Chapter 8: Wei Jiao’s Case
“What are you afraid of?”
“Naturally afraid that some people will randomly frame and pin charges.”
“Whoever has done guilty deeds knows it in their heart.”
“Wei Jiao, don’t rely on holding the tiger tally to act recklessly. This official also holds the tally and is not afraid of you Embroidered Uniform Guards.”
Ji Ying angrily shouted, turned and flicked his sleeve into the tent.
The other officials’ faces were pale, steeling themselves to say nice words to the people on horseback. “Captain, please come in to talk.” “Ji Xunshi has been weary from days of labor and worry without proper rest, so his temper is a bit hot.”
Compared to Ji Ying, Wei Jiao’s temper was much better. Not only did he not get angry, his fair face was still smiling.
“What days of labor and hot temper? He just likes to scold me, and he often scolded me in the Capital City too.” He said, slightly raising his hand.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard who had spoken earlier immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee. Wei Jiao stepped on his back to dismount.
“As long as it doesn’t delay my business, let him scold if he wants.”
As he spoke, his sleeve fluttered, and the person walked toward the tent.
The officials looked at each other but didn’t dare follow in. Soon voices came from the tent. Although the inspector’s voice sounded unhappy, there was no more quarreling. Moments later, Ji Ying raised his voice and called, “Come in.”
One official hurriedly went in and soon came out, saying to the Embroidered Uniform Guards, “Follow me to search White Horse Town.”
The Embroidered Uniform Guards dismounted together and walked darkly into White Horse Town, not sparing broken houses, ruined homes, or ruins, as if searching for people or some traces.
Soon a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards reached where the menial laborers were.
The menial laborers were both shocked and afraid, huddling together, some fearfully prostrating and kowtowing.
Mo Zheng wrapped the blanket tightly around herself, feeling the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ cold gazes sweep over. An official introduced beside her, “These are recruited menial laborers, all from the county town.”
The next moment, the baskets and iron shovels beside her were poked by knives and swords, and the menial laborers were scolded and had their blankets pulled open, causing a bout of panic.
“They are using ones provided by the government…” The official explained from the side.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards ignored him, looked over all the people and items, then continued forward.
Only then did the menial laborers dare to discuss in low voices. “What are these people?” “Even more formidable than the inspector.” “What are they investigating?” “Still mountain bandits?”
But soon officers came over and scolded, “No talking.” “Lie down!”
The menial laborers hurriedly lay down. After Mo Zheng lay down, she reached out and quietly pulled back the bamboo pole that had been mixed with the baskets and iron shovel, hugging it to her chest again.
White Horse Town was almost burned to ruins. The surviving civilians had been resettled elsewhere. Besides soldiers and officers, there were only dead people. There was nothing much to investigate, so soon the Embroidered Uniform Guards gathered back at the town entrance.
“Lord Ji, no need to see me off. I’m leaving.”
A clear, cold voice came.
Mo Zheng lay on the ground and looked out from under the blanket cover, seeing that Wei Jiao walk out.
The inspector did not see him off, and Wei Jiao did not look back either. He stepped on an Embroidered Uniform Guard’s back to mount the horse. The black horse neighed once and galloped away into the night, with the Embroidered Uniform Guards behind him all moving to follow.
The intense firelight and dark clouds dispersed, and the town entrance returned to quiet.
……
……
Inspector Ji Ying pressed his forehead at the desk, seemingly easing a headache.
Two officials accompanied him inside, their expressions somewhat nervous.
“The Embroidered Uniform Guards are here to make trouble?” one official asked in a low voice. “Problems discovered with the executed mountain bandits?”
Another official murmured lowly, “So that’s Embroidered Uniform Guard Captain Wei Jiao. Turns out he’s so young, and seems quite approachable.”
Ji Ying raised his head. “Approachable? Don’t be fooled by his appearance. This man is a madman.” He paused here and pointed to his head. “The kind with real insanity.”
Real insanity? Real or fake? The two officials were local county magistrates, somewhat behind on capital news.
“Then why does His Majesty use him?” one official said.
Ji Ying sneered. “Of course because his father is Wei Cui.”
The two officials exchanged a glance.
One official said, “Longxi Great General Wei Cui. So he’s his son.”
“His Majesty truly favors the Wei Clan. I hear he’s going to enfeoff Wei Cui as king,” the other official said.
Ji Ying seemed unwilling to discuss this and waved his hand to stop them. “In any case, no need to mind him. He’s not here to investigate this case.” He gave a mocking smile here. “He wouldn’t bother with a case like this.”
The officials breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking of the identity of the person involved in this case, the son of the Longxi Great General family didn’t care, but they did. No matter what, it was the young lady of a duke’s household.
Their expressions were full of gratitude.
“Fortunately we have you, my lord, otherwise what would we do.”
“Duke Ding’an is a close minister to the Son of Heaven. Who would think his family’s daughter would be here with us.”
“More than a close minister. After His Majesty’s ascension to the throne, those enfeoffed as nobles either relied on military merit or prominent families stabilizing the rivers and mountains for His Majesty. Yang Shixing has neither yet can already be enfeoffed…”
“The Yang Family and His Majesty are from neighboring counties. In childhood there was much support. His Majesty repays even a meal’s kindness.”
Seeing the topic becoming trivial again, Ji Ying knocked on the desk.
The officials quieted down.
“Decapitating the mountain bandits was to give Duke Ding’an’s Mansion an explanation and to soothe the civilians, avoiding panic leading to unrest.” He said, “Once Duke Ding’an’s Mansion gives a response, whether burying the person here or taking them to the Capital City, this matter is concluded. However, you must not slack off. Continue pursuing and capturing the mountain bandits, eliminating hidden dangers, and ensuring peace for this region.”
The two officials hurriedly stood, solemnly bowed in respect. “Yes.”
……
…….
The two officials came out, shedding their tension, and yawned.
“Let’s hope this matter ends soon,” one official said lowly. “Can’t hold out much longer if we keep staying up.”
The other official still carried some unease. “That Wei Jiao really isn’t investigating our case? What if the inspector leaves and he comes back?”
Then they would be calling to heaven with no response and to earth with no answer.
As they spoke, they saw the lamps in the tent extinguish. The inspector’s close attendant came out, and they hurriedly pulled him aside, asking repeatedly.
The close attendant was somewhat helpless from being pestered.
“You two can rest assured, it’s really not this case.” The close attendant said, “Wei Jiao told our lord it’s a case of rebellion and treason.”
Rebellion and treason?
The two officials were startled. “Who rebelled?”
“Zhao County Jiang Wangchun. Wei Jiao came personally to arrest and investigate, but before he arrived, the Jiang Family was silenced. Now they can only pursue his accomplices.” The close attendant said lowly. “So they came chasing here.”
Oh, like that. Unrelated to the mountain bandits. The two officials sighed in relief, but then were surprised again. “Jiang Wangchun is a quite renowned teacher in Zhao County. How could he commit treason?”
The close attendant didn’t know. “Whatever Wei Jiao says it is, it is. We wouldn’t dare inquire about evidence.”
Since it involved treason, the two officials asked no more, thanked the close attendant, and went to their resting tents.
“If Jiang Wangchun really committed treason, then who killed his whole family before the government could?”
“Silenced by his accomplices?”
“These rebels are truly ruthless.”
“Hope they’ve already left our Lu County.”
Accompanied by their talk, the two officials entered the tent.
The night grew even darker and heavier.
In the night, a shadowy figure swayed, leaping into the piled ruins like a cat.
Mo Zheng shrank under the rubble, wrapped the blanket tightly, and closed her eyes.
