Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 537 This isn't how you investigate a case.

Xu Xiaoyun's subordinates were very efficient, and soon returned with a bowl of dark, murky medicinal soup.

The medicine was brought to Old Lin's lips, but Old Lin, who was kneeling on the ground, kept backing away.

"If it's a tonic, why won't you drink it?" Xu Xiaoyun asked him.

Old Lin argued, "Every medicine has some toxicity; even tonics must be taken according to the prescribed course of treatment."

"Is that so? Since you're unwilling to try, there's always someone who is." Xu Xiaoyun had his men grab a goose and stuff the grass from the wooden box into its mouth. "Just in case you say there's a conflict of medicinal properties, this time we'll only test your medicine."

A perfectly healthy goose became lethargic immediately after eating grass, and its intestines kept being expelled.

Xu Xiaoyun bypassed the dirt on the ground and patted Lao Lin with the wooden box. "Don't say that the goose couldn't handle the food that people eat, which is why it reacted like this. If you don't tell the truth and keep making excuses, you'll have to be the one to test the medicine yourself."

"I'm innocent! I'm innocent!" Old Lin said. "I was tricked by the itinerant doctor. I really bought it thinking it was a tonic."

Xu Xiaoyun sneered, "This..."

He had barely uttered a word when Feng Zhong'an behind him interrupted him, "Tell me the truth, what exactly happened? Are you trying to shift the blame for your mistakes onto Lord Liu?"

Feng Zhong'an's words were full of threat, which Lao Lin could easily understand. In addition, he knew that Liu Dexiang was secretly dealing with Feng Zhong'an, so he thought that Lord Feng wanted him to confess his crimes in order to exonerate Liu Dexiang.

Liu Dexiang naturally understood as well. He was filled with doubt and confusion, unable to understand why Feng Zhong'an would want to harm him.

Whether the poisoning was pinned on him or Old Lin, it wouldn't benefit him in the slightest.

"Yes." Old Lin readily admitted, "Since you gentlemen know, I will not make any excuses. It was this Lord Sun who insulted me, and I couldn't bear it, so I added this herb to his food to make him suffer."

However, my esteemed gentlemen, you are all astute enough to know that this substance has limited medicinal effects. You see, even if the goose eats it, it only causes diarrhea; it won't harm anyone.

Sun Xiang knew that if he accused Liu Dexiang in Liangzhou Prefecture, all sorts of problems would definitely arise.

really.

Old Lin took the blame, and he even insulted Shangguan's old servant, saying, "I have never said a harsh word to you, so how could you insult me?"

You said this medicine has limited effects and will only cause diarrhea if you take it, so why don't you drink it?
Lord Liu, you said you've never heard of any "heartbreak grass." How could you possibly have hidden the case you solved in Gucheng County a few years ago from everyone? Surely the Ministry of Justice has already filed a record of it.

If you've never heard of it, how did you decide the case back then?

"This..." Liu Dexiang feigned weakness and helplessness, completely lacking the poise he usually displayed in front of the county officials. "How did this get involved with a case from Gucheng County? These are completely unrelated matters. Lord Feng, what kind of nonsense is this?"

Feng Zhong'an waved his hand, "Prefect Sun's suspicion is reasonable. Anyone who encountered such a thing would think that it was you, Lord Liu, who was behind it."

Xu Xiaoyun was interrupted again at a crucial point, so she had to take the initiative to ask, "Prefect Sun, what case are you talking about?"

Before Sun Xiang could speak, Feng Zhong'an said, "Alright! Lord Xu, this is not how you investigate a case." He spoke slowly, but his tone was firm and left no room for argument. "This matter involves two court officials, and it is not something that you or I can handle."

Feng Zhong'an walked up to Sun Xiang and said, "With such a big matter at hand, Magistrate Sun, please put the overall situation first. If you are feeling unwell, please see a doctor as soon as possible. We will report your matter to the court when we return to the capital."

Sun Xiang knew that Feng Zhong'an seemed to speak fairly, but he was unwilling to investigate the matter further. However, he did not stop the man surnamed Xu just now, and he didn't know what his purpose was.

One thing is certain: with this person present, he can only say this much.

However, since the other party mentioned feeling unwell, Sun Xiang had to show it appropriately. He clutched his stomach with both hands, his expression turning pained. "You're right, sir. I couldn't bear it and was rude." He turned to leave as he spoke.

“Prefect Sun,” Feng Zhong’an called out to him, “As a subject, one should prioritize fulfilling one’s duties. Let’s first talk about the tax revenue situation in Liangzhou Prefecture.”

Sun Xiang's expression became even more pained, but he didn't rush to leave, after all, he was just pretending.

"When would you like to begin, sir?"

Feng Zhong'an wasn't fooled. "I'll tell you as much as you know."

"Liangzhou has experienced many years of war and has not been peaceful for many years. In terms of taxation, whether it is land tax or population tax, there are often cases of incomplete collection, and even the tax grain is the same. You can verify this, and if you have any questions, you can ask the clerk of the Ministry of Revenue. I... cannot accompany you any longer."

After saying that, he ran out without a second thought.

Xu Xiaoyun followed him out the door and saw him run into a room not far away. She then beckoned to the constables who were guarding nearby and asked, "What place is that?"

"Yes, sir, it is the washroom."

"What is it that doesn't require a clean room?" Xu Xiaoyun wondered. He waved to the yamen runner who had answered him and quickly retreated back into his room.

“Lord Feng is being rather heartless. People have urgent needs, why insist on prioritizing duty at a time like this? We can wait until Magistrate Sun has dealt with this, it’s not like we can’t wait.”

“Lord Xu,” Feng Zhong’an said, his eyes carrying a warning, “you’ve meddled in too many other people’s business. Don’t forget your duties. These accounts are your specialty.” He gestured to the chair beside him and said, “Please.”

Just as Xu Xiaoyun sat down, Feng Zhong'an glanced at Liu Dexiang.

Liu Dexiang immediately understood and waved for Lao Lin to go out first.

Old Lin left the room, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and felt extremely resentful towards Sun Xiang. Thinking it best to strike first, he simply went to the nearest room, grabbed a knife, and called a few trusted confidants. They then tiptoed towards the bathroom.

He kept warning the others along the way to resolve the matter quickly and not to make a fuss. But when they arrived, they couldn't even find Sun Xiang. All they were greeted by was the wind blowing in from the back window.

At this time, with Li Ting's help, Sun Xiang was riding fast towards the north gate.

"They got away!" Old Lin shouted fiercely, "Chase them!"

They couldn't figure out which direction Sun Xiang had fled in, so how could they catch up?
By the time they had found out what was going on, Sun Xiang and Li Ting had already left the city gate.

The two quickly ran along the official road towards Beishan County. Whenever they encountered a checkpoint, they would make an excuse that the Prefect had urgent business with Lord Meng and thus passed through smoothly.

Meng Changqing had barely sat down in his study when his subordinate reported, "Prefect Sun and Shopkeeper Li from Liangzhou Prefecture are on their way here."

"Just the two of them?" Meng Changqing asked.

"Yes."

"When they arrive, please invite them in."

Inside the government office, Liu Dexiang finally managed to escape from the three men. As soon as he left the room, he asked Old Lin, "Where is he?"

Without needing to be explicitly stated, Old Lin knew who he was referring to. "They escaped, leaving through the north gate. They're most likely heading to Beishan County. Should we ask Lord Mao to stop them?"

"When did he run away? How could we possibly stop him?" Liu Dexiang flung his sleeves. "What kind of mess did he make!"