Humans in All Heavens: Starting with Detective Dee

Inside a room at the Huzhou County Inn.

Di Renjie was pacing back and forth.

Back in Liujiazhuang, he discovered that Liu Da was left-handed.

However, he didn't know martial arts, so he naturally couldn't tell that Liu Da was skilled in martial arts.

For a moment, no one connected the two murders to Liu Da.

As a result of Zhou Yi's reminder, he suddenly realized that Liu Da was highly suspicious.

This was very likely done by Liu Da.

Suddenly, Di Renjie stopped and looked at Zhou Yi and Li Yuanfang in the room. "The mystery surrounding Liu Family Village is getting deeper and deeper."

Previously, Di Chun had also analyzed that Liu Chali, his new wife, and that Liu Da had problems.

There's a secret in Liu Family Village.

As a result, these two murder cases also implicated Liu Da.

Haha, I'm becoming more and more curious about Liu Family Village.

What secrets does Liu Family Village hold?

And have you noticed the commonalities between the two deceased?

They all came from Chang'an, all shared the surname Wu, and all came to Huzhou on business.

Wearing silk clothes.

In the capital city of Chang'an, I think there is only one possibility: that the two deceased were stewards or similar people from official families.

Their purpose in coming to Huzhou was probably to find someone.

So who are they looking for?

Di Renjie posed this question.

"The owner of Liu Family Village is Liu Chali, who was previously the Minister of Agriculture in the Ministry of War."

Connect the various suspicious points about Liu Da and others.

"We can only come to him." Li Yuanfang answered immediately, the matter was already laid bare.

In officialdom, it is important to marry someone of equal social standing.

Therefore, when an official surnamed Wu from Chang'an sent someone to Huzhou to look for someone, he would definitely not be looking for an ordinary citizen.

Therefore, it must be an official who settled in Huzhou.

Zhou Yi then reminded him again: "My lord, we received a document forwarded from the capital today."

The text above states that at the Chongwen Academy, under the jurisdiction of the Crown Prince's Guard, the head scholar Wu Xiaojie and the proofreader Xu Shide engaged in a violent fight with weapons and died simultaneously.

"Two civil officials fought each other with weapons and died?" Di Renjie's face was full of doubt.

"Is that what it says in the document?"

"Sir, this is the third person with the surname Wu."

Moreover, Wu Xiaojie is in Chang'an.

"Three men surnamed Wu? Interesting." Di Renjie smiled. "What secrets does this Liu Family Village hold?"

"Sir, if those two men surnamed Wu came to see Liu Chali, then why did Liu Chali order Liu Da to kill them?"

If he and Wu Xiaojie in Beijing were friends, it doesn't make sense that he killed them both.

If they weren't friends, but enemies, why would Wu Xiaojie send someone to find him?

Li Yuanfang's brows were full of doubt.

I have absolutely no idea what's going on.

"You're right, that's exactly what we need to figure out."

"Knock knock knock." There was a knock on the door, and Zhou Yi went to open it.

The visitor was Zeng Tai.

Upon entering the room, Zeng Tai respectfully addressed Di Renjie, saying, "Your Excellency, we have investigated and found out who this person was who once served as an official in the capital."

There is only one.

"Liu Chali?" Di Renjie asked with certainty.

Sending Zeng Tai to investigate was only to find that he wasn't sure how many people in Huzhou had served as officials in the capital.

Now that Zeng Tai says there's only one, it can only be Liu Chali.

Zeng Tai looked surprised, wondering why Di Renjie had sent him to investigate if he already knew. However, he still respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Excellency, it is Liu Chali."

Di Renjie's eyes were filled with confidence as he looked at Li Yuanfang and Zhou Yi: "It seems we'll have to meet this Liu Chali again."

Zhou Yi's lips curled up as he thought of something: "My lord, I reckon that when Liu Chali sees you tomorrow and learns your true identity, he will be terrified."

I already know how he will react then.

His initial arrogance followed by obsequiousness is laughable.

"You, Di Chun!" Di Renjie chuckled, shook his head, and pointed at Zhou Yi.

He finally understood that since Zhou Yi recovered his mind, he had become quite mischievous.

They also enjoy watching funny things.

I enjoy seeing people panic.

"Sir, this is not my fault, it is your fault."

After hearing Zhou Yi's words, Zeng Tai, who was standing to the side, was a little surprised.

Unexpectedly, someone close to Di Renjie dared to speak like that.

Is this taking advantage of someone's favor and becoming arrogant, or what?

"Oh, it's my fault? What's my fault?"

"Of course it's your fault for liking to travel incognito."

You usually like to act like a schoolteacher.

Since others don't know your identity, they naturally acted a little more presumptuously.

I suddenly learned your identity.

In their fear and trepidation, their behavior naturally became somewhat ridiculous.

Whether you're an official or an ordinary citizen, how many people can remain calm when they see someone as high-ranking as you?

It's also because your official position is too high, which has too much psychological impact on people.

You can't blame anyone else for this.

You wield great power and are an imperial envoy, acting on behalf of Heaven to tour the realm as if I were personally in charge. A single word from you can decide the life or death of others.

In other words, you are an honest official who doesn't abuse the power you hold.

Otherwise, if this power were placed in the hands of others, how many would be able to maintain it and not abuse it?

Let's say we traveled from the south to the north along the way in Jiangnan East Road.

He passed through many prefectures and counties, and witnessed many corrupt governors and magistrates.

You've managed to take down quite a few.

Those people have far less power than you.

But they all acted like tyrants in their respective territories.

Those below feared them like tigers.

They're not afraid of you personally, but of the power you wield.

After hearing what Di Renjie said, he seemed to be deep in thought.

To be fair, Di Jinyong may not have done it intentionally, but it did create a "pretending to be weak while actually being strong" effect.

After revealing their identities, they enjoyed the thrill that came with that situation.

After a moment, he paused, then nodded: "Di Chun, you're right."

What others fear is not me as a person, but the power I hold.

When you have the power to decide someone's life or death, they will naturally fear you, and their behavior will naturally become somewhat ridiculous.

This is nobody's fault but theirs.

Few people can remain calm when facing someone who holds their life and death in their hands.

It's definitely my fault, my fault.

Zeng Tai's eyes widened as he witnessed Di Renjie's charm once again.

If he was previously only impressed by Di Renjie's ability to solve cases, now Di Renjie was not angry at Zhou Yi's words.

Despite holding such a high position, he remained humble and composed, and instead of getting angry when faced with unpleasant words from others, he reflected on himself.

What a magnanimous heart!

Noticing the gleam in the spirit's eyes, Zhou Yi estimated that in a few more days, Zeng Tai would be completely captivated by Di Pangpang.

"Your county?"

After pondering the words of the Book of Changes, Di Renjie looked at Zeng Tai.

"Your humble servant is here."

"Go and make preparations; we will be setting off for Liu Family Village tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Excellency."