The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 814 - 792 Different Ideals (Part 1)

Chapter 814: Chapter 792 Different Ideals (Part 1)

Jiang Qi hesitated for only a moment before bowing his head in agreement.

Although he had only heard Lai Tou’s testimony, he could sense that something was amiss. From what he heard, Zhou Yin didn’t seem like the robber, but rather like the one being robbed.

A person who had been smart, grateful, and kind since childhood, had he really become a bandit after returning home in silken robes?

On the contrary, what Zhou Yin claimed, that he had established himself with the help of his father-in-law, seemed more believable.

County Magistrate Tang was very pleased with his attitude and said, "Zhangbo has mentioned you to the county, saying you are clever and benevolent, with a limitless future."

Jiang Qi bowed his head and said, "That is your Excellency’s overestimation."

County Magistrate Tang asked, "Do you believe what Lai Tou said?"

Jiang Qi replied, "Yes."

"Do you believe what the officers in his story said, that Zhou Yin is a bandit?"

Jiang Qi lowered his eyes, and after a long pause, he said, "Your Excellency, criminal charges demand evidence, and currently we have none. I dare not speculate recklessly."

County Magistrate Tang laughed and said, "No wonder Zhangbo likes you. You are right, criminal charges do require evidence, so now we must go find that evidence."

Jiang Qi was very curious, "Lord Tang and our lord, why are you both so insistent on this case? Previously, we didn’t know of Zhou Yin’s involvement with bandits."

"Me?" County Magistrate Tang thought for a moment and then said, "If I say it’s to prevent the innocent from being unjustly accused, would you believe me?"

Jiang Qi bowed and said, "Naturally, I believe."

County Magistrate Tang looked at his face and smiled, "But your face and eyes tell the county that you do not believe."

Jiang Qi’s body stiffened slightly.

County Magistrate Tang walked out of the room, stood in the courtyard looking up at the azure sky, and breathed out, smiling lightly, "This courtyard is square, but the walls are still a bit low. I remember when I was young, my favorite thing to do was to squat in a high-walled courtyard and watch the sky."

Jiang Qi listened in confusion and did not express any opinions.

County Magistrate Tang said, "As for this case, I can guess why your lord is pursuing it; he is a... well, a man who loves cleanliness and disciplines both himself and others. For me, firstly, the testimonies your lord provided are full of holes, and it’s clear there’s an injustice; secondly, I am truly curious."

"Just from Lai Tou’s initial testimony, can you be certain of an injustice? Couldn’t the longevity lock have been given by someone or found..."

County Magistrate Tang then laughed and said, "There are only two types of matters in this world, one that concerns others, and one that concerns oneself; they can also be divided into discussable matters and unspeakable ones. It’s hard for one person to keep a complete secret for another unless he is a person with very high moral standards. Do you see Lai Tou as such a person?"

"Saying so many reasons to you is merely because you do not understand, while the actual reason for me is that I just knew Lai Tou was lying from the start. My intuition tells me there is a profound mystery here, and it relates to a criminal case," Lord Tang said. "Such intuition is the result of my many years of experience in solving cases."

Jiang Qi paused, knowing that Lord Tang’s father was the Left Capital Censor, originally from the Ministry of Justice, famous back then as a criminal law expert who had traveled the empire solving extraordinary cases as a vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. It was this reputation that led to his promotion to Left Capital Censor.

"What about our lord?" Jiang Qi was still unclear why their lord had suddenly started investigating the longevity locks and Zhou Jin and Zhou Yin out of the blue.

Although Yang Heshu had not shared his reasons, County Magistrate Tang could probably guess, but why would he tell Jiang Qi?

He sized Jiang Qi up and down and asked, "I actually think you shouldn’t follow Zhangbo; you would be more suited to follow me. What do you say, would you be willing to come to Huayang County and be a secretary?"

Jiang Qi was taken aback, his heart pounding, and his mouth dry, momentarily unable to decide whether Lord Tang was testing his ambition and loyalty to County Magistrate Yang, or if he truly saw potential in him and wanted to recruit him.

After swallowing hard, Jiang Qi said, "My posting is entirely at Lord Yang’s discretion, so I follow Lord Yang’s orders."

Hearing this, County Magistrate Tang laughed heartily, saying, "Good, once he returns from getting married, I’ll speak to him about assigning you to me."

His words hinted at something more, "Curiosity lies heavy upon you, and you dare to ask and think; the county feels you might indeed be better suited for the Ministry of Justice."

Having said that, Lord Tang departed, and Jiang Qi bowed deeply to send him off.

It was only after Lord Tang had disappeared from sight that Jiang Qi straightened up.

Ming Li hurriedly caught up with Lord Tang, noticing that it had already passed lunchtime and quickly had the kitchen prepare food.

"My lord, should we write a letter to Young Master Yang? It would set his mind at ease."

After thinking for a moment, Lord Tang said, "That would be good, I have a task to entrust to him anyway."

After having his meal, Lord Tang had Ming Li fetch a death report from the front office of the County Governmental Office. He read it and chuckled, "Zhou Yin of Mianzhou, married to Ms. Xia of Shangzhou—what a coincidence?"

Ming Li poured him tea, and just listened quietly.

"I still need to visit Mianzhou to check the household registrations, to see how many people of the same age as Zhou Yin could be found there, but Zhangbo also must help me check the connections between the governor of Liangzhou and the magistrate of Guo County."

Ming Li felt a chill, "My lord, this case seems too large, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t it be simpler to just investigate in Qili Village directly?"

"Visiting Qili Village is naturally also necessary, but the requisite evidence must be gathered, and the necessary inquiries must be made. This official document isn’t right."

"But my lord, you are the magistrate of Huayang County, and your presence here is only temporary. Moreover, this has all been agreed upon privately between Young Master Yang and Governor Ming, without any official documents. If the high officials in the capital find out, with the situation getting out of hand, even your father in the Censorate won’t be able to protect you."

Thus, Lord Tang laughed, "So we can keep our activities more subtle, come quietly."

"My lord, perhaps, you should discuss this with your wife."

Lord Tang turned his head, "Don’t talk too much. If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, she won’t find out. So, if she ends up knowing, it will certainly be because you talked too much."

Ming Li was left speechless, feeling as if autumn winds had swept through the branches in his heart.

Lord Tang then began to write a letter to Yang Heshu, and while writing, he said, "You know, his bad habit turned out to be useful just this once, actually uncovering such a case, but he still needs to change this bad habit."

Ming Li said, "Young Master Yang mentioned that he didn’t want to investigate Miss Man’s family; after all, they are friends. It was only because Miss Man’s family had cultivated a new variety of wheat that he looked into it more."

"Do you believe him?" Lord Tang snorted and said, "He has been like this since he was a child, and that’s why he is so noisome. How many close friends do you see him have?"

After speaking, Lord Tang bluntly lectured Yang Heshu in the letter, and Ming Li watched anxiously, "My lord, Young Master Yang is about to get married, it might be better not to quarrel with him at this time."

"No worries, if he has the mood to argue with me, it means he is quite satisfied with this marriage."