Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

045:5 Prison

Xu Ge said, "So, the murderer plans to kill two more people in Chongqi and Yujiao soon?"

Su Wen didn't reply, but stared at the map, then looked at the deceased, frowned, and said, "How do you think the deceased knew what crimes these people had committed?"

Li Xingguo replied, "Yes, Luoyang County has at least a hundred thousand people. How could the murderer know what crimes they committed? Unless, the murderer knew them!"

Su Wen looked at Li Xingguo beside him, his mind racing. Indeed, they were right.

Su Wen looked at Xu Ge and said, "Go ask Yan'er if Ding Yuan has been going to any particular places lately!"

Xu Ge responded, while Su Wen turned around and looked at the deceased again. He squatted down, put on cloth gloves, and touched the stomach. There was indeed something in the stomach.

Su Wen took a knife and cut open the stomach, took out a fish bladder, opened it, and sure enough, the talisman appeared inside.

Li Xingguo glanced at Su Wendao and said, "It really is the same killer!"

Su Wen didn't reply. In fact, he had considered investigating the origin of the fish bubble in order to identify the suspect.

But upon closer reflection, it's too difficult. Although there are only two markets in Luoyang, east and west, there are dozens of fish sellers. In addition, some anglers sell their catch directly to others after fishing in the wild.

Therefore, there is no way to investigate this, so Su Wen can only focus on other clues at present.

According to the Five Hells system, the crimes committed by the deceased Wu Hongye, Ding Yuan, and Zhao Wudou must have been committed by someone who knew what crimes they had committed.

Therefore, the three of them must have a place they went to together, and this place is either the county government or a temple or Taoist temple!

Only in such places can a murderer possibly know the crimes committed by a person, and thus take action against them.

After thinking it over, Su Wen decided to go to Tongxuan Temple again. He wanted to take the map to Li Moxuan to see if his guess about the Five Elements Formation was correct. If it was correct, then Su Wen could focus on these two shops next!

Su Wen looked at Li Xingguo and said, "General, let's go. We need to go to Tongxuan Temple again to ask Master Li a few more questions!"

When I visited Tongxuan Temple again, this time during the day, the temple was even more bustling with worshippers, and the crowds were immense.

"I asked around, and everyone says Tongxuan Temple is particularly efficacious, so there are always a lot of people coming to burn incense and pray. I bought some incense, and we'll go pray there later!"

Su Wen looked at Li Xingguo, who was carrying a large bag of incense and candles, and had no complaints.

Su Wendao said, "The General actually believes in Taoism?"

Li Xingguo didn't reply, but Su Wen could still tell from Li Xingguo's face that he was indeed a believer.

However, to be fair, Taoism was the state religion during the Tang Dynasty. Even Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) and Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji) believed in Taoism, so these ministers naturally believed in it as well. However, some of them truly believed, while others were just sycophants who believed falsely!

Li Xingguo, formerly the Grand General of the Left Golden Guard, frequently saw the Sage and was influenced by his words and actions every day, so he naturally came to believe in Taoism.

Su Wen didn't say anything. The two of them went to the room from last night again and saw that there were many people dressed in black clothes and wearing black veils.

Su Wen, curious, asked the young Taoist priest beside him, "Who are these people?"

The young Taoist said, "These are all Nestorian Christians!"

"Nestorianism?" Su Wen pondered. Nestorianism was an early form of Christianity, and it was even somewhat different from modern Christianity. They worshipped Jesus and did not worship the Virgin Mary or other deities.

Su Wen then asked curiously, "Why would the Nestorian Christians come to the Taoist temple?"

The young Taoist said, "Master said that the teaching is not about the people, but about the heart. All orthodox religions in the world persuade people to do good and have a kind heart. They are different from sects, but in the end, they all lead people to do good. Therefore, their doctrines are all from the same root. So there is no difference or barrier between religions!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wen was greatly shocked. Li Moxuan could actually say such a thing. His level of thinking was simply overwhelming and ahead of his time.

Not to mention the Tang Dynasty, even in later generations, people often fought fiercely because of differences between sects, and there were even constant conflicts. Li Moxuan is simply ahead of the world by thousands of years.

Su Wen couldn't help but praise the young Taoist, "Master Li is truly a great thinker!"

The young Taoist said, "Master said that if all things are good, then the world is good; if all things are evil, then the world is evil!"

Just then, another person came out of the house, coughing violently as if he were very ill. Su Wen glanced at him, and the young Taoist said, "This is the Grand Master of the Nestorian Church. His lung disease is very serious. Master says he may not live much longer, but he often discusses the Dao with Master, so Master has been treating him and trying to prolong his life!"

Su Wen responded, and the young Taoist continued, "Actually, it's not just the Grand Master of the Nestorian Church; many abbots of Buddhist sects and Grand Masters of other sects also frequently come to discuss the Dao with you, Master."

Upon hearing this, Su Wen finally understood how formidable Li Moxuan was.

Actually, when Su Wen heard Li Moxuan announce his name earlier, he had already guessed that Li Moxuan was very capable. However, he did not expect that Li Moxuan was not only capable as an official, but also that his thinking was even more impressive, and that he had even surpassed Su Wen, a person from a later generation!

Su Wen and Li Xingguo waited at the door for a while until the abbots inside left before they entered the room.

Upon seeing Li Moxuan, Su Wen bowed and said, "Master Li, please forgive me for disturbing you this time!"

"It's alright!" Li Moxuan slowly stood up and said, "May I ask what brings you two here today?"

Su Wen took out the map from his pocket and placed it on the table, saying, "Master Li, take a look. Another body was found this morning. I drew this map based on the bodies from three different locations. Do you think it's correct?"

Li Moxuan carefully examined the Five Elements Formation that Su Wen had marked on the map. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "No wonder everyone says Magistrate Su is a great talent. Seeing him today, it's indeed true. Just from the place and manner of the three deaths, he deduced that the Five Elements Formation and the Five Prisons killed people and helped them cultivate to become immortals. This old Taoist can't help but admire him!"

Su Wen said, "Master Li, you flatter me. I just happened to have come across something like this before, which is why I made the connection. If that's true, then I want to thoroughly investigate these two neighborhoods, and the culprit will surely slip up!"

Upon hearing this, Li Moxuan nodded and said, "That is indeed a good idea. However, Magistrate Su, the murderer can wait for this period of time and seize the opportunity. For the safety of the people of Luoyang County, I think Magistrate Su should start from other places and solve this case as soon as possible, otherwise, the case may take an unexpected turn!"

Su Wen bowed and replied, "Yes!"

......

Just as Li Moxuan had said, the news had been leaked by someone, and for a time, all the people in Chongqi and Yujiao wards were terrified. This caused all the people in the wards to stick together, and even when they went to the toilet, they went in pairs.