Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 7 How to Clear Suspicion Completely
Q: How to reverse the reputation?

Answer: Go further.

The old teacher's words represent the voices of many people.

Damn it, we would rather be suspected than not listen to the whole story of Journey to the West!
Haiyue did not disappoint everyone.

When Bajie inspired the Monkey King with his righteousness and defeated the monster with his wisdom, and Wukong came before Tang Sanzang, everyone felt even more comfortable:
"Others see him as a tiger, but the Lone Walker sees him as a human. It turns out the master is bewitched by a demon, unable to walk. He understands the situation, but can't speak or open his eyes. The Monkey King laughed and said, 'Master, you're a good monk, how could you become so evil? You blame me for my crimes and send me back. You want to be good, so why have you become so vicious?' 'Brother,' said Pigsy, 'Save him, don't just expose him.' 'You're the one who instigates everything. He's his prized disciple. If you don't save him, why are you looking for me? I told you to go back after you've vanquished the demon and avenged the insults you've inflicted on me.'"

The 100-chapter version of Journey to the West is not like the TV series. In the TV series, Tang Monk realizes that he was deceived by the White Bone Demon and reconciles with Wukong. It is a typical family happy film. However, in the book, there is no mention of the truth about the White Bone Demon during the incident in Baoxiang Kingdom.

It wasn't that Tang Seng knew he was wrong, but that he almost died.

He originally thought that Bajie and Sha Seng could escort him on his journey to the West. After experiencing the Yellow Robe Monster and realizing that he couldn't do without Wukong, he recognized the value of this eldest disciple and immediately promised Wukong that he would be the first to make contributions in the future.

Wukong was not at a disadvantage either. He first mocked Tang Seng and then returned to the team to obtain the scriptures. This not only showed the temperament of the Great Sage, but also reflected the gradual maturity of the traveler.

Making dumplings was not popular in that era, and everyone was very satisfied with what they heard. They felt that they had not run out of ideas and were looking forward to future stories.

After Haiyue finished describing the outcome of this ordeal, she continued, "In Chapter 32, the official from Pingding Mountain delivered a message: the Wood Mother of Lotus Cave encountered a disaster..."

Not only did the newspaper reply to the name, but it also took a few clips, which were quite similar to the preview editing of later generations.

Wait until you finish speaking.

Inside and outside the room.

The atmosphere changed immediately.

The story of Journey to the West already has a broad foundation, and the 100-chapter version is a re-creation in this era, so even if it is just a fragment, everyone can understand some of it and not be completely confused.

Because of these excerpts, even Shao Jing, the magistrate who originally looked down on historical novels, became very interested in them.

It seems...very exciting!
But more people have a similar idea in their minds.

The story was interrupted before at the point where Tang Monk turned into a tiger. Now that the story of Baoxiang Kingdom has finally been finished, they release all these things all at once, continuing to whet people's appetite?

You are not a human being!
Hai Rui, his younger brother, was the first to react. Taking advantage of the fact that his classmates were still supporting his brother, he immediately demanded, "Guard Ruan, the motives you just speculated about have now been proven to be ridiculous. Are you ready to retract them?"

Ruan Zhengyong was the only one with a blank expression. He shook his head decisively, "Why would you take it back? Money can't buy it. How do you know if you have any other evidence that the Annan merchants might have?"

Hai Rui's face darkened. "You're clearly trying to frame me. You're always looking for excuses!"

Ruan Zhengyong also said in a deep voice: "Then tell me, if it wasn't him, how did the murderer poison His Highness last night? If it really wasn't him, then it must be an impossible poisoning. The murderer couldn't have poisoned him at all!"

Haiyue knew that if she continued arguing, it would just be a repetition of the same old story, so she started to recall.

He drank three cups of Shanlan last night and felt a little exhausted, but the atmosphere was right and he was craving more, so he wanted to drink more. At that time, Li Weining did come over to block the wine for him, handed his own wine pot to him, and held the cup to face everyone's toast and drank it all heartily.

This prince was usually gentle and refined, but once he drank, he showed his heroic spirit. Who would have thought that he would die so young...

'pity! '

Haiyue sighed silently.

He cannot accept Ruan Zhengyong's accusations, but this is indeed human nature. When encountering serious mistakes, people often seek excuses from outside and shirk responsibility.

Moreover, from Ruan Zhengyong's perspective, this person may really think that he is the only possible murderer.

Of course, this person was closest to the deceased and was also suspected of committing the murder. However, as the commander of the guards, he went through untold hardships to protect Prince Li Weining all the way to Hainan, but ended up killing him in the academy. What was his purpose?
Haiyue's thoughts were a little confused for a moment.

The sudden accusation...

Unbelievable poison...

At this moment, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps, a guard hurried up behind Ruan Zhengyong and reported: "A wine jug is missing from the kitchen's wine utensils!" Almost at the same time, the government office reported the results of the on-site investigation: "Sir, three academy servants have confirmed that a wine jug is missing from the kitchen."

Shao Jing's face darkened: "Search!"

"Yes!"

The officers rushed into the house and began searching. Ruan Zhengyong immediately retorted, "What's the point of searching the dormitory? How could the murderer be so foolish as to hide a poisoned wine jug in his own room? He must have left it somewhere while out last night! But the fact that the wine jug is missing proves that my theory was correct; the poison was inside!"

The atmosphere in the field changed again, and everyone looked at Haiyue with more surprise and worry.

Ruan Zhengyong served as a witness and, as the victim's personal bodyguard, witnessed the entire banquet and insisted that Haiyue was a major suspect.

Now the missing wine jug indirectly confirms this suspicion, at least it proves that the other party is not making a random accusation.

Even though these are not empirical evidence, people in ancient times did not pay attention to a complete chain of evidence when solving cases.

Local authorities often eagerly arrest and interrogate people as soon as they have either witnesses or physical evidence. As for not confessing? Under the command of Sanmu, no one will refuse to confess!

“No!” “I didn’t find it!” “Nothing!”

Seeing that the wine pot was not hidden in the school either, and had disappeared without a trace, Shao Jing frowned, pondered for a moment, and finally said: "Hai Shisanlang, please follow me to the government office!"

"Brother Yue wouldn't kill anyone!" "You guys have to investigate thoroughly!" "Journey to the West... My Journey to the West..."

The students' expressions changed several times, and many of them began to beg, but there was not much confidence in their voices.

Instead, Teacher Ma came to Shao Jing and said earnestly, "Hai Shisan is a good kid and won't hurt anyone. I'm willing to guarantee it!"

Shao Jing respected this kind of teacher who had taught for a lifetime, but after hearing this, he was also embarrassed and said: "This matter is of great importance. I cannot make the decision. I hope the old gentleman will forgive me."

"Ugh!"

The old teacher's eyes showed worry, but he was helpless.

Hai Rui's expression changed. Just as he was about to continue arguing, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

"There's no need for pointless arguments. The deceased is a serious matter, and it's impossible to explain it simply with words!"

Hai Yue whispered, "At this point, there are only two ways to completely clear my suspicion. Either we uncover the murderer's method of poisoning, or we catch the murderer!"

The death of a foreign envoy is no small matter. If it gets out of hand, not only will their lives and property be at stake, but their legitimate future will be ruined. Hai Yue's brain raced, and her speech quickened. "The motive in this case is clear. The Annan envoys have only been in Qiongshan for a dozen days. They've lived in seclusion and have no grudges against the locals. The only people who want to kill them are Annanites themselves! Either these guards are crying thief, or it's the traitor Mo Dengyong and his gang! If it's the guards, they've already accused me, and I'm accusing them now. Words are not enough, and the government will only think I'm making random accusations to clear my name. That's not a good idea for now! If it's an assassin, besides killing them, are they trying to prevent the Le Dynasty from becoming legitimate and seek help from our suzerain, the Ming Dynasty?"

Hai Rui reacted just as quickly: "Although Li Weining was killed, can the Li family of Annan send another envoy?"

"Not bad!"

Hai Yue analyzed: "So this is what I think. The most likely scenario at this stage is that the murderer deliberately set up a ruse and poisoned the banquet. This person not only wanted to kill Li Weining, but also wanted to make our Ming Dynasty students suspects. This would deal the greatest blow to the diplomatic corps! I just don't understand how they did it specifically... But if that's the case, the murderer should stay around and wait for the case to progress. Let's see if after Li Weining's death, the guards of the diplomatic corps will become desperate and turn against our Ming Dynasty!"

Hai Rui calmed down, "After this man succeeded in his crime, he inevitably slacked off. Even the best disguises have flaws! Once we apprehend this thief, we'll know exactly how he poisoned us, and clear my brother's name!"

"Whether it succeeds or not, let's do it both ways!"

Hai Yue couldn't help but feel uneasy. It would be difficult to catch a murderer who could cleverly poison a prince under the protection of layers of guards, but he had to work hard: "I will go to the government office and crack the murderer's poisoning method. You stay in the academy and look for clues of the murderer!"

Hai Rui nodded heavily and suggested, "If the people conducting the search were all detectives from the government office, the murderer would be on guard..."

Hai Yue's eyes moved, and she smiled slightly: "Who are you going to use?"

"Brother, you always say that brothers fight tigers together. I shouldn't be so withdrawn..."

Hai Rui normally had little contact with the other branches, a consequence of his father's early death and his mother's dominance. But the situation was critical and urgent, so he finally said in a deep voice, "Second brother is the best with the whip, Fourth brother is the best at managing the company, and Eighth brother has the greatest reputation. I'd like to ask for their help in finding the culprit!"

(End of this chapter)