Chapter 102 The world is like a prison, you and I are both trapped beasts
"My lord? My lord?"
In the courtyard of the Tie family, Zhao Duan was seen staring at the note, dazed for a long time, and the two detectives called out softly.
Only then did Zhao Duan come back to his senses.
Zheng Laojiu's mind was sharp and he said: "What have you remembered, sir? If this note is true, I'm afraid your whereabouts have also been monitored by those who rebel against the party."
Zhao Duan was silent for a moment, held the note in his palm, and said:
"You are here to 'protect the scene', I need to verify something."
After saying that, he walked out of the yard, got on his horse, and galloped towards the White Horse Prison.
The strong wind blew his messy hair, Zhao Duan pursed his lips, is it you?
……
There are many roads out of the city from Baima Prison.
One of them is to go out from the side door and go to the nearest river.
You can cross the river by boat and follow a narrow, prosperous area with building pavements on both sides of the river. After a roundabout, you can enter the Hun River and go to the ferry.
Zhu Kui arrived at the river bank in a hurry, and a boatman waiting for the passengers immediately lowered the brim of his hat and pretended not to see him - ordinary people were most afraid of official business and often refused to pay him.
"The boatman!"
Zhu Kui strode forward, picked up his sword, and without taking it out of its sheath, he just slapped the opponent on the back and said sternly:
"It's important for the government to let me lend you this small boat. You don't have to maneuver the boat. I'll go ashore and wait. Your reward will be indispensable when I get back!"
The boatman had a sad face and wanted to politely refuse.
But Zhu Kui is dressed in tiger skin and has a face full of flesh. How can he dare to say no?
He obeyed and handed over the broken boat that could only accommodate three or five people.
Zhu Kui jumped onto the deck and picked up the boat pole expertly.
The slender wooden stick poked towards the underwater bank, and the boat under his feet sailed away from the river bank deftly, like an arrow from the string.
After walking a certain distance, he shook out the baggage he was carrying, put on his own clothes to hide his identity as an official, and stuffed his knife into the baggage.
Putting on the bamboo hat taken off the boatman's head, he looked like a strong boatman.
"Wow... Wow..."
The boat cut through the water and soon entered the bustling river section.
Stone bridges are erected at every other section in front, with shops on both sides lined with pedestrians.
Zhu Kui punted the boat alertly, keeping the speed slightly faster than normal.
The cries of vendors are heard, the storyteller’s screams in teahouses, the cheers of jugglers on the overpass...
Zhu Kui silently rowed the boat and sailed through the busiest section of the river safely. When he breathed a little sigh of relief, he suddenly saw government officials rushing past on one side of the bank.
Zhu Kui immediately turned sideways, fearing that he would be recognized by his former colleagues, and the boat also slowed down.
Finally, the group of officers left, and Zhu Kui breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to speed up, but he felt that the stern of the boat sank suddenly.
Then, a familiar and indifferent voice handed over:
"Lao Zhu, where are you going?"
Zhu Kui's body suddenly stiffened, his hand holding the boat pole shook violently, he forgot to punt the boat, and just let the boat float downstream.
He turned his neck inch by inch and saw only the stern of the boat. Zhao Duan was standing with his hands behind his back, looking at him calmly, his eyes unclear.
"Sir...sir..."
Zhu Kui's voice changed a little, and he was stunned for a few breaths. Then he realized it and forced out a flattering smile:
"How do you..."
"After finishing the work, I went back to the Yamen to rest. I happened to glance at the shore and saw a familiar figure. I didn't expect it to be you. Hey, at this time, how could there be a boatman crossing the river with an empty boat without carrying passengers?" Zhao Duan said calmly. .
Yes, how can there be a boatman who doesn’t carry passengers?
Zhu Kui smiled bitterly and said:
"When I saw that it was almost noon, I thought of going home."
Zhao Duan said:
"This is not the direction to your home. It is more like the direction out of the city and back to your hometown."
Zhu Kui was silent.
Zhao Duan looked down at the shrewd and capable old official dressed as a boatman and said: "Tiechuguan is a traitor to the party and was arrested in the morning. Lihuatang found a piece of information written last night on his desk.
It's about me. I thought about it. There are very few people who know about it, and you happen to be the most suspicious one. "
Zhu Kui was silent.
As the boat goes down the river, the scenery on both sides becomes more and more pleasant. Weeping willows are reflected in the water, and the river is as green as emerald soup.
Zhao Duan sighed: "Actually, I should have thought of it a long time ago. There are so many messengers in the White Horse Prison, why can a 'bastard' like me recruit a smart and capable old official like you?
Why, when I suddenly went to arrest Zhuang Xiaocheng that day, no one in the imperial office responded, but Zhuang Xiaocheng still absconded early? "
"I only thought before that the other party had already planned it, so they were alert enough. But there is another possibility, that is, I also have an informant from Kuang Fushe."
"This can also explain why Zhuang Xiaocheng and Yun Xi, one old and the other young, were able to escape safely to the bamboo forest and the Earth Temple in the southern suburbs when being chased by a whole team of forbidden troops. Because at that time, they led the team to kill It's you."
Zhu Kui remained silent.
Zhao Duan laughed at himself:
"It's ridiculous. At that time, I thought you were sensible and knew not to be greedy for merit, so you didn't surround me.
But later, I was knocked unconscious by a warlock and almost died. The concern you showed at that time should not be entirely false. After all, if I died, you would be responsible for it.
You, like that Yun Xi, are both pawns abandoned by Zhuang Xiaocheng at will, without the slightest pity, and without any consideration for your life or death. "
He suddenly hated that iron could not become steel:
"But Yun Xi is young and has not been deeply involved in the world. She was deceived by Zhuang Xiaocheng. She thinks she is righteous and is understandably stupid. But you are not, Lao Zhu. With your experience, you should know this very well. Why Are you going to work hard for them?"
Zhu Kui remains silent!
Zhao Duan scolded: "Speak! Are you mute!?"
The weathered old official finally spoke and sighed:
"My lord, now that you have understood everything, what can you say about your humble position? Is it possible to beg for mercy?"
Zhao Duan said:
"When Ma Yan captured Tie Chi Pass, he was willing to give him a chance to explain, but he didn't cherish it. I can give you one too."
Zhu Kui shook his head, as if he had accepted his fate, and suddenly smiled lowly: "Actually, Beizhi had already anticipated this day. It was just a matter of coming a few days earlier or a few days later. In fact, it only lasted more than a month. , I have walked in front of the gate of hell three times.”
"The warlock from Kuangfu Society almost killed you once.
That was something I didn't expect and it was an accident. At that time, I thought, if you die, I won't be able to escape the implication. I thought if you don't wake up, I will run away. But you woke up. "
"My lord, this is the second time you have entered the palace and been questioned by a saint. I even prepared the funeral that time, but you turned the tables."
"Then again, this time. The rebel party still lost, but I spent the rest of my life on my luck, and finally fell into the hands of the Lord.
In fact, after I have seen the methods used by adults during this period, I understand that sooner or later you will see through it. I should be content that my life has lasted for so long. "
As the boat went down the river, there were birds chirping all around, like joy and sorrow.
Zhao Duan said:
"What's the reason? What benefits did you promise to rebel against the party? Don't you think about your family? Oh, yes, your two children have been sent away long ago, but your wife is still here."
Zhu Kui said: "When I just escaped, I had already ordered someone to deliver a message to my home. My old wife must have packed up her clothes and found a way to get out of the city. I originally thought that even if I was exposed, I would attract the pursuers. She can escape, but it seems she can’t escape now.”
Why do you all have the same routine... Tiezhiguan is like this, and you are like this, playing pure love with me here? Zhao Duan felt an unknown anger rising in his head and asked again:
"What's the reason?"
Zhu Kui's ugly face finally forced out a helpless smile again: "I can't help it, sir, I can't help it."
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows:
"Are you being coerced? Because of a pair of children from your hometown?"
Zhu Kui nodded, and then said:
"But what's the use of talking about this? I have been in the government for more than 20 years, and I am used to seeing too many prisoners who have no choice but to do so, but they are also rare. There are innocent people, so their hearts have already hardened.
Today is my turn. I can only say that the way of heaven is good for reincarnation. "
After a pause, he dropped the boat pole and gave up resistance: "Sir, please take me back. Maybe this is also a relief."
Zhao Duan did not move, and suddenly said:
"When you are captured, you have confirmed your status as a traitor to the party. Your children are far away and can escape, but they will probably have to remain anonymous in the future. They will be terrified for the rest of their lives. Maybe they won't even be able to continue the surname 'Zhu'.
Your first wife is even worse. She can't escape from the city at all. It's good to be reduced to a slave. "
After a pause, he said in a cold voice: "Of course, these have nothing to do with me. The most important thing is that if you are found to be against the party, it will also affect my reputation."
Zhu Kui was stunned and didn't understand what he meant.
A ridiculous thought arises:
"Sir, are you willing to let me go?"
"I can't let go." Zhao Duan ruthlessly shattered his illusions.
Not to mention that the two of them had only known each other for more than a month, there was no way that he would absolve himself of the serious crime of rebelling against the Party for the sake of a subordinate who only had work in common.
What's more, the other party also betrayed himself!
Even if we take 10,000 steps back, such a big case will definitely attract inspections from all parties, and there is no way to cover it up.
Zhu Kui was not too disappointed. Based on his experience, he had no illusions about these.
But I heard Zhao Duan calmly say:
"But... I can find you later."
Zhu Kui was stunned: "What you mean is..."
Zhao Duan did not explain: "With your brain, you should be able to understand. Remember, don't take any chances and think about escaping. Even if you jump into the river, my flying knife will arrive in an instant."
After saying that, the boat swayed slightly, Zhao Duan jumped up and skied ashore.
Zhu Kui was left standing on the boat, silent for a long time.
At this time, the boat going down the river was about to pass a stone bridge.
Zhu Kui took a deep breath, sat cross-legged on the boat, stretched out his hand, and pulled out the saber from the baggage.
The sharp blade can be used to judge people.
This old official, who had been in the capital for decades, held the handle of the knife in a weird posture, then quietly stared at the ship, slowly sailing into the shade under the stone bridge, and adjusted the angle of the knife.
When the ship was about to sink, he finally turned his head and looked in the direction of his hometown outside the city with a little nostalgia. Then a trace of determination appeared in his eyes and he murmured:
"Thank you, my lord."
Swing the knife violently!
"clang!"
The steel knife cleverly hit the bridge pier at a weird angle, rebounded and slashed towards itself.
"puff!"
There was a touch of red under the stone bridge, which was then washed away by the river water.
…
ashore.
Zhao Duan stood quietly in the shade with his hands behind his hands, watching the small boat sail out from under the bridge little by little.
On the boat, Zhu Kui had fallen down on his back, blood was pouring out from his neck, his eyes were wide open, and he was dead.
The knife has fallen into the river. Even the most experienced old man in the government office, if he didn't examine it carefully and relied on the edge of the knife, he would think that it was a homicide rather than a suicide.
On both sides.
The common people discovered the body in the river, and there was a lot of noise and screams.
Zhao Duan gently closed his eyes.
As long as Zhu Kui dies in front, there will be no evidence to prove his death, and it will be difficult to determine his status as a rebel.
Being a rebel and committing suicide out of fear of crime is one explanation.
But being betrayed by the rebel party and obtaining information, fearing punishment, and committing suicide is also an explanation.
The nature of the two is completely different.
As the chief officer of the case, Zhao Duan could explain Zhu Kui's death as another possibility in a legal and unmistakable way.
Zhu Kui understood, and he went a step further and disguised himself as a suicide.
This leaves more room for interpretation.
Even, as long as Zhao Duannu works hard, his death may be explained as "died in the line of duty."
As long as Zhu Kui is not labeled as a "rebellious party" in the end, his wife and children will not be implicated, and after losing value, Kuangfu Society will not have extra problems.
Including Zhao Duan himself, he can also avoid a series of troubles caused by his subordinates being against the party.
Zhu Kui used his own life to get better results for everyone.
For a mere low-level official, who was not even an official, no big shot would pay attention to him, and would not let go of the cause of his death.
Everything seems fine.
but……
"Why is it a little sad?"
Zhao Duan didn't understand. It was clear that there was no friendship between the two of them, and the other party had even indirectly harmed him.
Overflowing Holy Mother Heart?
Zhao Duan doesn’t think so, it’s more like a kind of rabbit-dead-fox sadness.
The world is like a cage, and he and Zhu Kui are both trapped animals in the cage. If they are not strong enough, their fate can only be controlled by others.
"You still have to go to the card table." Zhao Duan sighed.
I really want to take out my notebook and write one more stroke on the words "Zhuang Xiaocheng".
At this time, the officials from the government office in the distance heard the commotion and swarmed over. They were also shocked when they saw the corpse in the river.
Zhao Duan calmed down, walked forward, took out his ID badge, and waved it: "I have been investigating the case so far, but I saw a key person dead. Can you tell where the murderer went?"
A group of government officials were trembling with fear. They hurriedly bowed their hands and stammered: "I have met Mr. Ji Si. We also heard the noise and just came here. We have not seen the murderer."
Zhao Duan said with a serious face:
"You will separate a team of people and go to the river to fish the body out and send it to Zhaoya Lihuatang.
Another group of people searched along the river and killed people on the boat. They were afraid that the murderer escaped by hiding in the water. "
The government officials did not dare to disobey the order and immediately responded.
…
Not long after, Zhao Duan returned to Tie's house and saw everyone in Lihuatang gathered together, staring at each other.
Seeing his return, the people stood up to greet him:
"Sir, the Governor has just arrived. Seeing that you are not here, he went back to the Yamen first. Please let us tell you that the two detectives at Shiliutang and Taohuatang have been arrested and will be taken to the imperial prison. The Governor himself will be in charge. ”
Caught? Zhao Duan was not surprised.
"Sir, are we going back to the Yamen next?" Qian Kerou asked:
"The suspicious things in the Tie family have been sealed up, and everyone has been arrested. We are going to take them back together and investigate them slowly."
Zhao Duan raised his head and looked at the sky. It was almost noon.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said:
"You go back, just leave me a horse."
The four people were confused: "Sir, do you want to..."
Zhao Duan breathed out, raised his eyebrows and said: "The Governor said that he would stay here and not leave. The other detectives arrested and grounded the others. As for the matter of entering the palace to report the case to His Majesty, it can only be done by me." The official is reluctant to shoulder the burden."
(End of chapter)