The steward had already poked his head in several times, not knowing what matter it was. However, from the looks of it, it wouldn’t be anything major. If it wasn’t a major matter, he shouldn’t interfere. This household belonged to Xinyue and Na Rimu. They liked managing these small matters. He himself was always out early and back late, didn’t understand household affairs. If he managed wrongly, it would hurt Xinyue’s dignity, so better not to interfere.
This was a letter, from Li Jing. In the letter, he said his “Mirror of the Six Armies” had been completed. He asked if Yun Ye had the courage to print it and sell it throughout the world. To support Yun Ye, he decided to only want one wen of manuscript fees.
Excellent! This must be supported. The academy was for teaching and printing books. “Sunzi,” “Master Meng’s Book,” “Six Secret Teachings,” “Wuzi,” and “Weiliozi” had all been distributed so that every academy student had one copy. Last time when Li Er came to the academy, he even borrowed over a dozen books from the academy library. Compared to the books, he liked his library card numbered 0001 even more, and quite shamelessly gave the second card to Zhangsun.
He even borrowed mainstream books like “Records of the Grand Historian.” Although these books had all been edited by Masters Yushan, Yuanzhang, and Jinzhu, with special paragraph divisions, you still couldn’t borrow them for three months without returning them. This wouldn’t do. Once this precedent was set, when princes and nobles all did this, would the library have any books left?
Anyway, with nothing to do today, he’d go to the imperial palace to demand the books back. The bad habit of scholars stealing books not counting as theft couldn’t be indulged. Now which noble came to the academy and didn’t conveniently borrow a few books along the way—they’d be embarrassed to say they’d been to Yushan. That damned Old Yuchi the Fool—”Classic of the Plain Girl” wasn’t pornography. A fellow who could barely read letters—could he understand those profound and treacherous texts? Xu Jingzong had complained many times, saying the library’s collection was rapidly decreasing. Books were only seen going out, never returned. Quite a few shameless people placed the books on their own shelves, pretending they were their own collection. He’d seen this more than once or twice.
Today was the grand court assembly. It definitely hadn’t ended yet. Going to Taiji Palace himself to demand books back would definitely be very effective. When scholars became thieves, they were especially detestable.
Thinking of this, Yun Ye ordered horses prepared, dressed in official robes, and was about to go to the palace. The road wasn’t far—just two streets away. Xinghua Ward was sold so expensively precisely because it occupied this advantage.
Xinyue ran over dressed up like a flower butterfly. She generally didn’t dress like this. When she did dress up, it was to go watch polo with those noble ladies. Yun Ye had watched twice and sneered at this sport. The slow rhythm, the small field where horses couldn’t run—even collisions weren’t as interesting as football collisions. The academy’s football was now developing toward savagery. Quite a few tall, sturdy men were quite popular with the bored ladies on the sidelines.
“Husband, today there’s polo at the drill ground. You have nothing to do anyway. How about accompanying this consort to watch the match? Today is a match between the Han Prince’s and Shou Prince’s households. It’s said the wager is a Hualong hairpin with gemstones as big as walnuts—supremely luxurious. Come watch with this consort. You’ve never accompanied us to watch polo.”
Seeing Xinyue’s little woman appearance, how could Yun Ye still remember about going to demand books back? Polo—today he’d go watch polo. Catching sight of Na Rimu secretly looking over, he quickly changed his words: “Go, of course go. The whole family will go.”
Na Rimu stuffed her daughter to the wet nurse and quickly rushed over, still plain-faced, standing beside Yun Ye. Xinyue’s expression immediately darkened. Na Rimu, relying on her good looks, was deliberately provoking her.
Angry as she was, the match still had to be watched. She wouldn’t allow Na Rimu to walk alongside her—she must walk behind with her head lowered. A concubine should have a concubine’s self-awareness.
The proud Na Rimu never knew about lowering her head. She held her head high—her bearing almost like a queen’s. Xinyue always wanted to press down her head. Watching made Yun Ye’s head ache. He pulled out a packet of milk candy from his bosom and handed it to Na Rimu. This trick worked. Na Rimu immediately lowered her head to eat her milk candy and never raised her head again, because whenever she ate good things, she would drool—this habit formed on the grasslands could never be changed.
The carriage had just left the gate when they heard a clear voice calling over: “Minor official He Tianshang of the Ministry of Justice pays respects to the Marquis. This subordinate has a criminal case requiring the Marquis’s verification. Please may the Marquis spare time for a meeting.”
Hearing these words, Yun Ye lifted the curtain and descended from the carriage, quite annoyed. Who liked meeting those evil spirits from the Ministry of Justice? Now he was actually shouting loudly at the street entrance. Did he understand propriety or not? Even if it was Ministry of Justice Minister Li Ji, he would need to pay a courtesy visit according to protocol for official business. The Yun household wasn’t somewhere a minor official without official rank could enter.
Before him stood a minor official in blue robes. His robe was quite old, his shoes even had patches. A horizontal sword hung at his waist. From the bright brass sword guard, one could tell this sword had been used for a long time—perhaps it was an heirloom. Although the person lowered his head in courtesy, his back was ramrod straight. Seeing Yun Ye descend from the carriage, he continued: “Marquis Yun, this subordinate has been discourteous, but this concerns fifty-one human lives. Please forgive this subordinate. Once the case is cleared, this subordinate will definitely come to accept punishment.”
Those with stiff backs generally also had stiff courage. Other constables arriving at the Yun household probably wouldn’t dare even raise their heads, but this person actually dared to stop a marquis in the street, requesting his cooperation in investigating a case. Yun Ye suddenly became interested in this person. Looking at his attire, his family circumstances must be poor. Could it be this person wanted to use him to establish his reputation?
“Since you’ve already stopped me and I’ve come out, ask what you want. I’m in a hurry to watch polo. As for punishment and such, I’ll ask Minister Li.”
A trace of dejection crossed He Tianshang’s face, but he still raised his head and asked Yun Ye: “May I ask the Marquis, where were you on September 30th? Who was by your side? What were you doing there? Please answer, Marquis.”
“Oh, September 30th. At that time, I was in the Qinling Mountains, leading quite a few people hunting. All brave warriors. Do you have anything else to ask? If not, then I’ll go watch polo.”
Yun Ye folded his arms, looking at the constable before him, wanting to see what methods he had to get him to reveal what happened that night. When others encountered such cases, they couldn’t hide fast enough. Only he took it on. He didn’t know if he’d been set up by colleagues or took it himself.
“The Marquis doesn’t know, but on that very night, Jinge Temple and Yuntai Temple in the Qinling Mountains each suffered extremely heavy deaths and injuries. The persons in charge of both places claim ignorance of everything. I wonder if the Marquis saw what happened that night? According to this subordinate’s investigation, you spent that night not far from those two places.”
“The persons in charge don’t care what happened. Why does a small constable like you need to get to the bottom of it? If you have nowhere to shift blame, this Marquis will give you an idea. Look, this Marquis was at the scene that night, and there were many fierce types around me. Why don’t you just tell your superior that because I dislike bald donkeys and mixed-hairs, I took people and eliminated them? How about reporting it like that?”
Hearing Yun Ye mocking him, He Tianshang said through gritted teeth: “Marquis, no matter how small this subordinate’s official position, he’s still an official. Great Tang law stipulates this subordinate has the duty to distinguish evil and investigate treachery. Could it be the Marquis views officials this way? You may look down on me, but this subordinate, in the name of Great Tang law, requests you answer once more.”
For such a person to remain a constable all along was truly not easy. Although Chang’an constables had small positions and low rank, they wouldn’t lack oil and water. The saying goes “dragons roam the heavens, snakes roam the earth, each has their own way.” Which other constable didn’t have substantial family circumstances? Some top ones were even rolling in wealth. Yet this fellow actually wore patched shoes—truly a rare specimen.
“You’re right. Then this Marquis will tell you: I was sleeping that night. I heard nothing, saw nothing. Slept until broad daylight, slept very comfortably. In the morning, I cooked a bowl of porridge—tasted good. Took a piss, had a crap in the pine forest. Was in a great mood.”
Light laughter from Xinyue and Na Rimu came from inside the carriage. He Tianshang’s face flushed red then turned white, white then turned red. Finally, he could only sigh dejectedly, bow to Yun Ye and say: “Marquis, since you’re unwilling to speak, this subordinate takes his leave. Originally thought the Marquis overturned a powerful household in anger over a prostitute. Now, facing fifty-one human lives, why are you indifferent? Could it truly be that reputation exceeds reality? What a pity these fifty-one lives will sink wronged to the ocean floor, never to see justice.”
Yun Ye watched him turn and leave, smiled, and got on the carriage. The carriage moved forward and quickly caught up with that constable. Yun Ye stuck his head out the window and said: “You’re considered a decent constable, but you should just casually conclude this case. Not one of those fifty-one people was wronged. In my view, dead is dead—nothing significant about it. Believe me, no one will ask what actually happened. With this time, go see whose ox is lost—that would be better than investigating this case.”
“The Marquis is mistaken. Human life is human life. When it’s lost, it must be investigated. At minimum, we must know who should be responsible for this bloody case. Since you’ve revealed so much, this subordinate also tells the Marquis: I will continue investigating this matter. Though common people are humble and their lives worthless, they absolutely cannot be toyed with in someone’s palm. What you’ve told me is already enough. At least this subordinate already knows the direction of investigation. Many thanks, Marquis.”
He Tianshang opened his two legs and quickly disappeared into the crowd, so ordinary as to be nearly unrecognizable. Only his back seemed to be held straighter than others.
Yun Ye unconsciously also straightened his own back. Last night’s absurdity still had some effect on his waist. Then he lay in the carriage letting Xinyue massage him again.
Interesting. Now someone was investigating Li Er. This was truly too interesting. That evil dragon entrenched in the imperial palace was now breathing fire from his nostrils, rolling his blood-red tongue, sharpening his claws on stones while watching those busy, bustling fat sheep in the world, ready at any moment to open his bloody maw and swallow them whole.
He didn’t know if this dragon-slaying hero He Tianshang was a match for the evil dragon. However, according to Yun Ye’s past experience, the evil dragon would undoubtedly achieve final victory. The fat sheep would ultimately be swallowed into his belly. Of course, in the excreted dragon dung, perhaps He Tianshang’s family heirloom sword could still be preserved?