Chapter 56 Deserted Village
Liang Yi had suffered a lot of humiliation in the past, but that was what those in high positions had to face after losing power, and there were still people in the palace who protected Liang Yi.
But the lives of these powerless ordinary people are worthless and they don’t even have the chance to choose.
Su Yan said slowly: "These people include men, women, young and old, and there are also pregnant women. They are of different ages, and none of them have fractured bones or broken bones. They were beaten before they died, and then gathered here to bury their bodies. Or, they were still alive when they were buried."
There were too many people, and Su Yan didn't believe that the person who did it would be considerate enough to check every person before burying the bodies.
Liang Yi found this unbelievable. "Why would someone kill them for no reason? Where did these people come from?"
Su Yan asked back: "Where do you think they came from?"
Liang Yi actually had some guesses in his mind, but he subconsciously denied the answer.
How could such a heinous case happen so close to the capital, where someone actually massacred an entire village?
What is even more shocking is that Liang Yi has never been heard of in Beijing.
This place is not far from the capital. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, all cases involving death penalty must be submitted in a memorial to the emperor for his review.
Although Zhao Mingde was in power, this law was not abolished.
Liang Yi had heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince talk about many cases, but this one was not one of them.
An entire village of people, can you just kill them if you want?
Liang Yi had forgotten his fear. He squatted beside the skeleton of a young child. Judging from the length of the skeleton, the child was no more than five years old.
Even five-year-old children were not spared.
"There is a seal on the village. I will go and ask the officials in charge of this place. For such a serious case, has the murderer not been caught yet?"
Su Yan whispered: "There must be a murderer."
"What do you mean by should?!"
Su Yan said: "We have to give an explanation to the higher-ups."
Liang Yi cursed, "Are you saying that the local officials have already fooled around with this matter? This Zhao Mingde, most likely accepted gold, silver and jewelry from someone again, when will he fall?!"
When Su Yan first came here, she understood that she could not change anything on her own. She hated the system here and never thought of having anything to do with the palace.
If Su Mao and her mother hadn't died, she would have been a minor coroner in the government office and lived a quiet life.
But now, seeing the bones all over the ground, Su Yan couldn't help but say: "If you really have this intention, you should be more careful with your words in the future, Zhao Mingde..."
Su Yan looked at Yun Xing.
Yun Xing was as indifferent as usual, and didn't care whether Zhao Mingde would be brought down.
Liang Yi asked: "What happened to Zhao Mingde?"
"Nothing," Su Yan corrected himself, "Just be careful."
Su Yan looked down at the skeleton and said, "I'll check it out and then bury them again. These bones should have been washed out by the rain. Let's bury them deeper and erect a tombstone."
Liang Yi had no objection.
Su Yan buried his head in inspection.
She saw several broken bones, which showed what the deceased had experienced in his life.
Although he said he would just give it a rough check, Su Yan squatted by the pit, carefully putting the bones together one by one, and then looked for the next one.
Liang Yi and Yun Xing found the wooden boards. As they didn't know whether their lives were in danger, they went back to the village to look for other clues. They found some handwritten scrolls in a doctor's house and learned that this place was called Shanyin Village.
The people of Shanyin Village had lived here for generations until they suffered this disaster.
Yunxing carved the words "Shanyin Village" on the wooden board.
Liang Yi had nothing to do. He wanted to help Su Yan but he couldn't, so he pulled Yun Xing aside to talk about Shan Yin Village.
"What method did the murderer use to call them all out, without even having time to eat? Something big must have happened at that time, right?" Liang Yi said, "What deep hatred did they have that would lead to a massacre of the whole village?"
Yun Xing glanced at Liang Yi and said nothing.
His reaction usually means that there are other answers but he is too lazy to explore them.
Liang Yi didn't think Yun Xing didn't want to pay attention to him, "Brother Yun, could this person be a martial arts master? In your opinion, who is better between the two of you?"
Yunxing frowned.
"Oh, and he didn't even let the children go. This kind of person is very evil. If the murderer is not caught, will he kill others? Brother Yun, why does he kill people? What benefits can he get from killing people? I really can't figure it out."
Yun Xing clenched his sword tightly and said in a low and cold voice, "You can get silver for killing people."
"Killer?" Liang Yi said in a daze. "There is a Chuyun Tower in the capital. Inside are the lackeys of Zhao Mingde. They have become more rampant in the past two years and almost never hide their identities. I have met one of them. He is really powerful. I am no match for him. Oh, Brother Yun, when you enter the capital, go meet them."
Yunxing turned and walked into the mountains.
Liang Yi muttered a few words in confusion and went to find Su Yan, "Brother Yun seems angry."
In front of Su Yan was a pregnant woman.
Because they died on a flat surface, their remains were well preserved and the tiny body of the unborn baby was clearly discernible among the mother's bones.
Su Yan didn't care about Liang Yi, so he said casually, "He has a good temper and won't get angry."
"Brother Yun has a good temper?!"
Liang Yi was shocked.
Yun Xing was the most difficult person to approach he had ever met, and Yun Xing's name... seemed a little familiar.
"Of course he has a good temper. Haven't you noticed that as long as you ask him to do something, he will basically do it? Only people with a really bad temper will ignore you."
Liang Yi: “…”
It seems so, but Yunxing seems... not to listen to him?
But thinking back on the past two days, Yun Xing really listened to Su Yan.
Liang Yi figured out something. He blamed her, "We know each other for a while, why are you hiding this from me?"
Su Yan raised his head, "Huh?"
Liang Yi said, "When are you and Brother Yun going to get married? When you do, I must go to the wedding."
He is not stupid. Why would a man obey a woman? Brother Yun and Su Yan must be a couple!
Su Yan was speechless.
She denied it twice and was too lazy to explain further.
Liang Yi muttered again: "But Brother Yun was really angry just now. I asked him to fight with the people in Chuyun Tower, and he left. Doesn't he know Chuyun Tower? It's full of Zhao Mingde's lackeys."
Su Yan finally put down the skeleton in his hand and looked at Liang Yi, "Did you just tell him to fight with the lackeys of Chuyun Tower?"
Liang Yi nodded, "I have wanted to drive them away for a long time, but unfortunately the guards of the capital are all in the hands of Zhao Mingde, and I can't beat them."
Su Yan: “…”
She suddenly started to like Liang Yi a little.
In this world, there will never be anyone more hated than Liang Yi!
Compared with Liang Yi, what does her little bit of feeling mean? !
Two hours later, Su Yan finally put all the bones in place, and his steps were weak when he stood up.
Yunxing and Liang Yi reburied the bones together. Yunxing also found some stones and built a circle around them to give them a home.
After finishing everything, they returned to the yard to rest, and Su Yan's stomach was rumbling.
She had been squatting and now had no strength left.
Liang Yi wanted to know the truth, so he urged, "Let's go to the government office quickly."
Su Yan also didn't want to waste time, so she turned around to get the horse.
Yun Xing said, "We'll set off again in an hour."
He filled a bamboo tube with some water and said, "The temperature is just right."
Su Yan said: "Actually, I feel it's okay."
Yun Xing only said: "We just ate, wait until you finish eating before leaving."
Liang Yi looked at the two of them eagerly, sighed, and said sourly: "When we return to the capital, I will ask my second brother to pick a girl for me."
"You're not married yet?"
Su Yan is free and no one cares about her. If she doesn't want to get married, then she won't go. It's normal for her not to get married.
But Liang Yi is a prince after all, and logically he would be forced to marry and have children once he reaches the age.
Liang Yi said: "I didn't have this idea before, but seeing how you two are doing, getting married seems like a good idea."
Yun Xing: "..., what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Brother Yun, it's rare to see you scolding people," Liang Yi winked at him, "Don't worry, I understand, I'm very tight-lipped."
Yun Xing: “…”
Half an hour later, Su Yan urged the two to set off.
Yun Xing was driving ahead at a slower pace. Liang Yi tried to gallop forward several times, but was driven back every time.
Liang Yi guessed that Yun Xing did this because he saw that Su Yan had worked hard today.
No one had ever told him before that having a lover had such benefits!
Yongchang Town is in charge of Shanyin Village.
Compared with Xiyue Town, Yongchang Town is more prosperous.
The capital city is not far away after Yongchang Town.
Liang Yi took the two of them straight to the yamen, but was stopped by the yamen runners.
Liang Yi was not angry, but explained seriously, "I am Liang Yi, passing by here, and saw the murder case in Shanyin Village. You tell the county magistrate the truth, and he will know."
The yamen runner said impatiently: "I don't care whether you are Liang Yi or Liang Nan, the yamen is not a place where you can just walk in casually. Go away quickly, don't delay my work."
Liang Yi had no choice but to say, "Although I have no official position, I am still a prince. It wouldn't be too much of a embarrassment for you to meet the county magistrate, right?"
The yamen runner was even more impatient, "I don't care whether you are yellow or green, get out of here!"
Liang Yi: “…”
Su Yan——"This guy is even more stupid than Liang Yi!"
Liang Yi: “…”
The female ghost is following us!
Su Yan couldn't bear to watch, so he walked up to the yamen runner and whispered, "Brother yamen runner, look at his clothes, does he look like an ordinary person?"
Su Yan was a little girl, so the yamen runner was less vigilant. He looked at Liang Yi carefully and said truthfully, "Neither looks like her or not."
Liang Yi was digging and doing carpentry work today, and his whole body was dirty.
Su Yan: “…”
Her thoughts came out all at once: Liang Yi, this idiot, didn't even know to bring something to prove his identity. And this yamen runner didn't even understand that Liang Yi was a prince. Will he offend some powerful person and get beheaded in the future?
Yamen runner: “…”
He was stunned for two seconds, then said in horror: "Prince?!"
Liang Yi: “?”
The yamen runner was so flustered that he even forgot to salute, "I, I'll go and report it right away!"
Liang Yi was surprised and said, "Su Yan, you are amazing. He got scared just by telling him about my clothes? Why is he afraid of my clothes?"
Su Yan patted Liang Yi on the shoulder and said, "Promise me that you won't lead the troops. I'm afraid something might happen."
Liang Yi was very touched, "Don't worry, even if I die on the battlefield, it's what I deserve."
Su Yan shook his head, "I'm worried that something might happen to your soldiers."
Liang Yi: “……,???”
Yongchang Town is a must-pass place to enter Beijing, and it is not uncommon for dignitaries to come here.
County Magistrate Wang scolded the yamen runner and hurried to see Liang Yi.
Although Liang Yi was just an unpopular prince, the royal family was the royal family, and he dared not neglect them. As for Su Yan and Brother Yun beside Liang Yi, he assumed that they were Liang Yi's maids and guards.
Magistrate Wang brought the three people to the lobby and bowed to Liang Yi, "Your Highness was coming, why didn't you send someone to tell him? I am sorry for neglecting Your Highness."
Su Yan looked left and right, and found that the government office in Yongchang Town was much better than that in Anping Town.
She began to look forward to what she would see after arriving in Beijing.
Liang Yi was used to seeing officials fawning on him. Although their official positions were generally not high, there were many of them.
He didn't want to talk about these meaningless things. Seeing Su Yan wanted to find a place to sit down, he took the initiative to say, "Come, you sit here."
County Magistrate Wang watched helplessly as a prince entertained a maid.
After Liang Yi arranged for Su Yan, he arranged for Yun Xing, "Brother Yun, sit here."
Hearing the word "Yun", Magistrate Wang carefully looked at Yun Xing for a while, and his attitude was more polite than before, "Please sit down."
Liang Yi didn't notice this subtle difference.
After he sat down, he asked bluntly, "Does County Magistrate Wang know about Shanyin Village?"
County Magistrate Wang subconsciously looked at Yun Xing and said, "I have heard that it is just a small mountain village in a remote area. Your Highness, why..."
"I stayed in Shanyin Village last night."
"Stay overnight? Shanyin Village?"
In front of County Magistrate Wang, Liang Yi put on airs and asked in a cold voice, "What's wrong?"
"No, no," said Magistrate Wang, "but Shanyin Village has been abandoned for many years and no one lives there now. Your Highness, please inform me earlier so that I can go and welcome you and let you rest more comfortably."
Liang Yi said: "That's not necessary. I have other things to trouble County Magistrate Wang with."
County Magistrate Wang said awkwardly, "Your Highness, you are really embarrassing me by saying that. Your Highness, please feel free to say whatever you want."
"Does County Magistrate Wang know why Shanyin Village was massacred?"
"That happened five years ago," Magistrate Wang said. "Someone in Shanyin Village went mad and killed each other. When I received the report and rushed to the village, all the villagers were gone. I buried those people, sealed the village and left."
Liang Yi was slightly surprised, "It was someone from our village who did it?"
"Who could have imagined that?" Magistrate Wang said calmly, "The murderer committed suicide after killing someone. There is no way to verify the reason for his madness, so we have to close the case."
Liang Yi asked: "Did you see him kill someone with your own eyes?"
Magistrate Wang nodded and said, "When I arrived, he was still killing people. I should have saved the two people, but he threatened me with their lives. I didn't expect him to be so determined and missed the opportunity to save them. If Your Highness came here for this moment, I am willing to bear all the blame."
As he spoke, he was about to kneel down.
Liang Yi waved his hand and said, "This has nothing to do with you. I just don't understand why he wants to attack the entire village. Is there any hidden reason?"
Magistrate Wang sighed and said, "I only know that his family is poor and he is not well-received in the village. I don't know anything else. No one is left alive in Shanyin Village."
Su Yan curled his lips, picked up the teacup and drank tea.
She restrained herself from having any wild thoughts so as not to cause any trouble.
Liang Yi sighed, "If that's the case, there's nothing we can do."
Liang Yi didn't want to stay in the county government office. He didn't want to deal with officials. After asking what he wanted to know, he left.
County Magistrate Wang invited Liang Yi to stay in his mansion several times, but was rejected every time. He could only give him some specialties from Yongchang Town and then escort Liang Yi and his companions out of the city.
Finally getting rid of County Magistrate Wang, Liang Yi turned around and mounted his horse, "Let's try hard and get to the capital tonight."
"Are you leaving?" Su Yan asked, "Don't you want to know what happened in Shanyin Village?"
Liang Yi was surprised and asked, "Didn't Magistrate Wang say that it was the villagers who went crazy?"
Su Yan smiled, "His excuse is really lame."
Liang Yi was shocked. He jumped off the horse and said anxiously, "Tell me what's going on."
"First, he said that all the people in Shanyin Village were killed."
"What's the problem?"
"Shanyin Village is a remote mountain village. If everyone was killed, who would go to the government office to report the case?"
"this……"
"What's more, almost all the people in Shanyin Village were killed before dinner. They were killed at the same time. How could one murderer control the entire village? If it was a master like Yunxing, there should be signs of fighting in the village. But Shanyin Village looks very peaceful from the outside. There are no signs of fighting. It seems more like everyone ran away at the same time."
Liang Yi nodded, "What you said makes sense, but why did Magistrate Wang lie?"
"I think what happened back then was related to County Magistrate Wang. Something big happened in the village that year. Maybe it was the County Magistrate who came, or maybe it was someone else, so the people put down what they were doing and went out. After they went out, they were controlled. There must have been a lot of people in the village that day. They were driven into the mountains, and County Magistrate Wang killed them."
Su Yan had already made this guess, but he did not dare to jump to conclusion before meeting County Magistrate Wang.
Now Magistrate Wang's words are full of loopholes, which proves that he has something to hide.
The more Liang Yi listened, the more chilled he became. He said angrily, "He is a local official. Why would he murder a village?!"
"I don't know about that."
"Why didn't you refute him just now?"
"I have to talk to you guys first, and then discuss what to do."
Liang Yi couldn't make up his mind at the moment, "What should we do?"
"If you want to check, go back. If you don't want to check, leave."
Of course Liang Yi wanted to investigate, but in Beijing...
"I heard that my father was seriously ill, so I hurried back. I don't know if my second brother can handle this difficult time."
If the emperor passed away and the prince succeeded to the throne smoothly, the first thing he would do would probably be to purge Zhao Mingde and his cronies.
Although it is difficult, it must be done.
Zhao Mingde naturally didn't want to see this happen. Today's capital city can be said to be drifting in the wind and rain.
Su Yan asked: "Are you sure His Majesty is seriously ill?"
"Why do you ask?"
Su Yan explained: "I just feel that the fact that His Majesty is seriously ill is not good for Zhao Mingde. If I were Zhao Mingde, I would keep the news secret and not let it out easily."
Liang Yi was surprised and said, "Could it be that he deliberately released this news?!"
"I don't know about that. I'm just a coroner, how can I know all this?" Su Yan said incessantly, "If he wants to use the emperor's serious illness to test the prince's thoughts and strength, it's possible. As long as the emperor is willing to cooperate with him, at most he can announce his recovery in a few days."
Liang Yi stared at Su Yan blankly.
Although he didn't know whether what Su Yan said was correct, he had never considered this aspect.
He...the title of the smartest man in the Great Zhou was taken away by Su Yan!
Liang Yi immediately said, "Come with me to Beijing and my house. You can teach me how to do it. It would be unfair for you to pretend to be my maid. Why don't you marry me? Oh, and you belong to Brother Yun."
Su Yan: “…”
Su Yan looked at Yun Xing.
For some reason, Yun Xing was very far away from them, and he seemed to have become the same person he was when they first met, not caring about anything.
Su Yan reminded: "Don't talk nonsense, we are innocent. If you make him unhappy, be careful of your head, he doesn't have nine clans."
"I know," Liang Yi covered his neck, "I also want to recommend Brother Yun to my second brother. I will feel relieved if Brother Yun protects my second brother."
These were not something Su Yan could control. She asked, "How about going back to Yongchang Town?"
Liang Yi hesitated and said, "But what about my second brother..."
"How do our strengths compare to your brother's?"
“…a drop in the bucket.”
"Do you have any soldiers?"
"I have a military book."
"Then don't worry," Su Yan said, "If this matter is really Zhao Mingde's deliberate probing, and your second brother fell into the trap, he will not be able to become emperor in the future."
Liang Yi: “…”
After slightly changing their appearance, the three men entered Yongchang Town again through another door.
Su Yan first went to the inn and booked a room so that he could put down his luggage, which was too heavy to carry.
In the side room, she and Liang Yi discussed how to investigate what happened five years ago.
"Fortunately, the incident happened five years ago, County Magistrate Wang was not promoted, and it wasn't too long ago, so there should still be people who know about Shanyin Village. Let's find some older people to ask around and see what the situation is in Shanye Village first. In addition..."
Yun Xing suddenly walked out with a sword in his hand.
Su Yan was startled, and walked over to stop him, "What are you going to do?"
Yun Xing said expressionlessly: "Don't you want to know the truth?"
Su Yan asked: "Do you have a method?"
Yun Xing said, "Go ask Magistrate Wang."
Liang Yi was surprised and asked, "How did he tell you?"
Just now, County Magistrate Wang did not tell the truth in front of the prince.
Yun Xing said, "He would say that he knows my last name is Yun."
Liang Yi asked blankly, "So what if your last name is Yun?"
Yun Xing looked at Liang Yi deeply.
Su Yan's expression darkened, and he asked, "Could it be that County Magistrate Wang is Zhao Mingde's man? He knows your surname and you are with Liang Yi, so..."
"Yes," Yun Xing did not deny, "He just looked at me for a long time."
Su Yan said worriedly: "But if you go, will it be dangerous?"
"No, at least until now, I am still a member of Izumo Tower."
After he finished speaking, Yun Xing strode away.
Liang Yi was still confused, "Brother Yun, what do you mean? What do you mean he is from Chuyun Tower... Chuyun Tower?! Brother Yun is Zhao Mingde's man?!"
Su Yan had a complicated expression and sighed.
Yun Xing did not avoid mentioning Liang Yi, so Su Yan said bluntly: "His name is Yun Xing, and he is familiar with the affairs of the capital. Who do you think he belongs to?"
"What?! Really?!" Liang Yi said indignantly, "I trusted him so much, but he actually worked for Zhao Mingde! He is Zhao Mingde's running dog! I want to kill him and avenge those innocent people!"
Su Yan didn't move.
Liang Yi walked to the door angrily, then stopped, "Aren't you his lover? Why didn't you stop me?"
Su Yan asked: "Can you beat him?"
Liang Yi: “…”
Su Yan shrugged and said, "He and I are just friends. If you want to kill him, I won't stop you. Go ahead."
Liang Yi: "How about you... stop him?"
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