Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter with Zhao Jin

The person approaching was dressed in plain clothes, and it was none other than Zhao Jin, the head constable of the county yamen who had handled the Chen Duohai incident earlier.

"I caught a glimpse of you in the teahouse and thought you looked familiar. Aren't you that child from Nanc溪 Village?"

"Indeed, I am. My name is Chen Ping. I must thank Head Constable Zhao for your keen judgment regarding my father's case," Chen Ping said, bowing respectfully.

As a man of martial arts, the head constable cared little for such formalities. He was far more interested in the analytical skills Chen Ping had displayed at the teahouse. Combining that with his performance during the previous case, he felt more and more that this child was truly extraordinary. His manners were polished, his speech refined, and his thinking was agile and observant—hardly the traits one would expect of a child his age.

Chen Ping had only spoken a few words with Zhao Jin when two heavy hands pressed down on his shoulders. Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan, who had just squeezed through the crowd behind him, panted heavily. "You—you move way too fast!"

As Ye Chongwen looked up, he realized who was standing before them. He quickly straightened his posture and, without forgetting his manners, gave He Qingxuan a light kick. Chen Ping introduced the two to Zhao Jin as his fellow students from Huating Academy.

"You little one are truly impressive to have gotten into Huating Academy. It's a good thing Ma Rui didn't take you away that day."

The Ma Rui that Zhao Jin referred to was the coroner who had performed the autopsy that day; he had even expressed a desire to take Chen Ping on as an apprentice. Chen Ping simply smiled without responding, but Ye Chongwen was startled by the remark. He hurriedly grabbed Chen Ping’s arm. "Take you away? Take you where?"

Amused by his reaction, Zhao Jin couldn't help but say, "Ma Rui is the county yamen's coroner. What else do you think a coroner does?"

Just as Zhao Jin suspected, Ye Chongwen’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Chen Ping. "Autopsy? An autopsy! You’ve actually touched a corpse?"

Ye Chongwen stiffened and let out an exclamation. He quickly pulled his hand back from Chen Ping’s shoulder, a look of agony on his face. "It's over, it's all over! Your hands have actually touched a corpse, and I ate food you handed me just last night!"

Neither Chen Ping nor Zhao Jin could hold back their laughter. He Qingxuan, unable to watch any longer, slapped the back of Ye Chongwen's head. "Don't be a fool. When did Head Constable Zhao ever say Chen Ping touched a corpse?"

"He... he didn't?" Ye Chongwen looked at Chen Ping, waiting for an answer.

"I'm not a coroner, why would I perform an autopsy?"

"That’s good, that’s good."

Fearing Ye Chongwen would continue to make a fool of himself, Chen Ping quickly changed the subject. "Head Constable Zhao, what brings you to Qingsong Town for tea today?"

Zhao Jin replied, "I am here with Magistrate Wang. We are preparing to visit Elder Ye at your academy to discuss some important matters."

Only then did the three boys notice a carriage parked not far behind them, accompanied by several men in plain clothes.

"So you are visiting the teacher. Then I shall not keep you from your business, Head Constable."

"Very well. I know you are on your monthly break, so go and have a good time."

The group bid each other farewell and went their separate ways.

...

Yongshun County governed seven towns, but only Qingsong Town was truly famous, drawing in a large population. The reason was the existence of a renowned institution: Huating Academy.

After passing the provincial examination, the scholar Wang had returned to his hometown and dedicated all his efforts to founding the academy. Over the years, it had produced many literary talents, attracting students from all around who yearned to study there. The scholar Wang held another title: he was the older brother of the current magistrate of Yongshun County, Magistrate Wang.

Magistrate Wang had been in office for seven or eight years. Troubled by the rugged and difficult roads in the county's towns, he had long harbored a desire to repair them, but his efforts were hindered by limited funds. Over the years, he had put in significant effort and finally secured a sum of money from the imperial court. However, he feared that the traditional methods of road repair would be far too costly, as such projects involved numerous complexities.

Hearing that Elder Ye had been invited to reside at Huating Academy, he became convinced that the elder was his only hope. Elder Ye was a master of mathematics, and his literary style was unique. Though they had never met, the magistrate had long admired him. Now faced with a difficult problem, he naturally wanted to seek his guidance. If he could gain some inspiration from the elder, he could benefit the common people—why wouldn't he do so?

To show his sincerity, Magistrate Wang had personally written a formal invitation and dispatched a messenger to deliver it. Today was the day they had agreed upon.

"Were those boys just now from the head constable's family?" Magistrate Wang asked curiously, lifting the carriage curtain.

Zhao Jin bowed his head. "I don't have the good fortune to have such relatives, Magistrate. They are students from Huating Academy. We met by chance during a previous case."

Magistrate Wang nodded. "I see. They are the treasures of our county."

"Magistrate, especially the boy I was speaking with—his name is Chen Ping. He is remarkably intelligent and very composed when faced with trouble."

"To earn such high praise from a rough fellow like you, I am truly curious about this child."

Zhao Jin smiled sheepishly. "You would have to test him yourself for it to count. If we happen to run into him at the academy, I will bring him over for you to see."

Magistrate Wang sighed. "You, boy... all right, hurry to the academy. Don't keep Elder Ye waiting; official business is the priority. I am currently so desperate for funds that I wish I could split every coin into four or five pieces to spend."

Zhao Jin offered comfort, saying, "I trust Elder Ye will have a solution."

...

In the courtyard of Huating Academy, Magistrate Wang, having just stepped off his carriage, immediately spotted his older brother standing by the roadside, waiting.

"Brother, you know the state of your own legs. Why come out to greet me?"

The scholar Wang had a sour expression on his face as he blocked the path, speaking bluntly. "I felt like it. Do you even realize how long it has been since you last came home?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Magistrate Wang quickly offered a conciliatory smile. "The yamen is swamped with work. I really had no choice."

"Don't try to deceive me. Could you not have spared even the time it takes to eat a meal?" The scholar Wang did not believe the excuse for a moment. "Today, I am here to demand an explanation."

The magistrate truly had no way of handling his older brother. He immediately adopted a serious attitude and promised to return that very evening. Only then did the scholar Wang reluctantly agree to clear the path.

"Hurry up, hurry up. I wouldn't dare delay the 'Great Magistrate's' important affairs." With that, he instructed Li Feng to lead the way for the magistrate, turned on his heel, and stalked off in a huff.

Seeing the scholar depart, Zhao Jin, who had been hiding nearby, stepped out. "It has been a long time, but your brother’s presence remains as formidable as ever."

The scholar Wang's explosive temper was legendary; he had actually calmed down quite a bit over the years. If this had been back when the academy was first established, the scene of him slamming his hand on the table in defiance of everyone would still make Zhao Jin shudder. That was why, even though he had seen the scholar earlier, he hadn't dared to appear at the gate—he was afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

Magistrate Wang, knowing exactly what Zhao Jin was thinking, couldn't help but kick out at him. "You knew, and you didn't warn me?"

As if I weren't afraid too!

Zhao Jin dodged the kick and began to act shamelessly. "You were never going to escape him anyway. Even if I had warned you, would you have been able to turn the carriage around and leave?"

Li Feng, who had been waiting to the side, took advantage of a pause in their conversation and gave a soft cough. "I shall lead the way for you both, sirs."