Kaifeng House Small Dining Table

In the early morning of the next day, Bao Zheng returned with a gloomy face, and his whole body exuded an aura that strangers should not get close to.Seeing that Bao Zheng was like this, everyone didn't dare to ask more questions, and stayed silent outside the Sansi Hall, waiting for Master Bao's order.Not long afterward, Yan Shu came in a hurry, asked where Bao Zheng was, and followed him into the Sansi Hall.

The two stayed in the Sansi hall for a stick of incense, and then Yan Shu came out and called Gongsun Ce, Zhao Hanyan and others to enter.

The room was very quiet, and everyone wanted to speak, but they didn't know if it was appropriate to speak.

Bai Yutang didn't care about this, and finally asked after entering the door, "It's not going well?"

Bao Zheng still looked down.

Yan Shu said gently: "Indeed, Master Bao's ginseng was published by Qu Rong, but Qu Rong refuted it as a false accusation."

"What's going on?" Zhao Hanyan asked, "Even if Qu Rong made a sophistry, we have evidence on our side, and it is at best a dubious result."

"Lord Bao's nephew made some trouble in Songzhou two days ago, Shangshu Qu took the blame and is investigating. Grand Master Pang mentioned this matter to His Majesty two days ago and took the lead."

After Bao Zheng participated in Qu Rongfa, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Qu Rongfa used this as a reason to accuse Bao Zheng of intentional revenge.Qu Rongfa also retorted that Bao Zheng had long been suspected of torture to extract a confession, and told the story of the shopkeeper Xue who almost committed suicide because he was about to be tortured, as evidence.Qu Rongfa accused Bao Zheng of extorting confessions from witnesses in such a way that the testimonies cannot be counted at all. How many people were wronged and tortured because they could not bear the torture.

If the witness just uttered a simple sentence, "It is the Minister of the Ministry of Rites", Qu Rongfa, Pang Taishi and others thought it was not enough to be a testimony, because without detailed explanations, it is very likely that the confession was obtained through torture.

Qu Rongfa also said that if he was really involved with the two girls, the two girls should be able to confess more details and processes of their close contacts with him.Taishi Pang echoed Qu Rongfa's words, and said that Qu Rongfa, as the minister of the Ministry of Rites and an important minister above the court, would be too contemptuous if he confronted the court just because of a crippled girl's subsequent unwarranted testimony. Belittle the Song court.

Therefore, the final result of the discussion was that Qu Rongfa did not need to be tried, while Bao Zheng was guilty of ineffective investigation and lax housekeeping.

Everyone was very angry after hearing what had happened.This Qu Rongfa is actually such an eloquent person, after a few words, he "turned defeat into victory" for himself who was at a disadvantage.

"What mistake did your lord's nephew do? How could he have anything to do with the Ministry of Rites?" Wang Chao asked.

Yan Shu glanced at Bao Zheng, naturally he wouldn't say anything, he always wanted to save some face for Bao Zheng, "It's not a big deal, it's just a small mistake, if you get caught, it's nothing more than a big fuss."

"A mistake is a mistake. Master Yan doesn't have to cover it up for him. In recent years, he has used my name to secretly collect five hundred catties of tribute rice from the governor of Songzhou every year." Bao Zheng opened his mouth and explained, Mentioning his nephew is even more hateful.

"It's just a coincidence. This autumn was when the tribute rice was transported to Tokyo City. The servant of the Ministry of Rites went to Songzhou to check the accounts. After finding any mistakes, he reported to Qu Shangshu. Qu Shangshu knew that Grand Master Pang hated Mr. Bao, so he reported the Bao family. I gave it to Taishi Pang." Yan Shu briefly explained.

"But my lord's nephew made a mistake, what does it have to do with your lord?" Wang Chao asked with eyebrows twisted.

"Of course it has something to do with it. I'm the elder of the Bao clan. If someone in the clan made a mistake, I should be responsible for my negligence in teaching." Bao Zheng admitted.

Yan Shu then asked Bao Zheng, "What is it about extorting a confession through torture so that the prisoner committed suicide?"

Zhan Zhao hurriedly told Yan Shu about the process of interrogating Shopkeeper Xue.

"The shopkeeper Xue has changed his confession several times to tease the adults. If he doesn't torture him, how can he confess honestly."

Yan Shu nodded, thinking that it made sense.

"Since this is the case, let's say that this person has a bad attitude and despises the court, so he wants to be punished. He was supposed to suffer a little bit of flesh and blood, but he didn't think that this person would suddenly and violently commit suicide. Such a statement, Daoming is not your fault."

Zhao Hanyan asked Yan Shu unclearly: "Why did you teach us to say this sentence, could it be?"

Yan Shu nodded, "The Holy Majesty has sent Song Shangshu to check this matter, and it is estimated that he will arrive in a while. In case you all talk about your own things and make mistakes later, this check should not be a problem."

Everyone understood and agreed.

Bai Yutang questioned Yan Shu, why the sage did not initiate an investigation regarding the Qu Shangshu case.

"I guess it will be his turn to check after checking you guys. If there is no doubt, it will be his turn to check." Yan Shu reassured everyone that this is not a big deal.As long as Qu Rongfa did something utterly unconscionable, there would definitely be a leak.

"To put it lightly, how much energy has been spent on this case, but it is still struggling. Where there are many rules, it is troublesome."

Bai Yutang couldn't get used to these intrigues and fights in court, he was afraid that if he heard too much, he would lose control of himself.After saying that, he bowed his hands and said goodbye. Since the case has not made any progress, he might as well save some energy to investigate the case if he stays here and waits for some minister to question him.

Bao Zheng allowed Bai Yutang to leave, and then gave Zhao Hanyan a wink, signaling her to take a quick look.

"Don't worry, my lord, he is very measured about this."

Zhao Hanyan had reminded Bai Yutang more than once of his status as a fourth-rank guard with a knife.Although Bai Yutan is occasionally impulsive and can't stand being provoked, he is even more intelligent and quick-response, and during his time in Kaifeng Mansion, he has become much calmer than before, so he will know what he chooses to do What are the consequences of each event.

Zhao Hanyan has great confidence in him.However, the rest of the people present were still worried, and advised Zhao Hanyan to go out and have a look, and to help persuade a few words.Now Kaifeng Mansion is already on the cusp because of Qu Rongfa's relationship, so it can't take the risk of any other mistakes.

"What you say is the best, go and persuade." Zhan Zhao implored Zhao Hanyan.

Seeing "what the people want," Zhao Hanyan had no choice but to agree to leave with everyone first.Before leaving Sansi Hall, Zhao Hanyan glanced at Yan Shu by the way.Yan Shu waved to her with a smile, urging her to go quickly.

After Zhao Hanyan ran out of Sansi Hall in a hurry, he turned around and searched around, but he couldn't find the familiar figure.Zhao Hanyan asked about the whereabouts of Bai Yutang, the guard in the courtyard, and the little official gestured in the direction of the small kitchen.

Zhao Hanyan thanked him and ran towards the small kitchen.After crossing the Moonstone Arch, he ran only four or five zhang away, and saw Bai Yutang holding his treasured sword, standing with his back against the wall.

The white robe flutters in the cool autumn wind, untouched by the dust of the world. Its owner is looking ahead without focus, with a jade-like profile.Even if this person is in a daze, he is in a daze with a very beautiful appearance, very seductive and beautiful.

Seeing that Bai Yutang did not act impulsively as he expected, Zhao Hanyan felt more at ease.She wasn't going to bother him.

After a while, Bai Yutang lost his patience and turned to look at her.

Bai Yutang: "Why are you still standing there?" Why haven't you come to me?

"I think you seem to be thinking about something, don't bother me, just wait here." Seeing that Bai Yutang found her, Zhao Hanyan explained with a smile.

"I'm fine," Bai Yutang frowned, but at this moment he turned his eyes away, but didn't look at Zhao Hanyan, "I'm thinking about someone."

"Want Qu Rongfa?" Zhao Hanyan nodded in agreement, "This person is a headache, but Mr. Yan is right, he will show his feet sooner or later. And I think this 'sooner or later' will be very fast. After all, Mr. Yan is still Standing on our Lord Bao's side, it seems that Song Shangshu is also helping us Lord Bao."

Bai Yutang was annoyed by Zhao Hanyan's first rhetorical question, and he didn't care to listen to the rest, so he smiled at her helplessly and agreed that she was right.

But since Qu Rongfa was mentioned, Bai Yutang expressed his thoughts, "Tonight I plan to visit the Minister's Mansion of the Ministry of Rites to see if there is any evidence to investigate."

"It's okay, it's better to have more clues that can be used." Zhao Hanyan told Bai Yutang to pay attention to safety.

Just as Bai Yutang was about to agree, he suddenly clenched the knife in his hand and stood up straight. Before he could open his mouth, there were hurried footsteps.

"Eh? Brother Bai, Brother Zhao, why are you here?"

Zhao Hanyan saw Su Yuerong holding a bucket of rice in one hand and a bucket of cabbage and egg drop soup in the other, and asked her what to do.

"Oh, Mrs. Xu is still sick. I help cook, but I'm not used to the things in the kitchen over there, and they're too dirty. Even if they feed the prisoners, they can't be so unclean. I'm here The small kitchen is done, and I will carry it over. I swear that I will never occupy the space of the small kitchen, Brother Zhao, please don't blame me." Su Yuerong promised nervously.

"Silly girl, it's too late for me to be happy for you because you are kind and helpful. Go." Zhao Hanyan said with a smile.

Seeing Zhao Hanyan, Su Yuerong really didn't blame her, so she laughed, and after thanking her again and again, she left with two heavy buckets of rice and soup.

Su Yuerong kept talking while walking: "Brother Zhao is better, Second Brother Bai has been calling for nothing for four years."

After Zhao Hanyan heard it, he burst into laughter, "What about you! It seems that she thinks you are not as good as me, are you angry?"

"This is the truth, there is no need to be angry, you are better than me." Bai Yutang's eyes sparkled.

Zhao Hanyan didn't expect Bai Yutang to "let the virtuous", and was stunned for a while, looking at him strangely, just happened to meet his eyes.

In the past, Zhao Hanyan often met Bai Yutang's eyes, and he didn't feel anything, but today Zhao Hanyan suddenly felt that something was wrong.The way Bai Yutang looked at her seemed a little strange, a little hot.But then I thought, that's Bai Yutang, a person who looks like a god without dust, why 'hot' her, she is not a 'woman'.

Zhao Hanyan quickly smashed the 'hot' thoughts in his head, and then asked Bai Yutang to go to rest quickly. Since he was going to visit Qu Rongfa's mansion tonight, now is the best time to recharge his batteries.

"Okay." Bai Yutang replied softly, and Fang smiled and said goodbye to Zhao Hanyan.

Zhao Hanyan found out that when Bai Yutang left for the last time, he gave her a special look. Why did she still feel a little 'hot' in that look?

Looking at Bai Yutang's back, Zhao Hanyan fell into doubt, then turned around and wanted to go back to Sansitang embarrassingly.

Su Yuerong hadn't finished mentioning the food, and when she came back to see that Zhao Hanyan was not there, she came over to look at Zhao Hanyan strangely.

"What's wrong, there's something on my face?" Zhao Hanyan wiped his face suspiciously.

"Your face is so red!" Su Yuerong sighed brightly.

"Red?" Zhao Hanyan's heart skipped a beat, just as a thought sprouted in his heart, he felt the coldness on his forehead.Looking up, Su Yuerong was testing her forehead with his hands.

Zhao Hanyan coughed twice in embarrassment, and hurriedly took two steps back, saying that men and women are different, so don't let people see and misunderstand.

"What if I misunderstand, I'm not afraid that I won't be able to get married. In the worst case, I will be alone in the future." Su Yuerong looked around, "Besides, there is no one around at the moment. We children of the world don't care about trivial matters, it's okay! Oh, it's hard for you Your face is so red!"

"You... know why I am blushing?" Zhao Hanyan looked at Su Yuerong in a panic.

"Of course I know, you have a fever, and your forehead is so hot that you can cook!" Su Yuerong couldn't help laughing seeing Zhao Hanyan still in a daze, "What's wrong with Brother Zhao, he is usually smarter than anyone else , but today I'm a little dazed."

Zhao Hanyan raised her hand and touched her forehead, it seemed to be really hot, it was hard to feel the scorching eyes of others just now, it turned out that she herself was in the 'burning heat'.

"It is estimated that the head is burned out." Zhao Hanyan sighed while clutching his head.

"I'll go to the kitchen in a while and ask Brother Chunlai to grab some medicine and I'll fry it for you. Go back to your room and rest now." Su Yuerong persuaded.

Zhao Hanyan: "I still have something to do at Sansi Hall. I will go to rest when I get back to Master Bao and wait for your medicine. Thank you very much."

"You're welcome." Su Yuerong waved to Zhao Hanyan briskly, and then went.

At this moment, Zhao Hanyan realized belatedly that he had a headache, but it should be fine, so he went to Sansi Hall first.

Seeing Zhao Hanyan's return, everyone in Sansitang asked her how she was doing, and they were all relieved when they learned that they were indeed worrying too much.

At this time, a small official came to report and informed that Song Tingkong, Shangshu of the Ministry of punishment, had been ordered to come.

Yan Shu hurriedly asked everyone to prepare their speeches, and gave the answers without any leaks, so that when Song Shangshu conveyed everyone's words to the Holy Majesty, Qu Rongfa's gang would not be able to pick any mistakes.

Everyone agreed and did as they said.After Song Tingkong and other subordinates finished recording the testimony, they didn't stay for a while, let alone greeted Bao Zheng and others, and left immediately.

"Master Song, is this?" Zhan Zhao felt that Song Tingkong was a little cold.

Yan Shu, who had avoided suspicion just now, reappeared, and after hearing Zhan Zhao's doubts, he hurriedly explained: "It should be like this, if this matter is warm with you, and later someone uses the excuse to talk about it, and it's for nothing, the Holy Majesty will ask Sending someone else, how can he help everyone. Master Song is actually afraid that everyone will misunderstand, so he sent me to inform in advance."

"So that's the case, I was worrying too much." Zhan Zhao hurriedly apologized, and asked Yan Shu to help convey everyone's thanks to Song Shangshu.

Yan Shu nodded in agreement.

Bao Zheng: "The most difficult thing to deal with now is this case. The witnesses here refuse to change their words after they have already made a fuss about it."

"Since the Holy Majesty knows this, he will not doubt it at all. However, the Qu family is not impregnable. Apart from these two hard-spoken witnesses, why don't Master Bao try to see if he can start from within the Qu family?" Yan Shu suggested road.

Bao Zheng felt that it was reasonable. These days, they focused all their attention on Miss Zhang and Miss Lu Er looking for evidence, but ignored other possibilities.They can be said to be confused and unaware of it.

Bao Zheng thanked Yan Shu for his reminder, and later they thought about how to start with the people around Qu Rongfa.

"But this time, Shenben has already alarmed the enemy. You must be more careful in handling it, and you can't be caught again." Yan Shu instructed, and then he pondered for a moment, and then said to Bao Zheng and others, "I heard something about the Qu family before." The rumors about it were mentioned by Song Shangshu by accident, maybe you can help with the case, if you don’t have it, just treat me as nonsense.”

"Master Yan, don't be fooled. No matter if it's helpful or not, we want as long as it's news." Zhao Hanyan urged him.

"Okay," Yan Shu smiled, and then said to everyone, "It's Qu Rongfa's son Qu Changle, you can try to probe him and see if you can break through."

"Qu Changle?" Zhan Zhao wanted to make sure that he heard correctly, Qu Changle was Qu Rongfa's son.No matter what, the parent-child son can still report on the father?

Not only Zhan Zhao, Bao Zheng and others also had this idea, and asked Yan Shu why.

Yan Shu told what he knew.

Qu Rongfa's family background is actually not that good. His family is farming, and it is easy for him to study and make a living.

When Qu Rongfa was in high school, his parents went away again, and his brothers separated. He was not the eldest son, so he didn't get much points.In addition, he spent money on studying, and the original life was even more poor.Later, there was a respectable family member in the clan who wanted to be adopted because he had no children, so he fell in love with Qu Rongfa's youngest son, that is, Qu Changle.

At that time, Qu Rongfa had four sons in total. This adopted youngest son would not only save the family's expenses, but also bring in dozens of taels of silver, which could be used for scientific research in the future, so Qu Rongfa agreed. .

The later situation is as everyone knows, Qu Rongfa was a 23rd high school student, and later with the help of Taishi Pang, he was promoted day by day and made great progress.It's just that he didn't know what evil he had committed as an official. The three sons-in-law all died one after another, one got acne, one had an accident, and the other didn't wake up after sleeping.Qu Rongfa's wife is also getting older, and it is not only difficult but also risky to have children.Therefore, Qu Rongfa tried to find a way to get back Qu Changle, who was adopted outside.

"But their father-son relationship has not been very good. Qu Changle was already thirteen when he was asked to come back, and he was already sensible. It must be that his father gave him away in the early years and he was considered abandoned. He was very resistant to Qu Shangshu. Later, Qu Shangshu In a fit of rage, he even beat him in public, Qu Changle seemed to dislike his father even more because of this, and hang out with his friends all day long, unwilling to go home, so the relationship between father and son is very weak." Yan Shu said.

"So it makes sense." Bao Zheng thanked Yan Shu for reminding him, and immediately ordered someone to investigate Qu Changle's situation.

After Yan Shu finished what he had to say, he took his leave and left.But before leaving, he didn't forget to call Zhao Hanyan in private and ask her if she had any delicious food for him to take.

"Your Majesty Yan knows the goods, so you're welcome!" Just now when everyone was very nervous about the case, Gongsun Ce couldn't help but sighed, and everyone followed suit, and the atmosphere eased a lot.

"You're being polite, otherwise it would be a loss to my mouth. The noodle shrimp you sent last time was delicious. It tastes different from ordinary fried shrimp. Later, I asked the cook in my house to follow suit. Although it's a bit lacking in taste, it's not bad." Yan Shu said frankly.

"Recently investigating the case, everyone is too busy to eat warm food. What I make is something that can be eaten cold and carried around. It's just something to pad the stomach. It's not very delicious." After Zhao Hanyan said, seeing Yan Shu say that he Modestly, he said to Yan Shu, "But there is one thing, your lord may not have eaten it, there are some left in the kitchen, let me try it?"

Yan Shu agreed, and followed Zhao Hanyan to the kitchen very bluntly.

Zhao Hanyan asked Chunlai to take down the bamboo basket hanging from the beam.There are many things wrapped in square paper in the bamboo basket, and the ropes are cross-wrapped.

Zhao Hanyan untied a rope and opened the paper bag, revealing goose pieces with scorched red skin, but the meat looked dry.Zhao Hanyan handed the chopsticks to Yan Shu and asked him to try it.

"The main ingredient is soy sauce and a few large goose pieces marinated with simple ingredients to remove the fishy smell, and then dried, which can be kept for a long time." Zhao Hanyan explained.

Yan Shu rubbed his chin and doubted himself: "I don't like goose meat very much. I ate it for the first time when I was a child. I only tasted a mouthful of stewed meat that was full of soup, but I still felt the meat was thick. There is a feeling of dry firewood, like chewing wood. After all, compared with chicken, the taste of goose is definitely not good for me. Now you don’t even have any soup, and it’s dried, how can it be delicious, I'm afraid it will be even more dry."

"What you eat is the strength of this dry firewood." Zhao Hanyan asked Yan Shu if he wanted to eat it, but if she didn't eat it, she would put it away. "It's not even enough for Kaifeng Mansion!"

Yan Shu hurriedly made up his mind to try it, so he just took the smallest piece and put it in his mouth.The taste is exactly as Zhao Hanyan said, dry firewood, but this dry firewood is completely different from the dry firewood he ate. This one is more like the dry firewood of beef jerky. It is full, and the aroma of the sauce seems to permeate every shredded pork. The more you chew, the more delicious it will be, and the more you chew, the more delicious it will be.

Why do you feel fresh?This made Yan Shu very surprised, and asked Zhao Hanyan why.

"The self-brewed sauce, a layer of soy sauce that floats up, tastes very fresh, but today it's cold, the goose meat will not go bad if soaked in this soy sauce for three days and three nights, and when the taste has penetrated enough, put it in the oven to roast " Zhao Hanyan then said to Yan Shu, "You continue to eat."

Yan Shu stuffed the leftover meat into his mouth, chewing it gave out a fruity aroma, and looked at Zhao Hanyan in surprise.

"It's a pity that you weren't there during the roasting. I sliced ​​the apples and stuffed them in the goose's stomach and roasted them for a while. The baked apples are soft and rotten with a meaty aroma. The fishy effect." After Zhao Hanyan explained, he took out three packs and asked Yan Shu to take them home to eat, usually with a plate of peanuts as an appetizer.

After Yan Shu asked his followers to take away the three bags, he looked at Zhao Hanyan with a bit of pleading: "Can I have another bag?"