c85 (2/2)

Both of them looked at one another. Daren was a little strange! Cheng Hang gave a look to Lu Jin and Lu Jin softly called out, “Daren?”

It was only after Lu Jin called out then Dan Yu Lan recovered himself and stared at both of them for a while before whispering, “Search for all the files relating to the Lin Bo Kang’s the case of the thief and subst.i.tution of army rations and read it carefully.”

Case of the army rations? When both of them returned to the capital, this case has been shelved so they did not understand the case at all but seeing that Dan Daren’s grave tone on the case, both of them dare not take it lightly. “Yes.”

Both of them rummage for quite some time before Lu Jin found a thin dossier in the pile of file six months ago. As he flip it through, there were some traces of doubt that flashed on Lu Jin’s face but he did not speak as he pa.s.sed the file to Cheng Hang. After Cheng Hang look at the few piece of report, he muttered, “This time the Emperor summon Dan Daren to the Palace was for the army ration case?”

Dan Yu Lan picked up the inked dipped brush and seriously wrote something down as he replied, “Three months. The case must be closed by then.”

And a time limit was also set? This was not common. Cheng Hang flip the file and his brows knitted tightly together and asked curiously, “This case is not a major one. Lin Bo Kang is already dead, the subst.i.tuted rations were retrieved and Li Ming also admitted that he was the one who killed Lin Bo Kang and confessed that Lin Bo Kang stole the rations so that he could sell it to the southern merchants. At that time the officer presiding the case was the Vice Minister of the Board of Punishment, Wu s.h.i.+ Gang, who also intercepted the army rations from the southern merchants. Isn’t this case considered closed?”

“You all should examine it very carefully.” Dan Yu Lan did not look up but his voice sounded heavy.

Being by Dan Yu Lan’s side for so many years, they did not see him this vexed before. Even it was a case that incurred the Emperor’s wrath, they did not see Daren this worried. Was it that there were hidden stories in the case of the army rations? Two of them look at the two sheets of paper and seriously look through.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense (modern timing: 15 – 25 mins), both of them could almost memorised the entire file before they placed it down. Cheng Hang propped his chin as he a.n.a.lysed, “Li Ming had been the steward in the Lin family for many years and even if he had whatever hatred for Lin Bo Kang, he obviously know that he would be executed, and he still found need to take the risk to break into the Board of Punishments to kill him. This is somewhat irrational.”

Lu Jin nodded his head. Before the fragments of information were linked together, he could see some inconsistencies, “With only Li Ming’s strength alone, it is not possible to be able to kill Li Bo Kang in the Board of Punishments. A month ago, there was also a prison brawl in the prison of the Board of Punishment and the one who was injured the worst was Li Ming.”

When Dan Yu Lan finished writing and heard Lu Jin’s words, he was shocked, “Li Ming is dead?”

“Rest a.s.sure Daren, Li Ming is a key figure in this case. After the brawl the last time, this underling felt something was wrong and had already moved him to the prison where punishments are carried out and specially allocated someone to monitor.” At that time, he felt that it was strange and intuitively thought that this person would certainly be a key figure. Its seems that he had done the correct thing that day.

“Good.” Dan Yu Lan gave a sigh of relief. The prison where punishments are carried out was also the place where criminals are temporarily detained for retrial. The wardens there were also his confidants that had followed him for years thus it was not something that the prison in the Board of Punishments can compared. He was a.s.sured that Li Ming was there. Seeing that both of them had finished reading the file, Dan Yu Lan then stood up to say, “Lin Bo Kang is just one of the biggest merchant in the capital and this time if it was not the recommendation from the Daren from Ministry of Appointments, he would not have the opportunity to be able to get this business. Every year the court will release half of the rations from the Imperial Warehouse as army rations and the other half will be bought from the public thus there would already be many opportunities to get rich. For everything to be calculated on his, he cannot be that stupid as to do business the first time with the Imperial Court and also to subst.i.tute army rations shoddily? This was something that one can lose their head for.”

As the fingers lightly tap on the thin file, Cheng Hang drive increased, “If it is said like this, then this case is really hiding something.” The more complex the case was the more he like it, there was a sense of challenge!

Cheng Hang’s eyes were filled with excitement while Lu Jin shook his head reluctantly. He looked down and glance upon the autopsy examiner’s name, w.a.n.g Bing Sheng? It seems to be a low ranked coroner in Ying Tian Residence. Lu Jin picked up the autopsy report and place it in front of Dan Yu Lan to ask, “Lin Bo Kang’s body is still at the Board of Punishment’s coroner. Does Daren want to do the autopsy again?”

“Not needed. Lou Furen did the autopsy of Lin Bo Kang’s body and I was present that day so it need not be re-examined.”

When Lu Jin heard that it was Zhuo Qing who did the autopsy, he became happy and asked urgently, “Should Lou Furen be invited over?” Lou Furen’s autopsy skill are high and every time she lectures, one would be able to learn a lot.

Dan Yu Lan considered for a moment before finally exclaimed, “Now it is no longer like before. She is already the wife of the Prime Minister. If need not to trouble her then do not trouble her.”

Hang Chen also went up and asked, “How about…. Miss Qing?” Lu Jin totally conceded to Lou Furen but in contrast, he even admired Qing Mo’s keen and alert way of investigation. When she investigate, she was sharp and her skills were so good that no one was unsatisfied! And she was not yet officially the General’s wife so it was not that unproper.

This time Dan Yu Lan immediately shook his head as he smiled bitterly and replied, “The Ao Tian case had nearly cause her death. Till now General Su did not give me a good look.”

Both of the Qing females’ temperaments were strange and coupled with their husbands who were difficult to deal with, it was no wonder Dan Daren was reluctant to disturb them unless it was the last resort. One of Cheng Hang hands on the edge of the table while the other hand was on Lu Jin shoulder as he curled his lips and said, “Never mind, we will investigate it ourselves. In the past when they were not around, we still solve cases!”

Dan Yu Lan secretly sighed, if the Qing family sisters were all male and could take up official positions in court, there would certainly be a lot less injustice in the world. It’s a pity… Focusing his mind, Dan Yu Lan lightly coughed and said, “Cheng Hang, go and check up on Li Ming’s life, how his family is now and who did he mix around with. Lu Jin, go and investigate on the ins and outs of the southern group of merchants and…” Dan Yu Lan picked the just written letter and handed it over to Lu Jin, “Take this to Commander Su and ask him to help do a stocktake of the army rations.”

Stocktake of the army rations? Could there be…

“Yes.” Both of them were people of action. When they heard Dan Yu Lan’s orders, they immediately sprang into action. When both of them reached the door, they heard Dan Yu Lan’s voice calling from behind, “Both of you must remember, with regards to the army ration case, it must be investigated in secret!”

Lu Jin’s heart could not help but jump. It seemed that this case involvement is not small at all!

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