C16 The Powerful Imperial Court the Weak Commoners

Jia Jiucheng knew what he was trying to say, but his face shifted subtly. "Let's not discuss that right now. We have serious matters to address!"

"Take a look at Xiao Pozi. He's been skulking around the Xie family's second wife for days. He's clearly developed a dangerous obsession," Worker Zhang stated. "He can't even look me in the eye without flinching; it's obvious he's scared."

Jia Jiucheng countered, "Isn't it natural for common folk to fear officials? And when we Captors storm into someone's home with such force, how could they not be frightened?"

"This man, with his physical deformities, must have a warped mind. Trust me, I'm not wrong. With my centuries of experience, it's definitely so!" Worker Zhang declared confidently. "Why is it so hard to make you understand?"

Jia Jiucheng thought to himself, "Isn't this discrimination? How many years have you been alive to claim centuries of experience? Judging by looks and going by gut feelings to reach a verdict?" He grumbled internally, "And you say I'm the one who's unclear? Perhaps the problem lies with me."

But seeing the eldest senior brother and the third senior brother gazing at Worker Zhang with such reverence, along with Worker Zhang's earnest and serious demeanor, Jia Jiucheng realized he was unlikely to sway them. In their eyes, he was just a kid, the new guy. How could he expect to change a mindset that had been entrenched for decades with just a few words?

There's an old saying that the imperial court doesn't send out hungry soldiers, and it was evident that Worker Zhang was quite righteous, treating everyone to a meal before the overtime work began.

"How should the interrogation proceed? The newcomer should observe and learn. What we've done before, we'll continue to do now," Worker Zhang instructed.

"Did you hear that? Third Junior Brother, pay close attention, speak less, and take more action!" Bamboo Leaves Green chimed in.

Tonight, most of the team had headed to the North District, leaving the County Yamen quite empty. The so-called interrogation room was merely a solitary chamber within the prison, equipped with over a dozen torture devices. Xiao Pozi was seated on a stool, neither bound nor shackled, likely because he appeared so frail, hardly stronger than the average citizen. Each Captor present was brimming with confidence in their own abilities.

Worker Zhang's face was stern as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Pozi's glasses and demanded, "Did you murder the two sisters from the Xie family?"

"It wasn't me! It wasn't me," Xiao Pozi rapidly shook his head in denial.

"You're still playing tough? Your footprints were found on the walkway outside the second-floor window of the Xie family's house," Worker Zhang retorted.

Jia Jiucheng knew it was a bluff; no one else had seen the supposed evidence.

"It's not me!" Tears began to well up in Xiao Pozi's eyes.

"Come clean about your dealings with the Xie family sisters, and do it now!"

Watching the scene unfold, Bamboo Leaves Green grew frustrated with the suspect's lack of cooperation. In a fit of anger, he charged forward and delivered a kick with his dance shoe to Xiao Pozi.

Bamboo Leaves Green had always been venomous by nature.

Jia Jiucheng had heard him boast about those dance shoes before. They had been a long-time investment, costing him several dozen taels of silver, and were his greatest pride. A house in Dingyuan might cost a few dozen taels, but these shoes were extravagantly priced. Adorned with various gems, platinum trim, and lined with the leather of a Devil Beast, they were designed for comfort while their exterior shone brilliantly hard. The materials alone were worth a fortune, and an ordinary Captor would have to live frugally for years to afford such luxury.

He dreamt that one day he would make his way to the North District, join the County Magistrate and County Peace Officer at the city's top entertainment spots, mingle with the elite, and dance. Perhaps a young noblewoman, radiant as a pearl, would take notice of him. He could then marry, have children, and embark on a life of happiness.

Xiao Pozi's frail frame couldn't withstand the force of Bamboo Leaves Green's shoe. His tattered shirt crumpled on the ground as he writhed under the assault, letting out agonizing cries of pain.

Bamboo Leaves Green bellowed furiously, "Will you confess now? Are you going to confess or not?"

Worker Zhang also furrowed his brow.

It was only then that Jia Jiucheng realized, "Oh right, I'm a captor, representing the ruling class—the Imperial Court."

The domineering Imperial Court could capture people and interrogate them in prison. They were free to beat people! No one would dare fight back, even if it meant being beaten to death!

Did they need anyone's approval to beat someone? Whose consent was required? Xiao Pozi on the floor was just curling up, begging for mercy. The more he pleaded, the more vigorously Zhu Yeqing kicked him, only slowing down when he was too exhausted to continue.

Neither Worker Zhang nor Geh Yuanliang stepped in to intervene. It all seemed so normal!

"Worker Zhang, this isn't right, is it? Someone could get killed!" Jia Jiucheng interceded on behalf of Xiao Pozi.

Worker Zhang gave Jia Jiucheng a stern look and signaled Zhu Yeqing to stop. "Xiao Pozi, come clean. Are you the one who killed the two sisters from the Xie family?"

...

Worker Zhang pulled Jia Jiucheng aside, ensuring they were alone before he began his heartfelt admonition, "What's gotten into you? Can't you take a hint? Why are you going against the grain? Everyone else is diligently interrogating the suspect, and you're not helping—you're just standing there, looking displeased?"

"..." Knowing his words would be futile, Jia Jiucheng walked away, leaving the prison behind.

Worker Zhang watched Jia Jiucheng leave, shook his head, and without a word, returned inside.

Jia Jiucheng decided to seek out his second senior sister, Xiao Shaomei, to inquire about the "missing persons" case.

After searching the yamen, he found his second senior sister busy in the hall, poring over case files.

"Second senior sister, have there been any recent disappearances in Dingyuan?" Jia Jiucheng asked.

"There are six," replied second senior sister Xiao Shaomei. "According to the neighbors' inquiries and the case files, three young women and three children are missing. Your suspicions are likely correct."

She continued, "The first is Wu Ya Ting, the star courtesan of the Hundred Flower Building. Rumor has it she left for the Prefecture to advance her career, but the Prefecture Yamen has no record of her."

In the rural outskirts of South City, two girls from the Du Family Courtyard went missing and were later found dead in the wilderness. Their family chose not to report the incident and buried the deceased themselves."

"Why?" inquired Jia Jiucheng.

Xiao Shaomei, the second senior sister, explained, "They believed that alerting the authorities might not lead to any action. With no money to spare, the family couldn't handle the strain. The burial costs were covered by loans. They also feared damaging their reputation, which could negatively impact their future endeavors, with outsiders casting judgmental glances their way."

Jia Jiucheng, reminded of his own parents' death, remained silent. The apathy of the people often stemmed from societal helplessness and disillusionment with government actions. Resigned to their fate, they accepted their circumstances with a touch of selfishness, living life as if they were merely going through the motions.

This indifference was a stark reflection of the current rulers' failure to govern effectively!

"If I were to die, would anyone cry? Like a grain of dust, unnoticed in its arrival and forgotten in its departure," Jia Jiucheng mused, shaking his head. "Why should I be so concerned with the opinions of others? I should strive to be my ideal self, to be genuine."

"Were their hands and feet bound, their mouths gagged, and pebbles stuffed inside as well? Do the number of stones signify the number of offenses?" Jia Jiucheng asked.

"Yes, the two girls from the village each had a different number of stones—one had one, the other two. Wu Yating is still missing; she's likely the third victim. Your theory seems quite plausible," confirmed Xiao Shaomei.

With a hint of confidence, Jia Jiucheng replied, "Then my hunch is correct. This isn't just a simple murder case; it's a series of killings by a deranged predator!"

"Exactly. Let's go find Worker Zhang and the others," Xiao Shaomei concurred.

"They're questioning Xiao Pozi," Jia Jiucheng informed her.

"Which one?" she inquired.

"The one from the Long Family on Yellow River Street in South City," Jia Jiucheng clarified.

Xiao Shaomei, the second senior sister, chuckled, "That one is only 16 or 17 years old. Impossible, right?"

As they walked and talked, they quickly reached the interrogation room, ready to bring Worker Zhang and the others out to clarify the situation.

By chance, Worker Zhang, the eldest senior brother, and Bamboo Leaf Qing emerged from the interrogation room, looking pleased. "What's impossible? What are you two discussing?" they asked upon hearing Xiao Shaomei's remark.

Jia Jiucheng inquired, "Have you finished the interrogation?"

"Yes, he's confessed. He's the one!" Bamboo Leaf Qing replied.

Jia Jiucheng pushed the door open and saw Xiao Pozi lying on the floor, barely clinging to life. He thought, "Anyone would confess under such duress, just to end the suffering, even if it means a quicker death."

This has always been the most common tactic: force a confession, and the authorities always seem justified!

Jia Jiucheng reminded himself to stay calm; getting angry would only backfire.

"He confessed to killing how many people?" Jia Jiucheng asked.

"Two," answered Bamboo Leaf Qing.

"But in reality, there should be five victims. He's not the killer," Jia Jiucheng stated.

Worker Zhang gave Jia Jiucheng a cold, surprised look. "Damn, he still had more to say!" Bamboo Leaf Qing exclaimed.

"Uh..." Jia Jiucheng was so taken aback that he was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe how the mind could fill in the blanks!

Turning to Worker Zhang, he made another plea, "Look at this guy. He's an idiot with a combat strength of only 5. Do you really think he's capable of committing a crime? Could he have killed the two young ladies from the Xie family without making any noise? We're just wasting time on him."

"Enough," Worker Zhang interjected, "Perhaps he did leave something out."

"Laosan, let's interrogate him again," he said to Bamboo Leaf Qing.

"Okay," Bamboo Leaf Qing agreed.

Eldest senior brother chimed in, "But he's already passed out."

Unconcerned, Bamboo Leaf Qing retorted, "Splash some water on him and wake him up. A criminal doesn't get to sleep soundly while we're still awake."

How could he possibly be sleeping soundly? It's obvious that you've been tormenting him. But Xiao Pozi is in no position to voice his opinion.

Bamboo Leaf Green brought over a bucket of icy water and doused Xiao Pozi's head with it. Xiao Pozi shuddered violently and snapped awake.

"Go over the details of how you murdered them, one more time."

"I... saw... the two... little ladies... of the... Xie family... so beautiful... like... flowers, and... lust... took over. On the night... of March fourth... during the Heavy Years... I snuck... into the... Xie family's home... and used a rope... to bind the two. I... assaulted them first... then... killed them. My crimes... are unforgivable. I... confess... to my... guilt!" Xiao Pozi said haltingly.

Jia Jiucheng demanded, "What did you just say?"

Xiao Pozi repeated, "I... saw... the two... young ladies... of the... Xie family... so beautiful... like... flowers, and... desire... arose within me. On the night... of March fourth... during the Heavy Years... I stealthily... entered the... Xie family's residence... and with a rope... I bound the two. I... assaulted them first... then... killed them. I... deserve... death a thousand times over. I... acknowledge... my... guilt!"