Chapter 56

Yeyu welcomed Yang Zheng into the living room, and the two exchanged pleasantries for a while. Throughout the process, Yeyu was extremely respectful, fearing that any lapse in etiquette might displease the magistrate.

During this time, Yang Zheng did not explain his purpose, and Yeyu naturally did not take the initiative to ask. Thus, the two chatted idly for a long time, and laughter occasionally echoed from the living room.

"Magistrate, you have just taken up your post here. Are you accustomed to the local customs and manners?" Yeyu asked with a smile, as tea and pastries were already prepared on the table.

Yang Zheng put down his teacup and nodded casually, saying, "The people of Qingliu County are simple and honest. It is a great pleasure for me to serve here. How could I not be accustomed?"

"Indeed, indeed! What you say is very true!"

"Have you heard that Yueyun has been learning mathematics from you, Brother Ye? Is this true?" Yang Zheng suddenly changed the subject, his eyes widening slightly as he glanced at Yeyu.

Yeyu was not surprised by Yang Zheng calling him "Brother Ye." Yang Zheng was the son of an old friend of Su Quanzhong, and Yeyu himself called Su Quanzhong "Uncle."

Therefore, although the two were over a decade apart in age, they were considered peers. To show closeness and build a relationship, such a form of address was reasonable.

Yeyu did not understand why Yang Zheng suddenly mentioned Su Yueyun, so he hurriedly responded, "I have only a few skills in mathematics and would never dare to teach others. I merely discuss it with Miss Su!"

Yang Zheng gave Yeyu a meaningful look and then said with a slight frown, "Brother Ye, you are too modest! If you can write a book to explain these principles, how could you have just a few skills?"

He then took out a bound book from his sleeve. Yeyu looked up and immediately understood, as this was the very book he had given to Su Yueyun.

He had not expected that this book would end up in Yang Zheng's hands, so he bowed respectfully and said, "This is merely my personal insight. If there are any inaccuracies or misleading points, I hope the magistrate will be lenient!"

At this moment, Yeyu's heart sank. He knew that gaining recognition for a new academic breakthrough was not easy. In the Renaissance era in Europe, many scientists died unjustly, and although their ideas and concepts were later proven correct, they never heard the final acknowledgment.

Yeyu was well aware of the severity of such matters, so he had not intended to influence anything with his current knowledge of mathematics, knowing that gaining recognition for a new theory was not easy, even if it was correct.

This might be the limitation of the humanities and sciences of the time. Yang Zheng's sudden visit and his inquiry about teaching Su Yueyun mathematics startled Yeyu, and he began to wonder if Yang Zheng had come to accuse him.

Therefore, whether it was true or not, it was best to take the initiative to admit fault.

Seeing Yeyu's nervous expression, Yang Zheng waved his hand to reassure him, "Ah, Brother Ye, you misunderstand! I read this book through the night last night. Although it is difficult to understand, it is not baseless. It has some merit, which is why Yueyun sent a letter from Lai'an Prefecture asking me to bring this book to her!"

The Su family had recently moved to Lai'an Prefecture, which Yeyu had arranged. Since Lai'an Prefecture was setting up new dyeing workshops and cloth stores, Su Quanzhong was the best person to oversee these projects.

However, due to his poor health over the past year, it was decided that he and his family would move to Lai'an Prefecture to avoid the need for frequent travel. The Su family's residence in Qingliu County was left for the new magistrate, Yang Zheng, to live in.

It seemed that this book had been left behind by Su Yueyun, which is how Yang Zheng learned of its existence.

Hearing this, Yeyu's heart eased somewhat, but he was still puzzled. Could it be that Yang Zheng was also well-versed in mathematics, otherwise why would he read the book through the night and have such insights? He praised, "I did not expect the magistrate to be so knowledgeable in mathematics. I am truly impressed!"

Yang Zheng waved his hand and smiled, "I have only a basic understanding. Even if I were deeply knowledgeable, it would only be superficial. My father was devoted to this field, and I have naturally been influenced by him."

"Oh? The magistrate truly comes from a family of scholars!" Yeyu flattered him again, knowing that flattery never hurt.

Hearing Yeyu's flattery, Yang Zheng was clearly pleased and nodded, "This book was written by Brother Ye and originally given to Yueyun. Today, I came to confirm its origin and to ask for permission to make a copy. Would Brother Ye agree?"

Yeyu did not expect that Yang Zheng's visit was for this purpose. He thought, "Why didn't you just copy it after reading it last night? If you hadn't mentioned it, who would have known?"

Now, Yang Zheng's formal request for permission surprised Yeyu. It seemed that there were indeed many noble scholars in ancient times. Yang Zheng's unwillingness to take credit for others' work made Yeyu feel a bit embarrassed.

He had been so openly using knowledge from the future, and compared to Yang Zheng, he felt ashamed. He bowed respectfully and said, "I am honored by the magistrate's regard. Of course, I agree!"

"Thank you!" Yang Zheng said with a nod.

After thanking Yeyu, Yang Zheng suddenly changed the subject, "I have been in office for some time, but the murder case in the land temple remains unsolved, which is a great headache for me! You were present that day. What do you think?"

"Um... Well..."

Yeyu's expression tightened when Yang Zheng mentioned the land temple, but he then answered awkwardly, "The magistrate is putting me in a difficult position. I have some business acumen, but I am not skilled in solving cases! However, I believe the murderer must be a twisted individual!"

"Oh? Why do you think so?" Yang Zheng picked up his teacup and asked with interest.

"Think about it, throughout history, the motives for murder are usually one of three: one, accidental killing, but the land temple case involves more than one incident, so this is clearly not it..."

"Hmm, go on!"

Yeyu straightened his expression and continued, "Two, murder for robbery. The victim in the land temple was a commoner, so how could it be for robbery? This is clearly not it either..."

Seeing that Yeyu had stopped, Yang Zheng took a sip of tea and asked meaningfully, "What, then, is the motive of this murderer?"

"Three, it is for lust!" Yeyu said solemnly.

"What, lust? Brother Ye, you..." Yang Zheng almost choked on his tea, staring at Yeyu in shock.

"Magistrate, I say the murderer is twisted because he has a preference for men. This murderer, though a man, prefers men!"

"But there has been no mention of this by the victims, and there are no signs of sexual assault. Could you be mistaken, Brother Ye?" Yang Zheng frowned slightly, his tone probing.

"Magistrate, how could such a shameful act be easily mentioned? In my opinion, the victim must have resisted to the death, which led the murderer to kill him! Magistrate, this murderer is truly heinous and despicable!" Yeyu said earnestly.

"Hmm, indeed! Brother Ye, your insight is truly remarkable. Your words have enlightened me greatly!"

"I am flattered, Magistrate. I am ashamed!"

The two chatted for a while longer, and then Yang Zheng, seeing it was getting late, got up to take his leave. Yeyu tried to persuade him to stay for a meal several times, but Yang Zheng politely declined.

After seeing Yang Zheng off, Yeyu let out a long breath. He then instructed the servants to continue as usual and wheeled himself towards the kitchen.

...

Yang Zheng sat in the carriage, eyes closed, while his thirty-something secretary, Sun Boyang, sat opposite him. Sun Boyang, though dressed in a scholarly manner, had sharp eyes that seemed out of place.

"How did it go, Magistrate?" Sun Boyang asked softly.

"Nothing unusual. You were overthinking it!" Yang Zheng said with his eyes still closed, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.

Although Sun Boyang detected the annoyance, he was not deterred, "But he is close to them. We cannot rule out the possibility that he is the person we are looking for. Even if he is not, he is certainly close to them!"

"But they have already left the county, and those who needed to be killed have been killed. Do you want to harm innocent people?" Yang Zheng suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"Yes, the one with the mark on his left arm has been killed, but we cannot rule out the possibility of a deception. The lord has said, 'Better to kill a thousand innocents than to let one guilty person escape!'"

Hearing this, Yang Zheng became furious and said sternly, "Nonsense! I am an official of the court. How can I disregard human life? I am only assisting you, not a tool for your conflicts! In Qingliu County, I do not want to see any more bloodshed!"

Sun Boyang's brows furrowed, and he looked at Yang Zheng and said softly, "You seem to be protecting this young man. What has he given you?"

"I just do not want more people to die. It is my duty as an official. Besides, I have already tested him, and he knows nothing about this. I have no authority to interfere in other counties, but in Qingliu County, I will not tolerate your recklessness!"

"Very well! I hope he is not involved!" Seeing Yang Zheng's firm stance, Sun Boyang had to back down.

After the argument, the carriage fell silent again. Seeing that Sun Boyang was no longer pursuing the matter, Yang Zheng felt much more relaxed.

For both public and personal reasons, he did not want to make things difficult for Yeyu or for Yeyu to become his enemy. Publicly, Yeyu had a good reputation among the local people and conducted his business in a way that benefited the community.

Privately, regardless of Su Quanzhong's instructions before he left, Yeyu's mathematical talent had already earned him special regard. Yang Zheng's father, Yang Hui, was a doctor at the Imperial College and the head of the mathematics department at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

He was devoted to astronomy and mathematics, so when Yang Zheng saw the mathematics book, he knew it would be the best New Year's gift for his father.