Chapter 58: Lin Fan Laughed: In This Vast Yong’an, Someone Actually Dares To Compare Knowledge Of The Law With Me
Inside the hall.
Tea fragrance wafts, the atmosphere pleasant.
There are two people.
One is wrapped head to toe in bandages, left arm in a sling, right leg in a splint, face still bruised and purple, it is the crippled but determined Yuan Jiang.
The other is wearing a silk long robe, skinny build, drooping eye corners, sporting a few sparse strands of goatee, appearance somewhat wretched, looking at least over fifty years old middle-aged man.
They leisurely sip tea, paired with a few plates of exquisite pastries.
“This tea has a rich aroma, not ordinary stuff.”
The middle-aged man places the teacup under his nose, narrows his eyes slightly, intoxicatedly sniffs the tea fragrance, nodding and shaking his head in praise.
“Zhu Chief Clerk’s attainment in the tea way is truly unparalleled. This tea was specially brought back for me from the Imperial Capital, unique tea leaves from the Qinling Mountains. Normally I can’t bear to drink it. Only when a big shot like Zhu Chief Clerk visits my humble abode do I bring it out to savor.”
Yuan Jiang lavishly flatters Zhu Chief Clerk.
Zhu Chief Clerk reservedly takes a light sip, slowly swallows, as if tasting nectar, only after a while does he contentedly set down the teacup, letting out a comfortable sigh.
Yuan Jiang chuckles, “I wonder if Sir Zhu is satisfied with last night’s arrangement?”
“Satisfied, extremely satisfied. In all of Yong’an, the one who understands this official best is still Hall Master Yuan.” Zhu Chief Clerk thinks of that woman’s sauciness last night, his eye corner wrinkles bunching up in a smile.
That woman, the moment she took him in her mouth, he knew she was no mortal.
Definitely trained by Yuan Jiang.
Proficient in blowing, pulling, playing, and singing.
What he dislikes most are virgins—pain aside, they have none of the fun tricks.
As for those at his age who still like virgins.
Their minds are generally sick.
Seeing Zhu Chief Clerk in a good mood, Yuan Jiang asks, “Sir, do you think there are particularly formidable masters in this world?”
He now wants to find a master to kill that Lin surnamed guy.
Thinking of Lin Fan’s strength, he shudders.
Truly not human.
The Zhu Chief Clerk before him is the third-in-command of Yong’an County Office, in charge of population registry and document processing, broad experience, knows a lot.
“I’ve heard about that kid’s matter, indeed a lawless one. A mere commoner constable actually stirring up such things. Who knows how much silver Li Prefect took to let him run wild like this.”
Zhu Chief Clerk doesn’t engage, instead harshly criticizes.
Yuan Jiang thinks of his own ordeals, growing angrier, “Who knows. Before, Yong’an was truly peaceful. Because of this kid, now it’s all chaos, and he’s so arrogant as to beat me like this. I can’t swallow this insult.”
Zhu Chief Clerk looks at Yuan Jiang.
Nods.
Indeed quite miserable.
In this state, he can’t even have fun anymore.
“Hall Master Yuan, I understand your mood, and I want to stand up for you, but unfortunately the County Office and Public Security Bureau are separate, can’t interfere. And seeing Li Prefect indulge him so much, there must be some shady dealings.”
“As for the master you mentioned…”
Zhu Chief Clerk looks up at the ceiling, as if pondering, as if recalling.
“Speaking of masters, I have indeed seen one. It must be twenty years ago. When I was in the Imperial Capital pulling strings, I was fortunate at the birthday banquet of one of the Three Dukes, the Grand Tutor, to see a young man publicly perform: lifting a two-to-three-hundred-jin bronze tripod with one hand. That scene was shocking.”
He wasn’t qualified to attend the birthday banquet.
Just sneaked in for the excitement.
But he really saw it.
“Ah?” Yuan Jiang is shocked, eagerly asks, “Does Sir know his name?”
Zhu Chief Clerk takes a sip of tea, smiles, “Of course. His name is Qin Li.”
“Qin Li?”
Yuan Jiang feels like he’s heard this name somewhere, doubtfully looks at Zhu Chief Clerk.
Zhu Chief Clerk says, “Left Commander of the Imperial Court’s Five Military Headquarters, holds the rank of First Rank, head of military officials, power is immense.”
Yuan Jiang is utterly speechless.
Isn’t this messing with me?
If he could invite such a big shot, how could he be holed up here with you fools.
Even an insignificant follower, the local County Magistrate would have to respectfully call him ‘sir’.
Suddenly.
Noisy voices come from outside the hall.
Yuan Jiang frowns toward the door. Who is so clueless, doesn’t he know he’s entertaining a noble guest?
When he sees the figure appearing outside the hall, his face pales uncontrollably, like needles under his butt, fidgeting, eyes turning panicked.
As Lin Fan brings people swaggering boldly striding in, Yuan Jiang suppresses his panic, demands:
“What are you doing here?”
Then quietly tells Zhu Chief Clerk, “He is Lin Fan.”
Zhu Chief Clerk sizes up Lin Fan. Heard of him, but never seen.
Indeed a young pup.
But truly capable. Those things he knows of, ordinary people couldn’t do, couldn’t even manage.
Thus, after Yuan Jiang introduces the visitor, he makes no move, just sits there watching quietly. Impulse is the devil; without clarifying the situation, can’t act rashly.
“Heh, interesting. Doesn’t your Yuan know what you’ve done?” Lin Fan chews a piece of Pinellia, surroundings in full view, glances at Zhu Chief Clerk—unrecognized, no interest. Main goal now is to deal with Yuan Jiang; others can wait.
Yuan Jiang slowly stands, hand on chair arm, feigning calm. Seeing Liang Gui who was to take the blame for him, he startles inwardly—could this guy have turned?
Thinking of this.
His eyes carry a warning, glares furiously at Liang Gui.
Liang Gui is very scared, head down.
A bottom-level commoner like him has no say before these big shots.
“What are you glaring at? Glare again and I’ll knock your eyes out.” Lin Fan scolds, then continues, “Yuan Jiang, after killing someone you forced another to take the blame. You’ve committed a major crime. Now behave honestly. Any hint of resistance, you know the consequences.”
Yuan Jiang yells, “Lin Fan, you’re slandering me! When did I ever kill? Even if you want to frame and slander, there’s no framing like this. You really think being a constable makes you lawless?”
“Slandering? Hmph, evidence is solid, no room for your sophistry. Men, take Hall Master Yuan back for tea.” Lin Fan waves grandly. Handling affairs requires efficiency; no time to waste words with Yuan Jiang.
Yang Ming and Xu Ming receive the order, stride forward.
Yuan Jiang panics. He knows damn Lin Fan is serious. Wants to run but legs won’t cooperate. Wants to resist but any violent move brings pain everywhere. If taken to Public Security Bureau, everything’s over.
At this moment, he pleadingly looks at Zhu Chief Clerk.
The meaning in his eyes very clear.
Zhu Chief Clerk, can you stop playing deep?
Say something.
Didn’t you get it free last night?
Yang Ming and Xu Ming reach Yuan Jiang, decisively take him down. Yuan mansion servants see this, none dare block. This conflict isn’t for them.
“Take him away.” Lin Fan turns to leave.
“Cough cough…”
Finally, Zhu Chief Clerk sitting there can’t hold back, lightly coughs a few times. For ordinary people, this cough would make them stop, but Lin Fan acts like he didn’t hear, doesn’t even glance.
“Stop.”
Zhu Chief Clerk speaks, voice not loud, yet carrying an unquestionable tone.
“Constable Lin truly thunderous methods, arresting just like that. Far too overbearing, isn’t it?”
Lin Fan stops, turns back with a smile, “You got a problem?”
“Insolent.” Yuan Jiang says, “Lin, do you know hierarchy? This is County Office Chief Clerk Zhu. Even your squad leader must respectfully call him Sir Zhu.”
Zhu Chief Clerk straightens his waist sore from last night.
The Chief Clerk position is always his pride.
Slap—!
Lin Fan backhands a slap, snapping Yuan Jiang’s head to the side.
“Did I let you speak? Shut it, save your strength. Plenty to confess later.”
At this time, Zhu Chief Clerk’s face darkens. With Yuan Jiang revealing his identity, ordinary people, even if not fawning, would still give due face.
Eyes not blind, all can see he and Yuan Jiang are close.
Yet this guy backhands a slap.
Lawless, truly lawless.
Zhu Chief Clerk keeps his composure, won’t claw and roar wildly. Instead picks up teacup, blows off steam, takes a light sip. Only after setting down does he unhurriedly speak:
“Constable Lin, regardless of whether the person was killed by Yuan Jiang, what about the one taking the blame? How do you handle him? Or do you plan to let the blame-taker go?”
“According to《Law》 ordinances, taking blame is a serious crime, especially taking blame for killing, a serious crime among serious crimes. Constable Lin understands this, right?”
Zhu Chief Clerk’s mind is sharp.
Seeing Liang Gui, he grasps the situation.
This man is the blame-taker.
Clearly this Lin wants to save him, make him flip, pin the killing on Yuan Jiang. To truly protect Yuan Jiang, need to muddy the waters.
Inside the hall, very quiet.
Pfft!
Lin Fan laughs.
