A Murder In The County

Countless stars illuminated the cloudless night sky.

The Observatory—also known as the headquarters of the Imperial Astronomers—was the tallest building in Jingzhao City.

The young woman dressed in a yellow robe ascended the steps effortlessly. As she passed the seventh floor, she heard a clamor coming from the Red Room.

A group of white-robed alchemists were engaged in a heated argument.

“Another failure? It’s supposed to be a simple step.”

“Told you the salt concentration was incorrect.”

“No, I believe it’s the water.”

“I think the flame is the issue. I saw many burned the salt.”

“To change salt into silver is impossible! I can’t do it.”

Caiwei smirked and muttered under her breath, “These people are still trying to produce counterfeit silver.”

Two days ago, she had come back to the Observatory with the salt and silver story and none of the disciples believed her.

Salt could be transmuted into silver?

Even a three-year-old would not believe such falsehoods.

However, when the case of the missing tax money was solved, the Emperor—seeing the potential of the mystical fake silver—had ordered the Imperial Astronomers to perform the transmutation.

Thus began the neverending work for the alchemy experts of the Imperial Astronomers.

They had been toiling away for two days, yet they had nothing to show for.

“Caiwei, it’s Caiwei!” someone called out.

One by one, the haggard faces turned around and stared at her with hopeful eyes.

“Caiwei, how did you turn salt into fake silver?”

“Caiwei, can you check if the procedure is correct? You’re the only person who has successfully done it.”

The disciples surrounded the young woman.

Chu Caiwei had no choice but to enter the Red Room and observe their transmutation attempts.

“Another failure!” one of the alchemists lamented.

“Where is the mistake?” the group of white robes asked in a suppliant tone.

‘I performed the same steps..’ Chu Caiwei said mysteriously, “It is an arcane technique passed down from ancient texts, not something that is easily learned. It involves breaking down a complicated matter and absorbing the pieces to see the whole picture. Let me share with you a mnemonic chant, listen closely.”

Captivated by Caiwei’s words, the disciples leaned forward in anticipation.

“Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus!” In a single breath, Caiwei delivered the impressive line.

The words were gibberish to the audience. It was clear no one knew what to do with the chant. “What does it mean?”

Chu Caiwei gave them an enigmatic smile. ‘I, myself, have no idea.’

“Amazing! Whoever wrote the chant is a genius,” someone said.

Chu Caiwei’s smile never faltered. ‘Genius? Dream on!’

“Caiwei, where did you learn about the chant? Did you receive guidance from an alchemy master?”

A good question. Chu Caiwei had intended to subtly reveal the person’s identity.

“The man is Xu Qian, the nephew of the seventh-ranked official from the Armed Guards, Xu Pingzhi. He will teach you the rest.”

The mention of a martial artist upsetted the group.

“Is that a joke? A disciple of the Imperial Astronomers seeking an outsider’s help?”

“A martial artist, no less.”

“If word got out, we will be the laughing stock of the city.”

The classification system gave rise to prejudices and friction among disciplines.

Taoism and Buddhism were always at odds with each other.

Sorcerers looked down on wizards and wizardesses who looked down on warlocks and witches who, in turn, despised sorcerers.

Then, all the above had a bone to pick with the martial artists.

As for the Confucians, well, they believed everyone else was garbage.

However, the recent generations of Confucians had substantially weakened.

“Caiwei, won’t you teach us?”

Caiwei hummed and said, “Next time!”

She made her escape and continued her upward journey.

To be honest, she knew nothing about the transmutation.

The only successful attempt she had seen was in Jingzhao Courts. Caiwei had tried her hand at the process but failed to produce any fake silver.

She had replicated the steps, and yet it was a failure. She did not understand why.

On the highest floor of the Observatory was an octagonal roof terrace that resembled the Eight Trigrams—hence the name, Eight Trigrams Terrace.

At the edge of the terrace was an old man dressed in a white robe. He was seated before a table with a wine cup in his hand. His head rested on the other arm as he semi-drunkenly gazed upon Jingzhao City.

Caiwei was amused but she did not disturb the old man. Her master spent most of his time drinking on the Eight Trigrams Terrace and enjoying the view.

He did not appreciate interruptions.

...

The old man squinted his eyes as if he was learning from humanity.

Then, he smiled. “Caiwei?”

“Master.” The young woman returned the smile as she jogged over to his side. The winds made her skirt flutter.

“What were the gifts from the Emperor?”

“A few hundred silver taels and a few bolts of silk fabric.” After a pause, she asked, “Master, what is the fake silver made of?”

“I do not know.”

“There are things unknown to the Master?”

“There are many. For example, I don’t know where the thieves from 19 years ago are,” the old man said with a chuckle.

“You always bring them up but you never tell me who they are or what they stole.”

The old man stood and walked to the edge of the terrace. He let out a deep sigh, “It was a priceless thing they took.”

“Then, do you know who produced those fake silvers?” The Imperial Astronomers were the founders of sorcery and by extension, alchemy. All alchemic practice was related to the Imperial Astronomers in one form or another.

...

There was an alchemist involved in the case of the missing tax money—not just an ordinary disciple, but someone who knew about the mystical metal.

“Naturally.”

..

The moonlight shone into the room located in the inner courtyard. Xu Qian laid on his bed and stared at the criss-crossed beams above him.

There was a mixture of trepidation and excitement as he thought about his future.

‘As a product of the Nine-Year Compulsory Education System, I should have an advantage here.’

He should be able to stand out among the people.

However, he was still uneasy about the absolute power bestowed about the monarch. The lack of human rights meant a pat on the back could easily turn into a knife.

The insecurity would be a bane to any modern day citizen.

Such thoughts followed Xu Qian into dreamland. When morning came, he woke up and put on his black uniform. He tied the sash around his waist and combed his long hair. The sword went on last—secured at the side of his waist.

Back straight and eyes focused, he looked good in uniform.

He could not deny the traditional garments did wonders for his appearance and presentation, though going to the loo was a hassle.

Xu Qian crossed the wall and grabbed a bite at his uncle’s place. Xu Pingzhi was reinstated as an official, and so the two men left the manor for work.

Changle County was a peripheral settlement to Jingzhao City. The Changle County Courts was located in the city, 6 to 7 miles from the Xu manor. Xu Qian did not own a horse or a carriage. On foot, it took 30 minutes to reach his new workplace.

The building for Changle County was north-facing and had two human-sized lion statues guarding the entrance. Beside the reddish-brown gates was a giant drum with its paint chipping off.

The makeup of the county courts was worth explaining. At the top was the county magistrate, assisted by the deputy magistrate and official registrar.

These positions were considered ranked officials in the courts. In the modern day, these positions would be roles of authority and leadership.

Below the three court officials was the executive official.

It was not a ranked position, thus unpopular.

The remaining officials could be split into the stealthy, the swift and the strong who formed the guards—maintaining peace and making arrests. They were also on standby to assist the six ministries of the courts.

Xu Qian worked in the swift class as a constable.

He walked into the building as the executive official was performing the morning roll call. Executive Li saw Xu Qian stride in with the standard issue sword at his waist and was taken aback.

His expression was as if he had seen a ghost.

The officials noticed the change in expression on their leader’s face and followed his gaze. Then, they too were in shock.

“X-Xu Qian! Is that really you? Is that a ghost?” someone shouted among the crowd.

Executive Li saw the shadow casted by Xu Qian—he took a deep breath and said in a calm voice, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting in the courts? Do ghosts have shadows?”

The officials peered at Xu Qian’s feet and let out a collective sigh of relief.

Xu Qian thought for a moment, then said, “Could be a walking corpse.”

The eyes of every official widened.

Before panic could take root, Xu Qian put his fist to his palm and saluted. “It is merely a joke. Salutations to the Executive Official and my fellow peers. I have been released from jail.”

Executive Li did not beat around the bush. “What happened?”

They had heard news about the Xu family being locked up for the missing silver taels.

“By the laws, a meritorious service can atone for a misconduct. The Emperor was merciful and absolved the Xu family of guilt.” Xu Qian regaled the story once more but made sure his uncle was named as the person responsible for their absolution. He pulled out the proof issued by the Jingzhao courts.

Although the tax money was recovered, the sentencing had yet to conclude. It would be some time before the cogs of the legal courts churn out a verdict.

The fact was unknown to the officials of the county courts.

After the morning call, a few constables came over to congratulate Xu Qian.

“Ningyan, you should take us drinking.”

In this period, the courtesy name was used when addressing friends and acquaintances while the birth name was used during self-introductions.

“That’s right. Good luck will come after you survived a disaster. Drinks on you!”

“I hear the playhouse facing the river brought in a new batch of performers. Ningyan, let’s pay them a visit tonight!”

‘Drinks are fine but you want me to pay for women?’ Xu Qian was about to reject their invitation and cite his poor financial status when he stepped on something hard and bumpy. He looked down to find a piece of silver fragment.

Was this the good luck that came after a disaster? He stopped his tracks and pretended to be enjoying the view.

As the group advanced without him, Xu Qian quickly bent down and collected the fragment. He stealthily deposited the fragment into his coin purse.

He made his way through the long corridor and ended up in the western hall. Minutes later, Executive Li strode in with purpose. He looked at the head constable and said, “Constable Wang, the County Magistrate has summoned us.”

A pained expression was etched on Constable Wang’s face but he said nothing and went with Executive Li.

Xu Qian watched the retreating figure of the constable and asked, “Why’s he so grumpy?”

“While you were in jail, there’s been a murder on Kangping Street. The dead is a wealthy merchant so the County Magistrate has been in a foul mood. Constable Wang has to endure his harangues everyday.”

Xu Qian chewed on a sunflower seed. “Why is the magistrate mad over a merchant’s death?”

Murder was always a heinous crime but as a fifth-ranked official of the Imperial Courts, the county magistrate should be unfazed.

“The merchant has kin among the Board of Imperial Advisors. I suspect they’re pressuring him. Plus, it’s the 37th year.” historical

“37th year?” Xu Qian did not understand the significance.

“Inspections!” the bailiff enlightened.