Chapter 92: Food Given as a Gift (5,000 words)
Outside the main gate of Baima Prison.
When Zhao Duan got out of the car and walked straight into the yamen, he attracted a lot of surprised looks.
"Envoy? Why are you back?"
In his duty room, the dark-skinned and fleshy old official Zhu Kui stood up and smiled.
Zhao Duan ignored him and picked up the teapot on the table. He took a few gulps to relieve his dry mouth.
He immediately threw himself into the mahogany chair, squinted his eyes, and cursed with a smile:
"What nonsense! I'm going back to my own government office, isn't that my duty?"
Zhu Kui flatteringly picked up a palm-leaf fan to dispel the summer heat and explained:
"The main thing is, isn't today the day you go to the imperial court to take up your post?"
Zhao Duan exhaled, enjoying the cool breeze, and sighed:
"There's a lot of trouble over there. A sharp knife can cut through the Gordian knot, but the knife also needs a rest."
Only by holding both positions can the contrast be sharp and clear.
In the past, his days in Baima Prison were too comfortable, with nothing to do all day long. But today, when the intensity suddenly increased, he suddenly missed his old nest.
Compared with those troublesome captains, even Zhu's ugly face seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
"Okay, I have something to tell you. Have the documents regarding the imperial court's brocade uniforms been delivered?" He got straight to the point.
Zhu Kui hurriedly took out the thick documents sealed in the brown paper bag:
"It's been delivered. It's sealed well."
Zhao Duan sat up straight, opened it and prepared to read.
That day, in the Emperor's Tower, Xu Zhenguan promoted him to a higher rank, but also gave him the hidden task of investigating the "traitor".
But it was different from what was expected and he contacted Ma Yan directly.
The case of the "traitor" was handed over to him directly by the empress through Sun Lianying, bypassing the imperial court, in the form of a "white horse messenger taking on the task."
To put it more bluntly, it was the empress who secretly ordered him to investigate the matter.
Ma Yan only thought that the empress sent Zhao Duan to solve the problems within the imperial court and deal with those troublemakers.
But he didn't know that Zhao Duan was also responsible for this task.
"Why this arrangement? Is it because you don't trust Ma Yan? But the Empress also clearly stated that she trusts him... Well, perhaps it's to avoid suspicion and prevent the news from leaking out? After all, in theory, Ma Yan is indeed a suspect."
Zhao Duan thought about it and opened the brown paper bag.
He opened the thick stack of investigation files about the "suspect" of evil in the imperial court - it was obvious that Ma Yan screened it himself, presented it to Xu Zhenguan, and then passed it to him.
After a quick look, I found several dozen pieces of information.
It describes in detail many details of the Zhuang Xiaocheng case.
For example, how did the imperial court learn about Zhuang Xiaocheng's whereabouts, who were the relevant personnel at all levels of the intelligence chain, who was the insider, etc.
He even used a red pen to circle and dot the paper, marking the key suspects.
"Well, according to the file, after Zhuang Xiaocheng's whereabouts were reported, they were immediately classified as top secret, the highest level of confidentiality. Only Ma Yan and a few other detectives were aware of the case and were responsible for tracking it."
"The reason they didn't arrest him immediately was, firstly, to verify the source of the information, and secondly, to follow the clues and uncover the anti-communist network hidden in the capital."
"...After the Empress ordered Ma Yan to conduct a self-investigation, all those involved were investigated. The focus of the investigation was on the source of the intelligence, but all related leads were cut off."
"So, we can only resort to the crude method of identifying all those who know the truth. After all, in order to cooperate with the Kuangfu Society's trap, the insider must be able to keep track of the arrests... We have eliminated some, but there are still dozens of suspects left."
Zhao Duan saw the suspect number and couldn't help but feel a headache, and he madly complained in his heart:
The confidentiality work is too poor!
But after reading it carefully, I found that this was not the case.
The reason why there are so many suspects is that subordinates around the key suspects who may indirectly obtain intelligence are also included.
As for the key suspects, there are three in total, namely:
Mudantang Investigation Division: Zhang Han
Pomegranate Hall Police Department: Iron Rule Pass
Narcissus Hall Investigation Division: Begonia (female)
...Well, they are all "officials" of the same level as me... Zhao Duan continued to look through the information and found that the remaining scattered suspects were spread across various halls.
The only one missing is "Lihuatang".
"My subordinates are so clean." Zhao Duan was extremely surprised.
Then he realized that, yes, Lihuatang didn't even have a boss. They were just a group of officials who were banished to the cold palace and had no access to major cases.
Isn’t it the cleanest?
Therefore, there may be another meaning behind the empress's imprisonment of herself in the Pear Blossom Hall.
The people from Lihuatang are the least suspicious, so he can use them without worry to avoid his actions being discovered by the traitor.
"Old Zhu, do you know anything about these three people?"
Zhao Duan flipped through the book for a while, tapped the table with his fingers, and suddenly asked a question.
As he spoke, he pulled out the brief files of the three people and spread them on the table.
There is nothing sensitive on the paper, just a crude introduction to the characters.
Zhu Kui was guarding the door. He came back after hearing the words, took a cautious look, and said with a smile:
"Does your Excellency know the interpersonal relationships in the imperial court?"
In his opinion, it was quite normal for Zhao Duan, a new official, to ask Sun Lianying for information so as to quickly understand the ins and outs of the new government office.
"Stop talking nonsense and asking questions that shouldn't be asked." Zhao Duan scolded with a smile.
Old Zhu has been hanging around at the bottom of society for many years and knows all the gods in the major government offices in the capital like the back of his hand.
He wanted to learn more from his treasure subordinates.
Zhu Kui thought for a moment and said:
"I don't know much about them. I only know that they are the top three in terms of strength and achievements among the nine branches, and they are also the three most respected police officers."
He pointed at the top "Zhang Han" with his thick black finger and said:
"This person is the strongest, known as the number one person under the Governor. Whether it's martial arts cultivation, ability to handle affairs, or the level of the hall, he is far ahead.
He is good at using a seven-foot sword and is a master of kendo. He has an iron-faced and impartial character and governs his people with both firmness and flexibility.
By the way, according to the new words you often use, he is a 'Roll King', very crazy, and even the Jinyi captains of the Peony Hall are crazy."
Damn... I hate the King of Rolls the most... Oh, right, Hou Renmeng is from the original Mudan Hall. His temperament is probably deeply influenced by Zhang Han... Zhao Duan nodded:
"continue."
Zhu Kui picked up the second one and said:
“This Iron-Child Guard, who came from a military background, ruled with extreme harshness. He had a fiery temper and was skilled in wielding a hammer.
It is said that when he was in the army in his early years, he would often attack strongholds alone to suppress bandits, and his military exploits were so great that Xue Shence of the Privy Council once commented that he was a fierce general.
Fierce Zhang Fei? His rule was harsh, how harsh was it? Zhao Duan muttered, disliking this kind of leader who didn't understand how to sympathize with his subordinates. Unlike himself...
Zhu Kui laughed and said:
"The last female police officer is quite formidable. People in the martial arts world call her "One Red Dot." She's adept with flying knives, never missing a target. Often, the moment a drop of blood appears on an enemy's body, their life is lost. Although she's a woman, she's a heroine, and she's also very beautiful...
By the way, there's a rumor going around that she's been wanting to change the name of Narcissus Hall to 'Begonia Hall' after her. Ma Dugong thought the name was too weak and said he'd allow her to change it once she surpassed Zhang Han and became number one among the nine halls.
Begonia Hall...repeated words, disgusting...good at using flying knives?
What a coincidence, I’m also good at it... Let’s practice with each other some other day and see how beautiful it is... Zhao Duan daydreamed.
I had a preliminary impression of the three people.
Unfortunately, based on the archives, it is impossible to tell who the traitor is.
"Yes, Ma Yan has tried so hard but still can't find out. I'm a newcomer and I wasn't a great detective in my previous life. I don't know any criminal investigation techniques at all. If I can find out based on the files, then it's a miracle. I'm afraid there's no rush for this matter."
Zhao Duan pondered.
Knowing that it is not easy to catch the traitor, you must be patient.
Especially since he had just taken office and many people were watching him, if he went to investigate at this time, it would easily arouse the vigilance of the traitor.
The best way is to first reduce the vigilance of the traitor against him, the so-called "repairing the plank road in public while secretly marching through Chencang", Zhao Duan thought, he still has to use the routine.
He doesn't understand criminal investigation, so if he wants to catch the mole, he has to take an unconventional route.
"Huh, there's no need to put too much pressure on myself. I don't have to catch ghosts. My goal is to make merit and gain sales. As long as I get enough sales, it's fine."
Zhao Duan decided to do both, one openly and one secretly, so that even if he failed to complete the empress's task, he would not lose out.
Roll up the file and put it back into the file bag.
Zhao Duan put his work aside and chatted with Zhu Kui to relax:
"Old Zhu, I see it's not easy for you. Normally, when I'm in prison, you have to watch over me. Even when I'm not here, you have to be on duty. It's unnecessary."
He enjoyed the breeze and squinted his eyes.
"My focus for the next few days will be on the Imperial Court. There's nothing much to do here, so you can hang out outside more and relax."
Zhu Kui waved his fan vigorously, bringing coolness, and said with a smile:
"Thank you for your consideration, but I am too old to play around anymore."
"Then you can go home and spend more time with your wife and children. Don't focus too much on official business. The work is for the government, but your health is your own." Zhao Duan sighed.
In his previous life, he died suddenly from overwork for the public, and now he regrets it deeply.
Zhu Kui smiled:
"The child is studying in his hometown, and the only one at home is an unsophisticated woman and an old couple."
Zhao Duan then remembered that Zhu Kui had a pair of children, but they were still young and were being fostered by his parents in his hometown.
It is said that this is to let the grandchildren spend more time with the elderly, and after they have finished the primary school stage, they will be brought back to the capital to study, where the educational conditions are better after all.
The original owner didn't agree with this, but after all, it was his subordinate's private matter, so he didn't bother to care.
Zhao Duan felt sleepy and yawned. He stood up, carrying the file bag, and walked towards the cubicle.
"I'm going to get some sleep."
Zhu Kui lowered his head and watched Zhao Duan leave.
The smile on the face of this veteran official gradually disappeared, and he became solemn and thoughtful.
…
…
On that day, the news that Li Lang was imprisoned swept through the entire imperial court like a whirlwind.
The officers from various major halls were discussing the matter, and had different reactions to the empress's pretty boy's style of behavior.
But one thing is consistent, that is, everyone is waiting to watch the fun, wanting to know how long it will take for the domineering and arrogant empress and pretty boy to give up.
After all, Lihuatang is generally recognized as difficult to manage. No matter how powerful it is, it cannot withstand the people below who are hypocritical and do not obey it.
The attitude of Governor Ma Yan towards this is silent, which is also quite intriguing.
For a moment, countless eyes were focused, looking forward to the follow-up.
However, the protagonist in the storm, Zhao Duan, was leisurely and never appeared again that day.
night.
As usual, Zhao Duan, his stepmother and sister ate at the round table.
Eugene kept picking up food for him:
"Dalang, eat more meat. You must be tired on your first day on the job. I thought you would drink with your colleagues, so I prepared less food..."
He was caring and had a guilty look on his face, as if he had done something wrong.
Zhao Duan ate a few bites and felt full.
Zhao Pan, with a sullen and thin face, sat between his mother and brother, holding his chopsticks, and finally couldn't help but say:
"Mom, you're blocking me from picking up food."
She felt a little aggrieved. Her mother kept adding food to the wolf's bowl, filling it up with a pile of food.
But I have nothing and the treatment is very different.
A look of guilt appeared on Eugene Hua's gentle brows. Just as she was about to speak, Zhao Duan put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up and yawned:
"I can't eat anymore."
He then looked at Zhao Pan, who was thin and slender due to her growth spurt, and casually threw his bowl in front of her, saying with a smile:
"Girls should eat more meat when they are growing up."
Zhao Pan had a stern face, refusing to eat the food given out of pity. She lowered her eyes and worked hard to eat the white rice.
The long eyelashes caught the light under the lamp.
“Tsk, you’re quite arrogant, but the white rice you eat is also mine.
There are countless people in this world who can't even afford good white rice, and who even have meat but don't eat it. Anyway, I'm not the one who's losing out." Zhao Duan sneered and walked out.
"Da Lang, Pan'er is ignorant, don't be angry with her..."
Eugene Hua hurriedly chased after him, being as careful and humble as usual.
I don’t know, it was once said that the noble ladies from wealthy families had seen so much of the world’s fickleness that they became like this.
In the cafeteria.
Zhao Pan was stunned for a moment, then slowly raised her lotus-like face, with rice grains on her cheeks.
She stared at the bowl of greasy food in front of her, gritted her teeth, picked it up and swallowed it in big mouthfuls.
…
…
The next day, early morning.
Zhao Duan arrived at the hall again. After passing the lush pear tree in the courtyard, he was pleased to see that his four subordinates were sitting neatly in the hall.
"Your humble servant greets you, sir!"
The four of them stood up and saluted, somewhat perfunctorily.
Zhao Duan didn't care. He sat down slowly in the main seat, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally fell on the "confidential female secretary".
Qian Kerou changed her hairstyle today. Although she was still wearing a uniform, her black hair was tied up at the back of her head and slightly piled up.
The secretary tried to clumsily imitate the hairstyle of court ladies, thinking that this image was more in line with her new identity.
But inadvertently, I have grasped some of the essence of being a workplace OL.
Well... it's a pity that it's an ancient costume. If she changed into a black silk suit, a white shirt, red high heels, and a pair of rimless glasses... it would be perfect... Zhao Duan was a little distracted.
Then he casually asked:
"After I left yesterday, did anyone come looking for trouble?"
Qian Kerou shook her head and said honestly:
"No, the governor summoned the police officer in the yamen to discuss something, but since you were not there, we don't know what it was about."
Discussing matters? Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows, suppressed his doubts, and asked:
"What about Li Lang?"
"He's still in the imperial prison, but... I heard that an imperial physician was released in there." The confidential secretary said carefully.
Haha, Big Ice Tuozi is quite obedient... Zhao Duan smiled and asked:
"Didn't anyone from the Prince Consort's Mansion come to question him?"
“No.”
Tsk, this is quite interesting... Logically speaking, since my son was bullied in public by me, Princess Yunyang should have been furious, or at least come to call for punishment.
But a day passed and there was no movement.
Was it indifference? Or was it that the Empress was protecting me from the storm? Zhao Duan wasn't sure.
"Sir, as you instructed, all the documents in the hall that require your review are here."
Qian Kerou saw that he was distracted, pointed at a stack of papers on the table and said.
"Very good," Zhao Duan happily flipped through the book at a fast pace, but gradually, his expression darkened.
"That's all?"
Apart from basic personnel files and daily documents, there is very little, almost zero, content about "performance", that is, the cases under hand.
Qian Kerou said hurriedly, "Because the hall has never had a chief officer, everyone has nothing to do except these."
The work of the nine major halls can be roughly divided into two categories.
One type is for daily official duties. As a member of the imperial guards, the Zhaoya also has tasks such as patrolling the city defense and accompanying the emperor when he goes on tour.
The second category is tasks issued by the Empress.
Here, it is further divided into two types, namely "long-term tasks" and "short-term tasks".
For example, the case of the missing firearms craftsman was a short-term task. After the incident, the empress assigned Ma Yan to investigate.
Ma Dugong would hand the case over to one or several of the Nine Halls.
For example, "tracking down the rebels" is a long-term task that all gangs are responsible for, but it cannot be completed overnight.
The nature of Lihua Hall is almost like a "cold palace". Ma Yan never expected them to do anything. As long as they didn't make any trouble, he would just keep them around.
If someone is just trying to make a living by gilding himself, he might be happy to see it happen.
But Zhao Duan wanted to gain credit, and he didn't have any serious tasks under him. Wouldn't he be in trouble?
"Is it possible to apply for the case from the Governor?" he asked with a frown.
Old man Zheng, who was about to retire, said slowly:
"Your Excellency, in the yamen, the easy and valuable cases are quickly snatched up by other gangs as soon as they come out. Our Lihua Gang is not yet fully staffed, and you are new to the position. I'm afraid that if you ask for it, you can only get some sporadic small cases, such as patrols."
"Haha, if I take something that others don't want, wouldn't that make me feel like I'm just eating something given out of pity? I'd be even worse than my sister." Zhao Duan sneered.
"If they swallowed too much, then spit it out. You all go to the eight halls and deliver my message.
They said that when the Pear Flower Hall was empty, we gave them our share, and now that the Pear Flower Hall is being rebuilt, they have to spit out what they ate from me."
"This..." Several people looked at each other.
"Is it difficult?" Zhao Duan asked.
The four of them remembered the flying knife in the hall yesterday, and felt a slight chill on their necks, so they hurriedly responded and went to do it.
The halls were not far apart, and Zhao Duan sat alone in the lobby waiting.
After a while, the four returned one after another, but they all came back empty-handed and covered in dust.
"Your Excellency, we have visited the eight halls in turn and delivered your message."
Zhao Duan folded his hands on his lower abdomen, without moving a muscle:
"how?"
Qian Kerou's face turned bad, and she said indignantly:
"The Seventh and Eighth Halls both claimed that the Chief of Police was not there, but they were clearly lying."
Chen Juan drooped his eyebrows and said unhappily:
"The Fifth and Sixth Halls said they were too short on cases to spare and promised to pay next month. Ha, that's just empty talk, just trying to fool people."
Old man Zheng looked as if he was used to it:
"The Third and Fourth Halls said that in the past, we couldn't afford it ourselves, so they helped to share the burden. There's no reason to owe us money."
Hou Renmeng folded his arms, looked at his boss with a hint of joking, and said:
"I went to ask the First and Second Halls, namely the Peony Hall and the Pomegranate Hall. The former is closed to visitors. Even though I used to be from the Peony Hall, I am not allowed to enter now. Zhang Han is too lazy to pay attention to us."
After a pause, he pursed his lips and said with a hint of anger:
"As for Pomegranate Hall, I've seen you."
Zhao Duan said calmly: "What do you mean?"
Hou Renmeng grinned and said:
"Iron Bar Pass asked me to convey one word to you: Get out!"
There was a moment of silence.
A breeze blew through the hall, and the thin documents on the table fluttered and turned.
Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth slowly rose, and with a smile on his face, he exclaimed:
“What a nice, gentle, and easy-going bunch of people.”
(End of this chapter)
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