Chapter 11 (1/2)

Fishing

The officials in Dafeng had to undergo inspections every three years. They would be evaluated based on the four sections of the imperial examinations and the eight exclusions.

Officials who failed inspection would be demoted or sacked.

The inspections explained the county magistrate’s bad mood, especially when the victim had kin among the Board of Imperial Advisors.

The murder investigation in Changle County had the potential to be politicized.

Xu Qian asked absentmindedly, “How did the man die?”

“He went to the countryside to collect rent and came back in the middle of the night. Ran into a thief in his courtyard and was killed,” a colleague said.

“Any witnesses?” Xu Qian asked.

“The wife heard a commotion and went out to check. By the time she reached the courtyard, the man was already dead. We noticed some footprints on the outer wall.”

“Any enemies? An intentional murder disguised as a theft gone wrong?” Xu Qian poured himself a cup of tea and took a few honey-coated candies from his colleague. He tossed them into his tea.

Xu Qian’s mind flashed back to the times when he and his colleagues discussed homicide cases at the police station.

“We took testimonials from the family, the household staff and the neighbors. The victim did not have any enemies recently.”

“How about the soldiers on night patrol?”

“The Armed Guards said they saw no one suspicious that night.”

Jingzhao City had three city walls: the Imperial Wall, the Inner Wall and the Outer Wall.

Soldiers patrolled the Outer Wall. The outer city area had no curfew and the gates never closed. The merchant would have made the necessary arrangements and obtained a permit that would allow him to freely enter and exit the city.

The open gate system was beneficial to the merchants and traders which greatly boosted the economy.

Xu Qian nodded. “If this was a theft gone wrong, the thief must know the ins and outs of Kangping Street.”

“How can one be sure?” The bailiffs were taken aback by Xu Qian’s confidence.

“The thief could enter and leave the manor without being noticed by the night patrol. They must have surveyed the area and were with the Armed Guards routine.” As Xu Qian analyzed, he reached for his pocket for a smoke.

His hand came back empty.

He was reminded of his days in the police station. His colleagues often sat together and smoked while they talked about cases.

It was there where he picked up the bad habit.

The others were amazed by Xu Qian’s analysis. “That makes sense.”

“How did we miss that detail?”

“After a trip to jail, Ningyan is a new man. Smarter than before for sure.”

In this period, there was no formal education system. Hence, the investigations were handled by constables who relied on their experience. The constable with the best track record would be promoted to head constable.

“It didn’t occur to you guys but I’m sure Constable Wang thought about it. Anyone questioned the people in the west end?” Xu Qian said.

“Two days of questioning but no suspects.”

The west end of the city was the slums where the dregs of society congregated. Whenever the city’s peace was threatened, the bailiffs would enter the slums and make an arrest.

“How much was stolen?” Xu Qian needed more details about the case.

A colleague stared at Xu Qian—for a moment there, the man sounded like the county magistrate. “None. The victim returned with some broken silver, copper coins and grain. The thief couldn’t have left with a large chest of silver after killing someone.”

That was odd.

Xu Qian squinted and thought, ‘If I was the thief and I knew the victim’s routine, I would have chosen another day to enter the manor.’

He kept his theory to himself and continued snacking on the sunflower seeds, all the while keeping an ear to his colleagues’ idle chatter.

“A pity the wife was widowed at such a young age. Her body is impeccable. You can’t find someone like her in the playhouse. I’d pay a silver tael a night if she was available.”

“She’s not that young, 20 years her husband’s junior. Unlikely a woman in her thirties will stay widowed.”

At that point, Xu Qian spoke up, “A woman in her thirties is ideal. She has life experience and knows how to take care of others.”

His colleagues disagreed with his futuristic view and taunted him.

Being a martial artist at the refinement state, he had to retain his virginity. Once his Qi energy was released, it would be difficult to open Heaven’s Gate.

Therefore, Xu Qian had never succumbed to a lady’s charm.

…

In the county magistrate’s hall, the head constable stood with his head low. He had a tan complexion much like a weatherbeaten farmer. He zoned out as the county magistrate carried out the scolding.

The county magistrate was a portly man with a fair complexion. He hailed from the Yan Province and became a third-rank

jinshi

in Yuanjing Year 20. A man of average governance skills, he made it this far by currying favor and networking.