Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 128 Frozen to Death
Once the fourth body was pulled up, Jia Chuan immediately decided to take it back to the county government office. The village chief and four villagers also needed to go back with them. Regardless of whether what they said was true or not, they had to be taken back for detailed questioning.

There's no need to worry about the cart for hauling the body; we can find one in the village. But Jia Chuan doesn't know if anyone will be missing from the village when he returns, or if anything will be missing from the temple.
With insufficient police force, when faced with cases that require careful on-site investigation or even revisiting the scene, Jia Chuan has the determination but no ability to change anything.

……

On the way back, Jia Chuan suddenly remembered to ask Chen Mo and Gao Yuntian how they knew where to find him.
Gao Yuntian said:

"Brother Chen and I went to the county government office and wanted you to come out and greet us so I could see how embarrassed you were. But when we just asked casually, the guards at the gate told us where you were. Brother Chen and I didn't even go inside the county government office before we came here. If we had been a step later, humph! I don't know how those three guards would have bullied you."

"You managed to find it without anyone leading the way?"

Gao Yuntian looked at Jia Chuan with a puzzled expression and asked, "It's as if we were able to get to Xian County because someone led the way. Don't you know you have a mouth below your nose?"

Jia Chuan frowned and asked, "Aren't you afraid of drinking a bellyful of cold air and getting diarrhea when you get home after saying all this?"

"Don't worry about me. You should hurry up and think about how to find out the real culprit. Duoduo is still waiting for you to come back home to celebrate the New Year's Eve and welcome the New Year. I really don't believe you can solve this case by tomorrow. If you can solve it by tomorrow, we can travel through the night and get back to the capital for the New Year's Eve without delay."

Upon hearing this, Jia Chuan immediately perked up, no longer feeling cold or tired, only wishing he could hurry to the county government office for the autopsy.

……

Inside the county government office, Zhao Guang was restless ever since he learned that two Imperial Guards had come that morning. He knew that the Imperial Guards had come to see County Magistrate Song Sheng. At first, he was secretly pleased, but soon he realized that County Magistrate Song had a big mouth. If he said something about him, or even exaggerated it, would he be implicated?

Around noon, perhaps because of the strong yang energy, Zhao Guang thought again, how could Song Sheng, a mere county magistrate, have alarmed the Embroidered Uniform Guard? He had no experience as an official, and had no opportunity to be corrupt. Moreover, Song Sheng had only been in Xian County for a little over a month, and had not been seen doing anything else. He had always been at odds with Zhao Guang, the county magistrate.

Zhao Guang couldn't understand why the Embroidered Uniform Guard was looking for him, without even entering the county government office. Logically, if Song Sheng had any problems, the Embroidered Uniform Guard could have waited at the county government office, and the yamen runners would have gone to arrest him and bring him back...

Zhao Guang thought about it again and again, but couldn't come up with a solution. However, offending the Embroidered Uniform Guard was definitely not a good thing!
Every time Zhao Guang thought of this, he would breathe a sigh of relief, take a sip of tea, and then go through it all again, asking "why?" repeatedly. He had only one firm conclusion in his mind: Song Sheng had offended the Embroidered Uniform Guard for some unknown reason.

As darkness fell, a yamen runner came running to report: Magistrate Song has returned with the body, accompanied by two Imperial Guards.

The title "Jinyiwei" is a general term. In Zhao Guang's view, even if the person who came was just a minor officer, he would treat him like an ancestor. Of course, he could only be a minor officer, no higher.

Zhao Guang hurried outside, only to find out at the front office that the group had gone directly to the mortuary.

Zhao Guang was even more confused. If Song Sheng had committed any crime, he should have been tied up and taken directly back to the capital. If he was just here to find out the reason for some things, he should have asked enough questions along the way. He could have gone back to the county government office and stayed in his second hall, where it was warm and comfortable. Why did he have to go to the mortuary?

Normally, he wouldn't go in person, but this time is different. If Song Sheng were to make false accusations first, where would he find connections to defend himself at the end of the year?
Zhao Guang rushed to the courtyard where the mortuary was located. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw his own yamen's coroner, who was drunk and standing in the middle of the courtyard, drawing circles in the air with his heels as the axis. His dynamic movements attracted Zhao Guang's attention first. Only then did he see the two tall and strong men standing next to him.

Upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was not the attire of a minor officer. Zhao Guang's legs, which were about to step over the threshold, suddenly felt somewhat uncontrollable. He had personally witnessed the rampant activities of the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the Yongle reign, and his deep-seated resentment towards them was probably more piercing than the winter wind.

Zhao Guang's mind seemed frozen. He was only thinking about not being implicated by Song Sheng. After entering the courtyard and bowing to Gao Yuntian and Chen Mo, he immediately said, "Song Sheng has made a few mistakes. I wonder if you two... would you be willing to hear the details?"

Chen Mo and Gao Yuntian were both stunned; they didn't understand!
Seeing the two men frowning at him, Zhao Guang quickly stepped forward and whispered, "I saw long ago that Song Sheng is no good minister!"

"You son of a bitch!" Gao Yuntian glared and roared.

Startled, Zhao Guang shrank back and clasped his hands in a fist again, asking, "I wonder what has caused Song Sheng to disturb the Embroidered Uniform Guard? It really has nothing to do with me. In the month or so he's been here, I've dealt with him quite a bit. I've cut off the charcoal fire and food in his courtyard. Although he has some silver, he can only make do with what he has..."

Zhao Guang probably feared that Jia Chuan's introduction would not be complete, so he confessed everything in advance. In order to show his ability, he couldn't help but embellish the story to highlight his harsh treatment, thinking that it would help the Embroidered Uniform Guard vent their anger.

Zhao Guang served as an official for decades, and it can be said that he only cared about money while serving as an official for thousands of miles. As for other things, he would not do them if he could avoid them, and he would not care about them if he could ignore them. Mediocrity and incompetence were the "good reputation" he left in the various counties he served in. However, the yamen runners and clerks under him were quite comfortable, such as the yamen runners in Xian County.

The three constables were also in the courtyard. When they saw Zhao Guang enter, they thought he was their savior. They were about to complain and file a complaint against Magistrate Song when they saw the magistrate humbly bowing and standing beside the two men. They didn't understand the first two sentences of their conversation, but when the magistrate began to explain what had happened in the past month, the three men immediately became interested and stepped forward to add their own comments.

Chen Mo had long been impatient, and Gao Yuntian was even more furious. Before the four of them could finish speaking, Gao Yuntian kicked three constables to the ground and was about to kick Zhao Guang when Chen Mo stopped him.

"You don't need to deal with him. First, find a warm place; you haven't been warm all day," Chen Mo said.

Gao Yuntian pulled his outstretched foot back and yelled at Zhao Guang, "Bring me a whole basin of charcoal and two hot water bottles!"

Zhao Guang was so cold that his limbs felt numb. In such cold weather at this hour, when had he ever come out? Even if he had, he had never stayed out for this long.

But his hearing was still good. He quickly turned and ordered the servants standing at the door to prepare. He didn't know what to do next. He was confused. If the Imperial Guards weren't here to arrest Song Sheng, what else could they be here for? With two Imperial Guards with him, how could Song Sheng investigate the case? What was Song Sheng doing?
Zhao Guang looked up into the mortuary. The room was lit, and he remembered that they had said they had brought back several corpses...

Zhao Guang's heart tightened. Could it be that those corpses... no, this case is related to the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Song Sheng is investigating a case involving the Embroidered Uniform Guard! It must be so. These two went straight to the village outside the city as soon as they arrived. How could Song Sheng get such a credit?

Feeling he had uncovered the truth, Zhao Guang disregarded everything else and headed towards the mortuary. Just then, Jia Chuan came out of the mortuary and came face to face with Zhao Guang, startling both of them.

"What, is there someone you know in there?" Jia Chuan asked, puzzled.

Zhao Guang said in a low, vicious voice, "You know this is a case related to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that's why you're going to such lengths, pretending to bet with me, but actually wanting to take all the credit for yourself!"

Jia Chuan didn't understand, and pointed at Zhao Guang, asking Chen Mo and Gao Yuntian, "What did you do to him? He seems to have gone mad."

Gao Yuntian snorted coldly and said, "If he weren't wearing official robes, he wouldn't be insane, he would be crippled."

Jia Chuan smiled and asked Zhao Guang, "How did you offend them? One of them is a commander of a thousand men, and the other is a commander of a hundred men. You, a nobody, have made enemies with them..."

"I didn't, I didn't! It was you who wanted it..."

"Oh dear, don't talk to him too much. Have you finished checking? Let's go to your place first. You're hungry and cold." Gao Yuntian stepped forward, pushed Zhao Guang aside, and pulled Jia Chuan outside.

Jia Chuan said, "Wait a minute, Old Zheng."

……

Thanks to Gao Yuntian and Chen Mo, Jia Chuan's place had never been so warm, and Old Zheng hadn't eaten this much in over a month.

Chen Mo was puzzled that after spending so much time with the corpse, it hadn't delayed the two men's meal. Gao Yuntian, however, was anxious about the case and asked several questions. Jia Chuan was busy eating and didn't have time to answer Gao Yuntian's questions until he finished eating. Only then did Jia Chuan say:

"Those four people froze to death."

"Huh?!" Gao Yuntian's mouth dropped open. He thought about the scene he saw in the temple and asked, "After freezing to death, the four of them walked to the dry well by themselves, just to find a warm place to bury themselves?"

Old Zheng wiped his mouth and said, "Don't listen to him, I don't think they froze to death."

Chen Mo asked, "What do you think was the cause of death?"

"I don't know," Old Zheng said, shaking his head.

"You don't know, but he does, and you still don't believe him, this..."

"He's using language I can't understand to explain the symptoms on the corpse. How can I believe him? I don't understand!" Old Zheng interrupted Gao Yuntian, spreading his hands.

Gao Yuntian asked Jia Chuan, "Since it wasn't murder, can you come with us first thing tomorrow morning?"

"Where?"

Zhao Guang's voice came from outside the door.

Jia Chuan frowned and said loudly, "Why are you still outside? Either go back or come in."

Gao Yuntian looked at Jia Chuan in surprise and asked, "He treated you like that, and you still treat him like this?"

Jia Chuan smiled but didn't say anything.

Zhao Guang pushed the door open a crack and squeezed in.

"What do you think of this case?" Jia Chuan asked Zhao Guang, whose nose and ears were red from the cold.

Zhao Guang was taken aback for a moment. He had just asked about the whole story of the case clearly, and then, having overheard the conversation inside, he pondered for a moment and said:

"It's hard to say whether these four people died at the same time. The two Taoist priests were just staying overnight and not only lost their lives, but also took the lives of the two monks with them. Regardless of how the villagers coveted their money afterward, they should have been perfectly intact when they died, with nothing missing, including their money. All four were also quite old, so it's unlikely that they were killed because of hatred, money, or lust. Moreover, we don't even know how they died. What's even more bizarre is that the four were put into the dry well. Did they go down there alive, or were they put there after they died? To get to the dry well, you have to go down the mountain. If they were put into the dry well after they died, who put them there? Why would they do that? How did they get out of the temple?"

Zhao Guang paused, glanced at Chen Mo and Gao Yuntian, and then, as if gathering his courage, said, "Such a strange thing, I'm afraid... it involves the power of gods and ghosts. I can interrogate people, but I can't interrogate ghosts."

After Zhao Guang finished speaking, he glanced at Chen Mo and Gao Yutian again, then bowed his head.

He answered correctly because he noticed that the Embroidered Uniform Guards were in a hurry to leave. He only remembered this point and did not think about Gao Yuntian's suggestion to take Jia Chuan with him. Of course, he also felt that the case was indeed difficult to solve and investigate. Even if he wanted to find villagers to take the blame, it would take some time to fill in the gaps and delay the Embroidered Uniform Guards' return to the capital. The explanation of gods and ghosts would be much easier.

Jia Chuan frowned and looked at Zhao Guang, asking, "If they weren't here, would you have reported it like this?"

Zhao Guang looked at Jia Chuan and then realized why he was standing while Song Sheng was sitting.

He then looked at Old Zheng, who was sitting to the side, and was even more puzzled. Why was an old servant sitting there?

Old Zheng spoke up at this moment, saying, "He only mentioned things involving gods and ghosts, and it's already good enough that he didn't just find a villager to take the blame."

Jia Chuan snorted and asked, "I should thank him?"

"Now you know that the magistrate of Dongzhao County is not bad, right?" Old Zheng asked with a smile.

Zhao Guang felt a chill run down his spine.

Jia Chuan looked coldly at Zhao Guang and said, "Go back and give your children and grandchildren a proper explanation. Now, let's go."

Jia Chuan waved his hand, and Zhao Guang, as if possessed, obediently went out. The cold wind cleared his mind, but he couldn't help trembling.

He walked quickly toward the back courtyard, feeling that he should first find out who Song Sheng really was.

……

Inside the room, Gao Yuntian asked Jia Chuan, "Are you just going to let him go like this?"

“He hasn’t been able to sleep these past few days. It’s the Lunar New Year, and he’s been living in fear every night. His children and grandchildren have finally come to reunite with him, but he’s not in the mood. He’s trying to find out what’s going on with me by sending gifts and asking around. Maybe he’ll have to give away all the money he’s saved up over the years. What else do I need to do?”

Old Zheng asked, "Did you just call him in to hear about this case? What are his plans? If he's competent, then all the bullying he's done to you will have been for nothing. But if... well, it's tough on him, he's even resorting to ghosts and spirits..."

"I wasn't planning on framing him. I guess he'll live to see the end," Jia Chuan replied calmly.

Gao Yuntian snorted and said, "You talk as if you can decide his life or death."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gao Yuntian received a questioning look from Chen Mo.

Chen Mo asked, "If he can't, then you can? He can sit opposite the Emperor when he goes to see him... That county magistrate looks like he can't withstand any investigation."

Gao Yuntian exclaimed, "Oh dear!" and said, "I was just saying that, and you actually took it seriously."

"Putting everything else aside, you two should go back as soon as possible and bring Duoduo, Yuanyuan, and Shunzi here for the New Year. This case... I'm afraid it won't be solved so quickly. I'll write... no, I'll dictate a letter for you to write to Vice Commissioner Xu or Commander Liu. I need the Embroidered Uniform Guard's help with this case."

Gao Yuntian immediately stood up, but Chen Mo frowned and asked, "Did you think of something?"

(End of this chapter)