, saying:
"Mr. Xiao, the county lord wants to invite you to his house as a guest. What do you think..."
Looking at the two apologetic servants, Yuan Xudong thought for a moment and nodded in agreement:
"Okay, lead the way!"
"Okay, Mr. Xiao, please come this way!"
Unexpectedly, the task assigned by the county lieutenant was completed so easily, and they could also get a considerable reward. The two yamen runners were immediately very happy. While leading Yuan Xudong to the direction of Qiantang County Yamen, they said happily:
"Mr. Xiao, the county lord is still handling a case in the yamen. Please go to the backyard room to rest for a while. We will go to the yamen to report!"
"good!"
…
Yuan Xudong walked into the wing room in the backyard of Qiantang County Government Office. Two yamen runners ran to the front yard to report. Looking at the quaint room, Yuan Xudong sat on the wooden chair and smiled strangely. If he guessed correctly, the magistrate of Qiantang wanted to use himself to join Xiao Qinyan, but he arranged people to hunt down Gu Qianfan. This was interesting. On the one hand, he was hunting down someone's son, and on the other hand, he wanted to join someone else. If Yuan Xudong did not intervene, whether Gu Qianfan was alive or dead, the magistrate of Qiantang would be dead. The only difference was whether he die alone, or his three clans would be exterminated, or all nine clans would be implicated!
