Chapter 77: An Iron Needle

"Keep an eye on the scene."

After Yang Xuan left the brothel, Cao Ying finally shared more information.

"Today, someone in the court impeached Director Qin, but did not mention the Prime Minister."

"Not mentioning him is the right move." Yang Xuan stroked his chin, a bit envious of Cao Ying's ability to stroke his beard. "Lately, the attacks have centered around the Imperial Academy and the Wang clan. Those people keep making moves, and I wondered why no one targeted the Prime Minister. Could it be that his virtue is so esteemed? Turns out, they're lying in wait here."

"Master, you are wise." The air of the gentleman-turned-courtier grew stronger in Cao Ying, who bowed slightly. "The Prime Minister is as wise as the sea, not easily shaken. They attack the Academy and the Wang clan first to weaken his allies. If that fails, they'll go after the Prime Minister directly to restore their morale."

Qiu Sheng arrived, looking grave. "This matter has shaken the court. I came to see for myself."

"Get lost!"

Yang Xuan didn't bother with polite pretense.

Qiu Sheng sneered. "You..."

"Second!"

Wang the Second came over. "Your command, Master?"

Qiu Sheng stepped back. "If you don't accept my goodwill, then prepare for misfortune."

"He's here to upset Master," the old rogue licked his lips. "Master, shall I sneak into his house tonight and give him a taste of riding wind?"

"Get lost."

Cao Ying said, "Master, we're isolated and powerless. The only group we can cling to is the Prime Minister's faction. If they fall, we'll be as rootless as duckweed. So, our fortunes rise and fall together!"

To rebel, you need a foundation. Where is that foundation? In the provinces. But if you have no one in court, forget about rebelling—you can't even keep your official post.

Such is the ecology of officialdom, unaffected by individual will.

"I know."

Yang Xuan understood well, which is why he did not claim credit for helping the Wang clan this time. It appeared noble, but was actually a long-term strategy.

Yet Prime Minister Chen Shen was the soul of this small group. If he fell, the Imperial Academy would fall apart, and the Wang clan, beset by the court, wouldn't last long either.

"Let's go back and take another look."

By evening, Yang Xuan dragged his exhausted body home.

"Master." Han Ying was also there.

"What is it?" Yang Xuan avoided her suffocating gaze and took the cloth from Yi Niang to wipe his face.

"Today, the shops on both sides of the street sold food at half price. Our business dropped sharply."

"Why panic?" Seeing her anxious look, Yang Xuan said, "Let me think about it."

That night, Yang Xuan sat cross-legged on his bed, holding a scroll in both hands.

"How do you win a price war?"

Ever since he discovered the voice input feature, things had become much easier.

The screen refreshed.

Rows of summaries appeared.

—A Brief Discussion on Price Wars.

—How to Win in a Mutual-Destruction Price War.

...

At dawn, Yang Xuan got up.

He took a deep breath, letting his internal energy circulate.

A long while later, he opened his eyes, feeling unusually clear-headed.

"Breakfast!"

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of the iron plate was loud. When Yang Xuan arrived at the dining hall, everyone was already in place.

Yang Xuan was puzzled, and quietly asked, "Why do I feel a strange sense of comfort?"

The Vermilion Bird replied, "Making others wait highlights the dignity of those in power."

So that's how it is.

Yang Xuan entered and sat down, picked up his chopsticks.

Begin.

The old rogue's chopsticks moved quickly, like a mouse, chewing just as fast.

Cao Yi ate slowly and methodically, even occasionally grooming his mustache stained by soup.

Wang the Second ate heartily, making everyone’s appetite grow.

After the meal, Yi Niang didn't clean up. She asked with concern, "Master, how is the case?"

"No traces, but highly suspicious."

Today in court, someone impeached Chen Shen. Yang Xuan knew this was just the beginning.

Cao Ying had dug up plenty of information.

"That money and grain aren't an issue for the Prime Minister. If discovered, he could easily cover it, and there's no need to kill Director Qin. But Qin's death leaves the Prime Minister unable to explain himself. Unless it's proven Qin was murdered, the Prime Minister cannot clear his name."

If Director Qin was in trouble and reported to the Prime Minister, the latter would either cover the loss with money and grain or, for justice's sake, report it himself. Only a fool would silence him.

Therefore, unless it’s proven Qin died at someone else's hands, the taint is successfully thrown onto the Prime Minister.

Yang Xuan felt there were many oddities. "They want to use this as a trigger, saddle the Prime Minister with protecting a corrupt official, then launch impeachment and ruin his reputation."

This was a direct attack, and for now, the Prime Minister had no way to counter.

...

Director Qin’s corpse lay in the office of Wannian County. Yang Xuan even paid for ice to preserve it.

The corpse was pale, with bluish patches, and the face was especially grim.

Last night, Wen Xinshu, who guarded the corpse, reported, "No one appeared, but I think I heard some movement from the corpse at night."

Except for the old rogue, everyone shivered.

The old rogue said calmly, "If there’s a ghost, I’ll catch it myself."

Having spent years in the underworld, he’d never seen ghosts, not even zombies.

Yang Xuan stood before the corpse.

Cao Ying analyzed, "If someone wanted to kill Director Qin, the most likely suspect would be the courtesan. But there are no marks on him, so that's ruled out. The second possibility is someone sneaking in, but still no traces. The third possibility..."

"There’s a third?" The old rogue was baffled, feeling his intelligence was no match for Gentleman Cao.

Cao Ying said coolly, "The third possibility...he died on his own."

Everyone fell silent, looking at Yang Xuan.

Qiu Sheng was laughing comfortably in Huang Wenzun’s office.

"The Prime Minister's in trouble. If he falls, the Wang clan and the Academy will suffer. Yang Xuan is just a small fry, not even fit for a sacrificial pawn; He Huan could crush him with a slap."

"Mind your words," Huang Wenzun coughed, but his eyes betrayed anticipation.

The campaign against Chen was only now beginning.

The prologue was being drawn.

Qiu Sheng went out, "What is Yang Xuan doing?"

A subordinate replied, "He's examining the corpse."

"Still examining? Let's have a look."

Outside the room where the corpse lay, a crowd had gathered.

When Qiu Sheng arrived, everyone instinctively made way. Such was the strict hierarchy of officialdom—even watching gossip required proper order.

Inside, Yang Xuan was meticulously examining the corpse inch by inch.

"Can he really find anything?" Qiu Sheng sighed. "This is serious, and needs speed!"

Someone remarked, "Impeachment petitions against the Prime Minister are piling up."

"A storm is coming!"

Yang Xuan checked the corpse thoroughly, even between the toes and under the fingernails.

His diligence left people speechless.

Yang Xuan straightened and shook his head slightly.

Qiu Sheng was secretly delighted.

Despair, right?

He almost wanted to laugh out loud.

Yang Xuan suddenly asked, "Who knows how to shave a head?"

Uh!

Unless for religious reasons, who would shave their head?

Though no one spoke of ‘body and hair received from parents must not be harmed,’ hair was considered free, and should be allowed to grow. This idea was deeply ingrained.

Yang Xuan glanced at the old rogue.

The old rogue whispered, "When tomb raiding, strange insects settled in my hair, so I had to shave it all off."

Poor soul!

Cao Ying asked, "Even armpit hair?"

The old rogue nodded.

"No razor."

How to shave without a razor?

The old rogue said, "A sharp knife will do—a kitchen knife."

With a kitchen knife in hand, the old rogue became a different person, solemnly praying, "I act by command, may the household forgive me."

"Why shave the head?" People outside were puzzled.

The knife scraped the scalp, locks of hair fell to the ground.

First a rough shave, then a careful trim...

The old rogue crouched, focused on shaving.

A junior clerk arrived and whispered to Qiu Sheng, "Minister Zheng of the Ministry of War has openly impeached the Prime Minister."

Were they finally revealing their hand?

Qiu Sheng's spirits rose. "What about the Imperial In-law? Has he acted?"

The messenger shook his head.

But the atmosphere grew tense.

Qiu Sheng folded his arms, watching Yang Xuan crouch to examine Director Qin’s head.

What else can you do?

Yang Xuan crouched, carefully scrutinizing the head.

The old rogue’s skill was impressive; the bald head shone so brightly that even Cao Ying couldn’t help but praise, "You have real talent!"

The old rogue, proud, said, "The first time I shaved it all, the bugs reappeared soon after. Then I realized the bedding was infested...so I shaved again...after several times, I became an old hand."

A veteran barber indeed.

Yang Xuan checked bit by bit.

Last night, he not only researched price wars, but also watched two TV dramas, fast-forwarding to the forensic scenes.

He yawned, and suddenly his gaze sharpened.

He reached out, "Coroner."

The coroner rushed over, "Assistant Director."

"Small knife."

The coroner had a set of tools, and before starting, he pressed his hands together in prayer—who knows to whom.

With the knife in hand, Yang Xuan cut into the center of Director Qin’s forehead.

He inserted the blade and pried upward.

A thin object was slowly extracted...

Instantly, everyone was stunned.

...

In court.

Zheng Qi looked at the silent Prime Minister Chen Shen and said, "That sum of money and grain was untouched on the books. The other day, the Ministry of Revenue checked the warehouse and found it had mysteriously disappeared. Director Qin was the one responsible."

Zheng Qi smiled, "I remember when the Prime Minister oversaw the civil service exams, Director Qin was among them. Later, he regarded the Prime Minister as a mentor, very respectful..."

Imperial In-law Yang Songcheng looked at Chen Shen.

Time to speak, old dog!

Chen Shen spoke slowly, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. To draw conclusions now..." He glanced at Zheng Qi, "is rather hasty."

—You are too rash!

Zheng Qi, despite his wounded pride, maintained a gentle smile. "The Prime Minister is right, but Director Qin's unexplained death inevitably sparks wild speculation!"

Chen Shen looked at him and then fell silent.

Yang Songcheng sighed. "Minister Zheng’s words go too far, but the matter must be clarified to prevent dirty water from being thrown on the Prime Minister."

Chen Shen remained silent.

The Emperor coughed lightly.

Time to wrap up.

Zheng Qi’s smile grew colder.

Yang Songcheng glanced at Chen Shen, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

A palace attendant entered.

"Your Majesty, urgent report from Wannian County..."

"What is it?" The Emperor’s expression was unreadable, but Han Shitou, who knew him well, sensed the Emperor’s satisfaction, relishing the spectacle of ministers attacking one another.

The attendant came in.

"Your Majesty, Assistant Director Yang Xuan of Wannian County reports that Director Qin died of..."

Swish!

All eyes turned to the attendant.

Yang Songcheng glanced at Chen Shen, seeing he remained calm.

"Director Qin died from an iron needle."

Zheng Qi smiled, "Killed by an iron needle? Why wasn't this discovered yesterday?"

The attendant answered, "The needle was inserted into Director Qin's forehead, only discovered after shaving his head."

"Director Qin died by murder!"