Chapter 1249: A Sword Pointed at Zhang Shougui! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Two hundred and seventy-eight people was not a small number, and a small mountain of documents had been placed on the study table.
Even the most well-hidden secret would leave behind some clues. For Wang Chong, any suspicious point would allow him to find the 'footprint' left behind by his opponent.
After four hours, the mountain of documents had been halved. After a single review, Wang Chong had managed to eliminate more than one hundred suspects, leaving him with one-hundred-and-twenty-some people. Wang Chong quickly had his uncle-in-law Li Lin investigate these people.
”Have the City Guard mobilize and investigate these one-hundred-and-twenty-some people again. In addition, I specifically marked thirty-some people as being the most suspicious. Uncle-in-law, please dispatch experts of the City Guard and Imperial Army to find these people and chat with them in the name of seeking out a criminal and safeguarding the capital. See if their stories check out.”
Wang Chong paused a moment before continuing.
”While interviewing them, pay attention to their wrists to see if they have any sort of special black insignia.”
As Wang Chong spoke, he picked up a brush and quickly drew a black insignia on a white sheet of paper. This was precisely the symbol Wang Chong had seen on the wrists of those three Confucian experts who had come to Khorasan to receive his military authority.
”Remember, don't let any of them find out!” Wang Chong added.
”Be at ease. Leave this matter to me. I will personally handle it!”
Li Lin took the paper and the register of names Wang Chong had recorded, and quickly left.
The City Guard was once more set into motion.
……
In the southwestern part of the city was a door made of brushwood. Behind this door was a quiet and serene place, and nearby a clear stream was gurgling past.
”The Master said, 'He who rules by virtue is as the North Star, remaining in place while all other stars circle around it.'
”The Master said, 'A man of noble character is in harmony with all and does not take sides. The man of lowly character will take sides and is not in harmony with all.'
”The disciple Ji Kang asked, 'How does a ruler gain the respect and loyalty of his people, and encourage his people to work and strive?' The Master said, 'When he presides over the people with solemnity and dignity, the people will respect him. When he is filial and compassionate, the people will be loyal to him. When he raises up the good and honest and teaches the incompetent, the people will encourage each other and strive to work harder1.'”
On this early morning, the sounds of youthful recitation came from behind the brushwood door. A scholar dressed in white robes, elegant and carefree, was studying the contents of the 'On Government' chapter of Confucius's 'Analects'.
The scholar's robes rippled with the wind, and they exuded a clean, fresh, elegant, and transcendent aura.
The rumbling of a carriage shattered the morning serenity. The young scholar frowned and raised his head. He saw that ten-some soldiers of the City Guard had ridden over on horses and had stopped in front of the brushwood door.
”Are you Li Junshan?” a City Guard soldier asked.
”This one is. For what reason have Good Sirs chosen to intrude at this time?” The white-robed scholar appeared very patient and restrained.
”The City Guard hopes that you can cooperate with us in our investigation,” the leading officer said, and then he took out a notebook and began to ask questions, noting the answers down.
The scholar remained extremely patient throughout. Although he was slightly displeased, he did his utmost to cooperate with the investigation. His age, place of birth, goal in coming to the capital—he answered everything that he could, hiding nothing. The interview lasted for an entire hour, but the white-clothed scholar did not show the slightest hint of impatience.
Once the investigation was over, the soldiers quickly took their leave.
When they had traveled several hundred meters, the City Guard officer rode up to the carriage.
”Milord, we looked and saw no black insignia on his wrist. He should not be the person that we are seeking!”
”I understand! You're dismissed!” A voice came out from the carriage, causing the City Guard officer to bow and ride off.
Once the City Guard officer was gone, Li Lin turned to Wang Chong.
”Chong-er, this was the last one, and none of them had the symbol you spoke of. What do we do now?”