The Red Mansions

Chapter 716

Huanhualou

Looking at the back of the young man who left without looking back, the faces of all the salt merchants were gloomy, and a thick layer of haze was cast over their hearts, as if the bloody aura floating between their nostrils had been forgotten by them .

Gu Ruoqing looked at the young man who left boldly, his eyes flickered under his willow-leaf eyebrows, the dagger had already been put away, and his mind was lost in thought.

Nan Ling's small face turned pale with fright, took Gu Ruoqing's hand, and said in a low voice, "Sister Gu."

"It's okay, everyone has left." Gu Ruoqing said softly with a jade-like face, her voice was surprisingly calm, which made the shocked Liniang take a second look.

Jiang Tong looked at several people with gloomy eyes, and said, "Uncle Yongning is here for a banquet, who leaked the news?"

They are also Yangzhou salt merchants, so they naturally know that among the few people present, there are a few bold ones who are doing sea trade business with Bei Bian'er, but doing business is business, and sending letters to assassinate people is a bit too much.

Huang Rishan frowned, with anger on his white and fat face, he said in a deep voice, "Brother Jiang, what do you mean by that?"

Cheng Peili sneered, and asked, "Master Jiang suspects that some of us have colluded with Donglu and assassinated Yongning Bo. We have always known the truth. Who has the guts to assassinate such a powerful martial artist?"

"But Uncle Yongning said so." Bao Zuhui frowned, and said, "It seems that the one who was captured alive was also a Jurchen."

As he spoke, he looked around at the few people around him, lingering suspiciously on the faces of Huang Cheng, Ma Xianjun, and Cheng Peili, and asked, "Who leaked the news."

"Old Bao, who are you looking at?" Huang Cheng said angrily.

Ma Xianjun's eyes were a bit gloomy, and he kept sneering in his heart. The result of discord is that he was broken one by one.

Bao Zuhui smiled contemptuously, and said: "It's okay if you don't admit it. Now he has caught someone alive. Under Jinyi Mansion's severe torture, I'm afraid the truth will come to light soon."

Smuggling has been repeatedly banned, but it is too courageous to ambush a nobleman in charge of the imperial court, and I don't know if it will be involved in smuggling, anyway, he has never personally intervened.

Illuminated by the lanterns on the veranda, Wang Shouqi was old and gloomy like iron, and said: "From receiving the invitation yesterday, to the people in the north receiving the news, it took a whole day. It's not just the eight of us who know about such a long time. The female relatives, servant girls, and servants may leak the news, so did the people around Uncle Yongning, the Yamen of the Salt Court, not leak the news?"

After all, they are easy to talk to, and as a result of such an incident, they still can't mess themselves up, and people's hearts can't be messed up, otherwise they will bite each other like Yongningbo's rectification of the river yamen in Huai'an Mansion.

Xiao Hongsheng nodded, thinking on his handsome young face, he said: "What Master Wang said is true, we have a family and a family in Yangzhou, and we have dinner at the same table, how can we not be so unwise, I see Seeing that Uncle Yongning is also angry, after explaining it well, it should be fine."

But having said that, he couldn't help but glance at his companions, who was the collusion of Donglu?
Jiang and Wang are over [-] years old, and they have a big family in Yangzhou. If the imperial court gives them a chance to survive, they will not take risks. As for Huang Rishan and Huang Cheng, they are in their forties and fifties. They are still of the same clan for several generations, they have always advanced and retreated together, and they don't seem to have the courage to do such things.

Bao Zuhui has always been bluffing. He heard that he had done some smuggling business with Jurchen, but how dare he assassinate him?So who exactly?
Then they looked at Ma Xianjun and Cheng Peili, one of them was bold and careful, the other was resourceful, and they were still in-laws, could it be two people?

It shouldn't be so stupid, even if Yongning Bo died...

Well, if he died, then Yangzhou Salt Affairs would not be able to investigate, but if the court sends other people to investigate, it may not be possible to find out any results.

Just when Xiao Hongsheng was guessing who reported the letter, a young servant ran over from the front, with a look of panic on his face, and said: "Master, it's not good, there are many officers and soldiers, surrounded by Jin Yiti cavalry Huanhualou."

Everyone was shocked when they heard the words.

The fire in the front yard was getting bigger and bigger, and teams of Jinyiti riders surrounded the entire Huanhualou like a tide, and the sound of people roaring and horses hissing was endless.

While the few people were talking, I saw a group of [-] or [-] brocade-clothed riders coming from the outside, entering the courtyard, led by a brocade-clad Baihu wearing a red robe and a black official hat, with a gloomy expression , eyes like a falcon, staring at a few people like a hook.

Amidst the uncertainty of the eight salt merchants, they said in a deep voice, "Come here, take all these people back."

As soon as this remark came out, Wang Shouqi's complexion changed drastically, and he said anxiously: "My lord, what crime have we committed?"

The head of the hundred households said indifferently: "According to the order of the governor of my family, the nobles of the enemy led the dead into Yangzhou to assassinate Yongningbo. You are all witnesses, or you are suspected of collaborating with the enemy. Take them all to the Yamen of Yanyuan for transcripts. Cross-examination."

As soon as this remark came out, several salt merchants were shocked and asked?Is this treating them like prisoners?
"How can you be so rude! I have the body of a third-rank vassal official bestowed by the Supreme Emperor on my body." Jiang Tong said anxiously after hearing the words.

"Participate in politics at the third rank? Jinyi is in person, even the governor of the second rank is not allowed! Come and take away!" The leading hundred households smiled contemptuously and waved their hands.

Immediately, several guards of the Jinyi Mansion came with their swords.

The hundred households said in a deep voice: "Zhang Zongqi followed me in to search the dead man's body, protect the scene, and wait for his autopsy."

At this moment, Liniang, the bustard of Huanhualou, changed her face slightly. She was over forty years old, with a smile on her fair face, and said with a smile: "This poor man, our Huanhualou..."

The hundred households pushed violently, and said in a deep voice: "The governor is ordered to bring all of them back to assist in the investigation, and also take away the women from Huanhualou!"

Standing under the eaves of the corridor, Gu Ruoqing frowned with her curly eyebrows, her jade face was covered with autumn frost and winter snow, and she felt helpless in her heart. She originally wanted to use Yongningbo to get rid of trouble, but she didn't want to cause a bigger trouble.

Wang Shouqi looked calm and composed, turned his head to look at the several salt merchants who were frightened, and sighed: "Everyone, unexpectedly such a thing happened, I'll go to the Yamen of the Salt Court first, and just speak clearly."

This kind of situation where Jin Yi came to question him was nothing, even if they were imprisoned for no reason, Liangjiang officials would not just sit back and watch.

At this moment, everyone went out of the backyard, while the fire in Huanhualou in front was still raging, and there was a crackling sound from time to time. Fortunately, many singers and guests were driven out by the evacuation of the Yamen servants of the Yangzhou government and the servants who helped them. , and the fire was gradually brought under control, but some curtains and curtains were burning, and the fire was very strong.

At this moment, Jia Heng was surrounded by a group of guards in brocade clothes, standing in front of the building, looking at the woman and guests who fled from the building in panic.

Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, led several judges and subordinate officials around, his face was ugly, and he dared not show his atmosphere. Judge Huang Xian, General Feng Gui, Guerrilla General Wan Qin, and other generals of Jiangbei Camp.

At this moment, a government servant who looked like a yamen arrester cupped his hands and said, "My lord, everyone has evacuated."

"Uncle Yongning, look at this?" Yuan Jichong's forehead was sweating, and he had already scolded the eighteen generations of salt merchants' ancestors in his heart.

"Continue to fight the fire without any casualties." Jia Heng ordered.

Then, he ignored Yuan Jichong and looked at Nie Hong, a man in his early thirties. What are you eating?"

Nie Hong, a hundred households in Yangzhou, knelt down and said, "Dereliction of duty."

"Come on, drag it down, twenty sticks!" Jia Heng said coldly with a gloomy face.

Immediately, two guards of the Jinyi Mansion dragged Nie Hong away, and after a while, a muffled groan came.

Seeing this, everyone was alarmed.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "This time it's not an ordinary bandit, but a noble from the east who went south, colluded with local merchants, and wanted to assassinate this official!"

Let's start with the bitter tricks of our own people and deal with them, let alone others.

Yuan Jichong's expression changed slightly when he heard this, and the expressions of the officials of Yangzhou Mansion behind him also changed greatly, secretly saying that something was wrong.

Because in some private gossip from the officials of Yangzhou government, some faintly heard that Yangzhou salt merchants had business dealings with Donglu, or not directly.

Just at this time, the Yangzhou salt merchants also came out from a corner door on the west side of Huanhualou under the shouting and shoving of ten or twenty guards of the Jinyi Mansion, and looked at the young man in green shirt who was surrounded by stars on the side facing the street. .

At that time, Huanhualou was blazing with flames, trees and silver flowers, and the flames shone on the group of young people. Their brows were like Jianfeng's, and their faces were as cold as frost. Even the light of the fire could hardly warm them.

"Uncle Yongning, I want to see Uncle Yongning." Jiang Tong saw Jia Heng and shouted loudly.

A guard in brocade clothes pushed behind him and said, "It won't be too late to see you at the Yanyuan Yamen later."

Coming out together with Liniang and other girls from Huanhualou, Gu Ruoqing looked at the young man in green shirt who stood proudly in the center with his bright and clear eyes under his beautiful eyebrows.

Nan Ling raised her eyes to look at the young man in green shirt, the fear in her heart dissipated a lot for some reason, and said softly: "Sister Gu, what did Uncle Yongning arrest us for?"

Gu Ruoqing said in a low voice, "I'll find out later."

She had some vague guesses, maybe it was coming towards the salt merchants behind her.

Jia Heng turned to look at Shui Yu, who had a gloomy expression, and said, "A prominent Jurchen sneaked into Yangzhou with the intention of plotting to assassinate this official. He has been hacked and wounded by this official. He should still be hiding in Yangzhou now. The soldiers of the Jiangbei camp stayed overnight. Block water and land arteries."

Yangzhou is a prosperous place, and it is impossible to block it all the time, but it is possible to block it for a few days and let Jin Yiti search for people.

Shui Yu, Jiedu Judge Huang Xian, General Hu Gui and the others, upon hearing this, did not dare to neglect, and cupped their hands one after another: "Your Majesty obeys."

Jia Heng looked at Yuan Jichong, whose expression suddenly changed, hesitating to speak, and said in a deep voice: "Master Yuan, this time the fire broke out, if it wasn't for my official being here, it would have caused a tragedy in Yangzhou. , or do a good job of fire prevention.”

As he spoke, he patted Yuan Jichong's shoulder lightly.

If Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, dared to be ignorant and make irresponsible remarks about the blockade, he would be guilty of the same crime as the enemy.

Yuan Jichong could hear the unkindness in the calm words, and he bowed his body with awe, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to listen to Uncle Yongning's teachings."

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he ignored Yuan Jichong, and when the fire was gradually extinguished by the soldiers of the Yangzhou government office, he left Huanhualou and returned to the Yanyuan Yamen under the escort of a group of guards from the Jinyi Mansion.

And the news that Jia Heng was assassinated by Donglu in Huanhualou spread to the streets and alleys of Yangzhou like a whirlwind along with the guests who dispersed in the fire of Huanhualou.

Yamen of Yangzhou Salt Court
The guards of the Jinyi Mansion are severely torturing Tu Shan in a torture room converted from a temporary warehouse. The Jurchen Batulu committed suicide by biting her tongue several times, but let alone whether biting her tongue can kill herself, even the guards of the Jinyi Mansion are on guard against it, and Facing the torture of the Jinyi mansion guards, he shut up tightly and didn't say a word.

On the other hand, the governor's room on both sides of the Yanyuan Yamen's official hall, as well as the official office, are brightly lit and full of people.

The eight Yangzhou salt merchants looked ugly. Except for Wang Shouqi, they were all led to the governor's room by the clerks of the Jinyi Mansion's Experience Department, and asked about the records.

From what channel did he receive Wang Shouqi's banquet a few days ago, when did he leave, and where did he go in the past two days, all of them were questioned and recorded.

The smarter ones didn't want to conflict with the clerks, so they spoke slowly, but it was inconvenient to say something, they were all vague, and the scribes of Jinyi Mansion's History Department soon saw through.

Lin Ruhai was sitting behind the case in the lobby of Yanyuan Yamen, wearing a black gauze hat and scarlet robe official uniform, frowning slightly, with worry in his eyes, looking at the Jinyi mansion guard standing outside with a knife, and firing pine oil torches one after another. The crackling sound illuminated the courtyard as brightly as day.

Gu Ruoqing was also sitting behind a table at the moment, with a gloomy expression on his cold jade face.

Her identity had been concealed a long time ago, but she was not afraid of being investigated at all, but after such an assassination, there was such a big movement.

"Name." The clerk wrote down the record, and the guard of the Jinyi Mansion beside him asked.

"Gu Ruoqing."

"age."

Gu Ruoqing frowned, and there seemed to be displeasure on her snow-skinned and jade-like face, and said in a low voice, "Nineteen."

"Lord Lin, what crime have I committed to be detained here and interrogated like a prisoner?" On the other side, Wang Shouqi bowed his hands to Lin Ruhai and said.

Lin Ruhai said in relief: "Master Wang, please be safe and don't be impatient. This move is also to find out the origin of the villain. I heard from the guard of the Jinyi Mansion that this is a big figure in the Jurchen. He wants to assassinate Yongning Bo. If it wasn't for the guards beside Yongning Bo , almost let them succeed."

Wang Shouqi smiled wryly, and said: "Master Lin, this old man was so frightened just now. It can be said that half his life was almost thrown away. Those scoundrels would kill them as soon as they saw them. This old man also killed two or three loyal servants for this. Uncle Yongning How can you doubt the old man?"

Lin Ruhai said in relief: "Old man Wang misunderstood, this is not a suspicion, but just to assist in the investigation and find out the suspect."

Wang Shouqi rolled his eyes and said quickly: "Master Lin, can I allow the old man to send someone to deliver a letter to my family?"

Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, and said, "It's not too late for Uncle Yongning to come back."

And at this moment, a loud call from the guards came from outside: "Uncle Yongning is here."

As soon as the words fell, the young man in the blue shirt and the blue scholar's scarf on his head stepped into the courtyard under the guards of Jinyi Mansion. At this moment, several salt merchants who were taking notes on the four sides of the corridor followed the sound. Looking, first it was quiet, then restless, and the voice of shouting kept going.

When Jia Heng entered the lobby, Lin Ruhai walked up to meet him, looked at the safe and sound young man, heaved a sigh of relief, and asked with concern: "Zi Yu, what's going on?"

"A Jurchen prince came here and wanted to assassinate me while taking advantage of the chaos in Huanhualou. I suspect that the Yangzhou salt merchants disclosed the news to Jurchen in advance to facilitate the bad guys. Now we are investigating further." Jia Heng explained.

As he said that, he looked at Wang Shouqi, who had stood up to meet him with a look of panic on his face, and said, "Master Wang, stay safe and don't be impatient, the assassin will be caught soon."

He just gave the bank note, how could he have the idea of ​​assassinating him.

"Uncle Yongning, misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding." Wang Shouqi quickly explained.

Jia Heng calmed down a bit, and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Wang, this time the gangster has a special identity, and he needs to find someone who colludes with him for verification. He is also protecting a few of them, otherwise, after they go back, if they are ambushed by gangsters again , what can I do?"

At this time, Chen Xiao walked out from behind Jia Heng, walked towards Gu Ruoqing, Nan Ling, Liniang and the women, and said, "Let me come."

The experienced Si Dushi was about to say something, but was swayed by the brocade-clothed households at the side, and it was difficult to stop him.

Gu Ruoqing looked at Chen Xiao, who had willow eyebrows and starry eyes, with a jade face and a cold face, and nodded without saying a word.

Jia Heng looked at Wang Shouqi, and said: "This time the Jurchen came here is a big shot, and I will arrest him tonight. Mr. Wang drinks tea first, and when you come, serve tea first."

Liu Jixian had been sent earlier, and six hundred Jinyiti cavalry were sent to block the streets and alleys, and then followed the blood-stained land to look for the whereabouts of the culprits.

In the next two days, the officers and soldiers of the Henan Dusi will also speed up their march and march to Yangzhou one after another to enter the Jiangbei camp.

Seeing this, Wang Shouqi had no choice but to agree. Not knowing what it was like, he bowed his hands and said, "Thank you, Uncle Yongning."

As he spoke, he slumped down on the pear-blossom wooden chair at the side, restless, feeling that the rain was about to come.

Jia Heng and Lin Ruhai came to the back hall, with two pear wood chairs separated by a small table. Lin Ruhai's aide, He Shuming, held a lamp for the two of them, and went to the front yard to meet each other.

Lin Ruhai hesitated and said, "Ziyu, what is your intention?"

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Knock the mountain to shake the tiger, lead the snake out of the hole, first interrogate to see if you can find out something, and dispatch the soldiers and horses in the next two days to prepare for any unexpected events."

When the salt merchants were released later, the soldiers and horses of Henan Dusi also entered Yangzhou City. He went to Yangzhou to ask for payment and began to investigate the old cases of Yangzhou salt merchants.

Lin Ruhai nodded and reminded: "Ziyu, Wang Shouqi and the governor of Liangjiang and the former grand master Hao Jiru have a very close relationship. If they are detained for a long time without reason, Jinling will be impeached. It is best to have conclusive evidence."

Jia Heng said: "Uncle, I know, but if you are involved in the Eastern captives, in front of such important national affairs, their impeachment is useless."

Before there is conclusive evidence, he will not wantonly arrest, and whoever is impeached is suspected of benefit transfer, which happens to be on the blacklist of him and the emperor.

In the face of big right and wrong, it is better for a smarter bureaucrat to keep his mouth shut, unless he arouses public anger, then the salt merchants will instead become an excuse for political opponents to take down business.

"Zi Yu, it's good that you know what's on your mind." Lin Ruhai said softly.

Jia Heng said in a low voice: "The next step is to wait for the news of Jin Yi's torture and arrest. If any collusion among these people is found out, they will be arrested immediately."

However, he felt that these people should not be so stupid. Contacting Jurchen directly must be an indirect way, and the captives who were captured alive knew the inside story, and they were still ambiguous.

After a while, Li Shu came in a hurry, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Natu Mountain has been tortured for a long time, and he still doesn't say a word, he is incompetent and humble."

The Jurchens obviously have tough guys. Facing the torture of the guards of the Jinyi Mansion, Tu Shan was loyal to his master and did not say a word.

Jia Heng looked deeply at Li Shu, and ordered: "First put him in custody, torture him slowly, don't kill him."

Li Shu clasped his fists and went away, but was stopped by Jia Heng, who only heard the young man say: "In the interrogation, the most important thing is to attack the heart, I will go and see for myself."

If you just torture them blindly, this kind of slavish Tartar would rather die than betray the lord, so he definitely wouldn't say anything.

To put it bluntly, he also had some disdain for the rough torture methods of Jinyi Mansion Guards, how could he ask about Duoduo's whereabouts, devious confessions and observations were often more useful than direct questions.

Torture itself is a psychological game.

Jia Heng and Li Shu came to the execution room and saw a burly man with black forehead and pigtails behind his head tied to the cross stake.

The big man was covered in blood, his dark face was stained with water-stained yellow paper, his fingers were bloody and bloody, and there were a few fingernails on the porcelain plate beside him, obviously he had been pinched and his nails were pulled out.

Frowning, he looked at Li Xing Baihu Shang Ming and Fan Zi, and asked, "Did you find anything?"

Jinyi Mansion only has these means, it is okay to deal with ordinary people, but it cannot deal with people with strong minds.

"My lord, this man's bones are so hard that he didn't even groan in pain." Cai Cai said with a smile while punishing Baihu Shangming with a vicious and ferocious expression.

"Prepare some honey water, let him relax, and let the governor personally ask." Jia Heng ordered, and Li Shu, a well-dressed household, quickly moved a stool.

It's not a man in a red robe who sits on a python, and he doesn't like to use people as stools.

Shang Ming responded quickly, and his own governor personally interrogated.

(End of this chapter)