Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 695 Lost
After some investigation, there was no result.

Yang Yuan thought about it and suggested going to see Qiu Pi'er's body.

It has been more than two months. Although the body had been embalmed long ago, it has still rotted away by now.

There was a faint stench coming from across the coffin, which was because there were a lot of moisture-absorbing and deodorizing herbs inside.

Yang Yuan did not know the art of forensic surgery, so he sent two forensic doctors from Nanzheng City to check.

The two coroners stuffed a special deodorant pill into the nostrils, covered the face with a thick towel, examined the patient carefully, and washed their hands before coming to Yang Yuan to answer.

As Madam Xu and Commander Han had said before, Qiu Pi'er died from a severe blow to the back of the head.

It is naturally impossible to identify the murderer based on this alone.

Chen Zhuoguang knew that he was not welcome, so if he had any questions, he would pass the message to Yang Yuan, who asked the questions himself, and from this he learned some information from Mrs. Xu and others.

That night, Yang Yuan and Chen Zhuoguang stayed in the guest house of the Marshal's mansion.

This mansion is in typical northwestern architectural style, with high walls and thick houses, and tall walls between each courtyard.

The outer wall is particularly thick, and the inside is elevated to make it easier for soldiers to climb the wall to defend against the enemy.

This is because small-scale fighting often occurred in this area in the early years.

Some cities and camps along the border are often fought over between the enemy and us. Today it belongs to you, and tomorrow it belongs to me.

Therefore, in order to make the manor strong and defend against enemies, its architecture has strong local characteristics.

It has been relatively stable over the years, as the area has been under the control of the Western Army, but the architectural style has been preserved.

After Yang Yuan moved in, Yang Shou was very happy. He felt that such a building with high walls and a large courtyard was very suitable for defense.

Yang Shou made careful arrangements and took his men to guard the left and right wing rooms in front of the main house where Yang Yuan lived.

Chen Zhuoguang successfully threw the framed secret letter into Qiu Pi'er's study during the day, but he had no idea how to make it be discovered by others.

When he was thinking about something, he liked to walk around the yard in circles.

He saw it when Yang Shou was carefully arranging the defense inside and outside.

When he came back from his walk, he saw Yang Shou holding a knife and guarding the main room where Yang Yuan lived. He could not help but stop and said, "Yang Shou, you don't have to be so cautious.

Although the generals of the Qiu faction were suspicious of the general, they definitely did not have the courage to harm the angel. "

Yang Shou stood up solemnly and said in a deep voice: "Uncle Chen is right, but it is Yang Shou's duty as a guard to be prepared for the possibility of something happening. How can we be careless?"

The corners of Chen Zhuoguang's lips twitched slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.

Even if you want to protect someone, it should be me. Why are you so concerned about Yang Yuan?

Do you really think of him as your uncle?
Yang Yuan's main house is the best house in the guesthouse.

The main room is the reception room, the room on the right is the bedroom, and the room on the left is the study.

In the study, a very delicate lantern with a fine wood frame and intricately carved patterns is placed on the desk with curled ears.

Under the bright and soft light, Yang Yuan pressed a piece of paper, picked up a pen and wrote messy words, occasionally drawing a circle to circle the words.

He was making a mind map, but his main purpose was not to find the real murderer. Finding the real murderer was just a byproduct.

Even if he finds the real murderer, he will try to link the case to Yang Zheng.

That would be the most favorable situation for the court.

Therefore, he had to list all parties holding different positions and, based on their demands, concoct the most ideal situation for the court.

Chen Zhuoguang, Mrs. Xu and her son, Commander Han Jinxun and other parties have been listed on paper, but there is no good idea on how to create a reason to prove Yang Zheng's suspicion.

He still has too little information.

Yang Yuan picked up the tea and squinted his eyes slightly. Perhaps, he should visit the generals under Qiu Pi'er's command one by one tomorrow, including Qiu Dingjun, the eldest son of the Qiu family. Perhaps if he knew more about them, he could find a way to write his article.

"Who?"

Yang Yuan thought about it, just took a sip of tea, raised his eyebrows and asked in a deep voice.

At the same time, his hand had reached to the edge of the table and grabbed the scabbard.

There was the sound of rustling footsteps, and then a slender figure walked into the study.

Yang Yuan's eyes widened, and he asked in astonishment, "Mrs. Xu...?"

He noticed some movement in the main room, but the door was clearly bolted.

So there is a thief on the beam?

But no matter how rich Yang Yuan's imagination was, he never expected that the person appearing in front of him would be General Qiu Pi'er's wife.

Mrs. Xu stopped and her body was half exposed in the light, her graceful curves revealed in the light and dark shadows.

"General Fu, I really have no choice but to resort to this method and come to see you late at night."

Yang Yuan's hand holding the scabbard did not relax at all: "I didn't expect that Madam has such a high flying ability."

Madam Xu was stunned, then smiled bitterly and said, "General Fu has misunderstood. The reason why I can appear here quietly is because... there is a secret passage in this hall that leads directly to the backyard.

I intentionally arranged for General Fu to be here so that I could avoid being seen and heard and meet with General Fu in private."

"Oh?" Yang Yuan thought of the whisper he had just heard and believed what Mrs. Xu said.

If this statement is false, it will be easily exposed. I don't think Mrs. Xu would lie.

Yang Yuan slowly put down the cup, his eyes flickering as he said, "Mrs. Xu is so painstaking, it seems like there is something you can't say in front of others?"

"Yes!"

Madam Xu pursed her lips, and a look of helplessness, grief, and self-pity emerged on her charming face, which was as white as cream and as white as snow.

She took two steps forward, walked completely under the light, knelt on the ground, and said in a sad voice: "My general died unjustly, please help me, Marshal Fu."

Yang Yuan did not get up to help her.

Because his feet had been burned and he was ready to think about the problem before going to bed, Yang Yuan wore a soft nightgown and a pair of cattail slippers, which was more casual and relaxed.

Yang Yuan said, "Madam, please stand up and speak."

Madam Xu's eyebrows were filled with sorrow, and she was wearing a white dress wrapped around her waist. She looked sad and pitiful, and hesitated to speak. Yang Yuan said, "I came here by order to investigate this case. If you have any grievances, you can speak freely. Please stand up and speak."

Mrs. Xu bit her lip and then stood up with a resentful look on her face.

Although my son is almost of age, the casual manner in which he stands and kneels has a charm that is mature yet charming.

Yang Yuan knew that her husband had just passed away, but she showed up here at night. If she was discovered, she would be disgraced. But she came anyway. She was afraid that the truth about Qiu Pi'er's murder was about to be revealed, and it must involve someone she dared not talk about in public. She couldn't help feeling nervous.

Because, to be honest, if the murderer had nothing to do with Yang Zheng, he would be a little disappointed.

Mrs. Xu burst into tears before she could say anything. She choked up and said, "To be honest, Commander Fu, the one who killed my general was his good brother, Han Jinxun!"

"Oh?" Yang Yuan's eyes sparkled: "Do you have any basis for saying that?"

"When I entered the study, I found that my husband was not well. I hurried forward to check, but he was still alive."

"Oh?"

"He... He struggled with his last breath and told me that the one who killed him was Han Jinxun!"

Yang Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Madam Xu closely.

Madam Xu said, "Han Jinxun is my husband's deputy general and the commander of the central army. His troops are stationed in the camp. I dare not make any noise, for fear that if I let out a word, the lives of my whole family will be in danger.

So I had to pretend that I didn't know the real culprit, and according to the instructions of Han Jinxun and others, I encouraged my son to suspect the Grand Marshal. Now I finally hope that the court will send the commander-in-chief. "

When Yang Yuan heard "Han Jinxun and others", he hurriedly asked, "Madam, do you mean that Han Jinxun has accomplices?"

"Yes, the brothers He Jinyun and He Yunsheng are very close to him. I often say that the three of them always advance and retreat together, just like one person."

Yang Yuan asked, "What do they want to do by plotting to murder your husband?"

Madam Xu had a miserable look on her face, and she said quietly, "I am only a woman, how can I know the reason? I would like to ask the commander to find out the truth for me and avenge me."

Yang Yuan stood up and paced slowly in the room, thinking anxiously in his mind.

The murderer turned out to be Qiu Pi'er's own subordinate. Why?
Could it be that... Qiupi'er firmly opposed the merger of Yang's army into Wu's army, and Yang's policy turned against Qiupi'er's subordinates and removed this obstacle?

If not, it seems like it could be...

Politics is the dirtiest thing in the world, and it is about using any means to achieve the goal.

Since it was Han Jinxun who killed Qiu Pi'er, I can use this case to implicate Yang Zheng and thus arouse the suspicion of Yang's army generals towards him.

As long as the Yang family army becomes a loose sand, there will be great potential for development.

But I am now in Dingjun Mountain. If I launch an attack directly, it will be bad with the few people I bring.

Also, I want to involve Yang Zhengpan, but that would be even worse on someone else's territory.

What should I do to achieve the goal of splitting Yang's army without getting myself involved in it?

Seeing Yang Yuan pacing back and forth with a serious expression, Madam Xu could not help but say, "My husband has been stationed in a certain place, and has saved some money in his official purse over the years. Now, my family has lost their support, and even their lives are in danger. I only ask for your grace and protection, Marshal.

If you can save my family, I will give you my husband's life savings. Although I am a weakling, I am willing to serve you as a slave."

Yang Yuan was startled and turned to look at Madam Xu.

Mrs. Xu mustered up the courage to say this, and her pale face couldn't help but turn red.

The new widow was already very charming, and her hair was a little disheveled with a white silk tied around her forehead, making her look like a small white flower that could be ravaged by anyone.

Yang Yuan's heart skipped a beat when he saw this.

Yang Yuan quickly collected his thoughts and said, "Based on your words alone, I cannot convict Han Jinxun of a crime. This is one reason.

After your husband's death, Han Jinxun has become the supreme commander of the garrison here. Yang came here with only a hundred or so followers, so we cannot openly punish him. This is the second reason.

In order to prevent him from doing something desperate, we need to think about this matter carefully, you understand."

Madam Xu nodded repeatedly: "I understand. I will tell the truth to the commander today. As for how to deal with it, I will naturally follow the commander's orders."

Yang Yuan nodded and said, "Okay, then Madam, please go back first, keep calm and don't make a fuss. I will do it after I have made all the arrangements."

Mrs. Xu was filled with mixed feelings of sadness and joy, and bowed again.

This time, Yang Yuan stepped forward and helped her up.

Madam Xu seemed to have no bones. She was helped up by Yang Yuan. She glanced at him quickly, and two blushes rose on her jade-like cheeks. She let go of his hand shyly and lowered her head, saying, "General, if you can save my mother and me, I will never go back on my words."

Yang Yuan coughed lightly and said solemnly, "I have come here for this case under the order of the Emperor. I shall judge impartially and protect General Qiu's family. Madam, please do not say such things anymore. It is late at night. Madam, please go back."

Yang Yuan sent Madam Xu to the main room, and saw an open tunnel entrance in front of the painted screen.

Mrs. Xu entered the tunnel and activated some mechanism, causing the entrance to close with a creaking sound.

Yang Yuan frowned and thought for a while. He then moved a table over, placed half of it on the entrance of the tunnel, and placed a porcelain vase on the table.

If the entrance to the tunnel is opened again, the table will lose balance and the porcelain vase will inevitably be broken.

Then, Yang Yuan stroked his chin and said thoughtfully, "According to the coroner, the bones at the back of Qiu Pi'er's head were shattered. With such injuries, was he still able to hold on until he left behind a last word?"

Yang Yuan rolled his eyes and murmured, "Qiu Pier died, and there are too many people who want to use him to make a feast. What is this Madam Xu for?"

The entrance to the tunnel is right in the main hall of the master bedroom.

This tunnel was indeed built by the owner of this place to prevent war.

As the tunnel opened, Madam Xu lifted her skirt and climbed up the stairs.

As soon as she stood on the ground, she was hugged from behind by a pair of strong arms.

"Wei Ning, how come you came back so soon? Yang Yuan won't eat the delicious meat that was delivered to his door?"

"Go to hell, you really want to give me to another man!"

Mrs. Xu pushed the man's arms away with a coquettish look, turned around and pointed at his forehead with a coquettish look.

The man behind was wearing a light robe without a silk belt, with his arms open, revealing his strong and muscular chest and abdominal muscles. It was Kou Heiyi.

Madam Xu said coquettishly, "They said that they would only give him a sweet treat if he captured Han Jinxun. Otherwise, he can't even touch me."

She grabbed Kou Heiyi's collar, snuggled into his arms, and said tenderly, "Only for you, I gave you everything I could give. You little rascal, don't let me down."

(End of this chapter)