Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

022: The Nightmare Chases the Murderer

Just then, the woman suddenly rushed in and punched Hu Lang hard in the face, causing blood to flow from the corner of his mouth.

"You're a beast!" the woman shouted angrily.

Hu Lang spat out a tooth and said, "Hmph!"

Seeing Hu Lang's vicious appearance, Su Wen strode towards the door and said, "Although coroners are not allowed to kill, as a coroner, I am proficient in an extremely torturous method. I lay a person flat on a wooden board, wrapping them up so they cannot move at all. I place a dripping hourglass on their forehead, letting the water drip onto their forehead forever, preventing them from sleeping, moving, or wiping it away. This person suffers endless torment until they completely break down and die. This process might take three days, seven days, or even much, much longer, leaving them unaware of the time of death, slowly waiting to die!"

After Su Wen said those words, Wang Weifeng felt a chill run down his spine; it was practically the most extreme form of torture.

Su Wen frowned, stepped out of the cell, and said, "For a pure villain like you, I will have Magistrate Wang suggest to the Court of Judicial Review that this extreme punishment be used on you. That way, you can experience the most desperate form of torture. I've given it a name: the Water Drop Torture!"

After saying this, Su Wen walked away, and Wang Weifeng, Wu Qizhang, and the heroine also left the place.

Only Hu Lang remained, but judging from his appearance, he seemed completely unafraid of the water-drop torture!

After leaving the prison, Wang Weifeng looked at Wu Qizhang and said, "Should we gag him to prevent him from biting his tongue and committing suicide?"

Su Wen smiled and said, "Magistrate Wang, don't worry, biting your tongue won't kill you!"

At this point, Su Wen took a deep breath and said, "Sigh, as expected, no matter the era, such purely evil people will always exist!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Weifeng was somewhat puzzled, but he still bowed to Su Wen and said, "This case can now be considered completely solved. Thank you very much, Dr. Su!"

Su Wen smiled slightly and said, "Magistrate Wang, there's no need to be so polite. By the way, Magistrate Wang, do you know the magistrate of the neighboring Ningshui County? What kind of person is he?"

Wang Weifeng smiled and said, "I've only been here a few days and don't know anyone yet. However, I've heard that the magistrate of Ningshui County next door is surnamed Cui, from the Cui clan of Boling. Cui Ziyan is over sixty years old this year and is a very upright and noble man. He was demoted to Ningshui County in Youzhou as a minor magistrate because he was dissatisfied with Empress Wei's interference in politics and refuted Princess Taiping's interference in politics. I've heard that the current emperor has summoned him back to Chang'an several times to serve as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, but he refused, saying that he is too old and will live out his remaining years in Ningshui County!"

Su Wen responded, "Oh, then what is his relationship with Cui Wuyi, the magistrate of Lu County?"

Wang Weifeng shook his head: "I don't know, but the Cui family of Qinghe and the Cui family of Boling must have some connection, right?"

At this point, Wang Weifeng suddenly spoke up: "Oh, by the way, Cui Ziyan has a granddaughter named Cui Lingyu. It's said that she's incredibly beautiful, with a face that could launch a thousand ships, and she's also skilled in painting. She once studied under Wu Daozi and is a very talented woman. Some even say that she's ranked first among the ten most talented women of prominent families!"

Su Wen frowned and said, "Cui Lingyu, that name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before!"

Wang Weifeng asked, "Dr. Su, why did you suddenly ask about Ningshui County?"

Su Wen said thoughtfully, "I don't know if this is real or just a dream. Last night I had a dream about a man named Yuan Tianfang who said he was wronged and died tragically in the main hall of Qingfeng Temple, and asked me to clear his name!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Weifeng was utterly shocked and exclaimed, "Is that so?"

Su Wen nodded: "I don't know if I'm just dreaming and imagining things!"

Wang Weifeng said, "Oh, no, I once heard someone say that in Yingzhou Prefecture, the late Di Renjie dreamed of a dead person appearing in his dream. So Di Renjie went to look for him and indeed found his body. Later, he solved the case and cleared the name of the deceased!"

Wang Weifeng said, "I never expected that Dr. Su would also have such a dream. I wonder if this is a coincidence, or if Dr. Su will one day become a figure like Di Renjie, seeking justice for the people!"

Su Wen smiled awkwardly and said, "I wouldn't dare. I'm merely skilled in detective work, nothing more. I dare not compare myself to Di Renjie!"

Wang Weifeng laughed and said, "It is said that all the great talents in the world start from small things. In my opinion, Brother Su will surely become a pillar of our Great Tang Dynasty!"

Su Wen smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Magistrate Wang!"

After saying this, Su Wen looked at Wang Weifeng and said, "However, I still want to go to Ningshui County. I wonder if Magistrate Wang could write me a letter of recommendation? Otherwise, if this dream is true, I would have the authority to investigate this case in Ningshui County!"

Wang Weifeng replied, "Alright, I'll go and write it right away!"

......

After receiving the letter, Su Wen bid farewell to Wang Weifeng and headed straight for Ningshui County!

Before long, Su Wen arrived in Ningshui County.

Youzhou governs four counties: Lu County, Wei County, Ningshui County, and Yefeng County. Among them, Ningshui County is the most remote, a small county, and even somewhat poor.

Su Wen did not rush to the county government office, but went first to Qingfeng Temple, which he had mentioned in his dream.

Ancient pines and cypresses surround the solemn Taoist temple, and a bluestone path leads to the carved beams and painted rafters of the gate, exuding a mysterious atmosphere. The mountain gate stands tall, and stone lions on both sides guard this sacred place with majesty. The incense smoke inside the temple is in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

The well-arranged buildings appear and disappear amidst the swirling mist, resembling a fairyland. Above the entrance hangs an old plaque with the three characters "Qingfeng Temple" written in vigorous and powerful characters, showcasing its profound historical heritage.

Su Wen was often brainwashed by marketing accounts in his previous life, so he had a certain affinity for Taoist temples. It was morning, and there weren't many people coming to Qingfeng Temple to offer incense. A few people were scattered around offering incense and asking for blessings.

Su Wen followed several elderly people who were offering incense and praying for blessings to the main hall. The Three Pure Ones were enshrined in the main hall. Su Wen carefully looked around the main hall. The main hall was not very big, about twelve or thirteen meters long and six or seven meters wide.

However, according to the person named Yuan Tianfang in the dream, his remains are buried under this hall. If we were to dig up the site based solely on a dream, it would likely have a huge impact if word got out.

Therefore, Su Wen only came to take a look. He needed to find a way to obtain at least some evidence before he could persuade Magistrate Cui to start construction.

After looking around, Su Wen went outside and met an old man who looked to be about fifty years old. Su Wen stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Master, I am a merchant from Wei County. I plan to build a pavilion tower, but the craftsmen in Wei County are not skilled enough. I see this building, which is magnificent and perfectly formed by nature. I wonder if you know who built it?"

The Taoist priest smiled, bowed, and said, "I remember this temple was built by a family surnamed Yuan, who should have lived in Ningshui County. You can go and ask Magistrate Cui of Ningshui County. On the day my Qingfeng Temple was completed, Magistrate Cui even came to inscribe a message and bestowed a red seal upon it!"

Su Wen responded and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Daoist Master!"