The Legend of the Royal Cat

Kaifeng Mansion, Flower Hall

"My lord, I was unfortunately guessed by the students. There is no detailed record in the dossier of the cause and effect of King Huai's resignation from military power. It seems to be deliberately concealing something." Gongsun Ce sighed.

"Oh?" Bao Zheng was also surprised, and then smiled, "However, I'm afraid this will not trouble Mr. Gongsun who knows astronomy at the top and geography at the bottom."

"My lord—" Really, Guard Zhan is not here, it's my turn to be made fun of by adults, Guard Zhan, come back soon!Gongsun Ce prayed secretly in his heart, but his mouth was not idle, "The student just came back from the Ministry of War."

"I knew that Mister would find a way." Bao Zheng looked expectant.

"The students transferred the roster of King Huai's guards from the Ministry of War. When the army was defeated in the northwest frontier, some soldiers should be returned alive. Except for the deputy general Wei Bi who retired to Youzhou with Lord Huai, all of them have retired and returned to their hometowns. Alive and not relocated."

"Sir, what do you mean—"

"That's exactly what the student meant. Your lord can send someone to visit these people. Someone must know the inside story back then. The student has already sorted out the information of the people who can be found."

"It's so good, Dynasty Mahan!"

"exist!"

"Early tomorrow morning, the two of you will search for these veterans one by one according to Mr. Gongsun's roster, and ask in detail about the ins and outs of the attack on the Northwest Defense Army by the Rakshasa Saintess Palace 22 years ago. If anyone knows, please come to Kaifeng Mansion."

"Yes!" The two stepped back.

"My lord, are you worried about Zhan's guards?" Gongsun Ce obviously didn't expect Bao Zheng to attach so much importance to King Huai's matter.

"Mr. Gongsun, how many years has Guard Zhan been with this mansion?" Bao Zheng answered with a question.

"This year is the fourth year." Why did the adults suddenly mention this matter today?

"Sir, you know that I had an agreement with the Emperor and the Eighth Prince before I led the exhibition guard Miansheng." Bao Zheng fell into memory.

"Students don't know."

"The agreement is that no matter what the outcome of Yaowulou is, or what the award is, the guards will be seconded to Kaifeng Mansion."

"Your Excellency, it is for—"

"That's right. Although, in the past few years, Guard Zhan has endured a lot of hardships, suffered a lot of grievances, and even narrowly escaped death, but at least he hasn't become a victim of politics! Now, the eight virtuous kings don't hesitate to break the promise of the past. , It can be seen that this matter is not trivial, and it is not as simple as choosing a son-in-law! If the government does not find out the cause of the matter first, I am afraid that I will regret it for the rest of my life! Sigh - I knew this before, I shouldn't have done it in the first place!" Bao Zheng looked worried. .

"My lord, Guard Zhan has done a great job in rescuing him many times. The Emperor and the Eighth Prince have always loved and praised Guard Zhan. He probably wouldn't—" The more Gongsun Ce talked, the more he felt powerless. Companion to a king is like a tiger. It has been there since ancient times!

"Let's wait for Dynasty Mahan's return. I hope this government is worrying too much."

"At this moment, we can only wait. My lord, the imperial decree has been issued, and the files of the assassination of officials should be transferred to the Ministry of Criminal Justice."

"Our government once promised Zhan Weiwei to temporarily suppress the results of the previous four investigations, lest the holy magistrate be furious and order the arrest of people in the world and harm the innocent, causing resentment and killing in the court. Now it seems—I'm afraid it can't be suppressed." !"

"Don't worry, my lord. It's fine if these five consecutive cases are not related, and it won't cause an uproar. If they are indeed related, maybe this time they will leave clues. After all, no matter how cunning a fox is, it will show its tail. when."

"I hope so! I hope so!"

Linjiang Tower, Xuzhou Prefecture, the morning of early spring is slightly chilly

Zhan Zhao was dressed in a blue long gown, standing on the Linjiang Building overlooking the surroundings. Mr. Ma was standing five feet above the water, and the blood on the scene was well protected. It was a line dripping down, directly continuing Go to the handrail of Linjiang.

"Come here!" Zhan Zhao shouted suddenly after surveying the scene.

After a while, Xue Cheng, also in casual clothes, ran up to the attic, "Master Zhan, what are your orders?"

"Are you standing in the government office closest to the stairs?"

"Yes, according to your order, patrolling there. I just ran up after hearing your order."

"Are you sure that's my voice?" Zhan Zhao smiled.

"You are the only one upstairs, how could it be someone else's voice?" Xue Cheng looked bewildered.

"Well, can you see the movement in the upstairs next to you when you go upstairs?" Zhan Zhao looked at the other attic on the left.

"This - I should be able to see it vaguely. But the subordinate was thinking about the Lord, so he didn't pay attention to it. Sir, what did the subordinate do wrong?"

"No, you did a good job. It was dark at that time, so it seems that they would not have noticed the movement on the roof." Zhan Zhao thought for a while and said, "Xue Baotou, the next place will take me to Deputy Wu." The head catcher. By the way, you said that deputy head catcher Wu is going to be the bridegroom, which family the bride is from, and how the two met, can anyone in the know tell me."

"Yes, his home is in the west of the city. Sir Zhan, please, I know a thing or two about this matter, and I will tell you on the way." Why did Master Zhan suddenly become concerned about Brother Wu's private affairs? Could it be because he wanted to Give compensation? !

"Brother Wu's parents are dead, and he has been alone all this time. About three months ago, he rescued a woman who committed suicide by drowning herself. It turned out that the woman was a foreigner. She was dependent on her father, but her father was addicted to gambling. Because of debts, she sold her to a brothel, and she escaped while the guards were unprepared, and fled to Xuzhou, suffering from hunger and cold, and felt that the world was so big that there was no room for her, so she committed suicide." Xue Cheng told everything he knew all the way. Come together. "Brother Wu took her in because of this, and the two fell in love for a long time, and settled down for life, and the wedding is coming to an end——, alas!"

Zhan Zhao listened carefully, thinking that no matter whether he saw the woman or not, the case would gradually reveal itself.

"The fire is out of control, put out the fire quickly! Bring more water, hurry up!" There was a loud shout in the distance, followed by a commotion.

"No, something happened to Wu Xingjia!" Surprised, Zhan Zhao flew towards the place where the crowd gathered.

How did Mr. Zhan know that it was brother Wu's home? !Xue Cheng was taken aback for a moment, and then rushed up.

When Zhan Zhao arrived, Wu's house was already in a sea of ​​flames, and it was hard to distinguish the ruins.Zhan Zhao asked Xue Cheng to return to the mansion to send someone over, while he and his neighbors put out the fire together.The fire was finally extinguished, but because the fire started before dawn, it was discovered late that a small house was already in ashes.

Xue Cheng dispatched government officials to surround the scene, while Zhan Zhao searched carefully among the ruins.A total of two corpses were found in the ashes, a man and a woman, both of which were unrecognizable. After conducting an autopsy, it was determined that the male corpse was that of Vice-Catcher Wu who was about to be buried in the ground, while the female corpse had been burnt beyond recognition.

"The fire was started from the woodshed in the backyard, and a lot of kerosene was sprinkled on it to burn it completely," Zhan Zhao said.

"Sister-in-law has such a strong character, she died for Brother Wu! It's all because of my negligence. I heard sister-in-law said she was fine and didn't pay attention. If I knew this would happen, I sent my brother to watch over and protect you! Brother Wu, I'm sorry for you !" Xue Cheng was in tears at this moment.

"This girl is indeed pitiful, she is so wronged!" Zhan Zhao also sighed.

"Xue Butou, send someone to bury Deputy Wu Butou and this woman. In addition, Mrs. Ma can also be buried in the ground. Send someone to assist Mrs. Ma with the funeral. Let the government officials who are in charge of registering the victims visit the victims, But there is a young woman who is missing. After the arrangements are made, take me to see that goddess doctor immediately!" Zhan Zhao's face was serious, and the murderer was indeed ruthless!

"Master Zhan, what do you mean - this woman?"

"Not bad!"

"Yes, this subordinate will do it."

Xuzhou, West Gate

A carriage was moving slowly and was about to leave the city.

"Miss Leng, please stay!" A clear and gentle voice came into the carriage.

"Shuang'er, stop the car." A cold voice came from inside the car.

Driving the carriage was a young girl in white. She was pretty and clever, and she was arrogant. After hearing the order, she stopped the carriage and cast a sideways glance at the man in blue who stood in front of the carriage.

"The resettlement of the victims here is quite appropriate. As long as there will be no epidemic, the little girl will continue on her way. If the official has something to ask, please forgive the inconvenience of meeting the little girl, so I can only answer like this." The voice was still cold, Thoughtful etiquette but rejected people thousands of miles away.

Sure enough, she was a fairy-like woman as Xue Cheng said, Zhan Zhao smiled lightly, without being stunned or in a hurry, and clasped his fists and said, "Zhan Zhao in the Kaifeng Mansion, I do have a few questions I want to ask the girl, and I hope the girl can tell you frankly."

"So it's Nan Xia, Lord Yumao! The little girl is as cold as snow, so I'm being rude. My lord has something to ask." The teasing was beyond words.

This goddess' deed of healing and saving people is admirable, her heart should be like that of a Bodhisattva, how could she be so rude to Lord Zhan!Xue Cheng felt wronged for Zhan Zhao.Zhan Zhao still smiled back indifferently.

"May I ask where you are from, and why did you come to Xuzhou?" Zhan Zhao asked.

"My young lady comes from the ice and snow poles of the northern country. She wants to go to Kaifeng to find her relatives. When she heard about the flood in Xuzhou, she deliberately made a detour to come here to rescue the suffering! I have no other comment!" The girl named Shuang'er said coldly.

"Shuang'er, don't be rude. The little girl only saves the person who needs to be saved with the technique of rejuvenation, and she doesn't want to interfere in worldly affairs. Officer, if you ask me this way, could it be possible to treat the little girl as a suspect?"

"Miss, don't misunderstand. Human life is at stake, and Zhan is also on official business. Dare I ask you, did you conceal the injury of Deputy Wu's arrest?"

"I can't save that man. As for his injury, Mr. Zhan is so smart, he should have guessed it. Others, please forgive the inconvenience of the little girl." The implication is that I don't want to ask anything else.

"That's it, thank you girl! Please go ahead, girl." Zhan Zhao stepped aside to make way.

"Master Zhan, just like this—" Xue Cheng took a step forward.

Zhan Zhao made a gesture of silence, Xue Cheng had no choice but to keep silent and stand aside.

"Hmph—drive!" The girl in white snorted coldly, and drove towards the city gate.

"What kind of Nanxia, ​​that's all!" The voice that floated back just fell into Zhan Zhao's ears.

What is the origin of this woman?Where is the ice and snow polar region of the Northland?When did such a strange woman appear in the rivers and lakes?How connected is she to this case?A series of question marks hovered in his mind, and Zhan Zhao began to sort out his clues and ideas.

"Master Zhan, since you have doubts, why did you let her go?" Xue Cheng asked with a puzzled expression.

"Without real evidence, we have no right to restrict her freedom according to the law. But if it is found that she is indeed related to this case, no matter how far away the world is, Zhan will definitely bring her to justice!" Looking at the carriage going away, Zhan Zhao said firmly , "Xue catcher, go back home, it's time to sort out the clues and evidence."