The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

Han Qi, who had been silent all along, finally moved.

He stepped forward, wearing his signature warm smile, and bowed deeply to Emperor Renzong:

"Your Majesty is wise! The Songshan Villa, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, is indeed an excellent place for self-cultivation and the establishment of an academy. Mr. Jiang's acquisition of this precious land is truly a blessing for the literary world of the Song Dynasty."

His tone was gentle and sincere, without a single flaw. But those who knew Han Qi knew that the happier this old fox smiled, the deeper the trap he was digging.

Even Ouyang Xiu's expression changed slightly upon hearing the words "Songshan Villa," ultimately turning into a helpless sigh.

Jiang Lin took it all in. He knew something was wrong—the system was already frantically alerting him in his mind, bombarding him with the "glorious history" of this land.

But he still knelt down, his voice booming:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

After the court session, the square outside the Chuigong Hall.

Jiang Lin clutched the imperial edict granting him land, which he had just obtained. The bright yellow silk cloth was infused with palace incense, but no matter how he handled it, it felt burning hot.

"Mr. Jiang, please wait."

A deep voice came from behind. Jiang Lin turned around and saw Han Qi strolling slowly towards him, a half-smile on his face, his eyes hiding a cunning glint.

"What advice does Prime Minister Han have for me?" Jiang Lin asked, bowing respectfully.

Han Qi walked to his side and lowered his voice: "Mr. Jiang, the Songshan Villa is a place of auspicious feng shui. However, that place is not peaceful. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder: some troubles can't be solved with a single imperial decree. The waters there run deep; be careful not to drown."

Jiang Lin remained calm and smiled, "Thank you, Lord Han. I have been a good swimmer since childhood and love splashing around in deep water."

Han Qi gave him a deep look, then turned and left.

Jiang Lin watched his retreating figure, his eyes growing colder.

"Mr. Jiang!"

Before he could grasp the deeper meaning, Ouyang Xiu caught up, panting, "Why did you take the villa on Mount Song? That's a hot potato!"

Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow: "Lord Ouyang, is there any special significance to this place?"

Ouyang Xiu pulled him to a secluded spot and whispered, "You don't know this. That was originally an imperial estate bestowed upon the Li family, a founding meritorious official, by the founding emperor, and it changed hands several times."

"Twenty years ago, the last owner, Sun Fugui, had just bought the estate when he 'died unexpectedly,' and the land deed disappeared as well."

When he mentioned "accidental death," Ouyang Xiu emphasized the word.

"After that, the land was occupied. This is a real deadlock!"

Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes: "Who took it over?"

Ouyang Xiu sighed and uttered a name: "Zhao Tong, the notorious 'stubborn tough guy' from south of Bianjing."

"This man owns many gambling dens and restaurants, and employs dozens of ruthless thugs. His villa in Songshan has been turned into a private estate, exclusively for high-ranking officials and nobles to indulge in pleasure; it's all shady business."

"If it were just an ordinary rascal, that would be one thing, but the trouble is—he's the brother-in-law of Wang Deyong, the Vice Minister of Revenue. Because of this relationship, the Kaifeng Prefecture turns a blind eye to him. Minister Han, you're sending me to stir up a hornet's nest."

Jiang Lin sneered inwardly: So that's how it is. Using someone else to do my dirty work, both the legitimate and criminal worlds are waiting for me.

"A hot potato?" Jiang Lin patted the imperial edict in his arms, a playful smile playing on his lips. "I think this is a treasure trove for catching big fish."

Back at the inn, Jiang Lin immediately summoned Qian Duoduo.

"Duoduo, go and investigate Songshan Villa and Zhao Tong."

Jiang Lin instructed, "And what is the current situation of the Sun family, the victims from back then? Of the coroner and guarantors who handled the case, who is still alive?"

"Okay!" Qian Duoduo replied and left.

In just half a day, Qian Duoduo returned covered in sweat, looking ten times worse than when he left.

"Sir, this is... shady."

Qian Duoduo took a big gulp of tea, his hands trembling: "That Zhao Tong is a beast! I followed the clues to investigate the Sun family, and the old neighbors were so scared that they shut their doors and dared not speak when they heard 'Sun Fugui'. Later, I spent a lot of money to pry the truth out of the old night watchman."

Qian Duoduo's eyes were filled with terror: "Sir, the Sun family... has long since died out!"

Jiang Lin's eyes narrowed: "No descendants?"

"Yes! Twenty years ago, shortly after Sun Fugui died, his widow and her children wanted to go to Kaifeng Prefecture to file a complaint. But before they even left the alley, their house mysteriously caught fire that very night."

Qian Duoduo swallowed hard: "A huge fire burned everything to the ground. The whole family, including the guard dog, didn't escape. The authorities ruled it an 'accidental fire,' but anyone with eyes can see it was a cover-up, a complete elimination!"

Jiang Lin gripped the teacup tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white.

Such ruthless methods. Not only did they seize the land, but they also wiped out the entire family.

"Then where's the evidence?" Jiang Lin asked coldly. "Everyone's dead, and the land deeds are gone too?"

"I don't know, I heard they were all burned." Qian Duoduo sighed. "But... I found out that the coroner who performed the autopsy back then was named Zhou Liu, and that old bastard is still alive!"

"He's a gambling addict. He made a fortune back then but lost it all. Now he's drowning in debt and lives like a stray dog, mooching off people near the gambling den."

Qian Duoduo said worriedly, "Sir, Zhao Tong has murderers on his hands and is ruthless. If we insist on taking this land, we're practically fighting with the King of Hell for food. Maybe... we should just give up?"

Jiang Lin tapped the table, his expression even colder than before.

"Forget it? How can you forget it?"

"Originally, I only wanted to build an academy. But now..." Jiang Lin got up and walked to the window, looking at the majestic Kaifeng Prefecture, a cold glint in his eyes, "I have to dig up the wronged souls buried underground and expose them to the sun."

"But the people in Kaifeng Prefecture have all been bribed, and all the aggrieved parties are dead. Wouldn't going to file a complaint be like walking into a trap?"

"Who said we have to beg corrupt officials?" Jiang Lin turned around, his smile bright but tinged with murderous intent. "Just find someone who hasn't been bribed and isn't afraid of death."

Qian Duoduo was taken aback: "There are such people in Kaifeng Prefecture?"

"Of course he is. And he's a judge in Kaifeng Prefecture."

"Prepare the carriage; we're heading to Kaifeng Prefecture."

A side hall of the Kaifeng Prefecture government office.

A middle-aged man in a dark green official robe was reviewing case files. He was about forty years old, with a face as dark as iron and eyes that were upright and unyielding, as if they could pierce through all hypocrisy.

It was Bao Zheng, who was then the judge of Kaifeng Prefecture.

At this time, he was just a minor official who was ostracized and frustrated. Because he was too upright, his colleagues avoided him and his superiors disliked him, so he could only sit on the sidelines and deal with trivial cases.

"Lord Bao, someone requests an audience," a bailiff announced as he entered.

Bao Zheng didn't even look up: "Who goes there?"

"It is said to be the mentor of the newly appointed top scholar, Mr. Jiang Linjiang."

Bao Zheng paused, pen in hand, and looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Jiang Lin? That arrogant scholar who debated with the Confucian scholars in the Chuigong Hall and uttered the famous line, 'I will face a thousand pointing fingers with a cold eye'?"

"Exactly."

"please."

A moment later, Jiang Lin strode into the side hall.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly through the air.

Jiang Lin didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Lord Bao, I've long admired your name. I've come today because I have a major case to ask if you dare to take it on."

Bao Zheng put down his pen, his gaze sharp: "Mr. Jiang, are you referring to the case of the Songshan Villa?"

Jiang Lin was taken aback: "Does Lord Bao know?"

"Who in Bianjing doesn't know this rotten place?" Bao Zheng sneered. "A case from twenty years ago, involving the Vice Minister of Revenue and a massacre of an entire family. What, Mr. Jiang, do you want me to tackle this tough nut?"

"That's right." Jiang Lin looked directly into Bao Zheng's eyes. "I want to take back this land, and I want to root out those parasites who suck my blood. But I'm just a commoner, powerless and without influence, so I can only come to Lord Bao."

"Are you so sure I'll help you?" Bao Zheng retorted. "This case is extremely complicated. The victim is dead, and there's no way to corroborate the allegations. If I take on this case, not only will I risk my official position, but my life will also be in danger."

Jiang Lin smiled, a smile brimming with confidence: "Because I know that although Lord Bao is mired in the mire, his heart is in the clouds. Over the years, you've been secretly gathering evidence of Zhao Tong's crimes, but you've lacked an opportunity and solid 'proof of his innocence,' haven't you?"

Bao Zheng's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared intently at Jiang Lin for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! What a Jiang Lin! What a madman!"

The laughter carried a mixture of exhilaration and melancholy.

"Mr. Jiang is right. Over the years, I've dreamed of bringing that scoundrel Zhao Tong to justice and seeking justice for those innocent people who died unjustly! But that fire burned everything too cleanly, and I, being a nobody, could only watch helplessly as they went unpunished!"

Bao Zheng suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table, making the pen holder tremble violently.

"Mr. Jiang, if you can produce even a single piece of solid evidence to pry open this ironclad case, I, Bao Zheng, will risk my official robes and my life to make this case airtight! I will send those beasts to the executioner's block!"

Looking at the passionate "Judge Bao" before him, Jiang Lin felt a surge of respect.

"good!"

Jiang Lin extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Bao Zheng. "You don't need to worry about the evidence, Lord Bao. Give me a day, and I'll deliver the irrefutable evidence to your desk."

Bao Zheng was taken aback: "One day? This is a twenty-year-old cold case, everyone's dead..."

Jiang Lin smiled mysteriously, turned and walked away, leaving behind only a dashing silhouette.

"Lord Bao, just sharpen your guillotine; the rest, I have a brilliant plan."