Chapter 83

Leaving home in a hurry, Zhao Jin walked quickly along the way until he reached Qi Duyan's place, where he could finally calm down to think. Suddenly, he felt a bit uneasy. If things went in the worst direction, then many of the things he had done over the past few years would have been in vain, and he might even drag down these enthusiastic friends who had helped him.

Zhao Jin also blamed himself. He thought he had done many things well yesterday, but in reality, there were many flaws. He lacked experience before and after the fight, and he had used his old experience to handle the aftermath, which was not applicable in this situation.

By now, it was already bright and clear. The government office had started its daily routine. Prefect of Xuzhou, Tong Huaizu, was in the back hall, listening to his secretary's report.

Most officials who had passed the imperial examinations were good at reading and writing, but were terrible at administrative and practical matters, often needing their secretaries to assist them. These secretaries were always trusted confidants.

"Sir, it's a thousand taels of pure silver. After counting, it has been handed over to the lady," the secretary reported with a smile.

Tong Huaizu nodded with a full smile and said, "Secretary Wang, go and talk to the criminal department. Let's close this case. They were just a few kidnappers, and it's a relief to have them dead. I'll recommend them for commendation when there's an opportunity."

Just as he finished speaking, Tong Huaizu remembered something and asked, "Does Zhang Tongzhi and everyone else involved know about this matter?"

The secretary bowed and smiled, saying, "Please rest assured, Sir. Head Constable Chen and Head Constable Zhao have handled everything thoroughly. The confessions are complete, and everything has been taken care of. We just need your approval, Sir."

"That's good, that's good. The Zhao family's child is really fierce. At such a young age, he dared to kill, and even involved someone from the Chen family. It's quite interesting," Tong Huaizu commented casually.

The secretary nodded with a smile but did not follow up. He had also benefited from eighty taels of silver. Unlike the high-ranking prefect, the secretary dealt with people in the government office every day and understood the ins and outs.

This morning, Chief Constable Chen Wu had taken charge of the arrangements, sending out over two thousand taels of silver in benefits. Everyone involved, from top to bottom, received a share. The secretary could also guess how the kidnappers who committed suicide in the detention room last night had actually died.

Several thousand taels of silver and a few lives of kidnappers were spent to cover up the murder case involving Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng.

After all, it was a matter of six real lives. If investigated, it would be a serious crime. But if everyone involved glossed over it, it would be a trivial matter.

Just as he was thinking, he heard someone outside report, "Sir, Scholar Yang is here to pay his respects."

"Scholar Yang, what does he want? Secretary Wang, go and welcome him," Tong Huaizu said, puzzled, then instructed the secretary.

Secretary Wang quickly bowed and agreed. Being welcomed by the prefect's secretary indicated that this person was of high status. Wang knew the background of Scholar Yang. Yang Zhongping was a local from Xuzhou, with the title of scholar. Xuzhou was not known for its literary culture, so having the title of scholar was already quite impressive.

However, what made the Prefect of Xuzhou take him seriously was not his title but his connections. Scholar Yang was a layman of Yunshan Temple, and all matters related to Yunshan Temple in Xuzhou were handled by him.

A scholar was not particularly important to the prefect, but a scholar with ties to Yunshan Temple was a different matter. Yunshan Temple had powerful backers, some said it was a high-ranking eunuch from Fengyang, others said it was a big figure from Nanjing. No matter which way, the prefect could not afford to offend them.

Welcoming Scholar Yang at the door, Yang Zhongping was tall and thin, with a slightly greenish complexion, hinting at excessive drinking and debauchery. He was very arrogant and cold, nodding only to Secretary Wang before striding in. Secretary Wang smiled on the surface but cursed in his heart. Everyone knew that Scholar Yang's reputation in Xuzhou was very poor, having committed many acts of bullying and debauchery. If not for the support of Yunshan Temple, he would have been caught and punished long ago. Knowing his bad reputation, Scholar Yang never showed any restraint, always looking down on others.

Entering the back hall of Prefect Tong's study, Scholar Yang bowed casually, ignoring the frown on the prefect's face, and sat down.

Secretary Wang knew it was best to avoid such an awkward scene and bowed, saying, "Sir, I will go to Magistrate Zhou."

Magistrate Zhou was the Xuzhou magistrate, in charge of criminal cases. The matter just discussed should be handled by him.

Prefect Tong nodded with a stern face. He was also dissatisfied with Scholar Yang's attitude but could do nothing about it.

Just as Secretary Wang was about to leave, he heard Scholar Yang say, "Your Excellency, I learned this morning that several monks from Yunshan Temple were killed in the eastern part of the city. I am deeply saddened and request that you investigate this case thoroughly."

"You have quite the sources of information," Prefect Tong said calmly, then raised his voice and called out, "Secretary Wang, what's going on? This was supposed to be a case involving kidnappers, how did monks from Yunshan Temple get involved?"

Secretary Wang quickly approached and whispered in Prefect Tong's ear. After listening for a few moments, Prefect Tong glared at Secretary Wang and then turned to say, "I didn't expect the monks from Yunshan Temple to be involved with kidnappers. Wasn't it said that the confessions were complete..."

Everyone involved wanted to gloss over the matter, only saying that Zhao Jin and the others had killed the accomplices of the kidnappers without mentioning their specific identities. Secretary Wang, having benefited, naturally did not mention this when he reported.

Scholar Yang ignored the sarcasm in the prefect's words and bluntly interrupted, "Yunshan Temple has always been strict with its rules and would not have any lawbreakers. It's likely that someone is framing them. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Excellency. If you cannot find anything, Master Yuanxin will write to the major donors of Yunshan Temple to seek their help."

Master Yuanxin was the abbot of Yunshan Temple, and the so-called "major donors" were likely the temple's powerful backers.

Prefect Tong frowned, looked at Secretary Wang, and said in a stern voice, "Go and talk to Magistrate Zhou. This case must be investigated thoroughly."

Hearing this, Secretary Wang became anxious. If they couldn't gloss over the matter, wouldn't they have to return the benefits they had received? He quickly leaned in and whispered, "Sir, what about those benefits?"

Prefect Tong glared at Secretary Wang and raised his voice, "The venerable Master Yuanxin is so concerned. How can I treat this matter lightly? Go and urge them."

The meaning was clear: they couldn't afford to offend Yunshan Temple and its backers. Even with the benefits and the face of the government office, they had to give an account.

Hearing this, Scholar Yang's face showed a smug smile, and he nodded, saying, "Your Excellency is wise. Those monks were peacefully practicing but met with a tragic fate. According to the law, the killers must be punished."

This was another condition. Both Prefect Tong and Secretary Wang had a difficult expression. If they really had to make Zhao Jin pay with his life, it would be hard to pacify Zhao Zhentang. Offending the local strongmen would cause major problems for the government office.

But after careful consideration, it was one thing to have a difficult job, but it was more important to keep the job. They had to follow Yunshan Temple's wishes.

Secretary Wang cursed in his heart but could only follow the order. Just as he bowed to agree, he heard someone outside report, "Sir, the steward of Lord Wang is here to pay his respects."

In Xuzhou, the only person who could be called "Lord" in front of the prefect was Wang You Shan. Although he had retired and had no official position, he was still a person of high rank. However, no one dared to be disrespectful to him. For a local official like the prefect, a letter from Wang You Shan to the capital could decide his promotion or demotion.

Hearing it was this person, Prefect Tong quickly said to Secretary Wang, "Go and welcome him, go and welcome him."

The arrogance on Scholar Yang's face also disappeared. He, of course, knew the weight of Wang You Shan.

Secretary Wang quickly returned, without any guests behind him, but with a letter in his hand. Without waiting for the prefect to ask, he hurriedly handed the letter over.

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