The Great Song had established Bureaus of Judicial Commissioners across its various circuits to handle local miscarriages of justice. Whenever there were doubtful cases, cases with unknown culprits, or long-delayed matters, a Commissioner of Judicial Affairs could personally go to the local area to preside over the trial.
In those years, the Qu family’s case had taken little more than a month from occurrence to reporting. Though it involved widespread interests, it should never have been decided so hastily and carelessly.
Thus, Nan Zhi suspected two things: first, that Wang Fugui had bribed the presiding magistrate back then; second, that someone else had a hand in the Qu family’s case.
Though over thirty years had passed, it had been a major case that shocked both the court and the populace at the time. To inspect the official case archives, her only option was to start with the Capital Judicial Bureau.
“What’s so hard about that?”
Xu Zi patted her chest, taking the task upon herself on the spot:
“A relative of a clerk at the Capital Judicial Bureau was once haunted by a Greater Ghost, and they hired me to catch it. What’s the big deal about borrowing a set of case files? I’ll go there personally this afternoon and guarantee I bring the documents back for you.”
“Then I’ll be troubling you, Miss A-Zi. When you return, I’ll buy you some fried stinky tofu.”
Nan Zhi smiled. “As for Wanniang and me, we need to meet someone first and send a gift to Kaifeng Prefecture.”
Xu Zi didn't quite understand, and Wanniang looked equally bewildered, her eyes filled with confusion as she stared at Nan Zhi.
...
Meanwhile, the officers of Kaifeng Prefecture had remained at the dock for an entire day. Aside from helping inventory the victims, they had to post notices throughout the streets and markets, warning the public that evil practitioners were at large and urging everyone to watch over their young children.
Seeing that the Demon Suppression Division had taken the victims and left without the slightest intention of helping, some of the yamen runners couldn't help complaining once they returned to Kaifeng Prefecture:
“Those people from the Demon Suppression Division are going too far! They're treating us like errand boys!”
“Exactly! This human trafficking case was clearly our job, yet the Demon Suppression Division snatched it right out of our hands. It really makes one boil with anger for no reason!”
“Not long ago, various prefectural offices reported missing persons. We brothers spent so long investigating, but who would have thought that Fourth-class demon suppressor would be so lucky? She stumbled right into it and snatched a massive credit.”
“Tomorrow in court, the Demon Suppression Division is going to ride roughshod over our Kaifeng Prefecture again!”
Zhan Zhao couldn't help frowning slightly, turning around to scold them:
“Mind your words! The Demon Suppression Division and Kaifeng Prefecture are both executive authorities of the Great Song. Above, we revere His Majesty in court; below, we protect the populace of the capital region. How can you speak of one riding roughshod over the other?
That human trafficker deserved his death tenfold. Falling at the hands of our colleagues in the Demon Suppression Division is a blessing in disguise for the people.
Now that the case is solved, we should be glad, rather than scheming behind closed doors over who gets credit or who worked hard.
You are all veterans who have followed Lord Bao for years—how can you grow more confused as you grow older?”
Seeing that some still looked indignant, Zhan Zhao's gaze turned deeper, and he said word by word:
“Lately, a restless mood has taken hold of the capital, and rumors abound that Kaifeng Prefecture and the Demon Suppression Division are at odds. As guards of Kaifeng Prefecture, how can we mindlessly repeat whatever others say, without any independent thought?
I will report this matter to Lord Bao later today. I suggest you all conduct yourselves with care.”
Seeing his solemn expression and being scolded awake, everyone immediately nodded in agreement. Knowing that Lord Bao managed his subordinates with strict discipline, they knew that being caught by Guard Zhan gossiping behind people's backs would surely cost them half a month's salary in fines.
Having spoken, Zhan Zhao turned and walked away, thinking to himself that by this time, Lord Bao should have returned from the palace and ought to be reviewing petitions in Yinbin Hall.
At this thought, he picked up his pace, walking hurriedly. Whenever servants or cookmaids met him along the way, they beamed with smiles:
“Guard Zhan, on duty today!”
“Guard Zhan, we got fresh fish today! We're making braised fish for dinner!”
“Guard Zhan, His Lordship just returned! Master Gongsun was just about to send someone to look for you!”
Zhan Zhao nodded to each of them like a friendly young neighbor, occasionally stopping to reply. The short distance from Yingwu Tower to Yinbin Hall felt unusually long to navigate amidst all the greetings.
When he arrived at the entrance of Yinbin Hall, he saw Wang Chao and Ma Han standing guard outside, while oil lamps had already been lit inside.
Stepping inside, he saw, sure enough, a plump, dark-faced man sitting by the windowed table. His eyes were deep-set and a crescent moon mark rested on his forehead, giving him a most peculiar appearance.
Wearing the official robes of a second-rank minister of the current dynasty, complete with the winged iron cap, his stern face commanded a natural, majestic authority even without uttering a word.
Besides him, another person was in the room, dressed not in official robes but in advisor's attire—a robe of jade green, with eyes like a phoenix and a welcoming smile, his slender demeanor resembling a tall green bamboo.
—This was none other than Gongsun Ce, Registrar of Kaifeng Prefecture.
“Guard Zhan—”
The man seated at the table was the Prefect of Kaifeng, personally appointed by His Majesty to oversee judicial cases in the capital region, a second-rank high official of the court who was hailed as "Justice Bao."
Unlike what many imagined, Bao Zheng had neither three heads and six arms, nor double pupils and hawk-like eyes.
Aside from the crescent moon on his forehead and his somewhat dark skin, he looked like nothing more than an amiable, stout man.
Seeing Zhan Zhao, the sorrow between Bao Zheng's brows faded slightly as he called out. Zhan Zhao bowed respectfully and recounted everything that had happened that day in detail:
“My Lord, officials from the Transport Office reported this morning that on a cargo ship heading from Shouzhou to Bianjing, an evil Taoist was practicing sorcery, using beast-craft sorcery to abduct and sell people.
That evil Taoist went by Ma San and was likely a native of Shouzhou who held modest property there. He was killed by Nan Zhi, a native of Dingyuan and a demon suppressor coming from that direction on the ship.
By the time I arrived, Master Xu of the Demon Suppression Division had already taken over the case. I imagine the victims abducted here will be returned home in a few days.
As the Ghost Festival approaches, strange individuals and uncanny occurrences have multiplied inside and outside Bianjing. Therefore, I took it upon myself to post notices throughout the markets to alert the people of the capital.”
Bao Zheng stroked his beard and glanced at Gongsun Ce, who smiled slightly and cited the information off the top of his head without even flipping through the case files:
“Reporting to Your Lordship: some time ago, reports of missing family members were indeed filed in Jiangling, Xiangzhou, and Taiyuan.
However, because disappearances occurred across various locations involving both men and women, and the perpetrator did not resemble ordinary human traffickers, no one connected these cases.
Solving this case is indeed cause for celebration, but Guard Zhan is correct—with such a mix of dragon and snake coming and going around Bianjing recently, I fear...”
“I am well aware.”
Bao Zheng nodded, his eyebrows knit tightly together:
“As the Ghost Festival draws near, the Gates of Hell will open wide. Half a month ago, State Uncle Cao submitted a memorial stating that this year's Zhongyuan Ghost Market might appear in the capital, making some chaos inevitable.
This year, Chenzhou suffers from severe drought, while the Binzhou area is struck by floods, and now evil sorcerers are using beast-craft sorcery to abduct the populace...
I worry that similar cases will occur in the future. Speaking of which, although I dislike the Demon Suppression Division's harsh and severe methods, every demon suppressor truly takes protecting the Great Song as their duty.
If our Great Song had more such loyal and righteous individuals, then no matter how many monsters and demons abound, what would there be to fear?”
“Your Lordship entered the palace this morning; was it for the matter of Chenzhou's disaster relief?”
Zhan Zhao shifted the topic and added, “Seeing Your Lordship's furrowed brow, I presume His Majesty has already chosen the person to lead the relief efforts in Chenzhou?”
Gongsun Ce shook his head and said helplessly, “It is Consort Pang's younger brother, the Marquis of Anle, Pang Yu. His Majesty issued the imperial decree last night, and calculating the time, he should have already set out along the Bian River.”
Pang Yu?
Zhan Zhao instantly understood why Bao Zheng was reacting this way.
Pang Yu was the youngest son of the Grand Preceptor. After his eldest sister entered the palace and became a noble consort, he was granted the title "Marquis of Anle."
This Marquis of Anle was a notorious playboy in the capital, spending his days drinking with courtesans, fighting crickets, and bullying men and women alike.
How could such a man be dispatched for disaster relief?
“Everyone recommended by State Uncle Cao had their flaws seized upon by the Grand Preceptor—either accused of flawed character or moral deficiencies.”
Bao Zheng snorted softly, a faint spark of anger rising between his brows:
“The scourge of partisan strife is being visited upon the common people! How could His Majesty fail to see it? He is clearly favoring the Noble Consort and showing partiality to the Grand Preceptor. It is truly...”
Foolish.
He had to swallow the last word, leaving it unsaid.
He could only hope that the young marquis would not cause trouble—not expecting him to accomplish great merits, but merely hoping he would smoothly and safely deliver the relief funds and grain to Chenzhou.
—With so many guards and attendants accompanying him, along with the retainers from the Grand Preceptor's manor, to put it harshly, even a pig wouldn't mess up at a critical juncture like this, right?
While the three in the room felt heavy-hearted over the matter, someone entered from outside to report:
“Lord Bao, the Demon Suppression Division has sent over two prisoners. They said that a case fell into their hands, but upon detailed investigation, they found it falls under our Kaifeng Prefecture's jurisdiction, so they delivered the prisoners to us.”
The Demon Suppression Division sending prisoners to Kaifeng Prefecture?
This was truly an unprecedented first.
All three inside the room were thoroughly astonished.
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