I want to ruin the country

The memorial said that Lin Zexu had visited the scene and based on his many years of experience in solving cases and examining Li Daotai's body, he felt that Li Daotai's death was not simply caused by dysentery and diarrhea!

But the coroner also examined the body and could not find any other cause of death.

The second memorial was submitted by Chen Qingkai, the governor of Shandong, and it also mentioned that Li Mengxiang died of illness in Dezhou.

Died from dysentery?

This is really fucking weird. Although there is a folk saying that "a brave man can't stand three shits", it's not possible to die in just a few hours, right?

If this happened in later times, an autopsy would have revealed everything, but that's not possible now. We don't have the technology or the equipment, and we have to rely entirely on experience to handle cases.

Although Yining has never solved a case, he has read a lot of books and watched a lot of TV dramas and movies on this subject, so he can make associations.

The one who died was a fourth-rank grain official, and right now, at the center of a nationwide investigation into granary deficits—isn't that a bit too coincidental? It's hard not to think about it!

After much thought, he gave Lin Zexu instructions:

"Lord Lin, there's no need to rush to Beijing. Just investigate the case of Li Mengxiang's sudden death right here and then take up your post!

Also, please clarify why Li Daotai went to Dezhou, what connection he had with local officials, and whether there were any shortages in local warehouses.

When Lin Zexu received the emperor's reply, he was not only impressed but also thought that the emperor's words hit the nail on the head, which was what he thought too.

With the imperial edict, this matter became his. Lin Zexu had judged countless cases throughout his life as an official.

He remained calm at first and ordered his men to secretly control all of Li Daotai's followers.

Then they were asked to write down everything Li Daotai said and did every moment after he arrived in Dezhou.

And you have to write it three times. If you can't write, just say it, but you have to say it at least three times.

The reason for doing this is that no matter what people have just experienced, even if they write it down a thousand times, it will be the same. But if it is a lie, there will probably be subtle differences. This is the result that Lord Lin wants.

After getting the confessions of these people, Lord Lin discovered some clues from them. Daotai Li was very upset and had complained a few times, saying that Xing Guodong, the governor of Dezhou Prefecture, was extremely bold.

As for how audacious he was, he didn't say.

Lin Zexu had a thought in his mind that Li Mengxiang’s death might be related to Xing Guodong.

He secretly ordered people to find out who in the prefectural office was most appreciated by Lord Xing and who was Lord Xing's confidant.

It was soon discovered that two of Lord Xing's servants, Xing Fu and Xing Lu, were the most beloved by him, and they were almost inseparable from Lord Xing!

Lord Lin secretly apprehended Xing Fu and Xing Lu and interrogated them separately.

"Tell me, what did your prefect do all day?"

At first, both of them said the same thing, except that something went wrong when they were serving tea to Li Daotai.

Xing Fu said that after Li Daotai came, he had never drunk anything except tea.

However, Xing Lu said that he saw Xing Fu serve soup to Li Daotai again, and heard his master say that the soup was made by their wife.

Lord Lin then asked Xing Fu,

"What did you give Li Daotai to drink?"

Xing Fu did not admit it.

"Sir, I really didn't give Li Daotai anything else to drink. I dare not lie!"

Lord Lin slammed the table.

"Bold Xing Fu, I have interrogated you thoroughly. In the end, you served a bowl of green soup made by my wife to Li Daotai on a tray. If you don't tell the truth, you will be severely punished!"

Xing Fu has followed Xing Guodong for many years. He has watched his master try cases countless times. The prisoners were tortured to death and eventually had to confess and sign.

When I heard that Lord Lin had even revealed his color, I knew I couldn't hide it anymore, so I had to say,

"Sir, I am willing to accept your invitation!"

"Tell me quickly, or you'll suffer physical pain!"

Xing Fu said,

"I served Master Li a green drink. I don't know what it is, but I heard from my master that it was made by the Madam herself!"

Lord Lin saw the flicker in his eyes and knew he was lying, so he slammed the table.

"How dare you, Xing Fu, lie to me! Come, punish me severely!"

Someone nearby threw the pliers to the ground, and Xing Fu was so scared that he peed his pants!

He had seen countless people in court who had three souls gone from their heads and seven spirits slipped away from their feet due to being tortured. No matter how strong a man is, he would talk nonsense after being tortured.

Beads of sweat the size of beans were dripping down his forehead. Rather than suffering later, he might as well tell the truth!

"My Lord, I will tell you everything!"

Yining received another memorial from Lin Zexu, which said that the case of Li Daotai's sudden death had been solved and that it was Xing Guodong, the prefect of Dezhou, who killed Li Daotai in order to silence him.

The reason for silencing him was that the Dezhou treasury had a total deficit of more than 200,000 taels of silver in grain over the past few years.

The poison that killed Li Daotai was colchicine combined with a strong poison, so the cause of death was very similar to diarrhea.

The memorial clearly explained the entire process of the case, the witness statements were clear, the case was ironclad, and the evidence was conclusive.

Finally, Lin Zexu wrote that if there were important matters, he would report them to the emperor in person.

Yining issued an instruction,

"Lord Lin has rendered another great service to the court. The facts of the case are now clear. There is no need to linger in Dezhou. Bring all the prisoners with you and hurry to the capital. Chen Qingxie will be in charge of the local affairs."

After receiving the imperial edict, Lin Zexu took the prisoners with him and set off for the capital.

Along the way, You Zongtang sighed and frowned. The reason was simple: his cousin Xing Guodong became a prisoner and followed the team.

Seeing him like this, Lin Zexu said,

"Don't worry about it. Xing Guodong violated the law. It's his business. It has nothing to do with you. Even if you take care of him on the road, it's human nature. I won't blame you!"

You Zongtang was very grateful to Lord Lin for being so considerate.

"Thank you for your understanding, sir!"

Thanks to his relationship with You Zongtang, Xing Guodong suffered less!

However, You Zongtang also knew that he couldn't go too far. After all, Xing Guodong was guilty of a heinous crime and would not escape the death penalty. He could only express his gratitude.

As the saying goes, you can escape the misfortunes sent by heaven, but you cannot escape the misfortunes you bring upon yourself!

After traveling day and night, they arrived in the capital four days later.

Yining was talking to Du Shoutian about something when he heard that Lin Zexu had arrived. He hurriedly ordered,

"Quickly invite Lord Lin and You Zongtang to come to Xianfu Palace to see the emperor!"

Du Shoutian stood up to say goodbye, Yining waved his hand and said,

"Teacher, don't go. Let's meet them together!"

You Zongtang's heart was beating like a drum. Lord Lin didn't need to tell him anything. Since he had no official position, was he supposed to follow Lord Lin to meet the emperor?

With a nervous mood, You Zongtang followed Lin Zexu to Xianfu Palace.

After the two men came in, they knelt down and kowtowed. Yining had already rushed over from his seat and supported Lin Zexu up with both hands.

"Master Yuanfu, you've had such a hard time along the way. I missed you so much!"