“Based on the information that the Western Depot has already gathered, there are at least a thousand people. As for whether any have been missed, there certainly are. Moreover, the number is quite large. Firstly, the time frame was too short, and secondly, many of them are in remote, desolate areas, and no one knows the specific situation inside,” Zhang Rang analyzed.
...
The Cai Residence, this is the former home of Cai Yong, the Second Sage. The Cai Yong of this world is not as unfortunate as the historical figure who was forced to travel extensively for political reasons. Now, he is one of the most powerful figures in Confucianism. His name is renowned throughout the world.
Those who wanted to frame him, did they consult the Confucian school? Did they consider Cai Yong's fists? Who would face the wrath of a fifth-tier Quasi-Saint level expert?
Therefore, Cai Yong had always lived a comfortable life. Now, his career was even more successful, with his official position soaring, directly becoming Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. In the entire capital, he was one of the most powerful figures.
At this moment, he was in his study, discussing reincarnation with Cai Yan. Tonight, there were countless other family heads like him, keeping their study lights on.
"Yes, according to you, Lin Yang is indeed a remarkable person. In such a short time, he has analyzed the Land of Reincarnation so thoroughly. He is someone worth getting to know better," Cai Yong said, stroking his black beard.
"Yes, Feipeng is indeed very capable. He has a clear mind, decent skills, and his ability to observe a person's aura is extremely powerful," Cai Yan said with admiration.
“Oh, right. Father, I wonder if these books will be of any use to you. For example, this ‘Classic of Music,’ and these collected musical pieces, most of which are from the Central Plains, and some are dances in the style of the grasslands.” Cai Yan said nervously, looking at Cai Yong.
The reason he brought so many different musical pieces was because Cai Yong was a student of the "Classic of Music," one of the Nine Classics of Confucianism.
Seeing his daughter's nervous expression, Cai Yong couldn't help but smile. "It's useful, of course it's useful. But what's even more useful isn't these musical pieces, but rather the knowledge from another world. That is, a completely different outlook on life, values, and so on."
"Because these things allow me to see the world from a different perspective. Sometimes, for someone at my level, a change of perspective is enough to give me an opportunity, an opportunity for a breakthrough," Cai Yong said earnestly.
"So, regardless of whether I break through or not this time, I still owe this young friend a favor. And the fact that he can tell you all this so openly is a sign of trust. So, when this young friend comes to the capital another day, we might as well invite him to the Cai residence for a chat."
...
While many patriarchs were so excited they couldn't sleep all night, the Wang family, specifically Wang Kun's family, also couldn't sleep, even though no chosen one had appeared. However, while others were too excited to sleep, he was overcome with grief.
When he got up in the morning, his second son, who was also his youngest son, was all smiles. He said he was going to marry Su Qing'er, the adopted daughter-in-law of the Lin family scholar, as his concubine, and then he left home happily.
But at this moment, Wang Kun closed his eyes forever. He lay on the ground, motionless. As for Madam Wang, she had already fainted from crying and was unconscious.
"Ahua, your brother, your own brother, is dead just like that. I don't care what the reason is, go and bring Su Qing'er and that scholar from the Lin family to me. Then Lin Yang will kill them directly, and then bury Su Qing'er alive. Are you willing?" Old Wang said angrily.
Upon hearing this, Wang Hua nodded without hesitation. "Father, rest assured, I will definitely capture these two alive and make this adulterous couple avenge my brother."
To be honest, Wang Hua felt a little excited about Wang Kun's death. While there was some sadness, there was more joy. After all, his father loved his second brother the most, and who knew who would inherit the family fortune after he passed away?
But now that his second brother is dead, the entire Wang family fortune belongs to Wang Hua alone. After all, his third sister has long since become a Taoist nun and wouldn't compete with him for the inheritance.
Then, Wang Hua began to carefully examine Wang Kun's body. After all, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.
"The fatal wound was on the neck, and it was an attack from behind. Moreover, judging from the trajectory of the wound, it was a direct strike from above. Only when the attacker is at a high position can such power be achieved."
"At the same time, an examination revealed that the second young master's body contained something similar to a sleeping potion. Judging from the current state of the wounds, the murder weapon was extremely sharp but also very heavy. In the Lin family, it's probably only a woodcutter's knife."
"So, the situation must have been like this: After the second young master entered the room, he was accidentally drugged with a sleeping potion. Then, Lin Yang jumped down from the roof beam and, using the momentum of his downward strike, killed the second young master with a woodcutter's knife," the coroner from the county office explained.
As he spoke, the coroner gestured, making a downward chopping motion. Then he exclaimed, "This man was truly scheming and prepared in advance. Moreover, he was incredibly audacious. Most scholars wouldn't have the courage to kill someone with a woodcutter's knife."
After patiently listening to the coroner's analysis, Wang Hua frowned and said, "So, this person's martial arts skills weren't high, and he only managed to kill my brother through scheming and trickery?"
That's right.
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Chapter Fifteen: Deliberately plotting and recklessly audacious, he deserves to die!
"Based on the depth of the wound and the sharpness of the machete, it can be roughly seen that this person is not very strong. His right arm, which is used to wield the machete, is estimated to weigh only about fifty or sixty pounds. He is just a scholar who is completely powerless."
As he spoke, the coroner gestured, making a downward chopping motion. Then he exclaimed, "This man was truly scheming and prepared in advance. Moreover, he was incredibly audacious. Most scholars wouldn't have the courage to kill someone with a woodcutter's knife."
After patiently listening to the coroner's analysis, Wang Hua frowned and said, "So, this person's martial arts skills are not high, or even that he has never practiced them at all. This time, he was able to kill my brother entirely through conspiracy and trickery?"
After speaking, he looked intently at the coroner. After all, for Wang Hua, the details of the murder were not important. What he cared about most now was the man's fighting ability and how easy he was to kill.
Upon hearing this, the coroner's high spirits immediately plummeted. Don't people these days know that murder is also an art? How can something so artistic be measured simply by the strength of one's fists?
"That's right, this person had never practiced martial arts. Otherwise, if he had used even a little more force, Wang Kun's body wouldn't have been preserved so well," the coroner said.
It's good that you don't know martial arts!
...
The next day, at the patrol station in Dafeng Township, where the thirty patrol officers usually live and train.
"I'm sure you all already know why I went home yesterday afternoon," Wang Hua said calmly, looking at the thirty patrol inspectors he had gathered.
As a patrol inspector, a ninth-rank official in the Han Empire, which was roughly the lowest-ranking military officer, Wang Hua's self-designation as "this official" was not incorrect. However, despite being a low-ranking military officer, he was still an official, listed on the official roster of the prefectural governor's office.
Therefore, Wang Hua held considerable authority within the inspection station. No sooner had he finished speaking than his prepared lackey began to interject.
"Of course I know. Your younger brother, Wang Kun, was murdered by the adulterous couple Lin Yang and Su Qing'er."
"Yes, the hatred for killing our brother is irreconcilable! Are you perhaps going to lead us to seek revenge, sir?"
"Yes, I think that's the right thing to do. After all, the magistrate has always treated us so well. If we don't help him get revenge, wouldn't we be heartless? How could someone like that stay in the patrol station in the future?"
Soon, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and regardless of their true feelings, at least half of the inspectors were quite agitated verbally. It was as if they were the ones who had a grudge against Lin Yang, and they didn't even know if Lin Yang had killed their father or raped their wife…
Seeing this, Wang Hua couldn't help but feel secretly smug. He'd managed to get the patrol officers working for him without spending a single penny—that was incredibly clever. However, while most people agreed, there were always a few who were truly clear-headed.
Seeing that Deputy Inspector Zhang Hui showed no reaction and seemed to be falling asleep, Wang Hua couldn't help but feel a little gloomy.
This guy is actually quite capable; he's a retired county soldier who's seen real battles. He's nowhere near the level of these bloodless inspectors who only know how to bully ordinary people. And he's incredibly stubborn and unpleasant-tempered, completely ignoring me.
However, Wang Hua also knew that this was the so-called balance of power. Even if he managed to get rid of this person, the next one to take his place would still oppose him. This situation was commonplace in the army. The imperial court would not allow anyone to control the army alone.
Then, Wang Hua waved his hand with a hint of reluctance, and his underlings quickly brought up a box. "Here is two hundred taels of silver. Each brother will receive five taels first, and Deputy Inspector Zhang will take fifty taels. There will be additional rewards after the job is done."