According to Tu Qing, the county magistrate of Yancheng County, Lou Yunxiao, is good friends with Fan Quan.
Originally, Lou Yunxiao was promoted because of Fan Quan's recommendation and came to Beijing to seek refuge.
But unexpectedly, the person was killed before the order was given.
Having lost a close subordinate, Fan Quan will certainly not let Zhou Zhilu and others have an easy time.
Fortunately, Fan Quan and Gao Sen were both fourth-rank officials, and their dark crimson official uniforms symbolized their status.
So there is no need to worry too much about Fan Quan abusing his power for personal gain.
At this time, in the solemn lobby of the Ministry of Justice, everyone had a sullen face and looked ahead.
Only Gao Sen's majestic words echoed alone.
"Today's case concerns the murder of Yancheng County Magistrate Lou Yunxiao. Where are the suspects Zhou Zhilu and Ling Qingxue?"
Zhou Zhilu and Ling Qingxue exchanged a glance, clasped their fists and said respectfully, "Your subordinate is here."
Gao Sen stared sharply at the two men below and asked, "According to the file, you were originally escorting Wang Qian back to the capital. Why did Wang Qian end up at Lou Yunxiao's residence?"
On Zhou Zhilu's side, the two had already arranged a countermeasure, asking Qingxue to remain calm and taciturn, and Zhou Zhilu would be the main person to deal with the situation.
"Your Excellency, there is one thing you said that is incorrect. Wang Qian himself is innocent. We were not escorting Wang Qian back to the capital, but were accompanying him to the capital to seek medical treatment. Therefore, we did not expect that he would return midway to assassinate Lou Yunxiao."
Gao Sen nodded when he heard this. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a scolding voice from the side: "Nonsense!"
Fan Quan, who was sitting to one side, looked over here with a sinister look in his eyes and said, "What grudge did Wang Qian and Lou Yunxiao have? Why didn't they kill him earlier or later, but chose to turn back and kill him halfway through their journey? I'm afraid they were bewitched by you, or maybe... you were the ones who killed him!"
Gao Sen raised his eyebrows and looked towards Zhou Zhilu.
Zhou Zhilu replied openly, "I'm not sure why Wang Qian killed Lou Yunxiao, but Lou Yunxiao is suspected of colluding with Feng Yuan, so I guess Wang Qian's motive was also because of this.
"As for why he wasn't killed earlier or later, I have no idea."
Gao Sen nodded, but before he could say anything, Fan Quan snorted, "Hmph, you're lying! I've had contact with Lou Yunxiao before, and he's quite a decent person. The Ministry of Justice has already conducted a special investigation over the past two days, and they can't find any evidence of collusion between Lou Yunxiao and Feng Yuan. How do you explain this?"
Gao Sen immediately looked at Zhou Zhilu, only to hear him reply, "Really? Then it seems I misunderstood Magistrate Lou, but that was just my guess... I only handle demon cases, and I'm not good at reasoning in human cases.
"Besides, whether Lou Yunxiao is colluding with Feng Yuan or not, it has nothing to do with us. We are just following the rules to report the case and our speculation."
Gao Sen pondered it for a moment and quite agreed. Just as he was about to agree, he heard Fan Quan say disdainfully, "Oh, you're asking even though you already know the answer! I'm afraid you were the ones who secretly instigated Wang Qian and tricked him into killing Lou Yunxiao!"
Zhou Zhilu quickly cried out to Gao Sen, "It's unfair, sir. Speak with evidence. We didn't tell Wang Qian anything. Who could have thought he would sneak away while we were using the restroom? Please understand!"
Gao Sen sighed and was about to reply when he heard Fan Quan shout, "Going to the bathroom? Who would believe that excuse?"
Gao Sen frowned and was about to stop Fan Quan when he suddenly heard a loud voice interrupt and said, "I believe it!"
When everyone heard the sound, they looked and saw a burly man with a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a sheep's tail beard on his chin. He looked to be about fifty or sixty years old standing up.
He arrogantly scanned the entire room, finally stopping at Fan Quan and saying dissatisfiedly, "What? You're in charge of everything, and you want to control my shit and fart?"
Fan Quan's face turned pale and purple, but he still lowered his head and said, "Lord Wu Hou, you are joking. How dare I meddle with the affairs of heaven and earth? It's just that this is known to everyone..."
Before he could finish his words, Gao Sen interrupted him and said, "Alright, Mr. Fan, don't forget that this is the Ministry of Justice, and I am the chief judge of this case!
"The Ministry of Justice has investigated this case. Wang Qian is indeed not a suspect and does not need to be under guard or escort. No one saw the two of them at the crime scene. Only Wang Qian was seen stepping on Lou Yunxiao's body, then collapsing the house and committing suicide on the spot.
"But Wang Qian ultimately obtained the weapons from you, so he bears some responsibility. Therefore, I sentence you two to a three-month salary fine. Do you have any objections?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Quan quickly stood up and shouted, "No! This involves a county magistrate, how can the punishment be so light?!"
Lord Wu Hou said dissatisfiedly, "Hey, you fellow! If you don't agree, show me the evidence. Even I understand clearly that the murderer was Wang Qian, not those two from Fu Ye Si. If you don't agree, show me the evidence, right?"
"You have no evidence, yet you're still complaining all day long. Thousands of soldiers of the Song Dynasty are now tied down because of people like you who are so obsessed with rules and regulations!"
Hearing this, Fan Quan felt like he had something stuck in his throat, a thorn in his back, and was on pins and needles...
Gao Sen coughed lightly. "Well... Lord Wu is right. Currently, there is no evidence to prove that they were the ones responsible, just like there is no evidence to prove that Lou Yunxiao and Feng Yuan were in collusion... Lord Fan, we need evidence."
Upon hearing this, Fan Quan stopped talking, stood up and left.
Gao Sen sighed and said, "These are truly troubled times. Do you two have any objections?"
Zhou Zhilu: “…No.”
Ling Qingxue: “…No.”
"Then let's withdraw!"
Gao Sen then bowed slightly to Lord Wu Hou and turned to leave, muttering as he left: "You're all just talking to yourselves here. What do you need me as your minister for?"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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