Chapter Twelve: The Case Takes a Turn

  Recently, Zhou Ke has been racking his brains to investigate the murderer who committed the double homicide. After repeated comparisons, he determined that the killer of painter Hong Yi and Ma Fu's house servant Xiao Mozi must be the same person. This person must have received specialized training; otherwise, they wouldn't have struck with such precision, hitting the vital spot with one knife and leaving no traces at the crime scene. Another point that can be inferred is that this murderer was familiar with Hong Yi and Xiao Mozi, or at least knew them. Otherwise, in such a close-range frontal attack, why would there be no signs of struggle? It's clear that they were killed unexpectedly during a conversation. Zhou Ke also suspected Ma Haiqing because he was Xiao Mozi's master, and Hong Yi had secretly met with Xiao Mozi before. The "one" written by Xiao Mozi before his death might be the beginning of the character "Ma", but this explanation is not convincing, as many characters start with the stroke "one". Zhou Ke thought hard but couldn't figure out what Xiao Mozi's bloody character was trying to tell people. Moreover, everyone knew that Ma Haiqing didn't know any martial arts; it was impossible for him to kill two people consecutively with one knife each, with a technique and accuracy comparable to a professional killer...

  What's the motive for the case? A famous painter who returned to his hometown after being away for ten years, an ordinary house servant who served his master all his life, two lives! And there is also He Tian, who was commissioned by someone to forge paintings and is now on the run. Coincidentally, He Tian is also a painter! Is it really related to painting? What kind of painting is it? Even at the cost of several lives! Zhou Ke carefully examined the landscape painting forged by He Tian from Hong Yi's house, although he didn't find anything, but compared to the murder case, Zhou Ke wanted to know more about what was hidden behind the case.

  But the truth and the murderer will not come to the door by themselves, they can only be investigated. The mastermind behind the scenes, or who is this killer? What's the purpose? Just as Zhou Ke was puzzled, he suddenly heard a report from his subordinates that someone claimed to know the deceased Hong Yi, which made Zhou Ke feel extremely excited, and immediately summoned that person.

  The newcomer was an old man, who introduced himself as Xu Shun. He had previously served in the Shaanxi Military Governor's Office. It turned out that he knew Hong Yi because they shared a common interest in painting with the former Military Governor Hao. Their relationship was very close, and Xu often visited the military camp, which is why he recognized him. Until a few days ago, Xu Shun had retired due to old age and was allowed to return home to rest. He had only returned to Qin Feng Road yesterday when he heard that Hong Yi had been killed.

  Zhou Ke asked: "You said that Hong Yi often came and went from the Jinglue Anfu Si in those years? Which year was this?"

  Xu Shun thought for a moment, counted on his fingers again, and replied: "It's been about ten years now."

  "Ten years?" This answer made Zhou Ke's eyes light up, wasn't Hong Yi exactly the one who left Shaanxi Qin Feng Road ten years ago? It turned out that he had arrived at the Jinglue Anfu Si. "Do you know who introduced him to Lord Hao?"

  "Sir, how could this little guy know? When we met him, he was already very familiar with Lord Hao. However, I heard from the military that..."

  "What's being passed on?"

  "Of course, this isn't necessarily true either! I've just heard it said that others say it was Hong Yi who gave his family heirloom to Lord Hao, and that's how he managed to climb up high."

  "How bold!"

  "Yes, yes, yes! The little one is to blame, the little one is to blame! But this isn't the little one's fault, it's just that the grown-up asked and I reported what I heard truthfully."

  "Hum, rumors are unreliable! How could the great Envoy for Pacification and Strategy be tempted by a painter's family heirloom? From now on, do not spread such nonsense!"

  "Yes, yes, yes! I've taken note of it. I wouldn't dare speak recklessly again!"

  "Ah! How long has Hong Yi been staying there?"

  "Ah... about two years, I suppose!"

  "He is a painter, how can he freely enter and exit the military camp?"

  "Oh, you should be well aware of this, sir! He's on good terms with General Hao, and he comes and goes from the military camp as he pleases. Who would dare say anything more?"

  This is indeed, who would offend the Anfu Envoy for no reason? "You said he often enters and exits the military camp, what does he mainly do in the military camp?"

  "This little person is not to be underestimated, it's said that sometimes he goes to help Lord Hao distinguish genuine works of art, sometimes he studies paintings, and sometimes he just wanders around the barracks, even doing some painting himself."

  "Painting in the army?"

  "Yes, but they are all paintings of landscapes and the like. There is little water here, but there are many hills that have been painted."

  "During his two years in the army camp, apart from being close with General Hao, who else did he get along well with?"

  "It's hard to say, Hong Yi is a good-tempered person, gentle in character, and can get along with anyone, I think he gets along well with everyone."

  "Isn't there anyone you particularly get along with?"

  "This didn't catch my attention! We also have our own things to attend to, he came to the military camp and had his own matters to deal with, at most just exchanging greetings and asking about each other's well-being, we never really interacted deeply."

  "Well, where did Hong Yi go two years later? Do you know?"

  "Ah, this is it! The adult has asked the right person! In those years, a high-ranking official was sent from the capital to inquire about the situation in Western Xia. That official from the capital took one look at Hong Hua's landscape painting and said he wanted to recommend him to serve in the imperial palace. I was standing guard on the side at that time, and what I heard is absolutely true! Later, that painter Hong followed the official back to the capital."

  "Have you been to Kaifeng?"

  "Ah, the imperial palace! Absolutely right. Although we lost contact later, he should have become some kind of court painter or something. They are literati, we are just rough men, how can we compare? But why did he give up being a good official in Beijing and return to this Shaanxi Qin Feng Road, only to die unjustly?"

  "Do you know the surname and name of the big man who brought Hong Yi back to the capital?"

  "My name is unknown, what's his surname? At that time, it seemed like the Anfu Envoy asked us to call him Lord Choi. Yes, his surname is Choi!"

  This conversation made Zhou Ke suddenly enlightened. In fact, even if he didn't ask Xu Shun, Zhou Ke would have found out who took Hong Yi to the capital, but since he remembered it, it saved Zhou Ke a lot of trouble. Lord Cui? It should be Cui Yunjiang, who works in the Imperial Secretariat. This man is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and loves talented people very much. However, he knows very little about military affairs. But because of his uncle Cui Guoyan's relationship, he got a position in the Imperial Secretariat and also got good jobs like imperial envoy.

  After Xu Shun left, Zhou Ke did not take immediate action, but instead sorted out his thoughts. Although he had warned Xu Shun not to go around talking about Hong Yi sending gifts, the term "family heirloom" was still deeply imprinted on Zhou Ke's heart. It was said that Lord Hao, the military governor, loved collecting famous paintings, and wasn't Hong Yi a painter? If he wanted to befriend Lord Hao, it was entirely possible that he would offer his family heirloom as a gift. And if this family heirloom could win Lord Hao's favor, it must be a masterpiece that suited his taste. In fact, whose painting it was didn't matter, nor did what was being offered; what mattered was whether Hong Yi had really befriended Lord Hao by offering his treasure, and whether he had done so on his own initiative or at someone else's behest? What was the purpose of befriending Lord Hao? Obviously, Cui Da's subordinate had unexpectedly taken a liking to Hong Yi's painting, which was just a coincidence. It was unlikely that Hong Yi could have anticipated this; after all, he had been in and out of the military camp for two years - could it be that his sole purpose was to help Lord Hao identify genuine works of art? Couldn't these things be done at home, or anywhere else? Why choose the military camp specifically? Moreover, Xu Shun had said that he had seen Hong Yi walking around the camp and even painting there! What exactly did this Hong Yi want to do?

  Zhou began to sink into deep thought...