Chapter 144: Third Round
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Gong Changan lowered his head and pondered for the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.
“This student has thought of a countermeasure, though it may not be brilliant. I’ll try it nonetheless,” Gong Changan said, raising his head.
“Tell us what it is,” the long-bearded tutor said.
“This student plans to first clarify the appearance and demeanor of the Prefect’s mother when she was alive, then find some people to spread rumors. They will say they have all recently dreamt of the same old woman complaining that her residence is cramped, with no room to turn, and that she is suffering greatly. They will ask them to tell their sons to change their residences.
When people ask who her son is, she will only say four words—Wang Ji Zhen Fu.
Gradually, this news will spread throughout the city, and naturally, some will decipher the riddle: Wang Ji means ‘too,’ and Zhen Fu means ‘to guard.’ Combined with the appearance and demeanor of this old madam, everyone will quickly conclude: this is the soul of the Prefect’s mother appearing in dreams to tell people.”
“Wait a moment, what kind of people did you intend to find to spread the news of the dreams at first?” the round-faced tutor asked.
“This student plans to find two types of people. One type is the merchants who constantly walk the streets and alleys in the marketplace. They do business daily and interact with all walks of life.
News spreads fastest through them, and these people can be persuaded to act with a little profit.
The other type is the criminals imprisoned in jail. If they are told that doing so will bring good karma, these people are bold and eager to get out sooner. Most of them will try it.
Although they are locked up, they are actually very close to the Prefect, and those who manage them will naturally be the ones to relay the message.
Moreover, whether it’s the small merchants or these criminals, there’s no need to worry about any losses from doing so. After all, if they insist they had such a dream, no one can do anything to them.”
“Good, and what happens after you release the news?” Tutor Kang asked.
“Naturally, it will reach the Prefect’s ears,” Gong Changan said.
“Then the Prefect will surely be puzzled, why didn’t his mother appear to him directly in a dream?” Tutor Kang asked.
“This student has also thought of a plausible excuse. In fact, before the Prefect asks, others will inevitably have the same question,” Gong Changan said, blinking his eyes. “The old madam said in her dream that her son holds an official position with a seal, making it difficult for her to approach him, so she could only appear in dreams to others. This further confirms that her son is the Prefect.”
“Even if this doubt can be dispelled, what if the Prefect remains unmoved?” the long-bearded tutor asked.
“At this point, even if the Prefect is unmoved, those who harmed her will surely be filled with guilt,” Gong Changan said. “Of course, this is assuming the beggar didn’t lie and there is indeed such a matter.
Those people thought their actions were secret and that no one would know. But as the news of the dreams spreads like wildfire, they will surely be filled with fear.
However, they cannot possibly dig up the grave now. After all, the Prefect’s mother was just buried then, and they were taking advantage of the chaos. Now, several years have passed, and if the tomb is disturbed, it will inevitably arouse suspicion.
These people might flee to another town, but no matter where they go, they must obtain a travel permit from the yamen, otherwise, they will be arrested and sent back wherever they go.
Then I can release news in advance, still in the form of dreams, saying that those who disturbed the Prefect’s mother’s soul and are attempting to flee to another town must be strictly guarded against. This will block their escape routes.
These people will only become more timid and will inevitably believe more in ghosts and spirits.”
“Even if they believe in ghosts and spirits, will they go to the yamen to confess? I think it’s highly unlikely,” Tutor Kang shook his head. “At most, they will be scared in their hearts, and that’s it.”
“As long as they believe in ghosts and spirits and feel fear in their hearts, that’s enough. They cannot flee to another town, nor can they dig up the grave. But they will certainly go to the grave to burn incense and repent, begging the old madam’s spirit for forgiveness.
I will arrange for people to hide nearby in advance. Once someone goes there, they will be apprehended and taken to the yamen.
The Prefect will naturally conduct an interrogation, and as long as they reveal even the slightest clue, the Prefect will surely investigate further.”
“That’s what you say, but what if the person caught is extremely cunning and uses other excuses to get away with it?” the round-faced tutor asked.
“Then there’s the beggar. At least it proves the beggar isn’t lying, and he can be the informant,” Gong Changan said.
“But what if the Prefect simply doesn’t believe it? After all, it’s just the beggar’s word. Would he really dig up his own mother’s grave?” the long-bearded tutor said.
At this point, the tutors were clearly being deliberately difficult, but an extreme situation like this couldn’t be entirely ruled out.
For instance, if the Prefect were an extremely stubborn person.
“If that still doesn’t work, we’ll have to spend a bit more and arrange for an opera performance,” Gong Changan said. “However, this opera can only be performed at night, and it’s best if it’s about Bao Gong’s trial.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked a short, stout tutor who had been silent all along.
“When a stage is set up for an opera, there will naturally be a crowd of spectators. On stage, Bao Gong presides over a trial, and the accused is suddenly possessed by a female ghost, begging Lord Bao to clear her name.
She will then reveal her life story and where her remains are buried.
Combined with the momentum created earlier, everyone will immediately understand that the woman who disappeared years ago was murdered and buried in the tomb of the Prefect’s mother.
This will naturally cause a sensation throughout the city, and the Prefect will not be able to ignore it.
If this matter becomes widely known, and he still stands by idly, rumors will spread that he is an incompetent official and an unfilial son.
As long as he doesn’t open the grave, these rumors will never cease. Even if he believes the so-called dreams and Bao Gong’s trial are fabrications, as long as the grave is not opened, people’s doubts will remain forever.
In other words, as long as the grave is not opened, it cannot be proven that there are other remains in the grave, nor can it be proven that this did not happen. People will only have suspicion upon suspicion.
As the rumors spread and fly everywhere, such an incident occurring under his jurisdiction will inevitably damage his reputation. Therefore, at this point, he is like an arrow on a bowstring, with no choice but to act,” Gong Changan said with certainty. “Moreover, if it escalates to this point, even if he doesn’t want to open it, higher authorities will surely send people to investigate thoroughly.
If he is wise, he will open it himself and gain a good reputation. Otherwise, he will lose both face and substance. As long as he is not exceptionally foolish, he will understand the implications.”
After he finished his last sentence, the tutors stopped asking questions and looked at each other.
Finally, all eyes turned to the tutor seated in the main position, who looked like an immortal but had remained silent throughout.
“Someone! Take him to the back,” the tutor said, his phoenix eyes slightly opening, casting a brief glance at Gong Changan.
Immediately, a disciple came over, took Gong Changan’s hand, and led him to the back.
