Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 120

After listening to their confessions, the county magistrate asked, “Do you still have the food you ate this morning? Bring it for examination.”

Second Aunt replied, “There’s some left. There’s plenty of everything today. You can send someone to get it.”

After the county magistrate sent someone, Ding Si continued, “The food we ate is all in my brother’s stomach. This…”

He hesitated, feeling embarrassed and somewhat lucky.

“No need to say more, just do the autopsy,” the county magistrate said dismissively. There was a renowned coroner from the previous dynasty who wrote a book about his experiences. This book was considered a treasure by coroners, and autopsy techniques improved greatly, allowing cases to be solved more quickly.

“This…” Ding Si became anxious. He was about to say something, but when the county magistrate glared at him, he lowered his head.

The yamen runners carried San Cunding’s body to the coroner. Since the autopsy couldn’t be completed immediately, the county magistrate instructed, “Put the plaintiff and the defendant in jail first, and we will reconvene tomorrow when the results come in.”

When Zhang Shu and his family arrived, the court was empty.

After inquiring, they rushed straight to the prison without delay, paying the fee to visit Second Aunt.

Second Aunt sat in the prison surrounded by female prisoners, all of them relatively young. As soon as she entered, she started chatting with them. Eventually, she realized these women weren’t actually vicious. They only resorted to crime because they were forced into it, and their methods were a little more extreme than most.

When Zhang Shu and his family arrived, they saw Second Aunt sitting with the group, chatting freely, telling the women about her life and other things.

When Second Aunt saw them, her face lit up with a smile, as if she were not in a prison but visiting someone else’s house. Seeing the things they brought, she said, “You didn’t have to bring anything. It’s enough that you came. I’m not afraid of them. The results will come out tomorrow, and I’ll be able to go home without wasting anything.”

Zhang Shu felt guilty. “Second Aunt, you should have told me earlier. I’m the boss of Zhang Family Store.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Am I not the second aunt you know? Everything in the shop is managed by us. We don’t get overly sentimental when making money, and we don’t turn our backs when something goes wrong.” Second Aunt remained as fierce as ever, showing no fear in her speech.

Zhang Shu didn’t know how to respond, but no one blamed him. Still, he insisted on putting the things he brought inside. The yamen runner opened the prison door, and Wu Yang, his wife, and Wu Hai entered to help make her bed and organize her things. Even though she was only going to be there for a day, they couldn’t take any chances. Jails were dirty and damp. If she slept there, she would surely fall ill the next day.

Second Uncle and Eldest Uncle didn’t know about this yet, as they were back in the village gathering firewood. Zhang Shu felt uneasy. He couldn’t understand how such an incident happened. It didn’t seem possible. However, he still believed the innocent would be proven innocent, and everything would be fine when the coroner’s results came in the next day.

After leaving the cell, Zhang Shu and the others returned to Zhang Family Store. With this incident hanging over them, even if they were cleared, business at the shop would likely suffer in the future.

“Tell me the whole story, and make sure not to leave out any details,” Zhang Shu said, feeling increasingly suspicious.

Wu Jiang and Wu Hai exchanged a glance before speaking. “The two guests came together. We remembered them because they ordered everything.”

“The tall man was very picky about his food. He picked up everything with his hands before eating, but didn’t eat most of it. He gave it all to the short man.”

“When he came to pay, we didn’t notice the short one. It was only when others pointed it out that we realized he had collapsed.”

“Yes, at that moment, the tall man rushed over, hugged him, and started crying, saying that he was dead. That’s when we knew he had died.”

“Then my mother stood up, and the man insisted on finding someone named Zhang.”

Wu Jiang and Wu Hai explained, and Zhang Shu noticed several odd details.

First, when people usually inspected food, they used chopsticks, but why did this man use his hands to pick through everything? And then, after handling the food with his hands, he gave it to the shorter man.

Second, when he saw the shorter man collapse, why did he immediately start crying and saying he was dead? How could he be so certain? What if the man just fainted?

Third, this man was likely targeting him specifically. Usually, a store had a person in charge, and it didn’t matter who the boss or shopkeeper was. But this man seemed intent on finding someone named Zhang. Either he held a grudge against him, or someone sent him to frame him.

However, the short man was truly dead. Wasn’t the cost of harming someone like this a bit too high?

Zhang Shu shared his doubts, and others agreed that this situation was indeed strange.

The next day, the coroner presented the body in the middle of the hall.

After everyone gathered, the county magistrate asked the coroner to explain the autopsy results from the previous day.

The coroner bowed and said, “Yesterday, I examined the deceased and found no obvious external injuries, indicating he wasn’t harmed by outside forces. There were no signs of a sudden illness, meaning he didn’t die from a natural cause. So, my apprentice and I opened the deceased’s stomach, and we found the same food from Zhang Family Store that was served the previous day. There was nothing else.”

Ding Si, eager to press his case, immediately shouted, “Sir, did you hear that? My brother didn’t eat anything but food from Zhang Family Store! He must have been killed by someone from there!”

“Silence!” the county magistrate snapped. He disliked interruptions. “Is there anything in the food that could cause death? Did you test the food from Zhang Family Store yesterday?”

The coroner shook his head. “I used a silver needle to test for poison, and there was no toxin. However, I did find traces of tonic herbs, such as astragalus and angelica, in the deceased’s stomach, but they were not from Zhang Family Store.”

Coroners were usually very sensitive to smells, and when examining the stomach, the coroner suddenly detected the scent of tonics. After investigating the nasal cavity and skull of the deceased, he found blood stasis—another symptom caused by tonic substances.

People often thought tonics were beneficial, but for some, they could have the opposite effect. For example, San Cunding ate dried plums and suffered diarrhea for two consecutive days. His body was exhausted, and his feet were weak. When he suddenly consumed a tonic, it could have had a severe impact on him.

The coroner, not knowing the man’s condition prior to his death, only mentioned the findings briefly, without delving into the specifics.

The county magistrate didn’t see anything wrong with the tonics. It seemed that perhaps the food from Zhang Family Store caused his illness, but why did others who ate it not get sick?

Ding Si, seeing the county magistrate’s expression soften, knelt and said, “County magistrate, it must have been the food from Zhang Family Store that killed my poor brother. Please give us justice!”

“County magistrate, that doesn’t prove our shop is at fault! How could only one person have gotten sick?” Second Aunt also shouted.

“My brother was unlucky and ate bad food. That’s why he died,” Ding Si immediately retorted.

Looking at his smug, confident expression, Zhang Shu stood up in the hall and declared, “My lord! I have something to say!”

The county magistrate nodded and instructed someone to open the gate, allowing Zhang Shu to speak.

Zhang Shu said, “Sir, when the incident occurred that day, I had a few questions. After thinking it over carefully, I believe the deceased was actually killed by this person!”

The county magistrate was shocked. “Who are you?” The deceased showed no signs of being killed, yet the man insisted that this person was responsible for his death.

“My name is Zhang Shu, and I am the owner of Zhang’s shop. I knew something happened in the shop, so I rushed here yesterday and asked the shop assistants what happened. Many people were present yesterday. If we are lying, please point it out, fellow villagers.”

“Speak your doubts.”

“First, the two of them went to eat at the same time and ordered a portion of everything in my shop, but most of it was eaten by the deceased. This man, however, did not eat; he just touched each dish with his hands, playing with it carefully before handing it over to the deceased. I want to know why he did that?”

Ding Si sneered. Zhang Shu laughed out loud. “I’ve said it before. I had a stomachache that day, so I ate less. As for what you said about playing with the food, that’s nonsense. I just picked it up to see if your things were clean. Are you blaming me for poisoning him? Why would I kill my brother?”

Zhang Shu glanced at him without changing his expression. “Second question, when the deceased collapsed, did you rush over and immediately cry while holding him?”

Ding Si replied impatiently, “Of course, what else would I do? Just stand there and watch?”

Zhang Shu smiled slightly, then suddenly closed his eyes and fell to the side.

Everyone present was startled. Even the county magistrate was shocked and quickly asked someone to check on him. The coroner hurried over, stretched out his hand to check his breathing, then breathed a sigh of relief. “County magistrate, the person is not dead.”

The county magistrate sat back in his seat, and Zhang Shu opened his eyes and climbed up from the ground.

“You are disturbing the court like this! I can punish you!”

“Please forgive me, County Magistrate. I just wanted you to see the first reaction of others when someone falls to the ground.”

The county magistrate connected his statement with his previous questions, and his expression toward Ding Si became more intriguing. The others gradually began to catch on, and the discussions in the room grew louder.

“Yes, how did he know the person was dead?”

“He didn’t even try to check. There’s definitely something fishy here!”

“Silence!” The county magistrate slammed the gavel again and then asked Ding Si, who was kneeling on the ground, “How do you know that your brother is dead?”

Ding Si was speechless. “I… I saw that his face was pale… and I knew he was dead.”

“Usually, one would check before being so sure of death,” Zhang Shu added, then bowed toward the county magistrate. “Your Honor, I also want to know if these two men are truly brothers. They don’t look alike at all. Could they show us their household registration?”

The court supported business, and, according to the previous dynasty, the clause that required a road permit for travel was abolished. However, people generally carried household registration papers from their hometown. If they didn’t have them, they could apply for replacements, but that required three locals with household registration certificates to vouch for them.

Naturally, these two couldn’t provide such certificates.

Ding Si’s expression turned fierce. “You’re just trying to clear your name! You didn’t interrogate the suspect but oppressed the victim instead. You’ve used your connections with the county magistrate to your advantage! I won’t pursue this case. Just know that my brother died in vain!”

Under the watchful eyes of the public, the county magistrate couldn’t do anything to him, as that would give legitimacy to Ding Si’s accusations as a local.

The scene fell into a stalemate for a while. No matter what the county magistrate said, Ding Si insisted that officials and businessmen were colluding. Even when the magistrate threatened punishment, Ding Si wasn’t afraid, which led others to believe that he was either bold or hiding something.

If this continued, the county magistrate would have to act decisively. There was no need to be polite to such a troublemaker, but the imperial envoy was about to arrive, and this visit was particularly important.

The envoy was none other than the second prince, His Royal Highness Cheng Wang. If word of this spread, it could cause unnecessary complications.

At that moment, the sound of drums echoed through the hall. The county magistrate frowned and immediately ordered someone to bring the person in.

The yamen runner ran out to check and then quickly returned, panic-stricken. “Your Honor, the person outside told you to get out.”

The county magistrate grew angry but then seemed to remember something. He straightened his clothes and strode out of the main hall.

Outside, near the large drum in front of the county office, a pale man pounded the drum again and again.

Next to him stood a man who appeared elegant, though there was a sharpness in his eyes. Behind him stood two men who looked like guards, dressed in tight clothing, holding swords and saying nothing.

The county magistrate attempted to kneel but was stopped. In fear and trepidation, he said, “I didn’t know His Royal Highness Prince Cheng was coming. I failed to welcome you properly. I deserve death.”

“Those who are ignorant are not at fault. But there is one thing you need to investigate thoroughly. This man’s name is Ji Yuanshan. A few days ago, he came to the county to do business and was attacked by river bandits while crossing the river. He nearly lost his life, but fortunately, he encountered my ship. He claimed that the bandits were involved in five or six cases, always targeting lone travelers. How is it that you didn’t know about this?”

The county magistrate immediately apologized, saying, “I truly didn’t know there were such vicious river bandits in my jurisdiction, nor did any victims come to report the crime. It was my ignorance.”

It was common for businesspeople to return home a few days later, so no one expected anything to have happened to him.

“Well, since there is now a report, let’s handle it,” Prince Cheng said.

“Well, this… I’m already handling another case…” the magistrate began.

“It’s fine. Handle them together,” Prince Cheng replied.

While they talked outside, Ding Si knelt on the ground with a smug expression. His life was given to him by the boss. He would deal with whoever the boss ordered, and he would have no complaints even if it cost him his life.

He thought the county magistrate would torture him in anger, but to his surprise, the magistrate didn’t dare to do anything. As long as he kept insisting that the officials were colluding with the merchants, he was confident that no one could touch him.

Inside, the crowd noticed that the county magistrate returned after only a brief absence, and there was an extra chair in the hall. They all looked at the man sitting there curiously, wondering who he was.

Zhang Shu stared at the man, feeling an odd sense of familiarity. Who was he? If Zhang Shu didn’t see him in this life, then perhaps he encountered him in a previous one. There was a vague recognition.

Prince Cheng felt the inquiring gaze and looked over coldly.

Zhang Shu quickly lowered his head.

Ji Yuanshan was brought in, and everyone was confused, not understanding why there was now an additional plaintiff. When he presented his case, the expressions in the room turned awkward. Why was a new case being added to the investigation? Which case were they supposed to focus on?

“…The person I want to sue is the deceased in the court!”

As soon as those words left his mouth, the entire hall erupted in shock. What was going on? Someone actually wanted to sue a deceased person!

The county magistrate was also shocked. No wonder Prince Cheng said it was fine; it seemed he knew about this all along.

“What evidence do you have to prove that the deceased is the one who pushed you into the water on the boat that day?”

“When I was fighting with him that day, I bit his left wrist, and then he kicked me into the river.”

The county magistrate ordered the coroner to examine Ji Yuanshan’s claim, and they indeed found a faint bite mark on his left wrist. It was clear that Ji Yuanshan didn’t use much strength in biting, as he was injured at the time.

Now it was clear that this “San Cunding” was a river bandit, and his so-called “brother” must have been his accomplice!

Everyone was bewildered. What started as a case of food poisoning now revealed the deceased to be a river bandit, responsible for numerous robberies and murders. It was truly a tale of divine retribution.

The county magistrate sent people to search their residence and found several packages, which contained household registration certificates. The people in those documents tragically fell victim to the bandit’s crimes.

Upon seeing the conclusive evidence, Ding Si had no choice but to bow his head and confess. Though he initially planned to stay silent, once the splint was placed on him, he had no choice but to explain how he colluded with San Cunding to frame Zhang Family Store.

(Translator’s Notes: The splint (夾棍, jiā gùn) was an ancient Chinese torture method used primarily for extracting confessions or punishing criminals. It involved the use of wooden sticks or boards to compress and crush the victim’s limbs, usually the fingers, ankles, or shins.)

When Ji Yuanshan learned that he was poisoned by the dried plums from his own family, which weakened him, he felt only one thought—karma was real, and retribution arrived.

The dried plums were meant for his pregnant husband, who was suffering from constipation. After consulting a doctor, the doctor specially added a medicinal powder to help with digestion. The doctor warned him to only give his husband three pieces a day, as eating more could harm his health. But this San Cunding consumed far too many, and the consequences were evident—it was truly a case of evil being punished.

Zhang Family Store was cleared of any wrongdoing, and the second aunt was released on the spot. Ji Yuanshan also aired his grievances, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what the person who wanted to kill him said that day—that they had four brothers. What became of the other two?

When the county magistrate heard that there were still two others at large, his brow furrowed. After a moment’s thought, he ordered the city to be placed under martial law. All people entering or leaving the city gates were to be inspected, and those without household registration papers would be detained.

Second Aunt gave all her belongings in prison to the group of women before returning home with everyone. The whole family packed into two carts and happily went back home.

At home, they prepared a brazier and grapefruit leaf water to cleanse her of any lingering bad luck. Though nothing serious happened, she spent the night in prison, and there were many grievances within those walls. If one wasn’t careful, they could become entangled with those spirits, resulting in a streak of bad luck.