Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 185 The longer the line, the bigger the fish.

“Liang Jinglun was originally one of the targets of ‘White Tiger Star Pill’, and the scale of Wantong Shipping was enough for Li Yuan Society to covet.”

Compared to Hai Yue's warning and Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua's shock, Lu Bing began to get to the point: "As a result, the three judicial departments purged the criminals, Wantong Shipping's backers in the capital collapsed, 'Winged Fire Serpent' was exposed, and Liyuan Society also hurriedly withdrew. This guy became a pawn, so he was cut off from his medicine and became what he is now!"

Haiyue asked, "Was the situation this serious when Liang Jinglun was arrested?"

Lu Bingdao said, "When I got hold of him, he was already like this. He started acting up as soon as I put him in jail. He wouldn't respond to any questions, and I couldn't use any torture..."

Hai Yue raised an eyebrow: "That's strange. The kidnapping happened at the Deer Cry Banquet yesterday at noon. If Liang Jinglun was already in this state at that time, would his subordinates have been so meticulous in kidnapping a candidate for the imperial examination? If not, how could Liang Jinglun's symptoms have worsened to such an extent in just one day?"

Yan Shifan recovered his senses and pondered, "I heard Yun Shao say that Liang Jinglun is capricious and extremely cruel to his servants. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now that I see him like this, I'm afraid Yun Shao's words were too mild. With him so ferocious, his servants wouldn't dare to disobey his orders unless they directly defected, right?"

"It's not that it can't be explained..."

Before Lu Bing could say anything more, Hai Yue interrupted, "Have any other servants of the Liang family given their testimonies?"

This morning, when the two men led the Imperial Guards into the Liang family mansion, they did indeed use heavy force, killing twenty or thirty guards on the spot. However, there were definitely some survivors, and information could be extracted from these people.

Lu Bingdao said, "After initial interrogation, these thieves insisted that those who participated in yesterday's kidnapping were the same group who were beaten to death on the spot. Humph! Clever little trick!"

Since a group of guards and servants had died, the survivors naturally and tacitly shifted the blame onto the dead. However, the Imperial Guards had many tricks up their sleeves, so they weren't worried that the dead wouldn't reveal the truth.

Haiyue said, "There is another key figure in the kidnapping case, 'Night Owl' Sun Liu. This person should also be apprehended and brought to justice as soon as possible."

"He can't run away!"

Lu Bing's eyes darkened.

This person may seem like a minor character, but he has connected all parties involved.

As a spy for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Sun Liu monitored two other servants in the examination hall, Liu Sanshe and Zhao Kuaitui, watching them spread the news that Yan Shifan had cheated to get on the list.

They then sold this information, and may even have helped the Liang family devise a kidnapping plan.

Finally, he personally intervened, luring Yan Shifan out of the examination hall during the Deer Cry Banquet, handing him over to the Liang family, obtaining their money, and then fleeing.

While Liang Jinglun was undoubtedly the audacious ringleader, Sun Liu was the one who carried out the execution of the case. Moreover, as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his identity was sensitive, and he had to be apprehended. We absolutely could not allow him to escape and cause further complications.

"Yes! Yes! That night watchman was the one who kidnapped me!"

Yan Shifan nodded repeatedly, then forced a smile: "Brother Wenfu, I wonder where Yunshao and Churou are?"

Lu Bing's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly said, "Don't worry, they're staying in the villa. It's very comfortable there. However, the Northern Garrison Command is not a place to stay for long. Donglou will be taking them away soon."

"Yes!"

Yan Shifan nodded again, then shamelessly said, "Yun Shao had already left the capital, but was forcibly taken to the mansion by the Liang thief, and his personal belongings were also swallowed up by the Liang family. He should be able to get them back, right?"

Lu Bing said calmly, "I wonder how much wealth that lady brought with her?"

Yan Shifan's eyes darted around: "I don't know that. I'll ask Yun Shao first, and then I'll report to Brother Wenfu."

The Liang family was extremely wealthy. Even though Liang Zhou had decided to retreat to Jiangnan, it was Liang Jinglun who forced him to stay in the capital. The wealth in his mansion was still incalculable.

However, whenever a family is raided, the Imperial Guards feast on the stolen goods; there's no reason to return the ill-gotten gains to the families.
He didn't have the guts to snatch food from the mouth of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, nor would he risk offending them for a little money. But if he maintained the right attitude, he figured Lu Bing wouldn't hold it against him for such a small matter.

'snort! ’

Lu Bing has always looked down on Yan Shifan. He used to be a follower, but now he's doing very well. However, he only does so because of his father and friends. He has no real ability and even covets money from prostitutes.

However, since the other party had spoken, he didn't want to refute them. Besides, he had other considerations, so he said directly, "If you are truly kind and righteous, then go ahead. The two women are waiting for you in the west wing!"

Yan Shifan was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Brother Wenfu! Thank you, Brother Wenfu!"

After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Haiyue, then turned and left.

Seeing Liang Jinglun like that terrified him, and he didn't want to stay even a moment longer.

"Young master, I'll take my leave now!"

Zhao Wenhua wanted to stay, but Lu Bing gave him a sharp look and obediently followed Yan Shifan out.

Once the two figures disappeared, Lu Bing's expression turned serious: "Just yesterday, Jiao Bai of the Cloud Hidden Society spoke up!"

"Oh?"

Haiyue's eyes lit up and she immediately asked, "Is it the Twenty-Eight Mansions?"

“It is indeed the ‘Xu Ri Shu’ of the Twenty-Eight Mansions!” Lu Bing said, “But unfortunately, the thief who assassinated the Empress Dowager and the thief who escaped were twin sisters. They are the real ‘Xu Ri Shu’. Hong Niangzi, Jiao Bai, and Lu Cangzhou are subordinates similar to Lu Yuan. However, the relationship between these people is closer than that between ‘Jing Mu Han’ and Lu Yuan.”

Haiyue understood: "No wonder he hasn't spoken up all this time. This loyalty isn't actually for the Liyuan Society, but rather for the camaraderie within the Illusion Class's Yunyin Society, a bond forged through thick and thin..."

"Yes!"

Lu Bing nodded: "Jiao Bai is willing to confess because so much time has passed. He believes that 'Xu Ri Rat' has completely escaped our Jinyiwei's capture. Now he is telling us, also hoping for a quick death."

Haiyue asked, "Is there any crucial news?"

Lu Bing's spirits lifted: "There are two clues that I believe are valuable."

"First, the case at Princess Yongchun's residence was not an action initiated by 'Xu Ri Shu' on his own initiative, but rather an order issued by 'Taiwei Yuan'. At the time, this group of people were actually not very willing to take on this task, but firstly, they dared not disobey orders, and secondly, 'Xu Ri Shu' himself had a blood feud with the Zhang brothers. They thought that assassinating the Empress Dowager might implicate the Zhang brothers, so they decided to carry it out!"

"Secondly, Jiao Bai had heard the two sisters of 'Xu Ri Shu' mention that there was another group of 'Female Earth Bats' in the capital, which consisted of two women, and that these two women were more likely to get close to the sons of officials!"

Hearing this, Haiyue raised an eyebrow slightly: "What does Wenfu think?"

"There's something wrong with Yun Shao and Chu Rou!"

Lu Bing said coldly, "I was almost fooled by them before. I really thought they were kind and righteous beauties. But according to the servants of the Liang family, Liang Jinglun's illness did not flare up so frequently before. It was only after Yun Shao came to his room to serve him this morning that his condition suddenly worsened and he has not recovered since!"

"Indeed, Yun Shao's actions did save Yan Shifan and successfully bought him time. Otherwise, given Liang Jinglun's tyranny when he was ill, he would have tortured Yan Shifan to death upon seeing him."

"But this action also makes it difficult for the ringleader to speak. Was the kidnapping Liang Jinglun's sudden idea, or was he lured by someone else?"

After listening, Haiyue showed no surprise and said in a low voice, "When a fisherman catches a big fish, he should let it go and follow it, but he must be able to control it before pulling it back!"

"The longer the line, the bigger the fish you catch!"

Lu Bing understood what the other party meant, but couldn't help but worry: "But Yan Shifan is currently very infatuated with those two women. Will this become an obstacle and prevent us from capturing the thief?"

Haiyue smiled: "Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Donglou has been through a major kidnapping case, so it's normal that he can't see the tricks of the trade. He may be confused about small things, but he will never hesitate on important matters!"

What constitutes a major event?

Getting promoted is a big deal!

Don't be fooled by Yan Shifan's current enthusiasm; once it comes to the future of the Yan family father and son, it's a completely different story.

"That's good! This current infatuation can lower their guard!"

Lu Bing was relieved to hear this, and grinned, revealing his anticipation: "'Wellwood Han,' 'Winged Fire Serpent,' and 'Sun Void Rat,' so far, although we have confirmed the identities of three constellations, we haven't captured a single key survivor. If we can break through the situation with 'Female Earth Bat,' that will be a real breakthrough!"

……

at the same time.

The West Wing Courtyard.

Zhao Wenhua stood outside, listening to Yan Shifan's heartfelt words inside, the two women sobbing and pouring out their hearts to each other, their expressions becoming quite interesting.

No wonder Yan Shifan mentioned some valuables and said something about loyalty and righteousness when he was in prison. Zhao Wenhua was confused at the time, but he never expected things to develop like this.

But after observing the situation, his eyes started darting around again, and an idea came to him.

To be fair, he didn't want to offend Yan Shifan, because Yan Song was about to rise to power and become a powerful minister comparable to the newly rich in the Great Rites Controversy. For Zhao Wenhua, who was used to currying favor with his superiors, there was no time to flatter him.

The problem is that Yan Shifan can't tolerate him. He has targeted him time and time again before, and after the Baihua Wine incident, he hates him even more.

Zhao Wenhua knew that repeated concessions would only embolden the other party, so he took a tough stance. However, this still did not resolve the issues that arose after Yan Song came to power.

Now the opportunity has finally arrived.

After leaving the Northern Garrison Command, he bid farewell to Haiyue and Yan Shifan and headed straight for the Yan residence.

More than half an hour later, Zhao Wenhua knelt down at Yan Song's feet and earnestly said, "Master, I originally did not want to report this matter, but seeing that Brother Donglou is gradually going astray, I fear that he will ruin his life. After hesitating for a long time, I finally feel that I should report this!"

Yan Song said calmly, "Speak!"

Zhao Wenhua said in a low voice, "Brother Donglou may be marrying another woman, but I heard that she was once a courtesan. I'm afraid this will cause gossip and affect her reputation. I beg my esteemed teacher to make a wise decision!"

Yan Song looked at this sycophantic and cunning so-called student who had almost been demoted from the capital by his own hand, and finally showed a hint of gentleness: "You did well. Don't make a fuss about this. If you can cover it up, I will remember your contribution!"

Zhao Wenhua was overjoyed: "I am humbled! It is my duty to serve my teacher, and I will do my best without any slackening!"

(End of this chapter)