Chapter 417: Yang Zhubu's Experience
"When Ah Fei came to look for Yang Zhubu, he first claimed that there was an emergency at Yang Zhubu's home, and deliberately let the gatekeeper, Old Man Hu, see the wide-brimmed hat in his hand.
After Yang Zhubu left the Shaofujian, Ah Fei disguised himself as him and put on the hat and returned - wearing a wide-brimmed hat like that and lowering his head, it was difficult for others to see his true appearance.
At that time, Old Man Hu was negotiating with others about the storage of new treasures. From afar, he saw Ah Fei, disguised as Yang Zhubu, hurriedly returning to the Shaofujian.
He had seen the wide-brimmed hat in the servant's hand before, so he naturally thought that the hat was for Yang Zhubu. When he saw it again, he subconsciously thought that Yang Zhubu had returned, so he did not stop him. "
After Zhu Lan finished speaking, she looked at Si Ying, who nodded slightly at her, agreeing very much.
"So the Nine-Curved Pearl is now in the hands of that thief A Fei?" Li Xiang asked immediately.
As the warden, he was more concerned about the whereabouts of the lost treasure than the details of the case.
Just as Si Ying was about to speak, another subordinate came to report new clues.
"Sir, just as we left the Yang family, Madam Yang received a nameless note saying... Chief Yang is in the abandoned mill in Pingkang Lane!"
…
Pingkang Lane.
The long-abandoned wooden door was kicked open by several officers from the Dali Temple. Si Ying rushed in first, holding a knife in one hand, followed closely by Zhu Lan.
“There’s someone here!”
An officer pointed sharply behind the millstone and shouted.
Zhu Lan and Si Ying immediately went forward to check, and when they saw the person behind the millstone clearly, Zhu Lan subconsciously turned his face to recognize him.
A middle-aged man was stripped naked and lying on a pile of hay. He was tied up and had a rag stuffed in his mouth.
When he saw someone coming, his eyes lit up and he began to twist and turn on the ground sobbing.
Seeing this, Si Ying was calmer than Zhu Lan. She first looked the man over, then asked her men to untie him and threw him two sets of clothes.
"Li Jianzheng, come and take a look. Is this person Yang Zhubu in the prison?" Zhu Lan asked Li Xiang who followed him.
Li Xiang took a few steps forward, and after seeing the man's face clearly, he nodded repeatedly, confirming that this was Yang Zhubu who had been missing all night.
…
Half an hour later, Yang Zhubu was brought back to the Dali Temple for questioning.
Regarding the matter of the servant A Fei, Yang Zhubu's statement was basically the same as Zhu Lan and Si Ying's speculations.
"A Fei said something urgent had happened at home, so I rushed home with him.
Passing by the abandoned mill in Pingkang Lane, Ah Fei told me that he was very familiar with the place. The mill had a back door, which was a shortcut.
I was anxious at the time, and without thinking carefully, I followed him into the mill, and then I was knocked unconscious. Not long after I woke up, I saw you adults. "
After listening to Yang Zhubu's narration, Li Xiang stood up and bowed to Zhu Lan and the others, saying:
"As expected of the Lord Zhongcheng and the Dali Temple inspectors, their deductions just now are exactly the same as the facts. It's really amazing!
You two masters are very capable, so I think it will be no problem for you to help me find the stolen Nine-Curved Pearl, right?"
Zhu Lan did not speak. Si Ying said to Li Xiang in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:
"Catching thieves and arresting criminals is the duty of the Dali Temple, and I will do my best."
Si Ying and his men prepared to look for A Fei's whereabouts.
Zhu Lan was about to leave, but suddenly heard Li Xiang behind him say:
"Zhongcheng, please stay."
At this time, only Zhu Lan and Li Xiang were left. Li Xiang walked quickly to her side, lowered his voice, smiled and said:
"Central Minister Zhu, I heard that there was some misunderstanding between my son and you before, and I only learned about this recently.
You and I serve in the same court, and we are in the same league. We will definitely help each other in the future. How about this? I will host a banquet in my mansion tonight, and please come to the banquet, Minister Zhu.
How about letting me personally apologize to the Minister of Justice at the banquet?"
Zhu Lan raised his lips slightly, "Li Jianzheng is hosting a banquet, I'm afraid he's not interested in the bar?"
Li Xiang could only smile awkwardly.
"This... hehe, I believe in the ability of the Dali Temple patrol officers, Baozhu will be able to patrol soon.
But I wonder how the Minister intends to deal with Zhou Xiangrong's matter?"
How could Zhu Lan not hear the hidden meaning behind his words?
This guy was not concerned about how Zhou Xiangrong would be dealt with, but was clearly worried that he would report him in front of the emperor for nepotism and abuse of power.
Zhu Lan saw through it but didn't say anything. He just smiled and said:
"The most important thing right now is to work with the Dali Temple to retrieve Princess Zhaoyang's birthday present.
As for what Li Jianzheng said, I still need to consider it a little more."
Li Xiang wanted to say something else, but Zhu Lan had already stepped back and bowed to him.
"I have official business to attend to. I'll take my leave now."
Looking at Zhu Lan's back disappearing outside the door, Li Xiang's face instantly turned gloomy.
…
After leaving the Shaofujian, Zhu Lan thought for a moment and walked towards the Dali Temple.
Si Ying had just returned to the Dali Temple and was assigning tasks to his subordinates. He looked up and saw Zhu Lan walking in, and was a little surprised.
She walked up to Zhu Lan, bowed, raised her eyes and asked:
"Does the Lord Zhongcheng have any other instructions?"
"I think I can still help you find the Nine-Curved Pearl." Zhu Lan said.
"But visiting and inspecting is very tiring. As the Chief Censor, you only need to sit in the center of the army and command and dispatch, and you don't have to lead the troops yourself..."
"Everyone in the Dali Temple is very capable. I am not questioning your efficiency." Zhu Lan looked at Si Ying, "But there is one place that I am afraid is difficult for you to investigate."
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Si Ying's face. Zhu Lan was right.
Zhu Lan said:
"That Ah Fei stole the pearl in the evening. At that time, the city gate was closed and he could not get out. But before the city gate was opened in the early morning of the next day, he discovered that the pearl was stolen and immediately began to strengthen the inspection of the city gate.
It was difficult for him to take the pearl out of the city, so the best way was to sell it. But the Nine-Curved Pearl was a royal treasure, and ordinary merchants did not dare to buy it.
So - he can only go to the ghost market."
Si Ying sighed softly, but felt even more admiration in her heart.
Zhu Lan glanced at the people in front of him and said:
"You all work in the Dali Temple, catching thieves and arresting criminals on weekdays, so I'm sure you're all familiar faces in the ghost market.
Most people in the ghost market don't want to deal with the government, so if you guys come forward, I'm afraid you won't be able to find out some things."
Si Ying looked a little hesitant, "Could it be... Lord Zhongcheng wants to explore the ghost market? But it's dangerous there..."
Zhu Lan smiled, but he was not afraid.
“Although the ghost market is a hodgepodge of good and bad people, it is not a lawless place after all and is subject to the jurisdiction of the government.
I have a friend who knows the underworld jargon and has martial arts skills. If I take her with me, it will be safe."
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