bookrebus Chapter 6 The Strange Encounter in the City of Origin 3
Chapter 6 The Strange Encounter in the City of Origin 3
Li Changchun brought evidence to see the prefect. Upon hearing the purpose of his visit, the prefect frowned and said, "This case is from a long time ago. How can it be easily reopened based on only your one-sided testimony?"
Li Changchun remained calm and cupped his hands, saying, "My lord, this case concerns the grievances of wronged souls. If the truth is not revealed, Ah Xiu's resentment will not be appeased, this place will be difficult to maintain peace, and the feng shui will also be affected. The disaster suffered by the people in the inn is proof of this. If you, my lord, retry this case and restore justice to the world, it will surely demonstrate your impartiality and integrity, win the respect of the people, and benefit your career."
This crucial evidence includes the stolen goods from the time of the false accusation, whose embroidery patterns contain hidden clues, proving they did not belong to Ah Xiu. Furthermore, a reclusive old man witnessed the incident and is willing to testify on Ah Xiu's behalf. Your Excellency is known for your impartiality and will surely bring the truth to light. The people will be eternally grateful to you and will sing your praises of your wisdom.
Seeing that Li Changchun was quite old but still had such courage, the prefect pondered for a long time and was finally persuaded: "In that case, I will summon the original team to retry the case."
Fearing that the prefect would gloss over the matter again, Xu Xiaoxiao recalled some case-solving methods shown on television and suggested that the prefect could first spread rumors. The prefect could arrange for people to spread the news in places where Zhao Youcai frequented or in his social circle, such as revealing that the government had obtained some new clues about the case from years ago, but still needed some key witnesses or information to definitively conclude the case, and that no action would be taken against the suspect immediately, so that Zhao Youcai would lower his guard.
At the same time, it implies that if someone takes the initiative to come to the government to clarify the facts, they may be given a lighter punishment, thus inducing Zhao Youcai to show himself.
The second step involves setting a trap: using people or scenes related to the case from that year as bait. For example, a local ruffian who had previously been in contact with Zhao Youcai and seemed to have been bribed by the government was arranged to meet Zhao Youcai in a secluded but seemingly safe place. The ruffian would tell Zhao Youcai that he had important information about the case from that year. Once Zhao Youcai appeared, the officers who had been lying in wait would rush in and arrest him.
During the court hearing, we will present the evidence we have collected, including items that are sufficient to prove Zhao Youcai's involvement in the false accusation. We will inform Zhao Youcai of the origin and purpose of these items, making him understand that the government has solid evidence and that denying it is futile.
The third step is to summon witnesses: summon the eyewitnesses of the case to court and have them testify against Zhao Youcai's behavior in person, thereby increasing the credibility of the evidence. Also, inform Zhao Youcai that if he does not plead guilty, the testimonies of these witnesses will be extremely detrimental to him.
Finally, there's the psychological offensive: analyzing the pros and cons. The prefect can explain to Zhao Youcai in court the consequences of confessing versus not confessing. He can explain that if he confesses, the prefect will consider a lighter sentence, and he might even receive some leniency; however, if he firmly denies it, he will face more severe punishment once the evidence is conclusive. The prefect can also emphasize his determination to reopen the case, making it clear that he cannot escape legal punishment. Furthermore, the prefect can address the other individuals involved in the frame-up, such as local ruffians. He can first break down their psychological defenses and get them to confess to Zhao Youcai's crimes. Then, in court, these accomplices who have already confessed can confront Zhao Youcai, psychologically breaking down his defenses and forcing him to confess.
Just in case, investigate his family as well: have the prefect's men investigate Zhao Youcai's family situation to find out if he has any relatives he cares about. If so, his family can be temporarily detained, and Zhao Youcai can be informed that if he does not confess, his family will also be implicated because of his crime. By taking advantage of his concern and guilt towards his family, he can be forced to confess.
Li Changchun and the prefect both found it remarkable. They never expected such an unassuming child to possess such knowledge. The prefect dared not underestimate the two men, one old and one young, dressed in patched clothes. He quickly arranged for someone to handle the case. He also thought that if he handled the case well, he might be appreciated by his superiors and promoted. In the end, he politely saw the two men off.
On the way back to the inn, Xu Xiaoxiao was very worried. What if her master asked her why a ten-year-old child knew so much and could read? How should she explain it? Would she be burned at the stake if she told him?
“Master, I…” Xu Xiaoxiao was conflicted about whether to tell her master that she was a soul from another world and that she was more than ten years old.
Seeing his young apprentice's face contorted in worry, Li Changchun patted her head, fearing this matter would become a source of inner turmoil. He solemnly said, "Xiaoxiao, no matter who you are, you are now my apprentice, Li Changchun's apprentice. No matter what happens in the future, your master will help you, and the sect will always be your home. Everyone has their own destiny, and since you've come here, this is your destiny. I'm even more fortunate to have such a clever apprentice like you."
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes reddened, her heart filled with warmth. She felt like she had a home again. Clinging to her master's arm, her voice trembled with tears, "So, Master, you knew all along. Why didn't you expose me sooner?"
"In this vast world, anything is possible. It's not unusual for someone to be reborn. The fact that you can merge with this body like this shows that you were destined to be together. I don't know why you ended up in this body, but now that you have a new life, I hope you live well, peacefully, and healthily. You're only ten years old. You shouldn't worry too much about what you should do at your age." He patted her head again, noting that she was too short and he would have to help her gain weight. He completely ignored Xu Xiaoxiao's shock.
My master is so kind; I will take good care of him in the future…
The prefect took this old case seriously and quickly found out the truth. Zhao Youcai was imprisoned and beheaded in the autumn.
“Sister Axiu, your wish has been fulfilled. Please ask my master to help you pass on to the afterlife. I hope you will have a happy life in your next life.” Xu Xiaoxiao had nothing to do these past few days, so she came to chat with Axiu and talk about her past. They got to know each other better and were no longer afraid of ghosts. They could even sit together and gossip.
"Thank you, Master Li. I have no way to repay you in this life. If there is a next life, I am willing to be your ox or horse to repay your kindness in saving me." Ah Xiu knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to Li Changchun.
"I don't need your repayment. Just be a good person in your next life. Go now," Li Changchun muttered to himself. With a wave of his hand, everyone saw Ah Xiu's body slowly turn transparent and drift away with the wind.
Since Ah Xiu suppressed her resentment, Manager Liu has been getting better without medicine. He can now get out of bed and walk around. Li Changchun suggested that he get more sun exposure to remove the remaining yin energy from his body.
Manager Liu greeted the master and apprentice with a beaming smile, hurrying forward to grasp Li Changchun's calloused and ragged hands tightly, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Master Li, we owe you both so much this time! The matter of the female ghost in the backyard had everyone in my inn in a state of panic. I was constantly worried and couldn't sleep well, and even fell ill in bed. Now, you two have displayed your divine power and subdued her. You are truly our great benefactors!" As he spoke, Manager Liu hurriedly gestured for the waiter to bring out the tea and snacks that had been prepared beforehand. "Please rest for a while, this is just a small token of our appreciation."
Li Changchun and Xu Xiaoxiao were a little awkward. Li Changchun quickly said, "Manager Liu, there's no need for that. It's just a matter of convenience since we've encountered this. You're too kind. We're just traveling around, and a few ghosts and monsters are nothing to fear. It's good that we can help."
Manager Liu insisted that they accept the gift, saying, "Master Li, you and your apprentice have been traveling all this way, and your clothes are all worn out. Consider this a small token of our appreciation to buy you some clothes and some dry food."
Looking into Manager Liu's sincere eyes, Li Changchun hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding: "Then thank you very much, Manager Liu. Your kindness will be remembered by my master and me."
Manager Liu breathed a sigh of relief and then pulled Li Changchun aside to inquire in detail about the ins and outs of the female ghost, his words filled with admiration and respect for the master and apprentice.
This unexpected windfall brought Xu Xiaoxiao a huge sum of money. Holding the money bag, her mouth practically stretched to her ears. She thought to herself that this money was easier to earn than working. She wanted to learn magic from her master and strive to become a rich woman here.
Seeing that she was happy, Li Changchun let her be, saying, "Xiaoxiao, let's go get you some more clothes; we might need to travel a long way for the rest of the journey."
With the generous reward given to them by Manager Liu, Li Changchun and Xu Xiaoxiao happily stepped into the shop filled with a dazzling array of clothing. Inside, there were clothes of all styles and seasons. Their purpose was to buy some warm clothes. The winter clothes in the shop were carefully displayed. Thick fur-trimmed coats exuded a noble aura, exquisite cotton coats were embroidered with delicate patterns, and there were also fluffy shawls that were soft to the touch. Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes were instantly attracted to a brocade robe with a fox fur collar. She gently picked it up and held it up in front of her. The fox fur was shiny and smooth, and the brocade shone with a gorgeous luster under the light.
This dress must be very expensive. They only earn a little money and need to be frugal. A regular cotton coat is enough. The most important thing is to keep warm. They carefully put the gorgeous dress back in its place.
"Shopkeeper, do you have winter cotton-padded clothes here?"
"Yes, yes, what style do you want?" The shopkeeper saw that the old man and the young man didn't look like they had money to buy such things, but he still patiently greeted them, since everyone who came was a customer.
"Shopkeeper, we need the regular style, something plain and easy to clean, but also warm. Give us the sizes that fit both of us, let's take a look," Xu Xiaoxiao said, gesturing to show her height.
"Xiaoxiao, don't you girls like white and pink the most? Pick out a few sets for yourself. Now that your master has money," Li Changchun recalled that the female disciples of the sect often wore pink and white clothes, which should be what girls like.
"No, Master, we have many more places to spend money later, so we need to be frugal. As long as the clothes are wearable, I don't mind," Xu Xiaoxiao said to her master in a mature manner.
Li Changchun looked at the clothes in the shop and felt that none of them were good enough for his little apprentice. "When we get back, I'll have your senior brother make you a few sets of clothes that are incomparable to ordinary ones."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for my senior brother?" Before they even met, their master was already asking her senior brother to do chores for her.
“Your senior brothers will be happy to serve you. They are all several hundred years old. We should find something for them to do,” Li Changchun said with a kind smile.
Xu Xiaoxiao thought to herself that her senior brother was already so old, and she felt bad that she would have to trouble her master to make clothes for her.
"It's okay, Master. I can buy it for myself when I earn my own money in the future," Xu Xiaoxiao said confidently, patting her chest.
This time, each of them bought a set of winter clothes and a change of clothes. They also changed out of their patched clothes. Xu Xiaoxiao, who had changed her clothes, even braided two pigtails, making her look petite and delicate. It seems that the ancient saying that "Buddha needs gold plating and people need clothes" is really true.
"Master, where are we going next?" Xu Xiaoxiao asked, carrying her own bundle, which was almost as big as her.
Li Changchun was afraid that she would be crushed and grow even shorter, so he quickly put the bundle into his basket. "We're going to the northern part of Jicheng next, so we'll just keep going north."