If the Xinye magistrate is someone else. Liu Xin had long ordered his guards to lead Chen Laohan's family to the back office for a search. But the county magistrate is Kuai Xiu, the son of Kuai Liang. Liu Xin had to be more cautious. After all, the Kuai family's female relatives may live in the back office.
Liu Xin is cautious. It's not because the Kuai family is the largest family in Xiangyang. There are not a few gentry who are more powerful than the Kuaijia who are ransacked by Liu Xin. Liu Xin is all because of when he first arrived in Xiangyang. Whether Kuailiang, the Kuai Yue brothers or the entire Kuai family. Have given him a lot of help. He must save some face to the Kuai family.
Since Old Man Chen said it. His eldest son was wounded by the Yamen. So long as Mr. Chen's family can identify the murderer. This matter is basically certain. Then there will be no way for Kuaixiu to deny it.
At the time, Old Man Chen's eldest son did not come alone. A grandson of Old Man Chen came with him. This grandson is also standing in the lobby now. The grandson of Old Man Chen heard the order. Stepped forward tremblingly. Stared at those yamen for a long time. Finally shook his head. Said: "No."
Seeing the disappointed expressions of Old Chen's family. Liu Xin asked in a deep voice, "Kuixiu. Are all the government officials here?"
In the process of identification by Chen Laohan's grandson. Kuaixiu has always been calm. Hear Liu Xin's questioning. Calmly said, "Go back to the lord. It's all here."
All the time. Yamen cannot be counted as a formal profession. It's just a form of servitude for the common people. Their labor is unpaid. But after Liu Xin took power. This system has undergone a radical change.
Now the bureaucrats in all counties and counties under Liu Xin's rule have become a formal profession. Every year, they must be evaluated by their superiors. Those who qualify will remain in office. Those who fail will be eliminated. It is not the county magistrate who evaluates the government officials. Instead, the county government assigns a special person to be responsible. Although the assessment is extremely strict. But the officials are still unwilling to give up this profession. Because the government officials are equally well paid. Basically not much different from the soldiers of the regular army. The danger is greatly reduced.
In order not to affect the evaluation results. The government officials will do everything conscientiously. Except for vacation days. Even improper yamen will take the initiative to stay in the yamen. It was not until dusk that he returned home. It is to prevent things from going wrong and being abolished.
According to the rules set by Liu Xin. At the time of the county government's examination and evaluation of yamen. What the magistrate of Kuaixiu said can only serve as a reference. It really determines the future of these government officials. It is their performance and the comments of the people. therefore. Kuaixiu said that the yamen are all here. Liu Xin is still quite convinced. Even if Kuaixiu deliberately concealed it. But the government officials in the county are all registered. This list is also available from Cai Hao, the prefect of Xiangyang. and so. Kuaixiu couldn't hide it. The same reason. Liu Xin even suspected that it was impossible for these government officials to attack people for Kuai Xiu.
Of course. It is not ruled out that these government officials will be bought by Kuaixiu. And Liu Xin could also see it. Chen Laohan's family are all honest ordinary people. It's not like a scammer who can blackmail the county magistrate.
Pondered for a long while. Liu Xin still said: "Quaixiu. To prove your innocence. Liu can only be sorry. Let the guards go to your back office to search for a search."
Kuaixiu hesitated. Said: "Go back to the lord. The lower officials are indeed the family members of the lower officials. There is no outsider. If the lord does not believe, the lower officials are willing to call out all the family members. Let their family identify them."
Call out the female family members to show their faces in front of others. Although a little embarrassing. But if these soldiers are allowed to go to the back office to search. It makes a joke. It's even more embarrassing. The two evils are the lesser of power. Kuaixiu can only ask for perfection.
Liu Xin nodded. Let Kuaixiu go back to the post office. The entire county government has been surrounded by the Flying Tiger Guards Corps. Kuaixiu's wings are hard to fly. Moreover. The local army stationed in Xinye was also notified. The inspection at the city gate has been strengthened. The local army and the county magistrate do not have a unified relationship. Even if Kuaixiu escaped from the county government. Can't get out of Xinyecheng either.
As expected, Kuai Xiu had no plans to escape. Soon all the women in the family gathered. Brought into the lobby. at this time. There are not many people in the lobby. Liu Xin still pays attention to humanity in his work. In order not to make the scene too embarrassing. He drove out the government officials and most of the guards. Even Old Man Chen's family left only Old Man Chen and his eldest daughter-in-law. That is, the mother of the robbed girl.
These female relatives entered the lobby. Liu Xin found that something was wrong. A well-dressed woman surrounded by several maidservants was obviously reluctant. It was almost framed by others. And Kuaixiu kept whispering to each other next to her. Needless to say. This woman must be Kuaixiu's wife. The Kuai family is a well-known family in Jingzhou. Kuailiang and Kuaiyue were also important ministers under Liu Xin. Kuaixiu's wife must be from a famous family. Now he was pulled out to confront him. This reaction is also normal.
I don't know that the woman saw the old man Chen and his daughter-in-law. Suddenly, she broke free from the maid beside her madly. Pounced all of a sudden. He cried bitterly: "Grandpa, mother. Why are you here? Daddy and they are okay."
Liu Xin's face sank. Angrily shouted: "Kui Xiu. What else do you have to say."
Kuaixiu's face was shocked. Ai Ai said, "Lord. When did Zhuo Jing know them? The lower officials don't know. I really don't know where to start."
The woman suddenly turned her head. He said loudly to Kuai Xiu: "How many times have I told you. My name is Yu Niang. I don't even know you. Not your wife. You just don't listen. Now I want to go home."
Liu Xin looked at Kuaixiu. Look at the woman who claims to be Yu Niang again. Could not help but sneer. Said: "Interesting. Today Liu needs to be cleared."
Finished. Liu Xin strode to the back of the middle table. Sit down on the armchair. Hit the gavel hard. Said loudly: "Come here. Bring Kuaixiu."
Kuaixiu is in the hall. There is no need for escort. Hurriedly walked to the front. Kneeling to the ground. Kowtowing: "The next official is here."
Even if I see the emperor. There is no need to bow down or bow down. The exception is criminals. Even the suspect must kneel when being questioned. Kuaixiu is a county magistrate. I often have to deal with some disputes. Hear some cases. Naturally know the rules.
Liu Xin pointed at the woman with her finger. Said: "Who is this woman."
Kuaixiu replied, "She is Kuai Fei, Xiaguan's wife."
The woman suddenly yelled, "Nonsense. I don't even know you."
"Snapped". Liu Xin shot the gavel. He shouted: "There should be no noise in the lobby. Otherwise, it will be pulled down to the 20th board."
The woman dared not speak any more. But he was pulled into his arms by Old Man Chen's daughter-in-law. The two cried together. It doesn't look like a fake. Judging from the performance of Chen Laohan's family and the woman. Liu Xin prefers to believe that this woman is the granddaughter of Old Man Chen. It's called Yu Niang. Instead of what Kuai Su Shi. However, Kuaixiu's mouth was still stubborn when he died. But Liu Xin was a little puzzled. There must be something strange in it.
Liu Xin frowned. Turning to Kuaixiu again and asking: "You are the Xinye county magistrate. You don't know these people. How can you know your wife if you don't get out of the door? Kuaixiu. Liu wants to hear your explanation. "
Kuai Xiu let out a long sigh. Said: "The ugliness of the family cannot be publicized. This is the end of the matter. There is nothing to hide from the official. Zhuo Jing is from Jiangxia. He married into the Kuai family two years ago. Last year he went to Xinye with the official. But Zhuo Jing has been dissatisfied with this marriage. .. Repeatedly clamoring to go back to her mother's house. Six days ago. She took advantage of the maidservant to run out of the county office. Fortunately, the official received the news in time. He chased her back. Zhuo Jing had never left the county office before. It must be that. I met this family once when I ran away."
"It turns out that your wife is from Jiang Xia Fei's family." Liu Xin nodded. To the woman again. Only then did she discover that the woman had a pretty life. It's just that the gestures are not like everybody's lady. Could not help but care. Said. "Old man Chen. When was your granddaughter snatched into the county office by Kuai Xiu."
Old man Chen hurriedly knelt next to Kuaixiu. Pointed to Kuaixiu. Said: "Back to the lord. The granddaughter of the little old man was snatched by him six days ago."
Liu Xin nodded and said: "The time is right. Kuai Xiu. What evidence do you have to prove that this woman is your wife, Kuai Fei."
Kuaixiu was taken aback. Said: "What kind of proof do you need. Xiaguan's own wife doesn't know him. Besides. Even if Xiaguan admits it was wrong. The servants and servants in my family have all admitted it."
Liu Xin said "Oh". Turning to ask the female relatives of Kuaixiu's family. As a result, these female relatives unanimously proved that this woman was Kuai Xiu’s wife, Kuai Fei. These maids except for some humble maids. There are also the two concubines that Kuai Xiu married. It stands to reason. Kuaixiu's wife is gone. These concubines have the possibility of being in position. It should be more reasonable not to admit that she is her own husband.
Meditate for a moment. Liu Xin is still puzzled. Turned to the three grandparents of Old Man Chen. Said: "You said she is Chen Yuniang. What's the evidence?"
Hear Liu Xin's questioning. The two women also knelt down quickly. The older woman said, "Go back to the sir. Yu Niang is the meat that fell from the woman. How can the woman admit it. The woman remembers that there is a small birthmark on Yu Niang's waist..."
"It's so good. You know it after a test." Liu Xin was overjoyed. Pointing to an older handmaid and said. "You. Take her to the back for a test."
Not much effort. The two turned back from Houya. The maid fell to her knees. He said, "My lord. There is indeed a birthmark with the size of a fingernail on her waist. It's just that she looks too much like my wife. The slave and maid really can't see the difference."
Liu Xin laughed and said, "Now the truth has come to light. She is Chen Yuniang. Not Kuai Fei."
The grandparents and grandsons of Old Man Chen kowtoed and said, "Thank you, my lord for the decision."
"No. It's impossible." Kuaixiu suddenly jumped up hysterically. Said loudly. "It must have been their collusion. Didn't they also say that the official instigated the Yamen to injure their family members. But they can't identify who did it. How to explain this."