Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 7 Zhou Zhao's Strategy
"The Tingwei Temple prison is overcrowded. When thugs suddenly attack and injure people, the prison guards have no time to attend to them."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, she slightly raised her head, revealing her fair neck. The spot where the burly man had choked her last night was now showing shocking bruises.

"Chang Zuoping obviously didn't tell the magistrate the details of the case, otherwise the magistrate wouldn't have been furious when he saw me today, but would have welcomed me with open arms."

"Because I have proven that I am not the murderer, and I witnessed the ghost eating people with my own eyes. I was the first person to see the scene and solve the case."

“That doesn’t make sense.”

A calming incense burner with pine and crane motifs sat beside the desk, its wisps of smoke rising and drifting into the bamboo slips piled on the bookshelf.

Zhou Zhao paused for a moment, giving Zhang Ran ample time.

She glanced at the study out of the corner of her eye and saw that although it was elegant, most of the bamboo slips on the shelves were about traditional Chinese medicine and longevity techniques, with very few serious books.

"The lord went to inquire, but Chang Zuoping didn't have time to explain in detail to you, right? Because another major event happened at the Court of Justice last night."

Zhou Zhao felt the timing was right, and with a flick of his eyes, he began to discuss the next matter according to the planned rhythm.

“This morning, when I went out, I noticed that the Northern Army was searching everywhere in the streets, with more than three times the number of troops as usual. So I sent someone to inquire and learned a piece of news that had not yet spread: last night at three-quarters past 1 AM, someone broke into the Tingwei Temple prison and kidnapped several important prisoners.”

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he also sighed deeply.

When she left the Court of Justice, everything was still calm there, and Chang Zuoping was still focused on investigating Zhang Ruoqing's case.

But who would have thought that something unexpected would happen in the middle of the night...

As she thought about it, the image of the bloodied man lying in the cell opposite her flashed through her mind. He had almost become food for rats in the first half of the night, but was rescued in the second half!

The Zhou family had cultivated connections within the Court of Justice for many years and had a few acquaintances with whom they could gather information.

Upon hearing the news, she was shocked, but also became more confident about the trip.

"The best paper is used to wrap fire, and we also need to find the arsonist."

Zhang Ran looked at Zhou Zhao's upturned phoenix eyes and fell completely silent.

He wanted to mock the girl for having feet on the ground but eyes that looked to the heavens, for being young yet so self-confident. To come to her door like this was utterly audacious.

But now that he's calmed down, he understands the unspoken meaning behind her words.

"You mean the Court of Justice is in a state of chaos and simply doesn't have enough people to investigate the murderer of my son?"

Zhou Zhao raised an eyebrow. These words could come from Zhang Ran's mouth, but not from hers, since her purpose in coming today was to enter the Court of Justice.

How ungrateful must someone be to start cursing before even picking up the bowl?
"I have a good plan that can find the real murderer for you within three days."

"Three days?" Zhang Ran exclaimed in surprise. He pursed his lips and pointed to the futon beside the table. "Nephew, please sit down."

As he spoke, he sat down in the main seat and poured Zhou Zhao a glass of water. He looked at the glass and said with a touch of melancholy, "Ruoqing used to fetch spring water with me in the mountains. She was gentle and never made enemies."

"Be filial to your parents, respect your elder brothers, and offer them tea in the summer heat and medicine in the winter cold."

"She had a small yard specifically for raising cats, all of whom she had rescued from outside. Some were lame, and some were blind. What a kind person! She didn't live long."

As Zhang Ran spoke, he placed the teacup in front of Zhou Zhao and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

Zhou Zhao nodded in agreement, Zhang Ruoqing was indeed renowned for her good reputation and virtue.

"In May, His Majesty ordered Li Huaishan, the Minister of Justice, to recruit talented individuals."

“However, there are not many literate people, and even fewer who are proficient in the Nine Chapters of Law and can solve cases. We have not found a suitable candidate until now.” “Why don’t you petition His Majesty to use the case of Zhang Ruoqing as the test question, post a notice to announce to the heroes of the world, and let the person who solves the case be appointed as an official in the Court of Justice? This is the best solution that benefits both parties.”

As Zhou Zhao spoke, she looked up and met Zhang Ran's eyes. Her grip on the teacup tightened slightly. "This case will be solved within three days."

Zhang Ran frowned, looked Zhou Zhao up and down, and hesitated several times before speaking.

"you……"

Zhang Ran drew a few circles on the table with his finger. Although he was born ordinary, he had more experience than Zhou Zhao had.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. You're here trying to persuade me, so you're obviously not here with a pure heart to help me. Otherwise, you could just go and investigate the case directly. Why come all this way?"

"Zhou Zhao, what do you want?"

Zhou Zhao's heart skipped a beat, but she smiled without saying a word. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

There were no tea leaves in the teacup, but the water was very sweet; it was spring water from the top of Baifu Mountain outside the mountains.

Seeing that Zhou Zhao remained silent, Zhang Ran pondered for a moment, then exclaimed "Ah!" in sudden realization.

“You have come here today on behalf of your father, Zhou Buhai.”

I previously heard that your father intended to adopt a nephew from the clan. He has been an upright man all his life and would never do such a thing out of personal favoritism, much less ask His Majesty for an official position for the sake of a child.

Your elder brother made his name through his own efforts, which led to His Majesty's personal selection of him for the Court of Justice. He didn't benefit from your father's connections at all!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao's hand trembled slightly, almost spilling the spring water.

That's a good idea, please keep thinking.

"What your Zhou family wants is a chance to make a name for yourself in one battle and enter the Court of Justice with honor."

As Zhang Ran spoke, a sense of relief washed over him. He looked steadily at Zhou Zhao and asked, "Is it really three days?"

Zhou Zhao nodded seriously, "I said three days, and I mean three days."

Zhang Ran looked at the little girl in front of him. Although she had a hair ornament in her hair and a sash around her waist, her clothes were not much different from those of the little girl next to her.

Yet, she inexplicably possessed a convincing air of arrogance.

Her eyes were exceptionally clear, as if you could see right through them.

Now those eyes are full of certainty, as if they are saying with absolute certainty that there will absolutely be no other outcome.

Zhang Ran took a deep breath, his heart inexplicably stirred. He stood up and said, "I will go to the palace immediately. The Zhou family keeps its promise."

Seeing this, Zhou Zhao also stood up. She calmly nodded, cupped her hands in greeting to Zhang Ran, and walked out the door without saying a word.

Once they left the Zhang residence and got into the carriage, Zhou Zhao couldn't help but smile!
She rested her chin on her hand, leaned against the car window, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The adopted elder brother was naturally taken care of by the Zhou family.

She, Zhou Zhao, always only schemed for herself.

All those who study the Nine Chapters of Law in the world are eyeing the Court of Justice and dreaming of the position of Court Minister. Why can't Zhou Zhao do the same?

The Court of Justice is no longer investigating the Shan Ming and Chang Yang case? She'll go to the Court of Justice and investigate openly and honestly.

Zhou Buhai never believed that she could support the Zhou family, so she would show him who was truly capable of carrying the weight of the family!
If you want to do something, seize every opportunity to do it; if there's no opportunity, seek one. This is Zhou Zhao's invincible strategy.