Chapter 280: No Matter Where You Look
Luo Qinghan was quite satisfied with Xiao Xixi's ability to understand the current situation.
He then went on to talk about Zhu Yuan.
"Zhu Yuan came to Shengjing with his father a month ago. His father is a Taoist priest with some skills. With his superb acting skills, he fooled many dignitaries. His father also founded a sect called the Dusheng Sect."
Xiao Xixi slowly opened her eyes, her face full of surprise: "Zhu Yuan is Zhu Quankun's son?"
Luo Qinghan nodded: "Yes."
Xiao Xixi: "This is too coincidental!"
Luo Qinghan: "It's just such a coincidence."
They searched the whole world for Zhu Quankun but couldn't find him. Unexpectedly, Zhu Quankun's son actually ran into their hands.
What is this called?
This is what is called "searching for something everywhere but still not finding it, finally getting it without any effort"!
It was not difficult for Xiao Xixi to understand that the Taoist priest had a son. Taoism was divided into many sects, among which the Fire-Dwelling Taoist priests were allowed to marry and have children.
However, Zhu Quankun may also be a fake Taoist priest.
Everything will have to wait until Zhu Quankun is caught.
Luo Qinghan said, "The people of Jingzhao Prefecture paraded Zhu Yuan through the streets this morning to force Zhu Quankun to show up."
Xiao Xixi: "What if Zhu Quankun is so hard-hearted that he refuses to show up?"
"According to Zhu Yuan's confession, Zhu Yuan is Zhu Quankun's only son, and he is also his late son. He values Zhu Yuan very much. Even though he came all the way to Shengjing, he did not forget to bring Zhu Yuan with him. I believe he would not have the heart to see his precious son suffer."
It was precisely because Zhu Yuankun spoiled his son too much that Zhu Yuan became a lawless scoundrel.
This is his retribution.
The facts were exactly as the prince had expected. When Zhu Yuankun saw his beloved son being paraded through the streets in shackles and with a broken leg, he immediately panicked.
In order to rescue his son, Zhu Yuankun risked his life to seek help from his followers.
Who knew that as soon as he showed up, he was caught by the officers who had been waiting for a long time!
Since the followers of the Du Sheng Sect were all natives of Shengjing, and the principal offender was a commoner, the case was transferred from the Ministry of Justice to Jingzhao Prefecture.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Jingzhao Prefecture.
The prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture is named Mei Guangtao. He is only in his early thirties this year. At this age, he can become the leader of the important area around the capital, and can be considered a young talent.
He was wearing the official uniform of the fourth rank and came forward to pay his respects with a group of officials.
"Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Luo Qinghan signaled them not to be so polite.
The group entered Jingzhao Prefecture.
Mei Guangtao knew that the prince didn't like those empty talk, so he didn't do anything weird. He just went straight to the court and prepared to get down to business.
"Please take a seat, Your Highness."
Luo Qinghan said, "I am just here to listen, just follow the procedures."
After saying that, he sat down next to him.
Xiao Xixi sat behind him.
Mei Guangtao bowed to the prince, then sat down in the main seat and signaled the bailiffs to bring the prisoner into the hall.
The first person to be brought up was Zhu Yuan.
After the lesson last night, this kid has turned from a colorful rooster into a sick rooster. He is covered with wounds and looks sick and miserable.
Mei Guangtao only threatened him a few words and did not have time to torture him, but Zhu Yuan confessed all the crimes he had committed in one breath.
From trafficking decent women to petty theft, the number of crimes he committed is quite staggering.
Even if he didn't commit murder, it would be enough to sentence him to death.
Mei Guangtao asked the chief secretary to write down all his confessions and have him sign and seal them, and then brought Zhu Quankun up.
Zhu Quankun is a middle-aged man in his forties. He has a handsome appearance, a goatee under his chin, and wears a blue-gray Taoist robe. He looks well-dressed.
He knelt down upright and kowtowed, then asked in a clear voice.
"I don't know what crime I have committed, why am I being arrested by the police?"
Mei Guangtao said with a serious face: "I want to ask you, do you know Mrs. Xue, the wife of the General Zhongwu's Mansion?"
Zhu Quankun said frankly, "I know her. She is a follower of the Dusheng Sect. I have read her fortune before."
Mei Guangtao asked again, "Do you know the wife of the Minister of Justice, Ms. Lin?"
"I know her. She is also a follower of the Tosei Sect."
Mei Guangtao stared into his eyes, not missing the slightest change on his face, and asked in a deep voice: "Did you know about Lin's disappearance?"
"No."
Seeing that he denied it, Mei Guangtao was not in a hurry and asked about other things instead.
"You have been in Shengjing for only a month, but you have already bought three houses and hundreds of slaves. You are just a Taoist priest, where did you get so much money?"
Zhu Quankun: "This money is all donated by believers."
Mei Guangtao: "Is there any evidence?"
Zhu Quankun frowned and said, "This is my personal matter, it has nothing to do with this case."
Mei Guangtao smiled and said, "I suspect you kidnapped hostages and extorted a huge ransom from the hostages' families. If you can't explain clearly where the money to buy the house and servants came from, I can only assume that you used the ransom to buy the house and servants."
"If that's what you mean, sir, please have someone check it out. The money I used to buy my house and servants was donated by believers. You can just send someone to ask those believers and you'll know."
He paused and added.
"I have many followers, many of whom are wealthy and powerful. I can live a comfortable life with their donations, so why would I risk kidnapping and extortion?"
His words were well-reasoned and frank, and he seemed not afraid of being investigated at all.
Mei Guangtao couldn't help but frown, thinking that he had run into a tough guy this time and he would be difficult to deal with!
"Write down the names of all the followers of the Dusheng Sect. I will have people go door to door to investigate. I will not wrongly accuse a good person, but I will not let a bad person go either."
Zhu Quankun was very cooperative.
He immediately picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote down a long list of names.
Mei Guangtao ordered his officials and yamen runners to investigate door to door.
This interrogation process would take a lot of time, so Mei Guangtao had Zhu Quankun and Zhu Yuan temporarily imprisoned in the prison.
Zhu Quankun suddenly spoke at this moment.
"Please, sir, spare my son's life and give him a chance to reform, considering his youth and innocence!"
Mei Guangtao sneered: "Your son is already over 20 years old, do you still have the nerve to call him young and ignorant? Since Zhu Yuan has broken the law, he must be punished according to the law!"
Without waiting for Zhu Quankun to speak again, Mei Guangtao waved his hand and signaled to drag the man away.
The two suspects were dragged away.
Mei Guangtao stood up and bowed to the prince sitting next to him, saying, "I'm afraid this case won't be resolved for a while, so please go to the tea room, have some refreshments, and take a rest."
(End of this chapter)
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