I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 117 - 83: Water Monkey, The Corpse Trick

Xu Qing did not care whether the County Captain would step down or even whether the emperor’s surname was Zhao.

But if he lost his connections with the Government Office’s Coroner’s Office because of a case, it would be unforgivable.

Linhe Government Office was one of his important sources for bodies. In a few months, it would be time for the autumn executions, and there would be a year’s worth of excellent corpses waiting for him to collect and examine.

If he lost this channel, it would be like cutting off one of his arms. How could he possibly sit by and do nothing?

Carefully flipping through the case files and on-site autopsy records, Xu Qing had not finished reading before he couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

"Was Old Madam Cao once a steward of the Sixteen Salt Gangs?"

Wang Lingyuan nodded and said, "Old Madam Cao’s original name was Cao Xiuying. When she was young, she was nicknamed ’Lady Salt King’ and secretly managed the affairs of the Linhe Salt Gang. Rumor has it that she was involved in the blood salt case ten years ago."

"No wonder the Grand Defender regards a servant so highly. If Old Madam Cao was able to take control of Linhai River Transport and salt duties, she must have had the help of an influential person close to the Grand Defender."

"Indeed, if it weren’t related to salt affairs, the County Captain wouldn’t be so flustered."

The Jianghuai Salt Gang was closely related to the official salt and iron system. The price of official salt was high, and the private salt trade was highly profitable. This led to numerous salt smugglers, who were almost impossible to ban.

As the saying goes, it is better to redirect the flow than to block it. To prevent such situations, the Imperial Court tacitly accepted the existence of the Salt Gang as a gray industry.

The Salt Gang stood above the private salt vendors but was secretly controlled by the Salt Transport Bureau.

Although on the surface, the Salt Gang was still resisted, everyone knew that the salt sold by the Salt Gang was actually discounted official salt!

Xu Qing was curious about how a ’Lady Salt King’ backed by the Grand Defender could have her entire family annihilated.

And it was done silently, without leaving a trace of evidence.

With a bystander’s interest, Xu Qing looked back at the autopsy records.

According to the records, Old Madam Cao’s entire family died from drowning, with algae and silt found in their nasal cavities and chest cavities, indicating that they probably died in a river or lake.

But when Xu Qing saw the later records, he showed a look of surprise.

"Old Madam Cao’s entire family died in their mansion, and there were no pools or pavilions in the mansion?"

Wang Lingyuan nodded and said, "Yesterday, the County Captain and the Military Captain inspected the scene together. Aside from two wells, there were no other water sources in the Cao Mansion."

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Lingyuan continued, "The scene of Old Madam Cao’s death was far more bizarre than what you read in the case files."

"After the incident, I went to the scene. Do you know what I saw?"

"I saw two loaches crawling out of Old Madam Cao’s mouth. The other corpses also had aquatic plants and river snails coming out of their mouths."

"Some corpses even had small fish jumping out of their mouths when opened. At the time, not only was I frightened, but even Chief Zhao was scared out of his wits!"

Hearing this, Xuan Yu, who had been sitting idly by the door, suddenly perked up.

Corpses that spit out small fish? Could such miraculous beings really exist in the world?

Xu Qing finished reading the records but did not find any new clues.

"The Cao Mansion’s wells didn’t contain these aquatic products. If we rule out the wells, then it has to be caused by some supernatural force."

"It can’t be supernatural; it must be man-made!" Wang Lingyuan lowered his voice, "No one dared to search the Cao Mansion privately. When the Military Captain brought the Salt Inspection Imperial Censor to search, they couldn’t find a single piece of paper, let alone the ledgers and letters related to private salt trade."

"If it were done by supernatural forces, why would they care about such things? Now the Imperial Censor suspects that the Patrol Office colluded with bandits to hide the evidence before he arrived."

"Before coming here, my junior brother should have seen Chief Zhao training in the courtyard. Do you know why he doesn’t go patrol the streets and solve cases?"

"The Salt Inspection Imperial Censor won’t let him leave the Government Office?" Xu Qing suddenly understood.

"Not just Chief Zhao. Both the Military Captain and the County Captain are now by the Imperial Censor’s side, not daring to leave for even a moment."

Xu Qing clicked his tongue and said, "In that case, if there are no unexpected developments, won’t this case be simply concluded?"

Wang Lingyuan sighed, "This case is beyond human control. I haven’t slept for two days because of this case. If we can’t find any clues, losing my job is a small matter. I’m afraid of being implicated. At that time, I’ll probably be charged with false crimes and sentenced to prison."

"Prison? It’s probably meant to silence you, isn’t it?"

If others truly believed that the Patrol Office was secretly obstructing and withholding evidence of private salt trade, Xu Qing didn’t think they would just be sentenced to prison.

This matter involved salt affairs, which could be severe or trivial. If there was indeed filth involved, not to mention the Grand Defender who controlled the Capital Camp, the other connected officials wouldn’t easily let go of these ’threats.’

"The calamity of pond fish, hard to escape!" Wang Lingyuan said dejectedly, "How could I not know? Even if this case is solved, whoever solves it won’t have a good outcome."

"Junior brother should keep this to yourself and don’t mention it to others. If there’s really no way, leave as soon as possible to avoid getting entangled."

Xu Qing didn’t like hearing that. He immediately said, "We are brothers by oath. How could I possibly do nothing? Besides, who said we have to solve this case ourselves?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Xu Qing called for Xuan Yu and bent down to try to scratch its wet nose but was quickly avoided.

"Have you forgotten what I used to do?"

"You mean corpse driving?"

Xu Qing stood up and smiled slightly, "Please give me two incense sticks’ time. During this period, don’t let anyone come in and disturb me."

"That can be arranged. Junior brother, rest assured and proceed!" Wang Lingyuan said with a serious face and then bowed before leaving the morgue.