Niu Jizong's sister recommended himself to solve the case
No matter how you think about it, it's kind of weird.
So much so that Sun Shaozong was a little suspicious that she was actually a robber, and then set a trap to deceive herself into the palace in order to avenge her brother.
but…
Since he was going to investigate the case, Sun Shaozong would naturally bring in all the people—especially since this case is very likely to involve internal ghosts. King Zhongxin wanted Sun Shaozong to supervise the case, so there was no reason to refuse the yamen to enter the palace.
Could it be said that Queen Niu could still hide hundreds of soldiers and fire arrows in a single order to kill these many officials and officers
Therefore, although Sun Shaozong had doubts in his heart, he did not refuse to go to the palace to investigate the case - besides, he had no reason to refuse.
Zuo Shaoqing of Dali Temple was originally in charge of investigating major cases, and the case of the loss of the Goryeo National Treasure in the palace was within his purview no matter how he looked at it.
Now that King Zhongxin has deliberately named him by his name, how could Sun Shaozong not go
Immediately cleaned up, summoned Tang Weishan, the chief of the temple, Chen Jingde, the deputy of the temple, Huang Bin, the head of the police, and more than 20 yamen, and they rushed to the Zhongxin Palace.
The Zhongxin Prince’s Mansion is located near the East Fourth Archway. It occupies a large area, but its location is a little off. Of course, this is only relative to the other palaces. In fact, it is only one lane away from the bustling city.
Seeing that the carriage leading the way stopped in front of the gate on the west side of the palace, Sun Shaozong got out of the car after him.
Seeing the palace steward who greeted a sharp-mouthed monkey cheek from inside, he leaned in in front of Hu Tai and whispered a few words, and the corner of his eye couldn't help but scan Sun Shaozong's side.
The prince who is fat like two people uses a butler who looks like a hemp. Could it be that he is missing something to make up for it
He didn't let Sun Shaozong wait any longer. The two exchanged a few words, and Hu Tai approached him apologetically, bowed and said, "I'm sorry, my lord is too distressed by this case, and it's really inconvenient to see Master Sun right now. - But you can rest assured that the prince who should be responsible will all be handed down, and the investigation will never be delayed."
This is also in line with Sun Shaozong's impression - King Zhongxin has rarely met with foreign ministers in recent years, and this time he has been consistent.
As for the apology...
As a prince, as long as you don't have those messy thoughts, not to mention Sun Shaozong, a fourth-rank Shaoqing, even if the patriarch and the minister are in front of him, how can he help him
Therefore, Sun Shaozong didn't bother to care about it, and went straight to the topic: "In this case, can Hu Changshi take me to the treasury to have a look."
"Please come with me, my lord."
Hu Tai made a move to lead the way, and Sun Shaozong led Tang Weishan and Chen Jingde to follow closely. As for Huang Bin and other yamen and arresters, they had to be accompanied by the palace guards before they could enter the palace.
Although it is a study, but because it is a private library, its location is not only not secluded, but it is built in the inner courtyard and the outer courtyard, where the defense is the most tightly guarded.
The surrounding walls are about ten feet five [about five meters] high, and there are only some flowers and plants nearby, not half a tree.
At this time, outside the wall, there were almost three steps, one post, five steps, one post, and several ladders nearby. Obviously, before Sun Shaozong arrived, the palace was also in the process of self-examination.
"Hu Changshi."
Before entering the courtyard gate, Sun Shaozong paused, stopped Hu Tai, pointed to the surrounding walls and said, "Since I want to investigate the case, this official doesn't care about the etiquette, and the surrounding wall should be handed over to me at Dali Temple first. The guards are more suitable - of course, the palace guards can also supervise."
"Naturally follow the instructions of the adults."
Hu Tai clenched his fists, but then said embarrassedly: "It's just that the prince's private library is not as good as the other side. I also ask Master Sun not to bring too many people in, so as to avoid mistakes."
In this state of waiting, no matter how many people go in, most of them don't dare to lead the sheep. The fear is that there are too many people and hands. If they break some treasures, it is not a joke.
Anyway, it's better not to let yourself go in alone.
Sun Shaozong nodded in agreement, called Chen Jingde first, and ordered him to take someone outside to check the fence to see if there were any signs of intrusion over the wall.
Then he brought Tang Weishan, Huang Bin, and four seasoned and prudent yamen into the study room of the palace.
As soon as I entered the door, I saw a bookshelf attached to the south wall, which was stuck in the corner, revealing a large hole more than half a person's height.
While Sun Shaozong looked at the bookshelf and the entrance to the private library, he kept an eye on Hu Tai's every move from the corner of his eye.
Seeing Hu Tai walk quickly to the entrance of the private library, he pointed to the bookshelf on the side and said, "There is an organ on this bookshelf that requires a key to open. There is no trace of damage on it. I think it was opened by a clever method."
Sun Shaozong also walked slowly forward, and under Hu Tai's guidance, carefully looked at the keyhole on the bookshelf.
This is a mechanism disguised as a desk clock. Originally, there is a keyhole for winding the clockwork, and the keyhole for opening the secret door is hidden under the dial. It is necessary to remove the buckles around the dial one by one. exposed.
According to Hu Tai, the order in which the four buckles are removed cannot be wrong, otherwise the bells will ring loudly and the patrolling guards will be alerted.
Seeing that there was no sign of damage on the clock, Sun Shaozong asked Hu Tai for the key, and he reached in halfway and turned left, then pushed the key in and turned right twice, only to hear the creaking of the bookcase. It slowly moved back to its original position, and the entrance to the private library was tightly sealed.
After doing the same thing again, the bookcase slowly moved to the corner.
Then I tried the wrong operation method again, and the result was that the bell rang loudly, and the ears of the people who were shaking were buzzing.
Obviously this organ is in normal operation.
Sun Shaozong put the key in the palm of his hand and looked at it back and forth, and asked, "Is there anyone in the house who knows how to open this private vault?"
Hu Tai smiled bitterly: "To be honest, there are about a dozen people in the house who know where this private treasury is located - but the only ones who know how to open it are Wang Fei, Wu Fei, and the newly favored Liu Du people."
In other words, the only one who knows the complete opening method is the wife of King Zhongxin.
This looks more and more like a trick to invite Jun into the urn.
However…
Sun Shaozong squinted at Hu Tai. This gentleman's long history of the palace doesn't look like a dead man. If there is a deadly organ in the private library, Hu Tai will probably not be spared.
However, just in case, Sun Shaozong decided to act cautiously, so he raised his voice and commanded: "Tang Sizheng and Huang Zhaotou, you two enter the private vault with Hu Changshi first, I will close the entrance outside, you see See if the thief hid in the private vault in advance, there is a way to open it from the inside."
Tang Weishan and Huang Bin had no doubts about him, so they agreed immediately.
That Hu Tai seemed to have thought of something, but he only smiled bitterly and did not raise any objections.
Just like that, the three of them got into the private vault one after another.
Speaking of...
The person who designed the entrance to the private treasury might have a grudge against King Zhongxin, right
With his plump body, it may be difficult to get in and out of the private vault.
Not long after, I heard Tang Weishan shout inside: "Sir, you can close the library door."
It seems that there is no mechanism that will be triggered after entering.
Next, as long as you try to keep Hu Tai outside, let Huang Bin keep an eye on him, and don't allow him to touch anything, and then go in and investigate.
Thinking like this, Sun Shaozong closed the door with the key, and after waiting for a while, he got a response of 'can't be opened from the inside'.
Only then did Sun Shaozong reopen the private library entrance.
Hu Tai, Tang Weishan, and Huang Bin filed out again.
Except for Hu Tai, the other two looked a little dazed, apparently surprised by the rare treasures inside.
Hu Tai bowed his hands to Sun Shaozong: "Master Sun, can you go in and check it out now?"
Sun Shaozong was waiting to nod his head in response, and then used the reason he had thought up for a long time to leave him in the study, but suddenly shrugged his nose, and then took a few deep breaths.
Then he couldn't wait to ask: "Is there any spices in it?"
Hu Tai was stunned for a moment, nodded his head for unknown reasons, and explained further: "Several lights inside are made of special lamp oil, and the aroma emitted when lit is stronger than ordinary spices."
Sun Shaozong immediately asked again, "Is that night pearl usually placed in the box or outside?"
"It is placed on a soft table the size of a palm, and it is usually not covered."
This time, it was Huang Bin who answered. Obviously, although he was in a state of shock, he still completed the most basic investigation.
"If that's the case, then this official will not go in."
Sun Shaozong smiled and met Hu Tai's surprised eyes and said, "Hu Changshi, please let me find some hounds."
As soon as the words fell, Hu Tai's eyes lit up, and he responded loudly, rushing out the door to find the thin butler.
In about a quarter of an hour, several hounds were brought before Sun Shaozong.