Chapter 15

(Seeking recommendations and collections! Alright, I've lowered the 200 votes to 100 votes. This should be enough, right? I can't lower it any further, or I'll lose all my integrity...)

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Wang Xian was utterly impressed by his father. What was this? Making plans in the tent and winning battles a thousand miles away? Anyway, his father's one letter mobilized Hu Liuliu, moved County Magistrate Wei, and brought his secretary, Sima Shiyi, to appear before him...

Recalling the moment, his father had said that if he wanted to overturn the case, the current opportunity was actually very good. Because the Zhejiang Censorate Commissioner Zhou Xin was known for his ability to resolve cases, earning him the nickname 'Cold-Faced Iron.' Under his command, officials had to be on their best behavior, and the phenomenon of shirking responsibility would be much less.

"Father means I should go to the provincial capital to find Censorate Commissioner Zhou?" Wang Xian asked.

"Idiot!" Wang Xingye slapped his head, fuming. "If you go directly to Censorate Commissioner Zhou, where would the county magistrate stand? Where would the prefect stand? Why are we overturning the case? A county magistrate who ruins a family, a prefect who exterminates a clan, how can we live if we offend them?"

"Yes." Wang Xian, holding his head, said, "Father's lesson is well taken."

"Unless it's absolutely necessary, we can't overstep like the Lin family. As the saying goes, a county official is better than a current one, let alone one who is both a county official and a current one? In everything, you must first consider his dignity, make him shine, and once he shines, he won't forget your kindness. A little favor from him can make our Wang family rise from the dead!" Wang Xingye, with his years of experience in the government, taught his son. "So this time, we set the stage, let the county magistrate take the lead, and win a full house, understood?"

"Understood." Wang Xian, fearing another beating, moved away and whispered, "What if the county magistrate is afraid of trouble?"

"It won't happen. Didn't you say the Lin family went to the provincial capital to complain? I bet 'Cold-Faced Iron' is already on this case." Wang Xingye smiled. "As long as he knows that the Zhao family didn't die, the county magistrate won't sit still. He's afraid of losing his official hat to Censorate Commissioner Zhou!"

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At the time, Wang Xian was still skeptical about his father's analysis, but when he saw Hu Liuliu and Sima Shiyi, he was thoroughly convinced.

"Er Lang, this is Mr. Sima, the county magistrate's tutor, who has some questions for you." Hu Liuliu introduced them and then left the room, guarding the door.

Sima Shiyi, named Sima Qiu, being a scholar, would not speak directly. He looked around the room, which was sparsely furnished, with a single lamp and a pile of books on the table. It didn't look like the residence of a dissolute young man but rather a poor scholar's humble abode.

Sima Qiu, a long-time failed scholar, felt not only a sense of familiarity but also a touch of warmth. "What are you reading?" He picked up a book, which was "Yun Hui Ding Zheng," sent to him by Lin Qing'er's uncle. Sima Qiu couldn't help but smile. "Are you learning to write poetry?"

"Just learning to read."

"Why do you want to learn to read? Are you going to study?" Sima Shiyi asked curiously.

"Yes." Wang Xian, who had already prepared a "motivational legend—reformed rascal" speech, sighed. "This time, I came back from the dead and realized the value of life. I deeply regret my past dissolute behavior and wasted time. Now, though I have reformed, it's too late to study, but I just want to learn to read and understand principles, to be a filial son and a good citizen."

"Uh..." If it were a regular scholar, they might have been moved to tears by Wang Xian's words. But Sima Shiyi, with his years of experience, could smell something different in this "sincere" speech. Such refined words must have been rehearsed, right?

He couldn't help but scrutinize the young man. In the dim light, he couldn't see his face clearly, but he could see a pair of bright, star-like eyes... Yes, he has ambition, but he's not unpleasant, which is rare.

Sima Shiyi, retracting his gaze, stroked his beard and smiled. "Not too late, not too late. Su Laoquan started studying at twenty-seven. You're not even seventeen, so you have plenty of time." He changed the subject. "I'm here for two reasons: your case and the clues you provided." He smiled. "According to you, these are actually one thing."

"One thing." Wang Xian nodded.

"But the county magistrate doesn't quite believe it," Sima Qiu said slowly. "You know, the case has already been decided by the court, and the criminals are awaiting execution. We can't act rashly based on your words alone."

"Understood, then let's treat them as two things." Wang Xian, who had thoroughly considered this, said confidently.

"Why?"

"The day after tomorrow is the day the county office accepts complaints," Wang Xian said. "I will go to the county magistrate to file a complaint and request the arrest of my murderer."

"Who is the murderer?" Sima Shiyi asked sternly.

Wang Xian looked at him, and Sima Shiyi laughed. "I'm from Nanjing and have no connection with Fuyang County. I followed my master to his new post, hoping he would rise to prominence, and I could live a carefree life. So you don't need to worry that I will betray you."

Wang Xian, though he knew that such verbal assurances were meaningless, had no choice but to trust him. If he was betrayed, he could only accept his fate. Thinking of this, he smiled. "I was being petty."

"No problem, caution is always wise." Sima Shiyi chuckled. Wang Xian then laid out his plan in an orderly manner, and Sima Shiyi nodded repeatedly. Finally, he clasped his hands and said solemnly, "Fuyang County is full of hidden talents! I will recommend you to the county magistrate!"

"I am but a shallow person, and my words are rash. It is a great kindness for you to listen patiently. Please consider the plan carefully to avoid any mistakes." Wang Xian hurriedly said. "I hope you will deliberate and ensure the plan is thorough to avoid any mishaps for the county magistrate." He didn't know when it started, but in the county, officials and civilians, regardless of their status, called the county magistrate "old parents," even retired secretaries.

Sima Shiyi, hearing this, thought, "This kid is really on the right path. At such a young age, he knows not to claim credit, which is promising." He originally planned to take credit for Wang Xian's ideas to gain the county magistrate's favor. But Wang Xian clearly knew he would do this and spoke so smoothly that he felt embarrassed to take all the credit. So he smiled, "Do I need to borrow flowers to please the county magistrate? However, your plan does have some flaws. I will think about it and fill in the gaps, then report to the county magistrate."

After all the talk, he still wanted to take credit, and Wang Xian had to show gratitude. "Thank you, sir, for your help. If my family can turn things around, we will never forget your great kindness."

"Of course, of course." Sima Shiyi inwardly smiled bitterly. This little fox, not only wants to overturn the case but also to rise. But seeing his understanding and cleverness, he seemed to be just what the county magistrate needed... Fine, if this really works, I'll give him a favor!

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Sima Shiyi returned to the county office, and County Magistrate Wei was still awake, reading in his study, waiting for him.

After hearing Sima Qiu's account, County Magistrate Wei was greatly excited. "I never expected Wang Xian to be so different from the rumors. This must mean there's more to the story!"

Sima Qiu thought, "What more could there be?" But since he decided to give him a favor, he went along with it. "The Zhao family must have deliberately misled us, making us think he's just a rascal and ignore his case."

"That must be it!" County Magistrate Wei agreed. "To have such a villain in my county, I must cut him down for the people!" He then asked Sima Qiu, "Do you have a plan for me?"

Sima Qiu chuckled. "I have a plan, please consider it."

"Please speak." County Magistrate Wei was invigorated.

Sima Qiu then repeated Wang Xian's plan verbatim.

County Magistrate Wei was even more invigorated, clapping his hands in approval. "Sir, you are truly a reincarnation of Zhang Liang!"

"Ha ha..." Sima Qiu, still having some integrity, felt a bit embarrassed. "Sir, you flatter me. This plan cannot be executed without Wang Xian's cooperation. He is calm, intelligent, and willing to take responsibility if the plan fails. It's as if heaven sent him to help you!"

"Hmm!" Hearing this, County Magistrate Wei became curious about Wang Xian and smiled. "After this is done, I must meet him."

After that, they discussed the plan several times until the sky outside was bright and the rooster crowed, finally settling on a plan.

"Sir, take a nap. I need to go back and rest too." Sima Qiu rubbed his eyes, which were full of sleep.

"No, I won't sleep," County Magistrate Wei, with red eyes but high spirits, went to the washbasin and washed his face. "I will wait for the morning assembly!"

That morning, the county officials noticed that the magistrate was different. They thought, "Is he going to take a new concubine? Damn, we have to prepare gifts again!"

After the assembly, County Magistrate Wei kept Hu Liuliu and ordered him to send the most capable constables to monitor the residence of Mr. He, the leading household in Sanguan Town by the Fuchun River, just in case. He also instructed him to concentrate the best constables and militiamen on duty the next day for any contingencies.

After making these arrangements, he anxiously awaited the next day...

Meanwhile, Wang Xian was also making preparations for the showdown the next day.

Lin Qing'er, ignoring the gossip, came to the Wang family. At this critical moment, she had no time for anything else. Following Wang Xian's instructions, Lin Qing'er carefully filled out the "official complaint form" ... a form obtained from the government, with two copies, which must be filled out according to the requirements or it would not be accepted, and it cost sixty coins.

In the past, Wang Xian had asked someone to fill out this form, which led to his misfortune. This time, he was smarter and had Lin Qing'er do it. The Lin family, being frequent complainants, had stacks of blank forms at home, so they didn't need to go to the government office.

On the other side, Shuai Hui and a tall, dark man listened to Wang Xian's instructions with serious faces. The tall, dark man was named Liu Erhei, also a close friend of Wang Xian. He and Shuai Hui had been staking out outside the Zhao family for three days and discovered one of the gang members.

When the man, drunk, left the Zhao family, they followed him for over ten miles until he reached the residence of Mr. He in Sanguan Town!

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