Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 31 Leaving a Hundred Households

"I don't know how many times I've had this kind of dream, how many times I've woken up in fright. I also don't know how much I've learned. I always thought it was just a dream, but this time... the night we returned to Huangluling, I was already scared silly. My lord, please think about it, let alone the corpses that were bloated and green, even if they were healthy, I've never seen so many corpses in my dreams, and it was at night. At that time, the only thought in my mind was to find out how they died, so I asked the inspector to record it, and I actually read every one of them. But the next day, the county coroner came and said that my record was not only accurate but also detailed. It was accurate and detailed. Only then did I realize that those terrible dreams were actually meant to teach me something for use today. Otherwise, how could I, a mere clerk at my age, learn such skills?"

When Jia Chuan was speaking, Xu Gong kept staring at Jia Chuan's expression. Jia Chuan said that his previous life was a dream, and what he said was as if it were true. Xu Gong could not find any intention of deceiving or evading from Jia Chuan's face.

"You... have seen that kind of corpse in your dream?"

"I've seen it, not just the Giant Observatory, but also people who were burned to death, drowned, poisoned, strangled, chiseled to death, hacked to death, stabbed to death..."

Jia Chuan counted on his fingers, but his fingers were not enough, so he looked down at his feet.

Xu Gong waved his hand and said, "Forget it. This isn't the time to talk about this. You just said that they might kill all the people from the Inspection Office and then try to kill you three along the way. But how does leaving one person alive in the woodshed contradict that?"

"I like chatting with smart people..." Jia Chuan seemed to suddenly realize that he had been rude, and he bowed and said, "Your Excellency's conclusion is correct. Since they left us alive, there is no reason to kill us. But this doesn't explain why their people were among the corpses. They didn't hide it."

"You said... the fourth group and the second group should be the same group, bandits?"

"What's the use of so many weapons for people in the underworld? These bandits were hired by someone and came to Huangluling according to instructions. Unexpectedly, they all died here. Their accomplices were nowhere to be found alive or dead, so they came looking for them. When they saw their accomplices' bodies in the forest, they wanted revenge. They happened to catch up with the third group leaving, so they thought their own people were killed by them, so they attacked them. Then, they thought that everyone in the Huangluling Inspection Office was dead, so they boldly took all the weapons away."

"This is the third time I've listened to it." Xu Gong said gently.

"Sometimes, I can think of something wrong as I'm talking about it. Just like just now, I had a new theory, and as soon as I said it, I knew it didn't make sense. The bandits' lair should be not far from Huangluling. They carry a lot of weapons and bows and arrows. They hide in the mountains and forests during the day and go back to their lair at night, otherwise they will be easily seen."

Xu Gong nodded, took a deep breath and said:
"You should continue investigating this case. First, find out which mountain the bandits are from and how many people they have. If your theory is true, arresting these bandits will reveal part of the truth about the Huangluling case..."

Jia Chuan nodded. He had long wanted to investigate where there were bandits in the surrounding area, but without approval from above, even if he told Cui Youzhi, he would still be evaded. Now that Xu Gong had spoken up, he was about to ask who would help him investigate, but Xu Gong didn't give him a chance and continued,
"The Crown Prince will ascend the throne on the 27th of this month and will send officials to investigate this case. You don't need to pay any attention to them. Just follow your own thoughts. I will keep Li Shun here. Any findings will be sent to the capital at an expedited rate of 800 miles. The Crown Prince will also communicate directly with you. The three of you will serve in the county government for the time being. Don't be resentful. You are still young, and the Crown Prince will make his own arrangements."

Jia Chuan was already filled with resentment. In the eyes of the world, he was not even a supporting role. He could be eliminated at any time. He was doing the most tiring work and was worried about his life, but in the end he didn't even know if he could save his life.

But on the surface, Jia Chuan showed a look of gratitude and bowed to say "yes". No matter what, leaving a centurion to accompany him in the investigation would indeed be much more convenient. As for other things, Jia Chuan had no time to think about it at the moment.

……

Xu Gong did not stay for long. This case was of great importance and was completely different from what he had thought before coming. By the time he arrived in the capital, the prince should have read the long letter and might have other plans.

He instructed Cui Youzhi to treat Jia Chuan well, and gave Li Shun some private instructions. Then, carrying the Han Palace badge that still smelled of corpse, the few of them mounted their horses and left.

Li Shun was the one who had previously flattered Jia Chuan in front of Xu Gong. This centurion had left a profound impact on many aspects, especially on Cui Youzhi. It was clearly inappropriate to let a centurion live in an official residence? An inn?

Cui Youzhi could only pay out of his own pocket and order the yamen runners to quickly find a suitable house to rent nearby. As for how long the rent would be... Cui Youzhi didn't dare to think about it.

In fact, he could give up the main room in his backyard, but Cui Youzhi didn't dare. If such a person lived in the house, who knew how long it would last... He was scared to death. If another servant spoke without restraint...

It wasn't just Cui Youzhi's hands that were shaking, his brain was shaking too.

After settling this matter first, Cui Youzhi thought of another question: why did he keep the captain behind? Was it to monitor him or... he could put this question aside for now. What about Jia Chuan and the other two? Where would they be assigned?
Cui Youzhi's brain was shaking so violently that he could no longer distinguish priorities. He only knew to quickly call other officials together to discuss the matter, and left Li Shun hanging in the front yamen.

Jia Chuan felt helpless standing in the front courtyard. He was not familiar with the county government office and was most familiar with Old Zheng's courtyard. Was he going to take the captains of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to sit at the door of the mortuary?

"Well..." Jia Chuan was trying to make small talk when suddenly there was a loud thunder in the sky. Jia Chuan looked up at the sky and felt that it seemed to be sunny just now. How come the weather suddenly changed?

"Let's find a place to shelter from the rain first. The rain starts suddenly." Li Shun said.

Dong Shuben and Shunzi did not follow us today, so they must be lying comfortably on the big bunk bed in the official residence. How about taking the captain to the official residence to smell the scent of long-fermented shoes and socks?
As Jia Chuan was pondering, a tall figure came into view. He hurriedly called out to Gao Yuntian, ran over, and whispered, "Find a place for me to accommodate this centurion."

Gao Yuntian had no idea what had happened. He had been interrogating the widower. He had appeared in the front courtyard to report the results to Cui Youzhi. Suddenly, when he heard Jia Chuan mention the word "centuries," he was stunned and asked, "What centurions? Someone from the garrison? What happened?"

"A captain of the Imperial Guard."

Gao Yuntian looked at Li Shun, and the expression on his face instantly changed from excitement to gloomy, but in Jia Chuan's eyes, he was as afraid as Cui Youzhi, just in a different way.

Li Shun was getting impatient and shouted, "Why can't you guys go inside and talk? Do you have to wait until we get wet in the rain?"

Seeing that Gao Yuntian didn't look like he would be able to come up with a clever idea anytime soon, Jia Chuan simply turned around and said to Li Shun, "Come on, I'll take you to the official residence to rest."

Li Shun had no objection and was about to leave with Jia Chuan when he saw Cui Youzhi hurriedly appear in the courtyard. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "We've found the house. Jia Chuan, take Captain Li to the signing room and wait for a while. I've ordered people to clean it up. After they're done and put in some more things, you can rest."

After Cui Youzhi finished speaking, he had already arrived in front of Li Shun. The loud thunder just now woke Cui Youzhi up. There was still a centurion in the front yamen, who was actually sitting in the second hall holding a meeting. Fortunately, the county magistrate had a private residence, which was only across the street from the county yamen. He didn't need to wait for the yamen runners to look for him. He quickly ran out to inform Jia Chuan and Li Shun.

Gao Yuntian's first reaction upon seeing Cui Youzhi was to report his work. He had just stepped forward and said a word when Cui Youzhi stopped him, "You stay aside for now!" Then he said flatteringly, "First, Captain Li, please excuse me by coming with me to the signing room for tea. The house will be ready soon. Captain Li has worked so hard all the way here without a break..."

Cui Youzhi chattered away, offering flattering words while leading the way. They followed Cui Youzhi to the signing room. As soon as they entered, a heavy downpour began to fall. Jia Chuan and Cui Youzhi were both terrified. What if the Jinyiwei got caught in the rain in the county government office?

"County Master, the interrogation just now..." Gao Yuntian insisted on reporting the progress of the work.

"Oh, why are you in such a hurry? Go and get some tea!"

Li Shun smiled and said, "Your Excellency is busy with official duties. You can just focus on your own business. Jia Chuan will be there to wait for me. There's no need to worry about those trivial matters."

Cui Youzhi said yes repeatedly and watched the yamen runner serve tea before leaving the signing room.

Gao Yuntian naturally followed suit and glanced inside the room before leaving. Jia Chuan thought Gao Yuntian was looking at him, and he also wanted to know why the widower had killed the deceased, so he said to Li Shun, "Captain Li, have some tea first. I'll go and listen to the murderer's reasons and then I'll be back."

Li Shun said quickly, "I was just wondering about that. Let's get him in."

In this way, the two people who had just gone out came back.

Jia Chuan sat up straight, ready to listen carefully to the murderer's motive for murder. Cui Youzhi was worried that Li Shun didn't know the cause and effect, so he ordered Gao Yuntian to start from the beginning.

Gao Yuntian kept his head down while speaking, and his tone did not have the usual boastful tone.

Jia Chuan felt that there was something wrong with Gao Yuntian and thought of turning back to ask him.

Li Shun listened with great interest. He liked to go out on errands. In the Pacification Office, he had to please others, but when he came out, he was the one being pleased.

As Gao Yuntian spoke, Jia Chuan stole a few glances at Li Shun. Why did Xu Chenshi keep this man? Zhu Zhanji had previously said he wanted to investigate with great fanfare, so having someone like him around would naturally be convenient. But this time, Xu Chenshi wanted to investigate secretly, and officials would be sent to investigate the case openly. He was only responsible for completing the investigation secretly and submitting a report secretly. Was this person doing this to facilitate his report?

"Could it be that this person has developed a desire to steal the deceased's belongings?"

Li Shun pulled Jia Chuan back with just one word, and he quickly listened carefully.

Gao Yuntian lowered his head, as if thinking for a moment, before answering coldly:

"No, the deceased's husband came back halfway and hid under the bed. He heard the honest man being considerate and caring to his wife, but the woman was extremely indifferent and impatient. In the end, she coaxed the honest man away and dragged the murderer out from under the bed with a smile on her face. The murderer felt very upset at the time. He thought of his late wife and what if he treated her like this and she cheated on him... He had no intention of being gentle, so he found an excuse to go home and said he would come back later. After returning home, he felt that the woman had no conscience..."

Gao Yuntian paused, looked up at Jia Chuan and said:
"The deceased had previously told the murderer that her husband was full of complaints, saying he was unromantic and unsympathetic... Although they were neighbors, the honest husband was away from home most of the year, so the two families had little contact. The murderer believed her. But what he saw yesterday was completely different from what the deceased had said. The murderer was furious, feeling that he had let down the honest man next door and that keeping this woman would only bring trouble. So, he went back to the deceased's house with a dagger. The deceased was defenseless, so she led the murderer to the bed, where he stabbed her to death."

After Gao Yuntian finished speaking, the signing room became quiet.

This kind of motive for murder... Jia Chuan had never encountered it before. He was trying to stand in the murderer's perspective and figure out whether this motive made sense.

Li Shun hadn't expected this at all. After pondering for a while, he said, "This man... has quite a chivalrous aura. What a pity."

Cui Youzhi quickly agreed and said some words of regret before he withdrew with Gao Yuntian.

Jia Chuan was still pondering the meaning of the word "chivalry", but he also felt that he seemed to understand it a little.

"Why do you think I was left behind?" Li Shun asked as he picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea.

Jia Chuan's mind suddenly came to the brakes and he quickly began to think about how to respond.

"Before you came back, I deliberately said some unfavorable words about you in front of Xu Chenshi. Do you know why?" Li Shun asked proudly.

Li Shun was about thirty years old, younger than Xu Gong, but much more mature than Jia Chuan. He felt that he had the upper hand in front of this young man, and there was a hint of teasing in his words.

Jia Chuan considered himself to be gentle and open-minded. In his previous life, he was also known for his good temper. He would not lose his temper easily, especially towards... his superiors. He had a better attitude towards them.

But this does not mean that Jia Chuan has lost his desire to win. After Li Shun asked this question, coupled with that teasing expression, there was no change on Jia Chuan's face, but he became serious in his heart.

He took a deep breath, organized his words, and said, "I was wondering why Xu Chenshi wanted to investigate secretly, but Captain Li stayed. How could I do that? Now I understand. It was because Captain Li said something unfavorable about me that Xu Chenshi felt comfortable keeping you here... He's been displeased from the beginning. Staying with me makes it easier for him to see anything suspicious about me. Although I don't know what the point of monitoring me is, I never expected Captain Li to be so keen on this kind of task."

The smile that originally filled Li Shun's face slowly faded. He leaned over to look at Jia Chuan and asked, "Did you really find out those things?"

"Of course it is."

Li Shun looked Jia Chuan up and down and asked, "How old are you? I don't think you're that old."

(End of this chapter)