96 Chapter 96
◎Prohibited and poisonous substances◎
There were soldiers guarding both inside and outside the tent.
This was the first time Xu Qinglang had seen such a scene. He felt numb in his heart and his legs and feet were out of control and extremely weak.
Suddenly, a man with willow-shaped eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes came out from behind the curtain. He smiled and said, "Doctor Xu, please come in."
It’s Sister Ayu!
So Lord Meng and Sister Jiang are here too?
Xu Qinglang swept away his previous nervousness and followed Feng Caiyu inside with great anticipation. As soon as he stepped in, he saw a woman in gorgeous clothes sitting in the main seat of the tent, looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
Even if she was blind, she could tell that the dress was extremely expensive, and she immediately fell to the ground.
"I, Xu Qinglang, pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess, wishing her the best and the best."
Lord Meng is actually Her Royal Highness the Princess!
"Stand up." With so many eyes staring at her, Xie Mingzhuo didn't waive his greetings and pretended not to know her. "I didn't expect the Doctor Xu Bai San mentioned was actually a young woman."
Jiang Qing chimed in at the right moment: "Doctor Xu is truly a man of great promise at such a young age."
"My medical skills are still limited, princess, thank you for your praise." Xu Qinglang suppressed her excitement and acted with them.
The fact that the princess disguised herself as a laborer and sneaked into the salt fields was known only to a few close confidants.
"Doctor Xu," Jiang Qing pointed at Ge Kang, who lay on the ground in tears, "please diagnose him."
Xu Qinglang took the order, stood up and walked to Ge Kang's side. The other party was already exhausted, lying on the ground with dull eyes and saliva apparently flowing from the corners of his mouth.
She carefully observed, smelled, felt, and felt his pulse. After a moment's deliberation, she said, "Princess, please forgive me if I have spoken carelessly."
"But it's okay."
"This person must have taken an overdose of opium and became addicted, unable to satisfy his addiction, which led to this situation."
Meng Fan was shocked: "Opium is a poison strictly prohibited by the court. How could he, as an official appointed by the court,..."
All the officials were extremely shocked and talked about it.
"Ge Kang is so audacious that he deserves death!"
"Planning, manufacturing, and trading opium privately is a capital offense. Ge Kang is simply too bold!"
Xu Qinglang said solemnly, "He just smoked a cigarette not long ago. If we can get the pipe, the diagnosis will be more accurate."
As a doctor, she was no stranger to opium. The miserable and crazy conditions of patients who overdosed on it had long been deeply engraved in her mind.
The imperial court strictly prohibits this thing because it is responsible to the people.
Xie Mingzhuo glanced at Jiang Qing, and Jiang Qing understood. Shortly after leaving the tent, Gao Quan brought someone to get a pipe, which he found at Cao Shengcai's residence.
There was still some tobacco left in the pouch.
Xu Qinglang used tweezers to observe it and finally concluded that it contained opium.
"Come here, bring Cao Shengcai."
Gao Quan knelt down and apologized: "Cao Shengcai fled out of guilt and has disappeared. I have failed to perform my duties well. Please punish me, Princess."
"The saltworks is so small, where could he have gone?" Xie Mingzhuo frowned slightly, "Why don't you send someone to look for him?"
Gao Quan: "I have sent people to look for her."
"This man is cunning. It's not your fault. Stand up." Xie Mingzhuo suppressed the anger in his brow and turned to the other officials. "What do you think?"
It was the first time for the Shu officials to see her, and they had no idea of her temperament and methods. Seeing her behavior, they all thought that she had lost her composure because the suspect had escaped, and they couldn't help but look down on her.
Liu Zhaoyu was even worse.
Princess Sanyi's reputation must have been exaggerated. The story about her shooting a tiger in the palace was nothing but a fabrication and flattery by those flatterers. The emperor sent the princess to investigate the case just to gild his reputation.
In the end, they will definitely not be able to find the truth, so they will just find a scapegoat to get away with it.
These thoughts went around in my mind, and the previous doubts and uneasiness gradually dissipated.
Jiang Youxin stepped forward as a representative and said, "Reporting to the princess, I believe that Ge Kang, as an official appointed by the court, knowingly broke the law and should be dismissed from his post and sentenced to death."
"I'm asking about the case of Mr. Bai's family extermination." Xie Mingzhuo seemed a little embarrassed. "Bai San accused Ge Kang of ordering the public servants to kill people, but Ge Kang flatly denied it. Both sides insist on their own story. What should we do?"
Jiang Youxin glanced at Liu Zhaoyu inconspicuously, then, taking his cue, abandoned the pawn without hesitation. "Ge Kang is addicted to opium, and his mind is disturbed. His words are unreliable, and after taking it, he is prone to foolish behavior. Bai San's accusation that he sent the soldiers to exterminate the entire family is certainly true."
"That's not right," Meng Fan retorted slowly. "If, as Governor Jiang said, Ge Kang did this crazy thing after taking opium, then this yamen official didn't take it. Why would he kill someone in his conspicuous official uniform?"
"As the saying goes, what goes up leads to what goes down. It's not uncommon for ambassadors to smoke and for their subordinates to follow suit."
"Doctor Xu, is it possible to tell the difference between opium users and non-users when they are sober?" Meng Fan asked.
Xu Qinglang nodded: "If the former has become addicted, there will be a sour and smelly smell on the body."
"Then call all the officials from the ambassador's office to investigate one by one." After saying this, Meng Fan turned to Xie Mingzhuo and waited for instructions.
The massacre took place late at night. Bai San and the others could only vaguely see the style of the police uniforms and could not see the faces of the people clearly, so they could not identify them based on their facial features.
The uniforms of the ambassador's office were not much different from those of other government offices, with only minor differences. It was also difficult to determine which government office the officials came from.
Therefore, no one else could refute what Meng Fan said.
Xie Mingzhuo instructed: "Gao Quan, you go and do it. Don't leave anyone behind."
Gao Quan accepted the order and withdrew.
"Princess, it's getting dark and the case is now clear. Should we move to Jianzhou City to sleep?" Jiang Youxin asked respectfully.
"Clear?" Xie Mingzhuo chuckled, speaking meaningfully, "The yamen runners haven't identified it yet, but Governor Jiang is full of confidence."
Jiang Youxin said calmly, "Meng's reading is clear and logical. I am deeply impressed by it."
"Mr. Jiang, you are too kind. I am just speaking the truth and I don't deserve it." Meng Fan replied modestly, but he could not hide the pride in his eyes.
Officials: She is indeed a teenage girl. She thinks she is smart after receiving a few compliments. She is just being led by the nose.
Xie Mingzhuo saw all the looks in their eyes.
She suddenly asked, "Where is Zhang Tiju?"
Among the officials in scarlet robes, Zhang Tizhu, who was wearing a green robe, was particularly conspicuous. Upon hearing the words, he immediately stepped out to salute.
"Your humble servant Zhang Si'an pays respects to the princess."
He is slightly fat, of medium build, with a square face, single eyelids, and thick earlobes. He is very blessed.
"The Bai Zongcui case occurred before you took office. Logically, it wasn't your fault for oversight, but..." Xie Mingzhuo paused for a few breaths. "After Cao Shengcai was promoted to Zongcui, he wantonly tortured and killed the Baisha Village cooks, monitoring and torturing them day and night. Shouldn't that be under your jurisdiction?"
Zhang Si'an apologized without hesitation: "I have indeed made a mistake in my oversight. Please punish me, Princess."
"What do you think?"
Jiang Youxin said: "Princess, you don't know that Cao Shengcai had been promoted to General Supervisor by Ge Kang before Zhang Tiju arrived. Zhang Tiju was in charge of the salt business in Shu. He was powerless to stop a small General Supervisor from causing trouble."
"Are the others dumb?" Xie Mingzhuo refused to agree and threw out another accusation.
The image of being moody and willful was further deepened in everyone's mind.
Liu Zhaoyu's contempt grew even stronger. He stepped out of the group and bowed, saying, "Princess, Ge Kang secretly used banned drugs and deceived his superiors and subordinates. He should be punished severely. Zhang Tiju was indeed at fault for not managing his subordinates strictly. His salary can be fined, but can the rest of his punishment be waived?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the tent fell silent.
Brave, Liu Dutai is really brave. It sounds like a question, but it is clear that he is one step ahead of the princess and makes his own judgment.
But if you look closely, it was the princess who asked them first, and there was nothing wrong with Liu Dutai's answer.
Xie Mingzhuo was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's do as Liu Dutai said."
If you want to kill someone, you must first make him crazy.
Liu Zhaoyu must have felt even more pleased with herself after she showed weakness.
An hour later, all the runners from the ambassador's office were brought to the camp, and Xu Qinglang carefully identified and found seven people.
Regardless of what He Cuiniang or Bai San said, it was seven people who killed Bai Zongcui's family.
After interrogation, the seven confessed everything, saying that Bai Zongcui was unruly, often disobeyed orders from the ambassador's office, and even tried to incite the stove households to revolt.
The ambassador's office issued several stern warnings and dispatched officials to suppress the protests. The two sides clashed several times and became estranged.
That day, the ambassador returned from inspecting the salt fields and angrily scolded Mr. Bai for rushing them. They happened to have taken opium and had lost their minds in the impulse. They only thought about getting rid of the annoying fleas and even forgot to change their official uniforms, which led to the disaster.
After the incident, they did not dare to take responsibility and lied that it was done by robbers. In order to prevent the kitchen owners in Baisha Village from spreading unfavorable rumors, they monitored and tortured him day and night and buried this secret deep underground.
It is well-reasoned and flawless.
It was all the fault of Ge Kang and his runners.
If Xie Mingzhuo had not seen through the chain of interests in the capital, if she had not disguised herself as Li Fu and met Xiang Jinghui and learned that the censor had been killed, she might have been fooled.
Even if I have suspicions in my heart, unfortunately I can't find any evidence, so I can only let these people get away with it.
She took the confession recorded by Feng Caiyu, read it through, and looked at everyone.
"Officials should discuss the principles of state governance and balance yin and yang. If they make mistakes, they should be punished and corrected, and their wrongdoings should be punished. Ge Kang violated his official duties and allowed his officials to harm the people and the world, which was unethical and insane. He should be dismissed and executed. The other seven people will be punished with the same crime."
Everyone responded in unison.
Meng Fan asked, "How should Cao Shengcai be dealt with?"
"Issue an arrest warrant and notify all prefectures and counties in Shu to arrest this individual with all their might." Xie Mingzhuo's gaze was stern as he looked at the silent Censor. "Also, track down any clues about opium. I'll give you five days. If you can't find any, I don't mind replacing you as Censor."
The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner received the order and said, "I will immediately escort the suspect back to Chengdu Prefecture."
"Meng Fan, lead two hundred soldiers to investigate together." Xie Mingzhuo instructed.
The officials were stunned.
What does this mean? Isn't it absurd to let a girl of no rank and no experience of worldly affairs lead troops to the judicial office to investigate the opium case?
Even Meng Fan herself was startled. Her first reaction was fear and helplessness, but when she saw Xie Mingzhuo's gaze entrusting her with an important task, she felt infinite courage.
We all have two eyes and one nose, there's nothing to be afraid of.
The princess could stand in the court and debate with the ministers. She just followed the provincial inspector to Chengdu to investigate a case, and she was protected by 200 soldiers. If she was still timid, she might as well continue to go home to embroider, get married and have children in the future, and stay in the inner house.
In Xie Mingzhuo's eyes, Meng Fan was indeed still very immature, but people gradually grow from immaturity to maturity.
It is difficult for Meng Fan to grow quickly under her wings all the time. Only by letting her do it herself can she bring out her talents to the fullest extent.
"I obey your order!" Meng Fan responded straightforwardly.
At this point, the truth behind Mr. Bai's case seems to have been revealed.
"Princess, the case has been investigated. Why don't you move to Chengdu to rest?" Jiang Youxin proposed again.
Xie Mingzhuo said, "How can I be assured of this neglect of the salt administration? Now that I have arrived at the salt works, I shall have to inspect them. If you are in a hurry to attend to official business, please return to Chengdu Prefecture."
How could anyone dare to just walk away like that?
"So after the inspection tomorrow, will we go to Chengdu Prefecture?"
Xie Mingzhuo didn't respond, and instead asked Bai San, "Do you have any objections to the verdict just now?"
"No." Bai San quickly replied, "I thank the princess for her grace."
Xie Mingzhuo smiled gently and said, "I know very little about the salt fields. I'm sure you gentlemen have been in high positions for a long time and don't know about the affairs of the salt fields. I can't make a fool of myself when I go to inspect them tomorrow. Bai San, why don't you tell us about the salt fields?"
"Say, what?" Bai San almost bit his tongue.
"Ayu, give Bai San a seat," Xie Mingzhuo ordered, ignoring the officials still standing aside. "Just tell me about your lives."
Bai San was frightened and only sat halfway.
The officials were very angry, but they could only listen obediently.
This went on for an hour. Among the officials, only Liu Zhaoyu could hold on. The others had to pinch their palms hard to avoid losing their composure in front of the princess.
Bai San was quite clever. Instead of complaining bitterly, he picked up some funny stories and often made the princess laugh.
The officials had no choice but to smile along.
"Life at the salt works is so rich and colorful. Although there are corrupt people like Ge Kang and Cao Shengcai, the salt works as a whole are still thriving. When I return to Beijing, I will present what I have seen and heard to my father. He will surely be pleased."
Bai San opened his mouth, but then closed it.
Liu Zhaoyu and others felt that it should be so. A princess who grew up in the deep palace sees fine clothes and eats delicious food every day, and hears flattery every day. How can she truly understand the suffering of the servants at the bottom?
Once the opium case is "settled", the princess will probably return to Beijing.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Xie Mingzhuo's eyes showed a hint of fatigue. "It's late now. Gao Quan should have arranged camp for you all. Why don't we stay here for the night?"
"I am honored."
"I will take my leave."
The officials heaved a sigh of relief and left the tents one after another. Just bear with it for a few more days until the princess returns to the capital.
Bai San didn't dare to look at them and ran away.
Inside the tent, Jiang Qing said slyly, "It's too early for them to relax."
Xie Mingzhuo's face was completely exhausted, and he asked slowly, "Did Yan Tai follow Cao Shengcai?"
"I've caught up."
Yan Tai used to be a gangster and had some skills, so it was easy for him to secretly follow Cao Shengcai.
Cao Shengcai's escape was part of their plan.
It is true that the salt farmers suffered cruel exploitation, but all this exploitation was related to profit. The salt fields squeezed their labor in order to produce more salt and reap more profits.
But what did Cao Shengcai do?
He deliberately created an accident and killed the cook in Baisha Village, which was obviously inconsistent with his intention of making profits from salt.
His real purpose is to cover up the truth of the matter.
There must be a secret behind him.
Xie Mingzhuo originally couldn't understand why the police officers were so stupid as to kill people in their official uniforms, but after meeting Ge Kang, he understood.
This family murder was not intentional, but a passionate killing carried out on impulse.
The key lies in opium.
Bai Zongcui may have rebelled against the orders of the Ambassador's Office and wanted to fight for more rights for the stove owners, but his death was definitely not due to "rebellion."
Opium is a banned substance and once discovered, it is a serious crime punishable by death.
Ge Kang must have become addicted by someone who deliberately induced him to do so, and this person was most likely Cao Shengcai.
They were doing the deal secretly and nobody noticed until Mr. Bai accidentally saw them one day, which led to their fatal disaster.
These are just Xie Mingzhuo's speculations. There are still many details that lack logical connection. We can only clarify them one by one after we catch the big fish behind Cao Shengcai.
Ge Kang and the seven officers insisted on their own story no matter how they were interrogated.
Either his heart is as hard as iron, or he has been brainwashed.
Opium caused hallucinogenic addiction, and using this method to control people's minds made her think of some shameful things.
Xie Mingzhuo called Xu Qinglang over. Although he didn't hold out hope, he still asked, "Can it be cured by taking opium?"
"It's almost impossible." Xu Qinglang shook his head.
Jiang Qing said angrily, "Using something like this to harm others is truly insane."
"Ayu, pay more attention to your diet while you're in Shu," Xie Mingzhuo instructed solemnly. "This also serves as a reminder to Gao Quan."
Feng Caiyu was as if facing a formidable enemy: "Yes."
"Aqing, how is Yan Shan?" Xie Mingzhuo was still worried about her Censor Xiang.
Xu Qinglang was full of confidence: "As long as she cooperates with the treatment, she will have no problem living for another few decades."
"If it weren't for your great help, our plan to enter the salt field wouldn't have gone so smoothly. You deserve the most credit." Xie Mingzhuo said with a smile, "I need to think of how to thank you."
She was dressed in gorgeous clothes and sat behind the desk. A small lamp illuminated her, and her eyes and eyebrows were as bright as the sun. It was clearly a simple tent, but it made people feel as if they were in a magnificent palace.
Xu Qinglang was stunned and forgot what to say for a moment until Feng Caiyu reminded him with a smile, and then he came back to his senses.
"Princess, I don't want any thanks."
"So what do you want?"
Xu Qinglang summoned up all his courage and said, "I want to stay by your side forever, is that possible?"
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