The first work of the imperial prison

After Shen Jiang left, Shang Lu withdrew at some point, leaving only Sunshine and two people in the room.

Qiu Xunqing watched the little scorpion put the small bone on the mortuary table, where it should have been. The snow-white gloves lined with slender fingers, the wrists were white and smooth, and the small bells rustled...

"Are you tired?" There was a hoarseness in his voice that he didn't even notice.

"It's okay," Ye Baiting was concentrating on his work, completely unaware of what the other party was looking at or thinking, "It's true that there are a few bones, and we still have to find them."

Qiu Yiqing's head: "I'm looking for it. If there is a new one, I will send it right away."

"Ah."

Qiu Xunqing looked at Xiao Wu's work for a while, and said again: "Guan Xiuzhu... we have to wait for the coffin to be opened for autopsy, but today there is a big dynasty, and the official duties of various government offices are gradually resumed, do you want to go with me to the Ministry of Household Affairs?"

Ye Baiting's hands that straightened the bones stopped.

It takes time to find the bones, and Shen Jiang's investigation and visits also take time. Relatively speaking, he is not so busy now, but he went directly to the household department to investigate... Isn't it too arrogant?Aren't you afraid of being beaten out without evidence?

Qiu Xunqing: "Don't you dare?"

"What dare I not?" Ye Baiting immediately turned around and took off his gloves, "With the commander in front, who can hurt me?"

Qiu Yiqing's expression was calm: "It's good that you know."

"wait for me."

Ye Baiting washed his hands again, looked down at the clothes on his body, there was nothing wrong, it was quite suitable, and there was no special smell of the morgue, so he simply didn't go back and change.

Qiu Yiqing took out the fluffy cloak——

Ye Baiting took it, put it on himself, and tied the belt on himself: "Thank you Commander, I will do it myself."

Qiu Xun's green hand was stuck in the air for a long time, before the empty palm clenched into a fist and was thrown behind his back.

Walking into the yard, Qiu Xunqing called Xuan Guang, and was about to reach out to grab Xiao Wuzuo's waist, but Xiao Wuzuo had already borrowed a horse from behind, rode it in a quite familiar posture, and even touched the horse's neck with a smile : "I have already learned how to ride a horse, the commander forgot?"

Qiu Suiqing: ...

He turned his head and met black horse Xuanguang's big eyes.

It was the first time that Xuan Guang lost his temper with his master, he took several steps back, snorted, and slapped the young master who was sitting on the bay red horse. The young master was unmoved, and angrily bit the horse's tail.

Why does the young master want to ride other horses instead of it? Is it because it is not handsome or fast!As far as its legs, waist, coat color, and heroic running posture, no other horse can match it!

Like the dog general Xuanfeng, Xuanguang, as the commanding horse, has a wild and strong temper. He is a bully in the backyard. Which horse dares to provoke him?The bay red horse backed up several steps, wanting to run in fear.

It can carry Ye Baiting on its back!

Qiu Yiqing pulled Xuan Guang back, and pressed his horse's neck: "...Be quiet."

Xuan Guang felt aggrieved, shook his head and complained to the master, it wasn't that it wanted to make trouble, but someone else snatched its young master!

Qiu Suiqing... Qiu Suiqing understands everything, and now he really wants to know who is so free today, and the process of borrowing a horse is going so fast.

Xuan Guang didn't pick up the young master today, so he didn't dare to lose his temper with the young master, and he couldn't lose his temper with the bay red horse. The horse looked very cowardly at first glance, what should I do if I was scared and hurt the young master?It can only be awkward with its master. Anyway, the master has thick skin and good skills, so it's not afraid!

So along the way, Xuanguang has been laying his legs down, going fast and slow, turning suddenly, and stopping suddenly. The direction is correct and will not hurt passers-by. Qing was implicated by it, she couldn't steal even a little bit of laziness, her waist was stretched tightly, her butt was off the horse's back...

Xuan Guang flicked his tail unhappily, it's all you and all you!It's your fault!It must be that you have a bad face every day, which makes the little beauty unhappy, and I can't bear the burden. I like little beauties like little beauties!

It was the first time for the little beauty to ride a horse on the street, her attention was high, and she was always recalling the technical essentials. Is it right to do this, and how can it be better... There is no time to look at Xuanguang.

Qiu Xunqing had to work hard, while taming the disobedient wild horses below, he also had to pay attention to his own work, so as not to accidentally fall again.

Fortunately, the commanding officer has excellent riding skills and rich experience, so it is no problem to take care of his own horse. You can also see Xiao Zuo sitting alone on the bay red horse, holding the rein nervously, and hear the crisp and melodious sound of bells.

It's a pity that the voice was a little far away, and it was no longer covered by his palm.

Soon they arrived at the place, and the two dismounted.

Ye Baiting glanced over the plaque on the gate of the official office of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and looked at Qiu Yiqing: "It's quite big."

Qiu Xunqing: "Yes."

Ye Baiting came over and asked in a low voice, "How can I cooperate today? Is there a charter for the commander?"

Facing the bright eyes of his own master, the blue eyes of hatred slowly slowed down: "You can do it freely."

"Okay." Ye Baiting looked at the empty courtyard in the gate, eager to try.

The atmosphere between the two of them was still very natural, there was no estrangement, and they talked about everything, and the slightly frowning brows of Qiu Qingqing became lighter again.

Xuan Guang was a little agitated, and eagerly hugged Qiu Yiqing's arm, but the young master didn't even look at it, not even a glance!Is this the only way to go from now on!

Qiu Yiqing stroked Xuanguang's forehead, not knowing whether to say to it or to herself: "Don't worry...don't worry."

The household department room quickly greeted them, and while running errands to report the news to the Shangguan inside, they hurriedly sent people over to settle the horses. Soon, the two were invited to the flower hall of the official office.

At the level of the Commander of Jin Yiwei, of course the ones who came to entertain him could not be small fish and shrimps, but a middle-aged man with a square face and thick eyebrows, who was approaching his age and thick brows, was none other than the servant of the household department, Zhao Xingde.

"The Commander has arrived, and our household department is really full of splendor... Your Excellency Shangshu is out, but the lower officials took this opportunity to talk to the Commander. Please don't be disgusted by the Commander, and don't hesitate to give me your advice!"

Zhao Xingde came over to say hello with a smile on his face. He seemed cautious and flattered frequently, but in fact he spoke with a bit of yin and yang: "I don't know why the commander came here today? I'm in a small temple, so I dare not offend you. You used to be our man , but I'm too lazy to say hello."

Only then did Ye Baiting recall that in the Shi Mi case that he had handled before, there was a suspect named Xu Liangxing, who relied on his wife Ma Shi to "make a name for himself" outside, and in the name of "Madam Diplomacy", he committed dirty and disgusting things. Good deeds are not a good bird. Standing behind his wife, he has taken advantage of everything. His official career is smooth, but he is very shrewd. He does not touch dirty things at all. It is all his wife's fault and has nothing to do with him...

The murderer in that case was not Xu Liangxing, Qiu Xunqing still found many other incidents of Xu Liangxing's corruption and bribery, and other incidents and other evidences, and directly brought him to justice.

This Xu Liangxing was the servant of the household department at that time.

But Zhao Xingde's yin and yang kung fu...Ye Baiting glanced at him, obviously not in place, resentment can come out of his stomach, he really can't compare with Dongchang's father-in-law.

Qiu Yiqing became even more calm, and took a sip of tea with lowered eyes: "So, Mr. Zhao, why don't you thank me quickly?"

Zhao Xingde was taken aback: "Huh?"

Qiu Yiqing put down the teacup, and said "teach you the rules" earnestly: "If this envoy hadn't executed Xu Liangxing and vacated the position, Mr. Zhao would not have been able to get the servant of the household department."

Zhao Xingde: ...

Such a good person, why did he open his mouth!It is my job to be able to get to this position, why should I thank you?Thank you for not being picky eaters. One day when you are in a bad mood, do you also take care of yourself!

Ye Baiting almost couldn't help laughing, and glanced at Qiu Xingqing quietly, reminding the leader, take it easy, don't choke people to death, there is no place to ask questions when you turn around.

There was a dead silence in the room, as if even the air was stagnant.

However, people who have been in the officialdom for a long time have become a bit thick-skinned and whitewashed the ability of peace. Zhao Xingde pretended that nothing happened at that moment just now, continued to smile, and asked: "I don't know why the commander came this time. something important?"

Qiu Xunqing: "Nothing important, your household department, the envoy can't come?"

Zhao Xingde: ...

Enmity and suspicion are enough for people, just see good things: "Why isn't Wan Shangshu here?"

Zhao Xingde was even weaker when he spoke: "As soon as the year starts, there will be more official duties. Mr. Shang Shu is busy outside, and I really don't know that the commander is coming..."

He didn't have confidence in what he said, of course Ye Baiting could see it, he didn't believe a single word, it seemed that this Mr. Wan, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, was busy with work, it was fake, and skipping work to catch fish was real.

"The Commander is a person personally chosen by the Holy One. He is extremely capable. No one in the Household Department dares to disrespect you. If you have anything to do, you can rest assured that the subordinates will handle it well... Come, Commander, try our Household Department. Tea is also good."

Zhao Xingde looked at Qiu Yiqing's expression, while speaking, he glanced at Ye Baiting, his eyes were very inquisitive, but not very respectful.

Seeing that Qiu Yiqing hadn't spoken for a long time, he was just sitting there in a pretentious manner, creating a domineering aura, Ye Baiting thought for a while, and said: "We are here because we need to understand some things, and we need the cooperation of everyone in the household department."

Zhao Xingde didn't even look at Ye Baiting. Although he was smiling, the corners of his mouth curled down, as if he had been slighted by someone, and the tone of his conversation with Qiu Yiqing also contained a seemingly non-existent complaint and ridicule: "It is said that Beizhen Fu The rules are strict, I didn't expect the commander to have such interest."

Pooh!Interest fart interest!

How could Ye Baiting not know what these words meant, who did he think of, and who did he think of Qiu Yiqing, and when he went out to do errands, he had to bring a little love with him, right?

He just wants to be a competent speaker. A leader has the majesty of a leader, and his subordinates should also have the wink of his subordinates. Isn't that what Zhao Xingde said when he mentioned the Minister of the Household Department? Why, you can, but others can't?

Seeing Xiao Wu Zuo's eyelids drooping all of a sudden, Qiu Xingqing squinted his eyes, and saw that Zhao Xingde was not pleasing to the eye: "I thought that to be able to sit in this position, Master Zhao at least has some brains."

Zhao Xingde: "Huh?"

Qiu Xunqing: "It's better to learn more about how to deal with people. Misfortune comes from the mouth. Mr. Zhao should think about his own life."

Zhao Xingde: ...

Why are you swearing again after a disagreement!Was his mind affirmed or scolded just now?

After scolding someone, Qiu Yiqing stopped talking, glanced at Ye Baiting, and nodded slightly.

Ye Baiting knew that this was the leader supporting him!You, Zhao Xingde, don't want to talk to a low-level soldier like me. Today, the commander will give you this opportunity. You have to tell me everything!I'm mad at you! I'm mad at you!

He said in a deep voice: "The commanding officer came to the household department office. He didn't have nothing to do. He came here to ask about the murder case."

"Murder case?" Zhao Xingde wanted to talk to Qiu Suqing, but Qiu Suqing ignored him, he could only talk to the villain Dezhi, who smiled like a little fox, with an uncomfortable expression on his face, "It's New Year's Eve, Where did the murder come from? Who caused trouble outside, and even implicated my household department?"

Ye Baiting knew that the other party misunderstood him and underestimated him, so he showed a big smile: "Guan Xiuzhu."

"This person... didn't die early? The case is closed, the Ministry of Criminal Justice has investigated, the evidence is conclusive, and the Dali Temple has re-examined it. What else is there to ask?" Mentioning the person who had been dead for half a year, Zhao Xingde not only did not relax, but his expression became more tense up.

Ye Baiting said: "He himself has nothing to ask. What the commander wants to ask is another one——Guan Xiuzhu killed someone before he died. Does Mr. Zhao know?"

He has found out that the time of death of that incomplete corpse is definitely not half a year. If Guan Xiuzhu's body is correct, it is definitely not the murderer. .

Zhao Xingde was stunned for a moment: "He also killed someone? Who?"

Ye Baiting's eyebrows were straight and straight, very steady: "The details of the murder case are still under investigation, so it's inconvenient to disclose them. Mr. Zhao doesn't need to know. As long as he knows that this case is under the jurisdiction of Beizhen Fusi, and the household department needs to cooperate, that's fine."

Zhao Xingde stared at Ye Baiting with a big tone!Where did the surnamed Qiu find Xiao Qinger, fair and beautiful, she can talk quite well, and she is not afraid of rules and regulations, and she will lead people around, even the government offices dare to come, so you are not afraid of others reading his book? !

Ye Baiting just wanted to laugh.

At first glance, this person is not well-informed. He only cares about his own acre and prestige, and doesn't pay attention to other places. Not to mention the father-in-law of the East Factory and the West Factory, even Yan Rouman knows his identity. Zhao Xingde only judges people by their appearance when they have the opportunity to 'make a crime and make meritorious service'. Seeing that he is not wearing an official uniform, looks younger and more upright, he defines his identity...

If you are so stupid, your official career will be difficult in the future.

Ye Baiting stabbed Zhao Xingde a few words, but it was a bit dull: "The colleagues who were familiar with Guan Xiuzhu at that time, who are there now, the commanders have to meet and ask."

Zhao Xingde: ...

Every sentence is inseparable from the commander, what the commander wants to ask, it is you who have to ask!

He answered only a beat later, and Ye Baiting raised his eyebrows: "Master Zhao is unwilling to cooperate? Could it be that you also participated in this murder case?"

"That can't, absolutely nothing." Zhao Xingde quickly waved his hands, glanced at Qiu Yiqing who was silent but obviously supported and indulged, "I will go outside now to see who is there..."

"No need."

Ye Baiting stood up from his seat, not only walked by himself, but also stretched out his hand to invite Qiu Xunqing: "The commander also goes to see it together."

Zhao Xingde: ...

Want to swear.

"The government office of the Ministry of Household Affairs has been in disrepair for a long time. It snowed heavily a few years ago. Several rooms were crushed and leaked. They are applying for repairs. The officials at the bottom have no choice but to move to the lobby. It is messy everywhere. The command shows you..."

Qiu Yiqing intentionally left him alone, but ignored him, and just walked forward, meaning that the envoy was about to go.

Zhao Xingde couldn't stop him, so he could only lead the way.

Ye Baiting: "Master Zhao has been in the household department for many years, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you should be familiar with Guan Xiuzhu?"

"He is a newcomer who came last spring, so I am familiar with him."

"In Master Zhao's eyes, what kind of person is he?"

"Those who come in through the imperial examinations are of course talented and able to do things. Didn't you see that in the first half of last year, he was all out of the limelight?" Zhao Xingde was in a high position to comment, and others had a lot of experience, "It's a pity that you are young and vigorous. It's not a good thing to show your sharpness and don't know how to restrain yourself, but in the end you couldn't stand that test and reached out to Ku Yin."

Ye Baiting: "Guan Xiuzhu was responsible for Ku Yin's embezzlement?"

Zhao Xingde: "Of course, it has been said that he is capable, and the Dali Temple of the Ministry of Punishment has conducted a joint investigation. The evidence is solid. I don't want to believe it, so there is nothing I can do."

Ye Baiting: "How exactly does it work? The Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance is the most important thing. Every step requires complicated and detailed approval. How did Guan Xiuzhu bypass you Shangguan?"

Zhao Xingde: "I've said it all, people are smart, what method was used and how to do it, you young people have a lot of eyes, and this official is old, I really can't figure it out."

Ye Baiting asked again: "Guan Xiuzhu is in the official office, does he have any enemies?"

"I don't know. I'm just a superior. I need them to work together, and I'm not his father. How can I ask too much about my private relationship?" Zhao Xingde quickly led the way, and his words became more and more perfunctory, "But he has a bit of a temper. It seems that he is not easy to get along with, and occasionally someone in the official office complains that he is not good at cooperating... Ah, here we come, the commander please come here."

This is a spacious hall, the place is very big, there are a lot of long and long gongs, and there are many people coming and going, but the place is too big, there is no way to heat it well, and no amount of charcoal basins are warm enough.

Zhao Xingde brought the two to the nearest public case: "About Guan Xiuzhu, the commander can ask him. His name is Li Guangji. He joined the household department with Guan Xiuzhu last spring. It is considered to be the same period. What is the private relationship? I don’t know, but there are many connections in the work, so I should be familiar with it.”

When Li Guangji saw the Shangguan approaching, he had already stood up to salute. Because of his haste, the paperwork stacked on the table almost fell off, and he rushed to pick it up again.

Ye Baiting glanced at his desk. It was a very long and wide koan, almost full of things, closed files, opened papers, bald brushes, brushes that were too late to change water...

"Busy?"

"A little..."

Li Guangji was thin, his official uniform was a bit old, his appearance was not outstanding among men, but he was definitely not ugly, but there was no energy in his eyes, and he looked a little depressed.

There were a lot of people in the hall, and when they saw someone coming, they all listened with their ears open, Ye Baiting took a step back, feeling that it was more appropriate for the leader to speak at this time.

Qiu Yiqing stood beside him, paused, and then asked, "Li Guangji, are you and Guan Xiuzhu the same age?"

Li Guangji nodded: "Yes, after the imperial examination, officials will be sent together."

Qiu Yiqing: "Then your relationship is not bad?"

"It doesn't count," Li Guangji lowered his eyes, "We have a lot of poor backgrounds. He and I just entered the household department together. We are newcomers. There are some things that need to be familiarized with. We can talk a few words, but I am in the warehouse department. In Duzhi, if it’s not for official business contacts, we don’t get along much.”

When he said this, Ye Baiting was a little surprised. The officialdom here has the characteristics of the time constraints. It pays attention to the same year and the same knowledge... To participate in the imperial examination in the same year, and to be sent to the household department together. This is a rare bond in the officialdom, which needs to be consolidated and maintained. , but in Li Guangji's words, he distanced himself from Guan Xiuzhu everywhere.

Qiu Yiqing also noticed it, and asked, "What kind of person do you think Guan Xiuzhu is?"

Li Guangji glanced quickly at Zhao Xingde, who was smiling and accompanying him, and lowered his eyes again: "He...is a very courageous person."

Qiu Yiqing pondered for a moment, then settled on the other party's messy case: "You are not familiar with him, but you have a lot of contact? I see that you have a lot of things. I heard that Guan Xiuzhu is willing to help others. Has he ever helped you?"

"This one……"

Li Guangji paused, and didn't look at Zhao Xingde again: "I helped."

"What about you?" Qiu Yiqing continued to ask, "Have you ever helped him?"

Li Guangji smiled wryly: "I want to help, but his affairs are different from mine, so I can't help."

Qiu Xunqing: "You entered the household department at the same age as him. You should be familiar with what he is familiar with, and you should learn what he wants to learn. Why is it different?"

"This..." Li Guangji looked at Zhao Xingde for help.

Zhao Xingde sighed: "Hey... this newcomer has different abilities, and the assigned tasks are different. It is said that Guan Xiuzhu is bold and likes to show off, so he must grab a good job. If it weren't for those who are easy to make meritorious service Yes, yes, they were all snatched away by Guan Xiuzhu, and these corners and corners would not fall on Li Guangji's head, and Li Guangji would not be able to get ahead after working for a year, and the things in his hands would not be knotted... "

"But it doesn't matter, the officialdom is all made out of." Zhao Xingde seemed to value the honest Li Guangji very much, and patted him on the shoulder, "You work hard, first develop the basic ability, and you can do everything. What will be difficult for you in the future? It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a family background and you are not as good-looking as others, what Shangguan wants is always someone who can do things. If you have trained well, how can Shangguan not support you?”

Li Guangji looked at his nose and nose with concern, and stood respectfully with his arms tied: "...Yes."

Qiu Yiqing asked again: "On the day Guan Xiuzhu died, did you communicate with each other?"

"This..." Li Guangji didn't understand, and he didn't dare to ask directly, "It's been so long..."

Why even ask?

Qiu Suqing's face was as serious and deep as ever: "Answer the envoy's question."

I don't know if he was frightened by this gesture, or because the incident last year was a bit sensitive. Li Guangji was a little nervous: "At that time, the case of Ku Yin's absence came out, and the Ministry of Criminal Justice came to investigate. Everyone was very nervous. Even though Qixi Festival is a festival, everyone They didn't even care about it, and they went back very late, but they were called back later. It seemed that there was new evidence from the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and all the personnel of the household department were notified not to leave without permission, and waited in place, but it was not yet dawn. Xiuzhu just... committed suicide. Everyone was in their own work area, er, at least I was in my own seat, no one told me not to dare to walk around, for fear of being suspected, and Guan Xiuzhu... probably had no communication Yes, it’s been a while, and I don’t remember very well.”

"Guan Xiuzhu is also in his office and study, and he hasn't come out yet?"

"Because I didn't come out much myself, so I didn't see him."

Qiu Yiqing nodded: "Since you are familiar with Guan Xiuzhu to a certain extent, do you know who is here and treats him very well?"

Li Guangji was taken aback, his fingers tightened, and his head lowered: "I...don't know."