The first work of the imperial prison

Yu Wenzhang...

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing looked at each other, they even had their names, I'm afraid it wasn't groundless.

Yu Lianhai was a little nervous. Before the two people in the seat insisted on him talking, he didn't dare to say it. Now that he said it, the other party stopped asking, but he was even more afraid: "I said what I didn't say...you insisted on telling me ..."

Ye Baiting: "Why do you think He Yiming killed your friend? But you saw it with your own eyes, or do you have any evidence?"

"No, not at all," Yu Lianhai shook his head, "I didn't see Brother Yu when he died, but in the past two years, Brother Yu met in the capital, and the only person who got involved with him was He Yiming, and he had no contact with others at all. , Brother Yu died suddenly, it wasn't who he was!"

Ye Baiting: "These two years?"

Yu Lianhai paused: "Brother Yu and I don't live in the capital. We are from the same town who came to Beijing to catch the exam. Last year, we were unlucky and both failed the rankings. I felt that I was not talented enough and I lost my ambition. I went to work as a civil servant for others. Brother Yu Not reconciled, I set up a small courtyard in a secluded alley, and prepared to participate in this year's Enke. I understand his enthusiasm, and I didn't stop him. He is talented and has a lot of money. He was just unlucky last year, but he will definitely pass high school this year. Unexpectedly, before the day to enter the arena, he..."

Ye Baiting knew that, outside the normal imperial examination system, the emperor would occasionally open a special examination to select scholars, often accompanied by grace and tax exemption, for enke, the imperial examination was held every three years, last year was the first year, and this year the emperor got married, and it was released as early as last autumn After hearing the news from Ganke, in February of this year, there was another big exam.

He looked at Yu Lianhai: "My friend, your circle is very simple?"

Yu Lianhai nodded again and again: "It's very simple! He doesn't have any friends or acquaintances here, so he writes to me from time to time. I know more about him than anyone else. Except for He Yiming, he Never mentioned anyone else!"

"Then when did he and He Yiming know each other? They have a good friendship?"

"Not good, very bad!"

"Except for you, he only mentioned this new acquaintance in the capital, and the friendship is not good?"

"I can't say anything else, I'm sure of this!" Yu Lianhai was very sure, "Brother Yu and I went to Beijing the fall of the year before last year to catch up with last year's scientific examination. At the end of October of that year, I met He Yiming. He appreciated brother Yu's literary talent very much. We talked for a long time when we first met. I remember that the atmosphere was very harmonious at that time, like mountains and flowing water. Finally, I met a bosom friend, but it was only that time, and they met again later. I have never seen it before. Brother Yu gradually stopped mentioning He Yiming to me. At first he praised He Yiming, saying that he was a gentleman, humble and elegant, but later he never said such a thing. When I asked about it, he said, "What is he doing?" When I asked again, he said, "There is nothing to talk about, and we will not communicate with each other in the future."... How can this be a good relationship?"

Ye Baiting listened to the tone of these words, if this is true, it might not be because of bad friendship, or even a feud.

Yu Lianhai: "Brother Yu has a brilliant literary talent and a solid foundation. He once took an article to consult a great scholar, and everyone said that as long as he plays steadily, he will not make mistakes in the final exam. I have no idea about myself and I am very confident in him. But last year He failed the exam and didn't pass the exam. How is this possible? I asked him about his answers, but he didn't say anything, but his expression was wrong, and I could tell at a glance. I asked him what happened, but he still didn't say anything, so I said He checked who he had met before, and only He Yiming...a good person, as long as he played steadily and at a good level, he failed the ranking. Brother Yu is not a person who is prone to nervousness and mistakes. He has always been very stable. What else could be the reason for such a thing? He Yiming must have done it!"

"But he didn't say anything, he was taciturn. He seemed to admit the matter and let it go. Anyway, there is still a chance. This year, the emperor added Enke. Of course, he regrouped and returned with confidence. This time he was more cautious than before. , basically no one speaks, doesn't participate in any activities, just stays at home and studies, but when the big exam is approaching, he still has an accident... This time he jumped off the building and died! There is no chance again!"

"He lives in isolation and is no longer popular. He never mentioned anyone to me in the letter. He only said that he met He Yiming again. It would be no good if he met this surname He. Do you think I can not doubt him? Except him Who else can I doubt, and it is impossible for anyone else!"

The emotional atmosphere was suddenly tense, and Yu Lianhai began to subconsciously think: "Brother Yu is devoted to his studies, he is not married yet, and there is only one old mother at home. No one is willing to help him with the funeral except me. I wanted to help him carry the coffin back to his hometown , Seeing that the weather is getting warmer, the road is not suitable for walking, and it will be a year younger when I wait until winter. I wrote to discuss with the old man. It can be seen, and it can be discerned, what is wrong with brother Yu, what is wrong with his family, why they are treated like this, they have grievances and sufferings, and who do they want to sue..."

The hall was quiet for a long time, Ye Baiting said slowly: "You said Yu Wenzhang jumped off the building?"

"I know, you want to ask about the suspicion of suicide. Everyone said he committed suicide when Brother Yu died, but I don't believe it." Yu Lianhai raised his head for the first time and met Ye Baiting's eyes without avoiding them. A person who committed suicide! I have known him for more than four years. He has a calm personality, is indifferent to things, and has a rock-solid heart for learning. He works hard every day, never gives up every day, and he has never been unconfident. Nothing can make him feel embarrassed, he knows that he will pass the exam, and his future may not be as good as that of the children of the family, but it can definitely support his belief and life, he has great vision and belief in this, and he will never commit suicide!"

Qiu Su's green knuckles tapped on the table: "Time, place."

"One month ago, Baifo Pagoda."

Yu Lianhai was asking how his friend died, and he said in detail: "Incense is very popular there, and there is a Wenchang Pagoda that is particularly famous. Every year in the imperial examination, people will go there to pray for blessings and hang red. The temple is quiet and has a lot of books. The presiding masters are kind-hearted, and will vacate the temporarily unused courtyard and rent it to the students at a low price, Brother Yu has... lived there for the past few months."

"The yard is flat?"

"Yes, the place where Brother Yu lives must be flat land. He probably borrowed a book that day and went upstairs to read it," Yu Lianhai explained, "Scholars, they can't always refuse to climb high and look far away. Sometimes it's because of their ambitions. Sometimes... I just get tired from simply reading, and looking at a distance makes my eyes feel much more comfortable."

"Someone fell to his death, is there any tension in the temple? Didn't report to the officials?"

"Yes, but nothing was found at that time, and Buddhism has always been quiet, and the precepts are very strict, so everyone thought it was an accident."

"He Yiming was also in Baifo Temple at that time?"

"This... I don't know, it's just a suspicion."

"Where is the body now?"

"Still in Baifo Temple," Yu Lianhai sighed, "Buddhists are merciful, and occasionally receive similar requests from outsiders, and they are backed by mountains and rivers. They allow other people's bones to be buried temporarily, and they also invite the eternal lamp to stay on day and night... By the end of this year, I will perform the ritual and carry the coffin back to my hometown."

Ye Baiting pondered for a moment: "You suspect He Yiming only because Yu Wenzhang has no other contacts? None?"

Yu Lianhai: "This... there are unpredictable things in the sky, people have misfortunes and good fortunes, and it is inevitable to have unexpected and unlucky times in life, but this time I just think it is wrong. He Yiming hides his head and shows his tail, and has a sinister temper. He is not a good person at first sight!"

"Why are you leaving Beijing this time?"

"The Shangguan inspected it for a year and thought that I was doing a good job as a civil servant, so he sent me to another place. I should have left after finishing the funeral for Brother Yu. The delay until now is absolutely impossible."

"I'm afraid it will delay you for a few days," Ye Baiting said, "Since you filed a murder case in Beizhen Fusi, you should help to prove it."

Yu Lianhai made a bitter face: "Is that so..."

Qiu Xunqing: "This envoy can sign and seal your document, and you can declare it to the superior in the future."

"Thank you Commander!"

"Okay, let's go."

Yu Lianhai didn't understand: "Where to...?"

Ye Baiting lifted his eyes slightly: "Of course I went to see the scene."

And corpses.

Yu Lianhai was a little worried: "The Baifo Temple is outside the city, a little far away, and I don't know how to ride a horse..."

Ye Baiting paused, looked at Qiu Yiqing: "I don't bring it."

As far as his hip-pull riding skills are concerned, it's better not to cause trouble to others.

Qiu Yiqing's eyes slid over Lianhai, raised his sword eyebrows, said nothing, and the meaning was obvious: I don't take it either.

Ye Baiting: "Huh?"

Qiu Yiqing: "...Xuan Guang doesn't like to drive other people."

Ye Baiting: ...

Then I can ride Xuanguang, you can ride other horses!It's not that I don't want to do it in such a serious way.There are so many Jinyiweis below, and the task assignment can be completed. As the commander of the Jinyiwei, can you stop being so confident... molesting your subordinates!

"I'll bring it! I'll come!"

The voice outside the door was very familiar, Ye Baiting turned to look, it was Shen Jiang: "Why are you back?"

"It's a new day, and my birthday is over. Thanks to the young master, the atmosphere in my house yesterday was very peaceful." Shen Jiang smiled triumphantly, while feeling a little regretful, "But it seems that I missed a street scene yesterday? Today I didn't late!"

Qiu Xunqing instructed his subordinates to be unambiguous: "Since you are here, let's work."

With Shen Jiang's legs together, he saluted: "Yes!"

A group of people quickly ordered people, packed up their horses, and went to Baifo Temple.

Except for Shen Jiang and Yu Lianhai, everyone rode alone, as did Ye Baiting. He rode a young mare raised in the backyard, with a red coat and a gentle temperament. He didn't want Xuanguang, after all... the commander said, Keep your distance outside, Xuan Guang is the commander's horse, of course he can't overstep the rules for no reason.

Xuan Guang didn't pick up the young master, he was a little unhappy, and he was working, but he ignored his enmity and suspicion, and had a petty temper.

The horse ran very fast and passed the bamboo branch building on the way.

It was still early, Ye Baiting didn't see her sister, but her brother-in-law was working with the twins... cleaning up.One of the twins was carrying a rag and the other was carrying a small bucket. They were running around and making noises. They didn’t know whether they were working or playing. They all climbed to the window railing on the second floor.

The brother-in-law is still very arrogant, directing the second waiter to rush forward and back, Dama Jindao stood in front of the hall, not a bit of a businessman's kindness, but rather fierce, passers-by refused to come in, he was not happy, stared at There was a man in Huayi, who was obviously dodging his eyes, and walked as fast as he could against the wall, stopped him, and asked directly, "Can you come in?"

Young Master shrank his head like a quail: "Shall I go in...or not?"

The brother-in-law narrowed his eyes: "Do you dare not enter?"

"Come in! I'm hungry now, I want to have lunch!" Young Master Brother not only had lunch early in the morning, but also tremblingly handed over the bank note. It didn't look like he was going to consume it like that, it was simply a filial piety to the uncle.

The brother-in-law was very satisfied, and raised his voice to the back: "A visitor—"

The twins reacted so quickly, they jumped out of the window and jumped steadily into the arms of the brother-in-law. The brother-in-law grabbed them one by one and put them on the ground, and the twins took the bank note from the son-in-law: "The guest—— "

"One!"

Ye Baiting: ...

But that son looks familiar, as if he didn't speak well before and was taught by his sister?

Does brother-in-law also know?When did he know?

People were on the horse, passing by very fast, no more people could be seen, Ye Baiting only had time to meet her brother-in-law's eyes, and waved to him.

Of course Shizhou was happy to see his younger brother, but when he saw Qiu Yiqing next to him... from an angle that his younger brother couldn't see, he made a provocative gesture towards Qiu Yiqing.

The twins were very keen. They turned their heads and rubbed their eyes: "Huh? Why do I seem to see uncle?"

"And that powerful uncle who fought with Daddy yesterday!"

Shi Zhou patted his sons' heads one by one: "That man abducted your uncle and didn't let your uncle play with you, do you know what to do?"

The twins immediately raised their faces, showed their claws, and their eyes were fierce——

"beat him!"

"Force him to wear a skirt!"

A layer of cunning satisfaction floated in Shizhou's eyes, hmph, I can't cure your surname Qiu!

Qiu Yiqing on the horse suddenly felt a slight coolness behind him, as if there was an extremely cold wind passing by.

Ye Baiting noticed it: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Qiu Guqing paused, "It's just that I suddenly had a... not so good feeling."

Ye Baiting just laughed: "I don't know how to deal with children?"

Qiu Xunqing didn't speak.

"It's okay, don't you know what they like?" Ye Baiting said softly, "Actually, they are very cute, and they are not so ignorant."

Chou Yiqing: "They look a bit like you, I don't dislike them."

It's just a simple feeling that the black-hearted surnamed Shi is probably holding back something bad.

……

The Baifo Pagoda will arrive soon.

The reason why this temple is called the Pagoda of Hundred Buddhas is that there are hundreds of Buddha statues preserved. After the wind and rain of the previous dynasty, they are still stable, calm and lifelike.There are more than one white pagodas in the temple, some are tall and some are short, some are masters and some are deputy. The most famous and most popular is the main pagoda. There are eminent monks presiding over the scriptures every day. Except for pilgrims, guests are not allowed to stay more, like Yu Wenzhang rents the courtyard Most of the rented scholars are in the back mountain, a relatively secluded place. There is also a pagoda here, and there are monks' scripture and library pavilions on the high places, and there are few people coming and going.

"That's... right here."

Yu Lianhai was led all the way by Shen Jiang, his face was pale, his stomach was full of sour water, and he was about to vomit, Jin Yiwei...are they all so fierce?

Shen Jianglu already knew what was going on with this case, looked at the place, and patted his thigh: "I've been to this place before!"

Ye Baiting supported Qiu Yiqing's men to dismount: "Tell me."

Shen Jiang: "The spirit of incense and fire in Baifo Temple, especially Wenchang Pagoda, in every year when there is a large-scale construction, most of the candidates will come to pray for blessings. If they have no time, their families will also come. This year the emperor added Enke, from the end of the New Year to before the exam. , it should be very lively here, but it can’t be said to be remote and quiet.”

Ye Baiting observed the surrounding environment, thoughtful, Qiu Xunqing had arranged for Jin Yiwei to communicate with the temple, Beizhen Fusi came to investigate the case, and asked the temple to cooperate with the coffin of the deceased Yu Wenzhang, all need time to communicate deal with.

Shen Jiang looked at it, and simply raised his hand: "I'll go for a run and see if I can ask anything."

Hatred and green jaws: "Alright."

Ye Baiting looked at the tall white pagoda in front of him, and asked Yu Lianhai: "Where did Yu Wenzhang fall to his death at that time, do you know where he fell and where he fell?"

"I know!" Yu Lianhai nodded heavily, "He is my friend, I can't not care, because I was suspicious of He Yiming, I personally confirmed all the details at that time, no one knows better than me."

"point out."

"It's right here," Yu Lianhai pointed to an open space three feet away in front of the pagoda, "The person is lying down, covered in blood, and his brains have fallen out..."

"Which floor were you on before you fell?"

"Sixth floor."

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing looked back and forth: "Are you sure it's here?"

"Sure!" Yu Lianhai pointed to the Taihu Stone on one side, "Although there are no traces now, even the blood is gone, but the stone has not been moved, and the person was lying here at that time!"

"What's so special about the lying posture?"

"No... right? It seems that the bones have shrunk a little," Yu Lianhai couldn't explain clearly, so he just lay there by himself and made a posture, "It's like this, I'm afraid I fell on my back and the bones rubbed together, Shrink a little."

Ye Baiting looked at it for a while, thoughtfully, and asked Chou Xingqing, "Does the commander have any ideas?"

Qiu Yiqing: "Not much for now, go upstairs and have a look."

Yu Lianhai: "I know that room, I will lead the way!"

The upper part of the pagoda is the monk's scripture and library pavilions, with locks, and the lower floors are for the convenience of borrowing students. Most of them don't have locks, so they can come and go by themselves.This tower is not the tallest in the temple, nor is it wide. The stairs are very narrow and a bit dark. You need to pay more attention when walking to avoid stepping on the air.

Qiu Yiqing walked behind Ye Baiting, and followed Yu Lianhai to the sixth floor, the room on the south side.

The door was easily pushed open, the smell in the room was a bit dull, and the dust was thickly spread, giving a sense of emptiness. Thinking that this tower is remote, no one would come here on weekdays. Another person committed suicide by jumping off the building in this room. No matter how auspicious it is, others will not set foot on it.

Ye Baiting saw the traces of the torn seal in front of the door, probably it was sealed when the government first came to check, but after finding no human factors, the case was closed by suicide, and the seal was removed.

This room, what it looked like about a month ago, is what it looks like now.

There is hardly any furnishings in the room, only a table, a chair, and a cabinet. There is a book on the cabinet, which is a collection of policy questions.The room faces south and has no windows. When you open the south door, you can see the sky. There are railings outside, and you can lean on the railing to see the distance. The view is very good.

Needless to say, people must have fallen here.

Leaning against the railing, Ye Baiting didn't need to look hard, he could see the Taihu Stone that Yu Lianhai pointed out just now, near there was the point where the deceased fell.

this distance...

He paused for a long time, seeing that Qiu Xunqing hadn't spoken yet, he asked, "What did the commander see?"

Hatred and green jaws: "Far away."

Ye Baiting nodded, this distance is a little subtle, not too far away, not too close either.In other words, the deceased probably needed an external force to reach such a landing point.

Of course he can take off by himself, but the railings are narrow and he can’t stand outside. It doesn’t seem so easy to borrow strength. If he really borrowed strength, the landing point should be farther away, but the distance is closer. How to be just right...is a problem .

Think about the landing position of the deceased, lying on his back.

Could it be...someone pushed him?

Ye Baiting asked Yu Lianhai: "There were no witnesses?"

Yu Lianhai: "No."

"What about before and after the incident?"

"No," Yu Lianhai shook his head, "It's just that there is nothing abnormal, and they say they didn't see anyone walking around, so...they decided it was suicide, but I know it's impossible, Brother Yu won't commit suicide..."

Ye Baiting and Qiu Yiqing observed the scene for a long time, the appearance of the room, the traces on the railing, even if they didn't feel anything wrong now, they still wrote it down carefully for future consideration.

It was almost time, and the two looked at each other: "Go to see the corpse?"

"it is good."

……

Jin Yiwei said that he wanted to investigate the murder case. The monks in the temple were very cooperative and quickly took them to the burial site in the back mountain. Shen Jiang watched over him personally and lifted out Yu Wenzhang's coffin. Lift the deceased to a temporary stone platform on one side.

The corpse was buried in the ground, which cut off most of the air. The warm spring came and the soil was dry, which played a very good role in the preservation of the corpse. The deceased died for a month, and there must have been some signs of corruption, but the dryness was more serious, and some skin shriveled It hardened and became a dusky brown.

The taste is definitely not that pleasant.

Yu Lianhai was a little sad and didn't dare to look closer.

Ye Baiting rolled up his sleeves, put on his gloves, leaned forward to take a closer look, the whole process was skillful and smooth.

The initial on-site inspection will definitely not be able to do anatomical analysis. The main thing to look at is the external manifestations, such as the color of the nails, whether there are signs of cyanosis, such as bones, and the deceased fell from a height, which must be accompanied by certain fractures. It will tell him what kind of landing posture the deceased is in, where the injury is the most serious, and the scars on the deceased's body, the appearance of the wound, and whether it is a wound before death or after death, and whether there is any resistance...

"...The deceased's body surface injuries were relatively minor. The shoulders and back had contusions and lacerations where the skin peeled off. The skull fractures were severe, involving the foramen magnum and the lower cervical vertebrae. The shoulders and backs were seriously injured..."

This kind of extensive damage to points and surfaces can basically only be explained by falling from a height.The fracture spread from the neck to the cervical spine, and the visual effect will feel that the person has shrunk a bit. Yu Lianhai did not lie about this.

"The leg bone is broken, the arm is intact, no trauma, no rubbing..."

Ye Baiting had just seen the ground where the deceased fell. It was a stone floor without any buffer. It is not impossible to fall from a high place with a certain degree of fractures all over the body. However, the legs were fractured, but the arms were intact...

Thinking about the pose Yu Lianhai imitated just now lying on the ground, Ye Baiting was thoughtful.

Were the dead man's hands trying to grab something...or push something?

Was this fall really caused by someone else, or was he not careful?