Chapter 8

Yesterday, when Yang Rui came to the door, he took the opportunity to flare up, wanting to test Yang Chenglie's true attitude.

But he didn't expect that Yang Chenglie would see through his intentions at a glance.

Fortunately, Yang Chenglie did not pursue the matter further. Instead, he looked at Yang Da's spirit tablet, his eyes brimming with tears, and softly said, "Father, Xizi has recovered. Your many years of hard work have not been in vain. You can rest easy in the netherworld."

After saying this, he gestured for Yang Shouwen to come over and bow to Yang Da.

"Ah Chunu, since you have recovered, live a good life from now on. Don't try to be strong or fight recklessly.

Although I am the County Magistrate of Changping, it doesn't mean you can act arrogantly here. Changping is very complex. Two years ago, the Khitans caused trouble, and although they were eventually suppressed by the court, it doesn't mean they will become obedient. Now the court has established Guguzhu in the northwest, making the situation even more complicated. The Khitans, Xi, and Turks are arrogant. It's best for you to be more cautious.

Originally, I planned to have you train in the government office.

But now that Er Lang has become a Zhiyi, you should stay here and mourn for your grandfather.

These past years, you have been muddled and foolish, wasting a lot of time. Now that you have regained your senses, focus on your studies at home. You don't need to worry about matters in the county. I will not neglect your monthly expenses. In two years, when you have learned enough, I will find you another path... In short, just stay at home and be at ease."

Yang Chenglie's words were full of hidden meanings.

Yang Shouwen looked at him in surprise, realizing that Yang Chenglie wanted him to continue pretending to be foolish and not draw attention.

As for finding another path...

What kind of path could it be?

Why pretend to be foolish? Why be so low-key?

Yang Shouwen suddenly realized that things might not be as simple as he thought!

However, since Yang Chenglie was unwilling to say more, he did not press further. He respectfully agreed and accompanied Yang Chenglie out of the memorial hall.

"Father, have you found any clues about the body at the village entrance?"

Yang Chenglie glanced at him, his brows furrowed, seemingly impatient.

"This place is at the intersection of Juyong Pass, Guguzhu, and Changping. The people who come and go every day are complex. How can we investigate clearly? Besides, the Liáo people are rough and like to fight. Murders happen frequently. Don't ask about it anymore."

"But that person wasn't a Liáo."

Liáo is a term used by Han people to refer to the Khitans, Turks, and Xi.

Yang Chenglie glared at him, "How do you know?"

Yang Shouwen smiled bitterly, "Father, don't think I'm still as foolish as before, unable to distinguish between Liáo and Han. That person had Liáo hairstyle, but his eyes and eyebrows were clearly Han. This is very obvious.

Before you came, I carefully observed the body.

His hands were rough, with large knuckles, looking like a farmer at first glance. But he had very obvious calluses between his legs, clearly from long-term horse riding. A person who lives on horseback can't possibly be a farmer. Also, he had many wounds, though deformed by rain, they were clearly from swords and knives. I carefully observed and concluded that he was not an ordinary person in life, but a skilled warrior."

Yang Chenglie's eyes narrowed as he looked at Yang Shouwen, speechless for a long time.

To be honest, he didn't expect Yang Shouwen to achieve much, just to live a peaceful life.

As for the reasons, he didn't want to say and couldn't say.

But he didn't expect Yang Shouwen's observation skills to be so good, and to see so many issues right after regaining his senses.

Yang Chenglie suddenly felt a strong curiosity. After much hesitation, he softly asked, "What else did you see?"

Yang Shouwen thought for a moment and continued, "This person was killed last night, and before he died, he fought with three or four people."

"How do you know?"

"He had knife wounds and sword wounds, but the fatal wound was from an arrow.

So, I think at least three, possibly four people, ambushed him. Also, the scene where the body was found was too clean, not like a fight scene. After I saw the body, I thought it was abandoned... with such heavy rain last night, the murderer couldn't have carried the body far. So I followed the mountain path and found obvious signs of a struggle at Yang Wei."

"Yang Wei?"

Yang Chenglie nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"How do you know it was Yang Wei and not on the main road?"

"If it was on the main road, the terrain is wide and not suitable for an ambush. Also, if the victim was ambushed on the main road, it's only three miles to the village to the south and five miles to the military camp to the north. With the sudden heavy rain last night, if I were the murderer, I wouldn't set an ambush on the main road. It's too easy to alarm others and be discovered, and it's also easier for the victim to escape."

Yang Chenglie didn't know what to think, lowering his head in deep thought.

After a moment, he asked again, "What else did you see?"

"I also saw that this person had been living in the frontier for a long time."

"How do you know?"

"His skin was rough, clearly from long-term exposure to the northern winds, and he still had frostbite scars on his body.

Also, when I came back, a child in the village told me that he saw the victim enter the mountains yesterday and inquire about the location of Maitreya Temple. If he lived in Guguzhu or frequently traveled to Changping, he wouldn't need to ask where Maitreya Temple was. He even gave the child two coins. When I came back, I soaked the coins in hot water and found they were very greasy. People living in Changping or the border regions are usually influenced to be clean. Only the people from the frontier don't care, so the coins were so greasy."

After Yang Shouwen finished speaking, he pursed his lips and looked at Yang Chenglie.

Yang Chenglie's lips twitched slightly, then his face turned serious, "All of this is just your assumption, with no evidence. I will let Guan Hu take over this case. Don't ask about it anymore."

Guan Hu is Yang Chenglie's subordinate and the head of the fast-foot squad in the government office.

Generally, the government office has three squads of clerks, collectively called Li Zu. However, the Li Zu have different responsibilities and are called by different names. For example, those who stand guard in the office, stand on both sides during trials, escort prisoners, and carry out punishments are called Zao Li, similar to court bailiffs. Those responsible for summoning defendants, investigating crimes, and searching for evidence are called Kuai Shou, similar to modern detectives. In addition, there are Min Zhuang, who guard the city gates, prisons, and warehouses, and patrol the roads, dealing with emergencies, similar to modern police.

The County Magistrate oversees the three squads, and Guan Hu is the head of the capture squad, also known as the head of the arrest squad, and is Yang Chenglie's confidant.

When Yang Shouwen heard Yang Chenglie say this, he knew that Yang Chenglie believed his deductions.

But he was a bit unhappy that Yang Chenglie wanted him to stay out of it.

Fame must be achieved early!

Yang Shouwen is already seventeen, and in four years, he will be considered an adult. He very much wants to change people's perception of him and help Yang Chenglie, at least to gain more weight in Yang Chenglie's eyes.

But it seems that Yang Chenglie doesn't want him to stand out.

If he didn't know that Yang Chenglie actually cares about him, Yang Shouwen might have been very angry.

But...

Father must have his reasons. Since Yang Chenglie doesn't want him to be in the spotlight, Yang Shouwen has nothing to say.

"Alright, I need to return to the county and report the case to the County Magistrate.

These two days, let Er Lang stay here. On the 15th of August, I will be hosting a banquet at Maitreya Temple. If you are willing, help Er Lang; if not, ignore it. In any case, don't ask about this case again, or I will punish you according to family law."

Yang Chenglie's voice suddenly became particularly high-pitched, and his tone was very serious.

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but feel distressed but could only bow and agree.

"Also, have Aunt Yang clean the room. Tomorrow, I will bring your stepmother and Qingnu over to watch over you."

Qingnu is Yang Shouwen's half-sister.

Yang Shouwen couldn't refuse and could only grit his teeth and agree.

"Alright, I'll go first."

Yang Chenglie finished speaking and walked out.

Yang Shouwen followed behind him. Seeing Yang Chenglie mount his horse at the gate, he suddenly had an idea and grabbed the reins.

"Father, can we talk about something?"

"What is it?"

"Give me some pocket money. Now that I'm awake, I don't have a single coin. I want to buy something nice, but my pockets are empty."