Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 651 Old Case Revisited
Zhou Xing was holding a roll of paper, which he then handed to Prefect Zheng.

Zhou Xing explained, "This is the last case that Magistrate Sun entrusted to me. I felt it was of great importance and dared not delay it."

Zheng Jie glanced up and down, then his expression turned serious. "Where is Magistrate Sun?"

Zhou Xing frowned and replied, "I'm leaving."

"gone?"

"Yes, all the tasks have been handed over. He said he had already packed his bags and left the government office."

Zheng Jie didn't speak, staring at the contents of the paper for a while longer. "The only so-called evidence is that letter?"

"Yes."

Zheng Jie then asked, "Is the original document available?"

"The original document is in Madam Mao's possession, but the contents of the letter have been copied into the case file in full."

Zheng Jie shook his head. "These few words alone are not enough as evidence. Go and find Madam Mao and ask her to bring the original letter with her."

Zhou Xing looked troubled. "Madam Mao is not in Liangzhou City."

Now it was Zheng Jie's turn to frown. "Where is it?"

Hua Rujin, who was serving, stood up, bowed to the person in the seat of honor, and said, "Madam Mao is staying at the Hongjia County Government Office."

Those who are favored by the emperor are not fools.

When news of Mao Chunfang's murder broke, he was no longer in the capital and was unaware of the court's opinion on the case.

Based on these few words and the reactions of Sun Xiang and Hua Rujin, Zheng Jie understood that things were not going to be easy.

Mao Chunfang's death might really be as Madam Mao accused, that it was Feng Zhong'an who did it, which is why it's so difficult to deal with.

How could a newly promoted fifth-rank prefect be allowed to interrogate a third-rank official in the capital?

Although a new broom sweeps clean, he couldn't afford to burn himself with such fervor. Besides, he had to recall the Emperor's instructions before he left the capital. The Emperor desired a stable border city, and to achieve that, he couldn't fixate on this matter.

One must make choices in life, but no matter how much he wanted to sacrifice, Zheng Jie could not abandon his conscience. He would pretend that this had not happened, and he would certainly not try to silence Madam Mao.

“I will report this matter to the court, but suing a third-rank official is no small matter,” Zheng Jie said. “I would appreciate it if you could send someone to bring Madam Mao to the government office. I have something to say to her in person.”

This was a perfectly reasonable request, but Hua Rujin refused, saying, "Please forgive my rudeness, sir. If you have any questions, why don't you come with me to Hongjia County?"

"Liangzhou is a large and chaotic place; it's not safe for Madam Mao to stay here."

"Your Excellency is very kind, but you can only protect Madam Mao for now. What about in the future?" Zheng Jie said, "If the court takes this case seriously and sends people to re-examine it, Madam Mao will eventually have to go to the capital."

“I will send someone to escort her there,” Hua Rujin said. “Since she has come to me for help, I cannot watch her go into danger.”

After saying this, Hua Rujin glanced at Meng Changqing again.

Okay, Meng Changqing understands.

Zheng Jie made his decision quickly: "Alright, in that case, I will go with you to see Madam Mao later."

Having said so much about digressions, it's time to get back to the original topic.

“The old lord’s reputation is well-known. I had heard of him when I was in the capital. Seeing him today, I know the rumors are true.” Zheng Jie’s gaze shifted from Hua Rujin to Cao Hongxing, skipping over Luo Mao between the two.

"Lord Cao is a skilled commander, and his cooperation with the Weishan Camp is excellent." Zheng Jie rose and bowed to Hua and Cao, saying, "I hope you two will continue to take good care of me in the future."

For a superior to say such a thing shows how low he has placed himself in the social hierarchy.

But why the humble attitude towards Hua Rujin and Cao Hongxing?

Meng Changqing was thinking, of the three counties along the border, the other two received preferential treatment, but she wasn't mentioned at all. What's wrong with that? Does not having military power mean no status?

Luo Mao also had his own thoughts. Leaving aside the two newcomers, he and Meng Changqing had been in Liangzhou for several years, so why only mention Hua Rujin and Cao Hongxing?
Even if Meng Changqing is too young to be mentioned by you, Luo Mao is older than you. It's not shameful to tell him to take care of you.

As Luo Mao was pondering this, he turned his head and saw Zheng Jie already standing in front of him.