When a murder occurred on the street, it quickly caused a sensation in the entire state city. The county lieutenant of Qian County took a few public officials, examined the body, and made an attestimony on the spot, so he ordered to be escorted to the manager's house. The county does not have the authority to hear the life lawsuit, and it must be reported to the state. Qian County is attached to Guo County, and if you come to go through the motions, you will quickly send it away, so as not to stay here at night and dream a lot.

Du Zhongxiao has been watching at the city gate, and said to Han Yueniang beside him: "Look, I said don't go to worship God, but you don't listen." Only then did he walk to the city gate, and there was such a big case. Forget it, let the platoon carry incense and candles to burn it, how can we go to worship the eunuchs? ”

Han Yueniang said curiously: "You are an official, why can't you go to worship God?" ”

"This kind of local god is given by the imperial court to protect the local people. With an official body, when he entered their temple gate, he was afraid that the gods would also be puzzled and did not know what to do. Listen to me, don't go yourself, and don't worship casually in the future. ”

Han Yueniang was suspicious, so she had to order two platoons to carry incense and candles to the temple, and she would not leave the city.

Over there, Lieutenant Zhong made all the arrangements, and came to meet Du Zhongxiao: "The lower official has seen Jietui." It seems that this murder case on the street has not been seen in this city for many years, and it is really appalling. Such a big case did not dare to be tried by the county, and it has been transferred to the state magistrate's court. Since Jietui saw it in person, why not go to the state government with the lower officials and explain it to Yan Sili. It's like taking a witness on the street, talking nonsense and not being clear. ”

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "That's fine." You go to the state government first, and I will send the insiders home, change into official clothes, and go by myself. ”

Lieutenant Zhong promised his promise, thanked him a thousand times, and led people to the state office.

Du Zhongxiao said to Han Yueniang: "Helpless, I just happened to bump into it today, how can I stay out of the matter?" I'll send you back, and then go to the state office. ”

Han Yueniang kept turning around, not daring to look at the place where the murder occurred, and when she heard Du Zhongxiao speak, she said: "That kid is young, and he doesn't look like a murderer." I heard him say that it was someone else's greed for money that broke his house, so he came to take revenge. You have heard all these words, and when you go to the official office, you may as well explain them in person. Of course, it is wrong to kill people, but it is always merciful and pitiful to be expected to be ruthless. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "I understand. You turn around, twist and speak, and I look awkward. ”

Han Yueniang whispered: "When I saw blood, I was a little scared. Are all those people gone? ”

"The county lieutenant of this county is here with the public servants, so naturally they are all gone."

Hearing this, Han Yueniang turned around and saw the blood not far away, and couldn't help but let out an "ah".

Du Zhongxiao summoned Chai Xin and asked him to arrange for the platoon to carry incense and candles to be burned, and send Han Yueniang home with him.

Helping Du Zhongxiao change into a public uniform, Han Yueniang whispered to Du Zhongxiao: "I think that child is very pitiful, and he is revenge for destroying his family, so he went to kill." If there is a way, the officials might as well help him, and save his life. ”

Du Zhongxiao was silent for a while, then turned to Han Yueniang and said, "Originally, I should have told you, women, don't ask about business." Alas, it's just that I'm a man, I know a lot of things to do, but I don't necessarily know how to do them. ”

Han Yueniang covered her mouth and smiled: "Then don't talk about it." When the two of us talked, I said that you just listen, it's inconvenient to do it, so it's better to treat it as if you didn't hear it. Reprimanded me seriously, so what's the point of living this life? ”

Du Zhongxiao smiled slightly, turned around and sat down: "I think the same way." It's just that I'm afraid that you don't have a sense of proportion, and you will become accustomed to nagging in the future, which will be difficult to change, and I will be annoyed. Today's matter, in fact, I have a few choices, hesitate in my heart, you help me get an idea. ”

Han Yueniang tilted her head and said, "My woman is a family, how dare I help you make up my mind in official affairs?" But between husband and wife, it doesn't hurt to talk. ”

"Committing murder on the street is a serious crime, and it stands to reason that the child's life cannot be saved this time. There is only one way to save his life, and that is to prove that the deceased has committed a heinous felony, and that the child is really avenging his parents. Even so, it is necessary to add that he has been reported to the official many times and cannot be tried before his sentence can be commuted. It's just that, in doing so, I offend my colleagues in the state—"

Han Yueniang said curiously: "Isn't the life of a living person your official achievement?" How can you offend your colleagues? ”

Du Zhongxiao shook his head: "When we moved here that day, we heard Chai Xin say that this was originally the house of the Tao Seventeenth Family, and he had reported to the official many times, but there was no result. Do you think, the first few times he reported to the officials, he was not allowed to avenge his grievances, and now he killed people on the street to find out, didn't he say that the previous officials did not know the case? This is a major case of human life, and if one is not good, some officials will be punished for it. ”

Han Yueniang nodded, was silent for a while, and then said: "Rao is like this, the lives of the living always accumulate merit. ”

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "Yes, I think so too." In fact, the current governors, general judgments, and signed judgments have not been in office for a long time, and most of them have nothing to do with this kind of old case, and it is not a big deal. On the contrary, the public officials below, for fear of punishment, are afraid that they will get in the way. Not to mention these, even if the state officials work together and really want to investigate this case, there is another case that is difficult to handle no matter what. ”

Han Yueniang pushed Du Zhongxiao's shoulder: "If there is anything difficult, you just have to make it clear, how to hang people's appetites!" ”

"I just asked, the deceased is an official from Yongcheng County, and he came to the state to collect the papers. Except for a few officials in the yamen, there are no acquaintances in the state, and Tao Qiqi has always lived in the state city, how can he have anything to do with his family? I'm afraid that kid killed the wrong person—"

"Yikes!" Han Yueniang couldn't help but cover her mouth. "There's nothing wrong with this!"

Du Zhongxiao looked at Han Yueniang quietly, and after a long while, she sighed heavily: "Although I have not been an official for a long time, after I became a sergeant, I have also studied public affairs in the capital for a few months, and I must talk to officials everywhere I pass on the road, and I have really learned a lot of things." If my estimate is correct, since the deceased had no acquaintances in the state city, the case is about to be closed like this, and the child will not escape death. But—"

Han Yueniang couldn't help but be anxious when she heard this: "You are going to keep talking, you are really anxious!" ”

"Killing people on the street is so decisive, how can a person in his seventeens be mistaken! Do you believe it? ”

When Han Yueniang heard this, she was stunned for a while, and then tried to ask: "You say, there may be a hidden secret in this case?" ”

Du Zhongxiao nodded heavily: "That kid's eyes are clear, and he has a shrewd aura from the inside out, how can he be so confused!" Of course, maybe I guessed wrong, then naturally everything is not tied. If I look good, how can I recognize the wrong person if I look like Tao Seventeen! If you don't recognize the wrong person, then this case is likely to be related to Yongcheng. Many of the officials in the yamen are not clear with the idlers outside, and it is not uncommon for them to be involved in the case. ”

Han Yueniang said: "Since you think so, you should save the child's life and find out!" ”

Du Zhongxiao shook his head and sighed: "That's why I have to discuss this matter with you, what kind of official do I want to be." After winning the Jinshi and receiving this money, it is a lifelong thing. Murder on the street, such a serious case, the above must be tried by the local government as soon as possible. And if there is a hidden secret, it must not be found out in a short time. I'm a magistrate, and this case can be managed. No matter what, nine times out of ten it is to ask for a kill as soon as possible-"

Speaking of this, Du Zhongxiao shook his head: "And if I want to protect Tao Seventeen, I can only drag this case down first, and take the opportunity of going to Yongcheng in a few days to find out clearly." I'm a new science and technology officer, the state officials, dragging the case, hey-"

"There are two kinds of officials. One is to be cautious, take every step of the way, and don't do anything risky in the limelight, I am such a person. There is also a kind of aggressiveness, as long as it is determined, it will not matter what others say, and do it hard. ”

Han Yueniang listened to Du Zhongxiao's words, and was stunned for a while before saying, "A trivial matter, why do you think so much?" Lives matter—"

Du Zhongxiao waved his hand: "Tao Seventeen killed people on the street, even if he is found out to be revenge, it will be difficult to save his life, unless he is Shengshang Deyin." However, he fought hard to find out the case and let him go with peace of mind. But when I step out, I am such a person in the eyes of others, and it will be difficult to change my habits in the future, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to turn back in the officialdom. Husband and wife, I always have to ask you. ”

Han Yueniang looked at Du Zhongxiao, her mouth open, and she didn't know what to say for a while.

Du Zhongxiao said: "You may think that I am making a fuss, but in fact I am not. That's what it means to be an official, when one thing is done, everyone will remember it in the future, and when you hear your name, you will first remember it, and then everyone will say what kind of person this is. Before I was admitted to the Jinshi exam, I used to do an essay, and many people knew my name because of this article, thinking that I would do something like that. It wasn't until I was admitted to the Jinshi that no one mentioned it. If I try to protect Tao XVII this time, I will be affected by this for many years to come. His life could not be saved, and it was against my will, so I thought it was difficult. ”

This is image building, the official road will be long in the future, Du Zhongxiao must think clearly about what kind of official he should be. The major homicide case, if Du Zhongxiao disagrees with most of the officials, he will be famous this time. It spreads in officialdom, and no matter where it goes in the future, the first impression it gives to others is like this.

It's hard to distinguish between good and bad in this kind of thing, and it's hard to say the good and the bad. Just one step out, leaving an impression on others, I am afraid that it will not be easy to change the image in the future. Coming to this world, Du Zhongxiao has always been cautious, and he really doesn't want people to feel that he is greedy for merit. If you can save someone's life through your own efforts, it is still valuable, knowing that you can't do it, it is worth considering whether you do it or not.