Chapter 58: The Truth Unspoken, Justice Obscured - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 58: The Truth Unspoken, Justice Obscured "Liu Laohai, have you visited Hua Jian Restaurant before?" [Liu Laohai’s face turned crimson as he was filled with embarrassment upon hearing your question.] "Sir, to tell you the truth, I have never been there." "Usually, just finding a discreet door in an alley is good enough for me." [From Liu Laohai’s words, you surmised that he was one of those marginalized individuals at the yamen.] [Such people often harbor frustrations and are quick to seize any opportunity to climb the ranks.] "Liu Laohai, are there others here like you? Of course, I don’t mean to belittle you. I just wish to unite some forces I'd like to rely on." [Excitement stirred within Liu Laohai upon hearing your intent.] "Sir, I know them, I do!" "There are three more. One was marginalized for disobeying orders, another for resisting discipline, and the last one for failing to kneel promptly before the County Deputy." "The last offense was grievous; the County Deputy had him tied up and sunbaked for three days." [Hearing about the County Deputy's severe means incited your anger.] [In your mind, you felt that no one should treat others so harshly.] [Even during your days as a prince, you never resorted to such treatment for lack of proper service from servants.] [However, alone in the perilous environment of Gulan County, you chose to bide your time, planning for actions later.] [You had Liu Laohai gather the three others, and over a simple meal at the county office, you probed deeper into Gulan County's network of connections.] [The County Deputy, Zheng Boyuan, had entrenched himself deeply in Gulan County. Of the six clerical divisions in Gulan (Personnel, Tax, Rites, Military, Justice, Works), three are his sons-in-law and the other three, his nephews.] [The county clerk and constable are all his relatives by marriage.] [Even the village and township officials under Gulan County are his people.] [Through intermarriages, all critical positions in Gulan County are tightly controlled by their network.] [You held no troops, only a command decree, making it challenging to establish yourself in Gulan County.] [For now, you're at a loss thinking about how to tackle this.] [You inquired about the cause of death of previous county magistrates, but the four remained silent.] "Does it involve demons or spirits?" [As you pitched this question, keenly watching their reactions, they faltered momentarily, confirming your suspicions.] "Sir, you're kidding! Under the clear sky, how could Gulan County be haunted by demons?" "Yes, sir, you must have heard some woman's idle gossip. We've never seen any demons in our lives." "Just rumors, merely rumors!" "Sir, let's drink. The County Deputy arrives tomorrow. Be cautious; he's a formidable figure." [Listening to their chatter, you maintained a composed facade and joined them in drinking.] [During the conversation, you learned of another connection Zheng Boyuan had — his wife belonged to the Hetao Long family.] [The Long family, a venerable lineage, wouldn't easily consent to marry one of their own to a prince without a title.] [You were startled at how Zheng Boyuan could secure such a marriage.] [The implications behind this left you pondering deeply.] [After the meal, you spent a night at the county office.] [The next day, hearing of your arrival, the County Deputy Zheng Boyuan led officials to formally welcome you.] [You donned your official attire, receiving their reception even as you sensed the disdain in their eyes, knowing it wasn't yet time for confrontation.] [Zheng Boyuan, adept in discerning imperial intentions, realized Empress Xiao Huang dispatched you to Gulan for a reason.] [The former supporters of the Su lineage were numerous, with the potential for a resurgence not entirely implausible.] [Yet, making your death appear accidental was the subtext for your presence here.] [This could later be attributed to the peculiar fate of magistrates dying in Gulan County.] [Zheng Boyuan then extended an invitation for a banquet in your honor.] [The venue turned out to be the Hua Jian Restaurant.] [After several rounds, you made a request to Zheng Boyuan.] "Deputy Zheng, I have a request. Could funds be allocated to renovate the county office?" "It's unseemly for officials to conduct affairs amidst escorts and distractions." [At your suggestion, the officials' expressions darkened akin to soot.] [It was akin to carving out their lifeblood.] [Yet, Zheng Boyuan surprisingly agreed with alacrity.] "Consider it done. The County Chief needs an entourage too. I'll arrange four porters to parade your status." [Despite finding Zheng Boyuan's compliance odd, you accepted, prepared to take things as they come.] [The other officials were displeased with Zheng Boyuan's stance, casting doubtful glances toward him.] [Zheng Boyuan disregarded them, frequently toasting you and ostensibly smoothing your path.] [Despite knowing it was all a façade, you couldn't help but dream of such an ideal scenario.] [The renovations commenced the day after your return, revealing Gulan County's affluence for the first time.] [Local craftsmen brought meat-filled pastries made from fine flour, quite a lifestyle, raising doubts about still being in Da Zhou.] [Suspicions lingered if this was just Zheng Boyuan weaving an illusion for you.] [The renovation spanned over three months, during which you remained indoors, reviewing documents.] [Expectedly, upon examination, inconsistencies and gaps emerged in numerous cases.] [Records of a drowning listed the cause of death as water inhalation, yet noted strangulation marks in other documents.] [A husband killing his wife with a stool later found in records as a suicide.] [Such discrepancies were so numerous they seemed endless.] [You were amazed at the audacity of these fabrications.] [Gulan County's financial records were similarly inconsistent.] [This tension felt like an immense force subtly pressing upon you. Yet, undeterred, you pressed on gathering evidence.] ... [One day, en route to inspect local water channels, your sedan was halted by a woman's plea for justice.] [According to her, she was assaulted by a traveling merchant while her husband was away.] [She beseeched you, the upstanding official, to arrest him.] [Observing her robust form, you sensed it could be a trap set by Zheng Boyuan.] [Should you mishandle the case, it might compromise you.] [The Da Zhou Dynasty had a rule: regardless of the petition's legitimacy, interrupting a procession warranted fifty cane strikes before processing the case.] [Additionally, "From a woman’s mouth, slander spreads, justice becomes unclear."] [Thus, you ordered her fifty cane strikes and had the constable bring the merchant to the yamen.] [The yamen bustled with nearly half of Gulan County's population curious about your judgment.] [The merchant, stubbornly denying guilt, showed no signs of confession, not even under duress.] [As Zheng Boyuan and others watched, eager for your failure.] [Out of options, you summoned Liu Laohai and his associates, the only ones you could command.] [Turning your gaze to the woman, noting her stout arms and legs.] "Liu Laohai, you four, take care of her now. This official will bear all consequences!" (To be continued)