Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 26: The Mystery of the Blood Totem

Wu Lin, the Censor of the Censorate, was ordered to inspect Guangdong.

The Inspectors of the Ming Dynasty were responsible for touring the local areas on behalf of the emperor. They were responsible for reporting major events and making decisions on minor matters. They could speak frankly on the gains and losses of government affairs, and the benefits and harms of the military and civilians. Like the Six Censors in the court, they seemed to be only of the seventh rank, but in fact their powers were far greater and their future was even brighter.

It was while Hu Zongxian was serving as the Inspector General of Zhejiang that he met Yan Song's godson Zhao Wenhua, who was entrusted with the important task of fighting against the Japanese pirates. His career quickly flourished, and within a few years he became a high-ranking official.

It was because Hai Rui remained neither humble nor arrogant when facing the Fujian Provincial Inspector that the incident was spread by the Inspector, and he was praised as Hai Bijia and was appointed as the magistrate of Chun'an County.

The Imperial Censor can recommend talented individuals, and his influence reaches far and wide. In light of this, Hai Yue looked at the sweat on Ji Hua's forehead and understood what was going on. She asked, "Why is Inspector Wu here?"

"Isn't this the case of the Annan envoys? The government office has reported it to the Three Departments Office, and Inspector Wu is coming to personally inquire about the details of the case!"

Seeing that no one was around, Ji Hua spoke bluntly, "Mr. Dong has been diligent in his work and strictly abides by the law, but he has never been appreciated. If he could get a recommendation from Inspector Wu based on this case, it would be a godsend... But who knew this would happen!"

After saying this, he sighed deeply and was about to bow again. "The disguise of the Annan villain was seen through by Shisanlang. The title of "Super Detective" is well-deserved. I came here hoping for your help. If you can find out the truth about this matter and rescue Inspector Wu, I will be deeply grateful!"

"Master Ji, what are you doing? Absolutely not! Without Judge Shao's impartiality and integrity, I'm afraid it would be difficult to clear my name. I wouldn't even be able to take part in the county exam, let alone win the first place. I'm willing to help you!"

Haiyue hurriedly supported him.

He had been slandered by Mo Zhengyong before. According to the case-solving process of that era, the guards of the deceased all insisted that they were the murderer. The officials of the government office could easily put them in jail and interrogate them strictly. At least there would be a backup prisoner. This was the idea of ​​the prefect Gu Shanjie.

If this really happened, he would be in a very passive position. He might have to fight his way out with guns and sticks and become a wanted knight by the government.

Fortunately, thanks to the protection of the prosecutor Shao Jing, the truth was found out and the injustice was completely cleared. It is not easy to meet a good official. Just as he hopes that his younger brother Hai Rui will have a brighter future than in history, he also hopes that the responsible Shao Jing can be promoted.

But now it seems that Shao Jing's official career is really not going well. After finally making a name for himself in the Annan envoys incident, the inspector who came to inspect the government ran into trouble again. It's really unlucky...

There is just one thing that Haiyue doesn't understand.

A similar totem mark was left at the scene where Wu Lin disappeared, so the government believed that it was also done by the Li people.

But this inspector had just arrived in Qionshan, so how could he be related to the Li people?
What's the point of kidnapping him?
With this doubt, Haiyue first went back to her brother and said hello.

The other brothers thought that it was an official from the government office who had invited them, so they said goodbye with smiles on their faces. Only Hai Rui noticed the change in Hai Yue's expression, exchanged glances, and nodded imperceptibly.

Haiyue then followed Ji Hua and walked towards the government office.

He thought Shao Jing was a good official, but he had not had much contact with this advisor and had been slandered before, so he was somewhat wary of him.

This sense of vigilance was not relaxed until he entered the government office.

The atmosphere of the case once again enveloped the entire yamen, even more tense than last time. The clerks hurried to and fro, not daring to make a sound. The prefect Gu Shanjie was gone, and the prosecutor Shao Jing sat upright in the hall with a frown on his face.

"Sesanrou Kai?"

It wasn't until the sound of footsteps approached that Shao Jing, lost in thought, suddenly looked up and found Hai Yue walking in. He asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to take the county exam?"

Hai Yue saluted and said, "I just came from the county government office."

Ji Hua added: "Dong Weng, Shisanlang took first place in this exam, and Shisilang ranked third."

"Oh? Okay! Okay!"

A smile appeared on Shao Jing's tired face: "I hope that the virtuous brothers will repeat the story of the two top scholars in the Song Dynasty!"

This is about the two brothers Song Xiang and Song Qi during the reign of Emperor Renzong. In the palace examination, the younger brother Song Qi originally ranked first, and the older brother Song Xiang ranked third. However, Empress Dowager Liu E changed the rankings and selected the older brother Song Xiang as the top scorer. Afterwards, they were known as the "double top scorers".

Shao Jing's words clearly expressed his admiration for Hai Yue and Hai Rui's talents. He then glanced at Ji Hua reproachfully, "They should be preparing for the provincial examination right now. Why did you bring Shisanlang here?"

Ji Hua whispered, "I acted on my own initiative. I hope Mr. Dong will forgive me."

"There's no such thing as guilt or innocence..."

Shao Jing waved his hand and said to Haiyue, "Go back and prepare for the exam. No matter what you hear, don't pay attention to it."

"Yes! I'll definitely help you with this!" Haiyue had this kind of temper. If the other party wanted to repay a favor, he would still recognize the previous favor, but after this matter, the grudges were settled and no one owed anyone anything. Now he sincerely felt that he should do his part to help this good official: "I was involved in the Annan envoys case from beginning to end. Everything that is happening now may be a continuation of that case. How can it have nothing to do with me?"

Shao Jing frowned, thought for a moment, and nodded: "Well, the Li people who dared to do such a thing are already crazy and crazy. I'm afraid it will really implicate you... Look at this, I just threw it in the backyard!"

Ji Hua took the letter and glanced at it, his face suddenly changing to anger: "Is this a threat to kill someone in the government office?"

Haiyue took it and her eyes became serious.

On the letter, written in very sloppy handwriting, was a short sentence: "If you want to live, you must pay with your life first!"

Surrounding these six words are sixteen bloody handprints of varying sizes, printed on plain paper, exuding a sense of cruelty and bloodiness.

"Sixteen?"

Shao Jing said coldly, "This is the number of Annan assassins! The night their identities were exposed, the thieves Zheng Wu, Ruan Yi, and Hong Da escaped. They were later killed and their bodies dumped at the gate of the government office. Now, there are still sixteen remaining in prison. These sixteen handprints clearly represent those Annan thieves!"

"The blood-returning handprint? It has quite the aura of the Red Snake Fairy!"

Hai Yue grumbled inwardly, then said in a deep voice, "So this message means that we should kill these sixteen Annan people in exchange for Inspector Wu? They want to use this method to avenge Na Ying, the Li people, who was murdered by the Annan assassin group?"

"Rebellion! Rebellion against these thieves!"

Shao Jing gritted his teeth and said, "The government office must not allow such a thing to happen. We must wipe out these rebellious villains!"

Actually, this should be said by the prefect Gu Shanjie, but this person never shows up when encountering difficulties, and only appears after he has made a contribution. In any kidnapping case, if anything happens to the hostage, there will be no good result even if the case is solved, not to mention that it involves the people of Hainan.

"Let Dong Weng do all the thankless tasks!"

Ji Hua sighed secretly, but he knew that he couldn't persuade this person, so he could only remind him: "We must first find out the identity of the thief and try to rescue Inspector Wu. Shisanlang, do you have any ideas?"

After saying that, he looked at Haiyue earnestly.

Since Haiyue had decided to help, she naturally wanted to hear the details of the case: "How exactly did Inspector Wu disappear?"

Ji Hua began to elaborate, "Yesterday, Inspector Wu arrived at Haikoupu by ferry and disembarked at 5:55 PM. As it was already dark, he didn't come to the government office, but instead ate and rested at the posthouse. At midnight, his personal servant discovered the window wide open. Inspector Wu had vanished, leaving behind a bloody totem mark on the wall..."

"How many people are there in Inspector Wu's personal entourage?"

"Three people."

"so little?"

"Inspector Wu dislikes pomp and circumstance. When traveling between Guangdong prefectures and counties, he is accompanied by only three personal attendants: a guest, a servant, and a strongman. The strongman is quite skilled in martial arts and is able to protect him along the way..."

"So Lux didn't notice anything wrong last night?"

"This man was seasick, and Inspector Wu was considerate and let him go to bed early when he arrived at the post station, which led to him being taken advantage of by the thieves."

"Where are these three people now?"

"It is in the side courtyard of the government office. You are not allowed to leave without permission."

"Inspector Wu is coming to Qiongzhou. Has this been announced in advance?"

"No."

"Have you drawn the totem mark?"

Shao Jing had been listening in, and when he got here he said, "Come and see!"

While Ji Ji was grinding ink, Shao Jing picked up his brush and drew a pattern of two entwined snakes on the paper. He said coldly, "This is the mark. Now, everyone in the government office calls it the 'Blood Totem'!"

(End of this chapter)