Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 12 is wrong!

Jia Chuan watched the mother and son leave with an official from the Military Preparation Department. He took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh, remembering a sentence he saw in his previous life: If you look at cause and effect, there are no pitiful people in this world; if you feel pity, everyone in this world is a pitiful person.

Zhu Zhanji closed his eyes in the pavilion and rested, carefully feeling the pain in his body.

Wu Qi looked again and again without going forward. He whispered to someone to send the four suspects to the military preparation road, and then walked to Jia Chuan and greeted him.

Jia Chuan was good at this. When he was visiting and investigating in those years, he had developed the ability to speak differently to different people. In just a few words, he changed Commander Wu to Angkor Wu.

Fortunately, Zhu Zhanji knew that he had other important matters to attend to, so he endured his physical discomfort and called Wu Qiyong away. Otherwise, Jia Chuan would have wanted to take Wu Qiyong with him to pray to heaven and earth, asking not to die in the same year and month, but to be born in the same year and month.

The commander of the garrison might be useful in the future, what a pity.

Jia Chuan stood there stupidly, staring into the distance and emptying his mind.

He didn't know how long it had been before he heard the sound of horse hooves again. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw that this time, in addition to people riding horses and donkeys, there were also several horse-drawn carriages, including the cart that Haishou, Dong Shuben and Shunzi were riding in.

……

Upon receiving the news, Bazhou and the surrounding counties sent horse-drawn carriages, fine clothes and delicious food.

All the leading cadres rushed to express their unwilling invitations, saying that it was getting late and asked His Highness to rest in the city for a night before continuing on his journey.

Zhu Zhanji had no intention of doing so. He just wanted to fly to the capital immediately. So when the carriage was selected, Zhu Zhanji and Wu Qiyong had already discussed the route and number of people returning to the capital. Wu Qiyong naturally led the troops to escort them personally, and a small team had already set out, rushing to the capital overnight to report the news.

Zhu Zhanji had a simple meal and then, without further delay, called Jia Chuan to the front of the carriage and said a few words to him before ordering them to set off.

Kuang Zhong really wanted to say a few words to Jia Chuan. Although he and Jia Chuan had not known each other for long, they were close friends and Jia Chuan was very compatible with his personality. However, Zhu Zhanji did not give him a chance, so he could only look at Jia Chuan with a serious look.

Jia Chuan patted Kuang Zhong gently and said, "Don't worry, I know what's going on."

Kuang Zhong wanted to ask, "How old are you? What can you possibly count?" The carriage had already started moving, and Kuang Zhong could only sigh.

Jia Chuan stood on the side of the road and watched the huge escort team slowly getting smaller. Suddenly, a crack appeared in the dark clouds in the west, and the golden sunset cast a soft light. Jia Chuan took a deep breath and thought to himself: This is a good sign.

……

Jia Chuan, Dong Shuben and Shunzi all had their leg abrasions treated by military doctors and were able to get back on their horses. Considering that there were still risks on the way back, Zhu Zhanji ordered Wu Qi to dispatch ten people to escort them.

These ten men had not left the garrison for a long time, and they rode their horses recklessly, but Jia Chuan and the others did not dare to use their legs and could not run at all. The ten men ran for a while and then came back to see them, but then they disappeared again.

Jia Chuan let them have fun, giving him time to review what had happened in the past two days.

Dong Shuben was now relaxed. He had seldom spoken on the way here, but now he had become a chatterbox, as if Jia Chuan and Shunzi had not experienced the same journey, and only he was accompanying the prince, telling him all the big and small things that happened on the way here from the beginning.

Shunzi didn't dare to say anything and could only listen.

Jia Chuan was halfway through reviewing the situation in his mind when he suddenly remembered what Zhu Zhanji had said before he left: Go back to Huangluling and wait for the order. Next, you have to investigate the Huangluling assassination case in a big way. You are just a clerk now, and you need to take it step by step. This is also due to Taizu's use of three methods to select officials. You just need to remember that I don't have time to wait for him to be ready before doing anything, and I can't act first without him making any moves. I promised my grandfather... and it's in the history books... do you understand?
Jia Chuan understood everything, but who did he think he was? Was there not a single official in the court that he could trust?
Jia Chuan was extremely puzzled and frowned deeply.

According to Zhu Zhanji, he could not be given any official position. Jia Chuan was very happy when he learned that their inspector had been transferred to be the county magistrate of Nanpi County. They discussed it privately. Some people said that if there was no one in the court, the position of inspector would be just that in the end. Dong Shuben's ideal was also to be transferred to a county and be an eighth-rank county magistrate.

Jia Chuan thought, even if he became the county magistrate in one step, this case is about the King of Han! It's like holding a fruit knife and trying to kill an elephant.

The man they had left alive at the Inspection Office that night… Given the conditions that night, they couldn't bring him along. If they could, he'd be a solid witness, so why would they need to investigate? It didn't matter much now. Once the man had come to Beijing and given a confession, the case could be closed.

Jia Chuan took a deep breath. If it were so easy, why would Zhu Zhanji repeatedly remind him?

The uncle and nephew certainly understood each other much better than he did. Could it be possible that the confession alone was useless? This was a very plausible explanation. The person investigating the case would become the one who framed the person. Who would they frame? Of course, the King of Han!

The night was hot and humid, and Jia Chuan broke out in a cold sweat. It would be fine if the witnesses were useful in this case, but if Zhu Zhanji could not resist the persuasion of the old ministers, he would be the board of the seesaw, using his life to balance the uncle and nephew.

Jia Chuan gritted his teeth at the thought: Zhu Zhanji really cares about the officials in the court. After all, he saved his life twice! And he has been acting according to the character set by Kuang Zhong for him all the way. Is this a big boss who doesn't value talent?

But the history books record that Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu plotted a rebellion...

What little historical knowledge he knew was all used up from watering the fields in his previous life. Now he was racking his brains to figure out in which year Zhu Gaoxu rebelled.
My mind is empty, with no trace to be found.

"...We came back a little late. I heard you found time to solve a case?"

Dong Shuben's excited voice called Jia Chuan back.

"It's just something that's out in the open. Anyone can make a judgment."

"I've already told you about the thing in the flying pond..."

"When did you say that?"

"Uh... on the way back, we saw the woman with the child. She looked so fragile. Who would be so cruel as to attack a woman like that?"

"It's all about money."

"Oh? Tell me in detail, I'll cheer you up."

Jia Chuan explained the Yang family's case clearly in a few words. Dong Shuben was surprised and asked, "Are you saying that the Yang family rented and cultivated the land and earned money?"

Jia Chuan thought Dong Shuben would be angry with Chai Yu and Xu Zhong, but he didn't expect that his focus would be on this.

Shunzi spoke carefully, "If you can earn money, you must have worked twice as hard as others. After finally earning some money, it's normal not to want to rent and cultivate the land. No matter how hard you work, you can't grow enough crops, and you have to hire long-term workers. Isn't that a loss of money? What a pity..." "Don't show your wealth. The Yang family doesn't understand this principle. Don't make enemies with the strong. How can you twist your arms against your legs? It's better to suffer a little loss than to lose your life."

Jia Chuan looked at Dong Shuben in surprise. He shared the same outlook on life as his parents in his previous life, and couldn't help asking, "If it were you, Old Dong, would you continue to rent and cultivate the land?"

"If you don't want to rent the land, you can gradually reduce the area you own, act pitiful every year, and offer some gifts... But then again, how could you have concluded right then and there that it was someone from the garrison who did it? Even if they didn't return home, they might have encountered something..."

"So when you're listening to something, you need to know the key points. Why did they choose to act at the end of the year? Because they were waiting for the farmhands to take their day off. This means they know everything. Yang went back to her parents' home on the third day of the Lunar New Year, and soldiers came to tell her that all the land and property had been sold. This is a confession. Add to that the expressions of the officials on the scene, and it won't be difficult to find the real culprit. But I'm really worried about you following Haishou to the garrison."

"Worried? Why should I worry? The prince is so smart! If he trusted us to go, then he must have no doubts."

Jia Chuan smiled and said nothing.

Dong Shuben continued, "When we arrived at the military camp, that eunuch had a private conversation with Commander Wu, who then sent swift horses to Bazhou and several counties to announce that the Crown Prince had arrived near Bazhou. I wanted to stop him at the time, but you said we were afraid of being seen through all the way to Bazhou, so we kept our heads between our legs. Now that it's being publicized, what if..."

"You dare to speak?"

"I didn't dare. I was indeed a little worried at the time. Later, the military doctor treated my father-in-law, and I wanted to ask him something. But before I could figure out how to ask, I got on the carriage again in a daze. Soldiers are always better at doing things than you. Halfway through, we met a county team. When I saw them, I was shocked. Wow, there were several carriages, very impressive. I knew what the prince meant. Bazhou is close to the capital, and the danger is gone. The prince is injured, so naturally he wants to be more comfortable and decent..."

"The more people know, the safer the prince will be. Haishou and Wu Qiyong have discussed the prince's request. It's fine for Wu Qiyong to do as he's told. If he doesn't, the three of you will probably die if you reveal the prince's location."

Dong Shuben thought about it carefully and couldn't help feeling a little scared.

Shunzi asked, "If we die, how will the prince know the news and flee to the capital?"

"Even if Wu Qiyong was subdued by the King of Han, he would be completely distraught upon suddenly seeing you. I don't know if he would kill you immediately, but he would definitely discuss this with his staff. The merit of following the King is tempting, but the crime of treason would bring disaster upon the entire clan. He might be able to succeed if he follows behind. But rushing to the front and becoming the 'chief meritorious official' would require careful consideration unless he is a reckless person or has serious leverage over the King of Han. Anyone would have to spend some time and careful consideration."

Shunzi said "Oh", and Dong Shuben said anxiously: "What are you saying oh? It seems like you understand."

Shunzi said hurriedly, "Any discussion will take time. This matter is difficult to decide, but the Crown Prince has fought in Mobei and knows the location of the garrisons. Knowing the distance can calculate the time. If the time is too long, the Crown Prince will definitely leave the pavilion and move to another place."

Jia Chuan looked at Shunzi in surprise and couldn't help but praise him, "That's great! I thought it would take some time for you to understand."

Dong Shuben's face was embarrassed. He coughed lightly and said, "Anyway, may God bless you, Prince. I have finally completed this mission safely."

Yes, this mission was completed, and Dong Shuben might get what he wanted and live the rest of his life as Jia Chuan had always dreamed of, a life of eating and waiting to die. However, Jia Chuan began to worry about himself.

There are not only secret manuals but also peerless masters waiting to teach him the secrets at the bottom of the cliff. However... he doesn't know whether this adventure will bring him glory or abyss?
For the past two days and nights, Jia Chuan hadn't had time to carefully consider what had happened to him. Thinking of Zhu Zhanji's destitute appearance, he couldn't help but sigh that a tiger in plain sight has lost its kingly aura. The throne needs pomp and circumstance to complement it. Without the dragon throne beneath his buttocks and the people around him, he encountered difficulties just like an ordinary person.

Zhu Gaoxu failed to succeed in forcing Zhu Zhanji into this state, which shows that everything is in God's will. He was much luckier than his father Zhu Di.

He thought again of Kuang Zhong's eyes when he left. That worry was not only because he was young and acted carelessly, but also because since ancient times, how many people who interfered in royal family affairs had a good ending?

Jia Chuan sighed.

The people in the Prince of Han's palace didn't dare to kill the Crown Prince themselves, so how could he, a vanguard, take the lead in pointing fingers at the Prince of Han? Aren't there many examples of today's meritorious officials becoming tomorrow's criminals? It all depends on what the Emperor needs at the moment.

Jia Chuan took a deep breath and glanced at Dong Shuben. It was already dark, but Jia Chuan could still see the satisfaction and joy that could not be concealed on Dong Shuben's face.

Insensitivity is a source of happiness wherever it is placed.

……

Unfortunately, Dong Shuben’s satisfaction and pleasure did not last long.

After a day, two nights, and more than half a day of leisurely travel, with breaks when tired, the sun set and the familiar mountains and forests appeared before his eyes. Dong Shuben said excitedly, "First thing I have to do when I get home is soak my feet. My feet are so stinking they could kill a donkey."

After saying this, Dong Shuben burst into laughter.

Shunzi said, "The journey back took almost two days, but it felt faster than the journey there."

Dong Shuben snorted and said, "Of course. How did you feel when you left? It's incomparable."

When they reached the forest, the ten soldiers led their horses and followed Jia Chuan and the other two.

The three of them seemed to have forgotten the pain in their legs and waists at this moment, and strode forward, leading their horses. The large bunk bed that was usually unwelcome was now the most comfortable place in their hearts.

Seeing the two rows of dilapidated buildings of the Inspection Office looming in the distance, Jia Chuan suddenly stopped, frowned, and said, "That's not right!"

Dong Shuben was startled and said quickly, "Don't be so startled. We're already at the doorstep, what could be wrong?!"

Shunzi also stopped, looked ahead carefully, and said, "This is definitely not right. How could there be no movement at this hour?"

"Oh, they'll definitely be lazy when I'm not around. Not to mention patrolling and training, they won't even move when eating, drinking, defecating or urinating..."

Dong Shuben stopped talking midway.

"It's time to prepare dinner. Even if there's no sound of people, there should be smoke coming from cooking." After saying this, Jia Chuan turned around and looked seriously at the soldiers who had followed him. He said, "The Inspection Office may have had some accidents. Let's tie our horses to a tree, hide nearby, and sneak in after dark to investigate."

These ten soldiers had been told when they arrived to obey Jia Chuan's orders all the way. However, this young man, who did not know his official position, had never supervised them along the way. Now that he was so serious, the ten soldiers knew that the situation was a little serious.

The horses were tied to a tree, and Shunzi led a few people to find a hidden slope. None of the dozen or so people spoke, and they just hid behind the slope in various postures, waiting for dark.

(End of this chapter)