No taboos

Chapter 301: Losing Office and Losing Face (Three in One)

People from Xuanguang County look down on people from Sanhe County.

And the human heart is a very delicate thing.

Therefore, it was not only Yao Qingyuan who still maintained an inappropriate sense of "superiority" in his heart when facing Xu Yuan.

There are also southern tigers.

What they were thinking was: "It's from Shanhe County..."

However, Nanhu's position was far lower than Xu Yuan's, and he did not have the capital to be as casual as the county magistrate.

He bowed to Xu Yuan and said, "Everyone, please follow me."

He took Xu Yuan and the two inspectors to his duty room, and the rest of the captains were settled by other clerks and runners in the county government.

After entering the room, Nanhu ordered someone to serve tea.

Xu Yuan got straight to the point and said, "Master Nan, please first introduce the case."

The duty room was not very spacious. Four people sat around a table, and Lang Xiaoba stood behind his master.

When the tea was served, Nanhu asked everyone to leave and poured tea for everyone, saying, "The strange thing about this case is that none of the people who committed suicide had any reason to die.

The butcher Hu Heizi was a bully on Shangxi Street in the county town. He slaughtered a pig and three sheep every day. He had his own shop on the street and also monopolized the meat supply of four restaurants in the county town.

He had just given birth to his third son last month, and three days before his death, he had just started having sex with a pretty widow two blocks away... Ahem, in short, although Hu Heizi had many enemies, it would be normal for him to be killed, but there is no way he would commit suicide.

"The same thing happened to the other few people."

"And my two assistants are even more so. Xiao Chen's father is a scholar from Liangcha River outside the city.

His family ran a private school and was quite prestigious in the village.

But three years ago, his father encountered an evil spirit and died a very tragic death.

Xiao Chen sold all his family property and found ways to become a Wen Xiu. His lifelong ambition was to reach the top third level of cultivation and slay all the evil spirits in Ghost Wu Mountain!

He knew very well that he was not yet a qualified person, and that facing a stronger evil spirit would be a death trap. So why would he rush into Ghost Witch Mountain alone in the middle of the night?

"Xiao Wang is an alchemy practitioner. Which alchemy practitioner would be so desperate as to make a poisonous pill and commit suicide by eating it?"

After listening to this, Xu Yuan nodded and said, "Xiao Ba, tell me what you think."

Di Youzhi and Qin Ze were used to it. Lang Xiaoba had a good memory, and adults would always ask him about any problems they encountered.

Nan Hu couldn't help but have some thoughts in his mind: As an inspector, he would ask a captain behind him first?
Lang Xiaoba said, "According to the records of the Ministry, several kinds of evil spirits can cause people to commit suicide without any warning.

For example, some possessed ghosts, or an evil insect called the "brain belt", will parasitize in the human brain without the person's knowledge, often causing mental disorder, self-harm and suicide.

Or perhaps there are some evil spirits that bewitch people, often whispering in people's ears, urging them to commit crimes and even to commit suicide."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Have you dealt with the bodies of those people?"

"I've dealt with it. I don't dare to stay here. I'm afraid something strange might happen if I stay overnight."

"Was there an autopsy?"

"No autopsy was performed," Nan Hu said. "The county coroner is just an ordinary person. He wouldn't dare touch a body like this."

Xu Yuan frowned, not knowing where to start.

Lord Xu did bring a coroner from the office, but without a corpse, he was of no use.

Di Youzhi and the other two had great confidence in their master, so they waited quietly.

Although I haven't been following the adults for a long time, no matter what the case is, the adults can always find a solution.

The duty room became quiet, but Nanhu couldn't help himself.

"Master Xu," Nan Hu asked hesitantly, "I'd like to ask what your level is."

Qin Ze and Di Youzhi were both stunned, and then looked at Nan Hu with unfriendly eyes.

Even practitioners from the seven major sects would not ask about each other's level when they meet for the first time.

This is a very disrespectful behavior.

Not to mention that a subordinate directly asks his superior this question.

Nan Hu explained, "Everyone in the county has determined that this evil spirit is extremely powerful. Therefore, I believe that at least a seventh-rate level of skill is needed to eliminate it."

According to the practice of the Extermination of Filth Division, patrol inspectors must be at the seventh-rate level.

Nan Hu's question was equivalent to openly questioning whether Xu Yuan was even of the seventh rate.

Too disrespectful.

Qin Ze's big hand had already grabbed the teapot in front of him. As long as the master said a word, he would smash the teapot directly on Nanhu's head.

Qin Ze felt that pouring tea was too light and not strong enough.

Xu Yuan glanced at Nan Hu coldly and questioned, "In this case, three civilians have died in Xuanguang County, as well as two of your assistants, Master Nan.

I wonder what Master Nan has discovered so far?"

Nanhu said, "It's so evil and cunning that it leaves no trace."

"So that means that Nan Daren gained nothing?"

"This..." Nanhu hesitated.

Xu Yuan sneered: "It's been seven days, and two of your own people have died, but you still haven't found anything. I can only say one thing about Master Nan's ability: it's useless!"

Nan Hu's face flushed crimson, and he angrily asked, "Why are you humiliating me, sir?"

"Master Nan is so useless. Before questioning this inspector, shouldn't you take a piss and look at yourself?"

"You!" Nanhu slammed the table and stood up: "This is too much!"

Xu Yuan snorted coldly, "Since you can't handle the case, you don't have to be a county official anymore."

Nan Hu was even more furious, saying, "You, a patrol inspector, can't just take off my hat whenever you want!"

Xu Yuan said to Qin Ze: "Send someone back to handle the formalities."

"Yes!" Qin Ze was overjoyed. His master was still so majestic.

Beating this guy up is just a temporary solution. But directly dismissing him from his position and ruining his future will really make him unhappy for the rest of his life!
"Xu Yuan—alright, alright, I want to see if a small inspector like you from Shanhe County can hold sway in the Champa Office!
"Just saying I'm an official can make me go away? Humph!"

Nan Hu stormed off angrily, saying, "I've been a county official in Xuanguang County for fifteen years! Without my help, I wonder how you can solve this case!"

Di Youzhi was a little nervous and whispered, "Sir, although Nan is arrogant and rude, we really need the cooperation of the local tyrant to handle this case."

Xu Yuan waved his hand gently without further explanation.

Five people died in seven days.

Every day of delay may result in one more death.

Nanhu was unwilling to cooperate, and Xu Yuan didn't have the time to argue with him and slowly convince him.

This time we need to cut the Gordian knot and act decisively.

Moreover, Nanhu openly bullies me because of my youth and is disrespectful to me. Why should I tolerate him?
If Lord Xu hadn't spoken out about what happened today, I would have been able to endure it for a while... The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

"Little Eight."

Lang Xiaoba immediately stepped forward and asked, "What are your instructions, sir?"

"Tomorrow, I will dismiss Nan Hu from his position as a county official. You will then post a notice in the county: Anyone who can help me solve this case is welcome to recommend themselves.

If he can truly make achievements, he will be the next county official."

"As ordered!"

Xuanguang County is so big, and being a county official is a lucrative job. Xu Yuan doesn't believe that no one would be tempted.

……

After a busy day, County Magistrate Yao Qingyuan returned to the back court. An old servant helped him change out of his official uniform and asked, "Master, is dinner ready?"

"Serve it up when it's ready."

"Yes."

The old servant went out and quickly brought dinner up with two maids.

Yao Qingyuan asked while eating, "Is there anything going on in the county today?"

The old servant said, "I heard that Lord Xu from Champa had a quarrel with Lord Nan and threatened to dismiss Lord Nan from his position as a county official. Lord Nan was so angry that he went home directly."

"Oh?" Yao Qingyuan couldn't help but laugh: "Young people are just impatient."

In fact, county officials are not under the jurisdiction of the county magistrate, but are appointed by the Ministry of Elimination of Filth.

Yao Qingyuan spent three years in Xuanguang County. There was no grudge between him and Nanhu, but they were not on good terms either.

Nanhu is a local tyrant and he is a fringe official.

Nanhu felt that he didn't need to give too much face to the county magistrate, but he wouldn't be too disrespectful either.

If he could capture Nan Hu and replace him with someone who listens to him, Yao Qingyuan would be happy to go along with it.

But even if Nan Hu was dismissed, this county official was still appointed by the Quhui Division and would not fall into Yao Qingyuan's hands.

Yao Qingyuan took a few more bites and made a decision: not to help either side.

Compared with Xu Yuan, Xuanguang County is naturally united.

Moreover, Yao Qingyuan is not optimistic about Xu Yuan.

After all, he is just an inspector. Even if he has a backer in the Champa Office, they cannot really dismiss a county official just because of your words.

……

Xu Yuan and others are staying in the county government office tonight.

The rear yamen was very large, and Xuanguang County, having enough money, built houses on the vacant land.

The next morning, Xu Yuan woke up early and checked the almanac. Today's taboos:

Eavesdropping, refining medicine, writing, and dancing.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but curl his lips. Today was really not a good day. Half of his abilities as a Dan cultivator and a Wen cultivator were wasted.

And martial artists... may also be affected.

Some martial arts practitioners' martial arts are similar to dancing. For example, female martial artists practice skills like "sword dance", but they cannot use them today.

When I went out, Lang Xiaoba was already waiting outside and had prepared some water for the adults.

While washing up, Di Youzhi and Qin Ze also came: "Sir, what are your plans for today?"

"Let's go to a few sites first."

……

Nanhu's home was not far from the county government office. All the rich and powerful people in the county lived around the county government office.

Early in the morning, someone from the Nan family quietly slipped out from the back door, sneaked into the county government office to inquire about some information, and then quickly returned.

"Master, that Xu Yuan has taken people to the scene of several crimes."

"I don't think he's very capable. He's just doing the same old tricks. Master, you've already thoroughly researched those places. They won't gain anything by going back and looking at them again."

"The government office is very calm. No one thinks Xu Yuan can really remove you from your post."

"I think Xu Yuan is just young and arrogant. He's just an inspector, but he thinks he's a big shot.

He's not the Lord Advocate, he doesn't have that much power."

If gossiping and slandering were prohibited today, this servant would have gone crazy on the spot.

Nanhu felt a little more at ease.

He was really afraid that Xu Yuan had some special means to solve the case without relying on him, the local tyrant, to lead the way.

Now it seems that Xu Yuan is just using ordinary methods to investigate cases.

As long as Xu Yuan cannot find the evil spirit that is secretly harming people, it will eventually come to him for help.

His hat was saved.

The servant added, "I don't know how he managed to get the position of patrol inspector at such a young age."

Nan Hu snorted coldly: "That's because there is someone at home."

"Master, you are the one who sees things clearly." The servant flattered him quickly.

Nan Hu waved his hand and said, "Arrange a few more people to keep an eye on Xu Yuan and the others."

"Yes!"

"Remember to change people frequently so they don't notice." "Don't worry, Master. You've taught us all these things on a daily basis."

……

At the butcher Hu Heizi's house, Xu Yuan carefully inspected the pigpen.

The fat pigs that ate Hu Heizi's body had been killed long ago.

This incident was so horrifying that the neighbors even speculated that the big fat pigs had turned into evil spirits.

Hu Heizi has five apprentices - in fact, they are all his thugs. The reason why Hu Heizi can monopolize the meat supply of several restaurants is, of course, because he has this group of thugs who are not afraid of blood.

But these five people did not dare to kill the pigs.

Hu Heizi's wife paid twenty taels of silver, and only then did an old soldier who had been injured and retired from the army a few years ago take on the job at the risk of his life.

At noon, he drank eight bowls of liquor, grabbed a spear, and went in, stabbing the pigs to death one by one.

Xu Yuan asked about various details in detail, looked around the house, and then said nothing. He went out and went to the old gentleman's house again.

He came out an hour later and went to the widow's house again.

There is no one left in the widow's house.

There was a seal on the door.

Lang Xiaoba went up to remove the seal. Just as Xu Yuan was about to lead his men in, someone hurried over from the side and shouted, "My Lords..."

Two captains drew their swords to stop the man, but Xu Yuan acted as if he didn't hear anything and walked into the gate.

"Sir, this sir..." The man was still shouting, and the two captains captured him with one effort.

"I'm not a bad person," the man hastily defended himself, "I have something good to offer you gentlemen."

Xu Yuan entered the yard and continued to check everywhere carefully.

He flipped through the thing and put an account book into his arms.

Then he asked a yamen runner sent by the county government to lead the way: "There is a child in this family. Where is he?"

"The child was originally adopted to continue the family line, but when the widow died, his biological parents came to take him back.

All the servants and maids in the house were also dismissed."

Xu Yuan nodded and walked out: "Let's go check on that kid's home."

When they reached the gate, the man called out again, "Sir, how long will this house be sealed? I'm looking forward to selling it."

Xu Yuan frowned and waved his hand.

The two captains put away their swords and let the Ya man go.

The broker lowered his head and smiled, then secretly slipped a tael of silver to Mr. Xu.

Lord Xu laughed, and Lang Xiaoba raised the scabbard and hit the brothel worker on the wrist with a snap.

The broker cried out, the silver flew out, and his wrist swelled up.

Lang Xiaoba said fiercely, "The master has called you here to question him. Answer him honestly and don't mess around!"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong."

Xu Yuan asked, "Who asked you to sell this house?"

"Widow Zhou's uncle."

"make it clear!"

"He is the biological father of the adopted child. He is the cousin of Widow Zhou's late husband."

Xu Yuanzhi frowned: "Do you know the situation of Widow Zhou's family? Tell me in detail."

"No, I don't know." The broker glanced at the yamen runner next to him and quickly waved his hand to deny it.

There was no need for Xu Yuan to make things difficult for a broker, so he put on a sullen face, put his hands behind his back, and strode away.

As soon as the person died, he took the child away and found a real estate agent to sell the house. Are you in such a hurry?

The broker didn't dare to ask when the seal would be lifted. He waited until everyone from the Exorcism Bureau had left before he ran over, picked up the one or two taels of silver and put it in his arms.

……

On the way, Xu Yuan took a few quick steps and followed the yamen runner who was leading the way. Then he called out, "Xiao Ba, come and tell me what the situation might be with Widow Zhou and my uncle's family."

Lang Xiaobay grinned and sneered, "This kind of thing is not uncommon. I guess the widow Zhou's dowry is quite generous.

She had no children and her husband was dead, so naturally she could remarry.

But when she remarried, the dowry was taken away with her.

Since the husband's family was reluctant to spend such a large sum of money, they had to find a way to keep the woman.

So they adopted a child for her, and made up some stories about her chastity and heroism, and asked the gentry and celebrities in her hometown to submit a letter to the court.

The imperial court, not knowing what was going on, issued a commendation, and the village then arranged to erect a chastity arch for the widow!
All of this was confirmed - which widow would dare to remarry in front of the chastity arch?
If the husband's family continues to use some tricks, the widow will die in a few years.

The dowry naturally went to the so-called son, and the child returned to his biological parents. The huge fortune was then secretly divided among the husband's relatives!

"How dare you!" Xu Yuan shouted angrily.

When the yamen runner heard Lang Xiaoba's explanation of these "tricks", he began to sweat coldly.

Frightened by Lord Xu's sudden move, his legs trembled and he almost fell to the ground.

Xu Yuan knew what was going on after seeing his reaction.

It is impossible for my husband's family to do such a thing without arranging matters with the county government.

Xu Yuan patted his shoulder and said, "The road is slippery, be careful."

"Yes, yes, thank you for the reminder, sir." The bailiff stuttered.

"Take your time, don't be anxious. You didn't kill Widow Zhou, so why are you so anxious?"

The bailiff said hurriedly, "Yes, yes, it's certainly not the villain who killed Widow Zhou."

Xu Yuan suddenly grabbed his shoulders again, pulled him to his side, and asked in a low voice, "Then who do you think killed Widow Zhou?"

"Ah?!" The bailiff said in panic, "I don't... I heard it was an evil spirit."

"Haha." Xu Yuan smiled and pushed him away.

This time, the yamen runner's legs finally gave way and he fell to the ground.

……

At Widow Zhou's uncle's house, she didn't get anything useful out of him.

My husband's family made sure everything was foolproof, and they must have checked their statements many times beforehand.

All of this was secretly seen clearly by the Nan family. Every time Xu Yuan left a house, he would send someone back to report to Nan Hu.

Good news came one after another, and Nanhu was sitting back home in peace.

When no one was around, he couldn't help but murmur to himself complacently: "You little brat, you haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you still want to fight me? Humph!"

"You've made a big boast, saying you want to take my official hat off. Do you have what it takes?"

"I'm afraid that if you want to keep your official hat this time, you will have to come and apologize, and ask me to come out and help you."

He was secretly feeling happy when the fourth person who brought the news had already rushed into the house.

But this time, unlike the previous three who had rosy faces and were smiling and ready to ask for rewards, this messenger had a pale face and was running out of breath.

"Master, no, no, it's not good!"

Nan Hu frowned and said unhappily, "If you can't speak, just cut your lips!"

The messenger slumped to his knees and said, "Master, an official document has been posted at the yamen gate. You have been dismissed from your position as a county official by the Ministry of Extermination of Filth!"

"What did you say?!"

Nanhu felt a black screen before his eyes. The difference between before and after was too great. Nanhu really couldn't accept it and sat back in his chair staggeringly.

The soldiers of the Quhui Division had calligraphy sticky on their legs and could run back to Champa in an hour.

I went back yesterday afternoon and came back this morning.

After a while, Nanhu suddenly stood up again, slamming the table and cursing: "Little thief! You are bullying me too much——"

In our Ming Dynasty, the appointment and dismissal of officials did not require public announcement.

However, Xu Yuan posted the official document.

This is to show the whole county that I said I would stop you yesterday, and I will stop you today!

Master Nan's face was really trampled into the mud by Master Xu...

Nanhu angrily threw everything that could be thrown in the room.

Huyou saw the messenger, still kneeling there motionless.

He immediately rushed over angrily and kicked him over: "Get out of here, you idiot!"

The messenger endured the pain, knelt down again, lowered his head and said, "Master, there is one more thing.

Then Xu Yuan posted another notice, saying it was, it was..."

"Say what? Don't stutter!"

"He said that whoever could help him solve the strange case would be rewarded with a position as a county official."

"Hahaha!" Nan Hu laughed in anger, "That was a good plan! But he underestimated the influence of my Nan family in Xuanguang County!
Go tell those families in the county not to bother with that brat. My Nan family owes them a favor..."

But before the messenger could leave, he was called back: "Come back!"

Nan Hu thought about it again. Now is an extraordinary period. He is no longer a county official. He can no longer just send someone to pass on a message as before.

"I will go there in person."

There is a saying in Xuanguang County: The Tan family has bamboo, the Wang family has carts, the Feng family has knives, and the Nan family has kilns.

It talks about the four richest families in Xuanhua County.

The main business of the Tan family is Xuanhua's most famous bamboo paper.

The Nan family owns five brothels and related businesses throughout the county.

If Nan Hu really loses his job, the Nan family’s businesses may not be able to continue.

The Wang family runs a carriage and horse business, and the Feng family runs an ironware shop. The most profitable part of their business is supplying weapons to the military.

Nanhu asked his family to prepare three gifts and he personally visited the three families.

The first place to go is of course the Tan family.

Actually, everyone lives not far from each other, near the county government office.

Nanhu's carriage passed by the gate of the county government office, where a crowd of people were crowded, all reading the two notices in front of the gate.

Nan Hu only glanced out through the crack of the car window and saw that those people were discussing excitedly and lively!
"Humph!" Nan Hu snorted coldly, "Relying solely on these common people, can you help you solve the case? That's wishful thinking.

As long as those three families don't get involved, you won't be able to find that evil spirit!"

When Nanhu arrived at the Tan family, the driver went to talk to the doorman.

The doorman bowed to the car, then quickly went in to report.

Nan Hu sat in the carriage and waited for a while, but the doorman still didn't come out.

No, given my status, at least the chief steward should come out to greet me.

After waiting for a while, no one came out.

Just when Nan Hu was about to lose control, the doorman finally came out quickly and whispered outside the car, "My master is not here, please go back."

"Not here?"

Nan Hu felt more and more puzzled, but he couldn't force his way in, so he waved his hand and said, "Let's go to Wang's house."

After waiting at the door for a while, a steward came out and said, "My master went out to visit friends early this morning. I'm afraid he won't be back for three to five days."

Nan Hu thought for a moment and knocked on the car door: "Let's go to Feng's house—don't go to the front door, park outside the back door."

The fourth master of the Feng family has known Nanhu since childhood and they have been friends for decades.

Master Feng Si still didn't dare let Nanhu in, so he sent a servant to invite Nanhu to a teahouse not far away.

Nan Hu waited for half an hour before Master Feng Si came out to meet him.

As soon as they met, he said bluntly, "Li Yichuan sent one of his attendants with a personal letter to visit each of our three families, asking us to help Master Xu."

(End of this chapter)