The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Chapter 409: Suspected Murder Case [(3)]

“Bring witness Hong Jiu.”

With a rhythmic shout, Hong Jiu trembled and arrived at the entrance of the lobby. He saw both sides were filled with officials like wolves, and in the middle sat a fierce Lord, his legs feeling a bit softer.

In addition, as his old injury didn’t heal, he tried several times but was stunned that he couldn't cross the one-foot-high threshold, and his face was covered in oil and mud with embarrassment.

He was about to hold onto the door frame and try again, but suddenly he felt a strange gaze.

Wandering, helpless, eager, and begging!

These complex emotions, combined with Xu-Shi's delicate face, transmitted an invisible force that made Hong Jiu easily cross the threshold and, step by step, walked steadily to Xu-Shi's side. He bent his knees and knelt, saying, "I, Hong Jiu, have you seen the Heavenly Master.”

Even his voice was a bit louder and clearer than usual.

“Hong Jiu.”

After hearing this, Sun Shaozong solemnly asked, "What did you hear and see outside the door of Song Changgeng's house? Quickly and truthfully tell me about it.”

Upon hearing this, Hong Jiu's heart was moved. Thinking about the way Xu-Shi had muttered to himself before, he hurriedly said, "Report to Lord Qingtian; I happened to pass by. When I heard this woman say that her husband was a fake, I found it very interesting, so I leaned in and listened to it a few times.”

“At that time, the man kept saying he wanted to drive her out of the house, but for some reason, he suddenly let out a scream. Then the woman came out in a panic and saw me without covering herself, crying and shouting that she didn't mean to kill the counterfeit.”

Although his statement was mostly true, his position completely leant towards Li-Shi.

Li-Shi was overjoyed. Tian Biao, the youngest son of Tian Dahai, couldn’t help but jump out and question loudly, "Her house is not a Congee shed. How could you just happen to catch up with her when she killed people?!"

As he spoke, he spoke harshly, with a forced tone, "Say, were you bribed by this little slut and conspired with her to harm Changgeng's life?”

If Xu-Shi were to be questioned with such sharp words and expressions, he was afraid that she would immediately hesitate and become speechless.

But Hong Jiu has always made a living through his mouth, and without hesitation, he kowtowed and shouted, "I am wronged, My Lord. I have never had any connection with this woman. Even if I am injured, no one will buy me as an accomplice in murder.”

Tian Biao snatched the words again and said, "Perhaps your injury was just a moment ago?”

“Is it a new injury or an old injury? It's easy to tell at a glance.”

Hong Jiu lifted his trouser legs and said, "Speaking of it, the injury I have has something to do with you, My Lord.”

As he spoke, he spoke in a few words about going to the You family to beg for some food and being surrounded by evil beggars. In the end, he kowtowed and thanked him, "If it weren't for being saved by the servant of your beloved concubine, I would have been a true Nine Fingers Hong now.”

“After that, I stayed at home for several days until today and came out to beg for food. Unexpectedly, I was also targeted by the Deaf Boss's subordinates, so I didn't dare to ask for anything seriously and had to wander around aimlessly.”

“If you don't believe me, please send someone to find the Deaf Boss's subordinates, and they will know that they have always followed me before the murder occurred.”

He was used to singing the song "Lotus Falling," and even though he was so used to it, he didn't give Tian Biao a chance to interrupt.

After listening to these words, Sun Shaozong also didn’t hesitate. He picked up the wooden block and said in a deep voice, "Since the case is particularly suspicious, let's postpone the trial and take Xu into custody first.”

“Your Excellency.”

Upon hearing this, Tian Biao jumped up and said, "This bitch has already personally admitted that she killed Changgeng. Why do you still want to...”

“Someone.”

Sun Shaozong slightly raised his volume, pulled out two red-painted bamboo sticks from the receiver, and threw them to the ground. He said calmly, "Take the crazy man who has been roaring at the public hall three times and slap his mouth 20 times. Go and get rid of those foul words in his mouth.”

A few Yamen attendants immediately flashed out from the left and right, folding their shoulders and pulling their hair, posing Tian Biao as ”kneeling and looking up at the starry sky.” Another person picked up a three-finger wide ruler and swung it around, causing a fierce blow.

With just a few slaps down, Tian Biao's two lips were swollen like sausages, and he had lost a few yellow teeth in his mouth. However, he had no time to spit them out and could only swallow them with blood and water in his stomach!

Accompanied by Tian Biao's vague and painful howl, Sun Shaozong calmly asked, "Hong Jiu, I heard you just talk; I wonder if you have ever had the knowledge of reading?”

Although the voice was not mixed with any emotions, it still made Hong Jiu shrink his neck and tremble, saying, "I have been a bookboy for two years; I haven't read many books, but I can still recognize a few words.”

“Since you can read, it's good to take a look at the notice outside the mansion.”

After Sun Shaozong finished speaking, he stood up and arrived at the back hall.

Just as he posted the ”Beggar System” notice, he encountered an articulate and organized beggar who happened to be bullied by the beggar's head and could set an example for him.

Of course, Sun Shaozong didn’t fully explain what he said. If Hong Jiu was an ignorant and confused person who missed this heavenly opportunity, it would only be his lack of luck to blame.

“Exit.”

Qiu Yunfei shouted and quickly followed him to the interior. He took off the official robe quickly. He picked up a wet towel with his bare arm and was about to wipe his body. Suddenly, he noticed that Sun Shaozong was staring at him. He quickly presented the towel with both hands and smiled. "Your Excellency, please come first.”

This kid has been partnering with Zhao Wuwei all day long, but he was learning more and more.

Sun Shaozong roasted in his heart. He took the towel politely, wiped the sweat on his forehead, and said, "You will go later..."

“Don't worry, My Lord.”

Qiu Yunfei patted his sweaty chest and said, "I'll send someone to inquire about the Deaf Boss's subordinates and see if Hong Jiu has lied.”

“There's no need to rush this matter.”

Sun Shaozong shook his head and said, "What I mean is, while the witnesses are still outside, you can go and carefully inquire about the relationship between the Tian family and Xu-Shi before Song Changgeng returned, and see if there have been any disputes.”

“What you mean is...”

Qiu Yunfei frowned and hesitated for a while before tentatively saying, "Is it true that you also suspected that Song Changgeng is a fake? And he is also related to the Tian family?”

“You guessed it right. In fact, the murder case itself doesn’t have much to investigate. It is the identity of the deceased that truly determines the severity of Xu's crime.”

“If the deceased is indeed Song Changgeng himself, whether Xu-Shi intentionally or not, it is difficult to escape death.”

“But if the deceased is an impostor, according to the law, they belong to the villains of plundering money and lust. Xu-Shi first spied out his identity and then accidentally killed him, which can only be considered excessive defense. At most, she could only pay some ransom money, and even be acquitted if the verdict is lenient.”

So from the beginning, Sun Shaozong focused his attention on the words ”impersonation,” while conducting regular questioning and secretly observing the reactions of Xu-Shi and the Tian family.

The reason for observing Xu-Shi goes without saying, the Tian family was the only relative of Song Changgeng, and only when the Tian family was in charge behind the scenes could counterfeit goods and kept track of Song Changgeng's affairs.

After a recent exploration, Xu-Shi needed Sun Shaozong for a reminder before revealing the matter of ”counterfeit replacement.” Later, she hesitated for long before revealing the flaws of the counterfeit until she was forced to do so urgently, but it was still a flaw that couldn’t be verified.

All these signs indicated that she was not deliberately trying to get away with it.

On the other hand, almost everyone in the Tian family wished to kill Xu-Shi, especially Tian Biao, who seemed aggressive but secretly showed a sense of panic and shortness of breath. It was suspicious.

After briefly explaining this analysis to Qiu Yunfei, Sun Shaozong said, "If it is confirmed that there has been a dispute or conflict of interest between Xu-Shi and Tian families before, you should immediately send more personnel to investigate the movements of several male members of the Tian family before Song Changgeng returned home.”

“This…”

Qiu Yunfei scratched his head and said, "It's probably difficult to detect anything; after all, it's been over two months.”

Sun Shaozong shook his head again and said, "If it's only once or twice, of course, it's difficult to trace any clues, but it's not easy to fully integrate one person into another's life in a short period.”

“Therefore, the person behind the scenes, before the counterfeit person begun to take action, will inevitably contact them frequently. As long as we find out who has been missing for many days and conduct further investigation, we will definitely gain something.”

Speaking of this, Sun Shaozong hastily added, "By the way, while the body is still fresh, quickly select a few skilled painters to copy his appearance, so that it won't be difficult to verify at the time.”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yunfei couldn't bear it anymore. He left behind the sentence “I'll handle it now,” and rushed out like the wind.

However, he quickly turned back like the wind, put on his official uniform, and finally left the inner hall again.

Tch!

Only half a year has passed, and this dandy was even more dedicated to his work than himself!

When Hong Jiu left the hall of the government office, he remembered the fair and plump appearance of Xu-Shi when she bowed to him and thanked him. His heart couldn't help but feel a bit reluctant to part with her.

He secretly prayed to Xu-Shi for justice, but when he turned around, he suddenly felt melancholy again.

Even if Xu-Shi could truly redress her wrongs in the future, she wouldn’t marry a beggar just because of this kindness; no matter what, they might be from two different worlds.

But then again, if he could be like the Deaf Boss, with ten beggars under his command, earning 78 taels of silver a month and owning their homestead, even if they were beggars, he wouldn't necessarily need to live alone.

Just as he was thinking about something he didn't have, Hong Jiu glanced coldly at the notice board on the west wall and immediately remembered Sun Shaozong's last sentence. He then ran over, scanning the notices one by one.

“Geerdi Luojie, a merchant from the Western Regions, died of the epidemic in the autumn of the eighth year of Guangde and left behind some goods. Those who were familiar with him could contact his family on his behalf.”

Definitely not this.

“Shen Wansan was not a clerk in this government office, but rather an impostor of the Jianghu fraud. To prevent the public from being deceived by him, we hereby announce…”

That's not it either!

“Yang Bo and Huang En from the East China Sea are magnificent, and there are imperial kilns for firing…”

“The daughter of the missing official in the Jiaofang Division…”

“Beggar System…”

“Recruitment for leased farmstead…”

Wait!

Hong Jiu's gaze turned back and fixed on the notice of ”Beggar System.” He read the content over and over again, and his breath gradually grew heavier.